Updates

Friends:

Lots of good news to report this week:

Worship Update:
Our sermon podcast is up and running. I am so glad we have this new ministry off the ground. I have already heard from a few folks who appreciate the ability to listen to our weekly message if they are not able to make it to church. Some also commented on how they may listen to it a second or third time after they hear it on Sunday. More talk about forwarding it to friends so they can learn more about our church! What a great, easy and fast way to connect someone to our church.

Last Sunday we were blessed to welcome two new members to our church. God is continuing to provide us with new faces.

Sunday School Update:
Operation Christmas Child is one way you can make a difference in a young person’s life. This year the children in our Sunday School class have decided to do this project as a way they can give to others around the world. Please support our Sunday School kids and children around the world by packing a shoebox filled with school supplies, toys, and personal items. The shoeboxes go to millions of boys and girls around the world who live in difficult circumstances and are in desperate need of hope. Shoeboxes will be collected on Sunday, November 17. A donation of $7 per shoebox is required to help cover shipping and other project costs.

Outreach Update:
Last Saturday five of us volunteered at Thrivent’s Habitat for Humanity project in Pontiac. Thrivent has done a magnificent job of sponsoring new homes for families in need. Two of us ended our day passing out food left over from the day to the homeless in downtown Pontiac.

The Redford Connection gifted us with a half page full of advertising space promoting our family and faith in film movie nights. That means that around 30,000 homes in Redford got the information about our movie nights-I guess we better make some more popcorn for Sicko on the 11th and Ratatouille on the 17th.

Solomon’s Porch Thursday night conversations at Redford’s new organic coffee house First Cup begin on Thursday, November 15th from 7-8pm. This is a great opportunity to gather and talk about faith and life while enjoying a good cup of coffee or tea. This is also a great way to introduce someone to St. John’s. As an added incentive, I will take care of buying the beverage of anyone you invite to the conversation.

Green Committee Update:
We have begun to collect cans for recycling and hope to have containers out for cans and other recyclable trash available soon. In the meantime, I will begin to post weekly “green” tips in this newsletter and on my blog.
Also, we will be offering cloth bags for sale to use in place of paper or plastic bags when shopping. Look forward to seeing them in the next few weeks.

Green tip for the week: Save paper by reducing the amount of junk mail you receive. Go to the following sites to have your name removed from junk mail and credit card offer lists.
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Lots to celebrate this fall.