From: Mountain Bible Church [joel@mountainbible.org]

Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 9:16 AM

To: joel@mountainbible.org

Subject: Seasons Greetings from Mountain Bible Church

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Christmas Tea 2011

December 2011

Cache News

Merry Christmas from Mountain Bible Church

In This Issue

Real Hope from Pastor Jim & Many Ministry Notes from Pastor Kraig

Merry Christmas from Women's Ministry

Student Ministries Humor

The Christmas Give Away from Children's Ministry

Happy Birthday Jesus from

Pastor Kraig Jones

Men's Ministry

Men's breakfast will be on December 16^th at 6:15 in building C. We will be continuing our study on the life of David. Teddy Tomerlin will be preparing breakfast. If you are interested in cooking or clean-up let us know. Hope to see you there!! Pastor Kraig

Men's Retreat

We are planning a retreat to Lost Canyon this April 20th-22nd. It is a great camp many of you have been there before. The cost is 155.00 dollars. Space is limited sign-up with Jesse Clark. More info will be coming.

Men's Discipleship

Every Friday morning at 6:00am at Crosswinds Restaurant. We are studying Joshua. Come out and have breakfast and study with us.

Celebrate Recovery

A ministry to help people overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups will be starting sometime in February. If you are interested in helping with this ministry see pastor Kraig.

Kingdom Builders

We meet Sunday at 10:30 in building C. NO class on Christmas and New Years. There will be one service in building A at 11:00am.

Personal Message

Ruth Wallace Writes to her MBC Family -

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I just want to thank all of you who sent cards and letters on Dave's behalf. His graveside service was beautiful. We had 37 family members in attendance. Dave would have been so pleased. Dave loved Mountain Bible and was so glad he had the opportunity to help whenever something was needed. Please join us for his memorial service at the church on Saturday, January 7th, 2012.

We love you all,

Ruth Wallace

From our Elders

Scott Nossek

ESL Experience Needed! (English as a Second Language)

Would you be interested in developing an ESL class as an outreach through our La Roca Church?

It will be an amazing ministry opportunity to our Spanish Speaking church and community!

Call or email the church office, 472-7800 jana@mountainbible.org

Have a Blessed New Year with Jana's Jovial Jokes

Smiley Santa Hat

What to Give an Optimist and Pessimist

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom & gloom pessimist.

Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room he loaded with horse manure.

That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly.

"Why are you crying?" the father asked.

"Because my friends will be jealous, I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken." answered the pessimist twin.

Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. "What are you so happy about?" he asked.

To which his optimist twin replied, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room he loaded with horse manure.

That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly.
"Why are you crying?" the father asked.

Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. "What are you so happy about?" he asked.

To which his optimist twin replied, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Real Hope...True Meaning Pastor Jim Harper serving at Christmas Tea

I love Christmas! To me, the Christmas seasons exudes an entire cache of words, sights, sounds, smells and songs unmatched by any other time of the year. Speaking of sounds, what about the Carols? The music of Christmas just might be the best part!

Yet, the unsettling reality is that all is not calm, bright, peaceful and joy-filled for many this month. One of the occupational hazards of pastoral ministry comes in possessing a 20/20 view behind the scenes of parishioner's lives; a perspective that naturally exposes this cruel reality: Christmas can either be the best or worst time of the year - depending on one's circumstances. More accurately, depending on one's perspective. Why is that? How could anyone not cherish this most beloved of all holidays?

Let's regress for a moment and consider our church family. Due to our town demographics, Mountain Bible mirrors our community in possessing a higher than normal percentage of widows and widowers. How are the holidays for this grieving group? A brutish struggle for many. However, it's not only suffering seniors, lonely in their loss, who struggle. Others among us face the holiday mired in divorce proceedings. Many, due to a sluggish economy, will feel fortunate to serve an adequate Christmas dinner - let alone provide coveted presents for expectant children. What gives? Can one ever hope to find joy...peace in the midst of such trying times?

Yes. And the reason is because true joy is never tied to personal circumstances. Circumstances can change in an instant...for good or seemingly evil. Lasting joy and peace then, if 'findable', must be independent of the daily realities of life - holiday season or otherwise. Over thirty years ago, I found the missing piece to personal peace in a heaven-sent Savior named Jesus. I understand it seems ludicrous that lasting hope would be eternally enmeshed with a livestock cradle and a Roman cross - but that is the way God planned it. Simple, surprising and available- to all at all levels.

The beauty of Christmas, then, is more in what is unseen than seen. Sure, we all enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and songs of the season. But if all the externals we love so much seriously lack their luster this December, is all hope gone? Is all joy extinguished? No...in fact the unseen, the everlasting part of the Christmas story - the gospel message of Jesus Christ - will always ring true; regardless of temporary circumstances. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners...of whom I am the chief! Is there any message more hopeful; any gift more coveted than that?

Merry Christmas from Women's Ministry

by Marilyn Pate Suzie & Marilyn at Christmas Tea

Thank you to all who came out to assist us with the church decorating...you've made the season very special for all who enter our campus and buildings! We appreciate you SO much! (We will look forward to having help for the "take down" on January 9^th...so come on out to join us).

Christmas Tea Table Example 2011 THE CHRISTMAS TEA was an outstanding success on December 3^rd! The beautiful blanket of snow (although a bit worrisome in the early hours of the day) did not keep too many away but we are sorry for those of you who, understandably, had to miss this very special day due to weather! The good news is that the program, which was exceptional, will be incorporated into the morning service on December 18^th so you have the opportunity to enjoy it once again...or for the first time if you missed it.

SPRING BIBLE STUDIES will kick off on Thursday, January 19^th, 9 am. For a list of the wonderful studies planned for spring, stop by the Women's Ministry Table on December 18^th and January 1^st. We will not have the table set up on Christmas Day.

NEW FOR 2012: It has been my pleasure to serve as your Director of Women's Ministry for the past 3 years. I have loved working with and alongside the leaders, staff and women here at MBC. As I step down, I'm blessed to introduce to you, Susie Watson, who will become our Director of as of January 1^st. Susie comes to us with many years of experience in Women's Ministry in the Valley and she is hitting the ground running already as we transition! It will be a delight to work alongside Susie in the years ahead as I remain involved with Special Events. I encourage everyone to give her your support practically and with prayers as she serves this ministry. She may be contacted at 480-529-2110.

May the "Everlasting Treasure of Faith in Jesus Christ" Fill Your Heart with Joy

Happy Hanukkah from Pastor Chris Barr

Student Ministries

"Humor is just another defense against the universe" - Mel Brooks

I know that Mel Brooks isn't the most quoted individual around, but sometimes the goofiest people make the most sense.

It's raining and cold outside today, and to be honest, it affects me. Do you remember that feeling from your youth when it rained? It's that feeling of panic that you can't go outside and play. The "rain" prevents it. I think that feeling is embedded into our nature, that even if we don't want to go out and play; we want to be able to. Life brings us "rainy days" in so many forms. Sometimes it's an argument with a friend, a feeling of not belonging, an untrue rumor spread about us. The list is almost endless. In the Student Ministries world, we call this "drama". In the adult world, we call it stress and it comes in even more forms than can be counted.

In Job chapter 8, one of Job's counselors, (Bildad) answers to Job and his situation with this...

²¹ He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.
²² Your enemies will be clothed in shame,
and the tents of the wicked will be no more."

Now, we know that all three of Job's counselors added together wouldn't equal one smart man. Their answers were superficial at best. They may not have understood the depth of Job's situation, but I think these two verses can be an encouragement for us. The God we serve isn't going to always erase life's stress or drama, but He will do something if we let Him. He will fill our mouth with laughter. He will help us find the good in a situation, and relieve us from that feeling that comes when it's "gloomy" outside. God is not bound by situations and emotion, and we don't have to be either!

So the next time the "universe" brings a fight your way, try finding the humor in it... God can help you with that!

Here's something to think about that might bring you some comic relief;

Remember the problem in Exodus with the plague of frogs? Not only did Moses bring forth millions of them, but the "magicians" brought their collection too. Picture all of those frogs around when Moses "cried out" to the LORD to get rid of them. I'm picturing a pretty chaotic and LOUD situation. I'm figuring Moses might have had to repeat himself, or start over, or at least yell a little bit to be heard over the noise of all those frogs. Do you think Aaron might have snickered a little bit watching Moses, the "bad speaker", try to get his point across in competition with the frogs croaking? Just something to think about. And by the way, don't be afraid to speak up or even cry out to God when the "frogs" are real loud! (Repeatedly if necessary!).

3 UPCOMING EVENTS FOR STUDENT MINISTRIES:

1. JAN 6-8 JUNIOR HIGH WINTER CAMP.

2. JAN 14-16 STUDENT LEADERSHIP RETREAT.

3. FEB 17-20 HIGH SCHOOL WINTER CAMP.

-CHRIS

The Christmas Giveaway by Children's Ministry and Felicia Moore Christmas Childrens Musical

Children's ministry is excited to present the " The Christmas Give Away" on December 18th at 6pm in the worship center. Following we will be doing a cookie exchange in the foyer so bring a dozen of your favorite cookies to share and take home a dozen of someone else's cookies! This will be a great time for all!

Part of the our musical is having the kids give to other kids so children's ministry will be collecting new shoes for Kaitie's Closet and food for the Pine/Strawberry food bank. Parents will you have your child bring this to the office or the children's ministry hall by December 18th. This is a great opportunity for the kids of Payson to help other kids and teach each child what Christmas is about, helping others!

Sunday morning's we have been traveling around the world to see how other countries celebrate Christmas. The kids have loved seeing each country and learning how other cultures share who Jesus is. We have made a Ukraine dinner, went to Africa to meet the Lost boys, and have had Mother Teresa share in Italy. On January 1st we will be doing "Celebration Sunday" to celebrate all the countries we traveled to. This is a great day for all the parents to come to class with there child and see what they have learned.

God's Blessings from Penny DeGroot

Penny DeGroot

This is the time of year most are thinking about caroling, traveling, family and our Lord and Savior. I hear people tell me that they don't believe in Christmas because it is just a "commercial holiday to get us to spend more". I often wonder about that, especially with the turmoil of Black Friday. However, I also know if your heart is right and you are celebrating the holiday because of Jesus and what He did, then you should have peace and not stress about the season.

My friend Joel reminded us today what Ephesians 5:2 tells us "Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him." Let us continue to show love and encouragement to all that we meet. Merry Christmas and God Bless.