BRIDGES: Sunday, February 17, 2019

The concert featuring Dr. Hannah Byun, Principal Organist at University Presbyterian Church, planned for this Saturday has been postponed. Please mark your calendars for the new date of March 9th at 7:00pm.

Presidents' Day

The church offices will be closed next Monday, February 18th, to observe the Presidents' Day holiday.

Upcoming Memorial Services

The memorial service for Mary Leber has been postponed due to inclement weather. Look for more information soon.

The memorial service for Owen Hall is planned for Friday,
February 22, at 1:00pm in the Sanctuary of MIPC.

The memorial service for Rand Ginn is planned for Saturday,

February 23, at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary of MIPC.

Strengths of Our House

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

Sunday, March 3rd, 9:10am in the gym

Session has called an annual meeting of the congregation, now rescheduled for Sunday, March 3rd, between the morning services at 9:10am in the gym. W e will be engaging in a conversation about the strengths and growth areas of our ministry. The MIPC Session regularly reads articles and discusses ministry and we'd like to share one that sparked great conversation with you. Read the article here .

MIPC Women's Retreat

"Enough" Friday, March 22 - Saturday, March 23

Register now and join us for the 2019 Women's Retreat at Camp Burton on Vashon Island for a time of sharing, learning and laughing. Erika Ashenbrenner is excited to join us for the women's retreat this year. Having spent twelve years in children, youth, and family ministry in the Presbyterian Church, Erika comes with a love of people and an excitement for talking about Jesus. With refreshing honesty, Erika is able to share her experience of God's love in her own life in ways that are accessible and authentic. She loves spending time with family and friends, watching Parks and Recreation, and a good glass of wine. She is honored and humbled to be joining us for this retreat. Registration is due March 1st. You can register right here.

For more information, contact: Lindsay Murphy.

Children's Ministry Director

Search Committee Update

The Children's Ministry Director Search Committee has met weekly for several weeks, and now have a "live" job posting. Click on the link below to view! We are looking for the best possible candidate for this important position, so please tell your friends and associates about this opportunity! And please continue to keep the Search Committee in your prayers. It is an exceptional group who has approached this process prayerfully and thoughtfully. Please thank them for their service when you see them . Job Info Here!

The Search Committee is Peggy Sue Juergens (chair), Hugo Torres (incoming elder), Heidi Thiese, Laura Harper, Travis Larsen, Rosemary Sixbey, and Phil Kamolz.

Miscarriage Healing Retreat

Saturday, March 9, 2019; 9:00am - 4:00pm

Pebble Preschool is hosting a miscarriage day retreat here at MIPC. If you have had a miscarriage recently or long ago, join us for a meaning-filled retreat featuring local speakers, trio band, group ritual, individual reflection, narrative sharing, walking the labyrinth, and tasty lunch. Tickets on sale now, go to www.seattlemiscarriagecenter.org.
Contact [email protected] with questions .

Missions

The Giving Table, March 24 at 6pm

Food supplies needed at Mercer Island Food Pantry

Thank you for helping support Mercer Island Youth & Family Services in their mission. They are currently in need of the following items:

Applesauce
Prepared boxed meals
Chicken and beef broth
Rice products
Canned tuna and meat products
Hearty canned soups
Jellies and jams
Breakfast items and granola bars
Canned fruit
Boxed cereal and oatmeal
Boxed cake and frosting mixes
Toiletries

Building Campaign Update

Four HVAC bids are now being reviewed by the Building Task Force. There are multiple things to consider as decisions are made. Roof bids are due now, and there has been a flurry of roofers and sheet metal contractors on the church roof preparing for those bids. It has also been decided that a thermal scan and moisture survey will be completed.

Finally, the church is now receiving bids on replacement of the fire alarm system. The attached photograph shows two estimators inspecting our current system. We have had two companies review our building and hope to have two more in the near future .

We are moving forward, building inside out.
Building Task Force:

Brian Weiss (Elder), Brad Wheeler, Judith Baxter and Pastor Kristy

Finance Update

We are in the process of wrapping up our 2019 Annual Stewardship campaign. We are thankful for the consistent support of the MIPC congregation, for the pledges to date, and for the strong response to last year's Building Inside Out Capital Campaign. Even with the positive momentum in giving trends, we currently have a meaningful deficit in our 2019 budget. Here are the facts on our situation for 2019:

We still need to hear from a number of people who have consistently pledged in prior years who have not yet pledged for 2019. If you can provide an estimate of your giving for 2019, please do that by filling out a pledge form or by emailing Mike Crewdson, Finance Director, at [email protected].

The expected total spending to support the mission and ministry of MIPC for 2019 is $1,268,000. The 2019 budget does not include any new staff positions or programs. MIPC's budgeted spending has been fairly flat since 2015, with annual increases no more than the rate of local inflation.

Our current committed pledges and expected other receipts total $1,050,000, leaving us a projected deficit for 2019 of $200,000 as of today. We expect to close some of this gap with our final Stewardship push, but we are likely to end up over $100,000 short for the year.

The MIPC Session invites you to join us in prayer as we anticipate meeting in February to establish a budget based on our updated pledges and giving at that time.

Campanella Bell Choir

Bell Choir is looking for some additional ringers. If you can read music and can practice on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8, contact Ron Ebbers, 206-248-1815 or [email protected] and come give bells a try. Men, women, middle or high schoolers are welcome. We generally play the first Sunday of the month October through May or June.

Upcoming Activities & Events

Save the date for the auction on Saturday, March 2 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

All ages invited for this community luau and auction! Heavy appetizers will be served.

Admission:

$10 per individual | $30 per family

Sabbatical Listening & Reconciliation

3-week Series at Overlake Park Presbyterian Church

W. Tali Hairston, Director of Community Engagement and Reconciliation at Seattle Presbytery is leading a three-part class during Lent at Overlake Park Presbyterian Church in which we are invited to participate. The people of God are called to the ministry of reconciliation. The Apostle Paul speaks of this call in teaching on the power of the cross. As we journey to the cross, we are encouraged to learn what the ministry of Reconciliation is and how we are challenged to respond to the call to be reconciled. The class is from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on March 31, April 7, and April 14 and will explore God's call to reconciliation and how we might listen to the Spirit's nudging and be transformed. Lunch will be provided.

Growing In Faith Class

"Knowing God Better Through

Bible Doctrine"

Adult Sunday School Class

9:15-10:15am, Classroom A-B

As recorded in John 17:1-3, during the last supper with his disciples, Jesus prayed, acknowledging his God-given authority over every woman and man to give eternal life, and he explained the meaning of eternal life for us: "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Please join us as we try to deepen our relationship with God through group study of selected biblical doctrines concerning God, including God's existence and being, personality, moral attributes and eternal decrees.

Led by David Killough.

MIPC Tuition-Based Programs are enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year:

Pebble Preschool Registration

The Pebble Preschool has begun registration for the 2019-2020 school year. The Pebble provides a Christian-centered environment where children will build a strong foundation of early learning experiences. We have programs for 2.5 year olds - 5 year olds. We welcome visitors to tour our school .

EPIC Days - Afterschool Program for Elementary Aged Kids

We provide a safe and loving community that bridges the space between school and home for your child(ren). Registration will be accepted until spots are full, and throughout the year as space is available. EPIC Hours: MISD school dismissal - 6:00pm, Monday-Friday

For registration and tour information contact: Director, Stephanie "Ms. Steph" Boyer, ( 206) 232-5596 x1016 or [email protected]

Women's Monday Morning Bible Study

Mondays, 10-11:30am in the Fireside Room

Please consider joining us for this special time. All women are welcome to join us in this exploratory study of scripture. What a wonderful way to begin your week with the Lord .

Contacts: Linda Fowler, [email protected] or

Halie Dodrill, [email protected].

Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study

Our weekly group meets on Tuesdays at 7:00am in the Fireside Room. Please contact Brian Emanuels for more information, [email protected].

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Wednesdays from 11am-Noon in the Fireside Room

Join Kristy Farber and others on Wednesdays at 11am in the Fireside Room to open scripture and talk about it with other people in the church. Come when you can. No preparation is necessary . This week we will continue our study of the book of Exodus beginning at chapter 23.

Contact: Joy Brown, [email protected]

Sanctuary Flowers Invitation

Each Sunday, congregation members have the opportunity to provide the beauty of flowers to the sanctuary. Many donate to honor loved ones who have passed, celebrate an anniversary or birthday or just because they love seeing flowers at church. Whatever the reason, your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Flowers can come from your garden or a flower shop, whatever works best for you. Because some are allergic to floral fragrances, it's best to plan flowers without fragrances. Thank you.

Please look at the calendar to see if there is a specific Sunday that you would like to provide flowers for worship in the sanctuary. Your beautiful donation will be recognized in the bulletin.

Please reach out to Brian at the front desk to coordinate your donation or if you have any questions, [email protected].

3605 84th Ave SE

Mercer Island, WA 98040

(206) 232-5595

www.mipc.org