NCCKids Daily Devotionals | September 7-11
September 7:
Psalm 159:5 (NIRV)
You are all around me, behind me and in front of me.
You hold me safe in your hand.
Discussion Prompt for all ages:
Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted a parent to stand in front of you or go before you?
Psalm 159:5 says that God goes before us, is behind us and even holds us in his hand. God totally surrounds us with his love! There’s no better place to be than in God’s hand.
Let’s put a cross, or a symbol that reminds us of God, on our hands today. Every time we see our symbol let’s remember that God is just as near to us as the marker (or sticker) on our hand.
(Close with prayer.)
September 8:
Psalm 159:23 (NIRV)
God, see what is in my heart.
Know what is there.
Test me.
Know what I’m thinking.
Discussion Prompt for all ages:
Have you ever thought something and been glad no one else could hear it? Maybe it was a super embarrassing thought or even a mean one. The person who wrote our Scripture verse for today invited God to see everything he was thinking. Why do you think he would ask God to do that?
We don’t ever have to worry about God thinking that we are embarrassing or mean or too silly or too sad. None of our thoughts could ever be too bad for God. And when we invite God to know us completely- even our thoughts and heart- we’ll experience more and more of God’s ‘never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love! (Sally Lloyd Jones)’
Anyone want to be brave and lead our prayer today and ask God to know our hearts and thoughts?
September 9:
Psalm 139:17-17 (NIRV)
God, your thoughts about me are priceless.
No one can possibly add them all up.
If I could count them,
they would be more than the grains of sand.
If I were to fall asleep counting and then wake up,
you would still be there with me.
(To prepare for the lesson today, grab a salt shaker, pepper shaker, or bag of sugar.)
Discussion prompt for all ages:
Who can tell me how many pieces of salt, pepper, or sugar is in this container?
There is no way we could possibly count all of these tiny pieces!
Let’s say you could count them, how long do you think it would take you?
What we learn from the Bible today is that God has more thoughts about you than salt, pepper, or sugar in this container. We also learn that if we could number all of God’s thoughts about ourselves, we would count forever.
Why do you think God has so many thoughts about you? Because he loves you! Did you know that God loves you that much? Before we pray, I want you to take a few moments and be amazed by all the thoughts God has for you!
Let’s pray and thank God for having so many thoughts about us that we cannot count all of them.
September 10:
Psalm 16:5-6 (NIRV)
Lord, you alone are everything I need.
You make my life secure.
I am very pleased with what you have given me.
I am very happy with what I’ve received from you.
Discussion Prompt for all ages:
This morning (afternoon/evening :) let’s spend some time making a list of the things God has given us!
James 1:17 says ‘Every good and perfect gift is from God.’ Which gift on our list do you want to thank God for this morning?
September 11:
Psalm 42:5 (NIRV)
My spirit, why are you so sad?
Why are you so upset deep down inside me?
Put your hope in God.
Once again I will have reason to praise him.
He is my Savior and my God.
Discussion prompt for all ages:
Have you ever had a time when you were really sad? Would you share that story with me/us?
The passage in the Bible was written by people who were going through a very hard season. We don’t know what it might have been but they were very sad. They gave a word picture of how they were feeling. They said that they felt like they were out in deep water and waves kept going over their heads. How would you feel in that situation?
The writer was scared, sad, and upset. Sometimes when people feel sad they feel alone, that no one understands, and no one cares. I hope you always remember that God cares about you and that he has placed people around you who care about you (like the person reading this.) So remember, the next time you are scared you can pray to God, like the psalmist, and trust He will rescue you from your scary and sad situation. He loves you.
Prayer guide for children (choose one):
Do you have anything that you are scared about right now that you want us to pray about?
Let’s pray and ask God to help us remember that he is with us all the time, even in the hard, scary, and sad times of our lives.
Midweek Meditation | John 15:12-17
Pastor Christopher leads through our Midweek Meditation on John 15:12-17. The purpose of the Midweek Meditation is to give you an opportunity to rest, meditate on Scripture, and prepare yourself for the upcoming Gathering.
Gathering Liturgy | September 6
CALL TO WORSHIP
If any of you want to walk My path, you’re going to have to deny yourself. You’ll have to take up your cross every day and follow Me. If you try to avoid danger and risk, then you’ll lose everything. If you let go of your life and risk all for My sake, then your life will be rescued, healed, made whole and full. (Luke 9.23-24 | The Voice)
As we come to church this morning, we look around, we see these people, each so precious, each unique little ones, older ones, busy ones, tired ones each come to be part of something bigger than just ‘me.’ May this community draw us into you, loving God. As we come to church this morning, we look inward. We close our eyes, we rest a moment breathe in and out. You, O God, are within us, beneath us, above us and around in the motes of dust that float in the air in the stillness that rests under all the noise. In this place and in every place, draw us into you, loving God. Amen.
SONG | Friend of God
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Father, we come, not as those who are strong in faith, but those whose faith is feeble, weakened because we have trusted in ourselves—in our own abilities, in our own strength, in our own intellect—instead of trusting in you. We have awakened from our beds this morning, and partaken of meals, and moved our limbs, and used our senses with thankless hearts, ignoring you, the Sovereign Lord over every detail of our lives.
We confess that we have thought you to be a little God, and the people of the land to be like giants. We have feared men, rather than God. Father, we admit we have too often set our affections on the things of this world. We have prized possessions, and praised people, we’ve been captivated by books, and entertained by screens, and we have thought you, the God of the universe—who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist—to be boring. We have refused to come to Christ to be healed. Our souls thirst for you. But we have refused to come to Christ, the fountain of living waters, that we might drink and be satisfied.
Lord, we admit that we have failed to trust your testimony about yourself—that you are good, and all that you do is good. Lord, we confess that we have not followed the way of our Master. We have not imaged Jesus’ love and care for the sick. We have shut up our hearts and stayed away from those we have thought to be unclean. Forgive us for our false worship, as if mere words and mere works could please you, instead of worshiping you in spirit and in truth. Forgive us for trying to dress up our grumbling, and gossiping, and discontentment into prayer requests, as if you don’t search the heart and know the motives and intentions of it. If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities—if you would tally up the number of things we’ve preferred above you; if you would count the number of prideful thoughts, or lustful thoughts, or bitter thoughts, or envious thoughts that have accumulated in our hearts; if you would open the record and judge us for every empty or idle word we’ve spoken—O LORD, who could stand?! But with you there is forgiveness, through Christ Jesus, who was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and by whose wounds we are healed. It is in his name we pray. Amen.
SONG | Be Thou My Vision
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
What are you drawn to? What does this painting say about Christ?
On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:35-39)
SONG | King of My Heart
SCRIPTURE READING
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8)
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON NOTES
Spiritual maturation must be (energized), (freed), and (guided) by the (Trinity).
God the (Son) provides the energy for spiritual growth.
John 15:1, 4; John 3:30
God the (Father) frees us for spiritual growth.
John 15:2; Hebrews 12:5-11
God the (Holy Spirit) is our guide for spiritual growth.
John 15:26; John 16:13; Romans 12:3; Romans 14:5-12
Our maturation is for God's (glory), the advancement of (the kingdom), and our (joy).
John 15:4, 7-8, 11
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 1; Isaiah 61; Ezekiel 15; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:16-20; 12:33-35; 13:23
Resources: “The True Vine” by Andrew Murray
To prepare for next week: John 21:1-19; Guidance for Empty Nets
COMMUNION
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said,“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
(For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.”
(For the juice) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
SONG | Cornerstone
ANNOUNCEMENTS & GIVING
Newcomers Coffee in the Courtyard.
Giving in the plate or on the app/website.
NCCKids class-specific zoom calls will began last week:
Purple Room (4th grade and up): Tuesdays at 7:30PM
Yellow Room (1st-3rd grade): Wednesdays 6:30PM
Green Room (pre-K & K): Tuesdays 7:00PM
Speak with Amy for more information.
Triads launch this week. Check the website for more information and details.
Examine this Saturday at 10am on Zoom.
6th Birthday Celebration is next Sunday! Cupcakes and Coffee on the Lawn. We are going to be having a photo and video collage during the Gathering. The collage can have a short video of you, your family, or people in your CG that would like to share what makes New Circle so special, something to celebrate, or just a word of encouragement. These all need to be submitted by September 8.
SONG | Great Are You Lord
BENEDICTION
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-3)
Peace be with you! And also with you!
NCCKids Daily Devotionals | August 31 - September 4
August 31:
Psalm 139:13-14a (NIRV)
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Discussion Prompt for all children and teens:
Have you ever seen someone knit? (If your child hasn’t, or if they like time-lapse videos here’s a link)
Knitting is a detailed, time-consuming art. The person knitting uses their own hands to create something lovely. Our scripture for today says that when God created you he was like a knitter. God carefully thought out every part of your design! He lovingly made you just the way he wanted you!
God chose the shape of your eyes, which of your toes would be the longest, the color and texture of your hair, the size of your ears… everything about your body! God looked at you when you were born and said you were WONDERFUL!
What feature that God gave you is your favorite?
(Parents, what feature or feature(s) of your child(ren) do you take particular delight in? Be sure and share it with your child(ren).
Additional discussion for teens and/or older children:
Is there any part of your design that you have trouble accepting? Does it help to know that God never makes mistakes and that he created you intentionally?
September 1:
Mark 5:24-34 (NIRV)
A large group of people followed. They crowded around him. A woman was there who had a sickness that made her bleed. It had lasted for 12 years. She had suffered a great deal, even though she had gone to many doctors. She had spent all the money she had. But she was getting worse, not better. Then she heard about Jesus. She came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes. She thought, “I just need to touch his clothes. Then I will be healed.” Right away her bleeding stopped. She felt in her body that her suffering was over.
At once Jesus knew that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd. He asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
“You see the people,” his disciples answered. “They are crowding against you. And you still ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
But Jesus kept looking around. He wanted to see who had touched him. Then the woman came and fell at his feet. She knew what had happened to her. She was shaking with fear. But she told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace. You are free from your suffering.”
Discussion Prompt for young children:
Can you imagine being sick for 12 years? If you got a cold today and it lasted for 12 years, how old would you be when you became well again?
Our scripture for today says that the woman in our story had gone to many doctors and spent all her money trying to get well but she kept getting worse, not better. She couldn’t find anyone or anything that could help her. But then she heard about Jesus. Someone must have told her about all the people he had healed and about how kind and loving he was to those who were sick.
When she found Jesus there was a huge crowd around him. She must have thought ‘there’s no way I‘ll be able to talk to Jesus!’ But she didn’t give up. She had so much faith in Jesus’ power that she knew if she could even just touch his clothes while believing that she would be made well! Wow! What a woman of faith!
Is there anything bothering you? Have you been disappointed recently?
Let’s pray and ask God to give us faith to believe that he will make all things right!
Discussion Prompt for older children and teens:
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the woman who had been sick for 12 years? It would be so awful to feel bad that long. But, to make matters even worse, back in Jesus’ time if you had the type of condition the woman had you would have been considered ‘unclean.’ She would not have been allowed to enter the temple and worship God there with other believers for twelve years. Also, according to the law, anyone she touched or who touched her would be considered ‘unclean’ until they could perform a religious ritual. Can you imagine not being able to touch other people for 12 years? No hugs, no high fives, no kisses on the forehead?
Don’t you think the woman would have been so discouraged when she saw that Jesus was surrounded by a crowd? She had tried everything, spent all of her money, and now she would have to squeeze through the crowd, trying not to touch other people, and get Jesus’ attention without touching him too. She thought to herself ‘I won’t touch him, I’ll just touch his clothing and that will be enough.’ And she was right! Just touching Jesus’ clothes in faith made her well!
But that’s not the end of the story. Jesus knew ‘his power had went out.’ He knew someone had been healed, but he wanted even more for her. Jesus wanted to encourage the woman for her boldness and her faith. He knew she had been isolated and alone. This woman who hadn’t been allowed to go near God’s presence in the temple for 12 years heard the Son of God call her ‘Dear’ and bless her.
Jesus is so loving and so kind. He doesn’t just want you to be healthy and happy, he wants you to know you are loved and dear.
Let’s pray and ask God to help us remember that nothing can ever separate us from His love.
September 2:
Genesis 6:14-17a & 22 (NIRV)
(God is speaking to Noah) Make yourself an ark out of cypress wood. Make rooms in it. Cover it with tar inside and out. Here is how I want you to build it. The ark has to be 450 feet long. It has to be 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it. Leave below the roof an opening all the way around that is a foot and a half high. Put a door in one side of the ark. Make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring a flood on the earth… Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Discussion Prompt for all ages:
Imagine that God said to you ‘I’m going to send a herd of elephants to run through your neighborhood next year. You need to build a huge, stone wall all-around your house to keep the elephants out.’ How would you feel?
Now imagine that you believed God and started building your huge, stone wall. Do you think your neighbors would notice? Would you tell them why you were building the wall?
God asks Noah to do something quite strange in our scripture passage today. Noah must have wondered if he heard God wrong. ‘A huge boat God?’ ‘The flood will cover the WHOLE earth?!’
He must have felt embarrassed when his neighbors saw his huge boat and laughed at him for thinking a flood was coming.
But Noah did everything just as God said. He listened to God even though it was weird and hard.
God probably won’t ask you to build a stone wall to keep out a herd of elephants, but he may ask you to give your money to someone who lost their toys in a fire. Or, he may ask you to tell a bully to leave someone alone, even though it’s scary.
God often asks His people to do strange things to show his power and love. (Parents, can you think of any examples from your life? When has God asked you to step out of your comfort zone? Or, you can talk about Mother Theresa not eating so that the poor could, or St. Anthony of Egypt who obeyed God’s call to live in the desert for nearly 20 years!)
Let’s pray and ask God for the strength to obey him, even when it seems strange.
September 3:
Psalm 18:1-3 (NIRV)
I love you, Lord.
You give me strength.
The Lord is my rock and my place of safety. He is the God who saves me.
My God is my rock. I go to him for safety.
He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me. He’s my place of safety.
I called out to the Lord. He is worthy of praise.
He saved me from my enemies.
Discussion Prompt for younger children:
Psalm 18:1 is such a great reminder to praise God! God is so good to us and he gives us all the strength we need! Let’s see if we can make some hand movements to go along with the verse to help us memorize it.
The verse starts with ‘I love you, Lord.’ Let’s make a heart with our hands when we say ‘I love you’ and make an L with our index finger and thumb when we say ‘Lord.’ Let’s try that part, ‘I love you (make a heart), Lord (make an L).
Next, it says, ‘You give me strength!’ Let’s flex our muscles when we say ‘strength!’
Now, let’s put it all together: I love you (make a heart), Lord (make an L). You give me strength (flex muscles). Awesome! Let’s do it a couple more times until we know it.
Discussion Prompt for older children and teens:
God is a safe place. We can always run to God, no matter what. Our scripture today says that God is our rock. What do you think that means?
(Possible answers: God is strong, never changing, unmovable, unshakable, etc.)
The scripture also says God is like a shield. What do you think that means?
(Possible answers: protects us, covers us, keeps us from harm, etc.)
It’s interesting that the Psalm says God is a place of safety- a rock that we can run to when we need to hide, AND that he is a shield to protect us when we need to fight. No matter what the situation calls for or what God leads you to do while afraid, he will be there to protect you.
Can you think of a time when God protected you?
Let’s pray and thank God for always being there for us.
September 4:
Psalm 1:1-4 (NIRV)
The heavens tell about the glory of God.
The skies show that his hands created them.
Day after day they speak about it.
Night after night they make it known.
But they don’t speak or use words.
No sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into the whole earth.
Their words go out from one end of the world to the other.
Discussion prompt for all ages:
Which do you like better: a sunrise or a sunset?
Isn’t it cool to think that everyone with vision in the whole world can look up and enjoy the clouds? Everyone can sense the power of God in thunder and lightning. No matter where you are in the world you can see twinkling stars and think about how huge creation is.
The sky is one of God’s works of art. He created it as a gift to the whole world- a gift that tells us about Him.
What can you learn about God from the sky?
Let’s pray and ask God that everyone in the whole world would notice something about the sky today and draw closer to Him.
Gathering Liturgy | August 30
CALL TO WORSHIP
God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless. A pure stream flows—never to be cut off bringing joy to the city where God makes His home, the sacred site where the Most High chooses to live. The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy; He makes it unstoppable, unshakable. When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work. Trouble is on the horizon for the outside nations, not long until kingdoms will fall; God’s voice thunders and the earth shakes. You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies surrounds us and protects us; he True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart. Come, gaze fix your eyes on what the Eternal can do.“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. (From Psalm 46)
SONG | Blessed Be Your Name
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, your face is hidden from us by our sins, and we forget your mercy in the blindness of our hearts. Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires. With lowliness and meekness may we draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
SONG | Lord I Need You
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
O True God, You are my God, the One whom I trust. I seek You with every fiber of my being. In this dry and weary land with no water in sight, my soul is dry and longs for You. My body aches for You, for Your presence. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and have been awed by Your power and glory. Your steadfast love is better than life itself, so my lips will give You all my praise. I will bless You with every breath of my life; I will lift up my hands in praise to Your name. Often at night I lie in bed and remember You, meditating on Your greatness till morning smiles through my window. You have been my constant helper; therefore, I sing for joy under the protection of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right-hand reaches down and holds me up. (From Psalm 63)
SONG | How Deep the Father’s Love
SCRIPTURE READING
Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed. “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I was protecting them by your name that you have given me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled. Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them. I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth. “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation. Righteous Father, the world has not known you. However, I have known you, and they have known that you sent me. I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them.” (John 17.1-26)
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
SERMON NOTES
We can be encouraged because Jesus is ___________________!
John 16:33
Be encouraged because Jesus does all for ___________________.
John 17:1-5; Deuteronomy 21:23; Isaiah 53:5; Galatians 3:13
Be encouraged because Jesus cares for your ___________________.
John 17:9-16; John 15:18, 20
Be encouraged because Jesus prays for ___________________.
John 17:14-19
“The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyles. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” - Brennan Manning
Be encouraged because Jesus desires ___________________.
John 17:20-23; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Be encouraged because Jesus enables us to ___________________.
John 17:24-26; Romans 8:31-32
"Be courageous! I have conquered the world." - Jesus (John 16:33)
For further study:
Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30; Ephesians 6:10-18
Resources: “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning
To prepare for next week: John 15:1-25; The Vine and the Branches
COMMUNION
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11.23-26)
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
(For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.”
(For the juice) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
SONG | What a Beautiful Name
ANNOUNCEMENTS & GIVING
Newcomers Coffee in the Courtyard
Giving on the App
Keep us updated on prayer requests and needs.
NCCKids class-specific zoom calls will begin the first week of September on the following schedule: Purple Room (4th grade and up): Tuesdays at 7:30 PM; Yellow Room (1st-3rd grade): Wednesdays 6:30 PM; Green Room (pre-K & K): Tuesdays 7:00 PM
CG Outdoor Meetings
August 31-September 4
Triads Launch - Check out the website for more details
SONG | The Blessing
BENEDICTION
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11.33; 36)
Peace be with you! And also with you!
Midweek Meditation | John 17
Pastor Christopher leads through our Midweek Meditation on John 17. The purpose of the Midweek Meditation is to give you an opportunity to rest, meditate on Scripture, and prepare yourself for the upcoming Gathering.
Gathering Liturgy | August 23
GATHERING | 8/23 CALL TO WORSHIP
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— . . . . For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.”
from 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 32, 47, 50
PRAYER
SONG
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Dear Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.
SONG
PRAYER OF ASSURANCE
I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation.
Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him. Everything within me wants to pay tribute to Him. Whenever the poor and humble hear of His greatness, they will celebrate too! Come and lift up the Eternal with me; let’s praise His name together! When I needed the Lord, I looked for Him; I called out to Him, and He heard me and responded. He came and rescued me from everything that made me so afraid. This poor soul cried, and the Eternal heard me. He rescued me from my troubles.Taste of His goodness; see how wonderful the Eternal truly is. Anyone who puts trust in Him will be blessed and comforted. For the Eternal watches over the righteous, and His ears are attuned to their prayers. He is always listening. When the upright need help and cry to the Eternal, He hears their cries and rescues them from all of their troubles. When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close and revives him in his pain. Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them.
From Psalm 34
Prayer
SCRIPTURE READING
Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe?Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:20-24; 29-33
Steadfast vs. Wavering - Jonathan
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD.
COMMUNION | GIVING |
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said,“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the
Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11.23-26)
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
(For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.”
(For the juice) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
SONG
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
ANNOUNCEMENTS & GIVING
Community Groups will be starting back at the end of August and meet at least once per month. Check-in with your group leader to see what you group plans to do and speak into the decision on how often you meet throughout the fall.
We are launching a new aspect of ministry at New Circle that should be able to endure even in times of extreme social distancing called Triads. Triads are groups of three people who partner together to help one another grow. They will meet for twelve months. Our desire is for people to experience relational investment, spiritual maturation, and holistic transformation. Please be in prayer concerning if you should be involved. Find more information on our website.
With all of this in the face of the pandemic and social unrest, we want to spend 24 Hours in Prayer on August 29. Sign-up through Sign-Up Genius.
NCC Kids Zoom Classes will begin the first week of September.
will begin worshipping with us on August 23. Demetrius also desires to be a pastor at New Circle. So we will begin the 9-month pastoral process with him soon and Lord-willing he will become the fourth pastor of New Circle.
Matthew Yiesla officially begins his ministry residency with New Circle today! )(Introduce Matt and Kelsey). Matt will be learning from our pastoral team and will be possibly looking to focus in on the area of Youth Ministry in the coming months.
Encourage folks to give online or in the plate.
Encourage folks to give online or in the plate.
Encourage folks to give online or in the plate.
SONG
SONG
BENEDICTION
(May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph. 3.17-19
Peace be with you!
NCCKids Weekday Devotions 8/24-28
August 17th:
“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11).
“Look Dad, I see Orion’s Belt,” said Sarah. She pointed to three stars in a row right above them. Sarah and her dad were lying on a blanket on the porch, trying to find the constellations she had learned about in school.
“You’re right,” her dad said. “Do you see that bright star by his left foot? That one’s called Rigel.”
“That’s a nice name,” said Sarah. “How far away is Rigel?”
“I don’t know exactly. But if you traveled your whole life, you couldn’t get there.”
“It’s hard to imagine something being that far away,” said Sarah.
Sarah was right. It is hard to imagine traveling for a whole lifetime and never getting to the stars. But do you know something else that is hard to imagine? God’s mercy, or kindness. Psalm 103:11 says, “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” That means that if we could stack up all the things God gives people in His mercy, the pile would be so high that it would not fit under the stars. God’s mercy allows Him to forgive us and to give us good things that we do not deserve. Aren’t you glad that God has so much mercy?
God’s mercy is greater than I can imagine.
My response:
» How has God showed me mercy?
» Have I thanked God for His mercy today?
August 18th:
“Jesus also did many other things. What if every one of them were written down? I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25).
Trish had to go the library to work on a paper for school. Her assignment was the life of George Washington. Trish’s school library wasn’t big enough, so she had to go to the public library downtown.
On Saturday morning Mom dropped Trish off at the library. As she walked into the library, she saw thousands and thousands of books. “Where do I begin?” she asked herself. Seeing a computer, she typed “George Washington” into the search box. Hundreds of books came up in an instant. Trish noticed that most of the books were in the same section. After getting lost a few times, she found the right place. It took a long time, but Trish was able to get several books that helped her write her paper. Each book she used was written for one purpose—to tell the reader about George Washington.
That night at dinner, Trish was talking to her family about her experience at the library. “Your experience today reminds me of what the apostle John said about Jesus,” said Trish’s dad.
“What do you mean?” asked Bobby, Trish’s younger brother.
Their dad went on to explain that one of the reasons John wrote the book of John was to tell about the events of Jesus’ life so we would believe in Him as our Savior (John 20:30–31).
“But John made the point that he didn’t tell all of what Jesus did—if he had, the world couldn’t contain all of the books it would take to write on the subject,” said Trish’s dad. He went on to explain how Jesus has done much more than we could ever know. He is always supplying our needs, protecting us, forgiving us, and leading us—sometimes without our even acknowledging it. “He is always at work in your life. Before bed tonight, write out five ways Jesus is working in your life,” said Trish’s dad.
That night as Trish and Bobby wrote out five ways Jesus was working in their lives, Trish was thankful for how Jesus loved her and was constantly at work in her life. Before she turned her light out, she prayed and thanked Jesus for all He had done and was still doing in her life.
Jesus has done more than we can ever know!
My response:
» How is Jesus at work in my life?
» What should I thank Jesus for?
» What will I thank Him for right now?
August 19th:
How can I get away from your Spirit?
Where can I go to escape from you?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there.
If I lie down in the deepest parts of the earth, you are also there.
Suppose I were to rise with the sun in the east.
Suppose I travel to the west where it sinks into the ocean.
Your hand would always be there to guide me.
Your right hand would still be holding me close. (Psalm 139:7–10).
If you like to play hide-and-seek, it’s probably fun for you to think about hiding places. Maybe when you visit a new place or go to someone else’s house, you scout out all the best places to hide. If you’re good at finding hiding places, the “seeker” probably has to spend a long time looking for you. There may even have been times when you’ve hidden so well that he’s given up looking for you!
In Psalm 139, David was thinking about hiding places, but not because he wanted to play a game. He was thinking about how impossible it is to run away and hide from God. In the first part of the psalm, he wrote about God’s very personal knowledge of His creatures. He thought about how God knows every move we make, every word we say, and even the thoughts that go through our minds! When we think about God, Who knows us so deeply and personally, we might feel like we want to get away and hide from Him—especially when we consider that we’re sinners and He is holy.
David considered several places he might go. Perhaps he could go up into the sky—even into outer space. Or maybe he could go to the world beyond the grave—the world where people go after they die. Perhaps he could go as far east as the sunrise, or to the farthest reaches of the sea. Do those sound like good hiding places? The problem is, none of those are places a person can hide from God. God’s presence fills the earth and the sky. He is there, no matter where we go.
In verse 10, David thought about the fact that God is loving. His gentle, strong hand is actually leading us when we try to run from Him, and wherever we end up, His hand takes hold of us there. We can never run away or hide from Him.
What are some ways you try to “run away” from God? Do you close up your heart when He speaks to you through His Word or through your pastor’s preaching? Do you refuse to cooperate with Him when He shows you a need to forgive someone or to change your attitude? Do you try to shrug off something He tells you to do because you know it will make you uncomfortable?
Since God is loving, why would we want to be apart from Him? The Bible says that the best place to be is in His presence (Philippians 1:23). It is only there that we can have “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Being close to Him, loving Him, and obeying Him is the very best thing for every one of us.
We can never run away from God.
My response:
» Am I trying to run away from God in my heart?
» What is God asking me to do?
» What do I need to do to stop running and obey Him?
August 20th:
How you made me is amazing and wonderful.
I praise you for that.
What you have done is wonderful.
I know that very well. (Psalm 139:14).
If you create something (a picture or a paper airplane or a clay sculpture, or even a recipe), you have used your mind and your imagination as well as your hands, tools, and supplies. You will truly enjoy your creation, if it matters to you and if you do a good job. It may never turn out as well as you had hoped, but when you are done, your project shows others something about you, the creator. It reflects your style.
When God finished making the world, it was good (“God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). When we look at the world, we see God’s style, His creativity. We see colors and sounds and beauty. We see what He provides for us: food and water, rain and light. We experience a world of systems that work properly, such as the four seasons, always in the same order; day following night; or gravity. We see animals and plants that are so unusual and fantastic that a human being could never have imagined them. Our own bodies are amazing systems that no computer could ever equal.
Once Adam and Eve sinned, God’s creation could no longer be perfect. It was still good, but now it had a curse on it. You may have seen this in yourself: you get sick, or things go wrong in your body. God will take care of all these problems one day. If you are His child, you will be part of a new heaven and a new earth, with a new body that works perfectly at all times. But in the meantime, you are still “fearfully and wonderfully made.” For that reason we can praise God, for “it is he that has made us” (Psalm 100:3).
My response:
» How can I use my body to praise God?
» How can I use my mind to praise God?
August 21st:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him [God]” (Hebrews 11:6).
Remember the Old Testament stories about Noah building an ark, baby Moses floating in a basket, and Daniel surviving the lions’ den? Did you know that those people are also in the New Testament? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is often called the “faith” chapter. It reminds us of people such as Noah, Moses, and Daniel to show us what faith is and how faith pleases God.
Faith caused Noah to obediently build an ark even though he had never seen rain. Faith caused the midwives to hide Moses when all the other Hebrew baby boys were being murdered by the Egyptians. Faith caused Daniel to continue praying to God even though he knew that doing so meant being thrown into a den of hungry lions. We know the ending of those stories. We know that God saved Noah and his family, rescued baby Moses, and kept Daniel safe. But, Noah, Moses’ parents, and Daniel could not see the end of their stories. They did not know how their faith would affect them, but they did know that faith pleased God—and that was all that mattered!
Faith pleases God, and it proves that someone believes in God and seeks after Him (Ephesians 2:8–10).
My response:
» Have I trusted God to save me?
» Am I afraid to trust God if I cannot see how things will turn out? Or do I trust Him no matter what?
» How can I demonstrate faith in God today?
*Devotionals this week came from equipu.kids4truth.com .