Next
/ October 2017
Note from
Pastor Mark & Lora There’s nothing more incredible than seeing NCCers go public with their faith in baptism. I tear up almost every single time. For someone who has been touched by the transforming love of God, baptism is a catalyst moment. There is so much story behind every person that comes out of the water. Their facial expression represents the face of new life, new possibilities, and a new, public commitment to our community of faith. If you haven’t yet been baptized and you’re ready, we hope you’ll consider being baptized this October during our All-Church Gathering.
Lora Batterson Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor
Welcome!
The best way to meet people and get connected is to become involved.
New to NCC?
There are so many great ways to jump into the life of NCC.
See you at the Connections table! We want to meet you, answer your questions, and give you a gift. And let us show you how to get connected at your campus. or . . . Fill out the tearout card in the center section of this issue and drop it in the offering. or . . . Go to ncc.re/connect and fill out the quick form. We’ll be in touch soon!
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• Join one of our small groups. ncc.re/groups • Join a weekend ministry team. ncc.re/ministry • Join a local or global mission team, or show up at Second Saturday Serve as we work together to make a difference in our communities. ncc.re/onmissioneveryday If you’re new to church or new to following Jesus, pick up a Next Steps booklet at the Connections Table, and check out our Alpha groups. ncc.re/alpha
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Subscribe: ncc.re/podcast | Learn more or get involved: ncc.re/connect 2
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October 2017
The Most Glorious, Jubilant, Hard-to-Explain 30 Seconds of Your Life. or two thousand years, baptism has been the defining mark of every follower of Christ. It’s a step of obedience in our faith journey in which we declare to the world who we are and, most important, whose we are. We declare that we are no longer who we were, but that we are now people who are free from the past and filled with hope for the future. It’s the affirmation that we are no longer clinging to edges of an old life, but that we are going all-in in new life in Christ.
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Baptism immerses us into the story of Jesus. We die to all that is old and bury it under the water. And then we are raised in the power of His resurrection to the new life we can experience in Him. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a
new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Baptism is also a sacred marker of your decision to follow Jesus. It is a reminder of the forgiveness, freedom, and relationship He initiated with you. On some days, it’s hard to really believe we are still forgiven. Some days, we find ourselves wrestling with old hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Some days, we just don’t feel like Jesus is very close. Those are the days when we can cling to that moment of baptism to remember that it’s not about what we’ve done for Jesus, but what Jesus has done for us. If you have made a decision to follow Jesus and have not yet been baptized, we would love to be a part of that step in your faith journey!
Baptisms are happening at NCC’s All-Church Gathering Sunday, October 29
Interested in being baptized? Talk with your Campus Pastor or email baptism@theaterchurch.com to get your questions answered. Already baptized? See you in the cheering section. theaterchurch.com
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What’s going on All-Church Gathering
Sunday, October 29, 6pm • Echostage Save the date for our annual All-Church worship and baptism service! Our entire church family from all eight campuses will gather for worship, communion, and to celebrate with those who are getting baptized. Interested in getting baptized? Email baptism@theaterchurch.com.
#NCCPrays Prayer at NCC is not just an activity that we do, it defines who we are. Prayer is how we connect and grow in friendship with God. It’s in prayer that we are healed and set free. Through prayer, we get to partner with God’s heart, love, and purposes to see His kingdom come to our lives and the lives of our families, neighbors, and nations. Here are ways you can engage with prayer at NCC. Questions? Email prayer@theaterchurch.com.
Learn How to Pray
Prayer training is offered through these small groups: theaterchurch.com/groups (click “prayer” in “Filter Group Options”) • Prayer 101 Course • Basic Training for the Prophetic
Pray for Others
Serve by joining one of these prayer teams: theaterchurch.com/groups (click “prayer” in “Filter Group Options”) • Virtual Intercessors (via Google Hangouts) • War Room Intercession Northwest DC • War Room Intercession Capitol Hill • Weekday Prayer Ministers Team • Campus Prayer Team
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Receive Prayer
Weekday Prayer Ministers • Meet with an experienced prayer partner one-on-one. email heidi@theaterchurch.com • Pastoral Prayer Appointments One-on-one, one-hour pastoral prayer appointments. email heidi@theaterchurch.com • Sozo Inner Healing Prayer Appointments email sozo@theaterchurch.com • Submit Prayer Requests Anytime Fill out the tear-off card in the middle of this issue of NEXT or email prayer@theaterchurch.com. NCC prayer teams cover each request. • Get Prayer at Your Campus Trained members of the Prayer Team are available to pray with you on the spot after all services.
Tea, Friendship, English Lessons: The Crocus Collective t all began over cups of tea. Two American women and two Turkish women couldn’t speak each others’ language, but through hand signs, facial expressions, some awkward laughter, and a mutual bilingual friend, they connected. And those first cups of tea birthed powerful new friendships. Those friendships in turn gave rise to the Crocus Collective. The Collective, a group of women from NCC-Gainesville, works to create welcoming friendships with refugee families in the Northern Virginia area. Though meals, events, and ESL classes, the group is helping these new residents find their place in their new community.
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The Crocus Collective, an NCC A1:8 Missions Partner, serves refugee families in three ways. First, they intentionally build friendships over meals together. Says Linda Painton, “It’s amazing how quickly relationships can develop over a shared meal or a cup of tea. We hear stories of things in the past and of dreams to come . . . through these friendships, we are the blessed ones as our understanding is enlarged and our perspective is changed.” The Crocus Collective also hosts Listen & Learn events, where people are invited to listen as refugees share the story of their journey to America and
treat the group to delicious dishes from their home country. Says Pastor Robb Schmidgall, “Opinions are highly charged in our country right now. We often value solutions over relationships. But Listen & Learn is a time to create space to understand, to develop relationships. We have one goal: to slow down enough to listen and understand to someone else’s story.” “Our refugee friends are really eager to learn English and become engaged in American culture,” says Nicole Schmidgall. “We began offering ESL classes, and those have really taken off. We can always use more people to help with these classes—and not just people willing to teach English. We could use help with child care, transportation, prayer, and more.” Classes are held in the American Turkish Friendship Association in Fairfax. If you’re interested in getting involved, here’s how: • Learn more at thecrocuscollective.com • Schedule a Listen & Learn in your home • Join the ESL Team. Email mynccesl@gmail.com • Interested in NCC’s refugee care efforts in DC? Email refugeecare@theaterchurch.com
Special Series: Whisper October 21-29
How can we hear God over the noise of everyday life? In this sermon series based on Pastor Mark’s brand-new book, discover how to turn up, tune into, and follow God’s voice as you seek His guidance in big and small decisions. Be sure not to miss this series—and definitely bring a friend or two. Rumor has it that Pastor Mark will have a gift for everyone!
theaterchurch.com
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NCC Families
Crosswalk Kids (birth - 5th grade)
Parent Share Blog
If you’re not yet subscribed to NCC’s blog just for parents, this is a must-read! Parentshareblog.com features excellent content written by NCC parents. It’s full of reflections, strategies, stories, and practical ideas for sharing faith in your home.
Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:
kids@theaterchurch.com
Uprising Youth
Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:
parentshareblog.com
(6th-12th grade)
crosswalkncc therealuprisingyouth
Our Biggest Year Yet!
This September was our biggest fall launch with more students than ever at our kickoff gatherings. Students in grades 6-12 meet weekly in Gainesville, Kingstowne, Ballston, and DC to develop community and strong faith in the context of their daily lives. Want to get involved? Email steffen.humbert@theaterchurch.com.
Small Groups
A1:8 Missions
Ministry Highlight
Serve at Thanksgiving
Dive Deeper into the Weekend Sermon
Join the Production Team
Each year, NCCers love to celebrate Thanksgiving by serving and honoring those experiencing homelessness. Join us!
Did you know you can download a Discussion Guide for every weekend sermon? The questions help you dig deeper into each weekend’s message. Use the guide to shape your personal daily devotional time, or to start discussions with your family or small group.
Commitment: 1-2 times per month jayjay@theaterchurch.com
This November in DC and VA
DC: Friendsgiving Saturday, November 18 Sign up here: ncc.re/friendsgiving Alexandria: Gratitude Table Thursday, November 23, noon-2pm alexandriagratitudetable@gmail.com
Get them here: ncc.re/discussionguides
New to Following Jesus?
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October 2017
Get behind the scenes and help make worship happen. Look like this could be your kind of gig? Try it out. No experience necessary. Email Jay Jay to set up a time to shadow the Production Team at your campus and learn projection, audio, lighting, setup, and teardown.
Let us help you take your next steps! Visit the Connections table and we’ll make sure you get your own Bible and our Next Steps guide. You can read this workbook on your own, but we encourage you to do it with a group of friends, or in a small group. Want to talk with someone about your new faith? Contact your campus pastor, and consider joining an Alpha group. More info here: ncc.re/alpha.
Coming Up at NCC Monday, October 2
Learn more at ncc.re/events
Deeper Night of Worship (Focus on Reconciliation)
October 6-7
Uprising Youth Fall Conference
Monday, October 9
Columbus Day (NCC offices closed)
Saturday, October 14
Second Saturday Serve
Monday, October 16
Living the Gospel Through Peacemaking
October 18-29
NCC A1:8 Mission Team in Hong Kong*
October 20-31
NCC A1:8 Mission Team in India*
Saturday, October 21
Fall Leadership Summit (For all current NCC leaders)
Sunday, October 29
All-Church Gathering and Baptism Celebration at Echostage
November 2017
November is all about missions at NCC!
• Brand-new opportunities to serve locally and globally
• Learn about two powerful new ways to steward our missions resources
• Rollout of NCC’s 2018 mission teams • Get ready to be challenged, empowered, and stretched as we ask, “What’s Your Brave?”
*Follow A1:8 on Instagram to pray for our mission teams (@aoneeight).
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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Sozo is simple, fast, Spirit-led, and effective prayer for inner healing. Sozo prayer helps people better hear from the Holy Spirit so they can walk through a process of freedom and wholeness. Get trained in effective Sozo prayer from one of the country’s leading practitioners, Dr Margaret Nagib.
Sozo Inner Healing Prayer Training
Register and find out more at ncc.re/sozo
Saturday, September 16, 9am - 5pm Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Your NCC Campus Community Sustainable apprenticeship to Jesus, effective mission, and real relationship—that’s our deepest desire for every person who’s part of NCC. This happens best in community at your campus. Here are a few ways to stay informed about what’s going on at your NCC campus.
Barracks Row
Saturday Nights, 5pm Pastor Mike Whitford Sundays, 9, 10:30, and noon Pastor Joel Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/barracksrow E-news: ashley.anderson@theaterchurch.com
Ballston - Sundays, 9:30 & 11am Pastor Mike Whitford theaterchurch.com/ballston Crosswalk Kids at 9:30am E-news: ncc.re/enewsballston
National Community Church - Ballston
National Community Church - Barracks Row
Gainesville - Sundays, 10am Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/echo E-news: echostage@theaterchurch.com
Pastor Robb Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/gainesville E-news: ncc.re/gvemail
National Community Church - Gainesville
National Community Church - Echostage
Georgetown - Sundays, 5:30pm
Pastor Jeremy Steffens theaterchurch.com/georgetown E-news: jeremy.steffens@theaterchurch.com National Community Church - Georgetown
Lincoln Theatre - Sundays, 10:30am Pastor Dave Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/lincoln E-news: lincoln@theaterchurch.com
Kingstowne - Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette theaterchurch.com/kingstowne National Community Church - Kingstowne
Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am Pastor Jon Vaughan theaterchurch.com/potomacyard E-news: ncc.re/enewsPY
National Community Church - Potomac Yard
National Community Church - Lincoln Theatre
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205 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
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Washington, DC
Echostage - Sundays, 9:30am