Please send your announcements to the office by Friday AM to be included in the bulletin.Speak with Pastor Joel before the Sunday service if you wish to voice your announcement at the end of worship.

         TODAY   
Sunday, January 8      Book Club , after church

                  THIS WEEK
Tuesday, January 10  Community Meal (5-7pm)

         NEXT WEEK
Thursday, January 19  Council (6:30pm)

         COMING UP
Tuesday, January 29   Congregational Meeting , after church


Pastor Joel's Whereabouts
Beyond congregational duties, here are some of Pastor Joel's present activities:
         RECENT
Tues, Jan 3                          Return to office

                  UPCOMING
Wed, Jan 11                         CDC pastor peer, Bluffton
Wednesday evenings in Jan   Thomas Merton class - St. Monica St. George
Sat Jan 14                            CDC Regional Gathering, Grace Mennonite, Pandora
Mon-Wed Jan 16-18               Eastern Mennonite Seminary pastor's week. Walter Brueggemann speaker.

         MONDAYS ARE A SABBATH

MENNONITE ARTS WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED
Mennonite Arts Weekend is coming soon (February 3-5) and it takes a village!

Thanks to your wonderful hospitality, we already have places to house 60 choir members, but there are still plenty of opportunities for you to participate in the Weekend. In the back of the church are sign-up sheets for everything from baking cookies to helping serve meals, from ushering at the Saturday evening concert to being a room chair, from setting up on Friday to cleaning up on Sunday. So, please sign up. The more the merrier!

Be sure to check out the website ( mennoniteartsweekend.org ) to read about the inspiring artists (visual, musical and otherwise) that will be with us this February. don't forget to register so we know you're coming (the CMF registration fee of $20 covers costs for meals). Forms are available in the foyer or on the website.

Mary P.'s daughter Kate and her husband Zach were recently in a plane crash, with Kate remaining in critical condition. In order to help provide for the family, a relative has set up a relief fund at LCNB National Bank. Deposits may be made at any area branch into the "Bowles Family Relief Fund" or mailed to LCNB, P.O. Box 59, Lebanon, OH 45036.

         PRAYERS FOR FAITH AND LEARNING
Pray for the new Franconia Mennonite and Eastern District conferences' youth minister, John Stoltzfus, and his family as they transition to the Lansdale, Pa., area from Illinois. Pray also for John in his role as campus pastor to Christopher Dock Mennonite High School's 365 students.

         PRAYERS FOR THE MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK
Scott Litwiller of Mennonite Mission Network began serving with the Colombia Mennonite Church in the Caribbean Coast area last month. Pray for Scott and the young adult leaders he helps to train for active ministries in beginning new churches and responding to needs around them .

In preparation for Adult Forum Feb 12-March 25
``Just as our congregational experience shapes our faith and colors our life journey, our educational experience influences our world view and directly affects the life choices we make. Consequently, many advocate for Mennonite schools. Why were Mennonite schools created in the first place? How are Mennonite schools different from other schools? Does Mennonite education make a difference?

John D. Roth explores these questions and more in his 2011 book, Teaching that Transforms , which the adult class will soon be reading and discussing.

Are you a parent of a newborn or a high schooler or a child in-between? You are invited to come to the adult class Feb. 12-March 25.Come and find out more about an opportunity.

Have you attended a Mennonite school? You are invited to come to the adult class Feb. 12-March 25.Come and share your experience.

Are you reading this bulletin announcement?
You are invited to come to the adult class Feb. 12-March 25! Come; we need your ear and your voice.

Copies of this book are available, 1 per household, at the discounted cost of $5.If you would like a copy, sign up in the foyer or email Violet in the church office at office@cincinnatimennonite.org . Please reserve your book as soon as possible; they will be ordered shortly to be available for distribution to you on Jan. 29. Payment is due upon receipt of the book; checks should be made out to CMF with ``teaching'' in the memo line. Thanks!''

CHRISTIANS AND ISLAM: CONVERSATION OF HOPE IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT.
For centuries, Christians and Muslims have lived in peace as neighbors. But religious differences are always fertile ground for fanning the fires for political and economic gain and both Christians and Muslims have waged "holy wars." In our own times, both Muslims and Christians are dealing with extremists in our midst who distort the true character of belief. Significant, intelligent dialogue and the development of authentic friendships across religious lines are key to deepening our mutual faith. There are important theological differences between Christianity and Islam, as well as a faith foundation that we share. We will be led in discussion by members of PJOS through a study of the important stories of shared history, theological similarities and differences, and aspirations for social justice that both Christians and Muslims share as communities of faith.

SESSION 1led by Jerry S.
A History Together

SESSION 2--led by Christine S.
Understanding Islam

SESSION 3led by Steve H.
Islam's American Face

SESSION 4--led by Steve H.
The Real Success Stories

Book Club will meet on Sunday, January 8 after church at the home of Jim & Joy M.. The book to be discussed is "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan. Please bring a dish to share.

Journey Groups

Art and Spirituality: TBD
Spiritual Journey (Open): Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7:30pm @ Joy M.'s house
Men's Group (Open): Meets every third Saturday of each month--all men are welcome.
Coordinator: Jim M.. If interested and not on Jim's email list, please
ask to be added. Watch email for location. Jim would appreciate a
headcount midweek prior to the Breakfast. Time is 7:30am -???


CMF Inclement Weather Policy
``In the event of bad weather and you are wondering whether or not services are canceled, please check your email or call the church office at (513) 871-0035 to listen to the voice mail. Both will beupdated to reflect any changes.''