February 23, 2010

Metro Growth Track
Sundays |  9:15 a.m. | Fellowship Commons
     Are you new to Metro and have already attended Pastor’s Breakfast? Then your next step is the Metro Growth Track! Join David and Shelia Wray for a 3 week in-depth look at Metro’s structure, Your individual gifting, and where you can belong in the Metro community. For more information contact us at haggai@metrocog.org.

Church Membership
     If you would like to become a part of the Metro Church family, please contact Rita Case for more information at  rcase@metrocog.org or 443-3913.

NEW … REACH Sunday School Class (for Men and Women Ages 45–64)
Sundays |  8:45 a.m. |Richard's Restaurant
   Coffee, soft drinks, water, and  doughnuts provided. The class  will be finished by 9:45 a.m. in order to get to the 10:15 service. Call Dave, Sandy Blackwell at 425-2612, Steve, Becky Roberson at 995-1415, or Terry, Pamela Bethea at 967-9363 with any questions.

Worship Service
Sunday | February 28 | 10:15 a.m. | Sanctuary
     This Sunday Pastor Mark will speak on "Love Matters Most."

ATTENTION: Metro Family!
     We had such a great day this past Sunday except for falling $12,000 short of our budgeted income for the week. If you weren't present, please send us your tithes and offerings this week. We could really use them!

New Church Loan Principal Reduction Plan
Sundays As You Leave the Service
     We have begun a "New Church Loan Principal Reduction Plan"  by asking everyone to give at least $1 when you leave the Sunday morning service. This money will be placed on our building loan principal reduction only. Below is an amortization schedule that depicts how just $500 to $2,500 extra month on our principal can eliminate hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt for the glory of God. (Romans 13:8).

Tents and Sleeping Bags Needed for Haiti
     Metro is partnering with a ministry in South Florida to provide 100,000 sleeping bags/tents for the victims of Haiti. Project is named "100,000 Tents for Haiti" — working in conjunction with “Bless an Orphan.” Drop-off point will be in the Commons near the Nursery area. We will be collecting these for the next couple of weeks.

God's Good Life Covered Dish Luncheon
Sunday | February 28 | 12:15 p.m. | Fellowship Commons
     Larry and Lois Adcock's Sunday School class will host a covered dish luncheon Sunday following the morning service. If you are looking come good food and fellowship, please come and bring a dish.

Drama Auditions for Teens and Adults
Sunday | February 28 | 3 p.m. | Big Adventure Room
     Drama team members and new participants are encouraged to attend. Casting for upcoming  performances.

Be sure to check out Metro's new interactive website with interesting blogs from Pastor Mark and the Metro Team, pictures, and much more. Just go to www.metrocog.org  

This Week.

Students Go To the Basement (Church of the Highlands)
Tuesday | February 23 | Meet at Metro at 6 pm
     Bring $5 for snacks.

Mid-Week Fellowship Supper
Wednesday | February 24 | 5 p.m. | Fellowship Commons
     Menu:  Sour Cream Chicken, Rice, English Peas, Rolls, Salad Bar, Dessert, Iced Tea or Coffee.  $5 for adults, $3 for children, and $15 for a family of 4 or more.

Ministry Team Community Building and Training Groups
Begin Wednesday | February 24 | 6:30 p.m.
.      Everyone is encouraged to find a ministry team and participate, these groups will meet for the next 6 weeks, through March 31. Not sure where you would like to serve or have not yet taken the Spiritual Gifts Discovery, please e-mail haggai@metrocog.org or contact us at 205.795.4448.

      Room                      Team

•      L208                       Ministering Communities Team
•      L209                       WOW Team
•      L210                       Follow-up Team
•      L211                       Outreach Team
•      L212                       Shock & Awe Team
•     Choir Rm                 Worship Team

Rehearsals  for Children's Spring Musical
Wednesdays| Big Adventure Worship Room | 6:30 p.m.
      Pastor Derrick invites your kids to join Jonas Joppa and the rest of the God Squad from Alleluia Aquatic Academy as they venture out in a submarine to learn more about God through His underwater world. Under Professor Gill's direction, the students learn to navigate the sometimes murky waters of life by seeking God's Word daily. Once they ask God to open their eyes, ears and hearts, they begin to realize the depth of God's love for them.

Choir and Orchestra Rehearsals
Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m.
     Come join the Choir or Orchestra now to help prepare for our Easter Program "Experiencing the Passion" on Sunday, March 28. Choir meets in the Choir Rehearsal Room behind the choir loft. Orchestra meets in the orchestra pit in the sanctuary. Optional choir and orchestra rehearsal Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. If you would like to glorify the Lord with your musical talents, please come.For more information, please contact Worship Arts Pastor Bruce Hill at bhill@metrocog.org.

Choir and Orchestra Retreat
Friday and Saturday | February 26 & 27 | Metro Campus 

Kids Expo / Volunteers Needed
Saturday | February 27 | 10 am to 3 pm  Metro Campus
     Sponsored by “Birmingham Kids Directory” this event is a Children’s Expo with approximately 70 exhibitors. Don’t Miss Out!  Everything for tots to teens. Come and bring the entire family. For details e-mail Pastor Mark Swank at mswank@metrocog.org. To volunteer or pray with families in the Prayer Tent, please contact Scott Hogg at sh6805@att.com or 807.8499.  

Want to Reserve a Room for Your Next Meeting or Event at Metro
      Don't assume no one else will be in the room you want to use, the door will be unlocked, and the heat or air will be turned on. Instead, save yourself and everyone else a lot of headaches by booking your room in advance through our Facilities Director, Marilyn Collins, at mcollins@metrocog.org.

Looking Ahead

REACH Men's Bible Study Group (for Guys Between 45 and 64)
Monday | March 1 | 6:45–8 a.m. | River City Grill in the Marriott on Hwy 280
across from the old HealthSouth campus)
    This will be an organizational meeting where we will discuss when to meet, where to meet in the future, subjects to cover, leaders to teach the studies, and any ideas you may have. The River City Grill has a good buffet, or you can order off the menu. Bring any guy you want to invite….. 

GriefShare Support Group Resumes
Wednesday | March 3 | 6:30 p.m. | C016
     If you have lost a parent, spouse, child, family member or friend, you have probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. That’s one of the reasons for GRIEFSHARE, a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close.
    This group is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time.
    For more information, please contact Jo Ann Davidson, 443-3911.

DivorceCare Support Group Resumes
Wednesday | March 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Location TBA
     Practical insight and encouragement for those divorced or contemplating divorce.

Metro Easter Program "Experiencing the Passion"
Sunday | March 28 | 10:15 a.m.

Smoky Mountain Ride for Missions(for Riders and Non-Riders)
April 20 – 25
We will be making repairs to the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, singing, and cooking. Application forms to participate are available Sunday at the Welcome Center.  

Student Ministry

COMING … New Youth Pastor Jason Sharpe
Wednesday | March 3 | 6:30 p.m. | LDC Gym
     Come meet your new youth pastor! Also, you will be able to pick up a copy of the March MSM newsletter that will include a feature story by Aubrey Crawford on Pastor Sharpe, some sports highlights from "The Fox," the inside scoop on two more Trendy Teens, and much more! Be sure to be there!

WINTERFEST
March 12-14, 2010 | Knoxville, TN
     The $50.00 deposit is now overdue for those students who have signed up for Winterfest and the final payment is  due on or before Wednesday, March 3.  If you have questions/concerns, please contact Pastor Mark Swank at 205.795.4448.

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Women's Bible Study Opportunities for 2010

WOMEN OF GRACE
Thursdays |  9:30 a.m.
     Lois Adcock will be teaching Beth Moore's study of "Esther."  Questions? E-mail Kay Wildman at wild7228@aol.com.

"A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place"
Sundays  | 5:30–7 pm | C014
     Calling all working women and those who can't seem to fit Bible Study into your busy schedule!  Start the new year off right!  Join with other excited women who are seeking a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our God.  Beth Moore has "revisited" her very first Bible study, "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place."  Join with us in this in-depth study of the Old Testament tabernacle and discover things you never knew about God's plan for your life!    . To sign up or for questions, e-mail Kay Dick at kdick@shelbyed.k12.al.us.

Metro Nursery and Preschool Toy Drive

Would You Like to Be A Financial Counselor to the People of Metro?
     If so, Steve Roberson is prepared to teach on this subject. If you are interested, please contact him at srbrsn11@aol.com. Both men and women may apply.

GOOD NEWS!
Want to Join Choir or Orchestra But Can't Come on Wednesday Nights?
Sundays | 8:30 a.m. | Sanctuary
     Our new Worship and Arts Pastor Bruce Hill wants you to know there is now an optional Choir and Orchestra rehearsal Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary for all of those who want to participate but could not make the Wednesday night rehearsals for whatever reason. Just show up!

The Nest Needs Volunteers
Every 3rd Sunday Evening
  The Nest is Metro's ministry to feed the homeless under the bridge in downtown Birmingham. People with trucks are especially needed for transporting tables, chairs, and food. If interested in helping, please contact Debbie Earley at 475-1527.

The Church Office Needs Your Help!
      A new feature on the Metro website allows you to update your information for our database. To do this, click on Update Information. Complete all of the information, even if you’ve given it to us in the past, and we will make sure that our database is up to date and correct. Once you have completed the information it will be sent directly to our database administrator and she will send you an acknowledgment that your information has been delivered. Since your privacy is important to you, Metro promises not to share your information with any company or organization.  

Metro Media Ministry
     The Metro media ministry is looking for volunteers to help with video, lighting, and overall production. If interested, please contact Pastor Joe at jdobbins@metrocog.org

Metro Counseling Center
     The Metro Counseling Center has the following ongoing support groups— GriefShare, DivorceCare, DivorceCare4Kids, Caregiver Support, Dianne McPherson Cancer Support, Friendship/Gatekeeper Group (for widow/widows), and Metro Single Moms,. If you are interested in becoming involved in any of these groups, please contact Jo Ann Davidson at the Metro Counseling Center  at 443-3911 or jdavidson@metrocog.org..

Cancer Support
     If you or a loved one have cancer, we want to encourage you with prayer support, encouraging words, and a prayer blanket. For details and to be put on our special Cancer Support list, please contact Jo Ann Davidson at jdavidson@metrocog.org.

DO YOU WANT TO ANNOUNCE IN E-NEWS OR SUNDAY BULLETIN?
     If so, please e-mail by Tuesday noon to Pastor Joe Dobbins at jdobbins@metrocog.org. All announcements are subject to editing due to space constraints.