NLC News May 18 2023

May 17th, 2023
by Mark Isaac

Praise the Lord!

Four families came forward to dedicate themselves and their children to the Lord on
Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14th. Praise the Lord for the things He is doing in their lives and will do through his faithful love in the lives of their children!
Left to right (front row): Joshua with his mom, Melissa Celaya, Marcia Sawatzky, Marissa (godmother), and Melissa's older daughter, Isabel, Pastor Mark, Maria & Victor Gonzalez and daughter Noemi, Ana Tovar and daughter Camila, Candace Godfrey and daughter Brinda, and Jessica Aquino (NLC Kids Ministry Leader). Left to right (back row): NLC Elders Otto Ekk and Bruce Smith, Laurel Smith, NLC Deaconess Nelly Lopez, George & Veronica Stalis (godparents).
Two more families were unable to be present and will be rescheduled.

What's Happening at NLC

THIS WEEK/WEEKEND:
THURSDAY, MAY 18 - CELEBRATE RECOVERY
5:30 p.m. Dinner; 6:30 p.m. Worship/TESTIMONY; 7:30 p.m. Small Groups / Rock Solid Cafe

SATURDAY, MAY 20 - NLC FAMILY NIGHT OF WORSHIP
5:30 p.m. - Family activities in the Dining Room
6:30 p.m. - Worship in the Gym

SUNDAY, MAY 21 - BAPTISM SERVICE
8:30 a.m. ADULT GROWTH CLASSES - NLC KIDS ministry for parents in growth classes ONLY

Life's Healing Choices - Rooms 114/115 - Taught by Brian Willems and Veronica Stalis
Video Class: Romans, Part II - Room 111 - Taught by Ron & Judy Brown

9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room)
10:00 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC KIDS/CREW - NURSERY

Pastor Mark preaching - Acts 2-10 - A Diverse Family of Faith: Gentiles Get Baptized!
Baptisms:
- Catricia Alvarez
- Anthony Keo
- Joshua Keo
Please consider being a prayer partner with one or more of these individuals, praying for them and checking in with them throughout the year ahead.

11:15 a.m. SEMI-ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING - Dining Room

THE COMING WEEK:
TUESDAY, MAY 23
6:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study: Book of Job - Dining Room
6:00 p.m. CELEBRATE RECOVERY Women's Step Study - Room 114/115 (the group is full)
6:30 p.m. Healing Rooms of Dinuba offers healing prayers - Church patio/library

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
6:30 p.m. - Worship Team - Gym
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - Room 113

THURSDAY, MAY 25 - CELEBRATE RECOVERY
5:30 p.m. Dinner; 6:30 p.m. Worship/Lesson; 7:30 p.m. Small Groups / Rock Solid Cafe

SUNDAY, MAY 28 - MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY
8:30 a.m. ADULT GROWTH CLASSES - NLC KIDS ministry for parents in growth classes ONLY

Life's Healing Choices - Rooms 114/115 - Taught by Brian Willems and Veronica Stalis

9:30 a.m. CONNECTING POINT (Dining Room)
10:00 a.m. WORSHIP - NLC KIDS/CREW - NURSERY

Pastor Mark preaching - Acts 2-10 - A Diverse Family of Faith: Heroes of Faith!

11:15 a.m. FAMILY MEAL

Last names A-M please bring sweets/dessert; Last names N-Z please bring sides/salads

Please Take Action!

Giving at NLC

Giving meets the needs of others and empowers the church to do its work, but maybe more importantly, it grows your own heart for the things of God!
Jesus said that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Where are you putting your treasure? And how's your heart?
On Sunday we'll be talking at the Member Meeting about all the ways God has been at work through our church. Come and listen, and celebrate. Then ask God how he wants to empower this work through you: giving of your time, your energy, and your financial gifts.

Received Last Week (5/14): ……. $5,118
Received this year: …….………. $244,964
Budget to Date: …………..……... $299,951
Budget Goal: …………………....... $421,553
Needed Weekly: ……………….….. $11,773

John Regier celebrates his 90th birthday on the 23rd! Thank the Lord for this milestone and the ways John has served NLC as an Elder and teacher and children's volunteer and leader. Lois Warkentin turned 91 this past week.
Remember those dealing with illness and medical issues: JR Southard, Glen Zimmerman, Mike Naylor, and Calvario Community's first lady Bea De La Cerda.
Brian Willem's friend, Crystal, is battling cancer and also had brain surgery a couple weeks ago for an aneurysm. She’s home and asking about God. Pray for her and her husband to come to know and trust the love of God for them through Jesus, and pray for her healing.
Zach Clemmer is requesting prayer for safe travels and guidance as he prepares for a trip to Nebraska.
Pray for the Aquino family as they prepare for Josh's extended work overseas.
Pray for those being baptized: Catricia, Anthony, and Joshua.
Pray for our graduates as they prepare for their next steps in life and education.
Pray for our Member Meeting, for wisdom about our Worship Center (sanctuary) and for our church's financial stewardship. Come prepared to praise God for his work among us.
Our NLC kids are sharing their prayer requests weekly for our church prayer gatherings on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Here are some recent requests: travel safety for the Ringhofer family this summer, nervous about going into the 4th grade, for everyone's health, for the homeless, for everyone going to Junior Camp, for 8th graders promoting, and for the ending of the school year.

Scripture on the New DHS Buildings

This week Dinuba Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Joe Hernandez invited pastors and other church/community leaders of faith to come to the new high school to pray and write Bible verses on the posts and beams before they are covered. Many people came including some from NLC: Bruce Smith, Mike & Nori Naylor, Glen and Jeff Zimmerman, Ron Froese, and myself. It was a rare opportunity to bear witness in this way on a public school site. Praise the Lord!

A view from the Student Union/Cafeteria/Library toward the east academic building.

Bruce and Ron, Mike, Jeff and Glen, and Nori, with others.

A circle of prayer with local pastors, Campus Life staff, members of the DUSD school board, members of Dinuba City Council, including Dr. Kuldip Thusu (left in tie), Vice Mayor Rachel Nerio-Guerrero (hidden), and Mayor Maribel Reynosa (white slacks and dark top, center-left).
DUSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Hernandez is in the center with the shirt and tie.