Together is Better

After months of online or limited services, our Youth Group is grateful to be back together after a long break. As we reboot the remainder of 2020, some things will always stay the same. As before our break, our teens love talking and sharing funny stories about the week and playing a game of ping pong or foosball before Youth Group officially begins. Beware of the flying ping pong balls, they are still flying across the Teen Room.

Middle School and High School initially meet together at 11:00 am for Sunday School for singing and announcements. The middle schoolers split off for separate teaching by Mr. Jordan. Pastor Jeff is continuing on Sunday mornings with the high schoolers a study on the Church. What is the purpose of the church and where is my place in the Church? What a better time to study The Church and the importance of it on my daily life and future ministry. We’ve also enjoyed two Sunday evening services/afterglow - one at Herdklotz Park and another at the Darsts’ home. We look forward to having more later this fall.

Wednesdays are a fun time of edification and application of God’s Word. The first Wednesday is a combined Bible Study and games. The second and fourth Wednesdays, we split into small groups and these times are led by our college leaders. What a blessing to see the teaching and prayer time on these nights. The third Wednesday is Middle School Mingle where they are taught by Mr. Jordan or Mr. Isaac and enjoy throwing a ball around the field or gym. The High School has split sessions taught by special speakers and subjects specifically related to areas of Christian growth. The High School Chorale, Middle School Choir, and Teen Ensemble are back to practicing on Wednesday evenings so we can participate in the Sunday ensemble.

Everything may not look quite normal yet, but we’re grateful to be together again. We’re all recovering from a long time away from an organized gathering, and more than ever we realize that together is better! If you don’t have a church home, come join us @ MBC Teens!

Update: Mission Trip 2020 - Red Cliff Bible Camp - Wyoming

The influence of Covid-19 has reached farther than anyone could have anticipated. As diligent as we have been, nothing is full proof and we cannot stop living our individual lives. From family vacations, church services, camps, and yes, mission trips, it seems Covid-19 has touched it all.

Late yesterday afternoon I emailed the families of those on our summer mission team. This update is not intended to single out any one person or group of people. Anyone could have been the unfortunate recipient of the virus.

Much thanks to all of you who have supported our teens financially and prayerfully.

Here is an excerpt from the update.

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Dear Mom and Dad,

I have an important update on our mission trip.

One of our team members recently tested positive with Covid. This member has mingled with some of our other team members enough to make their exposure a legitimate concern. Additionally, there is another team member who is waiting for test results. This has caused some incredibly difficult discussions with medical professionals, pastoral staff members, and more importantly Dean Loftus of Red Cliff Bible Camp. Mr. Loftus has requested we not come this year but is excited and eager to have us come at a future time.

As a result of these discussions, we have come to the sad and difficult conclusion that we must cancel this year's missions trip. This is the first time in my 24 years we've had to cancel a missions trip. This decision is not one we have taken lightly.

Please be in prayer for Red Cliff and the other families of our youth group as this will be yet again a difficult blow for 2020.

Again, thank you for your support for our teens!

Kind Regards,

PJ

JR - SR Retreat

The annual Jr-Sr Retreat is Friday, March 6 (leave at 3:30 pm) - Sunday, March 8 (return at 3:30 pm)

Each March we look forward to a weekend away with our 11th and 12th grade high school students in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. We encourage our seniors in their final months of high school and hope to inspire our juniors to take leadership of their peers in the coming year.

The weekend is packed with fun events such as games, hiking, shopping and more. We also plan for two intentional devotional times along with smaller sessions and large group sessions.

The cost for the weekend is $90 plus money for 2 fast food meals.

Bedding and towels are provided. Pack the following: Casual clothes, games, snack to share, hiking shoes, toiletries, swimwear (separate swim times) and Bible.

Please give Pastor Jeff your $25 deposit by Sunday, February 16.

Enjoy some pictures of this year’s cabin - The Big Oak Lodge overlooking the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, TN

Contact Pastor Jeff with any questions and sign-up here to let us know you are attending.

Senior Adults Valentine's Banquet

The Bible teaches in Proverbs 16:31, “A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.”

One of the most important people in our lives and at Morningside is the senior saint. They have laid a foundation of faithfulness that we should follow and honor. Help us honor our Morningside senior saints helping with the Seniors’ Valentine’s Banquet at MBC on Saturday, February 8. Please arrive at Morningside by 10 am. We will be serving them a banquet style lunch and providing a program 12-2 pm.

This is our first fundraiser for the 2020 Teen Mission Team. If your teen is currently a 9th grader or older, they may work this fundraiser to raise money for their trip. However, any teen of any age can help with the banquet.

Report

Our theme this year was Putting on the Glitz. Our senior adults enjoyed a walk on the red carpet as well as popcorn and candy before their dinner and show. After a game of Valentine Bingo, we served smoked pork tenderloin with a raspberry glaze sauce along with twice-baked potatoes, glazed carrots, mixed garden salad and a honey glazed croissant. Dessert was a cake pop along with an ice cream sundae.

To top off the magical banquet was a beautiful covering of snow which fell before and during the banquet. We’re so grateful for the senior adults that support our teen mission ministry.

Pastor Jeff

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SUMMER Camp

Have your teen join us for camp this summer, June 8-13 at the Wilds of North Carolina! The combination of getting away and the powerful preaching of the Word of God leaves an eternal impact on their souls.

Junior Boot Camp is a great experience for kids in grades 4-7 in the Fall of 2020. Here is more information about JBC.

Teen Camp is another opportunity for rising 7th - 12th teens to enjoy a week of amazing preaching and action packed games. Here’s more about Teen Camp.

Reserve your teen’s spot here. Be sure to put them with the Morningside Baptist Church group and select June 8-13.

GIVE BACK DAY - Giving back is fun!

We had a wonderful time showing the love of Christ at the Piedmont Women’s Center and Shepherd’s Gate. Our annual Give Back to the Community activity was this past Saturday, Nov. 16. We had a great showing of middle and high school teens.

One group went to Shepherd’s Gate to help clean and prepare their facilities for the winter months. Another group went to the Piedmont Women’s Center to help with moving items out of one facility to another location.

A last minute blessing was to be able to help one of our single ladies in the church when her mover was sick. What a blessing to know our group could fill a need.

Enjoy these pics of our time serving the Lord and others this past Saturday!

Pastor Jeff

Serving our Seniors: Christmas Banquet

The Bible teaches in Proverbs 16:31, “A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.”

One of the most important people in our lives and at Morningside is the senior saint. They have laid a foundation of faithfulness that we should follow and honor. Help us honor our Morningside senior saints helping with the Seniors’ Christmas Banquet at MBC on Saturday, December 7. Please arrive at Morningside by 10 am. We will be serving them a Christmas lunch from 12-2 pm and providing a program.

Sign up here to reserve your place! If you would like to participate in a reading or play a special, please contact Mrs. Webb.

Pastor Jeff

Give Back to the Community

One way we show our thanksgiving to the Lord for all His blessings is by giving back to others.

Plan to join us on Saturday, November 16 from 9:30 am -1:30 pm and give back by serving the Piedmont Women’s Center and Shepherd’s Gate!

Bring work gloves and some money to eat out before returning to Morningside at 1:30 pm.

Pastor Jeff

Check out some pictures from last year’s Give Back Activity:

Harvest Hoedown Fun!

On Saturday, October 26 a large group of our teens and sponsors including our German visiting students enjoyed a great time at Stewart Farms. We enjoyed wandering the corn maze during the day and even braved it during the spooky walk at night. The rain didn't dampen our spirit as we played a Harvest Relay with seed spitting, sack races, bobbing for apples, and three-legged races.

The teens ate well with a full hot dog supper, fruit salad, and macaroni and cheese.

Roasting marshmallows, building s'mores, and carving pumpkins are always a favorite!

Pastor Jeff challenged us from God's Word on meditating on the wonderful truths of the gospel from Luke 23.

Rain or shine -- we always enjoy the community God is building in the Teen Group. Don't miss our November "Give Back Activity."

Homecoming Teen Service

We had a wonderful teen service Sunday night, October 6 in the Teen Room. October 6 was Morningside’s 61st anniversary and the teens celebrated God’s goodness with great preaching, fun activities, and awesome food. Jack Ramler was our special speaker and taught about our hope in Christ because of His resurrection. Thank you to all who made this a terrific time of worship, celebration, and fellowship!

Outreach Ministry to Haywood Estates

First Wednesday - Outreach

The first Wednesday of each month we take a team to do a worship service and encourage the residents of Haywood Estates. Please contact Pastor Jeff or Ethan Thompson if you would like to get involved in the next outreach. We always need teens to provide special music or just encourage and talk to some very special men and ladies at Haywood Estates.

You’ll enjoy meeting these sweet ladies and gentlemen. Come join us for the next outreach.

Enjoy some photos from our last outreach:

Harvest Hoedown @ Stewart Farms - Oct 26

Sat, Oct 26 — 3:00-9:00 pm

Don’t miss our favorite fall event — Harvest Hoedown @ Stewart Farms

We love this event as it brings us together for loads of fun and food. You’ll love wandering the Corn Maize during the afternoon hours figuring out the clues to the exit. The evening will be centered around a group competition with a variety of games and hayrides. There will be plenty of great food and even a photo backdrop. The focus of the evening will be a gospel challenge from God’s Word. We will finish the evening with an optional walk through the Spooky Corn Maize or pumpkin carving.

Due to transportation, this event is limited to our teens and any unsaved or unchurched friends. Meet at Morningside at 3:00 pm. We will be back at church at 9:00 pm. The cost is $18.

Sign up here so we can plan on you!