Church Office Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm. Rev. Matthew Hudman Senior Minister

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Rev. Matthew Hudman Senior Minister Matthewhudman01 @gmail.com Rev. David Finklea Assistant Minister - Chain Reaction Ministries chainreactionministries @gmail.

com Delmarie Gilbreath Organist Marilyn Duncan Choir Director mduncan9397@gmail.com Deb Olsen-Busch Handbell Choir Director Candy Kepper Preschool Director ckepper@mdcccp.

School starts back for our students and teachers. The church moves into a new program year.

I am excited by the many new activities we have planned as a church. It will begin on Sunday, August 28, with an ice cream social at 5:00pm in the Gym.

The big kickoff on September 4 will include a progressive lunch.

1 Rev. Matthew Hudman Senior Minister Rev. David Finklea Assistant Minister - Chain Reaction Ministries Mirtha Robbins Custodian Teri Villoutreix Church Secretary teriv@outlook.com Janet Christman Director of Children s Ministry christmanjanet@hotmail.com Delmarie Gilbreath Organist Marilyn Duncan Choir Director mduncan9397@gmail.com Deb Olsen-Busch Handbell Choir Director Candy Kepper Preschool Director ckepper@mdcccp.org Church Office Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm For many of us, when the calendar flips from August to September, it is as if we enter a whole new world. School starts back for our students and teachers. The church moves into a new program year. We begin thinking about the end of summer and the beginning of fall (even if the weather remains hot and humid.) In these times of transition, it is important to think about where we are headed. I am excited by the many new activities we have planned as a church. It will begin on Sunday, August 28, with an ice cream social at 5:00pm in the Gym. We will also have a game of bunco in which everyone can participate. It will be a time of fun and fellowship for all ages. The next Sunday, September 4, the youth group will begin meeting weekly. The big kickoff on September 4 will include a progressive lunch. Throughout the fall, the youth will meet weekly to grow in faith, grow in their relationships with God, and grow in their relationships with each other. And those are just the activities for the next two Sundays! In the coming weeks our new children/early youth choir will begin rehearsing, I will start a weekly Bible study, we will have a special evangelism event, our stewardship campaign will begin, and there will be additional fellowship events, service opportunities, and ways to connect. The fall will be a busy time at MDCC. In the midst of all of this, though, we should also remember the why behind all of these many activities. Beyond fellowship events being fun and service opportunities making us feel good, something much greater is going on in and through all of these ministries. We witness for each other and for our community what it means to be a community joined together in Christ. We witness for each other and for our community what it means to try to love and serve our neighbors. We learn what it means to be the Body of Christ in the world today. So as you begin to fill in the dates on your calendar for the fall, I hope you will keep an eye on the church s calendar. I hope you will be intentional in planning on being a part of some - or even all! - of the activities in the life of the church. I hope that as you prioritize the parts of life that give you the most joy and meaning, MDCC will move to the top of that list. If you do not find that MDCC is near the top, then please talk to me so we can figure out how we can better connect. Good things are on the horizon. Thanks for all that you do in the life of MDCC. Blessings and peace, Matthew The kids are back in school and vacations are over! It is time to fellowship with your church family! Join us September 11 after church for a Homecoming Luncheon! The meat will be provided and we would like for you to bring a dish. If your last name begins with "A to M" bring a dessert or starch (potato, rice, pasta.) If your name begins with "N to Z" bring a salad or vegetable dish. We will recognize new members and charter members. We also will have table topics about interest groups for kids and adults and what brought you to church here. Please plan on coming to MDCC Homecoming 2016! Submitted by Fellowship Committee leaders, Susan Pain and Mary Williams

2 Contact: John E. Lindley, Treasurer, General Fund Income vs Expense July YTD YTD Budget Pledged Income 32, , , Other Income 3, , , Expense 35, , , Balance (12,793.85) (48,918.50) Transfer From Designated Funds 15, , , Final Balance 15, , (11,418.50) Cash Assets & Debt General Fund Checking 6, Liabilities & Amortized Inc, Exp 26, Savings (Charles Schwab) 36, Capital Campaign 132, Undesignated Memorial Funds 236, Designated Funds 84, Total 524, Capital Campaign Pledged 329, Received To Date 267, Other Income 136, Spent 271, Balance 132, Campaign ends May 31, 2017 Mortgage Balance 694, Included is a financial summary for the church. For this year we are doing OK, with income approximately as budgeted and expenses less than budgeted (in large part because we haven't spent much on maintenance this year) so we haven't had to draw as much from Designated Funds as planned. But we are still running a deficit and in July I did transfer $15,000 from the Capital Campaign fund to the General Fund checking account to keep it in the black. For July we basically broke even, ignoring that transfer. I expect some large expenses in August so it likely won't look as good. If you have any questions about this report please ask me in church or send an to John E. Lindley, Treasurer, at, treasurer.mdcc@gmail.com Thanks, John Leaders Meetings Ministry Planning Team meets Sunday, September 4, at 12:15pm, in the Athens Room Elders meet Tuesday, September 6, at 6:30pm, in the Athens Room Administrative Council meets Tuesday, September 13, at 7:00pm, in the Parlor

3 Contact: Janet Christman, Director of Children s Ministry, or christmanjanet@hotmail.com What a joy it was to see all the students and teachers on stage Sunday for our Blessing of the Backpacks! Please keep all the students and teachers in your prayers that they will have a successful, enjoyable and safe school year. This is a chance for new beginnings for everyone! We had another great week of Vacation Bible School. Thanks to all the kids who attended, parents who transported, and leaders who taught and served. We had a great group of youth who gave up a week of their summer vacation to come and help out with recreation, lead singing, act out Bible Stories and many more jobs. We are so blessed as a church family to have so many dedicated and talented people willing to spend time with our children! Thank you to everyone. Lastly, thank you all for your prayers and cards on behalf of my Dad. He has spent the last month recovering from pneumonia and a sepsis infection with a few a-fib episodes along the way. It has now been determined that he needs to move to an assisted living area in the retirement complex where they live, while my Mom will remain in their independent duplex. They both are at ease with the decisions that have been made and that is all we can ask for. They are both safe and well cared for. I am so blessed to be a part of the MDCC Family! We share leading the discussion. Join us as we think about what Christianity means to us. August 28 Believe Book/DVD Peace September 4 Ray Vander Laan Youtube Discipleship September 11 No Class September 18 Believe Book/DVD Stewardship September 25 New book Ten weeks on prayer Join us as we learn together! Please join us in the Philippi Room for learning fun every Sunday morning. The Journey class is a discussion class where everyone has an opinion and doesn t mind sharing it. We are discussing the book Jesus Parables About Discipleship, by James Moore. We invite you to join in, looking afresh at some of the parables that encourage us on our way to being better Disciples. This class is lead by Patrick Gibbons and Joyce Stones. In love with the King s Kids, Janet If you are interested in giving an arrangement for Sunday morning, in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the church office at for details. Contact: Dorothy Andrews, Let s stretch and tone our backs, stomachs, legs, and arms! It makes you feel better and look better, and gives you energy. This will be a low impact class. If you are interested in attending a weekly class at MDCC, on Thursdays at 3:00pm, call Dorothy to let her know. (Leave a message if she is out.)

4 What an exciting month! We have added four members by transfer of membership and two baptized into the fellowship. If you have not already met them, I encourage you to do so. The Spirit is working here at MDCC. Changes are happening. We are trying new things. As Matthew said in his sermon, things cannot always stay Status Quo. This is an adventure we are on together. I ask you to be open to change and let us see where God is taking us. We are trying to improve communication to the congregation. The board minutes and the administrative council minutes will be available in the Welcome Center, the treasurer s report will appear in the newsletter, and s will be sent out to notify members of events happening. If you can think of any other ways to help communicate better please let me know. The committees are working hard. The ministry teams meet every month to coordinate activities, the By-Laws committee headed by Grant Dunwoody is meeting to rewrite the current By-Laws and Manual of Administration. The administrative committee and board of Elders meet monthly. The personnel committee is meeting with the staff members. The nominating committee and stewardship campaign committee is meeting. Please prayerfully consider how you can serve Memorial Drive in the coming year with your time and talents. Carol Neal Contact: Larry Neal, Property Chairman GENEROUS GIFT The Hey Lollies dance group has offered to purchase two defibulators for the church. We have taken them up on the offer. The defibulators will be installed in the Gym and somewhere around the Welcome Center. The value of the defibulators is around $4000 and we are very happy to accept this generous gift. If you see any of the Hey Lollies on Thursday nights tell them thank you for the defibulators. Thank You I would like to extend a big thank you to Mark Morrow for coming to our rescue. The top half of a 40-foot oak tree broke off during the rain storm Saturday night, August 13, and it landed across the sidewalk on the south side of our property just west of our sign. It was a large oak tree and a big mess. Mark was able to send a tree crew to cut the tree into pieces and remove the debris. Thanks again Mark, we really appreciate the help. Larry Neal Property Chairman Members of the nominating committee are Cliff Wolf, Larry Pain and chair, Mary Williams. Grant Dunwoody and Matthew Hudman are ex officio. If God is calling you to a certain position please call someone on the committee and discuss His plan. Be in prayer that we secure the leadership needed for MDCC in Community Joys and Concerns Congratulations to Angela and Matt Bullock on the birth of Elijah Matthew Bullock, on August 22. Welcome to new members, Mason and Meagan Neal, who were baptized at MDCC; and to new members, L.O. and Joyce Wray, who joined MDCC on August 14. Welcome to new member, Essie Wall, who joined MDCC on July 31, and to new member, Kitty Russell, who joined MDCC on August 7. Congratulation to Marsha Smith who will serve on the Board of Trustees for Bethany College beginning in October. Congratulations to Heidi and Matthew Hudman on the birth of Cali Marie Camden, Heidi s niece, on August 9. Her mother is Heidi's sister, Amanda Camden, of Big Spring.

Everyone is invited to sing the good old-time

Adults 50 and up are invited to Keenagers

September 15, for fellowship, games of Chicken

The first gathering after summer will be

Janice Spradlin will lead us in the discussion of

Ikard. If you like to read, why not join us?

if we want to study passages of Heaven in

We meet the first and third Wednesday of each

All men of the church are invited to a discussion

enthusiasts, and anyone interested in helping

5 Everyone is invited to sing the good old-time Gospel songs on Tuesday, September 6, at 1:00pm. Adults 50 and up are invited to Keenagers Luncheon, Thursday, September 1, at 12:00noon, in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a meat or side dish to share. Dessert is provided by a participant. All single women please join us on Thursday, September 15, for fellowship, games of Chicken Foot, and lunch. Bring a salad to share! Dessert is provided by a participant. The first gathering after summer will be Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00am in the Parlor. Janice Spradlin will lead us in the discussion of The Care and Management of Lies, by Jacqueline Winspear. We will also remember our dear member, Connie Ikard. If you like to read, why not join us? Contact: Maudeen Eccles, or maudeenfeccles@gmail.com Come join our group in the Philippi Room beginning September 7 at 10:00am. We will finish up the book of Ezekiel then decide if we want to study passages of Heaven in scripture. We meet the first and third Wednesday of each month. All men of the church are invited to a discussion group on the fourth Tuesday, September 27, at 9:30am, in the Athens Room. We start with a light breakfast and plenty of strong coffee. Come and join us! Crafters, seamstresses, jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, and anyone interested in helping with our outreach project is welcome to attend Ladies Service Group every Tuesday morning at 9:30am, in the Galilee Room. Refreshments are served. We meet every Thursday at 9:30am in the Parlor. We read scripture, participate in intercessory prayer for those who have asked for prayers, and we write cards to those for whom we pray. We would love to have you join us.

6 We want to welcome out newest members Essie Wall, Kitty Russell, and Joyce and L.O. Wray. Also, Sunday, August 14 was a special day marked by the baptisms of Mason Tyler Neal and Meagan Brooke Neal, the grandchildren of Carol and Larry Neal. Our congregation is so blessed by these recent events. If you haven t yet had a chance, please take a moment to introduce yourself to Essie, Kitty, and Joyce, and L.O. And be sure to let Mason and Meagan know we are so glad to have them as part of our church family. After the hot days of summer, we look forward to (slightly) cooler temperatures in the coming months. With the change in the weather, we all tend to be a little more energized and active. The church is also gearing up for more activities. There are many events planned for the fall. Please be sure to check the Messenger, the church calendar ( and the Sunday worship bulletin for details. We hope you all will participate in as many of them as you are able. To be a vibrant and engaged congregation, we need the support and participation of as many members of our community as possible. So please join in and enjoy! If you are looking for an easy way to become more involved at church, please consider volunteering to be a greeter or an usher. We would love to have you! We will be hosting a new member coffee on Sunday, September 11, at 9:45am in the Parlor. Rev. Hudman will be there to talk about the activities of the church and provide a brief overview of the Disciples of Christ. We will be contacting new members soon to invite them. As the new school year begins, please pray for all our students, teachers, and parents in the hope that all will have a productive and successful year. Also, continue to pray for our congregation and its role in the future of our community. In Christian Fellowship, Angela Bullock, Janice Spradlin & Linda Thompson Dear MDCC Friends, Your concern and kindness during Larry s illness and passing gave us hope, love, and now peace. Your love and care were expressed in so many ways through visits, cards, calls, music, and the lovely reception. You have truly been our family for nearly fifty years. One of Larry s greatest joys was to see you, serve with you, and sing with you for those many years. May God bless you as you have blessed us. Evelyn, Stephanie, Tracy, and Michael Clark Dear MDCC Friends, We want to thank all our friends at MDCC for your cards, prayers, and support upon the death of our Sunshine. A special thank you to Matthew for his hospital visits and comfort in this difficult time. It is such a blessing to have the love of a church family. Sincerely, The Sturgeon and Bledsoe families Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers for my recovery from the fall. It is such a wonderful feeling to have such a thoughtful bunch of Church family. I ll try to stay upright! Love, Shirley Jean Gray Dear Members of Memorial Drive Christian Church, Everyone at the East Spring Branch Food Pantry wants to wholeheartedly thank you for your generous cash donation. Every penny will be spent on helping the poor and food needy in our area. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. Sincerely, ESBFP volunteers and staff Matthew, Thank you for allowing the Wehners to have our service in your beautiful church on June 30. I appreciate all of your help in planning and making sure that everything was ready for us. It was great to have you share the service with me. Please pass on our appreciation to all your folks that helped with the service and reception. God bless, Paul Wehner

Thank you for your continued support of Teaching Haiti. Bertin Bail has been busy getting his 16-year old son, Yves, ready for school. He hopes his 12-year old daughter will be here by Christmas.

It has been a year since the school was started and 48 students continue to do well in this two-year course!! Did you know MDCC is on Facebook? Our church has an active Facebook page.

7 Thank you for your continued support of Teaching Haiti. Bertin Bail has been busy getting his 16-year old son, Yves, ready for school. He hopes his 12-year old daughter will be here by Christmas. In the mean time the computer school has moved locations in Haiti and is back up and running. Continued prayer and support is needed to meet our $550 a month payroll and expenses. It has been a year since the school was started and 48 students continue to do well in this two-year course!! Did you know MDCC is on Facebook? Our church has an active Facebook page. If you are a Facebook user, please like our page, Memorial Drive Christian Church, and interact with our posts. We provide updates on upcoming events and post pictures from recent church events. See you on Facebook! Thursday, 9/1 Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM Keenagers Luncheon 12:00 PM Sunday, 9/4 Sunday School 9:45 AM Choir Warm Up 10:30 AM Worship Ministry Planning Team 12:15 PM Youth Progressive Lunch 12:30 PM Monday, 9/5 Office Closed Labor Day Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM Staff Meeting Gospel Singers 1:00 PM Elders' Meeting 6:30 PM Wednesday, 9/7 Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 AM Ladies' Fitness Class 5:00 PM Handbell Practice 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, 9/8 Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM Sunday, 9/11 Student/Teacher Recognition New Members' Reception 9:45 AM Sunday School 9:45 AM Choir Warm Up 10:30 AM Worship Homecoming Party 12:15 PM Youth Group 12:30 PM Monday, 9/12 Singing Belles 10:30 AM Tuesday, 9/13 Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM Staff Meeting Admin Council Wednesday, 9/14 Shared Reflections Book 10:00 AM Group Ladies' Fitness Class 5:00 PM Handbell Practice 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, 9/15 Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM Prime Time Ladies 10:00 AM Saturday, 9/17 Chain Reaction Ministries 8:00 AM Workday Sunday, 9/18 Stewardship Campaign Kickoff Sunday School 9:45 AM Choir Warm Up 10:30 AM Worship Youth Group 12:30 PM Monday, 9/19 Newsletter deadline Monday, 9/19 Singing Belles 10:30 AM Tuesday, 9/20 Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM Staff Meeting Wednesday, 9/21 Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 AM Ladies' Fitness Class 5:00 PM Handbell Practice 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, 9/22 Newsletter Published Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM Sunday, 9/25 Sunday School 9:45 AM Choir Warm Up 10:30 AM Worship Youth Group 12:30 PM Monday, 9/26 Singing Belles 10:30 AM Tuesday, 9/27 Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM Men's Fellowship 9:30 AM Staff Meeting Wednesday, 9/28 Ladies' Fitness Class 5:00 PM Handbell Practice 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday, 9/29 Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM

Memorial Drive Christian Church. Merry Christmas from the staff of

Memorial Drive Christian Church. Merry Christmas from the staff of Rev. Matthew Hudman Senior Minister Matthewhudman01 @gmail.com Rev. Carolyn Allen Associate Minister for Youth nchornedfrog73@yahoo.com Rev. David Finklea Assistant Minister - Chain Reaction Ministries