Bill Mallonee, Critically Acclaimed Musician, to Perform at New Life

In the mid ‘90s, I was introduced to a little-known Christian musician from Athens, Georgia, by my friend, Matt Smith. I had grown up in the ‘80s attending rock concerts of hair bands (I saw Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and KISS, to name a few) until the grunge movement effectively put an end to all that. As a college student in the early ‘90s, I began to listen more and more to artists like U2 and Bob Dylan (I had always liked the folk-style of early Dylan, even as a kid, but it was “muted” by all the metal blasting from my stereo).

I became a Christian in 1992 and was exploring contemporary Christian music when Matt introduced me to the Vigilantes of Love and their front man, Bill Mallonee. It took me about two weeks, but I eventually got hooked. I have since purchased nearly all of the 25 records and eight EPs he has released since the early ‘90s, either as the Vigilantes of Love or as a solo artist for the last decade.

Good art moves people: emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Good art – whether in the form of painting, sculpture, theatre, cinema,  or music – picks you up and takes you to places you otherwise wouldn’t go; shows you things you otherwise wouldn’t see, at least not as clearly, and leaves you richer for the experience.

I am hard pressed to think of an artist whose work has enriched me personally to the degree that Bill Mallonee’s has. Mallonee’s lyrics are extremely personal, vividly transparent, and brutally honest about the realities of pain, depression, brokenness, fear of failure, and the hope for redemption through the work of Jesus. His words and thoughts have helped me give expression to my own and have worked their way into many of my sermons and lessons.

Though still not well-known, Mallonee’s music is highly regarded by many. The New York Press described him as “…the best folk-rock act nobody’s ever hear of… the intelligence and intensity of Mallonee’s writing has elicited comparisons to Dylan.” He has performed with Emmylou Harris, John Mayer, REM, Derek Webb, and Sufjan Stevens. He was recently listed as one of the Top 100 greatest living songwriters by Paste Magazine.  Mallonee was ranked at #65, ahead of such well-known acts as Lyle Lovett, Fleetwood Mac, and Pink Floyd, and just behind someone as successful and highly regarded as Sting, who was #62.

For this reason, I could not be more delighted to announce to you that Bill Mallonee will be performing here at New Life on Friday evening, Oct. 1. Stylistically, if you like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Johnny Cash, you will likely appreciate Mallonee’s music. But even if his style is not overly appealing to your tastes, his lyrics are quite frankly the best I’ve ever heard. And having seen him perform over half a dozen times, his show promises to be compelling and intimate.

In addition to performing his music, Bill will stick around after the show to offer a Q&A session on “Faith, Art, Cultural Relevancy and the Christian Artist” where he will discuss issues related to the relationship between the church and the arts, and how Christians can and should be engaged in the arts in order to impact the culture around us. Look for more details about cost and time in coming issues of the Lifeline.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Brian

AWANA Begins Sept. 15th

Parents and children, make sure to remember Wednesday, Sept. 15! This will be our first night of Awana for 2010-2011. Awana is a children’s ministry which incorporates Bible lessons, Bible memorization, and exciting games. We will again be offering three clubs this year: Cubbies for children 3 & 4 years old, Sparks for children in Kindergarten – 2nd grade, and TNT for children in grades 3rd – 6th.  Awana will run each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8pm and will be held at the church. Parents, please register your children online as soon as possible.

You can register online by following this link: REGISTRATION

All Awana volunteers, please plan to attend two staff meetings: Wednesday, Sept. 1 and 8 at 6:30pm at the church.

Please contact the church office with any questions you may have.

Fall Sunday School Classes

The adult Sunday school courses for the fall quarter will run from Aug. 22 to Nov. 14. There will be three classes offered during the second service (9:30am) and one class offered during the third worship service (11am). The courses being offered are:

Parenting to the Heart from the Heart

This course will be offered during the second service and will use a DVD series of 30-minute lectures by Paul Tripp and Tedd Tripp on issues related to parenting followed by discussion. Topics include defining a family, teaching toddlers to be under authority, parenting teens, correction and consequences, and setting godly goals.

In the Splendor of His Holiness: Principles of Biblical Worship
Pastor Brian will offer this course to college and young adults as well as to the congregation as a whole during both the second and third services. The course will consider the meaning of worship and the principles that direct corporate worship. Topics to be explored and discussed include the importance of Sunday worship, the elements of a worship service and their significance, the role of emotions in worship, and appropriate music for worship.

The Peacemakers
Jesus pronounces blessings on those who work for peace and says they shall be known as children of God. All of us recognize that seeking peace in our lives — that is, successfully handling personal conflict at home, at work or school, among friends, even in the church! — is indeed very hard work. This class will be a guided discussion about handling personal conflict. We will use Ken Sande’s The Peacemakers: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict and the Bible as guides for discussion. The Lord brings conflict into our lives so that we may grow in his image and that He may be glorified. My hope for this class is that we will help each other learn how to fulfill Jesus’ prayer (John 17:20–23): “I pray also for those who will believe in me through [the disciples’] message, that all of them may be one, Father, …. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Copies of Sande’s  book will be available for purchase. I encourage you to read it as we move along in our discussion, but doing so isn’t necessary.

Three Service Schedule Begins August 22nd

On August 22nd we will be offering three services at 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:00 am. All children’s Sunday School classes will take place during the second service, and there will be adult Sunday School options during the second and third services.

Q&A Sermon Series

Q&A Sermon Series Schedule

Thanks to all of you who submitted questions for the Q&A sermon series. I received a total of 11 questions, and since the series will only last five Sundays, that means I had to put aside six good questions. Here are the questions that “made the cut,” and the dates on which I will be attempting to answer them during Sunday morning sermons:

July 11 – What does the Bible say about heaven, and how should we live in anticipation of our eternal home?

July 18 – If God is sovereign over everything I do, how can I be held responsible for my actions?

July 25 – If our sins are forgiven in this world, why do believers still face judgment when they die?

Aug. 1 – What’s wrong with premarital sex if you’re going to marry the person anyway?

Aug. 8 – What is the Biblical perspective on friendships?

Lots of people are away on vacation during July, so if you miss hearing a question you are interested in, be reminded that you can listen to the messages by clicking on “sermons” at our home page.

Summer Study on Keller’s Book Counterfeit Gods Starting June 13

Josh Holowell will be leading a small-group study this summer on Tim Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods — The Empty Promises of Money, Sex and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters. The group will meet Sunday evenings at 6:00 at the church, starting on Sunday June 13, and will continue through the month of July. This is an excellent opportunity not only to build relationships with people at the church, but also to spend some time in an excellent, Gospel-centered book by Pastor Keller, who helps us identify and deal with the idols we set up in our lives.

Keller opens the book with this thought: “Most people spend their lives trying to make their heart’s fondest dreams come true. . .  We never imagine that getting our heart’s deepest desires might be the worst thing that can ever happen to us.” If you are interested in the study, please contact the church office. Also, you may want to go ahead and order the book online right away. It is available at Amazon for $13.57, and at wtsbooks.com for $13.37.

New Life’s Annual Beautification Event May 15

Are you handy with a hammer? Skillful with shelving? Fabulous at fencing? Dashing with a duster? Willing with a wipe? Stellar with a sweeper? Are you happy with a hoe? Masterful with mulch? Or powerful at planting? If so then we need you!

It’s time for the Annual New Life Beautification Event! Saturday May 15, from 8 AM to 2 PM, please join us as we take care of the wonderful building and grounds that have been entrusted to our care as members of New Life. Some of the items on our agenda include: hanging shelves in the kitchen, building a fence around the air conditioning unit, general maintenance around the inside and outside of the church, cleaning windows, walls, floors, and chairs, and weeding, mulching, and planting in the New Life vegetable garden.

Lunch will be provided by the Events Team.  Please bring the following equipment for use that day if you are able – hoses, ladders, rakes, hoes, shovels, and gardening tools.  Mark your items with your name so we can be sure they are returned to you.

Look for the sign up sheet and let us know if you’ll come enjoy a morning of fellowship that includes a labor of love and a free lunch!

Duck Race Fundraiser!

The Monterrey, Mexico Team will be “selling ducks” to raise money for the Mexico Missions trip. When you buying a “duck” you are buying a number that will be written on a rubber duck that will then be in our duck race on May 16 at Morrow’s Meadow.  We will put all the rubber ducks in containers and dump them into the river and if the duck bearing your number is one of the first 20 to cross the finish line in, you could win one of our amazing prize baskets. The prize baskets contain various themes such as “A Night at the Movie” which contains movie tickets, candy, pop corn, and other fun movie themed prizes. There is also a Colts basket which contains various Indianapolis Colts paraphernalia as well as two tickets to one of the Colts games next season. All of the baskets are all worth a minimum of $50 and include prizes themed for people and families of all ages and walks of life.

The ducks are $5 a piece or 5 ducks for $20, and you do not have to attend the Duck Race on May 16th to win a prize. If you would like to buy a duck to support our trip, or just take a chance at winning some fun prizes, please contact the church office.

Below is a list that we will be updating with the current baskets and their contents:

Golf Basket

Titleist SX86-1 Black Stand Bag – $160
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls (One Dozen) – $58
Titleist Players Glove – $23
Cobra Tour Golf Cap – $20
Golf Tees (2Pkgs) – $1.50

Total Value – $262.50

Fun in the Sun

(There are two of these baskets with the same contents, but one is themed for a girl and the other for a boy)

Plastic Tub -$2
Beach Towel – $5
Bottled Water – $1
Sun Block – $8
Self Tanner – $8
After Sun Lotion – $6
Chapstick (SPF15) – $1
Hand Sanitizer – $1
Wet Ones Wipes – $1
Sun Glasses – $5
Kite – $3
Puzzle Books – $4
Water Bottle – $3
Sand Pail & Shovel – $1
Bubbles & Toy Wand – $3
Beach Ball & Toys – $4
Goldfish & Crackers – $2
Swim Goggles – $2

Total Value – $60

Kitchen Basket

Grater – $8
Funnel Set – $2
Whisk Set – $3
Colander – $5
Wooden Spoons – $2
Wooden Cutting Board – $4
Spatula Set – $3
Dish Cloths – $3
Print Dish Towels, Pot Holders & Oven Mitt – $5
3 Black Utensils – $6
Measuring Cups, Spoons, Plain Dish Towel, Pot Holders & Oven Mitt – $3
Dish Scrubber – $1
Dish Detergent – $1
Coffee Mug – $1
2 Spices – $1
Star Cookie Cutter $1

Total Value – $53

Family Movie Night (at Home)

Pop Corn Tubs – $4
Candy – $6
Pop Corn – $7
Butter & Cheese Seasoning – $4
Peanuts – $3
Coke – $3
Sprite – $3
DVD “The Blind Side” – $25
DVD “Marley and Me” – $15
DVD “The Secret of NIMH 2″ – $5
DVD Family Adventure Set – $5

Total Value – $80

Baker’s Basket

Pampered Chef Food Chopper – $29.50
Pampered Chef Cheese Grater – $19.50
Pampered Chef Thermometer – $15
Pampered Chef Apple Wedger – $12
Pampered Chef Dish Towel – $7
Pampered Chef Bag Clips – $5
Glass Baking Dish – $10
Non-Stick Cookie Trays – $5
Cookie Cutters – $2
Happy Spoon – $6
Various Spices – $4

Total Value – $115

Princess Basket

Disney Glitter Doll – $10
Make Up Castle – $10
Disney Princess Cup – $7
Disney Princess Umbrella – $7
Princess Tiara – $6
Disney Mini Doll Set – $5
Princess Bracelets – $3.50
Lavender Basket – $3
Princess Wand – $1

Total Value – $52.50

Colts Basket

(there are two of these)

2 Tickets to a Colts Game – $136

Colts Hat – $12

Colts Shirt – $14

Total Value – $162

Car Care Kit

Pail – $4.99

Towels 3pk – $2.79

Sponge – $2.39

Glass Cleaner – $3.39

Tire Shine – $4.99

Protectant – $3.19

Wheel & Tire Cleaner – $4.29

Oil Change at Mark’s Service Center – $26.88

Total Value – $54.73

Discerning Pallet

(Coffee Basket)

Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans – $4

3lbs of Starbucks Coffee – $32

Starbucks Travel Mug – $10

2 Kids Travel Mugs – $16

Starbucks Free Drink Coupon – $5

1lb Alliance World Coffee (Vecinos) – $14

Vecinos Gift Card – $10

1lb Blue Bottle Coffee – $8

Blue Bottle Gift Card – $10

Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee – $9

Panera Gift Card – $10

Coffee Junkie Gift Card – $10

Total Value – $143

Movie Basket

DVD Maiden Heist – $16.97

DVD The Marc Pease Experience – $19.99

Movie Mistakes and Bloopers Book- $14.95

2 Sodas- $2.50

Twizzlers- $1.20

Total: $55.61

More Baskets will be added so please continue to check back for updates.

God, the Church, and Homosexuality Seminar Information

New Life Presbyterian Church is hosting a conference on “God, the Church, and Homosexuality” on April 9-10. The conference runs from 7:00-9:00pm on Friday and from 9:00am to noon on Saturday.  The conference consists of four addresses: A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality; The Gospel and Homosexuality; Nature, Nurture, and the Science of Homosexuality; and The Church’s Ministry to the Gay and Lesbian Community.  Speakers include Drew Stevenson and Kyle Keating (leaders in Campus Crusade for Christ at Ball State University) and Dr. Jim Spiegel (author and Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Taylor University).  The cost for the conference is $5.00 per student, $7.00 per individual, and $10.00 per couple.  For more information please contact the church at 765.759.9189 or check out Brian’s article here for more details, and if you’d like to register for the seminar online click here.

Join Us for Services at Elmcroft

New Life participates in an outreach ministry to those living at Elmcroft, an assisted living facility in Muncie. On the first Sunday of each month, a group leads two short services there — one in the Alzheimer’s unit, and one in the assisted living unit. We will meet next Sunday afternoon at 2:20pm at Elmcroft, which is located at 1601 N. Morrison Rd. in Muncie. These dear elderly folks so appreciate the time we spend with them, so if you are available next Sunday, please join us in blessing the residents at Elmcroft.

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