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Before the glow of Christmas faded the world was shocked by the news of the Israeli bombing of Gaza and the subsequent invasion.  We invite everyone to join First Mennonite Church in praying and acting for peace and for justice.  Here are some resources.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada Letter to Prime Minister - January 5, 2009

Please, everyone, stop what you're doing. This is not just any report from Palestine, but the worst in my lifetime, the worst in 40 years. At this moment, Israel is raining bombs down on Gaza, an enclosed tiny area that is home to 1.5 million men, women, and children, most of them innocent civilians. This space is tightly sealed by Israel, which constantly denies Gazans electricity, food, medicine, and the ability to leave. Gaza is one big prison being bombed from above. The death toll is up to 428 in the past 7 days. That's more than the number of Israelis killed in the last 7 years. This is what I would call a massacre.

First Night Lights, a candlelight vigil for peace will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 1.

The event, sponsored by Clergy Peacemakers, will be held on the O Street sidewalk on the north side of Woods Park (just west of 33rd and O Streets).

Everyone is invited to begin 2009 with hope for peace.

As part of their study of Matthew 25:31-46, Baptism Exploration Group members viewed a video about poverty in Lincoln called, "Do You Really See Me?"  They then interviewed people from the congregation and created a video of their responses. The video was originally presented during the November 17 worship service and is now available on YouTube.

Excavation for the new church sign began on Wednesday, November 19.

Our group subscription to The Mennonite is up for renewal at the end of December. The Mennonite, the magazine for Mennonite Church USA, seeks to help readers glorify God, grow in faith, and become agents of healing and hope in the world. Its articles challenge and inspire and its news features connect readers to the larger Mennonite Community.

View the current issue.

As a community service, First Mennonite Church will host a stroke screening offered by Life Line Screening on Wednesday, December 10.

Krishnendu B. is the latest Global Family student to be sponsored by First Mennonite Church.  He is 21 years old and lives with his family in India.  He is studying mechanical engineering so he can work and help support his parents and two sisters.

You can help provide a Thanksgiving meal for those in need. We are collecting sweet yams and stuffing again this year.

Please bring donations of sweet yams (large can) and Stove Top stuffing (box) to church by November 19.  They will be used by the People's City Mission for their Thanksgiving meal.

Our goal is 300 of each. Your donations will be greatly appreciated!

Peace.  Love.  Potluck.

First Mennonite Church has prepared a taste-tempting cookbook featuring 300 favorite recipes from over 40 of the past and present members of our community including:

• Incredible Orange-Almond Punch from Linda Wenger
• Cinnamon Rolls from Barb Schlegel
• Chicken Tortilla Soup from Wanda Stauffer
• Southewstern Cornbread Salad from Jennifer Lantz