Zonegathering.com was launched in March 2005 at the whim of zone leader Nathan Gonzales. Heather Zempel quickly jumped on board and a gathering place for ongoing training, information and idea sharing, and Biblical study was created. The site experienced periods of great success (think Redskins Study Guide) and times of lesser success (think Friday Scorecards). However, in the past few months, it seems that Zonegathering has been less and less of a viable vehicle for providing information, building community, and training leaders. In fact, it’s been on life support for quite a while.

So, today we pull the plug. This is the last post. And we bury zonegathering.com. Rest in Peace.

In Fall 2009, we will be launching a new site for leaders that will contain training videos, leadership development training, articles to help you lead, and recommendations for curriculum.

In the meantime, check out the following:

www.theaterchurch.com- for information related to National Community Church

www.discipleshipgroups.blogspot.com- Pastor Heather’s leadership/small group blog

www.smallgroupexchange.com- for small group leadership articles, training videos, and resources

Malawi Night - Welcome to the Warm Heart of Africa! You’re invited to experience a slice of what God is doing in Malawi. The recent missions team will share highlights and insights from our recent trip. Come for sights, sounds, flavors and displays of the work we witnessed with our beautiful friends in Malawi. We will meet on Friday, January 16th in the lower level of Ebenezers at 201 F Street NE.

Job Opportunity - We are looking for an Office Assistant to work full-time in our offices starting immediately. If interested, please send your resume and or questions.

NCC Bilingual - If you know Spanish (or if you want to learn English) and if you want to worship God in both languages, come check out NCC’s Bilingual service! Each Sunday in Theater #3 at Ballston we meet for our bilingual service at 10:30am. We are looking to get more people involved with this outreach to the Spanish speaking community in Arlington. Contact Dairo with questions.

Live at Ebenezers - John Francis and Phil Minissale will be in concert at Ebenezers on Friday, January 23 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10.

Dominican Missions Trip - The Dominican Team leaves January 18th through 24th. A Commission Ceremony will be held during the 5pm service at Ebenezers on Saturday, January 17th. The team will teach Bible school and literacy outreach and help reconstruct facilities damaged by hurricanes. Please pray for the team as they are sent out to serve and bless others!

Baseball & Soccer Equipment Needs - The Dominican Team will be working with youth and would like to bless them with balls, bats, gloves, socks, whistles, and any other related athletic equipment. If you would like to donate, please bring to the Commission Ceremony or contact Sharon Simon via email or phone at 571-294-7867.

Jordan Missions Trip - If you are interested in hearing more about the trip to Jordan from July 31 through August 9, join us on Sunday, January 11th at 1pm in the upstairs office area of 201 F Street NE for more details.

Kingstowne Pre-Launch Meetings - The Kingstowne pre-launch meetings begin Sunday, January 18th. If you are interested in being a part of the launch team, come out to Kingstowne 16 Movie Theater next Sunday for our first pre-launch meeting at 8:15am. After the meeting we will go out for a celebration/commitment lunch. Contact Pastor Chris with any questions.

Trinidad Missions Trip - The Trinidad missions trip commitment meeting is on Sunday, January 11th at 2pm in the basement of 205 F Street NE. If you are interested in going on the Trinidad mission trip from June 6-13th, please come to the meeting. Contact Pastor Chris with any questions.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Prayer Requests - We would love to stand with you in prayer! If you have a need, please email your request to our prayer team or fill out a connection card.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - This week each campus pastor continued with their own message in the Prison series.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week Pastor Mark will continue the series, Prison.

Live message:

5pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
9am at Union Station on Sunday
10:30am at Ballston on Sunday

Video message:

6:30pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
10am at Georgetown on Sunday
10:15 and 11:30am at Union Station on Sunday

Malawi Night - Welcome to the Warm Heart of Africa! You’re invited to experience a slice of what God is doing in Malawi. The recent missions team will share highlights and insights from our recent trip. Come for sights, sounds, flavors and displays of the work we witnessed with our beautiful friends in Malawi. We will meet on Friday, January 16th in the lower level of Ebenezers at 201 F Street NE.

Job Opportunity - We are looking for an Office Assistant to work full-time in our offices starting immediately. If interested, please send your resume and or questions.

NCC Bilingual - If you know Spanish (or if you want to learn English) and if you want to worship God in both languages, come check out NCC’s Bilingual service! Each Sunday in Theater #3 at Ballston we meet for our bilingual service at 10:30am. We are looking to get more people involved with this outreach to the Spanish speaking community in Arlington. Contact Dairo with questions.

Calling All Musicians! - You’ve got talent. You are created to worship. NCC has a perfect place for you to serve on the worship team! NCC worship teams are looking to incorporate new guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, vocalists, etc. It’s time for you and your instruments to get plugged in! Contact Steph for more information and to schedule an audition.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Prayer Requests - We would love to stand with you in prayer! If you have a need, please email your request to our prayer team or fill out a connection card.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - This week Pastor Heather kicked off the new series Prison.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week we will continue the series, Prison.

Do modern Christians still believe with the same fervor as in the past all those unyielding doctrines of eternal damnation for the unbaptised and unconverted? They sure don’t act as if they do. If they really were convinced that their friends, co-workers, neighbors, and in-laws were going to hell because they possessed the wrong or no religious belief, I would think that the knowledge would be unbearable. Christians surely see that most of their wrong-believing personal acquaintances are just as moral and deserving as themselves. How, then, do they live with the knowledge that their friends and loved ones face an eternity of torment? I would expect a frenzy of proselytizing, by word or by sword.

In previous centuries, when religion had the upper hand, religious differences meant more. But ours is a world dominated by the secular values of tolerance and equality. Either believers live with an extraordinary degree of cognitive dissonance between the inclusive values of their society and the dictates of their religion, or they unconsciously mitigate those bloody-minded dictates as atavistic vestiges from a more primitive time.

I wonder which it is.

This was of course addressed more humorously on Seinfeld when Elaine got angry with her boyfriend who believed she was destined for hell but wasn’t trying to convert her.

But the question is: do we not take evangelism seriously enough?

2008 Giving - This weekend, December 27 and 28, will be your last opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution for 2008. To make certain that your donation appears on your 2008 giving statement, your donation can be put in the offering through December 28 or you may give on the website until 11:59 on December 31. Any donation that is postmarked or dropped off at the church office after December 31, 2008 will be applied to giving for 2009, regardless of the check’s date.

Holiday Service & Office Schedule - Next weekend, January 3 and 4, all locations and children’s programs will meet at their normal times. The church office will be closed December 31 - January 1.

Calling All Musicians! - You’ve got talent. You are created to worship. NCC has a perfect place for you to serve on the worship team! NCC worship teams are looking to incorporate new guitarists, keyboardists, drummers, vocalists, etc. It’s time for you and your instruments to get plugged in! Contact Steph for more information and to schedule an audition.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Prayer Requests - We would love to stand with you in prayer! If you have a need, please email your request to our prayer team or fill out a connection card.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - This week Pastor Mark shared a message.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week Pastor Heather will kick off a new series.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am on Sunday at Union Statoin
10am on Sunday at Georgetown

Video message at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston
10:15am & 11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14, NIV)

The angels rendered their praise to the Lord so simply, yet so beautifully. They gave glory to God and prayed for peace for mankind. They acknowledged that mankind was favored by God, understanding that man was created in God’s own image (Gen. 1:26-27). Indeed, Jesus Christ embodied the perfection of God’s likeness in mankind. He was, and is and remains, the only one who has every perfectly reflected God’s holiness and glory. In the book of Revelation, we hear praises that the multitudes will sing when Jesus comes again - “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!…To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev. 5:12-13, NIV).

In his gospel, Luke also records another song of praise in connection with the birth of Jesus. Mary, His mother, sings the following praise to God when learning that she will bear His Son. The “magnificant,” as it has come to be known, is one of the most beautiful and most jubilant praises recorded in all of Scripture, and it can be found in Luke 1:46-55:

And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and His descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

Mary could have freaked out by the news that she was to conceive a child out of wedlock. She could have fought God and tried to control her own life. But Mary’s submission to God’s will was obedient and complete. She knew of and attested to God’s faithfulness, His wisdom, and His great mercy. Her “song” of praise is a testament to her servant heart…and her tremendous joy that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah.

After Jesus was born, He was taken to the temple and presented to the Lord (His baby dedication, if you will). While He was in the temple, a man named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and prophesied over the child: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 3:29-32, NIV).

Simeon’s prophetic prayer reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas: we are sinners who need a Savior, and God redeemed lost humanity by sending His perfect and holy Son in human form to provide for our salvation. Jesus was born to die, true, but His life on this earth means so much more. He came to bring us peace. He came to bring us hope. And in His own words, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)

As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget to take time to thank God for His gift of salvation, His gift of peace and of love and of hope. And of abundant and everlasting life.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Last week, we talked about how prayer is important for helping us discern where forgiveness is needed. This week, we’re going to look at how prayer is an essential part of the process of forgiveness.

I can think of situations where I’ve been hurt or wronged, and I say I have forgiven someone. It often means keeping it to myself or offering a flippant “Ah, it’s ok. Don’t worry about it.” But my lingering thoughts tell a different story. I will often think about that situation over and over, perhaps imagining situations or conversations where I get my revenge. It’s almost addicting. What happens when we obsess over these things? What is the cost? What else could that mental energy have been used for? It is an evil thing when our thoughts are hijacked this way. It prevents us from thriving and being free. That is why Paul wrote, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26) You are either a broken or useless tool to God if you are in a state of un-forgiveness.

It works both ways. Joseph knew this. He tells his brothers not to be “distressed.” (Genesis 45:5) According to the original Hebrew, the word distress means “to bind, tie up, restrict.” If we carry with us a belief that we are un-forgiven it prevents us from thriving the way God intends.

Forgiveness is what frees us. But there is a danger in looking at scriptures that depict forgiveness as a single episode and think that forgiveness is simply requested, granted, and then tears are shed. Case closed. Next chapter please. Forgiveness is not a one-shot deal. Forgiveness is a painful decision and a process that requires prayer.

When God appears to Solomon, He tells him that “if my people […] humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

It’s easy to take it for granted, but Jesus modeled it. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” When I realize I need to forgive, I turn to prayer. And it does not stop with one prayer episode. Over and over, we might have to humble ourselves and pray for our hearts to forgive. Over an over, we might have to pray for blessings for those that hurt or wronged us.

Look at the following scenes:

Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4)

Then [Joseph] threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And [Joseph] kissed all his brothers and wept over them. (Genesis 45:14-15)

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

Weeping (or the welling up of compassion) goes hand in hand with these forgiveness scenes. These are joyful tears that come at the end of a long process. It humbles both the forgiver and the forgiven. It indicates mutual vulnerability.

Maybe this is a stretch, but these tears are prayer experiences, or at least the fruit of prayer. I imagine, these outward expressions of forgiveness and reconciliation (arguably a separate process) did not happen in that moment but required God working in each person’s heart. It must have been a long road. Esau must have stewed. Joseph must’ve tossed and turned during sleepless nights. The Prodigal Son and his father must’ve wept. I can’t point to the scriptures where the forgivers prayed for the strength to forgive or the forgiven prayed for forgiveness, but I am all but certain they decided to pray those prayers for God to free them from those grudges and that guilt.

The benefits of forgiveness prayers and tears are as clear as the difficulty. Forgiveness draws us closer. It can result in reconciliation, like the biblical scenes above. Notice how these scenes include an embrace. Forgiveness, heals us. (Psalm 103) But here’s the best part. Look at Genesis 33:10. After he is forgiven, Jacob says that seeing Esau’s face “is like seeing the face of God.” Isn’t that amazing?! We can see God in forgiveness because it’s essential to who He is. It’s essential to the faith we try to live out. I imagine God wept when He forgave us.

Sources:
The Holy Bible. (NIV, NRSV)
Journey: The Discipleship Field Manual. By Heather Zempel
Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis.
Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.
Nooma: Luggage. Rob Bell
Matt Haggerty
Dennis Bourne
Rev. Marty Cramer

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

Live Nativity Volunteers - Llamas…and donkeys…and wise men…oh my! Calling all NCCers! We need a few good men and a few good women to be a part of this year’s holiday event: The Live Nativity on December 13 from 4-7pm. We need volunteers in hospitalilty, characters, choir, construction, and marketing for the big event. If you are interested in helping, please email Jason and indicate in which area you are interested in volunteering.

Trinidad Mission Trip - Join us for an informational meeting about our upcoming mission trip to Trinidad on June 13-19. We will meet on Sunday, December 14 at 2pm at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. Please contact Pastor Chris or call 202-544-0414 ext 114 with any questions.

Kenya Mission Trip - Join us for an informational meeting about our upcoming mission trip to Kenya in May 2009. We will meet on Sunday, December 14 at 5pm in the lower level of 205 F Street. Please contact Michael Florence.

Coat and Winter Item Drive - In December we will be collecting coats (new and slightly used) as well as other winter items (gloves, hats, scarves, blankets) for the homeless community. We will start gathering items at all of our services from December 1 through January. Please consider donating or purchasing an item to help those who are in need this winter season. If you have any questions or want to help in any other way, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Holiday Service & Office Schedule - We will only meet at 5pm at Ebenezers on Saturday, December 20; Wednesday, Christmas Eve (December 24); and Saturday, December 27. Union Station will only meet at 9am on Sunday, December 21; and Sunday, December 28. Ballston and Georgetown will continue to meet at their normal times. On New Year’s weekend, January 3 and 4, all locations will meet at their normal times. The office will be closed December 24-26 and December 31-January 1.

Christmas Book Special - Still looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for your friends and family? Pastor Mark is offering two books for the price of one ($10)! Visit a hospitality table to snatch up this Christmas special!

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Prayer Requests - If you would like the Prayer Team to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - This week Pastor Heatontinued with the Christmas series, The Gift.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week Pastor Mark will continue The Gift series.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am on Sunday at Union Statoin
10am on Sunday at Georgetown

Video message at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston
10:15am & 11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong. (Mahatma Gandhi)

The Bible has many moving examples of forgiveness. Esau forgives Jacob. Joseph forgives his brothers. A father forgives his prodigal son. Jesus forgives his persecutors. God forgives us. Forgiveness is the way Christians thrive. It is the path to freedom, and it is one of the things that should distinguish us as Christians (Luke 6). Though most of us reading this probably would agree on how important forgiveness is, I have two questions. Is the need for forgiveness always clear? And can we forgive once and for all—in one fell swoop? My experience leads me to answer, “No,” to both questions. Forgiveness is often needed when we don’t recognize it and for situations we might think trite. Also, it’s a process—often a very difficult process. Knowing this leads me to believe that prayer is essential for forgiveness.

In the next two Bible Drills, we’re going to look at forgiveness and the role of prayer in forgiveness. This week, we’ll look at how prayer is required in helping us discern where forgiveness is needed. Next week, we’ll look at how prayer brings us through the difficult work of forgiveness.

Finding Forgiveness.

The Psalmist asked, “Who can discern his errors?” and then pleads, “Forgive my hidden faults.” (19:12). The need for forgiveness can be difficult to see in ourselves or others. We often reduce forgiveness to situations as obvious as abuse, betrayal, or adultery, but deny its need in seemingly insignificant situations. It might be a matter of perspective. I recently began praying this verse:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

That prayer led me in some interesting directions, one of which began an exploration into my need for forgiveness. For instance, teasing. Teasing is a sensitive subject for me. For some reason, I seemed to have internalized the teasing I received as a child, no matter how benevolent or malignant its intent. It resulted in an unacknowledged pain that I carried. I had never considered that area of my life as needing forgiveness before praying.

Once I acknowledged the need, I was able to discuss it with someone close to me, someone who sometimes teased me as a child. We realized what a disconnect there was. My friend never meant me harm and thought I understood the teasing in the context of love. From my friend’s perspective, forgiveness was not remotely needed. I told my friend that I realized that I had carried that teasing with me for years without addressing it or even acknowledging that I harbored pain and a grudge. Without having prayer to identify where forgiveness was needed I never would have been able to address this.

I think it’s an evil ploy to get us to believe that forgiveness is only for the “big things” and for the things that happened to us recently. But finding forgiveness for something—no matter how small it is or how long ago it happened—is necessary in many more areas of our lives. Could it be disappointment from someone not taking notice of something important to you? Could it be as “simple” as someone not showing up to a small group meeting that you had prepared with them in mind? Could it be a passing comment that wasn’t meant harmfully but was received as harmful?

Whatever it might be, answering these questions and getting to the process of forgiving is important if we as Christians want to thrive and want our community to thrive. The Psalmist says that God “forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (103:3). When he forgives his brothers, Joseph tells his brothers not to be “distressed” or “dismayed”, words that connote bondage, restriction of freedom, and fear (Genesis 45:5). On the contrary, forgiveness frees us from fear and guilt (Psalm 118:5). But none of this can happen for us without prayer.

Next week, we’ll look at Forgiveness Tears.

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

Prayer Requests - If you would like the Prayer Team to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

Kingstowne Launch Meeting - If you are interested in being a part of the launch of NCC’s fifth location in Kingstowne, Virginia, there will be an informational meeting at Uno’s Pizzeria in Kingstowne on Sunday, December 7, at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending this meeting, RSVP by December 4 by contacting Pastor Chris.

“Girl” - Out of the Sex Trade In Thailand. NCC presents an afternoon of open-house, award-winning photography by Jimi Allen and short film of the transforming power of women freed from the sex trade. Learn more about the issue and tangible ways NCC is trying to make a difference in the lives of many in desperate need around the world through the aone:eight initiative. The short film will be shown every 45 minutes at Ebenezers Coffeehouse on Sunday, December 7 between 1-5pm. This event is free.

Live Nativity Volunteers - Llamas…and donkeys…and wise men…oh my! Calling all NCCers! We need a few good men and a few good women to be a part of this year’s holiday event: The Live Nativity on December 13 from 4-7pm. We need volunteers in hospitalilty, characters, choir, construction, and marketing for the big event. If you are interested in helping, please email Jason and indicate in which area you are interested in volunteering.

Trinidad Mission Trip - Join us for an informational meeting about our upcoming mission trip to Trinidad on June 13-19. We will meet on Sunday, December 14 at 2pm at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. Please contact Pastor Chris or call 202-544-0414 ext 114 with any questions.

Coat and Winter Item Drive - In December we will be collecting coats (new and slightly used) as well as other winter items (gloves, hats, scarves, blankets) for the homeless community. We will start gathering items at all of our services from December 1 through January. Please consider donating or purchasing an item to help those who are in need this winter season. If you have any questions or want to help in any other way, please contact Sarah Shapack.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - This week Pastor Mark began the new series, The Gift.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week Pastor Heather will continue the new series, The Gift.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am and 10:15am on Sunday at Union Statoin

Video message at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10:00am on Sunday at Georgetown
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston
11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

Heidi Scanlon shared this from Georgetown:

We learned last night from Father Tom Murphy that Christ Church really needs 2 single guys to spend the night at their church on Thanksgiving night with the people who are staying in the roving shelter. Can you all think of any single guys that might be able to do this? I think they could arrive at Christ Church by around 9:00 pm that night.

Please let us know if you can help-
You can email me at will.johnston@theaterchurch.com!

It is the simplest of prayers and therefore this leadership lesson is simple. We are focusing on just two words: “Thank you.” And although simple, “thank you” is a powerful prayer, loaded with gratitude, honor, and appreciation.

Saying “thank you” to God is a way of genuinely praising Him for who He is, for what He has done, and for what He is going to do. Saying “thank you” to God is a way of setting aside our needs, wants, and desires and focusing our attention simply on Him.

Although there are hundreds of scriptures demonstrating people giving thanks to God, you don’t need to pray them in order to give thanks to God; all you simply have to do is say, “Thank you, God, for ________.”

For some, finding that blank might be an easy waterfall of blessings that continue to come to mind; for others finding that blank might initially be a struggle. If finding things you are grateful for is a challenge or if you want to focus on some new things to be thankful for, here are some tips.

* Take a look around you and find 3 things you are grateful for. If you are reading this - you have electricity, internet connection, and the ability to read - maybe you could thank God for these 3 things.

* Start our narrow and widen your scope - what are you thankful for in the location you are in right now (your office, home, airport, coffee shop, etc.), then move onto a broader location - your local community, state, nation, world.

* Identify 5 people in your life you are grateful for and tell God why.

* Go through your e-mail box and thank God for 5 people, customers/clients, co-workers, and/or challenges from the week.

* Look out your window and identify 5 things that you are thankful for.

* Go through the alphabet and identify something you are grateful for from A-Z.

Once you identify a few, you will be amazed at how many more things will come to mind.

We learned last night from Father Tom Murphy that Christ Church really needs 2 single guys to spend the night at their church on Thanksgiving night with the people who are staying in the roving shelter. Can you all think of any single guys that might be able to do this? I think they could arrive at Christ Church by around 9:00 pm that night.

Please let us know if you can help-
You can email Will at will.johnston@theaterchurch.com!

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

Thanksgiving Service - Start the holidays by celebrating Thanksgiving with us on November 27 at Ebenezers. The hour-long Thanksgiving service will be at 10am.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule - Please note that the 6:30pm service at Ebenezers is canceled for Saturday, Novermber 29. All other services during the November 29 & 30 holiday weekend will take place at their normally scheduled times and locations. Please also note that the church office will be closed on November 27 & 28 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Prayer Requests - If you would like the Prayer Team to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

Kingstowne Launch Meeting - If you are interested in being a part of the launch of NCC’s fifth location in Kingstowne, Virginia, there will be an informational meeting at Uno’s Pizzeria in Kingstowne on Sunday, December 7, at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending this meeting, RSVP by December 4 by contacting Pastor Chris.

Live Nativity Volunteers - Llamas…and donkeys…and wise men…oh my! Calling all NCCers! We need a few good men and a few good women to be a part of this year’s holiday event: The Live Nativity on December 13 from 4-7pm. We need volunteers in hospitalilty, characters, choir, construction, and marketing for the big event. If you are interested in helping, please email Jason and indicate in which area you are interested in volunteering.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - Special guest, Margaret Feinberg, shared the message.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week Pastor Mark will begin the new series, The Gift.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am on Sunday at Union Statoin
10:00am on Sunday at Georgetown

Video message at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston
10:15am & 11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

LEADERSHIP RETREAT … IS … COMING!!!

On January 30-31, 2009, NCC leaders will dream of greater things for their lives, their church, their city, and their world.

I can’t say too much about it right now, but this picture from our recent zone leader/team leader brainstorming and strategic planning retreat might provide some clues. Let’s just say there are Greater Things in store for NCC in 2009. And greater things in store for this year’s leadership retreat.

Registration opens today. Be among the first 20 to register and you’ll get priority seating at the retreat. Okay, that’s not true. But space is limited, so hurry up. And don’t forget to sign up those kiddos (childcare is available) and let us know all your quirky dietary restrictions.

Greater Things are still to be done. I can’t wait. Neither should you. Go register now.

As we looked at a wall filled with post-its capturing our personal and corporate “wins” for 2008 (as well as post-its identifying some potential problem areas/pitfalls), John encouraged us to think of each of them as psalms. And they really are…psalms of praise and prayers for help.

When I read through the book of Psalms, I cannot help but smile and shake my head…I can relate with the psalmist. David, who wrote a fair number of the psalms in the book, was all over the place in his emotional and spiritual life. He wrote psalms of great rejoicing and celebration, but he also wrote gut-wrenching psalms that cry out to God for forgiveness, deliverance, and help. I love how Halley’s Bible Handbook puts it: “In the Psalms the real character of David is portrayed. And in the Psalms God’s people generally see a pretty fair picture of themselves, of their struggles, their sins, their sorrows, their aspirations, their joys, their failures, and their victories.”

Below is sampling of psalms of praise and prayers for help, forgiveness and deliverance:

Psalms of Rejoicing/Celebration
Psalm 8
Psalm 18
Psalm 66
Psalm 95-100
Psalm 136

Psalms of Repentance/Pleas for Forgiveness
Psalm 32
Psalm 38
Psalm 39
Psalm 51
Psalm 88
Psalm 130
Psalm 143

Psalms/Pleas for Deliverance
Psalm 3-5
Psalm 13
Psalm 54

As we wind down this year and think about our wins, let us give praise to God and glorify Him. Let us also take stock of where we have fallen short and give that to God as well.

God on Broadway is a musical revue created by yours truly which illustrates a spiritual journey through songs and monologues from popular Broadway shows, including Mamma Mia, The Glass Menagerie, West Side Story, Dreamgirls, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Jekyll and Hyde, and many more! And best of all, it’s free!

Our widely talented cast includes Genevieve Williams, Bekah Kitterman, Lisa Overman, Jana Hoisington, Megan Rogendorff, Sarah Chilcote, Larry Driver, Cameron Crawford, Jim Richardson, and myself (don’t worry, I only do monologues, I don’t sing). Jen Barrie is the director, Sarah Chilcote is the music director, and Gena Romano did the graphic design (see below).

Trust me, you don’t want to miss seeing and hearing this talented crew. Join us at Ebenezers Coffeehouse:

8:30pm on Saturday, Nov. 22nd
6:00pm on Sunday, Nov. 23rd

Another openin’, another show…..

This is a great opportunity to bless children all over the world with a gift and hope in Christ.
For those of you who received/took boxes home with you- please refer to the instructions below:

The Deadline for turning in these packed boxes to the offices 205 F. St. is NOVEMBER 21st!
You may also drop them this weekend at your service locations as a secondary option.

Here is a link to the how-to pack a box instructions. Please follow them carefully: Operation Christmas Child

And if you needed another reason to motivate you to do this with your group or merely yourself…

Pastor Joel preached a good sermon on fasting during the “How” series in February 2008. Here are a few notes on fasting from that sermon, followed by biblical examples of the relationship between fasting and prayer.

Fasting is one way of saying that food and our desires are secondary to seeking God. Fasting involves denying our wants and desires. The purpose of fasting is not to diet or to get God to do what we want. Isaiah 58:3-10 provides God’s perspective on fasting:

“Why have we fasted and Thou dost not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?” Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, and drive hard all your workers. Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed, and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer. You will cry, and He will say, “Here I am.”

We fast and pray to “make our voice heard on high.” We fast and pray to have a heart like God’s, which cares deeply for the oppressed and desires to see the captive set free.

Prayer and fasting are good disciplines for helping us break a cycle or pattern of sin (1 Cor. 6:12). Fasting shows a desperation of our heart (Jer. 29:13). Fasting minimizes other distractions and noises until they are silent and all we hear is God’s voice.

In the Bible, individuals and groups fasted and prayed for a variety of reasons. The church at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:3). Upon hearing about the distress of the remnant of Jews and the broken city wall of Jerusalem, Nehemiah fasted and prayed (Neh. 1:4). Daniel sought the Lord with prayer and fasting, coupling these disciplines with the confession of personal and corporate sin (Dan. 9:3-19). The apostles fasted and prayed before appointing church elders (Acts 14:23). Anna, a widow who lived and served in the temple (and was a figure in the dedication of Christ), fasted and prayed regularly (Luke 2:37). David humbled his soul with prayer and fasting (Psalm 35:13).

As you have seen, the Bible provides us with a lot guidance on praying. It also shows us that coupling fasting with prayer can help guide us in times of decision and confession and can help us develop a heart like God’s. Andrew Murray said that “Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything – to sacrifice ourselves – to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”

Here are a few simple guidelines for fasting:

1. Identify what you are seeking from God (goals, dreams, directions).
2. Make your commitment. What is the amount of time you are going to fast? What are you going to fast? What are you going to add? (prayer, outreach, Bible study, etc.)
3. Create a schedule.
4. Keep a journal.
5. Fast in community. (Benefits of fasting in community include accountability, unity, and richness in learning.)

Bifröst Arts is a non-profit organization formed to create worship music to enrich the church and to engage the world with beauty and truth.  To that end, Bifröst recorded an anthology of ancient liturgical and modern hymns with new tunes and new arrangements titled Come O Spirit! and featuring artists like Sufjan Stevens, David Bazan, Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas, Leigh Nash, Trent Dabbs, Kate York and Denison Witmer.

To generate grass-roots support for the project, the creative director, Isaac Wardell, and other musicians will lead a “Hymnsing” in NW DC at the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday 13 November 2008.

Admission is free, so bring a friend to hear songs from the first Bifröst CD, and to learn and sing some hymns together.  The evening ends with celebration of the Eucharist.  For more information or for promotional materials, please contact Fr. Sammy Wood (or662.715.9022) or visit Bifröst Arts’ MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/bifrostarts).  For directions to the Hymnsing @ 1217 Massachusetts Ave. NW, visit the parish website at http://www.ascensionandsaintagnes.org.

We are hosting this event because we want to:

• See Jesus’ name praised

• Build connections among any and all churches in the Metro DC area

• Throw open our doors to our neighbors and this city that God loves, welcoming them into our lives and engaging them with the best art we can muster

• Support Bifröst Arts, an organization striving to make sacred music that is commercially viable in the secular marketplace

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

In-Service Thanksgiving Dinner - “Gobble Gobble!” Please join us in ’stuffing’ the less fortunate among us this Thanksgiving! Our annual ‘In-Service Feast’ is on Sunday, November 23rd, and we need your help to cook, serve, clean, entertain and give thanks with us as we celebrate God’s blessings and His call to be blessings unto others. For more information, please email Kellan.

Thanksgiving Service - Start the holidays by celebrating Thanksgiving with us on November 27 at Ebenezers. The hour-long Thanksgiving service will be at 10am.

Ethiopia Mission Trip - A team of NCCers will be traveling to Ethiopia in March 2009. If you are interested in participating, please come to an informational meetingn on Sunday, November 9 from 5-6pm at 205 F Street before Catacombs. For more information email John.

Prayer Requests - If you would like the Prayer Team to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

Young Life NW DC Fundraiser - Join us for a night of music with national touring artist Justin McRoberts on Friday, 11/21 at 8pm at Ebenezers and support Young Life NW DC. Tickets $10 in advance/$12 door/$8 students. Check out Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse for more information.

Ebenezers Concerts - Join us for two great acoustic shows this week: Joanne Minty on November 13 at 7:30pm & An Evening With TWLOHA with music by Joshua Moore on November 14 at 7:30pm.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - Pastor Mark spoke about the “Historical Elephant” to conclude The Elephant in the Church series.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week our very special guest, Dr. Dick Foth, will share a message with us.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am on Sunday at Union Statoin
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston

Video message at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10am on Sunday at Georgetown
10:15 & 11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

Paul’s Teaching on Prayer

In addition to being a man who prayed for those he discipled, Paul offers much wisdom in his writings on the subject of prayer itself.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:6-7, NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior… (1 Timothy 2:1-3, NIV)

Paul’s Prayers and Praises

This is not an exhaustive list of the prayers Paul prayed, but you will see that he prayed for people’s salvation, spiritual growth, and protection from evil/sin. Since Paul writes some beautiful prayers of praise and benedictions/prayers of blessing, you will see a few of these included as well. I would also refer you back to Adrienne Hancock’s amazing post on Benedictions and Blessings for further insight.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:17-19, NIV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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 saints, 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 3:14-19, NIV)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12, NIV)

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, NIV)

…we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, NIV)

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed….our prayer is for your perfection… (2 Corinthians 13:7, 9, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphant procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:3-4, NIV)

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him — to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27, NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:18-19, NIV)

I have thrown a lot of Scripture at you today. What I take from Paul is how he constantly prayed for people — for their growth in the grace, love and knowledge of Jesus Christ, for their holiness, for their influence on the world. As leaders, we should be praying for those we disciple in a similar manner. I challenge each of us to memorize one of these prayers this week and to pray it for those whose lives we touch. Imagine how the world would change if Christians committed to praying for these things for one another!

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

Leadership Summit - The next Leadership Summit will be held on Saturday, November 8 at Ebenezers. For more information, email Pastor Heather.

Baptism Informational Meeting - We will hold our next baptism celebration during Catacombs on Sunday, November 9 at 6pm. If you would like to publicly declare your commitment to Jesus Christ by being baptized, please plan to attend the baptism informational meeting November 2 at Ebenezers in the upstairs office level. For more information or to sign up, email Pastor Heather or sign up on a Connection Card.

Ethiopia Mission Trip - A team of NCCers will be traveling to Ethiopia in March 2009. If you are interested in participating, please come to an informational meetingn on Sunday, November 9 from 5-6pm at 205 F Street before Catacombs. For more information email John.

Prayer Requests - If you would like the Prayer Team to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

In-Service Thanksgiving Dinner - “Gobble Gobble!” Please join us in ’stuffing’ the less fortunate among us this Thanksgiving! Our annual ‘In-Service Feast’ is on Sunday, November 23rd, and we need your help to cook, serve, clean, entertain and give thanks with us as we celebrate God’s blessings and His call to be blessings unto others. For more information, please email Kellan.

Young Life NW DC Fundraiser - Join us for a night of music with national touring artist Justin McRoberts on Friday, 11/21 at 8pm at Ebenezers and support Young Life NW DC. Tickets $10 in advance/$12 door/$8 students. Check out Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse for more information.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - Pastor Mark continued with The Elephant in the Church series.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week, Pastor Mark will continue the series, The Elephant in the Church.

Message will be live at:

5pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
9am on Sunday at Union Statoin
10:30am on Sunday at Ballston

Message will be via video at:

6:30pm on Saturday at Ebenezers
10am on Sunday at Georgetown
10:15 & 11:30am on Sunday at Union Station

Today, we will try to figure out what’s weird and what’s not for group prayer times.

So you’ve just led your first very successful small group and you’re transitioning into the prayer time. You’re a little nervous about this part– Will anyone share a request? Who should pray? Will anyone in the group want to join in? What if I open up time for everyone to pray and no one says anything? You ask for requests. No one speaks. You look around awkwardly. You begin to share a request about some trouble happening in your job when someone pipes in with some story that starts out at their work but eventually turns into a story about her great-aunt’s best friend’s cat. Another pause to see if anyone else has a request. Someone sitting next to you speaks up timidly and shares that they are really nervous about a doctor’s appointment they are going to the next day. You ask everyone to bow in prayer and gently lay a hand on your new friend’s back as you begin to simple ask God for healing, wisdom, and courage. Out of nowhere, cat lady jumps up, slaps a hand on top of the poor person’s her head, and begins praying loudly and violently and at times in words that make no sense. You keep your eyes closed, not out of reverence, but out of fear of how others are reacting. The prayer time ends, everyone leaves. You assume it’s over and hope it never happens again. The next day, you get an email from another group member expressing their concern and the fact that they must consider leaving if such shenanigans ever happen again.

If we’ve been leading groups for any period of time, we’ve all had really weird things happen. We have people from many different denominational backgrounds and differing views of spiritual gifts and expressions in our groups, and we sometimes wonder what’s appropriate and what’s not.

While we sometimes don’t know what to think of some of the weirdness that we see, I do want to challenge us with this thought. I’m pretty convinced that the way we approach prayer times in our group would have been a mystery to the early church. We sit in a circle, mention “requests” one by one, and then close our eyes and repeat the exact same words we just said to one another back up to God. Now that’s kinda weird. Do we think God wasn’t sitting there with us the first time we went around and mentioned them? I think our prayer time “begins” much earlier than we think it begins.

Can I push us a bit today? I want to look at a few things that were normative in the early church and we might want to consider implementing in our groups. Are they weird? Perhaps, depending on your background. But I want to demystify them a bit today.

The Hand Laying Thing

The image of laying hands is a powerful picture in Scripture. In the Old Testament, it was used to pronounce blessings (Genesis 48:14) and to commission leaders (Numbers 27:18). In the New Testament, it shows up often. In the impartation of blessing (Mark 10:16), the commissioning of leaders (Acts 6:6, 13:2-3; 1Timothy 4:14, 5:22), to impart the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts (Acts 8:17, Acts 19:6, 2 Timothy 1:6-7, 1 Timothy 4:14), and to pray for healing (Luke 4:40, Acts 28:8). Is it weird? Maybe. Or it could be a very Biblical practice to start.

How do you do this? Step one- always ask permission before you do it. I usually say something along the lines of, “Would it be okay if I placed my hand on your shoulder as I prayer for you?” Step two- if it’s okay with the person, you might invite others around them to do the same thing. Step three- if it’s a new practice in your group, just explain that the idea of laying on of hands is a symbol in the Old and New Testament and it provides a sometimes comforting human touch.

The Anointing With Oil Thing

Anointing with oil is another very powerful symbol in Scripture. It’s a picture of the Holy Spirit. There are 15 references made to it in the book of Exodus alone. It was used to set apart Aaron and his sons for their spiritual leadership roles (Exodus 29:7). Samuel used it to commission kings (1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel16:13). The disciples used it to cast out demons and pray for the sick (Mark 16:13, James 5:14).

Is it something we should do in our groups today? Why not? It’s a great opportunity to teach something about Scripture and church practice.

How do you do this? I like to keep a little vial of anointing oil around at all times. You can get it at church supply stores like here. I’ve also used standard, run of the mill cooking oil before. Typically, I will anoint the forehead. If praying for a specific part of the body– broken ankle, etc- I might anoint that as well.

I think the greatest advantage to occasionally bringing out the anointing oil is that it allows us the opportunity to more intentionally acknowledge and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into our prayer time, and it serves to “set apart” that time in a more special and holy way.

The Hearing Stuff From God Thing

Do we believe that God still speaks today? In the New Testament, we read things like “for it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28) and “The Holy Spirit said to Philip” (Acts 8:29) and “the Holy Spirit said to him” (Peter) (Acts 10:19), “The Holy Spirit declares” (Acts 21:11). Is the Holy Spirit still speaking to us in our times of prayer today? Should we ever speak out what we are hearing? I think so. It’s a prophetic gift. Sometimes it manifests itself more in certain people than in others, but all of us have the ability to hear God speak, and it’s possible that we might hear him say something in prayer that should be communicated. According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, the prophetic gift exists to build up, encourage, and exhort people.

How do we do this? Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to us in pictures, words, and hunches. Whenever this happens to me in prayer, I will usually do one of two things. The first thing you can do is turn what you are seeing or hearing into prayer for the person. Secondly, and more directly, you can just make a simple preface statement such as, “I really feel like the Lord might be speaking something to me that he wants you to know…” and wrap it up with something along the lines of “you need to spend time with Jesus and Scripture to discern what to do with that.”

We need both a strong sense of courage and a heavy dose of humility when stepping out in a prophetic gift.

Keeping It Biblical

As some of us step into uncharted territory with these New Testament prayer practices for the first time and as others of us look at them cautiously because of abuse we have seen in the past, there are some things to remember.

First, the Holy Spirit will always glorify Jesus and never speak anything or lead you to do anything that diminishes his glory.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit is doctrinally sound. Scripture should provide the foundation and filter for the things that happen in our group.

My challenge to you this week is to experiment with one or more of these New Testament prayer practices and be open to where the Wild Goose might take you! The key thing to remember as a leader is to explain what you are doing. Show examples of where they happen in Scripture. It creates learning opportunities and opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work in powerful ways in your group environment.

But one of Daniel’s most admirable qualities is that he was a man of prayer. And I believe it was because of his disciplined life and the time spent on his knees that God was able to use Daniel as He did. Daniel 6 tells us the story of God’s deliverance of Daniel from the lions’ den, and while we get thrill to this story, it is important not to overlook the first part of Daniel 6, which gives us a view of Daniel in prayer.

Let’s set the stage first - at the time the events of Daniel 6 occurred, Darius was ruling Babylon and was being assisted by 120 satraps who were overseen by three administrators, Daniel being one of the three. “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom” (Dan. 6:3). This did not go over so well with the other administrators and satraps, but because they “tried to find grounds for charges against [him] in his conduct of government affairs” and “were unable to do so” (Dan. 6:4), they decided the only way to “attack” Daniel’s credibility was to ensnare him by the law of his God. So they went to King Darius and got him to issue a decree that “anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den” (Dan. 6:7).

Talk about being in a tight spot! Daniel now had a choice to make - would he abandon his God for the sake of obeying his king? Look at his response:

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)

There are three basic ways we can reach in an emergency: (1) we can panic (which generally results in us doing the wrong thing); (2) we can become paralyzed (i.e., we do nothing); or (3) we can pray. Daniel chose to pray.

Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them. But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. (Psalm 55:15-18)

In an emergency, Daniel went back to a holy habit - he prayed. He did what he had disciplined himself to do and what he had been doing for years. He was able to face the lions’ den because he had prepared through prayer.

Like Daniel, we want to practice a holy habit long enough that it becomes the old pattern. If Daniel hadn’t been a seasoned pray-er, he may have approached this emergency differently. Prayer should be our default mode, not our crisis mode. Philippians 4:6-7 promises God’s transcendent peace when we commit to prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Is prayer a holy habit in your life? Or is it used for emergencies only?

And on that note, we’ve got an opportunity to both advance the Kingdom and help out a fellow NCCer in the process.  Ama Baidu-Forson runs a food bank for people in DC who are living with HIV/AIDS, and she’s looking for folks to help unload deliveries and pack grocery bags from November 12 through the 25th.  This could be a great entry point to help your small group start thinking about serving others.  We have some excellent missions focused groups here at NCC, but we all (and I certainly include myself here) need to remember that Jesus called all of us, not just a few, to serve.

If you’re interested, shoot me an e-mail at will.johnston@theaterchurch.com, and I’ll have Ama get back to you with more details.

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

Daylight Savings - Just in case you forgot…daylight savings time is coming up next week. Remember to turn your clock back one hour November 2 so that you don’t miss anything!

Leadership Summit - The next Leadership Summit will be held on Saturday, November 8 at Ebenezers. For more information, email Pastor Heather.

Volunteers for Halloween Outreach - We are doing a Halloween Outreach for our community around Ebenezers on Friday, October 31. We are looking for volunteers to help out with games, food and to pass out the treats. If you would like to sign up please contact Pastor Jason Yost or sign up at the connection table today!

Baptism Informational Meeting - We will hold our next baptism celebration during Catacombs on Sunday, November 9 at 6pm. If you would like to publicly declare your commitment to Jesus Christ by being baptized, please plan to attend the baptism informational meeting November 2 at Ebenezers in the upstairs office level. For more information or to sign up, email Pastor Heather or sign up on a Connection Card.

Prayer Requests - If you would like that Prayer Teams to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - Pastor Joel continued with The Elephant in the Church series.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week, Pastor Mark will continue the series, The Elephant in the Church.

Live message:

5pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
9am at Union Station on Sunday
10am at Georgetown on Sunday

Video message:

6:30pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
10am at Ballston on Sunday
10:15am & 11:30am at Union Station on Sunday

Today, we will explore some ways for you to experiment with praying as a group throughout the week.

So you’ve shared prayer requests, made a list, and prayed as a group. Now what? That would be great if pesky Paul hadn’t told the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And I figure what was good for the Thessalonians is probably good for us, as well.

I’m convinced we will actually build community in our groups as we actively pray with and for one another throughout the week. Here are some ways to keep prayer moving in your group between weekly gatherings.

Email Prayer Requests

This one is easy. Appoint a group prayer leader and ask them to gather and record the weekly prayer requests. Then, ask them to email the list out to the entire group a day or two after your meeting. This person should also help the group remember the requests at the next meeting and ask for updates, praise reports, etc.

Implement Running Partners

in physical training, you need a partner for encouragement and accountability. The same is true with spiritual training. A small group is an environment where you have lots of running partners, but you might want to consider breaking things down even further. Pair group members or place them into groups of three that commit to praying with and for one another throughout the week. Encourage them talk on the phone, email, Facebook, wherever, at least once during the week to pray together. I know some groups that keep their running partners together for the entire semester and other groups that intentionally mix up the running partners each week. There are advantages to both. The key is that those groups are engaging in prayer together through the week.

Utilize Techology

A blog might be a great way to promote prayer in your group throughout the week. You could also consider creating a facebook site for your group or a Twitter feed that group members could subscribe to. Think about the different ways you stay connected to friends from day to day and then think creatively about how you can use those to hold your group together in prayer.

Try the 60-60 Experiment

Gateway Church in Austin, Texas tried a great experiment recently called the 60-60 experiment. It was an attempt to really put into practice Paul’s encouragement to pray without ceasing. As described on their website, “The 60-60 is a commitment to 60 days of trying to stay in continuous, honest conversation with God, willing to do his will moment by moment. The goal is to stay consciously aware all throughout your day that God is with you and desires a loving, trusting relationship.” Group members agreed to set their watches to beep on the hour every hour for 60 days, and they use that to reorient their lives around prayer.

Have you found creative ways to implement prayer in your group? If so, how? What prayer experiments would you like to try?

“Benediction” and “Invocation” are fancy words for blessings, praising God and passing on his power. Typically invocations will start something and a benediction will end it, like the final words from the pastor at a worship service. A blessing is often thought of as a gift or benefit from God. There are a few different Greek words used in the New Testament that translate into English as “blessing”, but generally all of them are things you would want! Here are some examples:

John 1:16, NIV
“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (Here blessing is from the Greek charis, which means favorable attitude or goodwill)

Ephesians 1:3, NIV
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Blessed is from the Greek eulogeo, meaning to praise, to call down divine favor, or to consecrate with thanksgiving)

Romans 4:7-8, NIV
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (Here blessed is from the Greek makarizo, which means God is present and involved — we share in the life of God)

God wants you to ask for blessings. It seems a little selfish. Maybe we should just be satisfied with the blessing of eternal salvation and Jesus rescuing us from misery, hopelessness, and despair… ya know? But that would be disobeying God’s command. He tells us to ask for more:

Matthew 7:7-8, NIV
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Numbers 6:22-26, NIV
The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.’”

Check out http://benediction.net/pages/1/index.htm for more blessings found in scripture.

Blessing others. Out loud or in your head, simply ask God to give peace, or favor, or healing, or joy, or grace… I could go on. You can use the blessings found in scripture, inserting the person’s name or using your own words to ask God to bless your friend like He blessed the person in the Bible. Here’s an example:

Romans 15:13 (Paul writing to the Romans): May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Slightly personalized version: “Jennifer, I ask God to fill you with peace and joy as you trust in Him, so that you can overflow with hope brought to you by the Holy Spirit.”

I suppose the proper way to end a blog about blessings is to leave you with a benediction:

May the Lord show you the depth and breadth of the blessings He specifically designed for you. Amen.

Fall Semester Discipleship Atlas - Pick up your copy of the Fall Discipleship Atlas at the connection center and join us for a semester of small group fun and fellowship. For more information, visit the church website or email Heather.

aone:eight - Our missions project for this year officially kicked off this week with the Thailand trip (October 13-22). We will launch 10 trips in 10 months and you can follow along here.

Mission Dominican Republic Information Meeting - Join us to learn more about our upcoming mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We will meet on Saturday, October 25 after the 6:30pm service at Ebenezers and on Sunday, October 26 at 12:30pm in the Ballston Food Court. Contact David and Sharon Simon at 703-865-4066 for more information.

Leadership Summit - The next Leadership Summit will be held on Saturday, November 8 at Ebenezers. For more information, email Pastor Heather.

Volunteers for Halloween Outreach - We are doing a Halloween Outreach for our community around Ebenezers on Friday, October 31. We are looking for volunteers to help out with games, food and to pass out the treats. If you would like to sign up please contact Pastor Jason Yost or sign up at the connection table today!

Baptism Informational Meeting - We will hold our next baptism celebration during Catacombs on Sunday, November 9 at 6pm. If you would like to publicly declare your commitment to Jesus Christ by being baptized, please plan to attend the baptism informational meeting November 2 at Ebenezers in the upstairs office level. For more information or to sign up, email Pastor Heather or sign up on a Connection Card.

Job Opportunity - We are looking for an Office Assistant to work full-time in our offices starting in November. If interested, contact Lisa. Resumes may be emailed or faxed to (202) 202-715-1870. Please call the church office at (202) 544-0414 with questions.

Prayer Requests - If you would like that Prayer Teams to join with you in prayer, please email your request.

Looking For a Few Chefs - In Service Ministry is in need of volunteers to make lunches for the Sunday distribution and also dinners for the Living Room bible study. If you are able to help, please contact Sarah Shapack.

NFL Sunday Ticket @ Ebenezers - Want to catch your team’s game? Come to Ebenezers every Sunday to watch every NFL game! We’ll take in all the action on the big screen!

New NCC Forums - Looking for a roommate? Need a place to live? Got an old sofa to sell? Looking for a new bed? Check out the new NCC Forum! This addition to the NCC website facilitates those great connections that you might be looking for.

NCC Re-use and Recycle - We want to be good stewards of our blessings and God’s creation at NCC! Please join us in re-using and recycling our leftover bulletin pieces by placing your unused connection cards and offering envelopes in our new collection bins located near the exit at your location or drop them off at a hospitality table. Please help make NCC a little greener!

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE - Pastor Mark continued with The Elephant in the Church series.

NEXT WEEK’S MESSAGE - Next week, Pastor Joel will continue the series, The Elephant in the Church.

Live message:

5pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
9am at Union Station on Sunday
10am at Georgetown on Sunday

Video message:

6:30pm at Ebenezers on Saturday
10am at Georgetown on Sunday
10:15am & 11:30am at Union Station on Sunday