A message from Anthony

 

 

 

As with most of us this past few weeks, my mind has been overwhelmed with thoughts lately. I have prayed earnestly, felt uncertain at times, and gotten lost in my thoughts more than once. But, through all of it, I have found comfort in the Word. As I tried to get some sleep the other night, the Spirit nudged my heart, seemingly to remind me that He was there.

I was reminded of Jesus’ last meal with His disciples. It was another time of great uncertainty and questions, as the disciples tried to make sense of what Jesus was trying to tell them about the evening to come and the days that would follow. He explained the hardships that the disciples would face in the world, but He comforted them with the reminder that He is the vine from which we are all sustained. He also explained that he would have to leave them, but that another helper would come.

John 14:15-21

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.

We are never alone when we belong to God. God lives with us, within us, and guides us. His Spirit indwells within us forever. We have the Word as our standard, containing the encouragement and commands from God Himself, so that we can be sure of His direction for us. We have the example of Christ, and His teachings that reaffirm the Word’s truth in its totality, and that give us hope for a relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice. And we have each other, to encourage one another in these truths, and to do life together as one church family, built on Christ the cornerstone.

As we launch Thursday night Youth Group starting this month, new and returning Life Groups throughout our area, continue to fellowship with one another, learn together, and grow together; I pray that these encouraging words from Christ remind each of us that we are never alone when we belong to the Lord. God bless us as we continue to be His hands and feet in our communities.

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Bryan Miller – March 2
Bethany Thomas – March 4
Jim Cavins – March 4
Jessica Riedl – March 10
Kathi Tope – March 20
Nancy Paul – March 20
Joe Romaella – March 24
Jacquelyn Thomas – March 25
Mike Tingley – March 28
Marion Thomas – March 31

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The missions team met on February 15 and several updates were received from our local and international partners. Please be keeping the following items in your prayers:

• The Karamoja region in Uganda has experienced a time of famine, and then their gardens were washed away in flooding. They are in need of food, clothing, and bedding. The Meadowbrook missions fund has provided a special gift of $500.00 to offset this need.
• Lake James Camp has received a gift of a 20-acre parcel of farm land, including some buildings, which will be used to expand the programs at the camp. Praise God for this gift.
• Voice of the Martyrs is hosting an event: “Imprisoned for Christ Virtual Event” on Friday, March 5 at 7:30 pm. There will be three speakers who were prisoners in different countries, and Natalie Grant will lead worship. This is a free event but you must sign up at org/event.
• Ninos de Mexico is hosting a virtual trivia night as a fundraiser on Saturday, March 6, at 8 pm. The entry fee is $10 per person. For more information go to https://ninosdemexico.org/get-involved/virtual-trivia-night

As always, thank you for your continued financial support of missions and thank you for your prayers.

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SIS is preparing Easter Baskets in March

At the Saturday, March 20^th Sisters in Service meeting, the ladies will be preparing Easter baskets for Neighborhood House.  Beginning at 10am, they will assemble items purchased from the SIS funds. Please contact Cathy Podvin if you have questions.

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The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors

With the ongoing pandemic, the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors.  Meadowbrook Christian Church is supporting this need by holding a blood drive on Thursday, April 8, between 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.  To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: meadowbrookchristian or call 1-800-733-2767.

Donating blood products is essential to community health and the need for blood products is constant.  The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need.

The Red Cross is following FDA blood donation eligibility guidance for those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination, and deferral times may vary depending on the type of vaccine an individual receives. If you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll need to provide the manufacturer name when you come to donate. Upon vaccination, you should receive a card or printout indicating what COVID-19 vaccine was received, and we encourage you to bring that card with you to your next donation. In most cases, there is no deferral time for individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they are symptom free and feeling well at the time of donation.   

 

 

A message from Zack

 

Happy February church! As we begin to wrap up our series on the mission of God, we have begun hitting some of the major application points for Meadowbrook Christian in order for us to be faithful in the fulfillment of our role in the mission of God. As was said on Sunday, January 31, in fulfilling the mission of God “We serve, we give, we are the gospel.” I asked the question, when your neighbors see you coming do they run inside and close the curtains or do they express excitement because good news is coming? Maybe a better way to put it would be to ask, if you moved would your neighborhood notice or miss you?

When we moved from Commerce Township to Lake Orion we found the answer to that question. It was actually a little surprising to me. Many of our neighbors were genuinely upset that we were leaving. Some because they were losing a neighbor who mowed their lawn and kept their property looking nice, others because they were losing a friend. During our time there we made a habit of some simple acts of kindness. I had a large snow blower and two of our neighbors were older widows, so I made a habit of clearing their driveways of snow. One neighbor had knee surgery, so Sarah brought her meals nightly for a couple weeks. We had the youth group from Walled Lake to our house on Mondays and the community noticed. A few started referring to me as the pastor. Saying hello and striking up a conversation with the neighbor who goes for a walk every morning. When covid hit, our area was a mix of upper middle class and low income. We built one of those “little library” boxes in our front yard and filled it with groceries. Many in the community jumped on board and starting filling it as others took as they had need. I even ran into a guy at the local ace hardware who recognized me as the guy who built the “Little Community Pantry” as they are called.

I don’t say any of this to toot my own horn. Embarrassingly I came to the realization that many of the people wishing us well and upset about our move were people whose names I did not even know. I also have to admit, it took me years before I actually began to take the time to get to know some of our neighbors. But whether I was taking the time to know them or not, they were learning little things about me based on what they saw and heard. The little things matter.

So I ask again, when your neighbors see you coming do they see good news coming? As we focus in on our mission as Meadowbrook Christian, working on the little things around our homes and in our neighborhood is a great place to start. Wave to the guy walking his dog, start up a conversation with your neighbor as you shovel the snow. Be the kind of the neighbor that people want to love. Start serving your neighbors by acknowledging their humanity and value. God is working. We don’t always know where, but we know that he is. Put on your best Mr. Rogers face and love your neighbor the way that your God loves you.

 

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A message from Anthony

 

As Sophie and I get settled here in Michigan, and adjust to the change in weather, schedule, and overall routine, it’s been a surprise to me just how quickly time seems to escape me on a daily basis. I look up and the hours have passed without even realizing it. And always, you know there’s more on the list of things that I wanted to accomplish that day. I’m sure we can all relate in some way to the cycle of “busyness” that makes up the majority of our daily “business.”

That’s why it’s so important in our daily worship life to press pause for a few moments and connect with God and others around us. We can get so caught up with the demands of the day that sometimes we forget to thank Him for the day itself.

As we are turning our attention to discipleship this year, we have to remember to make time to focus on building and maintaining those relationships that grow disciples. There is no more precious resource than the time we have to spend with God and with others.

I look forward to spending some more time with those whom we’ve had the opportunity, and hearing the testimony you have to share. I also look forward to connecting with those of you whom I haven’t had that chance to yet.

Thank you for your witness and for your part in building up God’s church right here at Meadowbrook, and thank you for being the gospel message in the communities right where God has planted you.

Always In Christ,

Anthony C. Knotts

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Lothar & Arleen Rossol (Ann.) – February 2
Leanna Thomas – February 3
Mirembe Schewe – February 5
Kaye Thompson – February 6
Shalon Cox – February 22
Zain Cox – February 22
James Friedlund – February 23

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Bridget Kochan has a new address. It is posted on the bulletin board in the church lobby, or you can call the church office for the information.  Her phone number is still the same.

This is a great opportunity to send a letter, card, or call to say hi, catch up or just tell Bridget and other members of our congregation that you’re thinking of them.

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Thank you to everyone who donated goods for the Blessing Bag project.  Thanks to your generosity, Sisters In Service was able to pack 40 Blessing Bags for Lighthouse in Pontiac to deliver to people in need.  The Blessing Bags were stuffed with warm socks, hat/scarf/gloves, lotion, tissue packs, deodorant, bandaids, nail clipper, a toothbrush and paste, hand cleaning wipes and a variety of food items.  We are so pleased to bless people in need of help with these bags.

 

 

 

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Sisters in Service make plans for February meeting

Sisters in Service will be cutting fabric to make fleece hats for St. Joe’s Hospital End of Life Cart at the Sat., Feb. 27, meeting.  The ladies will gather in the fellowship hall at 10 a.m.  Fleece material will be provided but please bring scissors.

 

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Our mission partners around the world continue to face struggles with the global pandemic. Please be in prayer for the following missions:

New Churches of Christ Evangelism: Please pray as NCCE offers support to “micro-churches.” These are small groups that have sprung up during quarantine in homes, shops, garages, etc. Pray for God’s work to continue in these micro-churches as well as the traditional church plants that NCCE will support as we emerge from the pandemic.

International Disaster Emergency Services: Please pray for a smooth transition from Executive Director Rick Jett to David Stine that will take place through September 3. Rick Jett has announced his retirement due to long-term health concerns. David Stine has connections to Niños de Mexico, another of Meadowbrook’s mission partners.

Michigan Christian Campus Ministries (His House): Please pray for students at Ferris State University, who, after months of online meetings, are struggling to reconnect with one another now that in-person meetings have resumed. Students don’t know whether or not to shake hands and/or hug one another, and body language is hampered due to mask wearing.

Asia Christian Services: Please pray for people who end up in refugee camps due to civil unrest in Myanmar. In some cases, refugees find the camps as an upgrade from their previous living conditions, and now the camps are looking to open schools for children there.

Niños de Mexico: Please pray for the house parents and workers in each home to have the mental and physical health needed to provide for the children in their care as they have had to go back into lockdown as of December 18. Also pray for God to provide the staff to open a new home in Queretaro, Mexico.

As always, thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and financial support for our missions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoom in with Zack

 

Happy New Year Meadowbrook! 2020 has finally come to an end and we can now move on to 2021. If only the break were as easy as that. Unfortunately, getting everything back to the way it was is not going to be as simple as throwing out the old calendar and hanging up the new one. The struggle continues and we might imagine an end being in sight but have no idea where that could be.

While physically, nothing has changed from December 31 to January 1. Covid is still here, the pause order is still in effect, and our personal financial situations remain the same. But mentally, it gives us the opportunity to choose a new start. Every year so many people choose this time to make New Year’s resolutions. Gym memberships explode in number, exercise equipment flies off the shelf, and salads show up on the table as we try to overcome the Christmas binge. But within a matter of weeks the gyms are empty again and we’re munching on our cheeseburgers in Culvers (Never McDonalds). The New Year offers us so many new opportunities, but the question is how are we going to maintain a sustainable change for the better?

We have had a year full of changes and we have so many more in front of us to come. Anthony Knotts will be arriving in a matter of weeks to lead our youth and worship ministries. We are going to feel that initial excitement. We are going to get behind him, encourage him, and welcome him. A youth ministry will need to be built basically from scratch. We have an opportunity for a new start here in 2021. How do we create an excitement and passion that is sustainable and supportive beyond the first short period of hype?

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 NIV (2011)

The answer is to maintain relationship with one another. Keep in touch even if it is more difficult and not in person. Encourage one another and shut down murmuring before it has a chance to start. Lift up each other together. Go to God in prayer together. Pray over one another instead of praying for each other in your personal time. Be involved in each other’s lives. Feel a burden of responsibility for someone else. Look through your directory and make a phone call to that name that you haven’t seen in months. Rejoice in what is good instead of complaining about what is wrong. Just make sure that whatever you are doing, you are doing it together.

That is why New Year’s resolutions fail. There is no community, no relationship, no accountability. We succeed together and we fail apart. What 1 Thessalonians is describing is discipleship. If we practice discipleship, our fire will not fade and we will emerge from 2021 as passionate about what is to come as we are excited about what could be today. Let us resolve to see Meadowbrook thrive in the year to come by committing to discipling relationships in one another’s lives.

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Introducing Anthony Knotts

A Little About Me…

Last month, I asked our worship team to answer a few “get to know you” questions. What I’ve found is that we have such a wealth of life experience and testimony right here at Meadowbrook! As I’m soaking it all in, I’m thinking about my first article for our newsletter. So it seems fitting that I share and answer those same questions!

How did you come to know and accept Christ, and how did you come to serve on the worship team?

I first started attending church when my family moved to Lakeview, Oregon in 1998. There was a little Church of Christ just a block down the street from us, and we were there almost every time the doors were open. The pastor was gentle, patient, and kind, and mentored me through some pretty rough years. He and mom encouraged me to go to summer camp that year, I accepted Christ at Little River Christian Camp the summer I turned 12. I started serving on the worship team shortly thereafter.

What do/did you do for a living? What do you love about your job/career?

Like most of us, I’ve worn many different hats that include millwork, retail, electrical, manufacturing, engineering, writing, marketing, and ministry. I love the experiences that come from such a diverse background, but it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to pour into the ministry full-time right here at Meadowbrook! God deserves our all.

What’s your family background? Where are you from?

I grew up in rural Oregon, surrounded by mountains, trees, miles of hayfields, and the reality that the cattle population outnumbered the people in many parts of the state. Living on a farm in the country taught me to appreciate the natural world and the creatures that God has entrusted to our care. Sophie is from the city-scapes of Maine and Connecticut, amidst the hustle and bustle that city life brings. Together, our different backgrounds give us lots to draw from in raising our daughter, Grace Ann.

What are some of your favorite activities and hobbies, sports teams you root for, etc.?

I enjoy watching baseball, basketball, and the one hockey game I got to see in person, however, I am not a big sports fan. Sophie has always been a Red Sox fan, but mostly enjoys reading, puzzles, and anything cat related. I enjoy all things worship, working with youth, writing, games, and sci-fi.

What does “worship” mean to you? How do you worship on a daily basis? How do you believe you could grow in your daily worship life?

Worship starts with God. Without Him, I have no ability, reason, or worthiness to worship. As I listen to Him, and devote my life and everything I think, say, and do to Him, I learn from Him how to worship Him how He deserves. It starts with the personal relationship I have with Him, and that shows through as I do life. I spend time daily in the Word, prayer, and worship through song. Every chance I get, I also try to get away for some quiet time to connect with Him in the beauty of nature and recharge. I get busy sometimes, so I could probably grow in slowing down and letting God worry about the big stuff.

Sophie, Grace, and I are so happy to become part of the Meadowbrook family and get to know you as we meet the needs of our communities together. God has great things in store for His church, and we’re in good hands as long as we trust and follow Him. See you very soon!

Always in Christ,

Anthony, Sophie, and Grace Ann Knotts

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Message from the Elders

How did you like 2020…?

I can see some eye rolls and shaking heads, and hear some moans and groans. To be sure, we have just finished a year unique to our history. I’ve heard several comments indicating a great hopefulness that 2021 will be a “better” year.

Let me repeat the question: How did you like 2020? As I thought about this question, I was reminded of a story told by a well-known preacher several years ago. He was visiting with an older man in his church who had recently experienced a heart attack and subsequent recovery. At some point in their conversation, the preacher asked the man an interesting question: “So, how did you like your heart attack?”

“Oh, preacher,” the man exclaimed, “it was awful – the pain was intense. I was afraid I was going to die. My life flashed before my eyes. I’ve never had such a terrifying experience!”

The preacher asked a few more questions. “Tell me, since your heart attack, has your relationship with your family improved?”

The man replied, “Oh yes, I’ve realized just how precious my family is to me!”

“Have you made any changes in your habits since your heart attack?” the preacher asked.

“I sure have”, he responded, “I’m much more careful about what I eat now, and I’m even exercising every day. I never did that before.”

The preacher continued, “And how do you feel when you wake up each morning?”

The man answered enthusiastically, “You know…I feel great! Every day is a wonderful gift from God, and I am so thankful for the days He has given me!”

One final question from the preacher: “So, tell me…how did you like your heart attack?”

2020 was not what any of us expected, and probably not what we hoped for. As we turn the calendar to a new year, I encourage you to take some time to think and pray about how the events and challenges of last year have affected your daily lives, how they have heightened your appreciation for being with your families and each other, and provided more down time (for some) and the opportunity to “be still” in God’s Presence. Our patience and endurance has been tested (and isn’t that how we grow?), and we eagerly desire to be together, even when it means wearing a mask and not getting too close – for now.

Certainly the journey of 2020 is causing us to look forward with great anticipation to what 2021 will bring. I believe God has been at work through these trying times – at work in the world, and at work in our lives, preparing us and His church for what is around the corner.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

One more time: “How did you like 2020?”

Happy New Year to the Meadowbrook family!

Mike Tingley

Reminder: If you are in need of prayer or have other needs, please reach out to one of the elders. We lift up this congregation daily in our prayers, and we are here to help.

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Join in to make Blessing Bags for the homeless

 

Blessing Bags for the homeless will be packed at the January Sisters in Service meeting on Sat., Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. with items we are asking you to consider donating.  Help make the project a success by donating one or more of the essential items listed below by Jan. 10 in order to reach as many people in need as possible.  SIS will purchase additional items to supplement donations to complete each bag if necessary. Items may be dropped in plastic bins located in the foyer clearly marked for drop off either on Sunday or during the week when Zack is in the office (Monday through Thursday).  Blessing Bags will be distributed by Lighthouse in Pontiac.

Please note: The January SIS meeting was initially planned for Saturday, January 23.  However, we moved the meeting to Saturday, January 16, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, to enable earlier delivery of the bags to Lighthouse.

Items for Blessing Bags

Very warm socks (men’s & women’s)
Scarves and gloves (men’s and women’s)
Hand lotion, Lip balm, Deodorant
Travel size tissue packs
Large band aids 3-4″ size
Granola bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers
Nail clippers
Handwritten note of encouragement, possibly including an appropriate Bible verse.

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The missions committee wishes to thank the Meadowbrook congregation for your generous support of missions initiatives throughout 2020, including your faithful giving via the faith promise program. Each of our 14 missions partners received a Christmas gift of $55 in addition to their normal support checks in December.

Looking ahead to 2021, our spring missions rally will focus on our newest mission partner, the Karamoja Bible Study Center in Uganda. We will share more information about the missions rally in the coming months. Please keep all of our missions partners in your prayers as we enter the New Year.

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Ron Borton – January 4
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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoom in with Zack

 

Happy December to all of you and welcome to a holiday season unlike any other! Going back to virtual has been tough. It’s the Christmas season, we are supposed to be singing carols together and eating way too much food. It is so hard to do the right thing, especially when we can get so many mixed messages about what that is. There are so many different people telling us so many different things. On top of it all, it makes it all the more difficult when we are just tired of it. So what should we do? While we may not know perfectly what the right answer is, the answer for the church must always be the one that puts the well being of others first and is constantly concerned with the perception of the church from the community around us. Perception matters to our mission.

I remember a few years back while living in Commerce Township a massive power outage that lasted about a week for us and for others almost 2 weeks. It caused the local water treatment facility to stop working properly and forced tens of thousands of people to purchase bottled water for all of their drinking needs. Bottled water was sold out everywhere with lines in front of the door hours before the stores opened. There were two local gas stations that felt the need to price gouge. For a small pack of bottled water they wanted $20 or more. Because of this one incident I immediately came to a conclusion regarding the integrity of the business and its ownership. To this day, I have not bought a single thing from their convenience stores or filled up my car at their pumps. The reason, I saw them take advantage of others in dire need and the perception was that they were bad people.

Quite a few news headlines have caught my attention recently regarding covid outbreaks at churches that were not maintaining proper precautions. There was one church where an outbreak began that was linked to 26 deaths. Then there was another one where an outbreak was reported and they came right back and held in person services the next Sunday anyway. Talking to Anthony Knotts the other day and he tells me of an outbreak at his home church where people are not wearing masks. He is recovering at home because of this outbreak. Ultimately, every story I read about these church outbreaks ends the same way. The church says they care about people, but their actions show that they only care about money and themselves. Frankly, it doesn’t matter if these conclusions are accurate or not. Although I think that in many cases they are. What matters is the church is supposed to put people first. If our actions bring that into question, our mission demands that we adjust accordingly.

Philippians 2:3-5 says this to the church, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

What we need to ask of ourselves as the church is, how will my actions today affect integrity of my message tomorrow? What if my actions change the way someone looks at the church so that they believe us to be a place not where people are cared for above all else, but where selfish ambition and self-serving reigns? The way we act today could affect whether someone walks in these doors tomorrow to find their salvation. What would our community think of us if an outbreak started from one of our services because we were not taking what is accepted as basic precautions? How would that affect our ability to go out with the mission of God tomorrow? If we are going to make a mistake, let it be on the side of elevating the value of others. We care and therefore we go out of our way to inconvenience ourselves.

For this reason I want to say thank you. This has been a long season of struggle for us, but you continue to remain patient, observant, and faithful. I know this is hard and I know you are probably just as sick of it as I am. Meadowbrook has endured well and has shown a strong sense of integrity. I appreciate you for bearing with virtual services, masks, and the cancellation of so much. I know that this makes ministry more difficult today. But I do believe very strongly that our integrity and consistent message of caring will translate into a season of growth and success. I do believe that there are many churches whose messages and impact will suffer as a result of their actions during this pandemic. I do not believe that Meadowbrook is one of those. I believe we can leave this stronger than we came into it. Thank you for continuing to carry out the mission of God with self-sacrifice and great love.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14 NIV

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Our special annual candlelight service will take place on Thursday evening, December 24 at 6pm. We will gather in the auditorium to celebrate the birth of Jesus. 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. This is always a special family event. Plan now to join us and rejoice in Immanuel.  We will also be streaming it for those that do not feel comfortable attending in-person service.  The Leadership team is working to ensure we are able to meet and celebrate this special evening safely.

 

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Today’s missions update comes from India. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting India quite severely, with infection rates rivalling those in the U.S. The government has shut down many activities including churches and when the churches are closed, Indian ministers have no source of income. Recognizing this need, International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) has stepped in and established a fund that will provide food for 300 evangelists and their families for the next four months. We thank God that His people’s needs are being met throughout the world. Please continue to pray for the situation in India.

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A Special Happy Birthday and/or Anniversary to all of our members below that we have did not acknowledge earlier this year or in previous years.

Ron Borton – January 4
James Friedlund – February 23 
Bryan Miller – March 2
Jessica Riedl – March 10
Phil Newton – May 1 
Logan Elwell – May 21
Stephanie Elwell – June 4
Patrick Elwell – June 16
Phil & Debi Newton (Ann.) – June 26
Nathan and Cathie Parker (Ann.) –  July 1
Owen Parker –  July 9
Eric Klaus – July 12
Joyce Tingley – July 26
Nathan Parker – Aug 18
Curtis Parker – Sept 27
Tamara Elwell – October 11
Debi Newton – October 17

Please email Stephanie Ciuba at ssmola31@gmail.com if your birthday and/or anniversary has not been listed in our Messenger.  We will update and make sure you are listed going into 2021.

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Zoom in with Zack

Here comes Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday expenses and snow. Your reactions to each of those may range from excitement to dread. It is definitely a time of year where we experience a wide range of emotional responses. One thing that helps me to maintain my sanity through all of this is hockey. I know, here I go about hockey. Well, get used to it. It may seem odd to find comfort in screaming coaches and teenagers with raging hormones, but in officiating ice hockey I find a great deal of comfort because it is something I am good at. I can walk in, put myself on cruise control, and relax. Plus, hockey is full of sermon illustrations.

I was officiating a high school the other night and I watched an absolutely thoughtless mistake occur that seems to happen from the lowest level all the way to the highest. In ice hockey, no one from the offensive team can enter the attacking zone until the puck goes in first. Getting the timing down while three forwards cross the blue line at the same time can be difficult. Everyone is in motion and you don’t want to be offsides. One of the most basic lessons taught at the youngest level is do not stick handle on the blue line. If your teammates are trying to time their entry with yours, then when you pull up and go left or right before you have entered the zone you cause them to go offsides. Always enter the zone first and then move the puck laterally.

It drives coaches nuts to watch their players make this mistake. I watched as the team skated down the ice for a scoring opportunity at full speed. Three players getting ready to cross the blue and all of a sudden the lead player pivots and stick handles along the blue line causing his teammates to go offside, resulting in a whistle and a lost scoring opportunity. Ten years of hockey and this player was still making the same basic mistake. If we don’t learn from our past then we are bound to continually lose opportunities and in this case possibly goals and wins.

I share this to identify something that the church throughout the world seems to continue to struggle because it has not learned from past mistakes. The raising up of the younger generation to become tomorrow’s leaders. For years and years, the college to 30-35 age group has slipped away from the church. There are many reasons to explain this. There is a sudden status of freedom where they get to make their own choices. There is a certain irresponsibility and immaturity in being college age that causes one to struggle with sorting out their priorities. And there is often a lack of influential voices investing in there lives.

Think about it for a minute. If you were to go down the list of members and think about who you need to give a call and check in on, how many of those calls would go out to our college age students? In most churches, college age students are left out of the social dynamics of the church. They generally aren’t going to approach someone 30-40 years their senior to have a chat or arrange some time to spend together. They are both the key to the future of the church and the most overlooked generation in the church.

We have been focusing recently on the mission of God for Meadowbrook and how we are to fulfill that role. The primary way we are to do that is to make disciples. We are to raise up the next generation by investing in them personally and bringing them along in our walk. We shouldn’t expect college age students to be more mature than the average member. But that is what we ask of them if we expect them to maintain relationships with church members many years their senior, listen and sing our music, and develop their own ministry to address their own needs.

There is a basic fallacy that we can fall into believing, that we have done our time of service and it is now someone else’s turn. It is not that our term of service is over, but that as we enter different stages of our lives our expression of that service changes. I cannot express how much college students and young families need the investment of the older generations in their lives. You may not be cool anymore, but you can love with the best of them. Being cool is overrated. Some of my best church relationships while I was in college were with members who were 40-50 years my senior. I was discipled and that is why I am now at Meadowbrook. How can we learn from the past and avoid stick handling at the blue line again? How can you be an essential part of the discipleship process for the next generation?

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Sisters in Service re-schedules meeting

Sisters in Service (SIS) has re-scheduled the October meeting to Thursday, Nov. 5, in the fellowship hall starting at Noon.   The project will be to prepare “weighted shawls” that can be rice-filled and warmed up if desired for the residents of MediLodge in Rochester Hills.   Everyone will be able to spread out in the entire fellowship hall for social distancing.  A few of the ladies will be sewing, but the main focus for most will be cutting fabric and filling the vests with rice.  Please bring scissors, straight pins, and a small funnel if you have one.

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As we flip the calendar to November, the prominent item on the missions calendar is ICOM, the International Conference on Missions. The theme of this year’s conference, scheduled November 20-21 in Indianapolis, is “The Cross Before Me.” Every year we are encouraged to attend the conference and learn about God’s work all over the world from a variety of missionaries. This year is no different. We are still encouraged to go to the conference, but the conference is also offering an option to attend virtually. So unlike other years, we have a unique opportunity to see all the presentations without having to travel this year. Feel free to register at www.theicom.org. The cost for an individual is $40.

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Red Cross will be here in November

A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Wed., Nov. 25 (day before Thanksgiving).  To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org (sponsor code: meadowbrookchristian). A new feature at the blood drive is that blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

The Red Cross understands that people have concerns right now about all aspects of public health, but want to stress that donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give. There is no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus including this coronavirus.

It’s important to note that Red Cross blood drives have the highest standards of safety and infection control. Copies of their detailed Donation Safety Protocols are in the lobby.  Also included is information about testing of blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

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Mimi Romaella – November 1
Bridget Kochan – November 9
Debbie Stallings – November 10
Andrea Schwartzenberger – November 16
Jim and MaryJane Cavins – November 20
Bill Bradford – November 23
Tristian Cox – November 24
Patti Bradford – November 29

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoom in with Zack

I love this time of year. I love the chill in the air, the orange and red leaves falling from the trees, and trips to the orchard and cider mill. But I also dread this time of year because I know that all the things I love most about it are signs of what is to come. Change can be exciting, but then when winter comes it can be dreadful.

As we continue through our season of change, excitement can roll on. Randy has been on his stage as our worship leader for the last time. But we have a candidate coming to visit us on October 18 to potentially serve as a worship and youth minister. But as we engage in what can be an exciting period of change, we need to maintain our focus. What is the mission of God? What is his purpose in the existence of the church? How are we to conduct ourselves in order to further that purpose.

Winter in the church can extend for a long time if we find ourselves distracted from God’s purpose. As we have been learning on Sundays, God’s purpose has been to restore his family. He desires to bring his children home. He pursues you with a passionate love. He pours the blessings of his presence upon you, but with a purpose in mind. As with Abraham, you are blessed to be a blessing. Our mission has to be the children of God. It is easy to get overcome with concerns about the buildings, about staffing, about sounds and light, about paperwork and cleaning. All these things are necessary things, but we need to be sure that in working on these things that they are in service to our mission, not becoming our mission. Our mission must align with God’s, restoring his children to the blessing that he has in store for them.

I think a great way for us to evaluate our impact as a church is to ask this question. If the church shut its doors today, would the community around us even notice? This is not a question that I can answer, I haven’t been here long enough. You are probably the best qualified to answer that.

However, I did receive a phone call last week that encouraged me in my evaluation of that question. Someone from Ascension Providence (Crittenton Hospital) called asking for help. At some recent time, a group from Meadowbrook (Sisters in Service) had made heart shaped pillows for patients in a certain section of the hospital. The caller said that it had made such an impact and was so greatly appreciated. They were calling to ask if Meadowbrook could do this again. I don’t know about the rest of the community, but I do know that this employee at Ascension would notice if Meadowbrook left.

How many more of these phone calls will I receive? Well that all depends on you. How far will you carry the message that has been entrusted to you? The church is known in its local community, not for what happens on the stage during a Sunday service. It is known by its membership and their actions in everyday life. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” We have got some beautiful faces, now how about some beautiful feet? I look forward to the work we will do and witnessing the fruit of your faithfulness.

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October note from the Elders

September was a very busy month at Meadowbrook! Zack started a new sermon series dealing with the mission of God. We gave a warm send-off to Randy and Jerri Gilbert as their official worship leader role came to an end. Junior Worship started up again. Planning started for the eventual resumption of Life Groups. The praise team is stepping into some roles we haven’t been in before.

As a congregation, we are stepping forward into a new era. Lots of changes are being considered and prayed over. Whatever ‘normal’ was before the pandemic and staff changes, we don’t expect it to ever be the same.

Last month we asked for specific prayer as we continue the search for our next staff position. At about the time the September Messenger was published, we received a couple of resumes. We are happy to tell you that we have had a series of very positive phone calls, emails, and remote interviews with one candidate. Based on our conversations so far, we are inviting this candidate and his wife to visit Meadowbrook this month. They will be in Michigan between October 15^th and 18^th (Thursday through Sunday). Specific plans for their visit are still in the works. Those plans will include various ‘meet and greet’ sessions (while observing mask and distancing guidelines), introducing them to the Rochester area, participating in a youth activity, practicing with the praise team, and leading the Sunday worship service. Thank you for your prayers! Please be praying for this process going forward.

September was also a month with many prayer needs, and those needs continue. Please keep Fred Williams and his family in prayer as they recover from COVID infection. Pray for Bonnie Iseman as she recovers from a heart catheterization and subsequent procedures (it went very well!). Pray for Shelley Gilbert (Randy’s sister) as she is hospitalized with health issues. Pray for June Thomas, who fell late last week. Pray for Don Edwards, who underwent surgery earlier this week. Pray for the Rose family, as they mourn the loss of Mike’s brother.

We greatly appreciate your continued prayers for Meadowbrook’s leadership. We are constantly looking to God for His leading as we enter new territory – new to us but known completely to Him! Please ask God to pour out His wisdom. May all of us remain faithful and committed to the mission of proclaiming Christ in our community and the world!

For the elders,
Mike Tingley

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Sisters in Service plans an out-reach project for October meeting

Sisters in Service (SIS) will be meeting Monday, October 26, in the fellowship hall starting at 5:00pm.  Yes, 5:00.  The ladies decided on the earlier time in order to end the meeting in time to drive home before dark, however, latecomers are welcome.

The project for the evening will be to prepare “weighted shawls” that can be rice-filled and warmed up if desired for the residents of MediLodge in Rochester Hills.   Everyone will be able to spread out in the entire fellowship hall for social distancing.  A few of the ladies will be sewing, but the main focus for most will be cutting fabric and filling the vests with rice.  Please bring scissors, straight pins, and a small funnel if you have one.

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As we enter the month of October and the fall season is upon us, the 2020 missions rally for TCM has drawn to a close. The missions committee had asked the Meadowbrook congregation to support special donations for TCM to help them furnish their dining room at Haus Edelweiss with five new tables, for a total of $2000. As a result of the fund drive, $1367 was collected at the close of the rally September 13. The mission’s team is augmenting this dollar amount with contingency funds such that a special donation in the amount of $2000 can be sent to TCM. Thank you all for your generosity.

His House ministries has reported that this year’s Cycle the Campus event has been a success. The final tally for the event was over $58,000 raised by 67 riders toward their goal of $60,000. Thanks to all who participated.

Also, in September, Meadowbrook has sent our first support check to our newest mission in the Karamoja region of Uganda. The Karamoja group is very excited to receive our support, and they are sending us updates as their work develops. They sent us pictures from their recent visit to Karamoja where they are looking over land that can be developed for the new Bible training center. On their way to the work site they came across a flooded road where they had to push the vehicle through the water. Nothing can stand in the way of God’s work!

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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