December 2022 Newsletter

Rob McDowell

Dear North Metro Church,

It's here! It's finally Christmas time! NMC, without a doubt, this is one of my most favorite times of the year. Why? Of course, I love Christmas music, Christmas movies (my personal favorite, It's a Wonderful Life), and presents! BUT, most of all, my favorite thing about this season is that we, as a church family, get to celebrate that God in Heaven sent his Son, Jesus, to us! The season of Advent is here, and there is much to remember and much to celebrate.

During the season of Advent, churches have always looked back on all the LORD’s promises fulfilled in Jesus. We've looked around at how the LORD continues to demonstrate His good rule over the earth, despite difficulties and the darkness we see around us, and looked forward in hope of what the LORD will do to restore all things through His Church and eventually through the second Advent of Jesus.

I hope to see you each Sunday in December as we anticipate and prepare our hearts for our Lord and Savior, King Jesus. This is why we get zany at Christmas!

With that said, in the following pages of this newsletter, you will also learn about our Christmas Eve service times on December 23 and 24. You won't want to miss this special time at NMC. I encourage you to start praying for the Lord to stir in your heart and in the hearts of those around you.

Grateful for you!

A better marriage starts here.

Whether your marriage needs to be reignited or completely resurrected, re|engage is a safe place for you and your spouse to reconnect.

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. An informational meeting will be held Monday, January 9, at 7:00pm, and the class will begin Monday, January 23.

Register for both opportunities at northmetro.org/events.

Connect & Grow

WELCOME HOME

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 | 11:30AM-12:30PM

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.

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.

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.

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 premarital discipleship class. The next session will be on Sundays, January 8, 15, and 22, and will meet from 1:00-4:00pm. The Merge class is required to be married by an NMC pastor and is open to those who regularly attend NMC and are already engaged.

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. An informational meeting will be held Monday, January 9, at 7:00pm, and the class will begin Monday, January 23. Register at northmetro.org/events.

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

Care

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 involved in the foster care system or adoption process. In addition, this group is a place to find support and encouragement from others who understand these specific challenges. Meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

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 our Stephen Ministry to help bear your burdens.

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.

New women's groups will begin in January 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.

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, December 12, at 7:00pm.

WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT

Whether it's you or a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend, cancer hits with a terrible punch. 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 just get it without explanation or apologies, we just 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 a community of brave, strong women that have learned to trust God no matter what because He is trustworthy. Because of the Christmas holiday this month, this group will only meet Sunday, December 11, at 1:00pm.

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 group will meet on Thursdays, December 8 and 22, at 7:00pm.

For more information or to sign up for any of our Care Ministries, visit our Care page at northmetro.org/care.

Advent At NMC

It's one of our most favorite times of the year, Christmas! Throughout December, we will have a photo booth for your friends and family, free Cafe drinks (including coffee & hot chocolate), and live music in the Lobby. We hope you join us on campus for all of the fun things we have planned!

For centuries, the Church has marked its year with a Church calendar (sometimes called a liturgical calendar). This calendar designates certain times of the year for reading certain biblical texts and celebrating certain Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Advent, and Lent. As part of this Church calendar, the Church has celebrated Advent for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “arrival,” and was usually used in the context of awaiting the arrival of a king. And that’s what churches have often celebrated at Advent: the first arrival of the King, the Messiah, Jesus. However, the Church has also used this time to look forward to the second Advent, the second coming of Jesus. And Churches traditionally focus on the four themes of hope, joy, peace, and love

and look to Jesus' birth narratives in the books of Matthew and Luke.

North Metro Church will join with many Churches across the world and throughout history to observe Advent. Celebrating Advent could mean many things to many people. For some, it can be incredibly nostalgic, or it could be a fresh tradition with a new way to think about the Christmas season. We look forward to celebrating the hope, joy, peace, and love that Jesus' birth is to us.

This year, our Family Christmas Guide, written for NMC Kids and families, is a storybook with podcast episodes. The storybook will explore the themes of hope, joy, love, and peace while walking through the Christmas story. Each story within the book will include verse references, activities, and questions to help facilitate a family discussion. This guide coordinates with our Sunday morning teachings so the family can all learn about and celebrate Advent together. Start a new tradition, celebrate Advent, and grab your Family Christmas Guide. Pick up your Family Christmas Guide in the Cafe starting on Sunday, November 27, or access a digital version at northmetro.org/fcg.

Join

us at one of our six Christmas Eve services at North Metro Church! We look forward to celebrating together! Friday, December 23 5:00pm | 7:00pm Saturday, December 24 1:00pm | 3:00pm | 5:00pm | 7:00pm AT NORTH METRO CHURCH cHrISTMaS

Children's Programming will be available for preschool ages and younger at 5:00pm on Friday, December 23, and Saturday, December 24, at 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm services. All children are welcome to join their families in the service.

All of these services will be online as well. Tune in from wherever you'll be at live.northmetro.org

Serve with us

Whether you'd like to serve with the NMC Kids Team or on our Guest Services Team, we'd love for you to help make NMC feel like home for those that will be visiting. Explore the serving opportunities available for our services on December 23 & 24 at northmetro.org/serve.

Christmas Day | Sunday, December 25

Upcoming for you

CHURCHWIDE

NMCU

North Metro Church University (NMCU) is our primary vehicle for studying the Bible together to form a biblical worldview. In NMCU, 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 10 weeks and goes in sequential order.

Our spring semester enrollment has opened. Class dates are January 22-March 26. We offer in-person groups or on-demand options. Learn more by visiting northmetro.org/nmcu.

BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 | 11:30AM

One of our favorite things to do here at NMC is to celebrate 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.

DADDY DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 | 7:00-9:00PM

Attention all Dads! Create memories of a lifetime; dust off your dancing shoes and invite your daughter(s) to enjoy a night filled with delicious desserts, dancing, (of course), and activities. Register early for a chance to win a dinner for you and your daughter(s). Early

registration, which includes a discounted cost of $15 per family, is open from December 23 through January 8. Register today at northmetro.org/events.

NMC PODCASTS

WALK WORTHY & ON THE CLOCK

Check out Walk Worthy, our NMC women’s podcast, and On the Clock, our NMC men’s podcast! Don’t miss these inspiring episodes by subscribing to Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

MOBILIZATION

SATURDAY SERVE

DECEMBER 3

When we think of serving our neighbors, we often imagine yardwork and community organizations, but another way we can serve our community is by sharing the Gospel. This Saturday Serve will be a training to equip believers with simple, biblical, reproducible tools to share their faith and to equip others to do the same. Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/serve

WAYMARK COMMUNITY4YOUTH

Another way to serve and connect with teens and kids is through Waymark's Community4Youth Mentoring program, which includes one-on-one and group mentoring (Compass Groups). Community4Youth mentorship program provides a support system for kids in foster care through connections made with caring adults. Connect with our Mobilization Director, Bud Darr, at bdarr@northmetro.org to get involved.

CHARACTER EDUCATION MENTORING AT KENNESAW

MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

You can invest in the next generation by becoming a mentor to encourage students monthly 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. There are three dates left for the 2022-2023 school year: February 1, March 1, and April 12. Take the next step by emailing Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org or check out the details at northmetro.org/serve.

MARIETTA MENTORING FOR LEADERSHIP

The community of Marietta has heard the voice of its young people, who identified the need for the school not only to be a place where students learn academically but also to be a place where the issues of life meet real solutions. Marietta Student Life Center provides in-school services related to housing, job skill development, job placement for students and families, college admission support services, and more. This is an opportunity to engage with students in a oneto-one mentoring relationship or as a Group Mentor, which is ideal for people who thrive in a small group setting, can build rapport with teens, and can be active listeners.Take the next step by emailing our Mobilization Director, Bud Darr, at bdarr@northmetro.org.

and your family

KIDS

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 | 9:30-10:15AM

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.

TOWN SQUARE OFFERING

The Kids Clean Water Project is now receiving 100% of our Town Square offering. This project brings clean water and Christ's love to those in desperate need of both. By doing this, they experience love and hope. We want to help provide clean drinking water for families who may have never had clean water before. Every $10 we raise means another child can have clean water for ten years.

STUDENTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL - SHIFT

9:30AM & 11:30AM

Shift is our environment for 5-7th grade students. Through teaching, worship, games, and 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

We believe friendships and an incredible community can profoundly shape our students' lives. So 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.

HIGH SCHOOL - COMPASS

6:45-8:30PM

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.

CLASSY & TACKY CHRISTMAS TALENT SHOW

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 | 6:45-8:00PM

Come to our last Compass of the year and show us your talents! Wear your classiest or tackiest Christmas attire and start practicing your act. You can enter the talent show as an individual or even a group with your small group! You can find the sign-up link in our parent weekly emails or the link in our Instagram bio.

COMPASS WINTER RETREAT 2023 FEBRUARY

3-5

Join Compass for our Winter Retreat on Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 5, as we head off-campus to Camp Grace! We will have incredible speakers, worship, zip lines, late-night games, and so much more! Don't miss out as we dive into community and talk about how we serve a good God, giving good grace to undeserving people. For

merch information and to see what else is up our sleeve, be sure to check out our Instagram, @nmcstudents. Sign up before December 18 to get your merch! The cost is $135 per student and the deadline to sign up is Sunday, January 22. Scholarships are available. To learn more and sign up, head to northmetro.org/events.

COLLEGE

COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY GROUP

THURSDAYS | 6:45-8:30PM

College students, join us 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 disciple-making 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.

YEAR-END GIVING

With the close of a calendar year, we know many of you may be looking to make a contribution before the end of 2022. Any year-end contributions can be made through our website, northmetro.org/give, and are posted in real-time. Mailed contributions will be credited in 2022 as long as they are postmarked on or before December 31, 2022. The church building will be open on Saturday, the 31st, from 9:00am12:00pm should you want to drop off your year-end contribution in person. If you have any questions about giving, contact John Maggard at 678-290-7830 x1119 or jmaggard@northmetro.org.

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.

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.

December at a glance

Saturday, December 3 Saturday Serve 8:15am

Sunday, December 4 Advent 9:30am & 11:30am

Adult Baptism Class 11:30am & 12:30am

Sunday, December 11 Advent 9:30am & 11:30am

Compass Classy & Tacky Christmas Talent Show 6:45pm

Sunday, December 18 Advent 9:30am & 11:30am Welcome Home 11:30am-12:30pm

Friday, December 23 Christmas Eve Services 5:00pm | 7:00pm

*NMC Kids Closed at 7:00pm

Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services 1:00pm | 3:00pm | 5:00pm | 7:00pm

*NMC Kids Closed at 7:00pm

Sunday, December 25 Sunday Teaching Online Only NMC Campus Closed