Top Ten - November 9
1. 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
2. Flower City Work Camp 2024 – Thanks to Pastor DL’s leadership Northgate participated in the Flower City Work Camp for the first time this year. We’re looking forward to doing the same next year too! Work Camp in 2024 will be April 1-5 and information and applications are available on their website… flowercityworkcamp.org. You can also contact Pastor DL for more information (dl@northgatefmc.com).
3. 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. This special offering will be taken November 18-19 in our services. Please pray and consider how you might want to give this year. Thank you!
4. Community Christmas Choir - Christmas in the City is Saturday, December 2 from 2 PM to 6 PM. As part of this event Main Street 56 Theater is organizing a Christmas choir. If you’d like to get more information or participate, please contact Andrea Siverling (585-813-6586). Thank you and God bless. We are so looking forward to blessing the Batavia community, especially the children.
5. Angel Tree – Every year we support the work of the Salvation Army in numerous ways. One of those is by helping needy families to have a wonderful Christmas through the Angel Tree. Trees and tags will be available beginning November 18-19.
6. Pancakes and PJs – Our Children’s ministry team is planning a fun event for children in K-4 and their potty-trained younger siblings. Wear your pancakes and bring your pajamas… no, wait, I mean wear your pajamas and come enjoy some pancakes! This happens Saturday, December 16 from 10-noon and if you want more information contact Becca – becca2northgatefmc.com.
7. 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!
8. Gatherings for Moms…
9. Playground Work – Quite a bit of progress has been made on our Adventure Playground this year, and the plan is to keep working as long as weather allows. Right now, work happens on Fridays and Saturdays (unless it’s raining or too windy) from 9:30-noon. And Thanksgiving week work will be underway from Monday – Wednesday from 9:30-noon.
10. Prayer Shawl Ministry – The Prayer Shawl team meets the first Saturday of every month at 10am at Northgate North. This group makes prayer shawls which are given out to people going through difficult times in their lives. All are welcome to come and join in; if you don’t know how to knit a shawl this is a great place to learn!
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!
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 – 2 Timothy 1:5 – I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (Read 2 Timothy 1:1-18)
This is a wonderful verse that might be easily skipped over quickly but shouldn’t be. It speaks so well to the presence of the Christian faith in a family. Timothy’s grandmother Lois became a Christian - the Bible doesn’t tell us how that happened; perhaps Paul had a hand in it though. It’s also possible that she came to faith through her daughter (or daughter-in-law), Eunice; or that Lois brought Eunice to faith in Christ! Or maybe someone brought them to faith in Christ together. I guess there are many possibilities. The point I intended to make, though, was that here is a family in which a grandmother, a mother and a son are all Christians, sharing their faith in Jesus with each other. No doubt Lois and Eunice had an impact on young Timothy, and from the two letters that Paul wrote to Timothy we know that he had an impact on many others, as he became a leader in the church despite being a young man (see 1 Timothy 4:11-14).
I know that there are many in our church who love Jesus, but who do not have the blessing of family members who share their faith. In that case, I pray that these individuals find their faith family within the fellowship of the church, and I pray that their family members find the love of Jesus too. And I rejoice with those individuals who are members of a family where Jesus is worshiped. Don’t underappreciate what a blessing that is. And grandparents – don’t undervalue the important role you may play in passing on faith to your grandchildren. Grandparents can sometimes speak into a child’s life in a way that children listen when they may not be listening to their parents. There are more points of application we could draw from this verse, but let’s close with this one: pray that we would know more families where grandparents, parents and children all together honor and adore the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to all.
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. Flower City Work Camp 2024 – Thanks to Pastor DL’s leadership Northgate participated in the Flower City Work Camp for the first time this year. We’re looking forward to doing the same next year too! Work Camp in 2024 will be April 1-5 and information and applications are available on their website… flowercityworkcamp.org. You can also contact Pastor DL for more information (dl@northgatefmc.com).
3. 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. This special offering will be taken November 18-19 in our services. Please pray and consider how you might want to give this year. Thank you!
4. Community Christmas Choir - Christmas in the City is Saturday, December 2 from 2 PM to 6 PM. As part of this event Main Street 56 Theater is organizing a Christmas choir. If you’d like to get more information or participate, please contact Andrea Siverling (585-813-6586). Thank you and God bless. We are so looking forward to blessing the Batavia community, especially the children.
5. Angel Tree – Every year we support the work of the Salvation Army in numerous ways. One of those is by helping needy families to have a wonderful Christmas through the Angel Tree. Trees and tags will be available beginning November 18-19.
6. Pancakes and PJs – Our Children’s ministry team is planning a fun event for children in K-4 and their potty-trained younger siblings. Wear your pancakes and bring your pajamas… no, wait, I mean wear your pajamas and come enjoy some pancakes! This happens Saturday, December 16 from 10-noon and if you want more information contact Becca – becca2northgatefmc.com.
7. 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!
8. 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
9. Playground Work – Quite a bit of progress has been made on our Adventure Playground this year, and the plan is to keep working as long as weather allows. Right now, work happens on Fridays and Saturdays (unless it’s raining or too windy) from 9:30-noon. And Thanksgiving week work will be underway from Monday – Wednesday from 9:30-noon.
10. Prayer Shawl Ministry – The Prayer Shawl team meets the first Saturday of every month at 10am at Northgate North. This group makes prayer shawls which are given out to people going through difficult times in their lives. All are welcome to come and join in; if you don’t know how to knit a shawl this is a great place to learn!
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).
*********************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 2 Timothy 1:5 – I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (Read 2 Timothy 1:1-18)
This is a wonderful verse that might be easily skipped over quickly but shouldn’t be. It speaks so well to the presence of the Christian faith in a family. Timothy’s grandmother Lois became a Christian - the Bible doesn’t tell us how that happened; perhaps Paul had a hand in it though. It’s also possible that she came to faith through her daughter (or daughter-in-law), Eunice; or that Lois brought Eunice to faith in Christ! Or maybe someone brought them to faith in Christ together. I guess there are many possibilities. The point I intended to make, though, was that here is a family in which a grandmother, a mother and a son are all Christians, sharing their faith in Jesus with each other. No doubt Lois and Eunice had an impact on young Timothy, and from the two letters that Paul wrote to Timothy we know that he had an impact on many others, as he became a leader in the church despite being a young man (see 1 Timothy 4:11-14).
I know that there are many in our church who love Jesus, but who do not have the blessing of family members who share their faith. In that case, I pray that these individuals find their faith family within the fellowship of the church, and I pray that their family members find the love of Jesus too. And I rejoice with those individuals who are members of a family where Jesus is worshiped. Don’t underappreciate what a blessing that is. And grandparents – don’t undervalue the important role you may play in passing on faith to your grandchildren. Grandparents can sometimes speak into a child’s life in a way that children listen when they may not be listening to their parents. There are more points of application we could draw from this verse, but let’s close with this one: pray that we would know more families where grandparents, parents and children all together honor and adore the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to all.
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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