2016 Kids’ Olympiad

Sunday evening,

February 21 (6-8pm)

See page 6 for details.

Southland Vine The

January 27, 2016 1630 W. Republic Road * Springfield, MO 65807

We will publish the next edition of The Southland Vine on February 24.

Upcoming Leadership Meetings:

Feb. 4 @ 6 PM Elders-staff

Feb. 18 @ 6 PM Elders

What’s Inside …

2-3 General Reminders & Info

4 What MATTers to Me

5 Erik’s Endeavors

5-6 children-MIDDLE SCHOOL

7 Les’ Latest/group huddle

8-9 southlandwomen

10-11 Encounter

12 Connect

13 Grow Deep

14 Build Up

15 February serving schedule

16-17 Live Out

Southland Christian Church ...

equipping you to LIVE OUT your faith

as you ENCOUNTER God, CONNECT with others,

GROW DEEP and BUILD UP one another.

Session #3 began recently.

See the “GROW DEEP” section (page 13) for all

the CULTIVATE details. It’s not too late to join us!

We are certainly in the time of year where winter weather can impact what’s scheduled (as it did on 1/20 - what was supposed to be the first night of our Cultivate session). See page 2 for a reminder about how we communicate any

necessary adjustments to our plans.

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Ozark Christian College’s annual “Preaching and Teaching Convention” - Feb. 22-24.

It’s an opportunity to take a quick trip over to

Joplin for a time of refreshment and encouragement. However much you can take in,

your effort to attend will be worth it!

For more information, check out the OCC website (http://occ.edu/PT).

2016 “Souper Bowl” luncheon

Each year, our middle school students take a trip to the CIY “Believe” Conference (a Friday and Saturday event). This year, it’s March 11-12 in Kansas City. It’s a great opportunity for them, one we encourage you to support through this luncheon. Stick around after 2nd service on 1/31 and

join us for a delicious meal while we help support our young people.

Sunday, January 31

after 2nd service

A fundraiser with proceeds

supporting the Middle School

youth group’s annual trip to

the CIY “Believe” Conference.

IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ...

It’s that time of year again when wintry weather is a possibility. Unfortunately, there are times when we have to either cancel or adjust our regular schedule because of the inclement weather. These changes will be made as soon as reasonably possible (we try to have a decision made at least 2 hours prior to start time) and communicated in these main ways:

On the front page of our website: www.gosouthland.org.

Via an e-mail we send out to our "Vine distribution list.”

We also make an attempt to call those who may not have such “electronic access.” Please do let the office know if you wish to be contacted in this way so we can make sure you are called in the event of such a schedule change.

We encourage you to check in these places for an official word from SCC if you’re wondering about our plans on a particular day. Of course, if you are in doubt at all about conditions or if circumstances make your travel unsafe, we certainly encourage you to use appropriate discretion regardless of our decision.

General Reminders and information ...

A note about receipts for 2015 giving ... Receipts have already been sent out. Please let the office know if you have any questions or even if you didn’t get

anything in the mail. As a reminder, this is done solely for your own tax-deduction purposes.

Thank you for your faithful participation in this privilege of giving!

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To share any prayer requests with the Southland church family, you can send an e-mail to us at prayer@gosouthland.org or call the church office.

PRAYER Got Questions? While we work hard to communicate information, there may be additional questions you have about Southland. If so, please contact the office and someone on staff will help you. To e-mail: gotquestions@gosouthland.org.

We encourage you to take advantage of Southland's online presence ... check out our

website to listen to sermons, check out upcoming events, etc. Don't forget: you can also

get updates and information by "liking" our "Southland Christian Church" Facebook page.

We use the YouVersion “app” for tablets, smart phones and other electronic devices during our Sunday ENCOUNTER services. It's a great way to follow along with the sermon and even take electronic notes. You can even send your own notes to your e-mail account from within the app!

See the posters around the building for specific instructions on how to find our LIVE event using this app each week: “SCC – Sunday ENCOUNTER.”

FINANCIAL UPDATE … December 2015 (the most recently completed month)

We want to provide this basic info to keep you aware of

what's happening. Keep in mind, this is a snapshot of one

month. Please feel free to direct any questions you might

have to the office staff.

INCOME …

Regular tithe for December - $37,661 (total for September - December 2015 = $157,449)

Average weekly tithe for December - $9,415.25 (for September - November 2015 =$9,261.71)

Weekly Goal from Sept. 2015 - August 2016 = $10,000 (This is based on an estimated budget of $520,000 ... While this is our target, we adjust as necessary along the way.)

Love Offerings - $770

“THANK YOU” Notes

From time-to-time, we want to make sure we bring attention to RightNow Media, an exciting

ministry tool that we have available here at Southland.

RightNow Media gives us digital access to a vast library of Biblical content

through online video streaming. It’s kind of like NETFLIX … Jesus-style!

In addition to our use as a church, through our church subscription, everyone connected to Southland can have his

or her own log-in with FREE access to all the content wherever and whenever there is an online connection (via

smart phone, computer or another connected electronic device). If you haven’t yet, please send a request via e-mail

to the church office (info@gosouthland.org) and we will help you get set-up.

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What MATTers to me … From time-to-time, it’s appropriate to use this article space to share something that didn’t make it into a recent sermon, but is certainly worth considering. In this case, they’re words from Tim Keller about the implications of calling Jesus “Lord.” While I have referenced them at least one time in the past, it’s good to put them before you in a way that you can actually reflect on them.

In this current series, we’ve already focused a great deal on this question of Jesus’ identity. That’s most fitting because ultimately, that’s what the Gospel stories are all about - an attempt to help us see Him clearly. Of course, Luke (like the other writers) doesn’t want us to stop with just a greater level of understanding about Jesus, he wants us to also respond accordingly. Maybe that’s a response of greater assurance and confidence in Him (see Luke 1:4). Maybe it’s about seeing Him clearly for the first time. Maybe it’s about choosing to acknowledge/submit to His authority on a greater level. That’s what these words from Tim Keller help us to consider. If we call Jesus “Lord,” what implications does that title have for how we respond to Him in our lives?

I've heard people say, "I'm checking out Christianity, but I also understand Christians can't do this and the Bible says you're supposed to do that. You're supposed to love the poor or you're supposed to give up sex outside of marriage. I can't accept that."

So people want to come to Christ with a list of conditions.

But the real question is this: Is there a God who is the source of all beauty and glory and life, and if knowing Christ will fill your life with his goodness and power and joy, so that you would live with Him in endless ages with His life increasing in you every day? If that's true, you wouldn't say things like, "You mean, I have to give up _____________ (whatever it may be)."

Let's say you have a friend who is dying of some terrible disease. So you take him to the doctor and the doctor says, "I have a remedy for you. If you just follow my advice you will be healed and you will live a long and fruitful life, but there's only one problem: while you're taking my remedy you can't eat chocolate."

Now what if your friend turned to you and said, "Forget it. No chocolate? What's the use of living? I'll follow the doctor's remedy, but I will also keep eating chocolate."

If Christ is really God, then all the conditions are gone. To know Jesus Christ is to say, "Lord, anywhere your will touches my life, anywhere your Word speaks, I will say, "Lord, I will obey. There are no conditions anymore." If He's really God, He can't just be a supplement. We have to come to Him and say, "Okay, Lord, I'm willing to let You start a complete reordering of my life."

There’s a sense in which we come to the stories of the Gospels and we love how Jesus comes across. He’s performing these incredible miracles - wondrous deeds of compassion that cause people to be amazed at who He is. He’s bringing the Kingdom reign of God into this earth, infiltrating enemy territory as He cast out demons. He’s teaching the crowds. He’s confronting the Jewish leaders for the ways they corrupted the true heart of God. It all makes it easy for us to look at Jesus and greatly admire who He is and all He was doing. Even more, we hear this GOOD NEWS that announces the great things He brings about in the lives of those who are His! It’s so easy to celebrate who Jesus is.

And yet, Tim Keller is “spot on” in this regard: when we celebrate who Jesus is ... when we see Him more clearly as He truly is ... when we consider all that is so great about Him (e.g. His promises, deeds, etc.) ... in the end, the right response is not just one of celebration, but one of humble and total submission to Him. The Gospels decisively answer the question “Who is this Jesus?” Indeed, He is God’s Son, the Christ/Messiah, the One sent into this world from above - He is LORD. As we celebrate that, as we allow His identity to lead us to greater confidence and assurance in Him, may it also cause us to bow before Him, surrendering to His Lordship with ALL that we are.

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Erik’s Endeavors As I was in the writing process for this article and beginning to connect ideas, this question came to my mind, “When is National Puzzle Day?” Having no idea even if there is such a day, I look up at the calendar on my office wall. To my amazement, I see that National Puzzle Day is January 29. How fitting! That’s how our God works, even in connecting the small pieces.

Work backwards to last Wednesday, January 20. Staff is discussing whether we will have Cultivate or not due to the weather. I am looking up potential back-up plans for our Middle School students in case Cultivate is still on, but our trip to serve hot chocolate has been cancelled. I come across a series on RightNow Media called “No Plan B.” Fitting, right? As I watch, I hear a pastor named Todd Phillips say something that really caught my attention. He asks the question, “What’s the most important piece of the puzzle?” Now, with a puzzle most would say something like the last piece or the corner piece. Todd says those are good answers, but they would be wrong. He says the most important piece is the box top because that’s the only way you can see the whole picture. Hopefully you will be able to see the box top in the next session of Cultivate called Vantage Points. I will let you look up “No Plan B” to put together the full picture of what Todd is talking about.

At Group Huddle this semester, our middle schoolers are talking about being prepared in faith and life and working to learn how to see the whole picture. We are under way in our first flight entitled “End Up,” a piece of our broader “UP” theme. We are working backwards in the process, trying to help students think about leaving a powerful legacy for God by leading in prayer. (If you have noticed that I have used the phrasing, “Work Backwards” a lot, it’s because January 25 was Backwards Day.) Our other two upcoming themes are “Lead Up” and “Pray Up.”

There is something else that’s up with January 25. It was on that day last year that Cheyenne and I got to meet many of you for the first time. In February we are coming up on officially being at Southland for a full year. We have certainly made strides and are discovering more of the “top of the box” and how we fit in. We want to strive to continue learning and growing and are preparing to see what pieces God will help us put together in year two. We want to fit more into His Kingdom picture - the top of the box He’s provided - than a culture that puzzles us.

The pieces of life can be puzzling and hard to put together at times. Sometimes we try to shove pieces in and fit everything into our schedules. Sometimes we need to stop trying to put it all together ourselves and look up to God. Colossians 3:2 talks about setting our minds on things above. Looking up at the calendar got me un-puzzled and changed my whole trajectory of writing this article. If you find yourself stuck or puzzled right now, simply looking up could help you connect the next puzzle piece of His story.

ATTENTION KIDS ... COME JOIN US FOR NOAH’S PARK! Wednesday evenings during Cultivate. This is a ministry for

kids age 3 through 5th Grade. Come and experience the fun while learning to be more like Jesus.

You don’t want to miss out!

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Summer camp Dates:

Beginner Camp (K-1st grade): June 11

Kids’ Camp (grades 2-4): June 16-18

Junior Camp (grades 5-6): June 12-15

Middle School Camp (grades 6-8): June 26 - July 1

2016 Middle School Believe Conference

Departing Friday, March 11 @ 1:00pm Returning Saturday, March 12 @ 9:00pm

The conference will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center (we will stay in a nearby hotel).

“Believe” is a high-energy weekend event specifically designed for middle school students. It’s a short time, but one that is packed with powerful worship and teaching from God's Word. Featured will be speaker Jeff Walling, worship from the Bryce Osbourne Band and illusionist Brock Gill. For information and to sign-up, look for the Believe table located in the south foyer. Registration fee of $55 is due Sunday, February 7.

Each year, GROUP HUDDLE students put on this event for our younger kids here at SCC. We encourage all to come enjoy a night of games and cheer on our children as they compete in featured events including Ernie’s Luge, the Olympic Bounce, the 2-Man Bobsled and many more. Children will participate on different teams, representing countries from around the world. They will be given a jersey at the start of the games, so be sure to have them wear a light t-shirt for the night. Sign-up sheets are located in the hallway down by the Great Room.

At the conclusion of the games, there will be a delicious dinner from the “International Café of Flavor.” Nursery and child care will be provided for younger children. It’s a great evening of fun for all!

2016 Kids’ Olympiad

Sunday, February 21 from 6-8pm

GRADE SCHOOL-MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

2016 VBS

July 25-28

Junior Bash at Maranatha Friday-Saturday, April 1 and 2

for students in grades 3-6

Get ready for 23+ hours of high-energy fun, good food, Bible study, memorization and relationship building!

This semester’s theme is Night At the Camp Museum Part 3: The Quest for Noah’s Ark. It’s a continuation of a

theme from last year. More details will be available in next month’s Vine.

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MOVE is a 5-day event designed to amplify the call of Christ, encouraging students to become “Kingdom workers.” The conference is open to incoming freshman through graduating seniors.

The cost for this year’s conference will be $339 (that includes travel, meals, housing and registration). A $50 pre-registration will be due on Sunday, February 28.

SAVE the DATES! The annual youth yard sale will be held Friday & Saturday, May 13-14. This fundraiser helps reduce the balance for those attending the MOVE conference.

It’s a party with the best seats in the house. Enjoy an evening of laughter, snacks and the big game. Girls are encouraged to bring a dessert and guys are asked to bring a bag of chips.

The Cobb’s address Is 4711 S. April Ave. (Springfield - 65810). Contact Les for specific directions. Hope to see you there!

Super Bowl Party Sunday, February 7 from 5:00-8:00pm

Hosted by the Cobb family

2016 Summer MOVE Conference University of Nebraska (Lincoln) July 10-16

Les’ latest & grOUP HUDDLE News

Academic Tutoring … Sundays, 4:30-6:00pm starting Sunday, February 28

Do you need some help with your homework? No problem, bring it with you prior to Group Huddle. Starting at the end of February, we are partnering with teachers and parents in a tutoring program. Take advantage of this free opportunity to receive subject-specific help on

projects, papers and other assignments. The tutoring program will be led by Suzi Bryant, who teaches science classes at Central High School. In addition to one-on-one help, these sessions will include a short devotional, prayer and some guidance related to different study skills.

Group Huddle Meals Group Huddle is up and running for this semester! It’s exciting to see many new faces among our group and encouraging to witness teens grow in their knowledge of God’s Word. As you know, each Sunday night our kitchen staff prepares a delicious meal for several hungry students and sponsors. Families are encouraged to submit $20 for each participating child to help offset the cost of food. This averages less than $2/meal. We gladly welcome parent volunteers to help prepare and serve meals. If you’re interested, please contact Les Londeen to find an available date.

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southlandwomen I was recently involved in a conversation about the importance of teaching children to obey. Even in the midst of the conversation, I could hear the Holy Spirit whispering to me – a reminder about the way God spends our entire lives teaching us to obey Him. To our Father, we adults are just children in bigger bodies. While we may have more self-control, so much of what we struggle with mirrors the struggles of children only on a grander scale. We tell our kids to do something, but then find them still in front of the video game 30 minutes later. Our heavenly Father nudges us to pick up His Word, but 30 minutes later we are still scanning Facebook or watching television. He impresses on us to share some of our financial blessing, but we stubbornly push down that prompting, formulating rationalization for why it is just fine to not give away our “hard earned” money. It would be nice to think that at some point in life we would “get it” on every level – that we would finally reach the place where God is the supreme and unchallenged authority over all parts of our lives. Yet, while we are on earth, there will always remain places in our heart where our cherished idols thrive in seclusion regardless of what’s apparent outwardly.

Sometime soon, pick up your Bible and read through Numbers 16. It is a startling episode in the history of the Israelite’s journey through the wilderness. As you read it, pay particular attention to who is involved in the rebellion against Moses - and, therefore God. Korah and his band of rebels were not just thugs from the common people; they were noble men in Israel. Korah, the ringleader, was even the great-grandson of Levi. He was joined by near descendants of Reuben. These men all came together as “two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown” (Numbers 16:2 emphasis mine). These rebels were leaders of the people – respected men of high standing. And yet, their God-given positions among the people were not enough. They wanted more. So they set their sights on bringing down Moses. To do this, they incited among the people disobedience toward God. Anyone present on that day would have been given a real-life, unforgettable lesson on the result of rebellion against God. Numbers 16 records how the earth opened up and swallowed some of the rebels while others were burned alive by fire from God Himself. Even after witnessing this, the people rose up against Moses, blaming him for the rebels’ demise! God took care of that too as He sent a plague that wiped out an additional 15,000 people. Without question, our rebellion can have devastating effects that reach far beyond ourselves.

And just in case you think that this whole deal with Korah was a one-time object lesson from God, consider these words from 1 Samuel 15:23 – “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” These were words God spoke through Samuel to Saul, but they are words that give us insight into God’s heart about the seriousness of even our rebellious hearts. He didn’t say that only Saul’s rebellion was like witchcraft – He made the umbrella statement that ANY and ALL rebellion was like witchcraft. This is a big deal to God!

Proverbs 22:15 tells us that “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.” Do you think that there might be a reason that throughout Scripture, His people are referred to a “children?” We are, in His sight, in constant need of guidance and discipline, structure and boundaries. Out of His love for us, He is patient and merciful, but there comes a time when we must decide for ourselves if we are willing to set aside the foolishness of a child’s heart when it comes to choosing to do the hard things of obedience. If we are truly His, then there comes a day of reckoning when He forces us to confront our rebellion. Those times can be so hard, but they should also fill out hearts with gratitude: even this difficult thing is a reminder that God loves me!!! Even more, I am truly His!!! It’s what the writer of Hebrews emphasizes about God’s discipline (12:5-11). While self-examination is never comfortable, when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us through the process, it can also be a time when we actually feel God’s love for us intensely. The problem is that “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.” It’s easy for us to foolishly think that we are good to go because we outwardly do all the right things – even while our hearts may be steeped in rebellious attitudes.

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The culture of “cheap grace” that we live in tells us that it is okay to push aside God’s authority in our life. After all, there was only ever one perfectly obedient person. Cheap grace tells us that we can use the grace and mercy we have through Christ Jesus to remain as we are – rebellious and unrepentant in our hearts. How often do we go Him with the needs of others without giving any consideration to just how much we may be in need our self? The condition of our own heart is often a blind spot in our spiritual vision.

So many followers of Christ question how they can know God’s will. Book after book has been written about answering that question. And yet, it seems to me that the one thing we all know to do, we don’t like to talk about because it is the hardest thing to do – to simply obey. We want to do what we want to do while still living under the full benefits and blessings of a Father who loves us. And yet, God’s will for our lives is that we pursue obedience and in that way reflect the heart of His Son to a world bent on self-worship.

It is January. Every January we read and hear about how to change ourselves for the next year. My challenge to you (and, to myself also) is for us not to change ourselves for the next year, but to strive – truly strive – to make obedience to God a goal in every part of life. The change will be evident inwardly and outwardly. We will be different than the world because our hearts will be more in line with Christ. In some ways, it’s not too hard to do the “good actions” Christ did – love others, feed the hungry, comfort those in pain, etc. Perhaps what will most set us apart from the world, is when we become like Christ even when and where it is hard – when we reject rebellion and follow His example of obedience.

Box Top Girls

BTG is for young ladies (as well as their moms and/or grandmothers) age 8 through 8th grade.

The next meeting will be Friday, Feb. 26 at 6:30.

The annual BTG retreat will be Saturday, March 16 from 9am to 4pm. This year’s theme will be “Giving God our ‘INSIDE-OUT’ Emotions.”

Moms Set Apart M. S. A. Mornings – February 4 and 18 (9:30-11:30am)

Contact Debbie Jennings … msamornings@gosouthland.org

M. S. A. Nights – February 2 and 16 (7:00-8:30pm) Contact Kristie Martin… msanights@gosouthland.org

The cost for each meeting is $5 - among other ways, that helps with the cost of childcare

which is provided each meeting time (morning and evening sessions).

Depart from Southland at 3:30 Friday afternoon (April 8) and return around 5:30 Saturday (April 9). We will make more

information available when we have it. You can also check out OCC’s website (http://occ.edu/Events/default.aspx?id=2197).

Cost will be less than $100 total (based on a double-occupancy room, meals, registration, etc.). Please let Debbie know by

February 21 if you want to attend.

Annual Women’s Conference

at Ozark Christian College

in Joplin, MO.

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Weekly ENCOUNTER ... a time to gather in God's presence together.

How does this sound to you? Imagine you are asked to arrive at the Church building at 7:00am on Sunday,

two to three Sundays out of the month (for most people) only to be expected to stand on stage and give

of yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally for roughly 3 out of the next 5 hours. It means missing

most of your Connect group time. Of course, it also means not having the freedom of getting up and using

the restroom or drinking your coffee during the worship service. Not only that, but it is also expected of

you in the week prior to your day of service to listen, rehearse and pursue excellence in the songs that are

selected. Did I also forget to mention that each week you’re placing yourself in a fairly vulnerable position

by singing or playing an instrument in front of over a hundred of your peers?

If you truly took the time to imagine yourself in this scenario, then either two things likely took place.

One, your heart started beating just a bit faster than before. Or, two, you now have a new-found

appreciation for those who volunteer their time and gifts to the worship ministry at Southland Christian

Church. One thing I’ve been wondering for a while now is this: does most of the congregation even know

who is leading them on any given Sunday in worship each week? Of course, there’s me, Jon. Most of you

know who I am, but I am a paid staff member. Though I love what I do and I’d be serving in a similar

capacity regardless of vocation, one can argue that I have to be here on Sundays. So over the next several

editions of “The Southland Vine” I’m going to try my best to acknowledge these unpaid, unsung (pun

intended) servants who have put more hours than I can even begin to count in my nearly seven years of

ministry at Southland.

Scott & Kendall Wooldridge (father-daughter)

The Wooldridge’s have been a faithful part of the worship ministry since

before my beginning at Southland in 2009. Scott is the head of

information technology for the Willard school district in Willard, Mo. He

is married to his wife, Jill, and they have three kids: Sydney, Kendall and

Noah. Scott is an amazingly gifted musician who happens to specialize in

piano. However, he has benefited the team far beyond his piano skills,

both in his knowledge of musical theory and in his ability to hear

melodies and dictate pitch almost perfectly. When I become lost in

where to go next in an arrangement, if Scott is on stage, he’s likely the

first one I look to first for guidance. Although Scott is accomplished

enough to just show up and play beautifully without rehearsal, I

appreciate the effort he makes to be at every single rehearsal on time,

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Upcoming Sermons For the months of January and February, we are in a series of sermons focusing on scenes from the Gospel of Luke. Overall, it’s a good time of year to turn our focus to the story of Jesus’ life and ministry. After all, the season of celebrating His death and resurrection isn’t really that far away (Resurrection Sunday is March 27).

Just as a reminder, we’re calling this series “Close ENCOUNTERS of the DIVINE Kind.” This title and logo plays off of a late 1970’s movie about an interaction with UFO’s and alien life forms (what is referred to as an encounter of the third kind, as in the movie title itself).

For our purposes in this series, the idea of “close encounters” is about scenes Luke records where individuals had face-to-face interactions with Jesus - ordinary people who met the One who is fully human and fully divine. He is the One who came into our world from above, God in the flesh. As we observe these 7 different scenes, we will consider the significance of those encounters for our lives today as followers of Jesus. Whether it’s placing ourselves in the sandals of those who met Him or trying to emulate His example as He encountered people or even simply observing what unfolds, it will be an opportunity to use these interactions recorded by Luke to reflect on God’s message to us through them.

Below are the scenes we will be focusing on during this series. January 31 Luke 7:1-10 … Jesus’ encounter with a centurion - amazing faith from an unexpected source February 7 Luke 7:36-50 … Jesus’ dual encounter with a sinner and a Pharisee February 14 Luke 8:22-56 … Jesus’ encounter with the forces of this world - the Kingdom breaking in February 21 Luke 10:25-37 … Jesus’ encounter with a religious leader regarding what it means to love February 28 Luke 10:38-42 … Jesus’ dual encounter with Mary and Martha

NOTE: During this series, we do want to encourage you to be reading the book of Luke. While we will only be looking specifically at 7 scenes, it will be good to get such a broader perspective from reading it all.

If you miss a sermon, you can catch it online! Go to the "Sermons & Media" tab on the home page of our website. Once there, click "Launch

Sermon Player" to find the one you want to hear.

even when his car doors are frozen shut and he has to drive over 40 minutes on snow-covered roads.

Next time you see Scott give him a big “THANK YOU” for his worship service.

Kendall is a freshman at Missouri State University, studying music education. Regardless of her insane

class and work schedule, she still finds the time to participate in one of her most-loved activities:

worshiping Jesus through song. You probably recognize Kendall’s smile and always-chipper attitude, but

her most recognizable feature is her always-beautiful, always-powerful voice which plays a huge role in

helping lead God’s people into the throne room of our Savior Jesus. Kendall also plays keyboard when

needed, and does an excellent job in that area, as well. Next time you see Kendall in the halls at church,

make sure to give her a big “THANK YOU” for her worship service.

Thank You, Scott and Kendall! You’re appreciated more than you know! – Jon

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CONNECT Ministries ... a place to discover Christian community.

We have designed our CONNECT Ministries to help people discover Christian community. They provide the right kind of place to

build relationships with other believers, pray with and for one another as we strive to follow Jesus faithfully and consider how

God’s Word applies to our lives. See the flyers available by the CONNECT banner in the foyer for additional information.

One of the ways we would encourage you in your involvement at Southland is to make this the time when you find a way where you can CONNECT with other believers. For the past few years, these groups have helped us experience community in Christ. It’s been a great way for us to grow together as we’re equipped to live out faith in Christ! Part of what CONNECT Groups are about is providing a place where we can learn together - with and from one another. During weekly meetings, each group uses various curriculum to reflect on how God’s Word applies to the life situations of those in the group.

Below, we have highlighted the current materials being used (along with the details about when and where they meet). If you’re not a part of a group, we encourage you to find one that fits you.

CONNECT Groups that meet at 9 AM on Sunday mornings:

LAUNCH (Room #5) … Les is developing his own curriculum for this group.

Free at Last (Fellowship Hall) … this group begins a series called “Unstuck” on Sunday, January 31. It can be easy to find yourself stuck in the routine of life. This Bible study series is designed to help participants get out of any ruts and re-discover a sense of meaning and purpose.

The Refuge (in the Gathering Room - off the Great Room) … this group is using a curriculum from Ravi Zacharias called Jesus Among Other Gods — it’s material designed to help participants consider the uniqueness and superiority of Christ in the midst of the belief systems/worldviews all around us.

The Morning Branch (the Great Room) … this group is using the RightNow Media series from Francis Chan on the NT book of James — living a life of real, active faith in Christ.

CONNECT Groups that meet at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings:

Free at Last (Room #6) … after finishing a series on James early in February, this group will begin a RigntNow Media series called “Thriving in Babylon.” It’s a 5-week series on the book of Daniel, asking and answering this question: how can we best live in the midst of an ungodly culture?

Empty Nesters (in the Fellowship Hall) … during the month of February, this group is continuing a video series through the OT book of Ecclesiastes by Tommy Nelson. The series is called “A Life Well Lived.” It is designed to help participants learn from Solomon’s pursuit of what truly matters in life.

CONNECT Groups that meet outside of Sunday mornings:

The Evening Branch … Sundays at 6 PM @ Ben & Debbie Jennings’ house (see the CONNECT Group flyers for an address) - this group is continuing a 5-week video series on the book of Daniel called “Thriving in Babylon.” It answers this question: how can we best live in the midst of an ungodly culture?

The revamped 242 … Sunday evenings - talk to Jon Carmichael about location and specific time. In February, they are continuing “The Time of Your Life” by Andy Stanley.

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G ROW DEEP Ministries ... an opportunity to plant deep roots in Jesus and God's Word.

At Southland, a significant part of what we do is designed to help people GROW DEEP. This happens through our Deeper Life

Groups (a.k.a. "D-Groups") as well as other opportunities like Ladies Bible Study. Beginning in September 2015, it has also included

our new Wednesday evening ministry called “CULTIVATE” (see below). Though each one is somewhat unique in its format, they all

have the same basic purpose: to help us plant deep roots down into Christ and God’s Word (see Colossians 2:6-7).

Due to the adjustment caused by inclement weather on January 20, this session will now run

through Wednesday, March 2 (that’s the Wednesday before Spring Break week).

As a reminder, we will be all together during this session

for a study called “VANTAGE POINTS … Understanding

and Responding to Those with Different Perspectives.”

This is a study on worldviews and religions being led by

Dave Embree from Christian Campus House at MSU. It is

very clear that there are many people in the world who

do not think like us or see the world like we do. Even here

in our own communities, that multi-cultural reality is becoming increasingly obvious. So, what

do we do in the midst of such differences? On one level, this session help us learn more about

the ideas embraced by others. On an even greater level, it will help us be better equipped to

respond in love to people holding those perspectives with the truth of Christ.

NOTE: If you miss a session of “Vantage Points,” we are recording them and loading them onto the website. Go to the “CULTIVATE” section of the website, click on the “Cultivate audio” tab and then you will be able to launch the media player with the sessions.

OTHER DETAILS:

We do provide an inexpensive meal opportunity on Wednesday night. To help us with

meal preparation, we would appreciate your RSVP if you will be eating with us (this

can be done in the foyer at the CULTIVATE table even if you haven’t done so yet). You

have the option of signing-up for the whole session or by specific week. The cost of

meals will again be $2/individual with a maximum of $10/family.

As we’ve highlighted previously, we have also launched a new ministry for

kids age 3 through 5th grade called “Noah’s Park” during this session. See

page 5 for information.

We also have childcare for ages 2 and younger as well as ministry opportunities for

middle school students (high school students will attend the session).

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As we are in the midst of session #3 of Cultivate, we

again have some people we want to recognize for their

way they are serving to BUILD UP others.

THANK YOU to Dorothy Snow who is taking care of our nursery childcare (ages 2 and under)

during this session. We certainly appreciate her servant’s heart! She is being assisted by some

middle school girls: Jessica McAnally, Alexis Simpson and Ezri Smith - 1 each week.

THANK YOU also to Dennis McCann and Sonya Simpson who have taken on the task of

leading our middle school students during their Wednesday evening service activities (Erik is

working with “Noah’s Park” during this time). In addition to providing transportation, they are

teaming up to help lead them in their various projects.

Of course, there are many who are helping in other aspects of Cultivate - from those preparing/

helping to clean-up the meal to those stacking chairs on Sundays and setting them back up on

Wednesdays once the evening is done. THANK YOU to all who are helping in whatever way!

This section of the Vine provides a central place for you to be informed about how to become active in service at Southland. One of our major priorities is to be a place where God's people BUILD UP one another. In fact, according to Ephesians 4:16, the overall health of the church (the Body) depends upon each part doing its "own special work." Through our acts of service, God uses us to help others grow. At the same time, here’s what is beautiful about God's design: what we do for the benefit of others even has benefits for our own growth as followers of Jesus. That's why we share this section with you. While we cannot include every potential opportunity to serve, we want to (1) highlight some specific areas where we need help, (2) make you aware of special opportunities to serve and (3) provide a place to thank some of our volunteers.

To volunteer to serve in any area of ministry, please fill out one of the BLUE "Build Up" response cards at the Welcome Center. We will pass your name along to the appropriate leader.

Opportunities to BUILD UP ... a way to serve others and even help ourselves grow.

Specific OPPORTUNITIES to SERVE & “BUILD UP” the BODY

At the Welcome Center, we have provided flyers with specific ways people can serve and

BUILD UP one another here at Southland. If you’re looking for a specific way to get involved,

we encourage you to take a look at these materials and find the right place for you.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each

part does its own special work, it helps the other parts

grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and

full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

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SERVING SCHEDULE – February 2016

Communion Prep: Amy Ritz (weeks 1-2), then Truman & Karen Haynes (weeks 3-4)

Greeters Welcome Center Foyer Hosts

2/7/16 - 1st

2/7/16 - 2nd

10:30 Free at Last (8:45-9:10)

The Branch (10:15-10:40)

Wilber Kaylor/Sue Malina (8:45-9:10)

Joe & Suzi Bryant (10:15-10:40)

Ben & Debbie Jennings

Dennis & Kay McCann

2/14/16 - 1st

2/14/16 - 2nd

Empty Nesters (8:45-9:10)

Launch (10:15-10:40)

Catherine Correll (8:45-9:10)

Tony & Kim Flatt (10:15-10:40)

AJ & Terra Gegg

Warren & Carolyn Burros

2/21/16 - 1st

2/21/16 - 2nd

10:30 Free at Last (8:45-9:10)

9:00 Free at Last (10:15-10:40)

Jerry & Brenda Doty (8:45-9:10)

Scott & Judy Schiller (10:15-10:40)

Bob & Liz Wood

Ernie & Charlotte Emmerton

2/28/16 - 1st

2/28/16 - 2nd

Empty Nesters (8:45-9:10)

The Refuge (10:15-10:40)

Pat Burge/Dorothy Marti (8:45-9:10)

Ken & Debbie Nelson (10:15-10:40)

Terry & Brenda Ochs

Jay & Kim Tyler

Servers 1st Service 2nd Service

2/7/16 Various People Mark Miller team

2/14/16 Various People Doug Graves family

2/21/16 Various People Ben Jennings team

2/28/16 Various People Les Londeen & Youth Group

Nursery check-in 1st Service 2nd Service

2/7/16 Amanda Miller Jill Cobb

2/14/16 Jill Sims Debbie Gray

2/21/16 Lacey York Amanda Butler

2/28/16 Stacy Gambill Susan Graves

Nursery 1st Service 2nd Service

2/7/16 Amanda Miller/Donna Lillard Cobb family

2/14/16 Jill Sims/Cheryl McAnally Debbie Gray/Kayla Gray/Jenelle Smith/Ezri Smith

2/21/16 Lacey York/Carissa Virtue Amanda Butler/Ciara Romero/Emily Owen

2/28/16 Stacy Gambill/Linda Jones Graves family

CPU (in service) 1st Service 2nd Service

2/7/16 Alexis Simpson Sonya Simpson

2/14/16 Dan Gray Dan Gray

2/21/16 Simeon Martin Jay Butler

2/28/16 Cameron Flatt Sonya Simpson

Wee Cruisers’ Leaders Li’l Crusiers’ Leaders Cruisers’ Helpers

2/7/16 Kristin Londeen/Emily Weber Sara Emmerton/Shelby Ritz Amber N./Javan L.

2/14/16 Andrea Conboy/Cindy McMillian Sara Emmerton/Lizzie Kilgo Andy & Donna L./Noah W.

2/21/16 Judy Schiller/Aimee Garrett Sara Emmerton/Jessica McAnally Brad & Ashley W./Luke B.

2/28/16 Brad & Marsha Foster Sara Emmerton/Katie Kilgo Les L./Wes H.

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LIVE OUT Ministries

... a path for putting faith into action.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,

especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

- Galatians 6:10

“Here and There, Now and Then, We Serve God through G6:10” - article by Jared & Sammie Wilson

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

This is how we choose to live our lives, because this is what we feel God has asked us to do. It has always been important to us to focus on serving others through our actions. We do so in order to show love to God and to those who

desperately need to see God. Because of our commitment to outreach and service, we were actively involved in the

inception of G6:10. We helped to plan, organize and carry out several service projects to help the less fortunate in our

community. What we love most about G6:10 is the willingness of those involved to get their hands dirty and actively

serve outside of the church, in our community.

Although we moved away and left Southland, we never really left G6:10 (mostly because Warren told us we weren’t allowed to, and contacted us regularly while we were gone!). Because of our passion and knowledge from our G6:10

involvement, we had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles at our next church, helping the church to grow their

influence in the community. Our passion for service was strengthened as we watched the hearts of that church reach out

and really care about hurting and lost people in the community. God has asked us to take care of each other in the

body of Christ, but He also has asked us to reach the world for Him. As Paul said, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” - 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV). To truly serve God, we must get outside of our comfy, easy lives and go get our hands dirty to win the lost to Christ. After all, who did

Jesus hang out with? If we do not show Christ to our community, they may never see Him.

And so, when we made the decision to return to Springfield, we knew immediately that we would be resuming (or

continuing) our role with G6:10. As we begin 2016, we would love to see the influence of our local outreach efforts

expand. We hope to see the hearts of this church family grow with a desire for service. Anyone who wants to help show

God’s love to others, please do so in whatever ways you can. Contact G6:10 for support and service opportunities, or help the community on your own. But don’t serve because we asked you to do it – serve because God asked you to do

it. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV). It doesn’t require special talents, only a heart for people and a love for God. He will

supply the gifts you need. We know He has done so for us. We look forward to serving with all of you in 2016.

OPPORTUNITIES TO “LIVE OUT” YOUR FAITH

One of the key purposes of the G6:10 Ministry is to offer opportunities for us to LIVE OUT faith (see the theme

verse of Galatians 6:10). That is not so much about creating new events, but helping to keep the SCC family aware

of events that are already happening, especially with our local ministry partners. The goal is not for everyone to

participate in every single event. Rather, we want to lay these opportunities before you so you can decide how/

where/when to participate. We want to provide you with some very specific ways you can participate in Kingdom

work as you LIVE OUT your faith!

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To keep you informed about Southland’s foreign missions

partners, we strive to provide updates when available in

the alcove of the auditorium (by the map). This is really

the only way one of our partners can communicate with

us. Their location makes any online presence too risky

from a security standpoint. We do make their newsletters

available as they come in.

There is a website for the “Central India Christian Mission.” Check out www.indiamission.org

for more information about some of the global Kingdom work we get to partner in here at

Southland. You can also “like” their Facebook page for ongoing updates.

Our newest “foreign partner” is an organization called “Life of Hope Ministries” (you can

check out their website at www.lifeofhope.org). This group has ministry partners on the

ground in Guatemala. In essence, we are partnering with them in supporting the work that

is being done. It’s another way we can participate in furthering God’s mission globally.

We also wanted to make sure we update you about a couple of things:

At the end of the calendar year, we make it a priority to use some of our “excess” foreign missions

funds to bless Kingdom work around the globe. This year, we gave $5,000 to “Open Doors,” a

ministry that works with persecuted Christians around the globe. That gift went specifically towards

the work they were doing with refugees. We also again gave $3,500 to Blackbox International (for

more information about their work, see their website at http://www.blackboxinternational.org). In

addition to our regular partnerships, this is a great way we can be a part of God’s global work!

In the month of February, we will have a couple people accompanying “Life of Hope” on a medical

trip to Guatemala. This is the first time we will have SCC people involved directly with the work there.

We have helped to support the expenses of that trip (e.g. for medicines) and look forward to hearing

more of their firsthand perspective of the work we all get to be a part of through this ministry.

www.cchonthe.net

www.show-mehome.com

www.417pcc.org www.maranatha

www.occ.edu

Our local ministry partners:

As part of our participation in “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday” (January 17), we

highlighted the Pregnancy Care Center - one of our local ministry partners. Like us,

the PCC shares a conviction about the value of life because of the Creator of life - it’s

why we are grateful for this partnership. By making each person “in His image,” He has made life sacred. If your heart beats with a desire to participate in promoting the

value of life and defending its sanctity in the midst of a culture that cheapens it, the PCC would be a great place to LIVE

OUT such a heart!

One of the great aspects of the PCC is the way it emphasizes the positive … as with their

“Loving Life” theme! We were recently given a gift from the PCC in recognition of their 15

years of ministry - a picture book celebrating some of the lives God has used them to bless.

It’s available for you to see in the alcove. Through our partnership with the PCC, these are