Top Ten – January 26
It’s a “Top Ten+” again this week…
With a new year comes new opportunities to get involved in ministry or small groups at Northgate. If you’d like to help out in some area in the church contact Pastor John at john@northgatefmc.com. If you’re interested in a small group, here are some that have started or will be starting soon…
1. Young Adult Lunch – Good News! On Sunday, January 29th at 12:15, Northgate is having a Young Adult Lunch in Room 2/3 after services. If you are out of high school through early young adulthood, come and connect with others your age. We will be serving pizza and pop. We would love to have you join us! If you have any questions, contact DL at DL@northgatefmc.com.
2. Meeting for the “Set Free” Movement – 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, there is a meeting this Sunday at 12:15p.m. in Meeting Room 4, North Campus. For more information, visit setfreemovement.com and/or email Pastor Katrina at katrina@northgatefmc..com.
3. Divorce Care and Grief Share – A new Divorce Care group begins February 4 and is at 5:00 in Meeting Room 2 at North. And a new Grief Share group begins February 7, runs from 6-7:30, and meets at 22 Williams Street in Batavia. Both run for 13 weeks. If you are interested in either group or need more information, please contact Patti at patti.chadwick@juno.com or 585-297-3009.
4. Women’s Night of Worship – There will be a special night of worship for women only on February 8 at 7pm. All women are invited, and this is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend to Northgate.
5. Parent’s Date Night – Our Children’s Ministry Team is offering parents an opportunity for a date night on Saturday February 11 from 5-7pm. Drop your children off in the Children’s wing and go enjoy a pre-Valentine’s dinner, shopping or a nap! For more information contact Becca at becca@northgatefmc.com.
6. Parenting Adult Children – We are going to have another Parenting Adult Children class! Debbie Vick will be leading the class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings beginning on February 19. The first 6 weeks will be video sessions with Chip Ingram and Jim Burns called “Navigating Life with Adult Children.” Then 9 weeks of reviewing each chapter of Jim Burn’s book Doing Life with Your Adult Children (subtitled: Keep your Mouth Shut & the Welcome Mat Out.) If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
7. Women’s Base Group – On February 22 at 6pm a women’s group will begin meeting at South. This will run during the Teen’s Base time so is perfect for any moms dropping off their children for Base. Even if you don’t have a child attending Base, if you are looking to be part of a new women’s group, consider checking this one out. For more information contact Allison at allison@northgatefmc.com.
8. Young Ladies’ Small Group – A new group for young women has begun and meets on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 5:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
9. Pray First! For Lent – Angelique is also organizing a church-wide study for Lent based on the book Pray First by Chris Hodges. We’re encouraging as many as possible to consider reading this book individually or as a group. If you’d like to organize a group study Angelique can help you with resources – just let her know at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. Prayer Shawl Ministry – The Prayer Shawl ministry meets the first Saturday of every month at 10am at Northgate North (so there’s a gathering coming up on February 4). 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! Rosalina leads this ministry and was excited to tell me last week that they have about 12 people attending! There’s always room for more, if you are interested.
11. Next Centered Night of Prayer and Worship – On the first Wednesday of each month at 6pm we hold a service of prayer and worship. While it’s a relatively small group of people who attend, we always enjoy this time of gathering together in God’s presence and midweek is a wonderful time to reset. Everyone is welcome to these, and the next one will be Wednesday, February 1.
12. Help Wanted – If you have the gift of hospitality and interest in serving others in a Cafe setting, we are looking for people to be in on the rotation for the Saturday Evening Cafe. For more information contact Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com or 585-297-3009.
13. Monday Night Bible Study – On Monday nights at 6:30 Pastor Vern leads a Bible study in Room 2/3 at North. The group is currently studying the book of Philippians. Everyone is welcome and if you’d like to get on the email list and receive the notes that way just let Pastor Vern know at vern@northgatefmc.com. Some people attend this group via Zoom as well, so if that’s an option that works well for you contact Pastor Vern to get the Zoom link.
14. Sight and Sound Trip to See “Moses” – This excursion for May 1-3 is almost full. There are 3 slots left, so if you are interested in going, please let Angelique know as soon as possible – angelique@northgatefmc.com.
Here are a few opportunities to participate with others in ministry…
1. Flower City Work Camp – Pastor DL is taking a group of youth to Rochester the week of April 3 to participate in service opportunities as part of Flower City Work Camp. At this point he is still in need of some adult help! He could use a lunch coordinator and also a few women to chaperone overnight. If you’d like to know more about these opportunities to minister to our youth, contact Pastor DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.
2. Tumaini Women Kenya – TWK is a Free Methodist NGO that works with local churches and communities in Kenya. One of the programs TWK is involved with is Wunders. Wunders provides girls and women in Kenya with the supplies they need during their menstrual cycles. Rob and Terri Noble, Northgate attenders, will be traveling to Kenya to work with TWK on a short-term mission trip in February and they’d like to deliver some supplies to TWK when they go. Specifically, they are asking for donations of Hanes JUST MY SIZE Women’s plus size cool comfort cotton HIGH BRIEF 6 packs, sizes 10, 12 & 14. If you bring these to the church, we’ll see that Rob and Terri get them. They will need these by Sunday, February 12.
3. Lighthouse Station Fundraising Dinner – Lighthouse Station is a ministry in Warsaw serving women experiencing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. We have supported Lighthouse Station with gifts in the past and wanted to let you know that they are having a fundraising dinner in Depew on January 28. There is no cost for the dinner; donations will be received afterwards. The speaker for the event is Nicole C. Mullen. For more information call Sarah at 585-237-8644 or visit their website: https://www.thelighthousestation.org/events.
Please Let Us Know How We Can Pray For You – Email us at prayer@northgatefmc.com.
On Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 a prayer team meets in meeting room 4. During this time people pray for the services, needs of our congregation and other topics as God leads. We would love to have you join this prayer team.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Galatians 4:31 – Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Read Galatians 4:1-31)
This chapter can be a little confusing if you’re not familiar with the story of Abraham and his sons. It might be helpful to go back and read Genesis 15, 16, and 21 and then read this chapter again. Basically, Paul is drawing a contrast between being a child of slavery or a child of freedom. He is reminding the Galatians that in Christ we have been set free from the idea that we must perfectly obey the law in order to be found righteous and holy before God. That’s not something people ever could do, and it wasn’t the way God wanted us to relate to Him – He always wanted us to relate to Him by faith (see Genesis 15:6), but over time some came to believe it was in keeping the law that we were made righteous.
Paul had preached the gospel to the Galatians, and they had learned that in Christ they were free – no longer slaves to law keeping. Unfortunately, some of the Galatian Christians were reverting to the law, especially around keeping special observances (verse 10) in the belief that these were required for their holiness. In this way and in others they were becoming “slaves” all over again.
A relationship with Jesus by faith, and our freedom in Christ is a precious thing. Many of us are still “slaves” to the idea that we are only acceptable to God, ourselves and others if we do everything perfectly, keep all the rules, do everything just right. Of course, God does call us to certain ways of living, but not so that we can be acceptable to Him. Our acceptance by God is based on our faith in His Son Jesus! We don’t become perfect so God will love us. We are loved by God who, through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, perfects us! Praise God!
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.
With a new year comes new opportunities to get involved in ministry or small groups at Northgate. If you’d like to help out in some area in the church contact Pastor John at john@northgatefmc.com. If you’re interested in a small group, here are some that have started or will be starting soon…
1. Young Adult Lunch – Good News! On Sunday, January 29th at 12:15, Northgate is having a Young Adult Lunch in Room 2/3 after services. If you are out of high school through early young adulthood, come and connect with others your age. We will be serving pizza and pop. We would love to have you join us! If you have any questions, contact DL at DL@northgatefmc.com.
2. Meeting for the “Set Free” Movement – 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, there is a meeting this Sunday at 12:15p.m. in Meeting Room 4, North Campus. For more information, visit setfreemovement.com and/or email Pastor Katrina at katrina@northgatefmc..com.
3. Divorce Care and Grief Share – A new Divorce Care group begins February 4 and is at 5:00 in Meeting Room 2 at North. And a new Grief Share group begins February 7, runs from 6-7:30, and meets at 22 Williams Street in Batavia. Both run for 13 weeks. If you are interested in either group or need more information, please contact Patti at patti.chadwick@juno.com or 585-297-3009.
4. Women’s Night of Worship – There will be a special night of worship for women only on February 8 at 7pm. All women are invited, and this is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend to Northgate.
5. Parent’s Date Night – Our Children’s Ministry Team is offering parents an opportunity for a date night on Saturday February 11 from 5-7pm. Drop your children off in the Children’s wing and go enjoy a pre-Valentine’s dinner, shopping or a nap! For more information contact Becca at becca@northgatefmc.com.
6. Parenting Adult Children – We are going to have another Parenting Adult Children class! Debbie Vick will be leading the class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings beginning on February 19. The first 6 weeks will be video sessions with Chip Ingram and Jim Burns called “Navigating Life with Adult Children.” Then 9 weeks of reviewing each chapter of Jim Burn’s book Doing Life with Your Adult Children (subtitled: Keep your Mouth Shut & the Welcome Mat Out.) If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
7. Women’s Base Group – On February 22 at 6pm a women’s group will begin meeting at South. This will run during the Teen’s Base time so is perfect for any moms dropping off their children for Base. Even if you don’t have a child attending Base, if you are looking to be part of a new women’s group, consider checking this one out. For more information contact Allison at allison@northgatefmc.com.
8. Young Ladies’ Small Group – A new group for young women has begun and meets on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 5:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
9. Pray First! For Lent – Angelique is also organizing a church-wide study for Lent based on the book Pray First by Chris Hodges. We’re encouraging as many as possible to consider reading this book individually or as a group. If you’d like to organize a group study Angelique can help you with resources – just let her know at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. Prayer Shawl Ministry – The Prayer Shawl ministry meets the first Saturday of every month at 10am at Northgate North (so there’s a gathering coming up on February 4). 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! Rosalina leads this ministry and was excited to tell me last week that they have about 12 people attending! There’s always room for more, if you are interested.
11. Next Centered Night of Prayer and Worship – On the first Wednesday of each month at 6pm we hold a service of prayer and worship. While it’s a relatively small group of people who attend, we always enjoy this time of gathering together in God’s presence and midweek is a wonderful time to reset. Everyone is welcome to these, and the next one will be Wednesday, February 1.
12. Help Wanted – If you have the gift of hospitality and interest in serving others in a Cafe setting, we are looking for people to be in on the rotation for the Saturday Evening Cafe. For more information contact Patti Chadwick at patti.chadwick@juno.com or 585-297-3009.
13. Monday Night Bible Study – On Monday nights at 6:30 Pastor Vern leads a Bible study in Room 2/3 at North. The group is currently studying the book of Philippians. Everyone is welcome and if you’d like to get on the email list and receive the notes that way just let Pastor Vern know at vern@northgatefmc.com. Some people attend this group via Zoom as well, so if that’s an option that works well for you contact Pastor Vern to get the Zoom link.
14. Sight and Sound Trip to See “Moses” – This excursion for May 1-3 is almost full. There are 3 slots left, so if you are interested in going, please let Angelique know as soon as possible – angelique@northgatefmc.com.
Here are a few opportunities to participate with others in ministry…
1. Flower City Work Camp – Pastor DL is taking a group of youth to Rochester the week of April 3 to participate in service opportunities as part of Flower City Work Camp. At this point he is still in need of some adult help! He could use a lunch coordinator and also a few women to chaperone overnight. If you’d like to know more about these opportunities to minister to our youth, contact Pastor DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.
2. Tumaini Women Kenya – TWK is a Free Methodist NGO that works with local churches and communities in Kenya. One of the programs TWK is involved with is Wunders. Wunders provides girls and women in Kenya with the supplies they need during their menstrual cycles. Rob and Terri Noble, Northgate attenders, will be traveling to Kenya to work with TWK on a short-term mission trip in February and they’d like to deliver some supplies to TWK when they go. Specifically, they are asking for donations of Hanes JUST MY SIZE Women’s plus size cool comfort cotton HIGH BRIEF 6 packs, sizes 10, 12 & 14. If you bring these to the church, we’ll see that Rob and Terri get them. They will need these by Sunday, February 12.
3. Lighthouse Station Fundraising Dinner – Lighthouse Station is a ministry in Warsaw serving women experiencing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. We have supported Lighthouse Station with gifts in the past and wanted to let you know that they are having a fundraising dinner in Depew on January 28. There is no cost for the dinner; donations will be received afterwards. The speaker for the event is Nicole C. Mullen. For more information call Sarah at 585-237-8644 or visit their website: https://www.thelighthousestation.org/events.
Please Let Us Know How We Can Pray For You – Email us at prayer@northgatefmc.com.
On Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 a prayer team meets in meeting room 4. During this time people pray for the services, needs of our congregation and other topics as God leads. We would love to have you join this prayer team.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Galatians 4:31 – Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Read Galatians 4:1-31)
This chapter can be a little confusing if you’re not familiar with the story of Abraham and his sons. It might be helpful to go back and read Genesis 15, 16, and 21 and then read this chapter again. Basically, Paul is drawing a contrast between being a child of slavery or a child of freedom. He is reminding the Galatians that in Christ we have been set free from the idea that we must perfectly obey the law in order to be found righteous and holy before God. That’s not something people ever could do, and it wasn’t the way God wanted us to relate to Him – He always wanted us to relate to Him by faith (see Genesis 15:6), but over time some came to believe it was in keeping the law that we were made righteous.
Paul had preached the gospel to the Galatians, and they had learned that in Christ they were free – no longer slaves to law keeping. Unfortunately, some of the Galatian Christians were reverting to the law, especially around keeping special observances (verse 10) in the belief that these were required for their holiness. In this way and in others they were becoming “slaves” all over again.
A relationship with Jesus by faith, and our freedom in Christ is a precious thing. Many of us are still “slaves” to the idea that we are only acceptable to God, ourselves and others if we do everything perfectly, keep all the rules, do everything just right. Of course, God does call us to certain ways of living, but not so that we can be acceptable to Him. Our acceptance by God is based on our faith in His Son Jesus! We don’t become perfect so God will love us. We are loved by God who, through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, perfects us! Praise God!
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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