Faith@First is a weekly report on the pastor's family news, church and community activities, events, ministries and missions. Click here to sign up to receive it weekly in your email inbox or visit NoblesvilleFirst.com/FaithAtFirstArchive to peruse past issues.
February 24, 2023
Dear Noblesville first family,
On Wednesday of this week we joined Christians all over the world in Lent: an intentional season of sacrifice and reflection as we prepare our hearts for the resurrection of our Savior.
Last week I shared some spiritual practices that may help you reconnect with God during this season. Yet, this week I feel led to not only help you consider what you need to give up but what you need to take on. We draw close to God, not only in what we sacrifice, but what we intentionally give ourselves to. This season of Lent may be an opportunity for you to draw closer to God through service on a ministry team, sacrificial giving to a new initiative, or pledging to support outreach and missions.
Our church is looking for leaders who will use this season to start serving God in a new way. You may feel God nudging you to give to the renovation of our youth space The Vine, help develop and lead our Music & Arts Academy for children, vision and welcome new people in a revamped contemporary worship service, serve in Guatemala or combat food insecurity when school is out through our spring break lunch ministry. Today I invite you to not let that just be a feeling but a next step in faith. CLICK HERE to sign up to serve in this season of Lent.
This emphasis on service and mission is one that you will find in our worship services this Sunday at 8:30 and 9:45 in the Sanctuary (Door 1). We will wrap up our series on relationships and celebrate the impact you’ve made through outreach and mission over the last year. I especially want to thank those members of the mission committee who ensure that our congregational mission giving of $39,500 has a local, national and global impact. Thank you Mary Burns, Linda Gustafson, Jean Morris, Ana and Joseph Chimbanda, Juanita Kipp, Loi Mileham, Lorrie Overton, Barb and Chad Fogerty and Becky Ward. During worship on Sunday, you will have the opportunity to continue to support our mission and outreach work through mission giving. We'll distribute pledge cards on Sunday or pledge electronically here ... NoblesvilleFirst.com/mission.
Finally, we want to make sure you are all aware that our church office will be closed on Fridays beginning Friday, March 3. Our hard-working staff team is here to serve you Monday through Thursday, 8:30 to 4:30 as well as Sunday mornings. Our care line, available at 317-773-2590 and care@NoblesvilleFirst.com, will continue to operate 24/7, 365 days a year, to support you and other community members in need.
There are so many moving parts as we prepare for this Lenten season but I’m grateful that our work together makes an impact in the lives of people in our community and beyond.
Keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Nicole