Top Ten - October 12
1. Carol McLeod Conference – This Friday and Saturday Carol McLeod will be here to lead a conference for women of all ages. It’s not too late to register (in fact, you can register at the door). If you would like to register ahead of time, you can do so on the Northgate website, northgatefmc.com. Or click here… https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1728919
2. Gatherings for Moms…
3. Kids Night Being Planned – Our Children’s Ministry leaders are planning a Kids Night for Saturday, October 21, from 5:30-7:30. This will be for kids in Kto4 and their potty-trained younger siblings. Moms and dads, let us care for your children while you enjoy a 2-hour date night! For more information contact Becca – becca@northgatefmc.com.
4. Informational Meeting for Parents re: Youth Mission Trip – Pastor DL is holding an informational meeting for parents about a youth (8-12th graders) mission trip to Costa Rica being planned for next July. This meeting will be held on Sunday, 10/29, at noon in Room 2/3. For more information contact Pastor DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.
5. Veteran’s Dinner – We’d like to show our love and appreciation for Veterans and their guest, and for those who currently serve our country in one of the Armed Forces and their guest: Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard or National Guard. We’ll be hosting a dinner to honor these individuals on November 16. For planning purposes we’d appreciate knowing how many might attend so please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com with that information or to ask questions. And you can let us know you’re coming by registering here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1980164. Thanks!
6. Great Day of Giving – Every year we receive a special offering the weekend before Thanksgiving which is divided three ways: world missions, local missions and capital improvement. The local missions that we will be blessing this year will be All Babies Cherished, Habitat for Humanity, Care-a-Van and Angel Gowns. More information about this will be coming over the next few weeks, but we wanted to give you time to pray and consider how you might want to give this year. Thank you!
7. Old Testament Survey Class – Pastor Chris will be teaching an Old Testament Survey class this Fall on 10/21 and 12/2 (Saturdays) from 10am-12pm at North. There is no cost for a Northgate attender to take this class. If you’re interested in a college level class on the Old Testament, talk to Chris – chris@northgatefmc.com.
8. Prayer Walks at GCC – A group led by Rosalina has begun holding a prayer walk at GCC on Mondays from 11-noon. All are welcome to join in praying for our local college students.
9. Opportunities to Bless Others – Two situations were presented to me last week which offer each of us an opportunity to help out some people who are or have been a part of our church family. One of those situations involves a family that attended Northgate but moved to another state. Recently this family’s home was destroyed by a hurricane. The other situation involves a family here at the church. A husband/father was involved in a motorcycle accident and consequently is dealing with a long recovery and medical bills. If you’d like to know more about these situations, please contact Pastor Vern at vern@northgatefmc.com.
10. Thanksgiving Baskets – Every year we prepare and deliver 30 Thanksgiving gifts to migrant families living in our area. These gifts are all the foods necessary to have a nice Thanksgiving meal. This is one way we can show our appreciation to a group of people who work hard in our local agricultural community. If you’d like to help support this ministry, you can give through an offering envelope (mark it “Thanksgiving Baskets” or through Kindrid (from the Northgate App or website). Thank you!
Some of the Small Groups Meeting This Fall:
Listening to the Language of the Bible – Rick and Sara Kent are leading another semester of this small group on Sundays at 9:30 in Room 2/3. This is from the Amazon description of the book… By examining the Hebraic, Jewish cultural context of some of the Bible's seemingly odd phrases, it shares insights that clarify reading and deepen Bible study. Readers will discover the deeper meaning of the Scriptures in light of its heart-language, Hebrew. All are welcome!
Parenting Adult Children Group – Parenting Adult Children is held on Sundays at 9:30 in room #1! Debbie Vick leads this study of the book Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life, written by Jim Burns. If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
Women’s Journey – Women who want to examine God’s Word together are invited to North on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 2/3. We will discuss how the whole of scripture ties together and how it personally connects to each of us. Our desire is to know the heart of Jesus and live our purpose revealed through His Word.
Embers: An Intergenerational Bible study For All Ages – This study looks into God’s Word and explores simple ways to apply it to life. We examine earthly stories from the Bible that have 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 meets at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings in Room #6.
Young Adults (18-29) Bible Study – Brandon Northrup is leading this study at 11 AM in room #4 (next to Cafe). This group looks at topics relevant to this phase of life and what the Bible says about this season of life. Hope to see you there!
•And Base parents… please save 11/17-19 as the dates for the Base Fall Retreat to be held at Camp LeTourneau. Registration is open for this on the website: northgatefmc.com. Or use this link… https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1925731
Northgate Book Club – The book we are reading together is Jesus In Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz. Here is what to expect from this book:
For more information contact Angelique (angelique@northgatefmc.com).
**********************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Timothy 3:1 – Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16)
This is how Paul begins in chapter 3 of 1 Timothy. Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it? Being an overseer, or leader in a church, is a “noble” thing, or as the King James puts it, a “good work.” But it’s also a work that comes with an expectation that the one in that role lives up to the calling God places upon them. So, Paul goes on to give a list of “qualifications.” And most are not qualifications based on how many skills or how much education someone may have, but on things related to a person’s character and their godliness.
For example: church leaders are to be above reproach; faithful to one’s spouse; self-controlled; hospitable; gentle; not quarrelsome; not lovers of money; able to parent responsibly; possessing a good reputation with people outside the church. Sounds like great qualifications not only for church leaders but leaders in all places. In fact, these sound like things that all Christians should seek to display in their lives.
Of course, skills and education are important for leaders to possess. Paul does cite the need to be able to teach (a skill) and states that a church leader should be someone who has been a Christian for a while, not a new believer. But it’s clear that the weight is on character – what kind of person the potential leader is.
One further note: Paul speaks of only male church leaders, but we recognize that many women are equally called to church leadership today. But whether we are male or female, church leaders or congregants, our hope is to be the kinds of people who serve our Savior Jesus Christ well and bring glory to His name. Let’s all of us seek to live up to God’s calling on our lives and seek to show the love of Jesus in the way we live.
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. Gatherings for Moms…
•The Mommy and Me play group meets every Tuesday at 9:30am at North
3. Kids Night Being Planned – Our Children’s Ministry leaders are planning a Kids Night for Saturday, October 21, from 5:30-7:30. This will be for kids in Kto4 and their potty-trained younger siblings. Moms and dads, let us care for your children while you enjoy a 2-hour date night! For more information contact Becca – becca@northgatefmc.com.
4. Informational Meeting for Parents re: Youth Mission Trip – Pastor DL is holding an informational meeting for parents about a youth (8-12th graders) mission trip to Costa Rica being planned for next July. This meeting will be held on Sunday, 10/29, at noon in Room 2/3. For more information contact Pastor DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.
5. Veteran’s Dinner – We’d like to show our love and appreciation for Veterans and their guest, and for those who currently serve our country in one of the Armed Forces and their guest: Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard or National Guard. We’ll be hosting a dinner to honor these individuals on November 16. For planning purposes we’d appreciate knowing how many might attend so please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com with that information or to ask questions. And you can let us know you’re coming by registering here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1980164. Thanks!
6. Great Day of Giving – Every year we receive a special offering the weekend before Thanksgiving which is divided three ways: world missions, local missions and capital improvement. The local missions that we will be blessing this year will be All Babies Cherished, Habitat for Humanity, Care-a-Van and Angel Gowns. More information about this will be coming over the next few weeks, but we wanted to give you time to pray and consider how you might want to give this year. Thank you!
7. Old Testament Survey Class – Pastor Chris will be teaching an Old Testament Survey class this Fall on 10/21 and 12/2 (Saturdays) from 10am-12pm at North. There is no cost for a Northgate attender to take this class. If you’re interested in a college level class on the Old Testament, talk to Chris – chris@northgatefmc.com.
8. Prayer Walks at GCC – A group led by Rosalina has begun holding a prayer walk at GCC on Mondays from 11-noon. All are welcome to join in praying for our local college students.
9. Opportunities to Bless Others – Two situations were presented to me last week which offer each of us an opportunity to help out some people who are or have been a part of our church family. One of those situations involves a family that attended Northgate but moved to another state. Recently this family’s home was destroyed by a hurricane. The other situation involves a family here at the church. A husband/father was involved in a motorcycle accident and consequently is dealing with a long recovery and medical bills. If you’d like to know more about these situations, please contact Pastor Vern at vern@northgatefmc.com.
10. Thanksgiving Baskets – Every year we prepare and deliver 30 Thanksgiving gifts to migrant families living in our area. These gifts are all the foods necessary to have a nice Thanksgiving meal. This is one way we can show our appreciation to a group of people who work hard in our local agricultural community. If you’d like to help support this ministry, you can give through an offering envelope (mark it “Thanksgiving Baskets” or through Kindrid (from the Northgate App or website). Thank you!
Some of the Small Groups Meeting This Fall:
Listening to the Language of the Bible – Rick and Sara Kent are leading another semester of this small group on Sundays at 9:30 in Room 2/3. This is from the Amazon description of the book… By examining the Hebraic, Jewish cultural context of some of the Bible's seemingly odd phrases, it shares insights that clarify reading and deepen Bible study. Readers will discover the deeper meaning of the Scriptures in light of its heart-language, Hebrew. All are welcome!
Parenting Adult Children Group – Parenting Adult Children is held on Sundays at 9:30 in room #1! Debbie Vick leads this study of the book Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life, written by Jim Burns. If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
Women’s Journey – Women who want to examine God’s Word together are invited to North on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 2/3. We will discuss how the whole of scripture ties together and how it personally connects to each of us. Our desire is to know the heart of Jesus and live our purpose revealed through His Word.
Embers: An Intergenerational Bible study For All Ages – This study looks into God’s Word and explores simple ways to apply it to life. We examine earthly stories from the Bible that have 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 meets at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings in Room #6.
Young Adults (18-29) Bible Study – Brandon Northrup is leading this study at 11 AM in room #4 (next to Cafe). This group looks at topics relevant to this phase of life and what the Bible says about this season of life. Hope to see you there!
•And Base parents… please save 11/17-19 as the dates for the Base Fall Retreat to be held at Camp LeTourneau. Registration is open for this on the website: northgatefmc.com. Or use this link… https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1925731
Northgate Book Club – The book we are reading together is 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.
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).
**********************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Timothy 3:1 – Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16)
This is how Paul begins in chapter 3 of 1 Timothy. Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it? Being an overseer, or leader in a church, is a “noble” thing, or as the King James puts it, a “good work.” But it’s also a work that comes with an expectation that the one in that role lives up to the calling God places upon them. So, Paul goes on to give a list of “qualifications.” And most are not qualifications based on how many skills or how much education someone may have, but on things related to a person’s character and their godliness.
For example: church leaders are to be above reproach; faithful to one’s spouse; self-controlled; hospitable; gentle; not quarrelsome; not lovers of money; able to parent responsibly; possessing a good reputation with people outside the church. Sounds like great qualifications not only for church leaders but leaders in all places. In fact, these sound like things that all Christians should seek to display in their lives.
Of course, skills and education are important for leaders to possess. Paul does cite the need to be able to teach (a skill) and states that a church leader should be someone who has been a Christian for a while, not a new believer. But it’s clear that the weight is on character – what kind of person the potential leader is.
One further note: Paul speaks of only male church leaders, but we recognize that many women are equally called to church leadership today. But whether we are male or female, church leaders or congregants, our hope is to be the kinds of people who serve our Savior Jesus Christ well and bring glory to His name. Let’s all of us seek to live up to God’s calling on our lives and seek to show the love of Jesus in the way we live.
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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