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/ June 2018
Note from
Pastor Mark & Lora If we’re going to be great at anything, let’s be great at the Great Commandment. And not just half of it. The way we fulfill the first half of the Great Commandment—“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and soul and mind and strength”—is by doing the second half: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus didn’t just teach the art of neighboring, he modeled it with his disciples. This summer, we’re doing an eight-week series titled “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Let’s follow in the footsteps of Jesus as we learn to tell better stories, throw better parties, cross cultures, and become tenacious friends!
Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor Lora Batterson
Welcome!
Get involved. It’s the best way to meet people and make NCC your church home!
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. We can 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 team and serve at your campus. ncc.re/team
• 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
/ June 2018
“I See You, Neighbor.” By Marion Mason Campus Pastor, Barracks Row-Saturday and Echostage
very day, each one of us is presented with opportunities to engage with those around us. For some of us it may be a simple “hello”; others may share a meal. If we take an inventory of our days, most of us can discover a number of additional opportunities to have meaningful interactions with our neighbors. Scripture encourages us to be hospitable, to use our gifts to serve others, and to love our neighbors (Heb. 13:2, 1 Peter 4:10, Matt 25:39). This can be challenging with our busy schedules, the transient nature of our area, and the sheer anxiety of trying to figure out who our neighbors actually are, and what it means to love them. However, we have neighbors all around us, and God provides the opportunities for us to see and love our neighbors—if we pay attention!
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Often, we think of neighbors as those individuals who live near us. Our neighbors are also those who work with or near us. Our neighbors are also those who share a playground, gym equipment, or even
the same grocery store. Neighbors are all around us, but do we really see them? Seeing our neighbors means looking beyond political, socioeconomic, cultural, season-oflife, and experiential differences. It means choosing to go beyond the simple “hello” or the occasional conversation. It means doing life together. And neighboring is a two-way street. It means more than simply serving others—let us also receive the contributions that our neighbors can make in our own lives! Really seeing our neighbors means seeing that each person is created in the image of God and that His desire is for us to love each other well. Hospitality, service, and love are foundational to the concept of neighboring. When we focus on neighboring, we create room to enter into each other’s worlds. We use our time, energy, and resources to reflect and receive God’s love. Through our actions, we say, “Neighbor, I see you!”
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What’s going on
Special Free Advance Screening: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Tuesday, June 5, 7pm The Miracle Theatre Join us for an advance screening of the new documentary that takes an intimate look into the life of our favorite neighbor: Mister Rogers. This emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.
Summer Small Groups June 3 - July 28 ncc.re/groups
Groups are where we get connected to community, grow together as we seek Jesus, and positively impact the world around us. The summer semester starts soon, so be looking for where to join in! Small groups make a big difference.
Additional showtimes coming in July! Check themiracletheatre.com.
Deeper Night of Worship Monday, June 4 and July 9 The Miracle Theatre Join fellow NCCers from all over DC, MD, and VA as we worship God together and delve deeply into focused prayer.
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Second Saturday Serve Saturday, June 9
Second Saturday Serve is a monthly opportunity to serve our local partners in DC or VA with no strings attached. Join one of these events or join the team at your campus and pitch in! All are welcome. Please see theaterchurch.com/events for details.
U Street: Discovering the Present Through the Past By Charles Williams, NCC-Lincoln Theatre
iss Ali sat, ankles crossed, her slight frame made smaller by the Lincoln Theatre stage. In a lilting voice, the matriarch of Ben’s Chili Bowl—a neighborhood institution—held NCCers captive with stories of the U Street that once was. From the cultural richness of “Black Broadway” in the early 1900s to the anger of the 1968 Civil Rights riots, Ms. Ali highlighted the persevering grit and profound beauty of DC’s fabled U Street.
After hearing Ms. Ali, we asked ourselves, “How can we be part of what God is doing in our neighborhood now if we don’t know what He has done there in the past?” Inspired by the legacies of our neighbors, a few of us at NCCLincoln have chosen to learn more about our neighborhood by documenting the stories of those that came before us and help tell the continuing story of what the good news looks like in our neighborhood.
It was a powerful moment as we all leaned in, transfixed by this small woman who knew—and lived—so much of the history of our NCC campus’s neighborhood.
Down the street at Howard University, we often discussed the African proverb of Sankofa, which says the past serves as a guide for the future. How can we nurture a humble curiosity and be students of our local history, pulling truths from the past to lead us forward?
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Part of Ms. Ali’s memories was the story of God at work in the U Street corridor: a message of hope, resilience, and justice. This community of people, denied mobility and bound to the neighborhood by the color of their skin, were at the same time freed by the very strength of the community they built there.
Explore Your Neighborhood’s Past and Present Here are some tips from Charles to help you learn more about your own neighborhood: Questions to ask: • When was my neighborhood first lived in? • Who has lived here over the years? • What is my neighborhood known for? • How has my neighborhood changed over time?
We want to take the time and create the space to be taught by the legends of the streets and neighborhoods we call home. It all starts with leaning in and listening.
Here are just a few ways you can learn more about your neighborhood: • Google searches • Interview longtime neighbors • Your neighborhood or community association • Your local print or online newspaper • Older neighborhoods may be featured in books or other historical documents • Your local library is a treasure trove of information about neighborhood history; reference librarians are always glad to help
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Join a Neighboring Small Group this Summer DC Neighboring: Military Sunday Dinner 5:00 PM Sundays Co-Ed NCC Family Fun 1:30 PM Sundays Families Neighboring-Brookland 5:00 PM Sundays DC - Northeast - Brookland/ Edgewood/Eckington/ Brentwood Couples, Families, Co-Ed, Students Neighboring: Capitol Hill 7:00 PM Thursdays Northeast - Capitol Hill Ebenezers Coffeehouse Women only Neighboring: Fort Lincoln Men’s Group 7:30 PM Thursdays Northeast - Fort Lincoln/ Langdon/Gateway/Woodridge Men Only
Who is my neighbor, and what does it mean to love them well? You’re invited to join a Summer Neighboring Small Group, where we’ll explore these and other questions using our “neighboring” curriculum. This workbook can be completed alone, but it was designed to be done in the context of community. Get yours at any location and jump into a Summer Small Group! Groups begin the first weekend of June. Here’s a list of the current “neighboring” small groups for Summer 2018. Learn more, sign up, and explore more than 100 other small groups at theaterchurch.com/groups.
Neighboring-Chevy Chase 7:00 PM Thursdays Northwest - Chevy Chase Neighboring: Young Female Professionals 7:30 PM Tuesdays Northwest - Other Women Only Neighboring: with Families 6:00 PM Fridays Northwest - Tenleytown/ Friendship Heights/Van Ness Families Neighboring: Friendship Heights 7:30 PM Mondays Northwest - Tenleytown/ Friendship Heights/Van Ness Co-Ed Neighboring: Married Small Group Southwest/Capitol Hill Tuesdays, 7:00 PM Southeast - Capitol Hill Couples
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Neighboring: For Female Summer Interns 7:00 PM Wednesdays Southeast - Capitol Hill Women Only Neighboring: The Art of Neighboring 7:00 PM Tuesdays Southeast - Capitol Hill 530 7th Street Prayer, Neighboring-Summer 2018 War Room 7:30 AM Thursdays Southeast - Capitol Hill 530 7th Street Neighboring: Benning Road 7:00 PM Mondays Southeast - Other Neighboring: U Street 7:00 PM Thursdays Northwest - U Street
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BBQ in the Burbs 5:00 PM Sundays Maryland - Montgomery County - Gaithersburg BWI Neighborhood Maryland - Other Neighborhood GatheringChevy Chase & Beyond 6:30 PM Saturdays MD - Montgomery County Co-Ed Neighboring: North Silver Spring With Families 6:00 PM Wednesdays MD - Montgomery County Silver Spring Families Pizza and a Movie 6:30 PM Fridays MD - Other Couples, Co-Ed, Students Married Millennials in Maryland 7:00 PM Mondays MD - Prince George’s County College Park Couples
VIRGINIA Mentoring At-Risk Kids 6:45 PM Mondays VA - Alexandria Men Only Crash Our Party 6:30 PM Tuesdays VA - Alexandria - Kingstowne Couples, Co-Ed Alexandria Women’s Group 7:30 PM Mondays VA - Alexandria - Potomac Yard/Del Ray Women Only Fireside Chats 7:30 PM Thursdays VA - Arlington Arlington Young Adults 7:30 PM Thursdays VA - Arlington Co-Ed Ballston Marrieds 6:00 PM Sundays VA - Arlington - Ballston/ Clarendon Couples
Young Families Small Group 9:45 AM Saturdays VA - Arlington - Ballston/ Clarendon Families Pentagon City Small Group 7:00 PM Thursdays VA - Arlington - Pentagon City/ Crystal City Co-Ed Neighboring – Gainesville 11:45 AM Sundays VA - Gainesville Praying Over Our Families 9:30 AM Wednesdays VA - Other Women Only NOVA/DC Young Adults VA - Falls Church Ballston Community Group 7:15 PM Mondays VA - Arlington, Ballston, Clarendon
Arlington Women’s Group 7:15 PM Thursdays VA - Arlington - Ballston/ Clarendon Women Only
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Everybody’s Got a Flat Tire by Chelsea Geyer, Executive Director, DC127
ecently, at the start of a long drive, I drove over a nail and destroyed my tire. Some friends were there and even though they could have left in another car, they stayed and helped me find an auto shop. When I shared how much that meant, a friend said, “Of course. This is happening to all of us. We all have a flat tire.”
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This was a simple moment, but it stuck with me. Too often we limit what it means to be a neighbor to shared cups of sugar or hellos on the sidewalk with the people close to us (and sometimes not even that). But what if neighboring is bigger? What if neighboring is saying to the people with whom we share this city, “This is happening to all of us.”? Part of DC127’s goal is to connect volunteers from churches to DC families who are working to keep their children out of foster care. We find volunteers who say
to families, “I’ll walk with you. I’ll fight with you.” These volunteers are there in whatever “flat tire” the family is facing. This happens in big ways and in smaller ways, like when someone posts a vacuum on A1:8 Commons and a young mom who just moved into a new apartment after being homeless can use it (this happened last week). We’re seeing the people of God step up and stick around for DC families. Friends, this directly mirrors Christ’s love for us. When we walk through pain, grief, joy, or flat tires, Christ is there and it is only our privilege to get to show this same beautiful love to our neighbors. DC127 is just one organization that makes great use of NCC’s community resources platform, A1:8 Commons. Learn more on the next page.
DC127 exists to reverse the foster-care wait list in DC. DC127, one of NCC’s Key Missions Partners, helps prospective foster parents navigate the process, while partnering with Safe Families For Children to recruit volunteers to support families in crisis. You can help NCC families who serve in this way by providing respite care or babysitting, cooking meals for families with recently placed kids, mentoring, or providing needed resources. For more information, email dc127@theaterchurch.com or check out DC127.org.
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A1:8 Commons Sharing resources, skills, and needs or years we’ve been asking how we can better share our skills and resources with those who need it most in our communities.
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As the church began, those who believed had all things in common. “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need� (Acts 2:44-45).
A1:8 Commons is a database of needs, skills, and resources. Getting involved is easy: 1. Create a profile 2. Offer your skills and resources 3. Meet needs in our community 4. Learn more and get started today.
ncc.re/commons
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NCC Families
NCC Kids (birth-5th grade)
Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:
NCC Kids are Good Neighbors Parents, your children will receive a special neighborhood map this month in NCC Kids! Use this map to learn more about your neighborhood. Once you meet your neighbors and complete the map, participate in the weekly challenge to love and serve those around you!
kids@theaterchurch.com
Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:
parentshareblog.com kidsofncc
therealnccyouth
NCC Youth (6th-12th grade)
NCC Youth Mission Camp is June 22-27! For: Students in grades 6-12 Signup deadline: Friday, June 8 Register: ncc.re/missioncamp Students will find at mission camp the best of two worlds—the fun of summer camp fused with the heart of a mission trip. At Mission Camp, something happens in students. The Bible goes from being talked about and heard to experienced and applied. Be praying for our students during this powerful week!
A1:8 Missions
Pray for Our Teams on Mission This summer, NCC is sending more than a dozen mission teams around the world to serve and learn. Each team has specific needs and prayer requests. Engage with us in prayer for these teams by following A1:8 Missions on Instagram (@aoneeight).
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Small Groups
Join a Team
Join a Small Group
Join the Prayer Team
This summer, we’re offering all kinds of small groups, including our neighboring groups (see pages 6-7 of this issue). Summer groups run through June and July, taking a break in August. Consider engaging in a new kind of small group community this summer!
Love to pray for and with people? Through pre-service intercession, we create safe spaces for people to encounter God’s love and kingdom. Post-service, we provide personal prayer ministry with the aim of brokering hope one prayer at a time. Contact Pastor Heidi at heidi.scanlon@theaterchurch.com.
ncc.re/neighborgroups
Coming Up at NCC
Learn more at ncc.re/events
May 31 - June 10
NCC Mission Team in Belgium*
Saturday, June 2
NCC Leadership Summit (for all current Active Leaders)
Sunday, June 3
Summer Small Groups begin
Monday, June 4
Deeper Night of Worship--Neighboring focus
Tuesday, June 5
Special pre-screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Saturday, June 9
Second Saturday Serve in DC or VA
June 9 & 10
Summer Neighboring Series kicks off
June 14 - 17
DC Justice Experience
June 16 - 23
NCC Mission Team in Waynetown, IN*
June 16 - 23
NCC Mission Team in Haiti*
June 24 - 30
NCC Mission Team in Appalachia*
June 28 - July 10
NCC Mission Team in Northern Ireland*
June 22 - 27
NCC Youth Mission Camp
June 29 - July 9
NCC Mission Team in DR Congo*
*Follow NCC’s A1:8 Missions on Instagram (@aoneeight) to pray for our mission teams.
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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Let us help you take your steps!prayer Visit the Sozo is simple, fast, Spirit-led, and next effective for inner New to Connections Table and we’ll make surefrom you get healing. Sozo prayer helps people better hear theyour Holy own Bible and our Nexta Steps guide. You can read Spirit so they can walk through process of freedom and Following your own, but we encourage you of wholeness. this Getworkbook trained inon effective Sozo prayer from one Sozo Inner HealingJesus?the country’s to leading do it withpractitioners, a group of friends or in a small group. Dr Margaret Nagib. Want to talk with someone about your new faith?
Prayer Training
Contact your campus pastor and consider joining an
Register and find out more at ncc.re/sozo Alpha group. More info here: ncc.re/alpha.
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 Night
Saturday Nights, 5pm Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/barracksrow Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsBarracksSat Join our Facebook Group:
Barracks Row Saturday Night NCCers
Pastor Heather Zempel theaterchurch.com/ballston NCC Kids at 9:30am E-news: ncc.re/enewsBallston Join our Facebook Group: Ballston NCCers
Gainesville - Sundays, 10am
Barracks Row
Sundays, 9am, 10:30am, and noon Pastor Joel Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/barracksrow Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsBarracks Join our Facebook Group: Barracks Row NCCers
Kingstowne - Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette theaterchurch.com/kingstowne E-news: ncc.re/enewsKT Join our Facebook Group: Kingstowne NCCers
Echostage - Sundays, 9:30am
Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/echo Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsEcho Join our Facebook Group: Echostage NCCers
Lincoln Theatre - Sundays, 10:30am Pastor Dave Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/lincoln Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsLincoln
Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am
Join our Facebook Group: Lincoln Theatre NCCers
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Pastor Robb Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/gainesville E-news: ncc.re/gvemail Join our Facebook Group: Gainesville NCCers
Pastor Jon Vaughan theaterchurch.com/potomacyard E-news: ncc.re/enewsPY Join our Facebook Group: Potomac Yard NCCers
205 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
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Virginia
Washington, DC
Ballston - Sundays, 9:30am & 11am