NLC Connect - June 24, 2026
connect with God's Word
The church welcomed this year's summer interns, Dulce and Amelia, as they shared their plans for the season ahead. Please join us in praying for them as they grow in leadership, faith, and service throughout the summer.
Volunteers spent the week preparing activities for Sun-A-Palooza VBS, beginning June 28th!
Church staff gathered this week for a time of discussing upcoming events and celebrating what God is doing through our church.
Volunteers spent the week preparing activities for Sun-A-Palooza VBS, beginning June 28th!
Church staff gathered this week for a time of discussing upcoming events and celebrating what God is doing through our church.
connect your calendar
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24:
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113
THURSDAY, JUNE 25:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SUNDAY, JUNE 28:
9:30 a.m. - Connecting Point - Patio
11:15 a.m. - VBS Volunteer Meeting -- Family Center Gym
5:00-7:00 p.m. - "Sun-A-Palooza" Vacation Bible School begins! - Family Center
MONDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 29-JULY 2:
5:00-7:00 p.m. - "Sun-A-Palooza" Vacation Bible School - Family Center
(No CELEBRATE RECOVERY here this week)
SUNDAY, JULY 5:
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT - Patio
Youth Group is off-campus in the afternoon
TUESDAY, JULY 7:
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113
THURSDAY, JUNE 25:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SUNDAY, JUNE 28:
9:30 a.m. - Connecting Point - Patio
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and pastries
11:15 a.m. - VBS Volunteer Meeting -- Family Center Gym
5:00-7:00 p.m. - "Sun-A-Palooza" Vacation Bible School begins! - Family Center
MONDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 29-JULY 2:
5:00-7:00 p.m. - "Sun-A-Palooza" Vacation Bible School - Family Center
(No CELEBRATE RECOVERY here this week)
SUNDAY, JULY 5:
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT - Patio
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks
- Communion
- Donations welcome for Sharing Hands Pantry and Deacon Care Fund
- Commissioning for Jessica Aquino's ministry trip to Lithuania
Youth Group is off-campus in the afternoon
TUESDAY, JULY 7:
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
connect through giving
Offerings Received last week (6/21): …,..,,... $4,928
Received for Deacon Care Fund: ……......……… $377
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $270,536
Budget to date: …………………..….............….. $338,909
Needed weekly to meet budget: …...…..….. $14,907
Received for Deacon Care Fund: ……......……… $377
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $270,536
Budget to date: …………………..….............….. $338,909
Needed weekly to meet budget: …...…..….. $14,907
connect to God through prayer
- Pray for Vacation Bible School next week--for the kids who come and their families, and for the many volunteers who serve with joy in various areas.
- Pray for Aydien Becerra as he recovers from surgery; for Jonas Stucky, recovering at home from a skateboarding accident; continue praying for Evelyn Romero (back home!), Norma Froese, Manuel and Karen Madrid, and Kristel Salazar's nephew Matthew and her friend's stepdad Roger who is home on hospice.
- Pray for Tessa Fiscus and her family as she undergoes chemo; for Eugene Enns as he battles an additional type of cancer, and for others dealing with long-term health issues.
- Also remember: Mae Ewert, Marilyn Chappell and other residents in Palm Village Healthcare, Harold Kruger and others in Sierra View, and Mary Salazar.
- Please pray for Joshua Aquino serving on a fire crew during this fire season. Ask God to protect him, give him strength and wisdom as he serves.
- Pray for those who are seeking employment.
- Pray for the undocumented in our community and those facing food insecurity and financial challenges.
- Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez (Peru), Cecil & Tracy Ramos (Thailand), Jonathan & Joanna Gutierrez (Portugal), and Johnny & Denise Esposito (Cambodia).
- Pray for peace as violence and war affect so many families and children around the world.
- Please pray as we seek a Worship Ministries Leader. If you know someone who may be a good fit, please direct them to the "Job Openings" page on our website.
- Pray for events on the calendar and people connecting with God and each other.
Connect with SOAR participant
Hi, my name is Lydia Aquino,
This year, I had the opportunity to attend the SOAR mission trip in Bakersfield, and honestly, it was one of the most incredible weeks I’ve ever experienced.
The theme for SOAR was authenticity, based on Romans 12:9: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Throughout the week, I saw what authentic faith and real love can look like.
One of the biggest things that stood out to me was seeing God work in so many different people. I watched people who were hurting, struggling, or unsure about their faith draw closer to God. During one of the worship nights, people were invited to come to the cross and give their worries to God. As worship continued, many people went forward to pray. It was a very emotional moment, and you could truly feel God’s presence in the room. Several of my friends shared afterward that they felt God speaking to them and working in their hearts. Seeing that happen was something I’ll never forget.
Another highlight was serving throughout the week. We participated in a prayer walk where we prayed for churches, businesses, homes, and people throughout the community. At the end of the walk, I even volunteered to pray out loud. Normally, I don’t always feel confident doing things like that, but God helped me step out of my comfort zone.
We also served at a thrift store and helped organize donations. Something that really stuck with me was realizing that even small tasks, like hanging clothes or sorting picture frames, can make a difference in someone’s life. What felt small to me could be a huge blessing to someone else.
Later in the week, we served with Sky’s the Limit, helping organize food and clothing for people in need. It was a great reminder that serving others is one way we can show God’s love in practical ways.
At Heritage Fest, we helped set up games and give away free food. While we were serving, I saw someone give their life to Jesus. It was amazing to see God working not only within our group but also in the community around us.
Of course, SOAR wasn’t only about service. We also had a lot of fun. We went to Six Flags, played games every night, participated in sports circles, made new friends, and got to know people from other churches. One thing I loved was how we could go from laughing and having fun together to worshiping God and praying for one another.
The worship and speakers were incredible. Through their messages, I learned more about real love, real faith, and what it means to follow Jesus authentically. I also appreciated how people from different backgrounds came together to worship God as one family.
By the end of the week, I felt closer to God than when I arrived. More than anything, I was encouraged by seeing people who weren’t very close to God begin taking steps toward Him. Watching God change lives right in front of me was something I’ll never forget.
SOAR was an amazing experience, and I’m so thankful I got to be a part of it. Even though the week is over, I’m praying that what God started in all of us will continue long after SOAR ended.
This year, I had the opportunity to attend the SOAR mission trip in Bakersfield, and honestly, it was one of the most incredible weeks I’ve ever experienced.
The theme for SOAR was authenticity, based on Romans 12:9: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Throughout the week, I saw what authentic faith and real love can look like.
One of the biggest things that stood out to me was seeing God work in so many different people. I watched people who were hurting, struggling, or unsure about their faith draw closer to God. During one of the worship nights, people were invited to come to the cross and give their worries to God. As worship continued, many people went forward to pray. It was a very emotional moment, and you could truly feel God’s presence in the room. Several of my friends shared afterward that they felt God speaking to them and working in their hearts. Seeing that happen was something I’ll never forget.
Another highlight was serving throughout the week. We participated in a prayer walk where we prayed for churches, businesses, homes, and people throughout the community. At the end of the walk, I even volunteered to pray out loud. Normally, I don’t always feel confident doing things like that, but God helped me step out of my comfort zone.
We also served at a thrift store and helped organize donations. Something that really stuck with me was realizing that even small tasks, like hanging clothes or sorting picture frames, can make a difference in someone’s life. What felt small to me could be a huge blessing to someone else.
Later in the week, we served with Sky’s the Limit, helping organize food and clothing for people in need. It was a great reminder that serving others is one way we can show God’s love in practical ways.
At Heritage Fest, we helped set up games and give away free food. While we were serving, I saw someone give their life to Jesus. It was amazing to see God working not only within our group but also in the community around us.
Of course, SOAR wasn’t only about service. We also had a lot of fun. We went to Six Flags, played games every night, participated in sports circles, made new friends, and got to know people from other churches. One thing I loved was how we could go from laughing and having fun together to worshiping God and praying for one another.
The worship and speakers were incredible. Through their messages, I learned more about real love, real faith, and what it means to follow Jesus authentically. I also appreciated how people from different backgrounds came together to worship God as one family.
By the end of the week, I felt closer to God than when I arrived. More than anything, I was encouraged by seeing people who weren’t very close to God begin taking steps toward Him. Watching God change lives right in front of me was something I’ll never forget.
SOAR was an amazing experience, and I’m so thankful I got to be a part of it. Even though the week is over, I’m praying that what God started in all of us will continue long after SOAR ended.
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