Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Big Serve
Plans for Big Serve 2010 are underway! It is time to start thinking of ways that your Bible Study class can serve our community. This year's event will be held on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010. Stay tuned to http://www.bigserve.org/ for more details.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Granola bars and Easter Invitations?
Inspired by our church planters in New York and Boston, we are planning three outreaches this week to seize the day and invite people to join us for Easter!
Don't miss these great opportunities!
Tuesday, 6p.m.- The Commission Student Ministry- join our students as they go to Town Center to hand out granola bars and invitations. Meet at the church and leave from there or meet us there shortly after 6pm.
Wednesday, 3p.m.- Everyone interested in going to downtown Norfolk may join us at the church or plan to meet us.
Saturday, tbd- Our Chesapeake Fellowship will be reaching out to sporting events in the area with granola bars and Easter invitations.
For more information about any of these outreach opportunities contact Stephanie Freeman at sfreeman@firstnorfolk.org or call 466-5181.
Don't miss these great opportunities!
Tuesday, 6p.m.- The Commission Student Ministry- join our students as they go to Town Center to hand out granola bars and invitations. Meet at the church and leave from there or meet us there shortly after 6pm.
Wednesday, 3p.m.- Everyone interested in going to downtown Norfolk may join us at the church or plan to meet us.
Saturday, tbd- Our Chesapeake Fellowship will be reaching out to sporting events in the area with granola bars and Easter invitations.
For more information about any of these outreach opportunities contact Stephanie Freeman at sfreeman@firstnorfolk.org or call 466-5181.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
April is the month for training!
We are uber-excited about the opportunities that are coming our way at First Norfolk in the month of April. Training is an essential part of being Missionary Followers of Christ so be sure to take advantage of the following opportunities!
Medical/Dental Missions Luncheon- April 11, 12:30am in the Fellowship Hall- Dr. Bill Prine will be sharing about his experience in Local and International Medical Missions. First Baptist Church Clarksville, Tn. has opened their own medical clinic to help those in need and they have served in Brazil, Ghana, and other regions of the world over the past few years. Dr. Prine will share from what he has learned over the years as well as resources for our church as we seek to Live the Mission. Please RSVP with Karen Tucker by contacting ktucker@firstnorfolk.org or 466-5183.
Live the Mission Training- April 24- training will be provided in the areas of leadership, children's missions, evangelism, and other areas from 10-12a.m. A pre-lab session will be offered on church planting at 9a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP with Karen Tucker by contacting ktucker@firstnorfolk.org or 466-5183.
Be sure to save these dates and let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you live the mission!
Medical/Dental Missions Luncheon- April 11, 12:30am in the Fellowship Hall- Dr. Bill Prine will be sharing about his experience in Local and International Medical Missions. First Baptist Church Clarksville, Tn. has opened their own medical clinic to help those in need and they have served in Brazil, Ghana, and other regions of the world over the past few years. Dr. Prine will share from what he has learned over the years as well as resources for our church as we seek to Live the Mission. Please RSVP with Karen Tucker by contacting ktucker@firstnorfolk.org or 466-5183.
Live the Mission Training- April 24- training will be provided in the areas of leadership, children's missions, evangelism, and other areas from 10-12a.m. A pre-lab session will be offered on church planting at 9a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP with Karen Tucker by contacting ktucker@firstnorfolk.org or 466-5183.
Be sure to save these dates and let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you live the mission!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Upcoming Easter Opportunities!
As Easter draweth nigh, we want to be mindful of opportunities to serve!
While there are constant updates on http://www.bigserve247.org,
I wanted to highlight some ways that we will be seeking to serve over the next two weeks:
Firestations- Many of us awoke this morning to see the large furniture warehouse down the street from the church in flames. This fire was so significant that Virginia Beach Boulevard was closed for much of the morning rush hour. This seems like a great time to express once again how much we appreciate our local fire fighters by taking them a meal this week! We will be looking for sponsors to prepare and deliver meals to our local public servants.
Easter invitations- We are planning to take our Easter cards to gatherings of people on the streets, parks, etc. and deliver Kudos bars as an extra gift!
Block party- We are also hoping to coordinate a block party outreach in an area near the church. More information will be available once we have the location confirmed.
Contact Stephanie Freeman at the Missions office by emailing sfreeman@firstnorfolk.org or calling 466-5181.
Keep living the mission this Easter!
While there are constant updates on http://www.bigserve247.org,
I wanted to highlight some ways that we will be seeking to serve over the next two weeks:
Firestations- Many of us awoke this morning to see the large furniture warehouse down the street from the church in flames. This fire was so significant that Virginia Beach Boulevard was closed for much of the morning rush hour. This seems like a great time to express once again how much we appreciate our local fire fighters by taking them a meal this week! We will be looking for sponsors to prepare and deliver meals to our local public servants.
Easter invitations- We are planning to take our Easter cards to gatherings of people on the streets, parks, etc. and deliver Kudos bars as an extra gift!
Block party- We are also hoping to coordinate a block party outreach in an area near the church. More information will be available once we have the location confirmed.
Contact Stephanie Freeman at the Missions office by emailing sfreeman@firstnorfolk.org or calling 466-5181.
Keep living the mission this Easter!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Mosaic Church Plant Opportunity!
Mosaic Hampton Roads
Please come join us Sunday, March 21 @ 325 Granby Street after our
service (approx. 1pm) for a prayer walk around TR Dance Studio
(our place of worship) We will also be handing out GPS/Information
packets at this time. For more information please contact Renee at 971-2578 or
mosaichamptonroads@cox.net .
Please come join us Sunday, March 21 @ 325 Granby Street after our
service (approx. 1pm) for a prayer walk around TR Dance Studio
(our place of worship) We will also be handing out GPS/Information
packets at this time. For more information please contact Renee at 971-2578 or
mosaichamptonroads@cox.net .
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Joy in the Journey Gathering on Easter Sunday
Raise Up 2010 - Easter Prayer Service
A special prayer service for the globally hurting will be taking place at sunrise on Easter morning, being coordinated by church member Adam Cole and the organization Join the Journey. The event is meant to lift up the needs of places like Haiti and Chile while celebrating His resurrection. Details: 6:30 a.m. at Lafayette Park (38th and Granby - next to zoo), April 4; participants are encouraged to bring relief supplies for Haiti. For info, contact Adam Cole at 757-331-0188 or adam@jointhejourney.cc.
A special prayer service for the globally hurting will be taking place at sunrise on Easter morning, being coordinated by church member Adam Cole and the organization Join the Journey. The event is meant to lift up the needs of places like Haiti and Chile while celebrating His resurrection. Details: 6:30 a.m. at Lafayette Park (38th and Granby - next to zoo), April 4; participants are encouraged to bring relief supplies for Haiti. For info, contact Adam Cole at 757-331-0188 or adam@jointhejourney.cc.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Update from an ESL Opportunity
I have been wanting to share Sandy's story with all of you and she just emailed it to me. Please continue to pray for her as she seeks to serve.
How did I start a ministry of ESL to 2 Chinese internationals? I guess I would say it first began by my lack of obedience to former opportunities. I was asked before, yet it seemed there was always "more time". We're busy, so we'll do it later. Then those individuals moved out of my life and that opportunity was lost.
Recently a Chinese coworker, I'll call her Sing, came to Norfolk, Va Christmas of 2009. She started working in January and I was charged to help get her started. My heart goes out to internationals....that has been a pattern for years. I can relate to feeling like an "outsider" and want to make them welcome. My other coworker, also from China, came before me, March of 2009. We had worked through communication, work styles and as lab manager, I sought to have him excel, helped with his English informally.
Just last week, we met for the first time to do 3 things. First, I had been asked to teach them how to use an oven...they stir fry. (I was also asked to do this before with other Chinese and never did it). So, I brought a 5lb bag of chicken quarters, jar of BBQ sauce, garlic and honey. We prepped the chicken in Sing's modest kitchen, the guy, call him Mao, cleaved the chicken. As I explained source of honey, we made honey garlic chicken, the other 1/2 to be BBQ.
While it cooked, we started to study. I prayed, "Oh God, help me. I 've had a full week, I want to obey you, please use this window of time. I'm not sure where to start." Craig loaned me a book of ESL in the Gospel of Mark....so I also printed first chapter of Mark for them and copy of first lesson.
Before I even started, Mao asked me, "Is it true that woman was made from the rib of man?' Then he asked about Jesus being God and man, the virgin birth, and Satan. Whew! I answered the best that I could and treasured their openness.
I barely got through Mark 1:1-15. We discussed baptism and John the Baptist (who ate honey, like that on the baking chicken). It was pretty cool how it all connected. After an hour, it was time to eat and gather my 15 yr old son who was playing video games and talking with Sing's 11 yr old son, "Joe".
We had a delightful dinner and continued speaking around the table. My son, David, even tried using chopsticks. I also had baked a simple cake and brought an empty box and frosting to show how it was made. Next time we will prepare it "live".
I left thinking that I did not present the entire gospel plan, yet God led me. I am seeking how to do this again. The time (at lunch or after work) will probably be best on another weekend. I was blessed in many ways. I know God will open up more opportunities. I am convinced that I need to LISTEN to His still, small voice before it is easily drowned out by the busyness of life (if I allow it).
I'm amazed that God can use me.
How did I start a ministry of ESL to 2 Chinese internationals? I guess I would say it first began by my lack of obedience to former opportunities. I was asked before, yet it seemed there was always "more time". We're busy, so we'll do it later. Then those individuals moved out of my life and that opportunity was lost.
Recently a Chinese coworker, I'll call her Sing, came to Norfolk, Va Christmas of 2009. She started working in January and I was charged to help get her started. My heart goes out to internationals....that has been a pattern for years. I can relate to feeling like an "outsider" and want to make them welcome. My other coworker, also from China, came before me, March of 2009. We had worked through communication, work styles and as lab manager, I sought to have him excel, helped with his English informally.
Just last week, we met for the first time to do 3 things. First, I had been asked to teach them how to use an oven...they stir fry. (I was also asked to do this before with other Chinese and never did it). So, I brought a 5lb bag of chicken quarters, jar of BBQ sauce, garlic and honey. We prepped the chicken in Sing's modest kitchen, the guy, call him Mao, cleaved the chicken. As I explained source of honey, we made honey garlic chicken, the other 1/2 to be BBQ.
While it cooked, we started to study. I prayed, "Oh God, help me. I 've had a full week, I want to obey you, please use this window of time. I'm not sure where to start." Craig loaned me a book of ESL in the Gospel of Mark....so I also printed first chapter of Mark for them and copy of first lesson.
Before I even started, Mao asked me, "Is it true that woman was made from the rib of man?' Then he asked about Jesus being God and man, the virgin birth, and Satan. Whew! I answered the best that I could and treasured their openness.
I barely got through Mark 1:1-15. We discussed baptism and John the Baptist (who ate honey, like that on the baking chicken). It was pretty cool how it all connected. After an hour, it was time to eat and gather my 15 yr old son who was playing video games and talking with Sing's 11 yr old son, "Joe".
We had a delightful dinner and continued speaking around the table. My son, David, even tried using chopsticks. I also had baked a simple cake and brought an empty box and frosting to show how it was made. Next time we will prepare it "live".
I left thinking that I did not present the entire gospel plan, yet God led me. I am seeking how to do this again. The time (at lunch or after work) will probably be best on another weekend. I was blessed in many ways. I know God will open up more opportunities. I am convinced that I need to LISTEN to His still, small voice before it is easily drowned out by the busyness of life (if I allow it).
I'm amazed that God can use me.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Coronado School update
Many champion the theme of separation of church and state to such an extent that they do not believe that Christians should participate in political discussion. I am proud to share that two of our women participated last night in a school board meeting to speak on behalf of the Coronado School for pregnant and mothering young women. In addition to those who shared, two others were present to support and pray for those speaking. The results remain to be seen as another member of our church plans to speak again next week.
If you were not aware of the impending cuts to this program that our church has worked with for over two years, read this link and others that are on the pilot's website:
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/crowd-decries-norfolk-schools-plan-cut-jobs
Keep praying for the Coronado School,
Craig
If you were not aware of the impending cuts to this program that our church has worked with for over two years, read this link and others that are on the pilot's website:
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/crowd-decries-norfolk-schools-plan-cut-jobs
Keep praying for the Coronado School,
Craig
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