A Warm Evening in the Alps
The only snow at the Evening in the Alps came down inside the Fellowship Hall. The folks who gathered for caroling tried to feel cold, but most had to leave their caroling scarves behind, especially as the neighborhood homes received the caroling groups warmly. "Jeremy Dion called ahead to one of our stops to make sure the people would be home," Abi Potter recalled. "When he hung up, he said it would be a problem if we did not go. The teenage boy at the house was delighted that his teen club leaders came to sing for his family." Even in the snowy Fellowship Hall, the activity stayed warm with hot soup, bread, cheese, and some delicious punch. Cheerful, volunteer chefs, served up food with a smile. Then the fun started. Cynthia Long explained the reasons Chocolate is a health food. Nathan Arnold suggested ten things to do when you are snowed in. And the VonChin Family gave their premier performance with a moving rendition of "High on a Hill Lived a Lonely Goatherd." General hilarity reigned. Chris Grant delivered a message from I John designed to melt icy hearts. One member of the audience commented, "I just needed to be reminded that God is enough. He is all I need. It was so great!" Surprise! The unsuspecting Care Group Leaders received a snowscape picture as a Christmas "Thank You" for the ministry they have had in the college and career class this year. The inscription on the picture reads, "For as the rain and snow come down from heaven...so shall my word be which goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty."
After the presentation, all pretense of Alpine charm was thrown by the wayside in a rough and tumble game of Swiss Swap. Angela Feece got a copy of Jane Eyer,Brian Perkins ended up with the duck, and a few privileged individuals got away with Starbucks gift cards! In the end, all grievances were forgotten over home-made donut holes and hot chocolate. A perfect conclusion to a warm Evening in the Alps.
Challenging Children for Christ What do French horns, voices, puppets, and fun games have in common? They can all be used in ministry for the Lord and on Saturday, December 13, they were! The college/career evangelism team ministered to about forty-five children from MCBC s neighborhood Bible clubs. Bible club leaders brought the children to the church, and they were placed in two groups ages 5-8 and ages 9-12. The evangelism team divided up to minister in two different areas an outdoor game time and an indoor Christmas program. Each group of children took a turn participating in the games and listening to the program. Steven Kidd directed the game time with the help of several other team members. The children participated enthusiastically in sack races, tug of war, north and south, and a snow ball fight played with balls. The rest of the group ministered in the fellowship hall, putting on a program that included music, a puppet show, and preaching. Staci, Jon, and Tyler Willis opened the program with a brass trio playing Joy to the World. Rachelle Greenwood led the children in singing several Christmas carols. Then a small choir of team members sang a medley of Christmas songs that focused on worshiping Christ as the Savior of the world. The team s puppeteers presented a puppet skit written by Naomi Calvino, in which a child reaches out to a lonely neighbor with the love of Christ. Ethan Talbert closed the program with a brief challenge about the greatest Christmas gift a gift that will never break and that will last forever the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, whose name is Emmanuel. The Lord answered the team s prayer that the children would be calm-hearted during the program time. Both the older and younger groups listened well and seemed engaged in the music, the skit, and the message. Between the games and the program was a snack time. The team had an opportunity to talk with the children one-on-one while they ate cookies and drank juice outside. The Lord gave us a beautiful day for the combined Bible club ministry, and we trust that He will glorify Himself in the eyes of these children as they think about the truths presented from His Word.
He is A Great Father! Like thousands of other young kids, I was reared in a Chinese family receiving the atheistic philosophy from when I was a little boy. Within 23 years the only thing I knew was to become a powerful and an ambitious person like the famous political figures in Chinese history. I tried my best to be like that kind of model set in my heart and ready to train myself. However, I didn't have any happiness when I did this, depending on my human flesh. The Lord knows and loves each one who would be chosen to be a part of His kingdom and a child of Him. In 2003, I failed at the key Law University in Beijing and replaced it with the bilingual major (English and German) in Changchun. When I look back today at my study here, I know God was preparing me all this time, though I did not know before. I got salvation in college when I was a junior - exactly speaking, in the transition between sophomore and junior years. I participated in an English Summer Camp where I met one couple coming from the U.S.A.. I made friends with them. Gradually, they evangelized me through the scripture of Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." For the first time in my life I realized that I needed a savior to redeem me from my sin. On that day, Dec. 26, 2005 all of my bad behaviors I had before within 23 years emerged into my mind like a series of movies. I cried and repented to God. God illuminated my heart through Hebrews 1:5 on the day March 6th, 2006. From that time my life totally changed. He is a great Father in heaven who is always being worshiped by us. Tony holds an Isaiah Scroll housed in a Bible training institute.
Eight Tips to Being a Powerful Bowler For the bowling-challenged The key word here is power. In order to be a successful bowler, you have to act confident and appear powerful. No matter what your previous skill level, with these eight tips, your scores are destine to rise. Tuck this list in your pocket and walk into the alley like you own the place! 1. Eat plenty beforehand: the foundation of your power is the store of carbs you have to burn. Candy bars, hamburgers, pizza, French fries, honey buns it doesn t matter. Eat it. 2. Refuse those floppy, nerdy bowling shoes. Cleats are the shoes of Power. 3. Give yourself an amazing title on the score board: other nerds can write their real name. Show everyone else how cool you are with a title like Striker or Spare-Me. 4. Choose the ball with the number closest to your age: 8,9, and 13 are for little kids. 5. If your ball thuds like an anchor dropped from a tall building, that means Power! 6. Watching your ball roll down the lane will not change anything. Professionals just walk away. 7. Don t let gutter balls faze you. Think about statistics: as long as you get one gutter ball on one side and another on the other side, you are sure to bowl a strike next time. 8. If all else fails, inform your group that bowling is scored like golf: the person with the fewest points wins. Please join the college and career group for our February 27 bowling activity. More information to follow.