This movie by Ben Stein addresses the conflict in our nation over the issue of creationism (Intelligent Design) and evolution theory (Darwinism). A deeper conflict that emerges is the loss of freedom of speech for those who believe in creationism. You are invited to join us in the sanctuary, Sunday, November 16^th at 6:30 p.m., for a most enlightening movie. Any questions, contact Pastor Mel.

The Junior High and Senior High Sunday School classes will be having play practice each Sunday after church from noon-1:30 p.m., in the Family Life Center. Any questions, please contact James Burns.

Charlie Pariseau is in charge of setting the church heat remotely via his PC. He will be using the church calendar in the office to know what activities are going on and where. Please be sure your activities are listed on the calendar or you won’t have any heat and please do not call Pastor Mel for your heating needs.

The Military Family Support Group is collecting goodies to send to our troops overseas for Christmas until December 1^st. The following are items that we can send and they should be snack size where available: beef jerky (no pork products), peanuts, cashews, cheese/peanut butter crackers; gum, hard candy, breath mints; snack size cookies and bars; Slim Jims, Pringles (no regular chips); Goldfish crackers, trail mix snacks; frisbees; yo-yos; stationery & pens; Nerf balls and hacky sacks. Any questions, please see Pastors Mel or Cathy.

Mark your calendars! The Witness Commission is sponsoring a Happy Birthday, Jesus ice cream social on December 6^th at 6:00 p.m. We will be making homemade ice cream. Sandwiches and chips will also be available.

There were 775 meals served. A net profit of $3,604.24 will be applied to the principal of the church’s mortgage. Thanks again to each person who helped in any way to make this a success!

All the Youth of the church (6th-12th), and their parents are encouraged to help make Hard Tack Candy again this Friday, November 21^st after school at approximately 3:30 p.m., until 8:00 p.m. (Remember, we have to clean up after we’re finished) then again on Saturday, November 22^nd from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. We will serve them pizza and drinks on Friday, but ask them to bring a sack lunch on Saturday. This is a National Youth Conference (NYC) fund raiser. We will be taking orders today; you can sign the clip board being passed during church. Anyone wishing to help in this endeavor is more than welcome! For more information, contact Sue Abe. A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated sugar and Karo syrup! We will be accepting donations of store brand creamy peanut butter, too. Donations will be accepted throughout the fund raiser. (Prices this year are $4 for mixed, $5 for everything else except peanut butter crunch which is $6.)

The Council meeting scheduled for November 23^rd has been moved to December 7^th at 7:00 p.m. The agenda will include the ballot and the budget for 2009.

Beginning with the first Sunday in December, there will be a slight modification of our worship service in order to help us all quiet our hearts before the presence of God. Promptly at the time worship is to begin, everyone will be asked to become quiet as our pianists play a prelude to help us quiet our hearts before God and to get us ready to focus on Him. Thanks for working with us to help each one more deeply experience the presence of God in worship!

If anyone would like to start using "Giving Envelopes" in 2009, please contact Shelley Missimer, Financial Secretary at 301-387-2009 by December 14^th. If you are presently using them, you will automatically receive a new box for 2009. Thank you.

The Senior Youth group is having a drive to collect baby clothes (size 12 months) and other baby items to help a young mother who lost everything in a fire. Please see Ed or Yvette Nutter for more information.

Do you feel the call to teach Sunday School? Is God speaking to you - to teach? One might never know until he or she tries. Teaching children and teens is very rewarding! Promiseland is in need of a co-teacher for the 4^th-5^th grade class as well as a substitute teacher for the Sr. High class (grades 9-12). We can always use another teacher for Large Group too. If you feel led to teach in one of these classes, please talk to Jason or Kelly Buckley. Please talk to Sue Abe regarding the Sr. High Class.

In anticipation of our Christmas Eve services this year, we are planning to place luminaries outdoors that night. We encourage you to save your white (no yellow) milk jugs. We need about 100 jugs. Please wash them out well and bring them in once they are dry. Thanks for your assistance.

One member of the 30 day prayer team needs to leave the team at this time and we are seeking a replacement. The open day of the month is the 16^th and, on that day, you would be responsible to pray for the church and its ministries. A prayer list will be provided. At the end of your day you will call the person who will be praying on the 17^th as a reminder. On the 17^th you will be in prayer for the person who is praying for the church that day. If you are interested or have questions, contact Pastor Mel.

Due to the economic conditions of 2008, our tour to the Holy Land was rescheduled for November, 2009. Brochures are now available on the table in the gathering area. An informational meeting will be held soon. Any questions, contact Pastor Mel.

Plans are underway for a return of "KidStuf" in December. Since our kids are so important to us, it’s time to get back to a special service designed just for them. Plans are for this special service to be held in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour. KidStuf Praise Team practices will resume soon. Watch the bulletin for more information!