Top Ten - March 16
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. Pray for Our Rwanda Team! – Mark (our Director of Operations), Allison (our Director of Communications), Lukas (our Tech Director) and Elise and Devon have headed to the Buffalo airport to begin their two-week trip to Rwanda where they will visit Gahanda (the site of our Connected Community) as well as other Connected Community sites. They are focusing this trip on gathering video and pictures and stories to share with churches and others to bring greater awareness to the work God is doing in Rwanda. Please keep them in your prayers! They are due to arrive back in the United States on March 29. Thank you!
2. Easter Schedule – Easter is coming quickly – just a few weeks away. Here’s the schedule for the services we’ll be holding during Holy Week…
3. 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:
4. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
5. Baptisms/Dedications/Membership – If you are interested in joining Northgate as a member, or being baptized, or having a child/infant baptized or dedicated, please contact one of the pastors and let them know. We are planning a weekend of baptisms/dedications on April 15/16 and will schedule a membership class as needed.
6. Parenting Adult Children – Debbie Vick is leading this class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. 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 – A new women’s meeting has just begun at South. This will run during the Teen’s Base time on Wednesday nights at 6pm 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.
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. Listening to the Language of the Bible – Rick and Sara Kent are leading 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.
10a. Would You Like to Work on Your Spanish Skills? – Rosalina has begun helping interested people to increase their Spanish language skills. Whether you have some knowledge in Spanish, or have none but would like to learn, you are welcome. This group meets at noon on Wednesdays at North.
10b. Help Wanted – 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.
10c. Help Wanted (Part 2) – If you are looking for a way to serve others in the community, here are a couple of very good opportunities.
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You Can Count on This – Ephesians 4:14 – Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Read Ephesians 4:1-32)
We’ve had a couple of very windy days recently. On one of them, as big as I am, I was feeling buffeted by the winds when I got out of my car in the church parking lot. It’s not a lot of fun to feel the strength of the wind pushing you around, unless you’re trying to fly a kite or sail a boat, I guess.
When it comes to our faith in Christ, we definitely do not want to be people who are easily pushed around in regard to what we believe. This is what Paul is warning us about in this passage of Ephesians. He’s encouraging us (read the verses that come before verse 14) to band together in unity as a church, to encourage and strengthen one another and to help each other grow deep and strong in our faith. If we will do this we will have the strength to stand up to the winds of opposition to our faith in Christ.
I’m imagining my young grandson and granddaughter being with me on that day I was pushed by the breezes. I’m picturing us linking our arms together and how that would have made each of us a lot sturdier as we walked through those winds. That’s a picture of the church. All of us linking our arms together to give strength and unity to the body, to help each of us stand strong with Jesus! Let’s do that!
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.
1. Pray for Our Rwanda Team! – Mark (our Director of Operations), Allison (our Director of Communications), Lukas (our Tech Director) and Elise and Devon have headed to the Buffalo airport to begin their two-week trip to Rwanda where they will visit Gahanda (the site of our Connected Community) as well as other Connected Community sites. They are focusing this trip on gathering video and pictures and stories to share with churches and others to bring greater awareness to the work God is doing in Rwanda. Please keep them in your prayers! They are due to arrive back in the United States on March 29. Thank you!
2. Easter Schedule – Easter is coming quickly – just a few weeks away. Here’s the schedule for the services we’ll be holding during Holy Week…
- Maundy Thursday Service, April 6 at Arbor House – A self-guided stations of the cross event. Come anytime between 6 and 8pm
- Good Friday Service, April 7 at Arbor House at 7pm
- Saturday night service at North – 6:00pm (I made a typo on the time last week! It is not changing!!)
- Easter Sunday sunrise at the North Campus pavilion – 6:30am
- Easter Sunday Celebration at North – 9:30/11am
- Easter Sunday Celebration at Arbor House – 10am
3. 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:
- 3/18 & 19 – Paper towels & washcloths
- 3/25 &26 – Shampoo & Conditioner
- 4/1 & 2 – Body wash/soap
4. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
- A new couple’s group has started at North on Sundays at 9:30
- The “IF” Gathering will be held here (by video) on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22; Registration is available on the Northgate website
- A young adults picnic is being planned for April 21 at the Pavilion/North
- Kid’s Summer Camp at Northgate will take place from July 17 to July 21
5. Baptisms/Dedications/Membership – If you are interested in joining Northgate as a member, or being baptized, or having a child/infant baptized or dedicated, please contact one of the pastors and let them know. We are planning a weekend of baptisms/dedications on April 15/16 and will schedule a membership class as needed.
6. Parenting Adult Children – Debbie Vick is leading this class at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. 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 – A new women’s meeting has just begun at South. This will run during the Teen’s Base time on Wednesday nights at 6pm 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.
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. Listening to the Language of the Bible – Rick and Sara Kent are leading 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.
10a. Would You Like to Work on Your Spanish Skills? – Rosalina has begun helping interested people to increase their Spanish language skills. Whether you have some knowledge in Spanish, or have none but would like to learn, you are welcome. This group meets at noon on Wednesdays at North.
- Learning another language can help us feel more confident in interacting with people of another culture.
- At Easter time and Thanksgiving, we deliver special bags of food to migrant families in our area. And in the summer, we make water deliveries to people working in the fields. Everyone is welcome to be part of this.
- Pre-Covid we held an English as a Second Language class for Spanish-speakers in our area. We’d love to see that restarted. If you are interested in being part of that contact Pastor Vern at vern@northgatefmc.com
- And please note that Rosalina is preparing to offer translation again for our worship services. If you know of someone who could benefit from that contact Pastor Vern for details on when that will begin.
10b. Help Wanted – 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.
10c. Help Wanted (Part 2) – If you are looking for a way to serve others in the community, here are a couple of very good opportunities.
- Crossroads House – Crossroads provides comfort care to people who have been given a life-limiting diagnosis. There is a need for more volunteers to provide this loving care to individuals and their families. To learn more about Crossroads House you can go to their website: https://www.crossroadshouse.com
- CASA – CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocates.” Volunteers with CASA advocate for children that have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Training is provided for all volunteers and no specific background or experience is required. To learn more about CASA visit their website at http://www.geneseecountycasa.org or talk to Pastor Vern and he can put in touch with one of our Northgate attenders who is currently serving with CASA.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Ephesians 4:14 – Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Read Ephesians 4:1-32)
We’ve had a couple of very windy days recently. On one of them, as big as I am, I was feeling buffeted by the winds when I got out of my car in the church parking lot. It’s not a lot of fun to feel the strength of the wind pushing you around, unless you’re trying to fly a kite or sail a boat, I guess.
When it comes to our faith in Christ, we definitely do not want to be people who are easily pushed around in regard to what we believe. This is what Paul is warning us about in this passage of Ephesians. He’s encouraging us (read the verses that come before verse 14) to band together in unity as a church, to encourage and strengthen one another and to help each other grow deep and strong in our faith. If we will do this we will have the strength to stand up to the winds of opposition to our faith in Christ.
I’m imagining my young grandson and granddaughter being with me on that day I was pushed by the breezes. I’m picturing us linking our arms together and how that would have made each of us a lot sturdier as we walked through those winds. That’s a picture of the church. All of us linking our arms together to give strength and unity to the body, to help each of us stand strong with Jesus! Let’s do that!
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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