A Letter to MBC Teens (past and current) and Their Parents

Thank you all for your phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, prayers, support and encouraging words through the past days.

It has been a great joy for Dawn and I to serve at Macomb Baptist Church the past seven and a half years. So much life has happened in this time. All three of our boys were born here and this is the only church family they’ve ever known. We have grown and have seen you all grow. We are grateful to have been in your lives and you all in ours through these years. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share life together!

By now you that my position has been eliminated. If you have any question, I encourage you to talk with Pastor Wagner. He loves this church. I appreciate the opportunities to learn and grow in ministry that Pastor Wagner has given me over these years.

We are trusting God with this decision. He is sovereignly in control of all and is working all of this to bring about His glory and the good of each of us who are His children. Pray for our future and where God is taking us. That’s something Dawn and I have been praying about a lot and ask that you would join us in that. I don’t have another job lined up or anything, so we’ll be around the area for the time being, although not at Macomb Baptist Church. Pray also for our hearts and emotions through all of this, as well as our finances.

Pray for the church. God loves it more than any of us can.  He has great things in mind for all of you which comes to fruition best when bathed in prayer from hearts that are pure toward the church that He established.

In all of this focus on the gospel. It is there that you will continue to grow, keeping your minds and hearts directed toward that which is the power of God to us who are being saved.

We love you guys! Stay in touch! I won’t have my church cell phone much longer. You can find my new cell number over on Facebook. This may be the end of our time at Macomb Baptist Church, but it’s not the end of our story together. God’s still working, even in ways that aren’t comfortable for us.

Because of His awesome grace,
Pastor Joel and Dawn



Red Eye Night Pics

We had a great time at the Red Eye Night on New Years Eve. You can check out the pictures here even if you don’t have a Facebook account.

 

Talk to Yourself

I have heard to said many times (first I think in the writing of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones) that instead of listening to ourselves, we should talk to ourselves. Instead of listening to ourselves tell us all that is wrong and unjust and discouraging in us, let us speak to ourselves of our God who is found worthy of our trust day after day. In these lyrics is truth that we would all do well to speak to ourselves instead of listening to ourselves.

Still my soul be still, and do not fear though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
God is at your side, no longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.

Chorus:
God You are my God, and I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.

Still my soul be still, do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
Hold onto His ways with shield of faith against temptations flaming arrows.

Still my soul be still, do not forsake the Truth you learned in the beginning.
Wait upon the Lord and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

Red Eye Night

Is there any better way to bring in the new year than to stay up all night with other teens eating, playing games and having a blast? I’m sure there are plenty of adults that could think of better ways, but ask teens that have been to previous Red Eye Nights and they will disagree. It’s that time of year again. I hope you are able to join us for a great night December 31. Make sure you are there on Wednesday night to find out more details.

Summer Camp Video

I never posted the video from summer camp at Northland. I couldn’t figure out how to get it up and now I find out that it was as easy as copying and pasting. So, it’s a little late but here it is. Enjoy!

Pics from the Christmas Party

We had a great time at last night! Josh F won the Ugly Christmas Sweater contest and Stephanie Z won the Dollar Store Doozie Gift contest. You can see the pics from the Christmas party here and here. Enjoy!

Romans 5

In the 1st Adam-sin & death. In the 2nd Adam-abundant grace, justification & life! Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more! Rom. 5—
Joel Gearhart (@jgearhart5) December 09, 2010

Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 15, 6:00-8:15pm

Teens, we hope you plan to join us for our annual Christmas celebration. It is just two weeks away! Don’t forget that we are starting 45 minutes before we do on a normal Wednesday night. If you ride on one of the vans I will be picking up teens only (all children will be picked up at the normal time) starting at about 5:25pm.

There is a food sign-up sheet in the Teen Room. Please check it out and add you name to the list…so we can have some food to eat that night.  I am planning to bring homemade sugar cookies and frosting which I look forward to sharing with you all.

Remember to bring a gift for the gift exchange. The theme this year is the Dollar Store Doozie. Bring a gift from a dollar store or something from home that you might find at a dollar store. There will be a prize awarded to the “best” gift.

We will also have an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” contest. The ugliest sweater will win a very special prize.  If you don’t have one, I hear that at least one area thrift store has an entire rack actually labeled “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” and they are priced to move! Happy ugly sweater hunting.

 

Humility

RT @PaulTripp: Humility is not about denigrating who you are, but about joyfully living for Someone and something bigger than you.—
Joel Gearhart (@jgearhart5) November 09, 2010

 

Gospel Observations

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach Sunday Morning. We spent our time in Romans and made six observations concerning the gospel. These thought go along with much we have been talking about on Wednesday nights. Just click on the link to take a listen.

(Warning: the recording is pretty loud, so make sure you turn you speakers down some.)

Six Gospel Observations