We say it all the time.“You gotta see this movie!”“You gotta see this funny video!”

“You gotta see this article about my grandchild!”“You gotta see this new panda at MPC!”We get excited to share a moment with people. We love to share thoughts, videos, pictures, happenings, opinions and more with others. This passion to share is manifested in many venues: Verbal conversations (yes it still happens that way), text messages, social media, blogs, vines, snaps, articles, skype, facetime and youtube.Think about it.I’d be willing to say that rarely do we enter an environment or conversation with people that at some point, someone doesn’t say something like, “Hey, did you see that movie?” “Did you see that article in the paper yesterday?” “Did you see what happened in the debate?” “Have you seen this funny video?” “Want to see this picture of my son?”

We love to share. We love to connect. We want others to be a part.Why? Simple. We are social, relational people that are meant to journey life together with others. God made us that way. Pretty awesome! Embrace it.Our Senior High Ministry (Ignite) has been talking about this within a specific context: You Gotta See This…guy named Jesus Christ! Jesus is the savior of the world and is the most incredible human being ever! You Gotta See…•Hislifechangingpower!•Whathedidinmylife!•Whatheisdoinginmylife!•Theincrediblemiracleshedidin

scripture!•Themiracleheisdoinginmylife!•Hisamazing,unconditionalloveforus!

“You Gotta See This!” Jesus.John the Baptist said it, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (You gotta see Jesus!) John 1:29.A few verses and a day later, “The next day

You Gotta See This!by Eric Reeder, Senior High Youth Pastor

biweekly weavings of the community at Madison Park Church of God—September 23, 2015

July—September Proceeds benefit Russia

Make a purchase at Holy Grounds and a portion of the proceeds will benefit MPC’s ongoing ministry in Russia.Come early or linger after the Sunday worship services to enjoy conversation and refreshments. Visit MadisonParkChurch.org to view the full menu.

Sundays, 8:30am-11:30amMasterCard, Visa and Discover accepted.

Worship ServicesSunday9:00am - A blend of traditional and contemporary music, prayer, and teaching from God’s Word.11:00am - Features a praise band with distinctively modern edge and teaching from God’s Word.Classes are offered for all ages at 9:00am and 10:45am. Visit Grand Central, formerly the Information Center, for a complete listing of all electives or visit MadisonParkChurch.org, Ministries page.

The Struggles of Motherhood!MOPS, no not the kind you use to clean your kitchen floor! MOPS is a grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers. MOPS website gives a good description of what MOPS is and its purpose.We believe that incubating hearts and giving just-because-hugs can change the course of history. We believe that better moms make a better world.Threads asked MPC-goer annie nichols how she would describe MOPS.Annie: It’s a group of moms who get together to learn, discuss, craft, and have mommy time while our kids are in childcare. It’s an opportunity to engage with other women in the same season of life who understand where you are and can help as you navigate life with little ones.

Threads: What prompted you to be involved in MOPS?Annie: I have always felt a need to come alongside fellow moms in the trenches both with giving advice, sympathy, and care and RECEIVING advice, sympathy, and care. I had not been in a MOPS group before this one but I sure wish I had! Threads: What are the benefits to moms?Annie: MOPS gives moms an opportunity to eat and talk kid-free so you can actually finish a meal and a conversation uninterrupted. It also allows moms to know they are not alone in the struggles of motherhood. This year we are learning how to appreciate the little things around us and embrace the celebration of life. This is

continued on page 4

continued on page 4

— 2 —

Sermon SeriesSunday Mornings during the 9:00 and 11:00am worship servicesSeniorPastorPaulStrozieropenshisministryatMPCwiththesermonseriesBeginnings.Discover God’s plan for your life, His Church and our community. Along the way we will discover why God made us, how He feels about us and what He wants for us. It’s all based on this core truth – It’s not about religion…it’s about relationship!

September 27: a Family of Families - The Relational Church. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:21-25a, John 3:16-17 October 4: God is God. . .and I am not - Worship: Relationship with God. Mathew 22:34-40, Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Men’s RetreatSeptember 25-26 at Camp ChallengeJoin us for a guys’ weekend of clay and target shooting, paintball, hiking, and more! Friday night worship with speaker Luke Zeller, the Indiana Mr. Basketball-winnin’, NBA-playin’, and Jesus-lovin’ President of DistinXion elite basketball, cheerleading, and character training. Cost: $40 per person (under 18 with a guardian: $30). Includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and lodging (retreat center, cabin, RV site, or tent site). More information at gocampchallenge.com/mens-retreat. R.S.V.P to Brian @gocampchallenge.com Camp Challenge: 8914 US Hwy 50 E, Bedford, IN 47421.

RETRO: Live — “Listen to the Music”September 26 at 7:00pmEnjoy classic hits at a live concert performed by Madison Park talent. Come early and enjoy Frazier’sicecream,OtisSpunkmeyercookies,vintagecarsandfellowship.Ticketsonsaleatthedoor. $10 adults, $6 students.

Prepare-Enrich Premarital ClassFriday, October 2 from 6:00-9:00pm and Saturday, October 3 from 9:00am-12:30pm at Broadway Ministry Center, 1400 Broadway in AndersonGive your marriage a strong start. Led by Linville Counseling Services, the two day class includescomputerizedassessmentofyourrelationship,classmaterialsandalightsnack.Cost$147. To enroll call Robin at (765) 642-1853.

dove Harbor dessert auctionOctober 22, 6:00 pm at the Anderson Center for the ArtsAneveningtosavorandcelebrate!AllproceedsbenefitDoveHarbor. Tickets: $20 per person, includes a delicious dinner catered by M&N Catering. TicketsavailableatGrandCentral,ChurchOfficeandBroadwayMinistryCenter. Contact: Andrea Carlile, (765) 642-1853

a Christmas CarolMark your calendars for the annual production of A Christmas Carol

dinner Theatre and Production on Thursday december 10. Reservations can be made at the Church Office.

Performances on Friday - Sunday, december 11-13 at 7:00pm Saturday Matinee at 2:00pm

auditions will be held on Thursday, September 24 and October 8, from 6:30pm -9:00pm Rehearsal Room at Madison Park Site

A variety of speaking, singing, and dancing parts are available. Come prepared to sing, accompanist available, read from the script and perform a few basic dance steps, if auditioning for parts requiring dance. Contact: Jill O’Malia at (765) 641-4349.

News You Can UseMPC Hiking Club: Enjoy the great outdoors, fellowship and better health - join a hike locally or special hiking adventures. Four hiking groups to choose from: Advanced, Intermediate, Weekday and Beginners. Fall Hiking Trip to Brown County, Indiana, on October 10. Come on out and enjoy the scenery, barrels of fun and fellowship! Enjoy hiking up to a 10 mile beginning at 9:00am or shop with Shelly. Connect on Facebook: Madison Park Hiking Group. Contact: Clint Short at (765) 208-0870.

S.a.L.T. (Single adults Living Truth)•WednesdaysatMPC:

Join other singles at a table to enjoy a delicious Lighthouse Café Dinner and fellowship.

• Saturday, September 26, Dinner and RETRO. Meet at Montana Mikes at 5:00 pm for supper. RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 23.

A Christmas Carol auditions: Thursday, September 24 and October 8, from 6:30pm -9:00pm in the Rehearsal Room at MPC. A variety of speaking, singing, and dancing parts are available. Come prepared to sing, accompanist available, read from the script and perform a few basic dance steps, if auditioning for parts requiring dance. Performance dates are December 10-13. Contact: Jill O’Malia at (765) 641-4349.

Women’s Volleyball: Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm in Cross Street Gym beginning October 1. Open to women over 13 years old and all skill levels. For more info contact Melanie Denniston at mdenniston@madisonparkchurch.org.

Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30-6:30pm in The Commons. MPC Parish Nurses conduct a free blood pressure screening for MPC-goers and community friends. Contact Sonia Smythe at sonia.smythe@ecommunity.com or Lynn Simpson.

Children’s MinistriesQuEST Children’s Wednesday Program: Wednesdays in September from 6:30-7:45pm in the Children’s Wing. September QUEST is created around the theme of Noah. The 5-week QuEST session will cap on September 30 at 6:30pm in the Main auditorium with a family worship

experience. Following this family service, QUEST will take a 2-week intermission—next session begins October 21. Contact: Christi Maidlow, Interim Children’s Ministries Director.

Time Matters Parent and Child dedication Class: Sunday, October 4 at 11:00am in Room 181. Parents wishing to dedicate their child

are invited to participate in this special time designed to connect

with other parents, as well as learn more about why TIME

MATTERS. The next Child Dedication will be on Sunday, October 25 in both 9:00 and 11:00am worship services. To register, contact Christi Maidlow, Interim Children’s Ministries Director.

Children’s Ministry assistant Training:

Sunday, September 27 at 9:00am in Room 191.

Students currently in grades 4-9 grade are invited to serve as

Children’s Ministry Assistants (CMA) in early childhood classes. Special training will equip CMAs as they serve in classrooms. Contact: Ali Robinson, Early Childhood Coordinator.

Student MinistriesIMPaCT—Junior High Ministries: •September Teaching Focus—Jesus is

my BAE: Sundays at 11am in Crossroads Auditorium (doors open at 10:15am), and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm in Rooms 176-178.

• Invite night LOCK-In: Friday, September 25atScatterfieldSite

•Service night: Wednesday, September 30. Meet at the Church.

IGnITE—Senior High Ministries: •September Teaching Focus—You Gotta

See This (John 1:41-42) Wednesdays from 6-8pm in Crossroads Auditorium.

• International youth Convention Information Meeting: Wednesday, September 30 at 8pm in Crossroads Auditorium. Parents and students invited.

•Bible Studies: Sundays at 9am in Room 180

Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00pm in the Hospitality Room

Explore Madison Park provides the essential information you need to know before calling Madison Park Church your church home. The class answers questions such as who we are, what we believe, and our church membership process in a relaxed, fun, and interactive format. You’ll meet others who are on the same journey as you and begin the process of getting connected. Find details or sign-up in the Hospitality Room or online at MadisonParkChurch.org. Contact: Shelly Stottlemyer, Pastor of Connection Ministries.

continued on page 4

— 3 —

Join a Small Group!

With more than 40 small groups from which to choose,

Madison Park has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for a group that is just for men or women,

volunteer-minded or bible-study based, there is a small group that will deepen

your faith and enrich your spiritual journey. You are invited to facilitate

or join a Small Group. Contact: Jackie Corm, at the Church Office

to learn more about small group opportunities at

MPC.

Lighthouse Café

Enjoy a freshly prepared meal and mini-salad bar in The Commons: Wednesdays from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. Cost: Adults-$7, Children and college Students with ID-$5. Family Plan: $25 for up to 7 people, $5 per each additional person.Sept 23: Beef & Noodles / Kids’ Option:

Beef& NoodlesSept 30: Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwich

& Slaw / Kids’ Option: Mini Corn Dogs and Mac & Cheese

Fall Spiritual Development OpportunitiesPlan to attend any of the classes! Questions? Contact: Jackie Corn at the Church Office.

SundayS aT 9aMFresh Start: Room 176. A 10-week “back to the basics” class. discipleship Essentials: Room 182.

SundayS aT 10:45aMChristian Growth Bible Study: Room 182. Open to all ages. Real Life: Rooms 176-178. Open to all ages. Worship arts Class: Room 180. Open to all ages.

WEDNESDAYS AT 6:30PMBible Time: Hospitality Room/The Commons. discipleship Essentials: Room 182.Financial Peace university (FPu): Room 177. Learning to Pray Like Jesus: Room 179. Men of Madison Park: Room 180. W.O.W (Women of the Word): Room 175.

OTHER RefresHer Women’s Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9am in Crossroads Auditorium. Free childcare and home school elementary class.

H.O.P.E.: Thursays at 6:30pm. 13-week Support Classes, including:•divorce Care: Room 190. • Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K): Room

193. • Single and Parenting: Room 191.

S.a.L.T. (Single Adults Living Truth) Sundays from 6:00-7:30pm - room 175-177.Bible Study: Life Lessons - Book of Acts by Max Lucado.

Opportunities to ServeMedicine for Haiti Medical Mission Trip: A variety of medicine is needed for a medical mission trip to Haiti in October. The clinic needs: adult and children’s Tylenol , adult and children’s Motrin, Tums, Zantac 150mg OTC, adult and children’s Vitamins.(no gel typevitaminsplease),hydrocortizonecream,Visine type eye drops. Any generic form is acceptable. These meds will be given out in villages around Haiti during clinics. Drop off items at Grand Central in The Commons. Contact: Rob Fox at (765) 606-5191.MPC Military Support Team: Sunday, October 4 in The Commons. Ministers to those serving in the armed forces and their families. Register troops, families and volunteer. Visit Grand Central for a list of items needed for care packages. Bring items to Grand Central any Sunday or to the MilitarySupportTableonthefirstSundayof each month. Volunteers are needed to assemble and mail packages. Contact: Linda Eaton at (765) 552-0447 or Jean Covalt at (765) 643-2278.

Family News To submit a threads announcement regarding a birth or death, please contact the Pastoral Care office at (765) 642-2000.

In sympathy with:

Ali and Jeff Robinson and family on the passing of her grandmother, Wanda Wells on August 29.Keith and Lois Ellis and family on the passing of his father, William Ellis on August 29.John and Carol Mitchell and family on the passing of his brother, Rev. Norman Mitchell on September 7.

Community and Ministry Partner News

Operation Thank you: School supplies are being collected now through December for Operation Thank You, a mid-year boost for our community’s school teachers. The goal is for every ACS elementary teacher to attend the event and leave with a box of supplies for their classroom. Donated supplies needed: Boxes of tissues, four-pack Expo Dry Erase Markers, Fiskars scissors, Elmer’s glue sticks, and 24-pack Crayola Crayons or 12-pack colored pencils. Financial contributions are also welcomed. Bring your supplies and place in the bins in The Commons or give your money at Grand Central or place a check money in your giving envelope in worship and designate for Operation Thank You. Contact: Ali Robinson, Early Childhood Coordinator.

John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”“When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means teacher), “where are you staying?”“Come,” he replied, “and you will see,”So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” Check this out! After spending one day with Jesus, the first thing that Andrew did was to go find his brother and say, YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!Andrew was sure, he was inspired, he was compelled and he was motivated to go find his brother and share with him about Jesus, the Messiah.Everything changed that day for these men.

Choosing to follow Jesus does that.How about us? We are called by God to go. To love. To share. To help. To give. To bring others to Jesus.Think about it. How often do we intentionally share with others about Jesus and say, “You Gotta See This!”There are so many things in life that we get excited about and share with others:•Ourfavoritefootballteam.•Fantasyfootballideas.•Agreatmovielike,“WarRoom.”•Somethingsweetthatourkidsarea

part of.•Baptism.•Agreatdessert.•ThethoughtthatAndersonmightget

a Chick Fil A.The list could go on and on.All of these things and the things that you get excited about and share with others are really great things and blessings for sure. None of them are wrong to be excited about. I’m so glad about that!So, what is the point of all this?Simple. The most exciting thing ever is when someone comes to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, choosing to follow Jesus daily, forgiven of their sins, set free, set apart and now on the road that leads to heaven!

Jesus put it this way:“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10Yes! I can picture it! Each time someone chooses to follow Jesus and is saved…heaven and angels rejoicing and God saying “Look! You Gotta See This! “They have chosen to accept my son Jesus as Lord and Savior!”How exciting! How awesome!We are all on a mission to help others find Jesus. Discovering salvation, hope, truth, life, and light.Like John, we are “a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:7-9We have a chance each day to say, “You gotta see this…Jesus.”

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

comment at MadisonParkChurch.org.

— 4 —

You Gotta See This! Continued from page 1

Student MinistriesContinued from page 3 The Struggles. . .

Continued from page 1

something that’s such a struggle for moms (and everyone!) and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this changes lives.Threads: you have been instrumental in getting a MOPS group here at MPC to help impact our community.Annie: Yes, we have just started a MOPS group here at MPC. We meet the first and third Fridays of each month (September-May) and do fun activities on any fifth Fridays. We typically enjoy a brunch-type meal, watch a video and/or listen to a speaker, have a discussion and make some sort of related craft or activity. It’s a time when your children are well cared for and you can finish a lunch, uninterrupted, with other mommy friends who get you, and gain hope-filled insight,For more information check out MPC’s MOPS facebook page at www.facebook.com/madparkmops or email Annie Nichols at annie.nichols538@gmail.com.