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  BRIDGES | MIPC Weekly Newsletter
CONTENTS
Building Inside Out
Summer Book Conversations
Summer Choir
Student Ministries
Tables of 8
Vacation Bible School
Bridges comes out most Thursday afternoons.
 
Front Desk Hours: 
9am-2:30pm, 
M-Th
 
MIPC  Worship
Times


SUMMER  SUNDAY 
SCHEDULE :

One Sunday Service
 at 9:30am
in the Sanctuary


Regular Schedule returns after Labor Day



 
Sunday, June 17, 2018
9:30 Worship Service

Worship at 9:30am in the Sanctuary

Preacher: Kristy Farber

Sermon: "Punching Holes"
Scripture: Isaiah 1:11-17, Luke 4:14-21


"Success and failure, ultimately, have little to do
with living the gospel. Jesus just stood with the outcasts
until they were welcomed or until he was crucified -
whichever came first."

~ Gregory J. Boyle


Link to Building Inside Out webpage
Blood Pressure Screening This Sunday
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, June 17, after the 9:30am worship service.
Upcoming Memorial Service
Doris Guidinger died on June 9th. A memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary at MIPC on Saturday, June 30, at 2:00pm.
INCREDIBLE! 
Let's Keep Up the Momentum!

In addition to pledges for future contributions, over $900,000 has already been deposited in MIPC's accounts! Wow, this is great news! These gifts mean the Building & Grounds team can take action on the most immediate projects.

How Can I Still Participate?
We plan to wrap up the campaign in mid-June and are now in the phase of receiving gift commitments.  If you haven't yet responded, now is the time! Commitment Cards are available at the front desk and online

How Much to Give?
Each household is asked to make an equal sacrifice which, of course, will be unique as circumstances vary. Our three-year campaign Challenge Goal is $3,000,000. Our church annual budget is roughly $1,100,000. In order to reach that goal the average pledge would have to be three times the regular annual giving. The pledges received so far are on track to reach the $3,000,000 Challenge Goal. To reach the goal we will need everyone's generous participation and, frankly, a little extra generosity from those who are able.

What if I Have Never Pledged Before?
Getting started with pledging and annual giving can feel awkward; we've all been there. The best way to start something new is to give it a try. In the Bible, God's people are instructed to give back a portion of what's been given them. Perhaps start with something you can manage with the goal to increase the amount you give back to God's church as time goes by. Certainly every gift helps the mission of the church, but it's not always about how much we give but instead, that we give, recognizing that giving increases our faith and our understanding that all we have been given comes from God.

What's Next?
Because we hope to have a 100% response to the Building Inside Out capital campaign, we will reach out to those who have not yet made a commitment. The purpose is to answer any questions, provide information and receive each household's response. If you do not need any further information or feel unable to pledge at this time, you may opt out of contact by contacting Mike Crewdson (mikec@mipc.org).

Where Can I Get More Information?
Information on the Building Inside Out campaign is available online by clicking on the campaign logo at mipc.org. If you have questions not answered there, feel free to drop a line to Rich Stillman (rpstillman@gmail.com) or Dave Vandenbosch (drvande@aol.com). 
Mission Opportunities
Fill-The-Bags on Sunday, June 24, after the 9:30am Service
We pack brown bag lunches for Plymouth on Stewart and clear bags of personal care items for YouthCare on the last Sunday of each month in the Courtyard. All ages are invited to help!

Plymouth on Stewart Luncheons - Volunteers Needed
We would welcome some new volunteers for cooking, serving, and/or driving for the September 2018 - June 2019 academic year.
Volunteers or questions, contact Rhinee rhinee.yeung@comcast.net

Donations Needed for YouthCare
Please help us to provide YouthCare teens with personal care items. Currently we could use the following:
New toiletries
Toothpaste
Cosmetic bags
Combs & brushes
New socks
New boxers for guys & girls
Jeans & sneakers
Sleeping bags & backpacks

The YouthCare donation box is just outside the front office door. 
Thank you for your generosity!
Summer Book Conversations
Begin Monday, July 9th at 7pm, Fireside Room
MIPC is hosting a series of conversations on books that are rooted in theology and life and faith and history. No RSVP necessary. Come to any or all. Read the books as you are able to ensure a lively discussion. Our friends at Island Books kindly offer these publications with a 10% "book club discount". 

July 9 - "Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved"  by Kate Bowler. The author is a historian at Duke Divinity School who made a career studying the prosperity gospel in North America. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and writes about the irony of being an expert in health, wealth and happiness while being ill.  Her book is a  personal  story, a theology class, and a lesson in empathy all wrapped into one.

Future Dates: 
Aug 20 - "The Cross and the Lynching Tree" by James Cone
Sep 17 - "Take this Bread" by Sara Miles
Summer Choir
On the following Sundays: July 15 and Aug 12
All ages and ability levels are invited to sing in the choir for worship. Contact Dan Hammer (danh@mipc.org) or just meet in the Sanctuary at 8:30am on these dates.
Search for Director of Student Ministries
We have begun the search for a new leader of our youth program. We would like every member of MIPC to think about people they know throughout the US who may excel at this opportunity. If you know someone, you can either pass their contact information to a member of our search committee, or direct that person to the job announcement which is posted on our MIPC website. Search committee members are: Kim Kamolz, Malcom McLellan, Carrie Shanafelt, Steven Briggs, Andrea Watson, Scott McBurney and Pastor Lindsay
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.  Our study continues in the book of Micah next week.
Contact: Joy Brown, joyp.brown@gmail.com.

 

Upcoming Activities & Events

 

Tables of 8
Once a month for three months this Summer!
Sharing a meal together is a great way to get to know others at MIPC! Sign up in the Narthex on Sunday morning, or at www.mipc.org. Registration is open through June 17.
Vacation Bible School
Peace Lab VBS, July 16-19, Mon-Thu, 5:00-7:30 PM
Dinner, Bible Study, and Activities
Register now at www.mipc.org 

Volunteer Training after worship on Sunday, June 24, in the Worship Center.   Questions? Contact Kim at KimJ@mipc.org
EPIC: Every Person In Community
EPIC Launches: September 5, 2018
Registration is now open

Our hope is to provide a safe and loving community that bridges the space between school and home for your child(ren). During this pilot year, we are limiting our program size. Registration will be accepted until spots are full, and throughout the year as space is available. 
Contact: Director, Stephanie "Ms. Steph" Boyer with any questions or registration information. (206) 232-5596 x1016 or stephb@mipc.org
Mexico Home Building Trips 2018
Join us in an experience which could be your highlight of the church year!  No experience or skill necessary.  Over four or five days in Mexico you will:  Work hard; Construct new homes for families with desperate needs; Build on old friendships - and develop new ones; and maybe learn something about yourself in the process. 

Men's Mexico home building trip is:
October 4-7 (Thu-Sunday)

Women's Mexico home building trip is:
October 17-21 (Wed-Sunday)

For more info or to be added to our info distribution list, please mark your calendar and contact:
Women's Trip - Pastor Lindsay Murphy   lindsaym@mipc.org
Men's Trip - Dave Vandenbosch   drvande@aol.com

Flyer at www.mipc.org

Scholarships Available - Please contact Lindsay or Dave

PS - don't tell the youth, but we "cheat". The heavy site prep and cement work is outsourced to allow for the shorter trip duration.
Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study
We meet on Tuesdays at 7:00am in the Fireside Room. Please contact Brian Emanuels for more information, brianem@hotmail.com .
Sanctuary Flowers
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, the thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Flowers can come from your garden or a flower shop, whatever works best for you. 
Because some of our members and guests are allergic to floral fragrances it is best to plan flowers without fragrances. Thank you.

If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for an upcoming Sunday service or for more information please continue to this  link .
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3605 84th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 232-5595
www.mipc.org
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