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/ September 2018
Small groups make a big difference—in your life and in others’ lives.
Note from
Pastor Mark & Lora I have a little message for the hundreds of NCC volunteers who roll up their sleeves to make our 12 services at seven campuses happen week in and week out. You care for babies. You teach kids to love each other and love God. You intercede for anyone who needs a personal prayer. You help people park. You serve doughnuts. You put up signs so people can find us. You play the guitar. You make sure the sermon is up on the screen. What you’re really doing, of course, is creating space each and every week for people to have a personal encounter with Jesus—and this is nothing short of miraculous. Lora and I honor you for serving your church community so selflessly and faithfully. Thanks for who you are and what you do! Thanks for going the extra mile. No matter how you serve, you are making a difference!
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/onmissioneveryday
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/ September 2018
Small Groups Make a Big Difference in Your Story by Pastor Laura Holland ll year, small groups have been focused on making a big difference, and one of the biggest differences small groups can make is the one in your own story. Big differences start with small steps. When you commit to joining with a group of people to study a book of the Bible or to learn about a cause, you’re allowing them into your life and to impact your story.
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We’re praying that each of you is able to point toward moments, growth, relationships, or subtle shifts related to your small groups that mark a big difference in your life—a new chapter to your story. I receive emails every week from people who are new to the area and want to know how to get into community, and from people who have been here for a long time and are ready to join others in a study or cause. The common theme is a desire to be connected. So I know that you, too, likely are looking
to be connected. We all have a need for community, a place to be known, and a group of people who will notice if we’ve missed a weekend service. And beyond that, a place where we can grow, learn, and develop, all while making a difference in the world around us. Small groups can be the place for all of that. Earlier this year we challenged group leaders to consider answers to the following: What steps do you need to take to set yourself up for a year of spiritual growth? Who do you need to invite into your life to hold you accountable to the changes you’ve committed to make? Which spiritual discipline do you need to lean into this year? And what about you? How can your story be impacted by joining a small group? How can you impact someone else’s story? Small groups make a big difference.
All About Small Groups at NCC • Small groups run on a semester schedule. This fall, they run Sept 9 - Dec 15. • There is a huge variety of groups—choose from Bible studies, sports teams, arts collaboratives, service groups, and more • Groups meet all over DC, Northern VA, and MD • Prayerfully browse the groups at ncc.re/groups, then contact the leader of the group you’d like to try out. Pay them a visit and feel free to try out a couple of different groups to find the best fit. • Need further assistance? Contact your campus small groups director or campus pastor.
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What’s going on
NCC Worship at the Nationals Game!
Saturday, September 22, 4pm Nats Park • ncc.re/baseball
NCC Worship is leading worship on the field for Nats Faith Day Saturday, September 22! Worship with your favorite band after watching the Nationals decimate the Mets once again.
Freshmen of the City
Begins Tuesday, September 18 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!
Coming Soon...
Dear Church
Dear Church
New Series Begins September 15/16 The book of Revelation provides insight into the spiritual health of seven ancient churches in modern-day Turkey. As the apostle John affirms what some were doing well and challenges those who were allowing themselves to compromise, he makes it clear that they all needed to realign themselves to the heart of God and the mission of Jesus. During this series, we will dive into the letters in Revelation and explore the context, the content, and how their message impacts us today.
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/ September 2018
The Alpha Course
Begins Monday, September 24 Register here: ncc.re/alpha 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 fall. Alpha is a series of sessions that explore the Christian faith in an honest, friendly, and open environment. A free meal is served each week. All are welcome!
Empty Yourself in Service and Be Filled! by Stewart Elzinga
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hen was the last time someone told you that you are talented? Well, you are. God has given you talents and
abilities for a purpose. How are you using your talents to serve and glorify God? Maybe for some of us the better question is this: Are we using our talents to serve and glorify God? 1 Peter 4:10 tells us to be stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Stewarding means using—remember the parable of the talents? The master came back to his servants and the one who had merely buried his talents instead of investing and growing them was called “wicked and slothful” (Matthew 25:14-30, ESV). Ouch! What talents has God given you to steward? Whatever your gifts are, we have a place for you. Maybe you don’t know what your gifts are. Great! We can help you find them. We need all kinds of people because God made all kinds of people. Paul tells us we are all part of one body in Christ, designed by God for a purpose (1 Corinthians 12). A body can’t function without all the parts. That means we need you in order to function properly.
When you step into service at NCC you aren’t just serving your ministry leaders, your campus pastor, or even NCC as a whole. You’re serving God! Aside from the biblical mandate to serve, there are lots of practical reasons to step up and join a team. If you’re struggling to feel connected, serving is one of the best ways to start building community. Those who serve with me on Sunday mornings have become some of my closest friends. Not only have I been able to form close friendships with other volunteers, but I’ve been able to meet hundreds of NCCers who have become part of a larger community. The most important lesson I’ve learned through all the Sunday mornings over the five years I’ve been in ministry is this: when I have emptied myself in service, I have been filled up not only by other people, but also by the Holy Spirit. I have been empowered in ways I don’t think I would have experienced had I not been serving. Whether you want to grow your relationships with others or with God, you need to serve. Be a part of what God is doing here at NCC.
Stewart and his wife, Kyla, attend our Ballston Campus. He serves as a Hospitality leader and she serves as the Ballston NCC Kids Director. Originally Midwesterners, they’ve fully adopted the Nationals and can often be found at Nationals Park attempting to get on the JumboTron doing the robot.
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NCC Families
NCC Kids (birth-5th grade)
Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:
kids@theaterchurch.com Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:
parentshareblog.com kidsofncc therealnccyouth
A1:8 Missions
TED-Style Talks on Faith and Justice ncc.re/innovate
Thursday, September 13, 7pm Join us for an evening of short talks on faith, creativity, innovation, and justice across vocations. We’ll hear from fellow NCCers seeking to walk humbly, seek justice and love mercy in their spheres of influence. Topics include empowering children in the foster care system, peacemaking, and more. Invite a friend!
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/ September 2018
NCC Youth (6th-12th grade)
Thanks for your support!
Thanks to kids and families for supporting the annual School Supply Drive! NCC families donated more than 200 backpacks and thousands of supplies. We were able to support five schools and organizations across DC and Northern Virginia.
Fall Youth Conference
Students, sign up for our annual youth conference Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13. Registration deadline: Monday, October 1. For more information and to register: ncc.re/ fallconference.
Small Groups
Join a Small Group ncc.re/groups
Fall small groups begin September 8! Don’t miss the opportunity to grow in community. Not sure what type of group is the right fit? Consider a sermon discussion group, online group, or activity group meeting near you. Check them out at 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. It’s a great way to make friends and make NCC your home. Opportunities abound! Visit ncc.re/team
Coming Up at NCC
Learn more at ncc.re/events
Sunday, September 2
NCC Kids Promotion Sunday
Monday, September 3
Labor Day - NCC Offices Closed
Tuesday, September 4
Freshmen of the City Begins
September 6 - 16
NCC Mission Team in Jordan*
Sunday, September 9
NCC Youth Promotion & Open House
Monday, September 10
Deeper Night of Worship
Saturday, September 22
NCC Worship Leads Worship at Nationals Park
Sunday, September 30
NCC Kids Sunday Funday
Monday, September 30 - Oct. 6
NCC Misson Team in China*
*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.
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
Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am
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
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
Ballston - Sundays, 9:30am & 11am