MINISTRY

Rise Up and Build – Ezra Nehemiah

Ezra & Nehemiah: 9-17 – 11-19

Hope & Disappointment.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah show that God has not forgotten his covenant people even though they had forgotten Him. The people are called to respond with repentance and return to the law in worship of the true and living God. Like them, our God is still in the restoration business today, through his son Jesus Christ, He is making all things new.  

What is the point? These books begin with hope, but end in disappointment. The spiritual state of the people are unchanged. The political and social reforms don’t address the core concerns of the heart. The book points us forward to the need for the new covenant which would renovate the human heart as prophesied by Jeremiah (ch 31) and Ezekiel (ch 36).  

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9/17 – Ezra 1-3: Introduction: The Return & Rebuilding begins.

9/24 – Ezra 4-6: Overcoming Opposition & Finishing the Work

10/1 – Ezra 7-10: Ezra’s journey of a life time to rebuild

10/8 – Neh 1: Intro. Nehemiah (What breaks your heart?)

10/15 – Neh 2: Prayer and Planning

10/22 – Neh 3-5: The Work of the Lord, the Sword & Trowel

10/29 – Neh 6: Success in  Adversity, Mission accomplished

11/5 – Neh 8: The People of the Book

11/12 – Neh 9:  The Power of Prayer (5 Dimensional Prayer)

11/19 – Neh 10-13: The Work of Renewal / Spiritual Restoration

11/26 – Thanksgiving

Resources: 

Background Notes on Ezra/Nehemiah –   Pastor Dave Hentschel

Characters in Ezra & Nehemiah – Pastor Dave Hentschel

General Chronology of the Exile and Post Exilic Period– Pastor Dave Hentschel

Sermons

Wednesdays in the Word

A Series of Topical Devotionals on Surrender

Hosted by Oliver Aridi

 This Summer Oliver tackled the subject of Surrender. As we look around our world we see we truly need to learn to surrender to Jesus! Jesus desires we be surrendered to Him

Romans 12:2 states: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Come check out our YouTube channel featuring this and other relevant topics.

Full Series on Surrender
YouTube Channel

Playlist – Psalms – August 13 – September 10

A Study in Psalms:  Aug. 13 – Sep. 10

Music.

It is the language of the heart. Music offers expression to our hopeful longings and our deepest wounds. There is a reason write songs about heartbreak, grief, and joy. Music is powerful—it has the ability to shape our worldview and give voice to our emotions. In reality, no one song can tell the story of our whole lives. We need a compilation of songs—a soundtrack, a playlist. What is the soundtrack of your life? 

 

In the Bible, the book of Psalms is comprised of 150 songs. They were the playlist of the people of God. These songs shaped the emotions and worldview of their hearers. They offered words of praise, and words of lament. They offered shouts of joy, and frustrations at life. They connect us to our great God. Over the next five weeks we are going to look at five different types of Psalms: wisdom, hymn, confidence, confession, and thanksgiving. Each type of Psalm shows us a different dimension of life, and points to the Creator of our soul. Come sing with us! 

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8/13 – Series Introduction—WISDOM (Psalm 90) 

8/20: – HYMN (Psalm 98)

8/27: – CONFIDENCE (Psalm 23)

9/3 – CONFESSION (Psalm 51)

9/10 – THANKSGIVING (Psalm 34 or 150)

Recommended companion reading:

Sermons

Spiritual Warfare July 2 – August 6

A Study in Ephesians 6:10-20: July 2 – August 6

WAR

This is something our world knows very well. Every day we heard about conflict overseas, in the culture of our country, and even in our own homes. Relationships are strained among family, friendships, and co-workers. Harsh words are common on our social media feeds. Here is the truth: we live in a world at war. Our world is fallen, broken and sinful. What is the Christian to do? 

 

This is where SPIRITUAL WARFARE comes in. Our battle is not against flesh and blood … it is spiritual. Too often we make people the enemy when it is the unseen enemy we must fight. The Apostle Paul knew this reality well. With that in mind, he wrote to the Ephesian Christians and exhorted them to STAND FIRM in the invisible war. Over the course of six weeks, we are going to examine this invisible, spiritual war and how to fight it. Paul offers specific tactics and weapons for every Christian. What are these weapons? How do we grow? That is what we will talk about during this series.  

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7/2 – Series Introduction — “The BELT of Truth” (Eph. 6:10-14a)

7/9 – “The BREASTPLATE of Righteousness” (Eph. 6:14b) 

7/16 – “The BOOTS of Peace” (Eph. 6:15)

7/23 – “The SHIELD of FAITH” (Eph. 6:5:16a) 

7/30 – “The HELMET of Salvation” (Eph. 6:17a)   

8/6 – “The SWORD of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17b-20) 

Recommended companion reading:

Sermons

AWANA begins September 24th, 2025!

Registration is now open!

Register Here

Wednesdays: 5:30-7pm (optional family meal at 4:45pm-5:20pm)

Awana is a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based discipleship and evangelism for kids of all ages. The name of the program is taken from Scripture found in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.” Activities include engaging large group sessions, small group time including Scripture memorization and Bible study, and fun games & activities. Join us for Awana this Fall and watch your children flourish! 

We’re offering Awana for preschoolers (starting at age 3 as of 10/1/2025) through 6th graders.

Team Training September 20th at 9am in Fellowship Hall.

Join the Team HERE

7th graders and above can sign up to volunteer.

Registration Fee Information:

  • 1st Clubber $25
    • 2nd Clubber + $20
      • 3rd Clubber + $15

Club Supplies:

  • Cubbies
    • Uniform – $14
    • Book – $15
  • Sparks
    • Uniform – $14
    • Book – $15
  • T&T
    • Uniform – $19
    • Book – $15

Registration is currently full at this time.

Please e-mail  Liana Moore with questions regarding registration

 

Pickleball+ @MBC

Pickleball is DONE FOR THE SEASON. We’ll see you back on the courts in 2026!

Street Hope Alive

Street Hope Alive | For the past 12 years, Street Hope Alive has been building trust and credibility in inner-city Paterson with youth and their families through a variety of activities, mentoring programs and community events.  Our goal is to promote personal development, mental health, spiritual renewal and community restoration.  The under-resourced demographic we serve is 90% African American and 10% Hispanic children ages newborn to 17 years old, living in the 4th ward and surrounding communities. 

Street Hope Alive has now expanded its ministry to Guinea, West Africa, where children and their families are served with the same kind of activities and events that can lead them to Jesus.”

 

What we do: 

For the past six summers, Street Hope Alive has sponsored and sent hundreds of kids to Inspire Sports Camps, a 6-day sleep away camp. The camp experience exposes the kids to life outside Paterson and many confirm their desire to continue growing their relationship with Jesus. 

 

In our effort to help the children thrive spiritually and academically, we provide tuition scholarships for them to attend Dawn Treader Christian School. These scholarships also inside school supplies and uniforms. We also provide scholarships for the kids to participate in a Christian after school program during week. Throughout the year, as opportunities arise, volunteers take our kids to Saturday church service and out for day trips. 

 

With support from ministry partners, we have an annual Christmas celebration which has recently been expanded to also include a Easter and Thanksgiving event that are held outside the Good Shepard Mission on Broadway. Every child that attends the Christmas event receives a wrapped gift. We average 800 children with their families. Event volunteers help to make this celebration a very special and memorable occasion. 

 

Street Hope Alive runs an Art’s Therapy Mentorship Program which we began at the start of this past summer at the Arts Factory.  The program has been incredible for encouraging our kids to use their painting skill and talent, which they are so excited to do. Moreover, the studio is a place where all of the kids we serve feel very safe leading to their willingness to open up. Imagine, our kids are learning to communicate their thoughts and  

feelings. We are teaching them God’s word and helping them work through difficult current and past situations, so that they may experience the hopeful future you and I enjoy. 

New Believers
Street Hope Alive
YoungLives
Teens
Senegal
World Partners
Market Street
CityRelief
First Choice

Passion Conference 2025

Atlanta, GA, January 2-4, 2024

MBC is inviting young adults (ages 18-25, post-HS) to the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia which will take place January 2nd-4th. Come experience a life-transforming conference of worship, messages, and community together with your fellow young adults. Reserve your seat today!

The cost will vary depending on the number of people attending (estimated $200-$400), and there will be a $50 non-refundable deposit. The final cost will be determined once amount of attendees is finalized. Cost includes flight, event ticket, hotel, and rides All attendees will fly to Atlanta together and stay in a hotel near the conference arena. Register by May 28th, 2024.

From its start in 1995, the Passion movement has a singular mission—calling students and leaders from campuses across the nation and cities around the world to live for what matters most. For us, what matters most is the name and renown of Jesus. We believe in this generation and are watching God use them to change the climate of faith around the globe.

This wave is growing into a global awakening living for the name of Jesus. Join the movement.

 

Passion Conference Application

If you are 100% in please confirm by May 28th to guarantee a spot.

 

(tickets open May 29th, we feel it may sell out quickly)

 

If you are interested but not confirmed, sign up on the waiting list and we will attempt to purchase another round of tickets if tickets are still available later down the road. 

 

Please email/call Ben Youtkus or James Ciannello to confirm your spot. 

Choose Joy April 16 – June 25

A Study in Philippians: April 16 – June 25

A Joy that Endures

Philippians is a book about an enduring Christ-centered joy in all things. It’s about Christian unity through the path of Christian humility. It’s also about standing firm in the face of persecution and rejoicing in all circumstances. As background, Philippi was a Roman colony known for its affluence and patriotism. It was named after Philip of Macadon, father of Alexander the Great. Its citizens were citizens of Rome, dressed like Romans and spoke Latin. They prided themselves on this affiliation.

 

The church at Philippi was the first ancient Jesus community that the apostle Paul started in Europe (in Acts 16). Fast forward a few years later, and Paul was put in prison, this church sent him a gift and he intended to thank them. In so doing, he was able to, with proper perspective, see his trial as fitting into the sovereign plan of God which resulted in the expansion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For Paul, his life was defined by the story of Jesus, his humiliation which preceded his exaltation. Therefore, whether Paul went on living, or whether he was called to die, Paul was also living out the story of Jesus, which involved suffering for the glory of God. This is why the book centers around the beautiful kenosis hymn or poem of Philippians chapter 2 (Phil 2:6-11), and this helps us to see how living as a Christian is a way of living out this pattern which Jesus set before us.

 

Because of our relationship with Christ, and knowing Him, we can have an enduring joy. Knowing Christ is what we want to pursue above all else (Ch 3), this is what offers us joy and the peace that passes understanding, and this is the secret of contentment (Ch 4), no matter our circumstances. Like them, we too, can learn to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Recommended companion reading:

PAINT RAIN too
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PAINT RAIN
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4/16 – Relational Joy Thankfulness & Prayer
4/23 –  Enduring Joy Paul’s imprisonment
4/30 – Citizens of Heaven Whether in life or death
5/7 – Jesus is Lord A call to humble sacrifice 
5/14 – Mother’s Day,
            Working out what God has been working in.
5/21 – A Model of Integrity
5/28 – Letting go of your inner Pharisee
6/4 – Pressing on Pursuing Christ
6/11 – Managing Anxiety God’s way Finding peace
6/18 – Father’s Day
6/25 – Learning Contentment, trusting Gods provision

4/16 – 1 Phil 1:1-11 Relational Joy Thankfulness & Prayer for the Philippians
4/23 – 2 Phil 1:12-26 Enduring Joy Paul’s imprisonment is for the greater good
4/30 – 3 Phil 1:27-2:4 Citizens of Heaven Whether in life or death, Christ is magnified
5/7 – 4 Phil 2:5-11 Jesus is Lord A call to humble sacrifice 
5/14 – 5 Phil 2:12-18 Cooperating with God Working out what God has been working in / conquering complaining Bob And Amanda Mother’s Day
5/21 – 6 Phil 2:19-30 A Model of Integrity Epaphroditis and Timothy
5/28 – 7 Phil 3:1-11 Letting go of your inner Pharisee Rejoicing in the true gospel
6/4 – 8 Phil 3:12-21 Pressing on Pursuing Christ
6/11 – 9 Phil 4:1-10 Managing Anxiety God’s way Finding peace, joy and right thinking
6/18 – 10 bob Father’s Day
6/25 – 10 Phil 4:11-23 Learning Contentment and trusting God’s provision Trusting God’s Provision, thanksgiving, contentment clint

Sermons

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