The Encourager MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH PARK CHURCH OF CHRIST September 2015 NOT A CO-PILOT There used to be a fairly popular bumper-sticker which read Jesus is my Co-pilot. The first time I saw it I was only a teenager, so I didn t think too much about it. As I got older however, I realized just how off-base this statement was. Jesus has zero interest in being a co-pilot to anyone. He is not content to share His throne with any others. With Jesus, He is the one and only pilot, the one and only Lord, or not at all. This does not mean that He ignores us or that He does not hear and take into account our wants and needs. He cares for us and wants to give us good things. But He wants to give us good things on His terms which will strengthen our faith, bring us closer and help others to see Him as well. He desires to glorify us by glorifying Himself in our lives. And to do that He must be Lord over our lives, not just a co -pilot. A co-pilot is not in charge. According to the dictionary, a co-pilot is a pilot who is second in command of an aircraft. Continued on next page... Mark Your Calendar 9.2 Blanket Ministry Workday 9.4 9.7 Labor Day Retreat @ RCC 9.8 Stamp N Chat 9.12 NPYG Car Wash RCC Board Meeting 9.13 Donut Sunday Beginning of Fall Quarter Potluck 9.19 Helping Hands Pantry 9.22 Stamp n Chat 9.29 Ladies Night 7 pm
Article continued... Jesus will not accept being second-in-command. He must be first. The co-pilot does not make the decisions. The captain does. The co-pilot can be given occasional autonomy and has free-will, but all decisions are finalized by the captain. He follows the captain s instructions in order to fulfill the captain s wishes and plans. He is a tool that the captain can use as he sees fit in order to ensure the success of the voyage. So really, the bumper sticker could rightfully read, I am Jesus co-pilot. We are Jesus tools to be used as He wishes. He has paid for us and bought us. I Cor. 6:20 reads For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God s. He has bought and paid for us not only to save us, but for us to follow His commands and do His will so that His plans will come to fruition. And His plan is not arbitrary, it is not last minute, it is not haphazard. His plan has been in place since before He said Let there be light. It has always been God s plan for Jesus to purchase us with His blood so that we could be sanctified and do His will. It has always been God s plan to use His people to be the salt and light of the world, reaching the lost and bringing them to His side. He is the Captain who brings us to the final destination. He must be the Captain. He will not accept second-in-command. He is the one with the plans and the ability to carry it out. We cannot. It is past time we truly made Jesus Captain of our lives. It is past time for us to give up the lead seat, the throne, the power, the decision-making and turn it all over to the One who can bring us where we need to be. I want to encourage you this week to get up, move over and give the Captain His rightful place. Because that is the only way we will reach the great destiny He has planned for us.
ATTENTION BROTHERS: If you are listed to serve (i.e. prayer, preside, communion, scripture, usher, etc.), please meet in the Youth Office (across from the men s restroom) at 10:20 am each week. Those to Serve September 6, 2015 Children s Church: Asha Price, Liz Willis Communion Trays: Marsha Phillips, Brittany & Brent Garcia Audio/Video: Cameron Maupin Security: Gibsons Nursery: Jill Nicosia, Sandi Riffle Greeters: N Eacrets S Murrays Mailbox: Gloria Gregory, Jeanne Wadsworth Computer: Sara Maupin Worship Director: Ken Maupin Prayer: Chris Isom, Joe Nicosia Scripture: James Castree Ushers: Josh Eacret, Stan Gregory Preside: Jose Cervantes 1A Ken Maupin 2A Doyle McKinney 1B Jim McGowan 2B Wayne Morris 3A Ben Murray 4A Joey Nicosia 3B Jim Kennon 4B Greg Peck Shut-Ins: Dean Those to Serve September 20, 2015 Children s Church: Pat Seifert, Jaye Lavern Communion Trays: Marsha Phillips, Brittany & Brent Garcia Audio/Video: Russell Dean Security: Firms Nursery: Becky Phillips, Jeanne Wadsworth Greeters: N McKinneys S Sharps Mailbox: Gloria Gregory, Jeanne Wadsworth Computer: Cathy Firm Worship Director: Jason Willis Prayer: Dave Sharp, Corey Williams Scripture: Jeremy Schulz Ushers: Vance Barrie, Marcus Price Preside: Jeff Hagerman 1A Simon Peter Broughton 2A Jose Cervantes 1B Russell Dean 2B John Castree 3A Josh Eacret 4A Rich HInrichs 3B Brent Garcia 4B Chris Holland Those to Serve September 13, 2015 Children s Church: Jeanne Wadsworth, Naomi Gibson Communion Trays: Marsha Phillips, Brittany & Brent Garcia Audio/Video: Jordan Siracusa Security: Corey Williams Nursery: Stephanie Cervantes, Julia Garcia Greeters: N Devon/Becky Phillips S Brenda Mohler Mailbox: Gloria Gregory, Jeanne Wadsworth Computer: Cathy Firm Worship Director: Tim Firm Prayer: Ed Long, Stan Gregory Scripture: John Castree Ushers: Dave Steeves, Rich Hinrich Preside: Chuck Donovan 1A Jeremy Schulz 2A Dave Sharp 1B Frank Rogers 2B Ron Willis 3A Brock Soter 4A Scott Weir 3B Doug Soter 4B Corey Williams Shut-Ins: Donovans Those to Serve September 27, 2015 Children s Church: Julie Murray, Katie Schulz Communion Trays: Marsha Phillips, Brittany & Brent Garcia Audio/Video: Dave Sharp Security: Devon Phillips Nursery: Grace Sharp, Joan Wadsworth Greeters: N Larsens S Hinrichs Mailbox: Gloria Gregory, Jeanne Wadsworth Computer: Ashley Gregory Worship Director: Ed Long Prayer: Jerry Gibson, Wayne Morris Scripture: Jim Kennon Ushers: Chuck Donovan, Jaye Lavern Preside: Tim Firm 1A Ron King 2A Braydon Letsinger 1B Bob Letsinger 2B Dylan Letsinger 3A Chris Isom 4A Keith Pierce 3B Chris Youssi 4B Marcus Price Shut-Ins: Maupins Shut-Ins: Sharps
Fall Quarter Adult Classes: Jerry Gibson will be teaching 1st and 2nd Peter in the Auditorium Jason Willis will be teaching a class on parenting in the Fellowship Hall Don t Forget!! We ll be doing our This Little Light giving starting the first Sunday in September through the last Sunday in October for Trunk or Treat/God s Hand Gift Shop. Thanks for your continued support in these two important community outreach activities!! Pasta Ball This year s Pasta Ball will take place on November 7th. It s that time of year to keep in mind businesses who would be interested in supporting the pantry through sponsoring this event or donating items for Silent Auction. If you would like to know how you can help with this year s event talk to Ashley Gregory for more information. Pantry Sub List Chuck Donovan 815-519-1843 Jaye Lavern 815-608-4465 Sandy Donovan 815-558-6717 Jeremy Schulz 630-418-0371 Judi Rogers 815-229-9889 Ken Maupin 815-262-1487 Theresa Curry 815-621-9163 Sara Maupin 815-262-0303 Claire Larsen 815-218-2063 Mark Murray 815-520-1094 Katie Schulz 630-418-0372 Tim Firm 815-914-1782 Pat Seifert 815-871-7236 Cameron Maupin 815-978-3362 Brenda Mohler 815-505-7205 (3rd Saturday) Kristen Duckmann 270-556-5482 Mary Riley 815-637-4580
Prayer List Scott Weir s mother Larry Borrison Mildred Morris Andrew Broughton Nate Lucas Joe Stone Anneka Broughton Sue Ann Diaz Joe Nicosia s father Joe Dominic & Jill Nicosia success with their new restaurant Craig Spencer - family member of Joan Schmidt and Brittie McKinney; recovering from a stroke Mark Reynolds Mark is a friend of Dar Hinrichs who is nearing the end of his life due to a neuro muscular disease. Dar asks us to pray for him and his family Amanda Eacret s Aunt Pat stage 4 cancer Patrick McCabe lung cancer has returned Larry Russel grandfather of Danielle Kemp s nieces and nephews; battling many health problems Lucy Chamberlain recovering from back surgery Noe Briseno work acquaintance of Kristen Duckmann who is recovering from brain surgery Bob Pratt confirmed that he is in the early stages of Parkinson s Disease Kevin & Mary Gillis recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident Rose Bell friend of Maggie Sharp s who has lung cancer Vicky Jones Ava and Presley s grandmother struggling with guilt after the suicide of a close friend Larry Blodget friend of Aloha Humphries; being treated for brain cancer Jennie Linderman - Jennie s cancer has returned Linda & Jack Ward Jan Lavern s sister and brother in law. Jack is still suffering from a lung disease and Linda was told she was cancer free after her surgery!! Luke, Alissa, Ellie, Sam, & Harrison Bartel - Alissa is Ryan Gregory's best friend and she gave birth to twin boys, Sam and Harrison, early Saturday morning. They were born very early at 26 weeks so they will have a long road ahead of them. Joan Letsinger at PA Peterson following left knee replacement Dana Adams-Brown Pam Reese s older sister; suffered a stroke last week Ian & Christina Voigts HELPING HANDS PANTRY Meijer Simply Give Program From now through September 12th, pick up a card from Ashley Gregory or Sandy Youssi. You then take that card to any Meijer location, give it to a cashier, along with $10, and hooray!! You ve just donated $10 to the pantry. During this time period, every $10 donation card you take to Meijer and pay for at the cash register, Meijer will also match that donation!! Even better*** On September 3rd, 4th, and 5th take your $10 donation card to Meijer, make your donation, and Meijer will DOUBLE MATCH your donation. That s right, for every $10 donation made from September 3rd 5th, Meijer will contribute $20. THAT S HUGE!!! So please, support the pantry in this fundraising effort!! (No worries if you forget to pick up a card, if you go into the Meijer located on 173, they will have HHP barcoded cards that you can pick up in the store but ONLY the location on 173)
News & Events -- We really need more people to volunteer to supervise Children s Church and to work in the nursery during worship. Please talk to Ashley if you are willing to serve in either of these capacities. -- Don t forget that Labor Day Retreat starts on September 4th!! If you are planning on coming and haven t already talked to Ashley about it, let her know ASAP --We need more men who are willing to commit to being on a pantry team either the 1 st or 3 rd Saturday of every month. Please talk to Sandy Youssi if you can help!! -- There will be no pantry on Saturday, September 5th due to the holiday weekend --UPCOMING NPYG EVENTS September 12 th NPYG Fundraising car wash- - - Talk to Kailyn Willis for more details!!! -- We will have a potluck on September 13 th after worship as a send-off for the Currys!! This won t necessarily be the last Sunday they will be worshipping with us at North Park, we just wanted to make sure we got in one last potluck before they left us. Please plan on being there to fellowship with everyone!! --Stamp N Chat will be meeting again starting in September (the 8th & 22nd). Talk to Dulane Willis if you want to know more about this ministry!! --The blanket ministry will be having a work day on September 2nd at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall --The new quarter starts on September 13th remember to come to church early for Donut Sunday!!! -- We will be having a Sunday morning Ladies Class this Winter (Yay!! It s been so long!!). We will be basing the class on the book Bad Girls Of The Bible if you would like to purchase this book to read along with during the class (not required to enjoy the class, some of you just like to have the book ) it is available at Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered online at Amazon, CBD.com, or any other place that sells books I would imagine. If you would like to order a book instead of going to get one, let me (Ashley) know I can make one large order and everyone could save on shipping costs. ***Remember if you re going to order through Amazon to go through Amazon Smile and connect your Amazon account to the pantry so a percentage of your purchase gets donated to the pantry!!! -- There will be a Ladies Night at the building on Tuesday, September 29 th, at 7 pm. Bring games and snacks to share for a time of fellowship and fun -- The double match days for Meijer s Simply Give program are THIS WEEK September 3rd 5 th. Take a Simply Give card to Meijer and they will give $20 for every $10 that is donated!!!
August 30th, 2015 Unto Thee O Lord Welcome I Need Thee Every Hour Prayer Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross Lord s Supper All To Jesus I Surrender He Is My Everything Scripture Reading Psalm 107:4-9 Sermon Where He Leads I ll Follow Family Time Prayer Those to Serve August 30, 2015 Children s Church: Pat Williams, Sandi Riffle Communion Trays: Gloria Gregory, Katie Schulz, Sandi Allen Audio/Video: Kevin Gillis Security: Gregorys Nursery: Victoria Anderson, Pam Reese Greeters: N Schulz S Firm Mailbox: Colleen Crown, Dar Hinrichs Computer: Cathy Firm Worship Director: Jared Kemp Prayer: Bob Letsinger, Greg Peck Scripture: Chuck Donovan Ushers: Jeremy Schulz, Scott Weir Preside: Frank Rogers 1A Ron King 2A Braydon Letsinger 1B Jaye Lavern 2B Dylan Letsinger 3A Brent Garcia 4A.Devon Phillips 3B Chris Holland 4B Marcus Price Shut-Ins: Sharps The North Park Church of Christ is committed to sharing Jesus with our community and the world; while encouraging the spiritual development of our youth, strengthening the bond of our families, and serving the needs of our senior adults to build a church known by its love and message that flows from the very heart of God. Where Friends Learn to Live and Love Like Jesus LEADERSHIP TEAM Tim Firm Chris Youssi Jerry Gibson Stan Gregory Steve Larsen Ken Maupin Joe Nicosia Jason Willis TRUSTEES Steve Larsen, Ed Long, Joe Nicosia, Scott Weir, Ron King MINISTER Jared Kemp CONTACT US: Phone 815-633-4253 Email npcc@sbcglobal.net www.northparkchurchofchristil.com Helping Hands Pantry 815-633-1504 www.helpinghandspantry.com