NLC News February 2 2023

February 1st, 2023
by Mark Isaac

THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3-5
Hartland Junior Winter Camp - Hartland Christian Camp, Badger, CA

Natalie Zuniga - girls' counselor, Cassandra Alvarez, Clarissa Alvarez, Hannah Aquino, Lydia Aquino, Serenity Catcatan, Aubrey Zuniga, Zoe Zuniga
Chinoh Aquino - boy's counselor, Samuel Aquino

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
8:30 a.m. ADULT GROWTH CLASSES - NLC KIDS ministry for parents in growth classes ONLY

Video Class: 1 PETER - Room 111
Faith & Finances - Room 114/115

9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room) and Connecting Point for Kids (Rm 101)
10:00 a.m. WORSHIP - NURSERY - NLC KIDS CHURCH - NLC CREW

Communion Service
Pastor Mark preaching: "Time for a New Life" - Ephesians Part II -5:3-14

11:15 a.m. AFTER CHURCH

The Bible Out Loud class - Room 111 (with children's activities for participants in 101)
Deacons' meeting - Community Room (11:30 a.m.)

THE COMING WEEK:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
6:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study - Soul Care - Dining Room
6:00 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Women's Step Study - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. Healing Rooms of Dinuba offers healing prayers - Church patio/library

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
6:00 p.m. WORSHIP REHEARSAL - Gym
6:30 p.m. Prayer Gathering - Room 113

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9
5:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Dinner - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Worship / Lesson / Small Groups

Brian Willems speaking on "Hope"

UPCOMING:
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17-18
Register now for the ACE Overcomers workshop

WEDNESDAY- SUNDAY, MAY 3-7 (or any of those days)
Register now for the ALL-CHURCH CAMPOUT! Click for online registration.

Click to register

CLICK to GIVE

Received Last Week (1/29)…....$5,809
Received this year: ......……...$166,686
Budget to Date: …………....... $178,349
Budget Goal: ………................$421,553
Needed Weekly: …........…...……$8,496

PRAYER

Ann Enns was hospitalized this week.
Sharon Allen lost her brother Mark Thompson a week ago. Pray for her and the family as they feel his sudden loss and prepare for the service.
Remember Joanna Espinoza Brooks and her family. Her mom's funeral was this week.
JR Southard was strong enough to attend Joanna's mother's funeral. JR & Janet have been neighbors to Joe & Macaria Espinoza for many years. Chinoh & Jessica were there, too. Chinoh has been a pastor to Lafeyette & Joanna and family before coming to NLC.
There are still many fighting illness lately. Pray for their recovery and for those who struggle with loneliness and anxiety.
Glen Zimmerman is hearing good things from his oncologist, while Mike Naylor has heard some challenging things from his. Continue praying for these two men and others in our church, families, and neighborhoods who are dealing with cancer.
Ron Brown's sister, Bonnie, has been given the miraculous word of "ALL CLEAR" after her own bout with cancer! Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord for our new elder, Joshua "Chinoh" Aquino! The new team begins meeting this coming Monday.
We have been conducting interviews for the Connections Specialist position.
Pray for the junior campers at Hartland Winter Camp this weekend, that they'll grow in their relationship with Jesus and each other (Cassandra, Clarissa, Hannah, Lydia, Serenity, Aubrey, Zoe, and Samuel). Pray also for their leaders, Natalie Zuniga and Chinoh Aquino.
Pablo & Maricela Chavez had a good conversation with John & Geri Warkentin this week. Please join in very specific prayer for them as they continue adjusting to their mission work in Peru: (1) daily routine/rhythm a structure for their time and space, (2) meeting people on a regular basis, (3) finding ways to make tortillas and cook food with Peruvian ingredients so that it tastes good, (4) for the ability to handle the heat (fans don't work well, refrigerator doesn't get things cool, the water is warm for showers, not refreshingly cool), (5) for their religious visas to be approved (it could take a couple of months).
People are getting hit with extremely high gas bills. Pray for wise financial decisions as well as provision for those who have few resources to turn to for assistance. If you're struggling, contact the gas company for possible discounts and consider switching to a level payment plan which evens out the high and low monthly bills. Pray for the Deacons as they provide assistance to NLC members and attenders through the Benevolence fund. An offering for that fund will be taken after Communion this Sunday.
Pray for the Dinuba Christian Church and interim pastor Keith Machey. Keith is an intentional interim pastor, meaning he will not accept the role permanently. Pray for him as he leads the church and prepares them for their next permanent pastor.

Thoughts of God (and you)
on my morning run

This week's blog started with our new memory verse: "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." It was on my mind this morning on my almost-daily run. The sun comes up as I'm getting home, having warmed the sky behind the mountains with beautiful colors. I can't help but think of God's love and the work of his hands, and I thank him for you, lifting you in prayer because I know he cares for you.

I wear earbuds and listen to praise music while I run. It helps me forget how cold it is or how tired I might be feeling or how far I have to go... Anyway, a song came up this morning that I hadn't heard before, probably because it came out in 2006, the year I left pastoral ministry. (I returned to pastoral ministry in 2018 right here in Dinuba)!
The song is called "We Will Remember". It brought to life the last line of our new verse, thinking of God's mighty works in all our lives--"that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Here's a link to the song with the lyrics. Have a listen, and then think with me and praise the Lord with me for all the ways he has shown his love in your life, in the life of our community of faith, and for those in the world all around us.

We will remember, we will remember
We will remember the works of Your hands
We will stop and give you praise for great is Thy faithfulness

(Verse 1 focuses our attention on God the Father. Take time to give him glory today.)
You're our creator, our life sustainer
Deliverer, our comfort, our joy
Throughout the ages You've been our shelter
Our peace in the midst of the storm

(Verse 2 focuses on Jesus, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit. Thank Jesus for giving his life for you, and for placing his Spirit within you as a pledge of all that's to come.)
With signs and wonders You've shown Your power
With precious blood You showed us Your grace
You've been our helper, our liberator
The giver of life with no end

(The bridge made me think of many of you who have suffered recently, lost loved ones,
are struggling with housing and employment, or dealing with conflict in your families.)
When we walk through life's darkest valleys We will look back at all You have done
And we will shout, our God is good And He is the faithful One
Hallelujah, hallelujah to the one from whom all blessings flow

(Verse 3 asks us to reflect on the transformation Jesus brought to our lives.
Let the memory empower you as his witness in love to the community.)
I still remember the day You saved me
The day I heard You call out my name
You said You loved me and would never leave me
And I've never been the same

We will remember, we will remember
We will remember the works of Your hands
We will stop and give you praise For great is Thy faithfulness