The MESSENGER · 2019-01-31 · The MESSENGER January 2019 Volume 7, Issue 1 One of the biggest...
Transcript of The MESSENGER · 2019-01-31 · The MESSENGER January 2019 Volume 7, Issue 1 One of the biggest...
The MESSENGER
Volume 7, Issue 1 January 2019
One of the biggest goals that people have at the beginning of
each year is to get in shape! Many of us will be checking out all of
the newest and best diets and workout plans, trying to figure out
which one might be the best one for us to try. One of the workout
plans that has become extremely popular over the last several
years is called CrossFit. Participants work at a high intensity rate
across a variety of exercises, and if you stick with it, you will get in
shape.
Being in good physical shape is definitely a good thing. Scripture communicates
that the bodies we have are temples that the Holy Spirit indwells and we are to hon-
or God with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20). One of the ways we honor God with our
bodies is to work out and keep it in good physical shape, so programs like CrossFit
are definitely something we should consider as we enter into a new year and take
evaluation of our lives.
However, Scripture also communicates that physical training isn’t the only kind of
training that is good for us. In 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 Paul says, “train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come.” So as we head into 2019, we
are going to be doing our own “Cross Fit” on Sunday mornings! Don’t worry, I’m not
going to have you doing burpees and pull ups in the Worship Center!
On January 6, we will be starting a new message series titled “Cross Fit.” If we
want to live godly lives, it all starts at the cross. So we will be looking how to draw
on the finished work of Jesus at the cross to experience the life that many of us are
looking for at the beginning of each and every new year. It’ll be good for those of
us who have been in church for years as well as our unchurched friends who are
looking for something as a new year starts but aren’t sure where to find it. So be
thinking of who you can invite to come to church in 2019. I’m looking forward to
learning and growing with you and meeting the friends you invite to come with you!
In His Name,
Jason White, Lead Pastor
512.282.0875, x14
A Message from Pastor Jason White
Freedom
Initiative Update
2
Music Ministry
News
2
Family Ministry
News
3
Student Ministry
News
4
January
Calendar
6
Inside this issue:
Exercise Classes
Help Needed
Women’s Conference
5K & Kids Dash
New Sermon Series
Special Points of
Interest:
Page 2 The MESSENGER
We only have 3-months left in our 3-year Freedom Initiative
Campaign that we started in March of 2016! We are hoping to
be completely debt free at the finish line, but we still need your
help! You can give during the offering time at one of our services
(mark Freedom Initiative on your check), online (at manchacabaptist.org), or in person at the church office
throughout the week. Did you know that you can also donate stocks, bonds, property, etc. by contacting the
office as well? Thanks in advance for partnering with us to set the church up for future success in this commu-
nity!
So….. what’s your new year’s resolution. I’m not doing them anymore. Society puts so
much pressure on us to make drastic changes overnight that we know we can’t sustain but
try anyway. January is the record month for new gym memberships and personal trainers’
schedules book up and then decline over the next several weeks.
I can think of so many goals in my life that I never achieved, and each failure came with its’ own feelings of
defeat and guilt. I can’t say that I’ve ever made a drastic change that I was able to sustain, long term. Wait,
there was one thing I did a few years ago that actually stuck and it changed my life forever. I’d like to tell you
about it.
I have always been a musician. There was never a doubt in my parents’ minds that it would be so. From
the time I was big enough to hold a guitar or sit at a piano, I was. I wanted to be John Denver, when I was
little, and by the time I was 15, my father was driving me to paid gigs. I always believed in Christ and knew he
was the one true Messiah, but I straddled the line between understanding the gift God gave me and wanting
to use it for fame, money and self-worth.
On the 4th of July 2012, God called me into ministry and Bart Millard, the singer of the band “Mercy Me”
gave me some advice on repentance. He said that it wasn’t just about asking for forgiveness, but it meant
turning 180 degrees from my sin. For me to do that, it meant leaving behind my career and the way of life I
had always known. God told me to, so I did it and never looked back. Listening to country music reminded
me of where I had been, so I didn’t want to do it anymore. I started listening to Christian music and more spe-
cifically, worship music. New stuff, old stuff- anything I could find. I submersed myself in music that glorified
God. It was life changing. I realized quickly that the music that we listen to influences our behavior in many
ways. What you surround yourself with will influence you subconsciously. Basically, we are what we eat, met-
aphorically speaking. If you spend your commute to work listening to a politically charged podcast, you will
naturally find yourself making conversation about it and even sometimes adopting the commentator’s point
of view. If you listen to angry music, you may find yourself personalizing someone else’s anger to fit yours.
I’m not saying that all secular music is bad. Not my place to judge. I will say this, though….. In 1 Corinthians
15:33, Paul says “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.” What kind of company are you
keeping when you drive from point A to point B? Are you fueling yourself with the holy spirit or are you sur-
rounding yourself in humanity’s failures set to a catchy tune? I never thought about it until that day my life
changed. It was like I woke up from a deep sleep and realized that I can worship God in my car, on a plane,
on a train in the grocery store or really anywhere.
I started leading worship at a church and I challenged the people of the church to listen to nothing but
Christian music for 30 days and then to give testimony. Some did and it was amazing to see that entire fami-
lies were changed. People that had “road rage” where worshipping in their cars on the way to work. Some-
one even told me that it’s hard to yell at your kids for fighting in the back seat when Chris Tomlin is singing in
the background.
Music Ministry - Surrounding Ourselves in the Spirit
(Part One)
“ONLY 3-MONTHS TO GO!”
Volume 7, Issue 1 Page 3
Family Ministry - It’s Not Just A New Year, It’s A New You! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corin-
thians 5:17
As I (Tanner) look back in my life I can think of several times that I have tried to “recreate” myself, but one
sticks with me most. In 8th grade I was actually a bit of a shorty, standing at 4’11”, it was so bad people
thought my younger sister and I were twins, which I absolutely hated. But, by the end of 8 th grade I started to
grow very quickly and grew to 5’5” by the beginning of freshman year. So, during this time of growth I decid-
ed I was going to recreate myself before high school started. Be a new and better me! I was tired of being
bullied for being smaller and for my interests in the chess club as well as the band, so I saw this as the perfect
opportunity to change that. I started growing out my hair, I ditched the collared shirts and the Jynco jeans,
and traded them for band or skate board shirts, vans, and skinny jeans, quit band and being in the chess club
and pursued my talents in baseball and even played football my freshman year. I successfully recreated my-
self from the outside. The thing was, after a while, it didn’t last because on the inside I was still me when it was
all said and done.
I think many of us try and do the same thing with New Year’s resolutions. We try and figure out things that
will “recreate” or “rebuild” or “reinvent” or “change” something about us we don’t like. It can be our appear-
ance, our health, our relationship status, our financial situation, or family structures and time. Heck, even do-
ing more stuff for God can be a New Year’s resolution. We feel like we need to be this “better” Christian and
clean ourselves up for Jesus and the more and more we try to meet this standard we have built up in our
heads, the more and more frustrated we become when it doesn’t work out because we can’t recreate our-
selves.
(continued on next page)
Music Ministry, continued Being a pastor, sometimes it’s hard when people come up to me and say. “I like that song you lead today
in worship, but I don’t recognize it.” Sometimes I want to say “It’s literally the number one Christian song in the
country, how have you not heard it?“ I want people to have the joy of worship that I experience all the time,
not just on Sundays.
I still like all kinds of music and I always will, but as a Christ Follower, I feel that it is imperative for us to sur-
round ourselves with the Spirit at all times and music just seems like a really easy way to do it. When I was a
Deputy, I wore a bullet proof vest every shift. Some of my co-workers didn’t and I couldn’t understand why.
My training officer told me he didn’t wear a vest because it was bulky and uncomfortable. Sometimes things
that save us are uncomfortable at first, but we need protection.
I challenge you to pray about this. Don’t use the fact that you don’t like what’s on Christian radio right
now as an excuse, because it’s not a good one. In this day and age, with Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Mu-
sic and all the other formats, there is no reason not to try to submerse yourself.
My family (6 people on 6 smart phones) has access to all the recorded music in the world for $15.99 a
month. I could listen to a different worship song all day for years, if I didn’t like what’s on Christian radio.
Who is with me? 30 days. I want to know. I want to see who reads this. Call me. Email me. Text me.
Come by my office. You hired me to be your worship pastor, so here’s my pastoral advice. We can change
this community and experience true biblical growth, but the enemy is going to attack us. Let’s surround our-
selves with the Holy Spirit, lift each other up in prayer and worship Him through everything we do.
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in
the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- Psalms 34: 1-4 (and a really good worship song by Shane and Shane)
Keith Davis, Worship Pastor
512-282-0875
After much prayer and consideration it has been decided that MBC
Students Main Service will no longer be on Sunday nights but instead on
Sunday mornings during Bible Fellowship. During the morning we will have
worship (still working on a long term solution for this), and a message. We
feel this will be a benefit because we can reach more students during this
time.
For small group time we will be switching over to MBC Student Commu-
nity Groups. During this time we will discuss the message given on Sunday
morning in greater detail and facilitate discussion around it, as well as dive
in deeper to how it applies in everyday life. For HIGH SCHOOL students it
will be on SUNDAY NIGHTS from 5:15-6:30pm at Tanner and Ashlee’s house
in Kyle. For MIDDLE SCHOOL students it will now be on WEDNESDAY NIGHTS from 6:30-7:45pm at the church.
We are really excited about this time and feel it can be so much more intentional with small group discussions
and with peers their own age.
This change will take place beginning January 2019. We are excited about these changes and the direc-
tion the Lord is leading MBC Students and would encourage you to be praying for what God is going to do
next year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Tanner Shumake, Student Pastor,
Page 4 The MESSENGER
Family Ministry, continued
Please, don’t take away that the list of things above are bad goals. I would argue that many of them have
self and kingdom value! But we (Jenny and Tanner) want to encourage you to sit and live from 2 Corinthians
5:17 this year. This is written for all believers. You no longer have to try and recreate yourself, because Jesus
has made you completely new. The Greek used in this verse points us to a couple things. First, the word used
for new means made in amazing quality that has never been seen before and is permanent. Second, the
word creation is meant for us to look back to Genesis 1, when God looks at what He has made and says it is
good. So, if you are in Jesus, God looks at you and says, “wow, you are amazing in quality, permanently new
and you are good!” We want to encourage you to live in and from that new life you have been given this
year and remind your families of their new lives as well. Because, you are never alone, you are deeply loved
by Him, you are infinitely desirable to Him, you are always in His company, you are fully accepted. So, let us
ask you, can you embrace this new identity you have been given? Can you see yourself as God sees you?
Let’s not believe the lies we are fed from society and maybe even ourselves, our old selves are dead and
have no power. You are new, and you are good. Let this new identity flow from your life into your families.
Because, this is your new identity, this is the new you!
Love,
Your Family Ministry Team
Student Ministry News
Tanner Shumake, Student Pastor 512-282-0875, ext. 22
Jenny Childress, Children’s Pastor
512-282-0875, ext. 26
Page 5 Volume 7, Issue 1
Operation Christmas Child O.A.S.I.S.
O.A.S.I.S. (Older Adults Still In Ser-
vice)
ALL Senior Adults are invited for our
monthly gathering on
January 11, at 11:30am, in Room E115,
for some good food,
wonderful fellowship and dominoes!
Wednesday Dinner Menu
Jan. 9
Sausage Wraps, Hot Dogs, Chips,
Dessert
Jan. 16
Breakfast: Biscuits & Gravy, Pancakes, Fruit
Jan. 23
Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Dessert
Jan. 30
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Chicken Noodle
Soup, Dessert
Operation Christmas Child
(OCC) is a ministry of Samaritan's
Purse. MBC collects various
items all throughout the year.
Items to be donated all year are:
shoeboxes, and cash donations
which we will use to buy items for
the boxes and for shipping.
To find out more information about OCC, or to
volunteer to serve in this ministry, please contact
Marta Knight 512-657-2366.
Ladies Ministry Events
IF:TABLE - ALL LADIES are invited to our Jan.
IF:Tables. For locations and times, please contact
Amanda Burchett:
LADIES BIBLE STUDY - All ladies are welcome for
Bible Studies on Fridays at 9:30am in Room E115.
LADIES COFFEE - Ladies meet at the Texican Ca-
fé at 9:00am the 4th Sat. of each month
(excluding Nov. & Dec.) for coffee, Dutch-treat
breakfast and great fellowship.
Exercise Classes to Begin Help Needed
Is your new year’s resolution
to be healthier in 2019? If so
then you are invited to attend
a lunch time exercise class led
by MBC’s own Lindsey Lear.
Classes begin Jan. 10th and
will be held on Thursdays from
12:00-12:30pm in the Gym. This class is for adults of
any age, and will be exercises that can be adjusted
for any fitness level. Got questions or want to know more? Contact
Lesa Yanes in the Church Office at 512-282-0875.
Sad to see it go…
but it’s time to take down
the Christmas decorations
here at MBC - and we need
your HELP!
If you are available,
please join us Friday, Jan. 4th at 10am
and again Saturday, Jan. 5th at 10am
to put all decorations back in storage.
Page 6 The MESSENGER
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym
2 3*Adventurer’s Acad.
1:30-3:30pm Gym *Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 *Exercise Class 12:00-12:30pm Gym *Men’s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am *Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym
4
Ladies Bible Study 9:30-11:30am Room E115
5
6 7
Strickland School 5:30-7:30pm
Gym
MBC Kids Weekday 9:00am-2:00pm
8
Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym
9KW 9:00am-2:00pm -
Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm Room E115 - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm
10*Adventurer’s Acad.
1:30-3:30pm Gym *Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 *Exercise Class 12:00-12:30pm Gym *Men’s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am *Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym
11
Ladies Bible Study 9:30-11:30am Room E115
O.A.S.I.S. Pot-luck
Lunch & Games 11:30am Room E115
12
Sunshine Soccer 8:00-9:00am Gym
13
Deacon Meeting 2:30pm Room E115
14
Strickland School 5:30-7:30pm
Gym
MBC Kids Weekday 9:00am-2:00pm
15
Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym
16KW 9:00am-2:00pm
- Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm Room E115 - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm
17*Adventurer’s Acad.
1:30-3:30pm Gym *Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 *Exercise Class 12:00-12:30pm Gym *Men’s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am *Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym
18
Ladies Bible Study 9:30-11:30am Room E115
Central TX Badgers Gym 5:30-8:30pm
19
Project Linus 10:00am—2:00pm
Room E115
20
Marcy Richie Baby Shower
Kids Worship Room 2:00pm
21
Central TX Badgers Gym 5:30-8:30pm
22
Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym
23KW 9:00am-2:00pm
- Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm Room E115 - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm
24*Adventurer’s Acad.
1:30-3:30pm Gym *Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 *Exercise Class 12:00-12:30pm Gym *Men’s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am *Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym
25
Ladies Bible Study 9:30-11:30am Room E115
Central TX Badgers Gym 5:30-8:30pm
26
Ladies Coffee 9:00am,
Texican Cafe
27 28
MBC Kids Weekday
9:00am-2:00pm
Central TX Badgers Gym 5:30-8:30pm
29
Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym
30KW 9:00am-2:00pm
- Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women’s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm Room E115 - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm
31*Adventurer’s Acad.
1:30-3:30pm Gym *Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 *Exercise Class 12:00-12:30pm Gym *Men’s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am *Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym
January 2019
Volume 7, Issue 1 Page 7
Baby Shower HLCC Women’s Conference Every year,
women from
across Texas
come together
at Highland
Lakes Camp
and Confer-
ence Center to
experience life
change and
celebrate in community with other sisters in Christ.
They leave refreshed and ready to take the next step
towards the heart of God.
Your heart will be encouraged through thought
provoking Bible study, authentic worship, uplifting
praise, relevant topical seminars, hands-on ministry,
laughter and lots of sweet fellowship.
Registration is now open on the Highland Lakes
Camp and Conference Center website:
https://hlccc.org/events/womens-conference-
register/
5K and Kids Dash
Manchaca United Methodist Church’s annual 5K Run and Kids
Dash is fast approaching and they have asked for help! This event is
their biggest fundraiser in support of three area South Austin Schools
– Menchaca Elementary, Paredes Middle School, and Akins High
School. In years past, the proceeds from the race have been used
to purchase interactive technology at Menchaca Elementary; send
8th graders from Paredes Middle School to Texas State University for
an all-day field trip; and fund college entry exams, college, trade-
school, and vocational training applications, prom, and graduation
activities for homeless students at Akins High School. You can help
by signing up to run, being a financial sponsor (as an individual or
through your own business), or volunteering along the way. They
need everyone’s help for the race to be a success! The race is
scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. The Kids
Dash will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Please visit their website for more information: www.manchacaumc.org
Sign up for the race at: tinyurl.com/2019sochac
Questions? Contact Jena Abel, [email protected]
1215 W. FM 1626
P.O. Box 400
Manchaca, TX 78652
December 28, 2018
Phone: 512-282-0875
Fax: 512-292-0043 E-mail: [email protected]
“Blessed are they who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart.”
- Psalm 119:2
New Sermon Series
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PAID Permit #2
Manchaca, TX
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