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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 Services
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WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
(This Sunday, Dec 17)
8:00am
Breakfast
8:30am
Christian Education
for All Ages
9:30am
Morning Worship Service
5:00pm
Evening Worship Service
CHRISTMAS EVE
SCHEDULE
(Sunday, Dec 24)
9:30am
Service Projects
3:00pm
Family Service
5:00pm
Family Service
8:00pm
Candlelight Service
10:00pm
Candlelight Service
NEW YEAR'S EVE
(Sunday, Dec 31)
9:30am
One Worship Service
(No Evening Worship or Sunday School)
Our regular Sunday schedule with 3 services resumes on Jan 7
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Remember - 9:30 AM Morning Worship This Sunday, Dec 17, in the Sanctuary
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December 17, 2017
Third Sunday in Advent
Education Hour at 8:30 AM
Morning Worship at 9:30 AM
Evening Worship at 5:00 PM
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:39-55
"What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in
a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that
the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us."
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Blood Pressure Screening
Get your blood pressure checked every 3rd Sunday of the month at our Blood Pressure Screening. The MIPC Health Ministry team is available this Sunday, December 17, after each service.
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Christmas Eve Service Projects
There will no morning service on Sunday, December 24.
Instead we will gather briefly at 9:30am in the Courtyard, before venturing out to perform service projects. Some options include filling the bags for Plymouth on Stewart and YouthCare here at the church, groups going out Christmas caroling, and more service opportunities at Leschi School such as: installing backboards (donated by Seattle Parks and Rec) and planting flowers in the garden of the school.
Join us for one of our Christmas Eve Worship Services:
Family Candlelight Services are at both 3:00 & 5:00pm.
Traditional Candlelight Services at 8:00 & 10:00pm.
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Longest Night Service
Next Thursday, December 21, at 6:30pm
On the longest night of the year, we are particularly mindful of all among us who are grieving or struggling this Advent and Christmas. All are welcome to gather for prayerful worship of Jesus, the light of the world, who is with us even in the darkness.
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Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 7, at 10:20am in the Sanctuary
Session has called a brief meeting of the congregation for the purpose of acting on a report from the Nominating Committee to elect elders and deacons for the next term of service.
Elders:
Beth Dudycha, Keri Ellison, Marilyn Handeland, Scott McBurney, Dana Melick, Kirk Robinson
Deacons:
Malcolm Early, Susan Gallagher, Annie Hearon, Steve Hearon, Carrie Lovsted, Sue Sherwood, Susan Stanley, Heidi Thiese, Suzanne Zahr
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City of Glory Church
Many of us may have wondered what we can do to make refugees or immigrants feel more welcome in the U.S. One way to do that is through our Gifts of the Heart partner this year, the City of Glory Church, a church of East African refugees and immigrants. They are housed at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 19834 84th Ave S, Des Moines, WA. They have services every Sunday at 3 PM if you would like to visit.
This year, as in the past, missions will match congregational giving up to $7,500 from Foundation funds given to MIPC Missions. If you would like to support this East African Refugee/Immigrant Congregation, you may send a check or donate online to MIPC's Gifts of the Heart.
They need our financial support to survive.
Thank you!
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Advent Devotionals 
Be sure to pick up an Advent Devotional after the worship service on Sunday. We have two different versions available on the tables in the narthex and outside the gym.
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Mission Opportunities
Leschi Needs Sweat Pants
Leschi Elementary School, our mission partner, has asked for our help. Thanks to MIPC for all the sweat pants we have delivered in the past. They are now all out. Mr. Donaldson asks if we could continue to send sweat pants (sizes 4-14). Look for the donation boxes in the hallway.
Donations Needed for YouthCare
Please help us keep YouthCare teens warm and dry.
New SOCKS are a great need at this time as well as the following:
New underwear and boxers
Jeans and sneakers
Sleeping bags
First aid kits
New toiletries
Backpacks
Coats and jackets
Nonperishable foods
Gift cards (Safeway, Fred Meyer, Target, Ross, etc.)
Just pick up something when you are doing your family shopping and bring it on the last Sunday of the month when we Fill-the-Bags, or at anytime during the month to the YouthCare donation box just outside the front office door. Thank you for your generosity!
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If you would like giving envelopes for 2018, they are now available. Please contact the front desk if interested.
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Adult Education 
Growing In Faith Class
Sunday mornings from 8:30 - 9:20am in Classroom A-B
Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam. Join us on Dec 17 as we explore how Christ breaks into our chaos and confusion and brings Christmas. Led by Rosemary Sixbey.
E.L.L. Class
Sunday mornings during CE Hour in the Blue Room
Class for English Language Learners. Reflections on the Scriptures used in worship, and sharing of life experiences. Led by Rev. Dr. Rita-Lou Clarke.
Women's Monday Morning Bible Study
Mondays from 10 - 11:30am in the Fireside Room
Our Advent series is based upon the book "Loving My Actual Christmas" by Alexandra Kuykendall. We are looking at ways we might make our holidays more meaningful. All are welcome to join us. Facilitator: Halie Dodrill (206) 236-0067 or [email protected]. [There will be No Class on Dec 25 or Jan 1.]
Wednesday Morning Acts Bible Study (on a brief hiatus)
Wednesdays from 11:00am-Noon in the Fireside Room
This is a drop-in Bible study, no preparation is needed. We will be taking a few weeks off, having just finished the book of Acts. The study will continue and we will give notice when it is time to resume.
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Living Out Our Calling:
The MIPC 2018 Giving Campaign
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last."
~ John 15:16
The theme of this year's Giving Campaign is 'Living out our calling'. Jesus calls us to worship and serve - to be in ministry that has a lasting effect on the world around us. Our 2018 Giving Campaign goal is to fully support the worship, mission, ministry, and educational values of MIPC. To avoid real cuts in next year's staff and vital programs and ministries, we need to reach $1,150,000 in 2018 pledges, a 15% increase over 2017's pledges. We know this is ambitious. We also believe it's doable.
We need to hear from each of you. Please go to http://www.mipc.org/pledge to make your pledge. Consider increasing your pledge this year and stretching yourself to make an impact, whether by increasing your pledge by 5%, 10%, 15%, or more. If you haven't pledged before, please consider supporting MIPC and our work. Our prayer is that this year our vibrant and loving community will live out our calling and strive closer to achieving God's kingdom on earth.
Thank you all for your love of God and your dedication to this church. And thank you for the celebration of what has been and the joy of what is yet to come.
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| Upcoming Activities & Events |
New Adult Class
Starting in the New Year 
Discovering The Holy Spirit
Growing in Faith Sunday School Class
Starting January 7th
(continuing Jan. 14, 21, 28 and Feb. 4)
9:15-10:15 AM, Classroom A-B
As recited in the Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church USA, we trust in one triune God: God the Father, Jesus Christ (God the Son) and God the Holy Spirit. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, minister of London's Westminster Chapel for 30 years, believed that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is too often "neglected" or "exaggerated" - the former caused at least in part by fear of the latter. Please join us on a fearless journey to learn more about the Holy Spirit - including the Spirit's deity, person, work and gifts - through group study of the scriptures.
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MIPC Rummage Sale
Need to Make Space for Santa's Visit?
If you are worried about over-crowding after Santa stops by, consider donating gently used toys and whatnot to the MIPC Rummage Sale. Donation receptacles are outside of The ROCK office and Pebble Pre-school.
Sale dates are May 11 and 12.
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Calling the Women of MIPC
MIPC Women's Retreat - Save The Date
Friday, March 23 - Saturday, March 24, 2018
"The journey of friendship is essential for the wholeness God intended for us" - Jim Jackson
Join us at Camp Burton on Vashon Island for a time of sharing, learning and laughing. More information to come. We can't wait to share this weekend with you.
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MIPC Children's Choir
Children are invited to join the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Choir! Rehearsals are on Sundays through April 1, from 4:00 - 4:50 pm in the choir room. Led by our organist, William Bryant. [Rehearsals will resume on Jan 7th.]
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Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study
We meet on Tuesdays at 7:00am in the Fireside Room. Please contact Brian Emanuels for more information, [email protected]
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Sanctuary Flowers
Please consider offering a floral arrangement to honor a special occasion or just because you love what flowers do for our spirits. Sign up on the board in the narthex or contact Molly Nielson [email protected] or Stacy Bjaranson [email protected]. They can help you make it happen.
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3605 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 232-5595
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