Top Ten - July 27
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. Northgate 101 Classes This Summer – The first three Sundays of August we are holding our membership classes. We’ll meet in Room 1 on Sunday morning at 9:30. Everyone is welcome to come and learn about the Free Methodist Church!
2. Hessler Scholarship – There is a scholarship available through Northgate for students entering or attending a school that is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. The scholarship is for up to $750.00 and is often matched by the college or university. To be eligible the student must be a regular attender of Northgate and have been a regular attender for at least 6 months. The application process is not difficult but must be completed by the end of July. If you would like to know more or to apply, contact Mark Logan at mark@northgatefmc.com. This scholarship was created in honor of Pastor Evan Hessler who served at Northgate from 1968-1979.
3. Playground Construction – Thank you so much to all the people who volunteered on the playground construction last week. We’ve made an incredible amount of progress because of your hard work stripping the bark from logs. In just a couple of weeks you should see elements of the playground being created, although I was a little optimistic on the timeline for full completion… that will be a bit later than September! If you’d like to help make this happen and need more information, please contact our lead constructor, Matt, at mattjolliff@gmail.com.
4. Kid’s Summer Camp – Thank you (2) to all of the many volunteers and staff members who put on an amazing Kid’s Camp last week. Just observing all that went into this made me appreciate our church so much, and I know from the enthusiasm of the kids who attended that it was a lot of fun for them. Our prayer is that this is just one of the many things we do that creates a foundation for a life with Jesus in the minds and hearts of the children who come here. Thank you everyone for your part in that.
5. Apple Tree Tags – Thank you (3) to all who have taken a tag from the Apple Tree. There are just a few left. The Apple Tree is a ministry that is led by the Salvation Army and with which we assist when we take tags from the tree, purchase the necessary school supplies and return them here for delivery to the Salvation Army, which will then distribute them before the next school year begins to children who are in need of some extra assistance. The school supplies need to be returned by August 13. Thanks!
6. Trip Being Planned to See “Ruth” at FLN This November – Angelique is putting together another trip for this Fall. This will be a dinner theater at Family Life Network in Bath where they are putting on a Sight and Sound production of “Ruth.” If you’d like to join the trip or need more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
7. Volunteer Opportunities at Lydia’s Kitchen – Looking for something to do this summer? Looking to serve others in need? Fun and fulfilling. Calling all volunteers! High School Youth included! Lydia’s Soup Kitchen (Batavia) is in need of help over the summer. Give a little time in a 3-hour shift, different positions such as the kitchen, set up, prep food, cook, serve at the window or dishes. Contact for info Lydia- (585) 300-7995 or Robin Woodams- (585) 297-9676.
8. Men of Northgate, Save the Date – Our second annual “Man Camp” will be September 1-2 (with some guys staying through the 3rd). Bring your camper, tent, or hammocks and enjoy the beauty of Northgate’s big backyard! Plan on joining us for a great time of fellowship, food, and relaxation. There is no age minimum or maximum. Cost is $20 per person with an immediate family max of $60 and covers all of your food. Registration will be available soon on our website or app. Questions - email john@northgatefmc.com.
9. New Study on Sundays at 12:15 – Pastor Vern is leading a summer book study on Sundays at 12:15 in Room 1 at North. We’re going to be studying the book The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel. All are welcome to join in!
10. News From the Free Methodist General Conference – Every four years our denominational leaders meet to do the business of our denomination. Lay delegates and clergy come together to elect bishops (the leaders who oversee the ministry of our denomination), consider proposals and resolutions regarding our doctrines and practices, celebrate the good things God is doing in the Free Methodist Church and pray to seek God’s will and vision for our future. I’ve had the pleasure of attending several of these General Conferences and each time I left feeling very encouraged about who we are as Free Methodists and where we are headed.
General Conference is happening right now in Orlando, Florida. Pastor Mitch and Lynn Sue and Pastor Katrina and Bob are among those who are attending. The conference continues through tomorrow, so please keep all of the attendees and leaders in prayer, and pray for God’s hand to keep guiding and directing our churches.
Yesterday the Conference delegates elected the three pastoral leaders who will oversee the work of our denomination for the next four years. Bishop Keith Cowart was reelected to serve. And Pastors Kenny Martin and Kaye Kolde were elected as first-term bishops. Pastor Martin is the first African American bishop elected to lead our denomination and comes from San Bernardino, California where he has been serving as the lead pastor of the Kingdom Cathedral church plant. Pastor Kolde comes to the position from Spring Arbor, Michigan where she has been serving as the lead pastor at The Arbor Church. Please pray for all of our Bishops as they seek to “develop and articulate the purpose, vision, values and expected outcomes” of the Free Methodist Church.
Also, keep in prayer current Bishops Linda Adams and Matt Whitehead who will be completing their four-year terms. Bishop Linda and Bishop Whitehead have led us well and will be missed. Pray for them as they transition into new roles.
I came to the Free Methodist church about 24 years ago from another denomination, and I have never regretted the decision to align with this church body. We have a history that we can feel good about, leadership that seeks to remain faithful to God and His Word, and a future that will remain strong as long as we continue to love God and love others with the love of Christ.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Thessalonians 1:4 – Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. (Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-12)
Paul is writing to encourage the believers in Thessalonica, telling them that he thanks God for them (verse 3) and that he boasts to other churches about them (verse 4).
Paul thanks God that the faith of the members of that church is growing stronger all the time. And he thanks God that their love for one another is also growing stronger all the time. But he boasts about the fact that they are increasing in faith, and persevering in their ministry, even though they are facing persecution and trials.
We’re very fortunate here. We do not daily face the risk and reality of persecution that the early church did, or that many churches in various parts of the world face today. So really, we don’t have any excuse for not continuing to grow in faith and love. If a church can grow strong in faith and love despite persecution and trials, we can do so living in our relatively persecution-free place.
How do we do that? How do we grow strong in faith and love? Ultimately, it’s the work of God (verse 11). But we need to cooperate with God’s work by praying for one another, looking out for each other, tending to our own personal relationship with Christ each day, and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit in this. And trusting that God is faithful and wants us to grow deep in faith and love, so we should expect it!
P.S. – Take a moment today to pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Pray that their faith and love will grow stronger all the time and Christ will be glorified.
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. Northgate 101 Classes This Summer – The first three Sundays of August we are holding our membership classes. We’ll meet in Room 1 on Sunday morning at 9:30. Everyone is welcome to come and learn about the Free Methodist Church!
2. Hessler Scholarship – There is a scholarship available through Northgate for students entering or attending a school that is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. The scholarship is for up to $750.00 and is often matched by the college or university. To be eligible the student must be a regular attender of Northgate and have been a regular attender for at least 6 months. The application process is not difficult but must be completed by the end of July. If you would like to know more or to apply, contact Mark Logan at mark@northgatefmc.com. This scholarship was created in honor of Pastor Evan Hessler who served at Northgate from 1968-1979.
3. Playground Construction – Thank you so much to all the people who volunteered on the playground construction last week. We’ve made an incredible amount of progress because of your hard work stripping the bark from logs. In just a couple of weeks you should see elements of the playground being created, although I was a little optimistic on the timeline for full completion… that will be a bit later than September! If you’d like to help make this happen and need more information, please contact our lead constructor, Matt, at mattjolliff@gmail.com.
4. Kid’s Summer Camp – Thank you (2) to all of the many volunteers and staff members who put on an amazing Kid’s Camp last week. Just observing all that went into this made me appreciate our church so much, and I know from the enthusiasm of the kids who attended that it was a lot of fun for them. Our prayer is that this is just one of the many things we do that creates a foundation for a life with Jesus in the minds and hearts of the children who come here. Thank you everyone for your part in that.
5. Apple Tree Tags – Thank you (3) to all who have taken a tag from the Apple Tree. There are just a few left. The Apple Tree is a ministry that is led by the Salvation Army and with which we assist when we take tags from the tree, purchase the necessary school supplies and return them here for delivery to the Salvation Army, which will then distribute them before the next school year begins to children who are in need of some extra assistance. The school supplies need to be returned by August 13. Thanks!
6. Trip Being Planned to See “Ruth” at FLN This November – Angelique is putting together another trip for this Fall. This will be a dinner theater at Family Life Network in Bath where they are putting on a Sight and Sound production of “Ruth.” If you’d like to join the trip or need more information contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.
7. Volunteer Opportunities at Lydia’s Kitchen – Looking for something to do this summer? Looking to serve others in need? Fun and fulfilling. Calling all volunteers! High School Youth included! Lydia’s Soup Kitchen (Batavia) is in need of help over the summer. Give a little time in a 3-hour shift, different positions such as the kitchen, set up, prep food, cook, serve at the window or dishes. Contact for info Lydia- (585) 300-7995 or Robin Woodams- (585) 297-9676.
8. Men of Northgate, Save the Date – Our second annual “Man Camp” will be September 1-2 (with some guys staying through the 3rd). Bring your camper, tent, or hammocks and enjoy the beauty of Northgate’s big backyard! Plan on joining us for a great time of fellowship, food, and relaxation. There is no age minimum or maximum. Cost is $20 per person with an immediate family max of $60 and covers all of your food. Registration will be available soon on our website or app. Questions - email john@northgatefmc.com.
9. New Study on Sundays at 12:15 – Pastor Vern is leading a summer book study on Sundays at 12:15 in Room 1 at North. We’re going to be studying the book The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel. All are welcome to join in!
10. News From the Free Methodist General Conference – Every four years our denominational leaders meet to do the business of our denomination. Lay delegates and clergy come together to elect bishops (the leaders who oversee the ministry of our denomination), consider proposals and resolutions regarding our doctrines and practices, celebrate the good things God is doing in the Free Methodist Church and pray to seek God’s will and vision for our future. I’ve had the pleasure of attending several of these General Conferences and each time I left feeling very encouraged about who we are as Free Methodists and where we are headed.
General Conference is happening right now in Orlando, Florida. Pastor Mitch and Lynn Sue and Pastor Katrina and Bob are among those who are attending. The conference continues through tomorrow, so please keep all of the attendees and leaders in prayer, and pray for God’s hand to keep guiding and directing our churches.
Yesterday the Conference delegates elected the three pastoral leaders who will oversee the work of our denomination for the next four years. Bishop Keith Cowart was reelected to serve. And Pastors Kenny Martin and Kaye Kolde were elected as first-term bishops. Pastor Martin is the first African American bishop elected to lead our denomination and comes from San Bernardino, California where he has been serving as the lead pastor of the Kingdom Cathedral church plant. Pastor Kolde comes to the position from Spring Arbor, Michigan where she has been serving as the lead pastor at The Arbor Church. Please pray for all of our Bishops as they seek to “develop and articulate the purpose, vision, values and expected outcomes” of the Free Methodist Church.
Also, keep in prayer current Bishops Linda Adams and Matt Whitehead who will be completing their four-year terms. Bishop Linda and Bishop Whitehead have led us well and will be missed. Pray for them as they transition into new roles.
I came to the Free Methodist church about 24 years ago from another denomination, and I have never regretted the decision to align with this church body. We have a history that we can feel good about, leadership that seeks to remain faithful to God and His Word, and a future that will remain strong as long as we continue to love God and love others with the love of Christ.
***********************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Thessalonians 1:4 – Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. (Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-12)
Paul is writing to encourage the believers in Thessalonica, telling them that he thanks God for them (verse 3) and that he boasts to other churches about them (verse 4).
Paul thanks God that the faith of the members of that church is growing stronger all the time. And he thanks God that their love for one another is also growing stronger all the time. But he boasts about the fact that they are increasing in faith, and persevering in their ministry, even though they are facing persecution and trials.
We’re very fortunate here. We do not daily face the risk and reality of persecution that the early church did, or that many churches in various parts of the world face today. So really, we don’t have any excuse for not continuing to grow in faith and love. If a church can grow strong in faith and love despite persecution and trials, we can do so living in our relatively persecution-free place.
How do we do that? How do we grow strong in faith and love? Ultimately, it’s the work of God (verse 11). But we need to cooperate with God’s work by praying for one another, looking out for each other, tending to our own personal relationship with Christ each day, and asking for the help of the Holy Spirit in this. And trusting that God is faithful and wants us to grow deep in faith and love, so we should expect it!
P.S. – Take a moment today to pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Pray that their faith and love will grow stronger all the time and Christ will be glorified.
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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