LADIES’ CHRISTMAS PARTY - The Helper’s Guild is again sponsoring a Christmas Party for the ladies of the church. It is scheduled for Friday, December 4th at 6:00 P.M. The cost is $13.00 per person. The dinner will be catered by Ligonier Catering with a choice of pork chops or chicken. Mark your calendar! Information for reservations will be available soon.

CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE - Once again the Helper’s Guild will be sponsoring the Christmas Card Exchange. The exchange will begin the first Sunday in December. The exchange is a way that the people of the church can exchange Christmas Cards without the expense of mailing them. Tables will be set up in the annex with a location on the table for every family. If you wish to send a Christmas card, simply put the name of the person (or family) to receive the card on the envelope and place the card by their marker. Everyone is encouraged to frequently look for cards addressed to them and pick them up.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CREATIONS/PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Attention MPC kids!  Christian Ed is planning to host a Parents Night Out. Parents can bring their children to the church, while they go shopping, out for dinner or just relax at home.  We are offering the opportunity for children to make handmade gifts for parents, grandparents, or siblings. We encourage all children of the church to participate in this "secret workshop".  Snacks will be served. Adults, who would be willing to help (and do not have youngsters) with the crafts are welcomed. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board for attendees and helpers.  Any questions, please contact Susan Mough.  Friday, December 4

PARENTS NIGHT OUT - A "Parents Night Out" is available the first Friday of the month for families with youngsters.  Parents could bring their child/children to the church and have an evening out knowing that their child is in a safe, fun and loving environment.  If you are a parent interested in participating in this program, or just willing to offer your time to support our young families in this way, please contact Carrie Geyer or Susan Mough.

SALVATION ARMY - The Deacons are once again looking for volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. The date is November 14th and the location is the Open Pantry in Norvelt.  Please  consider volunteering.  The sign up sheet is posted in the annex.

MISSION TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA - Through the week of Thanksgiving this year, I will be taking people from the area and from our church for a week of service to southern West Virginia. The plan is to help recondition some living spaces for needy families and if possible build some ramps for those who are handicapped. Why the week of Thanksgiving? What a great way to show how blessed we really are! Yes, the kids will have to make up some homework, but the timing is perfect. We will still have a Thanksgiving meal there. We are working out those details. We are also going to be serving meals to those who can’t really afford a meal like we are accustomed to. It will be an eye opener. We have space for 32 people and right now we have about 20 signed up. You can come on your own if you would like or if that is all your schedule will allow. You can support this trip in many ways; the first is being in prayer before and while we are there. You can donate bottled water for the team since we have to take our own. We can buy it there, so if you want to provide us with gift cards that is but one way to bless the trip. I hope that this will be the first of many trips that our church makes for the sake of the Gospel. Lenise Hauser and I are talking about an international trip, wouldn’t that be great! So let us take this first step together, and discern where God might be leading us. Remember, we serve a God who said “Go!”. —Pastor Stu

BLACKBURN CENTER COLLECTION - The Deacons are sponsoring a collection of paper products for Blackburn Center during the month of November. A list of items needed will be posted on the bulletin board in the annex. Blackburn Center provides services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, including child sexual abuse and incest; and for the people who care about them. Blackburn Center also provides the following services for the community:

• Student awareness programs in Westmoreland County schools, preschool through 12th grade, and area colleges

• Community education programs including speakers for organizations and community groups

• In-service trainings for police, medical personnel, teachers, counselors, social workers, and other professionals

WORSHIP COMMITTEE - We are looking to form a committee to assist the Session for weekly worship services.  We would help with music, acolytes, communion, member involvement, etc.  Anyone interested please see Kathy Higgins or Carol Riddle.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC CONCERT TO BE HELD AT MIDDLE - Aaron Greer Band will be holding a concert to benefit our D.A.R.E. Youth Ministry at Middle on Dec 5th 7pm.  Aaron is a contemporary Christian musician with a passion for Jesus Christ.  He has been signed to a national recording contract.  Come out and enjoy the music and fellowship.  Seating is limited for this event, and we will be selling tickets on a first come, first served basis.  See you there!

BIBLE WALK TRIP - We are planning a trip to Bible Walk at Mansfield, Ohio on Saturday, November 7. We are inviting the Presbytery in order to fill the motor coach. We will leave the Presbytery Office at 8 AM. The Presbytery Office is located on Mount Pleasant Road next to the Maplewood Presbyterian Church at the Route 30 bypass in Greensburg. Bible Walk presents 70+ life-size dioramas of biblical scenes and there will be a noon dinner theatre featuring a biblical play and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We will be returning after dark. If you need a ride to the Presbytery Office or don't want to drive after dark, see Jim Vaughn or Sue Mough. Pick up a reservation form in the annex or print one from our website. A Bible Walk brochure with additional information is on the bulletin board in the annex. A wheelchair is available at Bible Walk if you are concerned about too much walking. Click here for a printable reservation form.  Bible Walk website: www.livingbiblemuseum.org

DINNER/FAMILY NIGHT SUNDAY, NOV. 8TH - Remember "board games”? Relive those old fashioned days by joining us for an evening of good food and fellowship.  Bring a covered dish and favorite board game to share. Dinner begins at 5:30.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - A Christmas program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 20th, beginning at 6:30.  A time of fellowship and sharing in "Christmas goodies" will follow the program.

ATTENTION ALL SHOPPERS -  Bon Ton Coupon Books - The Mission Circle is sponsoring a "Community Day 2009" shopping event on Saturday, Nov. 14th.  The proceeds of this fundraiser will be added to our Heifer Project donation.  Coupon booklets will be available at a cost of $5.00 each. The coupons and offers are good only on "Community Day" (Nov. 14th)  and are valid on top of the One Day sale prices at any BonTon department store.  Coupon booklets contain a $10 coupon good on almost any merchandise item, a 30% off Early Bird coupon and additional coupons for up to 20% off and offers for special bonus items. What a great way to start your Christmas shopping and help the mission work of the church !

OFFICE HOURS - Pastor Adams will be happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time.  Call him at 724-542-9755 (Home) or 724-312-4405 (Cell) to arrange an appointment.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE - The Mission Circle is purchasing Fair Trade coffee to use during our Sunday morning coffee hour on a trial basis. A signup sheet will be available if anyone wishes to purchase any of the coffees. More information will be available soon. Purchasing Fair Trade coffee is a way of helping farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia earn a fairer share of income, thus helping them to build a better future for themselves and their communities. The next meeting will be Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 PM at the church. Everyone is invited!

NURSERY - The nursery will open after Children's Moments.  Children from age 1 through 2nd grade are invited to the nursery.  Older children are encouraged to sit and listen with their parents in the sanctuary.

MISSION CIRCLE MEETINGS - Meeting dates for 2009 will be the 2nd Sat. of Jan., Mar., June, Sept., & Nov. at 2 PM.

CARE CELLS - Our care cells divide the congregation into 4 smaller groups primarily formed based on geography. There is 1 Deacon and 1 Elder assigned as the care cell leaders. The leaders roles include keeping in touch with the members within their care cell. We encourage individuals within care cells to keep in touch too, by phone, email, letters/cards, or visits. If anyone has a specific need, please call your Elder or Deacon in addition to Pastor Stu. As new members join Middle Presbyterian Church, we will add them into a care cell. We will update/revise care cells annually or as needed.  We hope the care cells unite our congregation and also help Pastor Stu in his ministry. We encourage care cells to unite for gatherings, such as picnics, luncheons, game night, etc. We would like all members of the care cell to share their helping hands. This could be done by driving someone to an appointment, helping with house or yard work, running errands, preparing meals, child care or any other assistance.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Anyone interested in joining the Prayer Shawl Ministry is welcome! Meeting schedule to be announced.  If you know anyone who could use a shawl, please contact Janet Clark, Diane Hauser, Kay Guidas or any member. To date, over forty one prayer shawls have been given away!

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - All interested people who like to knit or crochet (or weave or quilt) are invited to come and learn about this caring ministry. We will make prayer shawls for those in need of prayer and compassion. Invite a friend and bring your yarns, needles, hooks and prayers to the church. Let us make this an opportunity to expand our loving outreach in our community. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is in need of dress boxes (large enough for a shawl). If you have boxes to donate please bring them to the church or give them to Janet Clark or Diane Hauser.. Click here to visit the Prayer Shawl Ministry website.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER - The Good Samaritan Center. Located at 15 Eagle Street in Mt. Pleasant, the volunteers of the center are dedicated to reaching out to families and individuals in our communities who are facing hard times. They try to help them find immediate relief and also guide them into taking the steps necessary to improve their situation. The Center is sponsored by the Mount Pleasant Ministerium.

BLACKBURN CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - Blackburn Center is offering a volunteer training class for people interested in providing supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The training class will begin in early 2008. The class meets twice a week for 3 hours per session. Total class time is 69 hours, plus a practicum. Volunteer counselors answer Blackburn Center’s 24-hour hotline and offer options, information and referrals to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Blackburn Center offers additional training for volunteers interested in helping at our shelter or with advocacy services. Volunteers are able to work flexible hours, and may do some work from home. In addition — and most importantly — they made a difference in the lives of victims of domestic and sexual violence. Call (724) 837-9540 for information or visit the website at www.blackburncenter.org.

SAVE YOUR PRINTER CARTRIDGES - The next time you change the printer cartridge in your ink jet printer, bring the used one to the church. There is a box in the annex to collect used cartridges. These cartridges will be taken to Pine Springs Camp where the camp will send them to be recycled and will receive money for each one. What an easy way to do something for the environment and Pine Springs Camp.

2009 COMMUNION DATES
November 22	Christ the King
December 24	Christmas Eve

1 John 2:8 ...the true light now shineth.