NLC Connect - Nov. 5, 2025

PC: Pastor Brad, John Warkentin and Amanda Dover
Mike and Nori Naylor gave a demonstration during the Sunday morning service for the Pray and Go ministry. There are opportunities during mission's month to join a team that is praying over our community. Sign up today!
Our Church had the opportunity to show appreciation to Pastor Brad and his family on Sunday. We are grateful for and continue to pray over our Pastor and his family.
Kevin Dalafu helped us to kick off mission's month at NLC. We are grateful for YFC and the work they are doing with youth!
Communion Sunday is a time to reflect with gratitude for all Christ has done for us.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113

THURSDAY, NOV. 6
Pacific District Conference at Bethany Church in Fresno
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups
6:30 p.m. - Dawnings Pregnancy Resource Center's Fundraising Banquet (RSVP to 559-595-9323)

FRIDAY, NOV. 7
Pacific District Conference at Bethany Church in Fresno

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

• Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio

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

• Guest speakers Pablo Chavez & family (missionaries in Peru)

11:30 a.m. - Kids'/Youth Volunteer Training - Dining Room
(No evening youth group)

TUESDAY, NOV. 11
Veterans Day
(No Men's Bible Study--new study begins next week)
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12:  6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113

THURSDAY, NOV. 13:  6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SATURDAY, NOV. 15:  Women's Ministries' Baking Day - Kitchen

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT

• Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio

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

• Baptism
• Guest speaker Pastor Christian Uwajeh

11:15 a.m. - Women's Ministries' Bake Sale - stock up on pies and zweibach and help send women to the annual retreat
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207

TUESDAY, NOV. 18
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room (starting a new study)
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Women's Bible Study - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

This year we will have pies and zweibach available for sale! 

Offerings Received last week (11/2): ........... $3,173
Deacon Care Fund giving: ............................... $186
Offerings Received this year to date: …… $63,861
Budget to date: ……….........…………..….….….. $72,623
Needed weekly to meet budget: ……..…….. $8,273

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2

This past Sunday, our church family had the joy of gathering around the Rivera family as they dedicated sweet baby Elliani to the Lord. Standing together—parents, pastor, and several women from our Wednesday night Bible study—was a beautiful picture of what God intends for His people: faith lived out in community.
Baby dedication is never just about one moment. It’s about a future—about hope, prayer, and a promise. Parents commit to raising their child in the ways of Christ, and the church commits to be the village that helps shape her story. As we surrounded the Riveras, we were reminded that God designed His people to grow together, to support one another, and to share in the holy work of forming young disciples.
We need each other.
In a world that tells us to do life alone—carry the load, keep your head down, push forward—God invites us into a different way: togetherness. Through our recent Wednesday night study, we explored how the early church lived life side-by-side—praying, sharing, bearing needs, and lifting one another up. That same kind of community was on display as we prayed over baby Elliani.
Raising a child to know Jesus is not meant to be a task carried alone. Parents are the primary disciplers of children, but God gives us a spiritual family so that no one walks the journey in isolation. Every prayer whispered, every encouraging word, every act of kindness is part of helping a child grow to know the love of Jesus.
When the Rivera family stood before us, they were not just making a commitment to God. We were making one too—promising to be part of baby Elliani’s life, helping her learn the truths of Scripture, showing her what it looks like to serve, and reminding her she is deeply loved and never alone.
As we celebrate baby Elliani, let us also reflect on our role in helping raise the next generation.

• Who are the children or teens in our church we can encourage?
• Who can we pray for consistently?
• Is there a family we can support with meals, childcare, or friendship?
• Is God calling us to serve in kids or youth ministry?

We don’t just watch children grow—we participate in their growth. The dedication of baby Elliani wasn’t only a moment for the Rivera family; it was an invitation for all of us to step in and help nurture a young life toward Christ.

Lord, thank You for the gift of baby Elliani. Bless the Rivera family as they guide her in Your ways. Teach us to be faithful villagers—encouraging, praying, and walking alongside one another as we raise children to know You. Knit us together in Your love so that every child who enters this place feels seen, supported, and surrounded by Your people. Amen.