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Not Good for Man to Be Alone JEREMY JOBSON Northland at Oviedo Site Minister
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lthough this verse is referring to the immediate creation of a partner that would be suitable for man, a woman, we see in this a picture of the importance of relationship. God Himself is a relationship: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one, one in three. There are many mysteries and lessons that are very important for us to learn from that reality, and as hard as they may all be to comprehend, one of them is clearly that we are not to be alone! This is so much bigger than a spouse and even a family; this is a call to community! Dr. Margi McCombs shared a few years back the power of the word “community,” and I have never forgotten it. “Common-unity”: to have something in common that binds us together in a unifying and deep way. That is at the heart of Northland at Oviedo. From small groups and Bible studies to our upcoming Sunday lunches and fellowship events, we are constantly trying to create space and time for you to get to know each other and Christ better. That takes lots of attempts and options with everyone’s busy schedule and life stage, but the most important thing it takes is you! Getting involved in the Christian life with everyone in your sphere of influence is, at the end of the day, your choice! Developing a common language, culture and purpose to something bigger than ourselves, bigger than our “church” and even bigger than our geography unifies us in such a powerful way, a way that nothing else can. This is the experience of
soldiers like in the Band of Brothers, of sports teams, of new moms and dads, to be involved in something that is common, sometimes hard and other times joyous, but common to each other, united in it. “Common-unity.” We are on this adventure together, of forming, developing and inspiring community here at Northland, at Northland at Oviedo and in East Orlando. That is why we had the Easter Picnic in the Park. I pray not only that you were there, that you had a blast or even that you brought people with you; although I have been praying all those things, I pray mostly that you were able to find “common-unity” with others either during the kickball game, by the grill, cooking, while looking for eggs with your kids or while sitting at a table, eating. I pray that as you get to know one another better, you will begin to see the opportunity before you to pursue a better knowledge of Christ together through classes, Bible studies, small groups and the Sunday worship experience. And then another amazing thing happens: The response to those realities begins to form deep within you, and you find yourself serving others together not because someone asked you, although someone might, but because you couldn’t imagine not expressing your gratefulness to Him through service to others. That can look many different ways too, from Sunday as a part of some ministry area to in the community at the Hope Foundation or in your neighborhood, mowing a lawn or bringing a meal, to around the globe through the many partnership opportunities. Our job is to be sure and create all those spaces and times for community and worship and service. That is what we do. The question is, What is keeping you from jumping in? Start now. Get involved. Be a part of it! Start simple; say hi to someone you don’t know today, hold the door for someone, let someone go first in the parking lot, but most importantly, remember this: God said it is not good for us to be alone, so please don’t be. Even as a family, don’t be alone. Be a part of the Northland at Oviedo community!
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THIS WEEK! Greeting Card Ministry
Thursday, April 15, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., Susie Brown’s home, Oviedo. No craft skills needed. Cost: $5 per person for five cards (four for ministry and one for you). Details and RSVP: Susie Brown (407-359-5023 or susiebrown@cfl.rr.com) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THIS WEEK! Movie Under The Stars Date Night! (Adults only, please)
Friday, April 16, 8 p.m., NOCC. Grab your sweetie and a blanket, and come enjoy popcorn and a romantic movie under the stars! We will be featuring the movie Casablanca. Tickets: $1 per adult. Bring a donation for the Hope Foundation, and be entered into a drawing to win a front-row seat on a comfy couch! Details: Rebecca Sheahan (407-683-3566 or rebecca.sheahan@northlandchurch.net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THIS WEEK! Men’s Sports Ministry
Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m., Hollowbrook Field. Bring a friend, and come play flag football while getting to know other Northland at Oviedo guys! Details: Josh Smith (JoshuaMSmith1@yahoo.com) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Opportunities for students on page 7. NEXT WEEKEND! • AXIS: Courtyard Lunch Sunday, April 18, after the 11 a.m. service, Oviedo site. Bring your family, and come enjoy a lunch in the courtyard!