Top Ten - April 20
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. “IF” Gathering – The women’s “IF” Gathering is coming up this weekend – starting Friday April 21 at 6pm and continuing on Saturday April 22. People have really enjoyed this conference in past years and we’re looking forward to this year’s conference too. It’s not too late to register, and you can do that on our website – northgatefmc.com.
2. Church Workday – Wednesday May 3 Mark is hosting a church workday! This is an opportunity to spruce things up in and around our properties. There’s trimming to be done, mulch to spread, closets to clean out, etc. If you’d like to participate, we get started around 9, and you can get more information by contacting Mark at mark@northgatefmc.com.
3. Rummage Sale – The Early Birds Rummage Sale to benefit missions is being held on May 12 and 13. Items can be brought to our South Campus building (350 Bank St.) May 8-10 during the day. And if you’d like to volunteer to help out, please email the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
4. Summit Weekend – The “Summit Weekend” is coming up May 20 and 21. On that weekend we share some of the things God has been doing through our church and also what He is leading us forward to, and we do that as part of our regular worship services. Also, if you are a member of the church, we will be voting that weekend for Administrative Team and Nominating Team members.
5. Day of Caring – As a staff we have participated in the United Way Day of Caring numerous times, but unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that this year, since there’s a scheduling conflict with our Conference’s Annual Meeting that many of us are required to attend. However, if anyone from the congregation wants to organize a team to join the Day of Caring, please let me know and we’ll help make that happen. The Day of Caring is on Thursday, May 11 and you can reach me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
6. Right Now Media – If you’re new to Northgate or missed this in the past, we want you to know that we have a subscription to Right Now Media – a web-based video service offering thousands of videos on topics of interest to the Christian community. It’s free for you to use as a Northgate attender, but you do need a password. To get that contact Sherrie in the office at sherrie@northgatefmc.com.
7. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
8. Pray First! – Over 100 people of our church have joined in to read Pray First by Chris Hodges this Lenten season! Angelique also wants people to know that there is a Pray First app that you can download, and she has begun a Pray First Facebook group which anyone can join. To find it look for Angelique Spring and “friend” her or email her at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
9. Midweek Group Will Be Discussing “The Chosen” – On Wednesdays, Robin Woodam’s midweek Bible study will be viewing and discussing episodes of “The Chosen.” Please note this is a women’s only group. If you’d like to join them, they meet at 2pm in Room 1 at North. And for more information you can contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. 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 is a fun and informative study and it meets on Sundays at 9:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
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You Can Count on This – Philippians 3:7-8 – But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ… (Read Philippians 3:1-21)
Paul uses a word in these verses that just jumps out at me: the word “garbage.” In Strong’s Greek Dictionary the Greek word translated “garbage” is the word “skubalon” and is described as meaning “what is thrown to the dogs.” When you look back at verses 4 through 6 and consider what Paul is saying is “garbage” to him now, it’s really surprising. He refers to his Jewish heritage, having been circumcised as a baby, his commitment to keep the Jewish law and his zealousness in persecuting the Christians. None of this means anything to him now that he has met Jesus and finds all of his righteousness in Him.
By calling these things “garbage” I think Paul is saying he puts no value in those things in regard to his relationship with God through Jesus. The truth is that some of those things hindered his connection with God as he was traveling far from Christ until Jesus confronted him and turned him around. So, seeking his righteousness through his zeal to keep the law or persecute Christians… well that’s been tossed to the dogs. They can have it! He’s found his righteousness in Christ.
As I think about these verses and try to connect them to my life, I can certainly identify with having tried to be righteous apart from Christ, and then, having fallen flat on my face, finding my righteousness in Him, for which I am eternally grateful. I can also think about things that I used to prop up my false righteousness and ego… college degrees, material things, my “intelligence”, good things done only for recognition, etc. All of that is now garbage to me, in the sense that I know none of it made me actually righteous. Only my relationship with Jesus has done that. Praise God for Jesus!
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.
If you’re interested in a small group, contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
1. “IF” Gathering – The women’s “IF” Gathering is coming up this weekend – starting Friday April 21 at 6pm and continuing on Saturday April 22. People have really enjoyed this conference in past years and we’re looking forward to this year’s conference too. It’s not too late to register, and you can do that on our website – northgatefmc.com.
2. Church Workday – Wednesday May 3 Mark is hosting a church workday! This is an opportunity to spruce things up in and around our properties. There’s trimming to be done, mulch to spread, closets to clean out, etc. If you’d like to participate, we get started around 9, and you can get more information by contacting Mark at mark@northgatefmc.com.
3. Rummage Sale – The Early Birds Rummage Sale to benefit missions is being held on May 12 and 13. Items can be brought to our South Campus building (350 Bank St.) May 8-10 during the day. And if you’d like to volunteer to help out, please email the office at office@northgatefmc.com.
4. Summit Weekend – The “Summit Weekend” is coming up May 20 and 21. On that weekend we share some of the things God has been doing through our church and also what He is leading us forward to, and we do that as part of our regular worship services. Also, if you are a member of the church, we will be voting that weekend for Administrative Team and Nominating Team members.
5. Day of Caring – As a staff we have participated in the United Way Day of Caring numerous times, but unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that this year, since there’s a scheduling conflict with our Conference’s Annual Meeting that many of us are required to attend. However, if anyone from the congregation wants to organize a team to join the Day of Caring, please let me know and we’ll help make that happen. The Day of Caring is on Thursday, May 11 and you can reach me at vern@northgatefmc.com.
6. Right Now Media – If you’re new to Northgate or missed this in the past, we want you to know that we have a subscription to Right Now Media – a web-based video service offering thousands of videos on topics of interest to the Christian community. It’s free for you to use as a Northgate attender, but you do need a password. To get that contact Sherrie in the office at sherrie@northgatefmc.com.
7. Save the Dates – There are some events coming up for which you may want to save the date.
- The “IF” Gathering will be held here (by video) tomorrow (Friday April 21) and Saturday April 22; Registration is available on the Northgate website
- Northgate Rummage Sale – May 12-13 (Collections May 8-10)
- Summit Weekend – May 20-21
- A young adults picnic is being planned for May 21 at the Pavilion/North
- Phyllis Sorter – a Free Methodist missionary who survived a kidnapping in Nigeria, will be with us June 21 at 6pm to share about her experience
- Family Life Network Youth Theater Camp – At Northgate June 26-30
- Kid’s Summer Camp at Northgate will take place from July 17 to July 21
8. Pray First! – Over 100 people of our church have joined in to read Pray First by Chris Hodges this Lenten season! Angelique also wants people to know that there is a Pray First app that you can download, and she has begun a Pray First Facebook group which anyone can join. To find it look for Angelique Spring and “friend” her or email her at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
9. Midweek Group Will Be Discussing “The Chosen” – On Wednesdays, Robin Woodam’s midweek Bible study will be viewing and discussing episodes of “The Chosen.” Please note this is a women’s only group. If you’d like to join them, they meet at 2pm in Room 1 at North. And for more information you can contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
10. 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 is a fun and informative study and it meets on Sundays at 9:30. For more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – Philippians 3:7-8 – But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ… (Read Philippians 3:1-21)
Paul uses a word in these verses that just jumps out at me: the word “garbage.” In Strong’s Greek Dictionary the Greek word translated “garbage” is the word “skubalon” and is described as meaning “what is thrown to the dogs.” When you look back at verses 4 through 6 and consider what Paul is saying is “garbage” to him now, it’s really surprising. He refers to his Jewish heritage, having been circumcised as a baby, his commitment to keep the Jewish law and his zealousness in persecuting the Christians. None of this means anything to him now that he has met Jesus and finds all of his righteousness in Him.
By calling these things “garbage” I think Paul is saying he puts no value in those things in regard to his relationship with God through Jesus. The truth is that some of those things hindered his connection with God as he was traveling far from Christ until Jesus confronted him and turned him around. So, seeking his righteousness through his zeal to keep the law or persecute Christians… well that’s been tossed to the dogs. They can have it! He’s found his righteousness in Christ.
As I think about these verses and try to connect them to my life, I can certainly identify with having tried to be righteous apart from Christ, and then, having fallen flat on my face, finding my righteousness in Him, for which I am eternally grateful. I can also think about things that I used to prop up my false righteousness and ego… college degrees, material things, my “intelligence”, good things done only for recognition, etc. All of that is now garbage to me, in the sense that I know none of it made me actually righteous. Only my relationship with Jesus has done that. Praise God for Jesus!
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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