NLCC Newsletter: February 2008

PASTOR’S REPORT

Dear Saint (s),

Wow! What a month this has been! In some ways for me it’s been very good and yet in other ways…….well, I’m in a cast and lying around a lot….need I say more?

We have had some tremendous workdays and before I say anything more about them, let me say thanks so much to all the men that showed up. Jim Clark, our building foreman, I think was even overwhelmed and blessed by the turnout. We got so much accomplished and the building is really beginning to take shape. It’s exciting to see! Our general plans are to organize and coordinate some work crews on some given weekdays and Saturdays. If we spread it around and spread it out then each and every guy will put in minimal days and yet we will get so much work accomplished. We’ll let you know more about that soon.

I’ve also been blessed by the presence of the Lord in our services. It seems God is doing something new and different virtually every Sunday and we are seeing a fresh move – not that I don’t for a minute believe we haven’t been in a “move” for almost 10 years now. It’s really amazing to me how God can bring refreshing after refreshing after refreshing. Only God can do that! Open up your hearts and turn your eyes upon Jesus. Everything else is only a diversion anyways. Keep your eyes solely upon Him and give the enemy no place to cause you to think, dwell or worry about this old earth.

I also want to remind you at the end of the day……its all about Jesus. Think of that for a few minutes….or hours….or days! He is the only answer.

This is such an exciting time – we have boats, cars, furniture and so many items
donated. Now for some news about the auction. Well, here we are only one week away! The community at large has donated hundreds of new items. Remember, though, its still not too late. We can still use your “stuff”. Every item donated is pure profit and will help in the renovation of the new church building. Please look around your house and think big and small. We can use it all. Also, please remember to invite your neighbors, friends, relatives, etc – there will be many great deals to be had. The date is Saturday, February 2nd. There will be food and all kinds of gifts and items there – many of them brand new. See you there!
As you can tell…….God is doing so, so much.

Love you all,
Pastor Kirk

Then He brought us out with silver and gold.
And there was not one weak person among their families.—Psalm 105:37

33 LIVE submitted by Christopher Hopper

Dear Church Family,

January has been an exciting month for the youth leaders. Most  noteworthy is the 1st graduating class of over 25 leaders from our  Boralee Training Program (held this past Sunday). The group has undergone five months of weekly teaching, developing their leadership  skills and understanding of youth ministry as a whole. I’m so proud of each one of them and look forward to their placement in active service within the growing youth ministry of New Life and the surrounding  churches.

One of the last Boralee meetings we had included a special trip to the  Elim Youth Leadership Summit in Lima, NY January 18th and 19th. We had  22 of us in attendance and spent a powerful two days in the Lord’s  presence, learning from some wonderful teachers.

Dibor also had its 3rd conference this past weekend, lasting four days  with half a dozen guest speakers including Pastor David Hayner and Brother Chad Fairchild. This conference’s themes centered around having the Father’s heart for the perishing, and was the most well  attended conference to date with over 35 students!

God’s fame continues to grow among our county’s youth and I’m so excited to see our culture changing through His power! Hallelujah!

KIDS CHURCH submitted by Leah Woodkirk

This year has started out so well!  I am so proud of each and everyone of you.  Last week, at the second service we counted the money that we have raised for the new church building, and the total amount was over $400.00!  I was so excited!  You guys are incredible people.

The month of February is going to be jam packed with fun! We are continuing through the alphabet, this month are the letters C and D.  We will be talking about things like, Charity and Determination!  They are going to go with themes like Valentine’s Day and President Lincoln’s Birthday….can you guess why?

Also, thank you to all the children that helped with the Tutti-Frutti gift basket for the church auction.  The amount of money that the basket is purchased for, will be included in the money we have raised for the church, and count towards your bowling and pizza party!

Keep up the good work!  I am so very proud of you!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD submitted by Karleen Bognaski

Do you remember when you see pictures or videos of children opening up their Operation Christmas Child boxes, the big smiles they have?  We want to keep the children smiling.  This month’s collection will be brushes.  Not just toothbrushes, but hair brushes and combs as well.  We want to keep the children in good health, “lookin’ good” and all smiles!  If you have toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, hair brushes, or mirrors to donate, please drop your item in the Operation Christmas Child box in the back of the church. Remember those happy smiles!  Thank you. 

MISSION REPORT

Comoro
Islands

Capital: Moroni
Size: 1,862 sq. km.
Population: 509,000
Religions: 98% Muslim .6% Christian 1.4% Other

CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER

Pray for the opening of this land for God’s Word
Pray for continued and increased opportunities for witness and that such may bear fruit.
Believers have suffered periods of intense persecution and are not legally permitted to meet openly.
There are only two organized Protestant churches in the four islands, pray for their witness.
Please pray for continued Bible translation into the Comorian dialects.

The Lord has challenged us (NLCC) to touch every country in the world. So every month we choose a nation (alphabetically) and we target them by prayer and giving. Souls are ripe; please join us in taking this opportunity to bring in the harvest! If you would like to give, please add a note on your offering that it is for the “Country of the Month”. Thank you.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT submitted by Christian Fahey

God Hears Your Prayers Even If You Don’t Use The Right Words

“One day, a minister was going down a lane.  He spotted a young boy on his knees, arms outstretched to heaven, reciting the alphabet,
‘A,B,C,D,E,F,G….’  The minister said, ‘Son, what are you doing?’ The boy replied, ‘Sir, my mom and dad were killed and I was left in the care of a man.  But the man is so cruel to me that I decided to pray for him. I don’t know how to pray so I just decided to say the alphabet.  I figured God would understand and would put the right words together.’”

REGARDING PRAYER submitted by Nancy Gardner

We are all mighty men and women of prayer. Great things happen when God’s people pray. There are five of us in a Thursday morning prayer group. We meet at 8 am, rotating to each others homes for the meeting. No food, just coffee, tea or juice. We started out every other week, then began a weekly meeting. We aren’t looking to increase our numbers, we want to help you coordinate a prayer group in your area. If you would like to pray with 2 or 3 (or more) people call Nancy Gardner 686-0086 or place a note in their mailbox in the church office. Include your name, phone number and the times most convenient for you: morning, afternoon, evening, weekdays or weekends. We will collect the names and let you know who is in your area or in your time slot. This is a great opportunity to step up and pray!