• Cliff Mansley
• Mar 27, 2009

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METAMORPHOSIS

March 27, 2009

 

HOLY WEEK

Lent is quickly coming to an end and the arrival of Holy Week and Easter are getting nearer. All of that may sound a bit "liturgical" and to some degree it is. At New Creation we don't consider ourselves formal or informal, liturgical or non-liturgical. We do try very hard to be Biblical.

Holy Week is a concept borrowed from the early church as evidenced from ancient documents dating back to 250 A.D. The term "Holy Week" simply demarks the time Scriptures recognize as Jesus' last week on earth. We observe it today as a special time for prayer, remembrance and study.

Holy Week at New Creation begins with Palm Sunday (April 5th) when we celebrate Christ's triumphal ride into Jerusalem upon a colt. Of course, we'll all get to wave palms, but Pastor Cliff will take us deeper into the meaning of Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday (April 9th, 7 p.m.) we will hold a special worship service which will include a celebration of the Lord's Supper and Tenebrae Service of the Shadows* This experience is designed to draw you closer to our Lord as we reflect on the Last Supper and the crucifixion. 

Good Friday (April 10th 7:00 p.m.) we will show The Passion of the Christ in the Sanctuary. 

Easter Sunday (April 12th) will be a grand celebration of our Lord's Resurrection! For those desiring baptism during Resurrection Sunday please contact Pastor Cliff. Remember to bring fresh cut flowers for the "flower cross" at the front  door Easter morning!

 

THE POWER OF HOSPITALITY

Every week a small group of people arrive early before worship to prepare a marvelous table of food for our congregation & guests. Our time at the table is only about 15- 20 minutes following worship, but it is one of the most important periods of time in our life together.

The hospitality table creates a place where we can welcome people to New Creation, to start new friendships, to encourage one another, to catch-up on what's happening and to spur one another on to faith and good deeds. The blessing of this ministry brings us together as a congregation and is no small effort.

The Hospitality Team isn't just limited to a handful of people. We can use your help with set-up and clean-up. We are also asking that everyone take the time to participate in hospitality by bringing cookies, crackers, snack food, and  frozen items that can be used as a reserve that we can draw on from week-to-week. Please drop these items off any Sunday morning.

If you would like to be a Hospitality Team member please sign-up in the office area or see Jean Seibert.

 

AVAIL YOURSELF

I took a walk in the church neighborhood a couple of weeks ago to pray for our neighbors and to ask God to help us reach them with the Good News. I walked about ten yards when I was nearly run over by some friendly kids on bikes. Fifteen minutes later I'd met their folks and invited them to church. About an hour later I'd met four other people on my "prayer walk." Every one of them showed an interest in joining us for worship sometime.

Later that same week I had opportunities to invite people to come to New Creation at Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and school. I was surprised by the number of people with whom I connected. I hadn't planned on connecting with so many people. What had started as a prayer cut short wound up being a week of promoting what Christ is doing at New Creation.

Sometimes God knows our prayers before a word is on our tongue. I didn't have a plan...

 

but God did. My experience told me that I didn't always have to have a plan, a skill, an "evangelistic flare"... I just had to be available for God to use.

This is our life challenge... are we available for God to use for His glory? Whatever your gifting, if you simply open your heart to God He will use you! So why not avail yourself for God's good purposes... He may surprise you!

With Love in Jesus -

                        Pastor Cliff

 

PHILIPPIANS STUDY

.Prepare for absolute JOY! Beginning Monday, April 13th a brand new Bible study group will gather to study Paul's letter to the Philippians. Under the leadership of Terrie Fry, you will explore this amazing message of hope, joy, obedience, perseverance and love.

Everyone is invited to participate. Please be sure to invite a friend and to bring your Bible. If you don't own a Bible we will provide a new one for you.

Studies will be held from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. The duration of our studies will be for six weeks. Each week participants will receive reading assignments and follow-up questions... don't worry this won't be overwhelming... it will be a pure joy!

 

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Thursday, May 7th Christians from all over the United States will gather to pray for our nation. The Joplin Area Ministerial Alliance is also organizing  prayer gatherings around our city. New Creation will have an "open sanctuary" for prayer all day. Please stay tuned for more info. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -2 Ch 7:14.

 

EASTER LILIES

Would you like to sponsor one or more Easter lilies to the glory of God in "memory" or "honor" of someone you love? A special notation will go in the bulletin & newsletter. After Easter worship the lily will be yours. Suggested donation is $5.- Please make the proper notation on your check & slip it into the offering.

 

NEW CREATION PRAYER PAGE

April 2009

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan --John Bunyan

Please take time each day to pray for the witness, depth, and passion of New Creation Church. Always begin your time with God praising Him for His many amazing qualities. Pray for friends, family and neighbors who do not know Jesus. And by all means pray each day for/that...

April

1st       God would make us "fools" for Christ in our witness to other people

2nd      Paula Trapp would sense the love, comfort, and joy of Jesus as she is in the nursing home

3rd      New Creation Church would have the reputation for passionately loving people from the heart

4th       Amanda O'Day & Joseph Hobbs as they prepare to go to Western Asia on mission with other students this May-ask that God would help them in their witness, protect them from trouble & provide for their finances.

5th       God would raise up more volunteers at New Creation to serve in a variety of positions

6th       our youth group to continue growing spiritually, numerically and enthusiastically

7th       many people to visit New Creation this week and in the weeks to come

8th       God would strengthen our Praise Team as they lead us in worship... especially during Holy Week

9th       many would participate in the Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Worship Service this evening

10th     many would attend The Passion of the Christ movie tonight and grow closer to Jesus as a result

11th     we would be fearless in inviting our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, & acquaintances to worship

12th     many would hear the Gospel today & receive Jesus as Lord & Savior as we celebrate the resurrection

13th     we would welcome all who visit New Creation with open, loving arms

14th     Matt Parks as he prepares to join Dr Clement on mission in India this summer

15th     (a person) ____________________ who you passionately desire to come to faith in Jesus

16th     Jean Seibert as she serves our congregation as Administrative Assistant without compensation

17th     our elders Dan Hanschu, Scott Brehm and Hank Hoffman lead us in all godliness at New Creation

18th     the spiritual needs of our children and the children in the community around us

19th     Sharon Sherrod and all of us as we participate in a dynamic Vacation Bible School outreach

20th     those who are suffering from hurting hearts over broken relationships or personal failure

21st     a purity of mind and body with regard to matters of sexuality

22nd   the financial needs of New Creation Church... that we would be cheerful, generous givers

23rd    more people from New Creation would volunteer with our partner ministry of Watered Gardens

24th     our President, Congress, Governor and state representatives would lead under Christ's lordship

25th     passionate praise for King Jesus our Lord would ring from our hearts every day

26th     our ability to appropriately develop opportunities for deeper spiritual growth at New Creation

27th     Karen Brock and Jane Mansley as they develop our Nursery and Children's Sunday School ministries

28th     our worship of God would be passionately Spirit led

29th     the 40% of our community that suffers at or below the poverty line

30th     Dr Clement & the Sram-Ashrams of India as they seek to train pastors, church planters & missionaries

 

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE APRIL 2009

 " If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."          - Philippians 2:1-3

 

 

THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Do you ever wrestle with discouragement? As a youth pastor I remember watching a young man in high school practicing basketball at the church week-after-week. He was an excellent ball player most of the time... a starter on the varsity team. But then his father started showing up to practice. "%#@! What kind of shot was that?", "You stink!", "Why can't you play like Joe... he's so much better." The more this father criticized his son the more demoralized he became on the basketball court. I was horrified! In less than a month this young man went from being an aggressive starter to sitting on the bench to quitting the team. When I asked his coach what happened he just said, "something broke his spirit." How sad.

 

Interestingly, someone or something must have gotten to that young man's dad. The very next year the young man was back on the team as a starter and as captain. At one of the games I attended I noticed the father standing and cheering his son on... no cursing, no diminutive comments, no angry shaking of his fists. I was amazed! That year the high school team went on to the state championships... they didn't win, but I saw a father and son capture victory as they walked away with their hands on each others shoulders.

 

That's a true story and it illustrates the power of encouragement. It also illustrates poison of discouragement. Oh, that every situation would turn out like the one I just told you.

 

The truth is, people can go a long way on a good dose of encouragement. They can also wither pretty quickly on a steady diet of discouragement.  The same is true in the church. What we emphasize in how we speak to one another will either spur the church on to greater heights or...

 

New Creation grows best and reaches new heights every time we emphasize the positives. When we stop to consider that in just over a year we have formed an outstanding praise team, developed an excellent Sunday School and nursery, grown a marvelous youth group which attracts students from inside and outside of New Creation, created a university ministry, partnered in mission with Watered Gardens and the Sram-Ashrams of India, created a website and newsletter, moved into a more permanent location with 24,000 sq feet of space, and now have multiple small groups and prayer groups, etc., etc.! Do you realize that our attendance has doubled over the past few months? Have you considered that we're sending out three students in overseas short-term missions this summer? And what about our upcoming Vacation Bible School? WOW! New Creation... stop and consider just how much God has been doing and is doing in and through you!!!

 

We're may not be a wealthy church or a big church, but we are a church with a great God who has put a great heart of faith into us! This is an amazing season in our lives together... let's keep on spurring one another on in love, faith, kindness, witness, and everything else that comes along with being a church under the gracious guidance of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

 

                                                                        With Great Love and Affection -

                                                                                                            Pastor Cliff

 

SUMMER HOUSING NEEDED

Great News!!! Joseph Hobbs & Amanda O'Day would like to stay in town this summer as interns at New Creation (they'll also hold part-time jobs). The only catch is that they need places to stay. If you have an extra room or know of someone who does and would like a house guest please speak with Joseph and Amanda or speak with Pastor Cliff.

 

MISSION SUPPORT

In just one month Joseph Hobbs and Amanda O'Day along with other Christian students from Missouri Southern will travel to Western Asia on mission. They will be connecting with Islamic students concerning the gospel. Matt Parks will be linking up with Dr. Clement and the Sram-Ashrams of India this summer. He will assist in teaching classes and various life skills. Each of these students need financial assistance for the short-term mission work that they are doing. Please consider making a contribution to the "New Creation Student Mission Fund."

 

WALK FOR LIFE

It's LifeChoices 20th Anniversary and there's no better way to celebrate than to participate  in LifeChoices' Annual Walk for Life which will be on Sunday, April 26th at Landreth Park in Joplin. LifeChoices is dedicated to upholding the dignity of life through medical services, education and resources. Pick up a pledge form from our Walk Liaison, Amanda O'Day or from the church office! For additional info, contact Rita @ LifeChoices.

 

THANKS

Our water bill was shocking in the months of January and February. It seems that our building sprung a leak! Thankfully, our very own Charles Cunningham and his trusty assistant Jesse Sutton dove in for the rescue. In all, thirteen bathrooms were inspected and repaired along with a very leaky sink in the nursery. Many thanks to Charles & Jesse for their excellent efforts in repairing the big drip!

 

FINANCES

Your generosity makes a difference at New Creation! Your gift may be great or small. Whatever you're able to offer to God in faithful glorifies God, helps us care for God's kingdom, reach the lost, provide for youth & children's ministries, underwrite the cost of our facility, strengthen our small groups & Sunday School, promote missions, & provide pastoral leadership. Our monthly expenses are approx $9,100.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

New Creation is offering two brand -new classes for Sunday School that are perfect for college age on up. Charles and Sharon Sherrod are now instructing BIBLE 101... an introduction to the whole Bible. Pastor Cliff is offering an intensive study of the Gospel of John. Hop on board!

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

If you ever walk around the New Creation neighborhood on a sunny day you'll notice tons of kids, teens and families out and about. Many of them don't have a church home. It's really pretty amazing!

This summer we want to begin reaching kids and their families in the neighborhood, but we need your help. Son Rock Vacation Bible School will need leaders, teachers, people to help with logistics and snax and a variety of other things. God has provided a wonderful person to spearhead this wonderful opportunity in Sharon Sherrod. Please contact her as soon as possible to speak with her about the plan.

Maybe you're thinking... WOW! That sounds like a lot of work! Not if we all pitch in and do our part... not a single soul will burn out. So jump on board as we get ready for a great time at Son Rock Kids Camp!

 

HOLY WEEK

at New Creation

April 5th - 12th

April 5th Palm Sunday 10 a.m.

April 6th-11th Sanctuary Prayer 8-5 p.m.

April 9th Maundy Thursday Communion and Service of the Shadows 7:00 p.m.

April 10th The Passion of the Christ 7 p.m.

April 12th Easter Worship

10 a.m. Worship Service

 

Praise Team Rehearsal

Thursday Evenings @ 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Heartfire

Youth Group meets from 5:30 - 7:15p.m. Sunday evenings

Breakfast Club for youth meets @ 7am Tuesday mornings at I-HOP (on Rangeline)

Small Groups

9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the church building - Prayer Group

7:15p.m. Tuesdays at Jean Seibert's - Revelation Study

6:30 -  8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in fellowship hall -  Truth Project

Church Office Hours :

Monday thru Thursday 9-5 * Please call ahead to verify... 782-8200

Campus Ministry

Pastor Cliff on Campus Tuesdays (Lion's Den) & Wednesdays (Student Cafeteria) at MSSU 11am - 1pm

Mission Fridays at Watered Gardens

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