Sweet Home 2024:

"God Is Doing A New Thing!"

Isaiah 43:18-19

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

From the Pastor:

Happy New Year! I thank God for His compassions that fail not, but are new every morning. The Lord has brought us to a new year, providing us a fresh start, a clean slate, and another chance to get it right. I am excited about the new territories that we will explore in the coming year. Instead of seeing obstacles, let's opportunities. Instead of challenges, let's see chances!

Sweet Home, our focus this year is to be a Fresh Expression of the church. In this season, God is doing a new thing and I'm grateful that He has allowed us to be a part of it. Let us maximize the opportunity that He has placed before us so that we might be found faithful.



Please know that if you have any ideas or submissions, you can send them to us at info@sweethomembcgary.org.

Walking in His Newness,

Rev. Marlon C. Mack, Sr., Senior Pastor

Church-At-Study: Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

(in-person only)

Word On Wednesdays: Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 p.m.

(virtual through our website, FB Digital Campus & church Facebook page)

Every Sunday - Tithes & Offerings

• Cash App - $sweethomembcgaryin
• Givelify - Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church

1st Sundays - Benevolent Offering

• Cash App - $sweethomembcgaryin
• Givelify - Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church

1st Sundays - Pastor's Love Offering

• Cash App - $revmcmacksr
• Cash App - $sweethomembcgaryin

Gideon's Gift Blessing - through Givelify/Cash App/Check

• Adults: $12/month
• Young Adults: $8/month
• Youth: $4/month

**You are always welcome to send a donation by check made out to Sweet Home MBC to:

Sweet Home MBC

3634 West 11th Avenue

Gary, IN 46404

Sweet Home Community News - January 2024

Upcoming Events

*Baptist Ministers Conference 12-Night Revival

Date: January 1st - 12th, 2024

Time: 7pm nightly

*Revival at King's Highway Deliverance Church, 500 E. Ridge Road, Gary

Date: January 2nd, 2024

Time: 7pm

12-Night Revival @ Sweet Home MBC

Date: January 4th, 2024

Time: 7pm

*Sweet Home Corporate Prayer

Date: Sunday, January 7th, 2024

Time: 10:30am (in-person)

*Discipleship Orientation

Date: Tuesday, January 16th, 2024

Time: 6:30pm

*Fresh Expressions - Holy Smoke @ Elements Cigar Lounge, 8349 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN

Date: Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Time: 7:30pm

*Outreach Project with Israel CME Church

Date: Saturday, January 20th, 2024

Time: TBA

*Christian Education Annual Day

Date: Sunday, January 21st, 2024

Time: 11am

*Tuesday Night Talks

Date: Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024

Time: 6:30pm

*Fresh Expressions - Holy Smoke @ Elements Cigar Lounge, 8349 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN

Date: Thursday, January 25th, 2024

Time: 7:30pm

*Fresh Expressions - Brothers @ Breakfast at Jedi's Garden Restaurant, Cline Ave. and Ridge Rd., Griffith, IN

Date: Saturday, January 27th, 2024

Time: 9am

*Minister's Meeting

Date: Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

Time: 6:30pm

S.A.S.S.Y. Women's Ministry meets every 3rd Saturday of the month.

*Happy Birthday to all of our January birthday members!

Member Spotlight:

Pastor Marlon C. Mack, Sr.

The Member Spotlight for the month of January is our very own pastor, Reverend Marlon C. Mack, Sr.!

Not only is this his birthday month, but our pastor is launching a "Fresh Expression" of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in January as well! It is befitting that we highlight him to start 2024 off in a great way!

Our pastor is no stranger to hard work and getting in the trenches with the members of Sweet Home to help get the work done! One of his favorite sayings is, "I'm not going to ask anyone to do something that I am not willing to do or have not already done myself." And that saying speaks to why Isaiah 40:28-31 is his favorite scripture. He stated, "it's my favorite because it is a reminder that no matter what I face, God's power allows me to face it victoriously."

Pastor Mack is an advocate and ardent supporter of the family unit. He is a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew, and friend. To enhance and expand his biblical stewardship, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University and is currently working on a Master of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. And as he puts it, "if I'm in school, y'all are going and learning right along with me!" His desire for everyone to grow in their study of God's Word is an extension of his most important deed - answering God's call to salvation as well as the Lord's call to service on his life. When storms arise in Pastor Mack's life, his statement of response is this: "What keeps me going is the assurance that the same God that SAW me through is the same God that will SEE me through." What a powerful declaration to make!

As the interview drew to a close, our pastor wanted to leave us with another life-giving expression of who God is:

"I'd like everyone to know that while our God is the same, He is a God who makes all things new. He gives us new life, new opportunities, new experiences, and new mercies. I know it may seem like you're dealing with the same old same old, and it may feel like things aren't gonna change, but know this, God is doing a NEW THING! Stand strong, stay the course and walk into the newness that God has ordained for you!"

May the Lord continue to bless your visionary leadership for the days ahead, Pastor Mack!

Ministry Highlight

This month's Ministry Highlight is Church-At-Study. The year 2024 brings this ministry back to Sunday mornings at 9:30am. As an integral part of the Christian Education Ministry of Sweet Home, every member has an opportunity to come and learn. Led by our Superintendent, Sis. Gail Mangum, we seek to enlighten, equip, and empower our congregation to be all that the Lord desires so that we might fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives.

"New Year, Same God"

It’s time for a new year. While self-improvement is great, the new year does not automatically mean it is time to try and quickly evolve into a new person, or to change everything in your life. It does mean that you have been blessed with more time. What you do with that time should be directed by God. Not people, not popular trends, not the pressure of a ticking clock, just God. Though there is nothing wrong with trying new things, every year doesn’t HAVE to start with a drastic new diet, or a sudden change of location. It can start with just gratitude and reflection. Thank God for the things you made it through in the prior year. Ask for strength for any upcoming challenges. Accept that you don’t know the future, and pray for insight on how to handle what is to come. Whether you’re feeling nervous and unsure, or excited and optimistic about the new year, just remember that the year on the calendar will change, but the God we serve will not. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.“ Take comfort in the fact that He is who He has always been, and who He always will be.

Sis. Alicia Allen

Christian Education Corner

We will be resuming our Church-At-Study on Sunday mornings at 9:30am beginning in January 2024!

To kick off the next phase of Strategic Discipleship - Phase II, we will have a Commitment Breakfast on Sunday, January 7th, 2024 at 8:30am in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

Also, our Christian Education department will be acknowledging Perfect Attendance and Active Participation with monthly appreciation incentives.

Praise God for the growth and commitment of studying His Word!

See you there!