NLC Connect - April 2, 2025
connect with God's Word
New Life Community recently celebrated the installation of Pastor Brad and his family as they stepped into leadership at our church. It was a meaningful service filled with prayer, encouragement, and a spirit of unity as we officially welcomed them into this new season of ministry.
The congregation gathered to affirm and bless Pastor Brad, committing to walk alongside him in faith and service. Following the service, we enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship at the reception, rejoicing in all that God is doing in our church.
We are excited for the journey ahead and grateful for this new chapter at New Life Community!
The congregation gathered to affirm and bless Pastor Brad, committing to walk alongside him in faith and service. Following the service, we enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship at the reception, rejoicing in all that God is doing in our church.
We are excited for the journey ahead and grateful for this new chapter at New Life Community!
connect your calendar
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - meet in Sanctuary
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
6:30 p.m. - Properties meeting - Community Room
Contact Joshua or Jessica Aquino by tomorrow if interested in baptism
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
8:30 a.m. - "Salt & Light" Growth Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
5:00 p.m. - CREW youth meeting
TUESDAY, APRIL 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. - Final Good News Club at Jefferson for this school year
6:30 p.m. - GriefShare Support Group - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - meet in Sanctuary
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 11 & 12
Mennonite Relief Sale at Fresno Pacific University
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
8:30 a.m. - "Salt & Light" Growth Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
6:00 p.m. - Mennonite Men's Chorus Concert at Reedley M.B. Church
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
(GriefShare Support Group meets Wednesday this week)
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - meet in Sanctuary
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
6:30 p.m. - Properties meeting - Community Room
Contact Joshua or Jessica Aquino by tomorrow if interested in baptism
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
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
5:00 p.m. - CREW youth meeting
TUESDAY, APRIL 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. - Final Good News Club at Jefferson for this school year
6:30 p.m. - GriefShare Support Group - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - meet in Sanctuary
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 11 & 12
Mennonite Relief Sale at Fresno Pacific University
SUNDAY, APRIL 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 - Patio
- Meet in the Sanctuary
- Communion
6:00 p.m. - Mennonite Men's Chorus Concert at Reedley M.B. Church
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
(GriefShare Support Group meets Wednesday this week)
Easter baskets are located in the Dining Room!
connect through giving
Received Last Week (3/30): ......... $4,945
Received this year: .................... $190,471
Budget to Date:.... .................... $228,736
Budget Goal: ............…...…...…...$383,686
Needed Weekly: ………….............. $9,201
Received this year: .................... $190,471
Budget to Date:.... .................... $228,736
Budget Goal: ............…...…...…...$383,686
Needed Weekly: ………….............. $9,201
connect to God through prayer
- Pray for health and strength for Carolina Coralles and Glen Zimmerman.
- Pray for Amanda Dover, waiting for a new surgery date, and Joshua Aquino, whose surgery is scheduled for April 17.
- Pray for Soji Brooks, who broke his arm on Tuesday.
- Pray for Anissa Almaguer and Irene Gonzalez to have good health as they prepare to bring new life into this world!
- Pray for Sandy Sorber as she continues to recover well from surgery.
- Also remember: Marilyn Chappell and other residents in Palm Village Healthcare, Harold Kruger and others in Sierra View, and Mary Salazar.
- Pray for those who have lost loved ones (family and friends of Ann Enns, Larry Smith, Karen Madrid's aunt, and others) and those attending the GriefShare support group. Christine Willems' father Richard Boucher died on March 29, and a service will be held on May 17 in Tulare.
- Pray for safety and peace of mind for the students who attend schools in our surrounding communities.
- Pray for those who are seeking employment.
- Pray for the undocumented in our community as they navigate life under this new administration.
- Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez in Peru, Cecil & Tracy Ramos in Thailand, Jonathan & Joanna Gutierrez in Portugal, and Johnny & Denise Esposito in Cambodia.
- 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 Miracles
Have You Seen a Miracle?
I recently met with about twelve 5th to 12th graders and a couple adults here at NLC to talk about a Biblical perspective on miracles. The questions we explored were: What miracles happened in the Old and New Testaments. What are the different types of miracles? Who performed miracles in the Bible? Are there miracles today? Who has seen a miracle?
The purpose of the discussion was to increase knowledge about miracles and to open our eyes and ears to recognize God’s miracles in our lives. We also learned that if we are followers of Jesus, we have the authority to pray for healing, supernatural events, casting out demons, and restoration (back to life). We can expect to see miraculous answers to our prayers because Jesus says, “I am telling the truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 GNT)
Part of stepping into our authority in Jesus is learning to hear God’s voice through the Holy Spirit. I led the students in a listening activity where they took a clipboard, pencil and paper and each found a spot in the room to sit comfortably. Quiet worship music was playing. Some covered their heads with material we called prayer shawls or prayer tents. (Thanks to the LIFT ladies for supplying the pieces of material.) They were instructed to ask God what he wanted to tell them or show them. They spent about 10 minutes listening and writing or drawing the first things that came to their minds. They were told that nothing is too weird or silly and I gave an example from other children who have done this activity.
After the students gathered back at their seats, I asked those who felt like sharing to show us what they wrote or drew. It was very exciting to see what they received from God. Especially interesting was that some of them had the same or similar objects in their drawings. The next step was interpreting what they meant. Regrettably we ran out of time, but I encouraged the students to date their papers and keep them and pray for the interpretation in the days or weeks ahead.
I encourage you to spend time listening to God and writing or drawing what the Holy Spirit shows you. Then pray for the interpretation or share your paper with a trusted friend or relative who knows you well to help you interpret. You will be amazed at what the Lord shows you!
Blessings, Nori Naylor
I recently met with about twelve 5th to 12th graders and a couple adults here at NLC to talk about a Biblical perspective on miracles. The questions we explored were: What miracles happened in the Old and New Testaments. What are the different types of miracles? Who performed miracles in the Bible? Are there miracles today? Who has seen a miracle?
The purpose of the discussion was to increase knowledge about miracles and to open our eyes and ears to recognize God’s miracles in our lives. We also learned that if we are followers of Jesus, we have the authority to pray for healing, supernatural events, casting out demons, and restoration (back to life). We can expect to see miraculous answers to our prayers because Jesus says, “I am telling the truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 GNT)
Part of stepping into our authority in Jesus is learning to hear God’s voice through the Holy Spirit. I led the students in a listening activity where they took a clipboard, pencil and paper and each found a spot in the room to sit comfortably. Quiet worship music was playing. Some covered their heads with material we called prayer shawls or prayer tents. (Thanks to the LIFT ladies for supplying the pieces of material.) They were instructed to ask God what he wanted to tell them or show them. They spent about 10 minutes listening and writing or drawing the first things that came to their minds. They were told that nothing is too weird or silly and I gave an example from other children who have done this activity.
After the students gathered back at their seats, I asked those who felt like sharing to show us what they wrote or drew. It was very exciting to see what they received from God. Especially interesting was that some of them had the same or similar objects in their drawings. The next step was interpreting what they meant. Regrettably we ran out of time, but I encouraged the students to date their papers and keep them and pray for the interpretation in the days or weeks ahead.
I encourage you to spend time listening to God and writing or drawing what the Holy Spirit shows you. Then pray for the interpretation or share your paper with a trusted friend or relative who knows you well to help you interpret. You will be amazed at what the Lord shows you!
Blessings, Nori Naylor
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