Teaser: If Jesus is serious about this invitation to join him in the lives of teenagers (note: he is), every one of us (I’ll say that again, every one of us) has a role in this life-giving mission. The Spiritual Gifts God gives are for the mission of the whole congregation “beyond the walls.” How has the spirit equipped you to be part of this adventure (i.e., which “concentric circle” might be your calling?

Teaser: Jesus is still on a mission to bring young people from death to life.

What might it look like for NCPC to say a fulsome “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to join him on that mission to the youth of our immediate community? How would that be different than mere “youth ministry”? Why is this such a moment for us and for our community

Luke gives us a remarkably authentic window in to Jesus as a teenager, pushing beyond his parents' definition of him and his faith, boldly exploring the world in a new way, sparring with ideas and authorities. That's what Jesus is still doing in the lives of teenagers . . . and it's a beautiful thing.

Teaser: Jesus has always cared about teens; the proof is scattered through each of our own life stories. For many (like for young Samuel) our teen years were the first time we heard God addressing us directly. For most, each of us still is what we became through these formative years. That’s why, as middle and high schools bulge in our immediate community, Jesus is calling NCPC into the lives of young people in a significant new way.

Key Words: teens, Jesus, Samuel

Title: "All That Christ Created You To Be"

Faith lessons from life and my season as an elder

Themes: Rooted in love, grace, blessed to be a blessing, abundant life in Christ

For some of us, the most important thing about neighboring might also be the most difficult--allowing others to neighbor us. Sometimes our own insistence that serving always flow in only one direction ends up sabotaging the neighborly relationship God intends.

Teaser: When Jesus sent 72 followers into nearby towns on his own "Art of Neighboring Workshop," they reported back with astonishing stories of God at work in all they experienced. The same thing has been happening in the neighborhoods in which NCPC members have this summer been learning from Jesus the Art of Neighboring. Today we hear them report back.

Key words: neighboring, stories, missional,

It's a defining challenge of the century: how do we relate to our Muslim neighbors? The culture offers two simplistic answers: "clash of cultures" and "kumbaya." Jesus, as usual, points us to a third way. (The third way is a Kingdom Confidence through Jesus and what HE says about all of us and what we all mean to HIM.)

Teaser: Cornelius wasn't just a soldier; he and his family were immigrants.

That makes Peter's decision to walk across the threshold of his home all the more significant for people who--more likely than not--find ourselves with immigrant neighbors. What does it look like to bless the lives of our immigrant neighbors?

Key Words: immigration, threshold, Peter, Cornelius, neighboring