Weekend Snapshot - November 16

November 16th, 2024

Hey Northgate,

Two things I can promise you about my time as your Lead Pastor:

1. We won’t always get things right.

2. When we don’t, we will acknowledge it, own it, and do our best to make it right.

As some of you noticed, we missed the mark last weekend. In the busyness of church life and everything we need to get done, we failed to recognize Veterans Day during our services.

There is no one to blame for this but me.

I understand that some of you were disappointed, and that feeling is both fair and valid. Please know it was not intentional—it was an unfortunate oversight. We deeply love and appreciate our Veterans here at Northgate, and we are incredibly proud of their service. I am truly heartbroken that some people left last weekend’s services feeling otherwise.

This week, I’ve spoken to many of our Veterans, and I am so grateful for the grace and kindness I’ve received in return.

We are looking forward to honoring our Veterans this weekend, and we also took time in our staff meeting on Tuesday to create a better system to ensure this doesn’t happen again in the future.

Two Things For Feedback

1. Salvation Army Food Collection — Did you know that we have a place for non-perishable food collection for the Salvation Army Food Pantry? You can bring those donations in and leave them in the designated area of the air lock, on the guest lounge/Kids Wing side of that space. We are currently looking for someone with a heart for service who is willing to keep an eye on that space and deliver the food when it fills up. If you are interested in being the point person for that, please contact me!

2. Financial Peace University Class — I mentioned Financial Peace University in last weekend’s message. Even though a lot of that class has moved online I had someone ask me if we would consider offering it as an in person class again. If there is enough interest, I would certainly be open to Northgate hosting that again. The class currently costs $80 per person or couple. Please let me know if you would be interested in participating in that!

See you this weekend!

Pastor John
Lead Pastor

Northgate's Christmas Events

December is filled with wonderful ways to celebrate the Christmas season together! There’s something for everyone, so get ready to mark your calendars. This week, our staff started preparing for Vintage Christmas on December 5-6, and we’re so excited to welcome you! Check out the upcoming events below, and stay tuned for more as we get closer!

Learn More

Need To Knows

This Weekend:

Worship Services — Saturday, 6:00pm, Sunday, 9:30am & 11:00am — We are in the second week of our three week series called “Making Cent$” a practical message series on handling money God’s way
Salvation Army Giving - In the lobby over the next few weekends, we’ll have information about how you can support our local partner, the Salvation Army, in making a difference this Christmas season. This year, we’re excited to offer three unique ways to give: participate in the Angel Tree, Adopt a Senior, or Adopt a Family.
Sunday Morning Prayer Group — Sunday, 9:30am — Meeting Room 4 — Join this faithful group that prays together for our weekend services and much more!
Listening to the Language of the Bible — Sunday, 9:30am — Meeting Room 2/3 — This group meets every Sunday and is currently watching Israel's Mission: Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World.
Middle School & High School Base — Sunday, 11:00am — Northgate Meeting Room 2/3 — There is time for hanging out, teaching, and prayer led by our Next Generation Pastor, DL.

The Week Ahead:

Monday Night Bible Study — Monday, October 28, 6:30pm — Meeting Room 2/3 — Pastor Vern leads an in-depth Bible study focusing on the book of Galatians.
Peace Seekers — Monday, 6:30pm — Youth & Community Center, Room 205 (350 Bank Street). This is a Nar-Anon Family Group that gets together weekly to support each other in that process.
Spanish Class — Wednesday, 12:00pm — Northgate Meeting Room #1 — Rosalina leads a Spanish class on Wednesdays for anyone interested in improving their Spanish language skills. All levels of knowledge are welcome, including beginners! Weather permitting several group members also visit the prayer walk after class. They would love to have you join them!
Midweek Base — Wednesday, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Northgate Youth and Community Center — This program is for students in 5th-12th grade and includes times of worship, teaching, games, fun, food, and small groups. If you have any questions about Base, or any of our student ministries, reach out to our Next Generation Pastor DL Walter at dl@northgatefmc.com
GriefShare —Tuesdays, 6:00 PM, A 13-week group offering comfort and support for those grieving a loved one. Contact John and Patti Chadwick (patti.chadwick@juno.com).
Zoom Prayer Meeting —Thursdays, 12:00–12:30 PM, Led by Andrea, our Spiritual Guidance & Care Director, to pray for our church and community. Email andrea@northgatefmc.com for the link.
Celebrate Recovery — Thursdays, 7:00pm — This group meets together weekly at Northgate to work through hurts, habits, and hangups. New people are always welcome!
Divorce Care — Saturdays, 5:00pm — Northgate Meeting Room #1 — DivorceCare is a 13-week, video-based series that helps people heal from the hurt of separation and divorce. Contact John and Patti Chadwick for more information (patti.chadwick@juno.com).
Pickleball — We have several groups playing all levels of pickleball at the Youth & Community Center during the week. The best way to get connected is to download the TeamReach app and then use the Group Code: B5225K for the Batavia Pickleball Club.

Coming Up:

Great Day of Giving — Saturday and Sunday, November 23&24 — Every year right around Thanksgiving, we receive an extra offering that we call “The Great Day of Giving.” One-third of that offering goes to our Free Methodist World Missions partners. Another third goes to a capital project here at Northgate. And the final third is divided between a few non-profit organizations that serve people right here on our community. The three local non-profit organizations that we will be supporting this year are: Campus180, Recovery Station, and Warrior House of Western New York.
December Message Series — “The Choice” a Northgate Christmas Series
Annual Service of Prayer and Remembrance — Wednesday, December 4, 7:00pm
Vintage Christmas — Thursday, December 5 & Friday, December 6 from 6:00-8:00pm in the pavilion and Northgate’s big back yard. Save one of the two dates and plan to join us for Northgate’s annual outdoor Christmas celebration!
Christmas Carol Hymn Sing — December 10, 6:30 PM, hosted by Northgate Caregivers at the North Campus. Sing carols with us, and stay afterward for cookies, coffee, and fellowship!
Christmas Carol Hymn Sing — December 10, 6:30 PM, hosted by Northgate Caregivers at the North Campus. Sing carols with us, and stay afterward for cookies, coffee, and fellowship!
Women’s Christmas Gathering — December 11, 6–8 PM. Grab a friend and come for a fun night of crafting, a devotional, and great fellowship. We just need to know if you’re coming so we have plenty of supplies ready for you, so Sign up here
Primetimers — Thursday, December 12, 12:00pm — Primetimers is a group of 55+ year olds who get together once a month for time of lunch and learning. We will have a time of singing Christmas Carols together led by Anthony and Becca!
Baptism Weekend — Saturday & Sunday, December 28 & 29 — Is baptism the next step in your faith journey? Contact Pastor John (john@northgatefmc.com) if you are interested in having a conversation to find out! Saturday and Sunday, November 23&24