January 2019 SERMON SERIES: Forgiveness Some of the best things that Jesus ever said were about forgiveness your sins are forgiven! Some of the hardest things that Jesus ever said were about forgiveness if you don t forgive others their trespasses then neither will God forgive yours! Our sermon series for the beginning of 2019 will consider why forgiving is so difficult and why forgiving is so important. January 6 th Take, Bless, Break, Give Back January 13 th What s The Big Deal? January 20 th A Message from Dr. Larry Crabb January 27 th Mountains and Molehills February 3 rd The Super Bowl of Forgiveness One Worship Service at 10:00am February 10 th Myths About Forgiveness February 17 th Getting Even February 24 th Bearing and Forgiving March 3 rd Forgiving Yourself Your friend and pastor, Kevin LARRY CRABB SOULTALK WEEKEND - Join us on January 18 & 19 as nationally known psychologist, author and teacher Dr. Larry Crabb presents SoulTalk, ways for us to have those meaningful connecting conversations with family, friends, and people we meet. This gift of spiritual friendship can improve relationships and bring us closer to God and to each other as we do life together. Pick up a flyer at the Information Booth, or go on the MPC website to register for this powerful seminar. Due to a generous gift, MPC members can attend this conference for $40. Go to the website, click the SoulTalk button, and select MPC member registration. TPC TICKETS NOW ON SALE! TPC 2019 is March 12 th 17 th. Good Any One Day Stadium Passes are available for $55 each (Stadium passes are priced at Thursday $60 each and Friday Sunday $70 each and are day-specific). Good Any One Day Stadium Passes are valid for any one day of the 2019 PLAYERS. $30.00 of EVERY ticket sold will go toward the 2019 High School Costa Rica trip and future mission trips. You can purchase your tickets online @www.chipinforyouth.com/ using the code MANDARINPRES. If you purchase your tickets online through TPC you will be paying sales tax but if you come by the church office and purchase them through the church you will not have to pay sales tax. Deadline to Purchase tickets in the church office is Monday, February 18 th and online is Friday, March 1 st, 2019. DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY - We d like to once again express our gratitude for everyone s support of this ministry throughout 2018. As a result, approximately 2,000 households representing over 6,000 individuals were served during the year, with an estimated 75,000 pounds of food distributed. Refrigerated items were added during the year, as well as a Clothes Closet - both very welcome additions by our guests! It is solely through your donations and support that MPC and its volunteers are able to show Christ s love to our community neighbors in need through this ministry. Thank you, and Happy New Year!
STUDENT MINISTRY PARENTS AND STUDENTS: Sign up for our new text service to get updates and reminders for events! To sign up text MPCstudents to 84576. 2018-2019 MEDICAL FORMS can be downloaded at mandarinpres.com. DIVE IN FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL and 9:08 FOR HIGH SCHOOL meets every Sunday 9:00 10:15am NOW ON THE LORETTO ROAD CAMPUS! That s right we have moved Student Ministry Sunday School to the Quad!. Come dive in deeper into the Bible and what it means to you personally. Bring your Bible (or we can get you one) and be prepared to be challenged in new ways. There is also yummy food and worship to get you going in the early morning! This year we will be doing The Story and working our way through the entire Bible in a fun, interactive, small group type way. MIDDLE SCHOOL Hang 10 - Wednesdays 6:00 8:00pm - Hang 10 meets every Wednesday on the Mandarin Road Campus. There is dinner, crazy games, awesome music, God s word, and small group time! Dinner is $5 (but come at 6:00pm even if you aren t planning to eat!). This is a great place to start if you ve never come to anything before. It s also a great place to invite friends! Regular Middle School Hang Ten Programming Will Resume Wednesday, January 16 th HIGH SCHOOL Crave- Sundays 6:30-8:30pm Fellowship Hall on the Mandarin Road Campus. Friends. Games. Food. Worship. Small Groups. Regular High School Crave Programming Will Resume Sunday, January 13 th CHILDREN S MINISTRY F.R.A.T. HOUSE - Children s Ministry has developed a program called FRAT House (Fifth Graders Racing Ahead to Tomorrow). This program is specifically designed to help our 5 th graders transition from Elementary School to Middle School in our church. Each FRAT House, includes games, talks & activities, that give your child a taste of what is to come next year at HANG 10, our Middle School Program. FRAT House will be Friday, January 11 th, from 6:00 8:00 pm on the MANDARIN ROAD CAMPUS. We serve dinner for $3.00. We know your 5 th grader will have a great time; encourage them to bring friends to share in the fun-the more the merrier! (Please note: If your child is bringing a friend, please have their parents fill out a Next Gen Ministries 2018-2019 Information and Medical/Liability Release located on our website: mandarinpres.com) Questions? E-mail, kmurphy@mandarinpres.com. BIBLES - If your child needs a Bible, you may purchase The Kid s Quest Bible from Children s Ministry at a cost of $18.00 (Sold in stores for $27.99). Contact Kris Murphy @ kmurphy@mandarinpres.com.
MPC'S MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP - H.E.L.P. OF MPC offers a place to talk, learn, pray, and fellowship with others who understand what you are going through. It does not matter what you suffer from, whether mild or severe - we learn from each other's experiences and grow stronger together. You'll find much wisdom and encouragement in our group! Our meetings take place twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Mondays. Please join us at January's meetings, along with family members who also need prayer and support, on the 7 th and the 21 st. We meet at 6:45 p.m. in Woody s on the Mandarin Road campus and we end at 8:30. For more information, pick up a brochure in the church lobby or the administrative office lobby, or visit our page on the church web site in the Connection tab. ARE YOU EXPECTING? If you are expecting a child, we want to know! We have an ongoing maternity prayer list, as well as a gift from the church once your precious baby is born. Please email Barbara Frye, bfrye@mandarinpres.com. GIVING OPPORTUNITY We have two designated funds set aside to honor or memorialize someone. The Garden Fund will be used to maintain the beautiful garden areas at both campuses, and any other areas in need of beautification by our team of volunteers. The Good Samaritan Fund is administered by the pastors to provide needed financial assistance for those in our church and community. The cost is $40 and you choose the fund to support; the notice in the bulletin will show that you have given a gift to the selected fund in honor or in memory of your designee. Please contact Barbara in the church office, 680-9951, bfrye@mandarinpres.com. MPC MEN'S LUNCHEON - Meets the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday of each month at noon at Village Bread Company on San Jose Blvd. We have prayer for needs or concerns for those attending and a discussion about the previous Sunday's service while we enjoy lunch. If you would like more information, contact Randy Hester, 859-4996, email plsalesco@aol.com. MPC 2019 BIBLE READING PLAN FOR BUSY BELIEVERS - We believe God s Word is alive, living and active, and that God speaks to us through it. Studies have shown the number one way to grow in our relationship with God is through reading and applying God s Word. This reading plan was created to take you through the Foundational passage of the Bible chronologically giving you the entire story of the Bible. It involves reading 1-2 chapters a day M-F and gives you weekends to catch up on missed reading or to reflect more. There is a devotional called Foundations: a 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Busy Believers, that gives you insights into the passage as well as questions to reflect on and a place to journal about the Scripture passages. You can purchase this on-line or we will have a limited number of copies available for purchase on Sundays. If you would like to have the Scripture passages and a devotion e-mailed to you e-mail Barb Frye bfrye@mandarinpres.com. MILITARY PRAYER LIST Pray for MPC military and their families: Ricky Benavidez, Geoff Cunningham, Jeremy Etheridge, Michael Hahn, Kurt Hannon, Christopher Hicks, Scott Hoffman, and John Winkler (Bold denotes active duty deployed.) Please call the office to add or remove a name from the list.
MPC ONLINE MEDIA TOOLS RIGHTNOW MEDIA - RightNow Media is like the Netflix of Christian Bible Studies. Through MPC, you can sign up to have access to thousands of Bible study videos and movies for all ages. Email Carla in the church office, cmayo@mandarinpres.com; she will provide your email to RightNow Media and you will be sent an invitation to sign up. There is no cost for this service. MPC PHONE APP The MPC phone app gives you fingertip information on current and upcoming events, audio of the most recent sermon, and links to the MPC website, Twitter and Facebook pages. It also has access to online giving. On your smart phone or tablet, go to the App Store and search for Mandarin Presbyterian; you will see an icon with the MPC logo inside. Click get and this will download at no cost. MPC ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY The online Directory is available to all active members of the church. It is a secure, cloud based program that is email address and password specific, meaning that when you sign up you will create your own unique password that will allow you access. You can also set up an app on your phone or tablet; the intent is to give our members easy access to phone numbers, addresses and emails of other members, and allow you to change your personal data (phone numbers, address, email, etc.) and view your giving history. To set up the Directory, you must accept an emailed invitation and follow the directions. To receive this invitation, call or email Rosa at the church office, 680-9953, rheard@mandarinpres.com. MPC WOMEN S CONFERENCE 2019 - Riding Tandem: Leaning into the Leading of God with Annie Pajcic - Saturday April 13, 9 am - 3 pm, in the Fellowship Hall - Enjoy a time of refreshment for your soul with prayer, worship, creative art projects, an inspiring message and fellowship and time for connection with other women. Annie Pajcic is an incredible speaker, energetic, warm, fun, full of God s love and passion. In Riding Tandem: Leaning into the Leading of God, Annie shares about having an authentic, one-on-one relationship with God. It s about learning our position on the back of the bike and trusting God with the front steering. Our personal relationship with God is built for two. He is the Captain and we must learn to lean into His leading, pedal forward, and trust Him with the directions. Cost is $40 and scholarships are available, contact Jessica, jkonker@mandarinpres.com. Register online or at the Welcome Center Sunday mornings. More information is available at mandarinpres.com. THE MEETING HOUSE MAGAZINE is a publication of Mandarin Presbyterian Church in which Christians tell stories about the world. Our second issue is currently available in the lobby of the church. You can also find both issues of the magazine online at Mandarinpres.com/meetinghouse. Rev. Jessica Konker writes about collage and calling; deacon Mike Winkles writes about what woodworking can teach us about Christ; storyteller Jim Mittelstadt writes about his childhood and his love of stories; Megan Stewart, leader of our church s Buddy Break ministry, writes about her love of kids with special needs. We also feature original art from many Jacksonville artists, including MPC member Ann Kenyon.
COSTA RICA MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITY - If your schedule did not allow you to go on the Costa Rica mission trip last month, here is another opportunity. Pat Sullivan will be leading the next mission trip to Costa Rica February 12th thru 19th. For additional details contact Pat at 904.318.7450 or LPSULLY@bellsouth.net. Cost is airfare (about $450) plus $300 for local transportation, room & board. BUDDY BREAK - Saturday, January 19 th from 1-4pm. We continue to have more and more families with kiddos with special needs, our VIPs, sign up for Buddy Break and every child that attends Buddy Break is paired with an individual Buddy. Therefore we can only serve the number of children that we have Buddies for - which means we need more volunteers! Volunteers attend a 2 hour training and are then able to join in the fun of Buddy Break! Trainings and Buddy Breaks are held monthly on the third Saturday of each month - Buddy Break is from 1-4pm and trainings are from 1:30-3:30pm. Check out the Buddy Break link from the MPC website or contact the Buddy Break Coordinator, Megan Stewart at 553-5179 or buddybreak@mandarinpres.com. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR CLASS follows the Christian calendar through Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter and engages deeply in Christian perspectives on spiritual warfare, poverty, sports, economics, politics, and more. This is a great class for learning, reading, conversation, and seeing how God is involved not only in the religious parts of our lives, but in all of life. Anyone college age and older is welcome. We meet in Room 5 from 7-8pm on Tuesdays through June 11. We take an occasional Tuesday off, so contact Chris Konker for information at ckonker@mandarinpres.com. NEED A STEPHEN MINISTER? Stephen Ministers are congregation members who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care. Each Stephen Minister is matched with a hurting person men are paired with men, women are paired with women and care for those dealing with grief, divorce, job loss, hospitalization, financial struggles, loneliness, convalescence, terminal illness, and many other difficulties. If you feel you have a need please contact Pastor Jeff Arnold, 680-9946, jeffarnold@mandarinprs.com for more information. NEW WOMEN S WINTER STUDY WHEN CHANGING NOTHING CHANGES EVERYTHING We often face circumstances that we cannot change: a job we are forced to keep; a relationship that did not work out; a decision we cannot take back. In this 8 session series, Laurie Polich Short reveals how even if we can t change our circumstances, we can still make a change in our life by the way we see it. With the help of 4 lenses, she shows how to access God s perspective on our circumstances, which can impact the way we live. In each session, Laurie shows you how to access the bigger God s eye view of your life, and opens the scriptures to reveal how this broader perspective can shape your decisions and impact. The study is full of biblical wisdom and personal stories, and Laurie gives many examples of how perspective has influenced the way people lived their lives for God s glory. Sign up on-line on the website www.mandarinpres.com or e-mail Barb Frye bfrye@mandarinpres.com. Classes begin in January, check the website for dates and times. 2019 DISCOVER YOUR SHAPE TO SERVE CLASS & WORKSHOP - Filled with scripture and real-life stories, S.H.A.P.E. presents a series of challenges that will guide you through the process of discovering your S.H.A.P.E., your personal blend of Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. One day workshop is offered Saturday, Feb. 16 th and weekly classes begin February 17 th. More information and signup is available on the website, mandarinpres.com or email Greg Cruice, gregcruice@att.net.
STEWARDSHIP 2018 - Please return your Pledge card to the church office as soon as possible. Our 2019 Operating Budget is based on your commitment. Thank you for loving MPC as we love people to love Jesus! Goal: 450 Pledges $2,000,000 As of 12/31/18: 332 Pledges $1,695,537 PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL UPDATE: December Calendar Y-T-D 2018 1/1/18 12/31/18 Contributions $257,874 $2,217,263 Expenses $207,643 $2,143,539 Net Income/(Loss) $50,231 $73,724 Thank you for your continued support of MPC! COLLECTIONS/DRIVES IN DECEMBER - Thanks to all of you who gave so generously of your time and money for the collections and drives during December! MPC filled and returned 432 Operation Christmas Child boxes Volunteered for 110 Salvation Army Bell Ringing hourly slots Bought gifts for 125 Salvation Army Angel Tree children in our community Donated over $6,500 to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the Food Pantry clients Brought in donations of toiletries, pillows, sheets, towels and washcloths that filled 6 car loads delivered to the City Rescue Mission. Bought $4,600 worth of goats and chickens and other assorted offerings for the Alternative Gift Market! Thank you all so much for being an incredibly loving church! J.O.Y. CELEBRITY CHILI COOK-OFF - Join us on Thursday, January 10th for the J.O.Y. Celebrity Chili Cook-Off at 11:00am in the Fellowship Hall! RSVP by Monday, January 7th, 680-9944. Come see what our Celebrities cook up! Program & Lunch is $5. 2019 IRON SHARPENS IRON MEN S CONFERENCE Save the Date - Join us on Saturday, March 2 nd for the annual men s one day equipping conference, Iron Sharpens Iron. This event is for men of all ages (13+) and is held on the Loretto Road Campus. More information is available on the church website or contact Bob Graumann, bob.graumann@ironsharpensiron.com or 860-573-5195.