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What Matters
Worship Services Every Sunday at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.
August 19, 2014 Edition
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with God and Neighbors 

 

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as Followers of Jesus 

 

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God's Love with the World 

 
 
"For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them."  Matthew 18:20

UPCOMING at Clay Church


This Sunday at Clay North, Pastor Brian Durand will continue our "What Matters" series with "Community Matters." 
 

This Sunday at Firehouse, we're helping students learn what it means to be the person God created them to be, instead of the person their peers think they should be.

This Sunday at FaithWorks!, we continue our FaithWorks! Rocks! series and all ages will be learning to show love for others. We'll demonstrate this by making yummy & healthy snacks to share in a feast together!

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CONNECTING this weekConnect

Membership Matters August 24th


 A conversation with our pastors and staff about membership at Clay Church  

Want to learn more about Clay Church?  Seeking to become a member or discover moreabout being a part of this faith-filled community?  Wondering what being a Methodist is all about?  Bring these questions and more at noon on August 24th to the Cafe at Clay Church North Campus.  We'll gather, meet new friends, and share a meal.  Childcare will be provided.  Please register yourself for this event and anyone attending with you by clicking on this link.

Membership Matters August 24th

A conversation with our pastors and staff about membership at Clay Church  

 

Want to learn more about Clay Church?  Seeking to become a member or discover more about being a part of this faith-filled community?  Wondering what being a Methodist is all about?  Bring these questions and more at noon on August 24th to the Cafe at Clay Church North Campus.  We'll gather, meet new friends, and share a meal.  Childcare will be provided.  Please register yourself for this event and anyone attending with you by clicking on this link.

An Open Invitation from Your Clay Church Finance Team

 

On August 24th at 2:00 p.m. at Clay North, come meet with members of Clay Church's finance team to get a view of how the church's ministries and missions are supported by your giving.  Learn about historical trends, current giving patterns, and future projections for our mission moving forward.   If you've always wanted to learn more about how Clay functions, this meeting is your opportunity!  Click here if you have questions or would like more information. 

Fourth Monday Fellowship Group

 

The Fourth Monday Fellowship Group will meet on August 25 at 9:30 a.m., at Einstein Bros Bagels, 2019 South Bend Ave. (S.R. 23) in South Bend.  Come join in the conversation and have a yummy treat with your friends!

Help Keep People Connected ...  

 

Do you know a family member or loved one who is not able to get to Clay Church as often as they used to?  Perhaps someone who would welcome a visit from a member of our Visitation Team? We would like to update our list of shut-ins and need your help. Please e-mail Caring Community Director Cindy Uhrich if you would like to keep someone connected to Clay.

Clay North Shuttle Service Begins September 7  

 

During the 9:15 a.m. service on Sundays from September to May, parking at Clay North is at a premium.  To provide spaces for visitors and guests at both services, we offer a convenient shuttle service that runs from Swanson Primary School parking lot (just east of the Clay North) to the front door of Clay North.

 

Shuttle service runs during the first service only from 7:50 - 9:15 a.m. and from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m.  We encourage everyone that is able-bodied to park in the Swanson lot and ride the shuttle!


And ... Shuttle Driver Needed!  

 

A shuttle driver is needed for the second Sunday of the month.  No special license is required but you must have a valid driver's license.

New Location for New Nametags!
  

If you requested a nametag, please look for it on the magnetic display board at the Connection Point on Sunday morning.  Help everyone you meet learn your name!

  

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GROWING this weekGrow

Care for Others with the Gift of a Meal


Could you provide a home-cooked meal once in awhile to a friend in need?  Maybe someone who has recently been hospitalized, had a baby, or perhaps lost a loved one? If so, then you can be a part of our new care opportunity, the Meal Ministry.  This ministry's purpose is to care for congregation members experiencing life's challenges with a home-cooked meal.

 

To participate, please sign up to be on the meal provider list.  A Meal Coordinator will contact you when a meal is needed and ask you to sign up when you are available.  If you are interested in providing a meal on an occasional basis, e-mail Cindy Uhrich with the keyword "MEAL" on the subject line.   You may also call Cindy at 574-272-8083, ext. 115.
 
Thank you for sharing God's love and caring for others with the gift of comforting, nourishing food!

Women's LIFE Friday Mornings Invitation for Fall

 

Beginning Friday, September 12th, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., Firehouse/Clay South. It's time to register for the 2014 Fall Session of Women's LIFE Friday Mornings, no later than Wednesday, September 3rd.  Choose from two studies:  Missing Pieces:  Real Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Jennifer Rothschild and To Live Is Christ:  The Life and Ministry of Paul by Beth Moore.  

   

Missing Pieces:  Real Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Jennifer Rothschild (who spoke at Saint Mary's College last fall) is 7 sessions with a 25 minute DVD lesson and 5 days of light homework per week.  This study seeks to answer -- God, Do You Care? Are You Fair?  Are You There?  Are You Aware?  Do You Hear Prayer? Do You Err?  Although you may know all the right answers, they don't always feel right.  Jennifer takes a realistic look at the messy, mysterious uncertainties of faith.  God's ways don't always make sense, but He is trustworthy.  Come close to Him.  Trust Him more than your feelings.  God will reveal Himself and fill in your missing pieces.  Some examples she cites include dealing with her blindness, a lumpectomy, autism, a broken marriage, and people who die when we prayed they would be cured. 

 

To Live Is Christ:  The Life and Ministry of Paul by Beth Moore is 11 sessions with a 50 minute DVD lesson and 5 days of homework per week.  Paul served faithfully, loved heartily, and demonstrated what it means to die daily, crucified with Jesus Christ.  This is a journey to discover a greater appreciation for his faith and undying devotion to servanthood.  You will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women.  As you study the Book of Acts and the Letters of Paul, you will come to know the characters personally.  Most of all you will feel the challenge to follow Paul's example just as he followed the example of Christ.

 

Register online by clicking here, by September 3rd.  Books can be purchased at www.amazon.com or www.lifeway.com, or you may order them at local Christian bookstores.  E-mail Donna Cleppe or call her at 271-1689 to request childcare by mid-August, or with any questions. 


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SHARING this weekShare

 Swanson Primary Needs Your Help!

  

Our neighbor, Swanson Primary Center, is seeking ministry partners to mentor children one time per week or serve as a willing pair of hands for a classroom teacher.  Classroom partners and mentors receive training and are welcomed based on days and times that fit within their schedule.  The invitation to serve as a ministry partner extends to those who travel to warmer climates in the winter months, too!  Wendy Folk, Clay member and Swanson principal, is also seeking energetic and caring individuals to serve as paid lunch room and playground supervisors from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.  Please e-mail Wendy Folk or her assistants Celine Mohoney or Amanda Klein to indicate your interest!  

 

  

Harrison Primary Says "Thank You!" for School Supplies

 

The supply cabinets at Harrison Primary Center are stuffed full!! The new principal and school staff send a huge thank you to Clay Church for their generosity.


 

Keep watching for other opportunities to support this South Bend school as the year progesses, and keep the students, faculty and staff in your prayers for a great school year!

 

 Food Pantry Report for July

  
The Clay Church Food Pantry saw a 17% increase in the number of guests from June to July.  In July, 558 families, representing 1,982 people,  were served.  Of that number, 102 families were new to the pantry, representing 361 people.  July was the largest month in 2014 of families that were new to receiving this vital ministry.  Thank you for offering Jesus' love to the Michiana community!  
 

 Ongoing Need:  Egg Cartons for Food Pantry!

  
The Clay Church Food Pantry has a continuing need for clean, empty egg cartons! Eggs are procured in bulk, so must be repackaged for our patrons.

 

You can drop off cartons during the week at our offices at Clay South/Firehouse, 17646 Cleveland Road, or bring them to the Connection Point on Sunday mornings.  Thank you!    

 

 Share the Harvest!

  
Do you have a vegetable garden?  Consider donating your excess produce to Clay Church's Food Pantry.  Fresh vegetables are often difficult to obtain for our food pantry clients and donations are always gratefully received.  

 

You can bring your produce on Sundays to Clay North or drop off during the week at our offices at Clay South/Firehouse, 17646 Cleveland Road.  Our Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 12-3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. -12 noon.  Thank you for sharing your harvest!    

 

 Summer Bakers Needed for the Caf�

  
How would you like to make some cool summer treats to share in the Caf� at Clay North? Perhaps some no-bake cookies or summer-favorite lemon squares? Sign up for a one-time or recurring commitment (for example, the second Sunday of the month).  E-mail Caring Community Director Cindy Uhrich if you're ready to unleash your inner Betty Crocker!

 

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Children's Opportunities
faithworks
Looking for FaithWorks! Check-In Volunteers!

We're looking for FaithWorks! Check-In volunteers to serve once a month. We just need 15 minutes before the start of service until 15 minutes into service (30 minutes total) once a month. Please contact Theresa Cass at [email protected] or 574-607-0861 if you're interested in welcoming our children on Sunday mornings.

 FW! Check-in/out Guidelines 
 
Arriving late, after FW! check-in is closed?  Please enjoy worship in big church with your children and avoid interrupting the children's worship service already in progress.  With safety in mind, refrain from using the FW! Center Caf� entrance doors for drop-off/pick-up and always use the ECP entrance doors.  Thanks for following these helpful guidelines.

Firehouse Youth Ministry
For 8th Graders:  The Confirmation Journey is Beginning

Confirmation preparations are starting now for youth in 8th grade! This journey helps youth learn what it means to Live In Faith Everyday, and to embrace the opportunity to make their own personal commitment to being a follower of Christ and a Partner with Clay Church.  Classes will be held at Firehouse on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.   There will be a Fall Confirmation Retreat September 6-7. Though classes are starting now, the first "official" Confirmation Class will be on September 14 at Firehouse from 9:00-11:30 a.m.  If parents have not already done so, please e-mail Desi Ash, Junior High Youth Minister, today to sign your youth up for Confirmation!
  

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Clay Church North Campus
52866 Ironwood Road
Adult Worship, FaithWorks! Nursery - 5th Grade, & Early Childhood Programs
574-273-4308

Sunday Worship: 9:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

 

Firehouse Youth Center
17646 Cleveland Road
Youth Ministry, 6th-12th Grade & Staff Offices
574-272-8068
Sunday Worship: 9 a.m.