The army of the Lord is the only army that advances on its knees! I don’t know who originally said that, but it

has been used numerous times in different ways and is challengingly true. In forty years of ministry I have seen and experienced that the greatest victories in life and ministry come through prayer.Recently, I had the chance to return to the place where one of my greatest spiritual victories occurred. I had been in ministry a half dozen years and reached the end of my spiritual resources as a church planter. Feeling beat up, knocked down, and ready to give in, the spiritual battle had left me totally depleted. That week I was scheduled to attend a seminar which I had helped plan, but knew what I needed worse was to get alone with God. For three days I prayed and

fasted crying out to the Father for help and strength to continue. He met me in this little cabin in the woods. I wasn’t the same man when I left because of the victory that followed for weeks, months, even years. As I stood at that cabin once again, I thanked God for that triumph given. I don’t think those who planned that seminar ever forgave me for missing their event, but I would not have stayed in ministry had it not been for that time alone with God.Are you moving forward with God? What I am asking is this, do you find yourself moving through the hard times with the Lord’s counsel, comfort, power, and peace? That’s what prayer is all about. It is walking and talking with our Father in Heaven. It is knowing He desires a personal relationship with you and He never intended for you to take this journey in life alone, without Him.

Moving Forward on KneesDon Smith, Interim Senior Associate Pastor

biweekly weavings of the community at Madison Park Church of God—November 5, 2014

October–December Beneficiary: Dove Harbor

Make a purchase at Holy Grounds and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Madison Park Church’s ongoing missions work in Russia.Come early or linger after the Sunday worship services to enjoy conversation and refreshments. Visit MadisonParkChurch.org to view the full menu.

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

Worship ServicesSUNDAY9:00am - A blend of traditional and contemporary music, prayer, and teaching from God’s Word.10:45am - Features a praise band with distinctively modern edge and teaching from God’s Word.Classes are offered for all ages at 9:00am and 10:45am. For details, check out the Ministries Guide at MadisonParkChurch.org/ministries or pick up a copy at Grand Central.

The holiday season offers opportunities for MPC-goers to minister to the community in a variety of ways. Local ministries and agencies provide clothing and food items for families in the Anderson area. Many MPC-goers and staff freely give of their time and energy to minister outside MPC walls. Ali Robinson, Early Childhood Coordinator shares her newly found opportunity and passion.Have you ever felt God calling you? Pursuing you? Asking you to do more? Well, a little over a year ago, I felt God calling me, asking me to do more. At the time, I already had a full plate. I was a wife, a new mom, and working part-time. I couldn’t imagine adding anything more to my

already-full plate, but I felt God calling me to do more and, if “more” was part of His plan for me, then I would follow.Last year JJ Wilson invited leaders from various churches to help the teachers and

staff at Killbuck welcome the new kindergarteners to the school. Paula Spear and I stepped forward and joined what became known as the “Killbuck Brigade.” It was then that I first felt God calling me to serve Killbuck Kindergarten Extension.Over the next few months God

continued to pursue me, asking me to do more. So, I followed His prompting and this year I’ve not only become the

#calledtoserve at Killbuck

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Lindsay Beemer, Shaiya Badgley, MPC Elementary Coordinator, Ali Robinson, MPC Early Childhood

Coordinator, Tisha Schultz.

The Chance of a LifetimeNew sermon seriesJesus said more about money than just about any other topic. Clearly it is an important issue – and a touchy one! Deep down, we know it is not a matter of what we earn, but how we manage what we earn that shows our ultimate priorities. Join us as Pastor Rolland leads an in-depth study focused on the adventure of giving. As we examine the connection between our wallets and our hearts, we’ll learn how money management is a powerful tool for shaping character. We will discover how giving is as much a part of spiritual growth as prayer and Bible study and we’ll learn about the rewards of cultivating wise financial habits and generous hearts.

Download the Madison Park AppIntroducing the Madison Park Church of God App!Download the free app in the App Store and Google Play. Search for Madison Park Church of God

• Stay current on ministry NEWS and Special EVENTS, like the Dove Harbor Dessert Auction and share the event with your friends on Social Media.

• Find instant access to MEDIA and watch messages directly from the app.

• You can also GIVE financially to Madison Park using the App. Just create a secure profile and you can give one-time or reoccurring gifts.

• And there’s MORE, you can Submit a Prayer Request, see the menu for Lighthouse Café and find Links to our ministry partners.

Operation Christmas ChildNow through November 16, Drop off in The CommonsDiscover the power of a simple gift by reaching out to children in difficult circumstances around the globe. Fill a shoebox with items such as small toys, toiletries, hard candy, and school supplies. Drop off shoeboxes in The Commons through November 16. Be sure to include $7 for shipping and handling. More at www.samaritanspurse.org. Contact: Sandy McCurdy at (765) 683-1435.

Heartland Big Band Swingin’ Christmas CabaretSaturday, December 6 at 7:00pm in The CommonsThe Heartland Big Band brings in the yuletide season with swinging renditions of the holiday classics that will keep toes tappin’ thru the New Year!

Enjoy new music and special guest artist and jazz violinist, Cathy Morris. Enjoy classics favorites such as “Jingle Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Waltz,” “Let It Snow” and the ever popular Nutcracker Suite, as only the HBB can perform it. Join HBB and their guests for a great evening of Christmas music in a cabaret setting!

Tickets available at the Church Offices, in The Commons, and at HeartlandBigBand.org

A Christmas CarolIndiana’s longest running, live musical production of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale.

Dinner Theatre: Thursday, December 11 at 6:30pmEnjoy a festive catered dinner followed by a spectacular performance of A Christmas Carol. Reservations required. Tickets: $22.00. Outlets: Grand Central and the Church Office.

Performances: Friday–Sunday, December 12–14 at 7:00pmSaturday Matinee: December 13 at 3:00pmAdmission is free. Open seating. Doors to the Main Auditorium open 30 minutes prior. An offering will be received to benefit Dove Harbor women’s shelter.

Gold Circle Tickets are available for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening performances. Enjoy premium reserved seating for $10. Tickets on sale: October 20. Tickets outlets: Grand Central, Church Office, and online at iTickets.com. Seating is limited.

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8 www.samaritanspurse.org 1-800-353-5949 Operation Christmas Child

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News You Can UseDove Harbor Benefit at Texas Roadhouse: Friday, December 19 from 11:00am-2:00pm Enjoy watching the MPC staff and special guests host and serve you! Bring family, friends and office staff groups. All tips will be donated to Dove Harbor. Contact: Deanna Zimmer at (765) 642-1853.Women’s Volleyball: Thursdays from 7:00pm-9:00pm in Cross Street Gym All women, age 14 and up, are invited to enjoy physical exercise and fellowship on the volleyball court, every Thursday starting November 6. Contact: Melanie Denniston. Adult Baptism Class: Two Options: Wednesday, November 5 at 6:30pm in Room 177 and Sunday, November 9 at 10:45am. Anyone thinking about baptism or planning to be baptized on Sunday, November 16 is encouraged to attend one of the class options. Sign-up options: Online, call the Church Office, or stop by the table in The Commons on Sundays, October 26 or November 2.Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, November 5 from 5:30-6:30pm in The Commons. MPC Parish Nurses conduct a free blood pressure screening for MPC-goers and community friends. Contact: Sonia Smythe or Lynn Simpson.S.A.L.T.: Sundays at 6:00pm in Room 175. S.A.L.T. (Single Adults Living Truth) returns from summer break with its Sunday gathering. The current study, Single and Satisfied, by Tony Evans kicks-off the 2014 Fall /Winter semester. All singles are invited. Enjoy bible study, fellowship and social activities. Facilitator: Don Wilson. Contact: Wanda Anderson at (765) 620-4607.Church in the Middle: Sundays at 10:45am in Room 175. The Christian Growth Class is using Pastor Rolland Daniels’ new book Church in the Middle as a guide to explore the importance of making connections outsite of the church walls to reach the world for Christ. The class is open to everyone. Contact: Jackie Corn, Administrative Assistant, Spiritual Formation.

Children’s MinistriesGather Around the Table: Wednesdays, 6:30pm- 8:00pm, Children’s Wing. Celebrate and give thanks together. Helping kids understand the importance of showing gratitude, to God and others. Learning how to live out Hebrews 13:16 by doing well and sharing with others. Contact: Shaiya Badgley, Elementary Age Coordinator.

Student MinistriesALL YOUTH EVENTS:• Indiana State Youth Convention:

November 7-9 in Indianapolis. • Christmas Caroling: December 10

IMPACT—Junior High Ministries: • Fall Teaching Focus: Huge Hearts:

Matthew 5:43-48, Following the teaching of Jesus, students will be challenged to Love All and have Huge Hearts for the Kingdom.• Sundays at 10:45am in Crossroads

Auditorium. • Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45pm in Room 176-

178. • Christmas Party: December 17. Multi-

generational party in The CommonsIGNITE—Senior High Ministries: • Fall Teaching Focus: THRIVE: Ephesians

3:14-21. Wednesday nights from 6:00-8:00pm in Crossroads Auditorium

• STW OFFERING: for video Projectors/Church of God India project, each week at Ignite!

• Bible Studies:• Sundays at 9:00am in room 180• Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30pm at

Williamson’s Home • Ignite Christmas Party: Wednesday,

December 17 from 6:00-8:00pm in Crossroads Auditorium.

Opportunities to ServeStephen Ministry Training: MPC’s Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community. If you are drawn to help people in their time of need, please consider attending the Training Sessions to begin in January. Contact: Nancy McCafferty at (765) 644-1472.Connections Volunteer Opportunities: Looking to get better connected at Madison Park? Serving on one of the Connections Teams might be just the ticket! Check ‘em out: • Greeter Teams • Parking Valet Team • Lighthouse Café Servers and Attendants • Information Center Team • Holy Ground Coffee Bar Team • Hospitality Host/Hostess • Athletics TeamsContact: Pastor Shelly Stottlemyer at the Church Office for more information.

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:Pam and Don Taylor on the loss of her father, Tennis Lewis on Tuesday, October 14.Carl Jones, Rhonda and Bobby Boston, Meg Fields and Molly Seth Bays on the loss of their wife, mother and grandmother, Sue Jones on Friday, October 17.Mark and Beth Shirley on the loss of his grandmother, Mary Susan Harrison on Thursday, October 23.

Community and Ministry Partner News

Christian Center Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser: Friday, November 7

from 11:00am – 2:00pm, 2115 S. Scatterfield Road in Anderson.

The Christian Center is holding a fund raiser at

Texas Roadhouse. Enjoy a delicious lunch and be served by local celebrities, including MPC’s own Rolland Daniels, Shelly Stottlemyer, and Natalie Farmer. All tips support the hungry, hurting and homeless

of Madison County. Contact: The Christian

Center at (765) 649-4264.

Employment Opportunity at Anderson University: Part Time

Administrative Assistant for Student Life - Assistant Dean of Students (Residence and Housing). Part-Time (53% FTE) hourly position with limited university benefit package. 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 this position.

Lighthouse Café

Enjoy a freshly prepared meal and mini-salad bar in The Commons: Wednesdays from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. Cost: Adults-$7, Children and students with ID-$5. Maximum of $25 up to 7 people, $5 per each additional person.

Nov. 5: Loaded Baked Potato Soup / Kids’ Option: Grilled Cheese and Chips

Nov. 12: Beef and Noodles Kids’ Option: Beef and Noodles

Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00pm in the Hospitality Room

Explore Madison Park provides the essential information you need to know before calling Madison Park Church your church home. The class answers questions such as who we are, what we believe, and our church membership process in a relaxed, fun, and interactive format. You’ll meet others who are on the same journey as you and begin the process of getting connected. Find details or sign-up in the Hospitality Room or online at MadisonParkChurch.org. Contact: Shelly Stottlemyer, Pastor of Connection Ministries.

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Stephen Ministry TrainingMPC’s Stephen Ministry is a

program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing

all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community. If you are drawn to help people in their time of need, please consider attending

the Training Sessions in January. Contact: Nancy McCafferty at

(765) 644-1472.

coordinator for the Brigade but have taken on the role of Killbuck Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Representative. The Brigade represents three other churches in our community who volunteer their time throughout the school year to serve at Killbuck.We also strive to bless the teachers and staff at Killbuck each month by sending cards, small gifts, words of encouragement and prayers for them! It’s been a great way to show the staff that we love and support their ministry to the families of Killbuck. The teachers at Killbuck are amazing leaders in the school corporation. ACS has had a rough couple of years, but I believe they are headed in the right direction because of

these teachers who love and encourage children each day! We at MPC are called to serve this community! We have phenomenal teachers from ACS who attend church here at Madison Park that stand in the gap each day to help students learn and grow!One of the ways we are partnering with ACS this year is to provide Thanksgiving meals to 19 families from Killbuck. We are packaging a Thanksgiving feast for each family that will be distributed the week of Thanksgiving. We are excited to be the hands and feet of Jesus this holiday season and give back to the community! As a team we will be collecting can goods and preparing desserts and goods for the meals.I have been so blessed by serving at Killbuck this year, and I am extremely thankful for the Brigade Volunteers! We

have seen the need, and now we must step forward to help! I am asking each person from MPC to pray for Anderson Community Schools as they are seeing great transition in their school system. Please also continue to pray for ACS teachers, staff, administration, and volunteers who love and serve this community each day.It is our hope, that through the generosity of MPC families, we can collect enough to fill the needs of many, many local families. Grocery bags and labels with items to donate are available at the display in The Commons.For more information, contact Paula Spear, Children’s Ministries Pastor or Ali Robinson, Early Childhood Coordinator.

Even Jesus prayed!If the Son of God prayed while here on earth, who are we to think we don’t need to be serious and intentional about prayer? Jesus gave priority to prayer. On one occasion, after a full day of ministry late into the night, Jesus arose early the next morning while the others slept and got away to be with the Father (Mark 1:35). There was something so dynamic about his praying that the disciples noticed it as being different from what they had learned in the synagogue growing up and asked him to teach them to pray. He told them, “When you pray say, (Abba) Father in heaven.” Abba was a personal word for father in their language much like our word, “Daddy.” When you pray, God invites you to be very open, honest, and personal with Him. You need not be afraid to pray and talk with God.How can prayer help you when you feel you have reached the end of your personal resources in coping with life’s overwhelming demands? Consider these four ways.Prayer puts you in touch with the counsel of God.People who seldom pray are surprised to learn that God, who created the universe, wants to provide guidance to anyone who will seek His will. In the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, he tells them to ask, Give us our daily bread and Lead us not into temptation. He is instructing his followers to seek the counsel of Almighty not only for their basic needs but for wisdom and guidance in all they do. God desires to share this earthly journey with you.

Prayer provides comfort in your darkest hours.The disciples learned that in the Upper Room just hours before Jesus was crucified. Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe in me, Jesus said (John 14:1). Later, during their final hours he promises to send the Comforter (the paraclete = one who walks alongside us). The Holy Spirit of God is your companion for those times when it seems there is no one else who cares and understands. The Apostle Paul said that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26). Your Heavenly Father does not want you ever to feel you are all alone. He wants you to hear His words to the people of Israel when they were going through devastating times, Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10)There is power in prayer.The Bible gives endless testimony to the power of prayer. Such power is beyond comprehension. There is no magical formula and there are no limitations to what God can do. In an instant your prayers of intercession can be unleashing God’s power of protection to someone on the other side of the world. I cannot explain it but I have experienced it. Many years ago I was awakened from my sleep one night with a vision of an emergency room trauma team surrounding a patient on a bed. It was obvious there was a battle for life and death going on. I squeezed through that team of specialists to see who was on the table and recognized the person as a key religious figure in our country. I cried out to the Lord, “Oh no,

Lord, not him! Please don’t let him die. We need him too much here. Please heal him!” All that day my heart was troubled and whenever I thought of that vision in the night I prayed earnestly for him, not knowing if he was indeed in physical trouble. It wasn’t until the next day that I heard over Christian radio that this person did have a life threatening heart attack. He did recover and serves the Lord to this day as a strong voice for the Lord. This was not about me but about the power of prayer. God had summoned a number of intercessors from around the world to pray for this Christian leader. I can’t explain it, but there is great power in prayer.Through prayer you can experience peace. Again, Paul the Apostle instructs us to pray and the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6 7). This peace is not an absence of conflict nor the presence of abundance. It is the promise of strength and assurance that God is in control and is with you no matter the circumstance.How can you experience this kind of prayer in your life?Do you really need to get down on your knees? Yes and no! When you are on your knees the position is a reminder that you are submitting yourself to the Ruler of the universe. You humble yourself before the One who invites you to pray intimately with him. Billy Graham shares, however, “It is not the body’s posture, but the heart’s attitude that counts when we pray.” That is the meaning of moving forward on your knees. That’s how God’s army advances rather than surrender in defeat.

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Moving Forward on Knees Continued from page 1

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#calledtoserve at Killbuck Continued from page 1