April 2 Spotlight on Jack and Sharon Fields McCormick - 9:30 AM Donut Fellowship - 10:30 AM New Believers’ Class for Children - 10:40 AM 3 Golden Tones Sing at Eden Terrace - 2:00 PM Beautiful Hat Groups: 11:30 AM - Mr. Gatti’s 6:30 PM - Home of Janice Parris 5 Youth Bowling and Pizza - 4:30 PM 9 Palm Sunday - Procession of Palms - 9:30 AM Mside Weekday Preschool and MSide Children’s Choir Sing during Worship 10 Deacons’ Meeting - 6:30 PM 13 Maundy Thursday Service - 6:30 PM 14 Golden Tones Meet in Choir Room - 11:15 AM Good Friday Service and Luncheon - 12:00 PM 15 Children’s Choir Rehearsal - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 16 Easter Sunday Service, Baptism - 9:30 AM No Evening Activities 20 Prayer Shawl Ministry - 11:00 AM 22 Parenting Conference - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 23 Pulpit Guest, Dr. Jim Newheiser, Jr. - 9:30 AM Children Sing during Worship - Meet at 9:00 AM 23-30 Week of Prayer for Local Missions 24 Joy of Missions - 6:30 PM - Home of Edna Ellison 27 Hearts and Hands Crafters - 10:00 AM 29 Children’s Choir Dress Rehearsal for Nic at Night 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Monthly Newsletter of Morningside Baptist Church April 2017 Volume 60 Number 4

Seeking, Serving, Sharing The Messenger We Seek a personal, life-changing relationship with God through prayer, engaging worship, and Bible teaching. We Serve others by modeling the love of Christ through missions and ministry involvement. We Share God’s grace through genuine, loving fellowship, and discipleship.

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism

into His death, in order that, just as

Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,

so also we might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

Worship Services Palm Sunday, April 9 - 9:30 AM

Children’s Choirs, Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra Procession of Palms by Children

Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 13 - 6:30 PM

Sanctuary Choir

Good Friday Devotion and Luncheon Friday, April 14 - 12:00 PM

Golden Tones Area Nursing/Retirement Facilities Are Invited Sign up for Lunch in Sunday School Classrooms

or the Welcome Center.

Easter Sunday April 16 - 9:30 AM Ordinance of Baptism

Baptism is “not the removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God of a good conscience for the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Anyone who has recently made a decision to trust Christ as Lord and Savior - but has not yet made the decision public - is invited to respond during the invitation in the next few weeks. Easter Sunday is an excellent day to participate in the ordinance of baptism. If you would like to speak with Pastor Steven about your decision, please call Kathy Green (Ext. 2) to make an appointment.

Letting the Shepherd Lead Over the past few weeks, several people have asked my opinion about two movies recently released: The Shack and Beauty and the Beast. Please read 2 Cor. 10:4-5 before continuing. Then, with this passage in mind, consider a few principles: 1st - Although every piece of entertainment offers a point of view, it may not be theologically sophisticated. One’s system of approaching the world, called a worldview, may agree in varying degrees with Christianity. For instance, a believer could watch either of the movies above and see themes of redemption. The Shack teaches about redemption through a mystical experience with God, and Beauty and the Beast teaches about redemption through romantic love. 2nd - Since entertainment media may not be based on the Bible, we should treat it as we would any human opinion. When we begin to accept the worldview of a movie, for instance, it is tempting to force the Bible to support the movie. Anytime we come to an extrabiblical source, such as a movie, and expect it to explain the Bible, we run the risk of "eisegesis," reading into the text something not present. The Shack tells us that God does not control or cause bad events to occur. The problem is that if we believe that God has no control over evil – such as sin and suffering – how can we believe the Bible's claim that Christ has the power to totally eliminate all sin and suffering in eternity? (I Corinthians 15:20-28) The Shack reads into the Bible something that, if true, destroys the security of our redemption. 3rd - For Christians, the Bible is the supreme standard by which every religious opinion should be tried. The word “supreme,” language used in our Baptist Faith and Message, implies that we may encounter other sources of wisdom and thought about religion. We must, however, allow the Scriptures to help us measure such wisdom or thought, which is the meaning of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" in 2 Cor. 10:4-5. The controversial aspect in the current version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the depiction of one of the “bad guys” as homosexual. Focusing so much attention on that one aspect of the character diminishes his entire personhood. It is as if the actor is saying, “The only aspect of my character that matters is his sexual orientation.” The Bible tells us that only one aspect of our personhood liberates us to a more abundant life (John 10:10). That aspect, of course, is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As you read, watch, listen, and consume media of all kinds, be watchful and careful to "take captive every thought to obey Christ." Pastor Steven

mside music

Children Sing during Sunday Worship April 9, April 23 Meet at 9:00 AM

Sunday, April 23: Dr. Jim Newheiser, Jr., our pulpit guest,

will lead us in worship.

You Never Stop Being a Parent Saturday, April 22 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Morningside will partner with Redeemer Biblical Counseling Training Institute in Moore, SC, in hosting a parenting conference with Dr. Jim Newheiser, Jr., noted author, biblical counselor, and professor. If you know a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is struggling with raising the children in their life, make plans to invite that person to join you for this informative conference. Three featured sessions - designed for parents of all ages - will be offered: “Parenting Is Not a Formula,” “Dealing with Rebellious Teens,” and “You Never Stop Being a Parent.” Registration Deadline: Monday, April 10 - Contact Linda Alverson (Ext. 1) Cost: $10.00 - Includes a boxed lunch from Jason’s Deli and booklet written by Dr. Newheiser

Train up a child in the way he should go: even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Church Directory

Photos Scheduled for May 15 - 21

Our last directory of the Morningside church family was in 2007, and we need to update! We have enlisted the help of Lifetouch Connections to create a new pictorial record of the church family, and we want to include you. You may go ahead now and book your time slot by contacting the Church Office or by going online at https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/9r5n12t8/

Golden Tones Sing at Eden Terrace

Monday, April 3 Bus leaves at 2:00 PM

Group sings at 2:30 PM

The Children’s Choir Presents the Musical

Nic at Night Wednesday, May 3

6:00 PM Fellowship Hall

Make plans now for a fun night of worship and fellowship as the children present God’s Word in their spring musical, Nic at Night. A snack supper will be served.

mside missions mside family

mside kids

mside youth

Save the Date Graduate Recognition

Sunday, May 21

MFuge Camp at Union College in KY Second installment of $50 is due

Wednesday, May 3.

Showers of Blessings

Our April church-wide missions project is collecting items for our Mside Weekday Preschool ministry. Debbie Bishop, Director, has asked that we donate the following items to be used by her staff: glue sticks, permanent markers, dry erase markers, Clorox wipes, Baby Wipes, Lysol spray, and facial tissues. Let’s shower the preschool ministry with these necessary products.

You may place your donations in the green tub at the display in the hallway leading to the Welcome Center.

Prayer Request from the Search Team We ask that you pray for the members as they look to fill the permanent part-time position of Worship Director: Jim Barbee, Ralph Boney, Rick Byars, Wayne Fisher, Ralph Rasmussen, John Rogers, Sr., and Jody Welch. The Chair is Phyllis Fagen, and the Secretary is Karen Harris.

Looking Ahead to Summer: MissionsFest June 26-29, 2017

This event is a great opportunity for the entire church family to get involved in missions at no cost. We are making plans to work with several of our Morningside Ministry Partners right here in our city. Watch for more details in future worship guides and The Messenger.

Scavenger Hunt and Lunch for K - Grade 2

Sunday, April 30 All children in Kindergarten - Grade 2 are invited to a scavenger hunt hosted by their Sunday School teachers. Fellowship, games, and lunch are also planned. To sign up, contact your

Sunday School teacher or call Freida Cole (Ext. 6).

and Lunch

Vacation Bible School Sunday-Wednesday

June 4 - 7 6:00 - 8:15 PM

We still need volunteers to help with many different areas of VBS: refreshments, crafts, recreation, and teaching. You may sign up in the Welcome Center, contact Freida Cole (Ext. 6), or go online at

www.vbspro.events/p/243eb7

Fall Trip to Niagara Falls and Amish Country - October 21 - 26

Fewer than a dozen seats are now available for members who would like to take a trip sponsored by Christian Tours. Be sure to sign up quickly (no later than April 9) for this trip that includes touring/exploring the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, seeing the history of daredevils in an amazing IMAX theater, dining in the Skylon Tower, riding the legendary Hornblower Niagara to the base of the Falls, stopping at Journey behind the Falls, dining in Pennsylvania at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater while enjoying The Buddy Holly Story, witnessing the life of the Amish, and dining at a local Amish restaurant. See Jack Dodds for more details about the trip and costs.

Spotlight on Our Missions Partners Jack and Sharon Fields-McCormick

Sunday, April 2 Jack McCormick and Sharon Fields- McCormick, members of Morningside, answered the call to missions in 2003. They sold their home and left their careers to serve as self-supporting missionaries in construction ministry, health and community ministries, and disaster relief. They are currently serving with the SC Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief program as Jack directs the work of Rebuild SC in Johnsonville, SC. Pray that God will provide for Jack and Sharon as they serve Him in their present ministry opportunity. Also pray for the families dealing with disasters and for volunteers who assist in the clean-up and rebuilding process. Please take the opportunity to talk with Jack and Sharon after worship during the Donut Fellowship.

Youth Bowling and Pizza Wednesday, April 5

4:30 - 8:00 PM Cost: $10

Children Ages 3

(before 9-1-16)

- Grade 5

Youth to Volunteer at SPIHN Wednesday, April 26

4:45 - 7:45 PM

Our monthly newsletter and our weekly worship bulletin can be found on our website at www.msidechurch.org under the Resource tab. You may also stream, download, and/or subscribe to our weekly podcast under the Sermon tab.

897 South Pine Street Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302

Office: (864) 585-5457 | Fax: (864) 585-6217

Weekday Preschool: (864) 585-5424 Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

MORNINGSIDE THE MESSENGER (USPS 363-420) is published monthly by the Morningside Baptist Church. Periodical postage paid at Spartanburg, SC. Postmaster, send address changes to The Morningside Messenger 897 South Pine Street Spartanburg, SC 29302

Morningside Baptist Church Staff

Steven Owensby, Senior Pastor .............................................. sowensby@msidechurch.org

Jack Dodds, Associate Pastor ..................................................... jdodds@msidechurch.org Freida Cole, Children’s Minister .................................................... fcole@msidechurch.org

Steve Kibbe, Youth Director ........................................................ skibbe@msidechurch.org

Harold and Paula Joye, Interim Music Directors ........................... pjoye@msidechurch.org John Kelly, Financial Office.......................................................... jkelly@msidechurch.org Robin Kelly, Financial Office ....................................................... rkelly@msidechurch.org

Linda Alverson, Membership Ministry Assistant .................... lalverson@msidechurch.org

Kathy Green, Communications Ministry Assistant ..................... kgreen@msidechurch.org

Debbie Bishop, Weekday Preschool Director ........................... dbishop@msidechurch.org

Paula Joye, Organist ...................................................................... pjoye@msidechurch.org

Gail Medlin, Pianist ........................................................................ ggmedlin@wildblue.net

Christian Sympathy Extended to

… Maurice and Julia Pace and family in the death of Julia’s aunt, Virginia Hedden, on March 5 in Chesnee, South Carolina. … Ralph and Gail Boney and family in the death of Gail’s cousin, Chuck Ray, on March 8 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. … Lynda Hurteau and family in the death of her brother, Bobby Haley, on March 20 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Join Us Each Sunday Morning for

Worship: 9:30 AM Bible Study: 10:45 AM

Prayer Room Our Prayer Room, located in the Welcome

Center, is open Mondays through Thursdays during regular office hours,

as well as on Sundays and Wednesdays before and after worship services.

Ministers on Call This Month

March 31 - April 2 Freida Cole 884-4793 April 7-9 Jack Dodds 590-8951 April 14-16 Jack Dodds 590-8951 April 21-23 Steven Owensby 590-7985 April 28-30 Freida Cole 844-4793

Thank You Notes for Your Love, Prayers, Concern, and Support Received from

Bobbie Elliott

Congratulations to

… Jason and Amy Dodds on the birth of their son, Nathan Striker, on February 25. Proud grandparents are Jack and Ruth Ann Dodds and Judy Mobley. Proud great-grandparents are Gene and Ann Ellis.