Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 26th, 11:30 a.m.

The Session has issued a call for the congregation to meet on Sunday, February 26th, at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. The purpose is:
to hear a report from the Session's Finance Commission regarding the 2012 operation budget;
to act on the Session's recommendations regarding amendments to the church's by-laws (contact the office for a copy of the recommendation);
to elect a member-at-large from the congregation to fill a vacancy on the Congregational Nominating Committee;
and consider any other business pertinent to the above subjects.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

The Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Meet & Greet room off the Sanctuary. The group is studying 1 Corinthians. This letter continues to be timely for the church today, both to instruct and to inspire. Christians are still powerfully influenced by their cultural environment, and most of the questions and problems that confronted the church at Corinth are still very much with us -- problems like immaturity, instability, divisions, jealousy and envy, lawsuits, marital difficulties, sexual immorality and misuse of spiritual gifts. Yet in spite of this concentration on problems, Paul's letter contains some of the most familiar and beloved chapters in the entire Bible -- e.g., ch. 13 (on love) and ch. 15 (on resurrection).. All are welcome!

Super Flea 2012

The Super Flea wants to THANK YOU! This year we raised over $9,000 for Deacon's mission projects and donated approximately $1,500 worth of benefits to various Valley charities, thanks to the generous donations of goods, labor and time from so many volunteers. The Super Flea is more than just a great fundraiser. It's a time to serve God with our labor and talents as well as a time of fellowship with other members of Mission del Sol.

Contemporary Issues

In February the Contemporary Challenges class will explore water: its scarcity and quality, as well as its vital role in the practice of just living. Led by Paige Murphy-Young, class discussions will be guided significantly by Keeping and Healing the Creation, a resource paper prepared by the Presbyterian Eco-Justice Task Force in 1989. Some of the water related issues expected to be covered include the following:
February 19: Water quality: distinguishing destructive from sustainable uses
February 26: Faithfully and effectively answering the call to eco-justice
Please join us Sunday mornings at 9:15 in Room 203.

MdS Lunch/Brunch Bunch

MdS Lunch/Brunch Bunch meets every Sunday at a designated restaurant (Dutch treat), approximately 30 minutes after the 10:30 worship service has ended. Everyone is welcome to join the group. The schedule for February is:
February 19 - Paradise Bakery; SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock
February 26 - Garcia's; Warner Road, across from MdS
For more information or questions, please contact Jeanne Lambert.

Saints Alive

Saints Alive is a small social group that meets monthly for a special activity. On February 17 the group will attend an evening performance of "Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman" at the Chandler Center for the Arts. This is a beautiful story of a courageous woman's determination to free her people from slavery through the Underground Railway. This powerful dance drama includes African drumming and spirituals sung by a choral ensemble featuring a baritone soloist. Tickets are $15 per person. The group is planning to stop for dinner before the show at Kokopelli's Winery. To purchase show tickets and make dinner reservations please contact Marge Voth.

Pancake Supper

Do you want to stuff yourself with pancakes? There are people who have traditionally overeaten pancakes on the night before Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of a Lenten observance of fasting and other spiritual disciplines. MdS members and friends are invited to come to Mission Hall and eat as many pancakes as they'd like on Tuesday, February 21 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 22 marks the beginning of Lent. Mission del Sol will offer two early morning identical services of prayer and meditation-at 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, led by Dr. Larry Corbett. On your way to work or school plan to take advantage of these unique opportunities for strengthening your spiritual life and heart of faith. We will also have our traditional Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:00 p.m., led by Rev. Ed Spence.

Putting on the Scots
February 26

This month we will once again celebrate our Presbyterian heritage as we present MdS' ninth Kirkin' O' the Tartan. In a change from previous years, the service will not be part of our regular Sunday morning worship. Festivities will begin at 3:45 p.m. with the service starting at 4:00 p.m. Afterwards entertainment will be provided by the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band and Scottish dancers along with refreshments, including Scottish pastries. Also, for those interested, there will be a table with information about Scotland. We have a dedicated team of volunteer bakers each year who gladly share their talents and pastries. Anyone willing to bake for this event is asked to sign up on the kiosk on the patio Sunday mornings or contact Geri Falconer-Ferneau. Recipes for scones and shortbread are available. An integral part of the service is the Roll Call of the Clans. For those who have yet to include themselves and their clan to our roll call list, you can do so by calling the church office at (480) 820-9944 to provide your name and clan. If you are unsure of your clan, you may contact russmudgett@msn.com for assistance. Scottish regalia or kilts are encouraged, but not required. Please invite your friends and family to join us for this event.

MdS to Host Family Promise Guests
February 26-March 4

Family Promise guests arrive at MdS on the afternoon of February 26. Several opportunities for cooking, baking, chaperoning, and set-up are available. Anyone interested in helping with this local mission project is asked to sign up on Sunday mornings on the patio or contact Janie Parks to see where you can help. The Deacons wish to thank everyone who has helped with this project in the past-it couldn't be done without our wonderful volunteers!

The Gospel according to Harry Potter

Love Harry Potter? Families-- don't miss this chance to delve into this literary phenomenon with the Reverend Ken Moe, former Presbytery executive, grandfather and Harry Potter aficionado! As the Harry Potter series began taking this generation's children by storm, some voices criticized it as a plot to indoctrinate children into witchcraft. Yet the author of the books, J. K. Rowling, is a Christian as well as a classics scholar. The books are loaded with historic literary allusions. So, what's the real story about Harry Potter? Although the elements are subtle in the first three of the seven books, by the fourth book, it becomes clear that Rowling has built her Harry Potter narrative on a framework of classic Christian themes and theology. However, the plot details that give flesh to her carefully constructed work tell an unconventional Christian story. This three-week series will examine what's actually in the Harry Potter books and how Rowling makes use of ancient spiritual practices and pre-modern literature to provide fresh good news to people living in the 21st century. Bring the kids, a dish to share and join the fun in this unique family-based series at 5:30 p.m. on March 21, 28 and April 4.

Habitat for Humanity Build Dates

Habitat for Humanity next build date is March 24 at 1513 W. Grove Street, Phoenix. Look for volunteer sign-up sheets on the patio or speak to Kay Brickley.

Click here for more information on this year's project.

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your favorite four-footed or two-footed family member to the Blessing of the Animals at 9:00 a.m. on March 24th. Public invited. Bring your pets - dogs must be on a leash; cats/critters must be in carriers or cages. Will be held in the ampitheater - near the gardens. Rev. Corbett will bless each animal and the family that loves them. Tell your friends, this is going to be a fun morning for all.

Choir Rehearsal

All voices/talents are welcome to join the MdS choirs.
Bell Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.;
Mission Chorale rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m.
Jubilee Ringers meet in the sanctuary;
Mission Chimes meet in the choir room.

Charity Sewing Bee

The Peace by Piece Quilters hold a monthly charity sewing bee in Mission Hall on the first Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This group lovingly makes comfort quilts that will be distributed to seriously ill and traumatized children here in the Valley of the Sun by the non-profit organization AZ Blankets 4 Kids. They invite anyone interested to stop by for a visit or join them for a day of heart-warming fun. All materials necessary for quilt making are supplied, except sewing machines. Don't have a sewing machine? Come anyway - there are many tasks that do not require a machine. For more information about this group please contact Lora Riordan at azquilter@mac.com or visit the website www.peacebypiecequilters.org

Mission del Sol Composting Project

The Social Justice and Peacemaking committee is beginning a composting project to accompany the Garden project on the West side of our campus. We invite members to contribute organic materials by bringing them to the church in plastic bags and leaving next to the dumpster. Tom Minor, compost master, will incorporate it into the compost bins. Read more information about what is acceptable and what is not on page eight(8) of the Soundings. Thanks for your help in making our garden grow!

Copyright © 2010 by Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church