October 2023 Newsletter

OCTOBER 2023

HIGHLIGHT

MILES FIDELL: GROWING UP AT NMC Page 06

KE E PING YOU INFORME D AND CONNEC TE D

A NOTE FROM LEAD PASTOR

Rob McDowell Hello North Metro Church!

This month we are finishing up the series: We Want a King; the study of 1 and 2 Samuel that we started in FEBRUARY! I have truly enjoyed this deep dive into these two books and learned so much about God's character, provision, and steadfast love. We can all identify and relate to the real people we met in these two books, whether it be a weeping Hannah who is given her heart's desire to become a mother or King David who despite his sinful choices had a heart after God. We can rest in the sovereign reign and rulership of the All Mighty.

That leads me to a question I want to ask you...Who did Jesus say he was? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," John 14:6. In our next series: Who Did He Say He Was? We will explore different declarations and "I AM" statements from the mouth of Jesus. We'd love for you to be a part of this series, so plan to join us on a Sunday morning! The series kicks off on Sunday, October 15.

Lastly, our time together on Sundays goes by so fast that we have been praying about other ways we can come together to worship and celebrate life change. This month, we will have our first Hunger Night of Worship on Thursday, October 26 at 7:00pm. This was birthed from our Hunger Revival, and in addition to having a night of worship, we will also be celebrating baptisms. This is for the whole family! We plan to have these quarterly, and we hope you will mark your calendar for this special night.

Grateful for you,

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Worship Devotion

Clark Beasley

Clark Beasley serves as Worship Director and is in charge of music for our Sunday morning gatherings.

While Clark is passionate about leading others to worship God through music, he is also passionate about God transforming our entire lives to be in worship of Him. Read this month's worship devotion!

Quality Time About 7 years ago, God started speaking to my wife, Salina, and me about this particular passage from Genesis: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” - Genesis 3:7-9 NIV Housed in the middle of the fall of man is this very easily overlooked picture. God was walking in the garden! What?!?! After studying it further, I found out that the word "walked" actually denotes that this was a common, regular occurrence. Adam and Eve walked regularly with God, and they enjoyed the time with each other. Don't miss this - God took so much pleasure out of walking with His people! This is why we named our fourth child Eden, to mark this beautiful season. God was showing us that, ever since the fall, His aim has been to make a way, through Jesus, for us to walk again with Him in the cool of the day.

Fast forward a few years later, and I decided that in the thick of the pandemic, 2020, I would take my sabbatical. And to further cause insult to injury, I decided that it would be a super sweet idea to go on a five-day

silent retreat at a Jesuit retreat center. Good times, right? At first, I thought, "All the time away from people and me being a true introvert - yeah sign me up!" But the closer I got to the date I would leave, the more it sank in - I would have to sit alone with God for 5 straight days and no one else! I started to panic a little bit. Could I do it?

On night three, after God had already been sharing so many earth-shattering revelations with me, He dropped this.

"The typical progression of the Christian life presented in most church settings, Bible studies, Christian books, and conferences unfolds like this: faith, obedience, service...

The goal in this popular model of Christian formation is faithful servants. We believe in Christ, we obey Christ, and we serve Christ in some way. I would venture to say that most dear, beautiful followers of Jesus have not been told there is anything beyond this."

This is taken from Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge. In the middle of a book about finding ways to break through the drama and technology crisis we're experiencing as a culture, he drops this bomb in chapter 13. My jaw sank. All my life, I've been in this horrible cycle of trying to do the right things, falling short, experiencing God's grace, dusting myself off, rinse, repeat. But I was missing something in this Christian life.

Then Eldredge writes, "The Good News,

literally, is that there is so much more!" I was hanging on every word now.

"Both the Old and New Testaments, along with the testimony of saints down through the ages, speak of union with God as the goal of our existence."

And there it is - the answer. This was the missing piece I had not realized I lost sight of or never had to begin with. I was not meant just to do this life in my own strength and fall short. I was meant to be in union with God, abiding in Him and He abiding in me (John 15). Then, as I walked, it would be Him doing the work in and through me with His power at the ready.

I encourage you to read this book. It literally changed my life. And I am greatly oversimplifying the process that God took me on to get to this revelation, but I had to share it. If you feel distant and cut off from God right now, just realize that His heart is to be so close to you that you won't even know where you end and He begins. Even Jesus spoke to this connection and the true Father's heart in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). And He wants to work in and through your life to accomplish "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20.

In addition to leading our Sunday worship teams, Clark also has organized a partnership between NMC and Rooted Music Coaching, a company providing individual and intentional music lessons to help students of every age thrive in music and in life.

For more information on what Rooted is about, feel free to reach out to Clark at clark@rootedmusiccoaching.com or visit their website: rootedmusiccoaching.com/westcobb.

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Connect and Grow Care

PRAYER

Prayer is powerful. It's one of the most important things we can do as a church. Our staff and leadership would love to come alongside you, fight for you in whatever difficulty you may be experiencing, and celebrate any answered prayers! To share your prayer requests, visit northmetro.org/prayer.

RE:GENERATION Through His Word, God offers us principles where freedom and new life can be found. Are you hurting, feeling stuck, having given up hope for change, or wanting to identify and remove obstacles for a deeper fellowship with God? Wonder why you keep struggling with the same thing day after day, year after year? re:generation is discipleship for the heart.

Participants walk through 12 steps of biblical healing in the context of authentic community. If you want to learn how to live out a "new life in Christ" and find healing in Jesus during your day-to-day life, re:generation is a great place to discover the fullness that Christ alone offers us. New groups will begin in January.

MERGE Strong, healthy marriages start long before the wedding. To build a marriage that lasts and gets off to a great start, we encourage all engaged couples to participate in Merge, our four-week premarital discipleship

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class. Merge classes are available to those who regularly attend NMC and are already engaged. The next session begins Monday, October 23, from 6:00-9:00pm. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

and their marriages by studying and applying biblical principles within a small group structure. We offer re|engage twice a year, beginning in August and January.

FOUNDATION GATHERINGS

Divorce Care is a mix of support and learning for those currently separated or divorced. We understand that divorce can be one of life's most painful trials, and while God hates divorce, He doesn't hate divorced people. Our Divorce Care ministry is led by individuals who understand what you're experiencing and will support you as you move forward. Through Divorce Care, you will learn how to deal with the heartache of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life.

The first few years of marriage can be difficult, but they also offer a chance to build healthy patterns into a marriage at a formative stage. Foundation Gatherings are open to married couples who have been married for three years or less. These events occur three times a quarter and include dinner, teaching, and a chance to build relationships with other newlywed couples.

Our next gathering is Monday, November 27, at 7:00pm. Registration is required to attend. The cost for dinner is $10/couple, and childcare is available with registration.

Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

RE|ENGAGE re|engage is a marriage enrichment ministry designed for couples ready to invest time and energy into building a stronger marriage. Through a mix of large-group teaching and small-group discussion, you and your spouse are challenged and encouraged with practical ways to apply the gospel of Jesus to your marriage. Couples are discipled and equipped to grow in their walk with Christ

DIVORCE CARE

FOSTER & ADOPTION SUPPORT Scripture urges believers to look after the orphans in our community. One way we do this at NMC is to come around families participating in foster care or adoption.

In addition, this group is a place to find support and encouragement from others who understand these specific challenges.

This month's meeting is on Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30pm.

On Sunday, October 22, we are hosting a meet-and-greet at Tumlin Park in Marietta from 4:00-6:00pm. This will be a fun opportunity to meet other foster and adoptive families from NMC. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

WELCOME HOME

GROUPS

TABLESETTERS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 11:00AM-12:00PM

At NMC, we genuinely believe we are better together. For that reason, we want everyone to circle up with others in a group. We have three different types of groups you can join. Connection Groups meet over shared interests such as hiking, board games, or movies; Community Groups meet for fellowship, prayer, and study of the Bible; and Care Groups assist anyone walking through difficulty or life transition. If you want to join a Connection Group, Community Group, Care Group, or even start your own group, then check out northmetro.org/groups.

When we serve others, we set the table for them to experience the grace of God. That’s why around here, we call our volunteers Tablesetters. Our goal is for everyone to experience the joy of serving others as a Tablesetter and serve somewhere within our church. Regardless of your schedule, experience, or gifting, there’s a fulfilling place for you to serve here! Visit northmetro.org/serve to browse opportunities and take the next step to serve.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

PURE DESIRE

Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one care ministry that supports those experiencing difficult times. Stephen Ministers are members of our NMC community well trained in encouraging others who are enduring painful times such as the loss of a loved one, a marriage, a job, or one's health. If you are facing any of life's difficult circumstances, please consider using a Stephen Minister to help bear your burdens.

Pure Desire is a men's ministry that provides hope, freedom, and healing from sexual brokenness through Jesus Christ.

Through this group, you will understand how family of origin and trauma impact your behavior, how addiction affects brain chemistry, and develop a plan to create freedom from addiction. Don't let shame keep you from finding help. There is hope as you walk out this journey with other Christ-followers.

but we can walk alongside you and hold you up when the weight is too heavy. We can be that safe place to let all your feelings fall. We can have the honor of praying continually for you and your family. We can be that safe group of ladies who get it without explanation or apologies; we get it all.

FRESH START

INFERTILITY & LOSS SUPPORT

Is there someone in your life who has hurt you deeply? Have you tried to forgive, but when you hear or see the person, feelings of anger or bitterness crop up in your life?

If so, the ministry of Fresh Start can help free your heart. It is a process that will help you live “Forgiven, Forgiving & Free." It will help you understand what forgiveness is and what it is not.

When God calls our hearts to grow our families, He never promises that it will be easy. But, He does promise to lead when we are lost. So, take refuge in knowing you’re not alone. If you struggle with infertility or have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, there’s a place for you. This month's meeting will be Monday, October 9, at 7:00pm.

Women's groups meet on Tuesday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Men's groups meet depending on individual availability.

WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT

Welcome Home is designed to help you learn about everything that makes up North Metro Church and give you the next steps on how you can belong to our family.

Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

Cancer hits with a terrible punch, whether it’s you, a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend. We can't take you out of this storm,

If cancer has affected you in any way, we encourage you to reach out to NMC's Cancer Support Group. You will find an amazing community of brave, strong women who have learned to trust God no matter what because He is trustworthy.

This month's meetings will be on Sunday, October 8 and 22, at 12:15pm.

BEAUTY FOR ASHES Beauty for Ashes is a confidential group designed to provide encouragement and hope to women whose husbands struggle with sexual addiction. We understand the devastation of a husband's betrayal; however, our goal is not to stay in this place of wounding but to seek the Lord for healing and hope. This month's meetings will be Thursday, October 12 and 26, at 7:00pm.

For more information or to sign up for any of our Care Ministries, visit our Care page at northmetro.org/care.

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Don't miss out on the podcast releasing in October, where you can hear Miles showcase his skills as he brings back the nostalgic "We Love You Mom and Dad," produced by our Worship Pastor, Clark Beasley.

Find the North Metro Church podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Celebrating 25 Years: Growing Up at NMC with Miles Fidell As we mark North Metro Church's 25th anniversary, we're looking back on all that God has done in and through the church. In a podcast episode, our Barrett Campus Pastor, Daniel Hicks, sat down with Pastor Miles Fidell. Miles grew up right here at NMC. His family was here on Day 1 when Miles was in the 4th grade, and he's now the lead pastor of Auburn Community Church. In this conversation, Miles shared about his journey, highlighting the significance of faith, community, and the Holy Spirit that he discovered during his time at NMC.

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A Walk to Remember Among many things, at NMC, we've always been passionate about creating community and discipling the next generation. Miles recalled how this dedication to faith and discipleship deeply influenced his own path. He explained that this commitment to fostering faith and community led him to feel called to a similar mission. When Daniel asked if Miles had always felt called to ministry, Miles let us know about a little story that included the Mandy Moore movie, A Walk to Remember. While he sat in the movie theater with a group of friends from NMC, the Holy Spirit spoke to him and his friends, delivering the same message and calling on their lives. This experience was particularly significant as all the boys had grown up in NMC's youth group, with pastors and mentors who actively shaped their lives.

Finding Your Calling Daniel asked another age-old question: How do we know our calling? Miles offered a simple equation: giftings + character = calling. From a young age, Miles recognized his gift for connecting with people and motivating them. However, he admitted that he needed something more: character development. It was during a stint of waiting tables at Chili's that he learned valuable lessons in humility and character growth. Coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the wise discipleship he received from our Lead Pastor, Rob McDowell (who was the college pastor at the time), and other individuals at NMC, Miles was prepared to step into his calling.

From Middle School Pastor to Music Videos to Auburn, Alabama While Miles served as NMC's Middle School Pastor, he made a few cameo appearances in some "NMC famous" music videos and skits.

Miles thought he would spend years loving the students of Cobb County at NMC but after a year, God put a dream in Miles and his wife, Courtney's heart.

After praying with about 10 families in a hardware store, God called them to plant Auburn Community Church. God had led them to build a passionate multigenerational church connecting college students and families in Auburn, Alabama. Looking back, Miles recounted the leadership qualities and spiritual disciplines he learned from men at NMC. It was a combination of a calling from God, a strong foundation, spiritual growth, men and women speaking into their lives, and a unified call in their marriage that sprung them forward.

Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years Miles firmly believes that if God has planted a vision in our hearts, God is far from done with us. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, let us persist in prayer and seek the Holy Spirit as we step into the next 25!

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Care Group Spotlight

Marriage Ministries Building Strong Marriages Our mission is to help people find and follow Jesus, and one way we do this is by helping nurture marriages. We're driven by a passion for providing nurturing environments where couples, whether newly engaged or celebrating decades together, can foster their relationships and grow together in their faith. No matter where you are in your marriage, NMC has a place for you. Dive into our marriage ministries and take a step in investing in your marriage today.

Becky Everette Care Director 8

Merge:

Foundation:

re|engage:

Engaged Couples

Couples Married Three Years or Less

Revitalizing Marriages for Couples in Any Season

We believe that strong, healthy marriages begin long before the wedding bells ring. To establish a marriage that stands the test of time and begins on the right foot, we strongly encourage all engaged couples to participate in our premarital mentoring class, Merge.

Merge is tailor-made for engaged couples seeking wisdom and guidance about marriage in a safe, enjoyable, and authentic setting. Our primary goal is to help you create a marriage deeply rooted in faith, one that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

During Merge, couples are guided by experienced married mentors through the curriculum. Topics covered include effective communication, conflict resolution, financial planning, handling in-law dynamics, and more. It's an opportunity for couples to address common questions and challenges from a biblical perspective.

The initial years of marriage lay the foundation for a couple's life together. Critical aspects like finances, spiritual practices, relationships with extended family, and intimacy are all being shaped during this time.

Our Foundation Gatherings are designed to support newlyweds as they embark on a lifetime of oneness and ministry within a Christ-centered community.

Not only will you find companionship among other couples in a similar life stage, but you'll also benefit from the wisdom and experience of marriage mentors.

These gatherings occur every six weeks and include a shared meal, teaching sessions, and small group discussions.

Your journey to a better, more fulfilling marriage begins here. Whether you're facing difficulties in your relationship, dealing with brokenness, or simply aiming to grow closer as a couple, re|engage is a resource that can benefit marriages at any stage.

All you need is a willingness to invest time and effort into strengthening your bond. In re|engage, we delve into God's design for marriage, drawing wisdom from biblical principles to guide us toward growth as a couple. Through a combination of large-group teachings and small-group discussions, you and your spouse will be challenged and inspired to apply the Gospel of Jesus to your marriage.

Ready to build a resilient, thriving marriage and make an investment in your relationship? Visit northmetro.org/marriage to find out how you can get involved today.

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Upcoming CHURCHWIDE BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 11:00AM One of our favorite things here at NMC is celebrating life change through water baptism. If you’re ready to take this step in your faith journey, we invite you to attend the next adult baptism class. For more information about our beliefs on baptism and to sign up for the class, visit northmetro.org/baptism.

HUNGER NIGHT OF WORSHIP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 | 7:00PM

Hunger Night of Worship is a time spent as a family to worship God through music and is where we celebrate baptisms! We know through our Hunger Revivals, God has changed the hearts of people at NMC, and we want to carry these special nights on throughout the year. Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 26 as we worship and celebrate baptisms!

MOBILIZATION SATURDAY SERVE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | 8:30AM Join us on Saturday, October 14, for a time of serving and loving our community. We will serve with two of our Mobilization Partners: City Takers and First Care Women's Clinic.

Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/serve.

FIRST CARE WOMEN'S CLINIC WALK FOR LIFE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | 9:00AM

Unplanned pregnancies are seen as a crisis, but an innocent life is never a crisis to be ‘solved’ by abortion. This is why First Care Women's Clinic’s annual Walk For Life is more important than ever. The Walk For Life is a two-mile loop from First Care to Planned Parenthood and back. This is a prayer walk, not a protest, and an annual fundraiser to help First Care serve the frontline of the abortion battle in Georgia.

To participate in the annual Walk for Life, go to northmetro.org/serve.

ENGAGE MISSIONALLY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 8:30AM At NMC, we believe we’re all “on mission” all the time. As we go, each daily interaction 10

is a mission opportunity. In everything we do, you’ll consistently hear that we are here to help people Find and Follow Jesus, and we do this by becoming carriers of the Gospel across the street and around the world. We engage with everyone in and outside of our circles in a way that if NMC ceased to exist, we (not the building but the body of Christ) would be missed.

Join us Saturday, October 21, 8:30am12:00pm, to help equip you with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to engage missionally in your neighborhood and community. Breakfast will start at 8:30am, and lunch at 11:30am.

LYDIA CIRCLE SEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30 | 9:00AM Did you know that girls in Africa miss days of school and/or work each month due to a lack of hygiene supplies? Many girls are forced to stay in their homes because of their monthly menstrual cycle causing them to fall behind in school or go without earned wages. Though we in the Western world cannot relate to this common challenge, there is an easy solution where we can help!

Help us sew with Lydia Circles Sews; go to northmetro.org/serve.

WAYMARK - HANDS OF HOPE GALA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 | 6:45-9:00PM

You are invited to make a direct impact on the lives of youth in foster care by participating in Waymark’s 6th annual Hands of Hope Gala at NMC on November 2 at 6:45pm. It's an opportunity to provide comprehensive support and the hope found in Christ to this vulnerable population who otherwise often face futures marked by homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, and substance abuse. The night will include a delicious dinner, a live and silent auction, a special guest and Waymark Alumnus Mary-Kate Burson and much more!

There are many opportunities to be a part of this special night. For more information regarding these opportunities, contact Tasha Whitener at tasha@waymarkfoster.org or go to waymarkfoster.org/gala. We hope you can join us for this incredible night benefiting local youth in foster care.

CIRCLES USA Did you know that here in Cobb County, over 17% of our children live below the poverty line? The ramifications of poverty are heartbreaking and can include homelessness, food insecurity, and children being removed from their homes and entering the foster care system simply because their families cannot afford to adequately care for them. Circles USA works to move families out of poverty. You can be involved in this work in many ways, including offering a meal, becoming an ally, and so much more. To serve with Circles USA, go to northmetro.org/serve.

CHARACTER EDUCATION MENTORING AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL You can invest in the next generation by becoming a mentor to encourage students every month at Kennesaw Mountain High School (KMHS). As a mentor, you'll help facilitate the social-emotional curriculum, Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore. This is an opportunity to engage students in the public school environment, where they spend so much time—all while equipping them with tools for healthy leadership in their world and the world around them. Take the next step by emailing Jill Stewart at jstewart@northmetro.org or check out the details at northmetro.org/serve.

KIDS TOWN SQUARE TABLE TALKER

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER DISCIPLESHIP TOOL The Town Square Table Talker is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to equip families to connect around the table intentionally. The activities and devotions you'll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum that we use in the classrooms. This means you can connect what you do at home with what your kids do in the classroom! But it's not all curriculum; you'll also find silly games, get-to-know-you questions, and family challenges. You are your child's first teacher and the first person to disciple your child!

We hope the Town Square Table Talker is just the tool you need to take your family relationships to the next level! Grab yours

for

you

today in the NMC Kids Ministry, Town Square.

HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 12:30-1:30PM

Learn what worldview is, why it matters, and how to help a child develop a biblical worldview by teaching four foundational biblical truths. Participants will learn to identify strong cultural messages that threaten to distort and destroy faith in Christ.

This class will help you gain confidence and equip you to have intentional conversations with children so they develop deep, lasting, and culture-transforming faith. This class is based on Josh Mulvihill’s book, Biblical Worldview. Visit northmero.org/events to learn more and sign up today!

SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE NIGHT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 | 5:30-8:30PM

NMC will host its fifth respite night for families of children with special needs and their siblings. This event will allow NMC to serve not only kids and students but also their caregivers. Parents will have a chance for a night out while their children will get to have a night of fun on the NMC campus.

Are you interested in serving our families in the special needs ministry for this respite event? Head over to our events page to see a full list of serving opportunities for this event. The deadline to sign up to serve or attend this event is Friday, October 6. Sign up and learn more at northmetro.org/events.

PAJAMA SUNDAY

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

It's time for one of our Town Square & Shift favorites – Pajama Sunday! Kids and parents always love an excuse to wear pajamas to church, so why not devote a whole morning to it? No matter where you're joining us from, all you have to do is roll out of bed, brush your teeth, and maybe brush your hair. Don’t forget to tag @wearenorthmetro on Instagram to share your photos with us.

& family

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 | 9:15-10:00AM

This 45-minute class is designed for you and your child to attend together. If your elementary-aged child has already taken the step of salvation, this class is the perfect next step! For more information on the baptism process, visit northmetro.org/events.

STUDENTS SHIFT

SUNDAYS | 9:15AM & 11:00AM Shift is our environment for 5-7th grade students. Through teaching, worship, games, and connections in small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. We meet during all Sunday morning worship services in the Shift Room.

SHIFT NIGHTS

2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS | 6:30-8:00PM Friendships and an incredible community can profoundly shape our students' lives. We want to invite our 5-7th students and their friends to our Shift Nights on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month to have time to build additional community and stronger friendships with other students in Shift. Join us for everything from movie nights to large group games. These nights are always free, and dinner is provided.

Drop off your students at the Cafe doors and have them meet us in the Shift Room or Theater.

SHIFT DISCIPLESHIP TRACK

SEPTEMBER 10-NOVEMBER 5

Shift Discipleship track is an elevated learning experience and spiritual growth opportunity that goes beyond a Sunday morning Shift service. 5-7th grade students will participate in activities and classroomstyle learning as we dive into deep biblical themes such as the Trinity and the Story of the Bible. Our hope and desire is that students who take part in these classes will leave with a new, enriched knowledge of the Bible and how to study the Bible. These classes will meet on Sundays from 4:00-

your

6:00pm to correspond with the NMCU schedule. The first class will launch on September 10, and a student can take as many or as few classes as desired. Visit northmetro.org/events to sign up!

COMPASS

SUNDAYS | 6:30-8:30PM Compass is our environment for 8-12th grade students.

Through teaching, worship, events, and small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. Follow us on Instagram @nmcstudents to know about upcoming services and events, or check out the schedule online at northmetro.org.

COLLEGE COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY GROUP

TUESDAYS | 6:45-8:30PM

College students, join us on-campus under the outdoor Pavilion for our NMC College Bible Study Group. We will experience community, dive deep into Bible study, and share a meal! This is a place for you, no matter what your walk with God looks like. For more details, visit northmetro.org/college.

PAID COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The College Internship Program is a paid internship designed for enrolled college students. This program is for students who want to understand and experience all the inner workings of the local church to decide if they want to pursue vocational ministry. It’s designed to make them more aware of their character, competency, strengths, and weaknesses while increasing their understanding of the disciplemaking process. In addition, they will have the opportunity to explore different ministries behind the scenes and what is needed to make each ministry function and thrive. If you're interested in applying for the 2023-2024 school year, check out northmetro.org/intern-program or email Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org for more details.

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What is your

Next Step?

We help people find and follow Jesus. One of the ways we assist people in taking their next steps around NMC is through our Follow Circles, which encompass numerous aspects of faithfully following Jesus. Anyone can take a next step by loving one another through serving, living in community with other followers of Jesus, and learning truth through biblical and personal growth curriculum. These three circles provide direction to all of the ministries and efforts we do around NMC.

Take a next step!

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+ + + Join us for a night of baptism & worship

Thursday, October 26 // 7:00pm northmetro.org We will be celebrating all that God has done in people's lives through baptism on this night.

If you are ready to get baptized, whether a child, student, or adult, we'd love to celebrate with you. Learn more about baptisms and sign up for one of our baptism classes.

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Ivan Mijango Casa del Redentor Director

An update from Ivan Mijango.

Redeemer's House, or Casa del Redentor, is North Metro Church's international ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.

Building A Church Approximately eight years ago, Casa del Redentor began serving the Chuitziyut community, the remote and difficult-toreach village where we have a presence.

When we started, the community did not have paved roads, there was no school building, and there were only a few houses that had electricity. Over the years, things have improved, including people's quality of life. Today they even have their own soccer field surrounded by cornfields and some other amenities, one of which is the Bailey Pavillion. This pavilion was built last year

by NMC and is where we serve food every week to 45 children and celebrate church services.

A few months ago, our friends Elvys and Vicky decided to serve as permanent missionaries to lead the church that we helped plant in Chuitziyut, and that is now bearing fruit. Every Thursday, the people of the community gather in the Bailey Pavilion for church. Being a part of this has been a wonderful experience.

Now is the time to take the next step and help our brothers and sisters to have a special place where they are sheltered from the rain and wind, where they can celebrate their holidays, where they can worship and listen to the word of God, and where they can feel at home. We're so grateful that the Church is not a building, it is the body

of Christ, and we do not need a building to be a church, but it is time for a church building! At the end of September, a team from NMC will visit and help build the walls of the pavilion to officially convert it into a church building in Chuitziyut. This will be of great help to continue the work of sharing the gospel with everyone in the community by providing them with a safe and protected place to meet.

Thanks to NMC and all the people who help CDR make an impact in the community and in the lives of the people in Guatemala, we hope that one day you could come and live this experience too.

We get to partner with Redeemer's House to help people find and follow Jesus in Guatemala because of your obedience in giving. To get involved, you can go to northmetro.org/serve.

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2025 GOALS

As we head toward 2025, we are praying our guts out and are entirely dependent on the Lord! He has entrusted us with our vision to “Be Missed,” and our mission, “We Help People Find and Follow Jesus.”

To live that out, we have set three God-sized goals to aim for as a church.

GOAL #1: HELP 1,000 PEOPLE FIND JESUS We’re telling our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers about our great God, who loves us immeasurably more than we can imagine. We want to

PEOPLE FOUND

152

celebrate with you if you’ve played a part in helping someone move from death to life or if you came to faith in Christ! We invite you to share your story by visiting the Contact Us page at northmetro.org.

GOAL #2: HELP 1,000 PEOPLE ENROLL IN NMCU Before Jesus left the disciples, He said, "Go make disciples." A tangible way to see that hope realized is through our discipleship program,

PEOPLE ENROLLED IN NMCU

1,428

6

NMCU. We're looking to see 1,000 people faithfully following Jesus, equipped with knowledge of Scripture, to share their beliefs with others ultimately. NMCU creates disciples that make disciples.

GOAL #3: EXPAND THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH NEW CHURCH PLANTS NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY Church plants are an expression of our multiplication strategy, multiplying the mission to help people find and follow Jesus. We currently support six church plants including Take Hold in Scotland, Grace Auburn in Auburn, Alabama, Creekside in Dallas, Georgia, Heirloom Church in Tyler, Texas, Oaks Community Church in Naples, Florida; and Compassion International in Guatemala.

YTD August 2023 Income: $1,163,559.89 Expense: $881,025.67 Over(under): $282,534.22

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

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OCTOBER AT A GLANCE Stay in the loop with all things NMC. Join our email mailing list! ( SCAN THE CODE TO BE ADDED )

Follow us on Social Media! @wearenorthmetro

North Metro Church 2305 Ernest Barrett Pkwy Marietta, GA 30064 info@northmetro.org 678.290.7830

Sunday, October 1

Saturday, October 21

Sunday, October 8

Sunday, October 22

Friday, October 13

Welcome Home 11:00am

We Want a King 9:15am & 11:00am

We Want a King 9:15am & 11:00am

Special Needs Respite Night 5:30pm

Saturday, October 14 Saturday Serve 8:30am

First Care Women's Clinic - Walk for Life 9:00am

Sunday, October 15

Who Did He Say He Was? 9:15am & 11:00am

Engage Missionally 8:30am

Who Did He Say He Was? 9:15am & 11:00am

Adult Baptism Class 11:00am

Thursday, October 26

Hunger Night of Worship 7:00pm

Sunday, October 29

Who Did He Say He Was? 9:15am & 11:00am

Monday, October 30 Lydia Circle Sews 9:00am