Journey The Voice of Monroe Alliance Church

Monroe Alliance Church 3975 S. Custer Road Monroe, MI 48161

Volume 1 Issue 1 Thanksgiving/Christmas Edition

Honoring God. Connecting lives. Serving Community.

Welcome to Journey, our new church newsletter. Our goal is that this publication will serve to keep us informed and enable us to deepen our relationships with each other within the body of Christ here at Monroe Alliance.

Why "Journey"?

(Artwork contributed by Jade Collingsworth-Adams)

Because, dear friends, the Bible makes many references to the notion that life is a journey. To take a journey is to travel from one place to another, usually over a long period of time. As Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Scriptures tell us that our citizenship is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. It's the ultimate destination!

Special Features
  • My Jesus Story: inspired by the idea that, as Believers, all Christians have a story to tell about how God is at work in their lives.
  • Ministry Minute: a look at one of the many people who serve the Lord here at MAC.
  • Pin POINT: highlights the various young people in our church, along with their many activities.
  • Ice Breaker: get acquainted with new families here at MAC.
  • Missions Moment: increase awareness of our International Workers.
Missions Moment
Our thanks to Rev. Don and Rachel Kramer for sharing in our Missions Conference.
My Jesus Story by Marilyn Guyor

One thing about growing into the age of maturity (old), when one cannot do many of the things they could do at a younger age, they have more time to just sit. Yet that time goes even faster with each year. But I digress. What should I do with all that sitting? There is plenty to do--but-- I find the greatest joy in reading and studying God's Word in ways I never had time for before. In so doing, I'm learning and absorbing so much more about my Heavenly Father. There can't possibly be anything more soul satisfying than to really get to know more and more about Him. As a result, my love for Him has grown, too.

It's not that I haven't always loved to read and study the Bible, but often it was to give it out to others in a Sunday School class or Bible Study. Now it is simply for my own benefit. But of course, I could always share what I was learning with others along the way. Because of this wondrous joy and wonder in reading and studying God's Word, I've longed to share it with others. One of my desires for years has been to share with others he to study the Word. One day, I was approached and said they had heard of of some who said they had never learned how to study the Bible. And with the big mouth and impulsiveness that I have, I blurted out, " Why, I could do that! I could teach them." Then I thought of others I know who are far more qualified to do that, as I have no formal training. However, I was asked to teach a class on "How to Study the Bible", and I agreed to do it. Then the realization of the enormity of that responsibility began to sink in. What was I thinking! Doubts began to crowd my thoughts. But GOD reminded me that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) It's been my experience that God often asks me to do things that I simply am not qualified to do on my own. He knows that in order to do these things, I will have to totally depend on Him.

September 13 rolled around, and I was as ready as I could be. With the Lord's leading and teaching me I felt ready. Nine had signed up for the class, but 19 showed up that first day, much to my surprise! It has settled down now to about 12, and God is teaching us some really good things. It's exciting to see people getting into the Word and finding it "fun". Yes, God does work wonders! It goes to show that you are never too old to do God's bidding.

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (II Cor. 3:5)

Discovering God's Truth (clip art courtesy BestClipArt.com)
Ministry Minute by Dave Walker
Camp Lord Willing RV service wiith Dave Walker, Kara Walker, Roger Clukey, and Ryan Clukey.

I some times wonder how we end up doing what we do, and being who we are. As I understand it, among other things, the Lord allows passions to rise up in our lives, some of which He uses through His Spirit. One of these passions for me, from an early age, has been music.

For those of you who aren't acquainted with me, I grew up in a Christian family and have been in church since birth--literally. My mother has always--in my lifetime--been a church musician and my father a pastor. Yep, you got it, I grew up a preacher's kid.

My introduction to singing up front in church started and 12 years old and has been going on ever since, in one form or another. I started leading singing when I was in high school, via my father recruiting me to do so when he was the pastor here at MAC. And in case you're wondering, MAC is one of several churches where I've served as worship leader over the years.

My passion for music and involvement in worship leading has been influenced by many things and many people. But to keep this short, suffice it to say that the most important factor of all has been, and continues to be, the Lord's enabling. Hopefully you sense His presence on Sunday mornings at MAC , as we up front do our best to point you to Him each week.

Pin POINT by Ryleigh Byrne
Ryleigh is a 16 year old Junior at Monroe Middle College

If Only, If Only

(Original Poem by Ryleigh Byrne)

If only those with ears

Would stop being deaf

And those with mouths

Would use them less

And the religious would act holy

If only, if only.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If only promises were commitments

Commitments that would last

And events that were over with

Would stay in the past

And the surrounded could feel less lonely

If only, if only.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If only the guilty felt more guilt

The wise weren't shy

And those with voices

We're also those with minds

And the able would behave more boldly

If only, if only.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If only you understood

If only you knew

The sincere importance of the words

I share with you

And you'd have listened closely

If only, if only.

Ice Breaker by Angie and Tony Blank
Left to right: Kyle, Angie, Anthony, Tony, Kurt, and Alex Blank.

Tony and Angie have been attending MAC since October of 2014. Prior to that they were part of a small church plant in Toledo, and members of Bowling Green Alliance Church.They live in the Northwest corner of Toledo, and can see Michigan from their home. Although neither of them know if that is such a great thing as they were both born and raised in Ohio, and remain steady Buckeye fans.

Tony has worked as a music teacher for Washington Local Schools for the past ten years. He also works as a part time worship leader on Sunday nights for the Contemporary Mass at St. Joseph Maumee. He enjoys all things boating and classic rock. Angie primarily stays home with their children, but also runs a piano studio out of their house. She formerly taught music for Lake Local Schools, and enjoys reading classics and distance running.

Tony and Angie have four sons. Anthony is 7, and is a 1st grader at the elementary school where Tony works. He plays piano, runs cross country, and enjoys reading. Alex is 5, and in kindergarten at the same school. He also plays piano and enjoys art and taking care of his twin brothers. Kurt and Kyle are 2 1/2. They are very cute, yet exhausting!

The Blank's life is busy, but they wouldn't have it any other way! They have enjoyed the warm welcome they have received at MAC . They appreciate the small community of the church, and also being back under the leadership of Mark Blake. You can find them Sunday mornings wrangling their children, helping with music, or teaching in the children's ministry.

In Retrospect: Spring, Summer and Fall 2015
Ladies' Annual Spring Retreat at Michindoh
MAC teens at Beulah Beach Camp this summer. Thankful to God for our beautiful new Worship Center!
Annual Summer Carnival: Fun!
Fall Kick-off for POINT youth at the home of Steve and Laura Gerweck.
Alliance Youth/POINT Fall 2015 Bible Study: book of Revelation
POINT Youth and friends at Kackleberry Farms , October 2015
MAC Men's Family Flag Football Event October 31st.
Save the Dates

December Events

...is THE Reason!

Discovery Kids and Kingdom Explorers will help us worship in song each Sunday of Advent this Christmas Season. This year, Advent will begin on Sunday, November 29

  • Saturday, Dec. 12@7:00 p.m. POINT youth will present "Bethlehem Inn & Spa". Refreshments will be served. Come early and you can get your hands waxed!
  • Sunday, Dec. 20 is the deadline for MAC's Adopt--Family gifts. See Pastor Nils if you have any questions.
  • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Thursday, December 24@7:00 p.m.
  • New Year's Eve Family Night
Thursday, Dec. 31@ 8:00 p.m.

Check us out on the Internet and Facebook.

www.monroealliance.org

Like us or comment on our Facebook page.

Alliance Youth/Point also have a Facebook page.

The heartbeat of the C&MA: the Word, the World, and the Work!

Created By
Elaine Robson
Appreciate
Created with images by PublicDomainPictures - "rural rural road country road" • james.thompson - "Cross draped in white"

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