There is a poignant scene recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 27:11-26. Pilate had been presiding at the trial of

Jesus. As the Son of God stood before Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus several questions. And Pilate found Jesus blameless, but the Jewish leaders clamored for His death. To appease the Jewish leaders, Pilate finally released Jesus to be flogged, ridiculed, mocked, scourged and ultimately put to death, although he really thought Jesus did not deserve such treatment and punishment. Just before Pilate released Jesus, he took water from a basin and washed his hands, symbolically washing away all responsibility he might have had for the coming crucifixion.Pilate tried to put the blame on the mob; on the crowd outside. He said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. This is your responsibility!” Perhaps all of us have at one time or another tried to place the blame for our actions upon another. No human trait is more common than this tendency to place the blame on

others or on circumstances or on upbringing, and thus try to wash one’s hands of all responsibility. It began early in human history, with the first people eager to avoid the results of their decisions. Adam told the Lord, “The woman You gave me, she is to blame!” And Eve also washed her hands, saying the serpent made her do it! In all our relationships: family relationships, church relationships, community relationships, office, social—in all of these settings the temptation is great to try to wash our hands of our responsibility for the consequences of our decisions and our behavior and our attitude.It is so easy to see the faults of others. It is so hard to really see our own faults and shortcomings. We wash our hands, publicly and privately deny our involvement, but we cannot fool God—and we cannot fool ourselves.There is another story of a wash basin. Recorded in John 13:1-16 is an event which is also in the closing hours of Jesus’ earthly life, but this is before Jesus was taken to Pilate for

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A Tale of Two Basinsby David Reames, Interim Pastoral Care Pastor

Being a church that reaches beyond its walls takes on many avenues of ministry. Technological advancements create opportunities to take God’s word and inspiration from the building into the homes and cars of those who cannot attend, given to someone who greatly needs words of encouragement and direction or used as an introduction and invitation to family, friends or someone who just moved to the area.Weekly audio and video of Sunday worship services are available on the MPC website but preceding that technology, services were available on tape and now on CD. Orders can be placed at Grand Central in The Commons and that’s when Bob and Esther take over!

For over 20 years Bob and Esther Crnkovick have faithfully showed up on Monday mornings to work on their volunteer ministry. They duplicate on tape or CD the previous day’s sermons, make labels, address mailing envelopes and fill the orders. Often requests are made for services from the past and they patiently locate the dates and make the copies. They consider it a joy in their lives to have carried this responsibility. Steve Williamson,

Worship Arts Pastor calls them “pillars of the church.” Don Smith, Interim Senior Associate Pastor and his wife Chris were blessed by their ministry as they faithfully listened and treasured the recordings of MPC services while serving in Kenya.Jason Spires will be assuming the continuing ministry of preparing and distributing the weekly CD’s. Jason and his wife Carol are long-time volunteers in various areas at MPC. He shares, “I willing continue the ministry so ably done by Bob and Esther knowing the blessing so many people receive by listening to the weekly services.” Orders for copies of services can be placed at Grand Central in The Commons.

Behind the scenes...

biweekly weavings of the community at Madison Park Church of God—March 25, 2015

January-March Beneficiary: HaitiMake a purchase at Holy Grounds and a portion of the proceeds will benefit MPC’s ongoing ministry in Haiti.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.

Abi Dawon leading worship during a Student Minstries service.

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Holy Week at MPC: March 29-April 5Considered the most sacred of weeks in the Church calendar, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and recounts the experiences of Jesus as he progressed toward the cross.

Maundy Thursday FellowshipThursday, April 2 at 7:00pm in The CommonsThe Gospel of Mark comes alive with Christian actor, Alan Atwood. Mr. Atwood will recite Mark’s account of the events that led to the cross. We will pause at the upper room account and partake of Holy communion around the tables.Following communion, men and women will separate to follow the Lord’s example in the ordinance of washing feet, if they so choose. This expression of servanthood can be one of the most spiritually powerful moments of the year.

Good Friday ServiceFriday, April 3 at 7:00pm in The Main AuditoriumAlanna Story will lead an evening of worship at the cross. Compelling music will focus attention on the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Saturday, April 4 from 1-4pm at MPCEaster Fun for Everyone! Activities include an Easter egg

hunt, a variety of Easter-related activities, and a special retelling of the Easter Story in way you’ve never seen before!

Easter at Madison ParkSunday, April 5 at 9:00am and 11:00am in the Main AuditoriumChoose from two service options:

• 9:00am — Features a glorious orchestra and choir.• 11:00am — Features contemporary worship and celebration.• Interim Senior Pastor Rolland Daniels will speak in both services.• Activity packets are available for children ages 4 through

5th grade as they attend worship with their families in the Main Auditorium.

• Child care is available for children age 3 and under.

Invite Family and Friends to Easter at MPC! Invitations at Grand Central

MPC offers a convenient and attractive way to invite friends and connections to church. Sized to fit in your wallet or handbag, the Easter invitations list service times and general information, and have room for you to personalize with your name and phone number. Invite your guests to meet you at Madison Park before the service—and buy them a cup of coffee or treat at Holy Grounds! Invitations are available at Grand Central.

JesusSermon Series

March 29, Palm Sunday— Jesus: Lord Matthew 14:22-33April 5, Easter Sunday— Jesus: Savior Matthew 27:24-54; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 5:6-8

News You Can UseBaptism Service: Sunday, April 12 at 9am and 11am in the Main Auditorium. Thinking about baptism? Learn what it means to follow Jesus’ example of water baptism in a one-time class offered either Sunday, April 5 at 10:45am in Room 177 or Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30pm in Room 177. Sign-up online to be baptized and register for the class or stop by the table in The Commons on Sundays, March 29 and April 5. Contact: the Pastoral Care Office.MPC Hiking Club: Enjoy the great doors, fellowship and better health - join a hike locally or special hiking adventures. Four hiking groups to choose from: Advanced, Intermediate, Weekday and Beginners. Upcoming MPC Hiking Trips include:• April 24-25: Knobstone in Southern

Indiana• May 12-17: Appalachian Trail

Connect on Facebook: Madison Park Hiking Group. Contact: Clint Short at (765) 208-0870.Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, April 1 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.Child Dedication Class—Time Matters: Sunday, April 19 at 9:00am in Room 181. Parents wishing to dedicate their child are invited to participate in this class. Learn more about why Time Matters and connect with other parents. Child Dedication will be held on Sunday, April 26 in the 9:00am and 11:00am worship services. To register for the class contact Paula Spear, Children’s Ministries Pastor.Camp Challenge: Church of God State camp for children and teens.Registrations:• Now–March 31: $199. • April 1–two weeks from camp date: $225.• Late Registration: $265.

Dates:• Young Explorer – June 11–13

Discounted registrations: $99, $110, $150• Senior High – June 14–19• Junior High – June 21–26• 3rd–4th Grade – June 28–July 3• 5th–6th Grade – July 5-10• 5th–6th Grade – July 12–17

• Adventure Camp – July 19–23 Special registrations: $299, $325, $365HopeKeepers: First Tuesday of each Month, at 1:00pm at the Pendleton Library, Community Room, 595 E. Water Street in

Pendleton. For individuals coping with chronic illness and pain. Does your condition keep you from enjoying life? Meeting with others who experience chronic pain may be just for you. Family members are also encouraged to attend. You are welcome and encouraged to join this journey of Hope. Facilitator: Linda Teeple at (765) 621-4607.

Children’s MinistriesPassport To Adventure: Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in the Children’s Center for elementary age children. An exciting travel adventure through many places that Jesus visited while He was on earth. Learn the stories of the many people He helped. Get ready and earn stamps on your passports.

Student MinistriesALL YOUTH EVENTSIMPACT—Junior High Ministries: • Teaching Focus—Obsessing:

Relationships: Sundays at 10:45am in Crossroads Auditorium; Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in Room 176-178.

• BELIEVE: Youth Conference: April 10-12. Cost $60.

IGNITE—Senior High Ministries: • Teaching

Focus—THRIVE (Ephesians 3:14-21). Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00pm in Crossroads Auditorium.

•STWOfferingfor video projectors/Church of God India project, each week at Ignite!

• Bible Studies: Sunday at 9:00am in room 180; Tuesday from 6:00-7:30pm at Williamson’s Home

• Spring Retreat at Camp Challenge: April 18-19.

Opportunities to ServeEaster Jam! Event Volunteer and Supply Needs: Roughly 13,000 pieces of wrapped Easter candy are needed for this year’s community event. Please drop off candy in the container in The Commons. Volunteers are needed prior to the event to stuff eggs, bag cookies and prepare craft and activity

bags. Volunteers are needed on the day of the event to set and clean up, be a roaming greeter, registration, and help with the various stations. Sign up in The Commons to volunteer or contact Paula Spear, Children’s Ministry Pastor or Ali Robinson, Early Childhood Coordinator.Park Place Food Pantry: MPC is joining

forces 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. It is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am-7:30pm. Volunteers are needed and appreciated to help in this ministry. Contact: Joe Womack

at (765) 620-9342.Peanut Butter for

Haiti: Help feed children and families

in Haiti by donating jars of smooth peanut butter—a

good source of protein. Donation tubs are available in The Commons

and the Children’s Center April 12 through April 30. Contact: Rob Fox, (765) 606-5191.Bereavement Team Leaders: Two persons are needed to head-up the MPC Bereavement Team. The team plans and implements dinners following a funeral service. This is a vital ministry of MPC, reaching out to families at their time of need. Contact: David Reames, Interim Pastoral Care Pastor.

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:Mary Fitch, Susie and Calvin, Daniel and Maddie Pleninger, on the loss of their husband, father and grandfather, James Fitch, on March 7.Carolyn and Bill Hall, on the loss of her sister, Martha Smith, on March 13.

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. March 25: Chicken and Noodles / Kids’

Option: Chicken and NoodlesApril 1: No Dinner due to Holy WeekApril 8: Taco Salad

Kids’ Option: Walking Taco

Wednesday, April 15 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.

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Executive Summary Results

PublishedThe Executive Summary for the

results of the recent churchwide survey has been completed and is available for download at madisonparkchurch.org.

Copies will also be available at Grand Central. Representatives from the Board of Elders and Search Committee will be available at Grand Central to answer questions you may have on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:00-6:30pm

and Sunday, March 29 from 8:30-9:00am and 10:30-11:00am. Questions also may be

emailed to the church office and either Clark Simpson (Board of Elders,

Chair) or Lisa Bitar (Search Committee, Chair) will

respond.

trial. Jesus had been trying to teach his disciples a new way of living which He might have called the servant-style of life. This they could not understand, so Jesus did something to teach them how they should live. You see, the disciples are like many of us: they wanted prominence, position, and power. Jesus cared for none of that. He taught that the way to greatness is not through influence, having “pull,” knowing the right people, being able to manipulate others, or tearing others down. Jesus taught the way to greatness is through serving others.Now the disciples were familiar enough with the way a servant bathed the feet of a guest who had entered the house, coming in from the dusty road. This was a common custom, the accepted thing in every household with guests. So they understood when Jesus took a towel, a basin of water, and began to wash their feet. Jesus was showing them how they should serve one another. He didn’t have to do this, but Jesus, the Son of God, took a basin—ah, this is not the basin of Pilate! This is the basin of humility, not pride. It is the basin of service, not arrogance. It is the basin of generosity, not stubbornness. The

basin of cooperation, not self-willed insistence on one’s rights. This is the basin of second-mile living; this is the basin of forgiveness, of servanthood; this is the basin of Jesus!Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be angry at someone—while you are washing their feet? It’s hard to speak poorly about someone—while you are washing his or her feet. The basin of Jesus. It is not overly used, then, or now; but there are some who have found the joy of forgetting the past, with its seeking honor and power; some who in humble service to others have forgotten themselves into immortality.Jesus was full aware He was about to be betrayed. Knowing this, He might easily have turned to bitterness and hatred; but it made His heart beat with even greater love than ever. The astounding thing is that the more people hurt Jesus, the more He loved them. Yet it is so easy and seemingly so natural to resent wrong and to grow bitter when we are insulted or caused harm. But Jesus met the greatest insult, the most hideous things mankind could throw at Him, with the greatest humility and supreme love.So, how about you today? Which basin is yours? Are you living out of Pilate’s basin?

With fear and hurt and blame and guilt and the stuff of life that is neither good nor helpful to you or another else? Still trying to wash your hands in an effort to wipe clean your sinful past? Friends, it just doesn’t work that way. This Easter, why not make the decision toward Jesus’ basin? The basin of forgiveness. The basin of restoration. Of hope and purpose.It can happen as we discard Pilate’s basin, and reach toward the Jesus basin. To each of us life offers two basins of water. One basin leads to self-destruction, loss of esteem, division in the body of Christ; it leads to sin; it sends innocent people to their suffering. This is the basin of Pilate.The other, the basin of Jesus leads to fulfillment, to joy, to victory. It leads to reconciliation, to cooperation, to the upward call of God. Life offers two basins of water; we choose which will be our life-style, and we live with the results of that choice. But we have to choose, and while we do, the whole universe holds its breath and prays you and I will reach for the basin of Jesus.

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

a comment at MadisonParkChurch.org.

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A Tale of Two Basins Continued from page 1

Tim Hawkins Live Concert with John Branyan: Friday, March 27 at 7:30pm in the Main AuditoriumTim Hawkins has been forging the magical blend between two comedic ideals: A genuinely funny comedy show that caters to the entire family. His stand-up material is vigorous, well-timed, and honed to perfection. His music stands on its own. Doors will open at 6:45pm. General Admission, Premium Seating Sections available. Tickets available at TimHawkins.net.

The BIBLE Tour 2015: Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm in the Main Auditorium

Live in concert: Steven Curtis Chapman, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath and Danny GokeyYour favorite artists bring the Bible to life through live performances of today’s biggest songs paired with epic visuals from The Bible Mini-Series. General Admission, VIP, Premium and a limited number of group rate tickets. Tickets available at TheBibleTour2015.com.

An Evening with Chonda PierceSunday, April 12 at 6:00pm in the Main Auditorium Tickets available in The Commons and the Church Office. For more information visit trinitycommunications.org.

Spring Concerts at MPC: