3426 Colony Bay Drive

That's our new address, and we held our first services there on Resurrection Sunday. We had 145 in attendance on Sunday morning and were already pulling out the folding chairs.

Pastor mentioned it on Sunday evening, but it is well worth repeating...Thank you to all of those who worked so hard throughout this whole process, and specifically on Friday and Saturday, to get everything ready for our services on Sunday. I hesitate to mention names because of the fear of inadvertantly leaving someone off the list, but it is appropriate to start with Bill Hunt, who worked closely with the developer to ensure that this project would be completed by our targeted deadline, and then dedicated numerous hours of "sweat equity" to put the finishing touches in place for our inaugural service.

Thanks to Jenna Boeke (at least that's how I think we got the coverage), the Rockford Register Star showed up to chronicle the day. We even got a front page above the fold (in newspaper talk) picture. We'll have more pictures to post soon.

Shepherds' Conference

Pastor and I are having a great time at the Shepherds' Conference in sunny Sun Valley, CA. We are extremely greatful to Lighthouse Baptist Church in Simi Valley, CA for opening up their facility for us to stay so as to help us save money on hotel costs. We really appreciate Pastor Roger and his church for their sweet hospitality. Thank you, Morning Star family, for giving us this incredible opportunity to attend this valuable conference. We are "soaking up" the teaching and preaching of the Word. We just finished this evening's session with Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an incredible teacher and preacher of the Word.

We were a little disappointed last night because John Piper could not make it to the conference. Tragically, his father passed away in South Carolina, so he needed to be with his family. We spent some time during the service praying for him. However, we were blessed by having C. J. Mahaney as a replacement--pretty good replacement, I'd say! He was a blessing. His message was on humility, which was pretty much taken straight from his book on the same subject.

We are so blessed to have a church who gives so that we can have spiritual refreshment as well as our souls fed. Thank you all for your prayers for us this week!

Building Progress

A special "thank you" to all of the men who helped move the office furniture. Again, the Lord showed Himself faithful to us by providing this office furniture as well the finances even this week to cover the expense. Praise the Lord for His provision!

I have included some pictures of the building in the latest stages. This week the drywall crew will be mudding and taping. There will be drastic changes in the look of the building over the next few days.

We also are in need of staging. Bill Hunt and I have priced this, and we will need about $2,400 to cover this expense. Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of His people in giving toward these projects!

Morning Star's newest addition

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

Name: Brookelyn Hope Scott
DOB: February 26, 2007, 8:27 am
Questions everybody asks: She weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz and was 19 1/4"

Mom and baby are doing very well!

Congratulations to Jason and Heidi, and to Bethany and Brianna.

Office Furniture for New Building

I received a phone call from a business that will be moving in just a few doors down from our new building. This phone call is a direct answer to prayer. They told me that they heard from another source that we needed some room/cubicle dividers. My response, of course, was an emphatic, YES WE DO! Not only do they have dividers that they would like to sell, but also office desks, chairs, guest chairs, community room table, kitchen cabinets-- and all in excellent condition.

Please pray as Bill Hunt and I meet with them this coming Saturday, February 24, at 9:00 AM. The business is ID Technologies, and our contacts will be Jeff (the owner) and Bonnie (one of the secretaries) The Lord provides!

We are still in need of many new items for the building. Please consider giving toward the building fund especially over the next month as we will encounter many expenses. If you would like to give for a specific project, please let Chris or Pastor know.

Hymn of the Month

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who, like me, His praise should sing?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the Everlasting King!

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise Him, still the same forever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness!

Father-like He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows,
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows!

Angels, help us to adore Him,
Ye behold Him face to face;
Saints triumphant bow before Him,
Gathered in from ev'ry race.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

lyrics by Henry F. Lyte (1793-1847)

VCY Rally

This past Saturday almost thirty people from our church travelled to Waukesha to see and hear Dr. John MacArthur speak at the VCY Rally. The group ranged from people who have followed Dr. MacArthur's ministry for more than twenty years to some who had never heard of him. Dr. MacArthur exposited from Luke chapter 15 on the passage commonly referred to as "The Prodigal Son". What we heard was a one hour summary of a passage that he spent six weeks preaching at Grace Community Church. You can read transcripts of those sermons here.

While most people were familiar with the parable, Dr. MacArthur skillfully explained what the story would have meant to those who were hearing it nearly two centuries ago. In contrast to those who argue that we need to bring Scripture into modern times, Dr. MacArthur emphasized that we need to do the exact opposite...we need to take the hearers back to the time in which the Scriptures were written. As he succinctly stated "The meaning of Scripture is the Scripture." By transporting us back to the culture of middle eastern peasant life, with its emphasis on shame and honor, Dr. MacArthur shows how this parable of a father and two sons (if you only focus on the prodigal son you're missing the point) illustrates the joy of God in the the salvation of lost sinners, and why this concept was so inconceivable to the Pharisees.

For those that weren't able to attend, you can listen to this sermon (as delivered at Moody's Founder's Week conference) for free (for at least a couple of weeks) by clicking here.

More Building Pictures

This is exciting! There is much progress being made on the construction of the building. I dropped by today and took some updated pictures that I will be showing on Sunday.

TheHVAC guys have almost completed the ductwork throughout; the plumbers are busily installing piping; the cement workers are leveling the floors in the mezzanine; and the electricians will soon begin their work. Many have asked to see the building in person--please let Bill or I know what time would work for you, and we will meet you there. I know that Bill Hunt will be going there again tomorrow, so if you would like to see it, call him to let him know!

There is no particular date that we are shooting for to be into the building. However, I am pushing for sometime in mid March. Some things are still progressing slower than we would like to see, but this will give us more time (and hopefully money) to purchase some accessories that we need just to move in. Please be in prayer for the progress of the buildout, Bill Hunt and I as we continue to meet with the buildout crews, as well as the financial commitment that we have made for this project!

Building Underway!

As you know the buildout is underway at our future location of MSBC. I just returned from a meeting with Jamie and Mike, the developer and buildout manager. There are a few kinks that we are working out, but overall, everything is going well. I have included a few pictures of the progress.

We are in need of many items before we move in such as refrigerators, microwaves, pictures, office furniture, etc. Please keep the building needs in mind as you give toward the building project. If you have any specific questions or would like to see the building in person, please let Bill Hunt or me know. We have keys and would be glad to show you around.

See and hear Dr. John MacArthur

On Saturday, February 10, 2007, we will be taking a group of young adults to the VCY Rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin to see (and hear) Dr. John MacArthur. Dr. MacArthur is Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and is President of the The Master's College and The Master's Seminary in Santa Clarita, California. He is also heard around the world on the Grace to You radio program. Our book table includes many books authored by Dr. MacArthur.

In addition to speaking at the VCY Rally on Saturday evening, Dr. MacArthur will be speaking in Chicago for the Moody Bible Institute's Founder's Week. Click here for a schedule of speakers.

We will announce more details later.

New Zealand update sent via email

We have emailed an update to everyone for whom we had an email address. If you have not received that email message, entitled "...tears and a taxi...", please let us know. There are new people we haven't met at MSBC, and some of you may have changed your email address. We understand Amanda will also post a hard copy of the update.

New Year's Eve Gatherings

Happy New Year! What a great time our church had as we met in homes around the city for our New Year's Eve Gatherings! There were parties at the Berryman's, Lee's and Myers'. We had a great time of fellowship as we sang together, prayed together, and shared testimonies together.

At the Myers' home, we sang with guitar accompaniment many of the "songs-of-the-month" for the past year of 2006. We had a season of prayer for about 40 minutes as we prayed for the spiritual and physical health of our church. There are still many who are exsperiencing physical struggles as well as spiritual.

Both Bill Hunt and Pat Berryman also said that they had a wonderful time of fellowship in their homes. Let's have a Christ-centered focus this year as well as saturating ourselves in the Word and in prayer. We look forward to what God has in store for Morning Star as we embark on a new year for His glory!

Young Adult Chicago Trip

The "Young Adults" had a wonderful time Saturday shopping in downtown Chicago as well as looking at the Christmas lights. We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city life as well as shopping at the Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile. It was neat to see all of the Christmas shoppers scurrying around on Michigan avenue.

We ate dinner in the mezzanine at the Water Tower Place food court. There were tons of restaurants to enjoy, and we had a great time relaxing and eating together. Someone (I won't say who) ordered a gigantic piece of chocolate cake as big as the Hancock building!

One experience that none of us will forget is our being "trapped" in the elevator as we were heading back to our cars in the parking garage. We found out quickly that Lacey B. was a wee bit claustrophobic! Fortunately she didn't have the same experience as this woman. I think this will be an experience that the young adults will remember. None of us had ever been trapped in an elevator before. If you are interested, I did get some "footage" of Lacey as she was trying to keep calm.

A big "Thank You" to the Berryman's for helping to drive and to Mel and Karen for helping plan the trip.

Noteworthy News from NZ

Wow…by the time we realize many of you are anxiously awaiting to hear from us again, the list of things to write about is so long that we can’t decide what to include and what to leave out!

The war on Christmas is not quite the same here as you find in the States. We do hear of the odd store choosing to exclude “Merry Christmas” in their advertising. However, the lack of morals and the need for true Christianity here continue to strike us as a most pressing matter. We mentioned the Hell Pizza chain previously. New Zealand (NZ) government is currently processing a law change that would ban spanking of children. If this law passes (scheduled for February), it would allow for parents who discipline their children to be prosecuted as criminals. Assaults against biblical principles are common here.

Another noteworthy news item is a 23 year-old young man in our city who is attempting to launch a New World Order Party. His goals are truly global, and he is collecting signatures, with only 500 needed, to register the Party and compete in the next NZ parliamentary elections. He wants to bring in a new world order to rid the planet of hunger, sickness, poverty, crime and disease. This young man is probably not the only person in this world with such ambitions, but the news article reminded us again that we are fighting a powerful enemy.

Scott has encountered countless opportunities to witness in his secular work environment. Most recently, a former Mormon has expressed interest in visiting our church to learn more about what we believe. Scott has enjoyed passing out a tract which appears to be a card with a special area to press your thumb to test if you are a good person (or not). It instructs the holder to press the spot for exactly 15 seconds, saying it will change from red to green if the person is good. Of course, it doesn’t, and there is a gospel message on the back, as well as an opportunity for Scott to speak directly to the person. This particular tract is well received, as Kiwis enjoy a good joke. We continue to pray for harvest from the many seeds that have been sown.

Scott has been excited to begin discipling a man who is very keen to study the Bible. He strikes us as one who may possibly enter the ministry one day. His eagerness to really study the Word of God in depth is refreshing. God is rewarding his diligence with new knowledge of the Word of God.

We have previously mentioned Jim, who is dying of cancer. He is holding steady at the moment, but his wife, Peg, has been hospitalized indefinitely with debilitating severe lower back pain. The cause is not yet identified. The two of them are both suffering, and are currently unable to be together. They would appreciate your prayers as they walk through their trials.

Please also continue to pray for Marj, pictured here with Heidi and Daniel. She has returned to the Philippines for four weeks. We had really hoped to see her accept Christ before she left. We believe she will accept the Lord, and ask that you join us in prayer for her soul. Marj is also facing some very difficult personal decisions and would very much appreciate your prayers for her to have wisdom from God.

God is working in lives here. Due to the public nature of the internet, we currently feel it wise not to publicly declare some things. We continue to thank God that, in spite of our weaknesses, He has entrusted us with a part in the ministry here. Your prayers for us are a great source of joy and comfort. We are encouraged and strengthened by them. Thank you!

Serving joyfully,
Lori, on behalf of all of us

Wild Christmas Party

What a great time we had at our annual Christmas Party Fellowships! We had over 20 people at our house alone--and there were two other parties going on: the Cooks and the Lees. I am sure they all had a great time as well.

It did get a little wild at the Metras' party at times, especially during the white elephant gift exchange. What is a "Flirty Fir" Christmas tree, anyway. If you really want to know, you will have to ask Faith Sanchez.

I think Ken Frayne liked his "New Year's stuffed animal" and was enjoying himself despite having sinus surgery just this week.

I received an "awesome" red music tie--you just may see me wear it sometime for church-- don't hold your breath, though. It was just a blessing to be able to sit and have fun together. We look forward to hearing about the other two "get togethers".

Update from the Scotts in Thailand

"Good Visa News!!"

December 8, 2006

Thanks to those who sent notes yesterday saying you would be praying for us today as we tried to get visas for all four of us. Your notes were encouraging. And, thanks to all of you who offered your prayers on our behalf.

We were able to get the student visas for the whole family this morning. The only drawback is that rather than start counting the one year student visa from the day they were issued, they started counting the one year from the day we entered Thailand from Singapore on our ninety day ED visas back in September. So, these visas are only good for nine more months, until September 15, 2007. But, we are thankful for the nine months we now have.

We continue to wait for our long term missionary visas. A typical wait, from what we have heard, is close to two years. We submitted our paperwork for the missionary visas last August. We will be praying that the Lord would shorten the waiting time so that we have the missionary visas before our student visas expire in September. But, at lease we have an eight or nine month breather before we have to worry about it again! Thanks again to the many who have been praying about this.

Sincerely,

Duane Scott

"Requested of God"

As you know Pastor and Jennie are in Greenville, South Carolina waiting patiently, or should I say "impatiently", for news concerning Samuel Corban's arrival. If you would like the most recent updates, please log on to http://youbelong.net/requested. You will be asked to type in a password. For obvious reasons, please call or email me for the password. After you are logged in, you can subscribe to any updates that Pastor gives by clicking on "journal" and entering your email in the subscribe window in the lower left hand corner. Keep praying for he and Jennie throughout the week.

Christmas Parties

Morning Star Miscellanies

This Friday will be our annual church Christmas parties. We are looking forward to the great fellowship and fun! Last year, if you remember, we had our Christmas party at the church with the leadership "waiting on" the congregation. The year before we met in homes around the city. We had a blast both years! We are, again, looking forward to a great time together. I know that at most of the homes we will be having a white elephant gift exchange which is always great fun. Two years ago, if you were at the Metras' party, we were "cracking up" at Margaret Clarke's "wee little pig" white elephant gift. I bet that you didn't know that Margaret can be the life of the party-her being so quiet and all!

Just a few details about the parties. The hosts will be the Cook's, Metras', and Lee's with Jeremy and Anouk leading the party at the Lee's. If you do not know which party you are supposed to attend, please contact Chris Metras immediately--we do not want anyone left out! The parties are for adults only. If you need babysitting, please contact Chris as well. See you there!!

The "Releasing"

Guest speaker, Pastor Larry Pauley, spoke of releasing God's servants to the field of ministry. Last Sunday was a blessed "Releasing Service."

A Persecuted Pastor to Visit Us

This man is a pastor that ministers in a country where Christians are still being persecuted. It is very difficult and unusual for such a leader to be able to leave the country to visit other believers. We were privileged to be contacted today to see if we would be willing to have this man tell his story and preach to our congregation.

Tom MacAdams writes:

Nicolai is the stalwart leader of a group of churches that are committed to helping men be trained up to teach God's word in his country -- one that is considered to be a "restricted access" country in that foreigners can't come in for religious purposes/business.

Churches in Belarus are legally forbidden to preach/evangelize publicly, and the gospel can only be proclaimed freely inside a registered church. And further, there are limits on what can be a "registered" church. Oppressive laws have basically outlawed house churches and small groups in Belarus, since they are illegal unless "registered" and can't register unless the church has a building AND 100+ people. No public baptisms are allowed. And believers are regularly arrested or detained for various alleged violations.

I think that this might really open the eyes of your church, to see what the Lord is doing in a part of the world that may be new to many of them. It is a open harvest field in many ways, due to the vacuum left after the collapse of the atheistic state and the incorrect Gospel coming from the Orthodox church which is more of a cultural institution. I think he might tell a compelling story of a church still under persecution.

And more -

Pastor Sinkovets comes from a family line of pastors, including his father and his grandfather, who spent 25 years in prison for his faith in the early years of communism. After over 10 years as pastor of the Baptist church in Kobrin, Belarus (which grew from 100 to 1000 under his leadership), he accepted a call 6 months ago to pastor a new and growing church just outside Minsk in the city of Kolodishi.

He is in town this weekend in order to meet with representatives from Slavic Gospel Association.

I highly respect men who serve in places a thousand times more difficult than where I serve. This past year I have prayed often for a Baptist church in Belrussia that has been undergoing many difficult things from its government. I am gladly welcoming this man. He will be with us next Sunday evening!