NLC News September 22 2022

September 21st, 2022

THIS COMING WEEK:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
8:30 a.m. GROWTH CLASSES

NEW Video series on "Redeeming the Screen" in Room 111

9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room) and Connecting Point for Kids (Rm 101)
10 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC Kids & The Crew (Jr/Sr High)

Pastor Mark preaching - You Belong Here! series on Ephesians (1:3-14)

11:00 a.m. GRAB & GO MEALS - Eat in or take it to go
5:30 p.m. LIFELINE Young Adult Growth Group

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
6:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study - Dining Room

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
2:10 p.m. GOOD NEWS CLUB - Jefferson Elementary
6:00 p.m. WORSHIP REHEARSAL - Gym
6:30 p.m. PRAYER GATHERING - Room 113

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
5:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY - Join us for DINNER - Dining room
6:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY - Worship / Teaching / Small Groups

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
8:30 a.m. GROWTH CLASSES

NEW Video series on "Redeeming the Screen" in Room 111

9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room) and Connecting Point for Kids (Rm 101)
10 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC Kids & The Crew (Jr/Sr High)

Pastor Mark preaching - You Belong Here! series on Ephesians
COMMUNION

11:30 a.m. MEMBER MEETING ('22-'23 Budget)
5:30 p.m. LIFELINE Young Adult Growth Group

click for church calendar

Generous Giving!

Received Last Week (9/18):$15,311
Received this month to date (new fiscal year):$32,170

Help with the Frausto's new home

Juan & Josie Frausto were approved for a new home through Self-Help Enterprises. The home is being built in a new subdivision in Orosi, just east of the swap meet on Ave 413 at Rd 124. Work has finally begun and volunteers are needed throughout the project. Work is permitted Tuesdays - Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you can help, please print and complete this waiver (CLICK HERE) and bring it with you to the site there, Lot 18. Bring sunscreen, work clothes and gloves, and water or snacks. The jobsite supervisor will provide instructions and assignments.

Stop by NLC Celebrate Recovery's German sausage booth at Reedley Fiesta

October 7-8 is the Reedley Fiesta, and NLC will be there through our Celebrate Recovery ministry. The team will be handmaking German sausage and selling them at the booth both days as a fundraiser for the ministry. Stop by and say "Hi" and get yourself an yummy sandwich!

Immanuel School's Fall dinner and auction is October 15th

Call the school for tickets to this annual blockbuster event at their sports complex: 638-2529. Or CLICK HERE to visit their event registration site.

Support Open Gate's annual dinner

Every year this banquet has blessed those who attend with powerful stories of life transformation through Jesus Christ. And the food's been terrific, too! The menu this year is a complete Italian dinner, well worth the ticket price. A silent auction will also be available.

CLICK FOR TICKETS

Help Gleanings for the Hungry at their 40th anniversary festival

Gleanings for the Hungry is hosting a daylong festival celebrating 40 years of ministry around the world. It'll be a big day and they need helpers. You can sign up (CLICK HERE) to help between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Or just plan on attending the festival and supporting this amazing food redistribution ministry!

Prayer

Remember Eugene Enns, recovering from surgery at home. Marjorie Elrich has also returned home after recuperating from surgery and a long hospital stay.
A young missionary mother in Africa, where Mark & Laurie visited, has died suddenly this week. Annine leaves behind her husband Dreikas and their 8-year old daughter Andreika. Please pray for their comfort and that God will give them wisdom in the days ahead.
Tulare County Board of Supervisors will be recognizing Mae Ewert's 100 years at a special recognition ceremony, Tuesday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. at 2500 W Burrel Ave in Visalia. Please arrive between 8:30-8:45 a.m. if you can be present to celebrate. Let's thank the Lord for the significant number of senior adults in our church, and remember them in prayer.
Pray for our NLC community-focused ministry leaders:
- Carolyn Ehoff and Phyllis Enns with the Home Resource Center
- Brian Willems and the team at Celebrate Recovery
- Ron & Norma Froese with Faith & Finance
- Martha Sawatzky with Griefshare
- Mike Naylor with homeless outreach
- Laurel & Bruce and the kitchen team with Grab & Go Meals
- Norma Froese and team with Good News Club at Jefferson Elementary
- Nori Naylor with our Pray & Go door-to-door prayer ministry
Pray unity in our body and among leaders so that we reflect Christ to each other and our community. Pray for wisdom as we consider a budget for this coming year at our Member Meeting, Sunday, October 2nd, 11:30 a.m.
Praise God for rain this week, and snow in the mountains!

The heavens declare God's glory

I don't always have enough time on Sunday mornings to say all the fun things I learn as I study for my sermons. This week I'll be talking about "heavenly realms" from Ephesians 1:3-14. The Greek word for "heavenly realms" is the same word used for the name of the planet, Uranus, the name of the mythical Greek god of the sky.
When people looked into the skies in past generations they believed they were seeing "gods". Being in nature was being with God. I get it. Looking into the night sky is awe-inspiring, just as hiking in the forests near us makes me feel closer to God. But stars and planets aren't gods, and nature isn't my God. They are created things that point us to their Creator.
Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." They are trying to direct us to look to God who made them. Some stop short and only worship the stars or nature. Romans 1:25 says such people "worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" and do not bring glory to God.
As I read about and enjoy the discoveries of science and astronomy, I find my faith in God grows. It seems the more we discover and learn the more we recognize how much we really don't know at all! And yet each discovery seems to echo over and over what a marvelous Creator stands behind it all. Praise God!