NFC Choir Christmas Program Children Lead Worship

NFConnection
"Experience Real Life"
A publication of North Fresno Church Mennonite Brethren
December 2014
Joy to the World! The Lord Has Come!
Let Earth Receive Her King!
NFC Choir
Christmas Program
Children
Lead Worship
Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 21
11:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 14
8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
From the desk of
Pastor James
God With Us
Isaiah 9:2, 6
The people walking in darkness have seen a great
light; on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and
the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We are in the Advent and Christmas season.
What a great time to again remember and tell the
story of the darkness and brokenness in which
we find ourselves, but also how God enters our
world and our lives to bring light and salvation.
We proclaim, “Emmanuel!,” meaning God with
us, and also prayerfully sing, “O Come, O Come
Emmanuel,” longing for when Christ will come
again.
Our upcoming Sundays are specifically designed
to help us focus on Advent and Christmas,
ultimately deepening our relationship with Jesus
and His witness in our world. Our Sunday
services will focus on four themes: lament,
expectation, belonging, and celebrating Good
News. Our choir (December 14) and our children
(December 21) will each hold key roles in helping
us celebrate Jesus’ birth. Our Christmas Eve
service will powerfully proclaim the light that has
come into the world. We will also participate
in Advent Conspiracy again. A weekly Advent
Conspiracy class on Sunday mornings will
be hands-on and get us thinking about and
celebrating Jesus’ birthday in appropriate and
prophetic ways. We encourage everyone to buy
one less gift this year, and donate that money
to our NFC Advent Conspiracy project. All
monies collected will be thoughtfully allocated
and distributed by those engaged in our weekly
Sunday School class.
We are in the midst of a pastoral search for
an Associate Pastor of Children and Family
Ministries. Please pray, and fast, as we seek
the right person for this role. We are actively
receiving resumes and interviewing potential
candidates. This is such an important role and will
be instrumental in continuing to lead us forward
as a worshipping and witnessing faith community
in our neighborhood. Aaron Wiens is chair of
the team, and team members include: Teresa
McCreary, Jennifer Wanless, Carol Jones, Pat
Unruh, and myself.
As we approach the end of the year, we also
face financial realities and the need to make up
our budget in this last month. Our Stewardship
Commission will communicate more financial
details in the coming weeks. We are on track
with where we were last year, but will need
significant and sacrificial giving to meet our
budget commitments. I invite you to worship and
participate in this practical way of giving money
to help fund the great things God continues to do
in and through NFC. I also realize many of us are
facing financial challenges in our personal lives,
and pray for his provision for us as a church family
and individual households.
I pray this Christmas season is significant for you,
personally, and us as a church family. May Christ
come more and more into our lives, and may
we be faithful witnesses as we help magnify his
light to those around us. This season is a great
excuse to spend time with neighbors and others
who are yet to know and follow Jesus. How are
you planning to intentionally spend time with your
‘neighbors?’
Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas,
Blessings,
Pastor James
2
ROCK
Save the Date!
NAMED 2015
Denver, Colorado
April 9-12, 2015
National Mennonite Bretheren Youth Conference
By Pastor Matt
Every four years high school students from all over the country come together to participate in our
National Mennonite Brethren (MB) Youth Conference. It is a time of energetic worship, solid Bible
teaching, instructive seminars and service projects which provides a wholistic learning experience. For
many years the conference met at a mountain retreat center in Estes, Colorado. Eight years ago, the
planning team decided to move the conference to an urban city. Among other things, they desired to
add an element of service to the conference; allowing students the opportunity to put into practice what
they were learning from the Bible teaching. So eight years ago students gathered in Anaheim, California.
Four years ago they gathered in San Antonio, Texas. Soon, in April 2015 the conference will take place
in downtown Denver, Colorado. (Check out the Named 2015 website at www.named2015.com for more
information.)
Given the fact that this is the biggest gathering of Mennonite Brethren youth from United States, it
will also serve as a high impacting experience for our students here at NFC. I am personally excited
about this national gathering of Mennonite Brethren high school youth because of the huge impact this
conference had on my life when I participated back in 1995. As we all know, any good thing comes at a
cost. The price to get our students to Denver is big. However, North Fresno Church is highly committed
to our youth and to this conference. I pray the big financial cost of this trip will not compare to the big
amount of passion we all have to see the students of this church have opportunities to participate in life
changing events. I have personally taken hold deeply of the values of our MB confession of faith and I
passionately want to see a younger generation follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before
them putting to practice the ethics of the Kingdom. I want to see young leaders emerging from within
our denomination so these values and practices can be taught to the next generations. The National MB
Youth Conference in Denver will be flooded with the values we hold as a denominational family. May we
all come together to pray for and participate in the sending of many of our NFC high school students to
this great conference.
3
Journey with Us
By Rhonda Dueck, Micah Project Director
We have completed our second module of study which focused on Biblical Community as well as
looking at Intentional Christian Communities. It is fascinating to hear about the various communities that
are across the country and how they live out the call to biblical community in an authentic way.
Seminary professor, Tim Geddert, kicked off our third module focusing on the Church by exploring
“Church and God’s mission”. We continued the study by understanding how “churches are in, to and
with the city”, and then went on to explore what “Being the church” looks like. This was a rich time of
sharing about the variety of church experiences that the Micah Project interns have had during their life.
It also led to some good reflection on North Fresno Church and how the interns see us being the church
on a daily basis in our community.
Our fourth module of study is focused on Evangelism. Brian Davis, FPU’s Director of Student Ministries,
spoke recently on “Evangelism and Social Justice” and this week Ivan Paz, co-director of the Pink
House, will teach about “Approaches to Evangelism”. We will continue on this topic as we focus
specifically on our Robinson neighborhood.
Please continue to pray for the Micah Project interns and myself as we learn more of how God calls us
to live in community and be a light to all. Together as the church may we all be on mission: being the
church with the community as we share the message of HOPE and LOVE. May we share PEACE and
JOY to all we meet.
December’s Book of the Month:
Making Neighborhoods Whole by Wayne Gordon & John Perkins (2013).
A copy of this book has just recently been placed in the NFC library. This
book is a fabulous handbook for Christian Community Development and
covers the CCDA’s (Christian Community Development Association) eight key
components: relocation, reconciliation, redistribution, leadership development,
listening to the community, church-based development, a wholistic approach
to ministry, and empowerment. Wayne and John share from their extensive
experience of living in, investing in, and being part of transforming neglected
communities. This book is a good mix of teaching on the eight components
as well as hearing stories from those living out these components across the
country and the world.
4
Upcoming Events
Sponsored By:
Primetimers
Christmas Carol Concert
Sunday, December 7
6:00 p.m.
in the Sanctuary
with Fresno Pacific University Bronze Bell Choir
Soup Lunch
Friday, January 9
11:00 a.m.
in the Family Center
NFC Ladies Christmas Dessert
and Silent Auction
Thursday, December 11
Silent Auction opens at 6:30 p.m.
Program starts at 7:00 p.m.
in the Family Center
Guest Speaker: Sybil Kolbert
Choosing God Daily
Tickets are on sale in the Lobby
Sunday, December 7 or
contact Jill Janzen
Invite your friends!
Auction proceeds go to the
George Akina Memorial Fund
5
Christmas Events at NFC
Sunday 7
Sunday 14
Sunday 21
Wednesday 24
Fresno Pacific Bronze Bell Choir: Christmas Carols
NFC Choir Christmas Program: Lesson and Carols
Children Lead Worship
Christmas Eve Candle Light Service
6:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
Advent Conspiracy
Sunday School Class
For Junior High & High School Students and Adults
10:00 a.m. in Room 309 (ROCK Room)
As part of Advent Conspiracy, come on up to the third floor in the Education Building to Room 309
where we will be spending every Sunday morning in December engaging in conversation and telling
lots of stories, collaborating on the project, using our imagination as we explore our participation in the
Christmas story, learning what it could look like to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. The
project this year has three components which include World Vision, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Infant Care Kits, and Christmas Neighborhood and Church Community Food Baskets. Here is the
schedule for the Advent Conspiracy Sunday School Class.
Sunday, November 30 – Advent Conspiracy: Join the Movement
Come hear about the four values of Advent Conspiracy and our weekly advent projects for this year.
Sunday, December 7 – World Vision Shopping Spree
Groups will use Advent Conspiracy money to browse the World Vision Gift Catalog to choose meaningful
gifts such as a farm animal, sport equipment, or household item to bless a family in need around the
world.
Sunday, December 14 – Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Infant Care Kits
Over 11,000 infant care kits were shipped last year to Ethiopia, Lebanon, Russia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Jordan, Syria, El Salvador, Serbia and the U.S. Join us as we bundle the donated items
and give to MCC.
Sunday, December 21 – Community Food Baskets
Assemble holiday food items for neighborhood and church folks who are in need. You are welcome to
help make deliveries at 12:15 p.m.
Sunday, December 28 – Strategic Acts of Kindness
Brainstorm strategic ways to bless our neighbors and community in an ongoing way.
6
Join the Advent Conspiracy
WORSHIP FULLY
SPEND LESS
GIVE MORE
LOVE ALL
Advent Conspiracy is a movement inviting us to enter into the Christmas story as an active participant
finding joy, hope and meaning in the birth of Jesus our Lord. Advent Conspiracy invites us to embrace
the reality of the Christmas story by worshiping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all. We are
invited to be participants in this story as we humbly give of ourselves for the sake of others. We are
encouraged to buy one less Christmas gift and give that money to help others in need. The project this
year has three components which are giving to World Vision, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Infant
Care Kits, and giving to some of our church and neighborhood folks food baskets for Christmas. You can
bring the supplies which are listed below to the NFC Sanctuary Lobby and/or give an offering to NFC
and in the memo line write “Advent Conspiracy.”
Mennonite Central Committee Infant Care Kits
Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
• 2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
• 2 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 4 cloth diapers (flat-fold preferred)
• 1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel; min. 36 in)
• 4 safety pins (2 in)
• 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap
Christmas Community Food Basket
• Can of vegetables
• Can of apple or cranberry sauce
• Box of mashed potatoes or stuffing
• Canned gravy
• Jello or pudding mix
• Box of muffins or brownie mix
• Fresh apples or oranges
* Money to purchase fresh hams
Library Additions
Children
The Many Adventures of Buzzer Bug and His
Cousin Joker Bug by Phyllis Martens
Phyllis Martens is a member of North Fresno Church. In these
stories Buzzer Bug and Joker Bug go wandering around their
towns in Kansas, looking for ways to scare people or make
their lives more interesting. These two are very mischievous.
They make all kinds of noises—scary ones, very unexpected
ones. The Buzzer Bug noise goes like this: make a ZZHH
sound like the one in the middle of the word “treasure.” Joker
Bug makes noises you already know. He can croak like a frog,
howl like a coyote, whistle like a steam engine, ding like a bell,
and so on
Adult
Non Fiction
Books Suggested in the End-of-Life Class
The Christian Art of Dying by Allen Verhey
Death for Beginners by Karen Jones
Necessary Conversations by Gerald Kauffman
and Marlene Kauffman
Book Suggested by Rhonda Dueck, Micah Project Director
Making Neighborhoods Whole by Wayne Gordon
and John M. Perkins
Fiction
The Hope Beach Series by Colleen Coble
Book #1 –Tidewater Inn
The Zimmerman Restoration Series by Kim Vogel Saywer
Book #1 –When Mercy Rains
7
Children’s Ministry
Children Lead Advent Worship
On Sunday, December 21, at 11:00 a.m. during the 2nd Service the children will be leading the
congregation in worship. Your family will want to participate. All children ages 2 through 6th grade will be
involved. The children will be preparing to lead worship during the Sunday School hour
(10:00 – 10:50 a.m.) between November 16 and December 21. It is important that their attendance is
regular during this time so they are adequately prepared.
Advent Conspiracy
This year we will be using the Advent Conspiracy in our Sunday School programs with the children to
help direct us in worshiping Jesus more fully at Christmas. Starting at the end of November, each week
we will highlight one of the four key points to the Advent Conspiracy: Worship More, Spend Less, Give
More and Love All. We encourage parents to spend time with your children and ask them about what
they are learning from the Advent Conspiracy. Listen as they share about how they want to participate
as a family. Sunday School teachers will be in contact with you regarding how their class will participate.
Worship Fully: It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. It’s a season where we are called to put down
our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is
celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of Advent means entering this
season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Spend Less: We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one.
Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing
less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.
Give More: God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to
the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways
possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us. Time to make love visible through relational giving.
Love All: When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love
the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at
Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most.
December Calendar
Tuesday 9
Sunday 21
Wednesday 24
Wednesday 31
Children’s Council in the Conference Room
Children Lead Worship
5:30 p.m.
11:00 a.m.
No Rotate or Club 456. Enjoy the Christmas & New Year holidays with your family.
No Rotate or Club 456. Enjoy the Christmas & New Year holidays with your family.
8
CONVERGENCE
COLLEGE GATHERINGS
SUNDAY EVENINGS
College Ministry of North Fresno, College Community and
Bethany Mennonite Brethren Churches
December Calendar
December 7
December 14
December 21
December 28
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
Soup, Bread, Fire Pit, S´mores & Worship & Bible Study
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
No College Ministry
No College Ministry
Convergence (College Gatherings) happens on Sunday nights and always starts at 7:00 p.m. We meet
on the 3rd Floor in the Education Building at North Fresno Church.
9
Student Ministries
Junior High and High School Students
Connecting Students to God and One Another by Engaging the Gospel in Our Everyday Lives.
Sunday School
ROCK (high school) and EDGE (junior high) students along with adults are invited to the Advent
Conspiracy Sunday School class where we will discuss and be encouraged to worship Jesus fully, spend
less, give more and love all. We will do practical things as well – fill NFC Social Action Response Team
Christmas Food Baskets, choose gifts from the World Vision Catalog and prepare MCC Infant Care Kits.
ROCK (High School)
December Calendar
Wed. 3
Wed. 10
Sat. 13
Wed. 17
Fri. 19
Wed. 24
Wed. 31
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
ROCK Gathering
ROCK Gathering
Fundraiser – Childcare for NFC Parents at NFC Nursery
ROCK Gathering
Broom Ball (Meet at Pastor Matt’s. Picked up at midnight at Gateway Ice Center)
2:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
No ROCK
No ROCK
EDGE (Junior High)
December Calendar
Wed. 3
Wed. 10
Wed. 17
Fr. 19
Wed. 24
Wed. 31
EDGE Gathering
EDGE Gathering
EDGE Gathering
Broom Ball (Meet at Pastor Matt’s. Picked up at midnight at Gateway Ice Center)
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
No EDGE
No EDGE
NAMED 2015
National Mennonite Bretheren Youth Conference
Denver, Colorado
April 9-12, 2015
Important Upcoming Dates for Named 2015, Denver
Check with Pastor Matt if you have not received a registration packet
Sunday, Dec. 7
Saturday, Dec. 13
Parent Meeting/Lunch - Including a pre-registration sign up.
Parent-Christmas-shopping-afternoon-and-night-out Fundraiser. All high school
youth are asked to help with this child care event.
Before Sunday, Jan. 25
Turn in 1) Registration Form, 2) Medical/Liability Release Form and 3) $150 (out of
the total cost of about $300)
Sunday, Feb. 8
ROCK Lunch Fundraiser for Named 2015, Denver. All high school youth are asked
to help.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Thursday, April 9
Final payment due of approximately $150
Leave by plane from either Fresno or Los Angeles
10
December
Sunday Mornings:
Traditional Worship: 8:30 a.m.
Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship: 11:00 a.m.
2014
SUNDAY
MONDAY
1
3:00 p.m.
Tutoring Club
6:30 p.m. Women’s
Bible Study; Young
Men’s Basketball
Communion
12:30 p.m. ROCK
Parent Meeting
6:00 p.m. Fresno
Pacific Bronze
Bell Choir
7:00 p.m.
Convergence
College Gathering)
7
14
8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
NFC Christmas Choir
– Lessons and Carols
7:00 p.m.
Convergence
(College Gathering)
21
11:00 a.m. Children
Lead Worship
28
9:45 a.m.
Healing Prayer
TUESDAY
3:00 p.m.
Tutoring Club
6:30 p.m. Women’s
Bible Study; Young
Men’s Basketball
3:00 p.m.
Tutoring Club
6:30 p.m. Women’s
Bible Study; Young
Men’s Basketball
22
6:30 p.m.Young
Men’s Basketball
6:30 p.m. Worship
Team Practice
6:30 p.m. Young
Men’s Basketball
6: 30 p.m.
Worship Team
Practice
18
24
6:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Service
30
29
11
6:30 p.m. NFC
Women’s Christmas
Dessert; Board of
Spiritual Ministries
6:30 a.m. Men’s
Breakfast
23
New Year’s Eve
25
Christmas
Office Closed
31
SATURDAY
5
6
6:00 a.m. Men’s
Prayer Meeting
17
6:30 p.m. Board of
Administration;
Worship Team
Practice
FRIDAY
4
10
7:00 p.m. Christmas
Choir Practice
16 *
15
3
7:00 p.m. Christmas
Choir Practice
9 *
5:30 p.m. Children’s
Council
6:30 p.m. Worship
Team Practice
9:00 a.m.: Quilting
3:00 p.m.: Tutoring Club
6:30 p.m.: Rotate, Club 456, EDGE,
ROCK, Men’s & Women’s
Bible Studies, Choir Practice
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
2*
6:00 p.m.
Assurance
(Illness Support)
Group
6:30 p.m.
Worship Team
7:00 p.m. Missions
Commission
8
* Wednesdays (except the 24th & 31st):
12
6:00 a.m. Men’s
Prayer Meeting
19
13
2:00 p.m.
ROCK Students
Fundraiser – Giving
Child Care Afternoon
& Evening
1:00 p.m. NFC
Christmas Choir
Lessons and Carols
Rehearsal
20
6:00 a.m. Men’s
Prayer Meeting
26
Office Closed
6:00 a.m. Men’s
Prayer Meeting
27
Birthdays
1 Kathleen Martens
2 Mary Helen Hein
4
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
Jaelyn Jenkins
Drake Martens
Pierra Karl
Allison Quinn
Alyssa Quinn
Steve Freeland
Melissa Chapman
Thea Dodds
Alvena Loewen
Hannah Ewert
Frieda Kasdorf
Rebecca Lee
Jill Lee
JT Tantraphol
Bev Kopper
BJ Franz
Reola Eason
Mike Groft
Bill Lockie
Michael Kulekjian
Jonah Schneider
Anniversaries
18 Annalena Kroeker
19
21
25
26
27
28
30
31
Mel Thiessen
Kyren Yang
Otto Meyer-Hagen
Hedy Pletz
Cillian Hughes
Brett Mar
Melody Whiteaker Kruse
Chris Bijev
Lollie Willems
Vicki Froese
Tim Lewis
Curtis Thiesen
Marie Enns
Rebeca Pessoa
2
16
18
20
27
Chris & Dobrinka Bijev
Kevin & Rhonda Dueck
Dwight & Lorlyn Bartel
Mike & Harriet Groft
Leo & Minnie Franz
NFConnection is a monthly publication of North Fresno Church
Editor: MaryLyn Jones-Wiebe
Graphic Design: reynolds-creative.com
North Fresno Church • 5724 N. Fresno St. • Fresno, CA 93710 • (559) 431-0333

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