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save him. He said he hadn’t spoken of that incident in decades, but somehow the poignancy of this song unlocked the feel-ings inside him. What came out was soul-deep gratitude.

Each of us has many things to be thankful for, if we take the time to reflect upon it. Where are the blessings in your life and mine? When have we been the recipients of grace, undeserved and freely given? For what are we truly thankful?

May your Thanksgiving be rich in appre-ciation, because, truly, there is so much to be thankful for.

On his “Noel” album, Josh Groban gives us a powerful, emotive and thoughtful song for Thanksgiving.

The song “Thankful” (offered in an amaz-ing performance of Josh Groban’s awe-inspiring voice) stirs us to pause and take the time to reflect on every-thing that we have to be thankful for. Some days we do forget to look around us, to see joy wherever we are fortunate enough to find it, and to hope and pray for what we know can be.

One time I played this song to a group of people, and one man broke down in tears. He told us how, during the Vietnam War, one of his friends gave his life to shield and

MUDDY CREEK LUTHERAN w w w . m c l c h u r c h . o r g 3 3 6 - 2 7 7 0

S pe c i a l po i n t s o f

i n t e r e s t :

Fall Clean-up Day

Book Club

Ladies Night Out

Christmas Program

Rehearsals Begin

Worship Helper Sched-

ule `

I ns i de t h i s i s s ue :

Upcoming Events 2

Congregational News

3

News and Notes 4

Birthdays 5

Worship Helpers 6

Miscellaneous 7

Calendar 8

N o v e mbe r 2 0 1 6

From the Pastors

Some days we forget to look around us. Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us. So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give. So for tonight we pray for what we know can be. And on this day we hope for what we still can't see. It's up to us to be the change, and even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for. – “Thankful” by Josh Groban

Upcoming Worship Notes

Nov. 6 - All Saints’ Day : An opportunity to light candles and remember those who have died during the last year. From Muddy Creek we will remember:

Richard Buohl 01/10/16 Claressia Gebhard 06/07/16

Helen Stender 02/19/16 Jim Dahl 08/24/16

Sharlene Dippner 06/05/16 Jim Youndt 08/26/16

Sarah Evans 06/06/16 Mim Bordner 09/11/16

Nov. 23 - Wednesday Evening, Community Thanksgiving Service at

Muddy Creek Lutheran Church, Pastor Bill Hoch preaching

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Upcoming Events

Free Community Thanksgiving

Dinner

On November 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. a free commu-nity Thanksgiving Meal will be offered to all at the Ephrata Business Center, 400 W. Main St. No res-ervations necessary. Take out meals offered begin-ning at 11:30 a.m. This meal is sponsored by local churches and businesses.

Fall Property Clean Up

Saturday November 5

8 a.m. to noon

Your help is needed to clean up the outside of our church property on November 5. There will be some inside fall cleaning opportunities as well. No experience is necessary and this is a great way for all ages to help keep our grounds in good shape. Join us anytime that morning. Children, youth and adults are all invited to come and help. Lunch will be served at noon. Please bring your own rake.

Youth Fundraiser

Sunday Nov. 13, 11:30 am. - 1 p.m.

Soup, Ham ‘n Swiss Cheese Sandwiches

Ladies’ Night Out

Friday, Dec. 9, 6:00 p.m.

Cookie Exchange & Christmas Games

Come join the ladies of Muddy Creek and friends for a fun night out. The night will begin with a provided lunch followed by some Christmas games. The evening will conclude with a cookie exchange. In order to collect cookies to take home with you, bring 5 dozen of the same kind of cookie, and a copy of the recipe. And don’t forget to also bring an empty cookie container to take home your cookie assort-ment! Please sign up on the table under the mailbox-es. Everyone can bring one guest. Note: Each person who wants to collect cookies should bring 5 dozen cookies with them! Hope to see everyone there!

Muddy Creek Serves Community Thanksgiv-ing Meal in Denver On Thursday November 17 at 5:00 p.m, Muddy Creek Lutheran Church’s Social Ministry will serve the Community Thanksgiving Meal at Trinity United Methodist Church, 420 Main St., Denver. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Nancy Beck at 717-475-3234 or nbeck@ptd.net.

The youth are selling Beef Vegetable Soup ($4 per quart) and Ham ‘n Swiss Cheese Sandwiches ($4) as a fundraiser for their upcoming activities. Come on Sunday, Nov. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to dine in, or you may pick up your orders for take out. Sign up with any youth after the ser-vices. Deadline for orders is Nov. 6.

Help support our youth!

Giving Tree

Beginning November 27, you are invited to support our holiday “Giving Tree” project by bringing in items for House of His Creation in Lititz. A list of items will be published soon. Thank you for help-ing to support this project of the Social Ministry Committee at Muddy Creek. The Giving Tree will be located over by the mailboxes.

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Upcoming Events

Confirmation Gatherings

Youth in grades 6—9 are invited to attend mid-week gatherings at the church. Friends always welcome!

This month’s Wednesday Gatherings

6:30—8:00 pm

November 2

November 16

This month’s Parent Class

Sunday, November 6 at 9 a.m.

Jesus ‘n Me Parent/Child Group

Monthly Sunday Mornings 9:00 am

0—4 year olds

Come join the fun in this interactive experience for parents and children (grandparents, or other adults are welcome with their little ones too!). Pastor Peter will lead everyone in simple songs, stories, activities, parachute play, puppets, and more.

November meeting: November 20

Theme: “Thanksgiving: Thank you God for Food”

Sunday School Christmas Program

The program will be Sunday Dec. 11 and will in-clude ways for everyone to participate. Pastor Peter will begin rehearsing music with the children during Sunday School beginning Nov. 20.

Muddy Creek and Amazon Smile Muddy Creek is now registered with the Amazon Smile program, which will donate 0.5 % of all your Amazon purchases to Muddy Creek. Whenever you make a purchase, please always start at smile.amazon.com, and then select Muddy Creek Lutheran Church as your recipient.

Support Dean Lutz’s Mission Trip with Sub Coupons

Coupons to buy sub sandwiches from Redners ($5) will be sold during November to support Dean Lutz’s upcoming Mission Trip to Central Asia with the GAIN mission organization. You may purchase coupons from Jane Wenger, Peg Leid, Pat Artz, Brenda Mumma or Sharon and Cindy Frankhouser. Thrivent is also supporting this project.

Poinsettias The deadline for ordering red or white poinsettias (5 buds each) to help decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas Season is Sun-day, December 4. The cost is $6.30

each and they may be given in honor or in memory of someone. Forms are available at the church, or you may call the office to place your order.

Christmas Eve

Lawn Signs

Help spread the word about Muddy Creek’s Christ-mas Eve services! Beginning Dec. 4, the Evangelism Committee will be handing out yard signs which list the times of Christmas Eve services at Muddy Creek. All are invited to take one to put up on your lawn. Questions, contact Brenda Berger at 336-6886 or ber-gerb@dejazzd.com.

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News and Notes

Dear Friends, The people of Muddy Creek have shown great compassion and kindness to me during my hip re-placement and convalescence. Some of you visited, sent cards, brought wonderful meals, lent equipment, took me to appointments, and many prayed for me. Even the phone calls helped me through this. I feel blessed to be a part of this congregation. Thank you—Brenda Mumma

I wish to thank everyone for the prayers, card, flowers and visits. I really appreciated them. The beautiful prayer shawl

was a blessing and comfort in my recovery.—Lucy Snader

Congratulations to:

Luna Swavely and Will Swavely, who were baptized at Muddy Creek on Sept. 25.

Thomas Trego and Emma Trego, who were baptized at Muddy Creek on Oct. 19.

Dylan Leed and Tasha Dumas, who were married at Mud-dy Creek on Oct. 2.

Church Council

The proposed 2017 budget was adopted for congregational approval. Chapel update was given. The 95 Theses Spe-cial Presentation was well attended, as was the Family Ingathering Event to assemble school kits and the Youth Capture the Flag event at Camp Kirchenwald.

Social Ministry

Thank you to everyone who gave food items and helped pack up for Harvest Home Sunday, and to Jeanette and Mike Leid who designed and created the beautiful display. The food went to Peter’s Porch and the Lanc. County Council of Churches. The Women’s Retreat was attended by 6 ladies. Pat Artz led the Bible discussions.

Worship and Music

There will be one service at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Communion will be Jan. 8. The Organ Sub-Committee is on hiatus. Altar Guild volunteers are needed for the months of September and October 2017.

Council and Committee Highlights

2017 Offering Envelope Change: To be more cost effective, the 2017 envelopes will be issued in alphabetical order. This will eliminate numbers not currently being used. If you did not have envelopes for 2016 and would like to receive some for 2017 please contact Nedra Bearinger, Financial Secretary at 336-7444 or the church office by Nov. 1.

Giving Statements for 2016: Anyone wishing to receive a giving statement who did not receive one in the past should contact Nedra Bearinger at 336-7444 before January 1, 2017 in order to receive one. 2017 Envelopes: These will be available in your mailbox in the annex beginning Sunday, Dec. 4. Please be sure to write your designations for your offering on the outside of each envelope: Current: general operating expenses Benevolence: mission dollars for the work of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA Building/Improvement: building and improvement projects at Muddy Creek Other: special needs designated by your choice such as altar flowers, Organ Fund, World Hunger, Good Samaritan Fund, Ephrata Area Social Services, Luther Care etc. Special Envelopes: (Communion, Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) money goes to the mission of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA unless it is designated otherwise. Simply Giving Program: This is an option, used by many at Muddy Creek, whereby you can have your contributions electronically deducted from your bank account. You will still receive envelopes in case you want to use them for spe-cial offerings, or if you would like to place an empty envelope in the plate with SG written in the top right corner. Electronic giving provides convenience for you and much needed donation consistency for our congregation. Getting started is easy and can be done by using forms available in the money counting room following worship each Sunday. Bank Bill Pay: Please also consider using your bank’s online bill pay option to give offering to Muddy Creek .

Offering Envelope and Year End Giving Statement Information

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November Birthdays

A Special Happy Birthday to our “Over 80” Members

Brenda & Friends Tours

Nov. 5—Hunterdon Hills Playhouse Christmas Show

Nov. 26—Bethlehem at Christmas

Dec. 1—Gaither Christmas Concert at the Giant Center

Dec. 3—Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro

Dec. 10—Christmas at Mount Vernon

For more info contact Brenda at 336-6886, bergerb@dejazzd.com.

More info also on hallway table outside church office

Charles Frantz

Marie Redcay

Joanne Saylor

Sara Frazer

Chris Killian

Peyton Rideout

Beth Witmer

Brad Rauch

Rory Hassler

Sharon Roth

Alyson Becker

Mickey Jones

Bradley Fry

Scott Moyer

Earl Nussbaum

Katie Brooks

Chris Steinman

Edwin Blatt

Adler Eshleman

Stephen Staudt

Jeanette Bubbenmoyer

Jolene Weaver

Brandi Brinton

Larry Shober

Ruth Brossman

Vicki Moyer

Charmaine Wenrich

Ausma Buffenmyer

Meghan Shober

Hayden Rideout

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Charles Leid

John Bearinger

Brenda Shreiner

Pat Brendle

Daniel Witmer

Collin Engle

Natalie Frankfort

Chris Steinman

Madison Ebersole

Phil Webber

Adrienne Becker

Stephanie Spangler

Doug Haines

Teresa Fritz

Joan Shimp

Harold Weinhold

Barbara Ruth

Michael Lausch

Richard Shober

Tara Wert

Kayla Gehman

Ryan Hassler

Tim Fritz

Kim Walmer

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November 2, 1933 Sara Frazer

Age 83 16 Bill Drive

Denver, PA 17517

November 9, 1936 Mickey Jones

Age 80 702 Walnut Street

Denver, PA 17517

November 16, 1931 Charmaine Wenrich

Age 85 235 Vera Cruz Road

Reinholds, PA 17569

November 26, 1934 Harold Weinhold

Age 82 503 W Willow Dr.

Manheim, PA 17545

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 11, 2016

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Worship Helpers

Coffee Ministry

November

6 Brenda Shreiner and Michelle Walzl

13 Marie and Walt Buohl

20 Millie Shober, Kathleen Ebling

27 Audrey and Roger Noll, Gloria Aseli

December

4 needed

11 Youndt family

18 needed

25 no Coffee Ministry this day

Money Counters

November

6 Pat Brendle, June and Neal Leid

13 Carl Schenskie, Jere and Joan Shimp

20 Dean Lutz, David and June Sloat

27 Nancy and Sid Hurst, Jane Wenger

December

4 Lori and Mike Martin, Josephine Martin

11 Linda and Tim Fritz, David Sensenig

18 Gail and Ted Bare

25 Jeanette and Mike Leid

Altar Guild

November Gail & Ted Bare

December Brenda Shreiner & Jane Wenger

Bulletin Folders

(Thursday unless noted)

November

3 Marian and Shorty Weinhold, Joyce Keith

10 Marie and Walt Buohl

17 Linda Berger, Nancy Beck

22 (Tues) Mickey Jones, Judy Dengler

December

1 Joyce and Ernie Litzenberger

8 Kathleen Ebling, Charmaine Wenrich

15 Joe Dietrich

22 Becky and Bud Thunberg

29 Audrey and Roger Noll

Lay Readers

November

6 John Shreiner

13 Hollie Kemper

20 Jill Youndt

27 Brenda Berger

December

4 William Wood

11 none needed

18 none needed

25 none needed

Ushers

November

6 Group #1

13 Group #6

20 Group #6

27 Group #6

December

4 Group #2

11 Group #8

18 Group #8

25 Group #8

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November 17, Thursday—Community Thanksgiving Meal at Trinity Methodist, Denver

November 23, Wednesday—Community Thanksgiving Service at Muddy Creek

December 4, Sunday—Budget Hearing

December 4, Sunday—St. Nicholas Day in Sunday School

December 9, Friday—Ladies’ Night Out Annual Cookie Exchange

December 11, Sunday—Congregation Budget Meeting and Elections

December 11, Sunday—Sunday School Christmas Program, One Service 10:15 a.m.

December 18, Sunday—Choir Cantata, One Service 10:15 a.m.

December 21, Wednesday—Youth, Children, and Family Christmas Caroling

Greeters

November 6 Phil Ramsey

Acolytes

November

6 Sada Aungst

13 Courtney Zwally

20 Will Meckley

Worship Helpers

Upcoming Events

Worship Sunday School

Sept. 25 134 34

October 2 119 37

October 9 114 29

October 16 123 31

October 23 117 27

Income Actual Expenses

September $ 11,420.46 $14,367.64

Year thru Sept. $134,064.61 $145,296.58

Attendance and Giving Report

Nursery

(10:15 unless noted)

November

6 8 a.m. Don and Nora Busser

10:15 a.m. Jill Youndt and Brandon Walzl

13 Jeff and Anne Brubaker

20 Mike and Wendy Sheaffer

27 Peggy Leid and Judy Dengler

December

4 8 a.m. Don and Nora Busser

10:15 a.m. Michelle and Scott Dimitris

11 Michelle Walzl and Brenda Shreiner???

18 Jill Youndt and Brandon Walzl

25 none needed

Communion Assistant

November 6 Courtney Zwally

December 4 Kelby Weaver

November Office Hours

Church Office: Tues & Thurs 9:00 am—11:30 am

Pastors: Tuesday 9:00 am—11:00 am

Thursday 9:00 am– 11:00 am

Additional hours by appointment and at

various times throughout the week

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