• Cliff Mansley
• Feb 19, 2010

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METAMORPHOSIS 3.3

New Creation Church

February 2010 Newsletter

FIRST LOVE

Do you sense it in the air? The season of love is here! A time when our hearts beat with renewed passion as we rekindle the flame that once burned so brightly with joy and delight!

Valentine’s Day? No… Lent. Lent? You’ve got to be kidding! Isn’t Lent supposed to be a somber time when we mourn over our sins and repent of our wickedness?

Yes, for those of us who are familiar with the ancient church calendar, Lent is a forty-day period of time before Easter when followers of Christ are supposed to evaluate our lives through prayer, reflection and repentance. It’s when we make a special effort to clear away anything that interferes with our relationship with Jesus… our First Love!

You see, when we do this it helps us to rest our hearts upon the heart of God. What else is more important to a Christian? Nothing else should be.

As we refocus our lives in love and passion for Jesus this Lenten season, take time to start and end each day in prayer and Scripture study… perhaps reading a chapter a day from John or Luke… just watch as your passion for Jesus grows!

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17th. Please plan on participating in  our unique service of worship from 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

 

Cliffs Notes:          Happy Valentines Day Jesus!

 

You’ve heard it from me before… the Christian faith is all about relationships… our relationship with Jesus and our relationships with each other. When we set our heart on the heart of Jesus it’s like sending a Valentine card to him. When we spend time with him in the Bible and in prayer it blesses his heart. When we serve one another with love and abandon or reach out so someone who is hurting or encourage another in faith or give generously to his mission or go out of our way to benefit someone else God, delights in that.

When I see you on Sunday mornings and throughout the week it’s so apparent that you love to send Valentines cards to Jesus! It makes being your pastor one of the most fulfilling things I could ever imagine!

One area that we don’t talk much about at New Creation is money. I have always known you to be very generous, but these have been hard times economically. People are hurting and we do our level best to help as many people as possible. New

 Creation has no outside sources of funding and as a result we find ourselves living on the edge financially. Like so many in our community we find ourselves living week-to-week. By God’s grace, we’ve been able to pay our bills. But things are very tight right now and there are many needs. Would you consider sending Jesus a Valentine by helping to support the church with an over-and-above one time gift or increase your weekly giving? If we all pitch-in, it will make a wonderful difference.

With Love in Jesus,     Pastor Cliff

CONFIRMATION-INQUIRERS

New Creation is offering special classes on the Christian faith for middle school and high school students beginning February 17th at 4:00 p.m. Classes will continue through May 9th (Mother’s Day) when Inquirers or Confirmands will be baptized and/or confirmed during worship.

Students between 6th and 10th grades are encouraged to participate in this intensely meaningful experience of faith. Classes will cover subjects such as the meaning of life, what it means to follow Jesus, how to put your faith in action, how the church works, hard questions of the faith and even basic theology! WOW! Don’t think for a moment that this will be boring. It won’t! We’ll have occasional field trips,service projects, food, films and, of course, golden words of teaching from Pastor Cliff!

Anyone desiring to participate or having questions is encouraged to call Pastor Cliff at 396-6175.

t always seems like we have some new and exciting news about interns. This month two more interns have joined our team. Hopping on board are two more OCC students. Steve Massey (Tim Little’s long-time friend and roommate) has joined the High School Team.  Jonathan Hendrix is currently exploring his focus and finds himself serving between hospitality and youth. We’ll see how this pans out.

INTERN-UPDATE

You may also want to know that most of our interns have gone through a orientation day for this semester. Our new practice requires that all go through a standard background check. Something we are incorporating into all ministries that focus on working with children and youth.

In the meantime, please encourage our many interns who serve so willingly. They are a great blessing to everyone at New Creation!

MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCK-IN

Middle School FUEL will be holding its Winter Lock-In/Lock-Out on February 5th-6th. If you’re in 6th-8th grade come prepared for a pile of fun! There will be food, games and a mystery trip (in town). Plan on inviting your friends for a fantastic time! The action starts at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 a.m. Separate sleeping rooms for guys and girls will be available. To sign-up or for more info call 782-8200. Leave a message if necessary. Bring 100 or so of your closest friends!

SENIOR HIGH SOUL RETREAT

Sr High SOUL will be headed out for a wintery retreat on Table Rock Lake February 19th - 20th (and possibly 21st). Thanks to the Sherrods, we’ll be staying at their awesome lakehouse enjoying a toasty fire place, great view of the lake, and so much more. Tim Little and Steve Massey will be instructing on spiritual gifts discovery. There will be worship, games, food and great fun! Permission slips required. Cost is $10. Please be sure to bring lots of friends!

COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT

College and Young Adults will be on the move February 26-27 (and maybe 28th) to the Brehm’s lakehouse on Beaver Lake. Enjoy the rustic setting while warming your hands by the woodstove, catching a flick in the movie room or most importantly worshipping God! This is a great opportunity for spiritual growth. Space is limited so please sign-up with Ben Whetstone or Scott Yount as soon as possible. Cost of the retreat is $7.– You are welcome to invite friends!

Sorry… no water skiing!

BAPTISM

 Do you believe in Jesus? Have you made Him your Lord and Savior? Do you want to dedicate your life to following Him for the rest of your life? If you are ready to publically confess your faith as a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ or have questions about how to do that please visit with Pastor Cliff. If you have never been baptized before we are planning to baptisms for the month of February.

AFTER DARK

After Dark isn’t just for college students from Missouri Southern and Ozark Christian, it’s also high school students and adults of all ages.

Please plan on attending this awesome event. Internationally recognized speaker Joe White will be speaking along with performances by Ben Rector and The SL. Be there Tuesday February 2nd at 8:00 p.m.

SMALL GROUPS

The Mid-Winter Mix-Up has blessed New Creation with a new vision for small group ministry. In fact, we’ve moved of being a congregation that is a small group to being a congregation of small groups! It’s time for a change.

Because we have had such a positive response to small groups for students and adults during the Sunday School hour we will extend the small groups at least through Easter and perhaps longer. We’re hoping that everyone will participate! This has the potential of strengthening and growing our church in many different ways.

The traditional Sunday School format may return in the late spring or summer. In the meantime, we will offer different classes during the week that will provide unique opportunities for spiritual growth.

February Prayer Page and Scripture Reading

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God.

 --Andrew Murray

 

Please take time to pray daily for the church, family, friends, yourself and for or that…

 

1     (2 Thessalonians, Jeremiah 1, Job 1) our Sunday morning small groups would be deep and meaningful

2     (2 Thess 2, Jer 2,  Job 2) the success of AFTER DARK college outreach at MSSU tonight

3              (2 Thess 3, Jer 3, Job 3) many children will participate in our Kid’s Quest ministry and be changed

4     (Philippians 1, Jer 4, Job 4) God would provide for the financial needs of New Creation

5     (Phil 2, Jer 28, Job 5) the success of our Middle School Lock-In in reaching students for Christ

6     (Phil 3, Jer 29, Job 6) Joseph and Amanda, Chuck and Sarah as they prepare for marriage

7              (Phil 4, Jer 30, Job 7) our congregational meeting to be successful in strengthening our unity

8              (1 Timothy 1, Jer 31, Job 8) Charles & Barbara Cunningham as they settle into their home in WA

9              (1 Tim 2, Jer 32, Job 9) God would strengthen the witness of New Creation in the community

10           (1 Tim 3, Jer 33,  Job 10) those who are hurting, lonely or ill in our congregation and community.

11           (1 Tim 4, Jer 34, Job 11 the leadership of our Elders Dan Hanschu, Hank Hoffman and Scott Brehm.

12   (1 Tim 5, Jer 35,  Job 12) the power of Christ would permeate the High School retreat this weekend

13           (1 Tim 6 Jer 36, Job 13) we would love one another with passion as Christ first loved us.

14   (Titus 1, Jer 37, Job 14) practice kindness daily to those around us.

15   (Titus 2, Jer 38, Job 15) our nation and our desperate need to employ our people in meaningful labor.

16           (Titus 3, Jer 39, Job 16) our work day would be effective, fun and fulfilling

17   (1 Peter 1 Jer 40,  Job 17) the young people participating in Confirmation-Inquirers will have a power              ful experience of spiritual growth today and in the months to come.

18   (1 Pet 2 Jer 41,  Job 18) our nation’s President and leaders would lead with honesty and integrity.

19           (1 Pet 3, Jer 42, Job 19) our outreach at Watered Gardens today would have eternal meaning

20           (1 Pet 4, Colossians 1, Job 20) joy, passion and sincerity of heart would mark our worship services.

21           (1 Pet 5, Col 2, Job 21) your witness to ____________________ would be dynamic and effective.

22   (2 Pet 1, Col 3, Job 22) folks at New Creation would be known for our generosity.

23   (2 Pet 2, Col 4 Job 23) continue to bless our Kid’s Quest Ministry in 2010.

24           (2 Pet 3, 1 Thessalonians 1, Job 24) Pastor Cliff would faithfully lead with love, compassion & biblical        integrity.

25           (Ruth 1, 1 Thess 2, Job 25) the Lord would prepare Kevin Bray for his Mission to Mexico

26           (Ruth 2, 1 Thess 3,  Job 26) the spiritual success of our college and young adult retreat this weekend.

27           (Ruth 3, 1 Thess 4, Job 27) God would provide for our partner mission in India… the Sram-Ashrams as     led by our dear friends Dr. K. Clement and Sathya. That the 325 study centers would thrive.

28           (Ruth 4, 1 Thess 5, Job 28) our nation would be protected from the folly of foolish leaders

 

CHURCH DIRECTORIES

Church Directories with basic contact info are now available at New Creation. To get your copy please see Jean Seibert. It may not be perfect, but it should be a helpful tool for you in contacting folks who are actively involved at New Creation. If we accidentally overlooked any of your info please contact Jean and we’ll make the correction for the second printing. We will soon release an updated pictorial directory of New Creationists!

THEOLOGY 101

Interested in the basics of Christian Theology? Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. a small group is meeting to discuss the standards of a Biblical faith from the standpoint of the Reformed tradition. There is no required reading outside of the group meeting. This class is designed for the beginner. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! We meet in the Conference Room.

TUESDAY PRAYER

How do you seek direction for your life? What do you do in the face of spiritual challenges? How do you handle a crisis in your life? When you see problems in the world around you how do you respond? When you are feeling empty, helpless or needing joy what do you do? Join us in 2010 every Tuesday morning at 9:30 for prayer in the Conference Room. Why not make a New Year resolution to  undergird your life with prayer?

NEW CREATION HOODIES

Want to get your hands on  one of those cool New Creation hoodies? They’re going fast! The cost is $15. That’s a deal! There are about ten left and we don’t have plans to order more.  Why not? Because our hoodies normally sell for three times what we paid for them and the sale is over.

See Jean if you would like to purchase one of these fine shirts!

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE

Feeling a little cramped lately? Need some extra space around the house or in the shed? Now is a great time to start cleaning out your “stuff”. New Creation is already collecting for the Spring Rummage Sale that will be held sometime in April or May. Please feel free to bring in any items that may be saleable and stash them at the back of the “ping-pong-table-room” located next to the kitchen downstairs. If you have questions or need assistance please contact Jean at 782-8200.

WATERED GARDENS LUNCHEON

Hot dog! It’s time to serve lunch at Watered Gardens again. We’ll be serving Friday February 19th. We’re looking for volunteers to cook, serve and clean-up between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Come for all or part of this great experience! We’re also looking for folks who will contribute hot dogs, chili, cheese, buns, desserts and fixins.  Sign-up at New Creation or call the office at (417) 438-2839.

 

SOUPER BOWL

In celebration of the greatest football event of the year we are encouraging everyone to bring in as many cans of soup and boxes of crackers as possible. All contributions will be donated to local missions.

February Birthdays and Anniversaries

 Hank Hoffman, Sam Brehm (12) Colleen Blackwood (16) Abby Mansley (25) Barbara Cunningham (28)

Kids Quest

Every Wednesday Afternoon from 3-5 p.m. Bible Stories, Games, Songs, Tutoring and More!!!

Middle School Fuel and Sr High Soul (Dinner served in-between)

4:00 - 5:35 p.m. Sunday Middle School Youth Group   *   5:45 Sunday High School Youth Group

Small Groups

9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at New Creation - Prayer Group

10:00 a.m. Wednesdays - An Introduction to Reformed Theology

 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays Dinner and Bible Study

Church Office Hours*

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday * Please call ahead for an appointment… 782-8200

Mission Fridays at Watered Gardens

10am-2pm every Friday at 531 South Kentucky Avenue

New Creation Interns

Childrens Intern Jordan Sidebottom

College Interns Ben Whetstone & Scott Yount

Worship Interns Drew Niemeier, Josh Hutchinson & Zach Simpler                                                                 

Youth Interns Kevin Bray, Michael Thomas, Ayla Sartoris, Mariah Ritchie, Tim Little, Jonathan Hendrix, Steve Massey       

 

This month is paper supplies month. Please drop off toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, Kleenex etc  @ the NCC office.