April Happenings

Today is April 1st. And that is no joke.

Since April is upon us, this means that Resurrection (Easter) Sunday is coming up. Fast! I wanted to give you the schedule for this month so you can put it on your calendar as well as plan ahead for inviting at least one friend to New Hope this month.

We will be going through Psalm 23 this month. Our series title is Why Should I Follow Jesus? We will be seeing how Jesus is the shepherd (leader) that we need for our lives. What a great chance to reconnect with Jesus or maybe even connect for the first time.

Sunday, April 3 - Coffee and Pastries - 10am - New Hope

Why Should I Follow Jesus: He is our Righteousness

Wednesday, April 6 - NO KIDS OR YOUTH SERVICE (Spring Break)

Sunday, April 10 - Why Should I Follow Jesus: He is our Strong Tower - 10am

Sunday, April 17 - Why Should I Follow Jesus: He is our Resource - 10am

Friday, April 22 - Community Good Friday Service - 7pm - New Hope

Sunday, April 24 - Community Resurrection Morning Service - 8am - City Park

Breakfast Potluck - 8:30 - CE Building (Northport Presbyterian Church)

Why Should I Follow Jesus: He was the Perfect Lamb - 10am

I look forward to seeing you at these great times of Praising God and Connecting with God's family. If you have any questions please shoot me an email at northportnewhope@gmail.com.

Bearing His torch

Pastor Eldon

Study Helps

I wanted to pass along a couple helpful study items for you.  As we talked about on Sunday, it is important for us to study out and apply what we learn on each Sunday. 
I know that many of you already have great study tools that you use often, but maybe these will be something you can add to your arsenal.  If you don't use anything yet to help you study, these will be a good start. Either way, I highly reccomend these tools.

www.esvonline.org
www.youversion.com
www.e-sword.net

Are there ones that you use that you would like others to know about?  Put them in the comments so we can all see them.

Bearing His torch
Pastor Eldon

Change

Living in a state of constant change is part of life anymore. As it has been said, the one constant in life is that there will always be change.

The good news is that Jesus never changes! However the time does. In fact this Sunday is the start of Daylight Savings Time. It is time to set your clocks ahead 1 hour...that's right spring ahead.

So, before you go to bed on Saturday, set your clocks ahead so you make it to New Hope on time.

We will be getting to hear from Scott Pratt on Sunday. This will be an exciting time to hear the Word of God shared with us. Scott is from Suncrest Worship Center, which is where Pastor Eldon and family will be.

Have a blessed weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour.

How do we survive the darkness

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."

How many countless people have prayed this prayer. And so often half-heartedly. Maybe because it's the only prayer they know aside from "God is great, God is good now we thank Him for our food."

The times in which we are living right now calls for far greater prayers and far greater comfort than what these afford us. We are faced with a time in history in which we must totally be assured that the living God, who is our Creator, is actively involved in our lives. We must walk in the truth that He is the security and peace that we need.

Now is NOT the time to fall into the trap of fear, half-truths, gossip and frustration. Now is the time to have a TRUE peace of mind. Peace of mind that only comes from trust in the Living God who is more that abundantly able to take care of the present and the future.

The author of most of the book of Psalm is King David. He knew darkness, fear and uncertainty. He was chased by the mad man King Saul; pursued by his own son who had murder on his mind; led the nation of Israel through many a fierce battle; fell into a destructive pattern in life that led to adultery, lying and murder...just to name a few things he went through in life. Yet the man knew where his peace, comfort, rest and certainty truly came from.

These are a few things that the distressed Psalmist found that worked for him during his times of darkness.

Psalm 1:1, 2 - Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 16:7-9 - I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

Psalm 42:8 - By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 63:5-8 - My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 119:55, 56 - I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

Psalm 119:148 - My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

I recommend that you visit the ESV website to read the full passage of these verses.

What is the darkness you are facing?

How can you be like the Psalmist and turn that night time experience into one that ends up rejoicing in the LORD?

Bearing His torch

Pastor Eldon

Killing Lions in the Snow

In 2 Samuel 23:20 it says, "And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen."

I am guessing that no one is planning on being like Benaiah and jumping into a pit to fight and kill a lion, and especially not on a snowy day. In case that was a possibility for you, it's not a good idea. Leave the cougar be!

However, Northport is expecting more snow tonight through Monday. Around a foot or so is what the news says.

Just as jumping into a pit with a lion on a snowy day is not real wise, neither is taking unneeded chances on the road while driving. As much as I want to see you at New Hope tomorrow, I would rather you made a smart decision and not risk the roads if it's not safe.

So, be careful out there. No wrestling cougars and no driving unsafely on the roads. I love each of you that much! If you can safely make it, I can't wait to worship Jesus with you at 10am.

Have a blessed week...have fun being the Church!

Bearing His torch

Pastor Eldon

Revealing Jesus to the world

As we looked at Ephesians 3:8-13 on Sunday, we had a great group discussion.  So much wisdom was presented and God was really working on our lives.

We were given two questions to talk about around our tables.  "How does the church reveal Jesus? and How do I reveal Jesus?"

There was a lot said about how the church is revealing Jesus and much about how it isn't.  Agreed, there is work to be done in how the church reveals Jesus, but I believe that all hope is not lost.  We can become the church that Jesus envisioned when He created us.  There were many practical ways given that we can be the church and reveal Jesus to the world.  Giving of our time, loving people like no one else can, taking care of our neighbors and actually speaking the name of Jesus not just living the life.

But there was one answer that I really thought summed it up.  It was said that the answer of the first question is truly answered by the second.  As a whole, we will be ineffective if we are not individually revealing Jesus.  It has to start with me and you as a person before we can expect to come together as a whole and really reveal Jesus to the world.

I want to hear your thoughts.  Throw them in the comment section below.

How can the church reveal Jesus if the individual is not willing to reveal Jesus?
How can YOU reveal Jesus to the world?
How was Jesus revealed to you?

Breakfast at New Hope

Ok, that doesn't have the same ring as Breakfast at Tiffany's, but still...WE ARE HAVING BREAKFAST TOMORROW!

Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share with everyone as we have a breakfast potluck.  This will all start at 10am.  We will be having some fun around the tables as we talk about God not only having a plan for us but that He is also in control of everything!

We will see you all at 10am tomorrow.