Exalt March 2017

“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.”

Psalm 145:1 NLT

A Message From Our Senior Pastor As you may have noticed, this year, I want our ministry to focus on God’s Majesty, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” Psalm 8:1 (NIV). As you grow closer to knowing God and seeing how majestic He is, your connection with God will start to show up in your choices, attitude and behaviors, in the workplace, in conversations, and relationships. I encourage everyone to continue to seek God and get connected to Him. I want all members to become financially free, and for us to accomplish this, everyone needs to take the Financial Freedom Institute classes at Eastern Star Church. We now offer Adult FFI 101A/B classes on Sundays during the Sunday School hour at each campus. For those who have completed FFI 101A/B, we now offer FFI 201 classes focusing on personal finances. FFI 201 classes are held during weekday Bible Study at each campus. We will also offer Teen FFI classes starting in April. The three-part six-week sessions will cover: 1) managing money from a biblical perspective, 2) understanding credit, and 3) investments. I want everyone to be producers of their finances and not consumers.

March 2017

Featured Stories: Budgeting - Better Late than Never!

Membership at ESC!

I’m excited to hear how God will move in your life during ESC’s Fast, March 1 – April 9, 2017. It’s not about sacrificing certain food during this time; it’s a time for you to meditate on God’s Word and allow God to speak to you while you draw closer to Him. To assist you in your fast journey, we have a daily devotional booklet, morning prayer conference calls, weekly messages, and recipes. Visit our website to see how can stay connected with the church during the fast.

Continue to keep this ministry, our members, and the 46218 community in your prayers. We are working to assist those in need. With God, all things are possible.

Blessings,

Volunteer Spotlights

Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr. Senior Pastor

and more...

Budgeting - Better Late Than Never Written by Valerie Wortham

Have you ever been to the store to make a purchase, attempted to check out and realized you did not check your bank account but decided to swipe your card anyway only to hear the cashier say that your card was D-E-C-L-I-N-E-D! Or, are you robbing Peter to pay Paul because you overspent during the holiday season? Eastern Star Church has a few tips to help you budget better.

The first thing to do when starting a budget is to chart your current spending. Be aware of how much you have to spend to avoid overspending and possible overdraft fees. James Poore, an Elder at Eastern Star Church, suggests that spending habits should be separated into the following three categories: desires, needs, and wants. “If you need to cut back on your spending, begin by cutting back or eliminating the desires, and then wants,” stated Elder Poore.

After committing to charting your current spending, devise a method to track your expenses. For example, technology provides different apps to download to your smart device; some apps allow you to sync to your bank account. Utilization of an Excel spreadsheet is another great tool. Decide which tool(s) are best for you and use discretion whenever your bank account is involved.

Track your budget in at least five major categories: 1) tithes and offering, 2) income taxes, 3) personal savings, 4) debt retirement, and 5) spending.

Elder Poore continues, “It’s best for me to write down as I spend money.” Keep all receipts, and reconcile at the end of the day to ensure you have accounted for everything.

Budgeting can make life much easier while bringing a sense of serenity. God expects us to be good stewards (managers) of His resources (Proverbs 6:6-8, Luke 14:28-30). Elder Poore advises to give God your first fruits (tithe) and pay yourself a target goal of 10 percent to put aside in your savings. “If you cannot save 10 percent, start wherever you can, but set a goal of saving 10 percent per check and ultimately save six months of your living expenses,” stated Elder Poore.

GET YOUR BUDGETS ON TRACK! 1. CHART YOUR CURRENT SPENDING. CATEGORIZE YOUR DESIRES, WANTS, AND NEEDS. IF YOU NEED TO CUT BACK, SEE WHERE YOU CAN ELIMINATE DESIRES, THEN WANTS.

2. TRACK YOUR EXPENSES UTILIZE DIFFERENT APPS OR AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET TO TRACK YOUR SPENDING. DECIDE WHICH TOOL(S) ARE BEST FOR YOU. USE DISCRETION WHENEVER YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IS INVOLVED.

3. TRACK YOUR BUDGET CATEGORIZE YOUR BUDGET IN AT LEAST 5 CATEGORIES: 1.) TITHES AND OFFERING 2.) INCOME TAXES 3.) PERSONAL SAVINGS 4.) DEBT RETIREMENT 5.) SPENDING KEEP ALL RECEIPTS AND RECONCILE AT THE END OF THE DAY TO ENSURE YOU HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR EVERYTHING.

Teaching for the Love of It! Written by Barbara Walker

Teaching is a calling. If you ask any Sunday School and Bible Study volunteers who give their time studying, researching, preparing, and facilitating classes, you will hear a resounding “YES!” It takes a love for God, a love for the Word of God, and a love for the people of God to give of yourself as a dedicated and life-changing teacher.

There are Sunday School and Bible Study classes for every age group (3 years-old potty-trained – senior adults) over the span of all three campuses. The need for dedicated, passionate teachers is always there. When different teachers were asked if they are working in their area of giftedness, the answer was “yes.” When asked why they do it, spending hours of their time to prepare for a one-hour presentation, one teacher responded, “Volunteering allows me to demonstrate my commitment to Sunday School. It also provides me a chance to give back to God and the church, both which have been so gracious to me in all areas of my life.”

The gift of teaching is from God (Ephesians 4:11), and responding to that call and doing His work develops a sense of humility and gratitude in the teacher. The work is gratifying because, over time, teachers can see the results of the Lord’s work in the lives of the students.

It takes a servant’s heart to submit to the call of teaching. Every good teacher knows, “I (insert name here) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6). He or she knows that this work is not about them; it is all for the glory of God. When God calls, it is an honor to answer because a gifted teacher is teaching for the love of it.

Sunday School classes are held at each campus at the following times: 8 a.m. at the Fishers Campus, 9:30 a.m. at Cooper Road Campus, and 11 a.m. at the Main Campus.

Bible Study classes are held at each campus at the following times: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Fishers Campus, Wednesdays at Noon (Noon Day Service) and 7 p.m. at Main Campus, and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Cooper Road Campus.

For more information about the requirements for teaching and volunteering with the Christian Education Ministry, contact Sandra Keith, Director of Christian Education at (317) 591-5050 ext. 154 or email SKeith@easternstarchurch.org.

Volunteer Spotlight Written by Alisa Allen Traci Bowman has been a member of Eastern Star Church for 22 years and has served in the Sacred Dance Ministry for more than 15 years.

Traci is a committed volunteer that loves to serve the Lord.

Dance is a way for Traci to express her love and adoration to the Lord. Traci states, “He has been too good to me for me to just sit in the pew.”

The Sacred Dance Ministry requires commitment and dedication. Participating individuals are expected to practice outside of set rehearsals to make sure they know the choreographed dance and study God’s Word as it relates to the message they are conveying through the dance. “We do not perform

for entertainment. We render praise and worship through dance to set the atmosphere for the presence of God. We also minister to the congregation and encourage them to worship and praise with us,” stated Sis. Bowman.

The Sacred Dance Ministry meets every Thursday from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the Main Campus. The Sacred Dance Ministry ministers at one of the three campuses each month. They occasionally have additional rehearsals if needed.

Coupled with Sacred Dance is the Mime Dance Ministry.

DáMya Robinson, a nine-year-old, has been with the Mime Dance Ministry for the past eight months. She enjoys serving God and

expressing what God can do through her when she ministers the movement of praise.

The Mime Dance Ministry is open to members, seven years-old to senior adults who want to glorify God through dance. The Mime Dance Ministry meets every Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Main Campus.

If you have the heart for God, the ability of movement in your limbs, consider joining the Sacred Dance or Mime Dance Ministries. Members do not have to have formal dance training.

To join one of these ministries or view other ministries at Eastern Star Church, visit easternstarchurch.org and click on the MINISTRIES tab, then click MUSIC.

Becoming a Member of Eastern Star Church Written by Barbara Walker Each week following the sermon, an invitation to become a member of Eastern Star Church is extended to those in the congregation.

Attendees are asked to: 1) accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior and join the ESC family or 2) if they are a Christian, but do not have a local church Pastor Johnson would love to be their Pastor, and we would love to be their church family. As Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr. extends this invitation people are encouraged to make the decision to walk to the front of the Church and submit themselves to Christ.

Why should someone walk down to the front of the sanctuary during the invitation? Although most of us see walking down to the front of the sanctuary as an old church tradition, there is significance in doing so. You are publicly accepting Christ as your personal Savior and saying that you want to be a part of the universal and local Church. Much like baptism, coming down to the front of the Church is a sign to all that you have accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

What does it mean when a person accepts the invitation? When a person comes down front, they are demonstrating to the world and the congregation of believers that today, they are making a change in their life to live for Christ. For those who already have accepted Him, it is a demonstration to all that TODAY they are claiming a new church home in which they can grow and serve.

After accepting the invitation, is the person considered a member of ESC? If not, what steps do they need to take to be a member? When you accept the invitation, you become a potential member. To become a member of Eastern Star Church, you must: 1) Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior 2) Complete New Member’s Orientation Once you have completed these requirements, you are expected to choose an area of the church where you can get involved, fellowship, and serve. As a member you will receive the following benefits: • Baptism • Baby Dedication • Weddings • Funerals • Emergency Assistance • Counseling Services If you would like to have more information regarding church membership, please contact memberservices@easternstarchurch.org.

To update or correct your membership records for you and your family, visit our website by clicking on the ABOUT US tab, then MEMBERSHIP & MEMBERSHIP SERVICES or email memberservices@easternstarchurch.org.

A Member’s Testimony Written by Alisa Allen Brother James and Sister Kathy Collins have been married for four years and are faithful members of Eastern Star Church. They encourage others to tithe because God expects us to be good stewards of His resources. Through their faithfulness in tithing, they were able to pay for their son’s school tuition out of pocket – praise God! Their faith along with the knowledge of how to spend and save from a biblical perspective prepared them to overcome obstacles in their path.

The Collins believe that some of the benefits received from tithing include having peace of mind, good health, and stability within their home. Brother Collins tithes out of reverence, thankfulness, and obedience to the Word of God. Sister Collins tithes in benevolence of God’s blessings and is a firm believer in the teachings of Pastor Johnson, Sr. about tithing from your fruits.

Brother Collins said, “Tithing is an opportunity to be blessed by God.” The Collins pray that giving their testimony will help others reevaluate how they manage the resources God gives them and start giving God their first fruits. Out of obligation and submission to the many blessings, shows faithfulness to what God owns and allows us to handle. Brother Collins states, “It’s an opportunity to be blessed by God. He knows what we need, test Him.” Sister Collins quoted Pastor Johnson, “You can’t beat God’s giving!”

CALENDAR Important Dates for All Members Visit our website calendar to view updates and registration details for the following: FFI 101A Open Registration Register for Financial Freedom Institute 101A classes TODAY! Classes will be held April 2 thru May 14 on Sundays during the Sunday School hour at each campus.

Registration includes a $10 cost to cover class materials.

Registration ends March 26 and must be completed online.

Teen FFI Registration Attention all Teens! Eastern Star Church is offering Teen FFI classes April 4 thru May 11 during evening Bible Study at each campus. To qualify for the Eastern Star Church Scholarship, you must participate in Teen FFI classes!

Registration is free, but you must register to attend the classes. Visit our website today and register by selecting the FINANCIAL FREEDOM INSTITUTE tab! Space is limited. Registration ends March 26 and must be completed online.

New Member’s Orientation: March 18 The next New Member’s Orientation will be held on March 25 at the Fishers Campus from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration is required and must be completed by Wednesday, March 22 to participate.

New Member’s Orientation is offered to children, tweens, teens, and adults. Registration is available on our website by clicking the ABOUT US tab, then MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES. For additional information, call (317) 591-5050 ext. 256.

Servants in Action: March 23 The next Servants in Action Ministry meeting is on March 23 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Main Campus, Room J306. Servants in Action help serve and assist other ministries with volunteer support for church events and community partners. For more information, call James Woodard at (317) 591-5050 ext. 115 or email servants@easternstarchurch.org.

Want to keep up with what’s going on at Eastern Star Church?

Teen Church: March 26 (all campuses) Teen Church is held the fourth Sunday of each month at each campus during service. Teens come be a part of an interactive worship experience that is geared and ran by teens.

Health and Wellness Activities Senior Saints Body Building: Tuesdays and Thursdays Senior Saints Body Building classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Main Campus, Family Life Center from 3 - 4 p.m.

Line Dancing: Mondays Line Dancing classes are held on Mondays at the Main Campus from 6 - 8 p.m. Line Dancing classes will cost $5 per class. For more information, please call (317) 591-5050 ext. 159.

For more information about the health and wellness activities, please call Cecil Sinkfield, Director of Activities at (317) 591-5050 ext. 159.

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