March 2024 Newsletter

MARCH 2024

HIGHLIGHT

MERGE: PREMARITAL MENTORING Page 8

KE E PING YOU INFORME D AND CONNEC TE D

A NOTE FROM LEAD PASTOR

Rob McDowell Hello North Metro Church, A few years ago, Last year, I shared with you about Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), known as the “prince of preachers.” He was pastor of the London Metropolitan Tabernacle, The hand of God was upon him and his church mightily, and under his ministry and leadership...the Lord ignited revival. Thousands came to know and follow Jesus Christ through his preaching. There were times when worship services drew as many as 10,000 people.

Reverend Spurgeon had a humble and biblical attitude about his ministry. He never took credit for the fruit. When people came to his church to learn the “secret” of his success, he took them to the basement, where hundreds of people were on their knees in fervent prayer. Spurgeon called these prayer gatherings the church’s “engine or boiler room.” What might happen at NMC if we had the same hunger and fervent prayer time? For years, we've had several faithful NMC family members gathering in prayer each Sunday morning, asking God to meet us where we are and draw us closer to Him. Now, we are extending this invitation to everyone.

We don’t have a basement...but we have a large auditorium. So... from family members to Tablesetters, I invite you to the Engine Room. Come be a part of our "Engine Room" for prayer every Sunday at 7:40am in the auditorium.. It will only last for about 1520 minutes...but there is something powerful when God’s people seek Him to guide us in everything we do! I would love it if you’d join us!

We will be celebrating Easter at the end of March, and I hope you plan to come to worship our Risen King, Jesus. If you have been around NMC for a while, you have heard me say that Easter is the Super Bowl of the Christian faith, and we celebrate BIG! We will celebrate our Risen Savior all weekend long. We will have four identical Easter celebration services and our favorite Easter Family Festival! I encourage you to pray about inviting a friend, family member, or co-worker to celebrate with us. Learn more about everything happening over the Easter Weekend in this newsletter and at northmetro.org/easter.

Grateful for you.

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Worship Devotion by 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!

Put Down The Stones (Part 1) Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” — John 8:1-11 (NLT) What a snapshot of time! In one moment, Jesus’ response reached everyone right where they were. And like every other encounter with Jesus, there is always a question to be answered - do you follow me in this or do you not?

There are three perspectives in this story that I would love for you to consider: • The woman • The crowd • The teachers of law and the Pharisees A woman, literally caught in the very act of adultery, is drug out into the street to be on shameful display for all the world to see. What was she feeling? What was she going through? What decisions or situations in her life led her to that moment? Surely, she felt shame. Surely she felt this was just what was expected of people who didn’t care to hear her side of the story. And yet, Jesus does something completely unexpected. He first speaks to the crowd gathered. Then, as people throw down their stones and

walk away, she’s overcome with new feelings. How can He see me when no one else cares? Why doesn’t He condemn me like everyone else has? How can He have such compassion in His eyes for me?

I remember a moment in my life, much like this moment, where I was caught in sin with no way to talk myself out of it. I heard a voice in my head say, “This is it - this is how life as you know it is over. There is no hope for you.” And I was about to start believing it when all of a sudden, I heard another voice speaking. All at once, I heard Him speak, “Where are they? Where did everyone go that accuses you?” And I said, very simply, “They’re gone.”

Then He said, “Did no one stay around to accuse you?” And I looked around to find no one. Then, I heard the kindest words I’ve ever heard in my life, “Neither do I condemn you….go and sin no more.”

And I would submit that same conversation to you. If you find yourself caught in the very act of sin, filled with shame and doubt, with no hope in sight, know that you have a loving Father waiting on the front steps to welcome you. It is not condemnation but kindness that God uses to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

His words to you are the same, “Where are they that accuse you?”

If God doesn’t accuse you, then the accusations of yourself, the world, and the enemy are canceled.

But make no mistake, God’s desire for you is not to continue in sin but to find freedom and life in Him, with no spaces. Being honest and confessing your sin to a trusted believer, or maybe to the one you’ve offended, is one of the most powerful agents that God uses to bring that freedom and life, so take advantage of it.

Step into the light, where Christ is, and find your way out of the darkness.

There’s way too much to talk about around this passage so I need to write a part two. Until next time….

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 life.

For more information on what Rooted is about, feel free to email clark@rootedmusiccoaching.com, visit their website at rootedmusiccoaching.com/westcobb, or call 770.771.5452.

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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.

HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE NMC has a faithful group of men looking to serve widows, single moms, and other ladies in our church. These men are skilled in most areas of basic home repairs, including plumbing, electrical, and carpentry; however, they are unable to take on major renovations or projects that require county permitting. If you are a single woman needing assistance with home maintenance or home repairs visit northmetro.org/care to submit your request.

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?

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re:generation is discipleship for the heart and teaches you how to apply the principles of Scripture to your everyday life. 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. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more about re:generation. We offer re:generation twice a year, beginning in August and January.

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 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.

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 class. Merge classes are available to those who regularly attend NMC and are already engaged. The next session begins Monday, April 15, from 6:00-9:00pm.

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

FOUNDATION GATHERINGS 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, February 26, 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.

DIVORCE CARE - NEW CLASS 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. While God hates divorce, He doesn't hate divorced

WELCOME HOME

GROUPS

TABLESETTERS

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 | 11:00AM-12:00PM

At NMC, we genuinely believe we are better together. Therefore, 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, or 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.

difficult circumstances, please consider using a Stephen Minister to help bear your burdens.

friend. We can't take you out of this storm, 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.

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.

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.

A new Divorce Care class starts on Sunday, March 4. This is a 13-week class that meets weekly, from 4:00-6:00pm. To learn more or to register, visit northmetro.org/events.

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, March 13, from 6:30-9:00pm.

STEPHEN MINISTRY Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one care ministry that supports those experiencing difficult times. Stephen Ministers are members of our NMC community, who are 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

PURE DESIRE 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. Visit the Care page on our website to learn more.

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, March 10, and Sunday, March 24, at 12:15pm.

INFERTILITY & LOSS SUPPORT When God calls our hearts to grow our families, He never promises it will be easy, but He does promise to lead when we are lost. 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, March 11, at 7:00pm.

WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT

BEAUTY FOR ASHES Beauty for Ashes is a confidential group designed to encourage and give 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 on Thursday, March 14, and Thursday, March 28, at 7:00pm.

Cancer hits with a terrible punch, whether it’s you, a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or

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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Spotlight As we continue our 25th anniversary celebration, we reflect with deep gratitude on the incredible years of ministry and the lives Jesus has transformed within our community.

Fully dependent on God, we eagerly anticipate what the next 25 years will bring.

We All Have a Mission This month we are looking back (and looking forward!) to all that God has done through North Metro Church locally and globally through serving, outreach, and global mission trips. We sat down with Rick Everswick, former Outreach Pastor at NMC, to remember and encourage our body that we serve a global God. Born into a missionary family in Zimbabwe, Africa, Rick grew up surrounded by the love of Christ. His grandparents and parents all served as missionaries and shaped a deep understanding of God's love, faithfulness, and provision. Rick’s personal commitment to Christ at an early age led to baptism at age 12 and, in his junior year of college, a resolute commitment to follow wherever the Lord might lead. Rick decided to embrace a ministry of reconciliation for the glory of God. Outreach has been a focus of Rick's entire life, as serving and sharing the gospel have always been a focal point of both his marriage and his family. Rick and his wife, Emily, lived in diverse countries and traversed the globe, including a transformative summer spent in East Asia doing ministry—with their two kids!

To families interested in serving together as a family but already feeling overwhelmed with the demands of school, sports, and extracurriculars, Rick offers a compelling perspective. When we asked Rick how he would encourage a family or individual who

wants to make intentional time for serving others, he shared, "It just comes down to what or who you choose to worship. If your priority is to disciple your kids and shepherd their hearts, then you will make sacrifices and die to self so you and they can know and follow Him." Rick shared that he came to a personal realization that if he was able and willing to travel far with his kids on experiences like cruises, why wouldn't he take his kids to travel somewhere on a mission trip where they could be introduced to people that God loves?

Although Rick spent most of the time sharing with us all of the opportunities to love others he and our church have had in the past, he also reminded us that there are still over three billion people who don't call Jesus Lord. We have a responsibility,; we are armed with the Holy Spirit and God's Word. After 25 years of ministry and, Lord willing, many more ahead, pray that North Metro Church will not miss opportunities to share God's love and fulfill the Great Commission. Hear more from Rick himself on his podcast interview everywhere you find NMC podcasts, and visit northmetro.org/serve to see where you can jump in and serve.

Check out the podcast!

Join our Celebrating 25 Years podcast conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This month, Daniel Hicks caught up with Rick Everswick. Find the podcast by searching North Metro Church anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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If you are married and have a passion to build up other strong marriages, we have opportunities for couples to serve and lead together. Learn more about how you can serve in our marriage ministries at northmetro.org/serve.

The next Merge session begins on Monday, April 29. If you are engaged, join the next Merge session! Learn more at northmetro.org/marriage.

Jim and Lynne Mosman

Jill and Caleb Stewart on their wedding day, March 26, 2023.

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Healthy marriages begin long before the wedding bells ring.

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.

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.

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.

Jill and Caleb Stewart got married on March 26, 2023, and Jim and Lynne Mosman were their Merge leaders. Read this interview to hear how Merge enriched both Caleb and Jill's engagement and early parts of marriage and Jim and Lynne's marriage almost 40 years later as leaders.

Why did you choose to take Merge?

We decided to invest time in taking the Merge class to create a strong foundation for our marriage. We wanted to look at all the hard conversations before they came up in our marriage.

What did you find helpful about the class?

We found the homework helpful throughout the weeks leading up to our wedding. The weekly tasks and questions caused us to improve our communication and helped us facilitate the conversations we needed before marriage.

Tell us about your leaders.

Our leaders, Jim and Lynn Mosman, were terrific! They brought such a kind, gentle, and wise nature to the table. We felt comfortable asking any questions and hearing their guidance. Jim and Lynn were highly intentional during our class and even today! We are so thankful for the role they still serve in our marriage.

What advice would you give an engaged couple?

We want any couple to know before getting married that being scared is okay. Marriage is scary. But scary is worth facing to recreate the love that Christ has for His church.

Merge helped us see that our common goal in this scary decision was to glorify our Father, and we could do that together as one. It’s also been a lot of fun!

Jim & Lynne Mosman Jim: I have been married to my beautiful bride for the last 40 years. She has made me a better man, husband, father, and server of Christ our Lord. I have had a multitude of positions that forced us to move many times. Lynne has been our rock and, each time, has made our house our home. Maybe a little cliché but the words are accurate.

We have two beautiful daughters who have done extremely well choosing their mates in life. We are also blessed to have a precious baby granddaughter and a grandson on the way. And I can’t forget the guard of the house, our lovable dog Woodford.

Why do you choose to invest your time by serving in Merge?

Lynne: When we first started serving in Merge, one daughter had just married, and our other daughter was engaged, so it was the perfect time in our lives to better understand what the young couples might be feeling and going through. … The couples take a confidential Couples Assessment prior to class that identifies strengths and weaknesses in their current relationship.

Jim and I feel a heavy responsibility to be sure we highlight curriculum notes and Scripture that will specifically benefit any areas of weakness identified. But what really fills our hearts is when the couples begin feeling comfortable together and share with each other during discussion time. We hope, in this small way, we are helping couples understand the importance community will be to their marriage.

Jim: Marriage IS work, but also CAN work. It’s fun to engage with couples as they are walking toward life as a married couple, learning about each other and providing some tools to help them along the way.

PREMARITAL MENTORING

What do you hope couples get out of their time with you during Merge?

Hopefully, a better understanding not only of God’s desire for marriage, but how they see themselves fit together- being one with each other and one with God. We hope the couples have some fun and learn even more about one another than they already know.

And we hope they leave knowing marriage is God’s design. Just as God has made a covenant with us and keeps it in spite of all that we do, their upcoming wedding vows are meant to be permanent, too. We hope they know they have a home at NMC full of caring people with community, ministries, and care groups that will help them through all future stages of their marriages.

How does serving in Merge help your own marriage?

Lynne: There hasn’t yet been a session when Jim and I haven’t reflected upon something that was taught or something that was said, and it sparked a conversation between us.

Sometimes, we say, “I’m thankful we do a good job in our own marriage with that,” and other times, we say, “WOW! We could take this course even after nearly 40 years and still learn a lot to better our marriage!”

What’s one practice or piece of advice you’d offer after 40 years of marriage?

Lynne: Know there will be unimaginable joys and equally unexpected difficulties.

Give thanks through both because you will grow stronger in faith and yourselves, which will help you face the next peak or valley even better together.

Jim: You can’t over-communicate, talk through and about everything, and be intentional.

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There is something potent about som

eone's last words, whether it's from a famous movie, spe ech, or a loved one.

Jesus experienced agony by His death on the Cross after being crucified by Roman soldiers. In the final hours of Jesus' earthly time, as He hung on the Cross, Jesus made seven statements—each teaching us more about Him and His character.

up to Easter, we are Over the four weeks leading rds of Jesus. We'll dive into studying these famous last wo lore what they reveal about what the phrases mean, exp how they teach us to live Jesus' character and, in turn, and look more like Him.

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Celebrate Jesus's finished work on the cross with us this Easter weekend at one of our four identical services!

Easter Celebration Services March 29-31 Friday | 6:00pm Saturday | 4:00pm Sunday | 9:15am & 11:00am Family Festival Following our 4:00pm Saturday service, join us at our Family Festival for dinner, inflatables, and community! Because found people find people, invite your neighbors, coworkers, and more to join us for this fun night!

NMC Kids and NMC Students NMC Kids (infants through 4th grade) and NMC Students for 5-7th grade students will be open at all services. West End (special needs) will be open at our 4:00pm Saturday and 11:00am Sunday services.

Help People Find Jesus Found people find people! It's how we finish every service because we want to be winsome and missional and help people find Jesus! We have two ways you can find people this Easter.

Invite your friends, coworkers, and neighbors to our 4:00pm service and our Family Easter Festival for a night of fun and games! This event is for everyone!

Serve with us! By serving on our Guest Services or NMC Kids team for Easter weekend only, you'll help create a welcoming environment and help open classrooms to serve the families of NMC! Learn more about our serving opportunities at northmetro.org/serve.

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Upcoming for

you

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MONTH March is the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. As a church, we often take these national calls of awareness to look even deeper to highlight some of those throughout history who have given their lives to make much of God. This month, we'd like to honor the life of Dr. Lamar Hardwick.

Dr. Hardwick was most recently the lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in Atlanta, GA, and, at the age of 36, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has a Master of Divinity from Emory University, a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University School of Divinity in Lynchburg, VA, and is currently a PhD candidate at Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Along with his passion and calling to serve as a Pastor, Dr. Hardwick is an autism advocate and

BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 | 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.

GROUP CONNECT

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

Looking to have some fun while connecting with others at NMC? Then, come meet all of our Connection Group leaders and learn more about their groups after the 9:15am and 11:00am services on the Pavilion.

Connection Groups are groups that meet at least once a month to build community over shared interests and hobbies such as hiking, golf, board games, movies, or coffee.

MOBILIZATION FAMILY SATURDAY SERVE

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 | 8:30AM

Join us on Saturday, April 13, for a time of serving and loving our community. We will serve Calvary Children's Home and MUST Ministries. At NMC, we believe we're all "on mission" all the time. As we go, each daily interaction is a mission 12

has written for many blogs and magazines on the impact of disability, inclusion, and the church. He is the author of Epic Church, I am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor, and Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion.

He also speaks at seminars and conferences and partners with the local church and faithbased organizations to bring awareness to and create environments for those with disabilities and chronic illness. Along with these wonderful accomplishments, he is also a husband and father.

We are grateful for the hard and good work that Dr. Hardwick is doing for the Kingdom! ~Rob McDowell

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. We look forward to seeing you there! Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/events.

High School. 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.

CIRCLES USA

KIDS

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 care for them adequately. 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

PAJAMA SUNDAY

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

It's time for one of Town Square's favorite days—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.

BABY DEDICATION

CLASS: SUNDAY, MARCH 17 | 9:15-10:00AM DEDICATION: SUNDAY, MAY 19 | 3:00PM The Baby Dedication Class will prepare you to participate in our next Baby Dedication Service, which will be on Sunday, May 19, at 3:00pm. This family-friendly service is an intentional environment, with the message and worship focused on the celebration of

your

family

life and your child's dedication to God’s teaching and instruction. If you want more information on dedicating your child or signing up, visit northmetro.org/events.

SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE NIGHT

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 | 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, April 12. Sign up and learn more at northmetro.org/events.

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, APRIL 21 | 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.

SPECIAL NEEDS PARENT BRUNCH

SUNDAY, APRIL 28 | 11:00AM-12:00PM

This is an opportunity for parents who have children with special needs to get together and form community. Pastries and coffee will be provided during the 11:00am service. Register at northmetro.org/events.

TOWN SQUARE TABLE TALKER

MARCH/APRIL DISCIPLESHIP TOOL

The Town Square Table Talker is back!

This is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to intentionally equip families to connect around the table. The activities and devotions you'll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum 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-knowyou 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 today in the NMC Kids Ministry, Town Square.

STUDENTS

upcoming Compass SPRING Retreat.

This will be an incredible opportunity for powerful worship, lasting connections, and spiritual growth. From ziplines to crazy shenanigans, this retreat will encourage you to stay Father-Focused. The last day to sign up is Friday, April 5. You won’t want to miss it! Scholarships are available.

To learn more and sign up, head to northmetro.org/events.

SHIFT

COLLEGE

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.

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.

COMPASS SPRING RETREAT 2024

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 learn more about vocational ministry.

It’s designed to make them more aware of their character, competency, strengths, and weaknesses while increasing their understanding of the disciple-making 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 2024-2025 school year, check out northmetro.org/intern-program or email Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org for more details.

APRIL 19-21

Calling all 8-12th grade students! From Friday through Sunday, April 19-21, join us for an unforgettable experience at our

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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.

11 Years of Helping Families Find and Follow Jesus.

During the month of January, Casa Del Redentor (CDR) celebrates its anniversary.

This year marks 11 years since we were legally established as an organization with the government of Guatemala. It has been a wonderful and special journey; we have seen hundreds of children grow into young adults, some of whom have even married and had their own children. We have met incredible people along the way, made lifelong friends, and some have even become our family.

There are so many people who have shaped and blessed this ministry since it started.

We are fortunate to have Sara García on our team, who has been a part of CDR practically since its foundation and has seen how we have grown; she has left her essence and put her heart into blessing this ministry. I asked Sara to share one of her

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many favorite moments and experiences during all her years of service.

to take to their homes and share with their families.

"One of my favorite memories is when we still did not have our own kitchen in Patzun, one of our local villages, and the clinic's staff allowed us to cook in their facilities. I remember it was very cold, but our hearts warmed up seeing the few children who voluntarily came to receive food. It touched our hearts that there were girls who arrived carrying their younger siblings on their backs so they could also receive food, and what made our day was seeing each of those little ones smile. We didn't even have tables for them to sit at, but the children didn't mind; they sat on the grass with their little siblings and had their own picnic, we prayed for them, and then some went home because they lived far away and saved food

We started out serving approximately 20 children, and without realizing it, the attendance grew to 100 children, then 150, and, today, we are happy to be serving 250 children (in Patzun) every week. God has been so faithful these years, and we have seen Him work in CDR in many ways, giving us the opportunity to meet and share with special and wonderful people. We have grown so much that I never imagined reaching where we are; we have experienced bad and good moments, but through it all, God has upheld us and kept us standing. I want to thank everyone who has been part of this great dream that was born from the heart of a family but became the dream of many who love this ministry. Thank you very much! - Sara."

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.

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

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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 We currently support six church plants, including Take Hold in Scotland, Grace Auburn in Auburn, AL, Creekside in Dallas, GA, Heirloom Church in Kyle, TX, Oaks Community Church in Naples, FL, and Compassion International in Guatemala.

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 Expand the Kingdom of God through five new church plants nationally and/or globally Church plants are an expression of our multiplication strategy, multiplying the mission to help people find and follow Jesus.

YTD January 2024 Income: $4,718,780.96 Expense: $3,409,601.24 Over(under): $1,309,179.72

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

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

Friday-Sunday, March 1-3

Sunday, March 24

Shift Winter Weekend

Famous Last Words

Sunday, March 3 Famous Last Words 9:15am & 11:00am

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

11:00am-12:00pm Adult Baptism Class 11:00am-12:00pm

Famous Last Words

Friday, March 29

NMC Kids Pajama Sunday (Daylight Saving Time begins)

Sunday, March 17 North Metro Church

Welcome Home

Sunday, March 10 9:15am & 11:00am

Follow us on Social Media! @wearenorthmetro

9:15am & 11:00am

Famous Last Words 9:15am & 11:00am

Easter Celebration Service 6:00pm

Saturday, March 30 Easter Celebration Service 4:00pm Easter Festival 5:00pm

Sunday, March 31 Easter Celebration Services 9:15am & 11:00am