“The proper time for a harvest”

 

In Galatians 6, Paul writes “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Solomon, the wise King of Israel said that there is a time for everything, including “a time to plant and a time to harvest.” 

Harvest time is upon us in our farming community.  The crops are maturing, the fields are drying, and for some the work of gathering the harvest has already begun.  After months of nurturing the plants and praying for rain and sunshine, protecting the fields against pests and predators, now the time for the harvest is finally here.  We can tell by the yellows and browns we see that summer has gone, and autumn has arrived.  Its harvest time and we know it, because we can see it.

Harvest is a word or image used by Jesus too, as he taught people about the Kingdom of God.   He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2)  He said, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35)   Jesus saw in the people around him a people who were ready to be gathered into the Kingdom family—they were ripe with longing for healing and wholeness, ripe with needs that could be met by God, ripe and tender-of-heart to see God move in their world.

What do we see as we look at our community?  Do we only see corn and beans or can we see people that are searching for love and a place to belong and feel cared for?  Do we only see cars and houses or can we see faces and homes that are hurting from financial stress and the burden of debts building up around them?  Do we see friends and neighbors that have their lives all put together, or can we see the wounded hearts, and longing eyes that tell a story that is hidden behind closed doors?  Do we look past our own hurts and hang-ups and just put on a happy face, or can we look in the mirror and admit that our lives are just as messy and needy as anyone else?  I don’t think it’s as simple as saying that we are the harvesters or workers, and that the harvest is “out there.”  It’s likely that we have some work to do in our own lives as well; bringing some of our own stuff into the thresher to be sifted and sorted and cleaned so that we are ready to be useful.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for harvest time to come to our church.  I’m ready for it in the sense that I’m tired of this season of dryness and difficulty that it seems we have been going through.  I’m ready for a season of gathering, rather than scattering; a time of bringing in, rather than releasing.   Like all of you, I want to see our church grow and thrive, not decline and deteriorate. 

But thinking about the harvest raises some questions for me.  Do we see our church as the barn just waiting for the harvest to be brought to us, or can we see ourselves as the harvesters, needing to roll up our sleeves and begin the work of gathering in the lost and hurting souls?

Are the fields around us ripe for the harvest, or do we need to do more planting, watering, or tending to help bring maturity and growth?  Do we have inside work to do so that we will be ready when harvest time comes? 

It seems that these days I have more questions than answers, but I do find hope and encouragement in those words from the Apostle Paul; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  And the words from Isaiah 40 help me too, “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

What would happen to the crops if the farmer decided he was “too busy” or “too tired” to harvest the fields?  Now is not the time for our church body to throw in the towel and give up.  We have to look around us and discern which fields are ripe for us to work in.  Where can we be involved in the kingdom harvest?  Will you pray with me that God will lead us and send us as harvest workers into the places where the harvest is ready?  It is God’s work.  It is God’s field.  May our strength be renewed.  It’s harvest time!          

                        -- Pastor Randy

Mennonite Women

Sewing

        Meeting held Sept. 1, 2011

Karen Kendall, our new president, opened our meeting by thanking last year’s officers for serving and this year’s officers for being willing to serve.

In her attic at home, Karen found a copy of a 1916 book, Mennonite Church History of Howard & Miami Counties, Indiana.  She read a portion of this book which described the early years of our “sewing” grandmothers.  In those days, the women did sew clothing and bought three treadle sewing machines to do that work.  These garments were sent to several different missions.

 

Business:

1.  We voted to give $100 to Kokomo Urban Outreach for Buddy Bags.  This is our second year to support this project. 

2.  Sadona Lowe has accepted the office of vice-president for this year.

3.  To the Michiana Relief Sale we are sending:

• 1 quilt

• 4 comforts

• Pies to be baked Sept. 22 & 23

4.  October project:  Knitted garments for Muncie’s Morning Star Church including hats, caps, scarves, mittens.  These can be handmade or purchased. 

The work of our hands today: 

v  A new quilt was put into frame

v  1 ½ comforts were knotted

v  19 school kits were packed into handmade drawstring bags for MCC

The Executive Committee of Mennonite Women served lunch to 20 persons.  It is good to have fresh fruits and vegetables to serve at this time of year.

Becky Miller directed our devotional thinking with visual materials from her kitchen.  Her subject was “A Recipe for Friendship.”  Just as it takes many ingredients, time and energy to bake cookies, it also takes many factors to grow and nourish friendships.  Becky also led us in prayer.

                        --Beulah Cobb, Secretary

 

 

 

Scheduled Programs:

 

Oct. 7-9                       IN-MI Mennonite Conference Women’s Retreat

Oct. 14-16                   Celebrate Amigo

Oct. 29                        Woodcutting Day 8 a.m.

Nov. 11-13                  Pastoral Leadership Team Weekend

Dec. 2-4                      Amigo Spiritual/Quilting Retreat

Dec. 2-4                      Scrapbook Retreat 

For more information about any of these programs, visit their website at www.amigocentre.org or contact Amigo at: info@amigocentre.org or call 269-651-2811.

 Amigo Centre (Sturgis, MI) offers a variety of housing options.  You can choose between the hotel-style Retreat Center, West Shore Lodge or more rustic Cabins.  Amigo Centre also operates Amigo Park family campground and Mirror Valley Retreat.

 

Amigo Centre’s Wishlist:

Ø  Nice quality living room and bedroom furniture

Ø  New or used items, suitable for resale on EBay

Ø  Newer mini-van

Ø  Clean 5 gallon buckets

Ø  Cane fishing poles

Ø  Microscopes

Ø  Canoe Paddles

Ø  Cross Country Skis and Boots

Ø  Field Guides (birds, wildflowers, trees, etc)

Ø  Animal skins and mounted animals/birds for display (no deer please)

Ø  Volunteers interested in teaching O/EE classes in spring and fall

Ø  DVD or Digital Video camera

 

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Vine

 

October 2

Pray for God’s patience and faith for Mennonite Mission Network’s Radical Journey participants who prepared for a year in Bolivia, but will now learn and serve in Paraguay due to visa complications. Remember also Paraguayan families who have offered to host participants on short notice.

October 9

Pray for the Mennonite Church in Brazil and its mission agency, Junta Menonita de Missões Internacionais (JMMI), as members share the good news of Jesus’ love both within the country and internationally in Albania and Mozambique. Mennonite Mission Network partners with the Brazilian Mennonites.

October 16

Tomorrow, Mary Raber of Mennonite Mission Network and post-graduate students from Ukraine and Czech Republic plan to begin a week-long course that combines ministry with study. Pray that the program will bring glory to God and strengthen the students spiritually.

October 23

Thank God for the ministry of Lois and Wayne Hochstetler, worker care specialists who travel around the world to Mission Network locations to encourage and support personnel. Pray for traveling mercies, good health, and joy in the Hochstetlers’ journeys.

October 30

Mark and Mary Hurst serve as resource people with the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand, a Mennonite Mission Network partner. One of their ministries is through peace film discussions in months with five Sundays. Pray that viewers of tonight’s film will learn more about Jesus’ love and how to share it.

Treasurers’ Update

 

Regular Monthly Offerings

            (Sept. 4 through Sept.25):       $14, 602.09

    Total Receipts to date                       $14,632.95

    Total Expenses to date                      $13,517.02

    Budget to date                                   $17,733.16

 Capital Improvement Fund Balance:    $14,482.58

  

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION

Thanks to all who volunteer their time and resources to help as needed.  Here are just a few of many ways in which we have helped each other and others in God’s family.

The Cattle Project:  MYF youth continue to help raise cattle to be donated to Kokomo Urban Outreach.  

Habitat for Humanity:  Volunteers helped with the Apostles Build house in Kokomo.

School Kits:  Because of your contributions, an additional 19 school kits were filled (in September) for distribution through MCC.

Pies for Relief Sale:  Several of our ladies prepared 61 pies which were sold at the annual Michiana Relief Sale in Goshen.

Penny Power:  The penny power jug that Howard-Miami sent up to Michiana Relief Sale provided  more than $200 for Mennonite Central Committee projects of peace, relief and development around the world.

Softball Lunch Youth Fundraiser: Volunteers fed the umpires and scorekeepers at the Church League Softball Tournament to raise money for the Youth Group. 

Church Camping Weekend (Sept. 9, 10, 11):  Approximately 80 people attended the worship service at Mississinewa campgrounds.  

 

 

 

Nov. 3             Mennonite Women sewing

Nov. 5             Men’s Breakfast

Nov. 6             Daylight Savings Ends

Nov. 12           Children’s Teachers Workshop

Dec. 3             Men’s Breakfast

Dec. 11           Children’s Christmas Program

Dec. 24           Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service

Jan. 1              Carry-in Breakfast

 

 4^th ANNUAL FALL

LADIES RETREAT

“REFLECTING GOD’S GLORY”

 Saturday, October 29

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 “. . . beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord.”   2 Corinthians 3:18

 Speaker:  Cynthia Burch

Author of “You’ll see Jesus on my face”

 No pre-registration required.

Cost $10

 Come spend a day with your sisters in Christ.  Invite your friends to join us for fellowship, worship and laughter!

 

HOG ROAST

 Saturday, October 22

4:30 - 8 p.m.

Menu includes Au gratin potatoes,

baked beans, applesauce, cake, & drink.

 Also featuring: Cajun Pork

(Carryouts available)

 

Freewill Offering

Proceeds go to Student Aid Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEN’S

BREAKFAST

 Saturday,

November 5

7 a.m.

Come and enjoy a good meal, a good message

and good fellowship!

 

 Youth October Events

Oct. 2        Youth Group @ church 6 -8 p.m. “How did God make my personality unique?”

 Oct. 5        Buddy Bags

 Oct. 9        Harvest Party and Youth Group 5 p.m.  “What do I value?”

 Oct. 16      Youth Group @ church 6 – 8 p.m. “What do I care most about?”

 Oct. 23      Youth Group @ church 6 – 8 p.m.

 

EVERENCE

Everence Federal Credit Union is donating $12,700 total to Brethren Disaster Services and Mennonite Mission Network. Each year, the credit union tithes a percentage of its income from its Visa credit cards. Learn at www.everence.com  about how you can use this credit card to support this unique program.

                         --Linda Miller, Everence Advocate

 

 

Children’s J.A.M. Celebration

&

Adult Sunday School Teachers

2011-12`

 J.A.M. CELEBRATION 

            V.I.P.s   (Volunteers Inspired with Passion)

J.A.M:

Group 1:  September December, March

                 Lindy Hunt, Cindy Miller, Carmella Walters          

Group 2:  October, January, April

                Teresa Miller, Joy Detweiler, Lori Miller

 Group 3:  November, February, May

                 Mary Birkey, Janalyce Hatton,

                 Shannon Hatton

 Youth:      Ben Schlegel, Jason Hunt, Gary Guest

 

ADULT LEADERS

Young Adult:             

Cornerstone:              Jeanie Miller

Upper Room:              Randy Detweiler, Don Horner

Care & Share:            Dan DeAngulo, Jeff Cranor

Seekers:                     Dale Birkey, Class members

Sons & Daughters:     Naomi Stites, Class members

Faith & Life:               Stanley Miller, Kent Wilson

Dorcas:                       Margaret Guest, Dean Bontrager

Elective:                     Brian Hollis, Jeanne DeAngulo

THANKS!

Thanks so much to all those who have volunteered to lead our Sunday School classes this year!

Thanks also to our dedicated teachers who taught Sunday School last year!

THANKS!

 

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

 “Here and Now - There and Then"

by Beth Moore

This is a study on the book of Revelation.  The Bible Study is held Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., through November 30 (November 23 off for Thanksgiving)

 

 FRIENDSHIP HAVEN

2600 W. Jefferson, Kokomo

 ANNUAL BAKED GOODS & CRAFTS SALE

Saturday, October 15

    9 a.m. – 12 noon

 Handmade Items:  Crocheted Towels, Handmade Cards, Wreaths, Dolls, Decorations

 Homemade Goodies:  Cookies, Pies, Cupcakes & Candy

 

 

 OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

Let Pastors Randy, Sarah and Ben know how much you appreciate all they do for you!

Keep them in your prayers.

 

 

Children’s Sunday School Teachers’ Seminar

with

John Bromels

 Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011

9 a.m. -2 p.m.

at Howard-Miami

 Participants in this workshop will learn the fundamentals of creating engaging and memorable children’s stories in worship or Sunday school settings, through the effective use of presentation and storytelling techniques.  Presenter John Bromels will share the expertise he has gained from nearly two decades working with children of all ages. 

In addition to presenting the material, he will also demonstrate the techniques he describes and lead participants in the creation of a story from start to finish, as well as take questions.

 Light Meal and Drinks Provided.

 

2011 MICHIANA RELIEF SALE

Many thanks to all you helped support this year's Michiana Relief Sale!  Although we had blessings from heaven pouring down (in the form of rain!) we had another good year! Preliminary gross revenue before our expenses is just over $369,000. The breakdown is as follows: Quilt Auction - $98,370; New/Used/Antique Auction - $13,539; Food sales - $150,249; Penny Power - $18,000; Crafts/Ten Thousand Villages/plants/fabric/garage sale/etc.- $78,826; Men's Chorus (Sunday night) - $2,322; Pre-sale Banquet - $7.700; and three businesses who matched Penny Power - $18,000.

We are thankful for all the support and thousands of hours that went into making this sale happen, and provide support for MCC ministries around the world. Mark your calendars now for next year's sale September 21-22, 2012.

            Kent Miller, Co-Chair,

            Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale Board

  

PEACE SCHOLARSHIP

HYMN SING

Sun., Oct. 9

5:30 p.m.

 A Peace Scholarship Hymn Sing will be held Sun., Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren on Lincoln Road in Kokomo.  A light meal follows.  A freewill offering will be taken to support the Peace Scholarship Fund. 

Plan to attend and enjoy the singing and fellowship!

 

MOVING SALE

Friday & Saturday

Oct. 14 & 15

8 a.m. - ? 

I plan to move by the end of October and have many household items for sale, including dishes, linens, knickknacks, furniture, a piano, etc.

                                    -- Freda Martin

                                       4665 East 500 North

 

Howard-Miami Heritage Society

“Antique Appraisals”

The Howard-Miami Heritage Society meets four times a year at Howard-Miami Mennonite Church on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July and October.  

The next meeting is planned for Tues., Oct. 26, at noon with a carry-in lunch.

Dave Turner, owner of the Greentown Antique Mall, is planning to appraise antique items brought in

You are welcome to come.  Invite a friend -- and bring items for appraisal.