Meadowbrook Church

MEADOWBROOK FAMILY FOCUS

Volume 12 Issue 1 March 2009
 

Will you partner in missions with your offering?

The first missionary I learned about as a youth was Charlotte "Lottie" Moon. Raised in a wealthy family in Virginia, Lottie was serious about following Jesus, so much so that she broke off a marriage engagement to a young man that didn't share the depth of her passion for ministry.

At 33 Lottie moved to China in order to serve the Chinese people with the hope of being a witness for Christ and seeing others follow Him. She was proficient in 6 languages and was tireless in teaching, writing and serving others for Christ.
Throughout her years as a missionary Lottie faced war, famine and plague.
At the beginning of the 20th century China suffered terribly and millions were starving to death.

Lottie used her own resources to feed and care for as many as she could as long as she could. Eventually her health suffered to such an extent that she weighed only 50 pounds. Her friends put her on a ship for America in 1912 in hopes that she could regain her health. On Christmas Eve she died in route to the States. All the possessions that Lottie owned in the world fit into one small trunk.

Lottie had literally led thousands to follow Christ. What's more she had inspired thousands of others to go to the mission field and to give to the work of missions.

The Lottie Moon missions offering is the largest of its kind in the world. One hundred percent of donations to the Lottie Moon offering go directly to missionaries and mission fields.

One third of our World Christian Offering goes to the Lottie Moon fund for international missions. I pray that you'll give in the same spirit that Lottie gave her life.

World Christian Emphasis

The economy, terrorism, leadership failures, and nuclear threats are but a few issues that open both our global and our spiritual eyes.
There are two words we had better learn from the events of these months - World and Eternity.
More than ever before, we, as Christians, need to be World Christians. The world is upon us. We are in the world. The world is looking for answers to spiritual questions. Eternity is no longer a "politically incorrect" subject. The world wants eternal answers...NOW.
The Challenge is this: Will you and I be World Christians today? What will it require of us to become World Christians? What are the opportunities for our involvement in our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and in the Ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8)?
As we look to the nations in 2009, we can't help but be amazed at the eternal significance of God's activity. He is making His Name known among all the peoples of the world. Look to God and give thanks... look at the nations and intercede...look around you and proclaim loud and clear what God has done through Jesus and what he is doing today for eternity's sake.
March 8-22 Meadowbrook will have a special World Christian Emphasis so that we might keep our focus fresh and our hearts invigorated toward the mission of Christ and the needs of people.
You're in for inspiring worship gatherings on Sundays, invitations to engage in "difference-making" endeavors and the opportunity to give in a way that results in world impact. During the WCE you'll be able to learn and listen to God's call, and to live as a fully devoted follower of Christ that is fully engaged in His mission to our world.

World Christian Offering

During the days of our World Christian Emphasis we're encouraging all to prayerfully ask God-
"Lord, what would You have me give for the work of missions?"

The World Christian Offering is a special giving opportunity that helps underwrite the work of missionaries and missions around the globe.

The offering is divided into 3 parts:
1. International Mission Board-this helps support over 5,000 missionaries in over 100 nations.
2. North American Mission Board-this helps support over 5,000 missionaries in North America.
3. Bryansk, Russia-this helps support missions projects Meadowbrook will be doing in Russia in 2009.

Make your ‘09 pledge during the days of our World Christian Emphasis and fulfill your giving over the next 9 months. There is NO overhead with the World Christian Offering so that 100% of your gifts go directly to the mission fields and missionaries.

Look for the pledge card in your worship bulletin.

LB & P2 Continue to Progress

Your LIFE BUILDING commitments and pledges are moving into the final 12 months! Thank you for consistently and faithfully giving so that we can creatively use our facilities to worship God and serve people.

Meanwhile, we simply let you know that we were creating the Phase 2 fund so that we could develop our second warehouse for children and youth ministries. Already many of you have made contributions and we have over $17,000! When we reach $70,000 we'll be able to bring in our contractors to finish out the space and give our ministries proper space to carry out their assignments.

Recent experiences like the Disciple Now weekend and the children's theater production highlighted our need to develop and use this space. Since it will be multi-purpose in design several of our other ministries will also benefit.

As planned, these facilities are being used throughout every week in ways that advance God's kingdom and disciple His people.

LIFE BUILDING

Total
Commitments:
$564,750

Contributed
To Date:
$424,463

Phase 2
$17,160

How can we serve our community in such
economically challenging times?

We're going to connect those who have resources with those that don't!

The 100% Discount Store will feature a variety of items that are clean and in good condition that those from the Meadowbrook family donate. Invitations to different needy groups have been extended to come and shop for items that they can receive at no cost.

Please help us make a difference in the lives of families and children on March 21. You can drop off your items on Sundays, March 8 & 15 or arrange for a special delivery appointment.

Can you help setup or clean up for the event? How about attending on the day of and being a greeter who welcomes our guests into our church?

For more information or to get involved contact Linda Avery, .

Celebrate Recovery
A Christ-Centered Recovery Program

Celebrate Recovery will launch March 5 and will meet every Thursday thereafter. CR is based upon the biblical principles that are outlined in the 12 steps of recovery.

CR is open to everyone who has hurts, hang-ups and habits of any kind (not just alcohol or drugs).

A typical CR experience will begin at 7:00 p.m. with worship and teaching. At 8:00 p.m. the large group will break up into small groups that are gender specific. The small groups will confidentially discuss the teaching and share personal experience for purposes of encouragement and support. At 9:00 p.m. all are welcome to enjoy a brief time of refreshment and fellowship.

Additionally, in the next couple of months CR will sponsor several Step Study groups that meet on another night and more thoroughly study and work the biblical steps and principles of recovery.

For more information check out the display table in the church lobby or contact Pastor Scott at 425.882.1282 or .

New MICS Classes
Beginning March 8

March Madness? You Betcha! Join the New MICS/YICS series starting on March 8.

Meadowbrook's Institute of Christian Studies and Youth Institute of Christian Studies (MICS/YICS) will offer two new courses starting March 8 at 9:45 AM.

The first session, "Jonah and James", takes an interesting and in depth look at the common themes and messages from these two different books of the Bible. This fascinating study will be led by Dana Hutson in the Gathering Place.

Scott Brewer will lead the second session (offered at the same time) which is focused on prayer - "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Prayer But Were Afraid to Ask".

Please register for either of these classes by contacting Stella Bishop at the church office or at . You can also register by using the connection card in your bulletin on Sundays.

Both series will run for 5 weeks. See you there!