17 Jan Missions Outreach at Mt. Olivet

Fonda Cassidy of Mt. Olivet UB in Mt. Solon, Va., sent this report: “This past year was a great outreach for our church in missions. We shared in opportunities with local missions for building a complete house in our community. We cut and carried wood as was needed. We had a large group travel to Kentucky to work on projects directed by Titus Boggs. Other individuals traveled to Belize, Honduras, and Bolivia for medical and construction assistance. Five young people attend Rhodes Grove Camp, and two received Christ as Savior! Opportunities come and go, but it’s what we do with them that could count for Him.”

16 Jan “Messiah” Highlights at Daytona UB

Jennie Bishop, a member of the praise team at Daytona UB church (Holly Hill, Fla.), sent this report about Christmas at First UB church:
 
“The Daytona UB church honored our Lord and Savior this Christmas season during each Sunday morning of Advent with a special song, a special music selection, and a narrative presentation. During the first three Sundays of Advent, our Praise Team sang a special song called ‘Messiah,’ and they also sang a special music selection. The song ‘Messiah’ was written by one of our church members who also wrote and coordinated the narrative readings. During the singing of ‘Messiah,’ four ladies wore robes of righteousness and walked down the main sanctuary aisle toward the front of the church where an adorned crown was placed at the manger in the nativity scene. After the singing, a narrative reading was done by several members of the Praise Team.
 
“Each Sunday during the singing of ‘Messiah,’ the congregation was instructed to write in a crown-shaped image on a piece of paper what they were willing to do for Christ this Advent season. The emphasis was on our willingness to serve Christ, and all written cards were kept anonymous as each church member placed their ‘Crown of Willingness’ on the alter. Prayer requests were also written on crown-shaped pieces of paper and placed on the altar. After each service, the willingness cards were collected and placed into the adorned crown that was laid at the manger.
 
“During the last Sunday of Advent, while singing ‘Messiah’ the cards of willingness were collected and placed into a crown of thorns which was placed before baby Jesus in the manger. Laying a crown of thorns signified that without the birth of Christ, there would be no salvation for mankind. In closing the service on that last Sunday of Advent, the congregation held lit candles while the Praise Team sang ‘There is Peace in the World Tonight,’ after which a flute and guitar duet played ‘Silent Night.’
 
Below is a music MP3 file for the song “Messiah” (Lyrics written by DJ Muller, performed by Edie Shadle, and recorded and produced by Matt McKeown of Sound Mind Productions).

11 Jan Lancaster UB’s Live Nativity

Sharon Lucas, secretary at Lancaster UB (Lancaster, Ohio), sent this Christmas report: “Lancaster United Brethren Church held a Live Nativity this year for the first time in several years. It had been a fixture in the community for several years.

The Theme was “Follow the Light.” With a large billboard and a rented spotlight, folks from miles away were drawn to the presentation. The Nativity featured a new shelter house, many live animals (including two camels), and most importantly featured the Gospel message presented with live acting to many in the community who otherwise may not hear it any other way.

“God blessed us with the opportunity to meet with hundreds of folks from the community, many of whom are unchurched. The show ran for fifteen minutes, three times an hour, and played to an audience of 40-80 at each showing throughout the weekend. Refreshments were served in the Merillat Center between shows, and connections were made with families looking for a church home.”

21 Nov Revised Websites for Three Churches

Three United Brethren churches have seriously updated their websites. Take a look.

• NorthPointe Church (Lewis Center, Ohio). Dan Kopp is the pastor.
• Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Tim Hallman is the pastor.
• Union Chapel Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Gary Reiber is the pastor.

21 Nov Christmas Musical at Lake View Church

Lake View Church will offer their 18th annual dramatic Christmas musical December 14-16. The performances are open to anyone who would like to attend. Tickets are free, but are required for admission.

This year’s musical, “Bringing Christmas Home,” shows that God’s supernatural power is still at work today changing hearts. The performance schedule is:

• December 14 @ 7:00PM
• December 15 @ 7:00PM
• December 16 @ 4:00PM

Light refreshments will be served after each presentation. For tickets or more information, please call the church office at 517.567.8529. Lake View Church is located at 4616 E. Territorial Road in Camden, Mich., about two miles north of Pioneer, Ohio, and 16 miles south of Hillsdale, Mich.

13 Nov Colwood UB Looking for Fulltime Youth Pastor

Colwood UB church in Caro, Mich., is looking for a fulltime youth pastor, with a preferred starting date of January 1, 2008. Colwood Student Ministry (Fusion Student Ministry), a ministry of Colwood UB church, is a multi-faceted ministry that seeks a balance of worship, training, outreach, leader development, and community involvement. Currently the Sunday student average is 50-60 students. A Friday night outreach has been developed over the past three years.

The purpose of Fusion is to give students a safe place to go, where they know they can trust the adults and have fun with their friends. Anywhere from 150-300 students attend this event that is held three out of four weeks every month during the school year. Colwood is looking for the person God would have to help them lead the student ministries forward.
If interested, contact:

Phil Whipple, Senior Pastor
1106 Collingwood Drive
Caro, Mich. 48723
Phone: 989.673.3636
Email: wwhipp@mac.com

09 Nov Roger Sherman Suffers Heart Attack

Roger Sherman, an elder at Mainstreet Church in Walbridge, Ohio, suffered a massive heart attack and is now in the intensive care unit of a local hospital. Roger is the second father to Mainstreet’s senior pastor, Marty Pennington.