Brenda Cox | Meadowbrook Christian Church

Messenger
December 2021

December 6, 2021 By Brenda Cox

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 were also blessed by a new borehole. It was donated by a non-profit organization called Healing Hands International. This borehole was drilled in the property that we bought for our school and church. It’s closer to Nabilatuk town. We are now praying and believing God for another blessing of a simple building that is estimated to cost $2500. We are currently renting two rooms where our school meets from. The owner of this building has other plans for his house next year. We are doing our best to shift to our property come next year. I kindly encourage you to share our burden with the church family. Maybe someone would be interested in helping us begin on the construction of this small semi- permanent house for our school and church?

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.

Thank you very much for your financial support once again. Please let the church know how much we are grateful.”

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

Messenger
November 2021

November 1, 2021 By Brenda Cox

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

The sisters created beautiful fidget mats at our October meeting. The mats will be donated to organizations for clients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. They will enjoy the fidget mats.

Our next project will be to support Crossroads Care Center. We will gift them a financial donation to purchase high chairs. During our November 22 meeting we will make burp cloths and also donate these to the center for the new moms to use to care for their babies.

Sisters – plan now to attend the meeting on November 22 at 6pm in the fellowship hall.

Thank you cards received from IDES and Ninos de Mexico

Meadowbrook received a very nice thank you note from both Ninos de Mexico and IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service) for the special donations sent to cover children’s uniforms and Hurricane Ida damage. They thanked Meadowbrook friends for faithfully supporting them. The card came from Mick O’Hanahan (Ninos) and referred to the scripture “I thank God every time I remember you.” Phil 1:3

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!

Gary Hawes was called to be the first campus minister in 1969. Now, forty five plus years later, God has used Gary’s passion and energy to grow this ministry from one campus and fifteen students to twelve campuses, with over 35 full-time campus staff, interns, and administrative staff and more than fifteen hundred students involved in some part of the ministry. Today, God has blessed the ministry with fifteen campus houses for students, two church buildings and one office building that are all used daily.

Why are we so passionate about university students? For starters, students have unique needs. They are away from home for the first time and making their own decisions. They usually choose their career, their spouse, and their eternal destiny during their brief college years. We want Jesus to be the most important factor in every one of those decisions. Our mission to evangelize every campus and disciple every Christian grows with each year. Every life that is changed is a testimony to God’s promise of salvation. Since 1969, over thirty-five hundred students have accepted Christ and been baptized.

A recent letter was received and it spoke of how the world is currently in crisis. It referred to many of the deep problems in the world today and highlighted how many college student’s lives were in shambles too.

College students are in a pivotal stage in their life. Due to the COVID crisis last year, that kept people segregated, the freshman class has doubled this year, with all new students to campus, looking for friends, activities, and new opportunities. The letter encouraged giving to their mission to meet their critical needs, and also asked for prayers for our Michigan college students, one day per week for the rest of 2021. Please pray for lost students to be open to the Good News and for believing students to grow in their love for their fellow students, so they may share the Good News with them. Thank you for your support!

Meadowbrook to participate in Lighthouse Thanksgiving Program 2021

Lighthouse is excited to continue our Thanksgiving program for families in need this year. We hope to serve more families this year than ever before, and we need your help!

We aim to serve up to 2,000 families this year and provide them with additional food so they don’t have to worry about meals for a week.

You may donate through Amazon and have your donation shipped directly to their warehouse by logging onto the Lighthouse’s website at: https://lighthousemi.org/thanksgiving2021/ and click on the link for Amazon donation. You can also host a virtual food drive by sending items directly to us from our Amazon Wish List!

In order to streamline packing the Thanksgiving boxes, Lighthouse requests no oversized canned goods or boxes. Below is a wish list of items for our annual Thanksgiving program.

Dessert Mixes – Brownies, Cookies, Cake, Muffins
Canned Yellow Vegetables (14-15 oz)
Canned Green or Mixed Vegetables (14-15 oz)
Canned Yams (15-30 oz)
Boxed Mashed Potatoes (preferred) or Boxed Scalloped Potatoes
Pie Filling (pumpkin preferred, 15-30 oz)
Pie Crust Mix – No premade pie crusts
Boxed Stuffing (6-12 oz)
Gravy (packets preferred, 3-12 oz)
Canned Soup (Cream of Mushroom preferred, 10-11 oz)
Canned Fruit (14 – 16 oz)
Boxed Macaroni and Cheese (7-8 oz)
Jello (1-2 oz)

They are currently low on yams, gravy, mac and cheese, boxed potatoes, jiffy pie crust, pie filling, and dessert mixes.

Lighthouse is also looking for volunteers to help either by packing Thanksgiving Food Boxes or distributing Thanksgiving Food Boxes. If you are interested in these volunteer opportunities find out how to sign up by logging onto the above website.

What: Annual Meadowbrook Blood Drive

When: Wednesday, November 24th 12:30-6:30 pm

Where: Meadowbrook Christian Church

A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled on the day before Thanksgiving here at Meadowbrook.
To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org (sponsor code: meadowbrookchristian),
or a sign-up sheet is posted in the lobby.

It’s important to note that Red Cross blood drives have the highest standards of safety and infection control. Staff and blood donors must wear a mask. Please see Theresa if you have any questions.

Meadowbrook to Pack Shoeboxes to support Operation Christmas Child 2021

Pack a shoebox and touch the lives of children and families around the world, bringing hope through the Good News of Jesus Christ in the form of a simple gift. Shoeboxes are available in the lobby, along with ideas for packing. Please include $9.00 for shipping/ and project costs. A few soccer balls are available for a “wow” gift ($10 each). Packed boxes filled with your gifts, love, and prayers are due by November 21st. Thank you for your generosity! Please see Carol Howell or Lynn Ross if you have any questions.

November

Birthdays
Mimi Romaella – November 1
Bridget Kochan – November 9
Debbie Stallings – November 10
Andrea Schwartzenberger – November 16
Tristian Cox – November 24

Anniversaries
Jim and MaryJane Cavins (Anniv.) – November 20

Church Services in person & streamed

In-person church services are at 10:45 a.m. and are streamed live or can be accessed at the MCC YouTube Channel at a later time. To view the service, click on the YouTube icon at the top of the home page. … [More...]

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held December 24 at 7 p.m. Through word and song we will remember that night so long ago. We will share together in the Lord’s Supper and then close with the lighting of the candles as we sing Silent Night. … [More...]