Food Drive at North Raleigh

The Food Drive at NRN continues this Sunday and next Sunday. All the food collected will be given towards our partnership with North Raleigh Ministries.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

Food Pantry Needs:

Crackers; Cereal; Peanut butter; Jelly; Canned meats;

Canned fruits and Snacks

In addition to the food items to be donated - NRM is really in need of individuals to volunteer their time.

The current needs include:

• Greeting clients, answering phones
• Accepting, sorting and processing food
• Driving interfaith Food Shuttle Truck for NRM on Wednesday
• Pick up bread at Great Harvest Bread Company
• Pick up frozen food at Bahama Breeze ( Tuesday 3:00pm)

Denise Cumpler - Executive Director of NRM invites you to bring a friend and spend a few hours "Helping Neighbors Now" by volunteering. Call 919-785-9911 to let us know you are coming to help!

Also - This Sunday we will receive a special offering to assist with the expense for the October 5th Centennial Celebration as we gather with other Nazarene Churches across the Triangle. Please come prepared to help us in this special offering.

Please remember Jeff Hewett and family in prayer. We were contacted today what his mother - Rebecca Long - has passed away. The funeral is scheduled for Friday August 1 in Bolivia, NC. I will be officiating the service.

FIREPROOF

This evening I was privileged to view a pre-release screening of the movie FIREPROOF.

WOW! It was everything I hoped it would be. The plot was engaging; it brought times of laughter and then brought tears to my eyes. If you go to a movie as an escape from the daily stuff of life ~ I could not recommend a better escape. This movie has the Hudgens' two thumbs up!

I love this genre of movies. Here is the trailer to help you decide if you want to mark Friday September 26th on your calendar for a date night to see FIREPROOF:

Invitation to an unforgettable tour

-An invitation from

Pastor Rick Hudgens –

10-DAY ABRAHAM TO JESUS TRIP IN ISRAEL
Departure Date: February 28, 2009

$2,629 from Raleigh, NC

Soon after I arrived at North Raleigh several people asked me about my trips to Israel. It has been my privilege to tour with Dr. Wilbur Williams on four tours of Israel. Dr. Williams is a veteran of over 130 trips to Israel. I have given him the nickname of "A Walking Bible Encyclopedia".

Over the past nine months I have been working on a trip to Israel - and now it is a reality. Our itinerary is as follows:

DAY 1, FEBRUARY 28—DEPART FROM USA

DAY 2, MARCH 1—ARRIVE TEL AVIV

DAY 3, MARCH 2—BETH SHEMESH/ VALLEY OF ELAH/LACHISH/BEERSHEBA/ARAD
Our first full day of travel will emphasize the Old Testament, beginning with Beth Shemesh where the ark that the Philistines had taken from the battlefield at Ebenezer (1 Sam. 4:11). After 7 months, the Philistines, who has suffered from a plague, returned it to Beth Shemesh where the oxen stopped in the field of Joshua. Because the plague spread to the inhabitants, it was moved to the house of Abinadab. Going farther south we arrive at the city of Azekah on a hill overlooking the Philistine/Israel battlefield where David killed Goliath (1 Sam. 17:51).We continue to Lachish where the Assyrian attack against Hezekiah caused it’s fall (2 Kings 19:8); then on to Beersheba to walk into the restored gate of the city from the time of Hezekiah. We will view the only horned sacrificial altar ever found and the partially restored city of 700 B.C. Our last site of the day will be Arad whose king confronted Moses’ on the trek to Canaan when he attacked, but lost the battle. We spend the night in the new city of Arad.

DAY 4, MARCH 3— MASADA/QUMRAN/DEAD SEA/JERICHO/TIBERIAS
Our first site of the day is to go up to the famous mountain of Masada where David found refuge of King Saul (1 Sam. 25:22), and where later King Herod built his hide-away palace to withdraw from people. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., nearly 1,000 men, women and children tried to find protection from Silva, but after a three-year siege, chose to die rather than be captured by the Romans. We then motor north for lunch at Qumran, after which we see the Qumran community where the Dead Sea Scrolls first were found. Then follows a refreshing swim in the Dead Sea. After a visit to Jericho we then travel north along the road of the Jordan Valley to our quarters on the Sea of Galilee for two nights.

DAY 5 , MARCH 4— SEA OF GALILEE/MOUNT OF BEATITUDES/ TABHA/PETER OF PRIMACY/CAPERNAUM
Our itinerary begins with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to the museum where a “Jesus” type boat was discovered several years ago, after which we make our way to the blessed Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus is thought to have uttered Matt. 5–7. Afterwards we travel to the place commemorated where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed the multitude, then nearby to the place Jesus reappeared to His disciples after His resurrection. After lunch we make our way to the Valley of Jezreel to see Gideon’s Spring where his 300 men were selected and the battlefield where he defeated the Midianites. Then we carry on to Jezreel to the place where Naboth lived, Jezebel was thrown out a window, and where two kings of Judah both met their deaths. On our return to Tiberius we visit Nazareth on the way to see the Church of Annunciation and synagogue where Jesus worshiped until He began His ministry. We conclude the day with a baptism/rededication in the Jordan River.

DAY 6, MARCH 5— MT. CARMEL/MEGIDDO/CAESAREA/JERUSALEM
We depart Galilee and make our way to Mt. Carmel to the site where tradition holds that Elijah had the contest with the Baal prophets (1 Kings 18:19–38).We carry on to Megiddo the city setting atop the valley of Armageddon. We walk up the road where Joshua and the army conquered the city then enter at the level of Ahab and see his stables/storehouses dating to 850 B.C.We end our visit by going through the water source of Ahab’s time, then make our way to the Caesarea where Herod built one of his palaces, where Philip later founded a church, where an early church council was held, and where Paul was imprisoned for 2 years before being tried in Rome where he died.We then make our way to Jerusalem for overnight.

DAY 7, MARCH 6—WESTERN WALL/ TEMPLE MOUNT/VIA DOLOROSA/BETHLEHEM
We will enter Jerusalem through the Dung Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of Herod’s erosion-resistance wall held up the Temple area. On this site where the temple once stood now is found the magnificent Dome of the Rock and the El Aksa Mosque (the third holiest shrine in all Islam). From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Sister of Zion Convent. In the afternoon we will make our way to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field.

DAY 8, MARCH 7—MT. OF OLIVE/ GETHSEMANE/GALICANTU/UPPER ROOM/
JEWISH QUARTER/CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
We begin our explorations with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will descend to the Tear Drop Chapel and Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, the Church of Agony, where Jesus prayed, and the cave where Jesus often met with the disciples. After lunch we go to the Upper Room of the Passover meal, and birthday of the church at Pentecost, then on through the Zion gate to the Jewish Quarter, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher before returning to the hotel.

DAY 9, MARCH 8—JERUSALEM
Today is at leisure. Time to collect your thoughts, indulge in your whims. Revisit the places of most interest. The Rockefeller and Hebrew Museums display a wealth of archeological treasure. Return for a last look within the walls of the Old City. In the afternoon we plan a visit to the Garden Tomb and a concluding communion service together. We then will either have dinner at our hotel..

DAY 10, MARCH 9—JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV/USA
Morning transfer to the Tel Aviv Airport to connect with our overseas flight home. The close of an unforgettable tour, we bring with us lasting memories of the Old and New Testament

I promise that this is a trip of a lifetime. Words cannot express the emotions of sailing on the Sea of Galilee; sipping water from Gideon's spring; walking the streets of Jerusalem where Jesus walked; being baptised in the Jordan River; receiving communion at the Garden Tomb.

This trip includes:

• Round trip wide bodied jet flights
  • Meeting services and transfers upon arrival and departure at Ben Gurion Airport.
  • Deluxe latest model modern air-conditioned/heated motor coaches with English speaking Government Licensed Guides
  • Full sightseeing including all entrance fees to places visited and motorboat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden replica of the “Jesus Boat,” Masada and more.
  • Meals include full Israeli buffet breakfast and buffet dinners daily while in Israel.
  • First Class/Superior First class selected hotels.

I am already receiving reservations for the trip. Space is limited. I hope you will consider joining me for the pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Students depart for Camp

Students from NRN depart for
Youth Camp!








Pastor Brittany and Julie Bryant along with 18 students from North Raleigh prepare to depart for Youth Camp on Monday morning at 9:00am

NC NYI Teen Camp• July 21-25, 2008
Camp Courtney, Hendersonville, NC
(828) 692- 8973

http://www.ncnyi.org/ • http://www.ncteencamp.org/

With EverPraise from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN
Dr. Mike McClure • Pastor Mark Eby • Dr. Mark Barnes • Director Joe Bell • NC NYI President Jeff Wilson, and 300+ of your best friends!

Those going to Youth Camp paused to pray before loading the vans for the trip to the beautiful North Carolina mountains. We believe this will be a great week at camp.

Let us be mindful to pray every day this coming week

for the sponsors and students at Youth Camp.

I just received the statistical report for yesterday at church. I want to publicly express my appreciation to all those who gave financially toward the offering for our student ministry at NRN to provide scholarship funds for students to camp.

The financial goal was $1,000 above the tithe and regular offerings.

True to the generous spirit of the family at NRN the amount collected was $1,869!

Thank you for your investment in our student ministry!

Get me to the church on time

My last blog posting featured a clip of invitation to church. Now, a burning question that I wonder - Is it really possible to make it to church on time? It seems that more people are missing the excellent and many times humorous five minute countdowns just prior to our worship experience. I thought this would communicate a trustworthy saying:

Invitation to our church...

On Sunday I made these simple comments:

As we go thorough our refocus as a church I pray that we will be a church where anyone is welcomed. I think it would be great if we had a reputation that we will let ANYONE come to our church! I say: Bring em’ ON! How do we share the love of Christ? One way is to invite people to church.

I KNOW - you usually don't take the time to watch the "clips" I have been placing on my blog. I have noticed no comments recently. But - hey - Come on! Take less than 2 minutes to watch this one.

What do you think about this welcome invitation to our church?

Who will YOU call and invite to church this week?

Un christian

Today was another great day at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene. As I entered the worship center prior to the morning service experience I had the privilege to meet a first time guest who has just moved to the area from New York. Later I enjoyed meeting several other new guest to the church.

It was encouraging to connect with a new couple from last week who returned to the church today. There seems to be a common thread with these new guest to the church. They shared with me that no one had invited them to church but that they simply found us on the church website or drove by the facility.

In my message this moring I shared a quote out of the book - Un christian. I just recently finished reading this book. Here is a short clip featuring an honest conversation with David Kinnaman – author of the book “Un christian” about the perceptions of christianity in culture.

Take the lowest place

Today was a great day at NRN as we conducted the third Focused Living Retreat. The Focused Living Retreat is the first phase of the ReFocus effort of North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene. ReFocus is a journey of spiritual discovery designed to help the people of our church listen afresh to God. The basic principle is that personal renewal precedes corporate renewal. The process is to create a ReFocus Team from those completing this first phase. The ReFocus Team will be working with the church board in discovering our core values and vision goals, which will enable us to create a mission statement and strategic plan which is pleasing to God.


I am really looking forward to tomorrow as we return to our series of messages in the book of James. In the morning I will bring a message from James 2:1-13 entitled "The Problem with Favoritism."



Here is a clip I will not be able to show at the church. It is from the McGee and Me series about what it means to humble ourselves and place others before ourselves:

Any idea where that passage of scripture is found? Here's a hint:

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (New Living Testament)

This is a trustworthy saying.

Making a life changing impact

Students from North Raleigh enjoy a day at the museum with Element - the newly designed youth ministry at NRN.

The youth ministry is doing great under the leadership of Pastor Brittany

with the assistance of Bill and Danielle Shannon.

Element is the youth minsitry of North Raeligh Church of the Nazarene for students in grade 6 thru 12. Many activities are planned for the summer and especially youth camp. There are many students hoping to attend the NC Nazarene Youth Camp ~ however there are some students that really need financial assistance.

If you would like to provide a scholarship for a student to go to camp it is only $200. Why not contact me about how you can make a life changing impact for one of our students.

The Good-O-Meter

A person recently asked me an interesting question.

That question was:

How good do you have to be to get into heaven?

Here is a simple clip to help explain what I feel is a good response:

So, What do you think?

The Annual Church Picnic

As expected we held the worship service on Sunday back to the church at NRN. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the "inside picnic".

I want to express my appreciation to Karen DeSollar for all her hard work; Bill and Danielle Shannon for placing the tables and chairs in the worship center for the service; Gary Bennett for preparing the baptismal and Karen Joslin for overseeing all the cleanup. Tom and Kim led us in a great time of worship.

A special appreciation goes out to Rodney and Pam Rhoads for cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs. Rodney had a great crew featuring Mike and Bob for the set up and the "rain plan". I was pleased to see the aluminum foil on the ground in case a hamburger or hot dog was dropped. (Not really - it was to keep any grease from the grills off the pavement) However, I reminded Rodney the "3 seconds rule" would not apply!

We rejoiced in the baptism of 5 individuals proclaiming Jesus as their Savior. We welcomed a number of first time guests to our church! It was a wonderful day in the Lord!

I look forward to next Sunday as I continue in my series of messages in the book of James.

Probability of Precipitation

The report from the National Digital Forecast Database reports the probability of precipitation at Falls Lake is 70% at 11:00am on Sunday July 6th. We have sought counsel from several individuals and have made the decision to relocate our Sunday worship service back to the church facilities. We invite you to join us and bring a guest for this special event. The dress is casual and the service will follow the format designed for UNPLUGGED.


We will enjoy an abbreviated service which begins at 11:00am and features worship led by Tom Alsbury, a powerful 10 minute message by Pastor Rick and the baptism of believers. A church picnic will follow with hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the church and families bringing salads and side dishes. Each family should also plan to bring their own drinks. If you signed up to bring a salad or a side dish, please bring it to the church. You can bring your food items to the Fireside room beginning at 10:30am

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Last evening was a fun night as Sharron and I joined friends Rodney and Pam Rhoads as we went to the ballpark in Durham for the 4th of July. They treated us to a real treat of hot dogs (with the works!), nachos (which I am glad I took my antacid ahead of time) and trying to improve my health - a bottle of water! Though Sharron and I thought we were going to see the Durham Bulls play baseball - we were pleasantly surprised to be treated to a special event:



People have asked me."Can Kevin Costner really sing?" Here is a short clip - you make the call:




I must admit - we missed seeing the fireworks after the concert - but were treated to the rain catching us unaware and soaking us. This 30% chance of rain quickly developed into a 100 % probability of precipitation and over an inch of rain fell in a very short span of time. We ran to the car and laughed about the turn of events. It could not have been scripted better. As a side note: The Bulls won their game against the Knights by a score of 2 to 1. The game was in Charlotte, NC. Thanks to Rodney and Pam for a memorable 4th of July 2008.


For Rodney: The movie is THE NATURAL starring Robert Redford 1984 - can be seen on Bravo network on the evening of July 15th. FYI.

A tribute for our freedom

The Fourth of July 2008

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970 <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab.html>

304 million The nation’s population on this July Fourth.Source: Population clock <http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>

Source: US Census

As I think of the true meaning of Independence Day I am thankful for the sacrifice made by men and women across the years who have served in the armed force to secure our freedom. This American holiday was designed to bring to remembrance the patriotic duty of our forefathers who declared our Independence to establish - Under God - this nation.

Here is a tribute for our freedom from a one of my favorite groups. The Bill Gaither Vocal Band (David Phelps, Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, and Bill Gaither) sings the Star Spangled Banner acapella . This brings tears to my eyes:



As I believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and a Servant of the Most High God I also choose to remember the freedom I have to declare my dependence upon the Creator God of the Universe. In Christ alone do I trust for my salvation.

I am blessed! If you have trouble grasping this "freedom" thing because you face temptations and bondage due to things in your life, I invite you to turn to God who loves you and demonstrated His love for you and me. The book I trust states that "While we were yet sinners - Christ died for us." His death gives me - and you - the assurance of life. My dependence upon Him is the source of my strength.

Be sure and comment if you want to know more about this dependence.

This coming Sunday at NRN

It's not too late to RSVP for this coming Sunday at NRN:

Sunday, July 6, 2008Shelter 5 at Sandling Beach Service begins at 11:00 a.m. and lunch at noon!★ The church will supply hot dogs and hamburgers ★ Families will be asked to bring drinks and sides ★ Invite your friends and families!

★ Here are a few other important things you need to know:

Please invite your friends and/or family members visiting for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Seating for the service will be on the lawn so bring your own chairs/blankets.

Parking at Sandling Beach is $5 per vehicle so we encourage you to make plans to carpool.
When you arrive in the park - follow the signs and look for directions to SHELTER #5

If you are sensitive to the heat and sun, please come prepared (bring sunscreen and/or a protective hat or visor and plenty of water).

If the weather looks threatening the day of the event, check back here on North Raleigh's website for the latest information.

We have reserved a shelter at the beach so you and your family are invited to spend the afternoon at the lake.

Tom Alsbury will be leading us in a time of worship and praise to the Lord. I am excited about my message followed by a baptism service in Falls Lake. This will be a memorable day for NRN. Don't miss what God has planned for us! Be sure and check the NRN website on Saturday evening or Sunday morning for any additional updates.