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 read the latest issue each week or peruse the archive of issues below.
September 29, 2022
Good Afternoon Noblesville First Family,
I bring you greetings from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Jevon and I have been here since Tuesday afternoon where we presented a workshop at their annual Leadership Institute entitled “Not Just Sundays: Dreaming Again for Church Growth.” We’ve also been sharing our book “The Big Picture” with the one thousand pastors and laity here.
It has been a joy to connect with spiritual leaders around the country and to share how God’s Dream for my life now includes leading and alongside each of you.
Yet, what has really caught my attention however is how long it took to get here! The most “direct” flight we could find was from Indianapolis to Dallas, Texas then from Dallas to Kansas City, Missouri and then a 40 minute car ride to Leawood. In total our travel time was over 11 hours!
As we ran from gate to gate, it felt like we were moving backwards instead of moving forward. And I’ve learned that this can be true in flight and in faith. We look at where we’re trying to go and sometimes feel like God reroutes further us away from our destination. Yet, if we buckle up and enjoy the ride, we may find that no mile is without meaning. It may take us a while to get where we’re going, but the indirect journey has direct blessings.
This week, I invite you to think of your own faith journey. I’m sure there may be some indirect routes God has sent you on but I also wonder if there were some direct blessings, lessons or relationships you otherwise would not have experienced.
I look forward to returning and worshipping with you on Sunday morning but in the meantime may we all have traveling mercies in our faith journeys this week. And here are some destinations that might be a part of that journey ...
Come for Thursday Evening in The Vine tonight at 6:30PM. This is a special time to engage with others as we examine our beliefs and our hearts. The group will meet in The Vine (Door 5) to watch a short video each week followed by discussion time. Everyone is welcome! Questions? Contact Bonnie Zickgraf bzickgraf@NoblesvilleFirst.com or call the church office at 317-773-2500. And a scheduling note ... following the gathering tonight, we'll shift to my The Big Picture bible study during this time (Oct 6-Nov 3), then we'll return to regularly scheduled Thursday evening programming on November 10.
Teter Organic Farm Manager Katy Rogers is hosting a screening of Kiss the Ground. Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this full-length documentary sheds light on a “new, old approach” to farming---regenerative agriculture. Watch the trailer and reserve your seat for this FREE event at TeterOrganicFarm.com/KissTheGround.
Due to technical difficulties with the projectors in Celebration Hall, we'll hold 11:00 Contemporary Worship on Sunday in The Vine (Door 5). This displaces the 6th-12th grade Sunday School class, which will meet in Wesley Hall, just inside Door 7. And they'll get donuts for their inconvenience 😉
I'll launch a new sermon series, The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life, based on the book I wrote with my husband Jevon. We'll take a closer look at the life of Joseph to discover God’s presence in moments of triumph and trauma.
If you haven't already, please consider signing up for one of the five-week studies on the book. Learn more at NoblesvilleFirst.com/TheBigPicture.
You won't want to miss professional trumpeter Gilmar Cavalcante this Sunday at 8:30 Early Worship and 9:45 Traditional Worship. He'll perform a trumpet solo and with the Chancel Choir.
Noblesville First Kids (birth-5th grade) offers programming from 9:45-10:45 every Sunday morning. They'll start a new series on GRIT for October. They'll also explore Joseph this week! He was his father, Jacob’s, favorite son but his brothers were completely jealous. As we introduce the idea of grit to our kids, we want them first and foremost to understand that the best way to have grit is by trusting God.
6th-12th grade Sunday School ... Contemporary Worship needs to use The Vine this week! In exchange for taking your space, you’ll get donuts to enjoy during your class time which will meet in Wesley Hall, just inside Door 7. This week, they'll explore how it's so easy to get lulled into a sleepy faith, seeing our relationship with God as just what we do on Sundays at church. But the time for sleeping is over—no more snooze button, no more pulling the covers over your head!
There will be a Noblesville First Kids Team Gathering at 11AM on Sunday in the Bi-Rooms. We'll discuss kid’s programming for the holiday season and new participants are welcome! Learn more at NoblesvilleFirst.com/KidsTeam.
23 spots remain for Monday's Blood Drive at the church. Let's fill those spots! Accident victims, premature babies, patients with sickle cell disease and other patients who need blood transfusions are counting on kindhearted people like you. Click the link at NoblesvilleFirst.com/BloodDrive to sign up.
The Hamilton County 5K for Food Security is just a week away on Saturday, October 8 at 9AM at Dillon Park with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Teter Organic Farm! Click here to join the church's "Team FUMC" or "Team Teter." Or click here to make a donation. To donate to the fund that will benefit Teter Organic Farm, click the "Charities" tab and choose "Noblesville Food Providers."
The United Methodist Women's Rummage Sale is almost here! Donation days begin a week from Sunday, Oct 9-11. And mark your calendar to shop Oct. 12-14. There are also opportunities to volunteer. Any army of volunteers are needed to carry out this important fundraiser. Find more details at NoblesvilleFirst.com/RummageSale.
Noblesville First Kids is bringing back the annual Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 30! We are looking for trunk hosts to decorate their cars, hand out candy, and host activity tables. If you can't attend, you can still support the event by donating non-chocolate candies and small toys, which can be dropped off in the church office. Find more details at NoblesvilleFirst.com.
Get your Christmas shopping done early and help raise money for our Student and Family Ministries! The Gift Card Fundraiser helps support many areas of these ministries, such as youth mission trips, youth outings, family and youth community outreach projects, and family and youth curriculum materials. Pick up an order form at the welcome desk or visit NoblesvilleFirst.com/GiftCardFundraiser for a printable copy.
Keep the Faith@First,
Pastor Nicole