NLC Connect - August 26, 2026

August 26th, 2026

connect with God's Word

Back to school means back to campus clubs, reconnecting with our sister churches, and getting Back to Sundays! We’re grateful for all the ways we get to learn, connect, serve, and grow together this season.

connect your calendar

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26:
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113

THURSDAY, AUG. 27:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

FRI.-SUN., AUG. 28-30:
Fall Festival at Hartland Christian Camp -- go for the day on Saturday or the whole weekend!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30:
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT - Patio

Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks

10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP/NLC KIDS/NURSERY

Guest speaker Angel Menchaca
Last Sunday in our fiscal year

11:15 a.m. - Family Meal - Dining Room (pizza and root beer floats will be served--please bring a salad or side dish to share with 8-10 people)
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Community Room/Gym

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2:
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113

THURSDAY, SEPT. 3:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
9:30 a.m. - Connecting Point - Patio

Come meet and encourage others over coffee and pastries

10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP/NLC KIDS/NURSERY

Communion Sunday
Donations welcome for the Deacon Care Fund and the Sharing Hands Pantry

11:30 a.m. - Deacon Meeting - Community Room
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Community Room/Gym

MONDAY, SEPT. 7: Office closed for Labor Day holiday

Sign up using the QR code or click here, or fill out the form on the Welcome table on Sunday morning. Lunch will be provided for workshop attenders.

connect through giving

Offerings Received last week (8/23): ...............$6,010
Offerings Received this year to date: ..........$339,372

Additional Income received (Ministries, Facility Rental & Interest) to date: …... $28,316
Total Income this year to date (97.6% of estimated expenses): …..….............… $367,788
Estimated Expenses to Fiscal Year End (Aug. 31):……….……......………..…..…..... $376,467
Needed to meet expenses (estimate): ……........................................................…..….. $8,679

connect to God through prayer

Pray for Janice and Matt Hoy as they plan the memorial service for her father, Dennis Harms, at NLC on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10:00 AM.
Continue praying for Evelyn Romero, Manuel and Karen Madrid (Manuel is recovering from surgery and anticipating another surgery), and Kristel Salazar's nephew Matthew (still has blood clots) and her friend's stepdad Roger, who is at Sierra View 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.
Pray for events on the calendar and people connecting with God and each other, and pray for those involved in the budgeting process as we seek to be good stewards and plan for next year.

A Front Row Seat to What God is Doing

This past summer, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Vietnam and Thailand with Ricky and Karen Sanchez, longtime missionaries in Thailand. College and high school students from Canada and the U.S. came together for training and preparation, united by one purpose: sharing the love of Christ.
Ken served as the men’s basketball coach, while Martha served as the women’s chaplain. Basketball became a powerful way to build relationships and open doors to share our faith.
In Vietnam, several planned activities were canceled by the government, but God opened other doors. We played three basketball games, connected with the Vietnamese people, and experienced their warm hospitality and beautiful culture.
In Thailand, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Abundant Life Home orphanage. Hearing stories of God’s faithfulness and seeing the impact this ministry has had on the lives of so many children was incredibly moving.
Basketball again opened doors to share the Gospel. After games against competitive teams, we shared testimonies and talked with young people about Jesus. Approximately 125 young men and women prayed to accept Christ and commit their lives to following Him.
We also visited schools, led basketball camps, attended Thai churches, and spent a special day with Cherry and children in her autism class. We sang, worshiped, painted, and simply spent time showing these children that they are loved.
One of the highlights of the trip was watching three of our basketball players be baptized. Martha was even able to help with one of the baptisms. It was an unforgettable picture of lives being changed by Christ.
Perhaps the greatest blessing was having a front-row seat to what God is doing in Vietnam and Thailand. Different languages, cultures, and backgrounds cannot stop the Gospel. God is at work, and He graciously allowed us to be a small part of it.
We returned home with grateful hearts and many stories to share. If you would like to hear more about the trip, we would love to visit with you. Most of all, we hope our experience encourages you to consider where God might be calling you.
You never know what God may do when you simply say, “Yes.”

Ken and Martha Sawatzky