Christianity Illustrated (the Parables)
Sundays 9:30    Main Auditorium
               11:00  Main Auditorium & the Venue
 
Our sermon series on the Parables of Jesus continues throughout the month of November. Jesus wanted to make the truth about God and His kingdom available to everyone, so He told these colorful, unforgettable, culturally-relevant stories. Most of Jesus’ parables are stories of everyday life but include an unexpected twist that catches us off guard and allows truth to penetrate our defenses. This series is designed to help you better understand and live in the kingdom of God.
 
Nov 2      Kingdom Investing (Parable of the Talents, Matt 25:14-30)
Nov 9      Persistent Prayer (Parable of the Friend at Midnight, Luke 11:1-13)
Nov 16    The Open Chair (Parable of the Great Banquet, Luke 14:15-24)
Nov 23    The God Who Runs (The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-32)
Nov 30    The Son Who Stayed (The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 2)
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Thanksgiving Offering For Debt
Sunday, November 23
 
A special debt reduction offering will be taken on Sunday, November 23. Our building mortgage is a little more than $400,000. While interest on the loan is paid for from our operating fund (regular Sunday offering), principal payments are made exclusively through designated gifts to the building fund. Please consider a debt retirement gift above-and-beyond your regular giving as part of your thanksgiving offering to God. Reducing or eliminating our debt will free up resources for ministry for months and years to come.
 
Although we don’t always think of financial giving as an opportunity to express our love, devotion, and thankfulness to God, it is nothing less than that. Please make this giving opportunity a matter of prayerful consideration.
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Help Welcome Visitors This Christmas
 
We remember what it's like to visit a new church for the first time. Where should I park? Where do I find the worship center? The restrooms? The classrooms? I can't find a place to sit-what should I do? During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we welcome many new visitors to our services. Making visitors feel welcome at Mt. Pleasant Community Church is what our Sunday Morning Hospitality Teams does best. Help us be ready for them!


Read More Here >
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Praising Our God - A Healing Testimony
 
It all started with a routine hearing exam at CMU. I had put it off as long as I could and finally I just decided to bite the bullet and get it done. At the completion of the exam, the examiner saw something of an irregular nature in the hearing pattern. He suggested I see an ear, nose and throat specialist to see if everything was OK. At best, I thought there might be some scar tissue from an injury some years ago, but the doctor said everything looked OK. My ears were healthy, but maybe he should do a brain scan to see if there's a tumor or something.  

Read More Here > ________________________________________________________________________________

 
Community Compassion Network
We're Breaking Records and it's Heartbreaking!
Contributed by CCN Team Writer Kathleen Plank
www.ccnhome.org

Heartbreaking because Community Compassion Network has seen the devastation the economic crisis has caused many families right here in our own community. In the last three months the ministry has distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food to more than 1000 individual family households! We are serving more than 300 families per mobile food pantry and the numbers continue to rise.

Read More Here >
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    >  element
              ~ 7th & 8th graders
                 meets every Friday night 6-8pm
 
    >  crave
              ~ high schoolers
                 meets every Sunday night 5-7pm
 
    >  uLife
              ~ college students
 
    >  work with our youth
 
    >  community days - Nov. 22nd

 
                         Read More Here >  ________________________________________________________________________________
 
The DC Road Trip Has Begun
 
Small groups throughout the central Michigan have begun Community Church's brand new DVD curriculum FINDING GOD IN DC. Currently over 500 people are participating in this study exploring the attributes of God. Small groups have already reported that the curriculum has stimulated great discussion and has been a user-friendly study. If you would like to start a FINDING GOD IN DC small group or if you would like to do the study individually books and DVD are still available. Simply contact Kim McBryde at 773-3641 ext. 218 or kim@mpcc.org.  The DVDs are $20's and include six video sessions, plus outtakes, an audio commentary with the pastors, and extra footage with Congressman Dave Camp in the Capitol Building. The Study Guides are great six week resource filled with mini-chapters, daily readings, and great questions for personal reflection. ________________________________________________________________________________
 
A Mom's Heart
-  A ministry for a mom's heart in all aspects of life

Check out what is coming to Mom's Heart in November...

November 5 Workshop Day! Your choice! Healthy Eating, Digital Scrap Booking and Fun Outdoor Activities to do With Kids!
 
November 19 "Surprised By Blessing - Times of Thanksgiving" with Barb Tousley. A retired teacher shares how she found God's blessing in a surprising circumstance.
 
November 26 Mommy and Me! A morning of activities for moms and kids to do together. For children ages 2 1/2 and older. Childcare still provided for younger children.
 
Mom's Heart meets Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:15am in the Community Church Chapel.

For the full schedule click here > 
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Family Faith Night
Wednesday, November 19th
 
• Learn about the meaning of Advent with Pastor Scott.
• Make your own Advent wreath.
 
Read More Here >

KidZone Painting
 
If you like to paint...or even if you don't like to paint, but are willing to help, we need you! We want to finish the First Floor KidZone painting project this month and we need more hands! If you have just one or two Tuesdays or Thursdays, mornings or evenings, we can put you to work! Call or email Nancy Reighard at 773-3641, or nancyr@mpcc.org.  We have a great crew of a few working now, but we will get weary without more help. We are waiting to hear from you!
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PEAK Reflections: A Spiritual Growth Blog 
 Check out the great articles at
http://www.peakreflections.blogspot.com

Community Church has a brand new blogsite focused on spiritual growth. Find posts from Pastor Brian as well as other key leaders of the church like Barb Tousley, Tim Hall, Eric Tworek, and Sue Wroblewski. You will find posts on spiritual growth, Biblical study, worship, missions, and theology. Read, reflection, and join in the conversation. Visit at http://www.peakreflections.blogspot.com.  
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Celebrate!  God's Goodness at Community Church
Compiled by Marion Phelps
 
 
Rejoice in His gift of long life:
Tad Flowers will be 84 years old on the 6th and Roland Augustine completes 90 years of life on the 22nd.

Baptisms were administered to:
September 28th:
Thaddeus Brownson, son of Jerrod and Wendi Brownson.
 
October 12th:
Devin Andrew Keith, son of Rob & Lisa
Tye Anthony Haupt, son of Brinn Zaika & Tony Haupt

These two babies were Dedicated on October 12th:
Lincoln Thomas Conners, son of Jason & Kate, and Tate Eli Wager, son of Curt and Heather.

Pray with these parents that they will be faithful along with Community Church by word and example of godly living that one day each of these children will make his own personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ.

 
To contribute to this column, marionphelps@charter.net or 772-0286.
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 Other Church Happenings
 
Sixty Plus
The November luncheon for 60 Plus will feature KEY TO MERCY, a Music Group led up by George Eagle. Join us November 20 at 11:30 am in the Chapel. This concert will feature some of your favorites, oldies and newies. Please get your RSVP in early. Call the church office at 773-3641.

Fatherhood Study
A local CMU professor is interviewing fathers for a fatherhood study. Especially needed are fathers who had a challenging/difficult relationship with their own dad. A $25 gift certificate to Home Depot will be given to all participants. Please call Ed Long at 330-2417 for additional information.  

Community Church Library
 
• Are you aware that the Community Church library has nearly 5,000 books and videos? Do you know what the library has? Do you know how the library is arranged? Have you used the new computer system to find what you are seeking? To see a demonstration of the new computer system and to learn more about what the Community Church library has to offer you and your family, come and visit the library on Sunday November 9th from 10:30 to 11:00am and from 12:00 to 12:30pm. Check it out!
 
• Be sure to check the mobile book rack in the hospitality center! The library team keeps a continuing variety of highlighted books on current sermon topics, as well as picture books and new fiction to fit your reading needs and tastes. You may check out a book right there, and leave the check-out card in the box on top of the rack. (If you don't find a book to suit your fancy, try the Library, where you will find some 4500 other fiction and non-fiction choices.)

Prayer Gathering For US Elections
Island Park, West Pavilion, Sat. Nov. 1 from 1 - 4pm
With the election coming very soon, now is the time for great intercession. What better way for a community to unite than a prayer gathering for our country? This is an open invitation to all members of the body of Christ. This prayer gathering will be three hours of solid prayer. Any fellowship should be before or after the time of prayer. Location: Island Park, west pavilion
Go right on 1st Road upon entering the park, all the way to the end of the road.