NLC Connect - October 2, 2024

October 2nd, 2024

connect with God's Word

Thank you Bruce Smith and his volunteer team who served the community at our Raisin Day information booth. Our volunteers offered prayer and an opportunity for those from the community to learn more about NLC.

connect your calendar

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - Room 113

THURSDAY, OCT. 3
5:30 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY meal, worship, groups

SATURDAY, OCT. 5
8:00 a.m. - Community Meeting with Dr. Joe Hernandez (regarding high school and bond issue) - Dining Room

SUNDAY, OCT. 6
8:30 a.m. - "Salt & Light" Growth Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT

Winter Camp Fundraiser -- enjoy coffee and pastries, and make a donation to help send a student to camp this winter!
Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Dining Room

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

Bruce Smith is the guest speaker
Communion Sunday, and Deacon Care Fund special offering

5:00 p.m. - NLC CREW (youth group) - Room 207

MONDAY, OCT. 7
Last day to purchase tickets for Open Gate's "Red Carpet Event" on Oct. 10 - call 559-591-1241 for information
6:00 p.m. - CR Worship Team - Gym

TUESDAY, OCT. 8
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Women's Bible Study - Room 114/115
2:35 p.m. - Good News Club - Jefferson School
6:00 p.m. - Healing Room Ministry - Library

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - Room 113

THURSDAY, OCT. 10
5:30 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY meal, worship, groups
6:00 p.m. - Open Gate's 50th Anniversary Red Carpet Event (no tickets available after Oct. 7) - Living Word Fellowship in Dinuba

SUNDAY, OCT. 13
8:30 a.m. - "Salt & Light" Growth Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT

Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Dining Room

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

Andre Stephens, FPU President, is the guest speaker

5:00 p.m. - NLC CREW (youth group) - Room 207

MONDAY, OCT. 14
6:00 p.m. - CR Worship Team - Gym

TUESDAY, OCT. 15
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
2:35 p.m. - Good News Club - Jefferson School
6:00 p.m. - Healing Rooms of Dinuba - Library

connect through giving

Received Last Week (9/29): …..... $ 5,000
Received this year: ......................... $35,114

connect to God through prayer

Pray for health and strength for Bob Martin, George Sawatzky, Emma (Karen Madrid's mother), Carolina Coralles, and Glen Zimmerman.
Pray for Kim Enns (knee surgery on Oct. 3), and Richard Clemmer, recovering from surgery.
Pray for Miguel-Angel (Hezekiah) Parker who will be having surgery on October 20th.
Pray for Abe & Holly Isaak's 6-year-old granddaughter Tessa Fiscus, who is being treated for cancer, but is doing well at home.
Pray for Sophia Salazar (Al and Kristel's daughter) recovering from surgery.
Also remember: Doris Siebert, Marilyn Chappell and other residents in Palm Village Healthcare, Harold Kruger and others in Sierra View, Louie and Michelle Perez, Mary Salazar, and Zach Clemmer.
Continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for safety and peace of mind for the students who attend schools in our surrounding communities. There have been an increase in violent threats the past couple of weeks.
Pray for the students attending Good News Club on Tuesday afternoons at Jefferson School, and the volunteers.
Pray for those who are seeking employment.
Keep the SEARCH TEAM in your prayers as the pastor position is publicized.
Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez in Peru, Cecil & Tracy Ramos in Thailand, Jonathan & Joanna Gutierrez in Portugal, Ruddy & Cristina Ancheta in San Francisco and the Philippines, and Johnny & Denise Esposito, who are home before returning to SE Asia.
Pray for peace as violence and war affect so many families and children in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, in the Middle East, and in parts of Africa.

Connect to youth

Youth team from left to right: Amanda, Justin, Richard, Joshua Aquino, Joshua Vargas, and Melissa Celaya (Not pictured, Tristan Ringhofer)

"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

I grew up with very little knowledge of God. My home did not speak of God and it wasn’t until I was an adult I learned that my grandmother attended church in Orosi when she was younger. I inherited her Bible when she passed. God was always there even when I didn’t know it. I was in my late 20’s when I experienced God and truly believed without a doubt, He is REAL. This is a huge part of why I believe ministering to our youth is so very important. There was a time in my life when I depended solely on youth ministers to disciple my older children. Sunday youth classes might be the only Jesus our youth receives.

When a middle school/high school student attends youth classes they can expect a big warm welcome from our youth leaders and fellow students. During our Sunday morning youth class, we recently started reading a devotional during class with a few questions and open discussion at the end of the devotion. Youth are encouraged to grab a Bible when they enter the room so we can all look up scripture together. This helps the students get familiar with the Bible and how to find the books and passages of scriptures. Reading the Bible as a new believer was very intimidating. The morning ends in prayer and a few minutes of free time is allowed before dismissal. I am so excited for this new season of youth ministry. This fall will be a time of positive change and revamping of the youth ministry. We are working on implementing a reward chart for youth to gain points and earn prizes! We are also working on a list of common biblical words that are used but everyone might not know the meaning of. I again have struggled with this and would love to see the youth understanding what they are reading and hearing. Stay tuned for more announcements regarding youth ministry this fall.

“A disciple of Jesus has a desire to grow, and one of the best ways for you to grow as a disciple of Jesus is to help disciple someone else.” One of my spiritual gifts is serving. Being open to where God needs me has placed me in a position of ministering to our youth. Please continue to pray for the youth and our youth leaders. We are always looking for volunteers to help guide our youth. If you feel this is something God is calling you to do, please talk with Jessica.

--Melissa Celaya (Sunday Morning Youth Lead)