English Ministry News and Notes 11-4-12

*Praise God! We give thanks to God, to an amazing team of volunteers, and to the community that gathered on Friday for the 3rd Annual YCVM Benefit Dinner. Now that was some extravagant generosity being lived out!

*Small Group Ministries Stir to Life! Small Groups are wonderful opportunities to be nourished and strengthened as a disciple of Jesus and to build meaningful community with others. You are warmly invited to participate in this vital ministry. Small Groups will meet for six sessions starting Nov. 6th and 7th and ending the 2nd week in December. Groups will meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Oakland (at church), in Castro Valley, and in Union City. We give thanks to our amazing team of facilitators: Burt, Jane, Brenda, Becky, Charlie, and Steve. To learn more, connect with any of the facilitators.

*LMUMC Food Pantry Work Day - Saturday, Nov. 10th, 2012.  Please also remember our theme to fill the food barrel this month is: Thanksgiving!  You are encouraged to practice generosity!

*Stewardship Response Cards - Next week (Nov. 11th) we will pass out "stewardship response cards." You are invited to prayerfully discern God's invitation and take a new step in your commitment and practice. Cards will be offered up in worship on Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 25th.

*A Faithful - and Generous - Response to Hurricane Sandy - Yvonne Chu from the Chinese Ministry has initiated an effort to raise funds for the relief effort on the East Coast in the aftermath of Sandy. We will "take it to the streets" on Saturday, Nov. 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, inviting our Chinatown neighbors to "pitch in." Monies raised will be routed through the American Red Cross.  You can make a difference by sharing music, helping to set up or take down, greeting neighbors, or collecting funds.

*Save the Date!  This year we will be holding our Thanksgiving Parallel Worship and Potluck Luncheon on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25th. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Annex.  (Please be on time!) Those with names beginning A - K are invited to bring a side dish or salad, and those with names beginning L-Z are invited to bring a main dish. Leftovers are welcome! Dessert will be provided.