|
Dear
Joel,
Thanks to all who participated in the Harvest Block Party
yesterday! It was a blast, hope you enjoy these pictures
throughout this November cache edition of our newsletter!
|
|
|
|
|
This past week I was talking with our Elder Board about
the importance of spiritual leaders exercising a wise degree of
'risk-taking' faith in their leadership. Is that really
important? Scripture says it is. The writer of Hebrews
confirms that it's impossible to please God without our appropriate
exercise of faith. Though embraced in theory and sermon, this
Biblical truth rarely translates to our individual or corporate
spiritual lives. In our discussion, our team noted several times in
the past year that our leadership team has 'led' from the faith zone.
This encouraged us. Last fall, our elder team was
debating our overall worship situation. We determined that to
move Mountain Bible to where God wanted to take us would require a
full time worship leader. In spite of a wobbly economy, we
stepped out in faith and put a worship pastor salary in the 2011
budget. Though a substantial increase, our people stepped up to
the plate and met or exceeded our budget all year to the
present. Praise the Lord! When we stepped out in faith, He
proved faithful! Last spring, our board made the decision
to send one complete weekly offering to a Christian organization for
Japan Tsunami relief. As lead pastor, I cast an affirmative
vote with a substantial degree of trepidation. How would God
respond? How did God respond? Oh me of little faith! Even
without this offering, we have met and exceeded our budget for the
rest of the year. God seems pretty pleased when we act and lead
in faith.
For the past year, our Key Leadership team (Deacons;
Elders; Staff) has been looking long term...asking important
questions about our near and distant future. As a result, we
determined that we have some immediate facility needs that, if
addressed intentionally, would help us do better ministry and offer
stronger spiritual support to our body and community at large.
Let me give several examples:
We presently serve between one and two hundred meals
each Monday evening at our community dinner, and the bulk of the
preparation for that meal is done in a kitchen smaller than most of
our residential kitchens. Recognizing several other large-scale
food service activities that take place annually on our property, we
realized commercial kitchen facilities were a present and growing
need. Presently, we are in the latter stages of documentation
with the city towards breaking ground on a full service commercial
kitchen in building 'C'. The best news is that this project is
completely funded and ready to go! Thank you Lord...and thanks
to those who gave generously so this could happen.
Our planning also surfaced the reality that when God
sends us a worship pastor, we have no place to put him. Our
present staff fills our existing office space, and we are woefully
short on storage space as well. This reality initiated thinking
toward expanding our present office complex, netting us three
additional office spaces, a good bit of additional storage and a
large, multi-use conference room. Though not yet paid for, we
believe by faith that this financing will come as well, in God's
time.
My greatest passion as lead pastor is the need for a
prayer/counseling room attached to building 'A'. I often feel
constrained when it comes to inviting people to respond to the
messages during the weekend services. There is simply no place
or even space to direct people to meet with someone who can assist
them at their time of spiritual openness. Though prayer and
counseling would be the main use of this addition, we see this room
doubling as a facility for the families and participants of both
weddings and funerals as well. Though not yet financed, we
believe God will meet these specifics needs according to His time
table as well.
Toward tying this all together, we also have embarked on
a Master Planning process with an architectural firm from the
valley. With this group's help, we will determine, to the best
of our ability, how we see God using our church, facilities and
properties in the next ten years and beyond for His greater
glory. We are presently working on some foundational elements
of this plan and will embark on the process in earnest middle
January, 2012.
Some might ask: "Is this the right time to be
planning/dreaming? Shouldn't we wait and see what the economy
will do? What if things continue to get worse?"
Good, important questions...and we have thought about them all.
Considering the relevance of these questions, we've determined to
move forward with even greater wisdom and care: but we want
to move forward. Again, faithlessness does not please
God. Biblical faith says Pray without ceasing; move forward;
seek God; trust God's guidance - and that is exactly
what our leadership is attempting to do. Will you petition God with
us for His will on the items discussed above? Will you begin now to
consider what part you'll play in bringing these important additions
to fruition...for the greater glory of God? If so, we are trusting
that 2012 will be one of the most exciting and fruitful ever at
Mountain Bible Church!
|
|
|
|
Kingdom Builders
Thanks to Donna Fischer and
Beth Creighton for the chili, cornbread, and dessert,
cook-off. Some great game playing
followed. We all had a great time.
Our next trip is to Palmcroft
Church for a Christmas Concert on Dec. 10th. It is
sure to be a great time.
Pastor Kraig is continuing
our study on Acts on Sunday morning at 10:30 in building C 100.
Bob McQueen's class is studying Revelation at 8:30 in room 101 C.
Men's Breakfast
We have had great turnouts
for the men's breakfast this year. Our next breakfast will be
on November 18 at 6:15 in building C. We will continue to study
the life of David as he was forged in the fire. See you there!
Thank You MBC
A special thanks to all of
you who passed out invitations to the neighborhood for the Harvest
Block Party. May God be blessed! Thanks to the prayer
warriors who have prayed for the people in Payson!! Sandy
Navarro did a great job putting those times together. Thanks
again Pastor Kraig
|
 Women's
Ministry
|
|
As Thanksgiving approaches
we're counting our blessings...among them are the wonderful women of
Mountain Bible! We are blessed with women who are committed to
ministry, to teach God's Word, to care for others, to study and grow,
and to use their God-given spiritual gifts to the Glory of God in
service to others. Thank you for all that you do here at
Mountain Bible and in our community!
IN PREPARATION FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON we invite you to join
us in making MBC a place of awe and wonder as we decorate our
buildings to reflect the joy of the season. Each year we send a
message to our neighbors and friends that we give special honor to
the true reason for Christmas. This message comes about in many
ways, including the decorating of our buildings and grounds.
We need the help of MEN to handle the large trees,
retrieve boxes from storage, climb ladders, help with outside
lighting, etc. and WOMEN to take care of the details of
decorating. Join us for a fun/work day on Monday, November 28th,
from 8 a.m. till we finish. Many hands make light work...would
you give us yours?
ANNUAL WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS TEA/LUNCHEON will be Saturday, December 3rd.
You'll not want to miss this beautiful start to your holiday
celebrations. Tickets, $10 each, will go on sale Saturday,
November 5th from 9 a.m. to noon. Any remaining
tickets will be available at the Women's table on Sunday mornings.
Happy Thanksgiving from Women's Ministry
|
|
|
|
"PAIN HEALS, CHICKS DIG
SCARS, GLORY LASTS FOREVER" -Shane Falco
Welcome to Fall! (Better
known as football season)
I ran into a friend in
Wal-Mart the other day. (How many times have we all said that?). It
wasn't long before the conversation turned to a quote from an old
football movie I had seen years back. Being a Sunday, I thought it
was appropriate to go home and watch the movie again and keep an eye
out for the quote that came up earlier in conversation. The following
is the quote.... (Make sure you have your volume up).
Click Here for Video
Link
Being a Youth Pastor, and a football coach, it
was easy to be inspired by the adrenaline inducing words of Keanu
Reeves. You see, the players in the movie really represent the
average Joe in today's society. They weren't the professionals that
had all the talent. They weren't looked up to by the public. They
were all considered to be "has-been's" at best. But the
rally cry was that they didn't have a guarantee that they would be in
the next game so they had nothing to lose by sacrificing and giving
their all.
That's so much like our "Christian walk". God hasn't
recruited the perfect, the responsible, and the popular, etc. (And as
we know this list could go on for a while!). God has recruited the
hurting, the poor, the irresponsible, the"second string of
society", but we can't allow "where" we come from to
affect "where" we are going. You see, as Christians, we
have a job to do. We are on God's team and we have a responsibility
to the team to bring our best to the game, and "leave it all on
the field" per se. I know, and more importantly, He knows how
hard life gets sometimes. For some it's a struggle and for others
it's a battle, and still for others it's an all out war! We are going
to get hurt, we are going to have scars, but we must realize
this........ These things are temporary, we get to leave them behind,
but everything that we do for His Glory can have an eternal impact!
So let's stay in the game. Let's fight to the finish. Let's show the
world that it's about the eternal and not the temporal.
So here's the play... Witness
always and sometimes use words, love your neighbor as yourself, count
it joy to suffer for His names sake, and finish well... leave it all
on the field!.......
.......READY... BREAK!
Coach Barr
Here's a verse to encourage
you. 2 Timothy 4:7. (Paul)
"I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
|
|
|
Just a personal note and some YSAP funnies:
Thanks to all who have filled in for Jana
& I as we have traveled this fall to our little boy's
football games.
Recently in Montana the coaches were happy when Matt
got on the plane because they kept noticing that the Montana folk
were "Matt's kind of people".
At the hotel there was an Elk mount on the wall and
one of the his teammates from L.A. asked Matt, "Are they that
big where you are from?" and Matt without hesitating said,
"Where I'm from we would throw that one
back!"
At the game many of the spectators were chanting at
the big lineman boys "72 you s****", "74 you're
ugly", "75 have another hotdog", then they got to Matt
and said,
"69 you've got a mullet, we respect that,
you're o.k."
Reminds me of Matt's phone call last Halloween
"Dad, I was walking across campus and there was a
kid dressed up for Halloween with a cowboy hat, mullet wig, a shirt
with cut off arms, a cowboy belt buckle, blue jeans and
boots!" I looked down and that was exactly what I was
wearing! "I didn't know whether to pound him or walk away,
so I just called you instead and had to laugh!"
Git-R-Done NAU, beat Northern Colorado this coming
Saturday!
Joel Wilson
Editor Cache
News
|
|
|
|
|
Shoebox Ministry of Samaritan's Purse
Pack a box of joy for a boy or a girl, age category 2-4
, 5-9 or 10-14.Fill your boxes with things such as toys, school
supplies, hygiene items and hard candy.
NO war toys, chocolates, liquids, breakables, vitamins
or aerosols. Please bring them to MBC by November 13th.
Or bring your individual unboxed items for the kids to pack in Sunday
School as we aim toward our goal to fill 600
boxes!!
Look what a filled shoebox can do!!!!
Operation
Christmas Child, the unique international project of Samaritan's
Purse, has delivered more than 85 million gift-filled shoe boxes to
needy boys and girls in 138 countries worldwide since 1993.
These simple gifts demonstrate
God's love to children in a tangible way and provide volunteer national
leadership teams, local churches, and ministry partners with the
opportunity to share the Good News of Christ.
The
Greatest Journey begins when children are freely offered Gospel
storybooks during Operation Christmas Child gift distributions. The Greatest
Gift of All booklets-printed in over 70 languages-contain colorful
illustrations that explain the Good News of Jesus Christ in a simple,
engaging style.
The
most far-reaching impact comes later, when
boys and girls are invited to
participate in the voluntary Bible study course produced by
Samaritan's Purse. The 12-lesson set guides children through a study
of who Jesus Christ is, what it means to follow Him, and how to share
this exciting message with others. Millions of boys and girls have indicated
that they have committed their lives to Jesus Christ after receiving
shoe box gifts and participating in the follow-up program. By sharing
their faith one-on-one, these children in turn lead friends and
relatives to Jesus Christ. Miracles multiply as more and more
families come to Christ and churches are planted in communities where
none previously existed.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanksgiving
from Penny
THANK YOU!
Just a quick note to say
thank you all for making MBC a pleasure to serve, work at, and
worship our Lord and Savior.
I am truly blessed to work
along side amazing people. Let me tell you how appreciative I
am:
Pastor Jim - A great leader -
(and boss - I have managed to show my "ugly whining side"
and he responded in love and kindness).
Jana - Serves 100 masters and
still has time to make you feel like the most important person alive.
Pastor Kraig - My Rock - not
only helps me (you know he signs 100 checks a week) but gives me
sound advice whenever I ask.
Chris - Keeps us all young -
his passion and motivation is such an inspiration - wish I had his
energy.
Joel - Calm, Cool and
Collected even in a crisis. Goes in 20 different directions and
still has time to poke fun at us.
Manuel - A Cornerstone -
Early (which is not a typical trait), kind, conscience, and a true
joy to work with.
Felicia - A huge heart - Can
multi-task better than anyone I've seen. Ready to keep us fit.
Marilyn - A great
organizer. Has a compassion to serve - and does in so many ways
- love her heart.
Our Deacons - Hearts for the
Lord - hard workers, always willing and we are truly blessed by
amazing helpers.
Our Elders - Leaders with
true compassion. They are available and willing to serve.
To all our volunteers - thank
you to all of you who organize and run so many programs - our
childcare givers, the Monday night staff the serve so many meals, our
kitchen staff that work our events tirelessly. Our Mission
volunteers that sort clothes and misc. items. The
gals that serve coffee and juice every Sunday. Our yard
workers. Our gardeners. Our janitorial cleaners.
Our worship leaders. Our Sunday school teachers, our men's, women's
and connection Bible study teachers. There are so many other
groups that contribute and serve the Lord.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello, is this the Sheriff's
Office?''
''Yes, What can I do for you?''
'' I'm calling to report 'bout my neighbor Virgil
Smith.... He's hiding marijuana inside his firewood! Don't quite know
how he gets it inside them logs, but he's hidin' it there.''
''Thank you very much for the call, sir.''
The next day, the Sheriff's Deputies descend on Virgil's
house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes,
they bust open every piece of wood. but find no marijuana. They
sneered at Virgil and leave.
Shortly after, the phone rings at Virgil's house. ''Hey,
Virgil, This here's Floyd.... Did the Sheriff come?''
''Yeah!''
'' Did they chop your firewood for the winter?''
''Yep!''
''Happy Birthday, buddy!''
Rednecks know how to
git-R-done
|
|
|
|
|
I want to start by saying Thank you soooooooooo much for
all your hardwork that made the Harvest Block Party a
huge success!!! It was great seeing all the kids
and adults dressed up and having fun here at MBC!
If we believe that Jesus is truly Christ, we are God's
children. Everyone that loves the Father will also love his
children. 1
John5 1-5
Starting this Sunday November 6th, Childrens
Ministry will be traveling around the world to experience Christmas
in diffrent countries and each child will get a passport to show
where they traveled each week! The above verse is what
they will learn and work on so Parents make sure to be asking
your children what they learning and where they went! Invite a
friend!
Also, dont forget Monday night we will continue
Christmas Musical practise at 5:45 to 7pm!!! It is not too late
to be a part of the awesome productions.
Make sure to pick up Childrens Tribune this Sunday at
the Childrens Ministry Table.....we will have parenting help, monthly
verses to work on and fun stuff going on for the kids!
Felicia Moore
Mountain Bible Children's Ministry Director
|
|
|
|
|
