Our Vision: Building Christian lives on a firm foundation.

Our Missions: Grow in Jesus Christ ~ Encourage the Discouraged

Magnify the Lord ~ Seek the Lost

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Nick and Amanda Dunn will be at Main Street on Sunday, December 2, 2018, to share an update on their next steps in the mission field and where God is leading them. Our current plans are to have them make their presentation to a combined adult Sunday School class in the sanctuary. Lee Ann Redding and Carrie Mills are working with the children for a Christmas special to be performed during Kids Korner on Sunday, December 23, 2018. For anyone who has not been attending Sunday School, this Christmas season would be a good time to begin. See you in Sunday School, Connie and Jo Ella Maugans

BREAKFAST

The monthly Men’s Ministry Breakfast will not meet in December. Meetings will resume in March.

VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 12

December 2018

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The church office will be closed T u e s d a y & W e d n e s d a y , December 25 & 26, in observance of Christmas. Regular office hours will resume Thursday, December 27.

Inside This Issue

Bishop Bytes 2

Church Calendar 3

Birthdays/Anniversaries 3

A Note from Ryan 4

S.A.M. Group 5

Women’s Ministry 6

Missions News 7

GIVING ENVELOPES Giving envelopes for 2019 will be available to be picked up beginning Sunday, December 16. We have reduced the number of envelope numbers purchased, so some will receive new giving numbers. Please remember to use your giving envelopes if you would like to have the treasurer keep track of your givings for the 2019 year. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Bring the whole family for communion this Christmas Eve between 5:30 & 7:30pm. This is a very informal service, with people coming and going as their family schedules allow. An elder will be available to assist you, or your family can have your own special time of worship.

HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP DINNER Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 9. There will be a Holiday Fellowship Dinner following the worship service. Meat and drinks will be provided. Please bring a side dish and a dessert to share.

VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 12 Page 2

BISHOP BYTES

Last February, the New England Patriots lost in the Super Bowl (I can still hear you all cheering). Was their season a success? Consider last month, the Boston Red Sox succeeded in winning the World Series of Baseball. Would their season, the most winningest season in the franchises history, have been a success if they had not won the championship trophy? There are some who would say yes and others who’d say no.

In sports, success is relatively easy to determine, but how does a church measure success? Often, when I attend church conferences, I hear questions like, “How many do you average in attendance on Sunday?” or “What is your monthly budget?” Right or wrong, we use this as a predetermined idea about how to measure success in ministry.

Too many churches have bought into the myth that to clarify success means establishing attendance goals and raising lots of money. For those who do, the formula of success can be defined as bodies in the pews plus bucks in the plate equals success in the ministry. These might be indicators that help determine the overall health of an organization, but as Andy Stanley suggests, “strong numbers in these areas do not necessarily mean you are winning.”

I would like for us to consider some of the following questions or scenarios regarding measurable success for a church. Could success be measured by our desire and willingness to disciple/mentor someone to know Christ more? Could success be measured by our faithfulness in giving back a portion of what we have to the Lord for His use and purposes? Could success be found in God’s people understanding how to apply the Biblical Truths they are learning to their daily lives?

“Clarifying success simply means communicating to your team what is really important and what really matters” (Stanley). In and before the time of Christ, the Jews made finding success in following God an extremely difficult matter. The Talmud tells the Jews that there were 613 commandments in the Torah of which 248 were considered positive and 365 negative commands. When Christ was asked which commandment was the greatest, He clarified success in the eyes of God by stating we are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

With Christmas and New Year’s fast approaching, let’s try to remember that success is found through God’s love for mankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16.

What measurement will we use to measure success this coming year? Will we measure success from God’s perspective in our ability to simply love one another? How do you measure success?

How Do You Measure Success?

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat1Women's Ministry Cookie Exchange 9am

2AKA 5pmTF3 6:30pm

3 4SAM Christmas Party 5:30pm

5CIA 6:30pm

6Ladies Aid 12:00pm

7 8

9Holiday Mealfollowing the worship service

AKA Christmas Party No TF3

10Board Meeting 6:30pm

11 12Bus Ministry 11:30am

CIA 6:30pm

13 14 15 Newsletter Deadline

16TF3 Christmas PartyNo AKA

17 18 19No CIA

20 21 22

23 24Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion5:30-7:30pm

25 OFFICE CLOSED

26 OFFICE CLOSED

27 28 29

30 31New Year’s Eve Celebration 8pm-midnight

2 Randy McKinney 23 Tisa Slabach 5 Bob Auth 24 Randy & Kim McKinney Kristy High Ted & Janet Miller Martha Milburn 26 Nancy Wood 14 Donovan High 28 Ricky Williams 17 Wayne & Shirley Watson 29 Jennifer Smith 18 Ryan & Carrie Mills Dan Wood 19 Faith Mooney 30 Chuck & Teresa Mooney 20 Ryan Mills Terry Wilson

December

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It is once again my favorite season! I love the holidays, and as for me, I even like the weather that comes along with it. I know that we are a little nuts, but my family will start listening to Christmas music around Halloween. We figure that it's never too early to celebrate the reason for the hope we have within us, so we let the music play loud and proud! As we celebrate the fun of the season with family, friends, and food, we never forget how impactful the birth of Christ is to each one of us.

As I am writing this, my dad is not doing so well. When the newsletter that this article is to be printed in comes out, we aren’t sure if dad will still be with us. However, whether he is here or not, my hope in Christ doesn’t change. Knowing the kind of man my dad is, and seeing the fruit that he has produced during his life on earth, leaves no doubt in my mind that he will be with his Savior for the rest of eternity. I praise my Lord and King that we can have this certainty.

For those of us who believe in the life-giving sacrifice of Christ, and His resurrection, we can have confidence in our salvation. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is what the believer hangs on to when things seem bleak. There is no limit to the Father’s love, and He will provide the peace that is so desperately needed when we go through the trials of this sin-riddled world. Jesus was, is, and will forever be the answer to the problems of this world because of what He has done for us. This completed work of Christ began with His introduction to the earth as a human baby, and it is this moment that we celebrate in the holiday of Christmas.

The birth of Christ and what He would do for us was foretold hundreds of years before it actually happened. Probably the most familiar references to His birth are from the prophet Isaiah in chapter 7 verse 14 which says, “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” And another in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah goes on to speak of an eternal kingdom that will be ruled over by this child, Immanuel, in all justice and righteousness. Finally in Isaiah 53:11 we read, “my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” Our future is secure as Christ has taken on our sin, and He will reign. Praise the Lord!

Hope abounds! Our lives should reflect this hope, no matter what our current circumstances are. When others see this hope in us, they want to know where it comes from. This is a ready made opportunity for us to do as Peter instructs in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” We have all suffered loss, but when we are able to trust in the Lord through the valleys of life, it becomes our living testimony to those whose lives we share around us. This is a powerful thing.

Dad’s race is nearing the finish line, and as we celebrate his life, we will not forget that our hope comes from the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Easter is the day Jesus completed His work on earth by His resurrection, but it started with the birth of a little baby boy in a manger a long time ago. Praise the Lord, and Merry Christmas!

- Ryan

A Note From Ryan

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S.A.M. Group Senior Adult Ministry

…December 2018… We are announcing our activities to place on your calendars for everyone, including your guests, 50 years of age and older.

S.A.M. CHRISTMAS PARTY On Tuesday, December 4, at 5:30pm, be sure to have your calendars marked to attend our 9th Annual S.A.M. Christmas Party. Bring a covered dish. Meat and drinks provided. Everyone, please bring a wrapped WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT. Please help us as we plan for this wonderful holiday event by signing the sheet on the bulletin board in the church foyer.

BUS MINISTRY On Wednesday, December 12, at 11:30am we will meet for fellowship and lunch at a restaurant designated by Rosie Mills. For further info call Rosie Mills at 566-3896.

HUMOR ANNOUNCEMENT! Several paperback books that deal with the subject of humor, especially intended for senior adult readers, recently came into my possession. Susan Melcher, the daughter of my recently deceased good friend, Joe Schuman, provided several of the above-mentioned paperback books that were then forwarded to me by Steve Bishop.

As I began to read in a book titled The Treasury of Clean Seniors’ Jokes that was authored by Tal D. Bonham & Jack Gulledge, two subjects in You Know You’re about to Become a Senior Adult When… caught my eye. The first little bit of senior reflection read: “The grandkids come home and tell you what they are studying in history, and you remember studying the same subjects in current-events class.” The next observation was that: “You walk with your head held high because you’re trying to get used to your bifocals.”

Wayne & Donna Janner / Wayne & Shirley Watson Joann Monroe / Charlie & Rosie Mills

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The Thursday night Women’s Bible Study will resume meeting on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 6:30pm in the church basement. We will study Lysa Terkeurst’s, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl. Drawing from her own remarkable story of step-by-step faith, Lysa invites you to uncover the spiritually exciting life for which we all yearn. With her trademark wit and spiritual wisdom, Lysa will help you:•Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in your devotional time.•Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.•Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who you are and what you’ve been given. Discover how to have inner peace and

security in any situation. Sense God responding to your prayers.• The adventure God has in store for your life just might blow you away.Books will be available for purchase, Sunday, January 6, 2019 from Sophia Bishop or Lee Ann Redding. As always, the Ladies Bible Study remains open to w o m e n o f a l l a g e s a n d denominations so invite your neighbors and friends to join us in 2019!

Women’s Ministry Kick-off – Sunday, February 17 • This event will take place after church and consist of light lunch,

short devo, and 2019 Women’s Ministry Fair

• Women’s Spring Conference – Saturday, April 6• Watch for more details coming soon!!

VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 12 Page 7

UPDATE ON NICK & AMANDA DUNN

Nick & Amanda Dunn, with CMF, will join us on Sunday, December 2, to share with us during the Sunday school hour. Join us as we learn how God is using this family on the mission field.

As always, please keep all of our missionaries in your prayers. The following are the missionaries MSCC currently supports financially:

THE ARK CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

CHOUBERT REMY WITH HAITI CHRISTIAN MISSIONS

KOKOMO RESCUE MISSION

NICK & AMANDA DUNN WITH CMF

CURTIS & BRITTANY STOUT WITH ONE 17 INTERNATIONAL IN HAITI

ABIGAIL ALTER WITH NEW MISSION SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL

ALEXANDER CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION

RUSSIAVILLE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

NEW LEAF MENTORING

PUB THEOLOGY

LIVING ALTERNATIVES

Attendance/Tithing Oct./Nov. 2018

M a i n S t r e e t C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h

WORSHIP S.S TITHING

Date Last Year’s Average: 123

Last Year’s Average: 87

Weekly Budget Needs:

$4,380.96

October 28, 2018 98 62 $3,238.10

November 4, 2018 93 78 $6,710.69

November 11, 2018 131 83 $4,481.20

November 18, 2018 112 70 $3,598.00

November 25, 2018 n/a n/a n/a

220 West Main Street PO Box 155 Russiaville, IN 46979

Office: 765-883-5265 Fellowship Building: 765-883-7613 Email: mscc9@sbcglobal.net www.mainstreetchristianchurch.com

Grow in Jesus Christ ~ Encourage the Discouraged Magnify the Lord ~ Seek the Lost

Sunday School ~ 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship ~ 10:30am Senior Pastor: Steve Bishop Associate/Youth Minister: Ryan Mills

Church Secretary: Carrie Mills Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday ~ 8:30am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:30pm

PASTORAL TEAM Home Cell Steve Bishop 883-7793 (863) 446-2234 Ryan Mills 210-7719 Alan Anderson 854-0145 438-4824 Connie Maugans 453-4861 459-3941 (work) 437-1353 (cell)