Top Ten - August 17

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. MOPs is Planning For This Year MOPs International is celebrating its 50th year this year, with groups in over 70 countries. Lindsay Dann and LaurelLi Draper are in the process of gathering a team and preparing this year’s MOPs meetings at Northgate. This group is a combined group for not only mothers of preschoolers. We welcome Moms from pregnancy to age 18, with childcare for children 6 months old to 10 years old. If you’d like to know more about this fellowship for Mothers of Preschoolers, you can contact Lindsay at lindsaydannrn@gmail.com. And we would love to talk with some people who would be able to provide childcare the 2nd or 4th Tuesdays of the month while moms are meeting. If you can help even once every other month that would be great! Thank you!

2. Men of Northgate, Save the Date Our second annual “Man Camp” will be September 1-2 (with some guys staying through the 3rd). Bring your camper, tent, or hammocks and enjoy the beauty of Northgate’s big backyard! Plan on joining us for a great time of fellowship, food, and relaxation. There is no age minimum or maximum. Cost is $20 per person with an immediate family max of $60 and covers all of your food. Registration will be available soon on our website or app. Questions - email john@northgatefmc.com.

3. Playground Construction Work is continuing on the playground, and we are planning to have two “work-weeks” in August – the week of the 28th. Work will be from about 9am to noon, Monday through Saturday those weeks, but things may change so if you want to be sure there is work on any particular day you can contact Mark at mark@northgatefmc.com, or Matt at mattjolliff@gmail.com. And thank you to all who have helped and are helping to make this dream a reality!

4. Centered The next “Centered” night of prayer and worship is Wednesday September 6 at 6pm, in case you’d like to mark your calendar now and plan to join us for this meaningful midweek gathering. We’ll also meet 10/4, 11/1 and 12/6.

5. Prayer Altar We have a new prayer altar at the front of the platform at North. We’ve installed this as a reminder that we are to be a “House of Prayer.” Our hope is that people will use this altar as they are led to pray, perhaps before or after services, or during a worship song or time of congregational prayer. Please feel free to come forward at those times if you sense God calling you to do so.

6. First Responder Appreciation Picnic We respect and appreciate all of the men and women who serve others by responding to emergencies, including law enforcement situations, fires and medical emergencies. We want to show our appreciation for the good work that these individuals do, and so we are planning a picnic for them on Saturday, September 16 from 1-4pm at our North Campus pavilion. This will be a come as you can, leave as you need to event, and take out options will be available. Please pass the word to all first responders that you know, and if you’d like to help make this happen contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com. Thank you!

7. Parenting Adult Children Group Kick Off Group Life weekend is coming!!  The  Parenting Adult Children will be held again, beginning on September 10 at 9:30 in room #1!  Debbie Vick will lead this 10-week study of the book Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life, written by Jim Burns. Spread the word!  If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

8. Embers: An Intergenerational Bible study For All Ages  This study will look into God’s Word and learn simple ways to apply it to your life.  It will start with earthly stories with Heavenly meaning and check our understanding through a window and a mirror.  This group will also explore ways to reach into the community sharing God’s love with others in need.  Come as an individual or as a whole family and share real life together. This group will meet at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings.

9. New Bible Study for our Young Adults (18-29) Brandon Northrup is leading this study at 11 AM in room #4 (next to Cafe).  This group will look at topics relevant to this phase of life and what the Bible says about this season of life.  Hope to see you there!
•Also, there will be a lunch meeting on 8/27 after second service in Room 2/3 for anyone connected with GCC (faculty or students) or anyone interested in helping to create a ministry to students at GCC. For more information contact DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.
•And Base parents… please save 11/17-19 as the dates for the Base Fall Retreat.

10. Northgate Book Club IS COMING BACK SOON! –  The next book we will be reading together will be Jesus In Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz. Here is what to expect from this book:


The Holy Spirit is not a magic genie, a flame of fire, or a vague feeling; he is our constant companion! Lotz draws on biblical knowledge and personal stories---including her recent cancer diagnosis---to help us understand and appreciate the meaning behind seven of the titles given to this Third Person: Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby.

For more information contact Angelique (angelique@northgatefmc.com).

Volunteer Opportunities at Lydia’s Kitchen Looking for something to do this summer? Looking to serve others in need? Fun and fulfilling.  Calling all volunteers! High School Youth included! Lydia’s Soup Kitchen (Batavia) is in need of help over the summer. Give a little time in a 3-hour shift, different positions such as the kitchen, set up, prep food, cook, serve at the window or dishes. Contact for info Lydia- (585) 300-7995 or Robin Woodams- (585) 297-9676.
 
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You Can Count on This – 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 – How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. (Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13)

I really love what Paul expresses here! This is the way it should be in the church, among those who are followers of Jesus! First, we ought to be thanking God for each other. We are a family, and as family we might have our differences of opinion or minor disagreements, but we share the most important thing: our faith in Christ. That makes us one body and every member of the body counts and we need to be thankful for each other.

Secondly, our thankfulness is accompanied by joy! For years I have included this tagline at the end of my emails. It’s meant to encourage me and remind me as well as encourage and remind others that joy is to be a part of our journey with Jesus: “My main job is to live in deep contentment, joy and confidence in my everyday relationship with God.” That’s a quote from Dallas Willard and I love it! It’s exactly what I need to remember every day.

Finally, notice the depth of the feeling Paul has for the people of Thessalonica. Night and day he prays, earnestly, to be able to see them again. He spent such a short time with them (a few months?) but they are solidly in his heart. May God help us all to develop relationships with others in the church that mean as much to us.

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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