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Featured
Event
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Don't
miss the ETERNAL GIFT of God's Son JESUS
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Featured
Article
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Parent's
of children K-6th notice these practice dates and times. Thanks
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Come
see the child this Holiday Season
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May your
Christmas celebration be a reflection of the Greatest Gift ever
given!
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Recent
Happenings
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Taken
from the articles and recent happenings at MBC loosely adapted to the
Twelve Days of Christmas song...
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On
the twelve day of Christmas our true love gave to us 12 senior
football players winning a State Championship
On
the eleventh day of Christmas our true love gave to us eleven hard
working staff members
On
the tenth day of Christmas our true love gave to us 25 mountain
bikers
On
the ninth day of Christmas our true love gave to us over 1400 troop
Christmas cards
On
the eighth day of Christmas our true love gave to us 16 new
children's Sunday School teachers
On
the seventh day of Christmas our true love gave to us over 530 Christmas
shoe boxes
On
the sixth day of Christmas our true love gave to us 200 women for the
Christmas Tea
On
the fifth day of Christmas our true love gave to us 5 churches and
130 youth worshipping together
On
the fourth day of Christmas our true love gave to us four pastor
candidates
On
the third day of Christmas our true love gave to us three trees to
consider
On
the second day of Christmas our true love gave to us two LaRoca men
baptized
On
the first day of Christmas our true love gave to us a Savior born in
Bethlehem
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Longhorns
Win, but God Gets the Glory
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Payson
Longhorns won the 3A State Championship Game Saturday night with lots
of prayer from those on and off the field.
Thanks
for your support of these young men.
If
you want a DVD from the Longhorn Playoff Stampede which includes
Holbrook, Snowflake, Wickenburg and Blue Ridge games give $2 to cover
the cost to Joel and he will copy you one for the next Sunday.
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Mountain Bible Church "Cache Newsletter"
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Dear Joel,
"Cache" is our brand new newsletter
name which stands for a treasure chest of communication nuggets,
which will help you know what is going on and coming up at
MBC. Hopefully you will not need a GPS (Global Positioning
Sytem) to find your way around the newsletter. While our
intention is to communicate so that you do not miss upcoming
happenings; from time to time we may link back to the web site to see
pictures or to watch video of a past event.
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December
Sermon Schedule 
December 7 La
Roca led Service
Communion will be celebrated
December 14 Christmas &
Joseph
Dramatic monologue
December
21 Christmas & the Wise Men
December 24 Eve 4:30 & 6:00
Christmas & You
December 28 How to know God in 2009
December Sunday Mornings will be great celebrations of our Lord's
birth and a final message anticipating the
New Year.
We begin on December 7th with the Sunday afternoon
La Roca Ministry joining each of our two Sunday
morning worship services. We will have a time to hear about the
incredible things happening through the La Roca Ministry, sing with
one another and hear a powerful message from Pastor Alfonso.
This is one Sunday
you don't want to miss.
The next two Sundays focus on Christmas and some of
the people of Christmas. December 14th "Christmas &
Joseph" December 21st "Christmas &
You"
The last Sunday of the year will remind us of how we can walk more
closely with God in 2009 with a message, "How to know God in
2009". These are all great Sundays to invite family and
friends!
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Student
Ministries Happenings
High School and
Junior High will be meeting together on Wednesday nights for the
month of December and January studying God's unconditional love.
December 13th
Christmas shopping in Phoenix 10:00 am - 6:00 pm both groups
December 17th will
be our Youth Group Elephant Gift Exchange
Winter Camps are
coming soon!!! Junior High is Jan. 9-11 cost $115. High School is
Feb. 13-16 cost $155.
Dare 2 Share
February 27 & 28
High School Mission
Mexico Trip March 15-21
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Women's
Ministries
Bible
Studies: Check the Women's Ministry Table this month to sign-up
for the next Bible Study session that begins Thursday, January
15th. There will be both Thursday morning and evening studies
available.
It is recommended to sign-up early so that books may be ordered in
time.
We are blessed by the gifts of service of so many women throughout
the year! Thank you!
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Children's
Ministry or Family Ministry? Yes! 
Children's
Ministries leadership Team is in place and ready to serve! Mark and
Johnna Kile are overseeing Sunday school, the Nursery and Kid's
Church. Brandon and Felicia Moore are heading up our social
events, such as Christmas, Easter and some new exciting events this
spring.
A new focus we are committed to in Children's Ministry is
Families. Rob & Sherry Myer are planning some great
events: Parenting, Marriage, Finance classes, and one of our
favorites, Date Night, just to name a few.
Keep your eye on the bulletin for upcoming events. Be sure to
attend our Christmas play on December 14th at 6:00 pm in the Worship
Center. If you would like to be involved with Children's
Ministry, contact Mark Kile 978-0677.
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La Roca
Ministry 
We are experincing
one of the most exciting times in our ministry. The two
different ministries (men and women) that just started in the
beggining of this year are growing fast. We just baptized two
men last Saturday and we are planning to baptise a few more in the
next coming weeks. It is exciting to see what God is doing
in people's lives. There is a lady who said in our Bible
study a few weeks ago that her life has been transformed just because
of being around us. Last week a young man received Jesus as his
Savior. He was struggling with drugs and alcohol; he said he
wants to change his life and instead of hurting people he wants to be
nice to them. We continue praying for the Iribe family.
Isrubel (the father) Has cancer and he went to Mexico to receive
treatment. Some families from the church organized a yard
sale, and car wash, and a concert to raise some funds to help
him. We raised over $2,000.00. Praise God for His
faithfulness. Please pray for our goals and purposes for 2009
and that God will continue adding people to His church.
Poncho
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Men's
Ministry 
Men's ministry
started up in September with excitement! Our first two men's
breakfasts have been outstanding. Over 45 men attended each
one. The speakers were fantastic. We are looking at Jesus
and how others viewed Him. The application for us is "What do I really
believe about Jesus?" The Kitchen crew
under the leadership of Don Beatty has done a superb job. We
have never left hungry. Come to the next breakfast December
19th and be filled physically and spiritually.
The mountain bike trip in October was a great success! Some 25
riders of all ages attended. Don May claimed to be the oldest and
Matthew Myer was the youngest. All finished the course in great
fashion. Teddy Tomerlin and Don Beatty and crew had a barbeque
waiting for us. Lud Kaftan led the devotional. It was a lot of
fun. A special thanks to Brian Goble for arranging the
trip. Look for coming activities in the bulletin and areas to
serve. God is surely working among us! Go to this link to see
what Bible Studies and Groups are happening now for men. www.mountainbible.org/mens.htm
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Kingdom
Builders
There are two adult
Bible studies available on Sunday mornings. One is at 8:45 in
building D led by Roger Kortman and the other is in building C at
10:30 led by Pastor Kraig. It is worth the extra hour to study
the Word and build relationships. If you have not tried one of
these classes you are now invited to attend.
On December 21
Kingdom Builders are caroling at several locations meet in Building D
at 4:00pm. After caroling, appetizers and desserts will be
enjoyed by all. Sign up with Bill Michaels or in one of the
Sunday morning adult Bible classes.
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Crown and
Other Connection Groups forming soon!
During these troubling economic days this might be the perfect time
to see and understand what God's Word says about money and
possessions! Crown Financial Ministries teaches the biblical
principles involved in becoming better stewards of what God has
entrusted to you and gives you the practical tools needed to become
financially independent.
The small group meets once a week for two hours. Approximately two
hours or preparation are required outside of class each week.
Students complete a homework assignment, memorize scripture and pray
for one another daily. Classes will be forming in early January. The
cost of the study is nominal. Students receive a manual, workbook and
a copy of Your Money Counts. Leave your name at the church office if
you are interested.
Joe Gibbs, Former NFL Head Coach had this to say about Crown;
"The principles you will learn in the Crown Financial Ministries
small group study are powerful and life-changing because they are
based on God's Word. My only regret is that I did not take the course
15 years ago. Don't make the same mistake."
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Pastor
Search
The Pastor Search
Team continues to work diligently to find the next lead pastor for
MBC. God has only one man chosen for this position and the team
is determined to find that man and not compromise the high standards
of MBC. Please lift the team up in prayer and if you have
a pastor you believe should be considered, please forward contact
information to crmhsmathews@msn.com
God bless you all and have a very Merry Christmas!
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Candy
Canes Tradition
The candy cane
started out about 400 years ago as a plain stick of white candy. As
Christmas trees became popular in Europe people began putting them on
their trees as decorations along with other foods like fruit and
cookies. The first reference to these candy sticks in relation to
Christmas came in 1670. A choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in
Germany gave the candy to the children that attended the church's
nativity services so they would be quiet. To make the candy go along
with the spirit of the services he bent the candy into the shape of a
shepherd's staff.
The first reference to the candy cane in America came in 1847 when a
German immigrant living in Ohio named August Imgard decorated his
tree with the sweet treats. About 50 years later the first candy
canes with red stripes appeared. Peppermint and wintergreen flavors
were also added to the candy at this time making the candy cane the
sweet Christmas favorite it is today.
The candy cane, as with many other things that we associate with
Christmas, can be used as a symbol of Jesus and point others to the
reason for Christ's birth. Here are some pictures of Christ that we
can see from the candy cane.
1. The candy cane is in the shape of a shepherd's staff. Jesus is our
Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. (John 10:11; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah
40:11)
2. Upside down the candy cane forms the letter "J", the
first letter of Jesus' name.(Luke 1:31)
3. The candy cane is made of hard candy to remind us that Jesus is
the Rock of our salvation.
4. The wide red stripes on the candy cane represent the blood He shed
on the cross for each one of us so that we can have eternal life
through Him. (Luke 22:20)
5. The white stripes on the candy cane represent the virgin birth,
sinless life, and purity of our Lord. He is the only human being who
ever lived who never committed a single sin, even though He was
tempted just as we are. (1 Peter v22)
6. The narrow red stripes on the candy cane symbolize that by His
stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3)
7. The flavoring in the candy cane is peppermint, which is similar to
hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old Testament
times for purification and sacrifice. (John 19:29, Psalm 51:7)
8. When we break our candy cane it reminds us, just as communion
does, that Jesus' body was broken for us. (1 Cor. 11:24)
9. If we share our candy cane and give some to someone else in love
because we want to, it represents that same love of Jesus because He is
to be shared with one another in love. (1 John 4:7,8)
This article was copied from http://www.customsofchristmas.com/candycane.html
where you can find other interesting articles on other Christmas
customs.
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Jovial
Jokes from Jana 
Bulletin Bloopers:
1.
During the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD - Dr. Hargreaves is
better.
2. For
those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery
down stairs.
3.
Applications are now being accepted for 2 year-old nursery workers.
4.
During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of
hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
5. The
peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a
conflict.
"A merry heart does good like a medicine..." Proverbs
17:22
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Lord willing and before His return, we will be sending
the Cache Newsletter on the first Tuesday of every month.
Hopefully, this was one of your first Christmas cards
received this year.
In Him and Because of His Love,
Joel Wilson
Mountain Bible Church
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