Top Ten - February 17
1. Support the YWCA Domestic Violence Program – Pastor Chris has arranged for us to help support the YWCA DV program. Throughout Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 2, we will be collecting new linens for them to use at their safe house. They are in need of sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths. They are also accepting donations of detergent. Items will be collected at both North and South. Thank you for helping with this local mission project.
2. Gahanda Sanctuary Update – We are excited to announce that all the funds needed to build a new sanctuary for our Free Methodist Church in Gahanda, Rwanda have been secured and the money has been forwarded through International Child Care Ministries! This means work on that sanctuary can begin! It won’t be long before that congregation will be worshiping in new, larger space, which they need due to the growth of the church there. Thank you so much for your generous giving to this project, and if you are interested in going to Rwanda for the dedication of that building when it’s completed, let me know!
3. Kids Takeover Weekend – Congratulations and kudos to our entire Children’s Ministry Team and the Kids of Northgate! This past weekend’s “Kid’s Takeover” was amazing! You were all wonderful at hosting, reading scripture, singing with motions, praying – all of it. Leah was equally great with the teaching, the videos were fun and all-in-all it was a terrific weekend. We look forward to the next Kid’s Takeover weekend!
4. Grief Share – A new Grief Share group has begun, but it’s not too late to join. The group meets on Tuesdays and runs from 6-8:30 at 34 Williams Street in Batavia. Contact John Chadwick at 585-297-3009 or Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com for more information.
5. Divorce Care – Also, a new Divorce Care group is forming. It will be held on Saturdays beginning March 5, from 6-7:30. The group meets in Room #1 at our North Campus. If you are interested and need more information you can contact John Chadwick at 585-297-3009 or Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com.
6. Carol McLeod Conference – We’re excited to announce that Carol McLeod will be joining us for a weekend this Fall (October 14/15). Carol will lead a women’s conference called “Authentic Faith: Embracing Genuine Faith When Life is Upside Down.” Carol is a well-known and much-loved Bible teacher, and we know this will be a blessing. This will be a wonderful event to which you can invite a friend! More details will be coming in the next few months.
7. Things Coming Up – There are a number of things in the works that I’d like to make you aware of. These include… a night of worship/sharing on mission work in Hungary with Gerry McNamara on March 10; construction of our playground will be underway soon; a women’s night out with Jennie Allen (founder of “IF:Gathering”) on March 25; also a separate women’s night out with Carol McLeod on the same date; a Kids Summer Camp is being planned for July. There are some other things coming as well (Frisbee Golf; a “Big Event”; etc.) and details on all of this will be shared as we get closer to the events.
8. Parenting Adult Children – Debbie Vick is facilitating a second rendition of the small group for parents based on the book Doing Life with Your Adult Children by Jim Burns. People who participated in this the first time found it really helpful. If you’d like to be part of this one, the group meets in Room 2/3 from 8:30-9:30am on Sundays.
9. Women’s group/Men’s group – If you are looking to meet other people and learn and grow together, we have a women’s group and a men’s group meeting on Wednesday nights at 7.
The Women’s group (Women's Journey) just started a new study called "Starting Point: A Conversation About Faith" by Andy Stanley. Beth Beale will facilitate. Women of all ages and stages of faith and life are encouraged to join us at North Campus on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30pm. Contact Pastor Marsha for information about this small group – and others, including the one you feel led to start: marsha@northgatefmc.com
The Men’s group is planning a special event on February 19th – a men's breakfast at Cartwrights Maple Tree Inn near Angelica NY. Meet at Northgate/North at 7:45am and carpool at 8:00am from there. Mike (the group leader) is looking into getting a 12-passenger van for that day.
10. Care Team – Would you like to be part of a group that ministers to people through prayer and meeting practical needs? This really terrific group of people make sure that every prayer request that comes in is prayed over, cards are sent out to people who can’t get out or who need encouragement and practical needs are addressed whenever possible. If you’d like to be a part of this vital ministry please contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
To learn more about these opportunities, or to suggest an idea for a group or a gathering, or to inquire about reserving space at the church or the pavilion you can always email the office (office@northgatefmc.com) or call 343-4011. You can check out our website too (northgatefmc.com).
**************************************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Romans 8:14-15 – “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Read Romans 8:1-17)
Chapter 8 of Romans is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible! One of many favorites but Romans 8 ranks right up there. As I look at my Bible, I see numerous verses I’ve highlighted from that chapter which I could have shared here. I could have highlighted the very first verse… “no condemnation” or verse 2 (“set you free”) or others.
But I chose verses 14 and 15 because they speak to something I’ve become increasingly concerned about: living in fear. There’s plenty of things in our world to be concerned about, and some things to be frightened of, but I think we need to be careful not to fall into a pattern or habit of living in fear. God doesn’t want us to be live in fear, but in trust of who He is and what He’s done for us. The Spirit sets us free from fear and invites us to be confident in God’s care for us. If we are in Christ, we are God’s children! We are heirs! We look forward to an incredible day when we will inherit all of the promises of God! Yes, verse 17 says we may have to share in the sufferings of Jesus, and that’s not really a comforting thought. But it also says that’s not the last word. The last word is that we will also share in the glory of Jesus! Imagine!
So let’s seek to live with less fear. As my email tag as read for some time… "My main job is to live in deep contentment, joy and confidence in my everyday relationship with God." - Dallas Willard.
Let’s aim for that!
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. Gahanda Sanctuary Update – We are excited to announce that all the funds needed to build a new sanctuary for our Free Methodist Church in Gahanda, Rwanda have been secured and the money has been forwarded through International Child Care Ministries! This means work on that sanctuary can begin! It won’t be long before that congregation will be worshiping in new, larger space, which they need due to the growth of the church there. Thank you so much for your generous giving to this project, and if you are interested in going to Rwanda for the dedication of that building when it’s completed, let me know!
3. Kids Takeover Weekend – Congratulations and kudos to our entire Children’s Ministry Team and the Kids of Northgate! This past weekend’s “Kid’s Takeover” was amazing! You were all wonderful at hosting, reading scripture, singing with motions, praying – all of it. Leah was equally great with the teaching, the videos were fun and all-in-all it was a terrific weekend. We look forward to the next Kid’s Takeover weekend!
4. Grief Share – A new Grief Share group has begun, but it’s not too late to join. The group meets on Tuesdays and runs from 6-8:30 at 34 Williams Street in Batavia. Contact John Chadwick at 585-297-3009 or Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com for more information.
5. Divorce Care – Also, a new Divorce Care group is forming. It will be held on Saturdays beginning March 5, from 6-7:30. The group meets in Room #1 at our North Campus. If you are interested and need more information you can contact John Chadwick at 585-297-3009 or Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com.
6. Carol McLeod Conference – We’re excited to announce that Carol McLeod will be joining us for a weekend this Fall (October 14/15). Carol will lead a women’s conference called “Authentic Faith: Embracing Genuine Faith When Life is Upside Down.” Carol is a well-known and much-loved Bible teacher, and we know this will be a blessing. This will be a wonderful event to which you can invite a friend! More details will be coming in the next few months.
7. Things Coming Up – There are a number of things in the works that I’d like to make you aware of. These include… a night of worship/sharing on mission work in Hungary with Gerry McNamara on March 10; construction of our playground will be underway soon; a women’s night out with Jennie Allen (founder of “IF:Gathering”) on March 25; also a separate women’s night out with Carol McLeod on the same date; a Kids Summer Camp is being planned for July. There are some other things coming as well (Frisbee Golf; a “Big Event”; etc.) and details on all of this will be shared as we get closer to the events.
8. Parenting Adult Children – Debbie Vick is facilitating a second rendition of the small group for parents based on the book Doing Life with Your Adult Children by Jim Burns. People who participated in this the first time found it really helpful. If you’d like to be part of this one, the group meets in Room 2/3 from 8:30-9:30am on Sundays.
9. Women’s group/Men’s group – If you are looking to meet other people and learn and grow together, we have a women’s group and a men’s group meeting on Wednesday nights at 7.
The Women’s group (Women's Journey) just started a new study called "Starting Point: A Conversation About Faith" by Andy Stanley. Beth Beale will facilitate. Women of all ages and stages of faith and life are encouraged to join us at North Campus on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30pm. Contact Pastor Marsha for information about this small group – and others, including the one you feel led to start: marsha@northgatefmc.com
The Men’s group is planning a special event on February 19th – a men's breakfast at Cartwrights Maple Tree Inn near Angelica NY. Meet at Northgate/North at 7:45am and carpool at 8:00am from there. Mike (the group leader) is looking into getting a 12-passenger van for that day.
10. Care Team – Would you like to be part of a group that ministers to people through prayer and meeting practical needs? This really terrific group of people make sure that every prayer request that comes in is prayed over, cards are sent out to people who can’t get out or who need encouragement and practical needs are addressed whenever possible. If you’d like to be a part of this vital ministry please contact Pastor Marsha at marsha@northgatefmc.com.
To learn more about these opportunities, or to suggest an idea for a group or a gathering, or to inquire about reserving space at the church or the pavilion you can always email the office (office@northgatefmc.com) or call 343-4011. You can check out our website too (northgatefmc.com).
**************************************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Romans 8:14-15 – “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Read Romans 8:1-17)
Chapter 8 of Romans is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible! One of many favorites but Romans 8 ranks right up there. As I look at my Bible, I see numerous verses I’ve highlighted from that chapter which I could have shared here. I could have highlighted the very first verse… “no condemnation” or verse 2 (“set you free”) or others.
But I chose verses 14 and 15 because they speak to something I’ve become increasingly concerned about: living in fear. There’s plenty of things in our world to be concerned about, and some things to be frightened of, but I think we need to be careful not to fall into a pattern or habit of living in fear. God doesn’t want us to be live in fear, but in trust of who He is and what He’s done for us. The Spirit sets us free from fear and invites us to be confident in God’s care for us. If we are in Christ, we are God’s children! We are heirs! We look forward to an incredible day when we will inherit all of the promises of God! Yes, verse 17 says we may have to share in the sufferings of Jesus, and that’s not really a comforting thought. But it also says that’s not the last word. The last word is that we will also share in the glory of Jesus! Imagine!
So let’s seek to live with less fear. As my email tag as read for some time… "My main job is to live in deep contentment, joy and confidence in my everyday relationship with God." - Dallas Willard.
Let’s aim for that!
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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