one experiencing Christ together - Wichita First Church of the

one
experiencing Christ together
FALL 2015 Vol 3
In This Issue
On Fire & In Love With God
The Next Step
Spiritual Recalibration
What if...we obey?
Resolve
Faith Promise
God’s Grace Stinks
Do Something!
Let’s serve together!
It’s a Blessing To Be A Blessing
Practical Advice About Giving
Global Portal 4 Freedom
Church Staff:
Pastoral Staff:
Dr. Brent Van Hook - Sr. Pastor
[email protected]
Brad Riley - Associate Pastor
[email protected]
Looking ahead…
September 7
September 9
September 10
September 12
September 13
September 14
September 16
September 18-19
September 20
September 23
September 25
September 26
September 27
October 4
October 8
October 9
October 9-10
October 10
October 11
October 12
October 14
October 18
October 23
October 24-30
October 25
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
Custodial Maintenance
Debbie Dungan
Brenda Garcia
Jon Williams
Raymond Sharon
First Church of the Nazarene
1400 E. Kellogg Dr.
Wichita, KS 67211
(316) 858-1400
www.firstnaz.org
October 28
November 1
November 6-7
November 8
November 9
November 11
November 12
November 13
November 14
November 20
November 22
November 25
November 26
November 29
December 6
December 10
December 13
December 14
December 20
December 23
December 24
December 25
December 27
December 30
December 31
LABOR DAY
Living Water Fall “Get the Scoop”
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
Church Belles Red Hat Lunch
Ladies Scrapbooking Day
Kids Choir Resumes
Fall Groups / Ministries Begin
Young Adult Open Gym Resumes
Widows Might
Living Waters Meals Resumes
Caravans Campout
Area51 Parent Meeting
Area51 See You At The Pole
1-3 Grade Kids Friday Night Out
Kids Bible Quiz
SIGN (ASL) Ministry Lunch & Bible Study
Sunday @ the Park
Ministry Fair / Educator’s Day
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
Shepherd’s Fold Day of Renewal
District Ladies Retreat
Church Belles Red Hat Lunch
Guest Speaker - Bob Russell
Widows Might
Caravan Induction Night
Faith Promise - Week 1
4-6 Grade Kids Friday Night Out
Honduras Work & Witness Trip
Faith Promise - Week 2
SIGN Ministry Lunch & Bible Study
Sunday @ the Park
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
Area51 - “Glow in the Dark Night”
Faith Promise - Week 3
KNYI LOCK-IN
Faith Promise - Week 4
Widows Might
All Church “Feast”
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
Children’s Ministries Bowling Fundraiser
Kids Bible Quiz
1-3 Grade Kids Friday Night Out
SIGN Ministry Lunch & Bible Study
NO EVENING SERVICES
THANKSGIVING
1st Sunday of Advent
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
2nd Sunday of Advent
Anti Human Trafficking Meeting
3rd Sunday of Advent
Widows Might
4th Sunday of Advent
Selah Christmas Outreach Concert
NO EVENING SERVICES
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS
SIGN Ministry Lunch & Bible Study
NO EVENING SERVICES
NEW YEARS EVE
On Fire And In Love With God
Brent
by Dr. Brent Van Hook
Children were asked to describe love.
Here are
some answers:

"If falling in love is anything like learning how
to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long."
-- Glenn, age 7

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an
arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't
supposed to be so painful." -- Manuel, age 8



"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it
has something to do with how you smell.
That's why perfume and deodorant are so
popular." -- Mae, age 9
"My mother says to look for a man who is
kind. That's what I'll do. I'll find somebody
who's kinda tall and handsome." -- Carolyn,
age 8
"It gives me a headache to think about that
stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of
trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
I want our congregation to be head-over-heels in
love with Christ. I want passion for Him to be alive
in our hearts. As we completed the summer sermon
series from David and Goliath, and I want our
response to be ongoing love for Christ. What does
it look like to be in love with Christ and for His
love to be working in us?
PRAYER. Prayer is part of the answer of how a
believer lives a life in love with Christ. I hope
you’re inspired by the movie “War Room” and that
you found ways to be in close communication with
God in prayer through such avenues as the summer
sermon series of David and Goliath and prayer
guides that you find available through such means
as Right Now Media.
OUTREACH. There is no way to receive God’s
most: people. Especially lost people.
Check this issue of the “One” magazine for ways
we as an entire congregation are reaching to the lost
this Fall. Participate in these outreach events
through prayer, involvement, and financial support.
May the results of your outreach efforts not only
yield a harvest of new people won to God, but may
the process strengthen your love for God and His
Kingdom.
Our Hispanic ministry shows promise of exciting
ways of reaching many people for God. Our
Hispanic efforts will include a close connection
with the direction and mindset of First Nazarene.
Support this ministry through your prayers and
involvement.
Christine, age 9, when asked about how people act
when they are in love said, “"It's love if they order
one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to
order those because it's just like how their hearts
are -- on fire." May our hearts be “on fire” in love
with God. May the actions of prayer and outreach
be part of the demonstration of that love for Him!
One in Christ,
Pastor Brent
Sr. Pastor
Sunday Worship Times
9:30am
Sunday School
10:45am
Worship Celebration
Sign language interpreter for
Sunday 10:45am.
6:00pm
Small Groups & Kids Choir
(starting September 13th)
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.
Brad
The Next Step
by Brad Riley
Growing Our
Life IN Christ
Understanding Holiness
Wednesdays 6:30pm in the
Parlor
Bible Study
Book Of Hebrews
Thursdays 10am in the
Parlor
This Fall here at First Church, we’re developing a
series of discipleship classes to help those who are
new to the church take their “Next Step” along the
journey of faith in Jesus Christ. The Next Step classes
will be taught by Senior Pastor Brent Van Hook, and
myself. The classes will cover such topics as history
of the church, beliefs and core values, membership
requirements and responsibilities, and the meanings
of worship, discipleship, and service within the
context of the church. Each class will be fun and
informative plus you’re sure to make some new
friends along the way.
Becoming an intentional disciple of Jesus is a never
ending journey. We never graduate from the His
school, this side of Heaven. We all need to know
what our “next step” is in the kingdom.
Though the Next Step classes are designed to help
integrate newer attenders into the life of the church
and the kingdom, if you’ve been here for a while and
haven’t taken any “next steps”, feel free to join us.
Next Step classes will meet on Sunday evenings
throughout the Fall. Check the Calendar of Events
and the bulletin to sign up on your weekly
communication card or click the link below to sign
up by email. Simply write NEXT STEP in the subject
line, give us your contact information and we’ll get
back with you before the classes start.
I hope you’ll join us on the journey of growing our
lives IN Christ.
One in Christ,
Pastor Brad
Associate Pastor
Sign me up for NEXT STEP
Sign up here for Pastor Brad’s
“Life IN Christ” Devotional email
Click to listen to Pastor Brad’s
podcast series
DISCIPLESHIP
Phil Newlin
Discipleship Chairman
Home Teams:
Paul & Cindy Bond, Bob &
Sharon Crew: "All the Places
To Go" by J ohn Or tber g,
Sunday evenings @ 5:30pm
(Sept 13, 27, Oct 4, 18, Nov 1,
15)
H.O. & Connie Lytle: "Praying
for Your Adult Children" by
Stormie Omartian, Starts
Sunday, Sept 13 at 5:30pm
Spiritual Recalibration
by Dr. Phil Newlin
We live in a world of extremes.
Just watch cable
news for ten minutes and you can hear the yelling of
commentators about extreme views, rarely looking
for the common ground in opinions. And politics?
Don’t get me started! Finding balance of thought
isn’t very popular, it seems.
I’m convinced I’m out of balance as a follower of
God more than I’d like to admit. I’m not talking
about frank rebellion, just the result of getting
distracted or in the doldrums spiritually. Some of it
comes from my natural bent – my own personality
that interferes with my spiritual health.
Even some characters in the Bible are guilty of the
same “out of balance” syndrome. We see this in two
back-to-back stories in Luke 10. Together, they tell
a bigger story.

The Good Samaritan – A priest and Levite fail
to live up to their best spiritually by not meeting
the needs of their neighbor – and perhaps
hustling off to the synagogue.

Mary and Martha – Martha is too busy prepping
for the meal to sit at the feet of Jesus and just
soak in his presence.

In one story, Jesus condemns the priest and
Levite for ignoring their neighbor – even as they
were busy doing spiritual things.
They
worshipped and offered sacrifices and spent
time in the temple, but failed to use their time to
help someone else. In the second story, Jesus
chastises Martha for being too busy being a
helper, spending too much time “serving” when
she needed to sit at his feet and worship. Each
one was out of balance and needed a
“recalibration”.
What is your bent? Your tendency? Your leaning?
I know I tend to probably be more like Martha, being
active in spiritual service without filling my own
spiritual tank often enough. If you’re like me,
consider one of the growth opportunities this Fall to
help.
If you’re more like the priest or Levite – busy with
spiritual things to the point of not pausing to help
someone in need, maybe this is a chance to trim
some busyness and ask God to open your eyes to
find a way to serve, to be a good Samaritan.
Let’s avoid the extremes and find spiritual balance.
Let’s recalibrate!
An honest disciple
Tess & Jennifer Hanna and
Ralph & Gloria McGinley:
"Care and Share". Meets
every other Friday starting Sept
11 from 7-9 pm
Bible / Discipleship Studies:
Joyce Williams: "The Prayer
of Jabez". Sunday evenings
beginning Sept 13 for 4 weeks
at 5:30pm in the Church Parlor.
Brad Riley: Wednesday
evenings: "Understanding
Holiness" at 6:30pm.
Beginning Sept. 2 in the Church
Parlor.
Frank Dungan: On-going
Prophecy Class at 6:30pm
Wednesdays in the Church
Library.
Brad Riley: Thursday morning
Bible study: “Book of
Hebrews” at 10am in the
Church Parlor Sept 3.
Randy Harris: “Make The Line
Up”. For Men: meet
Tuesday, Sept 8 at 7:30pm @
Panera Bread on Central &
Hillside.
Thursday Morning Bible
Study: On-going weekly Bible
Study meeting at 7am in the
Church Library.
“Next Step” Class w/ Pastors
Brent & Brad: A fun and
interactive 7 week class
teaching about the church and
how to be involved. Starts
Sunday Sept 13 @ 8:30am
Omelet bar and continues
Sunday evenings at 5:30pm.
Paul
What if…we obey?
by Paul Meinke
As we read through the Bible, the question “What
if?” comes to mind. What if…David missed with the
first stone? What if…Moses chose to walk past the
burning bush? What if…Jesus would have chosen to
resist arrest?
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
There are tons of “what if’s” in our lives. What if…I
got that job interview? What if…I would have said
something different during the job interview? What
if…we had more money? What if…I would have
taken more time to share with my mom/dad before
they passed? What if…I would make more time for
my kids? The question gets answered whether we
like it or not. There is an outcome to all our “What
if’s” and the way we answer is so important. We
face “What if’s” everyday in our lives. What if...I go
to the gym today? What if...I eat another dessert?
What if...I skip class today? What if...I coach my
kids team this season? We can control a small part of
the “What if’s” in life, but after that, our control
fades.
David didn’t need to worry about missing on the first
stone, his work was already done…he obeyed. After
David obeyed the call of God to face the giant, the
rest was out of his hands or, should I say, sling.
Moses could have walked past the bush, and went on
his way; but he obeyed simply by stopping. After
Moses stopped to listen to God in the burning bush,
he obeyed the call and the rest was out of his hands.
Jesus had a huge choice to make. He struggled in the
garden but eventually Jesus was obedient to God’s
call. Here is the thing, it was NOT out of His hands.
He displayed the ultimate obedience by willfully
dying on the cross.
Our obedience is what God is asking of us, the rest is
in His hands. When the “what if’s” start to pile up
we can only surrender to the One that has things
under control…the rest is in His hands.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.”
One in Christ,
Pastor Paul
Kids Pastor
Resolve
by Larry Page
Many studies have been done regarding students
who, during middle school and high school, had a
great love for God and his Bride the Church, but
when they graduate, if they have not made their faith
their very own—some of them quit having a
growing relationship with Christ. They quit serving
in a local church.
As a student ministries pastor—that breaks my heart
and at times can be crushing to my soul! In truth, it
is the one thing that drives me to my knees in prayer
more than anything else in youth ministry. When I
think about those studies, I see our students' faces.
One day, some sooner than others, they will be a
high school graduate. Some will go to college; some
will enter the work force. When that happens our
desire is always that they won’t be doing life on their
own. We don’t want them to trade in the things of
God for the things of the world. One of the
things I love most about our community of faith, our
church and student ministry is that we do life
together!
Scripture gives us an example of a guy in a similar
situation yet, he stayed committed to God. His name
is Daniel. Daniel’s story is an amazing one. Despite
the adversity, tragedy and obstacles he faced; he
never changed, he stays true to his God and his
people and the commitment he made. This is the
beginning of Daniels story. My hope is that today
and every
make the choice to live for God. It’s
not going to be easy but they can do it! We are living
proof. MY heroes in the journey of faith are proof as
well.
This Fall we are kicking off the school year with a
series called RESOLVE. In this series, we will talk
about 3 areas we MUST have resolve in to make it,
not only through this school year, but through the
adversity, tragedy, obstacles and potential pain that
life brings. We also must have resolve when the
good or easy times come—when we are tempted to
take all the credit of success! We must have resolve
in our pursuit of and honor to God. We must have
resolve to be connected to those around us. We must
have resolve to live a life according to God’s
Word—especially in times of cultural ambiguity of
truth. We pray that students, parents and leaders will
have RESOLVE!
One in Christ,
Pastor LP
Students Pastor
LP
AREA51 PARENT
APPRECIATION LUNCH
September 20th
12 NOON - following service
SEE YOU AT THE POLE
September 23rd
7am (@ YOUR SCHOOL)
SEE YOU AFTER THE
POLE
7pm - Central Christian Church
(29th & Rock)
BIG EVENT NIGHT “GLOW IN THE DARK”
October 28th
KNYI LOCK-IN
November 6th - 7th
FAITH PROMISE 2015 - 2016
Goal $190,000
Faith Promise is an exciting way to be involved in spreading the gospel in world and local missions. For
our denomination, it is dedicated specifically to the mission support of the Church of the Nazarene
through various offerings promoted by Nazarene Missions International (NMI). During Faith Promise, we
are encouraged to make a “Pledge” of financial support for the missionary work of the church. The Pledge
is between you and God. No one will ever call or ask you for the money. Pledge what the Lord leads you to
pledge, and then give what He enables you to give.
“Bundles”
$750 - $1,500 / month provides all the following:
1 1/2 - 3 months salary for a Full Time missionary AND
1/2 - 1 volunteer missionary’s trip AND
$2,000 - $4,000 in building materials for foreign church
building construction AND
$225 - $550 in extra clothing/gifts to missionaries in need
AND
20 - 40 conversions through the Jesus Film AND
10 - 19 Life Straws equaling 5,000 gallons of fresh water to
someone with no pure water AND
partial scholarships for 2,500 Nazarene students
preparing for ministry AND
contribution to Pensions for retired missionaries AND
“Human Trafficking Ministry”, and more.
$100 - $500 / month provides all the following:
1 week - 1 month salary for a Full Time missionary AND
2 days - 1/3 trip expense for one volunteer missionary AND
$536 - $1,340 in building materials for foreign church
building construction AND
$30 - $150 in extra clothing/gifts to missionaries in need
AND
3 - 14 conversions through the Jesus Film AND
1.3 - 6.3 Life Straws equaling 1,700 gallons of fresh water to
someone with no pure water AND
partial scholarships for 2,500 Nazarene students preparing for
ministry AND
contribution to Pensions for retired missionaries AND
“Human Trafficking Ministry”, and more.
Special Speakers
Bill Burch
October 25th
Bill Burch has pastored all his
adult life, 23 years as a Pastor/
Shepherd of the local church, and
20 years as a Pastor to Pastor”.
(District Superintendent). Bill is a
gifted Leader, Pastor, Preacher
and Motivator. His ministry continues to be PEOPLE CENTERED.
He was born and raised on the farm in New Mexico. By the age of
6, he knew God wanted him to be a full time minister. To prepare
for this calling, he attended Bethany-Nazarene College (Southern
Nazarene University), Nazarene Theological Seminary and
California Graduate School of Theology.
He and his wife, Jan have 4 children and 11 grand-children. He is
the Founder and President of EAGLE MINISTRIES, Inc. a
ministry with a Mission to “Help Pastors/Leaders and Local
Churches ‘Rise Above the Ordinary’ in their fulfillment of the
Great Commission and the Great Commandment” specifically
”Faith Promise Conventions” and “Can You Explain Sanctification
So I Can Understand It”.
Bill believes that the Church is intended to be a “mediating
movement” which transforms Belief into Behavior., and that we are
at a moment in Church History in which this transformation is
becoming more a reality than ever before.
His wife Jan is a career home-maker and wife. She is an Artist and
President of “CREATIVE IMAGES” which handles “Unique Art
Designs and Paintings” by Jan www.uniquelyjans.com
Bill and Jan make their home in Tempe, Arizona.
Jaco Booyens
November 1st
Jaco
serves After Eden Pictures as the founder and
president of the company. To date Jaco has served as the
Executive Director at the internationally recognized agency,
Advantage Models & Talent which has worked with and
developed such acts as Miley Cyrus, Chris Young and other
actors and artists in major television, film productions. Jaco
also serves as a national scout and coach for the 28 year old
talent incubator company called AMTC. He has managed
athletes, artists, writers and musicians. Jaco also has an
educational background in Sports Medicine and has been
blessed with success as a professional athlete (rugby &
American football). He is an active actor and has appeared
in several motion pictures. Jaco's passion for life, film and
entertainment flow into After Eden Pictures and his personal
life. Jaco, a South African native, resides in Dallas, TX with
his wife, Philipa Booyens.
Bob Russell
Shepherd’s Fold Ministries
Day of Renewal  October 9th
At
just twenty-two years of age, Bob became the pastor of
Southeast Christian Church. That small congregation of 120
members became one of the largest churches in America, with
18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in
2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob
continues to preach at churches and conferences throughout the
United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other
ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. An
accomplished author, Bob has written over one-dozen books.
1st Church of the Nazarene Special Speaker
October 11th - 10:45am service
“Plan now to invite someone to these Dynamic Events!”
Selah
In concert with
First Church
of the Nazarene
Choir & Orchestra
December 20, 2015
Billy
THRIVE Worship
Wednesday evenings
6:30pm in the Chapel
God’s Grace Stinks
by Billy Byler
OPEN GYM
Sundays 7 - 9pm
There’s a harsh reality that comes from handing out
new shoes. You have to do something with the old
ones. And the truth is: old shoes stink. Once again
members of our church collected, donated and handed
out hundreds of new and gently used shoes to those in
need during the annual Convoy of Hope in August.
Without judgment, our volunteers helped remove
dirty, worn shoes. As the old ones came off, the smell
was released. But it had to be done in order to replace
them with better shoes that would last the winter.
Through the donations and love of those who gave,
God was at work even when the smell was at its
worst.
Of course, not all smells are bad. Newly cut grass,
fresh brewed coffee, flowers, steak on the grill: they
all make your nose happy to be alive. But then there
are the “other” smells; the ones that come out of
garbage cans, diapers, wet dogs, rotten food and old
shoes.
Our nose knows the difference between the good
smells and the bad smells. The funny thing is, like
Convoy of Hope, scripture is full of stories about
God’s redemptive grace, and often the work is, well,
stinky.
 Know the stench of raw seafood? Imagine what
Jonah faced. (Jonah 1:17)
 What about muddy pig food? The prodigal son
wished he could eat it. (Luke 15:16)
 Millions of dead frogs baking in the sun?
Pharaoh begged Moses for it. (Ex. 8:8,14)
 Remember Lazarus? I love how the KJV says
Jesus was warned, “he stinketh.” (John 11:39).
In each instance, God used some type of stinkiness as
an act of grace. The bad odor allowed both Jonah and
the prodigal son to come to their senses. It helped
Lazarus’ friends see Jesus’ miraculous power over
death and showed both the Egyptians and Israelites
how little control Pharaoh really had.
Our world is full of smells and many aren’t pleasing.
Our lives can also be filled with circumstances,
problems and issues that are also unpleasant. It’s often
exactly when God begins to work that such
unpleasantness becomes fully exposed. But Paul
reminds us that, while God’s grace may reveal our
stinkiness, it doesn’t leave us there. As the Holy Spirit
continues its work, we are made into a new creation,
and Paul tells us what we become.
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ
among those who are being saved and those who are
perishing” (2 Cor. 2:15).
Sometimes our messy lives can turn into big piles of
stinkiness. But we belong to a God who is in the
business of offering redeeming grace that turns our
stink into the pleasing aroma of Christ.
One in Christ,
Billy Byler
Young Adults Pastor
Worship
Do Something!
by Tim Pitzer
There is a contemporary Christian song out right now
by Matthew West titled “Do Something!” When I
started to consider what I should write about this
quarter, this song kept running through my mind. Here
are some of the lyrics of this song:
If not us, then who; If not me and you?
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when will we see an end to all this
pain?
It’s not enough to do nothing, it’s time for us to do
something
I’m so tired of talking about how we are God’s hands
and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
“It’s alright, somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you but I’m sick and tired of
life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says, “I’m
gonna do something”
We are the salt of the earth, we are a city on a hill
But we’re never gonna change the world by standing
still!
In I Corinthians 12:12-31, we learn that the church is
like a body made up of many parts. “Now you are the
body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” So
if we are going to be God’s hands and feet, we must
find a place of service just as each body part has a
specific function. As school starts back up and people
start settling back into their routines, this is a great time
to pray about how God can use you and your gifts. If
you enjoy singing or playing an instrument, then the
music ministry is a great place for you to DO
SOMETHING!!
One exciting upcoming event that you can participate in
is the opportunity to sing with the group Selah! They
will be coming on December
Choir, Orchestra and
Rhythm Section will be joining them for a night of
celebration! Selah is known for writing and recording
songs such as “You Raise Me Up”, “’Bless the Broken
Road” and “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”. We will
begin rehearsing the music in September so come join
us!
Save the Date:
Sunday, December 20, 2015 @ 6pm
Selah Concert with Choir and Orchestra
Tim
WORSHIP
Choir Rehearsal
Wednesdays 6:30pm
in the Choir room
Sundays 8:30am
in the Sanctuary
One in Christ,
Pastor Tim
Worship Pastor
Bryan Kirk
Orchestra Director
Bryan
Orchestra Rehearsal
Wednesdays 6:30pm
in the Sanctuary
Sundays 8:30am
in the Sanctuary
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, December 20
Selah Concert with our
Choir & Orchestra
September 9th - 5:30pm
“Get the Scoop”
September 27th
Sunday @ the Park
October 4th
Ministry Fair
Educator’s Day
Let’s serve together!
October 18th
Faith Promise Week 1
The
October 25th
Faith Promise Week 2
Special Speaker Dr Bill Burch
Sunday @ the Park
October 31st - 2 & 7pm
“8 Days” movie
November 1st
Faith Promise Week 3
Special Speaker Jaco Booyens
November 8th
Faith Promise Week 4
November 11th
All Church Feast
December 20th - 6pm
Christmas Outreach
Concert - Selah with 1st
Naz Choir & Orchestra
“Plan now to invite
someone to these events and we will follow up with
invitations to “Next Step”
classes beginning in
January, 2016.”
by David Curry
Chairman, Board of Stewards
Ministry, Coordination, & Care team was
designed to help connect people to ministry
opportunities that are best matched with their Godgiven gifts and passions and to care for those serving.
We are a team connected to the Stewards
committee—a leadership group within the Church
Board placed to support ministry within the church.
We would like to help you consider the spiritual gifts
you have been blessed with, as well as your passions,
interests, schedule, and capabilities, in order to
connect you to one-time, short-term, and long-term
opportunities that match the ways in which you can
and want to serve. We can serve as a liaison between
your heart and the leaders of the amazing ministries
within First Church.
Email [email protected] and we will contact you to
hear your heart. Also, stop by the MINISTRY FAIR
on OCTOBER 4th to talk with those actively serving
in ministry areas! Connect with us and we’ll help you
to connect and serve!
Susan
It’s A Blessing To Be A Blessing
by Susan Van Hook
UPCOMING
FUNDRAISING AND
SERVING EVENTS
What Living Waters volunteers GIVE:
Groceries. Shoes. Hand-made blankets.
Hand-made hats. Hugs. Prayers. Words of
encouragement. Time. Money. Hot meals.
Clothes. Baby items. Care.
The love of Jesus.
September 9th - 5:30pm
“Get the Scoop”
How Living Waters volunteers LOOK:
Smiles. Laughter. Happy tears. Wide-eyed with
realization of needs. Excited. Loving. Enjoying
our volunteer family.
Busy. Sweaty. Sometimes exhausted.
Always full of joy.
EVERY WEEK
Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm
LWM FOOD PANTRY
Wednesdays 5:156:15pm (Sept.-May)
LIVING WATERS
WORSHIP
What Living Waters volunteers SEE:
Poverty. Hurt. Gratitude. Tears. Hearts melting.
Walls crumbling. Lives changing. Need for
God. Second chances.
Hope.
(bilingual worship
service/hot meal)
Please call the church
office to contact Susan
Van Hook or Valerie Boyd
with questions.
What Living Waters volunteers FEEL:
Overwhelmed with gratitude to get to be God’s
hands and feet. Joy. Fulfilled. Purposeful.
Needed. Changed.
Susan Van Hook
BLESSED.
Time after time Living Waters Ministries
volunteers have expressed how much they have
been moved and changed by serving in this
ministry. There are not enough words available
to share all the stories and special moments. So
we invite you to join us, and experience for
yourself how much it is a blessing to be a
blessing!
One in Christ,
Susan
Director Living Waters Ministry
Director
Valerie Boyd
LWM Food Pantry
Manager
Brad Riley
Our very own Bob Crew will attempt to
swim FIVE MILES in the Caribbean
Ocean this November!
Pledge $$ per mile. Click HERE to pledge.
100% of proceeds will be given to support the
LWM Worship Meal and Service.
(All costs of Bob’s trip are paid for by him.)
Benevolence
Practical Advise About Giving
By Brian Kluth, Pastor & Founder of www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org
Here is some practical advice for people who have
questions, doubts or fears about giving to the Lord’s
work. If you are NOT a Christian: Don’t focus on
giving to God. Instead, realize and accept what God
wants to give to you—complete forgiveness, a brand
new start, the power to be good and to do good for
others, help for your problems, the ability to forgive,
and a home in heaven. If you recognize your need for
these things, pray and invite Jesus Christ to bring
these things into your life.
“For all Christians: always
make it a priority to
faithfully support the work
of your local church first.
Then give special gifts and
offerings to other Christian
causes, projects, missions or
the needy as God leads
you.”
“If you knowingly or
accidentally have fallen
behind in your giving to
God’s work, you will never
regret the decision to “get
right” in this area.”
For all Christians: always make it a priority to
faithfully support the work of your local church first.
Then give special gifts and offerings to other
Christian causes, projects, missions or the needy as
God leads you.
If you’re fearful about giving 10% or more of your
income to the Lord, try a 90-day test: In Malachi 3:10
God invites people to “test Him” in the matter of
tithing (giving the first 10% of your income to God’s
work). Therefore, I encourage people to try a 90-day
test. Begin giving 10% of your income to the Lord’s
work and watch and see if God does not begin
working in your life in ways you haven’t previously
experienced. If you regret that decision or if you feel
you never experienced God’s divine help in your
finances during this time period, then discontinue the
test. However, if you experience God’s help, joyfully
continue giving 10% or more to the Lord’s work.
If you want to begin to actively give to God FIRST:
Here are four different ideas to choose from:
1) Whenever you get any money, set aside 10% or
more to give as the Lord directs.
2) Whenever you put a deposit in your checkbook,
write out the first check(s) to God’s work for
10% or more.
3) If you track your finances through a bookkeeping
system or computer program, set up a category
for church giving and another one for other
Christian causes. Then begin to faithfully set
aside 10% or more of your income into these
accounts.
4) If you like to handle your finances electronically,
consider using www.networkforgood.org or the
electronic giving option from your church (if
available) to faithfully give 10% or more to the
Lord.
If you are married to a Christian, but the two of you
do not agree on how much you should give to the
Lord’s work: see if your spouse will read through this
material and/or listen to some of the
internet messages at MaXIMuMgenerosity.org. Then
talk and pray together about a mutually agreeable
“testing period” concerning your giving 10% or
more.
If you are married and your spouse is not a Christian:
Identify any money you have freedom to spend (read
Luke 8:3) and set aside 10% or more of this money to
give to the Lord’s work and/or show this material to
your spouse and see if you can try the 90-day testing
period.
If you are deciding whether to give off the gross or
the net of your income: Pray and ask God what He
wants you to do. If He prompts you in your heart to
give off the gross amount, go ahead and do this,
trusting Him with the results. If you don’t have a
peace about this, begin giving 10% off the net
amount for a few months and see what happens.
After a few months, if you experience God’s creative
care in your life, then begin to give 10% or more off
of your gross income.
If you’re wondering about how much to give to your
church and how much to give to other places: a good
practice I have used is to give 10% of my main
source of income to my local church (i.e. my main
income goes to support the work of my main source
of Christian fellowship and teaching). Then, I use
10% or more of all other incomes sources and
unexpected blessings to help fund other Christian
needs and opportunities that God brings into my life.
If you have children at home: Help your children set
up a place where they can set aside “God’s portion”
of any money they receive (i.e., allowances, work
projects, gifts of money, etc.). Have them give at
church, to missions, and/or to help people in need.
If you have “fallen behind” in your giving to God’s
work: If you knowingly or accidentally have fallen
behind in your giving to God’s work, you will never
regret the decision to “get right” in this area. Review
your financial records from the past several months
and pray about “making up” the amount you have
fallen behind. One elderly lady in her 90’s I heard
about sent a tithe check to the church office with the
note, “I want to be prayed up, paid up, and ready to
go!”
Our mission at Global Portal 4 Freedom is to give the key of hope to victims
of human trafficking being rescued around the world!
Vision:
Global Portal 4 Freedom exists to be a
God-led ministry that embraces victims who have
survived the exploitation and trauma of sex
trafficking, restoring them through God's
redeeming love, and building a bridge to lifelong
comprehensive support. We believe in proactive
care for high-risk individuals before they are
trafficked.
We accomplish this by collaborating volunteer and
professional services with community resources,
mobilizing our local church through training and
awareness, and advocating for the individual needs
of each victim we serve.
Human trafficking is a significant problem in our
world. There are roughly 27 million slaves in the
world today. What can one person do in the face of
such an enormous problem? It is now the fastest
growing criminal business in the world following
the drug trade. It is especially devastating because
it often targets women and children.
The United Nations estimates nearly 2.5 million
people from 127 different countries are trafficked
each year. Although the statistics are difficult to
verify, it is believed that between one million and
1.5 million children are trafficked each year.
Although these numbers can be overwhelming, the
Global Portal 4 Freedom is partnering with others
in this struggle to help every man, woman and
child to gain their freedom.
Wichita, KS is listed as #5 on the FBI's list of cities
of origination. This means the traffickers are
directly targeting our young people - both girls and
boys of all ages, but as young as 11 - 14. The best
way to fight against this evil is to make every
person aware of the potential danger and how to
guard against it.
8 DAYS short synopsis:
After sneaking to a party with
her friends, sixteen-year-old
Amber Stevens goes missing.
Forced into the world of sex
trafficking, her family and
community fight to get her
back. Inspired by actual
events. So much can happen in
8 DAYS.
We are excited to announce on October 31, at the
Orpheum Theatre, Global Portal 4 Freedom is
bringing the incredible movie "8 Days" from After
Eden Productions.
On October 31, there will be a
Matinee screening at 2pm, &
Evening Screening at 7pm.
Deronda Aiken
Tickets may be purchased
through Select-a-seat, or by
emailing us directly at
info@globalportal4freedom.
com for a list of locations
selling tickets.
Director - Global Portal 4 Freedom
If you are interested in
partnering with us to sponsor
this film, please email
info@globalportal4freedom.
com. We have various options
in how you may participate,
and will accept checks, or
credit cards may be used on
our online donation page
www.firstnaz.org/
stophumantrafficking
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.
1400 E Kellogg Dr
Contact Us | Give us a call for more information about our services and ministries.
First Church of the Nazarene
|
1400 E. K el l o g g Dr . | Wi c hi t a, K S 67211 | (316) 858 -1400
[email protected] | Visit us on the web at www.firstnaz.org