Pastor - Dr. Eric Spano Youth and Children - Bobby Vann

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1 JANUARY 2017 The Messenger VOLUME 60 NO. 01 Pastor - Dr. Eric Spano Youth and Children - Bobby Vann Dear MPBC family and friends, Life in many ways is about contrasts. Here I am sitting in South Florida and it s 80 degrees and sunny, but in other parts of the country (Roanoke, VA) it is much colder. The way people talk here is in contrast to the way people talk in other places. The things people do here are in contrast to what people do in VA. People here look tan (even leathered) compared to the ivory color most have this time of year in VA. The cars people drive here are in contrast to what we drive in Roanoke. And many of us are wanting, in some ways, for 2017 to be a year of contrast to The Good News is, 2017 can be the best year we have ever lived but that will not happen by accident. It will take effort, discipline, and a commitment to doing what is best (not good) for God, others, and yourself. No doubt most of us have experienced the good, not so good, and even the ugliest things life can throw our way. But we cannot live in the past, we must grasp the future from God s perspective and live out of that future hope! But how can we accomplish that? First, we must make a commitment to gaining God s perspective through consistent reading (exposure) to God s Word. We hear enough of the world s perspective about everything and if we are not careful that can become the dominant perspective out of which we live and think. We need God s perspective on life and that is only found in Scripture. Second, we must make a commitment to prayer. God speaks to us through His Word and that should naturally lead us to speak to God in prayer. It s really not that complicated. Most of you facebook and tweet. You can do the same thing with God in prayer. Might I suggest that many of us should curb our appetite for social media and embrace the goodness of God in His Word and prayer. Third, we must make a commitment to worship. We relate to God and He relates to us in worship. Unfortunately, worship has become an optional discipline in many American Christians lives. Worship is not about what we think we should or should not get out of it, but it s about what we give in it. The grace of it all is that God does do and say things to us within worship. And He does so in many different ways and through many different people as God s people exercise their God given spiritual gifts. And last, we must make a commitment to reach others with the Gospel. This can be as easy as just being friendly enough to ask your friend, family, and others around you to join you for a worship service. Did you know that most will accept an invitation to church when asked by someone they know? God has given us a tremendous opportunity to be a part of witnessing the change in the lives of others when we invite them to worship! 2017 can be the year of contrast if we are willing to do the simple things I have outlined above. Let s, together, become a people, a community, a church, that is and does the simple teachings of Jesus in the NT! May God bless you and us as we strive toward our glorious future! In Christ, Pastor Eric

2 Dear Church Family, Happy New Year! I hope that this note finds you reflecting on 2016 and gladly looking ahead to what is to come. I am continually encouraged to see how MPBC works together to care for the children and youth that God has entrusted us with. Thank you for all that you have done in the past for my family as well as these students. So many of you have had an significant impact in the here and now, but you are also making a significant investment in the eternities of these students. This month I am excited for us to begin a new service called The Gathering. The Gathering will take place from 6-7:30pm once a month on Sunday nights for Gen246. This is an opportunity to worship together, eat together, play together, and grow up into Christ together. The Gathering will have a greater focus on community while also encouraging developing discipling relationships between students and mentoring adults. Please be in prayer for this great opportunity! In Christ, Bobby COMING UP January 6-8 GEN246 CHILL Winter Retreat in Beckley WV at Winterplace. We will leave the church at 4pm on Friday January 6. Please turn in all final payments and paperwork. 11 P2 New York Mission Trip July Sign up on the bulletin board and pay your $50 non-refundable deposit by Wednesday January 11. See Bobby with any questions! 15 The Gathering On Sunday January 15 from 6-7:30pm at the church Gen246 will come together for a worship service focused on building community. Make sure you don t miss out and bring a snack to share! 27 Friday Night Friends Remember the bus leaves at 5:45pm! Find more information online!

3 Ask Seek Knock Matthew 7:7 Think before you speak!! Death and Life Are in the Power of the Tongue! Proverbs 18:21 A S K ROOM Ministry Make appointment with Ms. Shirley Call & Leave Message At Church Office: At Shirley's home: Healing: Physical-Emotional-Answers in making decisions Recreational / Respite Ministry Program for Special Needs Children & their Families January 27 6:30 9:00pm Cave Spring Baptist Church F.L.C. Carpool leaves MPBC at 5:45pm Free Medically Staffed VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Medical or Non-Medical) Visit Menu: Homemade Soup Sandwiches Dessert MEAL PRICES: Adults $ 5.50 Children under 10 And Senior Adults $ 3.50 Household Family price $17.50 Child under age 3: FREE ** Sign up for the meal on the Office Bulletin board or by contacting the church office.

4 Diana Burks Jan 05 Joyce Martin Jan 05 Diana Wilson Jan 05 Mary Mauck Jan 07 Hunter Altice Jan 08 Jasmine Crawford Jan 10 Aiden Dogan Jan 10 Ila Thompson Jan 15 Melanie Cassell Jan 17 Betty Mitchell Jan 17 Ethan Trout Jan 01 John Lucas Jr. Jan 18 Michael Terrell Jan 20 Charlotte Harper Jan 20 Mary Wray Jan 21 Jim Overstreet Jan 22 Robert Hurd Jan 23 Barbara Wray Jan 25 Gretchen Moomey Jan 26 Kayla Thompson Jan 29 Cooper Dooley Jan 30 Aiden Lucas Jan 31 David Cooper Jan 31 Come and enjoy our Christian fellowship and exercise. Here are the times that we regularly walk here in our Family Life Center: Mon. evenings Wed. mornings HAPPY NEW YEAR 5:30-6:15pm 10:00-11:00am For questions please call the church office. See you there! Church Lock-up Schedule 01/01 Jeff S. 01/08 Duke L. 01/15 Greg B. 01/22 Monte M. 01/30 David D. Sundays at 5:30pm Come join our Praise Team!! Deacon s Ministry Operation Christmas Baskets The outreach to our neighbors in need went well. The Kroger paper bags were filled by households in distributed. We want to thank the Kroger store on Brambleton Avenue for the donation of paper bags for the food collection and the neighbors who participated. JANUARY 2017 *Infants* 01/01 Jennifer & Richard D. & Christie R. 01/08 Monte & Libby M. & Michelle D. 01/15 Patty S. Patty C. & Heather W. 01/22 Libby D. & Barbara H. & Kristina A. 01/29 Kathie C. Robin M. & Diana W. *Toddler* 01/01 Suzanne E. & Heather W. 01/08 April & Brandon F. 01/15 Jill M. & Gretchen M. 01/22 Bonnie B. & Reva & Randall H. 01/29 Kayla & Ian T. *Preschool* 01/01 Joyce L. & Connie A. 01/08 Meredith S. & Ethan S. 01/15 Dee B. & Sienna H. & Sierra L. 01/22 Jennifer R. & Emma R. 01/29 Jay & Shannon M. *Children s Worship* (1st, 2nd & 4th Sundays) 01/01 Wednesday Vicki D. & Andrew Evenings B. 01/08 Sonya L. & Julie E. 01/22 Duke & Sheila L. Wednesdays *Infant Care* 01/04 Amy D. & Gina S. 01/11 Jill M. & Kayla T. 01/18 Bonnie & Bobby B. 01/25 Kathie C. & Diana W. Baby Bottle Campaign of Blue Ridge Women s Center We would like to report that our Christmas Carolers went out on Sunday evening December 18. They brought the message of Christ s birthday celebration in song to households in the Mount Pleasant area. Everyone had enjoyable evening of Christmas praise and joy! The MPBC Sunday School classes would like to report that the total collected for this fund-raiser was $ Thank you for your participation in this event. For questions please see Pat Sink.

5 Growing Up Reaching Out 3000 Pitzer Road Roanoke, VA MPBC office