Special Events

CHURCH PICNIC!!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 29, 2010. The picnic begins at 12:00 NOON here at the church. Come Enjoy Good Food, Family, Fun and Fellowship!
Hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided. Each family is asked to bring a side dish, salad or dessert (to serve 12) as follows:
Last name A-H: salads; I-P: side dish; Q-Z: dessert
Activities: In addition to some great picnic food, we are presenting The Wild World of Animals featuring 14 different animals. We will also have games, snow cones, moon bounce, scavenger hunt and a talent show!  Lots of fun for all ages!
Tickets:
•    Adults and children 12 years old and older: $3
•    Children ages 5 to 11 years old: $2
•    Under age 5: Free
Stop by the table in the Welcome Area on Sunday morning, August 8, 15 or 22, to register.

NORTH HILLS REVIVAL PRAYER GATHERING
The first Wednesday of each month is an opportunity to meet in front of the Sanctuary to pray for revival. Join Pastor Kevin for our next gathering coming up Wednesday morning, September 1 from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Chancel Choir
will begin rehearsing on Thursday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Huston Room. Come with a heart to sing and a voice to praise! The choir sings regularly at 11:00 a.m. and periodically at the 9:15 services. Hear about some of the exciting new projects for the fall!

SUNDAES ON SATURDAY
Join us after Saturday Night Worship on September 4 for some delicious ice cream sundaes. We’ll provide the ice cream and the toppings. Bring a friend for a sweet treat following the 6:00 p.m. service at the Clayton Center.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SECOND THURSDAYS
Mark your calendars to join us on Thursday, September 9 as we kick off our 2010–2011 season of Second Thursdays luncheon events! Following a delicious meal prepared by our MPC Reception Committee, we will be treated to some wonderful entertainment by the Greater Cranberry Bogmeister Barbershop Chorus. Invite your friends and neighbors to come and enjoy this fun afternoon – all are welcome!! Lunch will be served at 12:00 NOON in Fellowship Hall. Be sure to register for this event after the Sunday morning services on August 29 or September 5.

BRAZIL PRESCHOOL UPDATE
Memorial Park Church has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Little Hands Preschool in Vera Cruz, Brazil. MPC members Ted Kerr, Kerry Werner and Nicky Cook recently traveled to Brazil to help celebrate the preschool’s 10th anniversary. If you have sponsored a child at the preschool, have traveled to Brazil in the past, or simply want to be encouraged by what God is doing in the world, please join us for a special presentation on Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 P.M. in Fellowship Hall. Each team member will share their perspectives and will also discuss the future of our partnership with the Little Hands Preschool. RSVP to Ted at theodorekerr@mac.com.

COSTA RICA MISSION TEAM REPORT
Join us at noon on Sunday, September 12 in Fellowship Hall to hear about our experience and the great work being done by mission partner Susan Grosser and her team.

FALL INQUIRERS’ CLASS
Are you a visitor who is seeking a new church home? Do feel the nudge to purposefully grow in your faith and build relationships with other Christians? Please consider attending our Fall Inquirers’ Class on three Sunday consecutive evenings, September 12, 19 and 26 from 6:15 – 8:45 P.M. This is a unique opportunity for you to get to know our pastors and learn more about our ministries and beliefs.  If you are in need of childcare (age 8 and under, please), we will be happy to make accommodations for you. For more information contact Cheryl Smith at 412-364-9492 x115 or cheryl@memorialparkchurch.org .

MENTORING RALLY
“Making Disciples to Be Disciples” Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 12:30 P.M. Has someone special in your life influenced you to be the person you are today? Do you long for someone to encourage you through a new phase of life, a difficult situation or a lonely time? Perhaps you’ve navigated through challenging circumstances in life which would allow you to provide encouragement to others. God has put us in community so that we may influence one another in positive ways. It is within this framework that women in the Mentoring Program have been helped through all sorts of situations. These purposeful and prayerful connections have strengthened both mentors and mentees. Join us on September 19 to learn more about our mentoring opportunities. We need each other to be courageous on this journey of life, faith and love. Sign up at our Registration table in the café area ($10) which covers finger foods, desserts and inspiration!

HAVE A POLAROID CAMERA?
We are looking to borrow (or have donated) working Polaroids and film for a student ministry event in September. If you have access to one, contact Susie or drop it off at the church office. Thanks!

CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
will offer two weekly support groups on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 P.M. at the church. more info is available here

You? A Power Company Leader?!
We’re creating new teams of volunteer leaders for the upcoming school year. Would you like to learn how you can serve as a Small Group Leader? No special gifts are required; just a love for the Lord and for children. The rewards are priceless! Please contact Martha Daniel or Lori Hoffman for more information; 412-364-9492.

SMALL GROUP CONFERENCE
Mark your calendars for “CONNECT – Do Life Together”, a local event to be held September 10–11 (Friday night and Saturday morning) at The South Hills Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive, McMurray, PA, 15317. Learn how God has created us for community and how living life in groups helps us grow in our love for God and others! We’ll also hear “What keeps people from joining groups?”, and “Replenish your ‘tool box’ to improve your small group” (and our MPC group ministry). Speakers include South Hills Bible Chapel Senior Pastor Ron Moore and Equipping Pastor Michael McCormick, as well as Jeff Arnold, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Beaver, PA (and author of The Big Book on Small Groups). There is no charge for this event. Dessert will be provided on Friday night and a continental breakfast will be available Saturday morning at 8:30 A.M. Questions? Contact Jaime Dean, MPC Small Group Director, at 412-364-9492, ext. 162 or Jaime@memorialparkchurch.org.

EVENING MOPS
If you are a MOP (mother of a preschooler), you know that raising children is an adventure! There are probably days when you can’t believe you were chosen to be a part of the joy-filled adventure of parenting. But there may also be moments when you feel alone and wish you had a friend to hold your hand through the rough spots. Fellow moms, you are not alone. Here at Memorial Park Church, we have a group of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) who gather to support one another through this incredible journey. MOPS provides a community of friends and a positive place for you to grow as a mom. The evening group meets over dinner two Mondays a month, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. To register or learn more, contact Beth Ann Smith.