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/ October 2019

Introducing NCC’s newest church plant, coming to Baltimore in 2020

NEW TO NCC?

We want to meet you, answer your questions, and show you how to get connected.

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GET INVOLVED Jump into life at NCC!

New to faith? Pick up a Next Steps booklet at the Connections Table. ncc.re/nextsteps

Join a small group. ncc.re/groups

Join a local or global mission team. ncc.re/onmissioneveryday

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Interested in joining the NCC team? ncc.re/jobs 2

/ October 2019

Join a team and serve at your campus. ncc.re/team

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Note from

Pastor Mark & Lora God wants to bless you beyond your ability to ask or imagine! The very first thing God does, after creating us in His image, is to bless us. Blessing is God’s most ancient instinct. Of course, God doesn’t bless us to raise our standard of living. God blesses us to raise our standard of giving. Simply put, we are blessed to bless! In fact, the way we get the blessing is by giving it away. That’s what Double Blessing is all about, and it’s the heartbeat of this church. We want to grow more so we can give more.

God blesses us SO THAT we can be a bigger blessing to our city. God blesses us SO THAT we can bring the good news of the gospel to places that desperately need it. God blesses us SO THAT we can plant churches. The next expression of that motivation is sending Pastor Joshua and Ericka Symonette to the city of Baltimore.

You can read more on page 4, but this is the fulfilment of a dream we’ve had for twenty years! And it’s an opportunity to bless our next door neighbor, the city of Baltimore!

Next Contents 2 Welcome 4

A New Vision Planted in Baltimore

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Double Blessing

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What’s Going On

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NCC Families

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Coming Up at NCC

Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor Lora Batterson

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A NEW BLU_PRINT FOR BALTIMORE “Number one in your life’s blueprint should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodiness.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We’re a church deeply rooted in the District of Columbia—but ever since our inception, the city of Baltimore has loomed large in our hearts,” says Pastor Mark Batterson. “We’ve always felt that God would call us to serve there somehow. And now that time has come.”

At NCC’s Leadership Summit last month, Pastor Mark announced that National Community Church will be sending Pastor Joshua and Ericka Symonette to plant a new church in Baltimore.

“Last year,” says Pastor Joshua, “Ericka and I really began to lean in and ask God to speak about some burdens that have been on our hearts. Specifically,” he continues, “we really were feeling compelled to join the movement to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline in Baltimore.”

“As we prayed during Lent 2018,” says Pastor Joshua, “God downloaded a three-part vision in us. We’re working and praying with NCC leadership to bring this vision to fruition.”

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Here’s the vision: PHASE 1:

The Blu_Print Collective: A partnership with a Baltimore school to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. Beginning with kindergarten, Blu_Print aims to partner with school leaders and teachers to help raise the level of excellence in educational achievement and provide opportunities for experiential learning.

Every student deserves to have a learning environment that leads them down a road of inspiration, not incarceration.

PHASE 2: In the same partner school, after learning the community and establishing relationships, the Symonettes will plant a gospel-centered church community strongly rooted in the DNA of National Community Church.

PHASE 3:

In keeping with NCC’s core conviction that the church ought to be in the middle of the marketplace, they will launch profitable business as mission opportunities.

The vision is to generate jobs and revenue to serve the community. Says Pastor Joshua, “Right now, we have no idea how that is going to happen, but this is the vision God has given us, so we are going to be obedient to it.”

At the close of 2019, Pastor Joshua will transition out of his role as campus pastor at our Kingstowne campus. Even after launching Blu_Print, however, he will continue to be part of the NCC Teaching Team.

Says Pastor Mark, “We are a sending church, and we’ve been waiting to see how God wants us to serve in Baltimore for a long time now. Thanks to your missions giving, NCC can plant churches and launch ministries like these. I can’t wait to see how God will bless the city of Baltimore through the Symonettes. I know you’ll be praying with me for this God-given vision.”

Let’s Pray Together for Blu_Print!

• For God to point out the right partner school • For God to identify the right business partnerships • For favor with the local community and government • To reach their $500K launch budget Learn more about the Blu_Print Collective: wearebluprint.com

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update WATCH THE VIDEO

Visit ncc.re/vision to watch Pastor Mark’s most recent video update of Phase 2 construction.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PLEDGE Thanks to the generosity of NCCers, we’re 76% of the way toward completing Phase 2 debt-free! Every contribution you make toward your pledge makes a huge difference. Phase 2, the kids ministry space which doubles as a child development center Monday-Friday, is slated to open in early 2020.

If you’ve made a pledge and have not yet begun to fulfill it, would you please consider doing that now? It should take only about four minutes. Just visit ncc.re/central and click on “give.”

ONLINE FORUM

Sunday, November 24, 8:00pm Join Pastor Mark and other NCC staffers—from the comfort of your own home—to ask questions and to hear an update on the Yes & Amen vision to bless our city.

• Learn about the latest plans for the child development center • Hear from Pastor Mark • Q & A time Connect on your phone or computer via Zoom.

Visit ncc.re/forum for details and a link to connect in!

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DOUBLE BLESSING Pastor Mark’s Newest Book

“The double blessing, the second movement in this relationship, is what we give back to God by giving to others”

B

lessing is God’s most ancient love language.

It is His eternal posture. And it is one of the most repeated words in Scripture.

In fact, it’s His very first instinct. In Genesis 1:28, we’re told that immediately after creating Adam and Eve, “God blessed them.”

Being blessed by God is amazing. And yet the blessing was never meant to be an end in itself. The first wave of blessing is that which God gives you: time, treasure, talent. The double blessing, the second movement in this relationship, is what we give back to God by giving to others. In other words, we are blessed

by God to bless others.

That is what turns blessing into double blessing.

When gratitude leads to generosity, we experience joy on the giving side of life. And then God knows He can bless us even more… because we know that God doesn’t bless us to raise our standard of living but to raise our standard of giving.

You’re invited to pursue, recognize, and flip every blessing from God. In this new book, Pastor Mark provides you with the tools to inventory your blessings and participate in double blessing—that moment when a blessing in your life is leveraged to doubly bless another.

Pastor Mark and Lora will be gifting everyone at NCC with a copy of Double Blessing. You can pick up your copy after services October 12/13.

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WHAT’S GOING ON

Second Saturday Serve Saturday, October 12

Every second Saturday, we get together to meet tangible needs in our communities. No long-term commitment is necessary and all are welcome.

DC - Rally and project overview at 9:30 am at Ebenezers Coffeehouse Performance Space.

Potomac Yard area, Alexandria, VA - Rally and project overview at 9:00 am outside Regal Cinemas Potomac Yard Ballston area, Arlington, VA - Rally and project overview at 9:00 am outside Chick-Fil-A Ballston Quarter

Care and Prayer We’re dedicated to providing you with support, guidance, education, and prayer as you encounter various life challenges and seek to grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. We offer specialized prayer ministry, pastoral care, and counselor recommendations. Just visit care.theaterchurch.com.

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Celebrate Recovery is Moving!

Every Wednesday beginning October 9

We’re moving! Join us at the Capital Turnaround, 770 M St SE. CR is for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, or hang-ups, whether they are affecting their own life or the lives of those around them. Open to all, and you’re free to join anytime.

Here’s what a typical evening looks like: 6:30pm: Snacks & fellowship in the lobby 7:00pm: Large Group – Worship, Teaching, and Testimony 8:00pm: Men’s and Women’s Open Share Groups 9:00pm: Dessert & Fellowship

Deeper

Monday, October 7, 7pm - 9pm The Miracle Theatre Slow Down • Worship • Pray • Listen Everyone is welcome. Deeper is for anyone who wants to learn to quiet themselves in God’s presence, wants to receive personal or prophetic prayer, longs to worship, and wants to expand their prayer life.

Find your people.

Find your place.

Find your purpose. ncc.re/team It’s a Double Blessing to Serve at Your Campus.

Worship • Production • NCC Kids • NCC Youth • Hospitality • Prayer • Communications

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Groups

NCC FAMILIES

Sermon Discussion Guides

Did you know you can download a discussion guide for every weekend message? The questions help you dig deeper into and practically apply the themes and nuances presented by our pastors. Use the guide to shape your daily devotional time, or to start conversations with your family, friends, or small group. Get them here: ncc.re/discussionguides.

A1:8 Missions

NCC Kids (birth-5th grade)

Be a Part of the Annual NCC Kids Christmas Show!

Rehearsals for the choir begin Sunday, October 13. This first rehearsal will be an information meeting immediately following services at each campus. Sign up for the choir (ages four and above) at ncc.re/kidschorus. Auditions for speaking parts and solos for kids in first grade and up will take place Sunday, October 20, 1:30-3:00pm at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. Don’t miss the show Saturday, December 7.

Serve at Thanksgiving

Each year, NCCers love to celebrate Thanksgiving by serving and honoring those experiencing homelessness.

Join us!

DC: Friendsgiving Saturday, November 23 at Ebenezers Coffeehouse Learn more: ncc.re/friendsgiving Alexandria: Gratitude Table Thursday, November 28 at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church alexandriagratitudetable@gmail.com

Join a Team

Join a Team

Use your gifts to make a difference.

Join a weekend serving team at your campus! Browse opportunities and let us help you get connected at ncc.re/team.

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/ October 2019

NCC Youth (6th-12th grade)

NCC Youth Overnight October 18-19 Register here: ncc.re/overnight With the start of a new school year, we hope to equip middle school and high school students in preparation for the next 10 months of decision, anxieties and temptation. NCC Youth Overnight affords students the opportunity to step away from distractions, find new resolve and experience Christ in a fresh way. We’ll host wild times of worship, challenging teachings and of course laughter that may feel more like an ab workout.

Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:

kidsofncc

Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:

therealnccyouth

kids@theaterchurch.com parentshareblog.com

COMING UP AT NCC

Learn more at ncc.re/now

Monday, October 7

Deeper Night of Worship

October 10-14

NCC Mission Team in Monterey, VA*

October 11-21

NCC Mission Team in Germany*

Saturday, October 12

Second Saturday Serve

Sunday, October 13

NCC Kids Christmas Show rehearsals at all campuses

Monday, October 14

Columbus Day/NCC offices closed

October 18 - 19

NCC Youth Overnight

Sunday, November 3

NCC 2020 Missions Series Begins

Sunday, November 3

Daylight Saving Time Ends

*Follow NCC’s A1:8 Missions on Instagram (@aoneeight) to pray for our mission teams.

November is all about Missions at NCC • Teaching on the life of Jesus as a peacemaker • Local and global opportunities to engage as a peacemaker • Get ready to be challenged, empowered, and stretched as we focus on reaching out to serve our friends and neighbors locally and globally.

3 Ways To Give “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

theaterchurch.com/giving TXT “$(amount) NCC” to 45777 Cash or Check

(Find offering envelopes at the Connections Table)

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WEEKLY GATHERINGS AT NCC CAMPUSES God created us to support, encourage, and rely on one another. Find community each week at NCC. Worship • Be transformed, inspired, and filled as you come into the presence of God Learn • Grow in faith as we hear teaching from the Bible we can apply to our lives Connect • Develop meaningful relationships and grow in community Go • Get equipped to love and serve each other, our neighborhoods, and around the world

BARRACKS ROW Saturday Nights, 5pm Pastor Marion Mason — theaterchurch.com/barracksrow Washington, DC

E-news: ncc.re/enewsBarracksSat •

Facebook Group: Barracks Row Saturday Night NCCers

CAPITOL HILL

Sundays, 9am & 11am Pastor Joel Schmidgall — theaterchurch.com/capitolhill E-news: ncc.re/enewsCapHill •

Facebook Group: Capitol Hill NCCers

LINCOLN THEATRE Sundays, 10:30am Pastor Dave Schmidgall — theaterchurch.com/lincoln E-news: ncc.re/enewsLincoln •

Facebook Group: Lincoln Theatre NCCers

BALLSTON

Sundays, 9:30am & 11am Pastor Jenni Clayville — theaterchurch.com/ballston E-news: ncc.re/enewsBallston •

Facebook Group: Ballston NCCers

GAINESVILLE Sundays, 10am

Virginia

Pastor Robb Schmidgall — theaterchurch.com/gainesville E-news: ncc.re/enewsgvemail •

Join our Facebook Group: Gainesville NCCers

KINGSTOWNE Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette — theaterchurch.com/kingstowne E-news: ncc.re/enewsKT •

Facebook Group: Kingstowne NCCers

POTOMAC YARD Sundays, 10am Pastor Jon Vaughan — theaterchurch.com/potomacyard E-news: ncc.re/enewsPY •

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Join our Facebook Group: Potomac Yard NCCers

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