EIGHTH STREET MENNONITE CHURCH
602 South Eighth Street
Goshen, IN 46526-4019
Tel.: 574/533-6720

Fax: 574/533-8324

Email: eighthst@bnin.net

Web site: www.bnin.net/~eighthst/

Myron D. Schrag, Pastor [mschrag@bnin.net]

Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau, Associate Pastor [bpaetkau@bnin.net]

Laura Sue Dueck, Intern Pastor [dueckls@msn.com]

9:30 A.M. February 3, 2002

Eighth Street Mennonite Church is a Christian community – rooted in Anabaptism and coming from diverse religious traditions – devoted to worshipping God and to extending God's love to the congregation, to Goshen, and to the world.

CELEBRATION
OF
MENNONITE CHURCH USA'S BIRTH

GATHERING

Prelude: Allegro Moderato (from Concerto in A minor) Bach

Welcome and Announcements

Interlude

Call to Worship [see insert, "Affirmation of Faith"]

*Invocation

*Hymn: #289 Filled with the Spirit's Power

CONFESSING

Psalm 15 [OT pg 495]

Prayer: (in unison)

Holy God, we cannot claim to be blameless.

We have not always spoken the truth.

We have not always kept our tongue from speaking evil of others.

We have not always kept our promises.

We have not always done what is right.

Forgive us, God.

Cleanse us.

Free us.

Restore us, so that we may abide with you. Amen.

Hymn of the Month: #123 O Holy Spirit, Root of Life

CELEBRATION OF OUR NEW DENOMINATION

Children's Time

(During the children's time, find in the registration pads the colored prayer notes for our denominational leaders. Please sign your name and add a note if you wish as you pass it. Invite the children to sign the note after they return to their seats.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Blessing (see insert])

LISTENING

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8 [OT pg 866]

Matthew 5:1-12 in song:

Hymn: #231 Oh, Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 [excerpts] [NT pg 166]

Sermon:
"What Does the Lord Require of Mennonite Church USA?"

RESPONDING

*Hymn: #409 What Does the Lord Require

Offering and Offertory: Renew Me, O Eternal Light Manz

(Please sign the registration pad at the end of your pew.)

SHARING

Joys and Concerns

The Church at Prayer

SENDING

*Hymn: #86 Now Thank We All Our God

*Benediction

*Organ Meditation

*Postlude: Now Thank We All Our God Karg-Elert

*All who are able are invited to stand

Leading our Worship:

Worship Leader - Janeen Bertsche Johnson
Sermon - Myron Schrag
Scripture Reader - Hannah Johnson
Prayer of Thanksgiving -
and Blessing - Herb Fretz
Children's Time - Alison Kirkton
Song Leader - Leonard Beechy
Organist/Pianist - Christine Thögersen
Prelude - Erica Johnson, violin
Accompanist - Christine Thögersen, piano

= = =

WELCOME to Eighth Street Mennonite Church! May you experience God's presence in this time of worship and fellowship. Visitors are invited to sign the guest book in the narthex and to worship with us again.

GREETING US this morning are Laura Funk and Becky Colby.

Laura is a transplant to the U.S., but not from the time of the Mayflower as some might think. She grew up in southern Manitoba, earned degrees from Goshen College and Ball State, and taught English for many years in the Goshen Community Schools System (with a year in China as well). In retirement Laura travels (still goes back to the homeland annually), reads (has a 4th grader reading buddy), and fills in at the church office at times (where, she says, the computer, copier, and folding machine conspire against her). She is the church Financial Secretary, serves on the Mission and Service Commission, the Pastor/Congregation Relations Committee, and is treasurer of 8th Street Mennonite Women (WIM).

Becky and her miniature schnauzer, Duffy, live contentedly, for the most part, in their country home outside of Topeka (no, that's Indiana, not Kansas). She enjoys gardening and flower arranging in the summer, reading any time and all the time, nature photography, and nearly all needlework. Her latest adventure has been to learn to weave. Becky is currently a reading specialist and literacy support person for the teachers at Topeka Elementary School, where she has taught for the past 26 years. Becky has been worshipping with us since Fall of 2000.

STAFFING OUR NURSERIES:

Today: During worship - Infants – Christine Guth,
Jen Nussbaum

Toddlers – Karen Miller Rush,
Jon & Jessica Tary

During Sunday School - Delores Bartel, Laura Funk

Next Sun.: During worship - Infants – Tony Short, Kurt Neufeld

Toddlers – Tom & Jeannette Bechtel

During S. S. - Kristin Neufeld, Todd Kirkton

ANNOUNCEMENTS, February 3, 2002

THE FEBRUARY MESSENGER is in your mailbox today. Extra copies of the newsletter and past Sunday bulletins are on the wall rack above the literature table (across for the bulletin board). Help yourself.

= Second Hour =

11 A.M.

Sanctuary - Koinonia & Crossroads (Joint Session)

B1 - Builders - "God's people will walk in light: God's new creation" (adult quarterly) - led by Dorothy Yoder Nyce

B3 - Seekers - "MCC's Work in the Mid-East – Understanding Partnership in Mission" - Dr. Rick Hostetter

B4 - Challengers - "God's grace is for all people: Remaining loyal" (adult quarterly) - led by Chad Horning

B5 - Sr. High - Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau

B7 - Jr. High - Galen Hershberger

= = =

STAY FOR THE FUNDRAISING MEAL this noon, served by the Senior Youth, and the CONGREGATIONAL MEETING following the meal. The menu includes lasagna, salad, breadsticks, and dessert. Donations will be accepted for the service trip to Denver this summer where the youth will be exploring different inner city ministries.

► Child care will be provided during the Congregational Meeting.

Concerning Our Church Family and Friends:

A "thank-you" note from Audra Bechtel is posted on the bulletin board.

Verna Weaver is house-sitting on Winsted Drive for Orie & Agnes Eigsti while they are in Arizona – bringing Verna closer to Joe who is at Carriage Manor.

Jeremy Braun has moved to Ironwood, MI, continuing his course of study in Ski Resort Management at Gogebic College.

Marc Braun is currently trucking with his brother, Joe.

THE MINUTES from the Nov. 18, 2001 Congregational Meeting are posted for your review on the bulletin board.

MENNONITE WOMEN will meet tomorrow, Feb. 4 at Dorothy Yoder Nyce's home at 7pm. Jessica Johns will speak on her service in Jokkmokk, Sweden with the YES Program. Devotions by Fran Gundy and refreshments furnished by Helen Fretz and Eleanor Kinney. All girls & women are invited.

GUESTS in the Interfaith Hospitality Network will be welcomed to our church on Sunday evening, Feb. 24, and will stay with us each evening and overnight until Sunday morning, March 3. Within our church building we will have the opportunity to reach out to families who are temporarily without a home. Take time now to look at the easel in the narthex and consider how you would be able to volunteer during that week. Volunteers serve as prayer partners, unload beds, prepare the evening meals, serve as evening and overnight hosts, and load up the beds again at the end of the week. Visiting with the guests is an extra bonus for the volunteers.

CONTENTS of the Lost and Found Box: 2 Bibles (1 International Children's Bible - New Century Version with the name "Chase" written in the front; 1 The New English Bible - New Testament with no name), 1 red umbrella, and 1 red comb. The box is located above the coat rack beside the mailboxes. On top of the mailboxes is another Bible (NRSV) without a name.

From the Sidelines:

Our Eighth St. basketball heroes broke their four game losing streak in resounding fashion by soundly defeating Silverwood 51-31 last Sunday afternoon. Little mercy was shown in the lopsided victory, indicating that some work still needs to be done here at Eighth St. on certain Christian virtues. Watch for a sermon on compassion soon. – MS, reporter

A SACRED GOSPEL CONCERT will be given by the Cumberland Quartet from Nashville, TN at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church (63846 CR 35) Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7pm. A free-will offering will be taken.

A GUIDE TO PRAYER: Praise God for the recent grand opening of the Helping Hands Center and the dedication of the completed renovations of Agape Mennonite Church in Hong Kong. The renovations almost doubled the worship area seating capacity allowing for the growth the church has experienced in the past months. The Helping Hands Center assists 24 students in daily after-school tutoring, along with an English class for parents of the students. Pray for Jeremiah Choi, pastor of Agape Mennonite Church, and mission workers, Cindy and Tim Buhler.

FEBRUARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Bus Driver – Dan Warkentin

Sunday A.M. Refreshments –

Feb. 3 & 10 Crossroads Class

Feb. 17 & 24 High School Class

FEBRUARY GIVING BOX: HESED HOUSE

Hesed House is a home for young single mothers with one baby. Hesed House seeks to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and housing needs of young, single mothers and help them develop independent living skills. This ministry was created to bring God's Hesed – God's loving kindness and mercy – to these mothers, so that they can pass on to their children this same heritage of kindness and mercy.

Hesed House has been closed for 1 year. They are currently applying for state licensure and are hoping to reopen soon. They are now in need of a washing machine and also drop ceiling for the kitchen. Your contribution to the Giving Box this month will help them meet these needs.

* Birthdays & Anniversaries! *

4	Sara Braun	8	Jessica Sprunger
5	Bob Guth	8	Norm Sprunger
7	Karl Koop	9	Cathy Beery Berg
7	Sara Thögersen	9	Evelyn Bushong
8	Ben Miller

* * *

CHURCH CALENDAR this week, February 3 - 10:

Today - Fundraising Meal by Sr Youth

- Congregational Meeting, following the meal

Monday - Mennonite Women Meeting at Dorothy's, 7pm

Wednesday - Jr Youth in Fellowship Hall, 6:30pm

- Congregational Care Commission, 7pm

Fri - Sun - Jr Youth Winter Retreat at Camp Friedenswald

Next Sunday - Worship Service, 9:30am

Sermon – Pastor Myron Schrag

Worship Leader – Laura Sue Dueck

- Sunday School, 11am

- Sr Youth Game Night

LAST SUNDAY, January 27, 2002: Attendance - 195

Visitors: Joel & Nancy Kauffmann, Ted & Gayle Koontz and Peter, Goshen; Rachel Sutter, Erin Sigler, Goshen College students.

January 27 Offering: $3,137.00
Budget $3,004.00
Ed Wolff Memorial 50.00
Jan Giv Bx/Preschool 55.00
Misc/The Mennonite 28.00

BETHANY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL NEWS:

· Mon., Feb. 11 - Hacienda Day at the Goshen Linway Plaza restaurant. Remember to pick up a yellow token on the lit. table.

· Tues., Feb. 12 - Open House in the BCS chapel at 7:30pm. Students in grades 8-11 and their parents are invited to meet the faculty and other prospective students and tour the campus.

· Mon., Feb. 18 - Visitors' Day – Students in grades 5 through 11 are invited to spend a day at Bethany. Please call admissions counselor Merv Miller at 534-2567 to register in advance. Additional visitors' days are being offered on March 4 & 18.

· Thurs.-Sun., Feb. 21-24 - Performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by BCHS on Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 21-23 at 7:30pm and on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3pm in the school's chapel. Tickets ($6.50 for adults and $4 for students) go on sale tomorrow, Feb. 4. Call 534-2567 to reserve your tickets.

SEE YELLOW HALF-SHEET in your mailbox about the Haystack Supper to be held this Friday, Feb. 8 from 4:30 - 7pm at The Life Center (on Plymouth Ave. across from Black Squirrel Golf Course) to benefit The Window. Extra half-sheets are on literature table.

JR YOUTH are to meet in the church parking lot this Friday, Feb. 8 at 6:30pm to leave for Camp Friedenswald.