march news 11

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N o r t h R i d g e C h u r c h & C h r i s t i a n A c a d e m y

H a i n e s C i t y F l o r i d a

March 2011

Volume 3, Issue 3

orthRidgeNewsOur News Reaching You; Reaching Out to You

A Message From Pastor David

It is a sad truth that we sometimes become more devoted to things than to God andHis glory. It is easy to do. In the world, there are people who are devoted to moviestars. They admire them and elevate them to a status of extreme honor andadoration. People are far too often devoted to sports teams, almost to the point of

reference. We become devoted to political parties, ideologies, causes, and evencars. Devotion is all around us in the world. Some of it is good and some of it is

not. Good examples of devotion can be found in the love of a mother for her children and of a father for hisfamily. Bad examples can be found in extreme devotion to cars, houses, appearance, money, andpossessions. It is in our nature to become obsessed with things.There is nothing wrong with being devoted to somethingunless that devotion becomes an obsession. Whenit does, it pushes out proper behavior and proper adoration of God. It then becomes sinful. There must benothing that holds more devotion in our lives than the Lord. Everything else must follow behind.When you look at your own heart and look for what is most important to you, what do you devote the mosttime to? To what are you most devoted? When I look inward, I become a bit uncomfortable. Though thereare things that require greater amounts of time than worship and adoration to God (i.e., work, sleep), what ismost critical? What is most important? I find that sometimes, the thing I feel most intensely devoted to isn't

the Lord.Yes, it is very easy to get out of sync regarding the Christian walk. It is easy, very easy, to become devoted tosomething so much, that it infringes on one's relationship with Christ. When we realize that, we must take astep back, reassess what is most important to us, and once again look to the cross of Christ where His loveand patience abound.I'm reminded of a very important Scripture. "If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny whohe is." (2 Tim. 2:13). And another, "True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they wereunfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?" (Rom. 3:3). And still, another, "God is faithful, throughwhom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord," (1 Cor. 1:9).The priority of our devotion should always be God first. Notice the last verse above. It states that Goddesires we have fellowship with Jesus Christ. This fellowship is the Greek word "koinonia." It means"intimacy and communion." God wants this intimacy and this communion with us. He wants our devotionto Him because it is only through this intimacy that we can truly know what proper devotion really is.

We need only to look at the cross to see the amazing demonstration of God's loving devotion to us. It isthere that we see perfect devotion; perfect devotion combined with perfect love that brings glory to God.What about you? Are you seeking God above all else? Are you devoting yourself fully to Him?

-Pastor David


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Expressions of Worship:

Just a few short days ago, I decided to make the switch from Facebook to Twitterfor my social networking preference. While the differences are somewhat marginaldepending on who you talk to, I have found that I am much more careful about my

tweets than I am my status updates. Heres why: Facebook is limited to those Ichoose to read my posts and Twitter is open for anyone in the world to read. I haveactually enjoyed seeing peoples responses to the same topics I have tweeted about.However, I have also found that I am more careful with my posts because I am notsure someone may know exactly how to take my quirky remarks and mistakehumor for pointed discussions. My switch to Twitter has been marked by a

personal concern and conviction that I have about my tendency to speak idle words, whether in my statusupdate or my chat around the coffee pot. While I might have just used Facebook as a time of hanging outwith my friends, Twitter reminded me that I need to keep guard every idle word.It is interesting how Jesus came to this same conclusion. He warned us about using words carelessly andreminded people of how the outpouring of the heart is in proportion to the things we allow into our lives.Just as a tree is known by its fruit, a person is known by the words that they say, whether careless or

deliberate. Jesus said,out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evilperson out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every care less wordthey speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned(Matthew 12:34-37, ESV).Have you ever considered that your words are either good or evil? Jesus laid it out very simply and left verylittle gray area here. Would you say that most of your words are good? Are all of them good, or do you haveroom to improve? What percentage of your words is evil? For me, that number is still way too high. I wantmy words to have meaning, impact, and goodness in them. Still, whether my words are intended for the worldor for the church, my uncertainty in someones response just might be the Holy Spirit telling me to delete andrethink before posting. If you find yourself in the same spot, take a moment to stop and consider whethergood or evil might be apparent in your brief moment of idle speech.~Pastor Terrill

Love RiotWorth Dying ForFebruary 22, 2011

True GritCharles Portis

Simon & Schuster, 1968(Original Printing)

Go Green, Save Green:A Simple Guide to Saving Time,Money, and God's Green Earth

Nancy SleethTyndale House Publishers, 2009

Terrill recommends:
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Riot/dp/B004O09GHU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298848123&sr=8-1http://www.amazon.com/Go-Green-Save-Simple-Saving/dp/141432698X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298848301&sr=8-1http://www.amazon.com/True-Grit-ebook/dp/B004I8V0Q8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1298848264&sr=1-1


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And...
http://www.operationinasmuch.kk5.org/http://www.northridgehc.com/


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Chip Ingram in his study The Miracle of Life Change sets a different stage for this kind of reflection in achallenge he presents. He asked the students to imagine they are able to be present and view their own memorialservice in the same way as any other guest. The only difference is no one knows or can see you there. Afterwardsthe family and friends are gathered in your home and as you evesdrop on conversation after conversation youhear, she was the kindest woman I have ever known. He was the most Christ-like man I knew. She was thekind of person that I want to be. He was so caring and kind, honest and forthright and cared more aboutpeople than anyone. These were not the exaggerated stories that sometimes are told in the hearing of a group,but the one-on-one stories that are told in normal conversation. The conversations are not related to how muchyou accumulated, but how you impacted the lives of people God placed in your path of influence. And as youmove from conversation to conversation you hear people describe the person you always longed to be.

When I think back about the life of Mr. Seaton and Mrs. Posey, I know many of these similar statements weresaid of these two saints. I also have come to realize this kind of life just does not happen by accident. Theinvestments that are made throughout a lifetime often are not realized or appreciated until the time of death. Theconversations are usually about how the deceased had made many investments in the lives of others. Sometimesthe investments of others are evident in the life lived that has now passed. Either way we are not created to liveas an island, but throughout the life God gives us, He expects us to invest and to allow others to invest in us.

I want to leave you with the same challenge Mr. Ingram left us this past week. THIS WEEK, say thanks to atleast one person who has been a positive role model in your life. Be specific in your description of how that

person has helped you be a better servant of Christ. You can do this by writing a letter of appreciation to theperson, emailing, calling, or even taking them out for coffee and telling them in person. The choice is up toyou!!!! But do it!!!!

I want to leave you with one other challenge. Dont be a consumer-only Christian. Be intentional about investingin someones life regularly. Lets live life together. The benefits really are out of this world.

May your investment be great and your benefits more than copious,

-Pastor Harold

P.S. Life is like a hot bath, the longer you stay in it the more wrinkled you get.

From the Desk of Pastor HaroldAs I reflect on the past month I can not help but think of the passing of two of Godschoice servants, Seaton Hodges and Ophie Posey. When someone I know comes tothe end of life, as we know it, I reflect on how I knew the person. Their passing causesme to think about the reality of life and death. Death is a real part of life. I think abouthow my life was impacted by knowing the person. And sometimes I think of things Iwish I had done or said. I think of time spent, or not spent with the person.


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Sonshiners monthly luncheon:

March 3rd @ Noon

Do you know someone who islonesome or does not get outmuch? Invite them to come andenjoy Christian fellowship at ourmonthly luncheon.

Bring a friend and a covered dishand we will sing some favorite oldhymns this month.

This is the current group of Home-bound with addresses that are being ministered to at thistime. If you know of others that would benefit from this ministry, please contactRowena Daleyorcall the church office @ 863.422.4488

Home-bound Ministry

Mr. George PryceMs. Irma SwainSpring Haven Retirement LLC1225 Havendale NWWinter Haven, Florida 33881(863)-293-0072

Ms. Ruth Copeland Ms. Lucille Tiner Savannah Court assisted living.301 Peninsular DriveHaines City, FL 33844-5046(863) 422-5204

Ms. Ina Foley

Haines City Health Care

409 South 10th Street

Haines City, FL 33844-5603(863) 422-8656

Ms. Vera CookMr Charles Mayberry

Brandywyne Health Care Center1801 Lake Mariam Drive

Winter Haven, FL 33884(863) 293-1989
mailto:[email protected]://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&expIds=17259,27551,27584,27606,27629&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=25&rls=HPNN,HPNN:2007-40,HPNN:en&wrapid=tljp1290008050089055&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=nursing+home+winter+haven+dundee+road&fb=1&gl=us&hq=nursing+home&hnear=Dundee+Rd,+http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&expIds=17259,27551,27584,27606,27629&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=25&rls=HPNN,HPNN:2007-40,HPNN:en&wrapid=tljp1290008050089055&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=nursing+home+winter+haven+dundee+road&fb=1&gl=us&hq=nursing+home&hnear=Dundee+Rd,+mailto:[email protected]


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Kids Korner with Pastor Bill

AWANA GRAND PRIX!!!

Was Awesome!!!

Meeting Wednesday Nights6:30-8:00 PMCubbies are ages 3-4 YearsSparks are in K5-2nd GradeT&T Adventurers are in 3rd-4thGrades

T&T Challengers are in 5th Grade

Can you tell by the next page that I really believe in Vacation Bible School? It isone of the biggest ministries we utilize each year for reaching children and familieswith the gospel. Do you remember the statistics of reaching people in their early

years as opposed to adulthood? Over 85% of people who come to faith in Jesusdo so during childhood. It takes an army of volunteers to physically lead VBSweek, but it takes YOU to make it successful. Prayer is the key ingredient in seeingsouls saved. We can have the best teachers, the fanciest decorations, the coolestcrafts and the best tasting snacks, but without the power of prayer we will just havea really fun week. If we want to see kids, parents, and entire families changed for

eternity, we need YOU to pray. Would you take a minute right now and pray for VBS? I am asking our

church family to pray each and every time they see something about VBS, and you will be seeing it lots of

times in lots of places. Would you commit to pray weekly between now and June 20? Maybe God would lead

you to even organize a prayer ministry team for VBS. If that is you, please let me know. I would love to put

some detailed prayer requests in your hands as we begin preparation. Thank you in advance for your

investment in this incredible opportunity!

-Pastor Bill


7/10

It will be here before you know it

We have three very unique and distinct opportunities to reach out to Children this summer through three

different VBS strategies. Check them out!

Vacation Bible School

VBS at NorthRidgeJune 20-24, 2011

9 am - noon

VBS at Your HouseTimes TBD (by you)

Would you like a great strategy for reachingthe kids in your neighborhood with thegospel of Christ? Cant get them to come toVBS here? Then take VBS home to them!We have scheduled an InformationalMeeting/Luncheon on Sunday, April 17,immediately following the worship service.We need you to register for the luncheon sowe have enough food for everyone. You may

sign up by e-mailing Pastor [email protected]

Mission VBSHome Suites of Davenport

July 23-26, Evenings

Please begin praying about your involvement in this

mission opportunity. We have the chance to minister to40+ families who have lost their homes in the recentfinancial recession. Volunteers must be at least 16 yearsold. We will have an informational meeting after churchon Sunday, May, 15.

Many of you have volunteered to teach andlead in VBS, but we still have numerousopportunities for leaders. We have openingsfor teachers, crafters, and plenty of assistants.For more details, contact Pastor Bill.

[email protected]

VBS Training Opportunities

Associational VBS Training NEW DAY

Saturday, March 5, FBC Eagle Lake

NorthRidge VBS Training Day, Saturday, April 16, 9:30 - Noon

VBS Workers, please make every effort to attend this training event. You will be blessed

by attending and behind if you dont! See Bill Hatley or Liz Porter for more information.


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Eternal Youth

What an amazing month we have had with our teens. God has really startedto move with our youth. We spent the month of February talking aboutworship. There were nights where all we did was pray and sing songs to ourCreator. God is really starting to do some amazing things in the lives ofthese young people.We had our first camp fundraiser on February 20th, and what an amazingsuccess it was. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed somespaghetti. This summer camp will be the exclamation point on what isalready turning out to be an amazing year. The students going to this campwill experience God in a way that many of them had not. If you are curiousabout the camp we are taking the students to, please check our

www.fuge.comto read about what our campers are going to be involved in. We will be having a garage

sale in March to continue helping raise funds for this camp.

This month we will be starting a new series entitled "The Anti-social Network." It is a play on the movie

The Social Network, which tells about the start of FaceBook. We will be talking about how the internet

and the social networks (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube...etc) can be dangerous and also

helpful. John Piper wrote an article about how smart phone Bible apps can be both good and bad. Here is

the link to that article.

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/beware-the-bible-is-about-to-threaten-your-smartphone-focus

We will be helping our teens discover how the internet can be dangerous, but also, how it can help increase

the Kingdom.

Please continue to pray for our teens, that they desire to know God more and more. We will be starting

discipleship groups after spring break and watching those groups develop our kids into fully devoted

followers of Christ. Also, please continue to pray for myself and all the youth workers. Thank you, my

church family, for all of your support.Stepping Out in Faith,

-Derrick Whiteman
http://www.fuge.com/http://www.fuge.com/http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desiringgod.org%2Fblog%2Fposts%2Fbeware-the-bible-is-about-to-threaten-your-smartphone-focus&h=4fbc0http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desiringgod.org%2Fblog%2Fposts%2Fbeware-the-bible-is-about-to-threaten-your-smartphone-focus&h=4fbc0http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desiringgod.org%2Fblog%2Fposts%2Fbeware-the-bible-is-about-to-threaten-your-smartphone-focus&h=4fbc0http://www.fuge.com/


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Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief

and financial support to communities throughout the United States. Each month, Angel Food provides a

unique menu that consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60,

yet only costs $31. There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, of applications needed in

order to participate. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Marty Jenkins is the Host Site Director for

NorthRidge Church. Orders are taken on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:15 and every Sunday after service,except for delivery week.

You may also order online by visitingNorthRidgehc.com

Angel Food Ministries

RUMMAGE SALE FUNDRAISER

We have 23 youth, plus adults, that are registered to go to

Centrifuge Youth Camp at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, at acost of $450 each. We are having a HUGE Rummage Saleto help them raise some of this money. We need your help,and your stuff. The Rummage Sale is Saturday, March 26 from 7 am - 1 pm.You may drop off stuff in the gym:Thursday, March 24 from 5:00-8:00 PMFriday, March 25 from 2:00-8:00 PM

Items That Sell WellFurniture

AppliancesBaby ItemsBaby ClothesDishes/Kitchen SuppliesLinensLampsElectronics

Items That Do NOT Sell

ClothesBroken Items

Soiled or Dirty Items

If you have large or heavy items that need to be picked up, pleasecontact the church office at (863) 422-4488 to arrange a pick-up.THANKS!
http://www.northridgehc.com/http://www.northridgehc.com/


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February

Birthdays

Wednesday

Evening

Worship

Sunday services

5:45-6:45 -Prayer in Sanctuary6:45-7:45 -Coffee and Bible study

in Fellowship Hall

Hours-Monday -Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm. If you need to contact

the Pastor On Call you can at any time by calling the Church

Office 863-422-4488 and leaving a message in the On Call

mailbox (ext. 2104) The Pastor that is on call for the week will

return your call ASAP.

Sunday Morning Caf -8:45am

Sunday School -9:20

Worship Service -10:30am(also Kids' Church K5-3rd)

Church Office

Sharon Gardner 1

Rob Kachmarik 1

Juan Mendez 3

Josephina Coots 4

Don Gardner 4

Derrick Heverly 5

Ernastine Maupin 5

Gary Gillispie 6

James Macumber 7

Emma Mattheus 7

David Pierce 7

Hannah Meigs 9

Tom Rocker 9

Pat Smart 10Misty Rutledge 11

John Kauffman 12

Julie Kauffman 12

Kay Rocker 13

Richard Ferguson 14

Maleah Hinkle 14

William Solis 14

Janet Hinkle 16

Frank Snively 18

Robert Franklin 20Karen Walker 20

Theresa Furlong 21

Terrill Gilley 21

Natalee Brown 22

Joellene Works 22

Shirley Lumsden 24

Alyssa Mattheus 24

Jackson Farrens 25

Kathy Nayrocker 25

Sandy Price 25

Anne Acevedo 26

Amy Justus 30

Gracie Moxley 31

march news 11

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