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/ February 2019
Note from
Pastor Mark & Lora “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up...” The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes nailed it. A core premise behind the Church is that we were not made to do life alone. No matter what, we’re better together! We’re exploring relationships in many forms this month. So let’s lean into all of our relationships. Whether it’s praying circles around your marriage, getting involved in a small group, serving together, or joining with others to head out on mission, now is a great time to explore a key question: how are you “better together?”
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 following Jesus, pick up a Next Steps booklet at the Connections Table and check out our Alpha groups. ncc.re/nextsteps
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February 2019
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Circling Your Marriage in Prayer by Pastor Joel and Nina Schmidgall
othing has the potential to bring change to a relationship like prayer! Prayer can soften our hearts, provide wisdom and patience beyond our ability, and remind us of the pure love and grace we have received from the Lord so that we can extend it to another.
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The premise of Pastor Mark’s book, The Circle Maker, is that God honors bold prayers. What more important place to invite bold prayers that into the sacred relationship of marriage. Committing something to prayer is about recognizing God as the One capable to lead and direct you. All marriages benefit from prayer. Some couples sense that God has a greater purpose for their marriage that seems to be eluding them. Other couples are experiencing distance or disappointment and wish to feel a greater connection with their spouse. Young marriages are desperate for hope and direction to make their commitment last. Many single men and women are taking a look at the crumbling marriages of their parents and peers and wondering if the ring is even worth the risk.
We know it is a foundation of prayer that offers hope in marriage. Marriage is the union of two imperfect people. Through prayer, you invite the presence of a perfect God. Prayer will draw you into unity with God and, as a result, with one another. It is through prayer that challenges will be overcome, hurts will be healed, and commitments reestablished. We spent the last year writing Praying Circles Around Your Marriage because we believe the destiny of your marriage is determined by how you pray. Prayers for your marriage will allow you to claim God-given promises, fulfill God-given dreams for your family, and seize a God-ordained legacy for generations. The book presents seven areas of your marriage to circle in prayer. There are prompts for prayer and for action throughout and, if you stop to pray through each one, you will have prayed twentysix prayers for your marriage over the course of your reading. Those are words that will not fall silent before the Lord. We are believing for a prayer revival in marriages today. Prayer is as important to marriage as anything you’ll ever do. Let’s start circling.
Praying Circles Around Your Marriage Praying Circles Around Your Marriage by Joel and Nina Schmidgall releases February 5, 2019. Pastor Joel and Nina will be hosting an online Marriage Experience for NCC couples that are married or engaged. Join in from the comfort of your home after the kids are in bed and learn practical ways to strengthen your marriage. Register at ncc.re/marriageexperience. Download a Prayer Prompt guide and other resources at ncc.re/prayingmarriage.
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What’s going on
Freshmen of the City
Begins Tuesday, February 12 Register here: ncc.re/freshmen Are you new to DC and between the ages of 18 and 30? Join us to learn from seasoned leaders about your career and calling. Engage in meaningful small-group community with your peers. Learn to live and share your faith for a lifetime!
Close friends. Your small group. Your family. Your spouse. Who are your people? The Bible tells us that we are not made to do life alone. No matter what, we’re better together! Throughout February, we’ll exploring relationships in many forms. We’ll explore what it looks like to walk in the way of Jesus within all of our relationships. Join us!
The Alpha Course
Celebrate Recovery
If you’re questioning your faith, returning to faith, or just exploring what you believe—The Alpha Course might be a great place to be this month. Alpha is a series of sessions that explore the Christian faith where you can hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment.
Got a habit you want to break? Trying to use your own willpower? How has that worked for you? Find the supportive community you need to surrender to the only one who has the power to help you truly recover: Jesus Christ. Join us any Wednesday night at The Miracle Theatre to find true freedom. Our large group meeting starts at 7pm and we break up into smaller groups at 8pm. All are welcome anytime!
Begins Monday, February 25 Register here: ncc.re/alpha
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Better Together
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February 2019
Wednesdays, 7pm, Miracle Theatre ncc.re/recovery
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Care, Support, and Recovery Groups at NCC by Pastor Ryan Zempel
“(God) comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:4) One of the ways we live out this verse at NCC is through our recovery and support groups. Coming together in small group community around a common goal, need, or trial is a great way to grow, heal, and get closer to Jesus. To find the group that’s right for you and to learn more, visit ncc.re/caregroups.
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Recovery Groups at NCC Recovery groups are for those overcoming a hurt, habit, or hang-up. As we share our experience, strength, and hope in Christ, others find the strength they need to endure or overcome. These groups are ongoing and can be joined any time. Celebrate Recovery For adults overcoming hurts, habits, and hang-ups The Landing For high school students overcoming hurts, habits, and hang-ups
Support Groups at NCC Support groups are for those walking through a trial, trauma, or tragedy. We walk alongside each other and offer encouragement, community, and a listening ear. Most of these groups meet on a semester basis. New sessions are starting this month!
Not Your Typical Men’s Breakfast For same sex-attracted men who are pursuing celibacy or opposite sex-marriage Shelter from the Storm For female survivors of sexual trauma
GriefShare For those who have lost a loved one
Survivors’ Supper Club For cancer and critical illness patients, survivors, and caregivers
DivorceCare For men and women who are divorced or separated
Financial Peace University For those needing to take control of their finances
Divorce Care for Kids To help kids ages 5-12 heal from divorce
Prepare For engaged couples preparing for marriage
Longing & Hope During Childlessness For women longing for motherhood
Support Group Leader Training Have you walked through a trial, trauma, or tragedy and found healing in Christ on the other side? Would you like to help others do the same? We’ll be offering training for support group leaders starting February 28. Email ryan.zempel@theaterchurch.com to sign up or learn more.
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NCC Families
NCC Kids (birth-5th grade)
Calling all 2nd-5th graders! Mark you calendar for Camp KidJam. You don’t want to miss an incredible week of jam sessions, small groups, fun, games, and memories to last a lifetime! This year’s camp is July 15-18 in Virginia Beach, VA. The cost is $395 per child. Subscribe to our email list (kids@theaterchurch.com) and follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@kidsofncc) to learn when registration opens.
Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:
kids@theaterchurch.com Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:
parentshareblog.com kidsofncc therealnccyouth
A1:8 Missions
NCC Youth (6th-12th grade)
At NCC Youth we love to be advocates of students and partners with parents. Do you have a child in 6-12th grade? We provide a safe place for students to feel known, discuss real topics, find mentorship, and develop meaningful friendships. We meet at four different locations Sundays and Wednesdays. For more info, email steffen.humbert@theaterchurch.com.
Small Groups
Pray About Joining a 2019 Mission Team
Join a Small Group
ncc.re/missionteams
Groups are where we get connected to community, grow together as we seek Jesus, and positively impact the world around us. Looking for a Bible study, family group, or a place to meet up with others who want to learn more about a particular interest? There’s a group for that! Spring semester starts February 10.
We’re called to be people empowered by the Spirit, doing what Jesus did, in our neighborhoods, city, and around the world. Consider investing your time and resources to join a mission team. Prayerfully browse 23 opportunities available this year.
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February 2019
ncc.re/groups
Join a Team
It’s the Perfect Time to Join a Team ncc.re/team
It takes all kinds of people with all kinds of skills to make NCC tick. Join a team and serve with us at weekend services. It’s a great way to make friends and make NCC your home. Opportunities abound!
Coming Up at NCC
Learn more at ncc.re/now
Sunday, February 3
NCC Mission Team to Jordan Info Session
Saturday, February 9
Second Saturday Serve at DC Dream Center | Potomac Yard | Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Tuesday, February 12
Freshmen of the City begins
February 15-18
NCC Youth Winter Escape
Monday, February 18
President’s Day
Monday, February 25
The Alpha Course begins
February 26 - March 5
NCC Mission Team to Argentina*
*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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New to Following Jesus?
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.
Weekly gatherings at NCC campuses God created us to support, encourage, and rely on one another. Find community each week at NCC. Worship • Be transformed, inspired, and filled as you come into the presence of God Learn • Grow in faith as we hear teaching from the Bible we can apply to our lives Connect • Develop meaningful relationships and grow in community Go • Get equipped to love and serve each other, our neighborhoods, and around the world
Barracks Row - Saturday
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
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
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 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
Kingstowne - Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette theaterchurch.com/kingstowne E-news: ncc.re/enewsKT Join our Facebook Group: Kingstowne NCCers
Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am
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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202-544-0414
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Virginia
Washington, DC
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 - Sunday
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Ballston - Sundays, 9:30am & 11am