churchhuh, yeah… what is it good · 2019. 7. 26. · walking - a year-long quest for spiritual...

Rev. Matthew Hudman Senior Minister

Matthewhudman01 @gmail.com

Rev. Carolyn Allen Associate Minister for Youth

[email protected]

Rev. David Finklea Assistant Minister -

Chain Reaction Ministries chainreactionministries

@gmail.com

Marilyn Duncan Choir Director

[email protected]

Deb Olsen-Busch Handbell Choir Director

Phillip Durham Organist

[email protected]

Delmarie Gilbreath Organist Emeritus

[email protected]

Mirtha Robbins Custodian

Teri Villoutreix Church Secretary

[email protected]

Candy Kepper Preschool Director

[email protected]

Church Office Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm

From Our Senior Minister Contact: Rev. Matthew Hudman [email protected] Church...huh, yeah… what is it good for? Unlike the Edwin Starr song, I sincerely hope that your answer is not “absolutely nothing.” Indeed, I hope that, were you to take a little time and think about it, you would have a whole list of things the church is “good for.” In other words, if you stopped and gave it some thought, I hope you would begin to see a number of aspects of Memorial Drive Christian Church for which you are grateful. Aspects of the people and ministries and ways of being church that positively - perhaps even substantially - benefit all aspects of your life. Spiritual, personal, communal, and so much more. One of the realities about gratefulness and gratitude, though, is that they are not passive verbs, even though too often we act as if they are. They are active verbs. Which means that gratefulness and gratitude take work and effort on our part. Otherwise, we tend to just glide along, rarely realizing the many things for which we are grateful and certainly not expressing our gratitude well or often enough. So during this next month, November, I ask you to do some of the work of being grateful. Starting this Sunday and lasting throughout the next month, you will have opportunities to share what you are grateful

for about MDCC. It might involve people or prayers, ministries or music, or any part of our life together as a community of faith. There will be slips of paper on the table in the Welcome Center for you to write down what you are grateful for and drop it in a basket. Or you can email me or Teri Villoutreix. You are welcome to sign your name, or you can leave your name off if you prefer to be anonymous. In the upcoming weeks, we will put the submissions into a slideshow that will play before worship each Sunday. At the end of the month, we will forward all of the responses to the Jubilee Visioning Committee as a helpful reminder to them about some of the parts of MDCC that matter most. One more thing. Meister Ekhart is famous, among other reasons, for his statement, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ it will be enough.” So as you do the work of recognizing and speaking the things about MDCC for which you are thankful, offer a prayer of thanks to God. And perhaps even ask God how you might be able to further contribute your own graces and gifts so that all of the things about MDCC that matter most to us may continue for those who will come after us. I give thanks to God for each of you, and for the many ways that you contribute to the life and ministries of this church. Peace, Matthew

The weather is finally beautiful, and we hope you are enjoying the cool autumn mornings and evenings. There are many church activities which we hope you are enjoying and participating in. The first “Teaching Haiti” computer class has just graduated 21 students on October 15! This has been a remarkable accomplishment. Our thanks to all who helped support a student. Hats off to Bertin Bail for his leadership along with Ron and Mary Williams for their tireless work in many difficult situations. Please remember to turn in your commitment of time, talent, and monetary pledge gifts for MDCC’s future if you have not already done so. Perhaps you got some sweet candy treats, baked goods, or hot dogs, along with interaction with church friends at the Cake Walk at our Trunk or Treat event. We need to stay connected with each other all year. Our sincere blessings to you all at this time, especially those recovering from flood waters and other challenges. In Christian Fellowship, Heidi Hudman and Maudeen Eccles

General Fund Income vs Expense

Cash Assets & Debt

Capital Campaign

Comments Our pledge income revived in September but is still down significantly from budgeted for the year. We are still doing OK but how the year will end up will depend a lot on how much we spend on maintenance & repair for the rest of the year. We are using Capital Campaign funds for some major repairs to minimize the impact. If you have any questions, please ask me at church or send an email to [email protected]. John E Lindley, Treasurer

September YTD YTD Budget

Pledged Income 32,144.88 285,619.58 304,119.00

Other Income 3,662.28 52,293.63 49,110.00

Expense 35,712.41 332,639.28 351,814.30

Balance 94.75 5,273.93 1,414.70

Txfer From DF 0.00 0.00 0.00

Final Balance 94.75 5,273.93 1,414.70

General

Fund

Checking 31,749.70

Liabilities & Amortized Inc, Exp 31,619.29

Savings (Charles Schwab) 36,818.37

Capital Campaign 118,786.71

Undesignated Memorial Funds 233,511.18

Designated Funds 95,472.50

Total 547,957.75

Mortgage Balance 623,464.87

Pledged 329,778.00

Received To Date 296,894.62

Other Income 136,933.44

Spent 315,041.35

Balance 118,786.71

Campaign ended May 31, 2017

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 26th.

The worship department will decorate the Sanctuary and Welcome Center for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, November 26, right after church. We would really appreciate your help to hang garlands, bring in the poinsettias and put up the Welcome Center tree. It is a fun time for all and it goes so quickly when many of us work together. A light lunch will be provided.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Thank you to all our youth and children for their participation and planning of the Trunk Or Treat, on October 22. Members and guests from the local area enjoyed all the activities.

We will not meet on Sunday, October 29 because of the woman’s retreat. On Sunday, November 5, we will discuss Chapter 12 in Surprised by Hope. We only have a few more Sundays left in this book. Our next book is The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus J. Borg. This is a class that loves discussions. Come join us! We would love to have you!

This discussion class is led by Joyce Stones and Patrick Gibbons. Our study is based on We Make the Road by Walking - A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation, by Brian D. McLaren. In his introduction, Mr. McLaren declares that we play a role in choosing and creating our futures – as individuals and as communities. We can make the road by walking. We want to explore new possibilities, develop unfulfilled potential, discover new resources to bless, inspire, and enliven. Come feel God call you to walk into the future with faith, hope, and love.

Wednesday Bible study meets on Wednesdays, at 10:00am, in the Philippi Room (Library). Everyone is invited to join the discussion led by Rev. Matthew Hudman.

YAC will resume meeting at 12:30pm, on Sundays.

Children’s Choir meets each Sunday morning at 10:00am.

Hope House/Kashmere Garden Fellowship Church Hope House had serious flood problems along with several of the families we serve. We have had a couple sessions in the park since the flood but have not been able to meet regularly. We have been trying to help families on an individual basis as needed. We plan on having church again next Sunday along with a fall festival with hot dogs, bounce house, etc. We have received many generous donations including new tables and chairs from an out of state donor. We want to thank MDCC for the car load of donations I have taken from our members. We don’t know yet how many families have been forced to leave the area. Before the flood we were averaging about 30 per week. We hope to continue to grow and get back to the after school program as soon as possible. Thanks again for all your gifts and prayers for this important ministry.

In Christ, Sue Hurst

Teaching Haiti Ron Williams and Bertin Bail came home last week after a successful week in Haiti. Twenty-one students completed a two-year computer technology course. Graduation was October 15, in Petit Goave, Haiti. Ron took lots of pictures for us to see. There were about 200 people at graduation! Bertin is starting a new class in mid-November. This class we are hoping can be more self sufficient and pay some tuition. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry.

East Spring Branch Food Pantry Thanksgiving Please take one or more Meal in a Bags from the Welcome Center and fill it with suggested food items. Bring it back to church on or before November 12. Donations benefit families in the local area.

Ministry Planning Team meets Sunday, November 5, at 12:15pm, in the Athens Room

Elders meet Tuesday, November 7, at 7:00pm, in the Fellowship Hall

Administrative Council meets Tuesday, November 14, at 7:00pm, in the Parlor

We meet have changed our schedule. We now meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month. All women are invited to work on hand-made projects, have coffee and sweets, and fellowship at 9:30am, in the Galilee Room.

Well, we are going to try again this month for Gospel Singers. We will meet at 1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall, on Tuesday, November 7. All are welcome to come and sing, or just listen, but I feel you will want to sing along (and tap your foot.) Join us for fun, singing, and fellowship. If you have any questions contact Elaine Cook.

There will be NO Keenagers meeting in November. Please plan on attending our December meeting as we will have the Singing Belles perform their Christmas Program. Everyone in the church is invited to attend. Further details on the December 7 meeting will be in next month's newsletter. If you have any questions please contact Charlene Cardwell or Elaine Cook.

Everyone is invited to join the discussion. November 8 book: The Spy, by Paulo Coelho. Linda Thompson will lead us.

December 13 book: The 13th Gift, by Joanne Hurst Smith. Marsha Smith will lead the discussion.

January book: Alice In Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll. Sally Lindley will lead the discussion.

Join us the second Wednesday of the month, at 11:00am in the Parlor.

Everyone in the church is invited to attend. We meet every Thursday, at 9:30am, in the church Parlor. We read scripture, participate in intercessory prayer for those who have asked for prayers, and we write cards to those for whom we pray. We would love to have you join us.

All ladies of the church are invited to attend a luncheon and game day. Please bring a salad to share and play Chicken Foot Dominoes. (We will teach you the game if you haven’t played yet.) Meet us in the Fellowship Hall the third Thursday of each month, November 16, at 10:00am.

Community Joys and Concerns

OUR CONDOLENCES to Larry and Susan Pain in the death of Larry’s mother Roberta Wilmoth Pain, in Englewood, CO, on October 4.

OUR CONDOLENCES to Monica Dunwoody and her family in the death of her grandmother.

OUR CONDOLENCES to Cliff and Jan Wolf in the death of their friend, Larry Urban.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sally Foster in the birth of her great-granddaughter, Lily.

All men are invited to join us on Tuesday, November 28, for a discussion group at 9:30am, in the Athens Room. We start with a light breakfast and plenty of strong coffee. Come and join us!

Congratulations to Carl Hunt on his retirement from H-E-B Grocery Stores. May God bless you.

Wednesday, 11/1 Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 AM

Staff LUNCH 11:30 AM

Handbell Practice 6:00 PM

Choir Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Thursday, 11/2 Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM

Sunday, 11/5 Sunday School 9:45 AM

Children's Choir 10:00 AM

Choir Warm Up 10:30 AM

Worship 11:00 AM

Ministry Planning Team 12:15 PM

YAC (youth and children) 12:30 PM

Monday, 11/6 Singing Belles 10:30 AM

Tuesday, 11/7 General Election 6:00 AM

Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM

Staff Meeting 11:00 AM

Gospel Singers 1:00 PM

Elders' Meeting 7:00 PM


Shared Reflections Book Group

11:00 AM




MAM Worknight 6:00 PM




Worship 11:00 AM

Thanksgiving Feast 12:30 PM


Monday, 11/13 Newsletter deadline Singing Belles

10:30 AM

Tuesday, 11/14 Staff Meeting 11:00 AM

Admin Council 7:00 PM

Wednesday, 11/15 MDCC CP Decoration of Gym

Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 AM



Thursday, 11/16 Newsletter Published

Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM

Prime Time Ladies 10:00 AM

Friday, 11/17 MDCC-CP Thanksgiving Program and Feast

11:45 AM

Saturday, 11/18 Chain Reaction Ministries Workday

8:00 AM

Cantata Rehearsal 9:30 AM

Kids2Kids 10:00 AM




Worship 11:00 AM

Monday, 11/20 MDCC-CP Thanksgiving holidays until November 24

Tuesday, 11/21 Ladies' Service Group 9:30 AM




Thursday, 11/23 Thanksgiving Day—office closed

Friday, 11/24 Holiday—office closed




Worship 11:00 AM

Advent Decorating 12:15 PM


Tuesday, 11/28 Men's Fellowship 9:30 AM

Staff Meeting 11:00 AM





Did you know MDCC is on Facebook?

Our church has an active Facebook page. If you are a Facebook user, please like our page, Memorial Drive

Christian Church, and interact with our posts. We provide updates on upcoming events and post pictures from recent church events. See you on Facebook!

If you are interested in giving an arrangement for Sunday morning, in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the church office at 713-789-0060 for details.

churchhuh, yeah… what is it good · 2019. 7. 26. · walking - a year-long quest for spiritual...

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