Top Ten - November 30

1. “Centered” Date Change for December Northgate is hosting Turner’s annual service of remembrance this year on Wednesday, December 6. That means we need to move the Centered prayer and worship service for the month of December only. We’ll have Centered on the second Wednesday, December 13 at 6pm. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might miss the announcement. Thanks!

2. Flower City Work Camp 2024 Pastor DL is leading a group of youth to Rochester from April 1-5, 2024, for Flower City Work Camp. Currently, he still requires assistance in filling the required adult volunteer roles. These roles play a crucial part in supporting our students during the camp. For every 3 students Northgate sends to FCWC, we need to provide 1 required adult leader. Required adult leaders should be available to serve from Monday, April 1st, to Thursday, April 4th, approximately from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day. There are four different types of required leaders:

1. **Worksite Teams:** Performing home repairs, light construction, renovation, painting, and yardwork.
 
2. **Sidewalk Clubs:** Reaching out to neighborhood kids through music, drama, crafts, and sports.
 
3. **Basketball and Soccer Camps:** Teaching about teamwork and competing in tournament-style play.
 
4. **Agency Support Teams:** Conducting service projects for other local area non-profits.

If you are interested in serving in any of these roles or would like more information, please contact DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.

3. Great Day of Giving Thank you so much for your generosity towards our Great Day of Giving. We’re going to be able to really bless All Babies Cherished, Care-A-Van, Angel Gowns, and Habitat for Humanity as a result. We are also going to be giving toward Free Methodist World Missions and be able to take care of some things our buildings need. You are an awesome church and the way you respond to things like this is incredibly humbling. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus in the ways that you do.

4. Vintage Christmas There’s quite a bit of excitement around the office as we get ready for Vintage Christmas, our annual community-minded celebration of the coming of Jesus! This year we are holding Vintage Christmas during one week (instead of consecutive weekends) on a Thursday and Friday. The dates are December 7 and December 8, from 6-8pm. There will be food, the Nativity story journey through the woods, lighting of the Christmas tree, children’s movies playing, good fellowship around a fire and more. We hope you’ll plan to attend one night or two and plan to invite some friends to join you!

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. Tags are available now on the trees in the lobbies at North and South. Gifts need to be returned by next weekend so there is still time to participate.

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. Rwanda Virtual Gifts If you’d like to help make Christmas a little sweeter for our friends in Gahanda there is an opportunity to do so. We asked Ephaste (the International Child Care Ministries director in Rwanda) what would brighten the children’s faces on Christmas and he said that they would love to get some things they rarely do: juice, cookies and cake. So we’re going to help make that happen. Get more information on the table by the Guest Lounge.

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. Salvation Army Toy Distribution The Christmas Toy Distribution event takes place at our South campus and is a wonderful day when we get to join with the Salvation Army to bring joy to families this Christmas season. If you’d like to be a part of that day, consider yourself invited! It’s happening on Wednesday, December 20 and volunteers should arrive at 9am. For more information contact Pastor John at john@northgatefmc.com.

10. Sight and Sound Trip to See “Daniel” Angelique has been putting the final touches on a trip to see “Daniel” at Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA next June. If you’d like to get your name on the list for more information on the trip to see “Daniel” you can email Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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You Can Count on This – 2 Timothy 3:8 – Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. (Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17)


So you are reading along in 2 Timothy chapter 3 and Paul is talking about what the “last days” will look like (the days just before Jesus returns when many have turned away from God) and he warns us about some false teachers who will lead people astray. Men like Jannes and Jambres. Wait a minute. Who are Jannes and Jambres?

If you try to find them in any other part of the Bible, you’ll be frustrated; they aren’t mentioned anywhere else. Jewish tradition and Jewish writings in the Talmud identify them as part of Pharaoh’s staff who tried to discredit Moses by performing magic tricks when Moses stood before Pharaoh and proclaimed the plagues that God sent upon Egypt. Jewish tradition also says that these men left Egypt with the Israelites and continued to try to lead the people away from God and into idolatry.

While we can’t say with scriptural authority who Jannes and Jambres are, we can know from the Bible that there will be/are plenty of people whose desire it is to sabotage and destroy people’s faith in God. The best way to stand firm against those efforts is to stay close to God through worship, fellowship, prayer, and Bible study.  Which is why Paul implores us a little later to know “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” What are you reading in the Bible today?

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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