FEBRUARY 2017 Mechanicsville Church of Christ 8067 Atlee Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Coffey Break Saying we ve arrived suggests complacency; asking if we re there yet suggests anticipation. Are we there yet? That s a familiar question for parents of young ones. They often get bored easily, and ask that question. Are we there yet? many times it s not a statement of boredom, but of anticipa- Inside this issue: Coffey Break 1 Announcements 2 Youth News 3 Announcements/Stats 4 Calendar for February 5 February Events 6 More Announcements 6 tion. Something incredibly special awaits: a gift, a special activity, seeing loved ones. Are we there yet? It s something we ask in everyday life. Invariably, the answer seems to be not yet; but we re closer than we were before! If we were to ask that question of our lives and particularly of our walk with Jesus, would we say we ve arrived, or would we ask, Are we there yet? Mark Coffey, Lead Minister We have added Will to our leadership team, and along with Eric and Kelly and Charlotte, there has been a harmony and cooperation in staff that has been exciting and meaningful, and that harmony has been felt and practiced among our Elders and Deacons. But we re not there yet. We have started more efforts to connect with our community and make an impact through a focused outreach to MechanSaying we ve arrived suggests compla- icsville Elementary, Change Who Waits, cency; asking if we re there yet sugcaritas, and have seen many from our gests anticipation. family minister through Moments of Hope Outreach with Bob Hummer. For the past year, we ve been blessed as a church in ways that are beyond But we re not there yet. our comprehension. For one, we ve seen that over 70% of those who have joined our fellowship have done so by Continued on page 2. baptism. We praise God for all He has done in the lives of his people! But we re not there yet.
FEBRUARY 2017 Page 2 So in the next year, we will continue on many of the efforts we began in 2016, but will add emphases that will challenge each of us further in our journey with the Lord. I ask that you join me in praying for at least 30 people to surrender to Jesus in baptism, in addition to those who place their membership with us as already faithful followers of Jesus. I urge you to pray for your neighbor, friend, and/or coworker and bring yourself to invite them to church. I challenge you to honestly ask the Lord, How do you want me to grow this year? I will be asking that same question for me. Please mark your calendar now for Sunday, April 2, 2 when we will have a Passover meal here at MCC and Brent Avery explains how this meal Wednesday Nights Coffey Break that was instituted in Old Testament times points so powerfully to Jesus. I encourage you to benefit from the increased social presence MCC has on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our new website (we have videos of our services on there if you are unable to be here!) Check out how you can give to the Lord s work in this place electronically. Many in this day don t use checkbooks; our web site allows you to join in with what God is doing among us through your tithes and offerings. Privacy is maintained; personal, easy access is a reality. I want you to hear the amazing messages and praise times that we will share in when we gather. We will talk, sing about and remember Jesus as we tackle tough questions, family issues, emotional issues, generosity issues. We ll look at real people with real issues who were mightily used by God in spite of their faults or foibles. And we want to look for ways in which God works among us in unexpected ways, to demonstrate His love and power. At the end of 2017, will we be there yet? If Jesus doesn t come back before the year is over, no. Anticipating a great journey, Mark They're back! continued But we will be that much closer. Starting February 1st through March 5th! Dinner will start at and groups at 6:30 PM! Suggested donation for dinner is $5 a person or $20 a family. After covering costs, all proceeds from dinner will go to Relay for Life in memory of Lori Talley. There will also be classes for all our kids and youth. Come on out and enjoy fellowship and Bible Study!
Page 3 Big Game Party Sunday, February 5 5:30-8:30 pm In the basement of the parsonage College Age Class is invited too! Girls bring dessert. Boys bring chips, snack mix, etc. "CIY Engage is an opportunity for students to be met exactly where they are and for God to work with them in individual ways. For them to be able to really see the church body at work and use the different gifts that God has given them. They are taken out of their comfort zones and encouraged to serve Him. Those are the experiences that go with them and end up shaping their spiritual lives down the road." Wade Bryant, Director of High School, Grace Point Church, Bentonville, AR Our youth are going to engage as a mission trip this summer. They will be going to Tennessee from June 26th-June 30th to participate in service projects. Eric needs to know who is interested in going by Sunday, February 19. The cost is $249.00 if you register before April 27th. See Kelly Caddell with any questions.
Page 4 FEBRUARY 2017 1 Faye Heavener 3 Savannah Duda 5 Tyrae Bennett 6 Carmen Courtney Emmy Whitlock 7 Jake Luginbuhl Connor Rupp 8 Kenley Blackwell Jack Wiseman 9 Jessica Kreider Vicki Mundie 10 Lydia Jones Cindy Smith 12 Bucky Shope Ted Smith 16 Natalie Duda Jake Hummer 17 Ditto Long 24 Emilie Jones 25 Angel Cole Bryce Whitlock 26 Rebekah Balthaser Bonnie Hummer Shane Kreider Tuesday, February 28, 2017 @ 10:30 AM at Gethsemane Church of Christ On the Lighter Side: November/ December At A Glance * Average Attendance Worship 194/187 New Members Peyton Kochel Andy Person Births Bristol Elaine Talley Ethan Jeffrey Camp/ Emma Grace Corey Budget: $42,799.46 Giving: $37,293.07/ $65,711.27 Expenses: $34,779.55/ $47,443.15 Y-T-D Giving: $512,424.83 *For more financial information, monthly financial reports are available in the tract rack at the Connection Corner. Mortgage Update: Original Loan Date: 06/12/2006 Maturity Date: 12/25/2036 20 years left on mortgage. Original Loan Amount: $2,200,000.00 Current Principal Balance: $1,467,254.43 Amount of Principal Paid since 2006: $732,745.57 14 Leroy & Clara Cauley 19 Charles & Peggy Whitlock 24 Ted & Brenda Smith Gifts to the King Total through January 22, 2017: $23,269.00 Our loan was just reviewed and our monthly payment went from $10,612.76 to $9,285.98 though our interest rate went up to 4.43%. If we continue to pay the original budgeted payment amount we will put an additional $1,326.78 on the principal each month for an annual total of $15,921.36. In 2016, we were able to set aside $27,280.00 to put towards the principal. We have also budgeted to put $30,000 of our building use income towards the principal in 2017. Please note that our weekly budget requirements for 2017 are $10,376.71 with a monthly budget of $45,830.50. Please pray that we reach these goals as we use these funds to advance God s kingdom!
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1 2 James River Blaze Basketball Practice Friday 3 6:00 PM -7:00 PM GCS Basketball Game 5;30 PM 5 FUSION Big Game Party 6 HYBL Practice 7 8 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM GCS Open House 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM BonAir Basketball practice 13 14 4:00 PM GCS Basketball Game 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hope Community Youth Group 15 4 Birthday Party 9 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM GCS Basketball Game 10 James River Blaze Basketball Practice 12 Saturday 11 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Birthday Party 16 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM GCS Basketball Game James River Blaze Basketball Practice 17 18 23 GCS Basketball Tournament 24 GCS Basketball Tournament 25 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM BonAir Basketball practice 19 21 HYBL Practice 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM BonAir Basketball practice 27 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hope Community Youth Group 28 22 1 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Baby Shower 2 3 4 Page 5 26 20
MCC in FOCUS February Events Wednesday, February 1-Wednesday 1 Activities Begin Dinner, Studies, 6:30 PM Sunday, February 5, FUSION Big Game Party Tuesday, February 7, 6:00-8:00 PM Grace Christian School Open House Wednesday, February 8, 15, 22, 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday Activities Tuesday, February 14 Happy Valentine s Day Monday, February 20 Presidents Day 8067 Atlee Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Please consider the environment before printing this document. Deadline for newsletter announcements is the 15th of each month. Phone: 804.746.5765 Fax: 804.730.5925 E-mail: mccoffice@mccforchrist.org We re on the web! www.mccforchrist.org Our Focus: LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, IMPACT THE WORLD During the month of February, we will be collecting items to help our two closest area schools- Mechanicsville Elementary and Grace Christian. Some of the items needed include: Sunday, March 5 Following 2nd service Lunch served $5 per person $20 per family After covering costs, all proceeds will go to Relay for Life in memory of Lori Talley. Copier paper Glue sticks Ticonderoga pencils-already sharpened Expo markers Skinny crayons Post-it notes, all kinds Markers Highlighters Colored pencils Tissues Hand sanitizer Please bring your donations to the box in the foyer before the end of February. Come check out local area missions such as CARITAS, MCEF and Moments of Hope Outreach as well as find opportunities to serve in different ministries here at MCC.