"ORDER OF THE KEEPER OF THE CHRISTMAS SECRET": Congratulations to the 2007 recipients, Muriel Knoell and Bill Landahl. In their own quiet way, they have truly exemplified the meaning of this award "The Secret of Living is in Giving."

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Blessing of Families and Children on Sunday 1/27- We will have special prayer for God's blessing for families.
• Ash Wednesday Service, 2/6/08 will mark the beginning of the Lenten Season, preparing us to remember Christ's suffering and death on the Cross and to celebrate His victory over death.
• Six Week Lenten Program begins Sunday Evenings starting Sunday, 2/10/08. More details to follow.
• Church Morning of Prayer for the New Year, Sat. 2/16 9:00am-12:00pm. All the families and ministry leaders of the Church are encouraged to come and pray.

NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATION: for September 2008 classes is Thursday, January 24 at 9:30am in the Bike Room for church members and presently enrolled students. Open registration is Friday, January 25 at 9:30am. We have programs for children 18 months through 4 years old. Class times and rates are available in the Nursery School Office and flyers are posted throughout the building. Please call the Nursery School Office at 516-293-9078 for more information.

FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY:
Are you looking for a way for your family to serve the community? How about joining the Soup Group Bagel Club? All you have to do is volunteer to pick up the donations of bagels at Stuff a Bagel and fruit salad at Bollinger's, both located on Main Street in Farmingdale, on a six week rotation. Please see Kasey Wurth or call her at 631-270-4332 for more details.

CONFIRMATION CORNER

• Jan. 18 - 6:00pm Hope for the Future, Farmingdale
• Jan. 27 - 5:30pm teen service at St. Martin of Tours, Bethpage

UPCOMING MYF SCHEDULE

• Fri., January 18 - Hope for the Future
• Sun., January 20 - Dinner and gathering
• Sat., January 26 - Leader to Leader Workshops
• Sat., February 2 - Conference Youth Rally
• Sun., February 3 - Souper Bowl of Caring
• Sat., February 9 - LI East District Youth Council

LEADER TO LEADER WORKSHOPS: Sat. January 26th, 8:30am to 12:00pm at Centerport UMC. Workshops being offered: "Missions", "Healing Ministries", Staff Parish Relations", "Altar Design for Worship", "Stewardship in Action", "Spiritual Connections", "United Methodist Men in our Churches and the World" and "Who, Why, What, When and Where?": Youth being empowered to lead in our Churches". Details are on the bulletin board in the So. Transept. Please call the Church Office if you are planning to attend.

IGNITE: New York Annual Conference Youth Rally, Sat., February 2, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza, White Plains, NY. This is an all-day event. Confirmands are encouraged to come for the Rally between 2:00 and 5:00pm. Lunch: bring a brown bag lunch; Dinner: we will eat at a local restaurant. Please contact Shanna or Garry Wurth for more info. Permission slips are available on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING: Sun. February 3rd: On Super Bowl Sunday, 140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join young people around the U.S. as they demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Our youth will be collecting $1 bills in soup pots after worship on Feb. 3rd. Please support their efforts. Let's share and care!

SECOND ANNUAL JC CAFÉ- HOME EDITION: CHURCH TALENT NIGHT is scheduled for Sat., March 8th, 7:00pm. All ages are welcome to participate through music, art, poetry, multimedia, drama, etc. Come & share your talents! Sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall near the stage. Any questions please see Pat DiMassi. Join in, celebrate and enjoy our church's talents!

CHURCH SUMMER RETREAT: at Camp Quinipet July 18 -20th. Registration begins Sun. Feb. 10th. Deposit: Individual $50; family $100. Contact Rob Schozer or Jeff James for further details.

SPECIAL THANKS: The Thrift Shop would like to thank Ralph Ekstrand of Moby Drugs for donating the bags once again for our paper bag sale.

UMW NEWS: we are updating the Blue Books for 2008. If any Circle Chairpersons have corrections (members who have moved or have a new phone number), please contact Sue Jones. Deadline is Feb. 10th. Thanks.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS: If anyone is interested in helping out with this ministry of hospitality, please see Denise Andrews.

HUMAN RELATIONS DAY: offering envelopes are available in the So. Transept. Your offering strengthens United Methodist outreach to communities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth.

IN NEED OF PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Lou Holzbaur, Myrna Loudon, Charles Selock, Kyli Abbinanti, Emily Brown, Charles Ghose, Mabel Greenidge, Bill Landahl, Peggy Lopez, Ruth Mace, Praveen Misra, Carolyn Minn, Evelyn Occena, Vera Schefer, and our troops in harm's way.
*If you know of someone in the hospital, or someone who wishes a pastoral visit, please call the Church Office.