THE VOL. 78, NO. 7–JULY 2015

Office Hours:Monday–Wednesday9:00 am–12:00 pm309.757.1300mccqc@mediacombb.net

Pastor’s Office Hours:Monday–Wednesday

9:30 am–12:00 pm309.644.0293

pastorchuck@ymail.comwww.MemorialChristianChurch.com

THE COST OF FREEDOM

DON'T SETTLE FOR A SMALL

DESTINY

The Greatest Purchace Ever Made

God's Plan Is Bigger Than We Know

POTHOLESThose Familiar Bumps

In The Road

FOCUSA family friendly publication of Memorial Christian Church

The Focus–2 July 2015 July 2015 3–The Focus

CRAFT CIRCLETuesdays at 9:30 am

At the Worship Center

PRAISE BAND PRACTICETuesdays at 6:00 pm

At the Worship Center

BIBLE STUDYSaturdays at 7:30 am

At the Worship Center

MIGSWednesday, July 1st at 6:30 pm

At the Worship Center

INDEPENDENCE DAYSaturday, July 4th

Have a Happy & Safe Day!

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, July 6th at 6:30 pm

At the Worship Center

UNITY CIRCLEWednesday, July 15th at 1:00 pm

At the Worship Center

WINGSWednesday, July 15th at 6:30 pm

At the Worship Center

ELDERS’ MEETINGMonday, July 20th at 6:30 pm

At the Worship Center

Chuck is MCC’s Senior Pastor. He has over 30 years of experience as a Pastor and Church Planter. His messages are always relevant and down-to-earth as they apply the Bible’s teachings to our lives today.

“YOU SEE, THE EMPTY TOMB

IS THE SIGN OF ULTIMATE FREEDOM.”

“GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.”

(PSALM 107:1)

MCC STAFF

JULYEVENTS

Chuck Dorsey Pastor & Focus Editor Bobby Pinkston Worship Leader Carol Burns Church Historian Rodney Millington Creative Director Jenny Beck Bookkeeper

THE COST OFFREEDOM

The Greatest Purchace Ever MadeLes came back from World War II without one arm and missing several fingers on the other hand. He has carried the price tag of freedom in his own body ever since. He is like so many who are among us who purchased and preserved our freedom at great cost.

It is a cost they can never forget because they bear on their bodies and their psyches the horrors of war But Les came back Tens of thousands of others never came back from World War II, or Korea, or Viet Nam The bombing in Saudi Arabia is just another reminder that the vigilance and cost of freedom is high The old Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young line is true: “Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground ” On Independence Day, July 4th, let’s remember that cost!

There was a war for the entire human race in which freedom was purchased This freedom was purchased at great cost as well But unlike the freedom purchased for Americans, the symbol of that cost is not a hillside of white crosses or the Tomb of the Unknown or a black wall of names As precious as these symbols are, they do not compare to the symbol of the Empty Tomb This symbol transcends ethnic and national boundaries

The Empty Tomb is the symbol of the cost of true freedom for all people—the cost of Jesus leaving the security and power of heaven and becoming earthbound and mortal It is the symbol of the degradation of a crucifixion and mocking and agonizing death on a cross and three days in the ground But the words to this tune are different “Find the cost of freedom, no longer in the ground ”

You see, the Empty Tomb is the sign of ultimate freedom It is the reminder that we no longer have to fear death All of our mortal fears are conquered As the apostle Paul says, “Death has been swallowed up in victory: Oh Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”

For the Christian, Independence Day doesn’t come once a year, but every week The early Christians met on the first day of the week, Sunday, to take of the Lord’s Supper This is their Independence Day By the end of the first century, Sunday had become the Lord’s Day On this day they remembered the Lord’s death and anticipated his return because freedom from death had been won Independence Day is the day of the Empty Tomb! So as each Sunday approaches, let’s remember the cost of our freedom and give thanks!

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

“Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the

Lord is, there is freedom.”

GET YOUR JESUS

AND JAVA

ONResuming InSeptember

The Focus–4 July 2015 July 2015 5–The Focus

MODERATOR’SMOMENT

While driving along the African road, I focus my attention about 100 yards ahead. This allows me to watch for major obstacles such as dead cars, cows, or fallen trees. However, it also causes me from time to time to hit some small potholes.

Those Familiar Bumps In The RoadA Youthful Future

"ON THOSE DAYS FILLED WITH POTHOLES, I

FIND IT ALL THE MORE NECESSARY TO START

WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE."

Our goal at MCC is to attract young families, and help them become disciples of Christ Young adults and children have grown up in a fast paced world Communication for them is via smart phones, iPads and computers

The Council saw a video this week that gave this example: Take a VBS (Vacation Bible School) program that would normally last five days, and deliver it to the Youth on Sunday in one hour This is the pace they are used to

As long as the subject is relevant to them in their everyday lives; speaking of young adults and children, and something that is deemed to be useful, they may or may not come back for more Young adults are looking for some meaningful instruction with problems of everyday life, and they like having the option of whether or not to take it

We have made many changes to try to appeal to young families and children, and we'll be doing more

So, where do we older adults fit into this picture? I think the majority of us have a positive nature We are awesome 'encouragers'! Many times we can say we've been there or done that It gives us the advantage of understanding and patience We already know "this too, shall pass" We are an incomparable asset to the Church Family We are mentors and friends Let's continue to keep ourselves open to change Most of all, be welcoming to all the new families we will be seeing

These young families are our future!

Love to you All, Linda

POTHOLES

As I discussed this with my traveling companion, she pointed out that different types of roads dictate how far into the future we can see The smoother the road, the farther down it we can look A rough road demands that we focus our attention immediately in front of the vehicle To be a good driver, I must train myself to be aware of both the near and the distant

So, too, in my life I am on a road whose surface changes with the circumstances around me Some days go along smoothly The road is wide, flat, and clear I am able to focus on both my earthly responsibilities as well as my time with the Lord

Other days are filled with the potential potholes of rough relationships, difficulties at the office, or overwhelming temptations I swerve around trying to avoid them I focus on the potholes and my eternal perspective suffers

I take encouragement and instruction from the writer of Proverbs: “Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you Watch the path of your feet, and

all your ways will be established Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil ” (Proverbs 4:25-27)

On those days filled with potholes, I find it all the more necessary to start with an eternal perspective How can I keep my foot from turning if I don’t know where I am going? ~ by Faithe Thomas[Faithe Finley Thomas lived as a missionary in Ghana, West Africa for six

years Her book "Staying in the Breeze" is a thoughtful reflection of some of

her experiences http://www fatsheep org/articles/devotionals/potholes php]

HAPPYINDEPENDENCE

DAYSaturday, July 4th

NOTICELOYAL CRUSADERS ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

The Loyal Crusaders will not be hosting their Annual Ice Cream Social at Lincoln Park this Summer It has become too difficult to do without additional help Many of you are probably not aware of how much our Youth have benefited due to Loyal Crusaders fundraising efforts It has been ongoing over the years This Summer we are asking for donations of what you would have given; money for pies, supplies, ice cream Those of you in the Congregation who would like to donate towards this, please let one of us know Your help is much appreciated

The Focus–6 July 2015 July 2015 7–The Focus

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

July

Bible Study7:30 am

Bible Study7:30 am

Bible Study7:30 am

Elders’ Meeting6:30 pm Worship Center

Craft Circle9:30 amPraise Band6:00 pm

Craft Circle9:30 amPraise Band6:00 pm

Craft Circle9:30 amPraise Band6:00 pm

Craft Circle9:30 amPraise Band6:00 pm

Church Council Meeting6:30 pm Worship Center

MIGS6:30 pm Worship Center

Unity Circle1:00 pm WinGS6:30 pm Worship Center

Independence Day7:30 am Bible Study7:30 am

The Focus–8 July 2015 July 2015 9–The Focus

"EVERY MAN SHALL GIVE AS HE IS ABLE, ACCORDING

TO THE BLESSING OF THE LORD YOUR GOD WHICH

HE HAS GIVEN YOU."DEUTERONOMY 16:17

CraftCircleMeeting Every Tuesday@ 9:30 am

DON'T SETTLE FORA SMALL DESTINY

God's Plan Is Bigger Than We KnowWe re-define ourselves according to our catastrophes. As a result, we settle for a small destiny!

Think you've lost it all? You haven't. The truth is that God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded (Romans 11:29, MSG).

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS. Your boss calls you into the office As kind as it sounds, a layoff is a layoff

How will I pay the bills? Who's going to hire me?

Dread dominates your thoughts

But then you remember your destiny

What do I have that I cannot lose?

Wait a second — I am still God's child My life is more than this life God will make something good out of this I will work hard, stay faithful, and trust Him — no matter what

BINGO! You just trusted your destiny Another victory for God It begins with a yes to God's call on your life!

Joseph was stripped of his identity, thrown into a pit, and sold as a slave His was a story of apparent defeat and insurmountable challenges Yet as time passed, God worked through his circumstances to bring redemption and reconciliation for him and his family and deliverance for the people of God Although it may seem hard to believe, with God's help, you can get through your difficulties, too The story of Joseph's life didn't end in the pit and neither does yours ~ By Max Lucado

[http://www heartlight org/articles/201506/20150613_settlesmalldestiny html]

Monday, July 6thCouncil Mtg, 6:30 pm

Monday, July 20th6:30 pm

WATERTOWNFOOD PANTRYFOOD DRIVE

BRING YOUR NON-PERISHABLE

FOOD ITEMS TO DONATE

CHRISTIAN CARE

FOOD DRIVE

BRING YOUR NON-PERISHABLE

FOOD ITEMS TO DONATE

The Focus–10 July 2015 July 2015 11–The Focus

CELEBRATIONS SERVANTOF THE MONTH

SERVINGSCHEDULETHOUGHTS

ANDPRAYERS

Anniversaries & Birthdays

Donald& Donna Long July 6th - 57yrs

Gerald & Barbara Stinocher July 7th - 25yrs

Jesse & Melba Andereck July 10th - 60yrs

Don & Margaret Simmons July 25th - 62yrs

Marley Devoss July 10th

Bob Pinkston July 11th

Crystal Cutkomp July 18th

Pat Marksburry July 20th

Michelle Ricker July 21st

Amy Thomas July 22nd

Mary Lundy July 24th

Scott Clark July 29th

Anna Sayers , The Hall Family, Jerry & Barb Stinocher, Ava Hall, Carolyn Haskins, Noah Lue, Waine Yeater, Amelia Whitworth, Sylvia Larssen, Ella Williams, Nellie Porter, Janice Conover, Ginny Blake, Wanda Pike, Linda Roller, Bob Engelman, Darry & Colleen Kannenberg, Dan and Christine Koester, Joanne Kline, Lynette Cameron, Peggy Walker, Loretta Smith, Cyndee Browner, Wade Rogers, Cecil Dorsey, Matt, Ava, Andy Simmons, Jacque Brandom, Crystal Raun, Shirley Rudd, Joan Shewell, Earl & Charlene Dreon, Evelyn Day, Collin LeVan, Julie Rind, Charles York, Hazel Anderson, and to all of those that are not on our Prayer List that are in need of your prayers

We have recently updated our prayer list, if you or anyone you know would like to be added to our Prayer List or those who would like a “Home Visit”, please contact the Church office

Please remember these in your prayers:

MARGARET LAGEOur servant of the month is someone we all know! She's a hard worker; always there, and quietly working behind the scenes Personally, Linda Swartz is so pleased to say that she is her "Mom" (adopted)! Margaret Lage!! We love you!

TABLE ELDERLinda Swartz

MEDITATION ELDERLaurie Peters

COMMUNION PREPARERSCrystal CutkompPat Kuehl

HOME-BOUND COMMUNIONPat Kuehl

FIRST IMPRESSIONSMary MillingtonPlease Volunteer

CONNECTIONS CAFÉKim DorseyLinda Miller

VAN DRIVERJohn Allison

“A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS GIVEN TO EACH OF US SO WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.”

(1 CORINTHIANS 12:7, NLT)

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