Spring is on the way and there is plenty to be done to spruce up our facility’s landscaping. On Saturday, March 17, at 9 AM we need your help to lay mulch, pull weeds, and clean up the plantings. Grab a pair of work gloves, a rake, and a friend and let’s tame that great outdoors. If interested, contact judy@lafayettenaz.org.
Calling All Yard Warriors
Posted by admin on March 8, 2012 | No Comments »30 Hour Famine
Posted by Matt on February 18, 2012 | No Comments »
In one week, several students and adults from our church will participate in the 30 Hour Famine. The Famine is an idea developed by World Vision to help students and adults think and act both globally and locally about a real crisis that exists–the global food crisis. Close to a billion people go to bed hungry and everyday 11,000 children die from hunger related causes.
We’re not ok with this.
We’re not ok with this because we believe that God isn’t ok with it either. We believe the Scriptures testify to tangible, real good news for the poor. For some, that is simply getting meals to sustain them everyday. So what we’re going to do is put ourselves in a posture where we begin to feel the basic beginnings of the hunger pangs that so many experience everyday. We’ll be going without food for 30 Hours.
As we’ve worked through the meaning of this weekend, the Scripture that has guided our planning is Isaiah 58:6-7: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and to hide yourself from your own kin?” Our goal is to go beyond simple empathy and work during this weekend to bring hope to those who have little by sharing the resources we have. Locally we’ll be serving at the Seeds of Hope Food Pantry and putting together bottles of laundry soap for Food Finders. We’ll also be spending time in worship and reflecting on how we can serve God’s mission and the kingdom. We’re also raising money as a part of our global effort. For every $30.00 we raise we can feed a child for a month. Our goal is to raise $2160.00, which would feed 6 kids for an entire year.
There are several ways you can still be involved.
Pray: This will be a very stretching experience for many of our students. Pray that this is not an isolated event, but a time in which they are spurred on to living God’s mission.
Give: Again, every $30.00 will feed a child for a month. Donations can be left in the joy box in the church office or or in the offering plate. Checks can be written to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries with “30 Hour Famine” in the memo.
Donate: We’re collecting water bottles for our laundry soap project. The bottles can either be empty or we will also take full cases of water.
Stay after service on 2/19: We’ll be gathering together for a meal that will include Fox’s Pizza, a salad bar, and fountain beverages. We’re asking that you donate whatever you might spend going out to eat for Sunday Lunch to go directly to our Famine Funds.
Join in the fast: If you are interested in fasting along with us, please contact Pastor Matt for more information.
Winter Wednesday Class – Radical
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on January 24, 2012 | No Comments »It’s easy for us to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live and what their new lifestyle would actually look like.He said they would leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily.
In this 10 week study we will reconsider what Jesus actually said about being his disciple while being invited to believe what He said is true.
Radical begins on January 25 at 6:30. As always, childcare, children’s ministries, and student ministries are available.
“Believing God” – Women’s Bible Study
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on January 23, 2012 | No Comments »“Believing God,” by Beth Moore, will challenge us to take God at His word, believe His promises, and live fuller lives of faith. The class will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00. It begins on January 25 and will end on March 28. We would love to have you join us on this journey as we deepen trust in God.
As always, childcare, children’s ministries and student ministries are available.
If you would like to register for this class online, please email us.
Membership Information Class
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on December 15, 2011 | No Comments »If you are interested in becoming a member at LFCN Pastor Troy will be hosting a membership information class on Saturday, January 28 from 9:30 am to 12 pm. At LFCN, we don’t believe that becoming a member saves you but we do believe that God’s people are identified as belonging to one another and sent out to serve the world. The class includes information on who we are, how we live and what we believe. Childcare will be provided. You can sign up for the class below or at the Welcome Center.
Bring Peace To A Local Family
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on November 27, 2011 | No Comments »A family friend of Heather Patterson has been displaced and has lost everything in a house fire. They have been set up with the local Red Cross who have provided temporary shelter but they are in immediate need of clothing. Below is a list of sizes. Please bring your donations to the church office and we will make sure they are distributed. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thanks for being peacemakers this Christmas season.
*Mom: size 9/10 pants; size medium tops.
*Dad: size 34/32 pants; size large shirts; size 11-12 shoes.
*Son: size 34/32 pants; size large shirts; size 11 shoes.
*Daughter: size 5/6 girls clothes; size 13 or 1 shoes.
Christmas For Everyone
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on November 22, 2011 | Comments Off
Christmas For Everyone is a program that allows members of our community to provide gifts for children of low-income families. The program is coordinated by the American Red Cross Tippecanoe County Chapter.
The Red Cross works with churches that are members of the Tippecanoe Evangelical Association of Ministers and Ministries (TEAMM) to help find sponsors for children. A sponsor receives a child’s Christmas list and purchases $35 worth of gifts for each child.
Sponsoring A Child
To sign up to sponsor one or more children, visit the Christmas For Everyone table in the church foyer on Sundays. For 2011, the signup dates are 11/13, 11/20, and 11/27. All sponsored gifts should be returned to the Church. For 2011, sponsored gifts should be returned by 12/4.
Signing Up To Help
In addition to sponsoring a child, we also have several opportunities to help. If you’re interested please sign up at the Christmas For Everyone Table in the church foyer.
Snowball Retreat 2012
Posted by Matt on November 16, 2011 | No Comments »This year, all students grades 7-12 are invited to a part of Snowball Retreat 2012 in Madison, WI. The retreat will take place January 20-22. Snowball Retreat is a chance to gather with students from all over Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland to join in worship and the hearing of God’s Word. There is also opportunity to ski or go to an indoor waterpark. The cost of the event will be $125. Forms are available here. Please contact Pastor Matt with any questions.
Happening This Week @ LFCN
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on October 18, 2011 | No Comments »October 18, 2011
Dear Church,
Here is what is happening in the life of the church this week. May you be blessed as you journey toward Jesus.
Recapping Last Sunday Morning
We wrapped up our “Fair Weather Fan” series last Sunday by considering just how radical the words ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done’ are that we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus gave us this prayer so that as we pray it our eyes would be opened to see the world as God sees it and we would become people motivated by the Kingdom. If you missed it and you’d like to hear it, you can listen to it on our website.
Treat the Street
On October 31, many of your friends and neighbors will be dressing up in a costume and bouncing from house to house to gather candy. We see that night as an opportunity to bless the neighborhoods of Lafayette by hosting parties for our neighbors. We call it Treat the Street. It’s neighbors and friends celebrating and enjoying each other and their neighborhood. In the gospel of Mark chapter 8, Jesus teaches us that if we really want to have a blast we’ll free up some time and bring a smile to someone’s face. That is our hope with Treat the Street.
Here is how you can help: we need candy. Lots of it. Bring it by the truckload to the basket in the foyer. Also, if you’re interested in hosting, contact the Staff for more information.
2nd Annual Chili Throwdown
The air is getting brist and it is time for a hearty bowl of chili. After the service on November 13, we will hold our 2nd annual Chili Throwdown. It’s a great time of fellowship and fun to raise some extra funds for our students. Free samples of chili will be available and if you’d like a bowl, simply give a donation to your favorite chili. The chili that collects the most donations will be judged against Pastor Matt’s chili. If you’re interested in entering your chili for the chance of winning the “Golden Ladle” please sign up at the Welcome Center.
Pray For Fall Retreat
On October 21-23, many of our students will be traveling to Lake Placid Christian Conference Center for our Fall Retreat. We would love your specific prayers for our students. Pray God moves before their eyes and they will make decisions to pattern their lives after the life of Jesus.
Go to a Purdue Football Game, Help a Student
The students of LFCN are partnering with Congress Street UMC to run a concession booth for Purdue home football games. The dollars earned working in the booth will go towards a scholarship fund to help students in need go on Fall Retreat. Not only is this a great opportunity to help our students, it will also be a great time together. If you are interested in helping work a game, please contact Gloria Powell for schedule and additional details.
Women’s Shelter Project
Summer was very busy and we were able to make a lot of packages. We are really in need of additional supplies to get us started on the winter months. You may bring items such as deodorant, hair brushes, toothpaste, lotions, and shampoo/conditioner combo packets or donate money for this project. Donated items may be placed in the basket in the foyer at the Missions Table. If giving a monetary donation, please write “Women’s Shelter Project” on your check or offering envelope.
Thanks for being on mission with us,
Pastor Troy
Jesus Followers Funding the Formation of Jesus Followers
Posted by Troy Hochstetler on September 28, 2011 | No Comments »At LFCN, we’re on a mission to encourage all people to become passionate followers of Jesus. For us as individuals, that mission guides, fuels, and informs every life decision.
That mission also informs our collective decisions. Biblically, we’re stewards. That means that God entrusts us with His gifts and invites us to handle, care for, and manage them worshipfully. That applies to our time, our relationships, our energy and to our financial resources (among other things).
We take great care at LFCN to steward God’s financial resources given by His people in a way that fuels the formation of passionate Jesus followers. Here’s how it breaks down:
A few words based on some recent research from The Barna Group and Lifeway:
- The average church invests 5% of their income in giving to others, we invest 15% in things like: church planting, global missions, compassionate ministry, education, and local non-profits.
- The average church invests 16% of their income in local ministry, we invest 25% in things like: children’s & student ministry, worship, and discipleship.
- The average church invests 49% of their income in staffing costs, we invest 35%. It’s not because we don’t believe in compensating our leaders, we do. But we also believe the church shouldn’t be an organization led by paid experts but a movement of equipped and commissioned Jesus followers.
- Finally, the average church invests 30% of their income in facility costs, we invest 25% in facilities. Lower facility costs allow us to leverage resources into what really matters: people.
According to those numbers, we’re weird. And I’m okay with that. For us, it is not as much about funding an expanding organization as it is about funding, with relentless tenacity, new and better Jesus followers. Every penny given is an investment in the audacious mission of life change.
Thank you for your generosity. Your worship of God through sacrificial giving is funding the formation of Jesus followers.
