The Lamplighter
June 2008
Editor: Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
It’s that time of the year again! School’s out – or almost so – and the kids are excited about summer and all its activities. Summer is the time for many new and exciting and fun-filled things to do. It’s the time of vacations, and camps, and travel, and people on the go. It’s also the time many people go Church shopping, or at least Church visiting, because of the many changes in schedules that prevent their attending their home Church. I would encourage you to worship at other churches during your times of vacation and travel this summer, to get an appreciation for worship in different settings and to experience the many varied ways we, as a family of faith, worship God. And be sure to invite others to worship here with you each Sunday you are home.

If you have the opportunity to bring back a bulletin from any Worship services you attend, the pastor would appreciate seeing them. Let’s see how far and wide we can worship God this summer. And be sure to remember the ongoing ministries and expenses here at home while we’re away.
To the credit of an anonymous author I read recently, my wish for all of you this summer is that you have enough. Very simply, I wish for you to have enough:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your longing.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

Bible Challenge Questions
1. Which prophet predicted the exile of Israel would last for 70 years?
2. Where can we find the story Jesus told of building houses on a rock or in sand?
3. Fill in the blanks: “Love must be ______. Hate what is _____; cling to what is _____.

Ministry Commission
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 Ralph Miller on June 15th and Pastor Kim on June 22nd. In addition, Brandon Grady will be preaching on Sunday, June 29th. We continue to seek counsel and input regarding the addition of a Youth Pastor to our ministry staff here at MACOB.
Your input, suggestions, critiques, and observations of our staff and Worship are always welcome. The Ministry and Worship Comm. currently consists of Dave Wolfe, Sue Grady, and Luke Keeny, with Brenda Laughman and Brenda Linebaugh as lay members.

Out of the Office
Pastor Godfrey will be on vacation from June 9th thru the 22nd. In celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary, he and Gerry will be traveling to Nova Scotia. On the way they will stop in Rangeley, Maine (site of their honeymoon 40 years ago) for a quick visit and a four day hike on the Appalachian Trail, which passes through that area.
During that time period, in the absence of the pastor, requests for pastoral care should be left on the answering machine at the Church office, or you may call directly to Pastor Kim Gingerich, Ralph Miller (Deacon and Licensed Minister), Dick Rishel (Stewards ), or Dave Wolfe (ministry chair).

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

VBS – AHA!
The dates for Vacation Bible School have been changed to June 23 – 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The curriculum is “Power Lab” and you will soon be asked to volunteer if you haven’t already.
If you have anything that we can use to decorate that will look “scientific” or lab coats we could borrow, see Becky. Likewise, any suggestions to improve VBS are welcome.
“Train up a child in the way he should go.”

Women’s Fellowship News
June 2 Women’s Camp at Eder
June 10 Picnic/Meeting Ness Residence 10 AM
July 8 Trip to New Windsor
Six of our ladies will be attending Women’s Camp on Monday, June 2nd. We will leave the Church at 7:30 AM. Our custom is to take “cookies for camp,” which we donate for the summer. If you care to send a donation of cookies with us, have them at the Church by Sunday, June 1st.
Bernice has once again invited us for a picnic meeting on June 10th. We will have a short meeting at 10 AM, then share lunch, bringing foods to enjoy.
Also, we continue to assemble “Health Kits” and plan our annual trip to New Windsor on July 8th, leaving the Church at 9:30 AM.

Living Tree
A tree stood one a lonely hill – Then I turned and I looked -
No life to be found within it; At a tall healthy tree.
The branches were bare, hung forlorn – Whose branches reached upward to Heaven -
It looked like it would fall any minute. It filled my heart with hope anew;
And the joy of loving and living.
How it saddened my heart –
As I looked at this tree Help us, Lord, to be a tall and healthy tree -
And thought how life can be wasted – One that reaches wherever we’re needed;
For many a soul has much to give ; To touch some soul who’s weary and worn -
Joy of giving they’ve never tasted. And know the joy of living completed.
Written 7/23/83 by the Lord and Angel

Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1. Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2) 2. Matthew 7:24 – 27) 3. sincere, evil, good (Romans12:9)

Summer schedule !!!!!
As we begin our summer season, remember that our schedule for Sunday School and Worship remains the same all year ‘round. Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM and Worship begins at 10:15 AM. Join us all summer long for some exciting times of Worship and praise (in air-conditioned comfort!!), and be sure to regularly invite a friend or neighbor.

A Special Graduation
May and June… the months that evoke celebrations of graduation from high school and universities. This May is no different as Brandon Grady from Madison Avenue graduated from Bethany Seminary on May 3rd with a Master’s Degree in Divinity with an emphasis on Peace Studies. While all graduation ceremonies are joyous events to validate and recognize all the hours of reading, writing, and discussing ideas, philosophies and theologies old and new, Brandon’s graduation incorporated an additional element of accomplishment. Despite Brandon’s physical blindness, Brandon envisioned a life of ministry and service and accomplished his goal. Perhaps none of us can truly understand the dedication, tenacity and dogged determination this goal required of Brandon, yet all the while he has maintained an optimism and joy of spirit that buoys all he meets.
In recognition and support of Brandon’s endeavors and accomplishments, a retinue of approximately fifteen friends and family members from MACOB made the trip to Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Indiana. The entire group, a major part the MACOB Praise Team that sings with Brandon, attended the Saturday morning graduation ceremony at Nicarry Chapel. Later that afternoon, the group attended a baccalaureate service delivered by the seminary graduates, using the theme of transformative cleansing powers of the Holy Spirit.
The end of the day was devoted to a praise music concert at West Richmond COB, arranged through Brandon’s ongoing ministry through the common language of music. The MACOB Praise Team had the privilege of offering a night of music and sharing with fellow Indiana brothers and sisters. Likewise, the Praise Team sang at the Richmond Friends Meeting House and joined voices with the Friends’ choir in worship.
All who participated in this joyous weekend of celebration and worship agree that this “road trip” was wonderful for all the individuals who participated – offering camaraderie, worship and more. We also extend our best wishes to Brandon Grady as he follows the new path – wherever the Holy Spirit leads him on his own new journey in ministry.
.

Don’t Forget!!!
6/8 Strawberry Social after Worship
6/12 Father/Son Banquet 6:00

Church Activity Schedule for May 2008
6/1 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship “Ain’t my job!” Daniel 9:1 – 19
Noon Deacon meeting
6/4 7:00 PM Praise Team practice (every Wed.)
6/8 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship (with Bread & Cup Communion)
“Built on the Rock” Matthew 7:24 – 27
After Worship – Strawberry Social
6/10 7:30 PM Church Board meeting (Commissions – 6:30)
6/12 6:00 PM Father/Sons banquet
6/15 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship Ralph Miller preaching
Lamplighter deadline for July
6/21 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
6/22 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship Pastor Kim preaching
6:30 PM Bible School registration
6/23 – 6/27 6:30 – 8:30 PM Vacation Bible School
6/29 9:00 AM Sunday school
10:15 AM Worship Brandon Grady preaching
“A Church Without Walls” Romans 12:1 – 21
7/12 – 7/16 Annual Conference in Richmond, VA