NSCC Update

Here's what's happening...
Our worship gathering focused on the "wildernesses" of life this past Sunday, using the example of Christ and his intentional decision to enter into the wilderness (desert) for 40 days in preparation for ministry. One of our conclusions was that if Christ (the Son of God) saw that it was good to remove oneself to the "wilderness" for a period of time, it is good for us as well.

To listen to the spoken word from Sunday, February 25, click here (it's about a half-hour long). You can also right-click on the link and choose "save link as" to download it to your computer and listen on your own media player.

...in
Worship
This coming Sunday, March 4, is the second Sunday in Lent. As we continue in Lent, we'll focus on trusting the Lord in times of trouble and throughout temptation.

The readings for Sunday are:
Old Testament: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm: Psalm 27
Gospel: Luke 13:31-35
Epistle: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Click here to read them.

...in Prayer - Neal Estey
Neal Estey had a PET scan yesterday, which will help determine the extent of the cancer, and lead to help in deciding on treatment. Results will be in soon. Of concern right now are Neal's blood levels. When praying now, in addition to strength and encouragement, we should pray that the situation with his blood would improve - that he could make his own quicker, and not have to rely on transfusions.

...in Prayer - New Orleans Work Trip
It's never too early to pray for our team who will be headed to New Orleans the first week of June. Pray for Andrew Rankin, who's working very hard on all aspects of the trip. Pray for those who are planning on heading down to New Orleans - as they raise funds

...in Discipleship - the 40 days of lent
We continue this week on our journey through the 40 days of lent. Individual Prayer time is on Wednesday at the church building in Hingham. For more information or a whole schedule, use these links:
The 40 Days of Lent - Explanation
Schedule of Readings and Activities

...Administration
Just a reminder that our Church Board will meet this Friday, March 2nd, at 6:30 at the church.

Also, an on-line Google Calendar has been created for North Street. If you use Google Calendars, iCalendar, or Outlook, you can sync these with the North Street Calendar. It will always be on the right-hand side of North St. News in mini-form, and you can click here to see the whole thing.

...in Africa
As this update is being written, The Austin Family is on their way to Kenya. Here is an e-mail from Angela, written on Sunday:

Dear Family and Friends,
After an amazing send-off service and pot-luck lunch today, we feel ready to head to Kenya. It's a good thing, too, because it's all happening tomorrow. We're preparing for our final night in the states for four months, and it's an unreal feeling. Everyone is healthy and happy at the moment, and all we need now is some "happy" weather to help us along. We fly out tomorrow (Monday, the 26th) just before 7pm. Tuesday morning we arrive in London to spend an entire day with Jon's parents, then we fly out of there that night. We touch down in Nairobi (Kenya's capital) at about 8am Wednesday (hopefully). It will be a long and tiring trip, but well worth it. We're so excited to adjust to the new culture and get into the thick of it all. Be watching for more updates to come! We hope to get to the e-mail cafe in town at least once a week to send updates, so hopefully you'll hear from us fairly soon.
We thank each of you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Please just pray with us for a safe and "uneventful" journey to Kenya.
Thanks, also, to all of you who made today such a special day for us.
Serving HIM.
Jon, Ang, Caleb and Johnny :)

The word from Kenya where Drew Krause and Beth Jackson are studying at Africa Nazarene University, is that they are engaged! Congratulations to them, and keep them in prayer as well.

...a word from Jeremy on "gathering" and "dispersing"
The question has been asked again why the pastor ends the worship gathering with "you are dispersed." I suppose it's a matter of personal preference, but I say it as a reminder that we are always the Church. Phrases like "I go to church at (fill in where you go to church)" and "church begins at 11:00 AM" and even "you are dismissed" could imply that we are not "the church" unless we are together in the sanctuary at 235 North Street. While we probably don't think this way, using phrases like "worship gathering" and "you are dispersed" help remind us that we are always the church. We are North Street Community Chapel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our membership in the Church is never "dismissed" just because we leave 235 North Street. When I pray for you, it excites me to pray for "our community spread throughout the South Shore" because I envision you all at your various places of responsibility throughout the South Shore - at work, in your homes, shopping, driving, etc., and I envision you working for the Lord in the various ways given, knowing that in a few days, we'll be gathered again to worship together. So good question! Remember, Jesus tells us in his conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 that the worship God desires is of those who worship him in spirit and in truth. We can only worship truthfully and in spirit ("with our all") when we understand and know what we're doing, saying, and hearing.

Preparing to Worship - February 25, 2007

The readings for this coming Sunday, February 25 are:
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
Epistle: Romans 10:8b-13
Click here to read them


The Wilderness

The theme of "wilderness" surfaces throughout scripture. Wilderness in scripture might often relate to barrenness (including famine), wanderings in a desolate land, or a period of life void of production (in pragmatics or spirituality). From Abraham's wanderings, to the Israelites' time outside of the Promised Land, to John the Baptist's nomadic life, to Jesus' temptation in the desert, this theme arises several times and with different characteristics and results.

The Hebrew title of the book of Numbers is bemidbar, meaning "in the wilderness." The book of Numbers is filled with stories of the Israelites outside of the Promised Land - a place they found themselves in seemingly because of their mistrust and an unbelief in the promises of Yahweh, the Lord.

John the Baptist spent much of his life wandering around in the wilderness - this time by his own choice. Jesus to preceded his public ministry with a period of fasting in the desert. This is our gospel text for this week - Jesus' time in the desert.

The first beginnings of monasticism (monks, monastaries, etc.) saw participants intentionally choosing to live in the desert as a form of asceticism (the removal from worldly pleasures). It's tough to fall into the more obvious temptations of the world (gluttony, sex, etc.) when there's nothing around to be tempted by. However, as we see from Jesus' time in the desert - we can be even more vulnerable in these times.

We find ourselves in the "wilderness" throughout life. Sometimes the desolate times are self-inflicted as when we fasting or abstain from something. But more often, we find ourselves thrust into times of unproductivity, "barrenness," or need suddenly and without warning as with the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or a terminal illness. Either way, when we are in the wilderness, we have a decision to make - we can live in pity, or we can choose to acknowledge the fact that we need God.

Last week we considered the "high places" of life - the desirable times when it's just so obvious that God is with us. In these times, it's easy to feel good, to trust God, and to know his will. But we acknowledged that a place is "high" only because we've experienced the "lows." We know that life comes with low times - times of depression, disappointment, or sadness. It's what we choose to do in these times that defines us.

As you prepare for worship this week, read Jeremiah 17:5-8 below and consider how it is that you should prepare yourself in the "high places" to be able to withstand the "wilderness."

Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
[BUT] Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
- Jeremiah 17:5-8

PRAYER: Neal Estey & Stephanie

The initial reports have come back from Neal Estey's biopsy, and his tumor is in result of cancer. Further reports and testing will tell us of the form and the extent of the cancer, and then the nature of subsequent treatments. Please hold Neal, his parents - John & Sandy, and Julie White in prayer as they begin this battle. At this point (shortly after finding out yesterday), Neal is optimistic, but understanding the severity of the situation. May we pray for healing, for the encouragement of the Spirit, and strength throughout the process for Neal and his loved ones.

Keri Miller has asked for prayer for a former co-worker who overdosed on anxiety pills this week. Pray for Stephanie as she recovers from the OD and looks to the future. Pray for Keri as she supports and ministers to her.

Neal Estey UPDATE

Neal has been discharged from the hospital to go home (where the television actually works and he can watch it with his dog!). Test results may actually come as late as Thursday or Friday.

The 40 Days of Lent

Our worship gathering was spirit-filled yesterday as we reflected in scripture, song, and preaching about the "high places" along the walk that follows Christ. To listen to the spoken word, click here (it's 26.5 minutes long). You can also right-click on the link and choose "save link as" to download it to your computer to listen on your own media player.

As a response, the community was challenged to participate in "The 40 Days of Lent". A plan for Lent was handed out that includes daily scripture reading and other daily activities throughout the 4o days of Lent. The daily activities include aspects of fasting, acknowledgement (confession), prayer (corporate & individual), and reflection upon the cross and its sacrifice - both Christ's and ours.

Use the following links to read more about NSCC's journey this Lenten Season.
The 40 Days of Lent - Explanation - BEGIN HERE
Pamphlet that was handed out in worship
Schedule of Readings and Activities
A Brief History of Lent

The first activity is a time of self-commitment to the community and to the journey through Lent on Ash Wednesday evening, February 21. Anyone can come any time between 7:00 and 8:00 PM to the sanctuary to pray, reflect, and commit oneself to God and this journey.

PRAYER: The Estey Family

Many of you have heard by now that Neal Estey is in Quincy Medical Center. The facts are that right now the doctors have identified a decent-sized tumor in his stomach and his body is struggling to produce blood. Results of tests to determine the nature of the tumor will likely come back on Wednesday. Neal, his parents, and the doctors are more anxious about the situation than another who would be in the situation due to a history in the family of cancer. It's a "prepare for the worst, hope for the best" situation medically-speaking...

...and prayerfully speaking. Let us pray for the Esteys in light of this situation, remembering the past and hoping for the future - that the Spirit of God would be close to them all throughout the process, regardless of where the results end up on the worst-best scale, and most of all, that the Creator would indeed intervene in the healing process. Pray also for Julie White as she supports him throughout.

Updates will be sent out as the facts are known.

40DoL - Quincy Prayer

This is just a quick note to let those who were interested know that the Monday Corporate Prayer times in Quincy will be in the Chapel in Angell Hall on the campus of Eastern Nazarene College (ENC), 23 East Elm Avenue, Quincy, MA 02170. To locate Angell Hall, click here to view the ENC campus map. Anyone who can is encouraged to drop by between 12:30-1:00. A post-announcement about our "The 40 Days of Lent" will be posted later today for those who weren't able to worship with us yesterday.

CAUTION: Slippery Ice

For those who will be worshiping with us this weekend: The parking lot that the Town of Hingham has so graciously allowed us to park in behind the Hersey House has not been cleared of snow or ice from this week's "storm." Please take extra care in driving and walking there when you come this weekend. See you Sunday!

NSCC Update

Here's what's happening...
While our worship gathering yesterday was minus Pastor Jeremy and family with Meghan in the hospital, Rev. Tim Eyring, Rev. Betty Jean Goodwin, and Jason Parker graciously assumed the leadership roles of the day. Meghan came home from the hospital later in the evening and is doing fine at home with the kids. Here's what's happening...

...in Worship

This coming Sunday, February 18, is the last Sunday after Epiphany and is Transfiguration Sunday. We'll be looking at the "high places" of life in God's Kingdom. All of our scripture passages tell us of specific times when God's people encountered God in high places (Moses on Sinai, Jesus, Peter, James, & John on the mount) . We'll read these stories and hear part of what that might mean for us today.
Here are the passages:
Old Testament: Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm: Psalm 99
Gospel: Luke 9:28-43
Epistle: II Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Click here to read them.

We'll also again be receiving our semi-annual Alabaster Offering. Click here for more information about Alabaster.

...in Discipleship
Click here to read the Adult Sunday School Class Preview - "The Wrong Kind of People?" Come at 9:45 for coffee, a breakfast snack, and corporate discussion surrounding the written word (Luke 15).

...in Fellowship
Next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month and that means potluck. Bring your favorite dish, dessert, etc., and we'll gather to fellowship after the worship gathering.

...in Africa
Updates have come back from Kenya where Drew Krause and Beth Jackson are studying at Africa Nazarene University. While Beth took quite sick for a while, she is fine now and they are both being stretched and challenged by their classes at ANU. Let's keep them in prayer.

The Austin Family leaves soon for Kenya as well. They report that their finances have come in well, and will also be updating us by e-mail. Let's keep them in prayer.

Ladies' Craft Night

This coming Saturday, February 10, will see the return of the North Street Ladies' Craft Night at 6:30. All ladies, crafty and otherwise, are invited to come and fellowship together. Bring a craft and bring a snack. See you then!