News & Views Feb 18

FEBRUARY MEMORY VERSE
2 Chronicles 7:14
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

FEBRUARY 21st WORSHIP
ONLINE - premieres 9:00 a.m. on Facebook
INDOORS - 9:00 a.m. in the Family Center Gym -Dedication Service
Pastor Mark, preaching  -  Josh Aquino, music
You Were Made For Worship!
Read ahead: Genesis1-2, Psalm 86:8-10, John 4, Revelation 4, 21-22

Ready or not, we gathered indoors for worship for the first time in nearly a year last Sunday! Though I wasn't present, I heard good reports. Some NLC family came back to church for worship for the first time. Marlin Hiett did a fine job of preaching the Word of God. There was a fuller worship team on the stage. Guests were welcomed and even a couple of Life Lesson classes met. Sunday was just the start, but I was glad to know it was a good start!

For the next five Sundays we've given ourselves permission to make adjustments and fine-tune our gathering times. You can help. We want to be ready for a "re-grand opening" season starting on Palm Sunday, March 28th, and running through Father's Day in June. After the summer we'll start a "second re-grand opening" season when school starts in the fall. As you consider when you'll be ready to gather, here are some things you can do to prepare.

First, pray. Because worship exalts and glorifies God above all others, it engages us with spiritual forces. The devil does not want God to receive our praise or for us to share in his glory. As he did with Adam and Eve, he will prompt you to think of yourself first--what you want, what you deserve, what pleases you. When I worshiped at home I noticed this battle come in the form of distractions. When we gather with others, this battle often turns to competing interests and conflict. Understand and engage this spiritual battle so you can resist such things, lift high the name of Jesus, and live out your obedience to him by loving and serving others as he does. Pray that God draws people to worship him with us.

Second,  get involved. The body unites and grows with Jesus as its head when each part does its work. Worship is more than singing. It is every act that honors the Lord. That includes opening doors (Psalm 84:10), setting up chairs, running the sound and lights, raising your hands, and telling children stories of God's greatness (Psalm 78). And those are just some of the things you can do when we gather. Remember to worship God all week long through serving others.  The Bible paints the picture of worship like this: the LORD is the only one seated with all kinds of activity around his throne--in heaven and on earth. Jump up, join in, and get involved serving. It's good practice for eternity!

Third, if you see something to improve, please say something to an Elder, Trustee, or staff person. Some tweaks were suggested from our first Sunday and have already been adjusted for this coming Sunday: the heat will be set a bit higher, the lights will be set a bit brighter, and different speakers should help even out the sound. NLC Kids are prepared with an extra craft if parents are delayed. There's a dozen or more other little things that are being done behind the scenes, as well. Don't be shy about making a suggestion, and please direct it toward someone who can consider it and add it to the list of other things we're adjusting.

And finally, act in ways that show regard for public health. Older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, caregivers, and families with children may be waiting to return when they feel it is safe to do so. We will continue to minister to people remotely as we ramp up our in-person ministries. When on campus, wear a face-covering at all times and be friendly from 6 feet apart. Jesus' followers don't assert their rights, but gladly act to put the interests of others first (see Philippians 2; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1). Honor Christ, follow your leaders' example, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This Sunday, February 21st, we will dedicate our Family Center gym as our place for gathered worship. We've used the gym for worship years ago when we did an extensive remodel of our Worship Center and stage. We hope to refresh the Worship Center again. For now we're using the gym as our place to gather because it gives us more room to spread out and prompts us to see ourselves and to act as a new people with a new vision for a new day. By God's grace we are becoming a New Life Community!

As you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your life in him. Here are some
next steps to grow in your relationship with Jesus and other members of his body
as well as to serve others in Jesus' name:

SUNDAYS
NLC KIDS, Room 101, during Worship, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
ADULT Life Lesson Classes/Groups, 10:00 a.m.
- Voyagers, Dining Hall, John Regier teaching
- Encouragers, High School Room in Family Center, Don Braun teaching
- Welcome Group,  Rooms 114-115, Glen Zimmerman teaching
- Young Adult Life Group, Bruce & Laurel Smith's backyard, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
- Grab & Go Meals, last Sunday of every month, contact Laurel Smith to help
TUESDAYS
- MEN'S Bible Study, 6 a.m., Dining Hall
 - WOMEN'S L.I.F.T. Bible Study, every other week, Room 114-115, starting Feb. 23rd, 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAYS
- Prayer Team, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dining Hall
- FAITH & FINANCES, 7:00 p.m. Zoom, Ron & Norma Froese facilitating
THURSDAYS
- LIFE SKILLS, 7:00 p.m. Zoom, Cece Olea teaching

Received Last Week (2/14/21): ....... $6,522.22
Received this year to date:.......... $226,263.72
Budget Goal: ................................. $521,591.00
Budget to Date: ............................. $236,192.15
Needed Weekly to Meet Budget:  $10,183.70
 
Note:  The annual Open Gate Ministries “Souperbowl” fund-raiser total will be announced at the end of February.  Donations may be sent directly to Open Gate 
or given through NLC with the comment: "Open Gate Souperbowl".

*COVID-19 precautions: The church facility is open for meetings at 25% capacity. Please contact the office to reserve a room. For your safety and others' on our church campus, please
maintain 6' of distance and wear a face covering at all times when indoors.
Thank you.

Correction: NLC has installed ionization generators for air sanitization, not ozone filters.

Questions? Call 559-591-1176 or office@newlifedinuba.org