Pastor Vern's Top Ten
1. Missions Team Meeting This Sunday – The Northgate Missions Team gets together to talk about local and global missions, and Northgate’s role in both. Our next meeting will be Sunday, July 25 after the 11am service. We meet for an hour or so, and anyone with a heart for missions in the local community or around the world is welcome to join us. We meet in Room 2/3.
2. Mission Cruise – Here’s a great opportunity to get away from things, learn about what God is doing in Europe, and take a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea all at once. Free Methodist World Missions is offering this cruise which leaves from Spain on October 24 and travels to Italy before returning to Spain. One of our FM Bishops, Keith Cowart will be on board along with other mission leaders to share about the work of the FM Church in Europe. For more information on this cruise you can go to https://encountereurope.blogspot.com
3. Small Group Leaders – Do you want to help others to form relationships in the church and grow in their relationship with Jesus? That’s the role of a small group leader! We have some openings for small groups this Fall on Sunday morning and Pastor Marsha would love to talk with you if you are interested in serving in this way. She can help you get equipped and find materials so that you feel ready. Please contact her at marsha@northgatefmc.com if you are interested in learning more.
4. Youth Pickleball League – Pastor Daniel has started a free youth pickleball league this summer for both middle school and high school students. Pickleball will be played weekly on Thursdays at 1pm at Northgate’s South Campus (350 Bank Street Road, Batavia). There is no cost, and no equipment or knowledge of the game is required to attend. All that is needed is the ambition to have a great time while learning an awesome game! Bring a friend and learn to “dink,” “stay out of the kitchen” and, hopefully, don’t get “pickled!” For more information, contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
5. “Centered” – Time for Worship and Prayer – The next “Centered” evening will be on Sunday August 1 at 6pm. We spend an hour or so singing worship songs and praying for all kinds of needs and offering praise to God. All are welcome! Join us in the North Campus sanctuary.
6. GriefShare – This is a support group for those who’ve experienced the death of a loved one. It’s a Christ-based program that offers a place to talk as well as information on what normal grief is like and how God can help us in the midst of grieving. Pastor John Chadwick has led our GriefShare program for many years, and it is offered at no cost to anyone who could benefit from it, whether or not they attend Northgate. For more information, contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
7. Café Help – “When will the café be opened again?” People have been asking and here’s the answer: the Northgate café will re-open the first weekend in September. We’re using the time between now and then to do some enhancements to the café and make things a little nicer. We are also using this time to find some folks who would like to be café leaders! If you are looking for a way to serve others and get to know a lot more people at Northgate contact anthony@northgatefmc.com. He’d love to chat!
8. EMT Class – We have the opportunity to offer one person a free spot in a comprehensive EMT training class. The class will meet at our South Campus and it begins in September. This is a great opportunity for someone who would like to become an EMT, but there is only one spot available, so if you are interested please contact Allison soon at allison@northgatefmc.com.
9. Habitat Day – If you like to swing a hammer or are interested in learning how to swing a hammer, maybe you’d like to be part of a Northgate Habitat for Humanity build day. Pastor Chris is planning one for Saturday August 21. We are limited to 8-10 people, so please let him know soon if you are interested. If there is an abundance of interest we may be able to schedule another one too. You can contact Chris at chris@northgatefmc.com.
10. Volunteer Help Needed – As we approach our launch day in September we are looking for some volunteer help! We want to be ready to welcome people well, returning attenders and new guests and visitors too. To that end we need people to…
You Can Count on This – Acts 23:1 – Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (Read Acts 23:1-22)
This is one of those verses that I read and I think, “Lord, I hope and pray that one day I will be able to say this about myself. Help me to do so.” Paul was not shy about sharing the gospel, and he wasn’t shy about acknowledging that he was faithful in doing so. Later on in 2 Timothy 4:7, as he approaches the end of his life, he says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul is able to hold his head high, knowing that he had done what Jesus had asked him to do.
That’s not to say that Paul was arrogant. I’m reminded that in 1 Timothy 1:15 he said this: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” Paul knew how much he needed the forgiveness and grace and love and mercy of God. He could take an honest look at himself and confess he was a sinner. But he could also say honestly that he was faithfully serving Jesus.
I also can confess that I am a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness, grace, love, and mercy. And I am grateful that through Jesus Christ all of that is mine. I also hope and pray that when I near the end of my time on earth I will be able to say, with Paul, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” God being my Helper.
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.
2. Mission Cruise – Here’s a great opportunity to get away from things, learn about what God is doing in Europe, and take a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea all at once. Free Methodist World Missions is offering this cruise which leaves from Spain on October 24 and travels to Italy before returning to Spain. One of our FM Bishops, Keith Cowart will be on board along with other mission leaders to share about the work of the FM Church in Europe. For more information on this cruise you can go to https://encountereurope.blogspot.com
3. Small Group Leaders – Do you want to help others to form relationships in the church and grow in their relationship with Jesus? That’s the role of a small group leader! We have some openings for small groups this Fall on Sunday morning and Pastor Marsha would love to talk with you if you are interested in serving in this way. She can help you get equipped and find materials so that you feel ready. Please contact her at marsha@northgatefmc.com if you are interested in learning more.
4. Youth Pickleball League – Pastor Daniel has started a free youth pickleball league this summer for both middle school and high school students. Pickleball will be played weekly on Thursdays at 1pm at Northgate’s South Campus (350 Bank Street Road, Batavia). There is no cost, and no equipment or knowledge of the game is required to attend. All that is needed is the ambition to have a great time while learning an awesome game! Bring a friend and learn to “dink,” “stay out of the kitchen” and, hopefully, don’t get “pickled!” For more information, contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com.
5. “Centered” – Time for Worship and Prayer – The next “Centered” evening will be on Sunday August 1 at 6pm. We spend an hour or so singing worship songs and praying for all kinds of needs and offering praise to God. All are welcome! Join us in the North Campus sanctuary.
6. GriefShare – This is a support group for those who’ve experienced the death of a loved one. It’s a Christ-based program that offers a place to talk as well as information on what normal grief is like and how God can help us in the midst of grieving. Pastor John Chadwick has led our GriefShare program for many years, and it is offered at no cost to anyone who could benefit from it, whether or not they attend Northgate. For more information, contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
7. Café Help – “When will the café be opened again?” People have been asking and here’s the answer: the Northgate café will re-open the first weekend in September. We’re using the time between now and then to do some enhancements to the café and make things a little nicer. We are also using this time to find some folks who would like to be café leaders! If you are looking for a way to serve others and get to know a lot more people at Northgate contact anthony@northgatefmc.com. He’d love to chat!
8. EMT Class – We have the opportunity to offer one person a free spot in a comprehensive EMT training class. The class will meet at our South Campus and it begins in September. This is a great opportunity for someone who would like to become an EMT, but there is only one spot available, so if you are interested please contact Allison soon at allison@northgatefmc.com.
9. Habitat Day – If you like to swing a hammer or are interested in learning how to swing a hammer, maybe you’d like to be part of a Northgate Habitat for Humanity build day. Pastor Chris is planning one for Saturday August 21. We are limited to 8-10 people, so please let him know soon if you are interested. If there is an abundance of interest we may be able to schedule another one too. You can contact Chris at chris@northgatefmc.com.
10. Volunteer Help Needed – As we approach our launch day in September we are looking for some volunteer help! We want to be ready to welcome people well, returning attenders and new guests and visitors too. To that end we need people to…
•Help Rene and George direct traffic in our parking lot
•Greet at the front doors
•Staff the Information and Volunteer check-in desks
If you are interested in any of these positions, please let Pastor John know at john@northgatefmc.com, and please receive our heart-felt thanks!You Can Count on This – Acts 23:1 – Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (Read Acts 23:1-22)
This is one of those verses that I read and I think, “Lord, I hope and pray that one day I will be able to say this about myself. Help me to do so.” Paul was not shy about sharing the gospel, and he wasn’t shy about acknowledging that he was faithful in doing so. Later on in 2 Timothy 4:7, as he approaches the end of his life, he says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul is able to hold his head high, knowing that he had done what Jesus had asked him to do.
That’s not to say that Paul was arrogant. I’m reminded that in 1 Timothy 1:15 he said this: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” Paul knew how much he needed the forgiveness and grace and love and mercy of God. He could take an honest look at himself and confess he was a sinner. But he could also say honestly that he was faithfully serving Jesus.
I also can confess that I am a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness, grace, love, and mercy. And I am grateful that through Jesus Christ all of that is mine. I also hope and pray that when I near the end of my time on earth I will be able to say, with Paul, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” God being my Helper.
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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