STEWARDSHIP WEEKEND – On November 18 and 19, we will hold our annual Stewardship Weekend. At that time, we will be offering to God out financial pledge for the mission of His kingdom through Messiah. Each family or individual will be given a pledge card as they enter worship. Please fill it out and place it in the offering plate.

In any action, motive is everything. What is the motive for giving? Tithing shows that God has first place in my life. “The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” (Deuteronomy 14:23)

1. What are the benefits of my giving? My giving reminds me that God gives me everything, and it expresses my “Thank you” to Him.
2. My giving helps to accomplish good here in His kingdom. I can help build Jesus’ Church and bless God’s world.
3. My giving is essential to spiritual growth. The Bible teaches that the two most important measures of our spiritual
   maturity or likeness to Christ, are our attitude toward forgiveness and our attitude toward money.
4. My giving draws me closer to God. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) It is
   amazing how our emotions and attentions are drawn to Him when we are more and more “invested” in the mission of His Kingdom!

Thank you, Messiah, for your generosity in giving. Council continues to be very conservative in its budgeting and the use of your offerings to grow Messiah’s church family. We look forward with great anticipation to 2018 and all the exciting plans God has for our congregation. With gratitude, Ed Winner – Council representative on Stewardship

PRAYER AND PIE – After the Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 22, please join us for pie and coffee in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring along a pie or some other type of dessert. Thanks, Barb Schneider

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS – Poinsettia orders are now being received. You will find the order forms and the box to return your order on the card ministry table. Five to eight blooms in a 6” pot cost $12.00. Final order date is December 10th. The Poinsettias will decorate the sanctuary for Christ Eve services.

SILVER SPRINGS/LORD’S PANTRY – It’s time to brighten up the holidays for the boys and girls at Silver Springs -Martin Luther School and Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown! All bags must be returned by Sunday, December 3rd as both places will be distributing gifts for their annual Christmas parties at the beginning of the month. Directions and gift ideas are attached to all bags along with information on the child. Lord’s Pantry asks for a minimum gift purchase of $30 and they may or may not be wrapped; specific gift ideas are included. We are doing a bedtime theme this year for the children at Silver Springs and their gifts should not be wrapped. Thanks for making this collection so easy and always going beyond to help the children in need. Please contact me with any questions at madiandmak@comcast.net or 484-798-9087 ~ Kelli DiVito.

ADVENT PARTY –  Sunday December 3rd, noon till 2pm – Advent luncheon and activities for family, friends and neighbors. We will lunch first then you have the opportunity to make an evergreen advent wreath, or a Christmas ornament or an Advent calendar for children. And sing Christmas Carols if you like. Look for sign-up sheet in office foyer.

INTERIM UPDATE – November 19, 26 & December 3rd Interim committee members are available to meet with you to discuss and post your choice of 3 areas of ministry you believe Messiah needs to part of right now. On these Sundays Pastor or a committee person will explain your participation. Please remember these activities are vital to preparing a call for the next pastor to serve Messiah.

Adult Confirmation Class – What is Adult Confirmation Class? Many of us went through confirmation instruction when we were just barely teenagers and spent most of our time memorizing and less time understanding. Some of us never went through confirmation instruction but have been faithful followers and would like to understand more. This class is just right for everyone and will use Luther’s Small Catechism as a guide to understanding what it means to pray, to trust and to follow as Jesus invited. We will gather together Monday evenings 6:00 – 6:45 November 6 – 27. It’ll be fun and meaningful; please join us. Pastor Greenwald & Denise Stearns

Dying, the Final Act of Living – On Saturday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m., Messiah will again show a short video demystifying the dying process, bringing peace in situations that many regard as scary and unknown. This is open to all people who would like to know more about what happens, mentally, physically and spiritually, to people who are in the end stages of life. Sign-up sheet on the hutch, or via Messiah’s website. All are welcome. (Paula Campagna, Care Director)

Swaziland Jelly Project: Volunteers are needed during the day on November 2nd and 3rd to help with jelly production at the Chester County Food Bank’s facility in Exton. This is an annual event to support Kudvumisa Foundation USA, Inc. medical mission work in Swaziland. If you’ve helped before we need your experience, if you’ve never helped but would like to find out all the details of jelly production, please join us! Call (610) 304-7177 or email drehmeyer@kudvumisafoundation.org (Duane Rehmeyer or Deborah Ellis) for details. Thanks, Duane L. Rehmeyer
Kudvumisa Foundation USA, Inc. 709 Highspire Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343 (610) 304-7177

The Blessing of the Animals: This is it! The Blessing of the Animals is this Saturday, October 21st from 10 to noon. Each animal will be blessed. We will have raffles, pet portraits and an adoptable dog visiting from the Brandywine Valley S.P.C.A . We will be collecting donations through Sunday, October 22nd until noon. Make sure to bring your furry friend on Saturday for this Pawsome event! Hope to see you there! Love, Molly Woessner

Martin Luther, a Bible Study to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation! Messiah is offering a 4 week Wednesday night study on Martin Luther. As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this is an opportunity to learn more about this passionate man, the church, his struggle with sin and ultimately his new understanding of God. We will discuss the Scripture that spoke to Luther, meeting at 7:00 in the library. No prior Bible study experience necessary and EVERYONE IS WELCOME! God’s peace, Paula Campagna.

Moms with Young Children, motherhood is a mess, isn’t it? It’s difficult to stay patient when your child is disobeying you. There’s never enough time … for the to-do list, significant other or yourself! Motherhood’s a mess…a Beautiful Mess. Any questions, contact Amy at 218-838-2279 or amymetcalf04@gmail.com.

Golf Outing Results – The Sixth Annual Messiah Golf Outing was held at Coatesville Country Club on September 22, 2017, on a beautiful day. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Joan and Chuck Gibson who sponsored the main golf event. Additional kudos to Jaylene Miller and Sheila Yamasaki who helped run the live event, and Michael Petrillo who solicited several Downingtown businesses to provide donations of goods and services for the event raffle. The local businesses and families who supported the outing were:

Sponsors

• ServiceMaster (Gold Sponsor)
• CCRES (Silver Sponsor)
• Tim Dean Plumbing & Heating, LLC (Bronze Sponsor)
• Thrivent Financial (Hole Sponsor)
• Green Street Grill (Hole Sponsor)
• Jim & Diana Young (Hole Sponsor)

Local Business Supporters

• 30 East Salon
• Amani’s Restaurant
• Bakers of Buffington
• BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse
• Coppa 82 Restaurant
• Downingtown Running Co.
• Georgio’s Restaurant
• Green Street Grill
• Green Tea Spa
• Lowe Riders Bike Shop
• Marge’s Ice Cream
• Milito’s
• St. Anthony’s Restaurant
• Wegmans

Forty-eight golfers participated in the golf outing. This year’s event raised a total of $4,703.96 for the Lord’s Pantry.