Spotlight

encouragement from eric

Devotional: “A New Season at Maple View”

Hello Maple View Family,

I am very honored and excited to share my first spotlight letter devotional with you as the new lead minister of Maple View Church of Christ. This is a new chapter for not only Maple View, but for my life as well. I believe there is a bright future ahead for us here at Maple View, and how fitting that this change comes as summer begins to roll in.

Our scripture for the devotional today will be Isaiah 43:18-19

The last few months at Maple View have felt a lot like a wilderness season. There have been changes, uncertainty, and moments where it may have been hard to see exactly what God was doing. But Isaiah reminds us that even in the wilderness, God is still at work.

God told His people, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” Sometimes we focus so much on what used to be, or what was, or what happened, that we miss what God is growing right in front of us. The wilderness is not wasted when God is in it. In fact, many times God does His greatest work in seasons that feel dry, difficult, or uncertain.

As Maple View steps into this new season, we can trust that God has been preparing the ground all along. He has been making a way through the desert, and now we are beginning to see new life spring up. New opportunities. New growth. New passion for discipleship and the Gospel.

This is not just a season of change; it is a season of renewal. God is still leading His church, still transforming lives, and still calling His people forward. As a church family, may we not become so focused on the hardships and struggles of the past season that we miss the hope and renewal God is bringing before us today. May we trust Him to heal what has been difficult, strengthen us for the present, and lead us forward together in faith.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being faithful in every season. Thank You for walking with Maple View through the wilderness and for bringing new life and fresh growth. Help us to trust Your direction, embrace this new season, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Use us to reach people, make disciples, and glorify You in all we do. Amen.

Eric Vance

Lead Minister

MV Teens

Hello Maple View Family. 

May seemed to come and go so quickly, but it was definitely a big month for MV Teens. We finished up our Wednesday Night series, “What is a Christian,” and rolled into a new one, “Why does Jesus Matter”.  In between, we had a fun night of food and fellowship, and saw how many rubber bands it took to make a watermelon explode. We found out that rubber bands are sold by weight and not count, and that it took over 2lbs of rubber bands to make a watermelon explode.

We also had our annual “Nerf Wars” with the youth once again taking on the young adults. This year, the young adults were able to gain revenge from last year and pick up a 3-2 victory. It was a great night of fellowship between multiple generations.

Danny and Barbara Hazelwood have been doing an amazing job leading the youth on Sunday Nights. We took the teens to the C/A Youth Rally in May, where Maple View’s own youth band was the worship team for the night and we heard from Jacob McClarney.

The Teens will be helping with VBS set up and taking part in VBS as leaders and participants. For June, the teens and some of the parents will prep the food for Sunday evening VBS.  After VBS, Danny and Barb want to focus on the teens working with the younger group on Sunday evening. As a “Passion Project,” the teens will organize and lead games at the beginning of class and follow up with snacks at the end. The teens will have their Bible study, coffee, and snack prep in between. Elementary will meet separately for their lesson as well.  

Danny and Barb have planned a trip once a month during the summer to CA for a picnic/devotion, including all the youth. They have a great lineup of events for the summer, and for June.

June 7th: Grilling Hot Dogs for VBS

June 14th: CA Picnic/Devotional

June 21st: No PM Service

June 28th: “The Chicken.”

Also this summer will be the return of “The Great Outdoors,” where the teens will learn about and experience God in His creation. This kicks off June 18th at Glennwood Park. 

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our large group of graduates. We have had some great young people pass through MV Teens, and several are graduating this year. Graduation is a bittersweet time for MV Teens. We hate to lose any of the kids from the group, but we are so proud of seeing them grow and go into the future to be world changers. They all take different paths, but as Proverbs 16:9 says, “A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” I know that the world will be a better place with these young people entering it and shaping its future.

In Christ,

Eric Vance, Lead Minister

graduates

MV kids

This month has been a little quieter for our MV Kids, but it was still full of smiles, fellowship, and fun! Several of our children attended the Ladies Tea Party alongside their mothers and grandmothers and enjoyed delicious food, fun games, and a wonderful devotional together.

Outside of that special event, we’ve enjoyed a relaxed month filled with playground fun, a glow party, and exciting lessons during Sunday School and our Wednesday night Level Up class. One huge blessing was that 7 children earned prizes for Bible verse memorization this month! I’m so proud of their efforts and their desire to learn about our Lord and Savior.

We’re thankful for every opportunity to help our kids grow in faith, friendship, and the love of Jesus!

What’s up next for MV Kids? VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! Join us June 7-11th as we journey back in time to Ancient Rome to meet the Apostle Paul and learn what life was like for early Christians.

Rebecca

Featured mission

tea party

Family Sunday

Decisions

Staff

Eric Vance
Lead Minister
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Linda Ferguson
Administrative Assistant
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Adam Maxwell
Media Minister
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Rebecca Sawyers Children’s Minister Email

Elders

Randall Kendall
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Bobby Fox
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Keith Harman
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