New Beginnings New Life Community Church

Transcription

1 1 Volume 19 Issue 2 February 2018 New Beginnings New Life Community Church A Christ Centered, Bible Based, Spirit Empowered, Prayer Dependent, Ministry Minded Church Where new life is found in Christ FEBRUARY Highlights WEDNESDAY EVENINGS Bible Study SUNDAY, February 18 Return Baby Bottles WEDNESDAY, February 21st Circle of Faith MISSIONS WEEK, Feb 25th- March 1st (by John Motz, pastor) The Unique Jesus Who was Jesus? What did his first followers have to say about Him and why is that important to us yet today? Between now and Easter (April 1) we will embark on a journey to get to know Jesus better through the unique lens of the Gospel of Luke. While each Gospel tells the story of Jesus, each is unique because the author of each brought their own distinct perspective and fashioned the way they told the story for the audience they were originally writing to. For example, the Gospel of Luke (the third of the four gospels) has many similarities with the other Gospels, especially with Matthew and Mark, but it also contains material that is only found in this account. Some of the best known Jesus stories (for example the birth in Bethlehem complete with angles and shepherds) and best known Jesus teachings (for example the parable of the Prodigal Son) are found only in Luke and without it our understanding of Jesus ministry and message would be incomplete. During the next two months, I d encourage you to make it a goal to read through Luke s Gospel (it s only 24 chapters long so a chapter every other day will do it with time to spare). On the Sunday mornings between now and Easter we ll look at some of unique stories and teachings that only Luke contains to discover the unique Jesus that he portrays. This Jesus, through the words of Luke, will capture your heart!

2 2 Men s Retreat March 2-4 is the weekend of our Men s retreat at Redwood Christian Park. Guys, the time is now to sign up and plan to get away and be refreshed. There are brochures on the mission table at church or go on line to register at: Super Bowl Breakfast- A Big Deal! This Sunday is the Super Bowl, the Patriots (again) against the Eagles to determine the Champion of the 2017 season. As far as TV ratings it is a big deal, but for those who can t travel to Minneapolis (or choose not to) we have a big deal for you! The annual New Life Super Bowl men s breakfast is this Saturday (Feb 3 rd )! While some games may fail to live up to expectations this breakfast has never failed to deliver. So invite a friend and come and enjoy a great time together. We gather in Rooms 7/8 at 8:30, wear your favorite team colors and don t be late! Nursery Volunteers Do you enjoy working with young children? Does the opportunity to spend an hour a month bonding with our little ones appeal to you? Would you like to be involved in more than simply attending a worship service? If you answered yes to any of these questions, becoming a nursery volunteer may be just for you! While we currently have a number of volunteers, more would be better. Our busy lives and schedules sometimes make it difficult to fill the monthly need without asking someone to serve more than once. If we have a few more names to choose from, it s easier to get a month off. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, talk with Mary Herbert or Pastor John. They ll arrange a time to talk about the expectations and requirements of this important ministry. Men s Bible Study Wednesday morning Men s breakfast and Bible study at Brooks Ranch ( s o m e t i m e s k n o w n a s t h e WMMBABSABR - we ve gotta come up with a better name!) is also working through the Gospel of Luke. Guys, this is another great way to read and apply the Word of God. Wednesday mornings at 6:30. Circle of Faith Circle of Faith is meeting Wednesday, February 21st, 10 a.m. at Sheryl Arnold s. Bring your Bible and an open heart. A POTLUCK WITH RUTH It s time for a new Bible Study! Join us once a week for a simple meal before Pastor John leads a study designed to bring understanding of God s Word for today s world. We ll meet on Wednesday evenings, beginning January 24th, in rooms 7&8 to learn about Ruth, Boaz and God s plan for redemption. The Book of Ruth is a story of love, loss, trust and faith. The evening begins with a potluck dinner at 6. We try to keep the menu simple, so everyone can have a part in the meal without a big time requirement for anyone. Paper products are provided. Following the meal, Pastor John will begin the study at 7. Bring your appetite, Bible and thirst to learn as we begin the first study of the new year. If you missed the first week or two, come anyway! You re always welcome!

3 3 Missions Report The New Life Missions Committee met on Sunday, January 13 th. Some of the discussion centered around our 2017 Missions Chili Fundraiser. The committee was pleased that the total donations from the event was $3,901. There was some discussion concerning things that we can do to improve the event next year and plans are under way for another fun-filled evening in September Current missionaries and mission outreach that New Life supports monthly: Paul & Fabiola Drum (Southeast Asia) $100 Sophy Lun (Cambodia) $100 Young Life (Merced County) $150 * Love INC. (Merced County) $100 Lifeline (Winton) $150 * Anna s Halfway House (Mexicali) $100 International Leadership Institute (Al VomSteeg) $150 Empowering Live International (Kenya) $200 * Steve & Cari Wendel (Czech Republic) $100 Kurt & Carrie Smalley (Hungary) $100 Merced County Jail Ministry $100 Samaritan s Purse (Middle East Relief) $150 InterVarsity (Jeshua Hopson/Merced County) $100 Merced Rescue Mission $200 * Mary s Mantle (JMJ) (Atwater) (new for 2018) $100 With the success of the fundraiser, we found that we could increase the support (*) for some of our projects and add a new one. It was brought to the attention of the Missions Committee, that because of the fires in the Santa Rosa area, there were mission commitments from Santa Rosa residents that could not be fulfilled. One missionary family that is severely affected were the Chamberlains working in Mongolia through English Language Institute of China. It was decided to send them a one- time gift of $1000. We hope to have Celia Chamberlain visit us soon to report on their work. The Missions Committee is grateful for the faithful support given by the congregation.

4 4 Dear NLCC Women, Please join our local Women of Change group February 8, 7 pm, at Mary Monaghan s house. We will fellowship, pray, and donate to Women of Change. All are welcome to find out about this ministry. Text Mary for Questions: WOMEN OF CHANGE WHO WE ARE We support one another We give hope to women in Kenya THE CHALLENGE Alcoholism is rampant in Kenya Women are forced to brew and sell illegal alcohol to feed their families The need hope and skills to find other options OUR RESPONSE We form a Chapter, a network of support We gather every six months to pray and give Kenyan workmen learn business skills and form their own networks of support HOW WE HELP $15=1day of training, 1 woman $75=1 week of training, 1 woman $90=Full program and follow-up, 1 woman $90 X women in our chapter = women supported every time we meet! 2017 Financial Statements The Financial Statements of Giving for 2017 have ben hand delivered or mailed. If you didn t get one and would like to have a record of your giving for last year, please contact Mary Herbert ( ) or the church office ( ). If you ve lost or misplaced your copy, let Mary know and a new one will be printed.

5 5 Our s are in the midst of honestly knowing how to serve. These next few months we will be focusing ourselves and devoted to local missions. As we prepare, to see what mission trip locally God calls us too. We will be fundraising and visiting different local places. It s going to be a promising lesson, that will teach our teens the value of being Gods hand and feet. The biggest aspect that we will learn is how to be different and how to have a heart of a servant. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you ve arrived. In our me-first culture, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world s idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it. The disciples argued about who deserved the most prominent position, and 2,000 years later, people still jockey for position and prominence. Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. We would rather be generals than privates. Even Christians want to be servantleaders, not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That s what he called himself. While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant s heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs. God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we re not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, I don t have the gift of mercy or service. We value the church and need to recognize our hearts and calling. These young teens, will be giving plenty of opportunity to serve. We have plans to visit Anberry, feed at the D St. Shelter, and help in our church. Please keep us in prayer as we mature in Christ. If, you find it your heart to help the ministry please contact me. Pastor of Jose Fuentes

6 6 Treasurer s Report January $13,135 General Fund giving for 2017 ended strong, with donations of more than $196,000. Great way to end the year! In addition to the General Fund giving, which supports our general operating costs, an additional $14,400 was donated to help support missionaries and mission outreach organizations. Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us, Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. And in Luke 6 verse 38 Jesus said, If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving large or small it will be used to measure what is given back to you. It is my hope and prayer that 2018 will be a year of increased donations and blessings. Mary Herbert Treasurer, New life Community Church We Are Family! Help celebrate these special occasions! FEBRUARY Birthdays 2/01 Mary Hoepker 2/06 Bob Valladao 2/10 M Lyssa Frago 2/13 Bob Cook 2/14 Megan Sheets 2/15 Marcee Lander 2/19 Sue Campbell 2/28 Ariel Getz 2/29 Jim Walsh Missions week Each February we stretch, seeking to see the world as God sees it and seeking to be the church God calls us to be. We are reminded that God so loved the world (John 3:16), and we are to be about sharing that good news! Our Missions Conference begins with the Weekend of February 24/25 with special guests Paul and Fabiola Drumm (serving in SouthEast Asia) here to encourage us. More information on special opportunities to meet the Drumms and some of our local mission partners will be coming soon. Plan to come and to hear what God is doing near and far away and to find our part in His plans. FEBRUARY Anniversaries 2/14 Jim & Sandy Rentfrow 2/17 James & Nichole Velasquez 2/26 Mike & Joey Lauerman

7 7 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat New Life Community Church 2124 First St., Atwater, CA Bible Study 7pm 8 Women of Change 7 pm Bible Study 7pm 15 Board Meeting 6:30pm Return Baby Bottles Circle of Faith 10am Feb. 21st 21 Bible Study 7pm Missions Week 25th-March 1st Missions Night