FAMILY UPDATESSERMON NOTES

SHARING GOD’S LOVE TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE INTO FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

T O DAY

The monthly Prayer List is available at Information Central and on the Greeters’ Stations.

D e c e m b e r 1 7, 2 0 1 712/17/17

Baptisms:We rejoice with . . .

Christian Borynack, Jazmine Howard, Ofelia Uribe, Luke Austin, Justin Barrientos, Charles Campbell, Mario Cherry, Stanly Craig Davis, Baylor Heflin, Aven Howard, Kevin Jackson, Logan Jagers, Jarrett Johnson, Jermaine Robinson, Roderick Scallion, Davieon Smith, Kenneth Toles, Eugene Wallace, and Kelly Yerian, who were all baptized Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Oklahoma County Jail.

Kris Sponsler, who was baptized Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Hospitalized:Kimberly McCormack is in OU Med Center ICU following surgery last week.

Kate Maple, granddaughter of John & Connie Maple, is in the NICU in Denver, Colorado.

Prayer Requests:Christy Holloway is scheduled for knee replacement surgery Thursday, Dec. 21.

Gary Shreck was hospitalized last week and is now in Mercy Rehab.

New Babies:Congratulations to John & Connie Maple on the birth of their granddaughter, Catherine Shannon “Kate” Maple, who was born Friday, Dec. 1 (14 weeks early). Her parents are Joel & Tomi Maple, who live in Denver. Kate will probably be in the NICU for several months.

Other News:Opportunity: A young man from Japan is looking for a room to rent for his final semester at OC – preferably within a couple of miles from campus, as he travels by bicycle. For information, contact Clay Hart (clay.hart@mrcc.org; 405-437-8545).

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN QGROUP

1. If you have had an encounter with sheep for any reason, share that story.

2. If you were in charge of the entrance of Jesus, how would you have orchestrated the event?

3. When was a time you felt like an outsider?

4. This story demonstrates God’s desire to include outsiders. Are there times when outsiders would not be included in God’s kingdom?

5. If God is a sender, where or to whom do you think he might be sending you?

New Members For new members' information, visit the online community.

Hannah Dean

Robert Gallagher

Faye Glover

Doug & Kathy Pell

Member Information Update For members’ new information, visit the online community.

Brandon & Lauren Keck Emmitt, Desmond

Eric & Taylor Noland

Brad & Dawn Hemphill

Frank Eckhart

Be prepared in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).

Luke 2:8-20

God is an _______________ of __________.

God is a _______________ of __________.

Get The MRCC APP Today!Download the MRCC app to see what’s new this week, get info for guests, listen to sermons, and more. Search for “Memorial Road Church of Christ” or “MRCC” in your App store or go to mrcc.org/apps. (Be sure to enable push notifications to receive important alerts and updates.)

Join us this evening to hear Jay Mack continue our "Message in the Music" series.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20Family Christmas WOW, 7 p.m.

No children's classesNo Early Bird class

Teens meet as usual

SUNDAY, DEC. 24Worship, 10 a.m. or 5 p.m.

communion at both, candlelight at 5 p.m

No Bible classes

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27Areawide worship, 7 p.m.Edmond Church of Christ

Memorial Road buildings closed

SUNDAY, DEC. 31Combined worship, 10 a.m.

No Bible classesNo p.m. worship

Join Us On Christmas Eve

Next Sunday, we will offer two services, one at 10 a.m. and one at 5 p.m. (there will be no Bible classes). These services will feature the same sermon and song selection, and communion will be served at both. You might think of the 5 p.m. service as second service, only happening later in the day. The only difference between the two services is that the evening worship will end with a special candlelight experience during the final song. So please think this week about which of the two services you'd like to attend, and also consider inviting someone to come with you next week. It is the best opportunity of the year to bring others to church.

MEETING SCHEDULESUNDAYWorship ................ 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.Bible Class ......................... 9:35 a.m.First Cup ............................. 9:35 a.m.a time for guests to learn about MRCC

Evening Worship ............ 5:00 p.m.Capitol Hill ........................ 4:00 p.m.2801 S. Robinson Ave, OKC, OK, 73109

QGroups ..................... various timesvisit mrcc.org/QGroups to learn more

WEDNESDAYEarly Bird Bible Class ..... 5:15 p.m.Bible Class | all ages ....... 7:00 p.m.

MINISTRY UPDATEST O DAY

2221 EAST MEMORIAL ROADEDMOND, OK 73013

405.478.0166 | MRCC.ORG| @MEMORIALROAD

Stay informed and engaged with our online resources

Choose how you give

Baptisms in 2017 ...........................245

Sunday, December 10

Bible Class .....................................1876

A.M. Worship ................................2353P.M. Worship ......................................... 335QGroups ................................................. 335MRCC Capitol Hill Volunteers ........... 31P.M. Total ..........................................701

Wednesday, December 13

Bible Class .......................................n/a

Weekly Budget ......................... $102,824Avg Weekly Offering ................$99,421YTD Budget Deficit .................$170,143

Get the MRCC App in your app store today!

Watch:· livestream.com· livestream app

· mrcc.org· mrcc app· text amount to 844.311.2333

December 17 | 2 p.m. Edmond Church of Christ

December 24 | 2 p.m. Edmond Church of Christ

Teal Creek Worship

4 p.m. | bill.luttrell@oc.edu

Tealridge Assisted Living Worship

Elders Available:Neil Arter & Mickey Banisterwill be available in the Conference Room for consultation following 5 p.m. worship.

UPCOMING EVENTSDecember

20Family Christmas WOW, 7 p.m. (no Early Bird or children's classes)

22-23Offices and Buildings Closed

24Worship at 10 a.m. or 5 p.m. (no Bible classes)

25-26Offices and Buildings Closed

27-28Offices Hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

27Areawide Worship, 7 p.m., Edmond Church of Christ (no classes at MRCC)

29-30Offices and Buildings Closed

31Worship at 10 a.m. (no Bible classes or evening worship)

January

4Men’s Bible Study Resumes, 9:30 a.m., Summit Bldg.

7Blood Drive, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Gym

Heartbeat for Hope Day at Johnnie’s

International Worship, 11 a.m., A105/106

International Potluck, 12 p.m., Gym

Threads of Compassion, 2-5 p.m., A123

A TIME FOR OUR GUESTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND TAKE THE NEXT STEPS AT MRCCEVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:35 IN THE PARLOR (ROOM A114)

If you’d like to learn more about all of MRCC’s ministries and the various ways you can serve in them, please pick up a copy of “Ministry Opportunities” at Ministry Central in the main lobby.

D e c e m b e r 1 7, 2 0 1 7

Dec. 20 Christmas Party: 6th-12th grades; 5:15 p.m. in the Summit; dodgeball & Smash Bros. Tournaments (register online); dress festive; dinner ($6) and devotional.

2017 Youth Lock In/Out: grades 7-12; Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. – Dec. 28 at 7 a.m.; drop off and pick up at the Summit; Incredible Pizza and games at the Summit; $35 per person; register online.

Cimarron Shuttle: Wednesday, Dec. 20; Cimarron students look for church vans in Pepperdine cul-de-sac after school for a ride to church/hangout; invite friends!

Winterfest: Jan. 12-14; grades 9-12; $50 deposit due NOW (total cost $130); youth conference in Arlington, TX; register online.

Christeens: Youth conference held Feb. 23-25 in Russellville, AR; grades 7-8; $75 deposit due Jan. 7 (total cost $150); register online.

Honduras 2018: June 1-8; for 11th & 12th graders and their parents; cost is $875 per person; $100 deposit due NOW; pay and register online.

Winter Bible Studies: Register at mrcc.org/women or Ministry Central for small group studies beginning in January. Options include Wednesday morning, Wednesday night, and a Tuesday lunch study in NW Edmond.

BRIDGE Class: Register at mrcc.org/women or Ministry Central for this winter Wednesday night class designed for new women members or others wanting to get to know more women of all ages at MRCC.

"Good Days Start With Gratitude": Mark your calendar for a brunch activity on Saturday, January 20, at 10 a.m. Signups begin Dec. 31.

Leadership Training for Christ (LTC) registration, for students in grades 3–12, is open. Stop by the table in the lobby for information and registration. Sign up by December 31 for a discount.

GoMission ProjectsDon't forget to keep an eye on the GoMission table in the lobby in order to decide which project you'd like to join! Keep the ongoing and in-the-works projects in your prayers as we move into the new year and continue with GoMission.

Prison Ministry UpdateOn December 9, nineteen people were baptized into Christ at the Oklahoma County Jail. Nine of the men were directly influenced by the lifestyle change they saw in another inmate, nicknamed “the preacher.” The preacher was baptized by this ministry in May. As I studied with the nine men, they each commented on how they had heard sermons in jail before, but for the first time they saw a sermon. The preacher lived among them, faced the daily grind, and responded to the pressure with joy. The preacher did more than just preach, he ministered to individuals who struggled with jail life, family problems, and faith issues. This thirty-four-year-old preacher may have to serve twenty years in prison, but he is determined to serve a life sentence as a prisoner of Christ. -Jerry Way

Save the Date: Curt Niccum will return Sunday, January 7, for an afternoon seminar on the second half of Acts. Details and registration information coming soon.

Scott LaMascus Stepping Out of Eldership RoleFive years ago, it was a great honor for me, and Alice, that the congregation recognized our pastoral care of others, involvement in the congregation, and spiritual maturity sufficient for me to be selected to serve as an elder of the Memorial Road Church of Christ. This is indeed a dynamic community of faith, hope, and love.

Recently, I informed the eldership that I will be stepping off the eldership as of January 1, 2018, to ensure that I have the energy and time for my professional work, family, and other concerns.

Serving in the High School, Campus, and Launch ministries has been a great blessing this past few years, as we were able to serve with a wonderful group of ministers and overseeing elders in those important ministries. Of course, it also has been our great privilege to pray with and for many members, many ministries, and other matters in which we all were seeking the Lord's guidance and blessing to fulfill our purpose as God's people. Alice and I have agreed to continue to serve in the Launch class and will, of course, continue to serve Memorial Road in a variety of ways as fellow members. -Scott LaMascus

2018 Purpose CardsDon't forget to fill out your 2018 Purpose Card and drop it off in the drop-box at Information Central, in the collection plate, or with an elder, minister, or Tammy McKeever or Jeff Bingham. You may also email your information to tammy.mckeever@mrcc.org. If you have not picked up a Purpose Card, you can get one around the auditorium or at Information Central. Please direct any questions to Tammy.

imagineless debt. more ministry.

Please keep our upcoming debt elimination effort in your prayers. More details to come on January 7.

MUG SOMEONE TODAY! Members, don’t forget to stop by Information Central after worship to see if there are any mugs you can deliver today.