August 2023 Newsletter

HIGHLIGHT

BARRY VAUGHAN : DIVORCECARE

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KEEPING YOU INFORMED AND CONNECTED AUGUST 2023

A NOTE FROM OUR LEAD PASTOR

Rob McDowell

Hello North Metro Church!

I hope you all had a great summer full of fun and rest. I know that many of you are doing all of the last-minute school shopping for your kids as you prepare for another school year....I know....how is another school year already starting? I want to encourage you that new things and good things are ahead, and the routine and structure, like starting school, can bring peace. Let us help you with some new offerings this fall.

At NMC, we desire to see marriages strong and flourishing. This month we are kicking off three marriage ministries: Merge, our premarital mentoring program for those who are engaged; Foundation Gatherings for newlywed couples to find community and continue to strengthen their marriage in the early years; and re|engage, our marital enrichment program that helps take marriages from good to great! Since they're all on Monday nights... just call them marriage Mondays. You can find specific details in the pages of this newsletter regarding when these opportunities start and how you can get involved.

A new ministry starting at NMC this fall is re:generation. God's purpose for our lives is to transform us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. Transformation comes through sanctification by the work of the Holy Spirit, where He reveals to us our sins, sinful patterns, and strongholds. In Christ, we are free from these strongholds! re:generation is a step-by-step discipleship program that will walk you through biblical truth and practical ways of laying down your sin and finding everlasting freedom. I am very excited about this and encourage you to prayerfully consider participating. I believe and am praying that many will be set free from areas of bondage by going through this program. You can learn more about re:gen at northmetro.org/regeneration.

Grateful for you!

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Clark Beasley Worship Devotion

Clark Beasley serves as Worship Director at NMC. 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!

Creation Sings: The Power and Purpose of Singing in Our Worship to God

I know I'm gonna lose some cool points on this one, but I'm a closet Celine Dion fan. I mean, it would be on my bucket list for me to go see her live. Well... it used to be closet. Now, it's out there, I guess.

Music is such a subjective thing, isn't it? For every song that you think is bad, others have not only put it in their favorite playlist but have also gone to see the artist or band in concert. I would imagine that this subjectivity doesn't stop short with songs that we sing in the church either. It is always amazing to see how many views there are on music for the church. I would argue there are as many diverse opinions on songs as there are personalities in the church.

I know that every Sunday, week after week, churches from all over the world gather to sing, joining their voices together collectively to praise and worship God for who He is and what He's done. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we sing in church services? What makes music so special? Again, lots of different answers floating around in our heads on all this. Let's try and clear some of the subjectivity up, shall we?

From the beginning of time, when "the morning stars sang together, and all the heavenly

beings shouted for joy” (Job 38:7), to the end, when "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them” will sing to the Lamb on the throne (Rev. 5:13), creation sings - it makes music to God. For the sake of getting too music-geeky on you, there is something that happens automatically in nature whenever a sound is created - a "chord of nature," in which notes from the overtone series join together to make the nuances of everything we hear around us. And this overtone series goes on infinitely, like the numbers of Pi in math. Creation started way before you and I, declaring the praise of God. We're kind of late to the party.

Music also, from the beginning of human history, has been the vehicle for important information to be remembered and passed down from one generation to another. I mean, why are the A B C's a song? Because it's now stuck in our heads through letters, melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Music requires more than just one facet of who we are as well. It pulls on our hearts, our minds, our souls, and even our energy. When you think about the greatest command that Jesus echoed, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and

strength" (Mark 12:30), it seems pretty clear that music can be a great way to do that.

But probably the biggest reason that we sing is that God commands it. Throughout the Psalms, we read, "Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!” (Psalm 98:5 ESV) How about this one"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:2 ESV). And not just in the Psalms, but Paul says in Ephesians, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts " (Col. 3:16 NIV). We actually enthrone God in our hearts when we praise Him (Ps. 22:3). You can't deny that God loves to hear every one of us sing to Him, no matter how great we sound.

Truth be told, I'm always so honored and blown away that I get to experience what God does each and every week at NMC, and to quote the great Celine Dion, I know "my heart will go on" to champion the singing of God's people to Him, all for His glory. Yeah... I went there.

If you are a current worship Tablesetter, from Shift to adults, or interested in becoming one, we invite you to join us at our upcoming open workshop with Rooted on Sunday, August 13. Learn more and sign up at northmetro.org/events.

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 in life.

For more information on what Rooted is about, feel free to reach out to Clark at clark@rootedmusiccoaching.com or visit their website: rootedmusiccoaching.com/westcobb.

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and Grow Connect

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.

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?

re:generation is discipleship for the heart. 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. To learn more about re:generation, we invite you to attend our informational meeting on Wednesday, August 23, at 7:00pm. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

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, August 7, from 6:00-9:00pm.

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 crucial stage. Foundation Gatherings are open to married couples who have been married for 3 years or less. These events include dinner, teaching, and a chance to foster relationships with other newlywed couples.

Our first gathering is Monday, August 28, 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.

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.

If you're interested in re|engage this fall, join us for an informational meeting on Monday, August 14, where you can learn more about how this ministry can strengthen your marriage. The fall session will begin on Monday, August 21. The cost for the class is $50/couple, and childcare is available for a small fee.

DIVORCE CARE

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, and while God hates divorce, He doesn't hate divorced 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.

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 in foster care or adoption. In addition, this group is a place to find support and encouragement from others who understand these specific challenges. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

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WELCOME HOME

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 | 11:00AM-12:00PM

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.

GROUPS

At NMC, we genuinely believe that we are better together. For that reason, we want everyone to circle up with others in a group. We have three different types of groups that you can join. They include Connection Groups that meet over shared interests such as hiking, board games, or movies; Community Groups that meet for fellowship, prayer, and study of the Bible; and Care Groups that assist anyone walking through difficulty or life transition. If you want to join a Connection Group, Community Group, Care Group, or even start your own group, then check out northmetro.org/groups.

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

If you feel led to serve as a Stephen Minister, keep a lookout for more information next month. Stephen Ministry recruiting takes place each September, with training beginning in January.

FRESH START

Is there someone in your life that has hurt you deeply? Have you tried to forgive, but when you hear or see the person, feelings of anger or bitterness crop up in your life? If so, the ministry of Fresh Start can help free your heart. It is a process that will help you live “Forgiven, Forgiving & Free." It will help you understand what forgiveness is and what it is not.

Women's groups meet on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. Men's groups meet depending on individual availability.

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; know there is hope as you walk out this journey with other Christ-followers.

CONQUER: SEXUAL INTEGRITY 101

This fall, Conquer will be offered for husbands and wives to attend together. In this five-week class, couples will learn how shame and grace affect the healing process, give an understanding of addiction and betrayal trauma, and get marriages started on the path to healing and unity. Class begins on Monday, August 14, and concludes on September 18. To learn more or to register, visit northmetro.org/events.

INFERTILITY & LOSS SUPPORT

When God calls our hearts to grow our families, He never promises that it will be easy. But, He does promise to lead when we are lost. So, 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, August 14, at 7:00pm.

WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT

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

TABLESETTERS

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.

or 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 that get it without explanation or apologies; we get it all.

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 that have learned to trust God no matter what because He is trustworthy. This month's meeting will be Sunday, August 13, at 12:15pm.

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

Beauty for Ashes is a confidential group designed to provide encouragement and 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 Thursdays, August 10 & 24, at 7:00pm.

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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Care Group Spotlight

——— Loving Through Divorce ———

Obedience in Christ Leads to Healing and Restoration

To the outside world, Barry Vaughan’s marriage was the picture of perfection.

Barry and his wife, Karen, were actively involved in their church community, raising three wonderful boys and closing in on their 20th wedding anniversary. As task-oriented people, they functioned well as a team and would often go out of their way to help others.

But behind closed doors, their relationship was on rocky ground.

For years, Barry and Karen had been drifting apart. They were spending less and less time together due to the demands of parenting and pressing work obligations from Barry’s job.

What’s more, they both had childhood trauma that deeply affected their relationship from the start. In time, they became roommates rather than husband and wife.

“We were very happy for the first eight years of our marriage,” Barry says. “But the trauma from our pasts permeated and wounded our relationship. And after our third son was born, Karen became depressed and never really recovered. I was busy trying to climb the corporate ladder and didn’t cherish her like I needed to. Her heart became closed to me–but we pretended everything was fine in front of others.”

Eventually, a slow deterioration of their marriage culminated in anger, pain, and depression for both of them. They tried to restore their relationship through counseling and intensive marriage retreats, but nothing worked. After 10 years of turmoil, Barry and Karen finally divorced in the fall of 2010.

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Barry Vaughan

Trusting God to Lead the Way

Despite their unhappiness, Barry and Karen remained together for years before divorcing through Karen’s breast cancer diagnosis, treatments, and beyond. Although they both saw little to no hope for the marriage, Barry clearly understood the Lord was calling him to love and care for Karen and remain faithful to her instead.

Barry also received biblical counsel from his uncle, a godly man who had been through divorce himself. He encouraged Barry to be cautious with whom he shared details and to be generous with his time and resources, advice that was counter-cultural to the opinions of many.

Barry listened.

He stayed obedient to the Lord and leaned into his uncle’s advice, adopting God’s posture of mercy and grace towards Karen throughout their marriage and, ultimately, their divorce–but it was a time filled with heartache.

When they finally parted ways, Barry was left with deep pain, isolation, and a strained relationship with his oldest son. He knew he needed help to navigate his new life. Fortunately, a friend of Barry’s recommended Divorce Care at North Metro Church.

To Barry’s relief, he quickly found a community of trust, care, and understanding.

“My entire persona was broken apart,” Barry says. “I felt embarrassed, lost, and unlovable. It was gut-wrenching to tell complete strangers about my marriage–but I’m so glad I did. They were just as shell-shocked as me because of their own experiences and could understand what I was going through. Having their support and encouragement was invaluable.”

Throughout the 13-week course, Barry studied various topics that were important

to his journey through divorce. As he grew more comfortable sharing his story, he developed a deep bond with his group–one that has lasted for years.

Slowly, his heart began to recover.

“Along with the support from my friends, family, and counselors, Divorce Care was an important catalyst to my healing,” Barry says. “The community played a pivotal role in alleviating the isolating impact of divorce, while the course materials were invaluable tools that helped me embrace a new version of my life. Through Divorce Care, God assured me I wasn’t alone, and my life would be meaningful again.”

A Gift of Forgiveness and Love

In the years following Barry’s divorce, he and Karen worked hard to maintain a healthy relationship–for themselves and their children. They co-parented exceptionally well and continued to support one another through various milestones and challenges, eventually developing a deep friendship of love and respect.

Barry’s relationship with his son was also restored. In fact, Barry now works alongside his oldest son in men’s ministry, supporting others who have experienced divorce.

But Barry’s decision to surrender to the Lord throughout his marriage and divorce had an even greater purpose than he could have known.

Karen eventually became sick again, this time with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Within months, her health declined rapidly. Although Karen was remarried at this point, Barry continued to love her through it and remained a big part of her support system–a choice that also helped his boys emotionally navigate the eventual loss of their mom.

“I was not a perfect husband by any means,” Barry says. “But loving someone is not an emotion. It’s a conscious decision of your will. Even though a lot of our memories

weren’t good ones, above all, Karen was my sister in Christ. She’s the mother of my children. And for a time, she was my wife. The Lord was incredibly faithful. He helped me pull above my woundedness and see Karen how He saw her. By the end, we had true, pure love and forgiveness for one another. That was a beautiful gift for all of us.”

Sadly, Karen died in April 2021, less than a year after her diagnosis–but her legacy lives on. Barry’s sons make it a point to honor Karen consistently, even recently remodeling and dedicating a waiting room at Kennestone Hospital in memory of her impact as an oncology nurse.

A Future of Purpose and Promise

For the last 8 years, the Lord has used Barry to minister to others walking through divorce. He co-leads Divorce Care at NMC and frequently advises friends and colleagues experiencing separation or the divorce process. He’s dedicated to helping people see the love of God and creating a safe community for them to heal.

But most notably, Barry’s commitment to Christ and his relationship with Karen taught his own children a profound lesson–that forgiveness, restoration, and deep love is possible when broken people choose to lean into the Lord.

For Barry, it’s a fulfilling ministry rich with purpose and promise.

“My divorce brought me to my knees in a whole new way,” Barry says. “But God met me throughout all of it–from the collapse of my marriage to my ultimate healing. Through Divorce Care, He assured me, He loved me and He had a plan for my life. Feeling His love, grace, and mercy during that time was life-changing. I learned my life was going to look and feel different, but it wasn’t over. The Lord was faithful to heal me–and now He uses my story of recovery and restoration to impact others in a powerful way.”

Divorce Care is an international ministry that was created to help people find hope and healing after divorce or separation. Through this 13-week class, you will learn how to navigate the many emotions that accompany the divorce process, financial and legal issues, how to handle conflict, and how to interact with your former spouse moving forward. Our fall class begins on Sunday, September 10. Go to northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

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CHURCHWIDE

BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 | 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.

NMCU CORE

North Metro Church University (NMCU) is our primary vehicle for studying the Bible together to form a biblical worldview. In NMCU Core, you'll move through a set sequence of classes and learn about the big picture of Scripture and how everything in Scripture points to and is fulfilled in Jesus. And in this learning process, NMCU will also help equip you to both understand and communicate your faith to others so that you can become a more faithful follower of Jesus, a disciple who makes disciples. Each semester offered is ten weeks and goes in sequential order.

Our fall semester enrollment is open now until Sunday, August 27. Fall semester dates are Sunday afternoons, 4:00-6:00pm, September 10-November 12. We offer inperson groups or on-demand options. Learn more by visiting northmetro.org/nmcu.

NMCU WORKSHOPS

Join us for our new North Metro Church University (NMCU) Workshops that are designed to give people practical ideas for being effective in how they live, learn, and love. Attend one of our many unique workshops led by our very own pastors. Registration is free and open to anyone in the church or community. Students who are in 8-12th grade are invited to attend as well.

*Childcare is provided for infants through fourth graders for a small fee; however, early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

NATHAN AND KYNDELL WOODWARDPARENTING TODAY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 | 4:00-6:00PM

Parenting can be a daunting and isolating experience. It can feel like an insurmountable challenge, but it does not have to be that way. Attending this parenting workshop can help you understand the possible parenting traps you may have fallen into and equip you with the tools to succeed in future parent-child interactions. We will be covering topics like behavior, mental health, discipleship, and much more. Be sure to sign up by Sunday, August 13, at northmetro.org/events.

MOBILIZATION

SATURDAY SERVE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 | 8:30AM

Join us Saturday, August 12, for a time of serving and loving our community. We will serve with three of our new Mobilization Partners, Hands Extended International, City Takers, and Sheltering Grace. Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/serve.

ENGAGE MISSIONALLY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 | 8:30AM

At NMC, we believe we’re all “on mission” all the time. As we go, each daily interaction is a mission opportunity. In everything we do, you’ll consistently hear, 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.

Join us Saturday, August 26, for a training class on engaging missionally with our neighbors, community, and the world.

REDEEMER’S HOUSE GUATEMALA | SEPTEMBER 24-30

We are offering a mission trip to serve our ministry partner, Redeemer’s House, in Guatemala from September 24-30. On this trip, the team will focus on serving in the villages and helping the team complete a new church plant. You can learn more and sign up for this trip by leading to northmetro.org/serve.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL KENYA | DECEMBER 2-9, 2023

In partnership with Compassion International, NMC is taking a trip to Kenya. This trip will allow you to step into your sponsored child’s world and explore your child’s home country. What’s more, you’ll see how partnering with local churches brings hope and changes lives and how your ministry to a child is bringing greater faith, ability, and dignity to an entire community as a result. Learn more about this trip at our interest meeting on Monday, August 7. Sign up for the interest meeting and learn more about this trip at northmetro.org/serve.

CIRCLES USA

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 adequately care for them. Circles USA works to move families out of poverty, and 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 High School (KMHS). 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.

KIDS

TOWN SQUARE TABLE TALKER

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

DISCIPLESHIP TOOL

The Town Square Table Talker is back! This is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to equip families to connect around the table intentionally. The activities and devotions you'll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum that 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-know-you 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.

PROMOTION SUNDAY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

With a new school year comes a new church year! On Promotion Sunday, all children two years old through elementary age will be promoted to their new Town Square classroom. Preschoolers are promoted by age; elementary students are promoted by grade level. If you have questions about your child’s new class, contact Erin at enason@northmetro.org.

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 | 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.

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UPCOMING FOR YOU

BABY DEDICATION

CLASS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 | 9:15-10:00AM

DEDICATION: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 3:00PM

The Baby Dedication Class will prepare you to take part in our next Baby Dedication Service, which will be Sunday, October 22, at 3:00pm. This family-friendly service is an intentional environment, with the message and worship focused on the celebration of life and the dedication of your child to God’s teaching and instruction. If you would like more information on dedicating your child or to sign up, visit northmetro.org/events.

KIDS NIGHT OUT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 | 6:00-8:00PM

Kids Night Out is an event designed for 1st4th grade students and their small group leaders to get outside of a typical Sunday morning environment and have some fun together! This year we’ll be at Sparkles Family Fun Center in Kennesaw for pizza, playground, arcade games, skating, and laser tag. The price of this event is $20 and includes a $10 arcade card. Space is limited. Sign-ups will end when the event is full or at midnight on September 10, whichever occurs first. Visit northmetro.org/events to sign up today!

HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 12:30-1:30PM

Learn what worldview is, why it matters, and how to help a child develop a biblical worldview by teaching four foundational biblical truths. Participants will learn to identify strong cultural messages that threaten to distort and destroy faith in Christ. This class will help you gain confidence and equip you to have intentional conversations with children so that they develop deep, lasting, and culturetransforming faith. This class is based on Josh Mulvihill’s book, “Biblical Worldview.” Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up today!

SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE NIGHT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 | 5:30-8:30PM

NMC will host its fifth respite night for families of children with special needs and their siblings. This event will give NMC an opportunity 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, October 6. Sign up and learn more at northmetro.org/events.

STUDENTS

SHIFT

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 student at the Cafe doors and have them meet us in the Shift Room or Theater.

SHIFT DISCIPLESHIP TRACK

SEPTEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 5

Shift Discipleship track is an elevated learning experience and spiritual growth opportunity that goes beyond a Sunday morning Shift service. 5-7th grade students will participate in activities and classroomstyle learning as we dive into deep biblical themes. This experience will be similar to NMCU and will aid greatly in discipleship. Our hope and desire is that students who take part in these classes will leave with a new, enriched knowledge of the Bible and how to study the Bible. These classes will meet on Sundays from 4:00-6:00pm to correspond with the NMCU schedule. The first class will launch on September 10. Visit the northmetro.org/events to sign up!

ONEDAY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

With a new school year comes a new vision, new community, and new memories for our students in Shift, and it all starts at ONEday! You do not want your students and friends to miss out on this all-day event where we will worship together, learn more about our Father, create new friendships, and make lasting memories. All Shift students (yes, rising 5th graders), join us on Saturday, August 19, on NMC's campus for ONEday 2023. Head to northmetro.org/events to sign up your student now!

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 FALL RETREAT 2023

SEPTEMBER 15-17

Join Compass for our Fall Retreat on Friday, September 15, through Sunday, September 17, as we head off-campus to Camp Grace! We will have dynamic speakers, worship, a low ropes course, lake activities, and crazy shenanigans! Don't miss out as we dive into community and talk about what it means to be Father Focused. For merch information and to see what else is up our sleeve, be sure to check out our Instagram, @nmcstudents. Be sure to take advantage of our early bird pricing of $135!! The price will increase to $150 after August 21. Scholarships are available. To learn more and sign up, head to northmetro.org/events.

PROMOTION SUNDAY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

On Promotion Sunday, all 5-7th grade students will join their new small groups in Shift, 8-12th grade students will join us on Sunday night at Compass, and our graduated seniors are invited to join us at our college gatherings on Tuesday nights. If you have a 5th or 8th-grade student as of the 23/24 school year, you will receive an email from the student team welcoming you to Shift and Compass. If you have questions about your student's new ministry or small group, contact Jill at jstewart@northmetro.org.

COLLEGE

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 decide if they want to pursue vocational ministry. It’s designed to make them more aware of their character, competency, strengths, and weaknesses while increasing their understanding of the disciplemaking 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 2023-2024 school year, check out northmetro.org/intern-program or email Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org for more details.

AND YOUR FAMILY

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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.

NMC Students Trip Summer 2023

It was very exciting to be part of NMC Student's first mission trip to Guatemala. This team was made up of 9-12th grade students and a few leaders. From the moment the team and I met at the airport, I knew it would be a week we would never forget, and the more we got to know each other, we knew it would be harder to say goodbye at the end of the week.

Each trip is different, but this one was wonderful. It was extra special for the children in Xecotoj, one of the villages where CDR serves. Compared to the other villages we serve, Xecotoj was the village the team visited the most and where we were able to spend the most time with the children.

At the beginning of the trip, we had a sports day where we played soccer, basketball, and other games. We had such a great time that we decided to return to Xecotoj for an additional day, and it was incredible. With the team, we formed two groups with a translator in each one, and we went from house to house throughout the community knocking door to door to pray for the families that live there. It was very encouraging to see the high school students being brave and confident to pray in public for the prayer requests that people shared with us.

In the following days, we went to the rest of the communities (Patzutzun and Chuitziyut), where we played soccer with

the children, sang songs, and shared God's love. On the last day of the trip, the students did an incredible job painting the dining room in Patzutzun, bringing it to life with the colors of a mural.

God always surprises us with each NMC mission trip; regardless of experience or age, each person has a lot to give, and the students of the last trip left a good memory in the children of Guatemala that they will remember forever. Thanks to Derek, Jill, Meagan, and Tony for doing an excellent job leading these students!

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.

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As we head toward the year 2025 we are praying our guts out and being fully 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.

PEOPLE FOUND 73

PEOPLE ENROLLED IN NMCU

1,428

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 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.

Before Jesus left the disciples, He said, “Go make disciples.” A tangible way to see that hope realized is through our discipleship program, NMCU. We’re looking to see 1,000 people faithfully following Jesus, equipped with knowledge of Scripture, to ultimately share their beliefs with others. NMCU creates disciples that make disciples.

Church plants are an expression of our multiplication strategy, multiplying the mission to help people find and follow Jesus. We currently support three church plants including Take Hold in Scotland, Grace Auburn in Auburn, Alabama, and Creekside in Dallas, Georgia.

YTD June 2023

Income: $6,608,548.23

Expense: $5,613,229.24

Over(under): $995,318.99

FINANCIAL

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SUMMARY

#1: HELP 1,000 PEOPLE FIND JESUS GOAL #2: HELP 1,000 PEOPLE ENROLL IN NMCU GOAL #3: EXPAND THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH FIVE NEW CHURCH PLANTS NATIONALLY AND/OR GLOBALLY

2025 GOALS GOAL

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Women's Gathering and Man Church

WOMEN'S GATHERING: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 | 7:00-9:00PM

MANCHURCH: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 7:00-9:00PM

Our busy schedules can sometimes tell us that a "just Jesus and me" approach to church is sufficient as faithful followers of Jesus, but being relationally involved in a community of followers of Jesus provides opportunities to be taught, loved, and encouraged. The Bible is full of calls for us to"one another"; to love, to serve, and to confess to one another. Over and over, Scripture reminds us that our practical faith is not a "Jesus and me," but really, it is a "one another" kind of faith.

"One anothering" is what our Women's Gathering and Man Church are about, cultivating community and helping men and women go further together in faith. Take a break from your week to gather together in community, fellowship over dinner, worship God, and study the Bible with guest teachers.

Author and Life Coach, Pat Layton, will be joining the ladies. Pat has dedicated the past 25 years of her life to full-time ministry, where she has authored six award-winning books as well as founding one of the nation’s largest pregnancy resource centers and a Christian adoption agency.

Colonel Lee Ellis, a nationally-recognized leadership coach, and author, will join us as our guest speaker at Man Church. Lee retired from the USAF after 25 years of service. His service included flying 68 combat missions and being held for five years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam. He is the author of many award-winning books and is the founder and President of Leadership Freedom.

So mark your calendars for Women's Gathering on Wednesday, September 20, and Man Church on Thursday, September 21, from 7:00-9:00pm. Registration for each event is $15 and includes dinner. Be sure to invite someone and sign up by Friday, September 15 (or earlier if maximum capacity is met) by visiting northmetro.org/events.