Courtland United Methodist Church

No Guitar Lessons Tonight.

The PPR Committee will meet this afternoon at 2:00. Members are Topper Olson, Marcy Keith, and Bob Fife.

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, a day of special devotion. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. We will have a special Ash Wednesday service this week beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please come and share in this special time of dedication and spiritual renewal.

Youth News-
UMYF will meet tonight at 6:00.

We will celebrate Christmas together on Sunday the 20th with a special breakfast. The men’s fellowship will meet at 7:30 to cook and everyone else will join us at 9:00. Instead of exchanging gifts we will be asking for donations to our Benevolence fund.

Thanks to everyone who came and helped decorate the sanctuary. It looks fabulous.

We are having a special food drive for the family of a local soldier who has been deployed. We are providing them a Christmas dinner and any extra food we can come up with. Bring your donations and leave them in the fellowship hall.

We will celebrate Christmas together on Sunday the 20th either before or after services. It hasn’t been decided yet which it will be, breakfast or lunch. We need to know what you would rather do, so please let Gerald or Bro. Allen know. Instead of exchanging gifts we will be asking for donations to our Benevolence fund.

Each year, we send a special donation to the Children’s Home fund. If you would like to give to this worthwhile charity, please see Mrs. Clara Mae.

We will have a special Christmas Eve communion service on December 23 at 6:30 p.m. Please come and celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior.

The Church Council (Administrative Board) needs to meet for a few minutes after the worship service today.

This evening we will be having an Evening of Fellowship and Worship. We will begin by eating (finger foods) at 5:00 followed by a time of singing and devotion. Please make plans to attend.

Don’t forget Choir Practice,  Wednesday, October 28th at 6:30.

We are in the process of planning our Nov 15th Coming Home Celebration where we will rekindle old friendships and spark new ones. We have postcard invitations that we will be sending out and we need your help.We need the  names and addresses of  anyone that you want to be sure to get an invitation. Please give your list to  Bro. Allen, Diana, or Shirley as soon as possible.

There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board for anyone who wants to help with Sunday morning worship. We need people to read scripture, do children’s time, help serve communion, and sing specials. We want everyone to be involved in worship and your willingness to participate is appreciated.

Youth News-

Thank you to those who went to Marianne’s play last Sunday!  We had a great time watching a great play!

Thank you to those who went to Kendall’s homecoming Friday night!

Everyone is invited to a Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31st starting at 5pm with a Pot-Luck supper!  Bring your Halloween favorites!!! Costumes are not required, but are preferred!!!

The Youth will be participating in Operation Christmas Child and need your help!  These boxes will be sent to boys or girls in 3 age groups: 2-4, 5-9 & 10-14.
Here are some ideas for donations:
Shoe boxes for us to fill (or the plastic kind that are shoe box size)
School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers,
stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, calculators, coloring
and picture books, etc
Toys: small cars, balls, baby dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos,
harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch-A-Sketch, toys that light up
or make noise (with extra batteries) Slinky, etc.
Hygiene Items:  toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in plastic bag),
comb, washcloth, etc.
Other:  Hard candy & lollipops, mints, gum (all candy in ziploc
bag), t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry,
watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.
PLEASE No: used or damaged items; war-related items (toy guns, knives
or military figures); chocolate or food; out of date candy; liquids or
lotions; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers;
aerosol cans; medicine or vitamins; etc

Thank you to everyone who came to the leadership meeting last week. With everyone’s help, we can continue to meet the challenges ahead and fulfill the duties of our commission – “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

As a result of our meeting last week, you will see some changes to the worship service today. The purpose is to make the worship service more meaningful, increase involvement, and  help each of us enter God’s presence with our hearts open for worship. Let us know what you think. We welcome everyone’s input.

The United Methodist Women will meet Tuesday, October 13th at 10:00 a.m.  Please come and join us.

Choir Practice will start Wednesday October 21st at 6:30.

The Church Council (Administrative Board) will meet this coming Wednesday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m. Members are Gerald Aven, Topper Olson, Marcy Keith, Clara Mae Olson, John Hubbard, Mildred Sisk, Diana Herdt, Kendall Morrow, Patty Goforth, and Carolyn Roberts.

Youth News-

Thank you to everyone who ordered candles!  The youth were able to
collect $258!

The youth will be serving at the Food Pantry at 2 p.m. today.

No UMYF tonight.

Marianne’s play (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe) started Friday and runs thru Sunday the 18th.  Please make plans to attend.  The youth will be attending on Sunday the 18th at 2:30.  Let Diana know if you would like to go then, too!

Monday, Oct 12th the youth will be having a Fun Day at the church!

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped with the clean-up day at Courtland yesterday.

The church will be hosting a bridal shower for Alicia Roberts this afternoon at 2:00. Alicia and Barry are registered at WalMart.

The Courtland Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development will meet Tuesday evening at 6:30. (Bob, Carolyn, Diana, Marty, Topper)

Next Sunday, Sep 27th, we will have an evening of fellowship and worship. We will begin by eating (finger foods) at 5:00 followed by a time of singing and devotion. Please make plans to attend.

Youth News-

We had a wonderful time at our cookout last week. Thanks to everyone who participated. Ask Bro. Allen if he Loves His Neighbor.

Thanks to all who came out to our Grand Brunch on Saturday.  We had a
wonderful time!

Today is the last day for the candle fundraiser, so get your order in
today!!!

UMYF this evening from 6:00 – 7:30

Please continue to bring your paper and cardboard.

From the District Office – You are cordially invited to a reception honoring Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Baldwin on September 13, 2009, at Batesville First United Methodist Church, from 2-4.  No gifts, please just come and celebrate the marriage of Conrad and Victoria.

We will be having a clean-up day on Saturday the 19th at 2:00 p.m.

The church will be hosting a bridal shower for Alicia Roberts on Sunday, September 20th at 2:00. Alicia and Barry are registered at WalMart.

Youth News-

Food Pantry today at 2pm.

Youth swim party and cookout (THANK YOU, Mr. Walt for the food & Mr. Topper and Miss Clara Mae for the pool!) from 6-8. Everyone is invited. Swim if you want to or just come and eat.

No UMYF tonight.

Austin went to his 2nd Fall Tournament in Madison yesterday!

Don’t forget the candle fundraiser going on until Sept 20th!

Please continue to bring your paper and cardboard!

The online calendar at www.courtlandumc.org has been updated. Check it out and make sure you don’t miss any of the upcoming events.