Southland Vine The

February 18, 2015

Southland Christian Church ...

equipping you to LIVE OUT your faith

as you ENCOUNTER God, CONNECT with others,

GROW DEEP and BUILD UP one another.

1630 W. Republic Road * Springfield, MO 65807

417.881.7405 * gosouthland.org

We will publish the next edition

of The Southland Vine on March 25.

Attention PARENTS and others interested in our student ministries!

Check out page 8 for information about

upcoming student ministries events

(from now through Summer). While

there will undoubtedly be more that

gets added, these are important dates

to make sure you have on your

calendars even now!

SCC Olympiad … Feb. 22 The games begin at 6 PM

See page 9 for more details.

The Loganbills have moved-in

and Erik has already started

participating with our staff

team. It’s the exciting first

stage of what we hope to be a

long-term ministry blessed by

God with great fruit.

See page 5 for some thoughts

from Erik as he launches this

new ministry role.

Also, see information on page 2

about a special way we want to

celebrate Erik & Cheyenne’s

arrival. Please join us in helping

to welcome them to Southland!

Welcome to the Southland

family, Erik & Cheyenne! What’s Inside …

2-4 General Reminders & Info

5 A Note from Erik

6 "WE DO!"

7 What MATTers to Me

8-9 Les’ Latest ... info about student ministries

10-11 southlandwomen

12 Encounter 13-14 Connect 14 Grow Deep

15-16 Build Up

17 March serving schedule

18 Live Out

2

General Reminders and Information ... Congratulations to the

following who have

recently been immersed

into Christ at SCC:

Bailey Hawkins (January 25th)

Katie Kilgo (February 8th)

We are excited to welcome our newest

members to the SCC family:

Kale & Katie Kilgo

Erik & Cheyenne

Loganbill

During the months of February and March

our CONNECT Groups are in a series called “On MISSION … Living Out a Faith that

Makes a Difference.”

Even if you haven’t been able to participate

in this series up to this point, it’s not too late

to get involved. See page 13 for more information about the upcoming sessions.

To welcome Erik & Cheyenne, we are going to have a “gift card

shower.” We want to do this as a way of helping them get settled

here. Maybe you want to treat them to a meal out. Maybe you

want to get a gift card to simply help in purchasing those

household essentials. However you choose to participate, we

encourage you to join us in this way of blessing them as they join

our team. We have a specially designated spot in the foyer for

you to leave the gift cards (please bring by Sunday, March 8).

Here is contact information for Erik & Cheyenne Loganbill:

4115 S. Park Hill Cr. Springfield, MO 65807

Erik’s cell: (573) 745-0492

Cheyenne’s cell: (573) 745-0460

We are in the process of updating our directory information so we can publish a new edition sometime

this Spring (the most recent one was done Fall of 2013). Unfortunately, we have lost the computer

program that we used to generate the previous one. So, to help us gather that information and verify

that it is correct, we are putting copies of the directory in each CONNECT Group. Please make sure we

have the most current contact information for you or add it if it’s not there.

3

IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ...

It’s that time of year again when wintry weather is still a possibility. Unfortunately, there are times when we have to either cancel or adjust our regular schedule because of snow or ice. 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.”

We encourage you to check in these places for an official word from SCC if you’re wondering. Of course, if you are in doubt at all about conditions or circumstances make travel unsafe particularly for you, please choose wisely and be safe.

NOTE: If we don’t yet have your contact information, or if you want to specifically receive a phone call when we make such changes, please contact the church office at 881-7405.

“THANK YOU” Notes

All elders, staff & ministry leaders … Our next ministry meeting

is Thursday, April 2 at 6 PM. If you are directly involved as a leader of any Southland ministry area, we want you to please plan on being here. It’s an important time for us to come together as leaders here at SCC. Supper and childcare will both be provided.

4

We are excited to be utilizing the YouVersion “app” for tablets, smart phones and other electronic devices during our Sunday services. Among other things, 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 right there 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 ... January 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 ask any questions you might have through the office staff.

INCOME ...

Regular tithe for the month - $35,529.00 (total for Sept. 2014 - current = $195,868.33)

Average weekly tithe for the month - $8,882.25 (for Sept. 2014 - current = $9,327.06)

Weekly Goal for Sept. 2014 on - $10,000.00 (This is based on an estimated annual budget of $520,000 ... NOTE: This is our target; we adjust as necessary along the way. This will be going up for September and beyond).

Love Offerings - $6,050 (includes special trust gift)

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 infor-

mation by "liking" our "Southland Christian Church" Facebook page.

To share a 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.

“Souper” Bowl Luncheon – another delicious success!

The middle school youth would like to say thanks to our church family for providing sensational soups, chili and desserts for our recent fundraiser. By the end of the luncheon, $673.00 was donated to help with transportation and housing for the Believe conference attendees. Special thanks to Kristin Londeen and Stella Falconer for their help with all the kitchen preparations.

We haven’t mentioned it in a while, but we want to remind you about Right Now Media, an exciting ministry tool that we have available here at Southland.

Right Now 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 all the ways we will be able to use this in our ministries here at Southland, we are also excited about what it makes available to everyone connected to the SCC family. Through our church subscription, you can have your own log-in with FREE access to all the content wherever and whenever you have an online connection (via smart phone, computer or any other connected electronic device). Remember, 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.

5

A Note from Erik ... NOTE: Since this is the first edition of the Vine after Erik has officially joined our staff

team, it seemed appropriate to give him an opportunity to share a little bit of

his ministry heart and reflect on his transition into the SCC family.

Cheyenne and I are so glad to be here at Southland! First off, we want to thank everyone who has helped us in our transition to Springfield. You have already been such a blessing to us in demonstrating God’s love and a prime example of what it means to be a true church family!

We are excited about what God is doing and what He is going to do in the future because we know His hand has been on the entire process of us getting here. The first time Cheyenne and I came to Southland to visit with Matt late last fall, we felt right at home. I was feeling God’s peace in that moment, and turning to Cheyenne, she felt the same thing. That is just one of the many signs we received from the Lord that confirmed His leading us here.

Coming to Springfield actually started for us a year ago back in February 2014. I was serving as a youth minister in Iowa at the time. Cheyenne and I had just gotten engaged and were planning our wedding. We talked about where God wanted us to be in the future, and where we would call home so we could establish deep roots and raise a family. For different reasons, Springfield was a target destination. It being about equal distance between our extended families is a big part of why it made sense. So, right around that time, she began sensing the Lord telling her that we need to leave Iowa. I questioned the idea and whether it was from God, but prayed about it. About a week later, she received a call that her grandfather had some serious health concerns and that he only had a few months to live. That got my attention. After more prayer and discussion, we made the tough decision to leave the ministry in Iowa to be closer to family.

The move was tough in more ways than one. We had some major, yet devastating signs happen on the dreary June day we moved to Barnett, Missouri. On our 6-hour trek, Cheyenne’s car broke down just an hour short of our destination. We were so close. We began to feel a bit like the Israelites stuck in the wilderness. Then the day turned from bad to worse when she received a call that her dad was in a terrible car accident. His truck had flipped several times. Paramedics on the scene said that no one could have survived an accident like that. However, we have a God who still performs miracles today! Cheyenne’s dad not only survived the accident, but made a full recovery! The car didn’t do so well though and we had to buy another one.

Our journey reminds me of Paul being shipwrecked in the book of Acts. Barnett was our island, but became the launching pad along the way to get to the real destination God intended for us. The enemy tries to use the island, — or the wilderness — as a trial towards our destruction. But God can succeed in using the island/wilderness as a triumph towards our destination.

Now that I am at Southland, I am looking forward to getting to know the people here. My first 6 months will consist of becoming familiar with the church and transitioning into my roles. I will work alongside the staff team, the many church members who are involved with children’s ministry and with Cheyenne as support. We are very blessed to be a part of a church family that strives to be a part of changing the world for Christ!

6

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 is

required of us to belong to His Body? In this section of the Vine, we will be reviewing these commitments,

specifically focusing on the membership section (as you can see below, we also have identified some of the

leadership commitments as well). 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.

GENERAL LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT (for both elders and staff) … We covenant to take seriously the

responsibility we have to equip people for maturity and ministry (see Ephesians 4:11-16).

ELDERS’ COMMITMENT … We covenant to lovingly exercise discipline of members when necessary for the

glory of God, the good of the one caught in sin and the health of the church as a whole.

STAFF COMMITMENT … We covenant to demonstrate the effort appropriate for servants of Christ

investing ourselves in eternally significant work (e.g. the right heart, commitment, humility, etc.).

MEMBERS’ COMMITMENT … As members, we covenant to care about the health and well-being of

Southland, actively doing our part to help bring that about (e.g. praying for the church).

I can remember a library book once read in our house called “Not Now!” Said the Cow. In the story, there

is a crow who has found some corn. He is searching around a barnyard for some help from the animals

who live there. One by one, they decline his request. It goes like this:

“Not my job,” grunted the Hog. “Don’t be funny,” squealed the Bunny. “Why me?” brayed the

Donkey. “Nix, nix!” peeped the Chicks. “I’m asleep,” baaed the Sheep. “Not now,” mooed Cow.

Having failed to find anyone willing to help, Crow in exasperation caws “Then I will do it all by MYSELF!”

Of course, the story quickly changes at the end when Crow has turned the corn into popcorn. Of course,

all the animals then eagerly want to experience the benefit at the end.

There’s something about that children’s story that reflects the polar opposite of the attitude God desires

from followers of Jesus within a church family. It can be easy for us to find reasons to not be invested in

what needs to be done: “It’s not my gift.” … “I’m too busy.” … “It’s someone else’s turn.” And yet, if we

are going to become the church God has called us to be, it takes EACH ONE of us being willing to actively

do our own part - whatever we can for the good of the whole. It’s only as that happens that we can truly

become “healthy, growing and full of love” (see Ephesians 4:16). It will not look the same for each one of

us; but, just as any team requires all team members to carry-out their own roles, so too a church can

only become all God desires as we each are involved and invested individually.

7

What MATTers to me … There’s a deception at work even within Christian circles that basically goes like this: you can tell whether or not things are “right” with God by your circumstances. So, if everything is “rosy” - you are prospering financially, experiencing good health and experiencing great happiness - then obviously things must be “good” with Him. After all, He is obviously blessing you. On the flip side, if you’re experiencing trouble and difficulty, well, it’s not hard to figure out what that must mean - it must mean that something’s just not right in your relationship with God! So goes the lie.

Unfortunately, such a belief can create all kinds of issues for a life of faith. For example, what do we do about the reality that sometimes people with the “best circumstances” aren’t even godly? It’s one thing if devout followers of Christ are experiencing “the good life,” but we all know that sometimes even the wicked prosper. In fact, more than once, God’s Word addresses that very reality. If circumstances reflect our standing with God, how can this possibly be? It should be a healthy caution against taking great circumstances as an automatic affirmation of God’s approval. Just because things seem right because of what’s happening in our lives doesn’t mean that things are right.

There’s an even bigger problem … what do we do with the reality that godly people very often don’t experience great circumstances? Let me share with you some real-life situations:

Parents who sought and followed God’s leading in adopting a son into their lives - parents who also devoted themselves to raising that son on a godly path - they have experienced tremendous heartache because of the wrong road he has chosen to travel.

Even devout followers of Jesus face the harsh realities of debilitating diseases like cancer. We know all too well that such illnesses don’t seem to discriminate - whether or not you are a believer in Jesus will certainly change how you go about fighting it. But, being in Christ doesn't offer any kind of automatic EXEMPT card that guarantees we’ll be spared the reality.

You know believers in Jesus like I do who have died as the result of tragic accidents, “acts of nature” and even from the poor choices of someone else.

Not to be blunt, but the reality is this: at one point or another every person … yes, even every believer will come face-to-face with the reality of death. Even when it does come, it doesn’t always come with the “best possible” circumstances.

One more … just recently in the news, we’ve learned of yet another example of Christians who because of their faith were put to death at the hands of their enemies.

The deception that can sneak into even the thoughts of Christians will cause a struggle when such problems arise. What do we do with the presence of such difficulties? How can sincere followers of Christ face these circumstances? Isn’t it our all-powerful God’s job to rescue His faithful people from such awful realities? A faith grounded in God’s Word can look beyond the deception and see it all with the perspective Jesus Himself offers in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world!”

Faith in Christ doesn’t offer us an EXEMPTION from the harsh realities that can come in life. Jesus even tells us to expect trouble - sometimes, even because of our commitment to Him. What faith in Him does offer us is something better: the PROMISE from One who remains bigger than anything we face. May we not be deceived! And, when the troubles of this world begin to make us feel overwhelmed, may we confidently cling with all we are to the One who has already overcome!

8

Les’ lATEST Mark your calendars for the following upcoming

events, due dates, etc. (for all ages of students)

Date Time Age group Activity/information

Feb. 22 6:00pm K – 5th grade The Children’s Olympiad

Feb. 22 10:30am High School MOVE Conf. pre-registration due

Mar. 20 1:00pm Middle School Depart for Believe Conference Mar. 21 9:00pm Middle School Return from Believe Conference

Mar. 22 10:30am 3rd-5th grade Junior Bash registration due

Apr. 12 10:30am K-8th grade Maranatha Camp forms available

Apr. 17 4:00pm 3rd – 5th gr. Depart for Junior Bash Apr. 18 4:00pm 3rd – 5th gr. Return from Junior Bash

May 3 10:30am K-8th grade. Maranatha Camp forms due (for scholarships)

May 17 10:30am K-8th grade Maranatha Camp money due

Attention parents of students K - 8th grade … Erik has scheduled a

get-to-know-you meeting after 2nd service on March 15.

Lunch & childcare provided.

Important dates for Summer 2015 at Southland

MARANATHA BIBLE CAMP DATES (see above for registration timeline)

June 13 Beginner Camp (students going into K-1st grade)

June 14-17 Junior Camp (students going into 5th-6th grade)

June 18-20 Kids’ Camp (students going into 2nd-4th grade)

June 28 - July 3 Junior High Camp (students going into 6th-8th grade)

Vacation Bible School

“Everest: Conquering Challenges

with God’s Mighty Power”

July 27-30 6pm-8pm ages 4 through 5th grade

Nursery & toddler care provided for volunteers.

9

Summer MOVE Conference

University of Nebraska July 5-11

Senior high students experience five days of intentional teaching, worship and discipleship on a beautiful college campus. Please submit $50.00 pre-registration by Sunday, February 22. This ensures our youth group’s participation at the Nebraska venue.

Middle School Believe Conference

Kansas City Convention Center

Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21

Over two thousand 6th-8th grade students will come together at the Kansas City Convention Center, praising God in worship and listening to relevant Bible teaching. It’s gonna be awesome!

Vans will leave from the church on Friday, March 20 at 1:00pm.

We should return to the church around 9:00pm on Saturday, March 21.

The remaining balance for students is simply $30.00. Parents will receive an e-mail for registering student release forms online.

What to pack: One small carry-on bag per person. Bible, pen, casual clothing for the weekend + personal grooming stuff (1 night). Money for three meals: Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner. Optional: snacks, camera, board games, modest swim wear.

Overnight housing arrangements have been reserved at a local hotel in Kansas City. The hotel offers a deluxe breakfast and indoor swimming pool.

The Junior Bash Weekend Friday & Saturday, April 17 & 18

Maranatha Bible Camp Everton, Missouri

Maranatha Bible Camp presents this special weekend for 3rd-5th grade students. Kids will love this year’s theme: “What About the Dinosaurs?” The weekend includes worship, games, meals and overnight housing. Main sessions will be led by area science teachers who use creative experiments as they teach God’s Word. Registration forms will be available in the foyer. Forms and $35.00 are due to Erik by Sunday, March 22.

The 2015 Kid’s Olympiad

An event for Children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade

Sunday, February 22nd from 6-8pm

It’s back by popular demand! Come enjoy a night of silly games and cheer on our kids as they compete

as teams. Featured events include the two-man bobsled, bouncy ball relay, the streamer dance and

many more. Upon arrival, children will be given a team jersey to wear during the evening games, so be

sure to have them wear a light t-shirt for the evening. Kids can sign up for teams at the Olympiad

display in the church foyer. We will conclude the evening of fun competitions with a delicious dinner

from the International Café of Flavor. It’s a great evening for the whole family. Nursery and child care

will be provided for younger children

10

southlandwomen

Do you ever struggle with this thought: “What is my primary malfunction? Why can I not do/think/say

what I know I am suppose to as a follower of Christ?” The reality is, there is often a disconnect between

our heads and our hearts. Those 12 inches (or so) can seem like a mile as we navigate through complex

days and circumstances in the real world. We can all sit under the teaching and exhortation of a Sunday

sermon and leave resolved to live out our identity as light in the darkness. We can discuss what all this

should look like in Bible study, CONNECT Group or D-group. And yet, two hours later (sometimes even

less), we are right back into our old habits and behavioral defaults.

We can all readily echo the personal struggle Paul described from his life in Romans 7:15 ...

“I do not understand what I do.

For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do.”

For many Christians, becoming like Christ is a task that is simply too overwhelming to even attempt. So,

they will cling tightly to the gift of grace, even using it as “an out” to forgo the process of repentance and a

transformation that seems unattainable. Still, we find in Scripture, numerous commands and exhortations

to strive for holiness – to become new in Christ as we experience the Holy Spirit’s renovating work from

the inside-out. It is not an optional exercise for those of us who profess Christ as Lord and Savior, but

simply what the path of following after Jesus requires. As challenging as transformation may be, we were

never designed to stay where we are and as we are.

This series is about that journey. Beginning Tuesday, March 17, we will spend 7 weeks during our Bible

Study time on Tuesday mornings studying through this process of transformation. We will be using a book

called Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard. There is a way to put on the character of Christ. There is

a way to re-program our defaults. As Willard suggests, “Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart!” is the

cry of many Christians today. If this is the desire of your heart, join us as we study how we can participate

with the Holy Spirit in making this heart-cry more of a reality in our lives.

Ladies bible study - 2015 SPRING session Launches Tuesday, MARCH 17 @ 9:30am.

As always, CHILDCARE will be provided.

11

Moms Set Apart M. S. A. Mornings – March 5 & 19 (9:30-11:30am)

Contact Danielle Keeton … msamornings@gosouthland.org

M. S. A. Nights – March 3 & 17 (7:00-8:30pm) Contact Kristie Martin… msanights@gosouthland.org

Box Top Girls The next BTG meeting will be held on Friday, March 6

from 6:30-8:30 at Southland.

To sign-up for this women’s retreat, there is a sheet in the foyer or just let Debbie Nelson know. The

group will depart for Joplin from Southland at 3 PM on Friday, April 10 and return at approximately

5:30 pm that next day. For more information about this year’s conference, check out this link from

OCC’s website (http://occ.edu/Events/default.aspx?id=2197) or pick-up a flyer from Debbie.

Cost will be $10 registration for the conference (includes Saturday lunch) + hotel room cost ($85 for

a single room or $43 for a double room) + money for dinner/snack on Friday evening.

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy community with other sisters in Christ!

The 61st annual

Ozark Christian

College Women’s

Conference

April 10-11 on

OCC’s campus in

Joplin, MO

12

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

Why We Do What We Do … A REMINDER.

Each week, when we come together to ENCOUNTER God, there are some foundational pieces involved. It

is good for us from time-to-time to consider these, especially why we do what we do. This week, we want

to consider the reason behind our elevation of God’s Word through preaching.

The communication of God's Word has always been an integral part of God’s people gathering. As God's

old covenant people would assemble, part of their purpose was to hear and consider His instruction.

Likewise, with the arrival of God's new covenant people, teaching became an important priority (see Acts

2:42 where it is listed as a priority of the early church with fellowship, the Lord's Supper and prayer).

That's why it's fitting for us to also emphasize it during the time when we ENCOUNTER God each and

every week. Part of meeting with Him as a church family is the privilege of listening to Him. We believe

that Scripture is inspired by God and that it is able to equip us for LIVING OUT our faith (see 2 Timothy

3:16-17). That's why as we come to the sermon time, it is not about human ideas and wisdom. No, it is an

opportunity for us to hear His voice speaking to us. Through a human messenger speaking His Word, the

Holy Spirit reveals God, His heart and His will to His people. Indeed, at its purest, preaching is the task of

communicating the 21st century significance of the ancient, yet living-and-active Word of God. Through

this time of teaching, we orient our lives around what God wants for our lives. We are reminded of our

identity in Christ — recipients of His amazing grace. We are challenged to live more faithfully for Him. We

tune-in to His voice so that we can be prepared for the life He calls us to live. That's why we place a high

priority on His Word each and every week as we gather to ENCOUNTER Him.

UPCOMING PREACHING CALENDAR Through the middle of March, we will continue on in this series focusing on God’s love for us - what it means that we are His BELOVED. It’s a great theme to reflect on as we draw near to the time of year when we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection. Indeed, that’s where we see His love most clearly displayed. Here are the remaining sermons in this series as we consider difference aspects of His love.

February 22 God’s PROTECTIVE Love March 1 God’s TRANSFORMING Love March 8 God’s COMPELLING Love March 15 God’s LOVE-PRODUCING Love

On March 22, Alex Cobb will be preaching, leading us into a look at Jesus’ JOURNEY. Throughout His life and ministry, He was clearly “a Man on a mission” as He headed for the cross. Throughout this 5-week series wrapping around Resurrection Sunday, we will focus on what the Gospels tell us about the road Jesus travelled. It is His journey - the path He took to carry-out the Father’s will and bring salvation for us.

13

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 (mainly 9 and 10:30 on Sunday mornings), and for more details about any upcoming events (also listed below).

We always want to encourage our people’s involvement in a CONNECT Group, but especially

during this current series we are in for February and March. In fact, even if you haven’t been

able to participate yet, it’s not too late to join-in.

During this ministry year, one of our priorities emphasizes living out an EXTERNALLY-FOCUSED

faith. There are certainly great benefits and blessings that we each get to experience in our

own lives because of Christ - so many ways belonging to Him helps us personally. We are

recipients of His incredible promises. We have His Spirit living inside of us to provide His comfort,

guidance, presence, etc. It even brings about goodness and value in our own lives as we strive to

apply His Word to how we live. We never want to diminish that PERSONAL aspect of our faith.

And yet, part of faith in Christ means also looking beyond ourselves. It’s not just about what I

receive, but the ways Christ uses each of us to impact others - an EXTERNALLy-focused faith

… one that is focused not just on being blessed, but also on being a conduit of God’s blessing!

That’s what we mean by this title “On MISSION … Living

Out a Faith that Makes a Difference.” During this

CONNECT Group series, we are looking at the ways God

calls us to participate in His work in the world. Even more

than that, through our discussion together, we want to

be encouraged and motivated to move from ideas to

action! It’s about a faith that makes us available to God

and allows Him to use us to make a difference in the lives

of others.

Here are the upcoming topics from the publishing of this Vine edition through the end of March:

February 22 “Making a Difference in our Church Family”

March 1 “Making a Difference through our Witness”

March 8 “Making a Difference in God’s Global Mission”

March 15 “Making a Difference through Compassionate Love”

March 22 “Making a Difference through Courageous Living”

March 29 “Making a Difference through Prayer”

14

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).

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

Outside activities/events for CONNECT Groups

(beyond the regular meeting time)

Empty Nesters Wednesday breakfasts – 9 AM … currently at

Ziggie’s on Republic Road near the church building

On the second Tuesday of every month, the group gathers around 12 or 12:30

for lunch (the specific location varies) and then until 4:30 or so at Southland for

games. All are invited to join them. For more details, contact Dave & Karen

Duncan, Sue Malina or Pat Burge.

Southland Deeper Life Groups are great places to GROW DEEP in God’s

Word and make sure you are ROOTED in your relationship with Jesus!

Even if you don’t actually sign-up, please be open to the possibility of

joining a group if you are asked. It’s a great relational environment

where we study God’s Word together as we GROW DEEP roots into

Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us – shaping and molding

us to be more and more like Christ!

“To be a part of a “D-Group,” please fill out one of the GREEN CARDS found at the

Welcome Center, and we will make sure we contact you about the opportunity.

15

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 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.

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.

Specific OPPORTUNITIES to SERVE & “BUILD UP” the BODY

We have already had some response to the need for people to prepare communion, but we still could use some more help. This involves coming early and making sure everything is ready to go for both services. Further instructions can be provided as needed.

We are in need of some people who are willing to serve at the Welcome Center. Because of the change we’ve undergone recently with our foyer hosts, those serving at the Welcome Center only have to be there for 25 minutes — one team there from 8:45-9:10 at the start of first service and one team there from 10:15-9:40 during the transition time between services. Our hosts have really helped us create a more hospitable environment, but they are not able to handle all of these duties at the same time. That’s why we continue to need people at the Welcome Center who can help our guests know where to go. If you are willing to serve in this capacity, please contact the office.

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

We want to make sure we extend a special “THANK YOU” to the following people for the ways that they have invested in BUILDING UP the Body.

… to the so many people who have stepped up in many significant ways in our children’s ministry over the past few years. So many people have helped to fill in all the holes. We certainly appreciate it!

… to Lisa Deckard, Debbie Jennings, Pam Sewell, David Turney and Brad Worthy who served as part of the “Consulting Team” during the search process that led to Erik being hired. Thank you for your work in helping us as we tried to seek and follow God’s will!

… to our Sunday morning tech team working “behind-the-scenes” with audio-visual tools so we all can ENCOUNTER God — Jay Butler, Cameron Flatt, Dan Gray, Mike Hembree, Jordan Marsh, Simeon Martin, Karl Simpson and Sonya Simpson.

16

SHOWCASING A SERVANT: Amy Ritz

On any given weekend, it is hard to say where you might find Amy serving. For starters, she is up

on stage during second service worship two weeks each month. (We will never forget her

enthusiastic rendition of “The Accent of the Cowbell” during the song “Crazy Love”!) At various

points, she has shared in some of the leadership responsibilities of “The Refuge” Connect group,

investing herself in the process of helping others grow in their relationships with one another

and with Christ. She is the leader of the “Box Top Girls” – a ministry she helped to develop out of

a desire to equip our young ladies to use God’s Word rather than the world’s “wisdom” as the

guide for their lives. She helps prepare communion two Sundays a month, welcomes people as a

greeter, serves as a youth sponsor for special events such as CIY and is a long-time member of

the Women’s Ministry team. All this serving is done in the midst of working 40+ hours a week and

shuffling the activities of two very active teenage daughters. When a need arises, Amy is one of

the first to try to figure out if she might be able to help. She is an expert at intentionally fitting all

the pieces of life so that she can serve in many areas. And by doing so, she sets an example of

how it is possible to balance family life and serving Christ’s people at the same time.

One of Amy’s prominent attributes (and therefore one of the greatest ways she can encourage

others) is her blunt transparency. From Amy you can hear the honesty of real struggles and the

benefits of striving to do things God’s way. This transparency, combined with her examples of

service, gives her credibility that others look to when they are struggling to live out a life of faith

in the midst of real-life issues.

Amy has often expressed how much she loves the church and the people who make it up. She is

one of the first to send a card or email of encouragement. She is also one of the first to call about

someone she has not seen for a few weeks. In so many ways, Amy’s life is an expression of her

love for Christ and His church here at Southland. In so many ways, we as a church are blessed as

she LIVES OUT this kind love in our midst.

Thank you, Amy, for all you do and especially for heart with which you do it!

17

SERVING SCHEDULE – MARCH 2015

Communion Prep: Amy Ritz (Weeks 1-2) … Warren & Carolyn Burros (Weeks 3-5)

GREETERS WELCOME CENTER FOYER HOST

3/1/15 - 1st 3/1/15 - 2nd

Empty Nesters (8:45-9:10) The Refuge (10:15-10:40)

Shirley Bloss/Sue Malina (8:45-9:10) Jay and Kim Tyler (10:15-10:40)

Ben and Debbie Jennings (8:45-10:30) Ken and Debbie Nelson (10:15-11:45)

3/8/15 - 1st 3/8/15 - 2nd

10:30 Free At Last (8:45-9:10) The Branch (10:15-10:40)

Dennis & Kay McCann (8:45-9:10) Steve and LeeAnn Marsh (10:15-10:40)

Pat and Debbie Little (8:45-10:30) Jay and Kim Tyler (10:15-11:45)

3/15/15 - 1st 3/15/15 - 2nd

Empty Nesters (8:45-9:10) Justin & Carissa Virtue (10:15-10:40)

Pat Burge/Dorothy Marti (8:45-9:10) Edna Houser (10:15-10:40)

A. J. and Terra Gegg (8:45-10:30) Bill and Pam Foster (10:15-11:45)

3/22/15 - 1st 3/22/15 - 2nd

10:30 Free At Last (9:45-10:10) 9:00 Free At Last (10:15-10:40)

Keith Wall (8:45-9:10) Ken and Debbie Nelson (10:15-10:40)

Bob and Liz Wood (9:45-10:30) Dennis and Kay McCann (10:15-11:45)

3/29/15 - 1st 3/29/15 - 2nd

Empty Nesters (8:45-9:10) The Refuge (10:15-10:40)

Catherine Correll (8:45-9:10) Ken and Debbie Nelson (10:15-10:40)

Ben and Debbie Jennings (8:45-10:30) Warren and Carolyn Burros (10:15-11:45)

SERVERS 1st SERVICE 2nd SERVICE

3/1/15 Various People Mark Miller Team

3/8/15 Various People Doug Graves Family

3/15/15 Various People Ben Jennings Team

3/22/15 Various People Les Londeen & Youth Ministry

3/29/15 Various People Les Londeen & Youth Ministry

NURSERY 1st SERVICE 2nd SERVICE

3/1/15 Dustin & Lacey Shumaker/Donna Lillard Graves family

3/8/15 Tammy & Jessica Worthy Debbie & Kayla Gray/Danielle Keeton

3/15/15 Jill Sims/Cheryl McAnally + girls Cobb family/Suzi Bryant

3/22/15 Joy Shearin/Linda Jones/Stacy Gambill Graves family

3/29/15 Pam Sewell/TBA Pat Burge/Sue Malina

Wee Cruisers Li'l Cruisers Cruisers’

3/1/15 Kristin Londeen & Emily Weber Brad and Marsha Foster + Shelby Ritz Les/Erik

3/8/15 Andrea Conboy & Cindy McMillan Ceci & Linsey Drake Brad & Ashley Worthy/Erik

3/15/15 Amanda Hamilton & Anna Martin Sara Emmerton & Alexis Simpson Les/Erik

3/22/15 Judy Schiller & Victoria Kubitschek Sara Emmerton & Allison Ritz Brad & Ashley Worthy/Erik

3/29/15 Janet & Elizabeth Kubitschek Sara Emmerton & Brittney Shearin Les/Erik

NURSERY CHECK-IN 1st SERVICE 2nd SERVICE

3/1/15 Donna Lillard Susan Graves

3/8/15 Danielle Keeton Debbie Gray

3/15/15 Jill Sims Jill Cobb

3/22/15 Stacy Gambill Amanda Miller

3/29/15 Pam Sewell TBA

EZ Worship 1st SERVICE 2nd SERVICE

3/1/15 Jordan Marsh Sonya Simpson

3/8/15 Dan Gray Dan Gray

3/15/15 Simeon Martin Jay Butler

3/22/15 Cameron Flatt Sonya Simpson

3/29/15 TBA TBA

18

"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

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 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. Maybe it's

with your own family. Maybe it's with a D-Group or Connect Group. Maybe it's by yourself. However it is, we want to provide you with some very specific ways you can participate in Kingdom work as you LIVE OUT your faith!

LIVE OUT Ministries

... a path for putting faith into action.

www.cchonthe.net

www.show-mehome.com

www.pccchoices.org www.maranatha biblecamp.org

www.occ.edu

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 that directly advertises who

they are and what they do too risky from a security standpoint. That’s why we do make their

newsletters available as they come in (they can be found in the alcove or in the rooms where

each CONNECT Group meets).

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.