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likewise a reason for gratitude.

We give thanks for the people of Muddy Creek Lutheran, for our mission to our community, and for the work of God in all of our lives. Our prayer is that each of us may have a renewed sense of God’s grace in all things, and that “the ears of our ears” may be awakened and “the eyes of our eyes” may be opened to a new ap-preciation of God’s love.

May this Thanksgiving find you with a refreshed sense of gratitude. And “for everything which is natural, which is infi-nite, which is yes”, may we truly give thanks!

Since November is the month of Thanks-giving, it is appropriate to explore one of the best-loved poems from the poet e.e. cummings. Yes, there are no capital letters in his name (it is his trademark) as well as in his poems – which makes the capitaliza-tion of “God” and “You” (referring to God) in this poem all the more remarkable.

e.e. cummings’ poem “I thank You God for this most amazing day” enkindles an awareness of all of God’s handiwork in na-ture and in our very lives. Even the very ability to perceive, to sense, is itself a rea-son to give thanks according to the poet. Existence itself, “human merely being”, is

MUDDY CREEK LUTHERAN w w w . m c l c h u r c h . o r g 3 3 6 - 2 7 7 0

S pe c i a l po i n t s o f

i n t e r e s t :

Bake ‘n Take

First Communion

Fall Clean Up

Youth Lock-in

Worship Helper

Schedule

Calendar

I ns i de t h i s i s s ue :

Ways to Serve 2

Fellowship and Learning

3

News and Notes 4

Birthdays 5

Worship Helpers 6

Miscellaneous 7

Calendar 8

N o v e mbe r 2 0 1 4

From the Pastors

i thank You God for this most amazing day

i thank You God for this most amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and of wings: and of the gay great happening illimitably earth) how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any--lifted from the no of all nothing--human merely being doubt unimaginably You? (now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

~ e. e. cummings (1894-1962), American poet

Upcoming Worship Notes

Nov. 2- All Saints’ Day : An opportunity to light candles and remember those who have died during the last year. From Muddy Creek we will remember:

Alverta Burkhart 3/17/2014

Earl Grant Jr. 4/12/2014

Ruth Ann Nussbaum 4/20/2014

Lyda Moyer 8/23/2014

Nov. 26- Wednesday Evening, Community Thanksgiving Service

St. Paul Adamstown, Pastor Schwabe-Fry preaching

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Ways to Serve

Bake and Take

Saturday, Nov. 15

9 a.m.

What: A service project for the whole family!

Who: Children, youth, parents, even small children can help!

Where: Muddy Creek

When: Saturday morning

Come and spend a fun morning baking pumpkin bread to give, making turkey cookies to eat, deliv-ering fresh pumpkin bread to some older members of Muddy Creek. This is a great way to serve to-gether as a family and brighten someone’s day.

Fall Property Clean Up

Saturday November 22

8 a.m.

Your help is needed to clean up the outside of our church property on November 22. No experi-ence is necessary and this is a great way for all ages to help keep our grounds in good shape. Join us anytime that morning. Lunch will be served at noon.

Members to Remember

Cookie Patrol

Muddy Creek has been delighted to have numerous visitors at worship lately. The evangelism committee would like to thank folks for visiting by dropping off some cookies at their homes. The committee would like to keep some cookies in the freezer at church to be used as needed as part of the “cookie patrol”. If you would be willing to help bake some cookies from time to time, please speak to Pastor Peter.

The Social Ministry Committee is looking for individuals and families

to be part of a ministry of caring to our “members to remember”. We hope that you will adopt some-one over the holiday seasons (Nov.—Feb.) and remember them with a periodic card, phone call, or visit.

In order to participate, please sign up in church by Nov. 2 or contact Brenda Mumma or the church office.

This is a great way to be a blessing to someone else and to be blessed by them in return!

Giving Tree

Beginning November 30, you are invited to offer your support to those in need during this holiday

season by taking one of the tags on the tree. Each tag will have an item that is needed written on it and will be given to support those who are staying at the Samaritan Shelter in Ephrata, which serves women and children in need of housing. Thank you for helping to support this project of the So-cial Ministry Committee at Muddy Creek.

Redner’s Save-a-Tape If you shop at Redner’s please consid-er participating in their Save-a-Tape program. You can get a card from the cashier to be scanned each time you shop. Afterwards, bring your receipts to the collection bin at church. Gas is no longer part of the Save-a-Tape program. So far this year we have received $417.66 which goes to the Good Samaritan Fund for those in need at Muddy Creek. Your help does make a difference!

Bloodmobile Monday Nov. 24

3-7 p.m.

Central PA Bloodmobile will be at Muddy Creek on Nov. 24. Please consider donating, as there is a great need, particularly at this time of year.

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Fellowship and Learning

First Communion Class

Sunday November 9,

9 a.m.

Elementary and middle school students who have not yet received Communion or who would like to learn more about this sacrament are invited to participate in Communion Instruction in this class led by Pastor Nancy. Parents or grandparents are also asked to at-tend the class with their child. We will meet down-stairs in the fellowship hall. Please email Pastor Nan-cy at Nancy@mclchurch.org if you plan to partici-pate.

Confirmation Gatherings

Youth in grades 6—9 are invited to attend mid-week gatherings at the church. Friends always welcome!

This month’s Wednesday Gatherings

6:30—8:00 pm

November 5

November 19 (Parent/Youth Night)

This month’s Parent Class

Sunday, November 2 at 9 a.m.The Creed Part 3

Ladies’ Night Out

December 12, 6:00 p.m.

All ladies from Muddy Creek and friends are invited to a fun night out. The night will begin with a provided lunch followed by a Christmas Carol Sing. The evening will conclude with a cookie exchange. In order to collect cookies to take home, please bring 5 dozen of the same kind of cookie, and a copy of the recipe. And don’t forget to bring an empty cookie container too! If you plan on coming please sign up on the clipboards near the entrances to the worship space. Hope to see everyone of all ages there!

The Chickens are Coming….

On Sunday November 16, Jim and Marie Redcay will be bringing some chicks and chickens to the Muddy Creek Sunday School! All classes, including the adult Sunday School Class, have been hard at work bringing in their “change for chicks” so that we can donate flocks of chicks to those in need through Heifer Project International. This will be our chance to see some real live chickens and learn more about them.

Adult Education

9:00 –9:45 am, Sundays in the Annex

The Bible Study about hope continues in November with the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah. New partici-pants welcome at any time.

Jesus ‘n Me Parent/Child Group

Monthly Sunday Mornings, 9:00 am

0—4 year olds

Come join the fun in this interactive experience for parents and children (grandparents, or other adults are wel-come with their little ones too!). Pastor Nancy will lead everyone in simple songs, stories, activities, parachute play, puppets, and more.

November meeting: November 16

Theme: “Thanksgiving: Thank you God for Food”

Friday Nov 14, 7 p.m.-

Saturday Nov 15, 10 a.m.

Who: 6th—12th graders and friends

What: Lock-in Sleepover at the church with snacks, games (including “Sardines”), movie, and fun

Sunday School Christmas Program

The program will be Sunday Dec. 14 and will in-clude ways for everyone to participate. Pastors Nan-cy and Peter will begin rehearsing music with the children during Sunday School beginning Nov. 16.

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News and Notes

Thank you to all members of my Muddy Creek Church family for the outpouring of cards, I received for my 70th Birthday!

-Very much appreciated,

Pat Artz

Thank you to the Margaret Burkhart Memorial Fund for the purchase of a baptismal ewer and baptismal cloths.

Thank you to all those who helped with the 75+ luncheon. A special thanks to Hazel Fry for her presentation on the history of Muddy Creek

Ephrata Area Social Service sends a note of thanks to Muddy Creek for the recent donation to support their work.

Church Council

The budget was presented and the council requested that the finance committee review the numbers again in order to address the projected deficit evident in the first draft. A special council meeting will be held with regard to their second draft.

A presentation was given by our organ company regarding the state of the organ and their recommendations con-cerning a renovation of the instrument

Social Ministry

The committee will be serving a Community Meal for those in need on Nov. 20 in Trinity Methodist Church in Denver. We will serve turkeys grown by Jim and Marie Redcay.

Muddy Creek currently has about 30 members who can not attend church for various reasons. The committee will seek to provide support to some of these people by asking for volunteers in the Member to Remember Program.

The committee asks members of the congregation to celebrate Pastors’ Appreciation Month during November by dropping a note of appreciation to the pastors during this month.

Council and Committee Highlights

Giving Statements for 2014: Anyone wishing to receive a giving statement who did not receive one in the past should contact Nedra at 336-7444 before January 1, 2015 in order to receive one.

2015 Envelopes: These will be available in your mailbox in the annex beginning Sunday, Dec. 7. Please be sure to write your designations for your offering on the outside of each envelope:

Current: general operating expenses

Benevolence: mission dollars for the work of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA

Building/Improvement: building and improvement projects at Muddy Creek

Other: special needs designated by your choice such as bell tower, altar flowers, youth, organ, World Hunger, Good Samaritan Fund, EASS, etc.

Special Envelopes: (Communion, Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) money goes to the mission of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA unless it is designated otherwise.

Simply Giving Program: This is an option, used by a number of households at Muddy Creek, whereby you can have your contributions electronically deducted from your bank account. Your bank may also enable you to have automatic, scheduled deductions to the church without the use of the Simply Giving program. You will still receive envelopes in case you want to use them for special offerings, or if you would like to place an empty offering envelope in the plate on Sunday morning with SG written in the top right corner. Electronic giving provides convenience for you and much needed donation consistency for our congregation. Getting started is easy and can be done by using forms available in the money counting room following worship each Sunday.

Offering Envelope and Year End Giving Statement Information

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November Birthdays

A Special Happy Birthday to our “Over 80” Members

Brenda & Friends Tours

Nov 8, 2014 –Cowboy Christmas at Antietam Rec

Nov. 22, 2014 - Williamsport Victorian Christmas Dec. 6, 2014 -"Dickens of a Christmas" in Williamsport

Dec. 11, 2014 -"The Christmas Campaign" Allenberry Playhouse

For more info contact Brenda at 336-6886 or

bergerb@dejazzd.com.

More info also on hallway table outside church office.

Charles Frantz

Marie Redcay

Joanne Saylor

Sara Frazer

Chris Killian

Peyton Rideout

Beth Witmer

Brad Rauch

Rory Hassler

Sharon Roth

Alyson Becker

Minetta Jones

Bradley Fry

Scott Moyer

Earl Nussbaum

Chris Steinman

Edwin Blatt

Adler Eshleman

Stephen Staudt

Jeanette Bubbenmoyer

Jolene Weaver

Brandi Brinton

Larry Shober

Ruth Brossman

Vicki Moyer

William Burkhart

Charmaine Wenrich

Ausma Buffenmyer

Meghan Shober

Hayden Rideout

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Charles Leid

John Bearinger

Brenda Shreiner

Pat Brendle

Daniel Witmer

Collin Engle

Natalie Frankfort

Chris Steinman

Madison Ebersole

Phil Webber

Adrienne Becker

Stephanie Spangler

Doug Haines

Ida Wenrich

Teresa Fritz

Joan Shimp

Harold Weinhold

Barbara Ruth

Michael Lausch

Helen Stender

Richard Shober

Tara Wert

Kayla Gehman

Ryan Hassler

Tim Fritz

Kim Walmer

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November 16, 1929 William Burkhart

Age 85 240 N. Reamstown Road

Denver, PA 17517

November 16, 1931 Charmaine Wenrich

Age 83 235 Vera Cruz Road

Reinholds, PA 17569

November 23, 1927 Ida Wenrich

Age 87 Pleasant View Ret. Comm.

210 Terrace Gardens

Manheim, PA 17543

November 26, 1934 Harold Weinhold

Age 80 503 W Willow Dr.

Manheim, PA 17545

November 27, 1930 Helen Stender

Age 84 5 James Drive

Denver, PA 17517

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 14, 2014

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Worship Helpers

Coffee Ministry

November

2 Pat Brendle & Barbara Youndt

9 Millie Shober & Kathleen Ebling

16 Brenda Berger, Susan Siegel & Helen Stender

23 Patti Weaver

30 Roger & Audrey Noll & Gloria Aseli

December

7 Brenda Shreiner & Michelle Walzl

14 needed

21 needed

28 Roger & Audrey Noll & Gloria Aseli

Money Counters

November

2 Nancy & Sid Hurst, Jane Wenger

9 Jere & Joan Shimp

16 Lori & Mike Martin & Josephine Martin

23 Linda & Tim Fritz

30 Gail & Ted Bare

December

7 Jeanette & Michael Leid, Phil Weaver

14 Connie & Rick Harding, Diane Leed

21 Marie & Walter Buohl, John Schutter

28 Gloria Aseli, Brenda Berger, Audrey Noll

Altar Guild

November

Gail & Ted Bare

December

Brenda Shreiner & Jane Wenger

Bulletin Folders

(Friday unless noted)

November

7 Janet Frantz & Pat Artz

14 Nancy Beck & Linda Berger

21 Peggy Leid & Kathleen Ebling

26 (Wed) Audrey & Roger Noll & Gloria Aseli

December

5 Brenda & John Shreiner

12 Marian & Shorty Weinhold & Joyce Keith

19 Barbara & Jim Youndt

23 (Tues) Mickey Jones, Carl & Joanne Schenskie

31 (Wed) Peggy Leid & Charmaine Wenrich

Lay Readers

November

2 Doris Rauch

9 Hollie Kemper

16 Jill Youndt

23 Chris Steinman

30 Brenda Berger

December

7 Doris Rauch

14 none needed

21 none needed

28 Brian Zwally

Greeters

November

2 Phil Ramsey & Leroy Berger

9 Peggy Leid & Darlene Weidman

16 Millie Shober & Jim Weber

23 Laura Vedder & William Wood

30 Barbara & Jim Youndt

December

7 Church Council Members

14 Brenda & John Shreiner

21 John & Sandra Schutter

28 Pat Brendle & Jill Youndt

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December 12, Friday—Ladies’ Night Out Annual Cookie Exchange

December 14, Sunday—Congregation Budget Meeting and Elections

December 14, Sunday—Sunday School Christmas Program

December 17, Wednesday—Youth, Children, and Family Christmas Caroling

December 21, Sunday—Choir Cantata

January 24, Saturday — Kid’s Movie Night

January 25, Sunday —Annual Congregational Meeting

Ushers

November Team 2 Michael Leid, Cpt.

December Team 5 Patti Weaver, Cpt.

Acolytes

November

2 Courtney Zwally

9 Haley Leed

16 Tyler Cloud

23 Natalie Sukanick

30 Ryan Brubaker

December

7 Brandon Walzl

14 Will Meckley

21 Courtney Zwally

24 Haley Leed

28 Tyler Cloud

Worship Helpers

Upcoming Events

Worship Sunday School

October 5 147 47

October 12 124 45

October 19 129 57

Income Actual Expenses

September $12,457.12 $17,292.42

Attendance and Giving Report

Nursery

(10:15 unless noted)

November

2 8 a.m. Don & Nora Busser

10:15 a.m. Peggy Leid & Katie Sheffer

9 Michelle Walzl & Brenda Shreiner

16 Michelle & Scott Dimitris

23 Jill Youndt & Brandon Walzl

30 Connie & Rick Harding

December

7 8 a.m. Don & Nora Busser

10:15 a.m. Mike & Wendy Sheaffer

14 No Nursery—SS Christmas Program

21 Peggy Leid & Katie Sheffer

28 Michelle Walzl & Brenda Shreiner

Crucifer

November 2 Haley Leed

December 7 Kelby Weaver

December 24 Courtney Zwally

November Office Hours

Church Office: Monday—Friday 9:00 am—1:00 pm

Pastors: Monday 9:00 am—11:00 am

Tuesday 8:30 am—10:30 am

Thursday 8:30 am– 10:30 am

Additional hours by appointment and at

various times throughout the week

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