Christmas Eve Services - 5pm and 7pm

When the Church is the Church

As we continue our series on the church this month- take some time to read through the book of Ephesians.  It will be the main text for much of what we'll study.  As we continue to look at the events that are happening this week in Boston and Waco, we need more than ever to realize who we are as Christ's Church- and share the truth of who He is.
In these next two weeks, I'll update you on my transition to Converge Northeast and fill you in on some of our family's news.  Lord willing, our kids will all be in town next weekend for our last Sunday together.
Next week will also be the time we'll approve the 2013-2014 budget and the list of those serving on our Board and Committees- and don't forget our Children's Musical this Sunday Evening!
We'll give you a glimpse of it on Sunday morning.

See you then!
Brent

March 17, 2013, May 6, 1954, March 30, 33 A.D.

March 17, 2013, May 6, 1954, March 30, 33 A.D.

These three dates have been going through my mind!

Last Sunday, March 17th was an incredible day in our lives.   We enjoyed welcoming hundreds of people for “Upward Sunday.”  Not only was the gospel shared, but we did an incredible job welcoming people, engaging them in conversations, and making sure they knew how much we’d love to have them explore our faith in Christ.  Ryan Farr and his team have taken our community’s love of sports and elevated it to significant ministry.

This Sunday, the President of Converge Worldwide will be in our morning services.  Dr. Jerry Sheveland is a gifted speaker and asked to come address us as I transition to my new role as District Executive Minister for Converge Northeast.  It was on May 6, 1954 that Old North became part of Converge (known then only as the Baptist General Conference), and while we often forget about it, our relationship has been long and deep.

Finally, this week we will remember what happened when Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem in preparation for his crucifixion.  The Triumphal Entry marks the beginning of this Holy Week ahead.  So plan on being here early, greet our guests warmly, and prepare to hear the gospel again as we strengthen our commitment to Christ our King.

Lord willing, I’ll see you Sunday,

Brent

Upward Celebration Sunday

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

As Upward Celebration Sunday approaches, there has been a definite buzz amongst our pastors and staff.  This upcoming Sunday, we have the rare opportunity to invite several hundred visitors into our church to take part in our morning services.  These people, composed of players, coaches, and parents from our Upward Basketball and Cheerleading league, have already been a part of our ministry these past few months. They have been intentionally studying the virtues of Hope, Self-control and Responsibility as seen in the Bible and demonstrated at practices and games during the season.

The exciting part about Sunday is our opportunity to invite these individuals to become part of our community here at Old North.  Though our sports ministries have always been intentionally “Christian,” we realize that just about half of our participants either don’t attend church at all or don’t attend on a regular basis. This fact has prompted our sports ministry leadership team to ask the question, “what are we as church doing with this opportunity that God has blessed us with?”

So as this Sunday approaches, I would ask that we all commit to prayer… prayer for what God will do in the hearts of these people as Pastor Brent speaks...and prayer for what God would have us say and do as individuals to reach out to the families who walk through our doors this weekend.  God Bless!

Ryan

Transitions

I’ve got to tell you that this Sunday is one of my least favorites of the year…it’s the Sunday we turn our clocks ahead.   I love “falling back”, but “springing forward” is a real pain.  Most of us are groggier and crankier than normal- but somehow we make the transition.

Speaking of transitions; this will be our last Sunday studying the book of Hebrews.  Remember that on the 17th, we’re inviting our families from Upward Sports Ministries to join us at both services, presenting the Gospel to them in a fresh way, and we’ll all need to be on our best behavior.  So get some extra rest, pray some extra prayers for these next two weeks; and Lord willing- we’ll gather together despite turning our clocks ahead.

Don’t forget that tonight is the CCO Fundraiser at the YWCA.  Pray for the CCO and make sure you support Garret White and this excellent organization.

Brent

We Have A Choice

The news media is telling us that something bad is going to happen tomorrow.  The Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other.  The “Sequester” is upon us.

Frankly, I’ve stopped watching the news this week because I’m tired of hearing so many contradictory statements.  I realize that these mandatory spending cuts could cause problems; but I also know enough to discern when political posturing is taking place.  I wish we could have some leaders who work to fix the problems in our country instead of allowing them to get worse- which raises an important question:  How willing are we to “fix” what might be problems in our own lives that we can control?

God gives us some clear guidelines to obedience.  He gives us responsibility and choice; and so this Sunday, we begin two weeks of evaluation and choice from Hebrews 13.   Take a look at the passage before you come to see what big ideas present themselves.

Lord willing we’ll gather together Sunday- with or without the “Sequester”

Brent

OUR LAST WEEK IN HEBREWS

This Sunday we'll spend our fourth week together in Hebrews 12. I've enjoyed studying it and sharing it with you. As we began with just the first two verses, we learned that life is like a marathon race. It is essential to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and to also trust God as He trains us. We talked about dealing with the conflict that can arise in life and this week we'll see the results.   This week, we'll finish the chapter and learn that, as we run the marathon of life successfully we become holy people of integrity.   I realize that holiness looks differently to some people than others, but I look forward to teaching you that God tailors our robes of holiness to help us meet the demands of reality.   So please read the entire chapter of Hebrews 12 a couple of times this weekend, join us Sunday, and plan to come back Sunday night for the "Night at the Well" evening of music and worship at 6:30 PM.   Lord willing, I'll see you Sunday, February 24, 2013   Brent     

DATES, DATES, DATES

I’ve been thinking about dates a lot these days.   They’re obviously all around us and they creep up on us fast.  I thought about them so much last week that I forgot to write this blast last Thursday.  I missed the date.
Here’s a few you won’t want to miss, however.  As we share the next few months, I’d like you to remember these special Sundays in our church.

February 17th  Family Ministries Sunday with child dedications
   24th  “Night at the Well” worship night at 6:30 PM

March   17th  Upward Awards Sunday
   24th Palm Sunday: Jerry Sheveland, President of Converge Worldwide
 speaking with baptisms
   31st  Easter Sunday w/ services at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00

April    21st  Children’s Musical here in the evening
   28th Annual Church Meeting- My last Sunday as your Pastor

Of course, don’t forget Good Friday and the many other activities we’ll be having during the week.  The weeks are going quickly.  Let’s trust the Lord to do good things each day.
Don’t forget the dates!

Brent

Diapers, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Since this Sunday is the first one in February, that means that a few things will be happening that we all need to be aware of and prepare for.
First of all, the Pregnancy Help Center always appreciates donations of clothes, baby items and diapers.  They’ll have a vehicle here by the Christian Education Wing.
Second, in the same parking lot; the Rescue Mission brings their drive-in, drop-off truck here for clothes, furniture, and almost anything else you might want to donate. Lori and I appreciate the convenience these days as we downsize everything from clothes to books!
Third, during our benevolent fund offering on Sunday, we’re going to ask you to dive into your resources and help with some people who are struggling financially.  This month, the offering will be split between people here at Old North and The Converge (Baptist General Conference) Benevolent Fund to help pastors throughout our network of churches.  It was created to show love by providing assistance to pastors, missionaries, chaplains, retirees and their families in times of need.

So as we continue to study Hebrews 12:3-11 this Sunday, let’s continue to give.

Brent

Looking at Jesus

This Sunday during our morning services, we will be studying one of my favorite passages of scripture.  It is Hebrews 12:1-2 and reminds us how important it is to keep our eyes on Jesus.  There are so many directions to look in life.  There are many distractions to our faith- but simply looking at Jesus and following His example will help us prioritize the demands of our lives.   Please take some time to review Hebrews 11 before Sunday.  It taught us that faith does work, it waits for God’s timing, and it ultimately gives us victory.

As January comes to a close, please remember to pray for us as staff and elders as we have faith in the Lord to bring us an Interim Senior Pastor.   Last Sunday as Tom Gacse, Ted Miller and I shared with you the direction the Lord has led us, we ask you to join in prayer and fasting as we find the man who will lead us in this interim period.

Please continue to pray for our Upward Basketball season.  We have about 650 children involved in this Outreach Ministry that teaches spiritual lessons of life and character as well as athletic skills.  Pray for Pastor Ryan and his team of coaches and leaders and that there will be many families who see Jesus.   That’s our goal- to Introduce People to Him.



Lord willing, I’ll see you Sunday!



Brent

Working and Waiting

Thank you for the good words about how your FAITH is working and waiting.  In the last couple of weeks since we began to study Hebrews 11 together, I’ve received a number of notes and letters telling me how God is providing and blessing through times of difficulty.

The joy of these messages is that there have been positive answers to prayers and the FAITH  to work and wait, has been well worth it.  

Only you know how strong your FAITH is.  You are the one who can determine what you will do with the confidence and conviction you have in God.  So I pray that as we gather this week, we’ll be able to remove any of the obstacles in our own lives that are keeping us from living victorious lives of FAITH.

As you plan for the weekend, make a decision to come to one of our Discipleship Classes that can help you grow in your FAITH.  They’re listed below, they have teachers who would love to care for you and help you connect with others, and you might just learn something…about FAITH!



Brent

New Year, New Chances

Now that 2013 is officially here, we have many new chances to grow in our faith in Christ. On Sunday mornings we are back in Hebrews, chapter 11 to be exact.  Our new classes for children, youth and adults have begun on Sundays and Wednesdays, and in every Compass this week, you can find many chances to connect with others in ministry.

Speaking of new- for those of you who are new parents and would like to dedicate your children this year, we invite you to join Pastor Cyle and his team on Sunday 11:00 in Room E-113.   The next child dedication will be on Sunday, February 17th and we’d love to have you share in that special day.

May this be a blessed New Year for us all in Christ.

Brent