One-on-One with Pastor Jerry is a weekly report on family news and church and community activities, events, ministries and missions. Visit this page each week or sign up to receive it weekly in your inbox. Archive issues can be viewed at NoblesvilleFirst.com/one-on-one-archive.
March 24, 2022
Book 7, Volume 49
We had two special experiences last week that are worth highlighting in today’s One-on-One. First, we had a wonderful celebration of this year’s Confirmation group Sunday afternoon in the Sanctuary. We laid hands on each confirmand as we prayed for their continued spiritual journey. Each youth had a mentor chosen by that youth to walk with them in this process. Along the way, they experienced a Jewish synagogue and got to see how sacred the Torah scrolls are to the Jewish faithful. They explored unique Methodist theology like the three types of grace. And together they wrote their own Creed. We will be sharing that Creed in worship this Sunday and on Easter Sunday. Thanks to Pastor Jill Moffett and David McKenzie for pouring themselves into these youth!
Director of Family Ministry Ally Hall had another successful Respite Night on Saturday with over 30 children in attendance. Their theme was a three-ring circus with several activities to keep them busy. Ally has some nice pictures to share if you want to get a feel what it was like. They have scheduled their next Respite Night for September 17 so place it on your calendar so you can volunteer or share it with families you know who have kids, ages 5-18, with special needs. As this program grows, so will our need for volunteers. Reach out to Ally at ahall@noblesvillefirst.com for more information.
Ally is also in need of lots of candy and volunteers for our Noblesville First Easter Egg-travaganza to be held at Teter Retreat and Farm on Saturday, April 16 from 10:30-noon. This year we are having games, crafts, and inflatables so we need volunteers to staff each of those activities.
Bring your donations of non-chocolate candy and small toys to the office anytime between now and the week before the event. Find more details at NoblesvilleFirst.com/lent or email ahall@noblesvillefirst.com to volunteer.
We are still collecting donations for the White River Elementary Snack Drive to help them finish out the year. They have 50 students on their snack pack list which means they hand out 250 snacks each week for these students who experience food insecurity at home. Go to NoblesvilleFirst.com/snacks to find the list of snacks that are most helpful. Drop them off on the counter outside across from the church office.
The next First Friday Lunch & Program is scheduled for next Friday, April 1 at noon in Celebration Hall where we will enjoy Chef Mike’s chicken and noodles and hear the music of the Gospel Seekers. Register on the sign-up sheet on the counter across the hall from the office or at NoblesvilleFirst.com/FirstFriday. Cost of the meal is $13, and tips are welcome. Please register by noon on Monday.
Our biggest volunteer need at Teter right now is with the Retreat Lodge & Cabin. Reservations are starting to pick up and some of our volunteers are still in Florida. If you can help out by cleaning a cabin or making the beds just once a month for the next couple of months, it would be a great help. Read about what is involved with each team and the importance this work is in preserving as much of the rental income as possible for the food security mission at TeterOrganicFarm.com/volunteer.
Spring is here and that means it's time for the Noblesville First Preschool Flower Sale! They have a new vendor this year but are still offering beautiful flowers at a great price. Click here for the online order form is available here. Flower pick-up will be Saturday, April 30 from 9:00-1:00 at the church. We appreciate your support for the preschool's biggest fundraiser of the year. Contact Lyndsay Sheridan at lsheridan@noblesvillefirst.com for any questions.
The Noblesville First Kids program runs from 9:45-10:45 on Sundays. This week, the preschool to 5th grade classes will wrap up their study on cooperation by learning how the early church shared what they had and worked together to help each other through the basic problems of life. The 6th-12th grade class will be continue their study on how the NCAA March Madness tournament relates a lot to our Christian lives. Paul wrote letters to many churches talking about the race Christians run and the trials and temptations we face in our marathon Christian life.
In tonight's Thursday Worship at 6:30 on Zoom, Pastor Matt Hantelman will continue the discussion on How do I discern whether it is God speaking to me or something else? For more information about this discussion focused group contact Matt at mhantelman@noblesvillefirst.com.
This Sunday, I will be preaching at the Traditional Worship at 8:30 & 9:45 in the Sanctuary (Door 1) as we consider what we are praying in The Lord’s Prayer when we say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Did you know that Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Prayer uses the word “debts” while Luke shares the word “sins or trespasses?” Pastor Jill will be preaching at the Contemporary Worship this Sunday at 9:45 & 11:00 in Celebration Hall (Door 2,7) and will share some dynamic examples of forgiveness.
Share prayer requests and check out the week's opportunities to connect at NoblesvilleFirst.com/NextSteps or on the Noblesville First mobile app. And share your pastoral needs by emailing care@noblesvillefirst.com or calling the 24/7 Care Line at 317-773-2590.
Pastor Jerry Rairdon