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.
November 11, 2021
Book 7, Volume 30
Let me begin with a shout out to our veterans on this Veterans Day. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for others and our country. Our Noblesville First Pastoral Care Team sent gift cards to 93 veterans in the previous week. This Sunday, we will recognize our veterans and in the Traditional Worship we have lined up two veterans to read our scripture for the day. Be sure you thank a veteran you know today.
This Sunday, we will begin the first of a two-week series on generosity. I will speak this Sunday on the Myths of Money and then we have lined up Bryan Mills, the CEO of the Community Health Network to speak on November 21. Our goals with our messages are to provide helpful spiritual insight on how you can take charge of your finances. Did you know finances are the second leading cause of divorce after infidelity? Did you know only 30% of Americans have a long-term plan for their retirement?
Steve Baker will also explain our unique approach to this year’s Generosity Campaign. Instead of thinking long-term about 2022 which is hard to do with the uncertainty of Covid, we have decided to focus on a reachable goal of raising $425,000 in the fourth quarter of this year. That is 10% above last year’s fourth quarter contributions which will help us finish strong. Our pledges that we will collect the next three weeks will be for the estimate of giving you hope to offer above your current contributions between now and December 31. I’ve already heard that our letters have been a helpful reminder to resume our giving, or it have provided an opportunity to think of the church as we evaluate our financial situation for the year. Make sure you take advantage of the tax shelter that is available when you donate directly from your stock portfolio. Ask your financial advisor or speak with Jan Howell in the church office.
Tonight, I will be sharing a message in the Closing Worship of GriefShare. Thanks to Carol Miller and her team which now have offered 20 sessions of GriefShare in the ten years Noblesville First has offered this vital program. I am looking forward to celebrating the growth they have experienced and offering the spiritual grace that helps us deal with our losses.
Carol Miller would also appreciate me mentioning a one session program that comes from the same GriefShare program group called Surviving the Holidays. This will be held next Thursday, November 18 from 7-9PM. Here is how Carol describes the purpose of this one session experience:
When you’re grieving the death of a family member or friend, you may dread the holiday season. Thoughts of social gatherings, family traditions and obligations leave you anxious and overwhelmed. Have you lost a loved one or know someone that will find it difficult to face the coming holidays? Our program offers practical, actionable strategies for making it through the holiday season. At this two-hour seminar, you’ll view a video featuring advice from people in grief who’ve faced the holidays after their loss. Facilitators that have experienced grief- filled holidays, will lead us in discussion of how to manage all holidays and special dates in your life now. To learn more information about GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, call Carol Miller at cmiller@noblesvillefirst.com. Our program is free and no registration necessary. Invite your family, friends and neighbors that are struggling through grief. All attendees will receive a Holiday Survival Guide with over 30 encouraging readings, helpful charts and tips to manage the holiday season during this difficult time.
Bags, Baskets and Blessings is just one week away! It is a UMW sponsored fun evening which includes fun, food, fellowship and a silent auction of over 100 bags and purses and over 100 themed gift baskets. Phyllis Hunter and her team are anticipating a crowd of around 160 based on the tickets sold. Ticket forms are available at the information booths in the Narthex and Great Hall. You may also purchase tickets at the door for Friday, November 19.
This Sunday at 12:30PM, Pastor Jill Moffett will be having a call out for anyone interested in Confirmation. Confirmation is a time to connect, learn and grow in your faith. If you are or have a student 6th grade or older interested in joining the 2022 Confirmation Class, there will be an informational meeting for parents and students on Sunday, November 14 at 12:30PM in The Vine (Door 5). Contact Pastor Jill Moffett jmoffett@noblesvillefirst.com or call the church office at 317-773-2500.
Advent is just two weeks away which means it’s time to "Hang the Greens" around the church in preparation to welcome the Christ Child. This is a fun family event which will include a special opportunity to learn about all the Christian symbols used in ancient times with our Chrismon Tree. The UMW is planning a light dinner, so this is a great time for families to get in the Christmas spirit. Hanging of the Greens is scheduled for Sunday, November 28 from 4-6PM. We are also looking for individuals and families to hang the “Chrismons” on the tree that afternoon and read the description of each symbol. Please express your interest on Sunday's Connection Card or contact Carol Miller at cmiller@NoblesvilleFirst.com.
Family Ministry will host a FREE Respite Night on Saturday, December 11, 6-9PM for caregivers with children (ages 5-18) with special needs. Caregivers can drop their child and siblings off at the church with educated and trained volunteers and enjoy an evening for themselves.
We also need VOLUNTEERS for that evening. There will be a volunteer training on Tuesday, November 30, 6:30-8PM. Details and registration at NoblesvilleFirst.com.
The Ugly Quilts team will meet tomorrow, Friday November 12 in Celebration Hall, 12:30-3PM. They have lots of material to work with, they just need willing hands. No experience is required. For more information contact Mary Burns or call the church office.
Tonight's Thursday Worship at 6:30PM will be in The Vine (Door 5) and on Zoom tonight led by Pastor Matt Hantelman. Find the Zoom link at NoblesvilleFirst.com/ThursdayWorship. For more information, contact Matt at mhantelman@noblesvillefirst.com.
At Sunday's 8:30 Early Worship and 9:45 Traditional Worship, we will recognize our veterans, celebrate the ministry of the Teter Organic Farm and our United Methodist Women (UMW) work with the Indiana UM Children’s Home in Lebanon. At the 9:45 worship, Christy Huston, the executive director of the Children’s Home will present the Partners in Christ Award to our church and UMW unit. In preparation, read Hebrews 13:5-6.
This Sunday, our Noblesville First Kids program from 10:00-10:45 will continue with week two of our series on CONTENTMENT in 1 Kings 21:1-19, 27, where we discover what happens when King Ahab finds a plot of land he wants more than anything. There’s a problem: Naboth owns the land, and this land has been in his family for generations. King Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel, go to extreme lengths to take that land for themselves . . . but they end up miserable in the end. Bottom Line: Wanting more and more can make you miserable. We want kids to understand why this happens, and to trust God to help them find contentment in what they have.
Share prayer requests and check out the week's opportunities to connect on the Next Steps page at NoblesvilleFirst.com 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.
See you tonight or Sunday,
Pastor Jerry Rairdon