Key Announcements for Oct. 25, 2008

Several key announcements are below. Please remember that it is assumed you are reading them Sabbath morning. There will be additional important announcements in Sabbath's bulletin.

PRAYER FOCUS: With health concerns we remember Ralph Dawkins' father Ralph, who suffered serious burns in a house fire, Cindy Sigler (Houston Merriman's niece,) Peggy Day, Kim King, Sharon Olejniczak, Virginia Livermore, Laura Lee Williams. 

In bereavement we remember the family of Carole Steele, who passed away Tuesday morning.

SPECIAL FELLOWSHIP DINNER: Everyone is welcome to join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for a meal after church today to welcome and get to know Don and Sandi Pate. Members: please make sure to bring enough to share with our many guests. 

SPECIAL CHURCH BOARD MEETING: This afternoon at 2:00 in the Junior Room to invterview Pastor Pate. All board members please plan to attend. 

THANKSGIVING BASKET MINISTRY

• AUC, the Village and College Churches are teaming up to collect food for needy families. We need volunteers to drive and to distribute empty bags to the community today (see insert). Then, next Sabbath, we will return to those homes to collect the filled bags.  Volunteers will meet at the College Church at 2:00 p.m. on both dates. SLA and AUC students can get community service time for this. Please, don't miss out on the special blessings God has for you who are willing serve and touch the lives of those in our community. The more homes we contact, the more food we can collect, the more needs we can meet.

• This Thanksgiving gift basket project isn't about helping with just one meal. Last year we began giving families staples like flour, sugar, eggs, peanut butter, oil, etc. The need is greater this year. That's why we want to significantly increase the number of baskets this year from 50 to 100 households. 

• To do this, we need your help. We need food and cash donations to to fill the boxes and purchase staples and fresh produce. Would you and your family consider giving a love gift to sponsor one food item for 15 families ($30), 25 families ($50), 50 families ($100), or 100 families ($200)? Please know that any gift is greatly appreciated. We know things are difficult for you, too. So gather your family together and take it to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him what He would have you do to help needy local families. 

• Please bring food to the chapel through Nov. 22. If giving a cash gift, please make checks out to the College Church with Thanksgiving Project in the memo field, and inform the church office or Jacalyn Nosek (978-365-4466) as soon as possible. Thank you for your prayers, labor, and generous gifts to support this important community service program.

CANCER SUPPORT: This Monday at 5:00 p.m. in the Junior Room. 

EDUCATION GRANTS: See forms (available at sneckids.org) for details, eligibility requirements and instructions. The deadline is this Friday; please note that funds may not be available for late submissions.