From the Pastor’s Desk

I’m convinced that many of us in small churches today wear ourselves out trying to do too much that really cannot be considered as ministry. While it is an absolute necessity that we maintain our buildings and care for our facilities, equipment and the like, in my opinion, we expend huge amounts of energy treading water. Too many people, taking their faith very seriously, are wearing themselves out trying to do too much while a number of folks who are less committed seem not to care about matters of faith. The end result is that the faithful are burning themselves out by simply doing too much and ignoring the counsel of Psalm 46 – that is to “be still and know” God and find our energy and purpose in God.

One novel suggestion that perhaps we all need to take seriously is this: I think every believer – every one of who claim the name of Jesus – should be doing three things every week. I think that every one of us should attend Worship, be a part of an active small group, and serve in some area of ministry, on a weekly basis.

Worship is where we reenergize and grow in our relationship with God as we sing and pray and praise Him. Small groups allow us to grow in our understanding of God and His Word and in relationship with each other. And service is vital to a growing faith because it allows us to focus on others rather than ourselves.

I believe we could simplify our lives and grow much more stable in our faith if we’d adopt a sincere commitment to do just these three things every week. Our mission statement reads very much like this: Love God; love each other; serve the world.

The Souper Bowl!!Continue to bring your cans of soup and one dollar bills for the Souper Bowl Drive on Sunday, February 7^th. The JR HI class is sponsoring this outreach and we will be collecting soup all during the month of February. The soup will be used for our own ‘food bank’ and the money will be used to buy Giant Gift cards for distribution to the needy. Did I hear a goal of 250 cans?!?! Wow!

Sunday School Electives

The Adult classes are entering the last month of this quarter, but it’s not too late to join some exciting and challenging discussion and learning. In addition to the International Lesson Quarterly studying ‘Christ, the Fulfillment,’ there is the Discussion Class studying the New Testament book of James, a practical guidebook for everyday Christian living. There is also a special class for Young Adults called “Let’s Talk” and classes for Youth and children of all ages.

Leadership Team Report

The MACOB Church Board met Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Following are major items discussed during that meeting:

• Jolynn Lentz will be the conference delegate, replacing Bonita Grady

• A keyboard (Yahama P140)to replace Bonita Grady’s has been selected at the price of approximately $900.

• The Ministry Committee will recommend the hiring of Evan Brickner as accompanist.

• Monies to support previous evangelism and outreach efforts were allocated.

• A committee is working to draft a tentative agreement to share our facility with Restoration Ministries.

• Approval was granted for a pension change as requested.

• Purchase of Church internet access is being pursued.

• The Youth are working to raise needed funds for attending NYC.

MACOB January Council Meeting

The MACOB Church Council met Sunday, January 17, 2010. Following are major items discussed during that meeting:

• Committee chairpersons shared their end-of-the year reports. Some highlights include Pastor Godfrey’s sabbatical, Bonita Grady’s resignation and installation of a new furnace.

• Approval to present a tentative one-year agreement to Restoration Ministries for sharing of the physical facility was granted.

• MACOB has hired Evan Brickner as an accompanist in a 3-month trial position.

• A revised congregation directory is forthcoming.

• Next year is MACOB’s 75^th anniversary; Becky Rishel is looking for suggestions for celebrating this milestone in the church’s history.

• To aid the devastation in Haiti, $30,000 from the Endowment Fund was designated for outreach and ministry.

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Bible Challenge Questions

1. Who said that no prophet is accepted in his own home town?

2. What is the more common name for Lake Gennesaret?

3. Who said, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal ….”?

Oyster Dinner

The Executive Committee of the Board has been planning a schedule for 2009. The first event is the annual Oyster Supper, scheduled for Saturday evening, February 21^st, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. The menu includes: fried oysters and oyster stew, fish, hot dogs, slaw, apple sauce, pickles, etc. and dessert and beverage. (Donations of desserts would be appreciated). Cost will be by donation (free will offering).  Snow date: 2/28/09.

Answers to Bible Challenge questions:

1. Jesus  (Luke 4:24)        2. Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1)      3. Paul  (Phil. 3:13, 14)

Meat Canning outreach

Meat canning is coming up in April this year. The District has a goal of canning about 40,000 pounds of chicken this year. Our special offering during February will be for the meat-canning project. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic and SoPA Districts, we are seeking volunteers to help in the processing effort. Work groups are planned for just four days this year; April 5^th thru 8^th , with two scheduled work periods each day – from 6 AM to noon and from 9 AM to 2:30 PM. Processing takes place at Christian Aid Ministries near Ephrata. The canned chicken is used to assist those in need locally as well as internationally. This is an opportunity for you to enjoy the fellowship of working with others from various COB congregations – while responding to God’s call to help those less fortunate. If you can help, please sign up on the special sheet on the bulletin board.

It’s Brethren Home Auxiliary Time!

The focus of our faith is that we should love every person and serve everyone we can. You can easily be a part of service by supporting the Brethren Home Community Auxiliary. Your joining makes you a part of the ongoing support and service to others. The annual membership fee is only $3 and a lifetime membership is $30. See Treva to join. Thanks!

Women’s Fellowship News

February 2            Meeting/Prayer Group                        9 AM

February 22            Brethren Home Volunteer Day            9 AM

March 19            Vegetable Soup Sale

We continue to meet the first Tuesday each month and all ladies are welcome.

It is in our plans to have a Vegetable Soup Sale on March 19^th. This is the first of our fundraisers for the year.

The time is here again to assemble Health Kits. The terrible devastation in Haiti is a reminder of how important it is to continue this project.

Cradle to the Cross

From the “cradle to the cross” –                                     So come to the Holy Savior –

Why the Christ-Child was born;                                    God’s will that none be lost;

Redemption for all mankind –                                     He shed his blood for us –

Salvation for us was born.                                                While He hung upon that cross.

It was God’s holy plan-                                                The only way to eternal life –

From beginning of all time;                                                No greater love was ever shown;

Even as He created the earth –                                    In a world filled with sin –

This is what He had in mind.                                    It’s our task to make it known.

Written 12/28/09 by the Lord and Angel

For God so loved the world –

In the scriptures we are told;

He gave his only begotten Son –

An act that was so bold.

Church Activity Schedule for February 2010

2/2    6:30  PM               Romans Bible study

2/4    6:00  PM               Handbell Choir practice            (every week)

7:00  PM               Adult Choir practice                          (every week)

8:00  PM                Praise Team practice                          (every week)

2/7 9:00  AM               Sunday School

10:15  AM               Celebration Worship                     “Today…..”                          Luke 4:14 – 21

2/8    6:30  PM               Women’s Bible study

2/9    6:30  PM               Romans Bible study

2/13  4:30  PM               Oyster Supper

2/14 9:00  AM               Sunday School

10:15  AM               Celebration Worship                      “Who am I?”                         Luke 4:20 – 30

2/16  6:30  PM               Romans Bible study

2/20  7:30  AM               Men’s Prayer Breakfast

2/21 9:00  AM               Sunday School

10:15  AM              Celebration Worship                       “Gone fishin’”                   Luke 5:1 – 11

Lamplighter articles due for March issue

2/22  6:30  PM               Women’s Bible study

2/23  6:30  PM               Romans Bible study

2/28 9:00  AM               Sunday School

10:15  AM               Celebration Worship                     “Imitation faith”                  Philippians 3:12 – 4:1

February Birthdays

1 – Treva Gingerich                 15             Josie Johnson-Bull                               24            Carrie Lehigh

4    Jesse Doellinger                                    Tom Loucks

Krystal Myers                                    Donna Malone                                              25             Tony Lehigh

Lois Reynold            17       Elizabeth (Baugher) Shearer               26       Lorraine Snyder

Ed Lentz III                                                       Courtney Zellers

18              Helen Chronister                                         27             Dale Miller

9    Barbie Sue Spangler                  21             Walt Helfrich                                             28      Jordan Venable

10  Joseph Ritchey                                   Mark Frey, Jr.

12  David Ritchey                                         Jeff Kern

13  Dawn Spangler                        22             Jordan Spangler