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MLCC Classifieds Page

Miami Lakes Congregational Church is offering a classifieds page to benefit its members and friends. The Site is free for most items with the exception of ads for established community businesses.

Keeper’s Project

Then the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He said, I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9)

The Keeper’s Project, based on the affirmation implied in Genesis 4:9—that each of us is our brother’s/ sister’s keeper—is a new program sponsored by our church to find creative and supportive ways of standing with each other during these tough economic times.

A Keeper’s insert will be included in the bulletin each week with information that can be helpful in the following areas:

• Employment opportunities (i.e., leads or referrals that might lead to employment)

• Odd jobs/ chores around the house or yard • Job training that can be offered to those job hunting

• Items to be donated to those in need (i.e., clothes, furniture, food)

How do participate in the Keeper’s Project:
Email Berta (churchoffice@mlcchurch.com) or call (305-822-4313) for any information you want in the weekly bulletin insert.

Email Yvette Frantz (ydf51@yahoo.com) to be included in the classified page of this website.

We will not give out phone numbers without permission (only email addresses).

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Operation Olivia

Operation Olivia is a group consisting of friends, family, and other caring individuals who are working to fundraise as much as possible to help cover the skyrocketing medical costs of Olivia Ruiz, an 8 year old awaiting a heart transplant. All donations are managed by the National Transplant Assistance Fund and are tax-deductible. Contact Info Email: Website:

http://transplantfund.org/find-a-patient/profile/index.cfm/patient/E7313F7E-05ED-F63C-7F9CB3E7B2501332

Olivia is still waiting for her new heart. Olivia and her mom, Olga, are still hopeful that another one will become available soon. We are beginning a slew of fundraisers this fall. If you can't participate in one, come to another. Spread the word and help us to help this family be able to focus on Olivia and less on all of the growing medical bills.
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WORK AND WORSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS Spend your summer doing God's work in a truly awe-inspiring natural setting! Apply now for Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP), an interdenominational ministry for young people that extends the Christian message to those who live, work, and vacation in America's national parks. For more information please e-mail Mariliz at Mariliz@mlcchurch.com

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Be in the E-LOOP
If you would like to receive updates & the newest info., please send us your e-mail address at: mariliz@mlcchurch.com

"We are inevitable our brother’s keeper because we are our brother’s brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." Martin Luther King Jr.

Our denomination, the United Church of Christ has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti after a major earthquake struck the country. Thousands of people are feared dead and countless have been left homeless.

The devastating quake, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale, struck 10 miles southwest of the capital just before 5pm local time January 12. The Haitian Red Cross now estimates the death toll could reach 100,000. Each day brings a clearer picture of the extent of the damage including widespread destruction of homes, schools and government buildings, and major damage to key water, electricity and road systems. The need is massive.

How You Can Help:
1. Pray for the people of Haiti their leaders and emergency and humanitarian aid workers.

2. Please help the people of Haiti by sending gifts payable to MLCC for "OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief" with the request they be sent through your Conference office on to Wider Church Ministries.

3. Hygiene and Baby Kits are urgently needed for survivors in Haiti. This is one very concrete and "hands-on" thing that church groups can do. Church World Service has issued an urgent call for Gifts of the Heart Kits .

For more information go to the UCC webpage:

http://www.ucc.org/disaster/major-earthquake-strikes.html

centering prayers
Centering Prayers Will be on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month…
7:00pm We will meet in the sanctuary.

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“Good Coffee for a Good Cause”

What is the Coffee Project?

The UCC Coffee Project is a partnership of the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and Equal Exchange, a worker owned Fair Trade Organization. Equal Exchange:

• Cuts out the middleman
• Buys directly from cooperatives owned and governed by the farmers themselves
• Pays a fair price for the products
• Has a guaranteed minimum price
• Encourages ecologically sustainable farming practices

In addition, Equal Exchange makes a contribution to UCC programs that support ministries in economic justice for each pound of coffee, tea, cocoa or chocolate purchased through this project. Consider buying a pound for the church's coffee hour. Click here for more information and to print the coffee order form.
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Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg.

Special Adult Study in April and May. Please read this book ahead of time in preparation for it. As a historian and biblical scholar, Marcus Borg was a member of the Jesus Seminar, a scholarly group that spent years evaluating historical evidence of Jesus' life and sayings. Borg emerged from the process with deeper faith in Jesus and a different understanding of Scripture. Faith, Borg says, is a matter of living in relationship with Jesus and working politically, first for justice and then for peace.

Upcoming events
and dates

Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday,
FEB. 17 AT 6 P.M.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, The ashes used in the service of worship are sacramentals, not a sacrament. The ashes are blessed according to various rites proper to each liturgical tradition, sometimes involving the use of Holy Water. In some churches they are mixed with light amounts of water or olive oil, which serve as a fixative. JOIN US!
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The Connection: Spirit, Mind, Body Yoga, centering prayer and conversation Monthly on the 2nd and 4th Friday at 7 Next meeting will be meeting on Friday, Feb.12th at 7pm

Our aim is to harmonize the mind, body and spirit by connecting thought, breath, and posture. Yoga practice offers a chance to return to the integrated self and experience the truth of who we are.

Yoga postures before centering prayer helps prepare the body for the 20 minutes of silent prayer. Centering prayer is a remarkably simple method that opens one to God's gift of contemplative prayer. Its practice expands one's receptivity to the presence and activity of God in one's life.

The benefits of centering prayer reveal themselves not during periods of prayer, but over time in the way we live our lives. The Connection: every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 7:00pm

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BOOK CLUB

Friday, February 19, at 7pm
Book: The Hindi-Bindi Club, Monica Pradhan * (Published: May 2007)
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Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer Lent Mini-retreat Saturday, February 20th at
10:30 a.m.
Lent is an appropriate time to consider the prayer Jesus taught us to pray in a careful way. Participants will enjoy the many reflections and information the author provides. Each session concentrates on a major theme or phrase of the prayer in the hope that we will be renewed in our reflections during Lent and intentional as we pray this familiar prayer. This Lenten study does not follow the lectionary. Please sign up for this event.

EXERCISE FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS
With Marion Olsen ---
Mondays at 7
If you looking for a group to connect with for fitness, fun and friendship, you’ll get all three by participating in our weekly exercise program.
Every week a group of hearty, enthusiastic exercisers’ come together to support one another in their personal health and fitness goals.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each exercise session consists of a 10 minute cardio warm-up, approximately 45 minutes of strength training (can be adapted to suit most any fitness level) and 15 minutes of stretching and balancing.
This program is a good way to supplement an existing personal exercise program or aid in beginning a program.

Bring your own weights and bands or use what we have on hand. One is never too young, nor too old to begin exercising.
Feel free to contact me at marionol@bellsouth.net.
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Countering Pharaoh's Production -Consumption Society Today
A Lent Study for Progressive Christians Featuring Walter Brueggemann This program will be offered at two different times during Lent. Choose the one that fits your schedule:

• Before Worship service: starts on Sunday, February 7th at 9:00 a.m
• After Worship service: starts on Sunday, February 28th at noon.

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CROP WALK 2010 will be on Sunday, February 21st, at noon, starting and finishing right here at our church. After the walk, we will be hosting a picnic for the walkers on our church grounds.

Recruitment Sunday for CROP WALK 2010 will be on Sunday, January 24th. The worship service will emphasize a CROP WALK-related theme. After the service, in Fellowship Hall, members of our Board of Christian Outreach will be signing up walkers and handing out CROP WALK packets to the prospective walkers (for soliciting sponsors).

Our goal for this year is 60 walkers, including children. As a church family, let’s catch the spirit and do our share in helping to raise funds to combat hunger around the world … and also right here in our community (25% of the funds go to The Family Center at the St. Andrews Lutheran Church, in nearby Hialeah)
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Sen. Bob Graham
Senator Graham recently made a presentation to the church about his new book: “America, The Owner’s Manual”

"Bob Graham provides a roadmap-a how-to guide-to help each of us do a better job of making our democracy work for all people."
-Richard W. Riley, Former U. S. Secretary of Education and Former Governor of South Carolina

"If you want to be a part of the political action instead of sitting in the grandstands, then Bob Graham's America, The Owner's Manual is for you."
-Senator Lamar Alexander, Former U.S. Education Secretary and Former Governor of Tennessee

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UCC Women Breakfast Meeting Dr. Paul Valiyathil - Guest Speaker "How to Experience God?" fourth Sunday - February 28th - 8:45 AM Come for a “heart healthy” breakfast program Everyone is invited!