Top Ten - April 27
*Please note that there will not be a Top Ten the next two weeks.
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.
1. Church Workday – Wednesday May 3 Mark Logan (our Director of Operations) is hosting a church workday! This is an opportunity to spruce things up in and around our properties. There’s trimming to be done, mulch to spread, closets to clean out, etc. If you’d like to participate, we get started around 9, and you can get more information by contacting Mark at mark@northgatefmc.com.
2. Rummage Sale – The Early Birds Rummage Sale to benefit missions is being held on May 12 and 13. Items can be brought to our South Campus building (350 Bank St.) May 8-10 during the day. And if you’d like to volunteer to help out, please email the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
3. Summit Weekend – The “Summit Weekend” is coming up May 20 and 21. On that weekend we share some of the things God has been doing through our church and also what He is leading us forward to, and we do that as part of our regular worship services. Also, if you are a member of the church, we will be voting that weekend for Administrative Team and Nominating Team members.
4. Day of Caring – As a staff we have participated in the United Way Day of Caring numerous times, but unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that this year, since there’s a scheduling conflict with our Conference’s Annual Meeting that many of us are required to attend. However, if anyone from the congregation wants to organize a team to join the Day of Caring, please let me know and we’ll help make that happen. The Day of Caring is on Thursday, May 11 and you can reach me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
5. Christners Gathering – Katherine and Stephen and their family are moving. We’re going to miss this family at Northgate but are happy for the new opportunities before them. They’d like a chance to say goodbye to people before their move to Milwaukee, and you can do that at a picnic held at our Pavilion at North on Saturday May 13 from 2-4pm.
6. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
7. Grief Share Facebook Group – Patti and John Chadwick are starting a Facebook group for those who are in the beginning stages of grieving. The group will have inspirational messages, links to articles on grief, and a place people who are grieving can connect with each other. It’ll be a public group at the beginning but may become private. For more information you can email John and Patti at patti.chadwick@juno.com or check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/griefandgrace34.
8. Mothers’ Day Photos/Missions Support – We will be offering family photos on May 13 &14 (Mothers’ Day weekend) with all of the proceeds going to provide a new dress to each mother in the community of Gahanda. The dresses will be sewn by a seamstress within the village. Please visit northgatefmc.com to let us know what time you will be available. There are time slots prior to Saturday night service, and before, in between and after Sunday Services. Each family will receive 5 digital prints. This is a free gift, but if you’d like to support the dress project, we suggest a donation of up to $25. For more information please contact the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
9. Midweek Group Will Be Discussing “The Chosen” – On Wednesdays, Robin Woodam’s midweek Bible study is viewing and discussing episodes of “The Chosen.” Please note this is a women’s only group. If you’d like to join them, they meet at 2pm in Room 1 at North. And for more information you can contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. Disc Golf Course – Nice weather is coming and we’re going to be getting outside more! One of the things you can do in our church’s backyard is play a round of disc golf. The nine-hole disc golf course is open and ready to go! If you don’t have discs but want to give it a try, we do have some discs at the office and you’re welcome to borrow them any time the office is open. Have fun!
***********************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Philippians 4:5b-7 – The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Read Philippians 4:1-23)
Something struck me this morning about this passage and it’s really speaking to me. “Do not be anxious about anything…” begins at verse 6 and I have often repeated verses 6 and 7 to myself and others when needing more of the peace that God supplies. But today when I read this passage what was emphasized to me is the phrase that comes before verse 6 – “The Lord is near.” And instead of reading the passage with a pause between verses 5 and 6 I inserted the word “so” in my mind. “The Lord is near, so do not be anxious about anything…”
Because of the verse divisions I’ve always attached that phrase, “The Lord is near” to the first part of verse 5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Read like that it has reminded me that since God is always here with us, I need to be gentle with others. He is watching! Now maybe you read it that way, or maybe God spoke something a little different to you. But today, by reading “The Lord is near, so do not be anxious…” it helped me to remember that I do not have to be anxious because God is near. It’s not that I am supposed to somehow build up my courage when anxious, relying on my own strength. I know I’m not supposed to do that, but I still fall into thinking that way
sometimes. No, what I need to do when I begin to be anxious is to remember that “The Lord is near.”
The Lord is near, so I am not alone in this thing.
The Lord is near, so I can talk to Him right now about the thing that’s on my mind.
The Lord is near, so He can impart His peace to me in this moment.
The Lord is near, so He is able to guard my heart and my mind.
Now, maybe this seems very simple to you, but I just have to say that reading those verses this way today is bringing me a lot of joy and comfort. And maybe it’ll help someone else too, which is why I take the time to share this with you!
Blessings,
Pastor Vern
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.
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.
1. Church Workday – Wednesday May 3 Mark Logan (our Director of Operations) is hosting a church workday! This is an opportunity to spruce things up in and around our properties. There’s trimming to be done, mulch to spread, closets to clean out, etc. If you’d like to participate, we get started around 9, and you can get more information by contacting Mark at mark@northgatefmc.com.
2. Rummage Sale – The Early Birds Rummage Sale to benefit missions is being held on May 12 and 13. Items can be brought to our South Campus building (350 Bank St.) May 8-10 during the day. And if you’d like to volunteer to help out, please email the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
3. Summit Weekend – The “Summit Weekend” is coming up May 20 and 21. On that weekend we share some of the things God has been doing through our church and also what He is leading us forward to, and we do that as part of our regular worship services. Also, if you are a member of the church, we will be voting that weekend for Administrative Team and Nominating Team members.
4. Day of Caring – As a staff we have participated in the United Way Day of Caring numerous times, but unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that this year, since there’s a scheduling conflict with our Conference’s Annual Meeting that many of us are required to attend. However, if anyone from the congregation wants to organize a team to join the Day of Caring, please let me know and we’ll help make that happen. The Day of Caring is on Thursday, May 11 and you can reach me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
5. Christners Gathering – Katherine and Stephen and their family are moving. We’re going to miss this family at Northgate but are happy for the new opportunities before them. They’d like a chance to say goodbye to people before their move to Milwaukee, and you can do that at a picnic held at our Pavilion at North on Saturday May 13 from 2-4pm.
6. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
- Northgate Rummage Sale – May 12-13 (Collections May 8-10)
- Summit Weekend – May 20-21
- A young adults picnic is being planned for May 21 at the Pavilion/North
- Phyllis Sorter – a Free Methodist missionary who survived a kidnapping in Nigeria, will be with us June 21 at 6pm to share about her experience
- Family Life Network Youth Theater Camp – At Northgate June 26-30
- Kid’s Summer Camp at Northgate will take place from July 17 to July 21
7. Grief Share Facebook Group – Patti and John Chadwick are starting a Facebook group for those who are in the beginning stages of grieving. The group will have inspirational messages, links to articles on grief, and a place people who are grieving can connect with each other. It’ll be a public group at the beginning but may become private. For more information you can email John and Patti at patti.chadwick@juno.com or check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/griefandgrace34.
8. Mothers’ Day Photos/Missions Support – We will be offering family photos on May 13 &14 (Mothers’ Day weekend) with all of the proceeds going to provide a new dress to each mother in the community of Gahanda. The dresses will be sewn by a seamstress within the village. Please visit northgatefmc.com to let us know what time you will be available. There are time slots prior to Saturday night service, and before, in between and after Sunday Services. Each family will receive 5 digital prints. This is a free gift, but if you’d like to support the dress project, we suggest a donation of up to $25. For more information please contact the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
9. Midweek Group Will Be Discussing “The Chosen” – On Wednesdays, Robin Woodam’s midweek Bible study is viewing and discussing episodes of “The Chosen.” Please note this is a women’s only group. If you’d like to join them, they meet at 2pm in Room 1 at North. And for more information you can contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. Disc Golf Course – Nice weather is coming and we’re going to be getting outside more! One of the things you can do in our church’s backyard is play a round of disc golf. The nine-hole disc golf course is open and ready to go! If you don’t have discs but want to give it a try, we do have some discs at the office and you’re welcome to borrow them any time the office is open. Have fun!
***********************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Philippians 4:5b-7 – The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Read Philippians 4:1-23)
Something struck me this morning about this passage and it’s really speaking to me. “Do not be anxious about anything…” begins at verse 6 and I have often repeated verses 6 and 7 to myself and others when needing more of the peace that God supplies. But today when I read this passage what was emphasized to me is the phrase that comes before verse 6 – “The Lord is near.” And instead of reading the passage with a pause between verses 5 and 6 I inserted the word “so” in my mind. “The Lord is near, so do not be anxious about anything…”
Because of the verse divisions I’ve always attached that phrase, “The Lord is near” to the first part of verse 5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Read like that it has reminded me that since God is always here with us, I need to be gentle with others. He is watching! Now maybe you read it that way, or maybe God spoke something a little different to you. But today, by reading “The Lord is near, so do not be anxious…” it helped me to remember that I do not have to be anxious because God is near. It’s not that I am supposed to somehow build up my courage when anxious, relying on my own strength. I know I’m not supposed to do that, but I still fall into thinking that way
sometimes. No, what I need to do when I begin to be anxious is to remember that “The Lord is near.”
The Lord is near, so I am not alone in this thing.
The Lord is near, so I can talk to Him right now about the thing that’s on my mind.
The Lord is near, so He can impart His peace to me in this moment.
The Lord is near, so He is able to guard my heart and my mind.
Now, maybe this seems very simple to you, but I just have to say that reading those verses this way today is bringing me a lot of joy and comfort. And maybe it’ll help someone else too, which is why I take the time to share this with you!
Blessings,
Pastor Vern
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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