NLC Connect - Dec. 31, 2025

December 31st, 2025

connect with God's Word

Enjoy these pictures that help to share the joy of our Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve.

connect your calendar

THURSDAY, JAN. 1
Happy New Year!
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4:
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT - Dining Room
10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP/NLC KIDS/NURSERY

Communion Sunday
Deacon Care Fund offering, & donations welcome for Sharing Hands Pantry

11:30 a.m. - Deacons' Lunch Meeting - Community Room
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207

TUESDAY, JAN. 6:
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7:
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113

THURSDAY, JAN. 8:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class (new series begins) - 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
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207

TUESDAY, JAN. 13:
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Women's Bible Study (new series begins) - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

Sermon series for January! If you missed a message, click on the link on the home page to watch it (or watch again!).

connect through giving

Offerings Received last week (12/28): …...... $5,814
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $130,938
Budget to date: ………….............………..…...….. $137,178
Needed weekly to meet budget: ……..…….. $8,248

connect to God through prayer

Pray for Eilene Moreno (mother of Aneesa, Amourah and Ali) who is recovering from surgery. Pray for Manuel and Karen Madrid as she recovers from heart surgery and he is waiting for a cancer surgery date. Kristel Salazar requests prayer for her friend Shelby, who has a high-risk pregnancy.
Pray for those dealing with long-term health issues and cancer treatments.
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, including Elaine Isaak, whose mother Bonny passed away Dec. 26. Pray for Martha Sawatzky as she plans the next GriefShare support group.
Pray for those who are seeking employment.
Pray for the undocumented in our community and those facing food insecurity and financial challenges.
Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez (planning return to Peru soon; housing needed for oldest son Isaac as he finishes senior year in Reedley), 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.

Where LOVE leads me

Pictured above: Painting by one of our NLC Youth

Love is an emotion and an action toward others and yourself. Love is something that we base our relationship with Christ on. In 1 Corinthians 13 it says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” The Lord is calling us — He wants His people to love everything around us, and He has shown us how we should love.
I am a 3–4 year old teacher in children’s ministry, and the love of the Lord has led me to teach God’s Word to these children. Through Him, I am able to show patience, kindness, and compassion.

During the Advent season, Christians prepare their hearts for the birth of Jesus and to celebrate. Jesus is the greatest example of God’s love for the world. He gave His one and only Son to lead His people. He gave His one and only Son to love His people. And He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins.

In John 3:16 it says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
I pray that everyone has a great holiday season and remembers the love that Christ has for us — and that we would show that love wherever we are.

--Michelle Villarreal