MBC Newsletter - February 2008

Greetings in Christ;

Our AWANA key verse is 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Praise God the opportunities to be a growing disciple and to disciple others abound in the life of our church. The Sunday evening discipleship series "The Peacemaking Church" is a rich Bible teaching, growing time. Come join us, respond verbally to Jay's questions and challenges. Paul taught Timothy and I trust you also, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." What reliable person(s) are you entrusting God's Word to, who will then disciple others? God has blessed me the past 6 months to be in a coaching relationship with Her Rimmer. We have met almost every week for prayer, Bible Study (Promise Keeper Bible Study), and outreach ministry/evangelism. Praise God, I have learned much from God and Herb. Herb, as you know, is one of our Servant Leaders in training. I just started a month ago having a coaching relationship with Tony Smith. Tony works in the education department at Crossroads Mission. Tony and I are also having a very rich and meaningful discipleship time each week. I am learning much about recovery that applies directly to my walk with Jesus. Jay Vance, Fred Orcutt and Bob Olson also have a coaching relationship going at this time with men in our church family. We must live out these commands of God in I and II Timothy. Please speak to me if you have an interest in being a coach or being in a coaching relationship. Discipleship means honesty, transparency, learning, studying, having specific assignments, and going out and doing ministry/evangelism, so you can actually model for the other person(s) how to do the work of the ministry. The coaching process should take at least 6 months and maybe longer. The goal is for the one being coached to then become a coach themselves. Both the coach and the one being coached learn and grow together from God, His Word and each other.

Praise God for our three new Deacons/Servant Leaders in training. For the marvelous work Jozlyn Davis and Judy Amick are doing in the preschool, our Bible teachers/small group leaders on Sunday and throughout the week, our sound and computer people, our continued excellent work to improve our buildings and grounds, for the new beds, toys, furniture, video monitoring system for the preschool areas, for the insulation in the fellowship hall ceiling and the west wall, for 25 new tables, and 150 padded, folding chairs, new emergency lights for the auditorium, new sink in one of the children's bathrooms, etc.

Praise God for the $12,562.50 for International Lottie Moon Mission Offering, the largest amount given by our church ever. I have been part of an assessment done by the North American Mission Board of our church and Yuma Southern Baptist Association. Jay and I will be attending a three-day small-group training seminar this month at Saddleback Community Church north of San Diego. Pray for us. I am praying with and for you. GOD'S OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND, WILL YOU DO IN HIM, CONTINUE TO JOIN HIM WHERE HE IS WORKING? I say "Yes, Lord". What do you say?

Glory to God,
Pastor Gilbert

January was another great month here at Morningside for our music and multimedia ministries. What a blessing it is for me to be able to work with such a great group of people! Thanks to all our soloists, praise team members, musicians, and multimedia personnel who work together to glorify God in our public worship experiences.

On Sunday, Feb. 3, the MBC Crosswalk Youth Band will be leading music during the morning worship service. These young people have been working very hard over the past weeks to prepare for this opportunity; please take a moment to let them know their efforts are appreciated.

The MBC Choir is hard at work on a special musical presentation for Easter entitled, "Because He Lives." Thank you to all the choir members for your faithful attendance at rehearsals for the next couple of months as we prepare to minister to God and to the congregation on Resurrection Sunday, Mar. 23. A special thank you to Doristine Vicks, who now serves as communicating secretary for the choir.

If you love music and can carry a tune, we would love to have you in the choir. Please contact me for more information.

Looking forward to worshipping with you in the coming month. May God richly bless you in every way!

Pastor Jay

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me" Matthew 16:24

Crosswalk Student Ministries is gearing up for another busy year! We are starting off with the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention's annual Snow Blast conference in Show Low the weekend of January 25th-27th. There will be ten students and three leaders attending.

Also, on February 3rd the Northcutts are hosting this year's youth Super Bowl party at their home. We will be meeting at the church and driving over together. Don't forget to invite your friends!

Youth leaders and peer leaders will be headed to Scottsdale in March for a great day of training hosted by Youth Specialties. We will be attending the Core leadership training. Don't forget to sign up!

Crosswalk Student Ministries is still averaging 15 students on Wednesday and 20 on Sunday mornings. Please be in prayer for our students and the difficulties that being a teenager presents them with every day.

The new year-round fundraising effort is still going on. In order for it to work we do need your support. Don't forget to stop by the youth table in the foyer and purchase your gift cards for the week on Sundays! As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to talk to me!

In Christ,

Pastor James

Our last WOW breakfast was on Saturday, January 5, 2008. Carol Vance was our breakfast hostess - good job, Carol. Joan Orcutt introduced our guest speakers, missionaries Pat and Joe Gregory. They are involved with "Southern Baptist Campers On Missions". Their report was very informative and interesting. Cheryl Geitzen, Lynda Berge and Shirley Roedder brought our music. Audrey Ray brought the devotional and closed with prayer requests and prayer.

The next WOW breakfast will be on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Linda Henry will be our breakfast hostess. Our program will be led by Karn Bennett. Karn is very talented in arts and crafts. She will show some of her art work and challenge us to make something she has for us. Should be fun and challenging. Music will be provided by Judy Noble. Joan Orcutt will give a missions report and Audrey Ray our devotional. Come join us - this is a special time when the ladies of Morningside gather for fun, fellowship, praise and prayer.

The WOW Bible study group meets every Thursday at 2:00 pm. We have one more week of "Daniel". On Thursday, January 31st, we will start a new study by Beth Moore in the book of Psalms. We meet in the conference room (next to thepPastor's office). Come and join us.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the breakfast.

Helen Holbrook

We are off to a good start this year. The New Members meal was well attended and again we would like to welcome all our new members to the church family. Thank you Herb and Connie Rimmer for fixing a delicious meal, and thanks go to Bob and Naomi for helping them. I welcome my newest member, Doristine Vicks. She was there and working very hard and she will be a great addition to our team.

We have a lot of exciting events planned throughout the year and we are hoping you all plan to attend the great fellowship and food each month.

We still have a lot of cookbooks to sell. If anyone is interested in buying a cookbook, please see me or Connie Rimmer or just stop in the office and tell Barbara that you would like to buy a cookbook.

If you have left a casserole dish or pot or pan anytime during a pot luck, you need to see me, Connie Rimmer or Naomi Olson so that we can get that cabinet cleared out. If not claimed, all dishes will be donated to charity. We do not have the space in the kitchen to keep all these dishes. Please make an effort to come and get any dish that you may have left behind,

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our next New Members meal. Remember any new member from November through January who has not enjoyed a free meal yet, we invite you to come. These meals are for everyone, and we encourage all to attend and welcome our new members and fellowship with the old.

If anyone is interested in joining the kitchen team, please see me.

We wish you all God's blessings.

The Kitchen Team.

NEW MEMBERS LUNCHEON WOODEN NICKEL PROGRAM

This year will be all new for free lunches. When you pay for your lunch at the door, the ladies will give you back a wooden nickel. After you have collected 5 of them, bring them back and turn them in for a free lunch. You must hang on to them. Lost nickels will not be replaced. Save them up and bring a neighbor or friend to lunch.

We have lots of great meals planned for 2008. We look forward to serving you and fellowshipping with you. See you in January.

NEW MEMBERS LUNCHEON CALENDAR

February: Beef stroganoff, green beans, salad, dinner rolls, strawberry shortcake.
March: Corned beef & cabbage, carrots and potatoes, dinner rolls, cake
April: Hawaiian pork, red potatoes, stewed tomatoes, dinner rolls, pineapple upside-down cake.
May: Lasagna, mixed veggies, salad, garlic bread, tiramisu.
June: We will be celebrating Juneteenth with our African American family members, celebrating the emancipation of slaves in Texas. The menu will be done by Doris Vicks and we will be having spareribs, tamale pie, salad, sweet potato pie.
July: Picnic time: Southern fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon mixture for desert.
August: Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, ice cream.
September: Shepherd's pie, fruit salad, dinner rolls, cake.
October: Meat loaf, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, broccoli & cauliflower mix, dinner rolls, pudding with wafer cookies.
No November or December lunch, but in December we will be having a "Jesus' Birthday Party" dinner. WATCH FOR DETAILS IN THE BULLETIN. PLAN AND DON'T MISS THIS ONE.

THANK YOU,
GOD BLESS,
LINDA HENRY AND THE KITCHEN TEAM