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Bridges comes out most Thursday afternoons.
Front Desk Hours:
9am-2:30pm,
M-Th
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MIPC Sunday
Worship
Times
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OUR
FALL SCHEDULE:
(begins September 8th)
8:15am
Breakfast Service
(meal served at 7:45am)
9:15am
Christian Education
for All Ages
10:35am
Traditional Service
5:00pm
Evening Worship
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September 8, 2019
Fall Schedule Begins
Breakfast Service at 8:15am (meal served at 7:45)
Traditional Service at 10:35am
Evening Worship at 5:00pm
Education Hour at 9:15am
Preacher: Kristy Farber
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair.
We are the Easter people
and hallelujah is our song."
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Fall Schedule Starts This Sunday
Our three-service schedule returns on September 8th:
7:45am Breakfast Served in the Gym
8:15am Worship in the Gym
9:15am Sunday School for All Ages
10:35am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
5:00pm Evening Worship in the Sanctuary
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Thank You to William Bryant! 
It is with gratitude for his outstanding service over the past two years that we announce that Sunday, September 8, will be William Bryant's final Sunday as organist at MIPC. William has accepted the position of Director of Music at Faith Lutheran Church in Redmond, and we celebrate this new opportunity with him. We will get the chance to offer our thanks and goodbyes at a reception in the courtyard following the 10:35am worship service this Sunday.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
This Sunday | September 8th | 8:15am, 10:35am, 5pm services
One of the ways we can fulfill our congregational vow made at baptism is to pray for and nurture our young people at various life stages. All students, young and old, who will be returning to classes this Fall will receive a prayer of blessing. (Backpack not required.)
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Sunday Morning Classes
Beginning This Sunday, September 8th
(9:15-10:15am)
Growing in Faith Class, A-B Classroom (Sep 8-Oct 27)
"New Understandings of Our Savior"
While we may have been Christians for many years, we likely find ourselves puzzled by a number of things which Jesus said and did. Utilizing an unusual contextual learning approach, this series focuses upon resolving these puzzlements and thereby bringing to us a broader understanding of our Lord than we have had. Led by Carl Dodrill.
Fireside Room (Sep 8-Sep 29)
"Beyond Open & Affirming:
Emerging Conversations for the LGBTQIA+ Competent Church"
Society's acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people and communities has increased dramatically over the last decade, and many churches have fully included gay and lesbian people into the life of the church. Even with this step forward, affirming faith communities at times find themselves unsure what it means to be the church alongside LGBTQIA+ people beyond "all are welcome."
Led by Dan Hammer.
Topics will include:
Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation 101
Emerging LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary and Self-Understanding
Coming Out and Offering Care
LGBTQIA+ Sacred Space and Meaning-Making (a brief history
of LGBTQIA+ liberation in the US since Stonewall)
Current Challenges facing LGBTQIA+ People and Communities
Come with your questions, and come with your care.
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Session Update from the August Meeting
At the August 27th Session Meeting, the decision was made to begin serving weekly communion at both the 10:35am and 5pm services (at least through 2019). Weekly communion is something that we have been asked about for years as we have members who come from churches where this was center to their worshipping life or who, when they miss the first Sunday of the month, miss the the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. As we partake, together, in this sacrament, we give thanks to God for the ancient and ongoing story of our salvation, we remember the events of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and we pray for God's Spirit to strengthen us to be God's people in the world for peace, justice, and hope -- all while eating and drinking together God's joyful feast. The breakfast service, which gathers around a meal weekly by nature, will continue to celebrate the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of every month.
At the same meeting, a group of Session members proposed updated language for MIPC's open and affirming statement. The update does not change any of the current practices of MIPC but states more succinctly the policy of MIPC which is especially important to have for those in the LGBTQ+ community who are seeking a safe and welcoming place in which to worship God and grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
new language:
MIPC Open and Affirming Inclusion Policy (updated 2019)
MIPC seeks to honor and affirm persons of every gender identity and sexual orientation. As it pertains to all levels of leadership in the church, it is the policy of MIPC to honor and affirm the spiritual gifts of everyone in our faith community, particularly people who have been historically marginalized and may easily be overlooked by the church.
At MIPC, all are welcome to baptism, communion, membership, and all aspects of life and service within the church. As moved by the Spirit, and following the process in the PC(USA) Book of Order, all are eligible for ordination as deacons, elders, and Ministers of Word and Sacrament.
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10:35am Sunday Choir
Rehearsals begin September 5
All ages and skill levels are invited to rehearse Thursdays from 7:00-8:30pm in preparation for singing anthems at the 10:35 service. Come as often as you're able as we make music together.
Contact Dan Hammer ([email protected]).
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Missions
Plymouth on Stewart Luncheon
September 15 (3rd Sunday of the month)
You are invited to donate food items and/or help deliver or serve!
Food supplies needed at Mercer Island Food Pantry
Thank you for helping support Mercer Island Youth & Family Services in their mission. They are currently in need of the following items:
Applesauce
Prepared boxed meals
Chicken and beef broth
Rice products
Canned tuna and meat products
Hearty canned soups
Jellies and jams
Breakfast items and granola bars
Canned fruit
Boxed cereal and oatmeal
Boxed cake and frosting mixes
Toiletries
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MIPC Church Directory Update!!!
A current church directory is beneficial to our new members and helps us all to put a name with a face! We hope to have all MIPC members and friends participate. Here are a few simple steps:
Review your information
- Please stop by the "Church Directory Update" table on Sundays in September to review the information that we currently have for the directory.
- Or you may go to the MIPC website and click on the "Information" section and then click on "Directory." Please notify Brian of any changes or additions at [email protected] or call 206-232-5595.
Select a photo option
We are creating our own directory without the use of a professional company. Please select an option for your photo:
- Use your photo from the 2016 MIPC Directory - notify Marla Briggs at [email protected] by 10/10/19.
- Submit your own digital photo of yourself or your family to [email protected] by 10/10/19.
- Have a new picture taken by MIPC photographers, Steve and David Christy, at church on Sundays 9/22, 9/29, or 10/6. Please sign up for a 10 minute photo session at the "Church Directory Update" table on Sunday 9/8 and 9/15, or via Signup Genius at this link.
Looking forward to having this new directory
of our church family!
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Building Campaign Update 
Summer projects are starting to wrap up. Like all construction/remodel projects there have been delays (one window missing from the order, a bent window frame, dry rot that needs to be repaired on the roof, fans that are running improperly and more.) Yet we are in the home stretch.
There are now windows sills in the classrooms, trim around the windows, walls painted in various rooms, and access panels installed. Each day we come closer to finishing our summer projects.
We are moving forward!
Brian Weiss (Elder), Kristy Farber,
Brad Wheeler, Judith Baxter
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| Upcoming Activities & Events |
Monday Morning Women's Bible Study
Resumes on Monday, September 9th
10:00-11:30am in the Fireside Room
Halie Dodrill facilitates a series entitled
"100,000 Sundays", a study of how the church evolved and changed since it was first established. We will look at elements used in worship that are similar throughout church history and how worship has changed through the centuries.
Contacts: Linda Fowler,
[email protected] or
Halie Dodrill,
[email protected].
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Summer Book Conversations at MIPC
Wednesday, September 11th at 7:00pm
Our final conversation this summer will be on
September 11:
Flannery O'Connor,
Everything That Rises Must Converge: Stories
(We'll focus on the title story, as well as
"Revelation
".)
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Save the Date: Saturday, September 21 at 7:00pm
Our first performance features Natalya Ageyeva in a solo piano recital.
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Super Sixties 
Thursday, September 26, 10:30am-1pm
in the Fireside Room
$6 donation includes lunch, program,
The Pacific Crest Trail: a 2650-mile journey with freeze-dried spaghetti and cold drinks from strangers, sore feet and soaring heights, blaring music and empty silence, tired legs and an energized mind, wildfires and wildflowers, ups and downs, and a whole lot of time to think. From the Mexican border to the Canadian border in 117 days, walking with God the whole way - come hear about Riley MacAulay's walk (she is Ben and Nancy Ellison's grandaughter), and the things you can learn from time spent in the wilderness.
Invite your friends. All are welcome.
To plan for food, please let Ruth Ann know by Tuesday, September 24, if you will attend.
[email protected]
or (206) 232-5596 x1002
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Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study
Our weekly group meets on Tuesdays at 7:00am in the Fireside Room. Please contact Brian Emanuels for more information, [email protected].
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Wednesdays from 11am-Noon in the Fireside Room
Join Kristy Farber and others on Wednesdays to open scripture and talk about it with other people in the church.
Come when you can. No preparation is necessary
.
Next week we continue our study at Isaiah chapter 43.
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Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Sep 11-Nov 6 in the Adult A-B Classroom, 7:00-8:30pm
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Women's Retreat at Camp Burton
January 17-18, 2020
Camp Burton on Vashon Island has been reserved the weekend of January 17-18 for MIPC's Women's Retreat. More details to follow.
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Spring Break Mexico Mission Trip
SAVE THE DATES: April 4-11, 2020
For 10th - 12th graders and adult leaders. More information to come. Questions? Contact Lindsay or Christian.
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MIPC Tuition Programs are enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year:
Pebble Preschool
Registration
The Pebble provides a Christian-centered environment where children will build a strong foundation of early learning experiences. We have programs for 2.5 year olds - 5 year olds. We welcome visitors to tour our school
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EPIC Days Afterschool Program for Elementary Aged Kids 
We provide a safe and loving community that bridges the space between school and home for your child(ren). Registration will be accepted until spots are full, and throughout the year as space is available. EPIC Hours: MISD school dismissal - 6:00pm, Monday-Friday.
HIRING:
Substitutes to support staff throughout the year
.
For registration and employment information contact:
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Sanctuary Flowers Invitation
Each Sunday, congregation members have the opportunity to provide the beauty of flowers to the sanctuary. Many donate to honor loved ones who have passed, celebrate an anniversary or birthday or just because they love seeing flowers at church. Whatever the reason, your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Flowers can come from your garden or a flower shop, whatever works best for you. Because some are allergic to floral fragrances, it's best to plan flowers without fragrances. Thank you.
Please look at the calendar to see if there is a specific Sunday that you would like to provide flowers for worship in the sanctuary. Your beautiful donation will be recognized in the bulletin.
Please reach out to Brian at the front desk to coordinate your donation or if you have any questions, [email protected].
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3605 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 232-5595
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