E-News from Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

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Weekly E-News July 11, 2013

PASTOR'S CORNER

Jesus sends his disciples out into the world to share his Peace. The disciples are told that they don't need to bring anything along with them on their journey; they already have everything they need. The Peace of Christ that they share brings reconciliation and builds relationships.

I think that this raises some important questions as we pass the Peace during worship:

Is this a time to catch up with friends on how their week went and how their garden is growing, or is it a time to seek out people in worship with whom we don't have a close relationship and begin building one?

With whom are we to be reconciled? Who are the people who have come desperately seeking Christ's peace, a place of welcome, a place where they are loved just as they are, and how can we share this peace with them?

Please keep these questions in mind each week as you share the joy of Christ and as always,

Peace and Blessings,

George

READINGS

lectionary

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, July 14, 2013, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

This summer at MDPC, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Monday - Thursday, we are partnering with Friends of Refugees and from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday with the International Rescue Committee - a refugee resettlement organization - as a part of their Youth Futures Summer Program.

BOUNTIFUL BAGS

Partnership with MDPC, Shallowford Church and Indian Creek Elementary

Family Food Packing will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 4:00 pm in the Jim Guess Building. Our goal is to serve 40 families a week this summer. Please call Dil at the church office 404-292-8212 to volunteer.

Please see the link to the calendar:

MDPC Calendar

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP WITH FRIENDS OF REFUGEES

Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Contemporary Worship with Friends of Refugees - MDPC Donnell Building.

MENS BREAKFAST

Join us on Wednesday, July 17th, 8:30 am at the Original Pancake House.

STONE MOUNTAIN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:

Hot Instant Cereal, Canned Vegetables and Spaghetti Sauce. food pantry

We need volunteers to staff the Food Pantry in July from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm. Please call Pat Landes - 404-292-5564 if you can volunteer on any of the following dates: July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31.

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Dear friends and partners in mission,

It's hard to believe it's been only a few weeks since our To Clarkston with Love mission! The seeds we sowed together -- both literally and figuratively -- continue to grow (especially with all of this rain!) Many of you have been at the church post-June 8th to place finishing touches on the chapel, toddler room, garden, nursery, gym and fellowship room, and to connect with those wonderful kids of Clarkston though the saturday program at Shalom. Thank you for your love and support!

Many of us are hoping to maintain a strong relationship with one another so that Shalom and God's mission in Clarkston will continue to thrive in the months and years to come. To that end, we would like to invite you and yours on Sunday, August 11th -- for a Shalom Open House!

We will gather that evening at 6:30 pm at Memorial Drive/Shalom for worship, and a blessing of this wonderful community (and its new wonderful rooms). We'll start out with worship in the new chapel, Shalom-style, and follow with a tour and room blessing around the church. We hope you can join us for a night of giving thanks and celebration -- all are welcome.

When you have a chance, we would be grateful if you could help us spread the word among your teams about this great chance to connect and celebrate once again as God's united people.

With anticipation,

Sara Hayden, Gad Mpoyo (pastor of Shalom), and George Tatro (pastor of Memorial Drive)