Threads - April 9, 2014

Intheirbook,Beyond the Ordinary,CynthiaWoolverandDeborahBruceexaminedsixteenfactorsthatcontributeto

strongandhealthycongregations.However,onlythreefactorscontributetonumericalgrowth.Whilenumericalgrowthisnottheendallmeasurementforhealthycongregationsitisvitalforsustainability.Oneofthethreepositivepredictorsofnumericalgrowthis“participatinginthecongregation.”MadisonParkChurchofGodseekstoexcelinempoweringpeopleforKingdomservice.EighteenyearsagowhenImovedtoAnderson,IndianatobeginmyassignmentastheDeanofAndersonUniversitySchoolofTheologyIknewIwouldbelookingforachurchhome.TheprevioustwentyyearsI

servedasapastorintheChurchofGod.AfriendremindedmethatwithmymoveInowneededtofindachurchhomewheremysoulcouldbenurturedandwhereIhadopportunitytobeinvolvedinservice.Hewasrightontarget.OnourfirstSundayinAndersonwechosetoattendNorthAndersonChurchofGod(MadisonPark)andhavemadethisfellowshipourchurchhome.Ihavefoundthiscongregationtobeaplacewhereapersoncangrowspirituallyandservefaithfully.Theopportunitiesforspiritualgrowtharemanyandtheoccasionsforservicearenumerous.ForthepasteightyearsIhavebeenhonoredtoserveontheBoardofElders.Thesehavebeeneightyearsofamazingopportunity.Wehaverelocatedtoaplacethatoffersgreat

Good News from the Eldersby David Sebastian, Chair, Board of Elders

biweeklyweavingsofthecommunityatMadisonParkChurchofGod—April 9, 2014

continued on page 4

April–June Beneficiary: India

MakeapurchaseatHolyGroundsandaportionoftheproceedswillbenefitMPC’songoingministryinIndia.ComeearlyorlingeraftertheSundayworshipservicestoenjoyconversationandrefreshments.Visit MadisonParkChurch.org to view the full menu.

Sundays, 8:30am-11:30amMasterCard, Visa and Discover accepted.

Worship ServicesSUNDAY9:00am - Ablendoftraditionalandcontemporarymusic,prayer,andteachingfromGod’sWord.10:45am - FeaturesapraisebandwithdistinctivelymodernedgeandteachingfromGod’sWord.Classes areofferedforallagesat9:00amand10:45am.VisitGrandCentral,formerlytheInformationCenter,foracompletelistingofallelectivesorvisitMadisonParkChurch.org,Ministriespage.

MPCisreachingoutintothefast-paceofMcGunegillLateModels,NashFmThunderCarsandFrontWheelDriveOvals,tohosttheEasterMidway,withaspecialinvitationtoEasterservicesatMadisonPark.OnSaturday,April19,MadisonParkChurchpartnersAndersonSpeedwaytoprovideanEasterMid-wayextravaganza.Themid-waywillopenat4:00pmwithfunactivitiesforkids:facepainting,Eastercraftsandapapereggdecoratingcontest,photoswiththeEasterBunny,endingwithanEasterEgghuntat6:30pm.AmyGreenway,MarketingSpecialistattheSpeedway,expresses“Weareso

fortunatetohavepeoplefromMadisonParkhelpwiththisevent.AndersonSpeedwayispassionateaboutprovidingafun,familyfriendlyatmosphere.”TheSpeedwaynowoffersafamilysectionwithnoalcoholorsmoking.Amyshares,“Thewholeentirestraightawayisdesignatedasthefamilysectionwithplentyofareatospreadout,sit

andenjoytherace.”AsMPCexiststoexpandtheKingdomofGod,wealsoworktobeachurchwithoutwalls;acongregationengagedinourcommunityforthecauseofJesus.For more information go to andersonspeedway.com.

MPC Sponsors Easter Midway at Anderson Speedway

—2—

Journey to New Life – Sermon SeriesSundays through Easter

April 13 —The Thief (Luke 23:39-43)

PalmSundayInallourlives,therehavebeenmomentsofmissedopportunityandmomentswhenopportunitywasseized.Truly,thetwothieveswhosharedGolgothawithJesusaretheepitomeofbothopportunityseizedandopportunitymissed.Threesimplewords,“Lord,rememberme”ledonemantoeternitywithChrist,whiletheothersufferedtheconsequencesofalifethatdeniedChrist.Intruth,thisisthedecisionthatfaceseveryhumanbeingwalkingonthefaceofthisearth.

April 20—The Empty Tomb (Mark 16:1-8)

Easter.

Sometimesitishardtobelieveevenwhatyouhavejustseen.Thatwasthecaseforthosewhofoundtheemptytomb.Theywereconfusedandbewilderedastheytriedtosortthroughwhathadjusttakenplace.Justwhentheythoughtthingscouldnotgetmorecomplicated,anangelspeakstothemdeclaring,“Hehasrisen!”ItisthedeclarationofEasteranditisourdeclarationasbelievers!

Missions NightWednesday, April 9 from 7:15-7:45pm in The CommonsJointheMadisonParkMissionsTeamforaninformativeandinteractivetimeofexploringwhatitmeansto“Gointoalltheworld.”

Maundy Thursday FellowshipApril 17 at 6:00pm in The CommonsEnjoyanall-churchfamilypitch-indinnerfollowedbyaneveningofworshipandobservingcommunion.Bringadishoffoodtoplaceonthebuffettables.Followingthemealandcommunion,participantswillbeinvitedtofollowtheLord’sexampleintheordinanceofwashingfeet,iftheysochoose.Thisexpressionofservanthoodcanbeoneofthemostspirituallypowerfulmomentsoftheyear.Everyoneiswelcome.

Good Friday ServiceApril 18 at 7:00pm in The Main AuditoriumWorshipattheCrosswithAlannaStory.

Easter at Madison ParkSunday, April 20 at 9:00am and 10:45am in the Main AuditoriumChoosefromtwoserviceoptions:

•Sundayat9:00am—Inspirationalmusicwithachoirandorchestra•Sundayat10:45am—Contemporaryservicewithapraiseband• SeniorAssociatePastor,RollandDanielswillspeakinbothservices.•Duringeachservice,childrenages2through5thgradewillbetreatedtoaspecial livedramaandmusic,craftsandasnackinCrossroadsAuditorium.• The nursery will be open for children birth up to age 2.

A Look AheadJune 23-26 Church of God Convention and General Assembly

OklahomaCity,Oklahoma. See page 3.

October 19-22 Retreat To The Cove/CBH Viewpoint Asheville,NorthCarolina.Featuredguest,BuddyGreene.Registration details at CBHviewpoint.org.

News You Can UseChurch of God Convention: June23-26,OklahomaCity.TheChurchofGodConventionin2014willbeapivotpointinthehistoryoftheChurchofGod,re-framingforthefutureandanewgenerationourpurposeandopportunities.AlivestreamwillbebroadcastatMadisonParkChurch.Speakers:MichaelThigpen,DaveStone,AnneGrahamLotz,DianaSwoope,MartyGrubbs,ReggieMcNealandJimLyon.WorshipArtists:SidewalkProphets,AshmontHill,SandiPatty,AlannaStoryandJayRouse.Registration and more information at www.CHOGconvention.org.J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth): Thursday,April24atNooninCrossroadsAuditorium.SpecialGuests:NyleKardatzke,authorofA Widow-Man’s JournalandDonnaThomas,authorofHope for Today and Tomorrow.Havingexperiencedthedeathofaspousetheseguestsandbookscanhelppersonsthroughthetraumaanddisorientationoflosingaspouse.Inviteyourfriendsandbringadishoffoodtoshare.VanServicefromtheparkinglotisavailablebeforeandafterthemeeting.Contact: Esther Crnkovich at (765) 649-3323. Class Instructors and Small Group Facilitators Quarterly Meeting: Sunday,April27,10:15-10:45amatGrandCentralinTheCommons.Shareteachingupdates,teachingtipsandconcerns.Facilitators: Andy and LuAnne Klepfer.Child Dedication Class: Sunday,April27at9:00aminRoom178.DedicatingyourchildatMadisonParkduringaworshipserviceissomuchmorethanfiveminutesonthestage,it’sajourneythatlastsalifetime!ParentsareinvitedtoattendthisChildDedicationPreparationClasstolearnmoreaboutwhatitmeanstodedicateyourchild.ThenextBaby/ChildDedicationServiceisscheduledforSunday,May18.Sign-upfortheclassbycallingtheChurchOfficeat(765)642-2000.Contact: Paula Spear, Children’s Ministries Pastor.Learning to Pray Like Jesus: WednesdaysthroughMay28at6:30pminRoom179.ExploretheteachingsandpracticeofprayerinthelifeofJesusandexperienceitinyourownlife.Dr.LeroyQuashiewillcastavisionofthepersonal,powerfulqualitiesofprayeraswelearntopraylikeJesus.Contact: Shelly Short at mjshort1127@gmail.com. Building Single Relationships: Saturday,June7from3:00-7:00pminCrossroadsAuditorium.MentalHealththerapistDougLinville,LCSWandAprilLinville,LCSWwillleadtheconferencehelpingsinglesdevelophealthyfriendshipswithothersingleadults,datingrelationshipsandmovingtowardmarriagerelationships.Cost:$20perperson.Register online with Wanda Anderson or at (765) 620-4607.

Summer Youth Camps: IndianaStateChurchofGodYouthCampshostshundredsofchildrenandteenseachsummer.Campdatesandregistrationsareavailableonlineforallcamps:•Camp Challenge (gocampchallenge.com)islocatednearBedford,IndianaJune8-13:MissionsExperienceCamp(NEW!)June15-20:SeniorHighJune22-27:JuniorHighJune29-July1:YoungExplorersJuly6-11:5th-6thGradesJuly13-18:4th-6thGradesJuly20-25:3rd-4thGrades

•YellowCreekLakeCamp(yclministries.org)islocatedinSilverLake,IndiananearWarsawJune13-14:TadpoleCamp-K-2ndGradesJune16-20:SeniorHighCamp-9th-12thGradesJune30-July3:2nd-4thGradesJuly14-18:CampBlast,4th-6thGradesJuly21-25:6th-8thGradesJuly25-27:FamilyCampandCampmeeting

•Special YCL Youth Camp Night: Friday,May16.Afunopportunitytofellowshipwithyouth(grades6-12)fromotherchurches,exploreYCLandhaveacrazyfuntime.Food,campfire,games,worshipandmore!$5perstudent.R.S.V.P.byMay1toJennCrum,YCLProgramDirector.at(574)491-3075.

Contact: Rhonda Hollingsworth, Administrative Assistant, Student and Children’s Ministries.

Children’s MinistriesWhat A Day! ForK-grade5,WednesdaysthroughApril16from6:30-8:00pm.Experience24hourswithJesus,fromtheLastSupperthroughthegardenandcrucifixion.Childrenwilllearnthesignificanceandimportanceofcommunion,walkthroughthegardenwhereJesusfacedthebiggesttestofHislife,experiencethehorrorofHiscrucifixionandgloryofHisresurrection.Awhirlwind24-hours,anamazingjourneywithamazingappearances.Contact: Amber Rodecap, Elementary Coordinator.Baptism Class: Sundays,May4and25at10:45aminRoom180.Forchildreningrades

3-5whohavemadeapersonaldecisiontofollowChrist.Parentsareaskedtoattendthefinalsession.BaptismwillbeonSunday,June1.For more information and to R.S.V.P. contact Paula Spear, Children’s Ministries Pastor.

Kindergarten Graduate Party: Sunday,May4from12:30-3:00pmin

CrossroadsAuditorium.AllKindergartenstudentsareinvitedtothisfunpicniclunchandparty.Enjoyfood,gamesandprizes!Dressinplayclothes.R.S.V.P. to Becky Rosenberg at (765) 642-8560.

Student MinistriesChocolate Covered Cream-filledEggs:Available SundaysinTheCommons.Each

3/4poundeggishand-dippedinmilkchocolate

andpackagedinabeautifulpastelboxwithgreenEastergrass.

Choosefromsevenflavors.Cost$6.50.ProceedsbenefitStudentMinistries. Contact: JJ Perry, Junior High Pastor.ALL-YOUTH Events:• International Youth Convention:July5-8atOprylandHotelinNashville,Tennessee.Trip Team Meetings:April14-May18-June30.

IMPACT—Junior High Ministries: •Spring Focus—ROAD SIGNS: No matter

where you hope to end up, the road you choose matters! Sundaysat10:45aminCrossroadsAuditorium;WednesdaySmallGroupsfrom6:30-7:45pminRoom176-178.

•BELIEVE: Spring Retreat: April11-13atAndersonUniversity.Packedwithhigh-energyworship,awesomemessages,smallgrouptimeandtonsoffun.ComeBELIEVEandgrowinGod.Cost:$65.

IGNITE—Senior High Ministries: •Spring Focus—Worth It Series— Luke

9:23-25: Freedom, Mission, Purity, Purpose. Wednesdaysfrom6:00-8:00pminCrossroadsAuditorium.

• IYCSpreadTheWordProject:BringofferingseachWednesdaynight.

Lighthouse Café

Enjoyafreshlypreparedmealandmini-saladbarinTheCommons:Wednesdaysfrom5:00pmuntil6:30pm.Cost:Adults-$6,ChildrenandcollegeStudentswithID-$4.Maximumof$22perfamily.April 9: ParmesanChicken/Kids’Option:

ChickenStripsandFriesApril 16: Allactivitiesarecancelledfor

HolyWeekApril 23: HotItalianRoastBeefSandwiches

Kids’Option:PizzaApril 30: TacoSalad

Kids’Option:WalkingTacoMay 7: Chicken&Noodles

Kids’Option:Chicken&Noodles

Wednesday, May 21 at 6:00pm in the Hospitality Room

ExploreMadisonParkprovidestheessentialinformationyouneedtoknowbeforecallingMadisonParkChurchyourchurchhome.Theclassanswersquestionssuchaswhoweare,whatwebelieve,andourchurchmembershipprocessinarelaxed,fun,andinteractiveformat.You’llmeetotherswhoareonthesamejourneyasyouandbegintheprocessofgettingconnected.Finddetailsorsign-upintheHospitalityRoomoronlineatMadisonParkChurch.org.Contact: Shelly Stottlemyer, Pastor of Connection Ministries. continued on page 4

—3—

Gershwin! By George!

Saturday, May 3 at 7:00pm in The Commons.TheHeartlandBigBand

bringstheswingingmusicofGeorgeandIraGershwintoMPC.Enjoyaneveningfilledwithmemorablesongsfeaturing

Fascinating Rhythm, Embraceable You, Strike Up the Band, I Got RhythmandmanymoreincludingaswingingarrangementofthefamousRhapsody in BlueasonlytheHeartlandBandBandcanperformit!Advancetickets$10,availableinThe

CommonsandattheChurchOffice.$12atthedoor.

•Bible Studies: Sundaysat9:00aminRoom180;Tuesdaysfrom6:00-7:30pmatWilliamson’sHome.

• Indiana Pacers Game: Sunday,April13.Pacersvs.OKCThunder-$13.20.

•Spring Retreat: April26-27atCampChallenge-$50.

Opportunities to ServeLibrary Volunteers: TheMPCLibraryTeamprovidesopportunitiestoworkindependentlyrestockingreturnedbooksandupdatingthedatabase.Volunteersarewelcomedandneeded.Contact: Jackie Corn, Administrative Assistant, Spiritual Formation.Volunteers Needed at Dove Harbor:DoveHarborwouldwelcomehelpinthefollowingareas:•Handyman/PropertyMaintenance•Landscaping•Childcare:specificallyMarch17,18,20-5:40-7:40pm

•DonationProcessing•GroupFacilitatorsonMondayevenings,July-December.

Contact: Deanna Zimmer, Director of Resource Development, at dzimmer@doveharbor.org.

Family News To submit a threads announcement regarding a birth or death, please contact the Pastoral Care office at (765) 642-2000.

In Sympathy With:ThefamilyandfriendsofBerthaRobinsonwhopassedawayonSaturday,March22.

Community and Ministry Partner News

Operation Foundation: April7-12:Monday-Fridayfrom4:00-8:00pmandSaturdayfrom8:00am-5:00pm.JoinwithcommunitymembersandAndersonUniversitystudents,comingtogethertoserve,showloveandbuildupthebodyofChrist.GatheringlocationisSouthMeridianChurchofGod,2402SouthMeridianinAndersonandreceiveassignmentstoadesignatedproject.WaverscanbepickedupatGrandCentral.Contact: Garrett Spear at gdspear@anderson.edu.

The Brandisa Tour: Friday,April11,7:00pm.WhiteRiverChristianChurchinNoblesville.AneveningwithBrandonHeathandMandisa.Twouniqueartists.Oneamazingliveexperience.Groupsbuy12ormoreatonetimeandget2freetickets.SponsoredbyAwakeningEvents,WQMEandFoodfortheHungry.Tickets available at iTickets.com or (800) 965-9324.

Anderson Area Christian Men’s Lenten Breakfast Series: Finalbreakfast,SaturdayApril12from8:00-9:30amatAndersonFirstUnitedMethodist,1215JacksonStreet,Anderson.Men,ofallages,areinvitedtoattendthebreakfastseriescelebratingGod’sgracethroughfellowship,music,andinspirationalChristianspeakers.Afree-willofferingwillbetaken.For more information go to the Anderson Area Christian Men’s Lenten Breakfast Series website at aacmlbs.webs.com.

Employment Opportunities at Anderson University: •PoliceandSecurityServices:Semi-ProfessionalSecurityOfficer.Assignedfunctionsanddutiesofapublicsafetyandsecuritydepartment,45%FTEandnotelibibleforuniversitybenefits.

•CareerDevelopmentCenter:EmployerRelationsCoordinator.74%FTEwithnouniversitymedicalbenefits.

•Communications:Webcontenteditorandsupportspecialist.Full-timewitheligibilityforuniversitybenefits.

•PhysicalPlant:GeneralCraftsman(carpentry,painting,windows).Full-timehourlywithfulluniversitybenefitpackage.

•AdvancementServices:Full-timesalariedpositionwithfulluniversitybenefitpackage.

•LibraryTechnologySpecialist:NicholsonLibrary,full-time,withfulluniversitybenefitpackage.

•AssociateAccountant:Full-time,hourlypositionwithfulluniversitybenefitpackage.

Submit an application to the Assistant Director of Human Resources, Decker Hall Room 10, Anderson University, 1100 East 5th Street, Anderson, IN 46012, kayoung@anderson.edu. Persons with an application on file may call (765) 641-4132 to express an interest in these positions.

The Brandisa Tour Concert: Friday,April11,7:00pmatWhiteRiverChristianChurchinNoblesville.AneveningwithBrandonHeathandMandisa.Twouniqueartists.Oneamazingliveexperience.Groupsbuy12ormoreatonetimeandget2freetickets.SponsoredbyAwakeningEvents,WQMEandFoodfortheHungry.Tickets available at iTickets.com or (800) 965-9324.

Linville Counseling - Trained and Understanding Counselors:LinvilleServicesProfessionalCounselingprovidesakind,non-judgmentalandhonestatmospheretodeveloppersonalemotionalrelationalandmentalpotential.For more information, visit linvilleservices.com or call (765) 642-1853 to schedule an appointment.

possibilitiesforthefuture.Wehavefacedfinancialchallengesbeyondourimagination.Wehavewitnessedpastoralandstafftransitions.InthemidstofallthechangeGodhasbeenconstantandthepeopleofGodhavebeencourageous.TheBoardofElderswelcomesWayneBollenbacherandKentKramerasournewestmembers.Mr.Bollenbacherisoneofournon-residentElderswholivesinOklahomaCitywhereheservesastheDirectorofFinance,BudgetandHumanResourcesforCrossingsCommunityChurchinOklahomaCity.WayneisalsoaBoardMemberforServantSolutionsInc.,whereheserveswithothers,“toimprovethefinancialsecurityforservantsoftheChurchofGod.”KentKrameristheSeniorVicePresidentandChiefOperatingOfficerGoodwillIndustriesofCentralIndiana,Inc.,whereheoverseesmanycompassionatecommunityservices.KentandJameiandtheirfourchildren(Megan,

Jak,GabbyandSusie)aredeeplycommittedtoMadisonParkChurchofGod.TheBoardofEldershassomegoodnewstoshare.DavidWhitmoyerreportsthatMarkWaterfill,thePresidentofMadisonParkSeniorLiving,LLC,hasofferedtopurchase16acresoflandatMadisonParksouthof67thstreetandeastofProvidenceDrivetodevelopaseniorlivingcomplex.Theproposed$14Mdollardevelopmentistoincludeindependentlivinggardenhomeswithgaragesandamainsinglestorybuildingwithupto74assistedlivingunits,34memorycareunitsand12independentlivingapartments.Amenitieswillincludeafullservicerestaurantthatwillbeopentothepublic,anicecreamparlor,exerciseequipmentdesignedforusebyseniors,activityroom,beautyandbarbershop,theaterroomandgolfgreen.MadisonParkSeniorLivingisprojectedtohaveupto45employees,halfbeingnursesandotherhealthcareprofessionals.MPSLisprojectedtobreakgroundinJune2014andbecompletedinearly2015.Whilethe

nameofthefacilitywillbeMadisonParkSeniorLiving,LLC,itwillhavenoformalconnectiontoMadisonParkChurchofGodotherthansharingthesitewithus.”PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow.OnMarch31,2014IconcludemytermofserviceasanElder.Iwanttoexpressaspecialwordofthankstoourstaff.Whilethewindsofchangehaveblownourstaffhasharnessedtheturbulenceandtransferredtheenergyforgood.IthasbeenaprivilegetoservewithElderswhohavedemonstrateddiligenceregardinggovernancewithacompassionatespirituality.IthasbeenanhonortoserveGodandMadisonParkChurchofGodinthiscapacity.OnbehalfoftheBoardofEldersIwanttothankyouforyourconstantprayersandconsistentstewardship.Withoutyourgenerosityourmissionwouldfalterbutwithyoursupportourfutureisbright.

Share your thoughts on this article; visit the blog and leave a

comment at MadisonParkChurch.org.

Good News from the Elders Continued from page 1

—4—

Student MinistriesContinued from page 3