This Week s Schedule Thursday 7pm Gospel Choir Rehearsal Children s Church There is no Children's Church this week. We hope that both you and your children are blessed through worshipping together as a family. Children's Church will resume on January 5. Winter Ministry Guide Mark your calendars and get on God s path with this brochure full of all our regular Sunday and weekday programs and special one-time events coming up at Madison s Square Campus. Pick one up at the Welcome Desk. Holiday Worship Service Schedule New Year s Eve: 11 pm; no nursery The church office will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Bulletin Announcements During the holidays, bulletin announcements will be due at our regular time of noon Wednesdays. Send them to bwiarda@madisonsquarechurch.org. Event Cancellations Is the church closed for bad weather? If you suspect your ministry might be canceled because of bad weather, please check closed listings on WZZM 13, WOOD TV8, Way FM, or WCSG after 4 pm weekdays and after 6 am weekends. We will also list cancellations on our website and Facebook page. Immanuel: God with us Where does the scarlet thread lead? To the birth of Jesus Christ. All of creation, all of God s angels rejoice in God s great rescue plan. We invite you to join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Jesus said, God loved the people of the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life and never really die. He did not send his Son into the world to punish people. He sent him to rescue them. ( John 3: 16-17 paraphrase, Jesus Story Book Bible). Please invite all who need to hear the Good News. Shine like Stars As a response to the sermon today, you are encouraged to ask yourself, How is God calling me to be a light in the darkness and to whom? Walk to one of the star stations, pick up a star and place it on the larger star as your commitment to reflect God's glory to a world in darkness. Take the second star home and place it in a focal spot to serve as your reminder. Freedom in Christ To learn more about being free in Christ, please pick up a brochure from the Welcome Center or contact us at freedom@madisonsquarechurch.org or 616.528.0591. Madison Campus Connections Web: www.madisonsquarechurch.org Weekly emails: sign up on our website Staff Email: firstinitiallastname@madisonsquarechurch.org Phone: 616.245.7791 Office hours: 9:30 am-5 pm Mon-Fri 1434 Madison Ave. SE Bulletin: Read your campus news online or on paper Find us on social media by searching Madison Square Church Welcome! If you are new today, please stop at the Welcome Center to connect and help you get to know us, and us to know you. If you need a Bible, you can pick up a free one at the Welcome Center. Worship: 9 and 11 am Sunday "Ten Ways for Grateful Living" Exodus 20: 1-21 Paula Seales Holiday Hiatus There are no Sunday morning Children's Church, Youth Sunday School, or adult classes this week. Wednesday night ministries and Middle School and High School Youth group are also off for the holidays. All ministry resumes on January 5. If it is helpful for your family, there are children s bulletins and other resources to help engage children in worship at tables in the front corners and center back of the Sanctuary. Large Print Bulletins Ask your usher if you d like a large print bulletin.. Coffee Is Welcome We welcome coffee in the lobby and the sanctuary if it is covered with a secure lid. Offering Today: General, Deacons Next week: General, Christian Education Praying Together If you are in need of prayer, feel free to go to a prayer station after the service or send your prayer need to prayer@madisonsquarechurch.org. No evening worship today. Square Campus Dec. 29, 2013 Madison Square Church Square Campus 616.245.7791 1441 Madison Ave. SE office@madisonsquarechurch.org Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.madisonsquarechurch.org
SQUARE CAMPUS Ford Campus Gathering Room Art Come to the Gathering Room to view the images Michael Harris created for our current sermon series. His work will be on display this month. Town Hall Meeting Pastor Dave will lead as we discuss the job description for the person to be called to take Pastor Joy's former position of Pastor of Congregational Life, the search team make-up and any questions you might have about the process. Join us at 4:30 pm Sunday, Jan. 5, room 305/306. Newcomers Class For anyone interested in or curious about membership at Madison Square Church, we will begin a Newcomers class on Sunday, Jan. 5. This 7-week course will be offered on Sunday mornings at 11am and will introduce you to staff, to our Vision, to the inner workings of Madison and will help you find the pathway for growing and getting more connected. You must RSVP by December 30. Please register at the Welcome Center or contact Lori Robbins at 616.245.7791 (ext. 202) or lrobbins@madisonsquarechurch.org. Men's Bible Study We are beginning a new series on the Gospel of Mark from 8-9:30 pm Tuesday, Jan. 7. The study continues each week through spring. Come dig into the Word with us in this great study and find out how God is still moving today. Cost is $25 for new members. Contact Bill Wiarda with questions at 616.633.0753 or magnanimous.salsa@gmail.com. Reflecting on Patience Madison Mamas, God encourages us to clothe ourselves with patience, but we know this can sometimes be difficult. Please join us as we reflect on and pray for patience from 6:30-9pm on Friday, Jan. 10 at Madison Place. RSVP is appreciated but not required to Amanda Rubick at 616.780.8314 or marubick@gmail.com. Staff position opening Madison is seeking to fill the part-time position of Office Coordinator. This is a 29-hour position managing daily operations in the office and giving support to the ministry departments of Madison Square Church. Job description and employment applications are available at the church office. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm Friday, January 10, 2014. For more information, contact Lori Robbins at 245.7791, ext. 202 or lrobbins@madisonsquarechurch.org. Your Tithes and Offerings Budget needed weekly $28,082 Offerings received last week $47,671 Budget needed so far this year $702,050 Offerings received so far this year $651,865 Amount needed to stay on budget $ 50,185 Youth News Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Christmas amaryllis flower or Enjoy the City coupon book to benefit our High School College and Justice Tour 2014. Although we're out of the flowers, coupon books will be available in the lobby this week or the Soul Pantry until Feb. 15. Books are $20 each. The College and Justice Tour Application packet is now available at the Welcome Desk. If you're in high school, please consider this excellent spring break opportunity (Apr. 8-12). Questions? Contact Christy Carlin Knetsch: cknetsch@madisonsquarechurch.org. Our Youth Ministry would like to thank all of the Madison Families who share their teens with us on Thursday and Sunday nights. High School is especially grateful to the 110 family members who came out for the potluck. A great time was had by all! We count it a privilege to walk alongside your family. Youth Ministry will resume on Jan. 5 for High School and Jan. 9 for Middle School. Teen Christmas Movie & Pancake Night - Dec. 30 There will be a movie night at Madison Place in the Youth Room to watch The Polar Express from 7-9:30pm. All teens are welcome to come and encouraged to bring a snack to share. Dress comfy and enjoy pancakes, a movie and fellowship together. Call Ms. Christy with any questions: 616.340.3742. Stand and Deliver Play Cast Chosen Rejoice with us! God has sent a great cast from all over our city to tell the story of what happens when a teacher chooses to dedicate his life to disadvantaged students attending a core city school. Ricardo Tavarez, Our Director of Outreach, has the lead role of Jaime Escalante with 2 other Madison teens, Naomi Niewenhuis and Lydia Vander Stelt, also in the cast. We seek your prayers as we rehearse this drama. Mark your calendars today for our March 13 school matinee and the Friday, March 14 benefit performance for Restorers held at Madison Square Church. Questions/assistance: contact Audrey Laninga: 616.245.7791 ext. 210 or alaninga@madisonsquarechurch.org. Continue to pray Ford congregation as we explore God's will for increasing our connection in and community surrounding the Gerald R. Ford Academic Center. Piano Praising God piano and keyboard! A recent, generous donation allowed the purchase of our piano, a keyboard, and a trailer in which to haul our goods to and from storage. We are so grateful for this gift and it prompts us to 'praise God from whom all blessings flow'! North Campus Wyoming Campus Thank God with us for opening new doors for ministry in Wyoming: Ministry to youth at Home Acres Reformed Church. Calvary welcoming Madison in Wyoming to help welcome Calvary s Wednesday evening dinner guests. Calvary s openness to more joint ministry activities with Madison in Wyoming folks at Calvary.
FORD CAMPUS STAFF Pastor Brad Knetsch 616.245.7791 ext. 207 Campus Pastor bknetsch@madisonsquarechurch.org Jason Botbyl Preaching Apprentice I love Jesus. I love the Gospel. I love how the Holy Spirit is at work in this city. Madison, as a whole, is a multisite church and I serve as Campus Pastor for the body of Christ that meets at the Gerald R. Ford Middle School. We re called to listen and serve the needs of the school, community, and church body. My passion is to fan into flame gifts-based and team-based vision, ministry, and evangelism! In 2012, I was commissioned as a preaching apprentice under the leadership of Pastor Brad and Pastor David Beelen, preacher at the Square campus. I am passionate about sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bringing hope to the lost and hurting. I consider it an honor to do that as a preaching apprentice at Madison at Ford. Sean Johnson-Moore 616.245.7791 ext. 233 Reaching OUT Director sjohnson@madisonsquarechurch.org I have a deep love for Jesus Christ and a heart for community. I love the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God is my primary purpose. As the Director of Reaching OUT, I oversee our campus s efforts to reach out near and far through evangelism, community, and education. I have lived in Madison s neighborhood my whole life and my passion is to see lives changed locally and leaders from the community built up and transformed. I am also a writer and I love hip-hop culture. My mission is to utilize hip-hop as a vehicle to communicate the hope of Jesus Christ. Doug Roede 616.245.7791 ext. 229 Reaching IN Director droede@madisonsquarechurch.org As Director of Reaching In for Madison at the Ford, I serve and support the existing ministries of the Body. Ministries such as Care Groups, Men s Ministry, Women s Ministry, and Children s Ministry fall into my care. My desire is to help everyone realize and operate in their gifts as we glorify God together. God has placed me on a journey to gather the experiences I have needed to serve and I am honored to serve God and God s children in this capacity. Immanuel: God with us Where does the scarlet thread lead? To the birth of Jesus Christ. All of creation, all of God s angels rejoice in God s great rescue plan. We invite you to join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Jesus said, God loved the people of the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life and never really die. He did not send his Son into the world to punish people. He sent him to rescue them. ( John 3: 16-17 paraphrase, Jesus Story Book Bible). Please invite all who need to hear the Good News. Our Mission We are called by God the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be transformed by Christ for: Reaching Up! Glorifying God through lives of prayer and worship Reaching In! Growing Spiritually through Biblical learning and caring relationships Reaching Across! Reconciling in Christ for multicultural living and leading Reaching Out! Going near and far to share Christ s love in actions and words Madison Campus Connections Web: www.madisonsquarechurch.org Weekly emails: sign up on our website Staff Email: firstinitiallastname@madisonsquarechurch.org Phone: 616.245.7791 Bulletin: Read your campus news online or on paper Find us on social media by searching Madison Square Church Welcome! If you are new today, please stop at the Information table to connect and help you get to know us, and us to know you. Worship: 10 am Sunday David Becomes King from 1 Samuel 16 Pastor Brad Knetsch Offering Today: General, Deacons Next week: General, Christian Education Ford Campus Praying Together If you are in need of prayer, feel free to go to a prayer station after the service or send your prayer need to prayer@madisonsquarechurch.org. Children's Ministry Nursery is available for infants and toddlers (up to 2 years old) throughout the service. Children 3 years old through 5th grade will be dismissed for Children's Church during the service. If you have not yet registered your child for this ministry year, please escort your child to their room to register. Thanks. Newcomers Class Make plans to join us Saturday, Jan. 18 for the next Newcomers Class! We invite you to join us from 9-12:30 pm at Madison Square Church, 1441 Madison Ave SE. This will be a time that allows you to learn more about the church, our history and Vision. It will also allow us an opportunity to learn more about you and your gifts. If you have not been to a class before, we look forward to your coming out and joining us! Marriage Retreat Madison's Ford Campus is offering a marriage retreat Feb. 22-23 at Timberwolf Lake in Lake City. Stop by the Information Table to pick up a registration form and more information. Baptism If you are interested in learning more about baptism for your infant, child, or yourself, please contact Doug Roede at droede@madisonsquarechurch.org Dec. 29, 2013 Madison Square Church: Ford Campus 616.245.7791 851 Madison Ave. SE office@madisonsquarechurch.org Grand Rapids, MI 49507 www.madisonsquarechurch.org
FORD CAMPUS Women's Ministry There will be a Ladies Party & Game Night on Jan. 1 from 7-10pm. Please contact Amanda Worst for more information at aworst@gmail.com. You can also RSVP by contacting Marisa Hendricks at toddris1@att.net. Prayer for Teachers Please continue to pray for the Ford school during this time of academic break. Pray for rest and refreshment for the staff and students. Pray also that the students and staff will continue to grow in unity this academic year. Fresh Word We will break from our study of Paul's letters in the New Testament during Christmas and New Year's Day. Our next Bible study will be Jan. 8, 2014. Pando Trip! Save the date for a Ford trip to Pando for a time of fun while tubing! We will go out and enjoy the winter weather together on Feb. 2, 2014. Stay tuned for more details. Need for Tutors The Ford school is in need of volunteers to work with students one on one for help with reading. The time frame needed is 1:20-2 pm. If you are able to assist, please contact any of the Ford Campus staff listed in the bulletin for more information. Artistic Gifts If you have gifts in visual arts, we would love to add your talents to our worship time. If you would be interested in creating a banner, a picture, or otherwise contributing to our worship space, please contact Doug Roede to share your idea. Ford Choir The dream of having a full-fledged Ford choir, which sings praises with focus on voice, international, and gospel-style songs is still ongoing. We want anyone heart for choral and gospel singing to join us. We worship fully when we worship in diversity. Please contact Esai Umenei at 616.676.6083 or esawater@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the budding Ford choir. Holiday Worship Service Schedule New Year s Eve: 11 pm; no nursery The church office will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. No evening worship today. Stand and Deliver Play Cast Chosen Rejoice with us! God has sent a great cast from all over our city to tell the story of what happens when a teacher chooses to dedicate his life to disadvantaged students attending a core city school. Ricardo Tavarez, Our Director of Outreach, has the lead role of Jaime Escalante with 2 other Madison teens also in the cast, Naomi Niewenhuis and Lydia Vander Stelt. We seek your prayers as we rehearse this drama. Mark your calendars today for our March 13 school matinee and the Friday, March 14 benefit performance for Restorers held at Madison Square Church. Questions/assistance: contact Audrey Laninga: 616.245.7791 ext. 210 or alaninga@madisonsquarechurch.org. Reflecting on Patience Madison Mamas, God encourages us to clothe ourselves with patience, but we know this sometimes can be difficult. Please join us as we reflect on and pray for patience from 6:30-9pm on Friday, Jan. 10 at Madison Place. RSVP is appreciated but not required to Amanda Rubick at 616.780.8314 or marubick@gmail.com. Cadets & Madison Girls Off for the holidays; meetings will resume January 8. Square Campus Youth News Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Christmas Amaryllis flower or Enjoy the City coupon book to benefit our High School College and Justice Tour 2014. Although we're out of the flowers, coupon books will be available in the lobby this week or the Soul Pantry until Feb. 15. Books are $20 each and make great gifts for the person who has everything. The College and Justice Tour Application packet is now available at the Welcome Desk. If you're in high school, please consider this excellent spring break opportunity (Apr. 8-12). Questions? Contact Christy Carlin Knetsch: cknetsch@madisonsquarechurch.org. Our Youth Ministry would like to thank all of the Madison Families who share their teens with us on Thursday and Sunday nights. High School is especially grateful to the 110 family members who came out for the potluck. A great time was had by all! We count it a privilege to walk alongside your family. Youth Ministry will resume on Jan. 5 for High School and Jan. 9 for Middle School. Teen Christmas Movie & Pancake Night - Dec. 30 There will be a movie night at Madison Place in the Youth Room to watch The Polar Express from 7-9:30pm. All teens are welcome to come and encouraged to bring a snack to share. Dress comfy and enjoy pancakes, a movie and fellowship together. Call Ms. Christy with any questions: 616.340.3742. North Campus Piano Praising God piano and keyboard! A recent, generous donation allowed the purchase of our piano, a keyboard, and a trailer in which to haul our goods to and from storage. We are so grateful for this gift and it prompts us to 'praise God from whom all blessings flow'! Wyoming Campus Thank God with us for opening new doors for ministry in Wyoming: Ministry to youth at Home Acres Reformed Church. Calvary welcoming Madison in Wyoming to help welcome Calvary s Wednesday evening dinner guests. Calvary s openness to more joint ministry activities with Madison in Wyoming folks at Calvary.
SERMON NOTES Immanuel: God with us Where does the scarlet thread lead? To the birth of Jesus Christ. All of creation, all of God s angels rejoice in God s great rescue plan. We invite you to join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Jesus said, God loved the people of the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life and never really die. He did not send his Son into the world to punish people. He sent him to rescue them. ( John 3: 16-17 paraphrase, Jesus Story Book Bible). Please invite all who need to hear the Good News. Our Mission We are called by God the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be transformed by Christ for: Reaching Up! Glorifying God through lives of prayer and worship Reaching In! Growing Spiritually through Biblical learning and caring relationships Reaching Across! Reconciling in Christ for multicultural living and leading Reaching Out! Going near and far to share Christ s love in actions and Words Welcome! For those of you who are new to Madison Square Church, North Campus, come by the welcome center next to the coffee station to learn about us and help us get to know you. Worship: 10 am Sunday God's Words from Exodus 20:1-17 Kristy Manion Children s Ministries There is a Nursery for ages 0-4. Children may be dropped off before the service begins. We also offer Children's Church for ages 5 through 5th grade, starting today. Children five and over will begin the service adults and then will have the option of leaving during the offering for a guided Bible story and reflection. In order to encourage and support families who choose to have their children stay for the sermon, we will provide a Children's Bulletin each week, relevant to the sermon's topic. Ask your Usher. If your children will be joining us in Children's Ministry (either Nursery or Children's Church) please register them each week before the service. Offering Today: General, Deacons Next week: General, Christian Education Holiday Worship Service Schedule New Year s Eve: 11 pm at the Square Campus The church office will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. North Campus Madison Campus Connections Web: www.madisonsquarechurch.org Weekly emails: sign up on our website Staff Email: firstinitiallastname@madisonsquarechurch.org Phone: 616.245.7791 Bulletin: Read your campus news online or on paper Find us on social media by searching Madison Square Church Dec. 29, 2013 Madison Square Church: North Campus 616.245.7791 1445 Emerald Ave. NE office@madisonsquarechurch.org Grand Rapids, MI 49505 www.madisonsquarechurch.org
NORTH CAMPUS Piano Praising God piano and keyboard! A recent, generous donation allowed the purchase of our piano, a keyboard, and a trailer in which to haul our goods to and from storage. We are so grateful for this gift and it prompts us to 'praise God from whom all blessings flow'! Prayer for Healing The Holwerda family underwent two successful surgeries this week: Kathy for total knee replacement and Zach for removal of his tonsils. Continue to pray for healing and an outpouring of God's grace as they recover. Town Hall Meeting We've been worshiping together for two months now--how are things going? Where are we going? Reserve January 5 on your calendar as a chance to check in, ask questions, share insights, and hear stories of God's goodness to and through Madison Square North. We'll meet immediately following the service for half an hour. Prayer Chain We will be forming an e-mail prayer chain beginning in January. If you would like to be part of that please contact Dennis Dykhouse at dykhdb@yahoo.com. Additional help needed We've been incredibly blessed with many hands, hearts, and heads engaged in serving, but don't for a moment think you're not needed! The reality is we are looking for more people to serve in the areas listed below. If you feel called to serve in one or more of these, please contact the person whose name appears after that ministry: Hospitality: Whether it's preparing snacks, making coffee, or cleaning up, we need more help here! Contact Denise Price (roxanneprice@earthlink.net) or Cindy Leep (cindy_leep@yahoo.com). Tech Stuff: Setting up and managing our sound system: Jeremy Ensley at wickerbasket@hotmail.com; serving as a video tech: Paul Klandermann at poohbear123033@aol.com. Welcome Center: As we grow we want to be able to serve our guests and visitors well. If you are able to serve on a rotating basis contact Pastor Joy at jbonnema@madisonsquarechurch.org No evening worship today. Square Campus Stand and Deliver Play Cast Chosen Rejoice with us! God has sent a great cast from all over our city to tell the story of what happens when a teacher chooses to dedicate his life to disadvantaged students attending a core city school. Ricardo Tavarez, Our Director of Outreach, has the lead role of Jaime Escalante with 2 other Madison teens also in the cast, Naomi Niewenhuis and Lydia Vander Stelt. We seek your prayers as we rehearse this drama. Mark your calendars today for our March 13 school matinee and the Friday, March 14 benefit performance for Restorers held at Madison Square Church. Questions/assistance: contact Audrey Laninga: 616.245.7791 ext. 210 or alaninga@madisonsquarechurch.org. Cadets & Madison Girls Off for the holidays; meetings will resume January 8 Youth News Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Christmas Amaryllis flower or Enjoy the City coupon book to benefit our High School College and Justice Tour 2014. Although we're out of the flowers, coupon books will be available in the lobby this week or the Soul Pantry until Feb. 15. Books are $20 each and make great gifts for the person who has everything. The College and Justice Tour Application packet is now available at the Welcome Desk. If you're in high school, please consider this excellent spring break opportunity (Apr. 8-12). Questions? Contact Christy Carlin Knetsch: cknetsch@madisonsquarechurch.org. Our Youth Ministry would like to thank all of the Madison Families who share their teens with us on Thursday and Sunday nights. High School is especially grateful to the 110 family members who came out for the potluck. A great time was had by all! We count it a privilege to walk alongside your family. Youth Ministry will resume on Jan. 5 for High School and Jan. 9 for Middle School. Teen Christmas Movie & Pancake Night - Dec. 30 There will be a movie night at Madison Place in the Youth Room to watch The Polar Express from 7-9:30pm. All teens are welcome to come and encouraged to bring a snack to share. Dress comfy and enjoy pancakes, a movie and fellowship together. Call Ms. Christy with any questions: 616.340.3742. Ford Campus Continue to pray Ford congregation as we explore God's will for increasing our connection in and community surrounding the Gerald R. Ford Academic Center. Wyoming Campus Thank God with us for opening new doors for ministry in Wyoming: Ministry to youth at Home Acres Reformed Church. Calvary welcoming Madison in Wyoming to help welcome Calvary s Wednesday evening dinner guests. Calvary s openness to more joint ministry activities with Madison in Wyoming folks at Calvary.