December 2015 Newsletter - Street Christian Church

Main Street Messenger
MAIN STREET
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Our Vision:
Building Christian lives on a firm foundation.
Our Mission:
Win the Lost ~ Grow in Jesus Christ
Encourage the Discouraged ~ Magnify the Lord
VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 12
December 2015
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Janna Hyman has volunteered to lead a combined Sunday School class
and Christmas party on December 20, 2015. All children from Toddler
Nursery through 5th grade will meet together in the double room in the
church basement during the Sunday School time. Various activities are being planned to make this a special Christmas event for the children. We
wish to thank Janna for the idea and her leadership. Other Sunday School
teachers will be assisting her.
For anyone who has not been staying for Sunday School, this Christmas
season would be a good time to begin.
See you in Sunday School,
Connie and Jo Ella Maugans
Bring the whole family for communion this Christmas Eve between 5:30 &
7:30pm. This is a very informal service, with people coming and going as
their family schedules allow. An elder will be available to assist you, or your
family can have your own special time of worship.
The church office
will be closed on
Thursday and Friday, December 24
& 25 for Christmas.
Regular office hours
will resume Monday, December 28.
MEN’S PRAYER
BREAKFAST
The monthly Men’s Prayer
Breakfast will not meet in the
month of December.
Inside this issue:
POINSETTIA ORDERS
If you would like to order a poinsettia to decorate
the sanctuary during the upcoming Christmas
season, contact the church office no later than
Sunday, December 6. The cost will be $6.00
per poinsettia.
Bishop Bytes
2
Church Calendar
3
Birthdays & Anniversaries
3
S.A.M. Group
4
Youth Update
5
Missions News
7
VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 12
Page 2
BISHOP BYTES
“However, when
we commit
ourselves to
following the
Lord Jesus
Christ, we
commit ourselves
to keeping those
images in the
forefront of our
minds.”
Christmas, it’s almost
here! If you didn’t realize this fact, then maybe
you haven’t left your
house, turned on your
T.V., radio or computers
in more than a month.
When I think of Christmas the images that
come to mind for me are
things like glistening
snow, warm fires in the
fireplaces, family gatherings, and huge meals
with ham, sweet potatoes, creamed onions,
green bean casserole,
stuffing, and pies. Of
course there is the sharing of the birthday of our
Lord, Savior and King,
Jesus, who, without Him,
there would be no reason to celebrate.
The images (to my
guilt and shame) that
generally have not been
present in my heart and
mind are the real images
of individuals or whole
families who will be, or
are currently, living outside in the cold of the
snow without heat, the
families who have endured the tragedy of divorce and are now
spending their Christmas
divided, the countless
number of people who
will go without a meal,
and the millions more
who haven’t even a clue
as to the true reason for
our
celebration
on
Christmas
morning.
These images don’t
make a very Merry
Christmas.
Imagine with me this
scene as a Christmas
commercial: The camera
pans in on a man digging
in a dumpster looking for
food. The steam rises
from his bare and wornout hands as the snow
falls gently on his uncovered head. In the dumpster he finds an old, worn
out doll which he brushes
off and sticks in his pocket as he continues looking for food. The next
scene shows this same
man walking down an alley toward a huge box.
He bends down looking
into the box with a wry
smile on his face as he
whispers, “Merry Christmas.” The camera angle
shifts revealing to us his
view, a mother who is
covered by an old tattered blanket holding their
young child who is still
sleeping. Everything then
fades to black as the
words, “Merry Christmas”
appear on the screen and
then disappear into blackness. Then a question
fades onto the screen,
“How will you be celebrating this year?”
Thoughts like these
are not very merry but
they are reality everywhere in the world, even
here in Howard County,
Indiana. However, when
we commit ourselves to
following the Lord Jesus Christ, we commit
ourselves to keeping
those images in the
forefront of our minds.
Not only during the
Christmas and Easter
seasons, but in all seasons of our lives.
I am more excited
for Christmas this year
than maybe any other
in my past. This year,
our Outreach Team will
be, for the first time,
providing a Christmas
meal to families in and
throughout Russiaville.
There are over 600
children in our school
system that need to
see and feel the true
love of Jesus through
us who are His hands
and feet.
I pray that you will
consider
partnering
with our efforts in truly
making Christmas joyous and maybe even
life
changing
this
Christmas season.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Steve
1
2
S.A.M. Christmas Choir Practice
Party 5:30pm
6:15pm
3
Ladies Aid
Noon
4
5
No Men’s Prayer
Breakfast
10
11
12
TF3 Christmas
Party at Heritage
Lanes 6-8pm
17
18
19
24
OFFICE
CLOSED
25
OFFICE
CLOSED
26
TF3 Bible Study
6:30pm
Praise Team
Practice 7pm
6
AKA Christmas
Party at Heritage
Lanes 4:30-6pm
7
8
9
Bus Ministry
9:30am
Choir Practice
6:15pm
TF3 6:30pm
TF3 Bible Study
6:30pm
Praise Team
Practice 7pm
13
AKA 5pm
TF3 6:30pm
14
Board Meeting
6:30pm
15 N/012/33/4
D/56278/
16
Choir Practice
6:15pm
TF3 Bible Study
6:30pm
Praise Team
Practice 7pm
20
No AKA or TF3
21
22
23
Christmas Eve
Communion
Service
5:30-7:30pm
27
No AKA or TF3
28
29
2
5
14
17
18
19
20
24
30
Susan Melcher
Bob Auth
Kristy High
Martha Milburn
Donovan High
Wayne & Shirley Watson
Ryan & Carrie Mills
Faith Mooney
Ryan Mills
Randy & Kim McKinney
Ted & Janet Miller
31
25
26
28
29
30
31
Lee Mason
Nancy Wood
Rick & Kathy Walden
Ricky Williams
Dan Wood
Sue Pierce
Chuck & Teresa Mooney
Sam Walden
VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 12
Page 4
S.A.M. Group
Senior Adult Ministry
During this holiday season, we know you are busy with a calendar full of commitments
to many end-of-year activities. We understand you need sufficient time for holiday
gatherings at church, work, school, clubs, and other ministries, as well as for your
families. Because of all these activities that are competing for your time and attention,
the S.A.M. group will schedule only two activities during December.
S.A.M. CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Tuesday, December 1 at 5:30pm, bring a covered dish (meat & drinks provided)
and a wrapped white elephant gift for the exchange to the MSCC Fellowship Building.
This will be the first time we have tried this format. We hope everyone enjoys the different approach. Be sure and invite a friend who is 50+ years of age and then add
your information to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
BUS MINISTRY
On Wednesday, December 9, at 9:30am we will meet at MSCC Fellowship Building
and drive to Kokomo to shop and/or pick up prescriptions, etc. We will eat lunch and
return to MSCC. If you have any questions, call Rosie Mills at 566-3896.
Wayne & Donna Janner / Wayne & Shirley Watson
Joann Monroe / Charlie & Rosie Mills
MAIN STREET MESSENGER
Page 5
Youth stuff
In the past two articles, I have discussed the Andy Stanley
book The Seven Checkpoints, but with Christmas approaching I thought I’d put it off for a month and continue in January...
Coloring Picture
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I love music! I love to listen to it, I love playing my bass
or sax, and I love to sing. My most favorite song is a song
written by the incredibly talented Christian comedian, Mark
Lowry. For me, “Mary Did You Know” does a great job of
placing the listener in the shoes of Mary as she experienced her son’s journey to the cross, and gets me in the
correct mindset for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Over the years, several music artists have done their
own version of this song. That list includes, Clay Aiken,
Pentatonix, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, and CeeLo
Green. Knowing some of their “colorful” pasts, one wonders if they have a clue about what they are singing. The
song includes lines that describe some of Jesus’ miracles,
such as healing the blind and lame, walking on water, and
calming the storm. The song also proclaims that Jesus is
Lord of all creation, would one day rule the nations, and is
the Great I Am. As I hear these artists masterfully perform
this worshipful tune, I can’t help but wonder if they really
hear or understand the words they are singing.
We are all separated from God by our sin, whether we
acknowledge it or not. We require the sacrifice that Jesus
made to be acceptable to a holy Father. Even though
there are times in our walk that we feel very distant from
God, He will always be there when we turn to look for Him.
That same patience is there for both current Christ followers, and those who have yet to claim Jesus as Lord of
their lives. In 2 Peter 3:9 it says that God “is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come
to repentance.” I believe that there are people who sit in
churches all around the world that go through the motions,
but are still missing the point of life and what the birth of
the babe in the manger represents. Though God is willing
to wait, we are reminded in the very next verse that “the
day of the Lord will come like a thief,” clearly explaining
that there is an expiration date on His patience.
This year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and the birth of
our Savior, pray for your heart, the hearts of your sisters
and brothers in Christ, and those who don’t know Christ
yet to be refreshed in how we go about enjoying the holidays. If you do, I know that God will bless you and honor
your request. This time of year is always so much more
meaningful when we have our hearts and minds focused
where it needs to be. God has blessed us so extravagantly to the point of sending His very own Son to die on the
cross for our sin. So let us be truly thankful for all that He
has done!!!
Ryan, out.
Help the wise men get to the
manger!!
M578 S34//3 CF4713758 CFG4HF
SF/IF/4678J L713
Alan Anderson, Elder
Wayne Janner, Elder
Connie Maugans, Elder
Austin & Carrie Fivecoate
John & Carol Hurst
Jeff & Michele Hunt
Kelly Hunt
Sharon Pierce
Maryellyn Harlow
Tyler & Jessica Sceggell
Charlie & Rosie Mills
Noel Maxwell
Andy Milburn
Wes & Samantha Milburn
Jamie Jefferies
Lindsay Waddell
Linsey Bishop
Steve & Sophia Bishop
Rita Hoagland
Bob & Joyce Mendenhall
Ron & Kay Mickelson
Kent & Martha Milburn
Cassius & Linda Mansfield
Dean & Susan Melcher
Joann Monroe
Kevin & Lee Ann Redding
Sue Smith
Dan & Donna Walden
Connie & Jo Ella Maugans
Pat Gerhardt
Mike & Desi Mansfield
Ed & Saralyn Martin
Julie Mason
Ruth Sherrow
Brad & LouAnn Stout
Missy Tatum
Tony & Nancy Erb
John & Sharon Sharp
Dianne Watkins
Cary & Kim Winger
Alan & Sharyne Anderson
Rick Young
John Allen
Bob & Robin Auth
David & Susan Moody
Larry & Cheri Helmberger
Rich & Evelyn Fouts
Max & Bev Bell
Jack & Nancy Fivecoate
Pam Carter
Patty Winger
Shad & Jennifer Smith
Paul & Martha O’Blenis
Betty Bennett
Dennis & Julie Carter
Denny & Nancy Stout
Dixie Hayes
Marilyn Burke
June Stephens
Bob Auth
Max Bell
Jack Fivecoate
Duane & Deb Davis
Daniel Gibson
Cary Middlekauff
Clarissa Linton
Jim & Julie Watkins
Dan& Nancy Wood
Ralene Ramberger
David Mansfield
John & Suzanne Allen
Ruth Ann Hawkins
Jack & Marica Talbert
Wayne & Shirley Watson
Don & Mary Redding
Gary Smith
Tom & May Etherington
Bev Rodgers
Ruth Avery
Steve & Penny McKibben
Joe & Judy Scott
Tom & Patty Chaffee
Rick & Chris Young
Larry & Vicki Starbuck
Joyce & Terry Powell
Chuck & Teresa Mooney
Tyler Sceggell
Charlie Mills
Dean Melcher
Aaron Bowman
Chris Carter
Josh Carter
Ryan & Carrie Mills
Aaron Smith
Matt & Melissa Martin
Abbie Bishop
Faith Mooney
Wayne & Donna Janner
Harold & Mary Linton
Mandy Oakes
Jim & Norma Daugherty
Rebecca Linton
Ted & Janet Miller
Max Randall
Shellie Hillis
Dustin & Laura Redding
Chase Mulkey
Jon & Erin Burk
Matt & Tammy Scott
Ricky & Sarah Williams
Derek & April Mouser
Eric & Kristy High
Jake & Amber Lipinski
Kent Milburn
Jay & Carol Talbert
Esther Bledsoe
Alberta Herron
Jennie Heyer & Dan Powell
Janna Hyman
Gerald & Sandy Martin
Kim McKinney
Reta Wilson
The elders recently announced their plan to divide the membership of the entire congregation into three
shepherding groups. Each group has been assigned an elder, assisted by three men from the congregation, who will be making periodic contact with each person listed in their sub-group, fro the purpose of knowing the condition of their wellbeing, through phone or visitation. Those individual needs may be physical,
medical, spiritual, or important family events. That information will then be shared with the elder of their
group.
VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 12
Page 7
Living Alternatives – Pregnancy Resource Center
December Bottle Fundraiser
Living Alternatives mission statement: “Living Alternatives is committed to saving lives of unborn
children by promoting life-affirming options and providing practical assistance, while sharing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and to minister restoration to those who have been
wounded by the trauma of abortion.”
Main Street Christian Church supports Living Alternatives with a monthly donation. The organization receives 0% government funding; they are 100% privately funded. During the month of December, each Adult Sunday School class will receive a baby bottle. You are asked to give your spare
change to the bottle each Sunday, in addition to your regular Sunday school giving. The bottles will
be collected each week along with your attendance and envelopes. The bottle will be returned each
week to be re-filled by your class. All funding will go to support the Living Alternatives – Pregnancy
Resource Center in Howard County. To learn more about the center, view their website,
www.HOPEFORAFUTURE.com.
Thank you in advance for your added support of this mission. Your spare change can save the life
of an unborn child of a mother considering abortion. Both mother and child can be ‘saved’ through
the volunteers of Living Alternatives sharing support in a difficult time and sharing the Gospel of Jesus.
Pray for all the Missions we support. During the holiday season, doors open that may normally be
closed, allowing missions to provide assistance and to share the story of God’s grace and mercy.
Carol Talbert
Mission Team Leader
Main Street
Christian Church
220 West Main Street
PO Box 155
Russiaville, IN 46979
Office: 765-883-5265
Fellowship Building: 765-883-7613
Email: [email protected]
www.mainstreetchristianchurch.com
WORSHIP
S.S.
TITHING
DATE
LAST YEAR’S
AVERAGE: 126
LAST YEAR’S
AVERAGE: 88
WEEKLY
BUDGET NEEDS:
$ 4,288.08
October 25, 2015
107
88
$ 3539.00
November 1, 2015
157
111
$ 7,781.00
November 8, 2015
121
95
$ 3,421.68
November 15, 2015
121
93
$ 3,363.00
n/a
n/a
n/a
November 22, 2015
November 29, 2015
Win the Lost ~ Grow in Jesus Christ
Encourage the Discouraged ~ Magnify the Lord
Sunday Morning Worship ~ 9:00am
Sunday School ~ 10:45am
Senior Pastor: Steve Bishop
Associate/Youth Minister: Ryan Mills
Church Secretary: Carrie Mills
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday ~ 8:30am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Steve Bishop
Ryan Mills
Alan Anderson
Wayne Janner
Connie Maugans
PASTORAL TEAM
Home
883-7793
883-1225
854-0145
459-8423
453-4861
Cell
(863) 446-2234
210-7719
438-4824
860-0941
459-3941 (work)