Top Ten - July 18
1. Pray for Our Costa Rica Team – About 20 our youth and adult leaders are heading to Costa Rica this Saturday to minister to people there. Pastor DL has been working hard to get this team ready to go and they are. Please be in prayer for safe travel there and back, health as they serve, wonderful experiences with the people of Costa Rica, effective ministry and especially for eyes to be opened to what God is doing in them and through them as they serve. The team returns on July 28. Thanks!
2. Northgate Group Leaders – Attention Northgate Group Leaders: Save the date! Join us on August 18 at 12:15 PM, right after the first service, for a vision casting/planning workshop. Let's gear up for the fall semester kickoff together. A light lunch will be provided. See you there! If you have any questions, contact Angelique @ angelique@northgatefmc.com
3. Do You Know About the Northgate APP? – Listen to sermons, access notes, explore the Top 10, join groups, check events, and submit prayer requests. Available for Apple and Android.
4. Northgate Missions Team – The newly formed Northgate Missions Team will focus on local and global missions – keeping our congregation informed about what’s going on, exploring ways to be involved, arranging opportunities to hear from missionaries we support around the world, and more. Pastor Chris is heading up this group and the next meeting is July 21 after 2nd service. All interested people are invited!
5. St. Paul Lutheran School – St. Paul’s is a Christian elementary school in Batavia that a number of Northgate people have utilized for the education of their children, and which several Northgate people serve at as education leaders. St. Paul’s is now registering PreK-6th grade students for the 2024-2025 school year. If you’d like to know more about the school you can contact them at 585-343-0488.
6. “God’s Good Grace Home†– All Babies Cherished is getting ready to open a home that will provide temporary housing for up to five mothers and their children under the age of five. Before that can happen, they need to find individuals willing to serve as “house advocates†in the home. These individuals will work part-time in daytime and/or overnight shifts. If you would be interested in one of these positions contact Susan Sherman at sueabcherished@gmail.com or call 344-5660 for more information.
7. Celebrate Recovery – Pastor Dave Odachowski and the CR TEAM lead those of us who are gaining joy and freedom in Christ by applying the 12-Steps of Celebrate Recovery to the hurts, habits and hang-ups we struggle with. This group meets on Thursday nights at 7pm at North. For more info, please contact Pastor Dave at dave@northgatefmc.com.
8. Right Now Media – As a Northgate attender you have access to thousands of Christian videos covering all ages and topics. You’ll find Bible studies, studies for couples and families, things for young children and so much more. This is a free service to you as a Northgater, but you do need a password, which you can get by contacting our church office: office@northgatefmc.com or text NORTHGATEFMC to 49775.
9. Interested in Learning to Speak Spanish? – Rosalina Vanegas is holding a Spanish class on Wednesdays at noon at North in the Guest Lounge. This is quite informal and is appropriate for those who already know a bit of Spanish, as well as those who know none but want to learn. There is no cost for this class and everyone is welcome!
10. Justice Summit – The Genesis Justice Network will be hosting a conference featuring Dr. Korie Little Edwards and addressing “the vital topic of creating multi-racial churches†and she’ll “guide us on our journey toward racial harmony as Christian communities.†This conference is in September (19-21) in Rochester and more information will be coming out as we approach that date.
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You Can Count on This – 1 Peter 4:7-8 – The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (Read 1 Peter 4:1-5:14)
I was listening to a sermon about the end times as I was driving in to the church this morning. The pastor was talking about how, as Christians, we need to think about the end times, and the return of Christ, in two ways that are in tension with each other. We need to think about that time as being very near, and at the same time, possibly quite far away.
We need to think about it as near, because Jesus’ return could happen at any time. And for any of us this could be the day we meet Jesus. So, we should be ready for that to happen at any time. We should live each day prepared and ready. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, then the most important implication of this for you is that you do so now. And if you are trusting Jesus for your salvation, live this day for Him!
On the other hand, we need to also consider that Jesus’ return might be far off yet. We need to keep serving Him day by day until we no longer can. We aren’t to quit our jobs, give our homes away, go sit on a mountain somewhere and wait for Jesus, as if we know beyond a shadow of doubt that today is the day of His return. Be ready for that day but live like it’s still in the future.
Peter speaks to these things in the verses quoted above. “The end of all things is near,†he says. Ok! Then I need to be ready! What should I do? How should I live? Well, I need to stay sober-minded… not lose my head or get caught up in the world’s practices and values and ways. I need to pray. And I need to love others well. Not just today, but every day, and for as many days as God allows me to live here on this earth.
These things Peter tells us to do are so practical, and so focused. Stay focused on Jesus. Pray. Love each other. This is how we prepare for the end of all things.
Blessings,
Pastor Vern
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!
2. Northgate Group Leaders – Attention Northgate Group Leaders: Save the date! Join us on August 18 at 12:15 PM, right after the first service, for a vision casting/planning workshop. Let's gear up for the fall semester kickoff together. A light lunch will be provided. See you there! If you have any questions, contact Angelique @ angelique@northgatefmc.com
3. Do You Know About the Northgate APP? – Listen to sermons, access notes, explore the Top 10, join groups, check events, and submit prayer requests. Available for Apple and Android.
4. Northgate Missions Team – The newly formed Northgate Missions Team will focus on local and global missions – keeping our congregation informed about what’s going on, exploring ways to be involved, arranging opportunities to hear from missionaries we support around the world, and more. Pastor Chris is heading up this group and the next meeting is July 21 after 2nd service. All interested people are invited!
5. St. Paul Lutheran School – St. Paul’s is a Christian elementary school in Batavia that a number of Northgate people have utilized for the education of their children, and which several Northgate people serve at as education leaders. St. Paul’s is now registering PreK-6th grade students for the 2024-2025 school year. If you’d like to know more about the school you can contact them at 585-343-0488.
6. “God’s Good Grace Home†– All Babies Cherished is getting ready to open a home that will provide temporary housing for up to five mothers and their children under the age of five. Before that can happen, they need to find individuals willing to serve as “house advocates†in the home. These individuals will work part-time in daytime and/or overnight shifts. If you would be interested in one of these positions contact Susan Sherman at sueabcherished@gmail.com or call 344-5660 for more information.
7. Celebrate Recovery – Pastor Dave Odachowski and the CR TEAM lead those of us who are gaining joy and freedom in Christ by applying the 12-Steps of Celebrate Recovery to the hurts, habits and hang-ups we struggle with. This group meets on Thursday nights at 7pm at North. For more info, please contact Pastor Dave at dave@northgatefmc.com.
8. Right Now Media – As a Northgate attender you have access to thousands of Christian videos covering all ages and topics. You’ll find Bible studies, studies for couples and families, things for young children and so much more. This is a free service to you as a Northgater, but you do need a password, which you can get by contacting our church office: office@northgatefmc.com or text NORTHGATEFMC to 49775.
9. Interested in Learning to Speak Spanish? – Rosalina Vanegas is holding a Spanish class on Wednesdays at noon at North in the Guest Lounge. This is quite informal and is appropriate for those who already know a bit of Spanish, as well as those who know none but want to learn. There is no cost for this class and everyone is welcome!
10. Justice Summit – The Genesis Justice Network will be hosting a conference featuring Dr. Korie Little Edwards and addressing “the vital topic of creating multi-racial churches†and she’ll “guide us on our journey toward racial harmony as Christian communities.†This conference is in September (19-21) in Rochester and more information will be coming out as we approach that date.
*****************************************************************************************************************
You Can Count on This – 1 Peter 4:7-8 – The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (Read 1 Peter 4:1-5:14)
I was listening to a sermon about the end times as I was driving in to the church this morning. The pastor was talking about how, as Christians, we need to think about the end times, and the return of Christ, in two ways that are in tension with each other. We need to think about that time as being very near, and at the same time, possibly quite far away.
We need to think about it as near, because Jesus’ return could happen at any time. And for any of us this could be the day we meet Jesus. So, we should be ready for that to happen at any time. We should live each day prepared and ready. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, then the most important implication of this for you is that you do so now. And if you are trusting Jesus for your salvation, live this day for Him!
On the other hand, we need to also consider that Jesus’ return might be far off yet. We need to keep serving Him day by day until we no longer can. We aren’t to quit our jobs, give our homes away, go sit on a mountain somewhere and wait for Jesus, as if we know beyond a shadow of doubt that today is the day of His return. Be ready for that day but live like it’s still in the future.
Peter speaks to these things in the verses quoted above. “The end of all things is near,†he says. Ok! Then I need to be ready! What should I do? How should I live? Well, I need to stay sober-minded… not lose my head or get caught up in the world’s practices and values and ways. I need to pray. And I need to love others well. Not just today, but every day, and for as many days as God allows me to live here on this earth.
These things Peter tells us to do are so practical, and so focused. Stay focused on Jesus. Pray. Love each other. This is how we prepare for the end of all things.
Blessings,
Pastor Vern
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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