Breaking the Cycle of Sin

I've been looking for a couple of good jokes about apathy. I've checked the internet and I've asked some friends but there's not much out there. There's certainly good reason for that- because the truth is; apathy is no joke.


That's the convicting subject three of us will tackle together on Sunday from Judges 1-2. Marty, Chris and I will be teaching from that passage as we prepare for the summer series from I Samuel: "Looking for a Leader."

This is the Sunday that we'll honor our graduates in each service also. Pray for each grad when you receive their party invitations. Join with their families on Sunday as we trust the Lord to lead them in the next chapters of their lives and make each week a priority as we study God's Word together as a church.

"What's the difference between ignorance and apathy," someone asked.   "I don't know and I don't care," was the response. I hope that doesn't describe you!

I'll see you Sunday,

Brent


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People of the Book, Part 2

As we prepare to wrap up the final weeks of our fiscal year, we get to remind ourselves of some of the good things that the Lord has done through Old North's ministry in the last twelve months.

I mentioned last week that our budget is posted and this Sunday you can talk to some members of our Finance Committee at 10:30 AM in the Great Room.  You'll notice that our Missions Budget is increasing to $250,000 this year (more than 15% over last year's missions and outreach budget) and several other areas of ministry are prioritized as we anticipate your continued faithfulness and generosity.

Our 40 days of Bible reading is in full swing as we continue our Sunday Series, "People of the Book."  This week we are going to ask and answer some major questions about God and life based on the passages you've been reading.  Just in case you misplaced your bookmark here they are:

- David and Goliath: I Samuel 16-17
- Solomon's Wisdom I Kings 3; 8:1-9; 9
- Elijah and the Prophets of Baal I Kings 18
- The Siege of Jerusalem and Judah is Exiled II Kings 25
- Daniel in Babylon  Daniel 2-3
- Rebuilding the Temple Ezra 3
- Isaiah's prophecy of the Coming Messiah Isaiah 9,53,61

Some of you have been giving bookmarks to friends and neighbors, so keep up the good work!  Invite them to come on Sunday, and you'll also get to meet one of our international missionaries, Russ Dean who is stopping in for the weekend as well as Sally Dubinsky whom we love to see more often.

I'll see you Sunday,

Brent


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Preparing to Die

Sunday begins what is often called the "Passion Week." It begins with the commemoration of what happened as Christ entered the City of Jerusalem on March 30, 33, AD and ends with His death on the cross. It is a holy, important time for us as Christians.


This week, in addition to recalling his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we are going to look carefully at what He accomplished by paying the penalty for our sin. Many people view the cross as a time of discouragement or destruction instead of the culmination of God's redemptive plan.


That said, please pray that people will hear and respond to the Gospel this Sunday. Pray for me as I put the final touches on teaching scripture from Luke 19-24 too, and look forward to being together with your church family in the ten days ahead.


We will celebrate communion on Good Friday here at 7:00 PM, and please remember that there will be three identical services on Easter Sunday- 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM.


May you be blessed greatly because of Jesus.  I'll see you Sunday!


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The Romance of Providence

The Romance of Providence

One of the things we've become much better at lately is greeting and welcoming those who are new at Old North. Pastor Rick Enlow and his teams of "vine-workers" are learning to extend themselves more graciously and genuinely than they ever have before. The "ministry of the pew" we learned about on February 19th is catching in many of our minds, and we're already getting some very positive response about the "spirit" of Old North moving closer toward that Christ-centered, multi-generational community of disciple-making disciples.

This Sunday, we get to say "good bye" and commission a very special couple from Old North for ministry at another fellowship in our community. We'll also begin a new three week sermon series from the book of Esther called "The Romance of Providence". Please check out Esther chapters 1-2 if you'd like to get a jump on our time in the Scriptures this weekend.

Oh and one more thing - don't forget to turn your clocks ahead Saturday night. I'll sleepily see you Sunday!

Brent

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I Hope We Never Recover

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