Top Ten - February 17

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, contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

1. Lenten Collection for the YWCA – During the season of Lent we will be collecting items that the YWCA Domestic Violence program needs to serve people that reach out to them. Each week we’ll be asking people to bring different things to North or South and we will deliver them to the YWCA. Here’s the schedule for what’s being collected:

• 2/25 & 26 – Cleaning supplies
• 3/4 & 5 – Dishwashing liquid
• 3/11 & 12 – Hand soap/laundry soap
• 3/18 & 19 – Paper towels & washcloths
• 3/25 &26 – Shampoo & Conditioner
• 4/1 & 2 – Body wash/soap

2. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.

• Next Wednesday, 2/22, there will be an Ash Wednesday service at Arbor House (South Campus) at 7pm
• A new couple’s group will begin at North on Sunday March 19
• The “IF” Gathering will be held here (by video) on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22
• Kid’s Summer Camp at Northgate will take place from July 17 to July 21  

3. 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.

4. Northgate Prayer & Care Team - Help Wanted! – Are you interested in taking another step in your walk with Christ here at Northgate. We are looking for individuals who love the Lord and want to serve others through prayer, sending cards, calling people, making visits, or making meals for someone in need. You do not have to do all of these, but whatever you feel you’d like to do. Also, we are looking for someone to be a support to the care team leader. If you love God, love people and want to serve, we would love to hear from YOU!  For more information about this, please contact Karen VanWyngaarden at careteam@northgatefmc.com.

The ministry of the Care Team represents the heart of Northgate. Here’s an example of what it means, from a recent recipient of that ministry:


5. Parenting Adult Children – Debbie Vick will be leading this class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings beginning 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.

6. 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 it’s 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.

7. 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.

8. 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. We’d like to see these groups start by February 26.

9. Listening to the Language of the Bible – Rick and Sarah Kent are going to lead a study of some Hebrew words that Jesus would have used, which, by understanding their meaning better will enrich our understanding of the Bible. This will be a fun and informative study and it begins this Sunday at 9:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

10. 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.
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You Can Count on This – Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  (Read Galatians 6:1-18)

Paul encourages the Christians of Galatia to keep following the way of Jesus, knowing that through perseverance, persistence, and patience there will come a time when they see the fruit of their labor. It’s possible to become “weary in doing good” when the needs are great, things seem to be piling up, we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we get physically worn out. Paul’s not saying we shouldn’t take time to rest, recuperate and recharge. He’s saying that we need to keep seeking to do the good thing, the right thing, the Jesus-led thing, even if we don’t see a positive result of it in the moment. Trust God to honor what you are doing in His name and to bless it, whether it’s sharing the gospel with others, serving people in need, raising a family, loving someone who doesn’t appreciate it, remaining honest under pressure to steal, lie or cheat... whatever it might be. God takes note and the harvest will come.

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.