The auditorium was filling up quickly and there was lots of excited chatter and laughter

waiting for the program to start. Suddenly, children came walking down the aisles and started getting into position on stage. Finally, everyone was ready and over 100 children belted out Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at full volume. Some sang at the top of their voice, some saw their parents and waved, some started to cry. Others just stood still. Throughout the evening babies rang bells, a Christmas tree danced, a stable was built, and parents’ faces beamed with pride. It was a night filled with songs of Santa and of the birth of Christ. Chaos? A little. Adorable? Absolutely. Day Care Christmas Program? One of the best ever!!

Every year on the first Sunday evening in December, people gather for MPC’s annual Day Care Christmas Program. Our first year we held it in the Cross Street gymnasium and quickly found there was not enough room for the 200-plus people who came to see and hear their children perform. People were standing everywhere—even in the loft, leaning over the rail, stretching to see their

children sing. The next year we moved it to the Scatterfield site and hosted more than 450 people. Over the years it has grown to around 800

in attendance. These are families and friends of children who attend Madison Park Church’s two location day care programs.This past year, we looked for volunteers to

continued on page 4

It Matters... A Lot!Melanie Denniston, Director, Kids Learning Station, North Kids and School Age Care

It’s a conviction that’s been decades in the making. Mark and Kathy Fulton are long-time MPC-goers and Anderson community professionals, Mark as a dentist and Kathy a speech therapist. But during a week-long missions trip to Haiti, God grew a love for the Haitian people in their hearts. Their love has continued to grow stronger, and now God has placed it upon their hearts to move to the country where their call to ministry was originally felt. Threads caught up with them

just a few days before their departure.Mark & Kathy: As we spent our years listening to the teaching and guidance that we’ve received through this church, we had no idea what God had in store for us. We were content with our professional and personal lives, and thought that things were running smoothly. But it became

more and more evident that God was opening door after door for us to follow Him

A New Level of “Comfort”Threads chats with new missionaries, Mark and Kathy Fulton

continued on page 4

biweekly weavings of the community at Madison Park Church of God—January 14, 2015

January-March Beneficiary: HaitiMake a purchase at Holy Grounds and a portion of the proceeds will benefit MPC’s ongoing ministry in Haiti.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.11:00am - 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. Visit Grand Central, formerly the Information Center, for a complete listing of all electives or visit MadisonParkChurch.org, Ministries page.

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January Sermon SeriesSundays during both servicesJanuary 18: See Yourself As God Sees You — II Corinthians 2:14-17How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself a weak, awkward, overwhelmed and under-equipped for life’s challenges? Or do you see yourself as confident, outgoing, bright, articulate and ready for life? Maybe a mixture of all those traits? We need to see ourselves as God sees us! The Bible teaches us that God sees you and me in some incredible ways. This view of one’s self is critical to a New You for a New Year.January 25: Become an Overcomer II — Corinthians 4:7-18All of humanity has much in common; we are earthen, fragile and flawed human beings with limitations, weaknesses and strengths, and each of us face trials and tests in this life. That is what causes us to recognize our need for something beyond us—the “all surpassing power of God.” To become an overcomer, we first become dependent on the One who enables us to overcome.

MPC Survey: Let your voice be heard! Madison Park Church has begun a new chapter in our pastoral search process that invites the input of the entire church body. Let your voice be heard! An online survey, designed to guide next steps in the pastoral search, will be available January 18–February 1, 2015. Everyone who considers Madison Park their church home and is age 16 or older is encouraged to participate. All input is strictly confidential. Don’t Use Email? You’ll have an opportunity to complete a paper version of the survey, in The Commons on January 18.Watch for additional information coming soon. Thank you in advance for letting your voice be heard.

Baptism ServiceSunday, January 25 at 9am and 11am in the Main AuditoriumThinking about baptism? Attend a baptism class to learn what it means to follow Jesus’ example of water baptism. Class options are Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30pm in Room 177, or Sunday, January 18 at 10:45am in Room 177. Sign-up online to be baptized and register for the class.

Service of RemembranceSunday, January 25 at 3:00pm in The CommonsCelebrate the life of loved ones and friends who died during 2014. Please submit a photo of your loved one for the video portion of the service. For details, contact David Reames, Interim Pastoral Care Pastor.

Special Classes at MPCThere’s still time to join!Financial Peace University: Thursdays through March 5 at 6:30pm in Room 181 Powerful. Enlightening. Fun. Weekly video lessons and discussion groups. Dave Ramsey has a teaching style that is simple and easy to understand. He will change the way you think about money. Register online at DaveRamsey.com. Instructors: Neal Kirby and Sam Hanna. Contact: Jackie Corn at the Church Office.Divorce Care: Sundays at 10:45am in Room 181 Divorce Care is a weekly seminar and support group for people separated or divorced. This is a place to be around people who understand and to gain valuable ways to heal. Instructors: Emily Kovacik. Contact: Emily. Kovacik, Emily.Kovacik@stvincent.org. Divorce Care for Kids: Sundays at 10:30am in Room 180 A 13-week class for kids ages 5-12. Children of divorced parents often feel alone, helpless, scared, sad, and confused. Divorce Care for Kids provides a safe and neutral place to help kids recognize and learn to share their feelings and heal from the pain caused by a separation or divorce. The program includes a separate adult Divorce Care at 10:30am in Room 181. Register online. Contact: Diane Seelbach at (765)-278-5029.Prepare-Enrich Premarital Counseling Class: Friday, February 6 from 6:00-9:00pm and Saturday, February 7 from 9:00am-12:30pm at Broadway Ministry Center, 1400 Broadway in Anderson. Give your marriage a strong start. Led by by Linville Counseling Services, the two day class includes computerized assessment of your relationship, class materials and a light snack. Cost $147. To enroll call Robin at (765) 1853.

News You Can UseMonthly Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, February 4 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 at sonia.smythe@community.com.W.o.W.—Women of the Word: Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm through March 25 in Room 175. The spring semester will focus on the book of Ephesians. Full of wisdom for living it has been called the Proverbs of the New Testament. All ladies are invited to the rich experience of sharing with other women, learning to apply God’s Word to daily living. Bring your Bible, other class materials are provided. Instructors: Barb Collier, Nelda Ely, Laura Collier and April Linville.Spiritual Formation Classes Resume: New and returning classes for all ages have begun. A complete listing of all classes can be found on the Ministries page or in the Ministries Guide or at Grand Central in The Commons.J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth): The J.O.Y group will not meet during the months of December, January and February. The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 19 at Noon in Crossroads Auditorium. Contact: Esther Crnkovich at (765) 649-3323.

Children’s MinistriesPassport To Adventure: Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in the Children’s Center for elementary age children. An exciting travel adventure through many places that Jesus visited while He was on earth. Learn the stories of the many people He helped. Get ready and earn stamps on your passports.

Student MinistriesIMPACT—Junior High Ministries: • 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 from 6:30-7:45pm in Room 176-178.

IGNITE—Senior High Ministries: • Teaching Focus—THRIVE (Ephesians

3:14-21). Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00pm in Crossroads Auditorium.

• STW Offering for video projectors/Church of God India project, each week at Ignite!

• Bible Studies: Sunday at 9:00am in room 180; Tuesday from 6:00-7:30pm at Williamson’s Home

Opportunities to ServeChildren’s Ministry Volunteer Opportunity: Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm. Volunteers are needed for the infant, preschool and elementary classes. No preparation is required, simply come and assist the children and demonstrate Christ’s love. Contact: Paula Spear, Children’s Ministries Pastor.Park Place Food Pantry: MPC is joining forces

with Park Place Church of God’s Food Pantry, located in the community

building behind the church on College Drive. The pantry

gives food items to those who might otherwise have little to eat. It is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am-7:30pm. Volunteers are needed and appreciated to help in this ministry. Contact: Joe Womack at (765) 620-9342.

Family News To submit a threads announcement

regarding a birth or death, please contact the Pastoral Care office at (765) 642-2000.

Congratulations to:Sarah and Jon Trick on the birth of Nehemiah Thomas Trick on December 29.

In sympathy with:Judi Turpen, on the loss of her mother, Burnha Young, on December 25.Sandra Quirk, on the loss of her brother, Fred Ogle, on December 29.

Community and Ministry Partner News

Employment Opportunities:• Dove Harbor- Resource Development

Director: Direct fund development and public relations activities to meet the financial, volunteer and material donation needs of Dove Harbor. A 32-hour per week position. Dove Harbor is a Christian transitional shelter for women and women with children. Prior fundraising and management experience preferred. Submit resume to: Doug Linville, 1400 Broadway Street, Anderson, IN 46012-2535 or email to dlinville@broadwayministrycenter.org .

• Miriam Project - Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator: This position exists to increase public awareness of the Miriam Project through the coordination of our marketing and public relations events, materials and social media presence. A twelve hour per week position. Miriam Project is a private, Christian Adoption Service. Prior marketing and public relations experience preferred. Submit resume via email to Doug Linville, 1400 Broadway Street, Anderson, IN 46012-2535

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 college Students with ID-$5. Family Plan: $25 for up to 7 people, $5 per each additional person. January 14: Chicken and Noodles

Kids’ Option: Chicken and Noodles

January 21: Italian Roast Beef Sandwich/Kids’ Option: Pizza & Chips

January 28: Ham & Bean Soup with Cornbread & Slaw /Kids’ Option: Mini Corn Dogs with Mac & Cheese

Wednesday, February 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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Sunday Second Service Time Change

Second Service at 11:00am in the Main Auditorium

Madison Park’s second Sunday worship service now begins at 11:00am. Classes and groups

meeting at 10:45am will continue to meet at

10:45am.

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help pass out programs, greet people as they came in the doors, and to help direct those who were new and needed help finding where to go. One of those persons shared with me later that she was amazed not only at how many people came, but also at how many people she had never seen before. She didn’t recognize anyone! What an amazing outreach to the community this was!And she is right. Although we have children whose families attend MPC, we have many more whose families do not go to church anywhere. The only time they are in church is when they come to see their children sing and dance in our program. Some children are from traditional families, some from single-parent families, some have two moms or two dads, some are raised by their grandparents. But all children have the same needs. A place to be safe and cared for lovingly while parents work. A place to play and learn, where fear, hunger, and hurt do not exist. For some children, day care is the most consistent and stable place in their life. And that matters. A lot.North Kids currently has 69 children ages 6 weeks – 5 years. North Kids SAC (school age care) averages 25 children daily, and Kids Learning Station has an enrollment of 67 children ages 6 weeks – 5 years. Every

day we have around 125 children in our buildings. In order to take care of everyone, there is a staff of 34 very busy

people who cook, clean, teach, and play. We believe that the same Jesus who said, “Let the children come to me,” wants us to be the ones to receive them now. To give hugs and snuggles, feed them a hot lunch, teach the importance of sharing and of being a friend to everyone, and much, much more. (And yes, we do work on the alphabet, numbers, and basic concepts.)It is my prayer for every family we care for to sense God’s presence and to know that there is something special about our place. It’s a tough job to be the hands and feet of Christ at every moment of the day, but that’s our goal. Do we miss the mark at times? We do. But when we fail, we try to own up to our mistakes, look at ways to do better in the future, and then keep on loving, and teaching, and caring, and playing.Please pray for us, that we will continue to be examples of Christ’s love. That we will be kind and loving to Moms and Dads and families. That we will remember to pray—often—for the little ones in our care. That we will recognize minute-by-minute how every gesture and word can cause either comfort or fear. That we realize every day how much we can make a difference in every child’s life.Because it matters. A lot.

Share your thoughts on this article; visit the blog and leave

a comment at MadisonParkChurch.org.

It Matters... A Lot!Continued from page 1

to Haiti, leaving our “comfortable” life in Madison County. Leaving our family, friends, professions, church and comfort zone is emotional and difficult. But at the same time we are stepping into assurances and promises that let us know that God has led us to exactly the right place at the right time. We are certainly thankful for our family at MPC for all of the prayers, words of encouragement and fiscal support. As we enter a land of chaos and fewer creature comforts, we ask for your continued prayers and thoughts for God’s work not only in Haiti but throughout His world.Threads: What will be your responsibilities

in Haiti?M & K: We will hit the ground running

when we arrive! The first 10 days include getting settled into a small “apartment” in the Port au Prince area

that has limited electricity and no potable water, equipped with tubs for washing our clothes, a metal and stone wall surrounding our place for protection, and a bucket-flush toilet.

We will be installing a new piece of radiology equipment on day two, and an American doctor will arrive to train our Haitian staff. Day five brings a week-long surgical missions team, along with John Walters who will be recording Haitian pastors’ sermons for CBH broadcasts in Haiti.

That team will be followed by another group from the Danville, IL Church of God to work in the area.

Our “normal” routine will have Kathy helping with the business/accounting management of the clinic as Mark sees patients and assists with the medical management of the clinic. Kathy will also be working in Port au Prince as a speech therapist. We hope to use whatever God has equipped us with as tools to spread His word through Haiti,

a land that is steeped in Voodoo tradition.

Threads: Mark and your son, Mitch will be leaving on January 6 and Kathy will follow a few days later. We will miss you around MPC but be assured of the prayers and support of your friends and church family at MPC!

M & K: As we learn to navigate our way in a foreign land, we will miss the taste of home, but hope to relax in the arms of the One who called us away from our Anderson comfort zones to His assurance, peace and our new level of “comfort.” Thank you to MPC for loving us! Please keep in touch through snail mail, email and on our returning trips to the U.S. as we keep the hospital supplied and our licenses updated.

The Fultons would love your encouragement! You can contact them at TheFultons@aol.com. A quarterly update from the Fulton’s is available at FultonHaiti.blogspot.com.

A New Level of “Comfort” Continued from page 1