Our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference is coming up this weekend, February 11th-12th.

Our conference begins this Saturday night at 6 pm with a delicious catered meal. We will also hear special presentations from each of the four local mission organizations that we support: Good Shepherd Center, the Yahweh Center, Life Line Pregnancy Center and Carolina Christian Radio. We’ll also hear from our praise and worship band, and watch multi-presentations from Haiti and “The iLOVE Project.” 

Sunday morning at 10 am we will have, as our special guest speaker, Bradley Hill. Bradley is the executive pastor on staff at Crosswinds Church in Leland. He has a tremendous passion for people and has been instrumental in the awesome outreach efforts of Crosswinds Church.

We also plan to receive our annual missions’ offering on both Saturday night and Sunday morning as well as provide Faith Promise Cards for those who would like to make a monthly pledge to support our missions’ organizations.

Please plan to be a part of our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference and prayerfully consider how YOU might make an eternal difference in the lives of others.

AMPLIFY youth ministry for middle school and high school students resumes this weekend. Plan to meet at the church at 6 pm! ALSO, plan to bring a couple of dollars for a special Valentine’s Day service project! THANK YOU!!

With Valentine’s Day coming up on Tuesday, here’s some interesting tidbits provided from www.history.com.

In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.

Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

Interested in getting involved in a small group? Our Sunday night small group has just started going through the book entitled, “When God Interrupts.” They meet at Gene and Terry Tagliarini’s (4109 Waylon Road) at 6 pm. Our Wednesday night small group will resume on Wednesday, February 22nd at Rob and Patti Lewis’ (1602 White Road) at 7 pm. The Wednesday night group will begin a new DVD series from Andy Stanley: “Defining Moments.” In this series we will listen in as Jesus introduces some rather perplexing truth to seven individuals who had grown comfortable with their misinformed lifestyles and belief systems. For those who had the courage to embrace the truth, their lives were changed forever. They discovered firsthand that the truth can set you free.

We have a new ministry set to launch for our young adults (ages 18-40). If you’re in college, a young single, newly married or a young couple with children, then YOU are invited! Join us Friday, February 24th at Derek and Sarah Montgomery’s from 7 ’til 9 pm. Bring a finger food and/or drink, a Bible (And your children if you have ‘em ’cause they will have their own place, too.). See Lindsay Williams if you have any questions.

This Sunday, being the first Sunday of the month, we also plan to receive our special monthly offering to assist with our mortgage. We have sincerely appreciated your generous consideration of this special offering each month. Each gift does make a difference. Thank you!

AMPLIFY youth ministry will not meet this Sunday night, February 5th. We do plan to get back together on Feb. 12th.

Our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference is coming up Saturday and Sunday, February 11th-12th.

Our conference will begin on Saturday evening, February 11th at 6 pm with a delicious catered meal from Merritt’s Burger House featuring fried chicken and BBQ. We will also hear special presentations from each of the four local mission organizations that we support: Good Shepherd Center, the Yahweh Center, Life Line Pregnancy Center and Carolina Christian Radio. We’ll also hear from our praise and worship band, and watch multi-presentations from Haiti and “The iLOVE Project.”  Cost of the meal is $10 for adults ($5 for children 12 and under). There is one last opportunity to purchase tickets. Please see Pam Dyson to purchase your tickets this Sunday.

On Sunday, February 12th we will be privileged to have as our special guest speaker, Bradley Hill. Bradley is the executive pastor on staff at Crosswinds Church in Leland. He has a tremendous passion for people and has been instrumental in the awesome outreach efforts of Crosswinds Church.

We also plan to receive our annual missions’ offering on both Saturday night and Sunday morning as well as provide Faith Promise Cards for those who would like to make a monthly pledge to support our missions’ organizations.

Please plan to be a part of our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference and prayerfully consider how YOU might make an eternal difference in the lives of others.

 Hey, plan to join us this Sunday, January 29th as we continue our message series on JONAH and explore chapter 3 from this Old Testament prophet’s book. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve learned that Jonah had been summoned to go to Nineveh, a tough place with lots of wicked people, and preach. Instead of obeying God, Jonah decides to head in the opposite direction. God sends a rough storm which eventually leads to Jonah getting tossed overboard. God, however, was not through with Jonah. He sent a great fish to swallow up the prophet. What do you do inside the belly of a fish? YOU PRAY! Now, in chapter 3, we read that the word of the Lord comes to Jonah a second time. Please note that there is an outline you can save and print for this Sunday’s message: Jonah (Part 3)

 AMPLIFY youth ministry for middle school and high school teens this Sunday night, January 29th. We’re meeting at the church at 6 pm and heading to Dustin and Maeghan’s home for a PRE-SUPER BOWL PARTY! We’re going to be grillin’ up hot dogs! You’re asked to bring along a snack (chips or cookies) for the group to share. We’ll return to the church by 7:30 pm.

 Our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference is coming up Saturday and Sunday, February 11th-12th. Our conference will begin on Saturday evening, February 11th at 6 pm with a delicious catered meal from Merritt’s Burger House featuring fried chicken and BBQ. We will also hear special presentations from each of the four local mission organizations that we support: Good Shepherd Center, the Yahweh Center, Life Line Pregnancy Center and Carolina Christian Radio. We’ll also hear from our praise and worship band, and hear multi-presentations from Haiti and “The iLOVE Project.”  Cost of the meal will be $10 for adults ($5 for children 12 and under). Tickets are available now. Please see Pam Dyson to purchase your tickets. On Sunday, February 12th we will be privileged to have as our special guest speaker, Bradley Hill. Bradley is the executive pastor on staff at Crosswinds Church in Leland. He has a tremendous passion for people and has been instrumental in the awesome outreach efforts of Crosswinds Church. Plan to hear his story. You will be challenged.

 Ladies, our next Ladies’ Night Out is coming up Tuesday, February 7th! Please mark your calendar!

Plan to join us this Sunday, January 22nd as we continue our message series on JONAH. If you recall, last Sunday we learned that Jonah, a prophet of God, had been summoned to go to Nineveh and preach. Nineveh was a tough place and full of wicked and cruel people. So, instead of obeying God, Jonah decides to head in the opposite direction. Bad idea! God sends a terrific storm which leads to Jonah being tossed overboard. Yet, God was not through with Jonah. He sent a great fish to swallow up the prophet. There he spent the next three days and nights. Now, what? We’ll take a look at Jonah 2 this weekend. By the way, there is a message outline attached for your convenience. Take a moment to print off the outline and bring it with you to church this Sunday: Jonah (Part 2)

By the way, I can’t help feeling encouraged when I read that the Lord came to Jonah a second time (Jonah 3:1).

Like Jonah, I have often run away from my God-given responsibilities, trying to hide from God and His demands on my life. But the Lord has given me many second chances, forgiving my ineptitude, picking me up, dusting me off and setting me out in the right direction again.

I have observed, however, that when the second message comes it is usually the same as the first! God had nothing new to say to Jonah until the rebellious prophet heeded what had been said already. We should not expect some new word from the Lord if we have journeyed to Tarshish in disobedience and are sleeping our way through the storm!

Have you ever told a child to do something and then discovered he or she had disobeyed? How hard it is to give the child a second chance to patiently repeat the instructions, as God did with Jonah. Have you ever trusted your spouse to remember something that is really important to you, only to have it slip his or her mind? Have you ever expected a word of appreciation, only to be ignored? Are we good at giving others a second chance? Do we come to those we love “a second time,” trust them twice, and risk yet another disappointment?  God risked all of that with Jonah. Should we, His followers, do less?

AMPLIFY youth ministry for middle school and high school teens resumes this Sunday night, January 22nd at 6 pm. Join us for a Destination Unknown (a D.U.)!! You might want to bring a couple of dollars with you, too!!

Mark your calendars for February 11-12 for our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference. Our conference will begin on Saturday evening, February 11th at 6 pm with a wonderful catered meal from Merritt’s Burger House featuring fried chicken and BBQ. We will also hear special presentations from each of the four local mission organizations that we support: Good Shepherd Center, the Yahweh Center, Life Line Pregnancy Center and Carolina Christian Radio. Cost of the meal will be $10 for adults ($5 for children 12 and under). Tickets will be available starting this Sunday, January 22nd. On Sunday, February 12th we will be privileged to have as our special guest speaker, Bradley Hill. Bradley is the executive pastor on staff at Crosswinds Church in Leland. He has a tremendous passion for people and has been instrumental in the awesome outreach efforts of Crosswinds Church. Plan to hear his story. You will be challenged.

Plan to join us this Sunday, January 15th as we begin a NEW four-part message series on JONAH. When many people hear the name JONAH, they immediately think of the Old Testament guy who was swallowed by a great big fish (or was that Geppetto). Okay, that’s what I usually think about when I hear the story of JONAH. However, over the course of several weeks of study, I’ve discovered that – to me – the book of JONAH is one of the most fascinating books in the entire Bible. So, over the next four Sundays, take some time to read through the book of JONAH (it’s just four chapters) and plan to join us each Sunday of the series for some awesome insights from this Old Testament chracter. By the way, there is a message outline attached to this e-update for your convenience. Take the time to print it off and bring it along to church with you this Sunday: Jonah (Part 1)

 
There will be no AMPLIFY youth ministry this weekend due to the holiday weekend. We will plan to resume next Sunday, January 22nd!! Oh yeah, a big THANK YOU to everyone who came out for “The 5th Quarter” this past Sunday night and to our generous hosts, Rob and Patti Lewis, for making our evening so special (awesome snacks!!)!!!

 
Ladies, our next Ladies’ Night Out is this Tuesday, January 17th at Tammy Duncan’s (1601 White Road) at 6:30 pm. You are being asked to bring two things: (1) Bring your favorite appetizer to share with the ladies and (2) Bring $5 to help cover the cost of a NEW video series we plan to start!! If you would like more information, then please see Teresa Loman. We are excited about seeing YOU this Tuesday!

 
Mark your calendars for February 11-12 for our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference. Our conference will begin on Saturday evening, February 11th at 6 pm with a wonderful catered meal from Merritt’s Burger House featuring fried chicken and BBQ. We will also hear special presentations from each of the four local mission organizations that we support: Good Shepherd Center, the Yahweh Center, Life Line Pregnancy Center and Carolina Christian Radio. Cost of the meal will be $10 for adults ($5 for children 12 and under). Tickets will be available starting Sunday, January 22nd. On Sunday, February 12th we will be privileged to have as our special guest speaker, Bradley Hill. Bradley is the executive pastor on staff at Crosswinds Church in Leland. He has a tremendous passion for people and has been instrumental in the awesome outreach efforts of Crosswinds Church. Plan to hear his story. You will be challenged.

A woman celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and on this special occasion, one of her grandchildren asked her the secret to her happy and enduring marriage. She smiled and said, “Well, sweetheart, when your granddaddy and I married, I made a list of ten things I would overlook in his personality. Just ten things I didn’t like, but was willing to forgive. I decided on that day that anytime one of those ten things would come up, I would overlook it for the sake of harmony in our marriage.” One of the grandchildren said, “Granny, tell us the list. We want to know what was on the list.” She paused and said, “You know, to be honest with you, I never really wrote them down. But every time your grandfather would do something that made me mad, I would think to myself, ‘Lucky for him that’s one of the things on my list.’ ”

Relationships are hard work, and difficulties and conflicts will come. But they are not the end of the world. Real love is willing to overlook slights, annoyances, and petty disagreements, choosing instead to take a long term view. “We love,” the apostle John wrote, “because He first loved us.” Our only hope as human lovers is to allow the love of Christ to flow through us. We can hope, believe, and endure because we have been perfectly loved.

Plan to join us this Sunday, January 8th! Spencer Loman will be speaking in the 10 am worship. We also plan to receive our special monthly offering to assist with our mortgage. We have deeply appreciated your continued consideration of this special offering. Each and every gift has made a BIG difference in recent months. Thank you!!

AMPLIFY returns this Sunday evening, January 8th! All middle school and high school students are invited to join us! Something special this week! We’re meeting at Rob and Patti Lewis’ (1602 White Road) at 6 pm to watch the inspiring film – based on a true story – The 5th Quarter. Driven by the tragic and fatal car crash that took the life of his fifteen year old brother Luke, and wearing Luke’s number 5 jersey, Jon Abbate helps to lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the most successful season in school history. Parents will need to plan to pick up at the Lewis’ around 7:45 pm.

We plan to begin a new message series entitled JONAH starting Sunday, January 15th.

Ladies, please make a note that our January Ladies’ Night Out is set for Tuesday, January 17th at Tammy Duncan’s (1601 White Road) at 6:30 pm.

Also, mark your calendars for February 11-12 for our annual Heart of Missions’ Conference.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day!!

We’re counting down the days to 2012!! As we approach the time to ring in the New Year. Some may get out a clean piece of paper and write down their intentions for this year. Well, I usually don’t do that. For me, I found out long ago that those lengthy lists of “do and don’ts” either get lost or forgotten. So, I find it best to limit my intentions each year to a few things and concentrate on the really important ones.

Most people want a fresh start in life. Those that are sick want a clean bill of health. Those in financial trouble want to be out of debt.  We can do these things, but we need to work on them one day at a time.  I didn’t make any commitment last year but to love God more and to appreciate my family and friends. I think I made the grade, but only God has the score.

Try not to overwhelm yourself with too many good intentions. Just pray and ask the Lord what you might need to work on in your life, spiritually, financially, and maybe even how to improve relationships or your health, but don’t get bogged down with so many resolutions.

The Bible says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. What is the Kingdom of God? It is righteousness, peace, and joy. If we have those three things most everything else will fall into its place. If we seek to please the Lord and find out what He wants us to do, then it will all work out. I know He tells us to seek wisdom, so if we do that more than likely our health issues and financial priorities will change.

There is nothing wrong with accomplishing some short term goals, but never let them consume your entire energy by making them so hard they are beyond your reach. Simply trust God to help you each step of the way!  Get a fresh start each year, but plan for a wise one too.

This Sunday, January 1st, you’re invited to join us for a New Year’s Day brunch at 10 am. This will be a wonderful fellowship opportunity for all of us as we begin the new year together. We are planning to provide scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, coffee, juice and milk! We invite YOU to bring your favorite breakfast casseroles, ham biscuits, fruit trays, sweet rolls, doughnuts and more. We’ll also plan to have an abbreviated worship service as well. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so that we can start eating by 10 am. Thank you!!

Ladies, please make a note that our January Ladies’ Night Out has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 17th at Tammy Duncan’s. Full details forthcoming.

Have a wonderful week!!

Hope to see you New Year’s Day!

Pastor Jeff

Hope you’re having a wonderful December day!!

When Pope Julius I declared December 25th to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?

Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don’t celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.

When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.

As we approach this Christmas 2011, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the middle of all the excitement and decorations to consider again the origin of Christmas–the One whose birth we celebrate. Let’s not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.

Yes, we’re all counting down the days ’til Christmas!! Just a reminder that we do plan to have a morning worship service on Christmas Day, December 25th at 10 am. It will be a great opportunity for our families to celebrate the Christ of Christmas.

You’re invited to join us for a New Year’s Day brunch and worship service on January 1st at 10 am. This will be a wonderful fellowship opportunity for all of us as we begin the new year together. We are planning to provide scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, coffee, juice and milk! We nvite YOU to bring your favorite breakfast casseroles, ham biscuits, fruit trays, sweet rolls, doughnuts and more. Do plan on joining us New Year’s Day!

Hope to see you Christmas day!

Pastor Jeff

Christmas at the Cricket County Cafe comes to North Pointe this Sunday, December 18th at 10 am. This is a warm-hearted and inspirational Christmas production full of comedy and humor.

Granny Taylor is fixin’ to cook up her famous Christmas supper and asks the snooty city cousins to help. Such manual labor is clearly beneath them. The only reason they agree is so they can hear the amendment to rich Uncle Zeke’s will read after the last customer leaves. Dodging grouchy Granny’s verbal bullets, they bust their britches to get their work done! But there’s more brewing at the café than just coffee. Country cousin Fester turning into a cool dude? Grumpy granny a wanna-be snow queen? And what’s with Oswald buttering up his boss faster than granny’s homemade biscuits? Uncle Zeke’s will reading stops everyone in their tracks. There’s a major attitude shift in the café as all recognize the folly of their selfish ways and focus on the birth of the baby Jesus.

This Sunday night, December 18th we plan to provide a family communion and candlelight service. The church will be open from 6 ’til 7 pm so that you can casually drop by any time during that hour (and feel free to come just as you are) for a time of family communion. Enjoy a time of personal reflection and celebration as you look to the Christ of Christmas.

We also plan to have a morning worship service on Christmas Day, December 25th at 10 am.

And you’re invited to join for a New Year’s Day brunch and worship service on January 1st at 10 am. This will be a wonderful fellowship opportunity for all of us as we begin the new year together. We are planning to provide scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, coffee, juice and milk! We nvite YOU to bring your favorite breakfast casseroles, ham biscuits, fruit trays, sweet rolls, doughnuts and more. Do plan on joining us!

We are looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, December 11th as we wrap up our message series, “A Christmas Carol.” Two Sundays we looked at “The Ghost of Christmas Past” and spoke of five different memory aids that we see or hear around Christmas. There was the nativity scene, Christmas music, Christmas cards, a credit card and a gift. Each one provided a deep and thoughtful truth about Christmas. This past Sunday we actually looked at some of the most memorable classic Christmas toys. The focus, however, was on “The Ghost of Christmas Present” and four specific gifts that God has given us through Christ that we can see in the manger. Remember the four gifts? As we look in the manger we see power, glory, hope and love. This Sunday it’s “The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.” You don’t want to miss it!!
AMPLIFY youth ministry is taking a road trip to Castle Hayne this Sunday night! Meet at the church by 6 pm to head to Randy and Melody Taylor’s for an ol’ fashioned hot dog and marshmallow roast. We’ll plan to return to the church around 7:30 pm.

This year’s Christmas production is entitled Christmas at the Cricket County Cafe. It’s a warm-hearted and inspirational production and is full of lots of comedy and humor. Performances will take place this Sunday, December 11th at Champions’ at 2 pm and Sunday, December 18th at North Pointe at 10 am.

We are heading to Mike’s Farm Monday night, Dec. 19th. The cost (which includes the all-you-can-eat meal, lighted hay ride, tax and tip) is $25 for adults (12 years old and above), $18 for children ages 7-11, $14 for children ages 5-6 and $6 for children ages 3-4. There is no charge for children two and under. This Sunday, December 11th is the final Sunday to sign up for the Mike’s Farm trip. Please see Pam Dyson!

On Sunday night, December 18th we plan to provide another first for us at North Pointe! It’s a family communion and candlelight service. The church will be open from 6 ’til 7 pm so that you can casually drop by any time during that hour for a time of family communion.

We also plan to have a morning worship service on Christmas Day, December 25th at 10 am and a New Year’s Day brunch and worship service on January 1st at 10 am. So, please mark your calendars!!