Archive | Meadowbrook Christian Church

Messenger
April 2020

April 1, 2020 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

What a time to be alive. I am not sure what to share this month since I am sharing a thought for the day each day. There is not a lot that I can say about the coronavirus that has not already been shared. It is radically changing and upending our lives. We are finding out that there are things that we have taken for granted and other things that we have not taken serious enough. Let me ask a question: Will I let Christ radically change my life as much as the coronavirus has? With the coronavirus I am changing my life so that I do not catch it and do not act as a carrier and pass it on to others. Therefore, I change the way I do things on one level for myself and at another level for society in general. When I accepted Christ I was, in a sense, asking Him to make a radical change in my life. No longer would I live for the world, but for Christ. I was to separate myself from the world. Too often I find myself living in the world. That is where I get comfortable. You see, in the world there is a disease that everyone is fighting. We call it sin. It is no respecter of persons and it leads to death, real death. Some people in the world doubt that this even exists, but we know that it does.

To flatten the pandemic curve, we need to get radical. We need to stay in and practice social distancing. We need to be wise, smart, and vigilant. To flatten the spiritual curve, we need to get radical. We need to live for Jesus in all areas of our lives. We need to show Christ at work, at home, and at play. We need to show the world that this can be done with joy and hope. We cannot compromise with the world. Then we will lose our effectiveness.

Theresa Meegan – April 12
Denis Couture – April 14
Ed Parrett – April 16
Sylis Cox – April 17
Traci Thomas – April 22
Ruth Lindhagen – April 25
Laura Urteaga – April 28
Bill & Patti Bradford (Ann.) – April 28

Upcoming Events

With social distancing and stay in place orders we have had more cancellations than planned activities. Any planned activities through April are being canceled. We will be doing a taped service this coming Sunday, April 6. Our new associate, Zach Schewe, will be presenting the message. We were hoping to do a live Easter service on the internet, but that will be a decision made next week. We thank you for understanding and all of the positive feedback from our taped service from March 29.

The coronavirus has halted our adult Bible study and with it the probability that we will not finish the Gospel of Mark before the summer break. I am continuing to do the study notes so that if we are not able to finish, those who are interested will be able to have a complete set of Mark’s notes.

Greetings to Meadowbrook church from the missions committee. Thank you all for your support of the 2020 missions rally to this point, and we hope to resume the rally as soon as is feasible. As soon as we get some sort of “all-clear” we will reach out to Jim and Dot Gregory from TCM to schedule a new date when they can visit us and give us a first-hand look into the work being done at TCM. Likewise, we would like to follow through with the special donations being solicited to help furnish the dining room at their training facility in Austria.

In the meantime, please be praying for the ministry not only at TCM but in each of Meadowbrook’s 13 missions, since assuredly all have special needs at this time.

In particular, we are aware of special medical needs at Nino’s de Mexico, and of course IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services) is working on the front lines of the COVID crisis. Please be praying for these needs and if you are moved to make a special donation for any of these needs, please ensure that you provide specific instructions and send it to the church office. The mission’s team will ensure that the funds are appropriately distributed.

We look forward to meeting again. Until that time, we pray God’s blessings and health for all.

In these troubling times, it’s good to see the Lord’s words get through. A special thanks to Jeremiah and Randy for getting the videos done.

As the grass is turning green, it’s time to think about mowing and mowing teams. See Dan if you can spare a couple hours a month to help. Ladies are welcome, too.

The church clean-up will be rescheduled. The CPR class planning is on hold.

There’s a fable (Aesop) that says one stick is easily broken but a bundle of sticks cannot be broken. We at Meadowbrook are a family. We are the bundle. Pray for each other, look-out for each other, help where we can, and with God’s help, we will defeat this determined and deadly germ.

Stay safe, love one another till we can stand shoulder to shoulder at the “cookie table”.

Remember, He is in Charge

Messenger
March 2020

March 4, 2020 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

The church was going so well. Changes had been made and people were coming to understand that when Jesus said to go into the whole world, that is exactly what He meant. The Church had spread to Samaria, Ethiopia, Syria, and Asia Minor. Gentiles were becoming Christians. Paul and Barnabas were spreading the message of Christ to people who had never heard. Everything was going so well.

Well, not exactly. Paul and Barnabas returned from their first missionary journey filled with joy and enthusiasm that was not shared by all. There were Jewish Christians who said the Gentiles had to be circumcised before they could become Christians. This was a serious matter. Two people groups, Jews and Gentiles, were being united in Christ and man was trying to put rules and regulations and not allow the freedom of Christ to reign. The apostles and elders met in Jerusalem. Peter emphasized that all were saved by the grace of God just as they were. Paul and Barnabas spoke of the miraculous signs and wonders that God had done among the Gentiles. The people realized that God was at work here. They decided to encourage the Gentile Christians to abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. They wrote a letter to the Gentile Christians and it was received with joy for its encouraging nature. Things were looking up and going well.

Well, not exactly. Paul and Barnabas decided to return to the churches of Asia Minor. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along. Paul did not want to because John Mark had left them on their first journey. There was such a sharp disagreement that Barnabas and Paul parted company. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas and they went throughout Asia Minor. God used this to spread the Word into more areas, but how sad it was that two great men of God would disagree to the point of separation. Reconciliation was to take place years later between Paul and Mark. What could have been accomplished if the disagreement had never happened? God led Paul and Silas to leave Asia Minor and enter Europe. The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in Macedonia and Greece. People in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth learned about the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ. Hardships were endured; persecution was faced; cold hearts were taught. Wherever Paul and Silas went the seed was planted. People such as Priscilla, Aquila, Apollos, and Lydia accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God was doing a mighty work. Churches were being planted all over. Lives were being changed. Things were going well. Nothing could stop the Church.

Well not exactly. Satan tries to do all that he can to disrupt the Church. Paul was arrested by the Jews in Jerusalem. He was taken into protective custody by the Romans. He was innocent, but was put on trial. He appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome. In Rome he wrote letters to some of the churches that he had started. All of them were facing the struggles of being a Christian community. One group was making a mockery of the Lord’s Supper. Their worship was bringing attention to themselves and not bringing honor and glory to God. Another group had quarreling women in it. Paul told them to put aside their differences and work together for the cause of Christ. Another group had people that wanted everything done their way. They wanted all these rules and regulations instead of enjoying the freedom that Christ gave them. Another group was misusing their gifts. Paul exhorted and encouraged these groups to live lives pleasing to God. The Church had troubles but could move forward. God, Himself, was their leader and guide. Things could go well if the people focused on the Lord.

I have spent the last three newsletters looking at the early church. What conclusions can I draw? It was a group of people just like us. They had their joys, sorrows, and frustrations. They had to cope with new ideas and new ways of doing things. We, too, at Meadowbrook are in that situation. We are looking to the future. We face uncertainty. We may have to consider new ideas and new ways of doing things. As Barnabas was an encourager so we must be encouragers of each other. As Peter learned that new wine did not fit into old wineskins, so must we. As Saul’s life was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ, so we must be changed by Him. As the apostles and elders met to seek God’s direction so must we. As Paul, Silas, and others faced daily the struggles of living for Christ (even to persecution), so must we. As Paul would write from prison, (Phil 3:12-16 NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Let us move forward so that Christ can work through us here in Rochester Hills.

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

Sermon Series

We will be taking a break from The Prodigal God for the first three Sundays in March. These Sundays we will be focusing on missions and our Faith Promise Rally. The last two Sundays in the month we will examine chapters four and five in The Prodigal God. This is proving to be an excellent study of the parable of the prodigal son. If you do not have a book, please see Steve and he will get you one.

Faith Promise Missions Rally 2020

Faith Promise is an integral part of our church’s ministry. It is missions giving based on a personal commitment. In addition to their regular tithes and offerings, church members are challenged during the annual Missions Faith Promise Rally to exercise their faith by making a one-year commitment to the church’s missions’ program.

Meadowbrook supports 13 missions through a combination of both the General Fund and Faith Promise Fund. While specific allocations are made to each mission, funds raised through Faith Promise over the allocated amounts are maintained in a contingency fund to meet special needs of our missionaries. Last year the contingency fund was able to assist in the following ways:

$500 towards Cindy Gerstenlauer’s medical mission trip to Kenya
$501 travel expenses and honorarium for missioner Mick O’Hanahan, Ninos de Mexico, Faith Promise Rally 2019
$300 Golf Scramble at Lake James
$100 to support Manasseh Fish from Asia Christian Services for travel to ICOM (International Conference of Missions) & to see his daughter
$177.10 to cover food and hotel expenses for Rajan Ipe and his son-in-law Martin’s trip from Kerala, India to Michigan to meet with the Mission Ministry team
$200 to Ninos de Mexico for Bethel Home Support
In addition, each of our missions received $100 as Christmas gifts

This year our Faith Promise Missions Rally will feature TCM International Institute. Here’s what’s happening:

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, WORSHIP SERVICE

Faith Promise Brochure/Commitment Card is handed out

“What is Faith Promise,” Cindy Gerstenlauer

Introduce TCM & Mission Project, Cathie Parker

Mission-related sermon, Steve Martin

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, WORSHIP SERVICE

Mission-related sermon, Steve Martin

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

SUNDAY SCHOOL HOUR (ADULTS & YOUTH) in the Fellowship Hall

TCM representatives Jim & Dorothy Gregory talks about TCM, with a light breakfast served

WORSHIP SERVICE

Jim Gregory will bring the sermon message

SUNDAY, March 29

Faith Promise Commitment cards due

Mission:

TCM International Institute is dedicated to Taking Christ to Millions. And we have found that the most effective way to do this is by Training Christians for Ministry.

About:

Educates Christian leaders from more than 45 countries through an accredited graduate institute.

Vision:

That every nation will have effective leaders of disciple-making movements impacting their churches, cultures, and countries for Christ.

Strategy:

Develops Christian leaders for significant service through higher learning in a flexible format with both online and classroom instruction.

Impact:

Through their home teaching facility in Vienna, Austria (Haus Edelweiss), mentoring centers in over a dozen countries, and through online course work, TCM International offers a flexible format so that students can stay fully involved in their local ministries.

Special Guest Speakers:

Jim and Dot Gregory are graduates of Milligan College and retired schoolteachers from Grand Blanc school district. They have worked with TCMI since 1987 serving as short term workers during summers, and for the last 12 years as long-term workers at Haus Edelweiss. They have participated in over 60 mission trips throughout the world.

Mission Project:
Five dining room tables are needed at Haus Edelweiss at the cost of $400 each for a total of $2000. We are hoping to help them reach their goal!

The every other month men’s breakfast will be on Saturday, March 14, at 8:30am in the Fellowship Hall. We will have a cooked breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and beverage. We will continue watching the Average Joe videos and close with a prayer time. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Plan now to attend.

Please join us for the next Sisters in Service meeting
on Monday, March 23, at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will outline our project for March in the Sunday Bulletin, as we continue to minister to those in need.

The Deacon’s Corner

We have a new recurring article added to the newsletter this month. Look for a monthly report filled with great information from the Deacons provided by Dan Bright.

CPR-AED Class

We are looking into CPR-AED (Automatic Emergency Defibrillation) classes through the Fire Department. This is a certification class and there is a fee to attend. Recertification is required every two years. Since we have the AED unit, we should be ready to use it. Any questions regarding the class, please see Dan Bright. There will be a sign-up sheet on the Board.

Help the Deacons

From time to time, there may be a need for a few good men (and women) to roll up their sleeves and help the deacons. This is a great way to serve our Lord and keep Meadowbrook Christian Church appealing to the community. Please check the Board for current projects and sign-up sheets. Watch for information in the weekly bulletin.

Update from Meadowbrook Leadership

This year is marching on. As announced previously, the Meadowbrook congregation voted to call Zack Schewe as Associate Minister. He will become our next Senior Minister upon Steve’s retirement.

Zack’s ministry at Meadowbrook is scheduled to begin on April 1^st. That will be the beginning of his transition into the Senior Minister role. Zack will be building relationships with the congregation, working with Steve and the elders to set the future direction of Meadowbrook, and overseeing the children and youth areas during his interim period as Associate Minister. During this period, the preaching schedule will be developed to balance the preaching duties between Steve and Zack. As Steve’s retirement date approaches, Zack will take on an increasing portion of the preaching during Sunday worship services.

We want to encourage each member and attender of Meadowbrook to get to know Zack, Sarah, and Mirembe, and welcome them to the Meadowbrook family. We are confident that you will continue to demonstrate the genuine love and care for each other that you are known for. This church is known for its friendliness and warmth to all who come through the doors. As we go through changes in the coming months and years, may this be one thing that does not change! God has blessed His church in so many wonderful ways.

Please keep this transition process in your prayers. Your prayers are also needed as we begin the search for a worship leader to step into Randy’s role when he retires this year.

One more thing – as part of this transition, there will be a need for volunteers to take on some of the extra tasks that Steve has taken on over the past few years. If you are led to give some of your time and ability to help share the load, please talk to us about the opportunities.

We are so grateful to be serving with you!

Meadowbrook Elders

Meadowbrook’s 6^th Scrapbooking Fundraiser

Meadowbrook will be hosting its 6^th Scrapbooking Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, 2020, 9 am – 9 pm in the fellowship hall. All proceeds benefit the teen ministry. Lunch, dinner, beverages and snacks are provided for the $40 registration. Meadowbrook’s crop has become very popular due to its homemade delicious food and great raffle baskets. Youth and adult help are needed, as well as donations for the raffle baskets. See Crop coordinator Cindy Gerstenlauer or Karen Parrett for more information, or look for the signup sheets on the bulletin board in the foyer.

Scrapbooks tell a story, are autobiographical, and are a unique form of personal expression. Scrapbooks represent a person, and moments of their life. Part personal diary, part cultural reflection, they’ve evolved as homespun calendars, enabling us to chronicle the major events and minute details of our own personal life.

The notion of documenting one’s life through the practice of keeping scrapbooks dates from as early as the 1590s when the “commonplace book” first originated. This was an activity in which a reader could personalize a book by adding diary entries, quotations, drawings, newspaper clippings, etc. The great Renaissance artist and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci kept a book of his drawings and ideas, and, many of his pages have been the inspiration for today’s printed papers, vellum and rubber stamps. By the late 18^th century, this evolved into “Grangerized books,” with the addition of engravings, watercolors, manuscripts, documents and playbills, as well as other miscellaneous items. With the introduction of photography, pictures were added. By 1825, the term “scrapbook” was in use and a magazine devoted to the hobby, The Scrapbook, was in circulation. American writer Mark Twain was a devoted scrapbook enthusiast and patented a “self-pasting” version that became an instant success in 1872. By 1900, more than 50 different types of his albums were available.

The great thing about scrapbooking is that anyone can do it. There is no right or wrong. A scrapbook can be created for any reason. It could be for an event or special gift like a new baby, wedding, starting school, a significant birthday, graduation, retirement, etc. It could be created for a theme like a chronical year, a trip, heritage album, school album, display of a collection or to showcase a business. Scrapbooking difficult or sad times like a divorce, death, moving, can be therapeutic. Life is an imperfect but dynamic mixture of events and emotions.

Scrapbooking is a communal pastime. Scrapbookers swap supplies and stories, share equipment, inspiration, mutual interests, and lots of laughter. It’s a great way to make new friends. You will come home feeling accomplished and refreshed.

You don’t have to be a scrapbooker to attend this day away! People also take advantage of the time to sew, knit, crochet, make cards, and do other crafts. Come join us!

Messenger
February 2020

February 1, 2020 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing with Steve

Note: This is the second in a series of three articles that follow the founding of the New Testament Church and how it was affected by change.

The Church was going so well. Changes had been made and people were coming to understand that when Jesus said to go into the whole world that is exactly what He meant. The Church had spread to Samaria and even to Ethiopia. Everything was going so well.

Well, not exactly. There was still a man out there by the name of Saul. He had a great passion in his life: to persecute Christians. He headed to Damascus with the full authority of the high priest to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem. On the way he was confronted by Jesus Christ and a miracle happened. Christ had a different plan for his life. Christ made it very clear that Saul was His chosen man to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. Saul began to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. People were amazed and the Jews, his former conspirators, were not amused. They planned to kill him, but he escaped from Damascus and went to Jerusalem. As a fellow believer he thought that he would be accepted by the disciples, but no. How can we allow this man to fellowship with us? Do you not know that he persecuted Christians? Barnabas, a man of vision, love, and encouragement took Saul under his wing. He explained to the apostles what had happened to Saul. If Saul was going to be an effective minister there had to be a change of attitude from the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. They accepted him and Saul began to preach fearlessly the message of Jesus Christ. The Jews sought to kill him and the brothers sent him off to Tarsus for his protection. The scripture says, “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31). Things were going well.

Well, not exactly. God had a new plan: the Gentiles were worthy of saving grace. God sent a vision to Peter and he was confronted with the stark reality that God was no respecter of persons. All men were eligible for salvation. Wait a minute! The Gentiles were pagans. They were conquerors. They had no business being apart of the Kingdom. They were unclean and uncircumcised. But God showed Peter that they had been granted repentance unto life. Peter explained his actions to the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. They realized that God was bigger than all of them. They praised God and had no further objections. Gentiles would now become part of the Kingdom of God. What a move; what vision; what faith. The Lord was blessing His Church. Things were going well.

Well not exactly. Persecution struck again. King Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death. He also arrested Peter. The Church, seeing the need, earnestly prayed about the situation. God worked in miraculous ways and freed Peter from prison. God is a God who answers prayers if the Church will but move forward in faith. Barnabas and Saul went to Antioch and ministered to the disciples there. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians. The Christians there had so much faith that they decided to send Saul and Barnabas into other regions to proclaim the gospel. They went boldly into regions where Christ was not known. The Church was growing and changing. Paul and Barnabas faced persecution from jealous Jews, but they kept proclaiming the Word. New people groups were being touched. People who had only known idolatry now knew Jesus Christ. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The Church was growing. Everything was going well…..?

Congregational Meeting

After the service on Sunday, February 2, we will have a congregational meeting to vote on Zach Schewe becoming our new associate minister with the intention of him becoming our next senior minister when Steve retires in August. There will be a time for questions and discussion before the vote. Please see Mike Tingley or Jaysun Thomas for more information.

New Sermon Series

We will be starting a new sermon series on Sunday, February 2^nd. This series will be taken from the book, The Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller. This is a new and refreshing look at the parable of the prodigal son. Because of previous calendar activities, the series will go through the end of April. The series will consist of a video of Timothy Keller retelling the parable and then a sermon from each of the seven chapters in the book. The video will be played on Sunday, February 2. The next three weeks will be chapters 1-3. March 1, 8, & 15 will be our annual Faith Promise Emphasis. The series will continue for two weeks with chapters 4 & 5. There will be a two week break for Palm Sunday and Easter and then the last two Sundays in April will conclude the series. We want each family to have a copy of this book. They are available in the back of the auditorium. If we run out we can get more. If you have any questions please see Steve or one of the elders.

Super Bowl Party

We will gather at 6 pm on Sunday, February 2^nd, to watch the 2020 Super Bowl. Bring food and drinks to share. The kick-off is at 6:30 pm. There will be games for those who do not want to watch the game. Come for the food and the fellowship and stay for the game, commercials, fellowship, etc. This is always a fun event. Plan now to attend.

Please join us for the Ladies Breakfast on Saturday, February 22, at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. There is a sign up sheet in the foyer. The menu is being planned by SIS and details will be provided in the Sunday Bulletin.

Church Calendar Has a New Look

When you look at the church calendar you will see that it is now in a Google format that makes additions and updates easier for Theresa and Stephanie to make than the old format. Details of events, other than regularly scheduled events, can be seen by simply clicking on the event, such as “Feb. 2 Super Bowl Party”. Please see either Theresa or Stephanie if you would like to schedule a date on the calendar.

Lothar & Arleen Rossol (Ann.) – February 2
Leanna Thomas – February 3
Kaye Thompson – February 6
Shalon Cox – February 22
Zain Cox – February 22

Messenger
January 2020

January 4, 2020 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing with Steve

This will be a year of change at Meadowbrook. After sixteen years I will be retiring. We are in the process of interviewing a young man to come and work with me and then become the next senior minister. Randy Gilbert will also be leaving. Meadowbrook will be changing and adapting. This is not anything new for the Church. Several years ago I wrote a three-part series about how the early Church was affected by change. I would like to revisit that as we enter this new year and face a somewhat uncertain future.

Things were going great. Everything was positive with the Church. What a beginning. Three thousand people had been baptized into Christ that day. They were concerned about growth, both spiritually and physically. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). The believers were all together. They gave to people as they had need. They even met daily in their homes. They praised God and enjoyed favor with all people. They stood up against persecution. The Jewish leaders commanded them not to preach about this Jesus and Peter replied that they had no choice in the matter (Acts 4:19-20). Soon the number rose to 5000. Daily people were coming to know Christ as their Savior. There was no need to change because everything was going so well.

Well not everything was going well. The Grecian Jews complained because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The Twelve gathered together and said that their responsibility was to the ministry of the word of God. They told the brothers to choose seven men who were full of wisdom and the Spirit to take care of the responsibility of feeding the widows. But we have never done it that way before. Everything is going so well, why change such a good thing? Because a new dynamic had come onto the scene. Christ told the early disciples what to do, just not how to do it. As new situations arose, new ideas had to be put in place. As soon as the seven men were put in place scripture says, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Everything was going so well.

Well not everything was going well. Persecution was right around the corner. Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin and accused of blasphemy. Stephen gave an eloquent defense of the gospel of Christ. The result was the Jewish religious leaders became furious and took him outside the city and stoned him. One of the leaders at that stoning was Saul. That incident led to a general persecution of the church in Jerusalem. Saul would go from house to house and take both men and women to prison. The Christians were scattered. Some even went to Samaria and there preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. But wait a minute, we have to stay in Jerusalem. We are comfortable here. We know everybody. We know how to get around. And Samaritans? They are half-breeds. Yet they remembered the words of Christ, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And then there was Philip. He encountered a man from a different culture. Should he share the gospel with him? Won’t a new culture do things differently? They may start new traditions. Can we allow that to happen? But the Spirit led Philip to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Ethiopian eunuch and he was baptized. He rejoiced in his new salvation. The gospel was being spread. Everything was going well. . .?

Matt Cox – January 8
Don Edwards – January 14
Linda Tingley – January 14
Lothar Rossol – January 17
Darrell Cox – January 19
Aleczander Cox – January 25
Cathy Podvin – January 28

Men’s Breakfast

We will start the new decade with our bi-monthly men’s breakfast on Saturday, January 11, at 8:30 am. Tom Schwartzenberger will be cooking his made from scratch pancakes. We will have sausage and beverage to go along with this. We will have a time of discussion as we are continuing watching the video series, Average Joe, A Game Plan For Life. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Let’s get the year started off right. Hope to see you then.

Medical Mission Trip

Cindy Gerstenlauer will be sharing about her medical missions trip to Kenya on Sunday, January 12. Steve will not be preaching that day so there will be time for the presentation and questions anyone may have. Cindy has shared that this was a great experience, and we will all benefit from hearing from her.

Soup Luncheon

Soup is appropriately dubbed “comfort food” because what tastes better and provides a more comforting feeling than a bowl of hot, steaming soup? Our Annual Soup Supper Sunday on Jan. 12 at Noon turns a cold winter afternoon into a bright cheery day in our Fellowship Hall. That’s the day when we bring in extra extension cords to plug in an array of crock pots filled with soup from vegetable beef, to split pea, to potato, to tomato as well as chili – both beef and chicken. The fragrances alone will make your mouth water. A sign-up sheet is posted for this favorite church activity to indicate what category of food you’ll be bringing: soup/chili, crackers/bread, or dessert.

SIS preparing a meal for HAVEN

Sisters in Service is planning to prepare a meal for HAVEN, a mission in Pontiac that seeks to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault across Oakland County and the surrounding communities by empowering survivors through advocacy and social change. The project will be instead of their regularly scheduled January meeting on Saturday, January 25. The ladies will also work on a small craft with the residents. Details need to be finalized so stay tuned through the Sunday Bulletin for details. January and February meetings will take place on Saturday mornings instead of Monday evenings, so the ladies do not have to travel at night those cold winter nights.

Meadowbrook — Moving forward in 2020!

It is a new year, a new decade, and there are new opportunities on the horizon for Meadowbrook Christian Church.

As announced recently, the elders have identified a candidate to fulfill the role of Associate Minister, with a transition period to then become the next Senior Minister at Meadowbrook.

We look forward to introducing Zack Schewe and his family when they visit Meadowbrook on Sunday, January 26^th. Zack will be bringing the morning message, and after the worship service there will be a gathering in the fellowship hall. This will give everyone the opportunity to meet, speak with, and get to know Zack, his wife, and his daughter.

Zack grew up in the metro Detroit area, and is currently living in Commerce, MI. He graduated from Rochester College in 2009, and recently completed a Master’s program through Liberty University. He has 10 years of ministry experience, serving as a Senior Minister in New York, and currently as a Youth/Family minister in SE Michigan.

We are excited about the next chapter in the ministry of Meadowbrook Christian Church, and we believe Zack is the person God has prepared to step into this role at this time and place.

Please plan to join us in the fellowship hall following the service on the 26^th. We anticipate that a congregational vote will be announced and scheduled shortly after that date.

Most importantly, please continue to pray that God will lead and work through this process, revealing His plan each step of the way.

Serving the Lord with you,

Meadowbrook Elders

Church Calendar Has a New Look

In the next few days, when you look at the church calendar you will see that it will be in a Google format that makes additions and updates easier for Theresa and Stephanie to make than the old format. Please see either Theresa or Stephanie if you would like to schedule a date in the church building on the calendar.

Messenger
November 2019

November 1, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

I have just got done reading an excellent book, The Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller. He is the minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. The book is about the portion of scripture that we call the parable of the prodigal son. The author takes exception to that title. Jesus never used that term. This is a parable about a man and his two sons. The term “prodigal” is so often misused. When we use the term we usually mean someone who is wayward and that is not what it means. The word means “recklessly spendthrift.” With that definition the younger son was “prodigal.” He took the inheritance and spent it recklessly. But the father was also “prodigal.” He gave the younger son his share of the inheritance (when he did not have to) and then accepted him back into the family with full rights. That is fairly “reckless” in itself. The elder son responded to this “reckless” love by becoming upset with his younger brother and his father.

The father is obviously God. He “recklessly” loves us to the extent that He gave His Son to die for us on the cross. And when we sin he welcomes us back into His home. We rarely identify ourselves with either son. We like to think that we are better than the younger son and not has harsh as the older son. We reserve the term “prodigal” for those people who have fallen away and live in serious sin without acknowledging that we are all lost. We are all separated from God. We are all prodigals. And of course we are not like the older son who is so judgmental, unforgiving, and unloving. Yet we are probably more like him than the younger son. We go to church, give our money, do all the work, and we labor for the Father. We expect, in return, to be given the inheritance and the party. We have worked and we deserve it. We forget about the love of the Father and the joy of being with Him. We get caught up in our work and forget the relationship we are to have with the Father. We get upset when we do not get our “due.”

To live like either brother is wrong. Pleasure and self-gratification only lead to misery and loneliness. The flip side is no better. To live a life of moral superiority and works leads to legalism. The Father desires to have both sons in the household. He forgives the one and begs the other to rejoice. We are like both sons. How will we respond to the Father?

Mimi Romaella – November 1
Bridget Kochan – November 9
Debbie Stallings – November 10
Andrea Schwartzenberger – November 16
Bill Bradford – November 23
Tristian Cox – November 24
Patti Bradford – November 29

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, November 9, at 8:30am will be our men’s breakfast. We will be having a cooked breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and beverage. We will continue watching testimonies from “Average Joe’s.” We will close with a time of prayer. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. For more information please see Steve Martin.

ANNUAL MEETING

The 2019 annual meeting will be held following the morning service on Sunday, November 10. The minister, elders, and deacons will be giving reports. The financial budget for 2020 will be presented. Voting will take place for the budget, elders (if applicable), and deacons (if applicable). This meeting usually lasts about one hour. Thank you for your support of Meadowbrook. If you have any questions, please see Mike Tingley or Jaysun Thomas.

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child

You can find the display for Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” (Shoebox Ministry) in the front lobby. Please go online to www.samaritanspurse.org for further information about this annual event.

We will have 2 different shoebox sizes this year to accommodate larger items such as soccer balls or stuffed animals. Soccer balls and pumps will be available for purchase and are located in the church office (See Steve). More information about those items will come later. The cost of shipping is $9 per shoe box. You are strongly encouraged to make your payment online and print your label. That way you can track where your shoebox was sent. Sisters in Service is willing to assist in paying for shipping if needed. Please return your shoeboxes to the church by November 10th. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Howell or Lynn Ross.

Thanksgiving Baskets for

Lighthouse of Oakland County

Lighthouse of Oakland County provided Thanksgiving baskets to 1,500 families last year in Oakland County. This year Meadowbrook is partnering with them to help provide food for these baskets.

Please drop off your donations in the foyer on any of the following Sundays: November 3, 10 & 17. Following is a list of food they are most in need of:

Canned yams*, Canned vegetables, Canned fruit, Canned soup, Broth,

Canned cranberry sauce, Gravy, Evaporated milk*, Pie crust mix*, Box/Can Potatoes, Muffin Mixes, Cake Mixes, Frosting*, Pumpkin Pie Filling , Stuffing, Jello.

*tend to run low on these items*

If you would also like to donate money or grocery store gift cards to help Lighthouse purchase turkeys for these baskets, please put your donation in the designated can on the collection table. If donating by check, please make payable to: Lighthouse Emergency Services (your gift is tax deductible).

Thanks for being a blessing to needy families here in Oakland County!

Any questions, please see Linda Tingley

Thanksgiving Dinner at Meadowbrook

We will gather around the Thanksgiving dinner table this year with our church family on Sunday, Nov. 17, right after church service.

As usual, this is a planned-menu dinner. A sign-up sheet is posted indicating the dishes to bring. All dishes should be pre-cooked and will be warmed up in the morning. Please consider bringing your casseroles in throw-away containers, if possible, which helps in the clean-up and your own wonderful containers won’t be forgotten in the kitchen.

Recipes are provided in some cases and are on the table below the bulletin board. For those making turkey, it should be cooked, sliced and white and dark meat separated.

Everyone is asked to sign up for two items, except those who roast a turkey. Singles need to bring only one item.

Questions? Please see Elaine Bright, Theresa Meegan or Mimi Romaella.

What is Plarn?

When Sisters in Service meets on Monday, Nov. 25 at 6:00 p.m., they will be working on a project to benefit homeless people. In order to make life a little bit more comfortable for those unfortunate people on the streets, SIS will get together to make sleeping mats of “plarn” which will be provided to organizations that distribute the mats. Plarn is plastic yarn using plastic bags that not only utilize strips cut from the bags but also helps keep the bags out of landfills. When tied together the bags are crocheted to make mats approximately 3’ by 6’. It takes about 500 to 700 bags to make just one mat. Can’t crochet? Then volunteer to prepare the bags by cutting and tying. SIS will be cutting bags at the Nov. 25 meeting and some of the gals will take the strips to crochet. Also, bags can be prepared at home throughout the next months. Please see Elaine Bright for instructions.

Messenger
October 2019

October 5, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing with Steve

There is an old saying that there are only two things that are inevitable in life, death and taxes. One hurts around April 15, but the other one can hit at any time and any day. Even when we know that death is coming it is still a punch in the gut. The loss may lessen, but the emptiness is still there. I do not remember my tax bill in 2010, but I know that is when my dad died.

Death knocked on a door this week. I was the first grandchild in our family. Fourteen months later my sister was born. We would be the only grandkids for thirteen more years. Then my cousin Jimmy was born. He was an only child and a joy for his parents. Though there was an age difference we always got along well. I visited him and his family when I was a youth minister. They lived near Gettysburg. We visited a nearby small ski resort. During the summer the resort had an alpine slide. It was a cement slalom tube that went down the mountain. You would ride on a sled that was on coasters. They had side by side runs. Jimmy and I started at the same time. He laughed at me all the way down. I just knew that I was going to fly out of a curve. Knowing that he was beating me and seeing my anxiety gave him great joy. It was a good time. We did not see each other much except at Christmas and the last few years hardly at all. When we did see each other it was as if no time had passed. Several years ago he got cancer. The doctors tried everything, but to no avail. He passed away earlier this week. He will be missed.

Death knocked on a door this week. When we moved to Michigan in 2004 I met someone who shared my love of college football and basketball games, Norm Tope. Norm was a few years older than me, but we were from the same generation. He had served in Vietnam. He had worked for UPS, but at some point had been diagnosed with MS. When I arrived in Michigan his eyesight was failing and he had a hard time getting around, but he could still enjoy watching college games. On a Saturday I would go to White Castle and buy about ten hamburgers and a couple of fries. I would return to his house and we would eat sliders and watch college football. He had a surgery that was supposed to help him, but he would turn out to be one of the 10% that it did not help. His body got weaker and he eventually went to stay in the Veterans Home in Grand Rapids. During college football he would call me each week to help him make his picks. I would visit him every six weeks to two months. We often just sat and talked. I introduced him to a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. He told me it was the best chicken sandwich he had ever tasted. I would push him around the nature area. We would sit and talk and fend off mosquitoes. His body finally gave out and he passed away this morning. He will be missed.

Talking about death is always tough. Even though it is inevitable we try everything to avoid it, but yet it still comes. As Christians we need a different outlook. Jimmy and Norm are in a much better place right now. Christ gives us that hope. The sadness that we feel should be just that: sadness that we have lost a loved one and they will be missed. At the same time we should have joy because of hope in Christ. We should have joy that our loved one is with the Lord, no longer living in a world that is full of pain and discomfort. Jimmy and Norm have fought the good fight and are now receiving their reward. I encourage you to be faithful and fight the good fight. That is our hope in Jesus Christ.

Tom Schwartzenberger – October 2
Arleen Rossol – October 3
Kathy Couture – October 8
Denis & Kathy Couture (Ann.) – October 8
Gene Paul – October 10
Carolyn Bennett – October 16
Dan & Elaine Bright (Ann.) – October 17
Wendy Kapusta – October 20
Pat Wundrach – October 20
Ron & Theresa Meegan (Ann.) – October 21
Wayne Thomas – October 21
Jim Martin – October 24
Nona Wundrach – October 26
Jeremy & Brandy Cox (Ann.) – October 28
Mary Koster – October 31
Stephanie Ciuba – October 31

Adult Bible Study

After a month’s delay we will be getting back into the swing of things with adult Bible study. We will be meeting Wednesday, October 9, at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be starting Mark Chapter 5. This is a great way to learn about the life of Christ. We study for about fifty minutes and then have a prayer time. Plan now to join us. We will also meet on Wednesday, October 23.

Celebrate Fall at Meadowbrook

Our Annual Fall Festival will take place on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Games and activities will take place and hot dogs, chips, and popcorn will be served throughout the evening. All the games and activities result in candy being handed out. We need help in a couple of ways. We need candy: Please bring bags of individually wrapped candy to the office. We need volunteers: If you can help or have any questions please see Brenda Cox. Let’s have a great time again this year!!

Donate Blankets to God’s Helping Hands

We are collecting blankets for God’s Helping Hands this month. Drop off your donation in the church lobby, and see Carol Howell if you have any questions

Thanksgiving Baskets for

Lighthouse of Oakland County

Lighthouse of Oakland County provided Thanksgiving baskets to 1,500 families last year in Oakland County. This year Meadowbrook is partnering with them to help provide food for these baskets.

Please drop off your donations in the foyer on any of the following Sundays: October 20, 27, November 3, 10 & 17. Following is a list of food they are most in need of:

Canned yams*, Canned vegetables, Canned fruit, Canned soup, Broth,

Canned cranberry sauce, Gravy, Evaporated milk*, Pie crust mix*, Box/Can Potatoes, Muffin Mixes, Cake Mixes, Frosting*, Pumpkin Pie Filling , Stuffing, Jello.

*tend to run low on these items*

Thanks for being a blessing to needy families here in Oakland County!

Any questions, please see Linda Tingley

Annual Meeting

The 2019 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 10, following the morning service. Reports will be given by the elders, deacons, and minister. The 2020 budget will be presented and voted on. Election of elders and deacons will also take place. If you have any questions please see Steve or one of the elders.

Sisters in Service Meets Monthly

Sisters in Service (SIS) women’s group meets every month from September through April (except December). Meetings take place the 4^th Monday at 6pm except for January and February when they meet the 4^th Saturday morning. The format for the 2019-2020 season will have alternating months working on a project with “fun and fellowship” months. The kick-off in September started with a pot luck dinner when plans were made for the season, which include October Fun & Fellowship, November prepare plastic bags to crochet mats for homeless, December is the Church Christmas Party, January prepare meals for Haven, February Fun & Fellowship breakfast, March & April to be determined. Please see SIS President Lynn Ross if you have questions.

Interested in MCC Leadership Position?

Men who are willing to serve as leaders, elders or deacons at Meadowbrook should see one of the elders this month to get a self-nomination form and screening questionnaire.

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child begins this month

Starting Sunday, October 6th there will be a display in the foyer for Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” (Shoebox Ministry). Please go online to www.samaritanspurse.org for further information about this annual event.

We will have 2 different shoebox sizes this year to accommodate larger items such as soccer balls or stuffed animals. Soccer balls and pumps will be available for purchase and are located in the church office (See Steve). More information about those items will come later. The cost of shipping is $9 per shoe box. You are strongly encouraged to make your payment online and print your label. That way you can track where your shoebox was sent. Sisters in Service is willing to assist in paying for shipping if needed. Please return your shoeboxes to the church by November 10th. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Howell or Lynn Ross.

Messenger
September 2019

September 1, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

We are spending the year going through the book, The Real God, by Chip Ingram. This book looks at eight different attributes of God. We are currently looking at the Justice of God. I was somewhat struggling with the topic. I think that I understand the idea. God is just; that is who He is. Justice demands that evil be atoned for. In the Old Testament God demanded sacrifices. That “soothed” Him, but it did not take away the sin. It simply rolled it back. God’s reaction to sin may not have seemed “fair,” but it was always just. That is something we have to accept by faith. Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land because he disobeyed God. After all that he endured leading the Israelites that just does not seem “fair,” but to trust in God is to realize that it was just.

In the New Testament the justice of God is just not mentioned much. It is mentioned thirteen times. It is mentioned twice in Matthew, both while quoting an Old Testament passage. It is mentioned five times in Luke and four of those are in the parable of the unjust judge. There is the scepter of justice in Hebrews and making war with justice in Revelation. There is just not a lot there until I discovered something. I was reading through several commentaries and a point was made about a certain Greek word and I realized something. I verified it in a New Testament word study book. The Greek word for ‘just” and the Greek word for “righteous” are the exact same word. A lot of things started falling into place when I realized that. God is just because He does the right thing so God’s justice is always a demonstration of the right thing. God is righteous which means He always does the right thing. We may not understand that, but God does.

We are sinners and there is a penalty to pay for that. Justice demands that. The penalty is our death, but God, in His love, sent His Son to die on the cross for us. He was a perfect sacrifice without spot or blemish. He paid the price and satisfied God’s justice. Now all we have to do is accept that action. It is nothing that we do or earn; it is all done by God through Christ. When we acknowledge that sacrifice we then respond in a way that pleases God. We serve Him, not earning our salvation, but accepting it and changing our lifestyle because now we are responding to Him and not the world. God did the “right” thing for us – He sent His Son. Justice has been served.

Report on Kenya Medical Relief

Jambo! I made it to Kenya and back, safe and sound. It was an amazing experience, a trip of a lifetime. It broadened by perspective of the world, how some of the people in Kenya live, how our living conditions and opportunities are so much different than theirs. There were problems with the infrastructure of electricity, lighting, hot water, and toilets, which made me grateful to return home.

I worked with an incredibly talented and dedicated team of 22. This was the “eye team,” clinic, and so most were ophthalmologists, one optometrist, ophthalmology surgeons, plastic eye surgeons, surgical techs, an anesthesiologist, a nurse anesthetist, and then the assistants who helped with whatever was needed. Dr. Skoney and I worked in the medical clinic while all this was going on. We each saw patients with whatever they needed. This included young children, too, which was initially scary to me since I don’t typically see this age group. However, Dr Skoney was available for whatever I needed, so no worries here.

In total over the three clinic days, we saw 501 patients, with 100 surgical cases, 153 medical clinic patients. Clinic hours were long, 6:45 am -8:30 or 10 PM. We saw as many patients as we could, but even so, sadly we had to turn some away as we ran out of time. The people including the children were so polite, respectful, patiently waited their turn.

A small number of patients received general anesthesia. However, most surgical cases received eye “blocks,” which involved sticking needles in their eyes. None of them ever seemed to move or protest this. Many of them camped out on the grounds for 1-3 days. If they had surgery, they stayed overnight in chairs or hospital beds. No food or drink was provided for them, they were responsible for meeting their own needs. The Kenyans were very grateful for the care, thanking God for our presence.

This is the main source of medical care most of them receive. Any other medical care involves them paying for their own transportation and care, which for most of them is prohibitive. There is no such thing as health insurance. A sad reality was that so many people had a potentially treatable problem but were unable to afford the care for it. Fortunately, for some, we could tell them which medical specialty was coming when, in the hopes they would be able to return for whatever they needed. The facility is open 7 days weekly with a medic in attendance, so people can receive basic care when the medical teams are not in town.

Thanks to the donations of people like you, we brought 32 large hockey style bags of medical/surgical supplies, medications, and homemade blankets and shoes for the kids. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the kids’ faces receiving these gifts, as they were on school holiday for 2 weeks, and the government requires them to return home to a relative to also learn that way of life. I don’t know how many shoes were brought, but I know I had 96 pairs of shoes. Reportedly, there were enough shoes not only for the 100 orphans that live there, but also for the 500+ students who attend there from neighboring areas. The house parents were especially appreciative that there were larger sized shoes for the older kids, who tend to get left out.

Thank you again for your donations, financial support and prayers for me in attending this medical mission trip.

Cindy Gerstenlauer

GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE IS CELELBRATING 70 YEARS!

All are welcome to attend the anniversary celebration October 18-19, 2019 at the college campus in Lansing, MI.

As a Christian academic community, GLCC’s task is to educate men and women for preaching and other ministry roles as well as for careers related to the church or institutions in the public sector. In all instances, preparing students to be servant-leaders is central to the College’s founding character, history, curriculum and campus ethos.

GLCC offers degrees in Advanced Biblical Studies, Bible Theology, Business Management – for profit and non-profit, Christian Education, Christian Ministry, Cross-cultural Ministry, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Family Life Education, History, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, Music, Psychology/Counseling and Youth Ministry.

For more information, check out their website at: glcc.edu

The mission of Johnson University is to educate students for Christian ministries and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations. Please pray for the students starting classes this fall and for the faculty and staff to shine the light of Jesus through their work this school year. Also pray for the upcoming Pursue Conference, November 8-10, where Johnson will welcome high school students who are looking to enter full-time ministry and/or missions. We pray that God will move in the hearts of many to answer his call to serve.

Ron Meegan – September 5
John & Stephanie Ciuba (Ann.) – September 5
Phil Johnson – September 7
Mike & Linda Tingley (Ann.) – September 10
Hector & Laura Urteaga (Ann.) – September 12
Tim & Carol Howell (Ann.) – September 12
Jaysun Thomas – September 23
John Ciuba III – September 25
Pat & Nona Wundrach (Ann.) – September 26
Joy Ciuba – September 28

Self-Nominate for Leadership Positions in Sept.

The self-nomination period for men who wish to be considered for the office of elder or deacon begins on September 1st, with nominations due no later than September 29th. Please prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to this area of responsibility and service. If you are led to self-nominate for the office of elder or deacon, please see one of the elders for a self-nomination form and screening questionnaire.

Men Meet for Breakfast

We have a men’s breakfast that meets every other month during the school year. Our first meeting is Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall for a home-cooked breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, and beverage. We’ll have a short time of study, and close with prayer. A sign-up sheet is in the foyer.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

The Thursday morning ladies Bible study will resume on September 19 at 9:30am in the church library. A new study will be starting that will examine the Book of Job. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. A study book will be used that will cost $8. Please see Phyllis Martin for more information about the class and to order a book.

Join us for Barbeque and Saturday Church Service

September 21 is the date for our annual Saturday night service. There will be no Sunday morning service on September 22 because of the Brooksie Way Half Marathon when most of the roads around the church building are closed. We will have a barbecue dinner at 5 pm, and the church will provide the meat. Phil Newton and his team will be cooking a hog all day long. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Last names A-O please bring a salad or a vegetable. Last names P-Z please bring a dessert. The evening worship service will start around 6:15 pm. Plan now to join us for this special fellowship time and worship service.

Sisters in Service Starts Meeting in September

September brings cool temperatures, colorful leaves and the kick-off for Sisters in Service. The first get-together for the season is Monday, Sept. 23, at 6:00 p.m. with a pot luck dinner. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. Plans for the new season will be discussed and a devotion will be given by one of the ladies. The evening will be a good time of fellowship with your Christian sisters. Come to the meeting and share your ideas for monthly meeting activities.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Adult Bible study will begin on Wednesday, September 25, in the Fellowship Hall at 7pm. We will be continuing our study in the Gospel of Mark. We will be starting chapter 5. We spend about 50 minutes in verse by verse study and then close with a time of prayer. Mark gives an interesting perspective of the life of Christ. Plan to share with us and learn more about Jesus from the gospel.

Annual Sisters in Service Tea is Sept. 28th

Sisters in Service Afternoon Tea is a highly anticipated annual event that will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 28, beginning at 11 a.m. The Fellowship Hall will be transformed into a delightful Tea Room with beautifully decorated tables and a buffet table loaded down with delicious food prepared by our ladies. All ladies and girls are invited to attend, and please invite your friends to join us.

Please let Kathi Tope know if you’re willing to host a table, which involves place settings, centerpiece and providing a small gift for those seated at your table. Other volunteers are needed to prepare tea-type food. Kathi will answer all of your questions as to what is required.

MAP MEETING

There has been some interest shown in . This is a group of Michigan citizens who are concerned about modern slavery and human trafficking. To gauge interest at Meadowbrook we want to have a short meeting following the morning service on Sunday, September 29, in the front of the auditorium. If there is enough interest we will schedule another meeting and invite representatives from MAP to come and address us and see how we can become more involved. Initially the purpose of this organization is to educate and then figure out a strategy to help with this serious issue. There are some brochures in the foyer with more information.

Messenger
August 2019

August 2, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing with Steve

This article is for parents and grandparents and is written after spending a week at church camp with one hundred 4^th – 6^th graders. It was reinforced again to me how important parental figures are in the life of a child. This has always been the case since the beginning of mankind, but the dynamics have changed over the years. When I was growing up just about every child lived in a traditional family unit with a father and mother under the same roof. How things have changed. There are still traditional families, but now there are single parent families. This is often due to divorce. We have step-families where kids are trying to get used to a new parent and siblings. More and more grandparents have entered again into the parenting field. They are raising their grandchildren. These different scenarios have a huge impact on the life of the child. The influence that these “parents” have on the children is great when it comes to their spiritual lives. Let me give you some examples.

There were sisters at camp. The older sister told some of the staff that her grandmother had passed and then told her younger sister. The younger sister was devastated. We checked and verified and found out the grandmother had surgery, but was very much alive and recovering. Apparently the girl just wanted some attention. One of the boys was just hard. He admitted to me that he was a bully. He had become a bully because he had been bullied. He did not care what you did to him. He would just stare at you. Understanding started to come when I found out that his dad is in prison and his mother is an addict. He lives with his grandparents, and they do not go to church. A friend of his grandmother encourages him to come to church camp.

We have just one week to make a difference in the life of these kids. We tell them about Jesus and try to model Jesus anyway that we can. We encourage them in their daily walk, but we know that we only have one week. We cannot undue what is emphasized for the fifty-one other weeks. That is why raising your children in the Lord is so important. It gives them a Biblical foundation upon which their whole life will be built. They may choose to go a different way, but they will still have the foundation. Please remember the Lord’s directions in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

We are taking a two-week break from our year-long series, The Real God. Sunday, August 4^th, will be our Sunday in the park. Sunday, August 11, will be a free Sunday. Sunday, August 18, we will start the four-week session on the Justice of God. We will have a children’s story and teaching video on the 18^th. We will have sermon from the Old Testament on the 25^th and then from the New Testament on September 1. We will conclude this session on Sunday, September 8. Including this session, we have three sessions left. Continue to pray that God open our minds so that we can understand Him better and see who He really is.

LAWN MOWING

The lawn mowing season continues. Warm weather, rain, and growing grass seem to go hand in hand. We are thankful to our mowing teams and the good work that they do. Here is the schedule for the month of August:

Week of August 4th – The Blue Team

Week of August 11 – The Green Team

Week of August 18 – The Red Team

Week of August 25 – The Orange Team

Annual Church Picnic and Outdoor Church Service

It’s picnic time! Our annual church picnic will be held on Sunday, August 4, at the Auburn Hills Civic Center Park; maps to the park will be located on the foyer table. For everyone’s convenience, a shuttle service will be available from the park’s parking lot to the shelter area. Please see the sign-up sheets that are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer indicating what food you would like to bring. Meat and drinks will be supplied by the church. Activities at the picnic include volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and ladder toss. The picnic this year is hosted by the Friday night LIFE Group, and questions may be directed to Brenda Cox, Phyllis Martin or Lynn Ross.

Last year’s picnic began with our worship service at the park, instead of at the church building, and will be taking place at the park again this year. The service starts at 10:45 a.m. and Sunday School is dismissed that morning. Please bring lawn chairs to sit on for both the service and the meal. In case of rain the service and the picnic will be held at our building.

The Sisters in Service annual garage sale is scheduled for August 22, 23 & 24 at Dan & Elaine Bright’s home, 2136 Oklahoma, Rochester Hills.

Attention Men of Meadowbrook: we would like more tools, hunting and fishing gear, sports equipment and outdoor equipment, ie, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed whips, etc. Check your garages, sheds, basements.

Any donation can be brought to the Bright’s starting Sunday, August 18th.

A big reminder that all proceeds go to support the agenda of Sisters-in-Service. Everyone is welcome to bring their “treasures”. No clothes and no large furniture.

Sisters in Service Makes Pillows for Youth

Sisters in Service is busy making pillows for youth between the ages of 3 and 18 at “Sandcastles”, a camp sponsored by the Henry Ford Health System for youth who have experienced the death of someone close. The pillows provide badly needed comfort at a sad time for young people. The delightful pillows are displayed at the church in the hallway on the first floor.

Jeremiah Cox – August 4
Steve & Phyllis Martin (Ann.) – August 5
Mike & Cindy Gerstenlauer (Ann.) – August 6
Lynn Ross – August 13
Elaine Bright – August 14
Phyllis Martin – August 14
June Thomas – August 19
Brad & Mary Koster (Ann.) – August 24
Ron Murphy – August 30
Bonnie Iseman – August 30

Messenger
July 2019

July 1, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

This year our theme has been taken from the book, The Real God, by Chip Ingram. This book examines eight attributes of God. We have just finished looking at the Holiness of God. I have really struggled with this topic from a preaching standpoint. I think that we all have a hard time with this quality. One, we find it difficult to explain or define. Holiness is purity and perfection. It is sinless and full of light. There is no darkness in holiness and certainly no compromise. That is hard for us to understand because we are involved in all of those things. We think that we understand purity and perfection, but can we ever really experience that in an imperfect world?

The New Testament describes Christians as a holy nation yet we are far from perfect. We compromise so often and justify it because we do not do it all the time. We say that “God will understand” or “that is what grace is for,” but that just cheapens grace. Christ did not die on the cross so that we could continue to sin, but that our sins would be forgiven. A terrible price had to be paid to satisfy God’s wrath and justice. To continue to sin or not take seriously the command to be holy is to throw that back into the face of God. His desire is for us to grow to maturity which means putting those sinful ways behind us. It also means that we put the ways of the world behind us. We are to be different than the world. We live in the world, but we are not of this world. This is not an easy task, but John reminds us in his first letter that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. We have been called to live holy lives. There is no better time to start than right now.

NEW SERMON FOCUS

Starting Sunday, July 7, we will be looking at Chapter 7 in The Real God by Chip Ingram. This chapter deals with the Wisdom of God. July 7 will be the family Sunday. Steve will have a story for the youth and we will watch the teaching video by Chip Ingram. July 14 will be an Old Testament sermon about the wisdom of God and then on July 21 we will have a New Testament sermon on the same topic. The closing sermon on the topic will be July 28. We encourage you to read chapter 7 in the book. This gives you a foundation as we examine this topic. Please be keeping this series in your prayers.

LAKE JAMES CHRISTIAN CAMP

Steve will be attending the Pre-Teen 2 Camp at LJCA, July 14 – July 19. He is one of the assistant deans. Brenda Cox will be going to lead the music and Matthew Zaremba will be going as a junior faculty member. This is an excellent week of camp with a veteran staff. There are about 80 campers registered. Please be praying for the campers and the staff that all goes well and that Jesus is glorified.

John Ciuba IV – July 8
Stefanie Kapusta – July 9
Harry & Kaye Thompson (Ann.) – July 12
Tim Howell – July 16
Carol Howell – July 16
Hector Urteaga – July 18
Ken Small – July 19
Sandra Krugh – July 21
Mike & Sue Rose (Ann.) – July 21
Mike Rose – July 22
Brenda Cox – July 22
Harry Thompson – July 24
Samantha Kapusta – July 25
Eunice Salminen – July 27
Marian Murphy – July 28

MOWING SCHEDULE

Week of July 7 – The Blue Team

Week of July 14 – The Green Team

Week of July 21 – The Red Team

Week of July 28 – The Orange Team

Annual Church Picnic and Outdoor Church Service

It’s picnic time! Our annual church picnic will be held on Sunday, August 4, at the Auburn Hills Civic Center Park; maps to the park will be located on the foyer table. For everyone’s convenience, a shuttle service will be available from the park’s parking lot to the shelter area. Please see the sign-up sheets that will be posted on the bulletin board in the foyer indicating what food you would like to bring. Meat and drinks will be supplied by the church. Activities at the picnic include volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and ladder toss. The picnic this year is hosted by the Friday night LIFE Group and questions may be directed to Brenda Cox, Phyllis Martin or Lynn Ross.

Missions Ministry: Focus on IDES

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) is an organization that seeks to give physical help and spiritual hope to suffering individuals around the world. IDES works with mission partners (foreign missions, stateside ministries, U.S. congregations in 34 nations), Christians in the field and other volunteers to accomplish their good work. Funds are secured from donations, capital campaigns, investments, and endowments.

As part of the thank you letter for the monthly gift our church gives to IDES, we receive that month’s calendar for the events IDES is planning, as well as prayer requests. A sample of the prayer requests on this month’s calendar includes:

A Christian mission in India providing medical aid, food and clothing for families affected by the bombing in Sri Lanka
A mission in Myanmar rebuilding the storm damaged hut of a poor pastor
Agape International Mission providing drought relief for families in 18-25 different provinces in Cambodia
IDES’ Executive Director, Rick Jett continuing to recover from health issues
A mission in Myanmar providing recent graduates with medical kits, purchasing a motorbike for a Bible translator & drilling a well for a village that is without fresh water
A church in South Carolina helping a couple more homeowners with hurricane repairs
Providing clean water by drilling a well, medicines for their medical clinic & sewing machines for their vocational school in Haiti.
Rebuilding a church & homes in a village in Ghana, destroyed by fire due to inter-tribal conflict
Prayers for food packing events and shed building. As you can see, IDES addresses both international and domestic needs. Our continued support of this ministry through our gifts and prayer is vital so IDES can reach the hurting with help and hope in Jesus Christ.

The Sisters in Service annual garage sale is scheduled for August 22,23,24.

We need everyone to be putting aside their donations. More details to follow in next month’s newsletter.

Messenger
June 2019

May 31, 2019 By Theresa Meegan

Sharing With Steve

Phyllis and I have been gone for two weeks. We spent some time in North Carolina celebrating the life of my aunt who passed away earlier this year. We then went to Oklahoma where we spent some time with our daughter and her family. Her husband is the new youth minister at Tuttle Christian Church in Tuttle, OK. We had an enjoyable time. It is always good to be with grand kids. I drove back to Michigan the last two days. Because of Greg’s camp schedule, Phyllis, Abigail, and the kids are coming to Michigan next week. Our oldest daughter, Tabitha, will also be here.

Now that I have driven several thousand miles in the last two weeks I have had some time to reflect. One thing that has come to mind is that life is fragile and unpredictable. Let me give you some examples. My aunt was 88 when she passed and she had been sick for a while. We mourned her passing, but recounted with joy many happy memories. Her son (14 years younger than me) could not attend. He has an aggressive form of cancer. We pray for God’s intervention. Life is fragile and unpredictable.

Everywhere we drove there was water. The rivers were very high and the fields across the south and midwest are saturated. We visited Phyllis’ mother in Tulsa and the Arkansas River was as high as I have ever seen it. Even the riverside casinos were closing due to rising water. On the news we saw a house in Oklahoma being washed away. Who would have thought? Farmers cannot get into their fields to plant the crops. Life is certainly fragile.

Weather occupied a lot of our time in Oklahoma. We became very familiar with CBS channel 9 out of Oklahoma City. Every night it seemed that storms were being tracked and tornados were forming. Golf ball size hail was seen and softball size hail was predicted. I was told that purple on the radar indicated hail. I had never seen purple on radar before and I saw a lot of purple last week. One night we were told that a storm with a likely tornado was heading straight for Tuttle. We went into a storm shelter (an 8 foot by 5 foot [approximate] cement block room under the garage floor). We were there for about fifteen minutes. We were fortunate; no tornado came through. Twenty miles north two people were killed and a motel was destroyed. Life is fragile.

On the way home I had plans to make it to a city at a certain time and then make it home early evening. I was doing good until the interstate in Illinois was reduced to one lane in each direction and my direction stopped still. One hour later I turned the car back on and started moving again. Nothing I could do about that. I had a cement wall on my left side and a three foot shoulder on the other. I was stuck. I made it home, but it was several hours later than I had hoped. Life is indeed unpredictable.

What can I deduce from all of this? Life is fragile and unpredictable and so I need an anchor that will get me through those times. That anchor is Jesus Christ. No matter how fragile life is Jesus is there to pick up the pieces or strengthen me. He is there to give me hope. No matter how unpredictable life is, Jesus is there to be a constant. He can calm me and guide me. He is there is help me face the changing situations and to reveal to others His calming presence. I just need to let Jesus take control of my life. 1 John 4:4 (CSBBible) “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”.

We are enjoying our study of Chip Ingram’s book, The Real God. In June we will be examining the Holiness of God. This is chapter 6 in the book. Sunday, June 2, will be concluding chapter 5, The Sovereignty of God. Sunday, June 9, will be our Family Sunday. Steve will be telling a children’s story and we will be watching the teaching video by Chip on that chapter. June 16 Steve will preach a sermon from the Old Testament on the holiness of God and then the next week, June 23, Steve will preach from the New Testament. The session on the Holiness of God will close with a sermon on Sunday, June 30. Please be reading chapter 6 in the book to prepare for the next session.

MOWING SCHEDULE

With all of the rain and finally some sun, the grass is green and growing. Our mowing teams are doing a great job. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed. Please see Dan Bright if you can help. We have a dedicated group of mowers who we appreciate very much. The schedule for June is as follows:

The week of June 2 – The Orange Team
The week of June 9 – The Blue Team
The week of June 16 – The Green Team
The week of June 23 – The Red Team
The week of June 30 – The Orange Team

The Annual Church Picnic will be on Sunday, August 4, from Noon to 4:00pm at Auburn Hills Civic Center Park. More details will follow soon. Please plan to join us for a great afternoon of fun and fellowship!

Mission Focus: KENYA MEDICAL RELIEF

Jambo! (a Swahili greeting similar in meaning to the English word Hello!). Meadowbrook is stepping up to support Kenya Medical Relief this summer. Parishioner and nurse practitioner Cindy Gerstenlauer is going on her first medical mission trip to Kenya.

KenyaRelief.org began as a small orphanage for the children of Migori, Kenya, most of whom had lost their families to AIDS. Steve James started this orphanage in 2002, after the death of his daughter Brittney, who was in college at the time. He visited her sponsored child in Kenya, whom he realized had nothing. As a nurse anesthetist, Steve felt the need for medical treatment in the area was urgent, and an outpatient clinic was built soon after, followed by a private school.

KenyaRelief.org now serves almost 200 orphaned/vulnerable children, educates over 500 students, and treats thousands of patients each year. Over 20 mission teams of medical professionals, as well as non-medical teams such as VBS and Children’s Education, serve in Migori yearly. KenyaRelief.org has several projects currently in the works including a new cafeteria to serve almost 500 students each day, a new soccer field, expansion of the clinic to include inpatient wards for overnight stays, with a full-service hospital as their goal.

Cindy will be going with the ophthalmology team August 15-25, 2019, whom will mostly be performing cataract surgeries and the like. Cindy will be assisting Dr. Joseph Skoney, an Internal Medicine physician from her work at Troy Internal Medicine, to provide medical care. Patients generally have serious medical conditions like infectious diseases, cancers, and other illnesses. At least a third have AIDS. The people are poor with few options for medical care. There is no such thing as health insurance. The nearest hospital is 100 miles away, and patients must find their own way there, and pay for their care, which is not feasible for most of them.

KenyaRelief.org is a faith-based organization and shares our Christian beliefs. While formal evangelism by the medical teams is not done, as individuals we are encouraged to use our faith and are free to evangelize and pray with patients. They believe the work we do is a direct extension of showing Jesus’s love and the command to take care of those in need. The team goes to church on Sunday as a group. Most Kenyans are Christian, and all the people go to church on Sundays.

The medical team could use your help! The eye team is collecting used eyeglasses, acetaminophen/Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol tablets, NSAIDS (e.g., Motrin/ibuprofen, Advil, etc.), unused eye drops, antibiotics, gauze, syringes, and needles. Bulk containers are appreciated, as space is a premium when traveling, and meds are dispensed in small envelopes. In addition, each team is assigned a special project of items to bring for the orphans. The eye team (Team 15) has been asked to bring tennis shoes in girls and boys sized 8 youth, up to size 7 in women and men.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, $700 a year provides food, room, education, and clothing. Each team member pays their own way, and the cost of the trip is approximately $5000. If you would like to support Cindy financially, you can go to http://kenyarelief.org and on the top right hand side of the page you will see “donate/trip payment”. On the “Designation of Funds, put team member donation/payment. Under notes, put Cynthia Gerstenlauer, Team 15. Then click “donate.” Alternatively, you can put a check in the offering plate at church and designate it for Kenya Medical Relief. Prayers are also welcomed and appreciated.

The Sisters in Service annual garage sale is scheduled for August 22,23,24. We need everyone to be putting aside their donations. More details to follow in next month’s newsletter.

Dan Bright – June 5
Jerry & Wanda Douma (Ann.) – June 12
Ron & Ruth Lindhagen (Ann.) – June 14
Matthew Zaremba – June 18
Jaysun & Traci Thomas (Ann.) – June 18
Ron & Marian Murphy (Ann.) – June 20
Sue Rose – June 20
Dick Tenniswood – June 22
Randy & Jerri Gilbert (Ann.) – June 25

Messenger
April 2020

Messenger
March 2020

Messenger
February 2020

Messenger
January 2020

Messenger
November 2019

Messenger
October 2019

Messenger
September 2019

Messenger
August 2019

Messenger
July 2019

Messenger
June 2019

Virtual Sunday services on YouTube

2741 Walton Blvd.
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
248-659-8481

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES