Summer plans for children and youth ... Maranatha Bible Camp

Submit forms for all campers & sponsors.

Due Sunday, 4/28!! CIY: 2013 Move Conference "Rise Up" University of Nebraska July 7 -13 Incoming Fresh. - Graduating Seniors $295.00 (4 registrations available) Now Accepting Yard Sale Donations!

Friday & Saturday, May 17-18 CIY Fundraiser

Vacation Bible School

July 29 - August 1.

Next Meeting: May 5, after services.

Be looking for ways you can help!

See page 6 for more details about all this!

Southland Vine The

April 24, 2013

1630 W. Republic Road * Springfield, MO 65807

417.881.7405 * gosouthland.org

May Leadership Meetings:

> Elders/Staff Mtg: Thursday, May 2 @ 6 PM > Elders' Meeting: Thursday, May 16

@ 6PM

Southland Christian Church ...

equipping you to LIVE OUT your faith

as you ENCOUNTER God, CONNECT with others,

GROW DEEP and BUILD UP one another.

The next edition of The Vine – May 22.

What’s Inside …

2-3 General Reminders & Info

4 "WE DO!"

5 What MATTers to Me

6 Les’ Latest ... (Children/Youth)

7-8 southlandwomen

9 Encounter

10-12 Connect 12 Grow Deep

13-14 Build Up

15 MAY Serving Schedule

16 Live Out

17 The Catalogue

GRADUATION SEASON

Beginning May 12, we will have a display in

the foyer to recognize our Southland graduates. See "Les' Latest" (page 6) for our

high school grads. Check out page 2 to submit the name of any other graduate.

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GGeenneerraall RReemmiinnddeerrss aanndd IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ......

"THAT’S ALL FOLKS!"

Due to low level of interest, we are no longer going to participate in the SCRIP program. This was one of the key roles Paula had filled on our ministry staff team (she left in the Spring of 2012). With her

departure, it became difficult to give SCRIP the necessary attention, especially when it came to the "Cash and Carry SCRIP." Our thanks to Diane Yates for the ways she has worked to co-ordinate it over the past several months.

It was a great program that provided a tremendous blessing to Southland over the past several years beginning with the new addition building project. Our thanks to all who have participated in SCRIP

over the years!!

Don’t forget Mother’s Day on May 12!!

Let’s take the time to thank God for the blessing of our moms and honor them for

the ways they’ve influenced us, especially the legacy of

faith they’ve passed on.

May 1 2 (Mother’s Day) through

June 1 6 (Father’s Day)

This year, as part of our partnership with the Pregnancy Care Center, we will be participating in the “Baby Bottle Boomerang” fundraiser. We will make bottles available on Mother’s Day (May 12) for whoever wants one – individuals, families or other groups. Take those with you, collect loose change or even put a check/cash inside. Then, bring it back to Southland on Father’s Day (June 16 – hence the BOOMERANG idea!). It’s a great way for us to partner with the PCC and support them as they serve Christ in our community.

We will have further details/instructions available with the bottles at a display on May 12 when they are available.

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PRAYER …

To share requests with Southland, please submit them via e-mail to

prayer@gosouthland.org or call the church office.

Questions? While we work hard to communicate all the right information, we know there may be additional questions you have about Southland ... especially if you are new around here! If you have questions, please contact the office and someone on staff will help you out. If you want to submit questions via e-mail you can send them to gotquestions@gosouthland.org.

“Thanks so much for your prayers, cards, love, and concern during Mother’s illness and

passing. The floral arrangement sent to the service was beautiful. I love you all.” Pat [Burge]

“Thank you so much for your support to the Tunisian retreat. I know the team was greatly

blessed by our support and presence. And I could not have imagined a better travel than

with Miss Kelly Loftis. We had so much fun and we both benefited from the overnight stay in

Atlanta. Thank you again!!!” Olivia McGoon

We are excit ed about ut ilizing t he “YouVersion” app for smart phones, t ablet s and ot her elect ronic devices

during our Sunday service. Among ot her t hings, it 's a great way t o follow along

wit h t he sermon (yes, we will cont inue t o have not e sheet s available as well).

See t he post ers for inst ruct ions on how t o find our LIVE event using t his app

each week: “SCC – Sunday ENCOUNTER.” You can even send your own not es t o

yourself via e-mail from right t here wit hin t he app!

FINANCIAL UPDATE ... March 2013 (the most recently completed month)

We want to start providing this info to keep you aware of what's happening. Keep in mind, this is a snapshot of one month. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have through the office staff.

INCOME ...

Regular tithe - $45,278

Love Offerings - $1,895 (includes $1,270 to IMAGINE Fund for the building)

Average weekly tithe - $9,055.60

Weekly budgeted goal - $8,650.00 (This is based on an estimated annual budget of $450,000 ... NOTE: This is our target; we adjust as necessary along the way.)

4

One of the great privileges and joys of following Jesus is being joined together with other believers as His

church. Here at Southland, we express that vital connection in part through our “Membership Covenant.” It

provides the basic parameters for belonging to the church family here – the commitments we have made to

Christ and one another as His people. Now, these are not just our own ideas. Rather, they are our attempt to

communicate the teaching of God’s Word when it comes to His Church – just what does it require of us to

belong to His Body? In this section of the Vine, we will be reviewing these commitments – 1 from each of the 4

sections of the covenant in each edition. It’s a way for us to keep fresh in our hearts and minds just what it

means to be connected to one another as His church here at Southland.

GENERAL LEADERSHIP (for both elders and staff) COMMITMENT … We covenant to always remember we are

leading HIS church and carrying our HIS agenda. We must recognize who the church belongs to – it is GOD’s

flock and CHRIST’s body (see Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:15 and 1 Peter 5:2-3). Leaders quickly develop an

intense personal investment and concern for the church. As a result, it can be easy for us to forget our role as STEWARDS of the opportunities and responsibilities HE has given. Being committed to remembering this role

will help provide important perspective in a myriad of ways as we lead: for example, focusing on HIS priorities,

carrying-out HIS desire, serving for HIS glory, responsible for the well-being of HIS people, etc.

ELDERS’ COMMITMENT … We covenant to follow the example and leading of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, as we

care for and nurture the congregation as shepherds of His flock. 1 Peter 5:2-4 essentially identifies the role of

elders as “under-shepherds” to the “Chief Shepherd” (see also Hebrews 13:20 for a similar title). Jesus has

delegated a great responsibility to the elders of a congregation. Ezekiel 34 shows God’s harsh critique for those

shepherds who neglect their true work. The desire of elders today should be to serve in a way that shows

faithfulness to this sacred task – modeling the Good Shepherd in our care for His flock.

STAFF COMMITMENT … We covenant to work with volunteer ministry leaders and other staff in designing and

effectively implementing the work of ministry here. In the New Testament, we see individuals serving as those

who carry-out a specific ministry responsibility (e.g. Acts 6:1-7). This is essentially the role of a “deacon” or

“deaconess.” The basic meaning of the word is one who serves/ministers. Here at Southland, we call them “ministry leaders” … those who help lead in a specific ministry of the church. It is the role of staff to partner

not only with fellow staff members, but also with all such ministry leaders in carrying-out God’s priorities here

at Southland – both designing and implementing the work of ministry.

MEMBERS’ COMMITMENT … We covenant to be faithful stewards of the resources God has graciously provided,

regularly giving to Southland and God’s Church of my time, abilities and financial means in a way that is

reflective of how Christ Himself gave – sacrificially, generously and willingly. We should experience great

blessings as part of a church family. In the end, though, belonging to a church is also about a responsibility to be

a CONTRIBUTOR with what He has given to us. This includes our giving. The Old Testament establishes a basic

pattern of material giving to the spiritual family (see a very similar NT theme in Rom. 15:27 and 1 Cor. 9:11).

Of course, it goes far beyond financial resources to include our time, abilities, etc. In all of these areas, we take

of what God has blessed us and give for the good of others just as He gave. It’s part of how we follow Him!

5

What MATTers to me … In the midst of planning sermon series, it’s common for me to get pretty energized. I prayerfully look ahead and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in plotting out how things will unfold. Along the way, I begin to see the potential impact a series can make and I’m ready to get going with it. Occasionally, a series particularly stands out. Sometimes, it’s a new theme that I personally am looking forward to studying, one I haven’t dealt with much in the past. Other times, it’s because I can begin to see the potential a series has for making a significant difference in our lives as followers of Jesus. Both criteria are met when it comes to our current series (began this past Sunday, April 21 – see page 9 for more information): “PRESENCE … The Holy Spirit in Our Lives Today.” There are few series that have energized me in anticipation as this one has.

Here’s how we could put the foundational truth God’s Word teaches about the Holy Spirit: Through His ongoing presence in our lives, we have what we need to flourish as followers of Jesus. In so many ways, I get this sense that there are many people who desire to LIVE OUT faith effectively and faithfully. And yet, there is a consistent struggle to do so – for a host of reasons, it’s difficult for us. That’s where the Holy Spirit should enter the equation. He is an incredible gift that we have received in Christ. Through Him, God is truly “with us” everyday, dwelling within us not as an occasional resident, but permanently. That’s why we’re emphasizing this word PRESENCE in this series.

But, it’s more than just that He’s in us – it’s the reality that His presence should make a tremendous difference in our lives. Consistently in Scripture, especially in Old Testament stories, we read that the Lord was “WITH” someone. His presence fundamentally changed the situation. It allowed Joseph to thrive in the midst of undeserved adversity. It allowed Joshua the strength and courage to lead the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land. It allowed David to become the great man and king he became. On and on we could go. God’s presence WITH His people produces a tremendous difference! It should be true for us as well as we follow Jesus and live with His Spirit inside of us. In his book Forgotten God, Francis Chan bluntly asks it this way: “If it’s true that the Spirit of God dwells in us ..., then shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit and the person who does not?” In the end, this series is not a matter of giving us more information about the Holy Spirit – it’s not intended to be a biography. It’s designed to help us tap-in to His presence so that His power and influence can be released and become more of a reality in our lives. If we want to flourish as followers of Jesus, if we want to grow and experience His working in/through us, then it’s the Holy Spirit that we most need!

As we prepare to launch into this series, I want us to consider the theme of our RESPONSIBILITY in this partnership. He is in us, but that doesn’t mean we’re totally passive. It’s wrong for us to approach our spiritual lives as if it’s all up to us to make it happen. It’s just as wrong for us to approach it as if we just get to go along for the ride, coasting while the Holy Spirit does all the work. The right approach sees it as a true partnership. It’s what we see in Philippians 2:12-13 … we work hard (v. 12), but it’s God who is making it happen in our lives (v. 13). Without His presence, our best efforts wouldn’t matter. Without our efforts, His presence cannot be released fully in us as we resist or quench His work. In fact, this is probably the sense in which Paul writes the command “be filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18. Surrender yourself to Him, allowing Him to carry-out His work more and more in your life. Give Him access to every part of who you are until His presence has filled your life.

In this series, as we focus on His role, we don’t want to lose sight of our responsibility. If we truly want to flourish as followers of Jesus, if our desire is to live out our faith effectively, if we want to grow in Christ and experience His power at work in our service to others, then the surest way for that to happen is for us to keep in step with His Spirit at work in us. Again, from the book Forgotten God, Francis Chan uses the illustration of yeast and flour in bread. Both are necessary ingredients, necessary for the right end result. So it is with the Holy Spirit and us – both His action and our “response-action” are necessary. I love that idea … our “response-action.” We are not making it happen on our own, but neither are we passively sitting it out while He works. No, our responsibility is to actively respond to His working in us. We listen as He instructs. We move as He guides. We strive for growth as He makes us something new. We serve as He empowers. This series of sermons truly has the potential to make such a difference. Along the way, here’s my prayer: may you experience His difference-making presence. May you take seriously your responsibility in allowing His purposes to be fulfilled in your life!

6

VVaaccaattiioonn BBiibbllee SScchhooooll

JJuullyy 2299tthh –– AAuugguusstt 11sstt ((PPrree--sscchhooooll tthhrroouugghh 55

tthh ggrraaddee))

Volunteer Meeting is Sunday, May 5, after services. Please donate the following items: brown grocery sacks, and empty pizza boxes. We will also need approximately 500 juice boxes/pouches for snack time.

LLeess'' LLaatteesstt UUppddaatteess ffrroomm tthhee CChhiillddrreenn’’ss && YYoouutthh MMiinniissttrriieess

Group Huddle @ Hammons Field: Sunday, April 28th (departing after morning services and returning to SCC at 5:30pm). Batter Up! Support our local Springfield Cardinals as they take on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The tickets will sell for $5.00, so sign-up today! Be sure to bring money for lunch and concession snacks!

NNooww AAcccceeppttiinngg

GGaarraaggee SSaallee DDoonnaattiioonnss!!

AArree yyoouurr kkiiddss tthhrreeaatteenniinngg ttoo tthhrrooww aawwaayy yyoouurr

ffaavvoorriittee ccoorrdduurrooyy ppaannttss oorr tthhaatt uukkuulleellee iinn tthhee aattttiicc??

IIssnn’’tt iitt ttiimmee ttoo ddoo ssoommeetthhiinngg wwiitthh tthhoossee iitteemmss tthhaatt

aarree JJUUSSTT TTAAKKIINNGG UUPP SSPPAACCEE?? WWeellll,, tthhee tteeeennss ooff

SSoouutthhllaanndd eennccoouurraaggee yyoouu ttoo ssttaarrtt yyoouurr sspprriinngg

cclleeaanniinngg aanndd rriidd yyoouurrsseellff ooff cclluutttteerr!!

TThhee YYoouutthh YYaarrdd SSaallee ((wwhhiicchh hheellppss ttoo ccoovveerr

ccoossttss ooff oouurr CChhrriisstt IInn YYoouutthh MMOOVVEE CCoonnffeerreennccee ttrriipp

tthhiiss ssuummmmeerr)) wwiillll bbee hheelldd oonn tthhee cchhuurrcchh ppaarrkkiinngg lloott

oonn FFrriiddaayy,, MMaayy 1177tthh aanndd SSaattuurrddaayy,, MMaayy 1188tthh..

BBrriinngg yyoouurr iitteemmss ttoo tthhee cchhuurrcchh dduurriinngg ooffffiiccee

hhoouurrss,, ppllaaccee tthheemm uunnddeerr tthhee ppoorrttiiccoo dduurriinngg

ooffff hhoouurrss,, oorr ccaallll LLeess LLoonnddeeeenn ttoo aarrrraannggee ppiicckk--

uupp ooff llaarrggeerr iitteemmss.. TTaaxx ddoonnaattiioonn rreecceeiippttss aarree

aavvaaiillaabbllee oonn rreeqquueesstt..

CCIIYY 22001133 MMOOVVEE CCoonnffeerreennccee ““RRIISSEE UUPP”” –– JJuullyy 77tthh 1133tthh ((FFoorr iinnccoommiinngg ffrreesshhmmaann ttoo ggrraadduuaattiinngg sseenniioorrss))

$$229955..0000 ((44 SSPPAACCEESS AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE!!))

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Camp Registrations are available at the Camp Display. Return forms by Sunday, April 28 to receive a Southland Scholarship toward your camp fees. Remaining balances will be due Sunday, May 12.

Middle School Camp ... June 16-21 (entering grades 6-8)

Beginner Day Camp ... Saturday, June 22 (entering K/1)

Junior Camp ... June 23-26 (entering grades 5-6)

Kids’ Camp ... June 27-29 (entering grades 2-4)

Grad Hats off to the class of 2013! In the coming weeks, a photo display in the

church foyer will recognize our 2013 graduates. Congratulations to:

Emily Courney, Parkview H.S. Eddie Foster, Nixa, H.S.

Mariah Klanchar, Parkview H.S. Samantha Lopez, Kickapoo H.S.

Ian Todd, Kickapoo H.S. Chris Weaver, Clever H.S.

(If your name was missed, please contact Les a.s.a.p.)

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“INTENTIONAL.” It’s a common word, one filled with great implications of responsibility and purpose. We speak of being intentional in everything from planning career paths to parenting to investing and more. “INTENTIONAL.” It’s about being pro-active rather than re-active. It’s about goal setting and taking ownership of your life, your choices, and your character. It is the concept we are trying to teach our children and grandchildren when we tell them to think about what they are doing before they do it. We want them to plan ahead - to weigh the consequences of their decisions and choices prior to acting. As followers of Jesus, “intentional” is especially significant – especially as it pertains to two activities that should be part of our daily lives: worship and prayer. INTENTIONAL WORSHIP is the theme for the new Bible Study titled “Will You Worship?” that begins next Tuesday. As I have been preparing for this study, I have found myself asking this question: Why is it that we relate worship only to the music portion of Sunday mornings? Certainly, that is worship, but what about the other 6½ days of the week? What if you have no other opportunity to listen to praise songs the rest of the week? Does that mean that you can’t worship? If you study the 50+ Hebrew words relating to praise/worship, their meanings and their contexts, it becomes clear that worship was never meant to be confined to a Sunday morning song service. Rather, God’s intention is for it to be an ongoing, daily, moment-by-moment acknowledgement of God and all that He is. Worship is not always linked to a warm fuzzy feeling we so often connect with it. In fact, one of the Hebrew words – ruwa – is used in this text: “So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:20 The Israelites’ obedient shouts were a form of worship to the one true God. That worship resulted in the destruction of a stronghold where many gods were worshipped, NOT a warm, fuzzy moment! When we intentionally give God His proper place of authority in our lives, worship will be the natural result – it will be manifest through our obedience, humility, and seeking. As followers of Christ, the ultimate priority in our lives should be to worship God and bring glory to Him. That is exactly what Christ did through His obedience and humility. Worship is not an event – it is intentionally acknowledging God throughout our days and activities. Worship is a lifestyle. Prayer is an element of worship. After all, how can we be intentional with God if we don’t talk to Him? In the book E.M. Bounds on Prayer, we find this warning:

“And yet, strange as it seems when we contemplate the wonders of which God’s people had been witnesses, they became slack in prayer. The mighty hold upon God, which had so often struck awe and terror into the hearts of their enemies, lost its grip. The people, backslidden and apostate, had gone off from their praying – if the bulk of them had every truly prayed. The Pharisee’s cold and lifeless praying was substituted for any genuine approach to God, and because of that formal method of praying, the whole of their worship became a parody of its real purpose.”

We often do more of everything else than we do praying. Worse yet, when we do pray, seldom do we pray with intentionality and forethought as to what we might say or how best to say it. While there is need for spontaneous prayer in some situations, there is also need to consider how the Holy Spirit is working in us and intentionally shaping our prayers to partner with Him in that work. That requires introspection and discernment on our part. Face it, we often put more thought into what we are going to say to our spouse or a friend than we put into what we are going to say to God. Those unintentional, “blah-blah” sort of prayers put the whole of our worship at risk. I often think of them as “white noise” to God’s ears. My favorite example of intentional prayer in Scripture is John 17 where Christ is praying for Himself, His disciples and for you and I as future believers. It is a full chapter of focused prayer and worship. Marvelous!

8

Plan NOW to go! See Debbie Nelson for more details.

Many times when John 17 is mentioned in classes or Bible study, someone points out the fact that “of course Jesus could pray!” But it is not impossible for us to also develop the discipline of intentional prayer. The Valley of Vision is a book containing a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. It's compiled by Arthur Bennett. In it we see wonderful examples of prayer. The author cites this reason for the compilation:

“Too often ex tempore prayer lacks variety, order, and definiteness. The reason for this lies partly in a neglect of due preparation. It is here that the care and scriptural thoroughness which others found necessary in their approach to God may be of help.”

The author goes on to say that the purpose is not to supply prayers, but to prompt and encourage Christians to pray in like manner. It is obvious that these were no “shoot from the hip” prayers. Rather, they were prayers guided by the Holy Spirit. They flowed from hearts that INTENTIONALLY gave God first place, and therefore, from lives of worship. Here is an example of one of the prayers. The prayer is written in Old English - don’t get all hung up on the “Thine” and “Thee” language, but as you read it, feel the heart and the yearning behind the prayer.

WORSHIP Glorious God,

It is the flame of my life to worship Thee, the crown and glory of my soul to adore Thee,

heavenly pleasure to approach Thee. Give me power by Thy Spirit to help me worship now,

that I may forget the world, be brought into fullness of life,

be refreshed, comforted, blessed. Give me knowledge of Thy goodness that I might not be over-awed by Thy greatness;

Give me Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God, that I might not be terrified,

but be drawn near with filial love, with holy boldness; He is my Mediator, Brother, Interpreter, Branch, Daysman, Lamb;

Him I glorify, in Him I am set on high. Crowns to give I have none,

but what Thou has given I return, content to feel that everything is mine when it is Thine, and the more fully mine when I have yielded it to Thee.

Let me live wholly to my Saviour, free from distractions, from carking care, from hindrances to the pursuit of the narrow way.

I am pardoned through the blood of Jesus- give me a new sense of it, continue to pardon me by it,

may I come every day to the fountain, and every day be washed anew, that I may worship Thee always in spirit and truth.”

That is INTENTIONAL PRAYER!

The bottom line is this: Both our worship and our prayers must intentionally be as much a part of our daily lives as are eating and sleeping. Growing in Christ doesn’t just magically happen – we can’t just sit back and hope for the best. We have the opportunity to be in close, intimate relationship with Almighty God. May we make it part of our lives to intentionally pursue Him with all our hearts!

WILL YOU WORSHIP? THIS 5-WEEK BIBLE STUDY BEGINS

TUESDAY APRIL 28 AT 9:30am

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

Here are the themes we will be looking at during our series on the Holy Spirit (see Matt’s article on page 5 for the rationale behind this series):

April 28 – “A REASSURING Presence”

May 5 – “A REVEALING Presence”

May 12 – “A GUIDING Presence”

May 19 – “A TRANSFORMING Presence”

May 26 – “A GIFT-GIVING Presence”

June 2 – “An EQUIPPING/EMPOWERING Presence”

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO . . .

Occasionally, it’s good for us to take the time to provide the basis for why we do what we do during our weekly ENCOUNTER time. The ingredients and lay-out of our service are not haphazard, but intentional. There is no single text that tells us exactly what we are supposed to do, but there are some that provide us some basic ingredients and parameters (e.g. Acts 2:42 & 1 Corinthians 14:40). Our desire is to be faithful to what this time is supposed to be all about as we gather to honor Him and re-orient our lives according to His purposes for us. We worship together through praise and adoration. We take the Lord’s Supper. We give. We hear and respond to God’s Word. But why? Glad you asked!

In this first installment, we want to focus specifically on the Lord’s Supper. The night before Jesus’ death, He gathered together with His disciples for the Passover feast. It was a night of remembering God’s great deliverance of His people from their slavery in Egypt. And yet, on this particular night, Jesus infused this ancient meal of remembrance with incredible new significance. It was now about a new act of salvation through His own sacrificial death, a new covenant established through His body and blood symbolized by the bread and the fruit of the vine. Eating and drinking of these elements now became an act of remembering Him (see Luke 22:14-20 & 1 Corinthians 11:23ff). It wasn’t just remembering what happened, but like with the Passover feast itself, the incredible significance it represented.

This meal of remembrance became an integral part of the early church’s gatherings (e.g. see Acts 2:42 & 20:7). Like them, as we gather together today, we eat the bread and drink the juice to remember His sacrifice. It’s a way of keeping Jesus at the center of our identity – calling to mind our new status as God’s new covenant people – those redeemed by Jesus, the Passover Lamb sacrificed on our behalf. It’s a way of reflecting on His amazing grace by which we are saved. Some would object to the frequency. Every week, doesn’t it become too routine? We would respond simply with this: what better event to regularly remember than the death of our Lord and Savior for us? What better way to do it than how He instructed? When it comes to the Lord’s Supper every week, that’s why we do what we do!

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Toddlers, Tee Ball, Temper Tantrums and Team Work

The time of year has finally arrived! The sweet aromas of freshly cut

grass, dirt, leather, chewed up sun-flower seeds and nacho cheese

converge into one perfectly concocted fragrance we all associate with

one thing: baseball season.

I, like many of you, grew up playing the sport. From tee ball to machine

pitch, from machine pitch to coach pitch, from coach pitch to little

league, and little league to, finally, what my hometown called senior

league. It was a large part of my childhood and it made a huge impact

on my early life—truly some of the fondest memories I have! Of course,

now that I have my own children, I want to provide them with the same

types of opportunities my parents did me. So this year I signed my

daughter, Addison, up for her first season of tee ball. Two practices

down!

I’d like to tell you that I think she’s a natural, but before I get into her

tee ball skills I want to ask you this—have you ever watched a large

group of three year olds trying to play an organized sport? To give you a general idea, try and imagine … well … a

large group of three year olds trying to play an organized sport.

Although extremely cute and hilarious to watch, it’s probably the farthest any one sport can get from being

considered “organized” (no fault to the coaches, of course. Brad, you rock!). Kids are playing in the dirt, picking

dandelions, talking about Spider-Man or Dora the Explorer, asking for a drink or a treat every two to three

minutes, and throwing temper tantrums every time someone beats them in fielding the ball. Not exactly what I

remembered from back in my baseball days. And, of course, as a sports-loving, competitive dad of one of the

most disinterested kids on the field, I found myself thinking, “Well, maybe my daughter’s not an athlete…she’s

always been more of an academic, anyway.” I began thinking about alternative activities in which she can take

part next year; maybe ballet or piano Lessons. Not only that, but after the third or fourth temper tantrum

sparked by a bigger, faster kid getting to the baseball before she did, I was about ready to give up on the hopes

that she’ll ever figure out the concept of “TEAMWORK.” (Don’t judge me. You’ve thought these things before, as

well!) Fortunately, there are other qualities that come with being a dad. Qualities like love, wisdom and

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. Please see the "CONNECT Counter" in the foyer for information about where these

groups meet weekly (9am & 10:15am), and for more details about upcoming events listed below. GET CONNECTED!

11

understanding. I realize that you can’t just assume your child is not talented or athletic enough to join in with the

rest of the kids, especially after just two practices. Surely she needs more time developing her skills, getting to

know the other players and understanding the dynamics of playing as a team. It makes me wonder exactly how

horrible I must’ve been at my first two attempts at tee ball. I’m sure it was a similar scene. I’m glad my parents

didn’t give up on me just because I didn’t seem like a natural.

This also got me to thinking about the Church. As parents, we aren’t willing to give up on our kids and their

development in different sports. We sign them up each year, buy them the necessary gear, get them to practice

each week, play catch with them in the back yard, and encourage them to be a team player and to not give up.

Why then are we so quick to give up on our own spiritual development when it seems like it’s just not working

out for us or we discover we’re not a “natural?” Just like baseball, being a follower of Jesus takes practice and

training. But our training doesn’t take place on an baseball diamond. It happens when we’re connected to the

Church body. There’s not one team sport in existence where team members aren’t required to show up to

scheduled practices. And, contrary to popular belief, the church body is a team.

Sure, a team can work on conditioning and technique, individually, but a team cannot function without regular

and routine practice where they are all together. At Southland, it’s our desire for everyone who considers

themselves part of our team to take advantage of the opportunities to connect with your teammates. In order to

provide this time of community and relationship building, we have several groups who meet each week at

different times and locations. We have so much fun laughing as we share stories and events that have taken

place in our own lives. We pray for and encourage one another. Together, we study Scripture and grow in our

understanding of God’s Word.

I know some of you just feel like you’re not cut out for a Connect Ministry; maybe you’ve “been there, done

that!” Perhaps you think you just don’t fit in or are uncomfortable talking about your life and/or faith to people

you barely know. If this is the case, just try and remember your first (or your child’s first) couple of attempts at

tee ball, basketball or soccer practice. Aren’t you glad you didn’t give up then? You already know community is

an essential part of your spiritual development. You just need to show up and be a part of the team.

Most CONNECT Groups will be wrapping-up the "Contagious Witness" series this Sunday, April 28. Beginning the first Sunday of May, groups will return to discussions focused on applying the day's sermon theme (unless leaders choose differently).

It's a time to encourage each other and grow together as we strive to follow Jesus faithfully. Come, connect and be equipped to LIVE OUT your faith!

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

At Southland, a significant way we help people grow is through our Deeper Life Groups (a.k.a. "D-Groups"). While we occasionally offer other teaching opportunities, this is our primary way of helping people plant DEEP roots into Christ and God's Word (see Colossians 2:6-7).

To be a part of a Deeper Life Group, please fill out one of the GREEN CARDS found at the Welcome Center.

(NOTE: If you have already signed-up to be a part of a D-Group, we will be forming new groups soon!)

CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE FOR D-GROUPS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS BEGINNING AT 6 PM.

EMPTY NESTERS ARE GOING

TO A MENNONITE HOME ON

MAY 18TH. WE WILL LEAVE

THE CHURCH AT 10:45.

SIGN UP AT THE CONNECT

COUNTER IN THE FOYER.

FREE AT LAST IS PLANNING AN EVENT FOR

JUNE 22 (more details in the next Vine).

SAVE

the

DATE

Make sure you check periodically at the CONNECT Counter in the foyer for more details about upcoming events!!

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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 have a need for help, (2) make you aware of special opportunities to serve and (3) provide a place to thank some of our volunteers.

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

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 SERVE:

Our nursery is staffed by a wonderful group of volunteers who serve on a rotating basis.

We currently have enough volunteers to cover both services for 4 weeks. BUT WE HAVE

A PROBLEM! In months where there are 5 Sundays (typically about 4 times per year) we

struggle to staff the nursery on that 5th Sunday. Often this means that people have to serve twice in

the same month or people who are already serving in other areas (e.g. Lil Cruisers, Sunday School,

etc.) are also called upon to serve in the nursery. We need 6 people who are willing to volunteer just

4 times per year on those 5th Sundays! AND GUYS – THIS IS NOT ONLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR

WOMEN!!! We have several couples who serve together! Contact Gabrielle Carroll if you are

interested.

We are still in need of people to serve at the Welcome Center Desk on a rotational basis.

We would like to have enough people willing to serve that we could establish a 6 week

rotation schedule. Please contact Deb Nelson if you are interested.

GUYS - mowing season is HERE. Dennis McCann will

forming teams and mowing schedules. Let Dennis

know if you can serve on the Southland Mowing

Team!

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Thanks to Truman and Karen Haynes! They have volunteered to become a part of the

Communion Prep team after reading about this need in the last issue of The Vine! They have been

added to the Communion Prep rotation beginning this month.

On Saturday, March 30, the combined Free At Last Connect Groups (about 20 people) met

for a morning of cleaning, painting, scrubbing, and tidying up so the church would look its best for Easter Sunday. Side by side they accomplished a lot of work and had some good laughs too! Serving together to BUILD UP the body is one of the goals of our Connect Groups. Thank you FREE AT LAST for setting the example. WELL DONE!

SHOWCASING A SERVANT: DAN GRAY

It is easy to take for granted the fact that the air conditioning or heat is functioning each time we open the church doors. But the truth of the matter is, our furnaces are older and need regular attention.

In the same way, we assume that the water fountains will work, the restrooms will be operational, and hot water will flow when needed. But water fountains get broken, toilets start running, and hot water heaters wear out.

You probably never give a second thought as to how all those lights in the sanctuary ceiling are maintained or how the baptistry is “magically” cleaned and ready should anyone express a desire to be baptized. Actually, it is quite a process to change the ceiling lights – a process that involves a very long ladder and lots of time. Cleaning the baptistry takes several hours, lots of CLR and muscle.

When the roof springs a leak, the backflow preventer is spraying water all over a sheet rocked wall, or the pipes have frozen on a nasty winter day, there has to be a “point man” to contact so repairs can be made.

.

When any of those situations arise, the first person we call (and have called for YEARS) is Dan Gray. In addition to all of that responsibility, Dan was invaluable during our last building program due to his knowledge of building codes and commercial mechanical systems. He has been heavily involved in everything from irrigation systems and exterior lighting projects to parking lot upkeep and drainage issues. When there is a question about one of the “systems” at Southland, Dan is the guy with the major understanding of the how’s and why’s of our building. Dan gives unselfishly of his time – coming in on weekends and evenings – to maintain or fix something broken. Over the years, he has saved the church thousands of dollars by sacrificing his time to save repair costs. Yet, unless you have had the opportunity to sit in a meeting with him or unless the subject of maintenance just happens to come up when he is around, most people attending Southland would never know all that Dan does.

Please take a moment to thank Dan. He is one of the reasons we can worship each week in a comfortable environment with functioning modern conveniences. His “under the radar” servant’s heart is a blessing to every person who enters our doors – whether they know it or not!

You may not know it – or for that matter – you may not know him, but we all owe a debt of gratitude to Dan Gray. Here’s why:

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SERVING SCHEDULE - MAY 2013

Communion Prep: Truman and Karen Haynes

GREETERS WELCOME CENTER 5/5/13 - 1ST SVC 5/5/13 - 2ND SVC

Junior High Refuge Connect Group

Brandon Joines/Jay Butler Dennis & Kay McCann

5/12/13 - 1ST SVC 5/12/13 - 2ND SVC

Empty Nester Connect Group 9:30 Branch Connect Group

Joe & Pam Sewell Edith Phipps & Dorothy Marti

5/19/13 - 1ST SVC 5/19/13 - 2ND SVC

10:30 Free At Last Connect Group 242 Connect Group

Dustin & Lacey Shumaker Sue Malina & Shirley Bloss

5/26/13 - 1ST SVC 5/26/13 - 2ND SVC

Empty Nester Connect Group 9:30 Free At Last

Jay & Kim Tyler Becky Hamm & BJ Harvill

SERVERS 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE 5/5/13

Various People Austin Presko Team

5/12/13

Various People Doug Graves Team

5/19/13

Various People Ben Jennings Team

5/26/13 Various People Les Londeen Team

NURSERY CHECK-IN 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE

5/5/13 Dorothy Marti Susan Graves

5/12/13 Marian Smith Debbie Gray

5/19/13 Pam Sewell Terra Gegg

5/26/13 Edna Houser Caroline Stewart

NURSERY 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE 5/5/13 Sammie & Jared Wilson/Cortney Joines Graves Family

5/12/13 Lori Hembree/Janet Kubitschek/ Joy Shearin Debbie & Kayla Gray Elizabeth Kubitschek

5/19/13 Tammy Worthy/Mara Ray/Kaylea Ray AJ & Terra Gegg/Victoria Kubitschek

5/26/13 Jill Sims/Sheila Seal/Stacy Gambill Caroline Stewart/Amanda Miller

Wee Cruisers 10:30am - 11:45am

Li'l Cruisers 10:30 - 11:45am

Cruiser's LEADER

5/5/13 Danielle Keeton Shelby Ritz

Sara Emmerton Allison Ritz

Andy and Donna Lillard

5/12/13 Debbie Jennings Shelby Ritz

Kelly Loftis Allison Ritz

Les Londeen

5/19/13 Gabrielle Carroll Linsey Drake

Emily Sampson Kayla Bryant

Brad and Ashley Worthy

5/26/13 Danielle Keeton Anna Martin

Amber Neil Britney Shearin

Austin and Amanda Presko

COMPUTER 1ST SERVICE 2ND SERVICE 5/5/13 Jordan Marsh Emily Courtney

5/12/13 Dan Gray Dan Gray

5/19/13 Christy Wall Jay Butler

5/26/13 Carl Simpson Sonya Simpson

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LIVE OUT Ministries

... a path for putting faith into action.

As part of our effort to keep you informed about Southland's missions partners, we have listed the organizations and their websites (where applicable) below.

Central India Christian Mission ... www.indiamission.org

Ozark Christian College ... www.occ.edu

Maranatha Bible Camp ... www.maranathabiblecamp.org

Christian Campus House at MSU ... www.cchonthe.net

Pregnancy Care Center ... www.pccchoices.org

Salvation Army ... www.usc.salvationarmy.org/springfield-mo

"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

Several years ago, G6:10 was formed around Galatians 6:10 which says: “Therefore,

whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” However, if you read ahead a couple of verses, we can see that there is more to it than just “doing good when we have the opportunity.” In verse 8 we learn that those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from Him. In verse 9 it goes on to say that at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.

For many of us, doing good can seem to become burdensome and chore-like rather than what it is intended to be – pleasing to the Spirit. Doing good should be pleasing to our spirit and well being also. It is not something that we should find excuses to get out of or give up on. Yet as our work piles up, family activities multiply, and life in general seems to spiral out of control, we tend to make excuses and give up on the “doing good.” However, the Spirit continually places people and situations in our path as opportunities for us to LIVE OUT what Scripture teaches. This is one of the goals of G6:10 – to provide opportunities to “do good.” For instance, we are looking for people who are willing to help with the Salvation Army’s Letter Carriers Food Drive on May 11 from 1-3pm. Contact Chuck Weaver at cweaver333@gmail.com if this is something you are interested in doing. Also, watch the bulletin boards by the Fellowship Hall for other opportunities to serve.

Start small and your harvest will multiply. Do not be overwhelmed and feel that your little acts of good don’t matter. Robert Louis Stevenson illustrates this point well: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but the seeds that you plant.” As we continue to plant many seeds throughout our lives, a plentiful pleasing harvest will await us at the end.

Make sure you stop by the alcove (north end of the auditorium). It's where we publish newsletter updates that

we receive from our foreign partners. There is a new one available from our newest partners in North Africa!

17

Catalogue The A "For Sale" Listing Service For Members of Southland

The Catalogue ads:

Ads are accepted from SCC Members only. They must be submitted 7 days prior to the day The Vine is published. You must submit your ad to deb@gosouthland.org & to paula@gosouthland.org . Ad will not be published unless it has been approved. Ads offering items free to church members are welcome. Whenever possible, for best quality - digital images in .jpeg format are preferred over printed photos. All ads will be screened for appropriateness, and refused if deemed inappropriate. Editor's discretion will be used when preparing ads - this includes, but is not limited to, graphic size, type, spelling, phrasing. Ad runs ONCE, unless an additional run is requested by the above submission time. It is seller's responsibility to contact us to renew an ad.

HOUSE FOR RENT Well maintained, split floor plan, 3 bedroom, 2 bath corner lot home with large fenced in back yard. Located in Battlefield, just 10 minutes away from the church, the house is in a beautiful HOA neighborhood (all dues have already be covered). We are looking for a family and/or responsible tenants to help us keep the house in good shape, while we are away for at least a year, so that we may sell it at a later time. The home is painted in neutral colors including tan, sage green and taupe. The entry way and the fireplace walls are burnt orange, but not too bright. The kitchen has a full pantry and plenty of cabinet space. All appliances will be left (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave) with the possibility of the washer and dryer staying as well. There is also a pop-up pool that we can leave if you would want to use it over the summer. The house will be available in July. This has been a wonderful home and neighborhood for us to live in for the past few years, and we are sad to leave it. We really hope to find someone to live here that will care about the house as much as we have. For more information contact Jared at jared@espressivodesign.com, or Sammie at sduganwilson@forest.edu. Thank you!

A BUNCH of solid oak furniture for sale by

Diane Yates:

1. Occasional Table, $ 50.

2. End Table, $ 50.

3. Sofa Table/Buffet 48”x16”x28”,

$ 100.

4. 2 End Tables, $ 50.

5. Drop Leaf Coffee Table, $ 50.

6. 30” x 58” Desk, $ 600.

7. Dining Table & 6 Chairs (48” round,

58”- 1 leaf, 80”-2 leafs), $ 600.

8. Gas Grill (this is not solid oak), $100

(includes cover)

To ask questions or purchase, contact Diane

Yates at 417.886.1797 after May 5th.