Typically, January is a time for new beginnings, new ideas, new resolutions. For many of us who make those famous (or infamous) New Year’s resolutions, experience has shown that they usually last for an average of 17.4 days before we shrug them off and go back to former ways. It’s really unfortunate that so many good disciplines and activities and ideas are lost so easily.
There are several new things coming for us this year at MACOB. With the resignation of staff persons and new persons on the Leadership Team and in other positions of leadership around the Church, there will be obvious changes in administration, worship, study times, and activities. One thing in life is certain and that is change. Change is usually difficult, but it always provides opportunity for learning and growth. I pray we can together make this time of change and transition, a positive growing time of ministry and faith maturing for us all.
Another new thing: I have made a personal commitment to renewed prayer for our congregation. I will go through the directory and each week during my regular daily prayer times I will include a group of persons in a time of special prayer. I intend to send a letter to each person/family I will hold in prayer that week – asking how or in what ways I can pray for them during that week. At year’s end, I will have intentionally contacted and prayed for each member of the congregation. I would encourage each of you to also consider a more active, intentional time of prayer for our congregation.
Another new activity beginning this month is the formation of new small group study groups. Some are for Bible study, some for application of prayer as well as Bible study. All of them will afford you the opportunity to get to know new people and make new friendships in an open, non-threatening way. The groups really are not designed for religious professionals, but for anyone seeking to know people and God a little better. They are for the beginner, someone new to faith or for anyone just exploring Christianity and looking to learn something about the Bible, prayer, and faith. This is a real opportunity (actually opportunities!) to check out the Bible and its truth and the basics of prayer, while at the same time meeting new friends and having a general fun time. Don’t miss these invitations to grow, both spiritually and relationally.
A new year is a time of new beginnings. Let us approach this time with joy, anticipation, and a renewed commitment to God and His Word, and more closely examine our efforts to pattern our lives after the model of Jesus.
75th Anniversary: January Celebration!
Remember the first monthly anniversary Sunday is January 9. Rev. Warren Eshbach will speak, and other special events will recognize Rev. Gleim’s important contributions to our congregation. A pork and sauerkraut meal will follow the worship service. Please make a special effort to join us for that Sunday.
Looking ahead, on February 6 our guest speaker for the anniversary Sunday will be Rev. Joe Detrick from the district office. A meal will follow the service again. Each month during the year we will have an anniversary Sunday.
Bible Challenge Question
1. What book of the Bible is most often associated with locusts?
2. Who made the confusing statement of “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”?
3. On what occasion does the Bible record that heaven opened?
Nurture News
Our winter quarter of Sunday school classes is in full swing. The International Lessons class is studying ASSURING HOPE, a study of Isaiah’s prophecies about Jesus and their fulfillment in the gospel of Mark. The Discussion Class will be starting a new unit of study this quarter; the topic has not yet been decided. Classes for children and Youth are also in session. Be sure to be a part of this education in faith.
New Small Groups coming…
By far, one of the best ways to get to know people and learn about our faith at the same time is in a small group setting. Over the past few years, MACOB has been fortunate to be able to offer many different varied small group studies: prayer groups, Bible studies, Disciple classes, as well as choirs, Sunday school classes and many more.
With the start of the new year, more new opportunities will be available for joining this small group adventure. Already in the planning stages are a group for young marrieds about keeping your marriage strong, a new Bible study, and a renewed emphasis on the Men’s Prayer breakfast group, who will be studying a four session DVD series on personal holiness. More groups will be forming soon. If you have an idea or topic, please share your interest with Donna Malone, our Small Groups leader.
Please note: These groups are being designed for everyone, especially for beginners. They are valuable for everyone, whether you have had some contact with, and/or study of the Bible, or have never read a word of it and are interested in exploring what the Bible is about, what this Christian faith is about, what the Bible means for us today, how prayer can help me grow, and the like. It is for those of us who know next to nothing about the Christian faith and the Bible, as well as those who may want to go a little deeper. It’s a learning, growing experience that is a true blessing for all who participate. Meet new friends and learn more about your faith at the same time. It’s a win, win opportunity that can’t be beat. Join one of the groups now and check it out. It’s an invitation you won’t want to miss.
Missions & Outreach - MACOB
A big ‘Thank you’ for such great response throughout the last year’s special outreach missions, special offerings for many and varied ministries, and the many times you as a congregation gave over and above your regular offerings in response to a specific need; your love and compassion are especially evident in the many “gifts of the heart’ you have given to help those in need, the many extra offerings for the Blanket Fund (WOW), Disaster relief, GFCF, the support for CAS and local family needs, Giant Food cards, feeding the homeless, backpacks, and many, many more. As we look forward to a new year with new opportunities, we ask that you continue to remember our call to mission, with your prayers, support, and financial donations. The spiritual health of any congregation can readily be seen in the extent of the outreach And MACOB has been increasing its outreach giving every year. Let’s continue the good work.
It’s that Time of the Year
Yes, it’s bound to happen. Sometimes snow and/or other hazardous weather conditions may force us to cancel Worship services or other activities. If there is any doubt, please call the Church office – the message on the recorder will inform of any closings or cancellations – and listen to WSBA – AM 910 or WDAC – FM 94.5 on your radio.
Calling all Men
Don’t forget our monthly breakfast for all the men of the Church. We meet at 7:30 AM on the third Saturday of each month for a hearty breakfast, good fellowship, and a time of meditation and prayer. Starting in January, and continuing for three more months, we will be looking at and discussing a DVD series especially created for men. It’s titled “Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation,” and is led by Bruce Wilkerson. Each session will have a 20-minute DVD presentation and then time for discussion. Be sure to join us, and invite a friend outside our congregation to join us as well. We usually finish by 9 AM. This month (January) the date is Saturday, 1/15.
Annual Church Council meeting
Be sure to mark your calendar for the annual year-end Church Council meeting scheduled for 12:30 PM on Sunday, January 30th. A light Soup & Sandwich lunch will be provided for all at 12:00 (after Worship) prior to the Council meeting, to facilitate your attendance. Year-end reports of committees and Commissions, financial statements, goals, discussion on Worship, schedules, and staff, and much more will be presented. Be sure to attend.
Leadership Team meeting December 1, 2010
The Leadership team met for its last formal meeting of 2010 on Dec1st. Topics of discussion included plans for our 75th Anniversary celebration and monthly activities throughout the year for the celebration. (A calendar of scheduled events can be found posted on the bulletin board near the mailboxes) Other items of discussion included the organ and how we will proceed on repairing or replacing our present one; the possible installation of a video projection system in the Sanctuary; the wisdom and expense of installing a security system in light of our recent break-in and robbery; setting a date for our annual year-end Council meeting (see article below); the making of a pictorial directory for 2011 (75th anniversary edition); and a January retreat for the new Leadership Team to prepare for visioning and working together for this new year. The LT also discussed the Christmas party, the replacement computer, a new form for submissions to the endowment fund, the opening of staff positions of Youth Director and Minister of Worship, and other new staff including Church clerk and secretary. Complete minutes of the meeting are available on the information table at the mailboxes.
Souper Bowl
January brings on that great American tradition – the Super Bowl. Well, for some it’s a great tradition; for others it’s just a silly football game. But more important for us at MACOB, it provides an opportunity for us to remember those who may be struggling with putting food on the table because of a variety of economic reasons. In recent years we have maintained a fairly well-stocked ‘soup shelf’ of soups and other easily prepared non-perishables to help those who may be going through especially difficult times. You may contribute to this special outreach service to our community by purchasing soup (or other foods – spaghetti, sauce, cereal, vegetables, etc.) and placing it in the containers at either entrance for stocking our soup shelf. Or you may contribute money through the special offering emphasis with which we will buy Giant Food cards to also help persons buy perishables like bread and milk. Our special offering emphasis for January is the Souper Bowl. Please help.
Ministry News
With the new year come many new faces in leadership positions within the congregation. Also, considering the recent resignations of both our Youth Director and Minister of Worship, there has been quite a shifting of work and responsibilities among the staff. The Ministry Team would seek your sincere prayer and heartfelt input as we explore our options for replacing those staff positions or rewriting the positions’ descriptions and purposes to allow for different foci in ministry. Where are we focusing our ministry in the near future? Please give sincere thought and prayer to the staffing changes here at MACOB and also helpful support to those persons in new leadership positions.
Answers to Bible Challenge questions:
1/ Joel (1:4, 2:25) 2/ John the Baptist (John 1:30) 3/ Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:16)
January Birthdays
1 Dustin Ritchey 19 Jenna Veverka 27 Breanne Spangler
3 Gloria Miller Malec Snyder 28 Stacy Loucks
10 Elmer Gleim 20 Becky Rishel 29 Brenda Laughman
12 Janis Keeny 22 Greg Gross, Jr. 31 Mike Billet, Sr.
14 Jerry Duncan 23 Brenda Baugher
18 Luke Keeny 24 Gail Koskela
A Farewell Message
I could not leave this place after being here my whole life without extending my sincere thanks to each and every one of you for your part in making and growing me into the person I have become. I will take with me many memories – good, bad, happy, sad, challenging, rewarding, stretching, growing, joyful, and yes, even painful. But each one of these has contributed to my growth, and therefore, I am extremely grateful for each one. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow in my faith walk, to serve you as your Minister of Worship, and to explore my calling from God – a call that you so wisely saw and acted upon. If we are to be true Disciples of Christ, then we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones – our boats – and follow Him to wherever it is that He leads us. If we are not willing to do that, then we have not truly surrendered our lives to His will.
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on each one of you, that you may experience his transforming power and work in your lives and in the life of this church, so that His work here may be accomplished. Blessings to each one as you celebrate the 75th anniversary of this church – how exciting! Until we see each other again – may God richly bless you as you live and work for the furthering of His kingdom here on earth!
(Feel free to stay in touch: email- kgingerich897@gmail.com, or phone # 717-586-1874)
With deepest regards,
Pastor Kiim
January 2011 Worship Calendar & Schedule
1/2 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Seeing clearly” Matthew 2:1 – 12
1/3 6:30 PM Women’s Bible study
1/6 6:00 PM Handbell Choir practice (every week)
7:00 PM Adult Choir practice (every week)
1/9 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship 75th Anniversary Worship
Recognition of Rev. Elmer Gleim (& family)
Rev. Warren Eshbach preaching
Noon – Celebration meal – ya’ll come!
1/12 7:00 PM Leadership Team meeting
1/15 7:30 AM Men’s Prayer Breakfast
1/16 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worshi “Taking out the trash” Joel 2:18 – 27
Lamplighter articles due today for February newsletter
1/17 6:30 PM Women’s Bible study
1/22 9 AM – 1 PM Leadership Team Retreat
1/23 9:00 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Roadblocks” Numbers 22:15 – 35 Ralph Miller preaching
1 /30 9:15 AM Sunday School
10:15 AM Worship “Guilt/Temptation/Joy!” Matthew 3:13 – 4:1
12:00 noon All Church light Lunch
12:30 PM Annual Church Council meeting
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