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Weekly Newsletter                                             December 2, 2015
December

2
Call To Prayer, 4:30 pm
Prayer 'N Praise, 6:30 pm
Bible Max for Kids, 6:30 pm
The Life of Moses, 6:30 pm
Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 pm
Go Culture Student Ministry, 6:30 pm
Praise 'N Prayer, 6:30 pm
Stepping Up Men's Study, 6:30 pm
Season of Light Choir & Orchestra Rehearsal, 6:30 pm

3
Season of Light Preview, 2:00 pm

4
M.O.P.S., 9:00 am
Season of Light, 7:00 pm

5
Season of Light Matinee, 2:00 pm
Season of Light, 7:00 pm

6
Worship Service, Discipleship Classes, 9:15 am
Worship Service, Discipleship Classes, Kids Church, 10:45 am
Season of Light, 2:00 pm

7
Church League Volleyball

8
Upward Practice, 6:30 pm
Ladies Bible Study, 7:00 pm
Please Pray For: 
 
  the 60 refugees recently resettled in Gottmadingen, Germany. 

  the Nazarene church in Fartura, Brazil as they grieve the loss of one of their men who died while securing the church building during a strong storm. The storm caused the building to collapse and Florisvaldo Ferreira dos Santos, 56, could not get out in time and was hit by the falling roof. Click here for more information.

(Denmark, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Norway, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Kosovo)
- that the obstacles to coming to faith in Christ would be removed.
- effective ministry of Nazarene churches.
- efforts of new church plants.

  "Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful, and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise."
- Richard Rohr
Quick Links

 

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Sunday Worship
Sunday, December 6th
This coming Sunday Pastor Kent Pedersen will share Part 5 of the Moving Forward Sermon Series in a message entitled How Do We Pray. Our Kids Choir will be joining us during both morning services to share a special Christmas song. Join us as we worship together on this Second Sunday of Advent!
star 9:15 am Worship Service, Discipleship Classes
star  10:45 am Worship Service, Discipleship Classes, Kids Church
December Worship
During the month of December, we will continue to have two morning worship services. Join us for either service at 9:15 or 10:45 am. Discipleship classes will remain the same unless otherwise announced by the group leader.
Hope Box Check Out  HopeProject
Boxes Still Available
Deadline to Return Boxes and Baskets is Sunday, December 13th
Just a handful of Hope Student Boxes and several Family Baskets are still available for check out at the Garden Foyer Welcome Center. Be sure to stop by this coming Sunday and pick up a box or bag/basket. Your participation would be such a blessing to one of these families!
 Sunday, December 13th:
Deadline to return Boxes and Baskets 
 Sunday, December 13th, 6:00  pm:
Sort & Wrap Boxes & Baskets In the Lewis Family Life Center

Wednesday, December 16th, 1:00 pm:

Meet at church for prayer and deliver Student Boxes

Wednesday, December 16th, 2:00 pm:

Meet at Lincoln Elementary School to deliver Student Boxes

Wednesday, December 16th, 6:30 pm:

Meet at Avenue A Elementary School to deliver Family Baskets

UpwardSports Upward Ministry
Practices begin Tuesday, December 8th and Thursday, December 10th and continue through the length of the season.
  Games begin Saturday, January 9, 2016 in the Lewis Family Life Center.
Volunteers: Many coaches, assistant coaches, referees and helpers are still needed. Please contact Jade Marcum to volunteer.
Season of Light
This Friday, December 4th at 7:00 pm
This Saturday, December 5th at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
Next Sunday, December 6th at 2:00 pm
star Tickets Still Available
Log onto seasonoflight.org to purchase your free tickets to any of the Season of Light presentations. Admission to Season of Light is free, but a ticket is required to ensure seating is available.
star Family Christmas Photos
It's not too late to submit your favorite Family Christmas Photo! Please email your photos here by Thursday afternoon at the latest.
star Local & International Ministry Offering Received
During the Season of Light performance you will have an opportunity to help us minister to the world around us. We will be receiving a voluntary offering during each performance where all funds received will go to one local and one international ministry. Locally, we will be
sponsoring Laundry Love, a ministry that consists of regular opportunities to help people who are struggling financially by assisting them with doing their laundry. Internationally, we will be sponsoring the Africa Water Wells Project, providing clean water for thousands of people where water is not currently available. Thank you for partnering with us in these important ministries!
star Cookie Reception Following Each Presentation
Take a few moments following the Season of Light presentations to welcome those from the community that have attended. Cookies and wassil will be available in each foyer area.
SchoolClothesGiveAway Missions Ministry
star Children's Clothing Now Accepted
Our NMI Council is now accepting all seasons of Children's Clothing, sizes 5T - 16 for the next School Clothes Give Away. This clothing may be newly purchased or gently used and clean with no holes/tears or repairs needed. We are at this time only accepting shirts/tops or shorts/pants (please no undergarments, shoes or socks). You may leave your contributions in the Garden Foyer (by the West Entrance) or South Foyer at your convenience.
star JESUS Film Harvest Partner Mission Trip Opportunities
Some highlights of the trip will be:
· Experiencing evangelism on the field.
· Inviting people to JESUS Film showings.
· Using the EvangeCube to share Jesus.
· Experiencing JESUS Film showings at night.
· Seeing first hand what God is doing through the JESUS Film.
· Attending local church services.
· Interacting with local Christian leaders.
· Sightseeing and shopping in beautiful countries.

Dominican Republic Team Leader: Ken Willard
Dates: April 28 - May 3, 2016
Signup deadline: January 30, 2016
Payment due: February 15, 2016
Cost: $825/each* (airfare not included)
*Price may be subject to change

Nicaragua Team Leader: Kelly Love 
Dates: May 26 - May 31, 2016
Signup deadline: February 28, 2016
Payment due: March 15, 2016 
Cost: $825/each* (airfare not included)
*Price may be subject to change.
Sign up here.
WomensMinistry Women's Ministry
New Bible Studies Beginning in January
* Tuesday Morning: Believing Jesus: A Journey Through the Book of ACTS, by Lisa Harper, is an 8-session dvd study that retraces the steps of the apostles in the book of Acts. Are you willing to risk everything, as the disciples did? Make plans now to participate in this challenging study. Sessions begin Tuesday, January 12th, at 9:00 am in the Fireside Room. Childcare is provided for preschool children. For more information or to register for this study please contact Ashley Gage.
* Thursday Night: The Joy of Encouragement by David Jeremiah will equip us to be become an encourager. And if you need a bit of encouragement, this study will help you to gain new strength. This 10 week study begins Thursday, January 7, 2016 and meets from 7:00 - 8:00 pm in Room 309. For more information or to order a $3.00 book, please contact Jan Clark at 727-7607.

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Combined Go Culture 
TODAY, December 2nd
Because several of our students are going to be involved with Season of Light Rehearsal, we are going to have a combined gathering tonight. Dinner will be at 6:30 pm then we'll move upstairs at 7 for worship, teaching time, and D-Groups. We'll be done by 8:30 pm.

Christmas Offering
During the Christmas season this year, our Student Ministry is going to be raising money to buy gifts for needy students in our community. There are a surprising number of homeless teenagers in our area, and we need to help them! In the coming weeks, we will be encouraging our students to bring money to donate. Be watching for more details in the weeks to come. Please begin encouraging and talking with your student(s) now on what they feel they can do to help!
Season of Light Coffee Bar
We are in need of someone to oversee our Season of Light Coffee Bar this year as well as 2 students per performance to run it. Those who sign-up to run it will earn a portion of the profit. Last year, the coffee bar earned $80-$100 per performance. Please let me know if you or your student is interested. Please contact Pastor Josh if you have questions.
TGC Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 16
6:30 - 8:30 pm for Combined High School and Middle School
... Dinner will be provided at no cost beginning at 6:30 pm.
... Everyone needs to bring a $10 gender-inclusive gift to exchange.
... Students with last names that start with letters A-H need to bring a 2 liter of pop and a bag-o-Christmas candy.
... Students with last names that start with letters I-P need to bring a bag of chips and some salsa or dip.
... Students with last names that start with letters Q-Z need to bring a dessert (i.e., cookies, brownies, etc...).
For more information, please contact Pastor Josh.
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Winter Retreat Important Dates
... Payment #1 - November 1st
... Payment #2 - December 6th
... Payment #3 - January 3rd
... Equipment Fitting - Wednesday, January 6th @ 6:00 pm
... Event Dates - Jan. 15-18
Please contact Pastor Josh if you have questions.
Auction Fundraiser
Save the Date: Sunday, March 13, 2016
Auction Packets are available at the Check-In Desk in the East Foyer. Students who earned all four shares in this past year's auction earned around $500 to help pay for camp, mission trip, MAX, Xtreme, or other events.
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Upcoming Events
...TGC Christmas Party...December 16
...Winter Retreat...January 15-18
... Auction Fundraiser ... March 13
... Jr./Sr. Spring Break Mission Trip ... March 21-25
... Kansas Xtreme ... April 1-2
... MAX @ MNU ... April 21-23
News You Can Use

Dear Church Family: Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for our daughter, Melissa. She has been dismissed from the hospital following surgery to treat 2 brain aneurysims. Doctors say she will not have to undergo therapy and has been released to go back to work. We are so grateful to God for his healing touch and for the concern and prayers of his people. Thank you so much! Roy and Susie McFarland

The Wissmann Family - A Christmas Show: Experience a Branson Christmas...in Newton! Friday, December 11th at 7:00 pm Memorial Hall, Bethel College, 300 27th Street North Newton. Five year veterans of the Branson stage, the eleven-member Wissmann Family perform a unique blend of holiday carols showcasing acoustic instruments and tight, vibrant harmonies. Their full production Christmas show is a powerful portrayal of humor, wonderment, and the timeless message at the heart of this festive season. Doors open at 6:15 pm. No admission fee. A freewill offering will be taken. A portion of the proceeds will benefit ministry to widows & orphans in India.

First Call for Help Teen Christmas: First Call For Help is now receiving contributions for their Teen Christmas. You may bring contributions now through December 11th to their office at 721 West 2nd Street from 8:00 - 5:00 Monday through Friday. Click here for a list of gift suggestions.