Martinsburg Church of Christ
Weekly Newsletter
01/06/2024
Hello and Welcome to the Martinsburg Church of Christ! We are so glad that you have chosen this place of worship to honor the Lord’s name with us. If you are new to this church, we would like to thank you for worshiping with us and we warmly welcome you into our church as our brothers and sisters in christ.
What does the Bible say about New Years?
-
This New Year’s the bible verse minds us that we also have to live in the present:
-
Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
|
Note from our Pastor – Chris Butler Dear MCC Family, As we look forward to a New Year, we set goals, make plans, and eagerly anticipate what the future holds for us. It’s exciting to see our dreams realized, our projects completed, and our adventures achieved. But there are times when not everything goes as planned. Scripture reminds us, ”Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.“(Prov.19:21 NIV) At times our health fails, our plans get interrupted, things don’t go as expected. When things don’t work out the way we envisioned: stress mounts, doubts arise, and fears can overwhelm us. Know that nothing happens that takes God by surprise. There’s nothing He can’t handle. The Bible gives us these words of hope: ”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.“ (Rom.8:28 NIV). When we know God has a plan and He’s working it all out for the good, then we can live by this truth: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;“ Proverbs 3:5 NIV Everything has a purpose, so even if it doesn’t make sense to you today, rest assured that your loving Father has it under control. You do not need to worry about a future God has already written. You do not need to live as anything less than the masterpiece he lovingly designed. He’s working behind the scenes, even if you don’t see it. He is making a way even if you don’t know it. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Trust Him with all you are in 2024! God Bless, Chris Note from our Youth Minister: Scott Funkhouser |
|||
Happy New Year! I survived the lock-in on New Year’s Eve and was blessed to have celebrated it with 14 of our youth. Shortly after midnight, we reflected on Chris’s sermons in 2023, “A Better You”, and shared something specific that made us better in the past year. We also shared something we are looking forward to in 2024. Whether or not we officially make a new year resolution or not, most of us look for ways to improve in the coming year. The best way to do that is to fully rely on God. If you have seen the series “The Chosen”, you may remember when Mary Magdalene says to Nicodemus, “I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him (Jesus).” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Romans 6 tells us that when we are baptized into Christ, we are united with Him, His death and one day His resurrection. If you have not been baptized, study God’s word, pray and seek Him, and ask questions. If you want to improve in any way in 2024, start with accepting Christ and allow Him to change you. Blessings to each of you for the year ahead!
The 2024 Promise Calendar: Fire in Our Bones, is available in the foyer. The theme of the calendar is to arouse our spiritual passions for God and those lost to the darkness around us. “Believers need to rise up with prayer and passion to say, ‘God, we need a revival in our homeland. We are longing to see You move and transform lives.'” Gary Wilkerson. There is a limited supply.
Upcoming events:
Birthdays:
Wed Night Bible Study: Wed @ 6PM 1/03 – Kacey Graff
Jan 10th – Mission Meeting @ 10:30 AM 1/11/- Barb Henderson
Jan 14th – Cedar Creek Chill @ Church of Christ Mt View @ 2PM 1/15 Cheryl Brook & Toni Wiesberg
Jan 14th – Board Meeting @ 5PM
Anniversaries:
1/01 – Rick & Kathy Larrick
1/20 – Toby & Tanya Jordan
1/26 – Gary & Delores Sencindiver
BECOME INVOLVED:
Ministries: (Small groups to encourage and support each other;
-
Mens: Fellowship, mentoring and to serve the needs of the church
-
Women: Bible Study Tuesday morning at 10am
-
Book Club new book each month
-
Youth:
Teens: Youth Group 6th thru 12th grades
Children’s: Child Crusaders – Kindergarten to 5th grade
Nursery: Providing a safe and nurturing environment for your child during our 10:30 service
-
Adult:
“Sassy Sr’s.:A social group where everyone is invited to attend and you do not have to be a member to join them.
Their goal is to “just have fun”
-
Bible Study
Teams: (Small groups that support the business and outreach of the church)
Worship: Plan services, scheduling of worship service, music, scripture reading, communion meditation & special music
(Contact: Scott Funkhouser 304-676-2048)
Mission: Distribution of church monies to approved charities (Contact: Bruce Sanders – 304-995-8139)
Building: Manage & maintain building & grounds (Bruce Sanders)
Finance: Maintains a budget and manage all finances except Missions (Contact: Matt Stickel – 304-886-9977)
Prayer: Organize and schedule prayers by requests (Contact: Diana Pavlik – (304-433-5460)
Hospitality: Care for the sick, sending cards, visits and delivering communion
Events: Coordinate special events, dinners, outgoings, etc (Contact: Cathy Stickel – 304-702-0996)
Youth & Children’s ministry – Contact Scott Funkhouser
Welcome Team: (Contact: Jada Nichols – 304-676-9752)
Book Club: (Contact: Sonya James – Sonya.l.james@usdoj.gov)
We honor God when we serve others. His desire was for us to use our diverse types of gifts from Him to benefit those around us.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
We encourage new and old members to get involved in the church community by volunteering,
attending events or joining one of our groups ministries or teams.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If anyone is interested in joining the prayer chain, Please contact Diana Pavlik
(Phone 304-433-5460 or email: pavlikdm@gmail.com)
Prayer Needs:
UPDATE – 1/03/24 – Jim was discharged from the hospital from having chest pains
12/30/23 – Kaylani (friend of Cyndi Smith) – 6 month old girl has RSV, in hospital on oxygen
Volunteers Needed:
The church chairs need to be cleaned. We need church members/volunteers to help clean them between 9am and 1:30pm. (While Scott is between bus runs)
Faith Feeding Freedom: We are in need of volunteers to help make soup each Friday to feed those less fortunate.
All Christians have different gifts from God and we are to use those gifts to serve others.
It is always more blessed to give than receive.
We should give our time and do volunteer work as well as give money,
food, and clothes to the poor.
Our youth had a great time ringing in 2024 at the New Yrs Eve lock in.
Gingerbread house contest
Psalms 31:23-24
23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.