Our monthly newsletter and our weekly worship bulletin can be found on our website at www.msidechurch.org under the Resource tab. You may also stream, download, and/or subscribe to our weekly podcast under the Sermon tab.

897 South Pine Street Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302

Office: (864) 585-5457 | Fax: (864) 585-6217 Weekday Preschool: (864) 585-5424

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday - 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

MORNINGSIDE THE MESSENGER (USPS 363-420) is published monthly by the Morningside Baptist Church. Periodical postage paid at Spartanburg, SC. Postmaster, send address changes to The Morningside Messenger 897 South Pine Street Spartanburg, SC 29302

Morningside Baptist Church Staff

Steven Owensby, Senior Pastor .............................................. sowensby@msidechurch.org

Jack Dodds, Assoc. Pastor of Median Adults & Missions .......... jdodds@msidechurch.org Freida Cole, Children’s Minister .................................................... fcole@msidechurch.org

Steve Kibbe, Youth Director ............................................................... steve@kibbeins.com

Harold and Paula Joye, Interim Music Directors ................................ paulajoye@juno.com John Kelly, Financial Office.......................................................... jkelly@msidechurch.org Robin Kelly, Financial Office ....................................................... rkelly@msidechurch.org

Linda Alverson, Membership Ministry Assistant .................... lalverson@msidechurch.org

Kathy Green, Communications Ministry Assistant ..................... kgreen@msidechurch.org

Debbie Bishop, Weekday Preschool Director ........................... dbishop@msidechurch.org

Paula Joye, Organist ........................................................................... paulajoye@juno.com

Gail Medlin, Pianist ........................................................................ ggmedlin@wildblue.net

Christian Sympathy Extended to

… Valentin and Jean Rios and family and Stephen and Regina Ray and family in the death of Jean and Regina’s uncle, Levi Longshore, on November 20 in Jonesville, South Carolina. … Family and friends of Carol Hughes who passed away on November 29 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. … Family and friends of Larry Morris who passed away on November 30 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. … Bryan and Eulalia Seay in the death of their son-in-law, Dr. Steve Myers, on December 4 in Louisville, Kentucky. … Max and Rita Gregory and family in the death of Max’s brother, Randy Gregory, on December 5 in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. … Henry and Marjorie Tate and family in the death of Henry’s sister, Flora Cavin, on December 6 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. … Becky Watson and Sam Watson and families in the death of their mother, Kathleen Watson, on December 12 in Inman, South Carolina. … Family and friends of Hellen Lewis who passed away on December 15 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Join Us Each Sunday Morning for Worship: 9:30 AM

Bible Study: 10:45 AM

Prayer Room Our Prayer Room, located in the Welcome Center,

is open Mondays through Thursdays during regular office hours, as well as on Sundays and Wednesdays

before and after worship services.

Ministers on Call This Month

December 30 - January 1 Freida Cole

January 6 - 8 Steven Owensby

Other assignments will be determined at the staff meeting on January 3. Please watch for more information in the weekly Worship Guides.

Thank You Notes for Your Love, Prayers, Concern, and Support Received from

Judy Burnett Frances Crook Valerie Harley

Habitat for Humanity Mobile Meals Helen Parsons

South Carolina Disaster Relief

January 1 Donut Fellowship - 10:30 AM 2 Church Office Closed for Holiday Beautiful Hats at Mr. Gatti’s - 11:30 AM Beautiful Hats at Home of Janice Parris - 6:30 PM 4 Prayer Meeting Resumes - 6:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Resumes - 7:00 PM 8 Clarion Sounds Resumes - 4:30 PM 9 Golden Tones New Year’s Luncheon - 11:00 AM Deacons’ Meeting - 6:30 PM 10 Women’s Bible Study, Entrusted, Begins - 9:30 AM 11 Wednesday Night Activities for Children, Youth, ESOL, and Adults Resume - 6:00 PM 15 Youth Ski Trip to Beech Mountain - 10:30 AM 16 Golden Tones Resumes - 1:30 PM 17 Discerning the Voice of God Bible Study Begins - 6:30 PM 19 Prayer Shawl Ministry - 11:00 AM 22 Children’s Bowling and Pizza Party - 5:00 PM Seminar on Wills, Trusts, and Probate - 6:00 PM 26 Hearts and Hands Crafters - 10:00 AM Everybody’s Birthday Party - 11:30 AM 29 Kids Zone Remix - 6:00 PM Counter Culture Bible Study Begins - 6:00 PM 30 Joy of Missions at Home of Martha Allen - 6:30 AM

The Monthly Newsletter of Morningside Baptist Church January 2017 Volume 60 Number 1

Three Bible Studies Coming in January Entrusted for All Women

Begins Tuesday, January 10 9:30 AM in the Youth Room

In this six-week study, author Beth Moore encourages you to guard what God has entrusted to you and to further God’s kingdom by sharing Christ with others. You will learn how to increase your effectiveness as a Christian. Flonnie Shaw will serve as facilitator. Cost: $10 for book

Discerning the Voice of God for All Adults

Begins Tuesday, January 17 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall

This Bible study is designed to help you determine what God is saying versus what others are saying by considering His language, character, and tone of voice. Nancy Ogletree will facilitate this adult Bible study, written by Priscilla Shirer. Call Linda Alverson in the Church Office at 585-5457, Ext. 101, to sign up and reserve your book Cost: $10 for book

Counter Culture for All Adults

Begins Sunday, January 29 6:00 PM in the Youth Room

We have all heard these words from the Scripture, “Do not be conformed to this world,” but are we really seeking—on a daily basis—to live that lifestyle? We live in momentous days marked by a rapidly shifting moral landscape. Do we consider the glorification of God or the gratification of our desires as more important? Bestselling author David Platt calls the church to a contrite, compassionate, and courageous response to the most controversial issues in our culture and the gospel. Call Jack Dodds at 585-5457, Ext. 109, to sign up and reserve your book. Cost: $10 for book

Seeking, Serving, Sharing The Messenger We Seek a personal, life-changing relationship with God through prayer, engaging worship, and Bible teaching. We Serve others by modeling the love of Christ through missions and ministry involvement. We Share God’s grace through genuine, loving fellowship, and discipleship.

mside music Letting the Shepherd Lead I began a habit at the last church where I served as pastor: I spend December thinking about the state of the church and praying that the Lord would guide me to set a few important goals for the church by January of the next year. I began this practice after reflecting on a bulletin I found from my home church. On the front cover each week a portion of the King James translation of Proverbs 29:18 reminded People, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." While I do not think that I have a full picture of Morningside to offer an extensive vision for the church quite yet, I can see a few trends that I would like to offer as goals for us in the coming year. First among those goals is obvious. I hope and pray that we will fill our staff vacancies in the way that most pleases God and benefits our church. I am so grateful for Chris and Holly's faithful service. Pray with me that our personnel decisions will employ those who will carry on this legacy of faithful service. Second, let's talk about baptism. A baptism ratio is a tool used to display how effectively a church is making disciples. The 2015 ratio in the SBC states that for every 52 members of a church there would be one baptism. For Morningside if we take our roughly 300 active members and apply that ratio, we could reasonably expect to baptize six people next year. I ask you to pray with me that in our efforts to make disciples, we would see at least six people make professions of faith and be baptized into the fellowship of our church. May I share with you one more goal to be praying for in this new year? Since I have been at Mside, I have been keeping track of our worship attendance. On average we have 245 or so people in Morning Worship. I am praying that we will see our Morning Worship average grow to 250. Please pray right now about five people you can invite to join us for Morning Worship over the next twelve months. Pastor Steven

Get the new year started off right by being part of the music ministry at Morningside.

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsals resume Wednesday, January 4, at 7:00 PM. Harold Joye, Interim Director

Clarion Sounds (Hand Bell Choir)

Rehearsals resume Sunday, January 8, at 4:30 PM Paula Joye, Director

Golden Tones New Year’s Luncheon

January 9 Home of Julia Young

The bus will leave the church at 11:00 AM.

Orchestra Rehearsals resume Monday, January 9, at 7:00 PM.

Tom Collings, Director

Children’s Choirs Rehearsals resume Wednesday, January 11, at 6:00 PM

The children will soon begin learning the spring musical, Nic at Night.

Jan McClure, Director Debby Byars, Katherine Wiggins, Regina Martin, Leaders

Golden Tones Senior Adult Choir

Rehearsals resume Monday, January 16, at 1:30 PM. Harold and Paula Joye, Directors

We want you to know that we consider it a privilege to serve as leaders during this interim period in the music ministry. We ask for your prayers for all the musicians and leaders. May God be honored in all that is done as we begin this new year. Harold and Paula Joye

Happy New Year!

It has been a joy to be a part of the Morningside family, and Jamie and I are thankful for each of you. We have been overwhelmed by your many expressions of love and appreciation. Thank you for the

beautiful reception, your hugs, and words of affirmation and blessing. Your love and presence in our lives has left a lasting and wonderful impression on our hearts. With love and gratitude, Chris and Jamie Kurtz

I would like to thank everyone for your expressions of love, care, and appreciation. In my ten years at Mside, I have had the privilege of getting to know some beautiful people who have made a lasting impact. I have thoroughly enjoyed the honor of leading worship and working with a great group of capable musicians. Also I thank you for an extraordinary reception! I would like to reference the song “Every Road” as it refers to our life journey...

Lord, I give you every road, guide my steps and take control, ’til this journey leads me home, Lord, I give you every road.” I am thankful for the time that my path converged with Mside, and as our paths diverge, I am prayerful. Holly Irvin

mside family

mside youth

mside kids

Save the Date for CONVERGE February 3-5

Kingston Plantation, North Myrtle Beach All high school juniors and seniors and college students can experience a quality experience with authentic worship, relevant speakers, and many opportunities to respond to God. Students will hear clear and relevant teaching from God’s Word presented in a way that students and leaders alike will be challenged to move to a deeper level of commitment to Jesus Christ. Contact Jack Dodds for more details. The cost of the trip is only $50.

Everybody’s Birthday Party Thursday, January 26

11:30 AM

All senior adults are invited to attend the Everybody’s Birthday Party, complete with soup, cornbread, cake and ice cream. Be sure to sign up in your Sunday School classroom, or call Linda Alverson (Ext. 101) in the Church Office by Sunday, January 22.

Seminar Sunday, January 22

6:00 PM Fellowship Hall

Now is the time to

accomplish one very

important New Year’s

Resolution—providing for your family’s future in the event of your death. All adults who would like to learn more about wills, trusts, and probate are invited to a free seminar led by Art McQueen, a well-known lawyer in the Spartanburg community. Please call Jack Dodds (Ext. 109) to register no later than Wednesday, January 18. Indicate whether you need child care.

Thrive Bible Study Resumes Wednesday, January 11

6:00 PM Youth Room

Sunday Ski Trip January 15 10:30 AM

The youth will leave for their trip after the morning service.

Both skiing and ice skating are available. Contact Steve Kibbe for more information about signing up for this event. Cost: $50 with an additional $15 for a lesson in skiing.

to Beech Mountain

January is Make Your Will Month

Mark Those Calendars for These Fun Events

Pizza Supper and Bowling Party

(Children in Grades 1-5) Sunday, January 22

5:00 - 7:00 PM Register by calling Linda Alverson in the Church Office (585-5457, Ext. 101), by emailing Freida at fcole@msidechurch.org, or by signing up on the bulletin board in the children’s area. Please complete a Trip Permission Slip available from the Church Office or on the Morningside Website. Return it with the fee of $5 for bowling no later than Wednesday, January 18. Friends are welcome to come if pre-registered.

REMIX COMING Kindergarteners - Grade 5

Sunday, January 29 at 6:00 PM Kindergarteners through Grade 5 are invited to join in some awesome adventures. They are sure to have a life-changing experience in a fun environment where they discover that God’s Word comes alive! Families, this remixed ministry, which includes high energy songs and games, will guide your children to be a disciple and more like Jesus every day. Friends are always welcome, too! Watch for more information in coming weeks. Input and questions are always encouraged, so get in touch with Freida.

Support Is Key You can support our Children’s Ministry by

committing with us to *Pray for each child.

*Pray for each family. *Pray for our Children’s Ministry

organizations and groups. *Pray for our leaders and their needs.

*VOLUNTEER!