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NorthRidge Church & Christian Academy

April 2011
Haines City Florida
Volume 3, Issue 4

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Our News Reaching You; Reaching Out to You

A Message From Pastor David


I was doing a little word study the other day and found myself digging into the word
servant (diakonos – the word that deacon is translated from). Most often it is used to
define a servant or the activity of a servant. The basic concept underlying the word
“deacon” is that of a voluntary, love-prompted service for the benefit of others. As I
thought about that word, I couldn‟t help but to think about the 14 men that God has
blessed me with, our Deacons.
I am excited with the partnership that our Deacons bring to the table. Since their
inception a little over two years ago, we have been learning and growing and praying
about how our Deacons would partner with us in the ministry of NorthRidge Church. I am so excited to
announce to you that beginning the month of May, our Deacons will formally engage in a Deacon Family Ministry
Plan. Before I discuss the details of this ministry focus, let me share a bit about the ministry of the Deacon.
Deacons have a rich and noble heritage in family ministry. It was a family-related need which called this office into
being, namely, the economic needs of widows in the early church (Acts 6:1-7). These seven laymen, who worked
with the apostles in meeting this need, were the first deacons. Baptists in recent years have focused attention upon
the role of deacons in relationship to families. In recent years a Deacon Family Ministry has been implemented in
many churches, including now NorthRidge Church.
Through this ministry deacons have helped church members develop and maintain a healthy relationship to each
other so they all could grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Deacon Family
Ministry is simply an organized plan to connect every family unit in the congregation with a Deacon that will seek
to engage those families into the overall mission and ministry of the church. The greater goal is to lead everyone
into being personally active and involved in areas of worship (Connecting people to Christ and to each other),
discipleship (growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ), and in service/ministry (Serving others with the talents
we have been given by God).
When our Deacons accept responsibility for a personal ministry to church families, the entire church is
strengthened. Church families are the first to benefit from this ministry. As deacons care for the needs of our
church families through regular contacts (calls and visits in homes), families will be strengthened, ministered to,
informed, and valued through this personal touch. This personal touch will develop trust and provide a platform
for the family to share personal needs. Ministries of the church will be understood more clearly by the families. As
the congregation understands the mission of the church and the work to which the church is committed, families
will find greater joy in participating in the church‟s ministries and opportunities. Our Deacons kick off a new
Deacon Family Ministry on May 1 that will provide regular, consistent spiritual care for each of our church families.
Each family will be partnered with a deacon, whose ministry will be to pray for, listen to, contact and care for each
family member. Please pray for our deacons as they shape this vital ministry to the NorthRidge family.
-Pastor David
Expressions of Worship:

I don‟t know how many of you utilize Day Timers, iPhones, Blackberry devices, or
something else to help you manage your time; but I find that no matter how well I
do at writing things in my calendar, time seems to slip away from me. As things
come across my desk, I respond…sometimes too soon. However, I am finding that
my response or lack of response can be tied in not only to who I am, but also to my
spiritual depth. It is not easy to say „no.‟ However, as growing believers, I believe
one of our duties is to be good stewards of our time.
Keep in mind, time management is going to look different for you than it might for me, but we all need to grow
in our convictions about planning and managing our time. If you continue to run out of hours in the day, you
aren‟t growing in this area; something needs to change. If we concern ourselves with things above, we will
continue to develop a discerning spirit that is able to say „no‟ when necessary. This coincides with some great
biblical principles.
The Bible is certainly not silent when it comes to time management. Paul writes about the relationship between
our time management and the presence of wisdom in our lives (Eph. 5:15-16), King David asked God to help
him number his days in order to remind him of the priority of eternal things and the fleeting nature of things on
earth (Ps.39:4-5), and Solomon declared that there is a time for everything, whether great or small (Eccl. 3:1, ff.).
However we choose to plan our time and manage it, remember that no one can know just what tomorrow will
hold (James 4:13-17), but our decisions to make the most of every moment can assist in growing our
relationships and making us more godly as we redirect our plans based upon the will of God. If you have a tough
time taking steps in this area, you‟re not alone. One of the things I came across recently might just help you out.
Visit this site to find out some ways you might be able to grow. By the way, if you have this mastered, feel free to
challenge and encourage those around you to hang in there and take some steps.
-Pastor Terrill

Fresh Music Ideas For You:

Here For You The Mission Field Beautiful Still


Passion Blessid Union of Souls Della
2011 2011 2008
From the Desk of Pastor Harold
Do you really believe that God loves you? Sometimes we feel like an
insignificant being in the enormous mass of humanity. It is times like this we
need to see the shepherd of a hundred sheep frantically searching for one as in
Luke 15 and the parable of the lost sheep. It is God‟s will for you to know and
experience His love for you. Paul‟s prayer for the church at Ephesus gives some
insight to his desire for us to know God‟s love.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the Lord‟s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know
this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I sometimes think we take God‟s love for granted because we experience so much of His love. It is like
a man who gives his wife a special gift and she can hardly contain herself because of the expression of
love toward her. Later the man becomes wealthy and brings special gifts every day, but the excitement
of receiving the gift wanes in comparison to the original event.
That‟s like what has happened to us. Our Lord has been so extravagant in his display of love to us that
we have become jaded to the real significance of the gifts he showers on us.
When you see the sun rise, hear the wind blow, smell the flowers in bloom, do you marvel at God‟s gifts
to you?
“When, like the most faithful servant, a clock wakes you at just the right time; when you switch on a light that would have
astonished everyone who was ever born until relatively recently; and when you look in a small mirror that King Solomon
would have paid a fortune to own, does your heart skip a beat at the lengths your Father in heaven goes to say „I love you‟?
Or, like the worst spoilt child, do you just complain about how much your brothers and sister get?”
-Grantley Morris
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!
God‟s love for you and me extends far beyond the bounds of human comprehension. If you and I
could grasp the enormity of God‟s love for us, our faith would sky-rocket.
My prayer is that you will recognize God‟s love for you and remember to thank Him for His love each
day.
-Pastor Harold
Home-bound Ministry
This is the current group of Home-bound
with addresses that are being ministered to
at this time. If you know of others that
would benefit from this ministry, please
contact Rowena Daley or call the church

Ms. Ruth Copeland Ms. Vera Cook


Ms. Lucille Tiner Mr Charles Mayberry
Savannah Court assisted living. Brandywyne Health Care
301 Peninsular Drive Center
Haines City, FL 33844-5046 1801 Lake Mariam Drive
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 293-1989

Ms. Irma Swain Ms. Ina Foley


Spring Haven Retirement LLC Haines City Health Care
1225 Havendale NW 409 South 10th Street
Winter Haven, Florida 33881 Haines City, FL 33844-5603

Sonshiner’s monthly luncheon:


April 7th @ Noon

Do you know someone who is


lonesome or does not get out much?
Invite them to come and enjoy
Christian fellowship at our monthly
luncheon.
My neighbor and good friend Diann
Malone will be playing piano for us
this month. She has been here before
and will bless you as she plays.
Kid’s Korner with Pastor Bill

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. I Thessalonians 1:2
As he began his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul, along with Silas
and Timothy, wanted to remind the faithful that he was grateful for them. I
want to take the time to do the same.
If you are one of the
14 Preschool and Children's Sunday School Teachers
53 Volunteers In Preschool
26 AWANA Volunteers
8 Kid's Church Leaders
THANK YOU!
Every Sunday and Wednesday I can come to church and realize there is an army of adult volunteers who love
Jesus and then love children. It is because of your faithful dedication that our ministry to children is what it is
today. And God has given me the wonderful opportunity to both lead and work alongside you in this task! I
want each of you to know that even though it sometimes seems thankless, when you have to change another
diaper, or when that same sweet child keeps running around the room while you are trying to teach him about
Jesus with a smile on your face, every act of kindness and service is appreciated and will be rewarded. I am
sure I don't say it often enough or loud enough, but I am very grateful for you, and I, like Paul, do thank my
God for you.

Pastor Bill

AWANA

Meeting Wednesday Nights


6:30-8:00 PM
Cubbies are ages 3-4 Years
Sparks are in K5-2nd Grade
T&T Adventurers are in 3rd-4th
Grades
T&T Challengers are in 5th Grade
Vacation Bible School
It will be here before you know it…
We have three very unique and distinct opportunities to reach out to Children this summer through three
different VBS strategies. Check them out!

VBS at NorthRidge
June 20-24, 2011
9 am - noon
Many of you have volunteered to teach and
lead in VBS, but we still have numerous
opportunities for leaders. We have openings
for teachers, crafters, and plenty of assistants.
For more details, contact Pastor Bill.
bhatley@northridgehc.com

VBS at Your House


Times TBD (by you)
Would you like a great strategy for reaching
the kids in your neighborhood with the
gospel of Christ? Can‟t get them to come to
VBS here? Then take VBS home to them!
We have scheduled an Informational Mission VBS
Meeting/Luncheon on Sunday, April 17, Home Suites of Davenport
immediately following the worship service. July 23-26, Evenings
We need you to register for the luncheon so
we have enough food for everyone. You may
Please begin praying about your involvement in this
sign up by e-mailing Pastor Bill.
mission opportunity. We have the chance to minister
bhatley@northridgehc.com to 40+ families who have lost their homes in the
recent financial recession. Volunteers must be at least
16 years old. We will have an informational meeting
after church on Sunday, May, 15.

VBS Training Opportunities


Associational VBS Training NEW DAY
Saturday, March 5, FBC Eagle Lake

VBS Workers, please make every effort to attend this training event. You will be blessed by attending and
behind if you don‟t! See Bill Hatley or Liz Porter for more information.
Eternal Youth
Greetings and Salutations,
As we begin to roll into spring, our youth group is putting the final
touches on the preparations for our summer camp. By the time you read
this we will have finished our rummage sale and strawberry sale. On
behalf of all of our teens, leaders, and myself, I would like to send a
special thank you to all of you who have helped these kids by supporting
our fundraisers and, most importantly, praying for us as we inch closer to
our time of departure.
This past month we have been doing a series called “The Anti-Social
Network” where we have looked at the good and bad that social
networking brings us and tying that into Biblical warnings and truths. The
last week of that series dealt with the topics of YouTube and Temptations. We spoke about the
passage in Matthew 4 where Jesus was led to the wilderness and tempted by Satan. This is a fairly
common story that almost everyone knows, but there is a key point I wanted to share with you this
month.
Satan is a smart adversary. No, I am not giving Satan credit for anything, because I know that we serve
a God that is ALL POWERFULL! What I am saying is that he knows how to get us where we are
weakest. He used three things to try to weaken Jesus: Food, Power, and Immortality. Jesus was in the
wilderness for a long time with no food, and Satan tried to get him to eat. Satan told Jesus he could
rule everything His eyes could see. Satan told Jesus that He could jump from the tallest building
because God would send His angels to save Him. Satan even went as far as quoting Scripture to get
Jesus to Stumble.
Satan is not going to attack us where we are strong, he is going to look for the weakest areas in our life,
and when we are struggling, he is going to strike. And yes, Satan can use Scripture and other Christian
things to make us fall. The message I bring to my students is the same one I leave you with this
month. If you want to make sure that Satan does not find you an easy target, don‟t just read your
Scripture, or listen to someone tell you what God has to say. Follow the advice given in James 1:22
and be a doer of the Word. Yes, read your Bible, but also make it a part of your everyday lives.
Thank you for your prayer and support of our youth group.
Stepping Out In Faith,
Derrick Whiteman
Angel Food Ministries
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-
denominational organization dedicated to providing
food relief and financial support to communities
throughout the United States. Each month, Angel
Food provides a unique menu that consists of both
fresh and frozen items with an average retail value
of approximately $60, yet only costs $31. There are
no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, of
applications needed in order to participate.
Everyone is encouraged to participate. Marty
Jenkins is the Host Site Director for NorthRidge
Church. Orders are taken on Wednesdays from
5:00-6:15 and every Sunday after service,
except for delivery week.
You may also order online by visiting
NorthRidgehc.com
April Sunday services
Birthdays
Sarah Gillispie 2nd
Paula Harrold 2nd Sunday Morning Café -8:45am
Nathaniel Solis 2nd Sunday School -9:20
June Hudson 3rd Worship Service -10:30am
Mathew Del Mazo 4th
Luis Appratto 5th
(also Kids' Church K5-3rd)
Ann Kiker 5th
Patti Garrison-Smith 6th
Marvin Schumacher 6th
Phil Barnes 7th
Sue Whiteman
Caitlin Fetes
7th
8th
Wednesday
5:45-6:45 -Prayer in Sanctuary
Savannah Watts
Lyn Franklin
8th
10th
Evening 6:45-7:45 -Coffee and Bible study
in Fellowship Hall
William Heverly 10th
Sandy Haber 11th Worship
Beni Jean Price 11th
Alexis Amble 12th
Paige Hancock 15th
Jeremiah Cameron 16th
Richard Johnson, Sr 16th
Kristina Mallernee 16th
Tiffany Singleton 16th
Lisa Graffious 17th
Travis Pike 17th
Marilyn Collins 18th
Christopher Francisco 18th
Christa Mattheus 19th
Jason Watts 19th
William Miracle 20th
Edward Nixon 20th
Joy Sims 20th
Kaiden McGuire 21st Church Office
Jim Teske 21st
Grace Brewer 22nd Hours-Monday -Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm. If you need to contact
Hope Fetes 23rd
Marcia Shaw 23rd the Pastor On Call you can at any time by calling the Church
Tom Mallernee 26th Office 863-422-4488 and leaving a message in the “On Call”
David Clement 27th mailbox (ext. 2104) The Pastor that is on call for the week will
Barbara Blaisdell 28th return your call ASAP.
Tom White 29th

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