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Sun |
Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
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30 BibleClass 9.45-10.30 MORNING WORSHIP Advent Communion11am Sunday School 11.10am PW lunch Crusaders 3-4
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1
Junior Badminton 2pm |
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2 BibleClass 9.45-10.30 MORNING WORSHIP 11am Congregational Meeting Sunday School 11.10am Crusaders 3-4 |
3Ballet 2.30-6.30pm Squirrels 6-7pm Beavers 6.30-7.30pm Cubs 6.45-7.45 Scouts 7.15-9 Badminton 7.30pm Axis 8.15pm Session Mtg 8pm |
4
Ballet 3.30-6.30
Bowling 7.30pm |
5 COFFEE DROP-IN 10.30-12 Ballet2.45-6 Sp&Drama2-6 Rainbows 5.30-6.30 Brownies 6.15-7.30 Guides 6.30pm Prayer Group7-7.30 Choir 7.30pm |
6 PW 10.30 Canon John Bell Speech & Drama 2.45-6.45 Ballet 4.15-5.45 Dramatic Society 7.30 Congreg.Cttee Mtg |
7 Ballet 3.15-5.30pm
Abundant Life Ministries 7.30-10 |
8
Junior Badminton 2pm |
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9 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY BibleClass 9.45-10.30 MORNING WORSHIP 11am Sunday School 11.10am Crusaders 3-4
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10 Women’s Bible Study 2-3 Ballet 2.30-6.30pm Squirrels 6-7pm Beavers 6.30-7.30pm Cubs 6.45-7.45 Scouts 7.15-9 Badminton 7.30pm Badminton 7.30pm |
11 Luncheon Circle 12.30pm
Ballet 3.30-6.30 Bowling 7.30pm |
12 COFFEE DROP-IN 10.30-12 Ballet2.45-6 Sp&Drama2-6 Rainbows 5.30-6.30 Brownies 6.15-7.30 Guides 6.30pm Prayer Group7-7.30 Choir 7.30pm |
13 Speech & Drama 2.45-6.45 Ballet 4.15-5.45 Dramatic Society 7.30 |
14 Ballet 3.15-5.30pm Abundant Life Ministries 7.30-10 QUIZ NIGHT 7.45 |
15 Junior Badminton 2pm
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16 Bible Class9.45-10.30 MORNING WORSHIP 11am Sunday School 11.10am Crusaders 3-4 |
17 Ballet 2.30-6.30pm Squirrels 6-7pm Beavers 6.30-7.30pm Cubs 6.45-7.45 Scouts 7.15-9 Badminton 7.30pm |
18
Ballet 3.30-6.30 Bowling 7.30pm |
19COFFEE DROP-IN 10.30-12 Ballet2.45-6 Sp&Drama2-6 Rainbows 5.30-6.30 Brownies 6.15-7.30 Guides 6.30pm Prayer Group7-7.30 Choir 7.30pm |
20 Speech & Drama 2.45-6.45 Ballet 4.15-5.45 Dramatic Society 7.30 PW Open Evening 7.30
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21 Ballet 3.15-5.30pm
Abundant Life Ministries 7.30-10 |
22
Junior Badminton 2pm |
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23 BibleClass9.45-10.30 MORNING WORSHIP 11am Sunday School 11.10am Crusaders 3-4 |
24 Women’s Bible Study 2-3pm Ballet 2.30-6.30pm Squirrels 6-7pm Beavers 6.30-7.30pm Cubs 6.45-7.45 Scouts 7.15-9 Badminton 7.30pm Badminton 7.30pm |
25 Luncheon Circle 12.30pm
Ballet 3.30-6.30 Bowling 7.30pm |
26COFFEE DROP-IN 10.30-12 Ballet2.45-6 Sp&Drama2-6 Rainbows 5.30-6.30 Brownies 6.15-7.30 Guides 6.30pm Prayer Group7-7.30 Choir 7.30pm |
27 Speech & Drama 2.45-6.45 Ballet 4.15-5.45 Dramatic Society 7.30 |
28 Ballet 3.15-5.30pm
Abundant Life Ministries 7.30-10 |
29
Junior Badminton 2pm |
Records of service:
McCracken
Chronicle
November
2008
www.mccrackenchurch.org
Dear McCrackenees,
I just voted. Yes, the U.S. Presidential election isn’t until the 4th of November, but through a complicated series of phone calls, faxes, emails and scans, Kiran and I just sent our absentee ballots off to the Wabash County Election Commissioner. We’ve done our patriotic duty. And I’m happy we did.
But, to be honest, I’m feeling a bit let down. It’s not that I’m sorry to see this marathon two-year-plus election campaign come to a close (‘good riddance’ is the apt phrase, I believe). And it’s not as if I’m regretting my choice. My let down comes from having to do it so far away – from being an ‘absentee’ voter. It’s just not the same.
If you’ve ever been in America on Election Day, you know that we treat it like a national holiday. We get up early, form a queue at the local voting station (usually a school or a church hall or a firehouse), chat with our neighbours while we wait, disappear into a booth, pull the lever, and then spend the rest of day feeling a mixture of pride in the process and anxiety over the results. Later, we fix our eyes to a screen and know that hundreds of millions of other people are also gathering with family and friends to await the final tally.
To be ‘absentee’ just doesn’t cut it. When it comes to something so inherently communal, to be away from the group doesn’t seem right. And even though it counts, I don’t feel I’m getting as much out of my vote as I would otherwise.
I bring this up because I am going into November realising that I will be an absentee McCrackenite for much of the next month. In many ways, that’s good. I’m overdue for a break and I will need to step back from the church as our home demands more attention. Most importantly, I’d much rather be an absentee McCrackenite for a few weeks than an absentee father for the first month of our child’s life.
Nevertheless, I step back from the church knowing that I will miss out on a great many things. When it comes to something as communal as the church, to be away from the group for long just doesn’t seem right. We get so much more out of our faith when we are actively sharing it with others. And church provides the perfect way to do that.
With that in mind, I urge you to reconsider how much time and energy you are putting into the life of this congregation. Some of you are here every Sunday and show up for many of the events during the week. You, like me, may be overdue for a break! But others of us have a more distant connection to the church. Sure, your membership still counts, but you may not be getting as much out of it as you could.
I am confident that whatever investment you put into this congregation, much will be returned to you. If you come to all services (regardless of who’s preaching) or simply take the time to chat with a visiting elder or committee member; if you attend meetings or spend time alone in prayer contemplating the issues at hand; if you serve on a committee or reach out to a member you haven’t met before: being a part of the community will improve your individual well-being. Put simply: you’ll be happy you voted McCracken.
Your friend,
Alex
SERVICES IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Sunday 2nd November Morning Worship 11am Rev Alexander Wimberly
Sunday 9th November Morning Worship 11am Remembrance Sunday
Rev Ian McDowell
Sunday 16th November Morning Worship 11am Danielle Smyth, Habitat for Humanity The service will highlight the work of this organisation, with special emphasis on explaining the issue of housing to our children
Sunday 23rd November Morning Worship 11am John Mbayo
Sunday 30th November Morning Worship Advent Communion Service
Rev Dr Derek Drysdale
Sunday 7th December Morning Worship 11am Rev Dr David Irwin
Sunday 14th December Gift Service and Nativity Play 11am
There will be no evening services until the Carol Service
The Wimberlys appreciate greatly your love and support as they await the arrival of their first child. The due date is the 13th of November, though no one is sure if the baby is aware of that. We look forward to introducing him or her to you, but ask that if you intend to come by the Manse that you please phone ahead. Thank you.
In Alex’s absence, emergency pastoral concerns should be relayed to Mrs. Rosemary Simpson, our Clerk of Session. The Rev. Ian McDowell has agreed to address pastoral emergencies in the first part of November, and our Senior Minister, David Irwin, will also be available closer to the end of the month and into December.
The Development Sub-Committee, set up by the Finance and Property Committees, has been busy at work in the last few months. We’ve visited several churches that have undergone recent building projects and learned a great deal about what McCracken may want to consider to enhance its ministry. Though no recommendations have yet been made, we are completing our preliminary work and hope to report more fully in due course. Watch this space!
A Meeting of the Congregation is scheduled for Sunday 2nd November immediately following the service in the Dowling Hall to elect members to the congregational committee. Please plan to attend.
Many thanks to all those who have served on the Congregational Committee in the last few years. A few folks currently serving have indicated that they’d like to take a well-deserved retirement, and we want to make sure they know how appreciated they are. Our thanks especially to Fullerton Jelly, Gerry Nickell, Michael Ramsey, David McClelland and Jenny Hanna. We will miss your contribution but hope you enjoy your extra time.
Thank you very much to those members who kindly supplied the flowers for the church during the month of September:-
Margaret Stinson, Maeve Gray, Michelle Fetherston and
Jean McCallister
MORNING SERVICE RECORDINGS
Recordings will be available to borrow from the Wednesday after the
preceding Sunday Service. If you would be interested in borrowing a copy to
listen to at home please contact the Rev Alex Wimberly,
tel: 9066 5739 or Rosemary Simpson tel: 9082 7017 to make the necessary
arrangements.
Diary Dates
Kirk Session meeting Monday 3rd November at 8pm
Congregational Committee meeting Thursday 6th November.
Drama Society. The Drama Society continue to meet every Thursday evening in the committee room of the Dowling Hall at 7.30pm. This season’s production is ‘Cupid Wears Skirts’ and will be performed 6th and 7th March 2009.
Coffee Drop-In
morning every Wednesday
10.30 - 12.00
McCracken Luncheon Circle The luncheon dates for November are Tuesday 11th and Tuesday 25th. The lunch will be served at 12.30pm sharp in the Dowling Hall. If you would like to join us or cancel your place please phone Jenny Smyth 9066 5837 or Maureen Carson 9020 2504.
PW meets on Thursday 6th November at 10.30 am. Canon John Bell will speak on ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. The Open Evening Meeting is on Thursday 20th November at 7.30pm when Rev Dr Johnston McMaster will speak about ‘Celtic Christianity’. Sunday 30th November all are invited to PW fund raising lunch in aid of new curtains for the Minor Hall—see attached insert for details
Womens Bible Study will meet on 10th November. This group meets from 2pm until 3pm. The second meeting of the month is on 27th October. New members are very welcome.
Quiz Night