In the Know

Digging Deeper Tues. 05/22: One of us

Read Mark 9:38-39. The disciples stopped the man from ministering because he was not one of them. But, we can derive from this account that the man had somehow been influenced by the Lord and knew the Lord. He had a strong faith in the Lord’s name. He had given himself to the ministry and was ministering to the most difficult cases, to the demon-possessed. The disciples were too narrow and exclusive. They denied another person the right to serve and wrecked a servant’s ministry. They kept many from ever being helped. The disciples showed favoritism toward their own number and judged a man not in their inner circle. Do you tend to discredit someone who is serving the Lord because they don’t go to your church or don’t fit into your imagery of what a servant of the Lord should look like? Ask God to help you see that He uses all kinds of people and gifts to reach others for Him.

Digging Deeper is a daily devotional based on Sunday's sermon. Go to www.northstarchurch.org/thewonderyears to watch the video of Sunday's sermon "Play Well with Others," part three of The Wonder Years series. Or go to www.northstarchurch.org/sermons to listen to the audio-only version.

In The Know video for 05/20: LEAP, Adventure Week, Big Give, and more!

This week's ITK video (below) is about LEAP, Adventure Week, the summer Big Gives, and more.

Get even more "In The Know" by heading to the following links:

• LEAP: Find out more about LEAP, register, or learn more about volunteer opportunities at www.northstarchurch.org/leap.
• Summer Big Give: Go to www.northstarchurch.org/biggive to learn more about the summer lunch program and how you can help.
• Adventure Week: Register your child and find out how you can volunteer or donate at www.adventureweek.org.
• True North Venue: There will be no True North services over the summer. Find out more here.

 

300 children added to the Summer Lunch Program

Here's a big update on our summer Big Give: We have added an additional 300 lunches to our lunch count this summer because of the expansion of the program. Below, Kelley Maddox explains the program and the needs. More at www.northstarchurch.org/biggive.

Each summer, NorthStar partners with MUST Ministries to provide sack lunches for kids in need in Cobb county. MUST  works with Cobb school social workers to identify neighborhoods where kids live that receive free lunches during the school year and tries to replicate this by providing a sack lunch each week day during the summer. For some kids, this is the only meal they have each day!!  We have NorthStar volunteers that drive through these neighborhoods honking their horns like the ice cream man and kids come running out for their lunch. It is so sweet to see their smiling faces.

Because the first lunch is always the day after Memorial Day, we provide the lunch. Otherwise, it would be difficult for MUST to get what they need since it is so close to the holiday. Our NorthStar people always come through!! Below you will see what we still need for the May 28^th lunch. If you are going to be out of town for Memorial Day, you can  always drop  juice boxes or Little Debbie brownies by our offices this week. You can also drop off you lunch items during this Sunday morning’s services or on Monday, May 28^th at 6pm when we are packing the lunches. You are also welcome to stay and help us pack. It usually takes less than an hour to pack all 1800 lunches.  Please let me know if you can help so that I know all the items needed are covered. Feel free to pass this email on to friends, family, co-workers, small group, etc. We would love to have their help too. It is also a great way to get your kids involved – they can make sandwiches, count carrots, help bake brownies, etc.

• 24 volunteers to provide 50 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• 29 volunteers to provide 50 snack bags of carrot sticks
• 31 volunteers to provide 50 brownies(homemade or Little Debbies)
• 25 volunteers to provie 50 juice boxes(100% juice so that it can be a serving of fruit for the kids)

Thanks so much for all you do to help us GIVE HOPE to our community!!

Go to www.northstarchurch.org/biggive to volunteer!

Digging Deeper Mon. 05/21: Welcome

Read Mark 9:37-38. What do you think happened between these two verses in John’s heart and mind? Do you think Jesus’ words were stirring in John’s heart? Do you think he was feeling a little guilt and shame for their attitude toward this man who was ministering in Jesus’ name? Are you welcoming to those you don’t agree with? Think about this…every person that God has called you to reach for Jesus has a different set of beliefs than you. So, if we are going to reach another person for Christ, we have to be prepared to welcome them and show God’s love to them in spite of their beliefs. Ask God to give you the same attitude toward others that Christ demonstrated during His life.

Digging Deeper is a daily devotional based on Sunday's sermon. This week's sermon, "Play Well with Others," part three of The Wonder Years series, will be posted online soon.

Your to know list for 05/18: Graduates, The Wonder Years, and more!

Hi NorthStar! Kids (and teachers) are rejoicing and parents are cringing as the school year comes to a close next week. We hope that all end the school year well as we slide into a fun-filled summer. Here’s your to know list for this week!

THE TOP FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEKEND!

1. THE WONDER YEARS SERIES CONTINUES SUNDAY: At the end of our lives, we can look back over the years in wonder and narrow down the things that really mattered, the lessons of life that always rang true. This Sunday, May 20, we continue the four-week series The Wonder Years with part three: “Play Well with Others.” Join us at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. in Compass or True North or 10:00 a.m. at Dallas. Invite a friend by sending a free The Wonder Years evite at www.northstarchurch.org/evites.
2. GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY: Con-GRAD-ulations to all our grads! We’ll be honoring our graduating seniors at the end of our Compass services this Sunday, May 20.
3. SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM BIG GIVE: Our Big Gives for May, June, and July will involve providing hundreds of sack lunches for kids who may only get one meal a day. First drop-off date is Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day). More at www.northstarchurch.org/biggive.
4. REGISTER NOW FOR ADVENTURE WEEK: NorthStar's incredibly popular Adventure Week returns June 18-21 with "Reaction.” Registration is free, and is open to children 4 years old (by September 1, 2012) through 5th grade (2011-2012 school year). The program runs from 6:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. each night. Find out more and register now at www.adventureweek.org.
5. REGISTER NOW FOR LEAP: LEAP is an experience that combines youth camp and missions into one crazy-cool week that will make your connections with God, friends, and our community take a ginormous LEAP forward. This year’s LEAP is for students finishing grades 6-12 and takes place June 25-28 at our Kennesaw campus, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day. Registration opens this Sunday, May 6. Find out more and register at www.northstarchurch.org/leap.

SAVE THE DATE!

• TRUE NORTH SERVICES: There will be no True North Services for the summer beginning May 27 (Memorial Day weekend). True North Services will start back up on August 5. Meanwhile, join us in the Compass at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
• PREMARITAL SEMINAR: Engaged or about to be? Join us for the next Premarital Seminar on Sunday, June 24. Find out more and register at www.northstarchurch.org/premarital.
• NORTHSTAR @ THE LAKE: Make plans now to join us Sunday, August 5, at 6:00 p.m. at Dallas Landing for our annual pot luck picnic dinner and baptism at the lake! Register to be baptized at www.northstarchurch.org/firststeps. More details to come!

FIRST STEPS!
Check out these First Steps opportunities coming up. Register at www.northstarchurch.org/firststeps.

• NEWCOMERS: If you’re new, join us for this behind-the-scenes tour of a typical Sunday morning at NorthStar. Kennesaw campus: Sunday, July 15, 11:00 a.m., starting at the Compass Lobby.
• MEMBERSHIP CLASS: Join forces with your new NorthStar family and become a member. Kennesaw campus: Sunday, June 24, 9:30 a.m. hour in Center Court.
• FIRST STEPS FOR KIDS: Children and parents, get your questions answered about salvation, baptism, and the children’s ministry at NorthStar. Kennesaw campus: Sunday, July 15, 9:30 a.m. hour, Compass room 200.
• BAPTISM: Take the plunge and show your faith through baptism. Dallas campus: This Sunday, May 20, during the 10:00 a.m. service. NorthStar @ the Lake: Sunday, August 5, 6:00 p.m., Dallas Landing.

Now you're caught up and In The Know about what's happening at NorthStar. See you Sunday!

MORE WAYS TO STAY IN THE KNOW!

• SUNDAY'S IN THE KNOW TO GO HANDOUT (now also online at www.northstarchurch.org/itktg)
• WEBSITE: www.northstarchurch.org
• BLOG: www.northstarintheknow.org
• FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/northstar.church.kennesaw
• TWITTER: twitter.com/nsckennesaw
• EMAIL: info@northstarchurch.org
• PHONE: 770-420-9808 (NorthStar's offices are normally open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closed every Friday)

Digging Deeper Fri. 05/18: Mothers

Read John 19:25-27. As we close this week after Mother’s Day, we can look right to Jesus for how we should honor our moms. As the oldest son, He needed to take care of His mother after He was gone. So, on the cross, Jesus asks John to take care of His mother. Mary took care of Jesus when He was a child and overlooked by society. She saw something great in Him. She knew God had a great purpose for Him. As parents, we should see the same in our kids. Thank God for the moms in your life.

Digging Deeper is a daily devotional based on Sunday's sermon. Go to www.northstarchurch.org/thewonderyears to watch the video of Sunday's sermon "Put Others First," part two of The Wonder Years series. Or go to www.northstarchurch.org/sermons to listen to the audio-only version.

True North closed for the summer

There will be no True North services for the summer beginning May 27 (Memorial Day weekend). True North services will start back up on August 5. Meanwhile, join us in the Compass at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (High school and middle school students will continue to meet upstairs in True North.)

There are many reasons for the temporary closure, including:

• Stephanie Ford, our True North worship leader most Sundays, is expecting! She and husband Brandon will be having their third child this summer.
• Chris Boggess, who usually hosts the True North services and sometimes preaches live, will be out of town a good bit. He's a vital part of the Impact Camp leadership, going on a mission trip, and involved in other commitments.
• In addition to those key leaders, it can sometimes be a challenge to staff all our venues during the summer with band and tech teams.
• We want to make some technical upgrades in the room and do some other things to make it the best it can be.
• Our attendance usually dips a bit during the summer as people travel; we should be able to handle our Sunday morning crowds all in the Compass for these two months.

We're already looking forward to relaunching True North in August! Stay tuned for details!

Digging Deeper Thurs. 05/17: Children matter

Read Mark 9:33-37. Jesus decides to use a child as an example for the point He is trying to make with His disciples. In Greek and Jewish society, children were not valued like they are in our culture. They were good illustrations of what the least important people in their society looked like. Notice the importance that James put on caring for children without parents (James 1:27): “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans…” Jesus said that we should welcome or receive children. In other words, we should show concern, kindness, and care for them. Don’t overlook caring for your children. And, don’t overlook those deemed less important by society. Jesus doesn’t. Ask God to give you compassion for those who can’t help themselves.

Digging Deeper is a daily devotional based on Sunday's sermon. Go to www.northstarchurch.org/thewonderyears to watch the video of Sunday's sermon "Put Others First," part two of The Wonder Years series. Or go to www.northstarchurch.org/sermons to listen to the audio-only version.

Help our students LEAP!

LEAP 2012 is a week where our students get an opportunity to show God's love in such a way. Students will be serving, diving into Scripture, and worshiping God in small groups. Our goal as a student ministry is to equip students to live the life Christ has called them to live. We want students to own their relationship with Christ, and to show God's love in such a way. In Exodus 18, Moses' father-in-law let him know that he could not do it alone, and neither can we. As a student ministry, we have been praying for parents and young adults who have a passion to pour into students and help them grow in their walk.

June 25-28 we could use you help in these areas:

• Co-leading small groups of students
• Transporting students to and from service projects
• Helping serve lunch

Will you be an answer to that prayer?

Please contact Nathan Garner at nathan.garner@northstarchurch.org if you have any questions or would like to join our team.

Find out more about LEAP and register your student at www.northstarchurch.org/leap.

Digging Deeper Wed. 05/16: Stepping forward

Read Mark 9:33-37. When Jesus speaks of a servant, He’s referring to someone who waits tables. This kind of service in Jesus’ day was considered demeaning and undignified. Most people avoided serving at all costs. It was a step backwards. Jesus, however, came on the scene and flipped this mindset upside down. Jesus said that the one who serves is actually the most influential and valuable person in the room. What about you? When it comes to serving others, do you usually let others take that role or do you automatically jump in and offer help wherever it is needed? Ask God to give you a servant’s attitude.

Digging Deeper is a daily devotional based on Sunday's sermon. Go to www.northstarchurch.org/thewonderyears to watch the video of Sunday's sermon "Put Others First," part two of The Wonder Years series. Or go to www.northstarchurch.org/sermons to listen to the audio-only version.