Madison Ave. Church of The Brethren

WAHOO!  YA’LL COME….
….to Vacation Bible School this summer, June 17^th  to 22^nd  from 6:30 to 7:30 on Sunday and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
We’re still looking for a few volunteers to be crew leaders at Avalanche Ranch.  Each crew leader will be taking the same three to five students to each activity site and sitting with them during group sessions for all five days.  It is a chance to build a relationship with a few young people.  No preparation is required, just ten hours or so of being a Christian example.  Contact Becky Rishel or any member of the Christian Education commission if you can help.
               Also, round up any children three years old up to students finishing fifth grade this year and bring them to pre-registration on Sunday, June 17^th.  We will have a separate class for pre-schoolers, age three and up, and the rest of the crews will be mixed ages.  We would like to have as many as possible signed up on Sunday evening so we have adequate supplies for the week.
See you at the Ranch–Avalanche Ranch.
 

Congratulations Tyler
Congratulations to our one graduating high school senior this year – Tyler Veverka. Graduate recognition will be on Sunday, June 11^th.
Camp Eder
Camp Eder is looking forward to an exciting summer of outdoor ministry. You can be a part of that ministry in a number of ways. Several different job openings are available, as well as many volunteer opportunities (like being a volunteer counselor for a week - excitement plus!) to help with the many aspects of camping that exist at the Camp. There is a special need for male volunteers.
 Bethany Adventure
by Dave Wolfe
Earlier this year, the company I work for informed us that they were going to participate in a trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Immediately a thought raced through my head (Indy raced - get it ?).  How far is Richmond IN from Indianapolis?  If it were relatively close, could I go early to visit Brandon Grady at Bethany Seminary?  The company gave their permission for me to attend the trade show, so I planned my itinerary.  I decided to conduct a covert mission and surprise Brandon by just showing up.  Of course, this posed many potential problems. Would he be home? Would he have an important paper to write for a class? If so, I certainly couldn’t impose on any of his time.  I decided to proceed and let God take care of the details.  I arrived in Indianapolis about 10:35am Saturday morning, got a rental car and headed for Richmond.  The internet directions lead me right to Brandon’s doorstep.  OK, here goes. I rang the doorbell, no answer - rang it again, no answer.  At this point, my mind went UH-HOOOOOOO! (That was for Ben)  I just flew hundreds of miles, drove 80+ miles…No Brandon. So, now what? 
Well, just up the street was the Bethany Seminary Office.  I figured I’d see if anyone there could help me.  Soon after entering the building, I met Marcia Shetler, the Director of Public Relations who  lived in our region several years ago while working with Teresa Esbhach.  Nice detail, Lord.  I introduced myself and filled her in on my mission.  She knew Brandon; well, everyone knows Brandon and informed me that this was Commencement weekend.  Brandon was attending the various events since some of his friends were graduating.  The next scheduled event was a 2:30 pm Worship service for the graduates at Richmond Church of the Brethren.  I got directions and arrived 45 minutes early.  God was taking care of the details again. 
The bell choir was rehearsing for the service and they sounded incredible!  I sat down and listened, waiting for my surprise victim to arrive.  About 2:10, Marcia arrived and waited with me in the foyer. I think she was as excited as I was.  She quizzed several people on whether they had seen or knew if Brandon was attending the service.  Everyone responded with the same, I think so. 
By 2:25, no Brandon. OK Lord, I need some help.  Marcia needed to get into the sanctuary for the service, so she wished me good luck and walked away.  As I turned to look outside, I saw Brandon coming around the corner.  I called to Marcia, “Here he comes,” and she immediately returned for the surprise.  I knew exactly what I would do.  Several years ago, Brandon’s group Out Of the Darkness asked The Praise Team to join them and sing “River in Judea.”  Brandon managed to volunteer me to sing the opening solo.  And the first few measures have been my personal greeting for him ever since.  He walked in the door and I took a deep breath and started.  “Often times, I dream of music, of a river that freely flows”.  I know Brandon. You couldn’t see it, but the confusion and surprise that washed across your face was PRICELESS.  You could sense his mind was trying to process what he was hearing.  I’m in Indiana, I know that voice, that voice is from Pennsylvania. Am I in Pennsylvania?  Or is that voice really in Indiana!  I walked over and got a Brandon Hug. Yeah, PRICELESS!  We walked into the sanctuary, listened to the Bell Choir Prelude, and soon I started singing “Shout to the Lord” beside my favorite tenor.  The people I met, the memories I have, the 2½ worship services I attended.  Gotta’ Love Them Details!
PS. Long Range Planning – Brandon will be graduating the first weekend of May 2008.  Anyone interested in a surprise visit to Richmond, Indiana?
 

Welcome!
            A very special welcome to our eight newest members. On Sunday, April 29^th, Ben Sparrow and Ed & Jolynn Lentz joined our congregation following their decision to follow Jesus as their Savior and Lord and were baptized during our Worship service. Then Jay, Janis & Luke Keeny, Harold Rudisill, and Ruth Brockley also joined our congregation by transferring their letters of membership from other churches to ours and renewing their own baptismal vows. We welcome them with joy and excitement.
            Please be sure to get to know these folks as they find a place to use their unique gifts and talents in symphony with our ministries here at MACOB.
 

Annual Conference    6/30 -  7/4
            Annual Conference is in Cleveland, Ohio this year, from Saturday, 6/30 thru Wednesday, 7/4. With a theme of  “Proclaim the Power of God,”  Moderator Belita Mitchell will lead conference attendees through the five days of activity that serve as much as a family reunion as a working session. 
Several important business items (some of the most impacting and controversial business in years!), innumerable insight sessions, powerful Worship services, great Bible study options, great music and group singing, and much more await those who choose to be better informed and challenged in their faith walk. Note: Brandon Grady will be Worship Leader for Monday night’s Worship service (with some assistance from Pastor Kim as well!). The Pastors can get you more information if you are planning to attend. Please remember the Conference and all the delegates and attendees in your prayers, as the decisions made there create a lasting effect in our denomination’s ministries and our witness to the world.
Our delegate this year is Bonita Grady and delegate-in-training is Carol Kauffman. 
    
 

Bible Challenge Questions
1. About which Apostle was it said: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy”?
2. About whom was it said: “If this man was a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner.”?
3. Where in the Bible can we read “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.”?
 

Ministry& Worship News
The Ministry & Worship Commission continues to work with the staff on matters related to the ongoing ministries here at MACOB. Filling the pulpit for Pastor Godfrey when he is away will be the following persons: Ralph Miller on May 27^th and Pastor Kim  and Tim Sheaffer on July 29^th. At our most recent meeting, we worked on updates for the various job descriptions for our pastoral and music department persons.  Also under consideration are special Worship times with the Youth and our District Youth Heritage Team.
            Your input, suggestions, critiques, and observations of our staff and Worship are always welcome. The Ministry and Worship Commission currently consists of Dennis Strawbridge, Frances Dellinger and Sue Grady.
 

Missions & Service News
A big Thanks! to all for the great support going to the Black River COB in Ohio -  $679 from the special offering & $500 from the sandwich sale. They are truly grateful for everyone’s help & prayers.
We are once again sponsoring a heifer for the Annual Brethren Relief Auction on Friday, September 21^st. Your donations are greatly appreciated in helping to buy a heifer again this year.
 

To the Church,
            I had nice evening at Mother’s and Daughter’s Supper.  I sure enjoy people and to talk to them.  I just wanted to write this.   I wish more people to come out to see me and bring your game’s with you.
            I am here now I wasn’t lived here and I am very happy.  This is for the Church paper. Thank again.
                                                                                               Wrote by Donna Hash
 

Women’s Fellowship News
June 4, 5          Women’s Camp at Camp Eder
June 12                        Picnic, meeting – 10 AM
June 25             Brethren Home Volunteer Day – 9 AM
July 10             Trip to New Windsor – 9:30 AM
Five ladies will attend Women’s Camp on Monday, June 4^th. As is our custom, we will donate cookies for summer camp and $200.00              
Our Annual Picnic will be Tuesday, June 12^th at the Ness home. There will be a short meeting at 10AM with lunch to follow.        
The Lehman Center Auction was a huge success in taking in over $38,000. Thank you for all your contributions on their behalf.
            We have 102 ‘health kits’ assembled at the present time. It is our hope to have at least 200 by July 10^th when we plan to deliver them to New Windsor. Thanks for your continued support. We will leave Church at 9:30 AM and have lunch at Baugher’s Restaurant.