The Messenger Magnolia Baptist Church
"Every person a place to serve and a place to belong."
November 2011
A
n old farmer once had an ungodly relative visit him. After the farmer had bowed his head and thanked God for the food they were about to eat, the relative rudely said, “What did you do that for? There’s no God. We live in an age of enlightenment.” The old farmer smiled and said, “There is one on the farm who doesn’t thank God before he eats.” The relative sat up and said, “Who is this enlightened one?” To which the farmer quietly replied, “My pig.” As I look toward the end of the month, there on the last Thursday of November is a quietly reserved block of remembrance we call Thanksgiving. Most of us may feel a bit like the farmer’s pig after the feast is over, but at the core of the day is thankfulness. There may be no other holiday dedicated on the American calendar that is more centered in the Christian faith than this. Now I know Christmas and Easter are seemingly obvious, after all they are centered on Christ right? (Feel free to insert your own snide, sarcastic or cynical response here). But Thanksgiving is different. Set Pilgrims and Indians aside for a moment. Why were the Pilgrims thankful…because they came with a core conviction that every good gift was from above (James 1:17). For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving Day. We should even be thankful in the midst of problems. The Apostle Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4). He knew that God was working all things together for his good, even though he was going through trials (Romans 8:28). Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. Through faith in God, we find thankfulness in all things because His promise is true. He never lets go, even when life seems difficult from our perspective, God is still there with us. Trusting God encourages thanksgiving and thanksgiving gives way to joy. That’s the celebration of the Pilgrims. That’s the celebration of all who follow Jesus. In some ways, our joy is the barometer of our faith in God. Let me give you an example. Imagine if I said I would give you one million dollars if you ripped out the last page of today’s newspaper, and mailed it to me. Of course, you don’t believe that I would do that. But imagine if you did. Imagine if you had knowledge of more than 1,000 people who had sent in the page, and every one received their million dollars—no strings attached. More than that. You had actually called me, and I had assured you personally that I would keep my word. If you believed me, wouldn’t you have joy? If you didn’t believe me—no joy. Your joy would be a barometer as to how much you believed my promise.
720 S. Magnolia Anaheim, CA 92804
We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Do yourself a big favor—believe the promise, be thankful in them, find joy from them! ~ Jeremy Bratcher
It’s time to start preparing your Christmas shoe boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
project. Magnolia’s Collection Sunday will be November 13, 2011, and we will deliver the boxes to the processing center that week. Visit our display table on the patio for gift ideas and your “How to Pack a Shoe Box” brochure. It is recommended to spend about $20 per box, plus a donation of $7 per box for shipping. Thanks to your generosity, our church has collected over 100 shoe boxes each year! We also are taking sign-ups for volunteers to work at the processing center. We have two daytime slots: Tuesday, December 6th from 1:00-4:00pm for 20 people. Thursday, December 8th from 10:00am - 2:00pm for 15 people. (Sorry, all the evening times were filled)
Any questions, contact Carol Sundman @ (714) 828-3452.
We are very low on food for the Food Cupboard Please use this list to determine the current needs of our food cupboard. Many of the recipients have no refrigerator and no oven/baking facilities. The most useful items are basic, easy to prepare, canned meals. (Home canned foods we cannot use due to the legal implications. Institutional sizes are not needed – most of the recipients are small families on the move.)
VERY IMPORTANT
Pop-top cans needed for the homeless! Peanut butter Jelly Breakfast bars Macaroni & Cheese Fruit juice boxes Bottled water Crackers (saltine, graham) Canned spaghetti, ravioli Canned Meat
(stew, chili, meat, tuna) Fruit – applesauce, pears, peaches (Individual serving size) Instant Soups Hot and cold cereals Snack foods (individual puddings, granola bars, nuts)
T HI
Is A Must !
PLEASE BRING ITEMS TO THE CHURCH OFFICE
S
Make sure canned food items have NOT passed their expiration date!!!
Joy to the
Winter W onderland World the Christmas Party for Lord has Women and Children Come
h
Women's Ministry is having a Christmas Celebration
a
and we want you to join us.
Saturday, December 10th 11:30am ~ Leuschner Hall Lunch and a whole lot of fun for women & kids of all ages.
f
Tickets on sale soon
$10.00 ~ 12 years old and over $5.00 ~ 3-11 year olds Free ~ children under 2
g
d Invite your friends and family
November Anniversaries
BOOK RECOMENDATION
3 Steve & Julie Spykerman 6 John & Lisa Conway 7 Rob & Jeri Hipp 14 Lindsey & Gina Climer 16 Ray & Jean Hansen 17 Darin & Staci Myers 18 Larry & Bev Soeltz 22 Wendell & Yolanda Newsome 24 Noel & Jocelyn Sicat 28 Corey & Brenda Wylde 28 Byron & Correen La Counte 29 John & Julie Showalter 29 Adrian & Sandra Lopez
Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay
This is one of the best books I have ever read about sharing the gospel with others. The author (William Fay) has a most amazing testimony of a life without Christ before he was saved. Some of the chapter titles are: “You Can’t Fail”, “The Share Jesus Questions”, “Ready Responses to Common Objections”, and “How to Pray for Unbelievers”. You’ll never view witnessing the same way after reading this book!
1 Lesley Steenbergen 1 Jake Sawyer 3 Andrew Samp 3 Carol Compher 4 Adam DeClercq Reviewed by Lesley Steenbergen 5 Jo Bicknell 6 Frances Moore 6 Lisa Conway 7 Ernie Ledesma 8 Charlotte Spahr Sign up for Christmas is a wonderful celebration of the Lord Jesus. We want you to 8 Jerry King be a part of MBC’s remembrance of Christ’s Advent. on Thursday nights, 8 Joanna Zug Women's Retreat from now through December 22nd, 6:30 to 7:30, we will be rehearsing for 8 Joanne Barker January 13-15 MBC’s Christmas Eve celebration: 8 Joseph Keleher 9 Roger Tsuda only 9 Haley Borg for a fun filled There will be a wonderful mix of new Christmas music, traditional carols 10 Jean Hansen weekend. and inspirational readings—all to worship the Lord and remember the true 13 Leonard Johnson “reason for the season.” 13 Mike Steenbergen Save your space We want to extend an invitation to any and all interested in singing with our 13 Richard Steenbergen Christmas choir. Ages 13 and older are invited to participate. by talking with 13 Werhner Orilla Julie Showalter Be part of the celebration. See you then. 14 Lea Bell asap 14 Steve Spykerman 15 Glenda Ledesma 15 Krista Keleher Magnolia Men’s Monthly Meeting 15 Mary McGunigale at Hometown Buffet 19 Sarah La Counte on Katella and Euclid 20 Joni Kiker Date: Last Saturday of 20 Jonathan Taylor every month 20 Raylynn Borg (Next meeting is on 11/26/11) DON'T MISS OUT 22 Judi Raper Time: 7:30am – 9am ON WHATS Cost: $7.70 per person 23 Michelle Whelen HAPPENING Includes: a breakfast 25 Jose Avila buffet, omelet bar and November 6th - Leuschner Hall 26 Dan Gustavson coffee. 7pm 27 Jan Carlo Viray November 20th - Leuschner Hall If you bring a visitor they are FREE. 30 Patti King 7pm
MBC Christmas Celebration
The First Noel
For more information talk with Gene Gatch; 714.774.7036 or Dan Guerrero; 714.794.9729.
$152
December 18th Christmas Gathering