Top Ten - February 23

If you’d like to help out in some area in the church contact Pastor John at john@northgatefmc.com. If you’re interested in a small group, contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

This is from the Genesis Conference “Midweek Memo” –
Would you commit to fasting and praying with us? Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. It's traditionally a time when Christians around the globe reflect and prepare for Holy Week. Often people will include fasting and prayer in their spiritual rhythms during this season. Might you be willing to fast and pray with us during this Lenten season? Skip a meal each day, or fast from something else (tv, social media, a particular food that you love) and pray instead. I’m asking people to pray for:
  • Revival/awakening on our region, and/or
  • The Genesis ministry in Senegal (both our ministerial candidates who are there, as well as the team from Genesis that will be traveling from March 28 through April 7th to do training and conduct ordination interviews for our 9 candidates)
If you’d like to join this Lenten prayer team and get more information on how to pray, sign up HERE

1. Lenten Collection for the YWCA During the season of Lent we will be collecting items that the YWCA Domestic Violence program needs to serve people that reach out to them. Each week we’ll be asking people to bring different things to North or South and we will deliver them to the YWCA. Here’s the schedule for what’s being collected:

  • 2/25 & 26 – Cleaning supplies
  • 3/4 & 5 – Dishwashing liquid
  • 3/11 & 12 – Hand soap/laundry soap
  • 3/18 & 19 – Paper towels & washcloths
  • 3/25 &26 – Shampoo & Conditioner
  • 4/1 & 2 – Body wash/soap

2. Save the Dates There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.

  • “Centered” – our monthly prayer and worship meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month is next week, March 1 at 6pm
  • A new couple’s group will begin at North on Sunday March 19
  • The “IF” Gathering will be held here (by video) on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22; Registration is available on the Northgate website
  • Kid’s Summer Camp at Northgate will take place from July 17 to July 21  

3. Set Free Meeting This Sunday How can Northgate be part of the effort to deter human trafficking and modern forms of slavery and “live in the direction of freedom" together. Pastor Katrina and Pastor Chris will be leading a Set Free meeting this Sunday at 12:15p.m. in Meeting Room 4, North Campus in order to brainstorm ideas for doing just that. For more information, visit setfreemovement.com and/or email Pastor Katrina at katrina@northgatefmc.com.

4. Northgate Prayer & Care Team Help Wanted! – Are you interested in taking another step in your walk with Christ here at Northgate. We are looking for individuals who love the Lord and want to serve others through prayer, sending cards, calling people, making visits, or making meals for someone in need. You do not have to do all of these, but whatever you feel you’d like to do. Also, we are looking for someone to be a support to the care team leader. If you love God, love people and want to serve, we would love to hear from YOU!  For more information about this, please contact Karen VanWyngaarden at careteam@northgatefmc.com.

The ministry of the Care Team represents the heart of Northgate. Here’s an example of what it means, from a recent recipient of that ministry:

  • I just wanted to take this time to say thank you to you and the whole Care Team.  I felt all the prayers and love. I received so many cards, phone calls, texts and it was wonderful. I am truly blessed to belong to the Care Team with all the amazing people on there and also to belong to such a wonderful church. It's a great family to belong to! Thank you again you are all very much appreciated!! - Carrie

5. Parenting Adult Children Debbie Vick is leading this class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. The first 6 weeks will be video sessions with Chip Ingram and Jim Burns called “Navigating Life with Adult Children.” Then 9 weeks of reviewing each chapter of Jim Burn’s book Doing Life with Your Adult Children (subtitled: Keep your Mouth Shut  & the Welcome Mat Out.)  If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

6. Women’s Base Group A new women’s meeting has just begun at South. This will run during the Teen’s Base time on Wednesday nights at 6pm so it’s perfect for any moms dropping off their children for Base. Even if you don’t have a child attending Base, if you are looking to be part of a new women’s group, consider checking this one out. For more information contact Allison at allison@northgatefmc.com.

7. Young Ladies’ Small Group A new group for young women has begun and meets on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 5:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

8. Pray First! For Lent Angelique is also organizing a church-wide study for Lent based on the book Pray First by Chris Hodges. We’re encouraging as many as possible to consider reading this book individually or as a group. If you’d like to organize a group study Angelique can help you with resources – just let her know at angelique@northgatefmc.com. We’d like to see these groups start by February 26.

9. Listening to the Language of the Bible Rick and Sara Kent are leading a study of some Hebrew words that Jesus would have used, which, by understanding their meaning better will enrich our understanding of the Bible. This will be a fun and informative study and it begins this Sunday at 9:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

10. Help Wanted If you have the gift of hospitality and interest in serving others in a Cafe setting, we are looking for people to be in on the rotation for the Saturday Evening
Cafe.  For more information contact Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com or 585-297-3009.

10a. Help Wanted (Part 2) – If you are looking for a way to serve others in the community, here are a couple of very good opportunities.

  • Crossroads House Crossroads provides comfort care to people who have been given a life-limiting diagnosis. There is a need for more volunteers to provide this loving care to individuals and their families. To learn more about Crossroads House you can go to their website: https://www.crossroadshouse.com

  • CASA CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocates.” Volunteers with CASA advocate for children that have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Training is provided for all volunteers and no specific background or experience is required. To learn more about CASA visit their website at http://www.geneseecountycasa.org

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You Can Count on This – Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Read Ephesians 1:1-23
)

Paul opens his letter to the church at Ephesus by practically singing about all the blessings we have through our relationship with Jesus! He includes these:
•We’ve been chosen to be holy, loved and adopted into God’s family
•We’ve freely received God’s grace and been redeemed – forgiven of our sins
•We’ve been shown how God can unite all people under Christ
•And we’ve received the Holy Spirit and the promise of an eternal inheritance

And then, having meditated on the wonderful things that the Christians of Ephesus have received in Christ, Paul goes on to tell them how thankful he is for them, especially for their faith in Jesus and their love for God’s people. Through our faith in Christ, God is glorified, and we are empowered to serve Him and share His love. This is a wonderful thing, and we get to be part of it because of Jesus. Praise God!

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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