weekly update –  10/8/2020

I must admit that I’m a little sad to have finished our study of Second Timothy.  First, it means the summer is over. Second, I just love the imagery Paul uses in the book. The word pictures which compare the Christian life to that of a soldier–my personal favorite because of my military wife & brat background, an athlete, and a farmer have always resonated with me. I like the reminder that the Christian life isn’t straight-forward, quick, or easy.

But we’re on to a new series now–Growing As Disciples Who Make Disciples! If you haven’t already purchased a workbook through your Sunday school class/LIFE group, please send me an email and I’ll put on aside for you!  Some of the topics in store for us on this journey are: Our Position in Christ, Intimacy with God—the Disciplines of Devotion and Prayer, and Lifestyle Choices in the Real World.  This Sunday, Pastor Matt will take on Issue Two in the book: “What Must I Do to Be Saved?”  You don’t want to miss it!

We’ve been going through the workbook as a staff, and I’m enjoying it.  Even if you have been a Christian your entire life, you may not feel comfortable walking a new believer through some of these issues.  The workbook and Matt’s series of sermons should go a long way toward helping us here at MBC fulfill our vision for 2020: Pursuing Followership over Spectatorship by growing as disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ.

This past Sunday we jumped head-first into one of these fundamentals of the Christian life with Matt’s message about the conversion experience and the story of Saul from Acts 9.  Do any of you remember listening to books on tape?  Those of you old enough may even recall the sound of Tinker Bell’s wand reminding you to turn the page for the Disney stories on cassette.  I also owned a series of cassettes called “Bible Times” narrated by the incomparable Burl Ives.  My absolute favorite tape of the series was the story of Saul’s conversion, and that was what came to mind as Paul Schrodt read the story from Acts 9.  When Burl Ives told the story, I would close my eyes and hear the tension in the cries of men, women, and children when Saul broke down their door to arrest them. I heard the electronic zing for the lightning bolt and the boom of the Lord calling, “SAUL! SAUL! WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME?” I could hear the terror in Ananias’ voice when he agreed to go where Saul was staying.  But the best part were all the astonished voices at the end of the tape that discussed Saul’s transformed life.

As Matt mentioned, the story of Saul should remind us all that no one is beyond hope. No one is beyond the grasp of God’s grace. God is in the business of changing lives. We must believe that. We must never give up praying for the salvation of our friends, loved ones, bosses, coworkers, elected leaders…anyone who doesn’t know Christ as his/her Savior. And just like the story of Saul reminds us, we can take hope! While cassette players and books on tape have gone the way of the dinosaur, our God has not.  He is still in the business of changing lives today–even the most unlikely!

Noteworthy-

MBC At Large

• Wow!!!  Our “Bringing in the Harvest” Challenge for Manna House raised over $3131!!!  Thank you all for your generous donations to this great ministry!  Congratulations to the following who won prizes in the raffle:
  • Keith and Janet Hearn                   $100 Chick-Fil-A gift card
  • Jason and Christina Carter            Manna House t-shirts
  • Elias and Kelli Naatz
  • Hansel and Gayle Stack                Manna House aprons
  • Judy Estrada
  • Suanne McDermott
  • Dianna Pierce
  • Elizabeth Todd
  • Jo Falco                                         Manna House tumbler
• Please come by the church office to pick up your prizes.  In addition, everyone is invited to come by my office to get a Manna House pen and bracelet (while supplies last).  Don’t forget to use your Heaven’s Attic coupons!

• Many Sunday school classes have begun to meet here at the church at 9am including the Beviers’ class, Paul Schrodt and Gatlan Turk’s class, Pam Curry’s class for the women of MBC, and the Arendsees’s Spiritual Formation class.  Call or email the church office (972-723-0002) for more info or to figure out which class is right for you!

• We need greeters!  If you are not in a high risk category, would you consider joining our Hospitality team as a Greeter?  Please contact Cathy Spurlock (cathydspurlock@aim.com) for more information.

MBC Kids

• We are getting ready to offer Children’s Church at our 10:30am service starting at the beginning of November!  In addition, we plan to begin Sunday school for kids shortly thereafter.  Many of our prior volunteers are high-risk for COVID, creating a need for more workers.  If you feel led to stand in the gap and help with this important ministry, please contact Lydia Weldy (lydia.weldy@midlothianbible.org).

MBC Students

• Tyler Larson has started a class for middle and high school students on how to study the Bible.  Students may join him at 9am on Sundays in the Hospitality room for a closer look at Ephesians and free donuts!  Also, there will be a lock-in for Senior High students only on Friday, October 16th.  Contact Zeke Garcia or Leah Austin (leah.austin@midlothianbible.org) for more information.

As the election gets closer, please keep our country and its leaders in your prayers as we are commanded to do in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. And remember that just like Saul, no one–no one–is beyond God’s reach.  Take time to pray for your unsaved loved ones (and not so loved ones) today.

In service to Him and to you!
Heather Hogue

SERMON RECAP FOR 9/20/2020

Title: Preach the Word

Passage: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Preach the Word

• Remember your direct report (v 1 & 2 Cor 5:10)
  • Two Implications:
    • Take your calling to serve seriously (James 3:1 & Hebrews 13:17).
    • Take courage! Jesus notices when others do not.
• Preach the Word fully (v 2)
• Be aware of the cultural challenge (v 3-4)
• Preach the Word with perseverance (v 5)

THOUGHTS…….

Some of you know that we have a dog.  Her name is Annie, and she is a 73-pound Lab/Blue Heeler/Great Pyrenees mix.  Last year, about this time, we took her to a dog park near our house.  She and another dog were having a great time chasing each other and play-biting. That night we noticed a small cut by her ear. Over the next few days, we saw her take her paw and scratch at the injury. Then, we noticed her rubbing her head on the sides of her dog crate. Soon after that, she began to scrape her head on our walls, on the corners of our furniture, and on anything else she could. A large bald spot began to emerge on her head by her ear.  Eventually, we had to take her to the vet for medicine and the crowning of all dog humiliations—the cone of shame.  Why?  All because she couldn’t withstand the itch from the cut on her ear as it healed!  Can you guess where I’m going with this?

In 2 Timothy 2 4:3-4, Paul talks about a time when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. Just like our dog was willing to do just about anything to relieve her itchy ear, my guess is that many humans will also do almost anything to avoid the conviction they feel in their hearts when the Word of God is preached accurately.

I had a friend once confide in me that she went to church to feel good and be inspired.  At least she was honest.  Now that I know better, I might gently suggest that someone who preaches the Bible rightly does inspire—people to examine themselves and repent.

It’s funny, too, because like in Matt’s illustrations about the auto repair shop and the doctor’s office, I’m sure my friend would find another repair shop if the mechanic hid the truth to make her feel good about her car instead of telling her what was actually wrong with it.  And I can’t think of anyone who would rather be told that they were in good health when they actually needed life-saving medicine–just because the doctor didn’t want to risk offending that person.

But not so, when it comes to modern-day church goers. The itch to feel good and be inspired is strong.  However, we all need to be very careful.  We can’t run from Bible teacher to Bible teacher with the goal of only getting our ears scratched.  Just like with our dog, Annie, that kind of behavior can lead to a “bald spot”—or worse.  May we all be challenged this week to open up the dark parts of our hearts to the light of all of God’s word for healing. It might hurt a little now, but I’m betting in the long run, it will be infinitely better than having to wear a cone of shame.

NOTEWORTHY-

There are only a few days left in September which means there are only a few days left in our “Bringing in the Harvest” Challenge to raise money for Manna House, a local ministry that provides food and other resources for the underprivileged of Midlothian.  $28 feeds a family of four for a month, so for every $28 donation, you will receive a 28% off coupon to shop at Heaven’s Attic, Manna House’s thrift store, and we will enter you in a raffle for some Manna House merchandise and a $100 Chick Fil A gift card!  You can donate on our website by clicking here and selecting “Giving” from the top menu bar. You can also leave a check with Mary Curry in the Hub on Sunday.  Click here to watch a short video with more information about Manna House and its mission!

Wednesday night ministries are back—and charging full speed ahead!  Please join us from 6:15-8pm for Bible studies for both men and women, activities for middle and high school students, and our CrossKids program for children. Registration for Re:Generation has closed, but the Re|Engage program to strengthen marriages remains open for newcomers until October 14th.  Contact the church office (click here) for more information on any of these programs.

Many of our Sunday morning adult LIFE groups have resumed meeting in-person here up at the church. Make sure to touch base with your group to find out when and where they are meeting next!  To find out more about what Sunday school classes and LIFE groups MBC currently offers, email the church office (click here). Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Sunday school for children at this time. However, if you have children, make sure to check out our Family Service in the Senior High School room on Sundays at 10am.  It is kid-friendly and approved for wigglers!  Email Lydia Weldy (click here) for more information.

Make sure to stay connected to us and to each other—whether it be by watching the service on our YouTube channel or by attending in-person.  And the next time a scripture rubs you the wrong way, lean into it.  Pray that God will use His word to cut away and heal parts of your life that are damaged or diseased.  We don’t want to leave with our ears scratched if surgery is really what is needed.

In service to Him and to you,
Heather Hogue

Good morning, MBC Friends and Family!

Boy! Did it feel weird to type in the date in for today’s update! I’ve been watching Facebook over the last few days, and it’s been interesting to read where everyone was on 9/11/2001 and what they were doing. For the record, September 11, 2001 was the first and only time I directly defied an order from a military policeman and was chased through a parking lot of a Burger King by someone carrying an M-16 machine gun…  I’ll save that story for another time, but suffice to say, don’t try and separate a mother from her children–especially during a national emergency.

September 11, 2020 does share some eerie similarities to September 11, 2001, doesn’t it?  The world is seemingly out-of-control.  Fear runs rampant. Natural events seem almost apocalyptic.  However, one thing I learned from the Minor Prophets study is that God is just, and He is always working.  His plans will be accomplished, and He is in control of everything that happens here on this planet.  As Zephaniah said, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17).  To be honest, as I sit here and remember 9/11/2020, I am strangely comforted–not by the current mess we are in–but by the fact that God was, is, and still will be in control of 2001, 2020, 2021, 2025, and any subsequent years…no matter how bad things seem to get. And He has promised that all of this will work together for His good–which ultimately is OUR good.   And just like the rainbow in the sky reminds us: God always keeps his promises!

Noteworthy:

• This Sunday is our big Celebration Service!  Click here or copy and paste the following address into your browser for a short video message from Pastor Matt which explains why and how we will be celebrating! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB6AG7ETKlI    Since it is an outdoor service, we have posted the lyrics for all the songs on our website!  Click here for the words to the great worship songs we will be singing on Sunday. This outdoor service starts at 10am and will be followed by free boxed lunches and snowcones in the back parking lot.  Bring an awning/canopy and lawn chairs if you have them.  You don’t want to miss it.

• We had a great turnout last week for the kickoff of our fall Wednesday night ministries!  However, it’s not too late if you couldn’t make it last week!  You can still join re:generation, Re|Engage, Finding God Faithful (for women), and a study of Psalm 23 (for men) from 6:15-8pm every Wednesday from now until December 16th. Please make sure to register in Realm–especially if your children will be participating in CrossKids or CrossKids Jr.  Contact the church office (click here) for more information on any of these classes!

• Don’t forget that since September is Hunger Action Month, MBC is sponsoring Manna House with a campaign to “Bring in the Harvest.”  Those who donate at least $28 ($28 feeds a family of 4 for a month!) will receive a coupon for 28% off their entire purchase at Heaven’s Attic—Manna House’s thrift store!  In addition, for every $28 you donate, you will be entered in a raffle for special Manna House prizes such as t-shirts, aprons, pens, bracelets, and a $100 Chick Fil A gift card. You can give now on Realm (click here) or by designating “Manna House Harvest” on your check or contribution envelope to support this gospel-centered ministry that meets the needs of the hungry and underprivileged here in Midlothian and Ellis County.

• Doug and Peggy Arendsee will be starting a new small group on Sunday mornings called Life with God.  Contact Doug @ douglasarendsee@hotmail.com  (307-286-1135) for more information.

• Mike has concluded his study of the Minor Prophets, but the group is continuing to meet with a new study of 1st John on Zoom!  Please email Mike (click here) if you’re interested, so he can send you the notes for the study and an invitation to join the Zoom meeting!

• Finally, we will be honoring the Clark family with a “Shower” for their new additions and a “Birthday Sprinkle” for Gracelynn.  See details on the MBC Women’s Facebook page or contact the church office (click here) for more information.  Collection of gifts will be next Sunday, September 20th in the Hub.

As crazy as these times were and are, we still have quite a bit to be grateful for, so when the world seems to be spinning all around us, remember 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17: Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  May you be aware of God’s comforting presence this week!

In service to Him and to you!
Heather Hogue