Hello there,
On this Saturday evening, September 16th, at the Marion Christian Church on McGowan, First Light Ministries will be having another of their community dinners, what they sometimes call a potbless. (It’s not potLUCK, it’s a blessing.) The dinner is at 5:00 and the worship service that follows will be at 6:15. We had one of these dinners at our church back in April and had a wonderful time. First Light is an organization here in the Cedar Rapids that works for racial reconciliation through Christians sitting down, sharing a meal and having a little time of worship. So bring a dish pass; delicious pulled pork will be provided, and join us for a blessing.
On Sunday, we will have our two worship services with Sunday School in between. We will also be having a pancake breakfast to support our youth mission trips. So come hungry and make a generous donation. The Chancel Choir will be singing in the first service. Pastor Beth will be preaching on Matthew 18:21-35. Her sermon title is “Forgiveness Fitness.”
There are some events coming up that I would like you to be thinking about. The Swamp Fox Festival is Saturday, September 30th and as a continuing part of our 175th celebration we will be participating in the parade. So we need those who are willing and able to walk the parade route, passing out candy and information. But we are also working on some way to ride, for those who can’t walk that far. If you would like to do this, please sign up down in the social room between worship services
The next day, Sunday, October 1st, will be our Celtic Sunday. Once again we have a bagpiper lined up and will have other Celtic music and prayers. As we have done in the past, we want everyone to wear plaid, and come and celebrate our Celtic heritage as Presbyterians. There will only be one service at 9:00 on that morning.
Then as part of our 175th celebration the weekend of October 28th and 29th will be a great time for us all. On Saturday evening at 7:00 the Cedar Lake Seven Men’s Gospel Choir will put on a concert. They have been with us on a number of occasions. The last time was in 2015. They are all members of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Chas Nove, who grew up in our church is part of this group. They will also be in worship on Sunday morning, the 29th. The on the evening of the 29th we will be having our annual Harvest Dinner, a delicious meal for our senior adults, served up by the youth.
We are planning a silent auction, during that weekend, that will raise money for hurricane relief. The sewing ladies have donated some beautiful quilts. I will donate one of my watercolor paintings. If you have a nice craft item, or would like offer a service, or put together a gift basket for this auction, please let us know.
Isn’t it great to have so much going on at our church?
Stay in One Peace,
Howard