Help Save the Planet! Earth Day Tip #30, shared by the Philo Class: Let your voice be heard by government officials, both local and national.

August Newsletter – Printed copies are available on the literature stands in the Church Good Shepherd Foyer and the Education Building Foyer, and on the small table by the telephone in the Church Social Room. You may also check on-line (www.macbrethren.org).

Garden, anyone? Today, following the worship service, Jim Stevens will visit with those who are interested in any aspect of planning and planting a community garden. This informational meeting will be held in the Church Social Room. You may also contact Jim at (241-0969) or (Jim_Stevens_3@hotmail.com).

The Blitz Build for the newest McPherson Area Habitat for Humanity home at First and Elm Street in McPherson is planned for the week of July 26. The traditional Blitz Build will be from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday – Saturday, July 29 – 31. If interested, contact Bill Parker (241-0886) or (wparker1@cox.net). Volunteer opportunities will continue until completion in December, 2010.

The McPherson Community Band will present it’s final concert for this summer at the band shell in Lakeside Park at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 29. Participants from our church are: Doris Coppock, Todd Flory, Eric Goering, Winona Godfrey, Darren Hendricks, Allan van Asselt, and Kerrick van Asselt. Bring your lawn chairs/blankets and come to enjoy the music.

Monday, August 2, 6-10 p.m.: New Sponsor Orientation for M-2 (Match Two), a Prison Visitation Program at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Prior registration is requested by Monday, July 26 (316-283-2038 or ovm.ks@sbcglobal.net).

Your gift of meal planning, cooking, serving, and friendship at one of the Loaves and Fishes Meals on Sunday, August 8 or 15 would be appreciated. A coordinator, 6-8 helpers, and food providers, are requested for each Sunday. For the August 8 meal, contact Mary Ann Dutrow (241-6520), for August 15, contact Kristen Reynolds (241-5037) or Susan Taylor (241-3321)

On May 15, the Junior High Youth led us in celebrating the filling of the Heifer Peace Pipe with $250 in quarters in just four months. Then they challenged us to fill it again in three months. Can we meet the challenge on August 15?

Paper copies of the summaries of the questions that were discussed at the Cottage Meetings and summaries of the demographic interviews, recorded by the Moving Forward Committee, are available in the Church Office upon request.

Due to economic conditions, the requests for financial assistance continue. The Good Samaritan Fund is very low. Any contributions to the fund will be appreciated.

The Western Plains District Board will be webcasting all business sessions and worship sessions during District Conference. For a schedule and instructions on connecting, please visit the following website: http://wpdconnectpro.weebly.com/webcast-information.html.