The Good News. Northfield Presbyterian Church February 2013

Transcription

1 Northfield Presbyterian Church February 2013 The Good News From the Pastor s Pen Imagine that, January is gone and we are just about ready to step into the season we call Lent. Throughout much of Church history this time of year has been spent in fasting and prayer as believers reflect on their own faith and prepare for the celebration of the resurrection. In the very early days of the church, it is believed to have been a time of preparing new converts for their reception into Church as well. Some denominations think that as part of their fasting something should be given up for Lent. This, of course, is part of fasting. But unfortunately there are some who give up things they don t like to begin with like liver, brussel sprouts and exercise, and in the process, trivialize the importance of the fast which is meant to draw us closer to God. So, rather than artificially and temporarily take things out of your life and regular routines of life, why not add something to your life that will enable you to contemplate what God wants to build into your life. If our life seems flat, empty, and going nowhere, then making more space for God can help us to discover His joy, desire and direction. And if you haven t caught on yet, when God begins to fill the empty spaces, at some point we will need to give up things that are getting in the way the better things in life. In Luke 11:24-26 Jesus teaches, When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, I will return to the house I left. When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. Don t miss this. During this season of Lent that begins February 13, take some time to fill your life with a little more of God. Read any of the Gospels a half or whole chapter each day. Focus on the one who went to the cross for you. What does he teach or do which reveals God s love to you. Read, be still, listen quietly and allow His Spirit to speak to you, then write down what you have learned and how you can become more like Jesus. Remember, it s not what you deny yourself of, but what you nourish yourself with that will replace the flat, empty stalled life with joy, fulfillment and direction. In His Grip, Art Helin

2 Victory Baptist Church invites you to a Married Couples Potluck Dinner New Officers Elected Our annual meeting included the election of new officers for the coming years. Congratulations to all! Session Ron Maxhimer, Michelle Williamson Deacons Loraine Ellett, Ron Emch, Patti Maholm, Carol Metz Day Care Board Ted Kokenos, Keith and Erin Kremyar, Fran Merriam Thank You! February 9th, :00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Bring your favorite dish to share Featuring special messages from: Pastor Helin and Pastor Minor Sign up in narthex. If interested in helping with decorating, contact Maxine Jones Jean Swanson wanted to pass along her appreciation for all the cards, calls, visits and prayers following her surgery in December. The rehab staff wanted to know where she went to church as she had such great friend support! Also, Teri and Jeff Van Der Meulen are appreciative of the continued thoughts, prayers and support this past year. It makes a difference! Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Seminar Coming to NPC This is a popular, biblically based curriculum that teaches how to handle money God s way. We are looking at offering this seminar for members, friends and the community. The seminar is tentatively scheduled to begin the first Sunday of April (in the evening) and run for 9 weeks. So begin to think about who you can invite - teens to seniors! More information about the course can be found at Details will be available soon! Day Care News Our annual Malley s fundraiser will begin the week of February 10 th. There will be order forms in the narthex if you wish to purchase candy. All orders must be turned in by Tuesday, February 26 th. The candy will be available for pickup after 2:00 on Tuesday, March 19 th. Thank you for your support! Sherry Pomeroy Ligonier Camp Visit Jim Paul, from Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier Pennsylvania will be here on Sunday, February 10th during the 10:15 am service to highlight the camp and provide information after the service. Bring the kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, so they can see what a great Christian experience this camp provides. Many of our kids have gone throughout the years and can also sing its praises.

3 Women s Association to Meet The next meeting of the Women s Association will be Monday, February 11th at 10:00 a.m. It will be lead by Margaret Stitt and the title is "Thursday: Betrayal and Arrest". Scripture is Mark 14: A business meeting will follow the study. All women are welcome to attend. materials are still available. Remember to save your treasures for the Rummage Sale which will be May 4th this year. Katie Williamson Pauline Enczur Donna Hamed Kathy Moore John Rudin Sarah Hall John Jackson Marie Fiala Jean Swanson David Verhage Abby Williamson Ethan Kremyar Emily Fenn Zack Miller Emily Rose Zwegat Loraine Smith 1-Feb 2-Feb 4-Feb 4-Feb 5-Feb 7-Feb 8-Feb 10-Feb 13-Feb 13-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 18-Feb 27-Feb 28-Feb Stewardship Report January 2013 Income: $ 16,207 Expenses: $ 17,612 Mission Spending End of year gift & 1st Quarter: CRU: David Williams Ohio $ 1, The Seed Company: Galen Johnson - Africa $ 1, Globe Ministries: Bob & Melissa Hill- Scotland $ 1, Gospel for Asia: - India $ Intervarsity Christian Fellowship: B. Trube - OSU $ 1, Interlink Ministries: Mary Williams Cleveland $ 1, International Justice Mission $ By the way...the piano is paid in full...further donations are not needed. Thank you! PANTRY ITEMS CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED The Women s Association will continue to collect food items for the Macedonia Emergency Center. They need dry, boxed nonperishable food items such as: Spaghetti noodles and all other types of pasta either in a box or bags as well as rice, instant potatoes, cereal, hamburger or tuna helper, crackers jellies and Jams. There is a container in the narthex where church families can drop off their donations on Sundays or any other day they are in the building. We will continue to collect them as long as they are being donated. FYI the center has moved and will be reopening in its new location across from St. Barnabas this month. Thank you!

4 February 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-a 3 COMMUNION 12:30 VBC Worship :30 pm Christian Career Group 8 9 4pm Couples Potluck Dinner with VBC 10 Ligonier Camp Visit 12:30 VBC Worship am Women s Association :30 am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 14 6:30 pm Simple Supper and Prayer pm VBC Youth movie night 16 7am Session Prayer 8am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-a 17 Scout Sunday 12:30 pm VBC Worship 18 7pm Session 19 7pm Day Care Board pm Building & Grounds 22 5:30 pm Community Meal :30 pm VBC Worship 3pm Scout Court of Honor 25 & Scout Parents :30 am Men s Bible at Chick-fil-A 28

5 COLLEGE/MILITARY CARE PACKAGES Do you have a college student away from home or a young person in the military? NPC would like to let them know we re thinking about them. In early March this year, the Deacons will send a care package to all NPC young people in these two categories, and would like your help. Please check any of the following ways that you can help. Also, please supply us with names and addresses of your college students/armed forces personnel. (IMMEDIATE FAMILY ONLY PLEASE) Please write it on the back of this form. Bake cookies or make candy (must be type that travels well). Purchase individually packaged snacks such as M&Ms, Life Savers, nuts, raisins, dried fruit mixes, gum or cookies. (More healthy options have been suggested) Donate money to purchase supplies, postage, etc. Attach it to this form and put in the offering plate. Please make checks out to NPC and note for Deacons. Write a letter(s) to encourage student(s)/military person(s). Name Phone Number Please put form in the offering plate or send it to the office. Please bring donated items to church by Sunday, March 10, 2013 Thank you, The Deacons Northfield Presbyterian Church 7755 S. Boyden Rd. Northfield, OH npc7755@roadrunner.com