Top Ten - December 7

Vintage Christmas is tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) night from 6-8pm. Hope you can come out for a bit as we begin our celebration of Christmas!

1. “Centered” Next Wednesday If you would appreciate some time in the middle of the week to just “Be still and know that I am God” you might enjoy coming on Wednesday December 13 at 6pm our monthly time of prayer and worship midweek. Normally this occurs on the first Wednesday of the month, but we had to move it this month. Everyone is welcome!

2. Flower City Work Camp 2024 Pastor DL is leading a group of youth to Rochester from April 1-5, 2024, for Flower City Work Camp. Currently, he still requires assistance in filling the required adult volunteer roles. These roles play a crucial part in supporting our students during the camp. For every 3 students Northgate sends to FCWC, we need to provide 1 required adult leader. Required adult leaders should be available to serve from Monday, April 1st, to Thursday, April 4th, approximately from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day. There are four different types of required leaders:

1. **Worksite Teams:** Performing home repairs, light construction, renovation, painting, and yardwork.
 
2. **Sidewalk Clubs:** Reaching out to neighborhood kids through music, drama, crafts, and sports.
 
3. **Basketball and Soccer Camps:** Teaching about teamwork and competing in tournament-style play.
 
4. **Agency Support Teams:** Conducting service projects for other local area non-profits.

If you are interested in serving in any of these roles or would like more information, please contact DL at dl@northgatefmc.com.

3. Prime Timers The next Prime Timers gathering is coming up in one week – Thursday December 14 at noon in the North Campus café. This luncheon is for anyone who considers themselves to be a “senior” and all are welcome. For this lunch ham and ice cream will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass to go along with those items. Also, if you can, please bring an item to supplement the Salvation Army toy drive: puzzles, board games, books for infants or older children, Play-Doh, arts and crafts supplies, coloring books, crayons, hats, scarves, mittens, small Lego kits or children’s card games. No food items please!

4. Great Day of Giving Thank you so much for your generosity towards our Great Day of Giving. We’re going to be able to really bless All Babies Cherished, Care-A-Van, Angel Gowns, and Habitat for Humanity as a result. We are also going to be giving toward Free Methodist World Missions and be able to take care of some things our buildings need. You are an awesome church and the way you respond to things like this is incredibly humbling. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus in the ways that you do.

5. Angel Tree Thank you for your support of the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree the past few weeks. All but a couple of the tags were taken!

6. Pancakes and PJs Our Children’s ministry team is planning a fun event for children in K-4 and their potty-trained younger siblings. Wear your pancakes and bring your pajamas… no, wait, I mean wear your pajamas and come enjoy some pancakes! This happens Saturday, December 16 from 10-noon and if you want more information contact Becca – becca2northgatefmc.com.

7. Rwanda Virtual Gifts If you’d like to help make Christmas a little sweeter for our friends in Gahanda there is an opportunity to do so. We asked Ephaste (the International Child Care Ministries director in Rwanda) what would brighten the children’s faces on Christmas and he said that they would love to get some things they rarely do: juice, cookies and cake. So we’re going to help make that happen. Get more information on the table by the Guest Lounge.

8. Gatherings for Moms…
  • MOPS meets on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays at 6pm at North
  • The Mommy and Me play group meets every Tuesday at 9:30am at North

9. Salvation Army Toy Distribution The Christmas Toy Distribution event takes place at our South campus and is a wonderful day when we get to join with the Salvation Army to bring joy to families this Christmas season. If you’d like to be a part of that day, consider yourself invited! Here’s the information on volunteer opportunities:

Packing: Dec. 18-19 10am-7pm
During these times they will be working on sorting all of the gifts that have been donated and packing them into bags and boxes for distribution. Northgate volunteers will be paired with a Salvation Army volunteer who will help them through the process of packing the gifts. Volunteers are welcome to come at any point during the day and stay for as long as they like.

Distribution: Dec. 20 9am-2pm
Help is needed distributing the gifts and food, this will primarily include loading the gifts into cars and directing traffic. Volunteers should dress warm as there is a chance they will be outside.

There are also two other opportunities for people to volunteer. On the 21st and 22nd the Salvation Army is going to be distributing the gifts and food that have been donated for the Adopt-a-Family program and their Seniors Christmas Program. This will not be held at South, instead they deliver these items to the recipient’s home. Anyone interested in assisting with this part of the program should contact the Salvation Army directly for more information.

10. Sight and Sound Trip to See “Daniel” Angelique has been putting the final touches on a trip to see “Daniel” at Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA next June. If you’d like to get your name on the list for more information on the trip to see “Daniel” you can email Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

Some of the Small Groups Meeting This Fall:

Listening to the Language of the Bible Rick and Sara Kent are leading another semester of this small group on Sundays at 9:30 in Room 2/3. This is from the Amazon description of the book… By examining the Hebraic, Jewish cultural context of some of the Bible's seemingly odd phrases, it shares insights that clarify reading and deepen Bible study. Readers will discover the deeper meaning of the Scriptures in light of its heart-language, Hebrew. All are welcome!

Parenting Adult Children Group Parenting Adult Children is held on Sundays at 9:30 in room #1!  Debbie Vick leads this study of the book Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life, written by Jim Burns. If you have any questions, please contact Angelique at angelique@northgatefmc.com.

Embers: An Intergenerational Bible study For All Ages This study looks into God’s Word and explores simple ways to apply it to life.  We examine earthly stories from the Bible that have Heavenly meaning and check our understanding through a window and a mirror.  This group will also explore ways to reach into the community sharing God’s love with others in need.  Come as an individual or as a whole family and share real life together. This group meets at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings in Room #6.

Women’s Journey Women who want to examine God’s Word together are invited to North on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Room 2/3.  We will discuss how the whole of scripture ties together and how it personally connects to each of us.  Our desire is to know the heart of Jesus and live our purpose revealed through His Word.

Young Adults (18-29) Bible Study Brandon Northup is leading this study at 11 AM in room #4 (next to Cafe).  This group looks at topics relevant to this phase of life and what the Bible says about this season of life.  Hope to see you there!

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You Can Count on This – 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (Read 2 Timothy 4:1-22)


These words inspire me and humble me. They inspire me because I so want to be able to say this at the end of my life. And they humble me because I know that without God’s help that’s not likely. It’s only by the grace and strength and presence of God in the Holy Spirit abiding in me that I’ll be able to get to the end of my race and be able to say I finished strong. Lord, please help me to fight and finish and remain faithful to you today, and tomorrow, and every day of life that you grant me on this earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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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