“I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to lead the Singles Group. I first attended LifeJourney Church in June and I knew immediately it’s where I belong. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and I’m confident we can put together a lot of fun activities for all to enjoy.”

Our next event is a Trivia Night at the church on Saturday, November 12 at 7:00 pm. Bring a snack and your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. There will be something for everyone and prizes will be awarded. You can RSVP to the church office.

You can stay connected with the Singles Social Group on their own Facebook page: facebook.com/LifeJourneySingles. Go like us!

Also new: a Steering Committee for the Singles Ministry. For a long time, the Ministry has been led by one person, Les Prout, who is now taking a much-needed break. We are deeply grateful for his leadership. Now it’s time for others of us to step forward.

Those who serve on the Steering Committee will be responsible for planning monthly dinners or social outings that keep MCC Singles in fellowship. The Committee will also actively manage the Facebook page and be empowered to develop additional sources of support for our singles. If you would like to know more about the Steering Committee, please contact staff liaison, Melody Merida.

• Lots of food, of course. The church will provide burgers and dogs, and each individual or family will bring a side or dessert to share. Want to help with the grilling? Contact Melody Merida to be part of the grill squad.
• Playgrounds, swimming ($3; $2 for youth/seniors), frisbee golf, and other park amenities to enjoy. Bring your lawn games.
• It wouldn’t be a church picnic without some trash talking! Our newest staff member has challenged Pastor Jeff to a “friendly” basketball competition. Mark Brown has his 80’s short shorts ready to go and Pastor Jeff has unpacked his knee high tube socks for this occasion! Join us at noon for some good food and at 2:00 pm for some good laughs as the guys take to the court. One-on-one might be a bit too much, so they’ve decided on a game that won’t mess up their hair—Around the World. Be sure to get a seat at shelter #2 right next to the courts!
• Something new to mark our anniversary: a “random acts of kindness” event. If this catches on, we’ll make it a tradition. The idea is that, in honor of the church’s anniversary, we’ll do some act of kindness or generosity that we normally wouldn’t think to do. You can pick up a participation/info form at church, or download it here. (160 kb pdf )

Questions? Email Melody Merida or call (317) 722?0000.

Doors open at 6:00 pm, and at 6:50 pm, our Music Ministry will perform the National Anthem. Game tip off is at 7:00 pm.

See Angie Thurnall for tickets, or email the church office for contact info. Your $14 ticket will include entrance to the game; a voucher for a hot dog, chips, and soft drink; a free Fever t-shirt, and a 10% coupon for the Home Court gift shop.

There will be a ball exchange for the kids as well. Please see Angie for details if your kids would like to be part of that.

This is a great way to meet other people in the church, and support our music ministry! See you at the game!

Before the game, Pastor Jeff Miner and Melody Merida will be part of a Free-Throw Contest to see how many they can make in 60 seconds!  Pick up a form at the info kiosk if you’d like to sponsor them or collect pledges from others to sponsor them.  All money raised from the Free Throw Contest will go to Playground Phase 2.

Tickets are $10 (you can also get $17 or $27 tickets).  To get tickets, either stop by the info kiosk at church on Sunday, or email Melody Merida.

Mark your calendar! If you have questions, please email the church office or call (317) 722-0000.

Our traditional Giving Tree items are available for you to take from the tree in the social hall. We’ll buy gifts for Indiana Youth Group and clients of the Damien Center.

Couples’ social event: Holiday Progressive Dinner on Saturday, December 1, at 6:00 pm. As of November 18, this event has sold out!

First Sunday of Advent is December 2.

Homeless Ministry Christmas Party, Sunday December 2, 3:00 pm at Dawn & Charlotte Egler’s home. We’ll be sharing a meal, playing games, and assembling gift bags for our homeless neighbors. This is a “semi-pitch-in”, with chili, vegetable soup, crackers, and Christmas cookies provided. Contact the church for directions, so we know how many to expect, and to let us know what you’d like to bring.

Las Posadas Los Posadas is an elaborate preparation for La Navidad (Christmas) in Mexico and some Central American countries. It’s a religious and social celebration that takes place over nine nights, from December 16 to 24, and commemorates Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. This tradition dates back to the sixteenth century and St. Ignatius Loyola, who used an Aztec festival to teach about the birth of Christ.

Las Posadas includes a procession led by children, followed by adults and musicians. They travel to a different house in the village or neighborhood each night looking for lodging. When they enter the designated house, they begin the evening with prayer; soon after, the celebration begins, full of music, fireworks, food, candy, and treats for all. Children and adults alike anticipate this joyous religious occasion.

Our event may lack some of the traditional fireworks, but it’s sure to be just as magical. We’ll have some traditional Mexican appetizers and world famous Chocolate (pronounced Chalk-O-La-Te). Children are welcome.

The celebration will take place at Zach Adamson and Christian Mosburg’s home on December 14, 6:30 pm. Please sign up at the info kiosk or email the church if you plan to be part of our celebration.

Parents’ Day Out, December 15, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Do you need time without your child to do your holiday shopping? The JMCC nursery team would like to offer you a day to do just that. This is for any child from 6 months to 13 years old who would like to spend the day playing awesome games, making cool crafts, baking tasty treats, and eating yummy pizza! Please fill out the Parent’s Day Out information sheet at the kiosk or email the church if you are interested.

Christmas Program: One Incredible Moment, December 15, 7:00 pm and December 16, 6:00 pm. Presented by the creative arts team, with poetic text by Max Lucado and music by Tom Fettke. We will reflect on the moment Christ came by examining people in Scripture as ordinary humans who experience an extraordinary God, working in mysterious ways.

Navajo Missions Team Presentation, December 16, 9:30 and 11:00 am. The team will present what they learned about the true Spirit of the Christmas season while in New Mexico. Come and hear how the team traveled to offer their gifts and in return received a life-changing early Christmas present.

Birthday Party for Jesus, December 23, 11:00 am. Children’s Church will celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a party — complete with games, cake, and gifts.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Jazz Service, Monday, December 24, 7:00 pm. A service of celebration and reflection will feature our praise band, choirs, and soloists presenting carols and songs in the jazz style. Come on out and dig this scene. We bet you hepcats will be jivin’ in your seats!.

Christmas Day Dinner and Open House. You’re invited to the home of Pastor Jeff Miner and his spouse, David Zier. Stop by anytime from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm for dinner and fellowship with church friends and family. Contact the church for directions.

Regular service times for Sunday, December 30, 2007, as we look forward to 2008! Happy New Year!

We meet at 7:00 pm on September 6, 13, and 27, then on the first and third Thursdays in following months. Pick up a flyer at the info kiosk at church on Sunday, or contact Dave Wene at davidwene@hotmail.com for directions.