Top Ten - June 2
1. Red Cross Blood Drive Next Week – We’re hosting a blood drive at our South Campus next Thursday, June 9, from 1-6pm. At this point there are 20 more slots available for giving that day. Please consider helping others through your donation next Thursday.
2. Women’s Night – Bouquet Arrangements – A women’s night out is coming up on Friday June 17 at 6pm. Meet at the North Campus where someone from Sweet Acre Farms will walk through making flower arrangements. You’ll be able to take one home with you when the night is over. For more information see our website (northgatefmc.com) or contact the office (343-4011). You can register to attend here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1306529
3. Father’s Day Ice Cream – Join us the weekend of Father’s Day (618-19) and get dad (and the family) a free ice cream! We’ll have ice cream in the café on Saturday night and Lugia’s ice cream truck on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you there!
4. A New Family Event: Aquaball – We have a new family event coming up on Saturday June 25 called “Aquaball.” Aquaball is like kickball with kiddie pools and is for the whole family. Our Children’s Ministry Team is organizing an aquaball tournament for the 25th starting at 11am. Registration will be available soon on the website, and you can get more information from Leah at leah@northgatefmc.com. You can register to be part of the fun by going here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1300093
5. ABC Run For Barb - June 4 – The All Babies Cherished “Run Baby Run” event which launches from our South Campus is coming up on June 4. In addition to helping support this local ministry which aids women who are pregnant and moms, we would like to use this time to honor Barb Ettinger through participating in the 5K run/walk. Barb recently passed away and had served wonderfully for decades as our Nursery Coordinator. The plan is for everyone who wants to honor Barb to wear something red that morning. Barb loved birds and especially cardinals, so the red color will be to represent cardinals. We’ll call ourselves “Grandma Barb’s Red Birds.” To support All Babies Cherished (Barb’s favorite charity) and to participate in the day you can sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Batavia/ABCrunbabyrun. Be sure to join the “Grandma Barb’s Red Birds” sponsor to identify as part of this team.
6. Kids Camp is Coming Up – Camp will be held July 11-15 at our North Campus for children ages 3-9. For more information or to register check out this link: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1300091. And if you are interested in helping as a volunteer you can find information on that here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1282908
7. Stay Informed – Click on this link to see what’s happening this summer at Northgate. http://northgatefmc.com/summerschedule And if you can’t “click” you can pick up the summers special events card at the Information Desk.
8. Meeting for All Interested in Being Part of the “Set Free” Movement – Inspired by recent presentations at our church by Free Methodist missionaries Gerry McNamara and Kevin Austin, a Set Free Team has formed at Northgate. This group is considering how to be part of helping people to “live in the direction of freedom" together. If you want to help end human trafficking in our time and in our region, please attend one of the monthly meetings, held on the last Sunday of the month at 12:30p.m. in Meeting Room 2/3, North Campus. For more information, visit setfreemovement.com and/or email Pastor Marsha marsha@northgatefmc.com.
9. “This Changes Everything” Baptism Weekend – If you are interested in baptism, please let one of the pastors know or go to the Information Desk and let them know there. We are planning to have baptisms on the weekend of June 11 and 12. We’d also be glad to discuss baby dedications and membership with anyone interested in those!
10. Prayer Groups – You are invited to join with others to pray for our church and community on Wednesdays at 1 and Sundays at 9:30. The Wednesday Prayer Group prays for one hour in Meeting Room 1 at North Campus and on Sunday people gather in Room 4 for an hour and pray for our services and congregational needs. Everyone is welcome to either or both of these prayer meetings.
To learn more about these opportunities, or to suggest an idea for a group or a gathering, or to inquire about reserving space at the church or the pavilion you can always email the office (office@northgatefmc.com) or call 343-4011. You can check out our website too (northgatefmc.com).
******************************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23)
I believe the “foundation” Paul speaks of is the foundation of the gospel. Paul is saying that receiving the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead is the starting place for us, and that we are expected to build our lives on that foundation, living for Jesus and fulfilling the mission He left us. That includes, at least, helping others to come to know the love of Jesus, allowing God to continue the transformation of our characters in Christ-likeness, and doing acts of love and kindness in Christ’s name.
In the verses I cited above Paul talks about a day when what we have done with our lives in Christ will be revealed. How we lived for Jesus will become known and we will be rewarded (or not) for the way we carried His love to others. If we’ve done little with what He’s given us (our blessings, gifts, talents, abilities, time, etc.) we may receive a small reward, even though we will receive the tremendous reward of heaven and salvation through our faith in Christ. I think this is what Paul is talking about when he says our work will be tested by the fire. Gold cannot be destroyed by fire; if we live “quality lives” for Jesus, that’s like gold, and that will be known. But wasting our lives is like building with straw; that also will be revealed.
It’s important to remember that Paul is not saying our works will determine whether or not we are saved. Our salvation is built entirely on our faith in Christ, not our works. But what we do with our lives in Christ matters to Jesus, and one day He will be coming back with a reward for each of us, based on how we’ve lived for Him (Revelation 22:12). Why not go for the gold!
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. Women’s Night – Bouquet Arrangements – A women’s night out is coming up on Friday June 17 at 6pm. Meet at the North Campus where someone from Sweet Acre Farms will walk through making flower arrangements. You’ll be able to take one home with you when the night is over. For more information see our website (northgatefmc.com) or contact the office (343-4011). You can register to attend here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1306529
3. Father’s Day Ice Cream – Join us the weekend of Father’s Day (618-19) and get dad (and the family) a free ice cream! We’ll have ice cream in the café on Saturday night and Lugia’s ice cream truck on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you there!
4. A New Family Event: Aquaball – We have a new family event coming up on Saturday June 25 called “Aquaball.” Aquaball is like kickball with kiddie pools and is for the whole family. Our Children’s Ministry Team is organizing an aquaball tournament for the 25th starting at 11am. Registration will be available soon on the website, and you can get more information from Leah at leah@northgatefmc.com. You can register to be part of the fun by going here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1300093
5. ABC Run For Barb - June 4 – The All Babies Cherished “Run Baby Run” event which launches from our South Campus is coming up on June 4. In addition to helping support this local ministry which aids women who are pregnant and moms, we would like to use this time to honor Barb Ettinger through participating in the 5K run/walk. Barb recently passed away and had served wonderfully for decades as our Nursery Coordinator. The plan is for everyone who wants to honor Barb to wear something red that morning. Barb loved birds and especially cardinals, so the red color will be to represent cardinals. We’ll call ourselves “Grandma Barb’s Red Birds.” To support All Babies Cherished (Barb’s favorite charity) and to participate in the day you can sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Batavia/ABCrunbabyrun. Be sure to join the “Grandma Barb’s Red Birds” sponsor to identify as part of this team.
6. Kids Camp is Coming Up – Camp will be held July 11-15 at our North Campus for children ages 3-9. For more information or to register check out this link: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1300091. And if you are interested in helping as a volunteer you can find information on that here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1282908
7. Stay Informed – Click on this link to see what’s happening this summer at Northgate. http://northgatefmc.com/summerschedule And if you can’t “click” you can pick up the summers special events card at the Information Desk.
8. Meeting for All Interested in Being Part of the “Set Free” Movement – Inspired by recent presentations at our church by Free Methodist missionaries Gerry McNamara and Kevin Austin, a Set Free Team has formed at Northgate. This group is considering how to be part of helping people to “live in the direction of freedom" together. If you want to help end human trafficking in our time and in our region, please attend one of the monthly meetings, held on the last Sunday of the month at 12:30p.m. in Meeting Room 2/3, North Campus. For more information, visit setfreemovement.com and/or email Pastor Marsha marsha@northgatefmc.com.
9. “This Changes Everything” Baptism Weekend – If you are interested in baptism, please let one of the pastors know or go to the Information Desk and let them know there. We are planning to have baptisms on the weekend of June 11 and 12. We’d also be glad to discuss baby dedications and membership with anyone interested in those!
10. Prayer Groups – You are invited to join with others to pray for our church and community on Wednesdays at 1 and Sundays at 9:30. The Wednesday Prayer Group prays for one hour in Meeting Room 1 at North Campus and on Sunday people gather in Room 4 for an hour and pray for our services and congregational needs. Everyone is welcome to either or both of these prayer meetings.
To learn more about these opportunities, or to suggest an idea for a group or a gathering, or to inquire about reserving space at the church or the pavilion you can always email the office (office@northgatefmc.com) or call 343-4011. You can check out our website too (northgatefmc.com).
******************************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23)
I believe the “foundation” Paul speaks of is the foundation of the gospel. Paul is saying that receiving the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead is the starting place for us, and that we are expected to build our lives on that foundation, living for Jesus and fulfilling the mission He left us. That includes, at least, helping others to come to know the love of Jesus, allowing God to continue the transformation of our characters in Christ-likeness, and doing acts of love and kindness in Christ’s name.
In the verses I cited above Paul talks about a day when what we have done with our lives in Christ will be revealed. How we lived for Jesus will become known and we will be rewarded (or not) for the way we carried His love to others. If we’ve done little with what He’s given us (our blessings, gifts, talents, abilities, time, etc.) we may receive a small reward, even though we will receive the tremendous reward of heaven and salvation through our faith in Christ. I think this is what Paul is talking about when he says our work will be tested by the fire. Gold cannot be destroyed by fire; if we live “quality lives” for Jesus, that’s like gold, and that will be known. But wasting our lives is like building with straw; that also will be revealed.
It’s important to remember that Paul is not saying our works will determine whether or not we are saved. Our salvation is built entirely on our faith in Christ, not our works. But what we do with our lives in Christ matters to Jesus, and one day He will be coming back with a reward for each of us, based on how we’ve lived for Him (Revelation 22:12). Why not go for the gold!
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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