Merry Christmas! There are only so many days that

we get to use that greeting and only so many threads articles during this advent season. So again, I say Merry Christmas Madison Park family. When I think of this season of hope and joy, and the atmosphere that comes with all the festivities of parties and family get-togethers I cannot help but smile. Whether it is the carols and songs or the focus of the good news that Jesus has come for all people, Christmas is a season that invites us all back to the warmth of God and others.“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house” is the beginning line to the famous poem A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Moore. What I love about this poem is the imaginative way in which it brings the reader into this peaceful and exciting, yet cold story. I can feel the stillness of a cold December night as I read and sense the peaceful undisturbed home where no creatures were stirring. There is something extremely special about the peace that comes with knowing that we ourselves and our families might be in a cold world and yet there are brief

moments of warmth found in our homes.The poem goes on to show us that warmth was not the only thing that was present in this home! “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care . . . While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.” The gifts of care and creativity are two of the greatest gifts God has given. In this home we find love and we find excitement, dreams, and imaginations free to hope for a better morning. Yes, a home filled with love and creativity is a key ingredient to having a Merry Christmas. When all through the house…Now as you might know the poem continues on with a lot of clatter, rosy cheeks, gift giving, and a good amount of chimney shenanigans. But the reason this poem came to mind as I began reflecting on this Christmas season is because in the advent of Christ’s birth we are called upon to take a measurement of our

homes and our hearts. It reads in Luke 2:7, “she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in

cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” When

all through the house, is the beautiful line that helped frame the scene of a home that had peace, warmth, care, and imagination. The “home” in literature and in life

represents many things but most

Warm Homes by JJ Perry, Junior High Ministries Pastor

biweekly weavings of the community at Madison Park Church of God—December 14, 2015

October - December Proceeds benefit Dove Harbor

Make a purchase at Holy Grounds and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Dove Harbor women’s shelter.Come early or linger after the Sunday worship services to enjoy conversation and refreshments. Visit MadisonParkChurch.org to view the full menu.

Sundays, 8:30am-11:30amMasterCard, Visa and Discover accepted.

Worship ServicesSunDay9:00am - A blend of traditional and contemporary music, prayer, and teaching from God’s Word.11:00am - Features a praise band with distinctively modern edge and teaching from God’s Word.Classes are offered for all ages at 9:00am and 10:45am. Visit Grand Central, formerly the Information Center, for a complete listing of all electives or visit MadisonParkChurch.org, Ministries page.++

Madison Park Church is pleased to welcome Marc Sundstrom to our pastoral leadership team in the role of Senior Associate Pastor. Marc is married to Heather, his “best friend and closest companion.” Marc and Heather are the proud parents of four amazing and beautiful boys – Keaton (10), Ryan (7), Owen (4), and Carson (2). The Sundstrom family is moving to Anderson from Charleston, West Virginia where Marc was the Lead Pastor of Southridge Church of God.

Marc is originally from Newcastle, Wyoming. He attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming, completing three Associate’s degrees as well as a BA in English. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during this season of life and began a spiritual journey which would ultimately lead him into the ministry. Prior to accepting God’s call, Marc enjoyed a successful professional

career in insurance which prepared him for a unique ministry role as Administrative and Discipleship Pastor of Highland Park Community Church, a large and growing Church of God congregation in Casper, Wyoming.

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Welcome New Senior Associate Pastor

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December Sermon SeriesSundays at 9:00 and 11:00am And He will be called. . . Prince of Peace - December 20 Emmanuel - December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve Service

Thursday, December 24 11:00pm, Main Auditorium Make Christmas Eve at Madison Park a hallmark of your holiday celebration. Invite friends and family to enjoy a festive sing-along, a re-telling of the Christmas story, and a candle lighting ceremony. If the mid-night hour does not meet your family needs you are invited to attend Christmas Eve Services at 6:00pm at Park Place Church of God or East Side Church of God.

all Church Christmas PartyWednesday, December 16, 6:30-8:00pm in The Commons

From the youngest to the oldest are invited to enjoy an evening of Christmas activities. Begin with a delicious Roast Turkey and dressing dinner at Lighthouse Café from 5:00-6:30pm followed by hearing the Christmas story and a variety of activities everyone will enjoy. Make a Christmas ornament, decorate a Christmas cookie, take an elfie selfie and more. Contact: JJ Perry, Junior High Student Ministries Pastor or Christi Maidlow, Interim Children’s Ministries Pastor.

Dove Harbor/Texas Roadhouse Tips Day Friday, December 18, 11:00am-2:00pm Texas Roadhouse in Anderson The annual Texas Roadhouse Tips Day will feature delicious food with staff and friends waiting tables. All tips will be donated to Dove Harbor.

News You Can Use appreciation Celebration for Mickey and amanda Foley Sunday, December 20 in The Commons following each Worship ServiceYou are invited to stop by the reception table in The Commons and celebrate the lives and ministry of Mickey Foley, Spiritual Formation Pastor and his wife Amanda. They are moving to Orlando, Florida to work in full-time ministry at the Grace River Church. Bring a card or write a note of appreciation for their years of ministry at MPC. Light refreshments will be served.

Holiday Office and Church Site ScheduleAll Wednesday Evening Activities at church are cancelled on December 23 and 30Church Office (2200 Madison Square):• Closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25•Closed New Year’s Day, January 1 Worship Site (6607 Providence Drive):• Closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25•Closed New Year’s Day, January 1If you have an emergency during these times, please call (765) 642-2000 and the pastor on call will be notified.

Homeschool Family Co-op Information Meeting: Monday, December 21 at 6:00pm in Crossroads AuditoriumThe newly formed co-op will begin in January and provide opportunities for homeschooling families to join together in love, support, and encouragement, learning and growing. Come to this meet and greet meeting for more information. If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in participating in the co-op, please contact Missy Howard at mpccoop1@yahoo.com.

Stephen Ministry TrainingBegins on January 7 from 6:30-9:00pm - MPC’s Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community. Fifty hours of training helps equip persons for the Stephen Ministry. If

you are drawn to help people in their time of need contact, Nancy McCafferty at (765) 644-1472. MPC Small Groups: Various locations and meeting times. With more than 40 small groups from which to choose, Madison Park has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for a group that is just for men or women, volunteer-minded or Bible-study based, there is a small group that will deepen your faith and enrich your spiritual journey. You are invited to facilitate or join a Small Group. Contact: Jackie Corn, at the Church Office.

S.A.L.T. (Single Adults Living Truth)• Wednesdays at MPC: Join other singles

at a table to enjoy a delicious Lighthouse Café Dinner and fellowship.

Thursday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve Party.

Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, January 6 from 5:30-6:30pm in The Commons. MPC Parish Nurses conduct a free blood pressure screening for MPC-goers and community friends. Contact Sonia Smythe at sonia.smythe@ecommunity.com or Lynn Simpson, lynnsimpson75@gmail.com.

Children’s MinistriesParents night Out/Lock-in for Elementary age kids New Year’s Eve - December 31-January 1

from 7:00pm-8:00am in Crossroads Auditorium - Elementary age kids will enjoy a fun night of games, food and friendship by ringing in the new year together. Cost: $20, includes pizza and breakfast. Sign-up deadline is December 18. Contact: Shaiya Badgley at (765) 610-9586.

Quest - Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in the Children’s CenterIt’s time to Explore, Discover, Investigate and Learn! QUEST invites preschool and elementary age children to explore a Bible person, place or story through games, multi-media, drama and music.Quest III will launch on January 13The 5-week session will focus on Jonah.A Family Experience will cap the Jonah experience on February 10 at 6:30pm in the Main Auditorium.For more information or to volunteer, contact: Christi Maidlow, Interim Children’s Ministries Director.

Student MinistriesaLL yOuTH EVEnTSWednesday, December 16 - All Church Christmas Party 6:00-8:00 in Crossroads AuditoriumIMPaCT—Junior High Ministries: DecemberTeaching Focus—Jesus is

Born- Sundays at 11am in Crossroads Auditorium (doors open at 10:15am), and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in Rooms 176-178.

IGnITE—Senior High Ministries: •December Teaching Focus—Messiah

Wednesdays from 6-8pm in Crossroads Auditorium.

•Bible Studies: Sundays at 9am in Room 180

Opportunities to Serve

Medical Volunteers

Medical Volunteers are need to provide emergency medical assistance during regular worship services at MPC.If during, a regular worship service you are a ttending, a medical emergency arises, you would be called upon to assist in assessing the person and getting the attention they may require. Sign up at Grand Central if you would be available. Contact: David Reames, Interim Pastoral Care Pastor.

Blessings and Opportunities Madison Park is the home church to approximately 50 people residing in convalescent homes. Wonderful, Godly people who are almost desperate for friendship, for encouragement - to be reminded that somebody really cares. Here’s the opportunity, would you as an individual or couple or small group prayerfully consider “adopting” a person in a convalescent home, encouraging them, investing in them, perhaps sending them cards or creatively showing them love and care? We are truly blessed...in order that we can be a blessing to others. Contact: Jackie Corn, Administrative Assistant, Spiritual Formation, Missions, (765) 642-2000.

Wednesday, January 20 at 6:00pm in the Hospitality Room

Explore Madison Park provides the essential information you need to know before calling Madison Park Church your church home. The class answers questions such as who we are, what we believe, and our church membership process in a relaxed, fun, and interactive format. You’ll meet others who are on the same journey as you and begin the process of getting connected. Find details or sign-up in the Hospitality Room or online at MadisonParkChurch.org. Contact: Shelly Stottlemyer, Pastor of Connection Ministries. continued on page 4

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Lighthouse Café

Enjoy a freshly prepared meal and mini-salad bar in The Commons: Wednesdays from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. Cost: Adults-$7, Children and college Students with ID-$5. Family Plan: $25 for up to 7 people, $5 per each additional person. December 16 - Christmas Celebration: Roast Turkey & Dressing// Kids Option: Chicken Fingers & Fries

December 23 - Christmas: No Activities at Church

December 30 - new years: no activities at Church

Lighthouse Café &Holy Grounds

Purchase Holy Bucks for $1 and Lighthouse Café Meal Tickets for $7.

Great gifts/stocking stuffers! Proceeds benefit Missions around the world.

assuredly like in the poem and in the season of winter in which we find ourselves, it is a place of warmth and safety from the cold. As we read above, our Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ was born into a cold world where there was no room for him. Whether the nativity scene was in an open air stable or in a cave-like stable, the truth is that our Immanuel, our God coming to us was born into poverty, obscurity, and even rejection. This should remind us that our homes are not totally made up and represented by brick and mortar but also are found in our hearts.Home is where the heart is…I know it can be a corny statement, but it is true, home is where the heart is! And this phrase can help us this advent season in prayerfully and actively examining our homes and hearts. I have little doubt that while Mary and Joseph were forced to travel and found themselves among animals with no space for their family indoors, their hearts were certainly warm and filled with love. Thankfully, the birth story of Jesus does not focus around the cold world but rather that Christ did find a home and was given space in the hearts of his earthly parents.It did not matter to God whether the hearts of humanity were full or had any space or

warmth for the Savior wrapped in cloths. We can be thankful that our God sent the Son to save us and to bring us ultimate peace, true warmth, unrelenting love, and a freedom to create and do even more than we expect in his coming kingdom.When all through yOuR house…I challenge anyone who reads this article to take a moment to reflect and pray. 1. Does your literal home have any peace, warmth, love, and imagination in it? What will it take to find the great Joy that is for all in your actual house?2. Does your heart have any space for Jesus this Christmas season? Is your heart like the inn? 3. Lastly, have you thanked God for your home and your heart lately? No matter what shelter we call home and no matter what bitter coldness the world might bring to us, we are a blessed people in that we can find a warm place in the heart of God.4. Pray and think on how you might spread the warmth of Jesus Christ to others this advent season. Amen!

Share your thoughts on this article; visit the blog and leave a

comment at MadisonParkChurch.org.

Warm homes. . . Continued from page 1

• Dove Harbor Benefits - A variety of giving opportunities are available during the holiday season. Contact: Andrea Carlile at (765) 642-1853.

• The Christian Center - The Christian Center kitchen serves 85,000 men, women and children a year. Donations are deeply appreciated to enable the center to faithfully carry out this vital ministry. The Christian Center is located at 625 Main Street in Anderson. (765) 649-4264.

• Park Place Community Center - MPC partners with Park Place Church of God's Food Pantry, located in the community building behind the church on College Drive. The pantry gives food items to those who might otherwise have little to eat. Contact: Joe Womack at (765) 620-9342.

• Operation “Thank You" - Operation Thank You is our way of letting the ACS teachers know what a gift they are by providing much needed supplies: Tissues (any brand), Expo Dry Erase Markers (4 pack), Fiskars Scissors, Elmers Glue Sticks, Crayola Crayons (24 pack) or 12-pack Crayola Colored Pencils. Will you be Santa to the teachers and students at ACS this Christmas

Opportunities To Give

While at Highland Park, Marc combined his love for the Lord with his business acumen to manage the administrative affairs of the congregation. In addition to managing the church’s daily operations, Marc served as Owner Representative for Highland Park’s $20 million relocation project. He also developed His love for God’s Word, teaching frequently as he trained for the future Lead Pastor call for which God was preparing him. As if these responsibilities weren’t enough, Marc also completed his Master of

Arts in Christian Ministries through the Anderson University School of Theology.As Senior Associate Pastor, Marc Sundstrom will partner with Senor Pastor Paul Strozier as well as both staff and volunteer leadership to discern God’s unique future for Madison Park Church. As we clarify vision and pursue our congregational mission, Marc will assume priority responsibility for the implementation of the ministry strategy we embrace to help us fulfill God’s plan. We are truly blessed to welcome the Sundstrom’s to our Madison Park family and celebrate God’s provision of leadership for this exciting season of ministry.

Welcome New Senior Associate Pastor Continued from page 1

Contact UsMaILInG aDDRESS PO Box 2479 • Anderson, IN 46018

MaDISOn PaRK WORSHIP SITE 6607 Providence Dr. • Anderson, IN 46013

CHuRCH OFFICES 2200 Madison Square • Anderson, IN 46011 24-hour line: (765) 642-2000 • Fax: (765) 643-0976 Hours: M - F / 8:30am to 4:30pmwww.MadisonParkChurch.org

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Family News To submit a threads announcement regarding a birth or death, please contact the Pastoral Care office at (765) 642-2000.

In Sympathy with: • Hudson Akin on the passing of his wife, Karen Akin on December 1. • Jim Noggle on the passing of his mother, Marian Frances Noggle on December 1. • Philip and Chara Lavelle on the passing of his father, Philip Lavelle, Sr. on December 1.