2.18.21
February 18, 2021
1. Fasting and Prayer For Lent – Lent began on Wednesday, February 17th and is a time of reflection and preparation to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus, and our new life in Christ, at Easter. It’s not too late to join other Northgaters in fasting together, from Feb. 17 – April 4, to as a way of drawing closer to God and each other through this season. If you would like to participate with us in this ancient spiritual practice by abstaining from food for one day (or part of a day) each week, or from a particular food or activity for a day (or part), please email me (vern@northgatefmc.com) or Pastor Marsha (marsha@northgatefmc.com).
Also let one of us know if you’d like to receive a link to a daily video prayer throughout Lent. These prayers will be led by Superintendent Pam Braman and the Field Superintendents working with her. They will be between 3-5 minutes in length and will cover a variety of topics.
2. Arbor House Reopens for In-Person Services – This Sunday Arbor House has returned to in-person worship services. The service begins at 10am and meets at our South Campus building at 350 Bank St. in Batavia. Arbor House offers a liturgical style worship service and all are welcome!
3. Pastor Daniel’s New Thursday Night Opportunity – Pastor Daniel is starting a new group for Middle and High School students. The group will meet virtually on Thursday nights at 7pm using Right Now Media. For more information contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
Also Remember – Base is meeting on Wednesday nights. There’s open gym at 5pm and the meeting starts at 6pm. Ember (for young adults) meets on Wednesday morning at 9:15 at Pub Coffee.
Beginning on February 15 there will be an evening meeting (7pm) at South Campus and this group will be reading 8 classic books by C.S. Lewis. This will be open to everybody and you can sign up for it on our website: northgatefmc.com. From the home page go to “connect” – “groups” – “learn more” and click on the green “Lewis” icon next to “Unique groups”. For more information on any of this contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
4. Virtual Connection Cards – If you’re new to Northgate, attending either online or in person, we’d love to have you fill out a virtual connection card. You can find it in our Northgate App – click on “Connect Card. If you don’t see it, you may need to update the App – we’ve recently made some changes to it. Thank you!
5. How Can We Pray For You? – The Northgate staff loves to pray for you – it’s an honor and a privilege. We also have a Care Team that regularly prays for many people in our congregation. Please help us know how we can pray by submitting your requests to one of the pastors, or through the Northgate APP, or by emailing (prayer@northgatefmc.com) or texting (585-204-0645). Thank you!
6. Soul Pain Revealed – The focus of Soul Pain Revealed, a book by Christian psychologist Dr. Julie Caton, is on “bridging the mental health landscape with the faith-based landscape” with the intention of helping people improve their mental health and lessen their suffering. This past year a lot of us have found ourselves feeling more anxiety and depression and have had to deal with significant losses. I am interested in knowing who might like to participate in an 8-week group where we’ll seek God’s help and guidance to improve our mental health and our souls. If you’re interested, let me know and if we get enough we’ll figure out when/how to meet. Contact me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
7. Financial Peace University Classes Coming – New FPU groups will be starting soon. An online group will begin on Sunday, February 28 at 6pm and an in-person group begins on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30. You can get more information and sign up for either of these from our website, northgatefmc.com. Go to “connect” – “groups” – “learn more” and click on the Financial Peace icon.
8. Prayer-Walk Opportunities Coming Up – Looking forward to warmer weather and more time together, we will be starting several Northgate Prayer-Walk Groups the week following Easter (April 4). These groups will meet once a week to walk and pray together. We hope to be able to offer groups in a variety of places and neighborhoods. If you’d be interested in joining a prayer-walk group please let Pastor Marsha know by emailing her at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
9. Prayer-Walk Group Leaders Needed! – In order to offer as many groups as possible in as many locations as possible (see #7 above) we need leaders! The concept is simple: To lead a prayer-walk group, set a starting time and place near where you live; let friends and neighbors know; then go for your walk. We suggest a 30-45-minute walk, once per week, for 6-8 weeks. Gather prayer requests ahead of time and/or on-the-spot. Group members can pray aloud or silently as you walk. Also allow time for fellowship and discussion. Sound refreshing? It is! To the body, mind and spirit. If you are willing to lead a prayer-walk group where you live, Northgate would like to give you a complimentary copy of the book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul by Mark Buchanan. Use the book as the basis for discussion and/or inspiration with your group. You can do this! If you’re interested in giving it a go, please contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com to lead this simple and profound spiritual practice.
Right now we have prayer-walk leaders for Attica, Batavia, Northgate Prayer Walk, Mount Albion Cemetery, Strong Memorial Hospital and Cedar Street Park in Batavia.
We are looking for leaders for LeRoy, Batavia City Hall area, Oakfield, Elba, Bergen, Churchville, Corfu, Medina, or where you live!
10. Check Out the Northgate Kids Page on YouTube – Don’t forget to see what our Children’s Team is putting up on YouTube on the Northgate Kids page. You can find it here: Northgate Kids.
You Can Count on This – Acts 8:35 – Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. – (Read Acts 8:26-40)
One application comes right to mind when I read this passage, and especially this verse. And that is, when it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus with others, it’s usually a great idea to start where they are. Philip had spent a little time with this man from Ethiopia and knew he was interested in knowing more about God. So, when he was asked a question, he took advantage of that to lead to a sharing of the gospel.
The idea of telling others about Jesus can make many people feel shy and uncertain. And opportunities don’t always come “gift-wrapped” as this one seemed to. But from this scripture we can be encouraged to do this: pay attention for the chance and listen for openings! Start where people are. Are they feeling confused about the world? A focus on Jesus can help us get things straightened out. Are people scared? Jesus offers the peace that passes understanding. Are they experiencing family or relationship problems? Jesus teaches us how to respond to those and is always ready to hear our prayers. Do you know anyone who is wondering if this is all there is? Jesus assures us it is not; there is something better to come!
Does this sound too simple? Maybe. I know life is complicated and can be confusing and tragic and painful. But I truly believe Jesus is the answer to the problems and difficulties and questions we face. As we learn to lean on him more, and listen to him better, we’ll know that at deeper and deeper levels. And then we’ll be ready to help others discover the love, peace and joy of knowing Jesus too.
When you’re not sure what you can count on in the world around you, know this: You can count on God keeping his word. So read what God has to say in scripture! And count on it.
1. Fasting and Prayer For Lent – Lent began on Wednesday, February 17th and is a time of reflection and preparation to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus, and our new life in Christ, at Easter. It’s not too late to join other Northgaters in fasting together, from Feb. 17 – April 4, to as a way of drawing closer to God and each other through this season. If you would like to participate with us in this ancient spiritual practice by abstaining from food for one day (or part of a day) each week, or from a particular food or activity for a day (or part), please email me (vern@northgatefmc.com) or Pastor Marsha (marsha@northgatefmc.com).
Also let one of us know if you’d like to receive a link to a daily video prayer throughout Lent. These prayers will be led by Superintendent Pam Braman and the Field Superintendents working with her. They will be between 3-5 minutes in length and will cover a variety of topics.
2. Arbor House Reopens for In-Person Services – This Sunday Arbor House has returned to in-person worship services. The service begins at 10am and meets at our South Campus building at 350 Bank St. in Batavia. Arbor House offers a liturgical style worship service and all are welcome!
3. Pastor Daniel’s New Thursday Night Opportunity – Pastor Daniel is starting a new group for Middle and High School students. The group will meet virtually on Thursday nights at 7pm using Right Now Media. For more information contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
Also Remember – Base is meeting on Wednesday nights. There’s open gym at 5pm and the meeting starts at 6pm. Ember (for young adults) meets on Wednesday morning at 9:15 at Pub Coffee.
Beginning on February 15 there will be an evening meeting (7pm) at South Campus and this group will be reading 8 classic books by C.S. Lewis. This will be open to everybody and you can sign up for it on our website: northgatefmc.com. From the home page go to “connect” – “groups” – “learn more” and click on the green “Lewis” icon next to “Unique groups”. For more information on any of this contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
4. Virtual Connection Cards – If you’re new to Northgate, attending either online or in person, we’d love to have you fill out a virtual connection card. You can find it in our Northgate App – click on “Connect Card. If you don’t see it, you may need to update the App – we’ve recently made some changes to it. Thank you!
5. How Can We Pray For You? – The Northgate staff loves to pray for you – it’s an honor and a privilege. We also have a Care Team that regularly prays for many people in our congregation. Please help us know how we can pray by submitting your requests to one of the pastors, or through the Northgate APP, or by emailing (prayer@northgatefmc.com) or texting (585-204-0645). Thank you!
6. Soul Pain Revealed – The focus of Soul Pain Revealed, a book by Christian psychologist Dr. Julie Caton, is on “bridging the mental health landscape with the faith-based landscape” with the intention of helping people improve their mental health and lessen their suffering. This past year a lot of us have found ourselves feeling more anxiety and depression and have had to deal with significant losses. I am interested in knowing who might like to participate in an 8-week group where we’ll seek God’s help and guidance to improve our mental health and our souls. If you’re interested, let me know and if we get enough we’ll figure out when/how to meet. Contact me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
7. Financial Peace University Classes Coming – New FPU groups will be starting soon. An online group will begin on Sunday, February 28 at 6pm and an in-person group begins on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30. You can get more information and sign up for either of these from our website, northgatefmc.com. Go to “connect” – “groups” – “learn more” and click on the Financial Peace icon.
8. Prayer-Walk Opportunities Coming Up – Looking forward to warmer weather and more time together, we will be starting several Northgate Prayer-Walk Groups the week following Easter (April 4). These groups will meet once a week to walk and pray together. We hope to be able to offer groups in a variety of places and neighborhoods. If you’d be interested in joining a prayer-walk group please let Pastor Marsha know by emailing her at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
9. Prayer-Walk Group Leaders Needed! – In order to offer as many groups as possible in as many locations as possible (see #7 above) we need leaders! The concept is simple: To lead a prayer-walk group, set a starting time and place near where you live; let friends and neighbors know; then go for your walk. We suggest a 30-45-minute walk, once per week, for 6-8 weeks. Gather prayer requests ahead of time and/or on-the-spot. Group members can pray aloud or silently as you walk. Also allow time for fellowship and discussion. Sound refreshing? It is! To the body, mind and spirit. If you are willing to lead a prayer-walk group where you live, Northgate would like to give you a complimentary copy of the book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul by Mark Buchanan. Use the book as the basis for discussion and/or inspiration with your group. You can do this! If you’re interested in giving it a go, please contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com to lead this simple and profound spiritual practice.
Right now we have prayer-walk leaders for Attica, Batavia, Northgate Prayer Walk, Mount Albion Cemetery, Strong Memorial Hospital and Cedar Street Park in Batavia.
We are looking for leaders for LeRoy, Batavia City Hall area, Oakfield, Elba, Bergen, Churchville, Corfu, Medina, or where you live!
10. Check Out the Northgate Kids Page on YouTube – Don’t forget to see what our Children’s Team is putting up on YouTube on the Northgate Kids page. You can find it here: Northgate Kids.
You Can Count on This – Acts 8:35 – Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. – (Read Acts 8:26-40)
One application comes right to mind when I read this passage, and especially this verse. And that is, when it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus with others, it’s usually a great idea to start where they are. Philip had spent a little time with this man from Ethiopia and knew he was interested in knowing more about God. So, when he was asked a question, he took advantage of that to lead to a sharing of the gospel.
The idea of telling others about Jesus can make many people feel shy and uncertain. And opportunities don’t always come “gift-wrapped” as this one seemed to. But from this scripture we can be encouraged to do this: pay attention for the chance and listen for openings! Start where people are. Are they feeling confused about the world? A focus on Jesus can help us get things straightened out. Are people scared? Jesus offers the peace that passes understanding. Are they experiencing family or relationship problems? Jesus teaches us how to respond to those and is always ready to hear our prayers. Do you know anyone who is wondering if this is all there is? Jesus assures us it is not; there is something better to come!
Does this sound too simple? Maybe. I know life is complicated and can be confusing and tragic and painful. But I truly believe Jesus is the answer to the problems and difficulties and questions we face. As we learn to lean on him more, and listen to him better, we’ll know that at deeper and deeper levels. And then we’ll be ready to help others discover the love, peace and joy of knowing Jesus too.
When you’re not sure what you can count on in the world around you, know this: You can count on God keeping his word. So read what God has to say in scripture! And count on it.
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1 Comment
I would like a daily video devotion throughout lent.
Thank you,
Shari