NLC News March 30 2023

NLC KIDS' TESTIMONIES
On Easter Sunday we'll be hearing testimonies of faith in Jesus from several of our NLC kids. They've been preparing for baptism under the discipleship of Josh & Jessica Aquino,
along with some adults.
Here are two examples of what we'll be hearing from the kids:

"One day, in my old school I went to Good News Club. They were talking about God and I really focused in. They were talking about God being our Savior and I wanted that.
I wanted to be saved, but I thought I needed to wait until I was older.
Then one day church, Martha said, 'If you get saved, say these words out loud or in your head.'
I said those words and repeated after Martha. I pray at night and thank God I am going to Heaven. 
I couldn't wait to get baptized. Everyone will know that I am saved.
God is my Father, he is the one person who never lets you down."

"I love Jesus because I am his kid. He made me. Nothing can take me out of his hand.
He is strong and powerful. The devil can't take me out of his hands, he is way weaker than God. I asked Jesus to forgive me of the sins I've done because I want to go to Heaven and I don't want to go to Hell. I prayed with Teacher Jessica at church. I want to get baptized because I love God so much. 
I want everyone to know that I follow Jesus."

THIS WEEK/WEEKEND:
THURSDAY, MARCH 30 - CELEBRATE RECOVERY
5:30 p.m. Dinner - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. Worship / Lesson: RELATIONSHIPS
7:30 p.m. Small Groups / Rock Solid Cafe

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 - FPU PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
10:00-11:30 a.m. - Fresno Pacific University, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave, Fresno

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 2
8:30 a.m. ADULT GROWTH CLASSES - NLC KIDS ministry for parents in growth classes ONLY

• Video Class: Romans - Room 111

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

• Mark Romero from Dinuba YFC Campus Life speaking

11:15 a.m. AFTER CHURCH

• The Bible Out Loud - Spiritual growth class for parents - Room 111 (with kids activities)
• Deacon Team meeting 

THIS COMING WEEK:
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
6:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study - Gospel of John, part 2 - Dining Room
6:00 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Women's Step Study - Room 114/115 (the group is full)
6:30 p.m. Healing Rooms of Dinuba offers healing prayers - Church patio/library

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
6:00 p.m. Worship Rehearsal - Gym
6:30 p.m. Prayer Gathering - Room 113

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 - CELEBRATE RECOVERY
5:30 p.m. Dinner - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. Worship / Testimony: Janet
7:30 p.m. Small Groups / Rock Solid Cafe

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 7 through EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 9
10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon - CREATED NEW! EXPERIENCE - Easter VBS

6:30 a.m.- Dinuba Community SUNRISE SERVICE - Entertainment Plaza, downtown Dinuba
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT Coffee/Snacks - Get to know others
10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP

• Testimonies and Baptisms
• Art Hop
• Egg Hunt
• Pastor Mark giving a Gospel message
• Affirming Otto Ekk as NLC Elder

THURSDAY APRIL 13 - PIE BAKING - NLC Kitchen and Dining Room
8:00 a.m. - Come help make hundreds of fruit pies to sell at the MCC Relief Sale!

Received Last Week (3/26)  …..   $3,664
Received this year:.…….......     $208,235
Budget to Date: ………….......    $243,204
Budget Goal: ………...............   $421,553
Needed Weekly: …...........…….    $9,696

What are your earliest memories of money? For me it was earning 50 cents a week mowing the grass at home. I had a piggy bank until my Dad took me down to the real bank where I opened a savings account. Some money was given to God at the church every Sunday. Some money was taken to the bank for later (like college or a car). And some money was spent on strawberry sodas at Model Drug in downtown Kingsburg. They cost 50 cents, so I could only afford one every other week!
I've learned a lot about money since then, but something's remained the same. I still give some money to God through the church and in many other ways. I still put some money in the bank for later (like retirement or a trip). And some money I spend. It's been a pattern that's paid off, saved me from trouble, and brought me joy.

The biggest challenge in handling money well is to not overspend. Giving and saving can only happen if you don't spend all your money first! The truth is that many people spend MORE money than they have. How? By borrowing it or purchasing things with a credit card without money in the bank to cover it.
Some borrowing is important, like for a house or to start a business. That kind of borrowing can create the opportunity for the return of more money in the form of home equity or business sales or money received for business services. But borrowing to pay for daily living expenses or for luxuries like trips, brand name clothes, or expensive vehicles is not going to bring a return. It's just money spent, plus interest, which makes these things even more expensive.

I'm glad we've been offering the Faith & Finances classes at NLC. Ron & Norma Froese have done a great job of walking people through the basics, helping them budget their way out of debt, saving for the future, and finding joy through giving back to God. Like with relationships, being consistent and faithful pays off in the long run.

Is money an issue for you? Do you have more debt than you can pay for right now? Do you have little or no savings to help you when an emergency comes along? Have you not been giving to God through the church or other ministries? Is money robbing you of joy? You can change that.
Where should you start?

1. Start by bringing your money matters to God in prayer. Ask him for wisdom to guide you in your decisions, your giving, your saving, and your spending. He will give it to you, no matter how troubling your situation may seem to you. Be honest about your challenges with money and seek the help of a trusted friend who can help you make better choices.
2. Set a savings goal(s). It's hard to hit something that's not there, so set a goal for yourself to save for something you may be wanting to have right now. Rather than going out and buying it with money you don't have, set a goal to save the money so you don't have to borrow.
3. Discipline your spending. It's important to know where your money is going. So write down every expense for a month--even the little things! It helps to put them into categories, like food, clothing, housing (like rent, house payments, utilities), etc. Ron & Norma have a budget form they use in Faith & Finances they'll be happy to share with you. A budget is a tool that will help you make decisions about where your money is going and to cut back so you can move forward financially. 
4. Start giving to God. In your new budget, put giving to God on the top. Laurie and I have been doing that for years. It's a way to honor God with our money. It may seem like a lot at first to give God 10% or more, but if you're faithful at it you'll find you don't miss it. Ask God to help you get started with an amount that reflects his generosity. It will also transform your heart, for where your money is, there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:21). 
5. Save your money where you can't get it easily, like in a bank or a locked safe. Savings needs to be "out of reach" so it will be there to meet your goal(s). You don't have to be rich to open a bank account. If banking is new to you, ask someone like Ron & Norma for help choosing one and getting started.

Jesus talked about money more than anything else because he knew it has the power to keep us from living as God desires. I'm sure that's why my Dad got started with me and money early. No matter where you're starting with money today, God will give you his wisdom freely. He's also gifted people right here at NLC to help you get started and stay on track. It's God's nature to give, and God can help you find joy in sharing in his giving nature through money.