Top Ten - October 25

Next Wednesday, November 1, is the first Wednesday of the month and that’s when we have our “Centered” night of prayer and worship. We meet at 6pm in the sanctuary at North.

1. Coat Drive Maybe you’ve been cleaning out your closets, pulling out the sweaters and coats to prepare for the changing season, and you’ve discovered some coats that you don’t think you’ll be wearing again. Bring them here the weekend of October 28-29! We’re collecting gently used coats for Community Action that week and would be happy to help you pass on your unwanted coat to someone who could use it this winter. Thank you!

2. 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.

3. Gatherings for Moms…
  • MOPS meets on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 6pm at North
  • The Mommy and Me play group meets every Tuesday at 9:30am at North

4. 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

5. Great Day of GivingEvery 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!

6. Old Testament Survey Class Pastor Chris will be teaching an Old Testament Survey class this Fall on 12/2 (Saturday) 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.

7. 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.

8. Bret and Jan Shetler Are Headed to Morocco Bret and Jan are members of the Northgate congregation, and their son Jay and his family have been serving as missionaries in China for some time now. But Jay and his wife Ashley are in the midst of making a move to serve God in Morocco, and have invited Bret and Jen to come to Morocco and care for their three young children, 5-year-old Odelia, 2-year-old Witness, and 1-year-old Rosie, while they get settled and learn the language and begin to figure out how God wants to use them in their new ministry. Bret and Jen will be leaving for Morocco on November 9.

Next weekend, November 4/5, we will have a time of prayer with Bret and Jen in each of our worship services. Specific prayer requests include raising the funds they will need for this time; travel mercies; adjusting to a new culture; and wisdom, grace and patience for the care and support they will be providing their family in Morocco. Thank you for keeping them in your prayers! And if you would like to help them financially you can find a copy of their support letter at the Information Desk.

9. Next Centered Night The next “Centered” night is on Wednesday November 1 at 6pm. We meet for an hour of prayer and worship in the sanctuary at North. Everyone is welcome to come.

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 Northup 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.

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

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You Can Count on This – 1 Timothy 5:8 – Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (Read 1 Timothy 5:1-25)

This verse has always caused me to kind of take a step back when I read it. It’s not that I disagree with what Paul says here. The family is an institution that is designed in part for the welfare of each member of that unit. We should look out for each other in our families, and the family ought to be a place where we can count on one another. Of course, it’s not always that way, and many people are without close family connections, or are part of families with such conflict or troubles that people cannot count on one another. This is unfortunate and painful, and individuals in these situations will hopefully find their family connections within the family of the church.

What makes me pause when I read this verse is the intensity of what Paul says about those who do not provide for their families. They have “denied the faith” and are “worse than an unbeliever.” That’s strong language! God expects us to look out for each other, and to care for one another, especially as members of the same family. We have a responsibility to one another and shirking that is not to be taken lightly.

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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