Volume 9
FREE TO LIVE
September 2012
LIFELINE NEWSLETTER
CHURCH OF THE NEW COVENANT
The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is such a powerful message! At the core of Jesus ministry is this truth. “It is for freedom that he has set us free!” If freedom was at the core of Jesus ministry, should it not be at the core of our message? One of my favorite scripture verses right now is found in 2 Corinthians 3:6: “He
has made us competent ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE.” Beloved, these words are for you and me! We must have good news upon our lips as the word of our testimony and the actions of our lifestyles reveal that because of Jesus Christ we are FREE TO LIVE! This
quarterly news-
letter is filled with excellent articles to help all of us embrace this reality of the Christian walk. What does the freedom message mean in your life? What does it mean in the life of your neighbor, your co-worker, your children? What does this mean in our city and region? Let’s discover together! Blessings, Pastor Tom
LIFE CHURCH ARENZVILLE On September 15th, we will launch the first satellite campus of our church in Arenzville. LIFE Church will hold weekly meetings every Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m. Martha Morris and Teresa Hennings will be our
campus leaders and will be supported by the elders and staff from our church in Jacksonville. The teaching team will be composed of Pastor Tom, Pastor Rich, Martha Morris, and Dan Roseberry.
Inside this issue: Freedom Ministry
2
Pastor Rich
3
Getting to Know You—Debbie Brune
4
Life Seminars
4
Live Stream
5
Faith In Action
6
Fall Sermon Series
7
We are in need of volunteers to assist with this ministry in areas such as worship, ushers and greeters, etc. Please contact Martha, Teresa, Tom, or Rich if you are interested in helping. Staff
Tom Herbert, Lead Pastor Rich Webb, Associate Pastor Judy Herbert, Pastoral Assistant Janet, Webb, Administrative Assistant Senior Leadership Team Jay Diers Sharon Ward Chuck West
COMMUNITY FREEDOM MINISTRY Freedom in Christ Ministries is multi faceted. It is a Bible study, a discipleship program, an encouragement/ counseling program that will help you experience freedom in all that God has planned for you. My vision is the same as the FIC mission: To continue the Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry of setting captives free (Isaiah 61:1-3) so that God’s people can lay aside every burden and the sin that so easily entangles them, and so have the capacity to move forward into maturity in Christ, running the race He has set before them. (Hebrews 12:1,2) We want to see individuals released from the controlling influences of the world, flesh, and devil so that now they can grow up into maturity. I have this vision for our church and our community. God showed me two simple pictures, one of hopscotch and
another of building blocks. Instead of being like a hopscotch game – all over the board so to speak, we are to be like building blocks. And the foundation, of course, is prayer. Pastor Tom and I have been meeting weekly this summer to start building the building block pattern.
Christ” in personal appointments and Training others to use “The steps to Freedom in Christ.” So this fall we are taking this full speed ahead and following the Holy Spirit into the next phase of this ministry.
My heart is so full and excited to be a part of this ministry and I truly believe God wants this to be a fruitful ministry in not only you and me and our church, but also in our community. I believe this ministry is for “Such a time as this.” This reminds me of the Are we ready to “To continue the Lord Jesus verse 1 Peter 2:5, which be used by God? our church was founded This ministry Christ’s ministry of setting on, “living stones are captives free “….(Isaiah 61:1-3) will not only being built into a spirituchange your life but can change al house.” our church and our community. We desire to build a spiritual house of freedom, through the Sharon Ward three T’s: Teaching, small group Bible study, Taking, individuals through “The steps to freedom in
FREEDOM IN CHRIST SMALL GROUP I am excited that Ed Wainscot will be taking the lead for the Freedom Bible Study small group. He was leading it when I first went through it and I received so much. I encourage you to take this no matter where you are at in
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your walk with God. It is a relaxed atmosphere where you will discover who you are in Christ and how much Father God loves you personally. And at the end of nine lessons you will have the opportunity to go through the
“Steps to Freedom.” You will get to know each other and usually the participants don’t want to stop getting together after the class is over! Sharon Ward
LIFELINE NEWSLETTER
FREEDOM APPOINTMENT Sometimes in our lives we come to a road block that seems like there is something that is blocking us in our relationship with God or our relationships with people. Sometimes we don’t know what our issues are that are holding us back from all that God has for us or even if we have issues. That is where a Freedom Appointment helps. We start with an interview,
which is not as scary as it some time going through the sounds. It is just a chat and a “Steps” which is totally based few questions to help identify on the Word of God. Each any issues you may have and step is scripture, and prayer. if a freedom Everything is strictly appointment is “Sometimes in our lives we come confidential and each to a roadblock ...that is where a person is trained to right for you at this time. encourage you Freedom Appointment can Then, after through the process. help.” praying and This is something setting up an appointment that I totally recommend to with you, an encourager and everyone. prayer partner, we will spend Sharon Ward
PASTOR RICH: FREEDOM THOUGHTS
July 4th is the date that we celebrate our independence or our freedom from British rule. So, what is so special about July 4th? We didn’t defeat the British in one, last decisive battle on that day. In fact, the American Revolution hadn’t even begun. The Constitution wasn’t signed on that day. We didn’t implement a democratic form of governing or voting on that day. Of course, we know that the significance of July 4th is the event that occurred in 1776, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With that document, the colonists announced their intent to live differently (independently) from
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what they had prior to that. Life, as the colonists knew it, changed from that day forward because the colonists decided to live in accordance with that document. As believers, we have a similar document. It’s called the Bible and it is God’s declaration of independence for His people. But it is not enough to know that document exists. Just as the early colonists, we must determine to live differently because of what the Bible says. Get a picture of someone in handcuffs in your mind. Now, how long would that person remain in hand-
cuffs if they had the key to remove those handcuffs? Our Freedom in Christ ministries exist to do just that, give keys to people that are in handcuffs or bondage. That is God’s purpose for us, to live in freedom. Paul says as much in the first part of Galatians 5:1, “Christ has set us free to live a free life.” Are you living in freedom? If not, then maybe you should learn more about the freedom ministries offered here. Maranatha, Pastor Rich
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU Debbie Brune I have attended Church of the New Covenant since 1988, except for a four year absence. During my early years at the church I was a youth leader and high school Sunday school teacher for 7 years. I have also cleaned the church for many of those years, and you might say I have the highest award for cleaning the most toilets! In all the years of attending this church I’ve always felt like everyone is family. I have faced many struggles in my life, and this family has always been there for me. Faces and names have changed, but not the love of God in this body of believers.
I have been employed at Heinl Florist for 17 years and I enjoy making beautiful creations out of what God has created.
and bless the many customers we serve in all their circumstances of life. I have three children (Susan, Olivia, and Max) and four grandchildren (Megan, Hannah, Myah, and a grandson due to arrive in October. I also enjoy leading a LIFE group for women on Tuesday nights. I have really enjoyed the relationships that are created in a small group. They are a great way to get connected with some of the family of New Covenant.
I have the opportunity to pray for
I am so blessed to call New Covenant home. I love you all!
LIFE SEMINARS The Many Hidden Faces Of Fear
Nefarious
The End Of The Age Overview
September 22nd
Merchant of Souls
October 20th
9:00 -11:30 a.m. Dan Roseberry
September 28th 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
In this seminar, Dan will build upon the sermon he gave in August on this same subject. We will look at these hidden faces and learn how to overcome them.
Nefarious is a critically-acclaimed, award winning documentary on the global sex trade. Millions of women and children around the world are increasingly becoming the expendable pawns of the demand for illicit sex.
Anxiety – Doubt – Superstition – Worry & Paranoia – Suspicion — Condemnation — Jealousy and Envy — and Panic.
Immediately following the video showing, we will have a Q&A featuring two individuals who are involved in fighting human trafficking both locally and globally.
Please register with the church office if you plan to attend this seminar.
Dana Pfeiffer: Grounds of Grace
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9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Pastor Tom will lead this seminar that will provide an overview of some of the main events leading up to the end of the age. Come and discover why it is important for Christians to know the signs of the times and how we should respond in the age in which we live. Please register with the church office if you plan to attend this seminar.
Tom Fraim: Exodus Cry
LIFELINE NEWSLETTER
LIVE STREAM BROADCAST Just like so many other areas of society, technology is changing the way we interact and take part in so many things. We can shop online, communicate online, go to college online, and now we can even attend church online!
The viewers can follow along with what is happening at church as well as interact with one another online. This new addition to our ministries allows us to have a “virtual campus� and reach those who are housebound or unable to attend church.
If you are aware of someone who would be blessed by this ministry, simply have them log in on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and then sit back and enjoy the presence of the Lord!
The live stream is available on For the past several months we our website or on our Facebook have been experimenting with page. live streaming our worship services on the internet. The goal of our media team was to ensure that the online experience was of For more information go to our website : www.ncjax.org and click on the good quality and also interactive. live stream icon on the top right side of the home page.
OUTSIDE AUDIT COMPLETED On August 10th, a representative from Summitt Accounting in Decatur spent the day at the church completing a full church review of our financial systems and procedures. Since Summitt Accounting specializes in non profit tax accounting we wanted to have
them come and do this in depth review. We intend to have this full church review done every three years as another way for us to ensure integrity of the finances of our church. The review went exceptionally
well and other than a few minor recommendations our church was given high ratings in all areas pertaining to our handling of finances. Our Financial Accountability Team and Senior Leadership Team is to be commended for helping us in this process.
GOING WEST! NORTHWEST! The elders of Harvest Network are very excited about our progress in becoming a mult-site church and have been fully supportive as we have begun moving in this direction as a church.
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The first weekend of October, HNI is paying for Pastor Tom and Judy to travel to northwest Washington state to receive training from a multi-site church network located about 1.5 hours north of Seattle.
This time of training will be very valuable to our church and to our network of churches. For more information on this ministry you can go to www.ctkonline.com.
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Faith In Action We will be participating in the Faith In Action campaign once again this year in partnership with other Christian believers from across Jacksonville. Faith In Action happens once a year and is a time when several churches work together to share the love of Christ to our community. The churches participating this year include First Baptist, Grace Methodist, Central Christian, Global Outreach, and New Covenant.
be sign up sheets in the lobby beginning in mid September with many different opportunities for all ages in a wide variety of skills and talents. October 7, 2012 On October 7th, we will all gather in the sanctuary of Central Christian Church at 9 a.m. for a combined worship service. Immediately following we will disburse out into the community to do acts of service in the name of Jesus. There will
Please mark your calendars for this exciting Sunday event!
Oasis International Ministries of St. Louis This past summer, a team of teens and adults spent a week doing ministry in the inner city of St. Louis with Oasis. We had a wonderful time together and were able to witness first hand the impact Oasis is making in St. Louis to the refugee community. The mission of Oasis is quite simple in that they provide basic household supplies, furniture, and clothing to the refugee community in St. Louis, but the impact goes far beyond what anyone can imagine. The weekend of October 27th and 28th, we will be honored to have the founders of Oasis, Mark and Joanie Akers, with us here in Jacksonville.
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They will minister in Arenzville on Saturday evening and at both services on Sunday morning.
friended by an American, let alone a Christian. Mark and Joanie and the staff of Oasis ministries Oasis is building both spiritual are trying to change that statistic one and physical bridges to the life at a time.
We truly are thankful to the Lord for allowing us to cross paths refugee population in St. Louis with this ministry and As a church, our when you meet them goal is to continue you will know why. Mark once to build this bridge to St. Louis told the story of a refugee who through our relationship with came into their storefront. The Oasis Ministries International of refugee had only been in the St. Louis. United States for a few days and Be on the lookout for these told the story of when they were opportunities in the future! waiting in the refugee camp they were told to find the Christians when they get to America. The Christians will take care of you! The sad reality is that less than 10% of all refugees will be be-
LIFELINE NEWSLETTER
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES SEPTEMBER Ron Busen Rebecca Pilarte Ruth Adams Janet Webb Keith Bliven Savanah Holloway Zachariah Frick Jordan Wyatt Nicole King Steve Shive Venita Beal
1 8 12 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 30
Duane & Louise Pfeiffer Jerry & Rhoda Walker
11 19
OCTOBER Ed Owen Wyatt Heck Teresa Hennings Adam Mefford Kitty Madsen Zachary Scoggins Jerry Wade Kelly Wyatt Tonia Holloway Brianna Costello Caleb Herbert Alec Pilarte Barb Wainscott Nathan Morris
1 3 4 6 12 12 13 14 16 19 19 23 24 25
NOVEMBER
Tom & Judy Herbert Mitch & Ruth Adams Dean & Jeannette Allen Cary & Sharon Coker Roger & Kym Deem
6 8 24 24 27
Alex Wisdom Karen Fanning Samuel Morris Emily Corbridge Eric Thomas Debbie Brune Rick Berry
11 14 17 20 20 22 23
Jim & Venita Beal Ed & Sharon Ward
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Fall Sermon Series Beginning in September, we will begin a new study on Sunday mornings.
The Church
There are so many things happening in the earth that are pointing toward the fulfillment of many of the end time prophecies. There are many questions and opinions about what all of this means.
The End Of The Age
In this new series, we will look at the role of the church in the end of the age and how we can be involved in hastening the day of the Lord’s return.
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And
This study will not be focused on the specific prophecies, many of which bring division and strife in the body of Christ, but rather on the written promises and realities in Scripture that reveal the role of the church in the end of the age. Jesus himself said we will not know the time or the hour, but he commanded us to keep watch! This series will direct our hearts to maintain the watch and to make ourselves ready!
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Worship Schedule Sunday 8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
**KingdomQuest Kids Church & nursery 10:30 a.m. service only Phone: 217-243-5096 www.ncjax.org office@ncjax.org
A House of Prayer and A Bridge to the Community
ALL CHURCH HAYRIDE AND WEINER ROAST
Ward’s Farm Sunday September 23rd 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
2072 East Strawn Crossing Rd. Ashland
Food Fellowship Fun Fire (We will have a bonfire if the burn ban has been lifted. If not, we will cook the hot dogs on a grill. Watch the bulletin for more details.)