mzwc.office@gmail.com . www.mtzionwesleyanchurch.com

FOOD DRIVEMarch 6 - Manwich

March 13th - Applesauce

COLORING BOOKSMicah Rhoads and his grandma, Julie

Rogers, are collecting coloring books/activity books for kids facing outpatient surgery.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Stores are already making room for their spring items, so pick up a bunch of hats/gloves on clearance. Shoeboxes are sent

all over the world and some who receive

them live in very harsh winter climates.

March2016

I think we can all agree that no one likes suffering. Yet, it is a part of life that each of us must endure from time to time. There are many kinds of suffering — physical illness and pain, emotional stress, financial crisis, spiritual famine of the soul, etc. Much of our suffering is beyond our personal control. We don’t know who might survive a heart attack or cancer. We don’t know who can find their way out of financial ruin. We don’t know who will find peace to sustain them through heartache and grief. As individuals, we are all unique and we respond differently to life’s challenges.

In the midst of suffering, it is not uncommon to ask God “why” — why me — why now — why this? Many Christians seem to believe that if they embrace faith in God, they have an “insurance policy” against anything harmful coming into their lives. They embrace the concept that God loves us and desires only good things in our lives. That’s true — however, there is a “but” following that concept, and it’s a big one. “BUT” we live in a fallen world where there is sin! As a result, there are diseases, world crisis, crime, hatred, lack of reverence for life — the list of the consequences of sin could go on and on. It rains on the just and the unjust. We can’t predict when and where disasters will strike, so

we pray for God’s protection every day in every situation.

Unfortunately, much of human suffering is brought on by our own design. When broken relationships are not mended, there is heartache. When people are motivated by greed, ruined lives are left in the wake. Addictions, unfaithfulness, lust, gossip, and selfishness are only a few of the idols of the heart and mind that lead to self-inflicted suffering. Instead of taking responsibility for our own shortcomings, we often question “why” God caused these awful things to happen! Clearly, God does not “cause” our problems, but He often allows challenges to come into our lives so that we might grow in wisdom and faith.

When we speak with Christians who have experienced suffering in their lives, they often have a beautiful testimony of how they drew closer to God during their time of difficulty. They were aware of God’s presence in their lives in ways they have never seen before. At such times, we come to realize that it is God who gives us strength and courage to face each new obstacle. God brings us hope and peace — even when healing never comes. While no one enjoys the suffering, most of us treasure all that God shows us in the midst of our trials.

Strength in Suffering

March“Give Back”

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theReporterVolume 13 Issue 3

Prayer BreakfastMeet at Stack’s Restaurant on Thursday, March 3rd, at 8a for a time of prayer and fellowship.

Blue Hippo PlayThe Senior High group of Blue Hippo Productions will present the play “Long Story Short” on Wednesday, March 16th, at 7p. All Wednesday evening groups will be set aside that night so everyone can attend. You will see and hear the entire story of the Bible in one short hour. You will laugh and be moved by this performance, so make plans to attend and bring a friend!

BYF “2nd Helpings” LunchThe “2nd Helpings” lunch is Thursday, March 10th, at 11:30a. Pulled pork sandwiches and mac-n-cheese are on the menu. Sign up on the bulletin board.

Easter Cantata Practice/LunchAll those who are a part of the Easter Cantata will have a pitch-in lunch on Sunday, March 13th, following the morning service. Practice will follow.

January Giving/ExpensesTotal Income $17,939.90Total Expenses $18,578.88

Extra/Unexpected ExpensesParsonage Shower $3,507.71

Last Month’s Attendance 2/7 2/14 2/21 2/28Sunday School 63 71 64 65Morning Worship 177 208 174 173Midweek Average: 40

The Bible gives us many examples of those who triumphed through their suffering. Joseph told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. (Gen 50:20) David gave this testimony, “My comfort in my suffering is this — your promise preserves my life. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psalm 119:50, 67) Paul tells us, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor 4:17) And of course, Jesus suffered more than any of us can possibly understand, knowing that God had a plan and a purposefor it all.

As much as we are assured that God loves us and desires good for our lives, we must accept the reality that we will face suffering along life’s way. How we cope with times of trial is up to us. God’s word gives us direction when facing adversity. The Holy Spirit is there to comfort and to guide. Know that even when we are broken, there is hope. God can take the splinters and the broken pieces of our lives and put us back together even stronger and more resilient than we were before. Going through the storms of life can strengthen us — refine us — transform us. And in the process of renewing our lives, we will learn more about the character of our amazing God.

If any of you are going through a difficult time in your life, may you find comfort in the presence of God. May you be keenly aware of all that He is doing in your life to comfort you and give you peace. If we must go through times of suffering, let us learn from it all that God would have us know. “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice also in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Rom. 5:3-5)

- Gay Sabo

Ladies Book ClubOn the evening of February 22nd, the Mt. Zion Ladies Book Club met in Van Cise Hall. Our bimonthly book discussion took place after a meal of taco rings with all the fixins’, home frozen corn, veggies with dip, corn chips with salsa, strawberry pretzel salad, and peach slab pie.

The ladies all sang praises for the book “Someday Home” by Lauraine Snelling. It was a heartwarming story that celebrates how life-changing friendships can be found in all seasons of life. Another theme of the book was that of forgiveness. Each of the three main characters in the book had to heal from life-altering calamities such as divorce, death of a spouse, and caring for a controlling parent who left her out of a will.

Lynn Lundberg lived in a spectacular lake home which was the epicenter of extended family activity. However, her husband had

Strength in Suffering continued . . .

Continued on last page . . .

50 boxes of pudding/jello21 jars of jelly

Thank You!Last month, we collected . . .

31 jars of peanut butterupdate

Faith Promise GivingThank you for giving so faithfully last year to support our missionary families. If you have any questions regarding your commitment made at last year’s missions conference, you can see Julie Rogers, Missions Board Treasurer.

Emergency Relief FundThe Wesleyan Church is collecting monetary donations to help the people in the Flint, Michigan area. Their water supply is contaminated with lead. Although bottled water is now in use for drinking, cooking, and bathing, test kits and replaceable filters are needed in every household. Replacement cartridges for water filters are needed ($30 each) and can only be used for 100 gallons before needing to be replaced. Water test kits ($12 each are also needed.

East Michigan District Superintendent R. Meeks said, “. . . this is our opportunity as Wesleyans to become the hands and feet of Jesus.” Also, pray for Flint families as they cope with this crisis.

Donations for the Flint, MI water disaster will be used totally for materials and support of volunteers as they go door to door. If you want to help, please give to the Mt. Zion Missions Board with a note in the memo line for Flint Water Disaster.

nd the WorldMissi ns News“We must be global Christians with a global vision

because our God is a global God.” ~ John Stott

February Missions GivingGlobal Partners

Faith Promise . $1000.02JESUS Film (support) . $100

Mozambique Partnership . $100

Shunem Ministries . $100

Mt. Zion Benevolence Fund . $166.67

Hephzibah Ministries (sponsorship) . $90

Weekly Prayer Focus From Global Partners

Week 1 • Pray that Global Partners would continue to be committed to teams that are growing — passionately inspiring individuals and collective development.

Week 2 • Pray for the Global Partners missionaries serving in Asia. Pray for effectiveness of their ministries, for safety and security of the missionaries and their families, and for their continuing immersion in the local language and cultures.

Week 3 • Pray for four new missionary families that will be deployed this year.

Week 4 • Pray for our missionaries when they do partnership development. Pray for God to supply their needed prayer partner team and financial support team.

Week 5 • Pray for the current refugee crisis impacting all of Europe. Pray that this would be an opportunity to disciple Muslim immigrants.

1 . Numbers 14-15 Psalm 90 2 . Numbers 16-17 3 . Numbers 18-20 4 . Numbers 21-22 5 . Numbers 23-25 6 . Numbers 26-27 7 . Numbers 28-30 8 . Numbers 31-32 9 . Numbers 33-34 10 . Numbers 35-36 11 . Deuteronomy 1-2 12 . Deuteronomy 3-4 13 . Deuteronomy 5-7 14 . Deuteronomy 8-10 15 . Deuteronomy 11-13 16 . Deuteronomy 14-16 17 . Deuteronomy 17-20 18 . Deuteronomy 21-2319 . Deuteronomy 24-2720 . Deuteronomy 28-2921 . Deuteronomy 30-3122 . Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 9123 . Joshua 1-424 . Joshua 5-825 . Joshua 9-1126 . Joshua 12-1527 . Joshua 16-1828 . Joshua 19-2129 . Joshua 22-2430 . Judges 1-231 . Judges 3-5

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Mt. ZionClubhouseWednesday nights in March are going to be full of fun! We will have a couple of projects to encourage others, practice for the Easter play, watch the Blue Hippo performance of Long Story Short and finish the month playing games with the teens!

Children’s ChurchThe 1st–6th graders will remain in the Sunday worship service on March 20th for the Easter play and also on March 27th for our Easter service. Preschool classes will still be available on both of these Sundays.

Family Fun NightWe had a great turn out at Pizza King in February. It was a fun night of fellowship. Thank you Chari for the yummy dessert!

Our next Family Friday event will be Friday, March 25th. We will meet at Gibson’s Skating Rink at 7:30p. You pay for your skate rental and we will take care of admission. Come and skate the night away with your kids!

Parents Corner“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,it will be measured to you.”

Matthew 7:1-2

Have you ever found yourself saying things like, “I can’t believe they let their child get away with that?” Or, “I thought they raised them better than that”. Or even, “What were they thinking as parents?” Be careful when you make these kinds of judgements against other parents. We don’t always know the entire situation. We don’t see the times these parents have wept or cried out to God on behalf of their children. And far too often, when we make these kinds of judgements, we will soon find ourselves in a parenting situation that leaves us open to judgment by others.

It’s hard, as parents, to always do the right thing. To teach your children everything they need to know and how to behave and live a Godly life. And it’s impossible to expect them to always do things perfectly and always make the best choices. Why? Because these precious, beautiful children were born sinful. We don’t like to think that, but it’s true. And they are human and have freewill. And while exercising freewill has consequences, it can also be a good thing. Without ever making mistakes how will they learn to deal with difficulties and disappointments? We can’t pray for our children to be in a protective bubble from life or they will not know how to function as adults in this world we live in.

So, pray for your children and pray with them. Instruct them. Model to them how to follow God in all areas of their lives. And show grace and love to them when they make mistakes and bad choices. And while you’re at it, show some grace to those other parents out there. You never know, one day you might be the one who needs to be on the receiving end of that grace.

youth ministry

Friday . March 18thTickets are only $10 to see For King and Country, Matthew West, Sidewalk Prophets, Newsong and several more.

Sign up on the youth bulletin board if you want to go. We will leave the church at 4p that Friday and stop to eat on the way to Indy.

April 8th Youth Lock In . 7p-Midnight

May 6th-7thNever2Young at IWU for all current 6th-8th graders

died unexpectedly and left her lost in grief and solitude. She didn’t want to sell her big family home, but she couldn’t exist there on her own much longer. Then she heard of a new way of living. Single women share responsibilities as housemates. She felt this was her answer to her prayers especially when she met Judith Rutherford and Angela Bishop.

Chari Rhoads, our discussion leader, asked which character we most related to. That brought on a fury of intimate comments coming from personal experiences. There was both laughter and tears. One lady said she was like each of the characters in some respects.

In the end the ladies decided that forgiveness for those who hurt us is a must just like Jesus said. He is most willing to accept our burdens of hurt if we just give them to Him.

What an enjoyable evening! This bond of ladies has a common thread which is the love of reading Christian fiction! Oh, but it is so much more. Each one is a special child of God who, out of personal experiences, brings so much to the discussion table. Relaying those experiences helps both the teller and the listener.

There is always room for more at our meetings. Just come once and you will be hooked. Our March/April book selection is “Finding Me” by Kathryn Cushman.

- Sharon Huckeby

Ladies Book Club continued . . .

S E E C H U R C H W E B S I T E F O R M O R E D E TA I L S .

Kids Clubhouse - All kids, ages 2 years old-6th grade, are invited to join us as we continue our encouragement projects.

Youth Group - We are going to take a look at Bible verses that are often quoted, but also often misused.

Adults Choose from:Romans . (Glen Wilkinson) This study continues on the book of Romans.

Life Group(Steve & Debbie Johnson and Tim & Cindy Wilkinson) Parents of teens - come and join this group when you drop your kids off for youth group. (Anyone who is not in another Wednesday night group is also welcome to attend.) This group will discuss questions that dig deeper into the past Sunday’s sermon.

The Life of Joseph . (Chari Rhoads) This study will help us understand the relevance of Joseph’s experience to our own time. We will probe common moral, ethical, and social issues faced by both this iconic figure in the Bible and Christians today.

Wednesday GroupsNew Groups Begin March 2nd . 7p