NLC Connect January 10 2024

As the Elders were selecting verses for 2024, two elders chose this one! So we made it the verse to start the year. It's a reminder of who we really are as a church. We aren't a social club, organized for our own benefit or the benefit of others.
The Bible tells us that God chose us in our own time--this generation--to be priests. That means we are here, as Jesus' representatives--royal priests of the King of kings, to intervene between God and our neighbors. We do that by interceding for their salvation, by teaching them all that God desires them to know, and by bringing them into the body of Christ.
The Bible also tells us that we are a holy nation. Don't go thinking that this means the USA! The Bible is saying that we, his followers, are a nation--a kingdom--that goes beyond earthly, national borders to embrace people from every tribe and tongue. We've got to think bigger than this fine country of ours and from becoming entangled in its political and cultural battles. We must live as God calls us regardless of the direction our nation or any nation chooses to go.
The Bible calls us God's special people. That's not to make us think more highly of ourselves than we do of others. Jesus was God's special son who gave his life for us. And so we, because we are confident of our place in God's heart, can freely give ourselves to others, sharing this same love and grace that we have been given.
The Bible gives us our purpose, too: to proclaim the praises of God. How's that for a vision for 2024?! Let this verse inspire you to set a course of praise this year, thanking God and letting others know all that he's done for you and does for you each day of this year!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10
6:30 p.m. -Prayer Gathering meets - Room 113
No Worship Team Rehearsal

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11
11:30 a.m. - George Isaak viewing - Dopkins Chapel, Reedley
1:00 p.m. - George Isaak burial service - Reedley Cemetery
2:00 p.m. - George Isaak's celebration of life service - Reedley MB Church, with faspa to follow
5:30 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY meal, TESTIMONY by TRACY, small groups, Solid Rock Cafe

MONDAY, JANUARY 15
OFFICE CLOSED for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday holiday
6:00 p.m. - CR Worship Team rehearsal - Gym

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Foundations in Faith series featuring David Platt - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. - Griefshare - MEETING IN A NEW PLACE (Rooms 114-115)
6:30 p.m. - Healing Rooms of Dinuba - west porch of Worship Center

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17
6:30 p.m. - Worship Team Rehearsal - Gym
6:30 p.m. -Prayer Gathering meets - Room 113

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18
5:30 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY meal, large group, small groups, Solid Rock Cafe

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21

• Pastor Mark preaching from Luke 4 - Jesus relies on God's Word for vision through trials
• New Growth Class begins - Foundations in Finance - Rooms 11

Received by Sunday, Dec. 31st: …....$  25,415
Received this year to date:….................$144,846
Budget to Date: ……................................ $138,580
Budget Goal: …………...…...…...................$400,342
Needed Weekly: …………….……................…$7,699

Received Last Week (Jan. 7th): …........$  4,645
Deacon Care Fund.....................................$     160
Received this year to date:....……..........$149,491
Budget to Date: …...................................$146,279
Budget Goal: …………...…...…..................$400,342
Needed Weekly: …………….……...............…$7,699