January 2018

Our Vision:

Building Christian lives on a firm foundation.

Our Mission:

Grow in Jesus Christ ~ Encourage the Discouraged

Magnify the Lord ~ Seek the Lost M

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Bishop Bytes 2

Church Calendar 3

Birthdays & Anniversaries 3

S.A.M. Group 4

Women’s Ministry 6

Youth Update 5

Missions News 7

Inside this issue:

VOLUME XXXI I I , ISSUE 1

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

We wish everybody a Happy New Year. Your life can become more meaningful if you attend Sunday School and church every Sunday. All of the teachers spend time and effort each week preparing their lessons. In addition to gaining a deeper understand-ing of the Bible, you will be able to share your joys with friends and receive support for your difficult times from people in your Sunday School class who really care. See you in Sunday School, Connie and Jo Ella Maugans

MEN’S MINISTRY BREAKFAST

The monthly Men’s Ministry Breakfast will not meet during the month of January.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

The church office will be closed Mon-day January 1, for New Year’s Day. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Join us as we ring in the New Year from 8:00pm-

midnight. Bring your favorite game and a dish to share. Even if you are unable to stay until midnight, you are encouraged to come for the fellowship.

NEW ONLINE GIVING OPTION

Beginning in January, you will be able to make your tithe contributions online. MSCC will use the company HaloPays, which is associated with Sharefaith, the company who hosts the church’s website. You can use either your debit card or have your tithe directly withdrawn from your checking account using an ACH transaction. All infor-mation will be kept secure. You will create your own personal login and password, and you will receive a receipt for each donation. You will be able to designate to a specific fund as well. You will still receive a giving statement the end of the year for your donations. There are no fees for you to use this option. There will be links to the online giving site on MSCC’s website, www.mainstreetchristianchurch.com, as well as our Facebook page. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

BISHOP BYTES

Page 2 VOLUME XXXI I I , ISSUE 1

As I sit here in December writing an article for January, I have two words that have added new meaning to my life, “Physical Therapy.” Too many years of uncared-for sports injuries, bad diet and lack of stretching catches up with us as we grow older. Never has this become more apparent as it has now in my life.

I was speaking to Noah, my physical therapist, about what I thought might have been the cata-lyst for all of the pain in my legs. I was sure that it was from an old softball injury that never received proper rehabilitation. He assured me that the pain I have been experiencing was not the result of just one or two injuries. He told me that the combination of multiple minor inju-ries, like the nagging bumps and bruises, along with a lack of stretching and needed physical therapy in the past and a diet that was not ex-actly friendly to my body’s frame (a polite way of saying I had not eaten correctly) all added up to the current muscle and joint aches and strains that I have been experiencing. What he added next was important for me to hear if I don’t want to be back in his office again in the future. He told me, “Steve, your body didn’t get this way over-night and it won’t get fixed over-night.” What he wanted me to understand was that if I had utilized all the work-out, exercise, stretching, diets and exercise machines availa-ble, then I might not be experiencing the need-ed pain of physical therapy today. Truth is, I was in pain because of the multitude of bad choices made in my past.

The same can be said of our lives spiritually. There are many who are experiencing difficul-ties in their spiritual lives. They feel weak and helpless in their knowledge and relationship with God. Some have questioned the time and energy it takes to know Christ and understand the Bible and wonder if it is worth the effort while others are simply satisfied with their lives being status quo. There are even those who

want to do just enough to make it through this life and into eternity, not really understanding that God desires so much more from them. Francis Chan in his book, Forgotten God, writes “Sometimes the sin we take on be-comes such a part of us that it requires this same kind of tearing to free us. The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christ-like and this can be painful.”

There are countless study tools available to help us grow in our understanding of God’s word and in our personal relationship with Him. God in His great love for mankind gave us the best tool to exercise our spiritual lives when He gave us His Holy Spirit. Sadly, this tool is under appreciated by many. Listen to what Jesus said to His disciples, “You will re-ceive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusa-lem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

I know that if I stick to the plan Noah has for me that my body will feel better in the future. I also know that if we use the tools that God has provided, His Word and the power of His Holy Spirit, we can be in tip-top condition spir-itually. Let’s re-dedicate ourselves this year to becoming even more spiritually fit by using the power of the Holy Spirit to motivate us in be-ing His witnesses to all the ends of the earth.

Steve

1 New Year’s Day

OFFICE CLOSED

2 3

Praise Team

Practice 3:30pm

4

No Ladies Aid

5 6

No Men’s Ministry Breakfast

7

AKA 5pm

TF3 6:30pm

8

Board Meeting

6:30pm

9

CIA 6:30pm

10

Bus Ministry 9:30am (weather permitting)

Praise Team

Practice 3:30pm

11 12 13

14

AKA 5pm

TF3 6:30pm

15 16

CIA 6:30pm

17

Praise Team

Practice 3:30pm

18

Ladies Bible Study 6:30pm

19 20

21

AKA 5pm

TF3 6:30pm

22 23

Table Games

Night 6pm

CIA 6:30pm

24

Praise Team

Practice 3:30pm

25

Ladies Bible Study 6:30pm

26 27

28

Women’s Ministry Kick-Off 11:30am

AKA 5pm

TF3 6:30pm

29 30

CIA 6:30pm

31

Praise Team

Practice 7:30pm

4 Shai Smith 20 Ed Martin

5 Wayne Watson 23 Donna Walden

6 Wayne Janner 24 Noble Mills

Penny McKibben 28 Teresa Mooney

Sharon Sharp 29 Bev Rodgers

10 Josh Walden 30 Rita Hoagland

12 Matt Scott Sr. Madison Mansfield

14 Harold Linton Ed & Saralyn Martin

Larry & Cherie Helmberger 31 Rex Redding

15 Judy Scott 18 Stephen Bishop

VOLUME XXXI1I , ISSUE 1 Page 4

S.A.M. Group

Senior Adult MinistrySenior Adult MinistrySenior Adult MinistrySenior Adult Ministry

… JANUARY 2018 …

We are announcing our activities to place on your calendars for everyone, including your guests, 50 years of age and older.

B01 M2321456 On Wednesday, January 10, at 9:30am we will meet at MSCC Fellowship Building and drive to Kokomo to shop, pick up prescriptions, and eat lunch. Any questions, call Rosie 566-3896.

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On Tuesday, January 23, at 6:00pm we will meet at MSCC Fellowship Building for several different table games. Everyone is encouraged to bring your favorite snacks to share with others. Drinks will be provided. If everyone invites someone new to come and enjoy a time of warm fellowship with us, we would be able to double our numbers and our fun.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year’s Day

from the S.A.M. Ministry leadership team: Wayne & Donna Janner / Wayne & Shirley Watson

Joann Monroe / Charlie & Rosie Mills

Page 5 MAIN STREET MESSENGER

Happy New Year MSCC family!! I hope you had a fun and safe New Year’s celebration!! With the coming of a new year, many seem to consider changes they may need to make in their lives, wheth-er that takes the form of a resolution or a cursory evaluation of how we eat, spend money, or exer-cise, there is just something about the change in the calendar from one year to the next.

With reflection in mind, what might it look like if we did a personal faith evaluation. Have you ever considered why you believe what you believe? Knowing the answer to that question is the point of 1 Peter 3:15, when Peter says to be ready to give a reason for your hope in Christ. When we are prepared to share the reason for our hope, we have an opportunity to make an eternal impact on another child of God.

I recently finished a book titled Questions to All Your Answers: The Journey from Folk Religion to Examined Faith by Roger E. Olsen. This was a challenging read, as it took the time to breakdown some of the things churches have always done or said, without a careful examination of the purpose behind the action or statement. A book like this may be tough to finish if you get frustrated by the questions being asked, as you will find yourself being defensive at some points during the reading. However frustrating, knowing the reason for your beliefs will strengthen your faith. Remember, God can handle all of your questions.

Not too long after finishing the book above, I “coincidentally” read Jeremiah 35. In this chapter God sends Jeremiah to the temple to meet a group called the Rechabites and offer them a drink of wine. This group said that they would not drink as their ancestor, Jonadab, commanded them to stay clear of wine and to do a few other things that would keep them ready to move when Babylon invaded. It was at this point that God told Jeremiah to use the obedient Rechabites as an example to the rest of Judah. The Lord, through Jeremiah, declared in verse 14, “The words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk to this very day because they have obeyed their ancestor’s command. But I have spoken to you time and time again, and you have not obeyed Me!” God uses Jeremiah to compare the faithful Rechabites to the unfaithful people of Judah. At the end of the chapter in verse 19, God even blesses this group by saying, “Jonadab son of Rehab will never fail to have a man to always stand before Me.” The Rech-abites knew the command they were given, and they knew the reason for it. When the time came and Nebuchadnezzar invaded, this faithful group was ready to move. In fact, they moved into Jeru-salem.

Though our circumstances are undoubtedly different from the Rechabites, it is still critical to know what we are commanded to do, the reason behind it, and why we choose to believe it. Because of the Great Commission, we know that we are to share Jesus with others. We know that we are to share Christ so that all people will know His life saving love. The “why” is where you come in; this cannot be scripted out for any of us. The only way to make an impact for Christ in another’s life is by being genuine. We can never expect to have all the answers, but we must be ready to explain our faith. We can trust that if we do our part, God will do His part.

So, in this new year, please accept the challenge of examining your faith. Also, pray for God to put opportunities in your path to explain why you have the faith that you enjoy. Not only will you be blessed personally, but that blessing will extend to MSCC and the global church.

Ryan, out.

VOLUME XXXI I I , ISSUE 1 Page 6

After much time in prayer and consideration, the Main Street leadership has approved the organization of a Women’s Ministry team, co-chaired by Lee Ann Redding and Sophia Bishop and four other ladies.

Our mission is to encourage women to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, to strengthen their rela-tionships with other women, and evangelize women in our community.

This mission will be the standard by which we measure and base all ministry and event decisions. Our goal is to live out the mission statement through these four pillars of ministry:

· Study- We will provide women the opportunity to study God’s Word, through Bible study groups geared specifically to women. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every food work.”

· Service- Women need opportunities to serve others. This builds unity, encourages growth, and de-velops relationships. 1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

· Support – Women need safe places where they can find biblically-sound support. This is lived out when mature Christian women mentor other women who have recently come into a saving relation-ship with Jesus Christ or those who are struggling to mature in Christ. Ecclesiastes 4:10 “For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”

· Social- Women benefit from regularly meeting together with other believers. This will provide oppor-tunities for Christian friendships to grow and mature. Hebrews 10:25 “Not neglecting to meet togeth-er, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day draw-ing near.”

Upcoming news for January: The Women’s Ministry will host a 2018 Ministry Kick-Off on Sunday, January 28, to introduce our approved planned events and activities. This Kick-Off will also include a light lunch. You will be given the opportunity to sign up to help with an event/activity and use your gifts in teaching, organiz-ing, hospitality, music/worship, publicity, registration, encouragement, food, childcare etc. We look forward to seeing women of all ages, including the young ladies of the church, as we grow in faith and strengthen rela-tionships with each other and with God.

Page 7 MAIN STREET MESSENGER

THE ARK CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

This is an excerpt from a recent note sent by Bruce R. Cameron, Executive Director of The Ark Christian Ministries. Main Street Christian Church provides monthly financial support to The Ark.

Missions Team Leader, Carol Talbert

“Dear Partners in Christ,

Our partnership together changes everything. You show the camp students they are loved. You tell them they matter. You point them to the truth from Jesus and help them see that He created them uniquely as His own.

You offer hope. Hope can look like: • Delicious nourishing meals

• Quality, Bible Based, Christ Centered teaching

• Discipleship Directed small groups

• Mission Minded encounters

• Clean, safe, and comfortable accommodations

• Competent and caring staff

Your church’s partnership over the years has made it possible for young people to meet Jesus. Thank you for giving. You have spoken truth into young lives through your financial gifts to this min-istry. Your continued support ensures they will hear truth they can believe and hope in. Thank you for speaking Hope into their lives by donating today.

Thank you so much for your partnership in the Gospel. You are helping young people know the truth of Jesus!

Please pray for our young people using Ephesians 3:16 – 18.

Love and Prayers, Bruce R. Cameron”

220 West Main Street PO Box 155 Russiaville, IN 46979

Main Street Chris t ian Church

Office: 765-883-5265 Fellowship Building: 765-883-7613 Email: mscc9@sbcglobal.net www.mainstreetchristianchurch.com

Grow in Jesus Christ ~ Encourage the Discouraged

Magnify the Lord ~ Seek the Lost

WORSHIP S.S. TITHING

DATE LAST YEAR’S

AVERAGE: 126

LAST YEAR’S

AVERAGE: 88

WEEKLY

BUDGET NEEDS:

$ 4,346.40

November 19, 2017 116 84 $ 3,359.00

November 26, 2017 142 88 $ 2,929.00

December 3, 2017 123 79 $ 4,868.72

December 10, 2017 113 84 $ 4,590.00

December 17, 2017 117 78 $ 3,528.00

December 24, 2017 126 80 $ 2,593.22

December 31, 2017 n/a n/a n/a

Sunday School ~ 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship ~ 10:30am

Senior Pastor: Steve Bishop Associate/Youth Minister: Ryan Mills

Church Secretary: Carrie Mills

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday ~ 8:30am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:30pm

PASTORAL TEAM

Home Cell

Steve Bishop 883-7793 (863) 446-2234

Ryan Mills 883-1225 210-7719

Alan Anderson 854-0145 438-4824

Wayne Janner 459-8423 860-0941

Connie Maugans 453-4861 459-3941 (work)

437-1353 (cell)