Life@North Lake Newsletter

July 2022

Welcome to the

Life@North Lake Newsletter!

To submit an article for the August newsletter, email Communications Director Tina Carroll by July 12.

A Message from Pastor Shawn

A Midsummer Message

As we enter the middle of summer, I want to thank you all for the support you have shown the staff and me during Pastor Jeff’s sabbatical. It is a privilege and joy to partner with you in ministry as we seek to honor God with our lives. Throughout this month of July, I encourage you to join me as I continue to pray for Pastor Jeff and Bobbi while they are away on Sabbatical. This is an important time for our pastor to spend in reflection listening to what the Lord has in store for him, this ministry, and all that we are called to do together. We can begin to pray for his time of return in August right now and ask the Lord to prepare our hearts for what is next.

As we do that there are a couple of other exciting events that I want to bring to your attention. On Sunday, July 24 we will host the Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller who serves as the executive director of The Outreach Foundation. North Lake Presbyterian Church has a long-standing commitment to supporting the work of the Outreach Foundation and it is always great to hear from Dr. Mueller firsthand about what our brothers and sisters in Christ facing around the world. Please join us all month long in worship, but especially on July 24 to hear about the current relief work for the refugees from Ukraine.

Lastly, I want to share with you that at the end of July we will only be six months away from the ONE Conference 2023. If you missed attending last time you have heard from others that went how much you really need to make it a point to attend. You will not be disappointed. The ONE Conference exists to fulfill our efforts to support ministries around the Central Florida area and beyond to flourish and thrive as disciples of Jesus. We will welcome back to the stage Liz Smith as one of our speakers and you will be introduced to two new voices. Our theme is “Reaching the Family of God.” The date for this event is Saturday, February 11, 2023. It will be from noon until 4:00 p.m. You will want to make sure to mark it on your calendars now and start inviting everyone you know to join you at the ONE Conference. Remember, we may host this event, but it is not for NLPC alone. This event exists to fulfill our calling to be a blessing and support all Christian ministries in our area and beyond. Join me in praying for all that is happening and all that is coming up here at North Lake Presbyterian Church.

Sunday Worship

Traditional 8:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

Contemporary 9:30 a.m.

On-Campus and Livestream Worship at northlakepc.org

JULY SERMON SERIES:

"BUILDING FOREVER"

July 3

Communion

Pastor Shawn Smith

Genesis 12:1-3, 15

"Covenant”

July 10

Pastor Shawn Smith

Exodus 25:1-9

“Tabernacle”

July 17

Pastor Shawn Smith

Matthew 16:13-23

“This Church”

July 24

Guest Preacher

Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller

“A Witness to the Greatest Truth”

July 31

Pastor Shawn Smith

Rev 22:1-5

“Full Access”

Don't Miss July 24 - Outreach Sunday at North Lake

North Lake's Mission Team is pleased to host the Executive Director of the Outreach Foundation, Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller, to preach at all three services and present a community talk at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24.

GET TO KNOW MARK: Mark has served congregations for twenty-two years in Alabama and Indiana before arriving in 2018 at The Outreach Foundation as Director of Development. Prior to ministry, Mark worked in the public school systems of Utah and Arizona as a teacher and administrator. Mark participated in an African Medical Mission to Tanzania in 2008, in prison ministry, and several Outreach trips over the years.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, a Master of Educational Leadership at Brigham Young University, a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary with an emphasis on Evangelism and New Church Development. Mark and his wife, the Rev. Dr. Toby Mueller, live in Franklin, Tennessee, and have two married daughters and two grandchildren. She serves as pastor of Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church.

Second Mile Offering

July 2022

Outreach Foundation

The Outreach Foundation was established in 1979 to connect Presbyterians to God’s work in the world. The Outreach Foundation is an independent entity that works with the PC(USA).

North Lake Church has a long history with The Outreach Foundation reaching back to 1997. According to a thank you letter sent to North Lake from Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller,

"Since that time, you have generously given, through the years, $256,818.34 to some of the following ministries, partnerships and global workers:

Holistic Evangelism in Tete Province, Mozambique
Ukraine Appeal
Presbytery of Zimbabwe Ministry for Children at Risk
Iraq Partnership
Nedson Zulu Family Fund

This legacy of generosity - your grace of giving-gives The Outreach a Foundation confidence they will continue to flourish, despite the world's uncertainties and upheavals."

Most recently, our North Lake Family has been giving to the Outreach Foundation through our Ukraine donations. The war in Ukraine is onging... but these gifts have made so many forms of relief possible, all in the name of Jesus! Here are just 2 ways you have made a difference. Stay tuned for more!

Helping a small team of women provide 11,000 Ukrainian children with Christian online education.
Helping a church and seminary make refugees comfortable in home-like settings.

How Do I Contribute?

Simply write a check to NLPC with "Outreach Foundation" in the memo line or click on the button below and choose Second Mile Offering. Questions? Contact Ruth at 352-753-8484.

Donate to Outreach Foundation

THANK YOU.

Last month North Lake Church raised $10,354.25 for the Backpack Ministry Second Mile Offering. Your generosity enables us to continue providing much-needed school supplies to the five area elementary schools we support. This year we asked the schools to give us their lists of needs, wants, and wishes. In this way, the schools were able to assess their individual school’s needs to determine how to best use our support. We will have a dedication in August.

Your 2022 Backpack Ministry Team

Sue Fentress

Connie Ingrum

Jeannie Mayer

I pray you enjoy this poem as much as I do!

Pastor Lynn Miller

Holy Bible, Book Divine

Holy Bible, book Divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine;

Mine to tell me whence I came;

Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove,

Mine to show a Saviour's love;

Mine art thou to guide my feet;

Mine to judge, condemn, acquit.

Mine to comfort in distress,

If the Holy Spirit bless;

Mine to show by living faith,

Man can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,

And the rebel sinner's doom;

Holy Bible, book Divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine.

—by John Burton, Sr. (1773-1822)

Loss of a Spouse is an outreach seminar designed to bring people together who have experienced a tremendous loss. Here's what you can expect when you attend:

You will hear ideas from other grieving spouses about how to deal with practical issues you might be facing.
You can develop friendships with people.
You can have someone to keep you accountable so that you are less likely to make unwise choices.
You get the chance to hear how others who are further along on their grief journey have been able to look ahead to see life from a different perspective.

You will receive a participant guide, view a video, and then have an open discussion that you are welcome to participate in, or be silent and listen.

I pray you will join us on WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the GRACE ROOM. More upcoming Loss of a Spouse seminars will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 3 and September 7. Contact Pastor Lynn Miller with questions, 352-753-8484 or email lmiller@northlakepc.org

NOTE: We are not holding New Member Sunday in July but will resume in August. Please call the church office at 352-753-8484 if you are interested in joining North Lake.

June New Members

John Moyer

Bob Scribner

Last month, we received a touching thank-you letter from one of our recipients, and we thought we would share it with you.

"To all the people on the Operation Homebound team,

I want to thank you all so very much for the birthday card on my 97^th birthday. Your card was the first.

Also thanks also for the “Happy Birthday” placemat made by the women of the Lake Miona Quilters. It’s beautiful!

Also thanks for my Hershey’s chocolate candy bar and cute little white stuffed animal.

As I stood by my front door, the Operation Homebound delivery driver sang “Happy Birthday” as he came up my sidewalk.

Again, many thanks!!!"

Terry Carroll

Operation Homebound Director

PS: Thanks for bringing styrofoam coolers to the church kitchen. We are in need of more to use for client deliveries!

From left to right: Laurie Blum and Judy Kohn from the club present checks to Terry Carroll.

Thank You Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club!

On Wednesday, June 22 The Orange Blossom Garden Lions Club held a luncheon meeting in the church Fellowship Hall. The club, one of Operation Homebound's "blue ribbon" supporters, presented Director Terry Carroll with 2 checks to the organization; one toward the operating budget, and one to purchase a super-sized food processor.

They spent the meeting learning more about North Lake's OHB program through "hands-on" experience and discussions. Some members worked in the kitchen with Head Chef Ed Brown preparing the meals for the group, while others talked about what it would be like to be homebound recipients of the meals, or volunteers for the organization.

The club also inducted their new officers and a great time was had by all!

Vacation Bible School has come and gone already. Our children had a fabulous time visiting and learning on Adventure Island. We learned new Bible stories, sang songs while dancing with light sticks, made some fun crafts, played games, and did some fun science experiments. Thank you to my staff for helping me make VBS for the preschoolers such fun. It is a lot of work, but is all worthwhile when you hear a three year-old tell you a BIble story nearly word for word.

Summer activities are in full swing. Our VPK kids are doing Alphabet Bootcamp to refresh their letter awareness before school starts. It is followed up with a letter parade for all.

The school-age children are looking forward to the Summer Crew activity on Wednesdays with Children's Director Heather Hough and our church volunteers. I’m hoping that this will generate more interest in the "NOW!" program for fall.

VPK certificates are coming in and we are preparing for full classes in August. Enjoy your summer! We certainly plan to do the same.

Linda Brown

Little Blessings Christian Preschool Director

Special Food Distribution for Local Families in Need

Wednesday, July 20

The Christian Food Pantry will host a special food distribution beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of North Lake Presbyterian Church located at 975 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake.

This will be a drive-up event for those local families in need within our service district area.

We will be distributing food donated through Society of St. Andrew as a FARM SHARE event.

You do not need to be a registered client to receive this assistance but must live in the local area and receive SNAP, SSI, Medicaid or be Low Income Eligible.

For more information click HERE or email Carrol Neal, Christian Food Pantry Director.

BIRTHDAY LIST

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

—Psalm 118:24

Mary Spirlock: May 13

John Siczka: June 4

Harold Blatt: June 2

Thelma Hankins: June 27

Paul “Joe Bud” Snow: June 28 (Father of Worship Director Mike Snow)

Vacation Bible School

2022 a Success!

After a two- year hitatus due to COVID, North Lake had a very successful week of Vacation Bible School.

We welcomed about 33 kids per day and we were able to raise around $400 for the Christian Food Pantry.

The kids were so engaged every day and my goodness, did they have energy! Thankfully their energy rubbed off on the adults and we were able to keep up with them.

Thank you so much to everyone that volunteered, whether it was decorating, or helping to prepare things, working directly with the kids, or helping with clean up. You all made it the success that it was. Preparations have already begun for next year’s VBS and the dates are tentatively June 5-9.

Contact: Children’s Ministry Director Heather Hough

heather.hough@northlakepc.org or call 352-753-8484

Youth Night Fall Schedule

Youth Sunday Schedule

July marks one year since I was hired as Children's Ministry Director at North Lake, and this past year has been one of the most amazing of my life!

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your kindness. Please keep praying, especially for the children, youth, and their families that are coming AND for those that will be in the future. God is doing something here and I’m just happy we get to be part of it!

Heather Hough

CIRCLE MEETINGS START THIS FALL

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL SCHEDULE WITH LEADER INFORMATION

PW has 8 Circles that meet once a month from September through May. ALL WOMEN who attend NLPC are invited and encouraged to participate. The Circles will be meeting the second week in September. Please contact the Circle Leader listed in the above linked document if interested in attending.

Lydia Circle meets the third Wednesday of the month in member's homes. The members live generally south of 466A if that is convenient for you. We welcome new members. Please contact Barbara Robinson 716-863-5458 for the next circle meeting to find out the location.

WHAT ARE CIRCLES DOING THIS SUMMER?

ANNA: August luncheon.

DEBORAH: Reading “Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgins (chapters 4, 5, 6). Meeeting at 11:00 a.m. July 14 and August 11 in the Peace Room. Please call Rose Gorman at 352-874-8682 if you have any questions.

ELIZABETH: Not meeting due to members traveling.

ESTHER: Noon luncheon on the second Wednesday at Orange Blossom Country Club in July and August.

LYDIA: Noon luncheon on the third Wednesday at Belle Glade in July and August.

NAOMI RUTH: Coffee socials in homes on the second Tuesday morning during the summer.

REBEKAH: Not meeting due to most people are out of town.

CT and MISSION MEETINGS

There will be no CT meeting in July. There will be no mission meeting in July. Contact Mary Bontempo with questions.

Highlights - May, 2022

A motion was passed to approve membership roll changes from April 15, 2022, through May 11, 2022.

These members joined the Church Triumphant:

- Joyce Glynn, April 14, 2022

- Marguerite Sharp, April 23, 2022

- Tom Bluck, May 1, 2022

- Edward Pratt, May 3, 2022

The session removed 46 individuals from our membership rolls after these people requested to be removed and/or we were unable to find current contact information for them.

The session removed an additional 41 individuals from our membership rolls after they moved away and indicated that they no longer intend to be a member of our ministry.

All of the actions were approved after discussion and review that North Lake had done its due diligence to discern whether these actions of removal from the membership rolls could be completed.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Financial Report

For the month of April giving to the church operating fund was $161,100 which is $14,483 less than the budget. For the first four months of the year giving is under budget by $41,649. (-5.7%) This is a concern as the shortfall has been increasing since February. You will also recall that the 2022 budget was approved based on a projected deficit of $47,777. At the current pace, the church could be facing a significant deficit at the end of 2022.

Expenses for April were $153 over budget and the deficit for the month was $5,749. Year-to-date expenses are under budget by $18,334 and the year-to-date surplus is $54,972 which is $24,077 less than budgeted.

The Finance Committee has agreed to use $70,000 from the "Count Me In" Campaign to pay down the long-term mortgage.

Greetings North Lakers,

Happy July 4th and happy summer wishes in general. This month I just wanted to send my sincere thanks for all the great responses to volunteering at North Lake. So many of you have stepped up to help with Vacation Bible School and helping with Sunday School. Heather and I are both so grateful for your willingness to pitch in and meet the need.

Presbyterian Women (PW) will not meet formally this summer, but many of the groups will meet for lunch or coffee. If you are not a member already, this would be a good opportunity to become acquainted with various groups. Check the newsletter for the name of the leader for each circle and give her a call and come visit several groups. This way you can see if one group would be

compatible with your schedule and get to know some of the ladies.

The choir will take a break for the summer, but if you are interested in joining, email music assistant

Sallie Matteson and indicate your interest. She can give you the information for joining in the fall.

In the meantime just have a relaxing summer and if you go on vacation, enjoy safe travels. I will

see you in the fall when I'll have lots of areas in which you can consider volunteering.

Major needs for the summer include Operation Homebound summer drivers, call Laura at 352-689-1023 and summer help at the Christian Food Pantry, 352-259-0788.

Thanks, love, and blessings to all.

Judy Etheridge

North Lake Presbyterian Volunteer Coordinator