From the Pastor’s Desk
I hope you have been attending Worship regularly to hear the sermon series on Discipleship that we are currently examining. I do not normally do a series of sermons related to one topic, but I feel that this is so vital for our future and for the spiritual health of every one of us that I decided to step out of my comfort zone and concentrate on this topic. Every one of us needs at some time – or times – to leave our comfortable space and step out to grow. I pray the series has been challenging for you. It certainly has been – and is !!! – for me.
I am excited as we enter a new phase of government and leadership here at MACOB. We have been blessed as a congregation to have had such a depth of leadership over the years. But we need to be ever more intentional in training and developing new leaders as our ministry grows and expands into new arenas we’ve never touched upon before. And that’s going to be a part of the new Leadership Team’s focus in the coming months: being very intentional in creating opportunities for all to grow in faith, to grow in relationship (with other persons and with God), and to grow in ministry.
   One of the areas we want to really expand is our small groups ministry. Understanding the vital nature of studying and learning and leading in a small group setting is foundational to the success of ministry. With renewed emphasis on training and developing leaders, we will begin promoting greater participation in small groups in the near future. We will use this summer as a time of training and preparation for a major thrust in the fall. Please be in prayer for our Leadership Team as we work diligently on this important venture. And consider how you can help by active involvement in the small group environment.
By this time you’ve undoubtedly noticed our new mission/vision statement in the bulletin each week: “Love God, love each other, serve the world.†We have always been an open, inviting, welcoming congregation, but we have not done quite so well in growing disciples: in intentionally having opportunities for new people to plug into classes and activities that are specifically designed to help people move forward in their relationship with God. It is our prayer as we enter this new phase of ministry process that we can do a better job of helping others grow along with us in their faith walk.
This would be a great time to invite unchurched friends, neighbors, relatives…to worship with us. We are going to try to help people learn to love God – through vibrant, alive Worship, to love each other – with specifically designed small groups of all kinds, so we can become disciples that are willing to serve the world around us in some form of ministry. Every one of us, if we have a vibrant, growing faith and relationship with God, should be doing three things every week. Those three things are as follows: to spend regular time in worship, attend and participate in a small group study, and be active in some kind of ministry.
We are one body made up of many parts. There are no unimportant parts. Every one of us is vital to the success of this body. Teaching, administration, leadership, and worship are the obvious visible tasks. But we need ministers in choir, driving the bus, ushering, kitchen work, small group, nursery, mentoring, VBS, music, repair - the list is endless. There is a ministry for everyone, and if you’re not actively doing something, you’re cheating yourself and inhibiting the success of the entire body.
The Leadership Team seeks your prayerful support as we embark on this exciting new venture of faith. How will you be a part of the adventure?
Denominational News
May is Messenger month. Please see Treva Gingerich to renew your subscription or to begin subscribing to our denominational magazine. This magazine is well worth the price! It enables us to keep up with all the ‘happenings’ of our denomination and its work worldwide, as well as provide us with many challenging, uplifting, and thought-provoking articles written by our brothers and sisters. Please consider making an investment in the Messenger – the “return†will far exceed the “expense.â€
Special Church Council
Following Worship on Sunday morning, March 29th, the full Church Council met again in the last step to formally adopt our new style of administration. The Council unanimously approved the new Leadership Team model of government and approved the following persons to lead us in this new chapter of ministry here at MACOB:
Dennis Strawbridge – Leadership Team chair
Ed Lentz - LT Vice- chair                                   Ex-officio members will include:
Dick Rishel – Stewards Team chair                                       Pastors
Becky Rishel – Nurture Team chair                                           Treasurer –Barb Strawbridge
Sue Sparrow – Ministry Team chair                                          Church Clerk – Lillian Geltz
Ralph Miller – Small Groups Team chair                                 Moderator – Don Kauffman, Jr.
Brenda Linebaugh – Deacon chair
These persons will officially assume office as of May 1, 2009, replacing the former Church Board personnel. All terms of office will be for two years with the exception of this first year so that we can get on a two-year schedule; three of the chairpersons will only serve a one-year term.
As we move into this new streamlined make-up of leadership, we are certain there will be some adjustments to make along the way. We encourage your questions as we seek your support and involvement in the total ministry here at MACOB. This is a very opportune time for every one of us to become more actively involved in some form of ministry. The Leadership Team looks forward to your support and active participation.
Nurture Team
Many opportunities exist for your continued spiritual challenge and growth. As the Sunday school classes enter the third month of the Spring quarter, the International Lessons Class continues its study of New Creation in Christ, looking at passages in Ephesians in relation to our lives today. The Discussion Class continues its study of The Shack, a Christian fiction book exploring the difficult topic of forgiveness. Classes for children and Youth as well as a class for Young Adults led by Ralph Miller are offered. Pastor Godfrey is currently leading a class for beginners, new believers, or persons just interested in exploring faith and Church membership. There truly is something for everyone, a class in which to explore and grow in our faith. There are also small group studies currently meeting, including a prayer group, a women’s Bible study, and a men’s group. If there is a desire for more at the present time, please see Ralph Miller, our small groups leadership chairperson.
Ministry Team
At our most recent Commission meeting discussion centered on the wisdom, necessity, and timing of the addition of a Youth Pastor to the staff here at MACOB. Possibilities for funding, working with another congregation and their Youth director, and other details were examined and discussed.
Arrangements have been made for filling the pulpit during the Pastors’ times of vacation and travel (Annual Conference, Camp Eder, Seminars, etc.) as well as covering for pastoral needs whenever one of them is away. We are blessed to have such depth of leadership and staff to handle such needs in the absence of a Pastor.
We continue to seek your input/ comments/suggestions/ critiques of – and prayers for – the Ministry Team’s work, the staff, and the Worship services.
Update on Donna Hash.
Continue to remember Donna. She loves cards, emails, and visits! Her email address is dhash16@netzero.com, and her address and phone number are in our directory.
Donna would like to especially thank the Church for acquiring the new Church bus and for making regular trips to bring her, and her friends to Worship on Sunday mornings. A special ‘thank you’ is wished to the drivers who make this ministry possible as well.
Looking Ahead…..
For those of you who were able to be a part of the two combined nights of music that Brandon instituted with MACOB and the Conestoga COB, here’s some good news for you. There’s another one in the planning! Though the date and all the mechanics have not yet been worked out, Brandon is trying to get Ambler, Conestoga, and MACOB musical groups together for a concert of praise. You won’t want to miss this evening of music. Stay tuned for more details.
Women’s Fellowship News
May 5      Meeting/Prayer Group      9 AM
May 12   Mother/Daughter Banquet      6 PM
May 26   Brethren Home Volunteer Day   9 AM
• The Mother/Daughter Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 12th at 6 PM. It will be a covered dish with meat furnished. Our guest will be Doris Ortman, her second appearance and a favorite. Plan to attend!
•We had a great group of 40 ladies at our luncheon with Bermudian and Lake View. Great fellowship!
• Note: We began collecting Health Kit items in February, continuing until
June. Items needed are as follows:
wash cloth      hand towel      comb      toothbrush
bath soap bar      nail clippers      Band-aids
Monetary donations are also appreciated for buying items or for shipping costs. Thank you.
Let Your Light Shine
Let your light shine         So just look around –
In a world that is dim;         At the blessings we’ve got;
There’s so much darkness –       Compared to some others-
And so filled with sin.         We’re a fortunate lot.
Where taking a life –          And as a Christian –
Seems nothing at all;Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â We can beam so bright;
And abusing a child –          As a world that’s so dim -
Sure takes a lot of gall.         Surely needs our light.
Where the homeless walk –       We can make a difference -
On the streets by day;Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Surely one by one;
And at night they have –       As we follow Jesus -
Just no place to stay.         Our work’s never done.
The hungry are starving –       Written by the Lord & Angel 3/28/98
For lack of good food;
While we have plenty –
And can share our good.
• Thanks to the women of the Women’s Fellowship for the great job of cleaning the kitchen.
We received a score of 99. Great Job!
Church Activity Schedule for May 2009
5/3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9:00 AMÂ Â Â Sunday school
10:15 AM     Worship            “Doing life togetherâ€Â            Hebrews 10:23 – 25  (James 5:16)
5/7      6:00 PM      Handbell Choir practice  (every Thurs.)
7:00 PM     Adult Choir practice  (every Thurs.)
8:00 PM     Praise Team practice  (every Thurs)
5/10 Â Â Â 9:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Sunday school
10:15 AM      Worship          “Opportunity to growâ€Â            John 14:6 – 10
5/12Â Â Â 6:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Mother/ Daughter Banquet
5/16   7:30 AM      Men’s Prayer Breakfast
5/17Â Â Â 9:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Â Sunday school
10:15 AM      Worship          “Maximum freedomâ€Â             John 5:30 (Matt. 5:17)
Lamplighter articles due today
5/24Â Â Â 9:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Â Sunday School
10:15 AM     Worship          “True intimacyâ€Â                    Rev. 3:15 – 17, 20 (John 16:1 – 3)
5/31Â Â Â 9:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Â Sunday School
10:15 AM     Worship         “Relational evangelismâ€Â       1st Corinthians 9:19 – 23
May Birthdays
2   Jay Keeny          10  Mark Baugher, Jr.            25  Merilea Ritchey
3  Don Knause      11  Tim Ritchey      29  Richard Godfrey
6   Tina Veverka      16  Catherine Craig
7   Russ Chronister      21   Guy Kintzel
9Â Â Â Linda Knause
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