September 22, 2022
Greeting Noblesville First Family,
You’ll notice we have a new theme for our weekly newsletter: Faith@First. I loved borrowing Pastor Jerry’s “one-on-one” title these last several weeks but if anybody were to call my bluff and test my one-on-one skills on the basketball court---I think you’d agree I needed a new title!
That said, I think there are places in each of lives that where new things are happening. Some of those are happening right here at the church: new sanctuary flooring and lighting, a smooth new parking lot, a new organ in December, and the Grow & Go Expo this Sunday, September 25, immediately after each traditional service and before our contemporary service.
With change can come challenge. Why do we need to shift to something new? What’s wrong with we have or how we’ve been doing things?
As I’ve navigated change as a conference leader and pastor I’ve learned that three filters help me to determine if a change is really needed:
- What was, is no longer meeting its purpose
- What was, is not maximizing the mission
- Who was leading has a new calling or focus God needs them to pursue
As a congregation, we will be looking at this filter and making decisions around our ministries. Jesus challenges us to grow the church and to live in to our mission of making new disciples. Over time, what helped us to do this well transitions, and our growth depends on our willingness to try something new.
I’m grateful that there are like minded leaders who are open to God’s vision for something new. This Sunday, we will bless Pastor Jill Moffett as she takes on a new role in our ministry as Pastor of Discipleship. She will transition to focusing on leading and managing our care ministries, classes, groups, spiritual development, hospitality and communications ministries. This is a big job! However, Jill is called and equipped to do this work which will help our congregation to grow.
The growing process can sometimes include some goodbyes. We celebrate and honor the ministry of David McKenzie who faithfully served our youth over the last year. God is calling him in a new direction and we are grateful that part of God‘s call on his life included serving here at Noblesville First. David personally wanted to extend his gratitude for the opportunity to have served our students and families and expressed his excitement about our future.
As we continue to rediscover God’s vision for such a time as this, we know that there may be more new roles that each of us will play in ministry. Yet, the good news is that no matter where we go or how we serve: God’s presence never changes.
God is with us and we hope you’ll join us in worshiping our ever present God this Sunday. In the meantime, here are some ways you might be able to live into God's vision:
I'll be hosted by Pastor Jill Moffett and Pastoral Care Coordinator Bonnie Zickgraf at this evening's Thursday Worship in The Vine (Door 5) at 6:30PM for a meet and greet time with anyone who wants to join in casual conversation and a time to get to know one another better.
Pastor Jill will conclude the Faith to Table sermon series this Sunday with a message from Matthew 9:35-38, as we continue to discern how God is leading us to help with “the harvest.” And don’t miss the Grow & Go Expo before and after worship. Learn about a handful of opportunities for discipleship and service and sign up for something new! This will be the first in a series of expos in which we'll be highlighting different ways to connect and serve the congregation and the community.
The Chancel Ringers return to worship with handbell performances at 8:30 and 9:45 in the Sanctuary (Door 1).
Noblesville First Kids (birth-5th grade) offers programming from 9:45-10:45 every Sunday morning. This week, they'll finish the month by discovering what happened to Jacob and Esau’s relationship in Genesis 31:3, 32:3- 32, & 33:1-17 and how you can trust God even when you’re worried.
Don't we all have a list of questions we want to ask God? Teen Outreach Sunday School (6th-12th grade) will have “Questions of the Day” Sunday this week. They will take the students most pressing questions they have for God and see if they can dive into scripture to find some help in answering them.
The ladies of the United Methodist Women's (UMW) Lydia Circle are hosting Steppin' Up to Help, a line dancing fundraiser, on Tuesday, September 27 from 6:30-8PM in Celebration Hall (Door 2,7). All are welcome! No experience is necessary. A free will offering will benefit the Chimbanda Scholarship Fund. Learn more at NoblesvilleFirst.com/SteppinUp.
Accident victims, premature babies, patients with sickle cell disease and other patients who need blood transfusions are counting on kindhearted people like you. Sign up for the church's Blood Drive on October 3 from 2-6:30PM at NoblesvilleFirst.com/BloodDrive.
In our book The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life, my husband Jevon and I took a closer look at the life of Joseph to discover God’s presence in moments of triumph and trauma. The story of Joseph shows us how God weaves together events that seem random into a beautiful image of joy, survival, purpose and meaning. Join in a five-week study on the book ...
- Thursdays 7-8:30PM (Oct 6-Nov 3) led by me
- Mondays 9:30-11:15AM (Oct 10-Nov 7) led by Carol Miller
Space is limited. Learn more and register at NoblesvilleFirst.com/TheBigPicture.
The Hamilton County 5K for Food Security is Saturday, October 8 at 9AM at Dillon Park with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Teter! Learn more and register at ... RunSignUp.com.
The United Methodist Women's Rummage Sale is coming! Start collecting items you'd like to donate Oct 9-11 and mark your calendar to shop Oct. 12-14! Would you like to volunteer? Contact Dee Galloway at 317-374-1105 or Nancy Harrison 810-513-9962. If you'd like to put your donation items in storage, contact Janet Roberts 317-900-6607 or Marianne Jacobi 317-508-1354. Learn more at NoblesvilleFirst.com/RummageSale.
The FaithMoves exercise class has relaunched for its program year and will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 9:15AM in the Bi-Rooms (Door 1). Regardless of your current level of physical fitness or challenges, you are wonderful in His eyes! Faith Moves is a FREE Christ-centered fitness program which offers the opportunity to become more fit using stretching, relaxing, and restorative fitness movements and poses, taught by certified fitness instructor Sharon McMahon. Learn more at NoblesvilleFirst.com/FaithMoves.
Let’s keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Nicole