A Devotion from Daniel

July the 10th we will begin a new sermon series here at Meadowbrook that will carry us through the summer months of July and August.  We have spent the last four months in the book of Romans.  In Romans, Paul showed us over and over again that this Christian life is unique… it is not of this world.  This new sermon series, I hope, will continue this message.  Reminding us that we are citizens of Heaven, and that this world is truly not our home.  The truth is though some of the most challenging teachings in scripture didn’t come from any apostle. Some of the most counter cultural teachings that we have as Christians have come right from the “horses’ mouth”.  It is the words of Jesus that should challenge us as believers the most.  When we claim the title Christian, we are striving to be Christlike… no easy task. But the ease of the job is not why we undertake it. Do we really want to reflect Christ in our lives? Do we really want to follow all of His teachings or are we satisfied with jumping on the bandwagon and doing the easy stuff? Do we want the eternal life without the cross? This summer we undertake a sermon series entitled “Things I Wish Jesus Never Said”.  Teachings straight from Jesus’ mouth that will challenge popular thought. Teachings that, in truth, life would be easier if we ignored… but we were not called to the easy. If we are ready to bear our cross, we must be ready to follow Jesus’ teachings even when they are the antithesis to everything the world says is right and proper. So, what did Jesus teach about…
– The love of money
– Praying for our enemies
– Hell
– Denying self
– Being accepted by the world
– Denying God before men
– Turning the other cheek
– Our relationship with God compared to friends and family
I do believe that, if we will allow it to, this series will challenge us and expand our understanding of just how extreme being a follower of Jesus can and should be.  I am pretty confident in saying that as I prayed over this list of teachings, there is not one among us who can say there is nothing we can learn in these topics.  Sanctification is a continual process, let’s keep pushing forward together.  Thanks for being my Church family.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Message from Anthony

Also, seven of our youth went to Wolverine Christian Service Camp for JR HIGH camp and one made a decision for Christ!  Praise the Lord!

A Devotion from Daniel

The comments below are from the year-end gathering for the Sisters In Service small group that operates out of Meadowbrook.  I was invited to speak to this group of ladies who serve our community.  Please note these comments were written and delivered prior to the tragedy we witnessed in Uvalde TX.  But in light of that tragedy, I thought I would share them with you all here as well.

I first want to thank you all for inviting me and my family to be here tonight, and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you all.  Every once in a while, it is nice to be able to speak outside of the “pulpit setting”.  It gives me a chance to speak to all of you a little more directly and lets you all get to know me a little more personally.  Sometimes speaking in a smaller group setting like this also affords me the ability to speak on subjects or about subjects that in the moment don’t naturally coincide with what our Sunday sermon series is speaking about.

So as I sat last week and prepared these remarks, what was on the forefront of my mind was violence.  Specifically, the bloody weekend our nation just saw as a spurt of high-profile mass shootings occurred all over the country.  It began on Friday in Milwaukee WI.  After an NBA playoff game, 21 people were shot as two rival gangs exchanged gunfire in three incidents across the city.  Then the next day an 18-year-old walks into a supermarket in Buffalo NY and opens fire killing 10, including the elderly, in an apparently racially motivated crime.  Sunday, in what has become a disturbing trend of places of worship coming under attack, a presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, CA was attacked by a gunman killing one and injuring five.  In other shooting news, an arrest was made in a high-profile case in Dallas TX where a gunman shot three unarmed employees, in what is yet again being labeled a hate crime.

My mind spins as I watch this coverage. I watch the politicians and the pundits all spring into action ready to demonize and accuse. Ready to tell you exactly why this happened and how we can fix it if we would only vote for them or tune in at 11:00 to give their ratings a boost.  Some will tell you this is a gun problem… we have too many of them and they are too easy to get.  Some will also tell you this is a gun problem… we don’t have enough of them, so the bad guys have free reign to be bad.  Some will tell you it’s racism, Caucasians killing African Americans, African Americans killing Asians etc.  Some will tell you it’s mental illness and we need to have more and better access to doctors and medications.

Now if you’re expecting me to go into long political rant about the evil democrats or the greedy republicans don’t hold your breath. I find that when confronted with the nasty ugly realities of the fallen world we live in, it is much more effective to look to scripture for truth and solutions than it is to try to set fire to the “other”.  Because, at the end of the day, my goal is not to be proven right in my political opinions.  It is to see God’s name lifted high, it is to see an army of people marching alongside of me of all colors, making our way to the gates of heaven one day, when the father calls us home.

This is why I love small groups like sisters in service who come together to serve the community.  Look, it should come as no surprise to you that the world that we temporarily call home is full of evil.  It should be no surprise to you because if you know God’s word, you should know that this world became dark the moment Adam and Eve ate from that tree breaking God’s perfect creation. It took but one generation for violence and murder to rear its ugly head didn’t it.

I always think back to how God’s chosen people fall in the times of the Judges.  We look back at the last three chapters of Judges and we see a people so broken in a world so dark.  We witness one of the most horrific rapes/and murders ever recorded.  We read about Israel kidnapping women, essentially trafficking them for their own benefit.  We read about one of the tribes being slaughtered to the point of near extinction.  It is dark.

Sadly, it reads very much like one of our newspapers today.  I’m not trying to be bummer, I promise.  I know that you all are gathering tonight to celebrate a year of good work.  I just want you to remember two things as you reload and recharge for next year.

1. Do not be surprised that our world is so dark.
2. Never grow numb to the pain the darkness causes.

I tell you not to be surprised, because if you forget or neglect to acknowledge the evil, you are forgetting that you have an enemy.  An enemy that Peter tells you in 1 Peter 5 is prowling like a lion. An enemy who comes to kill and destroy.  We cannot become surprised that he is doing exactly what he has always done and what he will always do until he is cast into the pit in final battle between good and evil.  If you truly believed hungry lions prowled the parking lot here at Meadowbrook, would it change the way you walked to your car tonight? Of course, it would. You would be foolish if you just skipped out to your car tonight smelling of delicious meatballs.  If you believe that there is a lion that wants nothing more than to consume you and those you love you would be very intentional with your movements, your plans.  You would plan every step, you would arm yourself, you would warn others of the imminent danger that was ready to pounce. 

I tell you not to grow numb to the evil because that numbness quickly becomes apathy, apathy turns a heart lukewarm. You should hear the stories of human suffering and it should always break you. I’m confident in telling you this because what I see in scripture in the life of Jesus that he never grew numb to it.  Think about it, John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is an eternal part of the trinity.  Meaning that all the evil man has ever committed, Jesus was aware of and present for.  Cain and Abel, Sodom, babies sacrificed to Baal, war, murder, all of it.  You would think that after thousands of years of genocides, kidnappings, droughts, and famines, that when Christ became man and walked this Earth, you would think he would be numb. You would think that he would just be disgusted by the brokenness and evil. That he would just have wanted to just show up and do his job and get out of there, defeat death asap and get back to the place where the streets are golden.  But He came and He did the opposite.

How many times off the top of your head can you remember Jesus reaching out to someone in their moment of real tangible, physical distress and meeting the need put in front of Him.  I couldn’t list them all here if we spent all night together.  How about the woman caught in adultery, about to be stoned for her crime, who stepped into the middle of the fray and convinced the hypocritical men to put down their rocks? How about the blind man sitting by the fountain, who took the time to rub that mud into his eyes and restore his site? How about the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him down to Jesus in the middle of a teaching? In that moment, the restoration of that man took top priority.  Jesus understood the real suffering that this broken world inflicts on its inhabitants, when John the Baptist was beheaded at the whim of a tyrant and a teenage girl… Jesus mourned and sought out a place where he could be alone.  When someone he loved died, Lazarus… Jesus wept.

Jesus was not surprised by the darkness; he had seen it all… Jesus was not numb to suffering.  This is why groups that are the hands and feet that see needs, that see places where they can push back against the darkness, where they can relieve some sufferings, even momentarily, are so important.  They are important because they reflect the nature and character of our Lord and savior: whether you are providing a meal for someone who is hungry, giving a jacket to someone who is cold, providing a bed to someone who is without.  When you do these things, you are showing someone that you too are not surprised or numb to their hurt.

Here is what I want to leave you with and encourage you with as you all plan for how you will serve your community next year.  It’s a question.  Why did Jesus meet all of these people’s needs? Yes, he had compassion on them, of course, but what was the overwhelming reason he acted?

1. To call sinners to repentance
a. Remember that woman caught in adultery? When the crowd left, when they all went home to their glass houses. Do you remember what Jesus said to her? He says woman where are your accusers? He says I don’t condemn you either, go and sin no more!
2. To bring glory to the Father
a. Everything Jesus did, especially the blessings and the healings and the care that he bestowed upon people, it was always done under the big picture of the Father’s will.  It was always so that God’s nature would be made clear, and that the creation would be drawn back into relationship with the Creator.

As you all prepare to get back out there keep your vision focused.  You are not just a group of ladies who likes to do nice things for people.  You are not just a group of women who feels bad for those who go without.  You are sharing the Gospel with a world that needs it desperately.  You are being the hands and feet calling the lost back to the Father.  You are bringing the hope of a Savior to world that is in desperate need of one.

Message from Anthony

Wolverine Christian Service Camp

We have some good news to share regarding the status of Faith Promise!

New Meadowbrook Christian Church Website

Off-Campus Youth Group

The MCC youth group has started meeting off campus for the summer.  A text will go out to all the youth parents with the location address by the Wednesday before the following Thursday event.  All MCC youth group meetings from June through August will be held on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm.  All weeks have been filled to host the youth group by various families.

Vacation Bible School – August 2022

A Devotion from Daniel

I have really been enjoying our time together strolling through the book of Romans.  I know for most of us that this is not the first time that Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome has been opened up for you and/or by you.  There is good reason for this as this letter is rich in information that is useful and applicable to us as “modern” humans.  For myself approaching this letter specifically for this sermon series as a user’s manual has brought new perspective and appreciation for the apostle Paul’s longest letter.

I thought it may be useful to recap some of the steps or commands that we have been given so far.

1. The remembrance of our sin, both past and present helps us to remain humble, and keeps us true to our mission.
2. Our Mission is to open the eyes of the foolish to the love letter that is creation all around them.
3. Do not be ashamed of the Gospel that saved you.
4. Do not be a hypocrite.
5. Understanding your audience will help you build a Christian testimony that is impactful.
6. Jesus changes everything.
7. Choose a master that will have you harvest the crop you desire.
8. Our dollar store barbie bow is never going to hit the bullseye.

This list will grow over the next 9 weeks.  It is important to remember that unlike your owner’s manual for that piece of particle board furniture you recently purchased these steps while numbered above are not in any particle order.  I would hope that each of us could look over this list and see not only what step they need to focus on, but I hope you have seen why each step matters.  That you have seen why getting each particle step right is going to make your walk with your savior more impactful, for yourself, your household, and to the world that you come into contact with each and every day.

Think of it this way.  Maybe you have step 6 down.  You know and believe that the life death and resurrection of Jesus changed the game completely… but you’re still walking a line trying to serve two masters.  Step 7 is where you need to focus before you keep moving forward.

Maybe you are sold out and you are serving the King with everything you have, serving no other master than Him.  But you are not being effective reaching the non-believers in your community.  Perhaps you need to take some time and learn step 5 and understand the audience you are trying to reach.  Learn their fears, learn what brings them joy.

Perhaps you know your audience well, you know that God wants you to reach out to those who you have the ability connect with on a level as piers, but fear has a hold of your tongue and the idea of sharing the Gospel publicly sends shivers down your spine.  You need some step 3 in your life and remember that you are to be unashamed of the Gospel that saved you.

Hopefully you get the point, don’t tune out if one week, one chapter is not the one that speaks to you where you are.  Be encouraged to know that it is speaking to someone.  Helping them to become the disciple they are called to be.  Look at the list honestly and earnestly, the truth is no one has it all figured out.  No one can open the book of Romans, yawn, and declare that they have no need for the wisdom and insights found within.

Each day is new. Each day we have the opportunity to continue the process of becoming more like our master.  It is a new day here at Meadowbrook, let’s make the most of it together.

Message from Anthony

Relational Worship: Keeping Our Pride in Check

The condition of our heart directly impacts the quality of our worship. “Too often we assume that the prime prerequisite for serving Jesus well is great giftedness, immense talent, or impressive academic credentials. Yet Peter and most of the disciples were ordinary fishermen from a backward part of the country. They were nobodies until Jesus called them.” (Dave Earley & Ben Gutierrez, Ministry Is)

I’ll reluctantly admit, I’m a fairly skilled musician. I can play several instruments, and while I’m not a prodigy at any of them, I can effectively and mechanically use them to play most music that is thrown my way. I’m also a halfway decent vocalist. I’m no Whitney Houston but I can stay on pitch and lead as well as follow vocally. These are just a few of the gifts that God has loaned me to use as I seek to teach others about Him.

Every gift we have been loaned by God can be a great blessing if used for its intended purpose, but it can also be a huge source of pride. That pride is a killer when it comes to a relationship with God. Pride causes us to take the spotlight for ourselves when we really should be pulling back the stage curtain for God. Often, we neglect relationships as a result of our increased self-focus. Most importantly, we neglect our relationship with God.

I’m intimately familiar with this danger because I’ve been through it myself. As a brand-new worship leader many years ago, I was excited at the opportunity. I’d never been “the guy” before, and I was quite proud that I was “in charge” of worship. After all, I believed that I was the most capable guy on the team. I was so focused on myself that I didn’t notice the worship team shrinking. I didn’t notice the hurt feelings of those around me who desired nothing more than to offer their gifts up to God. I didn’t understand why I was having difficulties effectively leading others.

I certainly didn’t understand why the pastor and elders called me in on a Saturday afternoon and asked me to step down as the worship leader. I had completely missed the mark when it came to leading the team, and I had gotten so far off course that I didn’t even know where I had gone wrong. I had taken my eyes off God, and therefore stopped following Him.

“Getting sidetracked is so easy… What you do for God is only a reflection of the relationship you have with God. If you want to do great things, you need to have a great relationship.” (Ali Worthington, Breaking Busy).

We cannot put ourselves in the way of our relationship with God, there just isn’t any room for self-centeredness in a truly dedicated Christian heart. We have to be totally about God’s glory and serving His people with encouragement and humility. I had to learn that lesson very painfully as my pride was broken to bits in that church office.

But I can honestly say it was one of the best lessons I’ve ever had as a worship leader, and it was crucial in preparing me to lead our team today. When our pride is kept in check, we see how much others truly matter. I’m okay with not being “the guy.” That’s not what God wants of me or anyone else. He wants us to be PART of the body, not trying to be the whole body on our own. We’ve got to be more concerned about others than we are of ourselves.

As Paul says in Romans 13:3-12:

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body, we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

In essence, “Your lifestyle should reveal what and who you really are.” (Oscar Thompson & Caroline Ritzman, Concentric Circles of Concern). Toss that pride aside and find the joy in serving.

Emergency GAP Meal Pack for Ukraine

 The Ukrainian people are still facing the threat of the Russian invasion. IDES has sent four shipping containers – over 1 million GAP meals to our partners in surrounding countries in order to assist them in caring for the refugees that have fled to their refugee camps.

IDES is working with additional partners to get GAP meals to those who remain in Ukraine. IDES in Noblesville, IN is hosting an Emergency GAP Pack in order to have another container shipped to their partners.

Emergency GAP Meal Pack Details:

 When:
May 9th – 14th 2022

Where:
IDES Headquarters
(355 Park 32 West Dr. Noblesville, IN 46062)

Times:
Monday – Thursday
10am – 12pm
1pm – 3pm

 Friday – Saturday
10am – 12pm
2pm – 4pm
6pm – 8pm

IDES needs volunteers like you to help pack 260,000 meals for those in need! If you would like to volunteer at this food pack, please reach out to Mike Tingley.  If you are unable to volunteer, but would like to donate, please place your donation in the offering plate indicating IDES in the memo line. Together we can bring Help & Hope to the Ukraine people in their time of need! Thanks for your support!

Summer camp registration starts May 1st.  Come see Anthony for camp dates and registration help. Financial assistance available on a case by case basis. Want to sponsor a child for camp this year? Connect with us and bless one of our youth this summer!

Our MCC youth group will be meeting off-campus for the summer from June through August on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm.  If you are interested in hosting the youth group at your home and providing a meal and space for the youth, please sign-up for a date in the summer on the sign-up sheet in the foyer.

There will be a VBS team meeting after service on June 12th for all volunteers.  Haven’t signed up yet? Many spots are still available to help!

A Devotion from Daniel

Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of “be the hands and feet of Jesus”?

I’m sure you have.  You have probably even said it yourself many times.  As Christians we are taught that we have a responsibility to continue Christ’s mission here on Earth.  He came to this Earth to draw the lost close to the father.  If that was Jesus’s mission it is ours as well.  We gather around The Great Commission; the command Jesus gave His followers in Matthew 28.  We know that the “good news” is to spread to the entire world.  That we are to baptize these people in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.  We know that we are to teach them to obey the teachings Jesus gave us.  We know that by being the hands and feet we can draw the world towards the one true God so that we can accomplish this mission.

When our savior walked the Earth, He drew people towards the father by healing the sick, freeing the spiritually oppressed, feeding the hungry, and loving the un-loveable.  Our Churches today for the most part do a very good job at emulating this model.  We have become very efficient and comfortable running food pantries or soup kitchens to feed the hungry.  We send doctors and medicines all over the globe to bring healing.  We have prison ministries to bring hope and forgiveness to those far from society.  We send money all over the globe to house, feed, and educate orphans.  We love people because we want them to see Jesus held high on a post, to be drawn towards him and decide that they too would like to step into the light.

I could walk into just about any size Church in this country with any denominational sign hanging in its front window and I could find different ways that that community of believers there were being the hands and feet.  But how would we respond if we were asked to be the hands and feet in a situation that we never thought we would be asked to serve in?

This week as war erupted in Ukraine, I read a letter from a Pastor in Kyiv.  A young man about my age who also has four daughters.  He and his congregation had decided to stay in the capital in spite of the pending invasion so that they could serve the community they lived in during the worst of times.  Instead of collecting non-perishables for the local food pantry, they were busy converting their basement into a bomb shelter.  Instead of taking up a collection to support an orphanage they were giving free first aid classes teaching folks how to keep airways clear and apply tourniquets for when the fighting arrived at their front door.  They were preparing to be the hands and feet in conditions that they were not in any way shape or form prepared for or comfortable with.

Why? Why not flee?  Why not save your lives, your children’s lives, your neighbor’s lives by getting out of the line of fire?  Pastor Vasyl said “We have decided to stay, both as a family and as a church. When this is over, the citizens of Kyiv will remember how Christians have responded in their time of need.”

When you have a moment this week read Matthew 25, specifically verses 31-40.  Keep feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, keep visiting the sick, keep caring for the orphans and widows.  Keep doing the things that we are good at as a Church but remember we must also be prepared to go above and beyond, to be made uncomfortable in order to fulfill our Great Commission.

Message from Anthony

Relational Worship: Grounded in God

 “Jesus, lover of my soul. Jesus, I will never let you go. You’ve taken me from the miry clay, set my feet upon the rock and now I know… I love You. I need You. Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go. My Savior, my closest friend. I will worship you until the very end.” (“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” Ezzy, Grul, McPherson)

The first and most important relationship for any Christian is a firm and well-rounded relationship with God. Our relationship with God is the very evidence of our Christianity, our desire to be “like Christ” in everything we say and do. We maintain and demonstrate this relationship through worship – not just the songs we sing on Sunday morning, but in every aspect of our lives. We worship Him in our family interactions, our work performance, our words, and our actions.

Every moment is a chance to show others what a true relationship with God looks like. If we really value our relationship with God and are truly thankful for the sacrifice that He made on the cross for our sins, then every aspect of our lives will reflect Him. In her book Breaking Busy, Alli Worthington says “I think that sometimes we Christians forget how special it is that we can have a relationship, a real, close, personal relationship with God.” and she is exactly right.

We take the privilege of that relationship for granted, especially here in the United States, because that privilege is never challenged. We don’t have to worry about someone taking away our “right to worship” or bulldozing our church buildings. We always have the comfort of knowing that God is “right there on the shelf” whenever we need Him. But that type of a relationship is not the kind of relationship that will inspire others to worship! We cannot lead others to a place that we are not going ourselves, and that includes leading them to a deeper and more committed worship of God.

Oscar Thompson and Caroline Ritzman put relationships in perspective in their book Concentric Circles of Concern (which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to take evangelism to the next level). One of the quotes that really sticks with me is this: “A person can never lead another closer to the Lord than he or she already is. Evangelism must flow from a life that is deeply in love with the Lord.”

You see, our talents and gifts mean absolutely nothing without a committed focus on God first. The privilege we are afforded because of the tremendous work of Christ is unique. We are offered a relationship, and it’s through that relationship that we will reach others.

There’s nothing we can do outside of that relationship that is going to accomplish the task of leading others to walk closer to Him. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

Just as we cannot attain salvation for ourselves outside of our relationship with God, we cannot lead others without Him. As we noted a few weeks ago in our CounterCultural series, God isn’t in the head business, He’s in the heart business. God is more concerned with our heart than anything else, because the condition of our heart is what drives everything we do. Be driven to shine your light everywhere, because there’s a dark world out there that needs to hear about Jesus’ love.

Movie Event – Sponsored by the Missions Team

• The Youth Group has raised $183.22 of their $500 Mission goal this year!  Their goal is to donate $250 to ChildFund International – a group that provides basic needs for children all over the world, and $250 to put together 10 Thanksgiving food baskets for our community families who need them this year.
• The Youth Group will be attending the Zach Williams concert scheduled to come to Michigan on April 22, 2022 at 7pm at Mt Zion in Clarkston.  The youth will have first priority as to the tickets, but any remaining tickets will be available to the rest of the congregation starting April 1^st on a first come first serve basis.  Please see Anthony Knotts with any questions. Some financial assistance may be available.
• Our MCC youth group will be meeting off-campus for the summer from June through August on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm.  If you are interested in hosting the youth group at your home and providing a meal and space for the youth, please sign-up for a date in the summer on the sign-up sheet in the foyer.

Church Calendar

If you would like to book a space at the church building for an event, please contact Brenda Cox with the date, time, building location, and any other pertinent details, and she will add it to the church calendar to prevent overlapping events.  Her email is bmcox66@gmail.com and cell phone number is 586-615-1614.

Bethany Thomas – March 4
Jim Cavins – March 4
Jessica Riedl – March 10
Kathi Tope – March 20
Nancy Paul – March 20
Joe Romaella – March 24
Jacquelyn Thomas – March 25
Mike Tingley – March 28
Marion Thomas – March 31

A Devotion from Daniel

All societies and cultures have these rights of passages at different times in life that signify the beginning of, or the end of something.  The Jewish faith has their Bat Mitzvah when a boy becomes a man.  Many Hispanic communities celebrate a Quincea-era when a young girl becomes a young lady.  In our country, in general, there are some that are more common among the general population.  Maybe it is the freedom of acquiring a driver’s license or turning 18 so you can vote… and pay taxes.  Perhaps it is graduating from high school or heading off to college.

These pre-described cultural standards help us to know what is coming next.  They help us define responsibilities and are also useful in knowing what we can expect or ask of someone.  Many times, knowing what thresholds an individual has surpassed lets us know what they may be capable of.  Or at least it makes us think we know what they are capable of.  Because these norms are usually accurate in defining someone.  But they aren’t always.  If I describe a very successful person to you, someone who built a computer company let’s say into a billion-dollar conglomerate you would assume they passed the life test of college… but many who find themselves in this position are dropouts.  As we all know every “rule” has exceptions.  We have all met 17-year-olds mature enough to vote or own a firearm and 25-year-olds who we wouldn’t trust to cat sit for us.

Here is why I am thinking about these milestones of life.  The other day I changed the type of product I use to style my hair (that may be the least masculine sentence I have ever written).  Anywho, I was paying extra attention to the mirror as I applied this new gel to see if I liked it and I saw something I had never seen before, a grey hair.  I looked closer and closer and to my horror, I saw it wasn’t one, or two… it was an impending infestation.  I talked myself down trying to remember that if I played my cards right maybe after a few years becoming a silver fox would make me appear wiser!

Scripture is full of passages telling us to seek wisdom.  And I think stereotypically when we close our eyes and envision a wise man most of us see an older gentleman with white hair.  Here is the truth though it is not the color of the hair that makes us wise.  One of the reasons we gain wisdom with age is because, as we age, we often find it easier to let go of our pride and embrace humbleness.  Just like all the other examples above, no rule is 100% accurate.  We can encounter uncommon wisdom in a young man, and we can encounter old men who act like petulant children.

It is true that pride leads to dishonor and humbleness leads to wisdom.  Too many of us embrace our pride during our youth thinking there will be a time for humble thoughts and wisdom.  When our hair turns grey, that’s when we finally find it a bit easier to let go of ourselves.  When we finally slow down and see the value in things beyond ourselves.  Young men, young women you don’t have to wait to see grey in your mirror before you seek wisdom.  Tomorrow isn’t promised, lay your pride down today.  Older men, older women don’t hold onto wisdom as the property of the select few who have achieved AARP status.  Open the gates to all who seek.

Proverbs 11:2 (NASB)
When pride comes, then comes dishonor;
But with the humble there is wisdom.

Message from Anthony

The Worship Leader: Don’t Leave Your Family Behind

We’ve been talking about our role as worship leaders these past few months. We know that no matter what we do, we are leaders – hopefully leading others to grow closer to God. As we defend the Word and maintain a healthy worship life outside the church, there’s one area of our life that we can’t neglect. The first people we often lead are those in our family.

We have been called to be leaders, focused on bringing others into a learning and growing relationship with Christ. Sometimes we forget where that leadership starts, however. We become so focused on helping strangers grow to know God, that we forget to lead our families first. We pursue world missions in faraway places, but we leave our own homes in total spiritual disrepair. This isn’t what God desires from us.

    As we lead others to follow Christ, we cannot be ministers to the world and strangers at home. Abandoning our partner to become a ministry widow is not an option. Leaving our kids to languish amidst the world’s messaging and influence is not an option. Going it alone when tackling the resistance and opposition that comes with ministering to people whom Satan wants to keep from God is not an option. We have to begin and end our ministry on the home front.

    When a military power goes to battle, they endeavor to protect their homeland and especially their capital at all costs. They treat their homefront as a precious treasure, one that they would gladly lay down their lives to defend. We had a saying in the service “I’d gladly lay down my life for my country, but the goal is to get the enemy to lay down his life for his country first.”

But as worship leaders, we can tend to spend so much time away from our family doing everything as we try to follow God, that we leave our family utterly defenseless as we try to save the world. It doesn’t make any sense at all when you think about it. A true man or woman of God leads their family first.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15b)

Missions Update – February 2022
Gideons International

“We are a body of believers dedicated to making the Word of God available to everyone and, together with the local church, reaching souls for Christ.”

Gideons representatives, Larry Quince and Terry Smith visited Meadowbrook on January 16th.  Gideons International gives out bibles globally in over 200 languages.  It has been a few years since they have visited due to the pandemic, so it was great to see them again and hear Larry speak about their mission and our churches’ part in that ministry.

Larry shared a testimony about a man that was so thankful for the Gideons.  He had previously had problems with alcohol and domestic violence, which resulted in his arrest and imprisonment.   While in prison, he was given a Bible, and that was instrumental in turning his life around.  The Gideons also hand out Bibles at college campuses which impact the lives of college students.  Bibles are also left in hotels, and guests that need them are welcome to keep them.  The Gideons also have greeting cards to purchase in support of their ministry.

Due to the support of our church and others like us, these Bibles are free to those who need them.  Our support of this mission is instrumental in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation.  What a blessing and privilege to serve the Lord in this way.

SIS In Action

Sisters in Service thanks you for donating socks, lip balm and canned meat for the Blessing Bags provided free of charge to people in need.  During our January meeting, we packed 24 bags filled with hats, gloves, socks, lip balm, band aids, tissues and food.

The bags and additional socks and lip balm were delivered to Lighthouse who will distribute these items to their clients in need.

Our upcoming meetings will include the Ladies Breakfast, on Feb 26, and packing Easter Baskets for Rochester Neighborhood House on March 26 at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Breakfast Invitation To All Ladies At Meadowbrook

Sisters in Service invites all of the ladies at Meadowbrook to attend the annual SIS Breakfast on Saturday, February 26 at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by SIS, enhance your love for God and enjoy time together creating a special keepsake.  Please let us know if you will attend by adding your name to the sign-up sheet in the foyer or email Cathy at cathypodvin28@gmail.com.

MCC Youth Attend Winter Jam 2022

Anthony, several adults and some of the Meadowbrook Youth attended Winter Jam 22 on January 30, 2022 in Ypsilanti, MI.  This concert featured many Christian worship singers and bands.  It was a great time spent praising and worshipping the Lord together.

Zach Williams is scheduled for April 22, 2022 at 7pm in Clarkston at Mt Zion.  Anthony and some of the youth will be going.  Available tickets are limited, so please see Anthony Knotts for tickets and more information.   Some financial assistance may be available.

Anniversaries
Lothar & Arleen Rossol – February 2

Birthdays
Leanna Thomas – February 3
Shalon Cox – February 22
Zain Cox – February 22
James Friedlund – February 23

Message from Anthony

Our Hope in Christ

This month we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the hope that He brought into this world for all mankind.  Usually, we focus on giving to others, proclaiming His birth, and spending time with our family and loved ones. This year is a bit different for the folks up in Oxford, though, as they cope with the loss of four bright young lives and the significant impact on their families and the families of so many more affected by the shooting. For them, and for us, a tragedy like this during this season can get us thinking that this is more the season of taking than the season of giving.

Like with the 2015 shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg Oregon, I know this will be a time of mourning for Oxford and the surrounding communities. But this is also the time when we as a church need to show the love that God has for them more than ever. Through prayer, support, encouragement, and more, we can truly embrace the season of giving with all that we give to those who are hurting most right now.

We celebrate this season as the season of giving because we know the hope that Christ gave us in entering this world so many years ago, and we put that hope, that faith, into practice by how we love one another. So, as Romans 12:15 says: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” and remember what Christ told us so many years ago:

John 16:33 ESV
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Merry Christmas and God bless you and your families this year.

MCC Youth Group Spread Some Holiday Blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

The MCC Youth Group kids prepared and delivered food baskets they put together for people in need on Thursday, November 18th.  Many families were blessed by their giving hearts and thoughtfulness.

Winter Jam 22 is scheduled for January 30, 2022 in Ypsilanti, MI featuring many Christian worship singers/bands.  There will be a group leaving the Church @ 2pm that day, if you are interested in going.  Also, a Zack Williams concert is coming up on April 22nd in Clarkston, Michigan at Mt. Zion Church.  Available tickets are limited, so be sure to see Anthony for tickets & more info.  Some financial assistance may be available.

There will be a Youth Group Christmas party on December 16^th from 7-8:30pm.  There will be a White Elephant gift exchange and lots of fun for everyone.

The youth group normally meets weekly on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Youth Room Downstairs.  All kids from 3rd through 12th grade are welcome.  Be sure to come check out all the fun and fellowship!

December Sisters-in-Service (SIS) Meeting

We won’t hold a SIS meeting in December.  Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10am in the MCC Fellowship Hall.  During this meeting we’ll make lunch and spend time with the kids from House of Providence.

Missions Update – December 2021 – Karamoja Bible Study Center

Meadowbrook received an email from Duncan at the Karamoja Bible Study Center.  He reported that some COVID restrictions have been lifted in Uganda and they are able to operate their Bible Training Centers again. They are starting a building project on recently purchased property and are requesting financial assistance. Duncan reports 10
decisions/baptisms occurred in the last month. They are very grateful for the church’s prayers and
financial support.  Here is a portion of Duncan’s recent email:

“Please let the entire church family know we love you all and always pray for you all. We appreciate your financial support towards the Lord’s work in Karamoja.  Villages Churches are gathering, and we planted another congregation last month. This church is also gathering under a tree shade. We give God the glory that when it comes to worshipping Him, people don’t care about where to gather. Church happens anywhere.

We have started digging a pit latrine. Now that we have water on the property, the pit latrine is being dug.  The hope of us moving and getting relieved from the renting burden is clear. This pit latrine work is a work in faith as well. We don’t have money to build it, but we continue to trust God who has brought us this far to finish what He started. 

The Missions team prayerfully considered their request of support and decided to send $1350 to them in support of their building project.  Additionally, we decided to give each of our missions a Christmas gift of $150 each.  The
exception being Karamoja, who will receive $1500 (combination Christmas gift and extra gift toward
building project).  The total of these gifts is $3000.

Thank you to our Meadowbrook family for the generosity that allows support of these valuable missions.  We really appreciate your love, prayers, and resources!  Praise the Lord that we are able to give assistance to the missions we feel God is calling us to support.  We also thank you for supporting the Thanksgiving Lighthouse Food Drive, Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas Child, as well as the Red Cross Blood Drive!  It is such a blessing to help others!

Birthdays
Karen Parrett – December 4
Mary Jane Cavins – December 5
Brad Koster – December 16
Karen Robinson – December 21
Elaine Klaus – December 24
Jerri Gilbert – December 29
Jean Cox – December 30

Anniversaries
Elaine & Eric Klaus (Anniv.) – December 1
Darrell & Jean Cox (Anniv.) – December 22
Matt & Brenda Cox (Anniv.) – December 27

Message from Anthony

Worshiping with Gratitude

There are so many reasons in our worship music to be grateful for who the Lord is and all that He has done, is doing, and continues to do because He loves us. Here are just a few to encourage you this season:

Give Thanks (Henry Smith, CCLI#20285)
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son.
And now let the weak say I am strong, Let the poor say I am rich.
Because of what the Lord has done for us, Give thanks.

Thank Your Lord (Don Moen, Paul Baloche, CCLI#4220833)
I come before You today, And there’s just one thing that I want to say Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord.
For all You’ve given to me, For all the blessings that I cannot see, Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord.
With a grateful heart with a song of praise, With an outstretched arm I will bless Your name.
Thank You Lord, I just want to thank You Lord, Thank You Lord, I just want to thank You Lord.
For all You’ve done in my life, You took my darkness and gave me Your light Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord.
You took my sin and my shame You took my sickness and healed all my pain, Thank You Lord thank You Lord.

I Am Thankful (Anthony Knotts, CCLI#7144538)
I am thankful for the life within me, I am grateful for the joy I know.
I am thankful for the Lamb who rescued me, I am grateful for the joy I know.
There’s never been a love so wonderful, I know, I am thankful.
There’s never been a peace so powerful, I know, I am thankful.
I am thankful that you hung in my place, I am grateful for the joy I know.
I am thankful that you emptied the grave, I am grateful for the mercy you show.
There’s never been a love so wonderful, I know, I am thankful.
There’s never been a peace so powerful, I know, I am thankful.

What Can I Do (Graham Kendrick, Paul Baloche, CCLI#4554279)
When I see the beauty of a sunset’s glory, Amazing artistry across the evening sky.
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy, It awes and humbles me, To be loved by a God so high.
What can I do but thank You, What can I do but give my life to You, Hallelujah, hallelujah.
What can I do but praise You, Every day make everything I do, A hallelujah, A hallelujah.
When I hear the story of a God of mercy, Who shared humanity and suffered by our side.
Of the cross they nailed You to, That could not hold You.
Now You’re making all things new, By the power of Your risen life.

Thank You Jesus (Hannah Hobbs, Matt Crocker, CCLI#7004672)
Grace that flows like a river, Washing over me.
Fount of heaven, Love of Christ, Overflow in me.
Thank You Jesus, You set me free.
Christ my Saviour, You rescued me.
Take this life delivered, A vessel of Your love.
Wholly now devoted, To see Your kingdom come.
You’ve given me life, You’ve opened my eyes.
I love You Lord, I love You Lord.
You’ve entered my heart, You’ve set me apart.
I love You Lord, I love You Lord.

No matter what your season looks like, or who’s seated around your Thanksgiving table, we all have more reasons than we can count to be grateful this year. God bless, and happy Thanksgiving. I’m grateful for YOU.

Meadowbrook Youth Group Putting Together Food Baskets

The kids are meeting on Thursday evenings, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., at Meadowbrook, in the new TEEN Room downstairs.  It is located across the hall from the kitchen/fellowship hall.   The youth have raised funds and are planning to put together food baskets for people in need.  If you are aware of anyone in need of a blessing, please contact our Youth Minister, Anthony, at anthonycknotts@gmail.com.  The youth will deliver the baskets on November 18th.

SIS Create Fidget Mats to help Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

Missions Update – November 2021 – His House Christian Fellowship

His House Christian Fellowship exists to bring the gospel to college campuses and send students back out as world changers for Christ.  With twelve locations across Michigan, you can be involved as a student or a supporter on a campus close to you!