SESSION update

Gathering in the Fellowship Hall

As a means of opening channels of communications, a question/answer (QA) period will be held with Session Elders on the last Sunday of the month. Lunch will be served.

Building & Grounds

Energy Efficient Lighting for Mayflower

While God's Word is the lamp unto our feet, the AMBAG Energy Watch Energy Efficiency Program is providing new light unto our paths at Mayflower. Electricians have nearly completed installing 21st century upgrades to our beautiful historic building. Not only will the lighting quality increase, but we will be saving energy and money as well. This $11,000.00 job is only costing us $2,800.00 thanks to AMBAGS Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. We should see savings with PG&E of over $300.00 per month and should recoup our investment in less than one year. - Kelly Harper

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Children

More skit fun on January 29 – Good time to invite families with children

Our Dramarama Team of middle schoolers is having more fun than should be legal! And all the while, they are learning about God's Word and His plan and His love for us, while teaching our children about those things, too. How great is that? A week from this Sunday, they will present their next skit during Sunday school. This one is about the unusual way Jesus called some of his disciples, telling them that they would become "fishers of men." It features some enthusiastic TALKING FISH as they witness the amazing events! What a great day to invite your friends and acquaintances with children to visit our church.

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Congregational Life

Annual Christmas Dinner and Talent Show

Mark your calendars for these special Advent events

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Deacons

Deacon update

This Sunday is Deacon Sunday. Once a month we hope to update you on all the ways your giving to the Deacons' offering has benefitted those in our Mayflower family. Here is a summary of what we were able to facilitate between needs and resources during the past couple of months.

In December we were able to send gift cards to the children of many of our missionaries. Here are some comments made by the missionary recipients of these gifts: "Thank you for your generous gift. Thank you for always remembering us," and this, "You are always thinking and praying for us and for that we are truly thankful. Every Christmas you remember us--we can't thank you enough and we are truly blessed by you!"

Additionally, due to your generous giving, we were able to assist several families within Mayflower Church with the purchase of groceries.

As another Deacon Sunday is upon us, please prayerfully consider a gift to help those in need.
-- Mayflower Deacons

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Mayflower Men

A Big Thank You!

Thanks to the men who shopped, prepared, served, and cleaned up for last Sunday's All Church Breakfast.  On all accounts, our church family was blessed.  Thank you for your acts of love and worship.

Next Men's Breakfast:

The next Men's Breakfast will be Saturday, January 7, 2012 (7:30 - 9:00 am).  Put it on your calendar and come and join us!

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Global Partners

Copsey Missionaries visit Mayflower

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Local Outreach

Welcome and Prayer Request cards

Starting the last Sunday in November there have been purple welcome and prayer cards inserted in the church bulletins. Pastor David, the Outreach Team, and Session have developed these inserts so that we might be intentional in the care of our family and friends by noting their presence or absence, and praying for their needs. The effectiveness of these welcome cards will be evaluated after December and adjusted as needed.

The Outreach Team encourages everyone to write your name(s) on this card each Sunday and place it in the collection plate during the offering.

In addition, use this card for prayer requests, inquiry about small groups and Bible study, and requests to Pastor David. Each name and every prayer request received are prayed over by the women's prayer team on Tuesday morning, and then the cards are passed along to Pastor David for additional requests.

Thank you for taking the time to write your name each Sunday to grow this valuable ministry at Mayflower.
- Jim McClenahen, Outreach

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Music Ministry

Special Sunday full of music and worship

Last Sunday was a special musical gift to God directed and arranged by Music Director Gene Short Jr. and a full accompaniment of musicians including choir, brass, and strings. The beauty of the worship was felt by the congregation when Gene dedicated their many musical gifts to God.

Be sure to thank Gene and the following musicians and choir members for their wonderful gift of music to the Mayflower family; Gene Short III, Nathaniel Short, Nancy Bell, Miriam Little, Cheryl Puckett, Cathy Rodriguez, Julie Armstrong, Joan Nico, Katherine Short, Phyllis Stebbins, Kevin Little, and Bill Warne.

New Mayflower Tradition?

Mayflower resonated with late afternoon Christmas caroling and pipe organ accompaniment by Tom De Lay last Sunday. The music was so enjoyable that Pastor Rodriguez took requests for additional songs after the program ended.

Participants lingered in the Fellowship Hall for an elegant reception complete with gold candles, silver candelabras and antique silver coffee and tea services. The room was aglow with heartfelt conversations and tasty treats in a beautiful setting. The reception was provided by many volunteers, including Shirley Granstrom, Barbara Jacoubowsky, and Dorothy Teply. Hopefully. the church family can look forward to this community event becoming an annual Christmas tradition next year.

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Small Groups & Classes

Winter Quarter: Starting Jan. 4, 2012 . . .

Welcome to Family Night @ Mayflower. A time for the entire family of God at Mayflower to come together to love, to serve, to grow.

Something for Everyone . . . We'll share a meal and a song or two and then break off into small classes.

The offerings include:

• The Truth Project, led by Jim Oswald and Bill Warne
• Back to the Beginning, Genesis Continuation, led by Pastor David Rodriguez
• Bible Study Group, led by Gary and Diane Williams
• Theodyssey Continuation, led by Paul E. Davis and Jeanette Haas
• Marriage That Lasts, Beginning January 18 for 8 weeks, led by Roberta and Greg Young

The Evening Rhythm starts with dinner at 6pm with classes ending between 8-8:45pm. Plan to join the Family at Mayflower on Wednesday Nights starting January 4th, 2012. For more information, contact the office at office@mayflowerpres.org or call 831 373-4705.

About the "Marriage That Lasts" class . . .

Is it possible to have a lasting marriage? What about a loving, joy filled, Christ centered marriage? With current American divorce rates at 50% and more, many would say no, even among Christian marriages. Yet, each of us have common experiences, questions, and sometimes the desire to "make it work" even when it seems so hard. What can we do?

We can bring our experience, wisdom, and imagination to explore with others what makes a marriage last. God has given us these amazing gifts that allow us to love one another, just as He loves us. Come if your marriage is good (or great!) and you want to make it better. Come if you need some insights and support. You do not have to be married to attend nor do you have to come with your significant other.

Our conversation will begin with a brief 15 minute video, "21st Century Marriage" by Rob Parson. Rob's commentary includes a healthy dose of humor and real-life insights on marriage. Topics include: Knowing We Matter, Acceptance, When everything screams out, "It's over!", Time for love, When sparks fly, Dealing with debt, The affair, Love in the real world.

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Mayflower Women

Women of Mayflower

Wouldn't you like to "Walk in the Light" with Jesus this February 24-26 at the beautiful and peaceful St. Francis Retreat Center? If you have never been, this can be an experience that will change your life. Don't miss it. Reserve your space soon! Call the church, or see or call PJ McCreary for details.

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Youth

WyldLife ski weekend

This past weekend we went to China Peak for our Middle School Ski Trip, and we had three students attend from Mayflower. The Mayflower middle school group partnered with Monterey Church and Ft. Ord Chapel's WyldLife. We had the opportunity to stay in a small church in Big Creek, called Big Creek Community Church. The weather was beautiful, Jacob, Caroline, and Yves were able to try skiing for the first time and did great! This was a great start to grow our middle school group at Mayflower. Here Caroline, Yves, and Jacob have a great time skiing. - Lizzy Chambers, YoungLife

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