May 1st

MIDDLEBURY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN “PROMISE”
We promise to walk in the way of Jesus’ love by: Looking for
the God seed in all people while practicing healthy processes
of inclusiveness, showing grace and honesty.
Building-up community by showing Hospitality,
Equality and speaking truth in love.
Willing to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit
with our heart, mind, soul, and strength as we grow
spiritually and are transformed in God’s love, grace
and peace.
Study, Practice, and Commitment to Forbearance* as
we search for common ground.
Joyously Celebrating Life.
*Forbearance:
Forbearance is a biblical concept.
The Greek words in the New Testament translated as carry
meanings of patience self-control, restraint, mercy, longsuffering and the refusal to threaten (EPH. 4:2; COL 3:13, EPH
6:9, 11COR 12:6)
Forbearance does not jeopardize or denigrate individual
conviction, but it does place boundaries on the quality and
character of individual responses.
Forbearance does not require one to accept what another
believes, but it does require one to listen and try to
understand what another believes without demeaning,
personal attacks, or acting to disenfranchise the other
person.
MIDDLEBURY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Middlebury Church of the Brethren is a welcoming and inclusive
congregation offering Christ’s hospitality to the world.
Pastoral Minister – Janet Shaver; cell 574-214-6741
e-mail: middleburypastor@yahoo.com
Worship – 9:00 a.m. Sunday School – 10:45 a.m.
Middlebury
Church of the Brethren
A Taste of Heaven
May 1, 2016
“Now and Later”
May 1, 2016
Welcome and announcements
Mike Sommer
Scripture:
Revelation 21:10, 22-25
Revelation 22:1-5
pew bible NT page 259
pew bible NT page 260
Prelude
Joys & Concerns of the People
*Praise Music:
“Come to the Table of Grace”
“New Earth, Heavens New”
*CALL TO WORSHIP: (Responsive)
see insert
#299
Mike Sommer
Leader: Jesus Promised
People: I will ask the father. He will give you another
advocate to help you and be with you forever.
Leader: Jesus Promised
People: The spirit of truth the world cannot accept as they
do not see or know him, but you know him.
Leader: Jesus Promised:
People: He lives with and within you I will not leave you as
orphans I will come to you
*INVOCATION: (Unison prayer)
O God, we still our hearts. We do not know what words you
will speak to us today, but we open ourselves to receive
your truth. We want to see you, to know you more and to
receive your love and to respond in worship. Our songs, our
words, our actions are for you and you alone. Guide us,
Spirit, as we worship today. Change us because we have
been in your presence. Amen.
*Hymn
“Lord You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
Guitar and Flute accompaniment
#229
*Greet Each Other in Christ's Love
While Ushers Come In
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn:
“Praise, I will Praise You Lord”
#76
Offering Prayer:
In your extravagant generosity, God, you opened the floodgates
of heaven to send Love to us in person. We are in awe of such a
remarkable gift. We offer all that we have -- our worship, our
talents, our time, our money and our lives in service to your world
that Love came to proclaim. May we be useful vessels in your
hands to bring your world to reality. For the sake of Love
Incarnate, we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
John 14:23-29
Message:
“Now and Later”
*Hymn:
“Bind us Together”
*Postlude
pew bible NT page 109
Pastor Janet Shaver
see insert
Nelda Snider
CANDLELIGHTER…….……..………………………..
CHORISTER ................................... Tamra Houser
SOUND…,……………Mark Roebuck & Beth Sholly
ORGANIST ........................................ Nelda Snider
SCREENS……………………..………Andy Showalter
CHILDREN BELL CHOIR ............. Dalis Andrews
PIANIST………………….……………Lorie Copeland FLUTIST……………………………..Sherry Bickel
USHERS TODAY ............................................................. Beth Muhlnickel, Wayne Andrews, Ramsey Smith
DEACON WELCOMERS TODAY ............................................................................ Don & Beth Muhlnickel
SANCTUARY GREETERS TODAY ............................................................................... Dick & Becky Miller
DEACON WELCOMERS NEXT WEEK ................................................................. Jerry & Julie Bontrager
SANCTUARY GREETERS NEXT WEEK ..................................................................... Ken & JoAnn Abbott
USHERS NEXT WEEK ............................................................... Don Muhlnickel, Ken Abbott, Beth Snider
Please place music sheet inserts in the basket at the rear of the sanctuary. We can use them again.
Children’s Message
Roger Copeland
Children under 6 yr old can leave to attend the child care at this time.
* Congregation stands in body or spirit
May 1, 2016
Activities and Announcements
Today 9:00 a.m. Worship Pastor Janet Shaver
Worship Leader – Mike Sommer
10:15 a.m. Fellowship time: (coffee and refreshments)
10:45a.m Sunday School Classes
Tuesday- Worship committee meeting 10:00 a.m. at the church.
Executive Board meeting 6:30 p.m. at the church
6:30 p.m. Board room rented by Steve Nisley. The group would
like the congregation to know that anyone is welcome to attend.
Wednesday – Women’s Book Study will begin 6:30 pm in the
Middlebury Greencroft center. The book for discussion is
“Bad Girls of the Bible”
Thursday –11:30 a.m.
lunch carry-in gathering will be at
“Crystal Valley Manor” serving casseroles and deserts in Middlebury
beginning 11:30 a.m. open to both men and women.
“Take a Break Thursday” free community meal to be
served at 5:30 p.m. here at the church. Please come and enjoy the meal
and fellowship. This is a partnership with Faith Mission of Elkhart
There is Fair Trade coffee and chocolate bars available for purchase
in the fellowship hall. AND, they are ALL bargains!
-- French Roast, $7.50 - (retail $11.25)
-- Morning Blend, $6.50 - (retail $9.75)
-- Milk & Dark chocolate bars, $2.50 - (retail $3.75)
Take care of your cravings and support fair wages and fair treatment of people
and the planet!
FOOD PANTRY
Please remember to bring in your donations for the
Food Pantry. It’s April and let’s bring in cleaning items.
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
May 10th – 1:30-4:00 p.m. Old Timers meeting at Essen Haus
Conference Center. Everyone is welcome to come; reminisce and
learn about Middlebury’s yesterdays & years.
Next Sunday May 8, 20116
9:00 a.m. – Worship Pastor Janet Shaver
Worship Leader: Mike Sommer
10:15 a.m. – Fellowship time: (coffee and refreshments)
10:45 a.m. – Sunday School Classes
May 10 – Seasoned Senior lunch by Pastors Janet & Byrl Shaver
May 12 – Church Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. all welcomed
May 15 – Pentecost Sunday – children’s improve drama
May 15 – Deacon meeting after Sunday School
May 19 – In Community Meal at 11:30 location to be determined later
May 24– Worship Committee meeting at 10:00 a.m
May 29 – “Story Telling” Sunday with Dana Snider and Bev Short
& 2¢ meal collection
May 7th - Sam Good Fish Fry at Bethany Church – with soft serve ice
cream & an Amish Bake sale - will be on Saturday, May 7 from 4-8 pm.
Adults $9; children 6-12 are $5.50; and under 6 free. Bethany is less than a
mile east of State Route 15 on U. S. 6 south of New Paris. For more
information contact the church at 574-831-4993. Proceeds to Bethany’s Good
Samaritan Fund.
Beth Snider and Jill Weaver invite you to their place, Friday,
May 20th, 7:00 p.m. for a bonfire, snacks and S'mores.
You bring: a lawn chair if you have one; whatever beverage
you'd like to drink; a snack to share.
Jill and Beth will provide the "fixin's" for S'mores. Maps &/or
directions are available.
Who would like to lead a healthier lifestyle? Who would
like to eat healthier? Do you need support from others who
desire the same thing?
There are a group of us who would like to start a Healthy
Lifestyle Group. We don't mean diet but we do desire weight
loss. There are no scales and weigh-ins. But there is helpful
tips, healthy recipes, nutrition and exercise conversation. We
would decide as a group what we needed to live a healthier
life. If you are interested, talk to Pastor Janet. We want to
decide when to meet and how often. Remember we are a
group that encourages each step we take towards a healthier
way of living.