Elton Roe will be our special guest on Sunday, December 7, to make a presentation of the building plans that have been approved by the Building Committee and the E l d e r s . T h i s presentation will be made during the Bible class period, which begins at 11:00 a.m. Members of the congregation are encouraged to carefully preview the drawings and the artist’s rendering that are displayed in the foyer before the December 7 presentation. Please present your questions and observations to Jim Darr prior to December 7 so that Mr. Roe may address them during his presentation. Throughout this process, our Elders remind us that the building is merely a tool that we may use in fulfilling the

commission of the Lord. We must remember that we are God’s building —

that the church is people, not bricks and mortar. Let us not be deceived and distracted by focusing on a p h y s i c a l s t r u c t u r e , remembering

that our work is to build the spiritual kingdom comprised of souls for whom Jesus died. The congregation will be asked to approve the plans when we conduct our annual meeting on Sunday, December 21. Approval will launch us into the development of the construction document phase. The information presented on December 7 will prepare us for that meeting.

Sunday, December 7

Architect’s Presentation

A monthly publication of Memorial Christian Church in the interest of promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and goodwill among His people, our friends.

In this issue . . . P. 2 ♦ Pastor’s Pen

♦ ‘Tis the Season

♦ Additions ♦ In Sympathy P. 3 ♦ Preserving

Heritage ♦ Building

Committee Report

P. 4 ♦ Wedding

announced ♦ Christmas

Dinner and Party

Volume 18 December, 2008

Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ

Pastors Gordon Addington Forrest Cotter Bill Sites Bruce Wolf

Deacons Kevin Cotter James Darr James Evans Gene Frazier Gene McCoy Joey Peglar Rick Schmeski

Secretary Joy Williams

Preacher Gene McCoy

Youth Minister Eric Dwyer

The hour of worship by candlelight will set the scene for a meaningful celebration of Christmas. Enjoy the music, Scripture narratives, and recitations that focus attention on the significance of the season. Invite your friends and associates to the most popular event sponsored by our congregation. Bring your visiting family members. It promises to enhance your family’s holiday season.

We are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building 1 Cor 3:9

December 2008 CONTACT Page 2

For other articles and information about our congregation, go online www.memorialchristian.com

Pastor’s Pen by Bill Sites, Elder

This congregation has been in the early stages of relocating our facilities for some time now. While some may feel we should be further along than we are, these things do not move swiftly. Finally, though, we have reached a point where things are starting to happen. And it is becoming increasingly important for every member of MCC to be in constant prayer about several issues. As has been expertly stated elsewhere in this newsletter, we must be very aware that a new ‘campus’ will not automatically add new Christians to the congregation. The new and larger facilities will only allow us to have adequate space to allow for more people to study God’s Word and worship together (our Spiritual growth). We, the members, are still responsible for bringing in the souls. If we carefully read the book of Acts, we find accounts of three thousand being added on the day of Pentecost and that “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” It was not just up to

the preachers (Apostles) to win souls. It was not accomplished just on the Lord’s Day. The entire group of believers was involved in spreading the Good News. We sincerely urge you all to be in continual prayer concerning the plans that are set up in the foyer. We also urge you to look them over carefully. If you have questions, we want to hear them via the Building Committee. We certainly will not be able to put together a building that everyone will be perfectly happy with. Please remember that we must meet the needs of the “whole” and meet the needs of winning souls for Christ. We ask you to view it from that standpoint. The matter of financing of this new facility has not been finalized just yet. We (Building Committee, Finance Committee, Elders, and staff) are looking at some options. At this time it appears that we will likely be choosing from two methods – a bond program or an outright bank loan. Each has its own merit. Please keep this in your prayers as well. Also mentioned

elsewhere is the presentation on December 7th of the architect’s drawings and thoughts concerning Phase One. We urge all members to be present for this presentation. The architect, Elton Roe, is putting a lot of work into this presentation — even after having spent a lot of time and effort interpreting our needs, our financial abilities, land usage, etc. It is his desire to have as much input from the congregation as possible. On December 21st we will be conducting our Annual Congregational Meeting. At that time, we will be seeking your approval of these plans and your approval concerning moving forward. We are earnestly praying that God will provide a buyer for our current campus as quickly as possible. One potential buyer has looked at our property several times. They have asked many good questions and have shown considerable interest. This, too, is something that warrants earnest prayer. We feel that we must at least have a buyer for this property before we can

(Continued on page 3)

Additions

B.J. and Linda

Hank were baptized into Christ

for the forgiveness of sin

on Thursday, November 13.

To the family of

Sherrye Smoyer, who departed this life in the care and keeping of the Lord on October 18.

‘Tis the Season by Eric Dwyer, Youth Minister “He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!” Who do you think of when you hear these words? Most kids probably think of a bearded, jolly old elf, in a big red suit, who consumes more cookies in one night than the cookie monster takes in during a whole season of Sesame Street. The truth is, there is someone who really does see both the good and the bad things you do. He knows when you lie down and when you get up. He knows your every

thought. And he does have a list of names. The people on this list receive a precious gift indeed! The list of names is the Lamb’s Book of Life and the gift they will receive is being with God for all eternity. The people on this list didn’t get there by doing more “nice” things than “naughty” things. Instead, they believe God, who knows everything about us, sent His Son to save the world. We celebrate His birth. We celebrate the gift of life that was given at such a high cost. We believe in the Name of Jesus! (Cookies sold separately)

The work day was well attended with eleven volunteers. Many projects were completed. Besides the general clean up around the buildings, furniture was dusted, spider webs were removed, furnace filters were changed, flooring damaged by a roof leak was repaired, shrubs were trimmed, landscaping stones on the east side of the church building were put back in place, a storage room was cleaned and organized, a door on

storage cabinet in the youth center was repaired, and a light was installed over the sink in the banquet center. The Property Ministry Team relies on volunteers to maintain the buildings. This is why it is important for everyone to enlist in the Property Ministry. Any and all skills that you may have can be used in maintaining the buildings and property.

December 2008 CONTACT Page 3

DECEMBER MEETINGS 2 Benevolence Ministry

Team 8 Willing Workers 8 Elders 11 Women’s Christmas

Party 14 Welcome to

Memorial 18 Outreach Ministry

Team 21 Congregational Mtg. 24 Holiday Vespers

The significance of a family reunion evolves as we age. We have fond childhood memories of playing with cousins we saw only once a year. As we matured, we began to pay attention to the wisdom contained in the gray and bald heads. Listening to grandparents and the aunts and uncles tell about the challenges they faced and events they experienced added to our understanding and appreciation of history and the true meaning and purpose of life. If only we could play back those conversations that identify our heritage so that our children could reap similar benefit and perspective. Thanks to the ministry of David Benedict, this dream can be a reality. His

talents and abilities in the field of video production can preserve your family heritage. David describes his productions. “Heritage Videos are oral / visual interviews with a person who relates his/her own life story for the benefit of the family.” While this has focused primarily upon older people who want to give their history to the children and grandchildren, David has also produced videos of weddings and promotional pieces for various ministries. He even helped a young cancer patient who wanted to record his

testimony to be played at his own funeral. Heritage Videos are edited productions on DVD, including the interview, appropriate music and photos which help tell the story of the person’s life. Our congregation has benefited from David’s expertise in this regard and can vouch for the quality of the production. Besides his video production, David also designs posters and brochures for print, as well as PowerPoint presentations for weddings, funerals, and various celebrations or events. His ministry is available at very reasonable rates.

Property Ministry Team Report by Jim Darr, Deacon

Preserving Heritage by Gene McCoy

an orientation for newcomers

AGENDA to include: Reports Selection of Elders Approve building plans

begin construction of the new building.

Another important consideration at the congregational meeting is the matter of selecting leaders (Elders, SS Superintendent, Treasurer, Trustees) for the

coming year. We encourage you to give prayerful thought to this matter. It is our plan to provide more frequent updates concerning the immediate future of this congregation and its relocation. Please feel free to prod us if you do not

see that happening. Remember our Pastoral Prayer theme for this month – Harmony. Luke also wrote concerning the early Church/Christians that “those who believed were of one heart and soul…” (Acts 4:32)

Pastor’s Pen cont.

315 W. 6th St. Mtn. Home, AR 72653 870-425-8323

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Sent With a Prayer to

The LORD’S COMMISSION is OUR MISSION Matthew 28:19-20

Sunday Morning 9:30 Worship 11:00 Bible Classes

Meeting Schedule

Wednesday Evening 5:30 Supper

6:30 Bible Classes

December 2008 CONTACT Page 4

Registered at Kohl’s, WalMart, Sears, Penney’s, and Target

This year’s project is the Mountain Home Food Basket. Please bring non-perishable food items, paper products, or money.

Arlene Dixon or Fern Frazier by Dec. 7

Questions? Call me. See ya there! Eric