A group from Hadley Community Church spread Christmas Cheer and the Message of Christ’s Birth through song during the evening on Saturday, December 10. The weather was wonderful, and the group was warmly received by members of the Hadley Community.
Celebrating The True Light of Christmas
HCC invites you and your family to join us for a special service to celebrate Christmas on Sunday, December 18 at 6PM. This service will feature special music, inspiration readings, and beautiful candlelight. The program will emphasize the truth that Jesus (whose birth we celebrate on Christmas) is the Light of the World. Please make plans to attend and bring your family and friends for a night that will remind us of God’s gracious plan for all.
Reflections On Thanksgiving
Although each year the world seems less and less focused on Thanksgiving, this is a wonderful time for Christians to remember the amazing blessings we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Following are some quotes from fellow believers that reinforce the reasons we can be thankful each and every day!
•“Thank you heavenly father, for you have never failed anyone. You give me strength in times when I am weak.”
•“Thank you, God, for the blessing of a new and splendid day; to enjoy the sunshine in the morning, to have the chance to see the beauty of the stars in the evening.”
•“I was lost in darkness, but now I can see the light. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for everything you have done in my life.”
•“Thank you for giving me the strength to conquer challenges in life. Truly you are a loving God. I appreciate everything you have done for me.”
•“Thank you, Lord, for giving me the chance to enjoy life, for having the opportunity to love and be loved.”
•“Being your child is the most fulfilling thing in my life, knowing that I no longer live under the curse of sin. Through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross I have the hope of seeing eternity.”
•“When this crazy world says there is no God, I look around me and see how creation testifies to the power of your majesty. Thank you, God, for giving us the simple and the mighty things in life to declare your glory.”
Shoeboxes & More Shoeboxes!
On November 14th 15 volunteers met together to pack 148 shoeboxes of blessing for needy children during Christmas. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Missionary Spotlight:
Bryan & Heather Macphail-Fausey
This month we focus on the last of our supported missionaries, Bryan and Heather Macphail-Fausey. Since 2012 the couple has been serving in Cameroon, West Africa through Baptist Mid-Missions with a primary emphasis on church planting. They write…
“Thank you for partnering with us to establish healthy churches in Cameroon.
Our course on ‘How to Study the Bible’ has now been requested by several pastors. This teaching is helpful because many of the members of the congregation find reading the Bible daunting, yet personal Bible reading is now even more important because false Gospel messages are so prevalent. Beginning in September and finishing in October, Bryan completed this teaching series in a local church that is led by one of the pastors who previously worked in our Federation of Church Planters. Pray that these church members would grow spiritually from regular personal Bible study.
In October, Federation solicited input from all those who previously benefited from this teaching to help determine our future direction. One suggestion was pairing pastors of the current churches with those in the theological education program to provide real-life experience for future church planters. Please be in prayer for wisdom and guidance for the Federation as we consider next steps.
Lastly, we are grateful for Bryan’s good health and safe travels, but mostly for his return to Yaounde. We often say, “par la grace de Dieu.” By the grace of God, we are well and continue to serve in Yaounde, Cameroon. Thank you again for praying for us!”
– Bryan & Heather Macphail-Fausey
Trunk Or Treat is Spooktacular!
Halloween brought out some pretty frightening things to HCC for the annual Trunk or Treat event, including a trio of man-eating sharks and a large wayward pumpkin seen roaming the church parking lot! Despite a Halloween-like dreary evening more than 200 children visited the church where they received plenty of goodies – candy, gospel tracts and information about our church.
A huge thank-you to those who volunteered their time and their trunks to help get the message out to the community!
Vacation Bible School
Come join Hadley Community Church for Vacation Bible School!
When: July 11th – 15th from 9am – 11:30am
Where: 3638 Hadley Rd., Hadley, MI 48440
Ages: 3 years old through youth that finished 6th grade
We will be teaching lessons on the sanctity of life.
If you need transportation to the church for VBS, please contact us at:
(810) 797-4540
(For more information and a chance to dunk the Youth Leader, come visit our booth in downtown
Hadley on the 4th of July during the parade!)
Register your child in person, or if you would like, online: https://www.osvhub.com/hadley-community-church/forms/vbs-registration
A Few Minutes With The Colemans
Earlier this week Pastor Matthew Coleman took time to answer a few of our questions:
How does it feel to be back in Michigan?
It is a great blessing for us to return to Michigan. As we sought the Lord’s will, we did not know where He would lead. The fact that He has led us back to Michigan is wonderful. There is so much to do, to see, and to enjoy in this state. In years past, there was an advertising campaign that proclaimed, ‘Yes Michigan, the feeling’s forever.’ As we settle back into a life in Michigan – we are understanding how true those words are.
How would you describe yourself for those who are meeting you for the first time?
Like all people – our family is a unique mix. While we love to interact and fellowship, we are also very happy enjoying quiet times alone. We enjoy playing board games, taking walks, visiting with friends and family.
oWhat do you see as the top priorities for your ministry?
Truly, apart from preaching and teaching the Word of God – visitation (in its many forms) is the ministry. It is not possible to effectively become familiar with the congregation and its needs without visitation. Another priority for ministry at this stage is to encourage us all to shift gears from the interim stage. Uniting us as we seek to serve the Lord together is important. This happens as we work together, reach out together, demonstrate our faith together in this congregation and in this community. It is important that HCC realizes that God can use us in mighty ways – if we let Him!
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style truly is one of servant leadership. Jesus’ ministry demonstrated this quality over and over. While He spoke with authority and stepped on the toes of the Pharisees, He also approached people with gentleness. While difficult decisions are sometimes necessary, seeking God’s direction and a congregation consensus is so important. This can sometimes take time and effort. But in the long run, it encourages unity and demonstrates our desire to be led by Christ.
What is the best way for someone to contact you?
The best way to contact me is by phone. My cell phone number (which is in the bulletin) is 785-226-3679. While I cannot promise that I will be able to answer the phone immediately, I do strive to be available and responsive. We have set my office hours as Monday through Thursday from 9AM to Noon. However as a pastor, I consider myself on call 24 hours. So if there is a need, I would hope people would be comfortable to reach out (even if it is not during office hours)!
In your 20+ years of pastoring, what is one significant example where you saw God’s hand directing your ministry?
The fact that we are in Hadley is a clear example of God’s direction. For some people, it is difficult to understand the process of being called to leave one ministry and to enter into a new one. Our experience in Kansas was truly a blessed time. And in some regards, it was an ideal situation that we could have enjoyed for many more years to come. But God placed on our hearts a call. And so we humbly approached Him and sought His direction. And He clearly demonstrated His will in our lives. And here we are. But, during our time in ministry, God has also allowed us to see Him working in the lives of other people. We were blessed to know a man that had been addicted to meth. Through faith in Christ, He was delivered from that bondage. We have seen God work in the lives of overlooked people. We have seen God work time and time again. And we are excited to see Him work at HCC.
How did you and Danielle meet?
Danielle and I met at Mervyn’s Department Store in Westland, MI. We started as co-workers. We became friends. And then, we dated and ultimately married. Danielle is as diligent as she is beautiful. She gives her all and sets high expectations for herself. She is a wonderful wife and mother.
What will Danielle’s role be in your ministry?
Danielle’s role at HCC will look very much like everyone else’s. During our years in ministry, she has served in many capacities. Some of these have been official positions and others have been in less official roles. She is continuing to work (virtually), but it is her desire to be involved as much as she is able. She has been so blessed by the outpouring of support she has received so far!
You have three daughters and one son, will they all be staying with you in Hadley?
Our eldest daughter, Katherine, has remained in Kansas. She worked with a counseling service that offers assistance to those with many concerns. We are pleased to have Madeleine (Maddie), our second daughter with us in Michigan. She and her husband live in Colorado Springs. Dominic is currently deployed overseas. Elizabeth (Libby) will graduate officially from high school on May 20. She was able to graduate a year early and has been dually enrolled in a community college during this past year. She is prayerfully considering the next steps for her life. Our son, Lucas, is 11. We are considering our options for his education in the fall.
What’s something we should know about the Colemans that may not already be widely known?
Many people do not know that I am a triplet. While my fraternal sister, Melanie, passed away about nine years ago, my brother Mark works for Delta Airlines providing maintenance for some of their airplanes. I have an older sister, Michelle, who teaches college courses at several colleges in Southeast Michigan. I enjoy Diet Pepsi (too much). My favorite television program is Murder, She Wrote (even though it has been off the air for decades). Danielle is an only child. She enjoys the theater, music, and spending time with family. Maddie has two dogs – Bunny and Rocko. Libby was a CNA in Kansas for a year. Lucas has a guinea pig – Potato.
Vacation Bible School
Sign up for Vacation Bible School
https://www.osvhub.com/hadley-community-church/forms/vbs-registration
Come and join the fun! There will be skits, Bible stories, crafts, games, snacks, and loads of fun!
3638 Hadley Rd., Hadley, MI
(complimentary coffee & devotion for parents/caregivers)
Griefshare
Bittersweet memories.
Loss of traditions.
An empty seat at the table.
The holiday season can trigger sadness and despair for people grieving a loss. Join us for a 2-hour event called “Surviving the Holidays” where we talk about how to deal with grief around the holiday season:
Thursday, December 5
6:30-8:30 p.m.