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one experiencing Christ together WINTER 2016 Vol 4
one experiencing Christ together WINTER 2016 Vol 4
In This Issue No Life Left Behind Interview with Julie Hill Mountain Climbing as brought to you by the letter “D” Time Is Tickin’ Away... Its All Fun and Games Until the Zombies Show Up! Lent & Easter 2016 Treadmill Time Worship Fully and Freely Revival Has Begun Secrets to Hilarious Giving for Special Needs Global Portal 4 Freedom
Church Staff:
Pastoral Staff:
Dr. Brent Van Hook - Sr. Pastor [email protected] Brad Riley - Associate Pastor [email protected] Tim Pitzer - Worship Pastor [email protected] Billy Byler - Young Adult Pastor [email protected] Larry Page (LP) - Student Ministries Pastor [email protected] Paul Meinke - Children’s Pastor [email protected] Leslie Knapp - Early Childhood - birth-3 yrs Amy Roberts - Early Childhood - 3-5 yrs Office Staff
Candy Adams Sandy Culver Lea Rankin Saundra Schubert Kim Eckles Custodial Maintenance
Debbie Dungan Jon Williams Raymond Sharon First Church of the Nazarene 1400 E. Kellogg Dr. Wichita, KS 67211 (316) 858-1400 www.firstnaz.org
Looking ahead… January 8 Church Belles Red Hat Lunch January 11 Widows Might January 14 Anti Human Trafficking Meeting January 15 Kids 4th - 6th Friday Night Out January 16-18 Teen Winter Retreat January 21 Box Work Meets January 23 Kids Quiz Meet January 24 SIGN Lunch & Bible Study January 29-30 Y.E.S. Conference - MNU January 31 Children’s Workers Meeting Anti Human Trafficking Meeting January 31 - Kids Souper Bowl Food Drive February 7 February 7 COMMUNION - All Family Worship AREA51 Super Bowl Party THRIVE Super Bowl Party February 8 Widows Might February 10 Ash Wednesday February 12 FAB 55+ Valentine’s Event @ Prairie Rose February 13 Church Belles Red Hat Lunch February 14 1st Sunday of Lent February 18 Box Work February 19 Kids 1st - 3rd Friday Night Out February 20 Kids Pine Car Workshop February 21 Kids Quiz Review February 27 Kids Quiz Meet February 28 Teen Silent Auction & Bake Sale March 5 Teen Called Auction & Dinner March 6 COMMUNION - All Family Worship March 12 Church Belles Red Hat Lunch Kids Quiz Finals March 13 Daylight Savings Time Begins March 14 Widows Might March 16 NO CARAVANS March 19 FAB 55+ Mystery Breakfast March 20 Palm Sunday March 23 Tenebrae Service March 25 Good Friday Service March 26 Easter Egg Hunt Outreach March 27 EASTER April 1 Caravan Pine Car Race & Dinner Kansas Xtreme (Hutchinson) April 3 COMMUNION - All Family Worship
Sunday Worship Times
9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship Celebration Sign language interpreter for Sunday 10:45am.
6:00pm Small Groups & Kids Choir Wednesday Family Night
Activities/Classes - 6:30pm
Caravans & Benson Buddies for Kids (starting Aug. 26th)
Area51 for Teens
Thrive! Worship for Young Adults
Several Bible Studies for Adults
Choir & Orchestra Rehearsals
Hispanic Bible Study
Hand Bells Choir @ 5:30pm
Nursery available for all service/ activity times.
Brent
Your life matters. God can take a life that seems to be on the fringe of “what’s happening” and make it count for Him. The book of Luke contains story after story of lives that appear to be on the fringe of “what’s happening” – lives that appear to be unimportant, pushed to the side, and worthless. But time after time people in these types of situations have an encounter with Jesus and everything changes. In fact, it’s as if Luke enjoys setting us up for surprises. Luke begins most of his stories by introducing the characters and describing some of them on the fringe of what’s happening – on the fringe of perceived importance and power. These characters include little children, the blind, beggars, and more. But then as Luke explains how the events unfold, those characters have an experience with Jesus and everything changes. Lives that at first were on the fringe of importance take on significance and importance in Christ.
From January through Easter I’ll preach from the book of Luke. I’ll form sermons around these characters – people who begin a story on the fringe of what’s happening. But then there is an encounter with Jesus and these fringe people, the people no one else seems to notice, are brought to importance in Christ. We will learn lessons about how God is doing important work in us whether or not others might notice.
Years ago an educational campaign was begun entitled, “no child left behind.” Politicians hoped to form a system in
which even fringe students were able to have an educational experience that brought strong learning to them. I’m taking the title of that campaign and am changing it for the sermon series I’ll be preaching through Easter. The sermon series will be entitled, “No Life Left Behind.” If any person is willing to have an encounter with God, we can be sure that there is no life left behind.
Your life matters. Join me in opening ourselves to encountering Christ and allowing Him to bring meaning to our lives.
One in Christ, Pastor Brent Sr. Pastor
“No One Left Behind” by Dr. Brent Van Hook
Interview With Julie Hill (Director of Women’s Ministries here at First Naz.) by Brad Riley
One of the exciting new ministry efforts you will see here at First Church of the Nazarene in 2016 is a new emphasis on Women’s Ministry. While we have always had a Women’s Ministry, our new Director, Julie Hill is bringing with her a new missional vision. Julie and her husband Steve began coming to First Naz a couple of years ago. Both of them have compassionate hearts for people in need. She and Steve are both involved in volunteering for Living Waters Ministries and Sunday School, and Julie sings in the Choir as well. I recently interviewed Julie about her life story and her heart to help women in all walks of life. In this interview you will hear her heart, and how confident she is in her faith and her calling to serve in women’s ministries. Be looking for new opportunities for you to be involved in Women’s Ministries.
Continued on page 12 One in Christ, Pastor Brad Associate Pastor
If you’re new to the church and haven’t taken it, sign up for the NEXT STEP Class with Pastor’s Brent and Brad. Classes meet on Sunday’s at 5:30 starting January 10th thru 31st in the Parlor. Dinner is provided. Call the office at 316-858-1400 or Click Here to sign up by email. Sign me up for NEXT STEP Sign up here for Pastor Brad’s “For Those Who Hunger & Thirst” Devotional email Click to listen to Pastor Brad’s podcast series
Growing Our Life IN
Christ Discipleship Class A variety of studies for spiritual formation Wednesdays 6:30pm in the Parlor Bible Study Thursdays 10am in the Parlor
Brad
If a mountain could describe our connection to God, we’d want to be at the top. Breathtaking views, sense of success, exhilarating climb! But real discipleship happens in real life! We aren’t always at the “peak” of success but find ourselves slipping more than we’d like. Let’s look together at the quest of conquering this discipleship mountain. At the peak is…
Delight – Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” When we are fully embracing God in our walk, decisions, relationships, and attitude, he will give us a spirit of delight. We think of God with thankful hearts. Prayer flows naturally and we are drawn to God’s word, his house and his lost sheep. We are on the top of the mountain!
Distraction and Doldrums – Then bam! Real life hits us and we have to mow the lawn, pay bills, wrestle with kids who are having tantrums, put up with annoying co-workers and suddenly, the delight fades. These distractions are not bad; they just are. We find ourselves missing that intimacy with God, but know it is part of the ebb and flow of life.
Disappointment - When difficulties come, problems arise, or setbacks occur, we may find ourselves disappointed in God, the church, or friends. This is a natural but, hopefully, temporary response to the hard knocks of life. We then have a choice to reengage in closeness to God or allow the disappointment to brew, leading to…
Discouragement - What should push us to our knees instead just pushes us away from our Creator. We run the risk of seeing God as not caring or even doubt his existence. We don’t sense his love and sometimes forget his grace for us. The good news is that at least
we are still thinking of God, even if it is with a tainted perspective.
Disengaged – “God? Oh, yeah. I guess I’ve not really even thought of him for a while. Oh well.” When discouragement toward God isn’t addressed, we are destined to become disengaged. Now, our spiritual walk is at real risk. We really don’t quite care, either.
Divorce spiritually – Our slide down the mountain has hit the bottom and we have turned from God – rejecting him and his love for us.
How do we prevent our spiritual slide? May I give two suggestions?
Determine to never slide past the disappointment phase. Unless you’re Mother Teresa, you’ll slip to this stage. We all do. We must determine to cling to God, admit our disappointment and set aside time to reignite our walk with him.
Discover a supportive group of friends that will “pull you up”. Have spiritual conversations, as Pastor calls them, that give each other support and encouragement. Grow together! This is why we are focusing on Sunday school at the start of this year. These groups are more than classes. They are spiritual “climbing buddies” who can help you regain your delight in the Lord. If you aren’t part of a Sunday school group, consider joining one!
An honest disciple
DISCIPLESHIP
Phil Newlin Discipleship Chairman Bible / Discipleship Studies: Brad Riley: Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. in the Church Parlor. Frank Dungan: On-going Prophecy Class at 6:30pm Wednesdays in the Church Library. Brad Riley: Thursday morning Bible study: Verse by verse exegetical study at 10am in the Church Parlor Randy Harris: “Kingdom Men”. For Men: meet Tuesdays, at 7:30 pm @ Panera Bread on Central & Hillside. Thursday Morning Bible Study: On-going weekly Bible Study meeting at 7am in the Church Library.
Mountain Climbing as brought to you by the letter “D by Dr. Phil Newlin
Time Is Tickin’ Away... by Paul Meinke
In 1992 there was a music group that released a song that was very simple but stated a very firm message…Time is tickin’ away, time is tickin’. (Click here if you want to hear it!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MGKU980Obo) DC Talk is not typically a theological resource, but these words got me thinking about how we use our time within our relationship with God, our family and beyond.
Our kids are all growing so fast. They come home from the hospital so tiny and dependent on you…then you blink. Next thing you know you are working on math homework and spelling lists and eventually taking college visits to decided the next stage in life. It is exhausting and rewarding and painful and joyous all rolled in to the time we spend with our kids.
We spend a vast amount of effort trying to sync up our calendars with all the different meetings and activities and ball games and practices and parties and doctor appointments and the list goes on and on!! This example of time is defined by the Greek word CHRONOS. Chronos is measureable time in sequence and is something that everyone has the same amount of every day (1440 minutes).
Another type of time we experience, especially with our children is a “time lapse” or “season” that happens over the course of chronos. This type of time is known as KAIROS. You can just see their lives unfolding in what appears to be fast forward and you are wishing it were in slow motion. Maybe a better definition of kairos would be an appointed time in the purpose of God or a “God Moment”.
Parents have a different amount of time to spend with their children and every second (chronos) is sacred and special. Seeds we plant within our kids are very important in the person they will grow to become (kairos). During that span of time (chronos), we share life and pray they
become a person that follows God and seeks His kingdom (kairos). So what seed are we planting? Decisions are seed. Attitudes are seed. Actions are seed. Prayers are seed. Thoughts are seed. All of these seeds will come to harvest.
The decisions our children make unfortunately are out of our hands. But we can all make “God Moments” (kairos) within everyday life to help them understand the role they play in God’s plan. The moments of homework and ball practices do not have to be just a moment in time (chronos). The attitude and grace we share during those times with our kids can evolve into a moment with God (kairos) just by being intentional share our time with them.
We might not be fortunate enough to see the harvest of the seeds we plant. Long stretches of darkness and invisibility and silence separate planting and reaping. Just like a farmer plants a seed and has to wait for weeks and in some cases months for a plant to yield fruit, there can be a similar waiting period to reap the harvest from the seeds we plant in our children. We can rest in the fact that God is developing those seeds and be thankful that we are part of this time (kairos )in our children’s lives. We need to cultivate and fertilize those seeds so they can grow strong and be prosperous, but the rest is in the hands of the creator. So the challenge is to create kairos in the middle of the chronos moments with our children. God moments are waiting around every corner, even while quizzing your kids on spelling words. Time is tickin’ away… you have a gift so you best start using it!
One in Christ, Pastor Paul Kids Pastor
January 15 Kids 4th - 6th Friday Night Out January 23 Kids Quiz January 31 - February 7 Souper Bowl Food Drive February 19 Kids 1st - 3rd Friday Night Out February 20 Kids Pine Car Workshop February 21 Kids Quiz Review February 27 Kids Quiz March 12 Kids Quiz Finals April 1 Caravan Pine Car Race & Dinner Kids Worship Sundays 10:45am in the Family Life Center (FLC) Kids Choir Sundays @ 6pm in the FLC Caravans Wednesdays @ 6:30pm (Scouting program for boys & girls in 1st-6th grades) in the FLC Benson’s Buddies Wednesdays @ 6:30pm (Babies thru 5 years old) in the ECM Wing
Paul
January 16 - 18 Winter Retreat January 29 - 30 Y.E.S. Conference @ MNU February 7 Super Bowl Party February 28 Teen Silent Auction & Bake Sale March 5 Teen Called Auction & Dinner April 1-2 Kansas Xtreme - Hutchinson April 21-22 MNU MAX
LP
It’s All Fun and Games Until the Zombies Show Up! by Larry Page
Raise your hand if you are a fan of zombies…Anyone? Anyone? This crowd is kind of dead! Gotta admit—that’s kind of funny! The zombie phenomenon has been around for a while but recently made a comeback with TV shows like “The Walking Dead”. **Spoiler alert—it’s about zombies and the zombie apocalypse—just saved you from binge watching on Netflix! You are welcome. There is a song called Zombie by a Christian music group named Family Force 5 that is really great and it talks about coming back from the dead. Zombies are all the rage these days, so FF5 put a whole new spin about being resurrected from the dead—but in a good way. Lyrics: “Not dead, undead, a new creation, Zombie regeneration” Lyrics: “Re-re-re-reanimated, Back from the dead.” Romans 8 talks about leaving our old “dead” selves behind and being re-animated in Christ. Here is what it says--so you will have a better understanding of how zombies correlate with being a Christ follower. 5 If you live your life animated by the flesh—namely, your fallen, corrupt nature—then your mind is focused on the matters of the flesh. But if you live your life animated by the Spirit—namely, God’s indwelling presence—then your focus is on the work of the Spirit. 6 A mind focused on the flesh is doomed to death, but a mind focused on the Spirit will find full life and complete peace. Romans 8:5-6 (The Voice) Pretty neat, right? So we are all as good as dead because of the effects of sin in our lives. But through God's Spirit and through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, we begin a relationship with God and are brought back to life – reanimated – no longer dead but “undead”. For most of our lives, if not all, we struggle with focusing on things of the flesh. We focus only on ourselves, on our own selfish wants and desires. And we walk around indulging in sins, doing anything that will help feed our desires. Here's what we know from Scripture: sin brings death. All of us have been dead in our sins and anyone that walks without Jesus is walking dead. Galatians 5:19-21 talks about some pretty horrific ways we are animated by the flesh.
Those living according to the flesh do not want to know the true God because that would make them uncomfortable in their sin. When you live in the flesh you see other people as competition that must be crushed, or as enemies that must be defeated. The mind set on the flesh has little or no self control and so hatred is present and it will erupt when something blocks you from getting what you want. Those living in the flesh cannot be content when someone else has something they do not, so the effort is made to get the same or surpass it. Those who live in the flesh only see life through their own small little window, so they cannot rejoice when others do better or get ahead of them. How often do we compare ourselves to others? How often do we find ourselves wishing we had what our friends have? And not just material things either. Have you ever wished you were as smart? Or as athletic? Or as in shape? Or had their superior hair?? Have you ever wished you had that guy's life? Or that girl's family? The essence of all the deeds of the flesh is a selfishness that wants the world to work according to what YOU think is best for yourself, and so you labor at making it work out that way. This reveals the truth about those animated by the flesh: you are the most important being in the universe. Obviously, that is against how God designed us, in that we were created and made to bring Him glory. God is the most important being in the universe, not you—not me. When we become re-animated by the Spirit we realize that God should get all the glory, not us. Go back and reread Galatians 5:19-21. Find those areas where you are being “animated by the flesh.” Ask God to help you overcome those fleshly desires and give them over to Him. Ask Him to help you begin to live a life (or restart living a life) reanimated by the Spirit. The only good zombie is a dead zombie, I always say—so put to death the things of the flesh. God desires us to be made alive in Christ and re-animated by His Holy Spirit! One in Christ, Pastor LP Students Pastor
LENT 2016
WHAT: ALL CHURCH - ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE (no other campus activities)
WHEN: FEBRUARY 10, 2016 @ 6:30 PM
WHERE: FIRST CHURCH SANCTUARY
This year the Lenten season begins on February 10th. Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days (not counting Sundays) as a time of spiritual preparation for Easter. The 40 days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for his public ministry. In our 40 days of Lent we call to mind our own need for repentance and forgiveness and ask the Lord to strengthen our spirits through a concentration on spiritual disciplines such as, prayer, fasting, and self-denial.
The ancient practice of anointing our heads with ashes is a reminder to us of our mortality and our need for salvation that brings eternal life only through Jesus Christ. Join us for our Ash Wednesday service February 10th at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary..
Holy Week begins…March 20th Palm Sunday
Tenebrae comes from the Latin word meaning darkness or shadows. The service is a time for contemplating the events of the last week of Jesus’ life. Gradually the lights are extinguished as we contemplate the darkness that overcame the world in Jesus’ death on the cross. Worshippers leave the service in darkness and silence contemplating the meaning of Jesus’ death and awaiting the coming Light of the Resurrection.
Our Good Friday Service is a time for repentance, remembrance, and renewal as we worship the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins. We worship in thankfulness for the goodness of His sacrifice the comes to us flowing from the Father’s heart of Love for His children and the world.
WHAT: TENEBRAE SERVICE
WHEN: MARCH 23, 2016 @ 6:30 PM
WHERE: FIRST CHURCH SANCTUARY
WHAT: ALL CHURCH GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
WHEN: MARCH 25, 2016 @ 6:00 PM
WHERE: CHAPEL
EASTER 2016
“Plan now to invite someone to these Dynamic Events!”
WHAT: EASTER EGG HUNT OUTREACH
WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 @ 9:00 AM
WHERE: RIVERSIDE PARK
Invite your friends to this family event and we will encourage them to worship with us on Easter Sunday!
Easter Sunday Come and celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world-the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day we worship in thankfulness of the new life we receive from the Father and the light he brings into the world through the Risen Lord, Jesus. More people are open to coming to church on Easter than at any other time, if they are invited. Plan now to invite friends to our Lent and Easter Holy Week events and services.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE - FEBRUARY 10 - 6:30 PM
TENEBRAE SERVICE - MARCH 23 - 6:30 PM
EASTER EGG HUNT OUTREACH - MARCH 26 - 9:00 AM
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - MARCH 25 - 6:00 PM
EASTER SERVICE - MARCH 27 - 10:45 AM
SAVE THE DATE
MOTHER DAY BRUNCH
MAY 8, 2016
THRIVE Worship Wednesday evenings 6:30pm in the Chapel OPEN GYM Sundays 7 - 9pm Temple FitCamp begins Monday, Jan. 11 6:30 pm in the gym Sunday School at Mead's Corner January 17th, 9:30 am Super Bowl Party Sunday, February 7 Ash Wednesday Service February 10, 6:30 pm
Billy
Treadmill Time by Billy Byler
I have a love/hate relationship with my treadmill.
Jogging outside is hard enough. You do all that running, make all that effort, spend all that energy, avoid all those dog walkers, and yet you still inevitably end up EXACTLY where you started. There’s not even a scoreboard to tell you if you won or lost! There’s no one to beat! As a highly competitive, red-blooded American, this goes against my nature.
But the treadmill is even worse. At least when you’re running outside you get to see stuff. I once jogged by a man with a leaf blower attempting to blow leaves from his yard while the leaves were still on the tree. That is a man in need of patience.
But there are no such sights to see on a treadmill. All you typically get is a digital read out of how far (or short) you’ve run and some depressingly low health statistics (congratulations, you’ve burned… 13 calories!). If you time it right, you may find a treadmill at the gym with a small TV screen attached. This sounds amazing in theory. But in reality all you end up getting is a re-run of King of Queens in which Doug’s plan to outsmart Carrie fails AGAIN or a sporting event with far too many timeouts and, as a result, commercials about pharmaceutical drugs with side effects like “depression” and “death” and “spontaneous resurrection followed by more death.”
Am I getting too specific? Sorry. I just needed to vent.
So, there I am, on a Saturday morning when it’s far too cold to go run outside and with far too few scoreboards around for competitive exercise. So it’s on the treadmill I go. Mentally, it’s difficult because no matter how fast I run, how high I set the incline or how long I go, I’m not actually going anywhere at all. I can spend all that effort, energy and time, yet I remain in the exact same spot.
Life can feel that way sometimes. We can use up so much of our resources, time and energy yet see so little evidence of progress. But the truth is: there is progress. There may be something going on beyond just what we feel or perceive. The truth is that every time I complete a workout on a treadmill, I may not be physically moving anywhere but I am moving one step closer to bigger goals of completing a future race and becoming healthier.
The same is true in other aspects of our lives. We may be in a season that feels like a treadmill – expending large amounts of energy without seeing results. However, the truth is we may be in a period of training, of equipping, of learning that is necessary before we’re ready to face the next challenge, obstacle or opportunity that is coming our way. Let’s not forget the 40 years Moses spent in the wilderness before leading the Israelites to freedom (Ex. 2:21-25, Acts 7:29-30), the four months Nehemiah waited to discern what God wanted him to do (Neh. 1:1,2:1) and the nine months Zechariah was forced to remain silent and think about God’s plan to use his family to prepare the way for the birth of Christ (Luke 1:19-20).
In each instance, these regular people did not waste their time by sitting idly by; rather, they used the time given them to prepare to participate in God’s work and purpose. So while there are plenty of other examples in scripture of God calling us to act, takes risks and lead for His sake, let us not overlook the valuable “Treadmill Times” of training, equipping and learning. Don’t waste these times. These may be the opening chapters to an epic journey alongside God and His people.
One in Christ, Billy Byler Young Adults Pastor
Worship Worship Fully and Freely by Tim Pitzer
We have all been through valleys and trials in
our lives. We know that in the end, it wasn’t the magnitude of the trial we faced but it was our response to each situation. God’s word gives us hope and direction as we respond. James 1: 2 says “Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of faith produces endurance.” Every moment we spend in His presence increases our hope and helps us to be a integral part of the body of Christ. One way we can reflect that hope is by glorifying God with our response of worship.
As we can observe in our own congregation, people worship differently! Some are very expressive and are unhindered in their response while others reflect quietly. The issue is not the style of worship, the volume of worship, or the elements of worship. The main issue is that we are each called to bring our own uninhibited expression of worship to the King of Kings in response to what He alone has done! God desires for us to worship Him with all our heart and soul – without reservation! So as we enter this new year, let’s make it our prayer to be a congregation that worships fully and freely.
One in Christ, Pastor Tim Worship Pastor Bryan Kirk Orchestra Director
WORSHIP Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays 6:30pm in the Choir room
Sundays 8:30am
in the Sanctuary Orchestra Rehearsal Wednesdays 6:30pm in the Sanctuary
Sundays 8:30am in the Sanctuary
Tim
Bryan
(Continued from page 4) Julie, you shared with me that you've always felt a calling to help women ever since you came to know the Lord. Can you tell us about how you came to know the Lord and about your desire to help women? I was 33 when I met Him. My first daughter was born when I was 17 in 1968. It wasn't very popular back then to be a single mom; I had no idea how the Lord was watching over us through those early years. A bit of a maverick I guess, I defied the then school of accepted thought and kept this baby. Most of those years, I worked 2 jobs and with the help of grandma, I did manage to finish school. But I made many bad decisions where relationships were concerned. Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places! What I see now is that mine was a classic case of an alcoholic father, passive mother and a set up for failure. And I failed. Not as much at being a mom but personally and emotionally. I remember there were values I held onto and put them into my daughter as she grew up. Having heard it all of my childhood, I couldn't stand to hear Jesus' name used in cursing. I knew nothing of Him but somehow, that just went right through my heart and set my teeth on edge. I think some things were just instinct and again, God was there but I didn't know it. That is the back-story. A girlfriend that I worked with shared Christ with me. For weeks after that, do you know what impacted me the most? RELIEF! Relief that He cared and relief that there was HOPE, even though I didn't know what that would look like. I still have the coffee-stained Bible I would read all night long sometimes. My heart for women, I believe, came out of experience and just knowing what it is to be lost. And, it was immediate; I didn't want anyone else to go through that. But, it was time for several years of growth for me at that point. I hunkered down as I read, prayed and learned. I didn't have any boyfriends either. It just wasn't so important anymore.
Can you tell us about some of the ways you've helped women in ministry in past churches you've attended? There has really been only one other church. I co-led Bible studies and helped with women's events. One Bible study group stayed together for seven years, through the summer months even. My co-leader and my goal was to see each of these 20 or so women in ministry themselves. They weren't all from our church. Friends would invite friends. We got to know each other, studied, prayed together. Seven years later, Terie and I looked at each other and realized that they were all in ministries of their own! It was time to adjourn that one but what a great time we had! What vision do you have for a women's ministry here a First Church of the Nazarene? My vision is two-fold. Women need other women. This life is not easy even with The Lord but it's impossible without Him. It's so evident in our society today. I'm all about building women up, Bible studies, taking time to listen to each other and have some fun too, but I am also very mission minded. Any type of outreach, whether an event designed for that purpose or just zeroing in on a need is what I see. I've had 2 years to get to know some of the women here and I certainly don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. I'm confident we can build ministry that serves women and in so doing, honors God. I'm very excited. I'm almost too excited to think straight. I'm going to have to calm down so I can think, aren't I?
Julie Hill Director Women’s
Ministry
SAVE THE DATE
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
MAY 8, 2016
Last August, each of the Living Waters volunteers were encouraged to fast breakfast and pray during that time EVERY Tuesday morning. We were specifically praying for revival and changed lives in the guests that God brings to LWM each week. We hit our knees and kept very busy, God did the rest…
During November and December we had near-record amounts of visitors to the Food Pantry each week.
We helped host almost 500 people
at our all-church/ community Thanksgiving Feast.
The response by our church towards
the Winter Street Outreach was astonishing! At least 40 tubs of clothing, hats and scarves were given- including hundreds of hand-made knit hats! There were lots of smiles and grateful people who received the clothing. Afterward, we invited everyone to Living Waters Worship and had 87 people came PLUS one man was saved that night!
Our LWM Christmas dinner/worship
service hosted (the best we could count) 225 people! The best part was 35 people accepted Christ-Black, White, Hispanic, children, and adults! It was amazing to see hands lifted everywhere showing that they had just asked Jesus into their hearts!!
Another beautiful sight to see was so many regular attenders of the new Hispanic congregation and the LW Worship congregation volunteering to help at the Street Outreach and the Christmas dinner. They wanted to serve instead of be served because our church has become their church.
That’s what it’s all about! Revival has begun. That’s what PRAYER can do!
Please join us in the upcoming months by serving, giving, and, most importantly, in prayer/fasting every Tuesday morning. Together, let’s see what the Lord will do through us and in us this year!
One in Christ, Susan Director Living Waters Ministry
EVERY WEEK
Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm LWM FOOD PANTRY
Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm
(Sept.-May) LIVING WATERS
WORSHIP (bilingual worship service/hot meal)
Please call the church office to
contact Susan Van Hook or Valerie Boyd with questions.
Susan Van Hook Director
Valerie Boyd
LWM Food Pantry Manager
Brad Riley Benevolence
Susan Revival Has Begun by Susan Van Hook
Give enthusiastically - Find the motivation
2 Cor 9:2-3 I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. Give preparedly –Find the means
2 Cor 9:3-5 I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we-not to say anything about you-would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 1 Chron 29:1-5 (David said) “The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God…gold…silver…bronze… iron…wood…stones…marble - all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple. Ex 35:5 (Moses said to the former Hebrew slaves) “From what you have, take an offering for the LORD.” Give willingly –Find the motive
2 Cor 9:6-8 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Chron 29:5-7 (David said) “Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" Then the leaders of families, the officers…the commanders….and the officials in charge of
the king's work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God Ex 35:21-22 (Following Moses appeal) Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD. Give expectantly - Find the magnitude
2 Cor 9:10-12 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. What are four thing you expect from giving special gifts?
· Treasure in heaven. · Future provisions so you can give again. · Your giving will help meet the needs of
God’s people. · Your giving will cause people to thank
God. Give obediently –Find the maturity
2 Cor 9:12-13 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Four Things You Expect
Treasure in heaven. Future provisions To help meet the needs of God’s people. To cause people to thank God.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
Secrets to Hilarious Giving for Special Needs 2 Cor 9:1-13:13 by Brian Kluth (www.1freechurch.org)
As we all know God answered those prayers and was with us in a very special way on October 31, and Jaco and Philipa Booyens were used mightily of the Lord that day, as Jaco spoke both before and after the film, and conveyed the passion they have for fighting Human Trafficking both domestically, as well as internationally!
Also, the next day, Jaco preached as part of Faith Promise at the First Church of the Nazarene, and we were all blessed with specific insight given to him to help us all pray for our eyes to see clearly, so as to follow God more closely than ever before.
From this event so many doors have opened for further awareness events, spreading throughout the state, as well as many educators asking to be trained about Human Trafficking and the ways to combat it. This is so important here in Wichita, as we are #5 on the FBI's list for originating cities – our youth is being targeted – especially ages 11-14.
For the Christmas season, the Global Portal 4 Freedom Group was able to help at-risk young women, whom have aged out of the Foster Care programs, but have no one to give them any Christmas. The team came together and gave overflowing stockings, full of both practical and fun gifts, so that these girls know people care about them. Left on their own, the statistics are horrifically high of the girls being picked up by traffickers...so it continues to be so important to stand in that gap and be the defenders of Freedom.
Thank you so much for a blessed 2015, and please continue to pray and support the Global Portal 4 Freedom team, as we push on into 2016; ready to begin a mentoring program, more Prevention and Awareness training events, and starting a Business Coalition, where businesses, educators, and everyday people join together to become Freedom Fighters against Human Trafficking, as they offer scholarships for vocational training, internships, and job opportunities. The goal is that every survivor and at-risk young person will be given an opportunity to have a positive future, free from the shackles that Human Traffickers are trying to put on them!
Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do! Pray with us that 2016 is a blessed year, with the entire community working together, using our specialized strengths, and following the motto that it is “More blessed to give than to receive”!
For more information please go to www.globalportal4freedom.com, and follow the links to see the videos of Jaco Booyen speaking at the “8 Days” Movie event, as well as speaking the following day at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene. Email us at info@globalportal4 freedom.com to let us know how you would like to participate!
God Bless in 2016!!
Deronda Aiken Director - Global Portal 4 Freedom
Biblical Goal of our Mission: Psalm 82:2-4 (NIV) Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Look for these coming events: Prevention and Awareness training events, Business Coalition, where businesses, educators, and everyday people join together to become Freedom Fighters against Human Trafficking,
Our mission at Global Portal 4 Freedom is to give the key of hope to vic-tims of human trafficking being rescued around the world!
Contact Us | Give us a call for more information about our services and ministries.
First Church of the Nazarene | 1400 E. Kellogg Dr. | Wichita, KS 67211 | (316) 858 -1400 [email protected] | Visit us on the web at www.firstnaz.org
1400 E Kellogg Dr Wichita KS 67211
