All of our kids and leaders are having a wonderful time this week learning about Jesus. Some of the pictures from this years event have been posted to our photo gallery.

This Sunday our worship service will start at 10:30 instead of our normal 9:30 AM start time.

This change (only for this Sunday) will allow us to prepare for the VBS Carnival and lunch which will immediately follow the worship service to celebrate the weeks activities.

The message this morning was provided by Josh Carter. Josh is the Missional Pastor for the Existence Church here in San Diego.

This was the fourth sermon in the series titled “You Are”.

Theme — By every word or action, you cause people to think more or less of Christ.

The text for the sermon was taken from 2 Cor 5:20-6:2.

On July 17th we did a little house cleaning at the church.  Some areas are now a little hard to recognize as they haven’t been this clean in quite a while.

Pictures from the event may be found — HERE

The message this morning was provided by Nate Landis. This was the third sermon in the series titled “You Are”.

Theme -- Christ prays that believers will be one as He and the Father are one.  That way, the world will believe that Jesus is from God.  The closer we get to complete unity, the more persuasive our witness to unbelievers becomes.

The text for the sermon was taken from John 17:20-26.

Nate is founder and director of the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC), a network of church and parachurch partnerships that holistically shares the good news of Jesus Christ with students each week at 28 lunch clubs at middle schools and high schools in San Diego.

If you’d like to contribute to Urban Youth Collaborative, you can make a check out to Northminster and indicate “UYC” in the memo line. Or you can donate directly to what Nate is doing on the Urban Youth Collaborative website.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Siqi1pKBbg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VGUkiOpH8Y

This the second sermon is from the series titled “You Are”.

Theme – The title of this sermon is to be taken literally.  You are forgiven.  Not, you can be forgiven; you are forgiven.  No matter who you are.  No matter what you may have done.  No matter whether you believe you deserve it or not.  You are forgiven.  All you need to do is receive God’s forgiveness.

The text for the sermon was taken from Romans 3:23, Genesis 3:1-5, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 9:26, and 1 John 1:9.

The following excerpt from the Mission (1986) was shown at the conclusion of the sermon.  The Mission is a British film about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th century South America.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYNhTOdUzDc

The sermon this morning was given by Dave Pierson.  Dave will soon become the Executive Director for Alongside Ministries International here in San Diego. Alongside is an international fellowship of Christians working together to strengthen the Church and advance the Gospel worldwide.

This the first sermon is from the series titled “You Are”.

Theme – On July 4 we celebrate our nation with gratitude for America’s unique commitment to freedom.   What about the freedom of a Christian?  Galatians 5 teaches that ultimate freedom is God’s gift to us, purchased by the Cross of Christ.  By trusting in Christ, not in our good works, we are set free to truly know God, receive the Holy Spirit, and live lives of love.

The text for the sermon was taken from Galatians 5:1-18.

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Is It Over Yet?“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• What kinds of books or magazines do you read? Do you finish the books you start? Do you read your magazines cover-to-cover?

STUDY IT – Acts 28:17-31

• Read Acts 28:17-31 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
• What’s the first thing Paul does when he gets to Rome (v. 17)? Why?
• Read Eph. 6:19-20, Phil. 1:14, and Col. 4:3-4. What was Paul’s constant prayer request for himself? Why?
• We’ve spent a lot of time looking at the life and ministry of Paul. Is Acts about Paul’s life and ministry? Why or why not? If not, what is Acts actually about?
• Why do you think Luke (the author of Acts) doesn’t finish the story?
• V. 31 is similar to other summary verses in Acts (see 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20). What does this ending reveal about Luke’s central concern in writing this book?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• How does v. 31 set the stage for the way your life could become a continuation of Acts 28? In what way would you like to contribute an “Acts, chapter 29” to this movement of God during the next 2-3 years?
• Probably within a few years, Paul was killed by emperor Nero. How would v. 31 serve as a fitting epitaph on Paul’s grave? What might you build into your life now, so that your faith in Christ will be what people remember about you after you die?

PRAY IT

• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Application: Thank God that you get to be a part of the continuing story of Acts. Ask God to help you faithfully live out your calling to be Christ’s witness to the ends of the earth.
• Here at Northminster: Pray for Kevin Curtis (our new Young Life Director) and his family as they settle into San Diego this week. Pray for him as he begins his ministry here at Northminster.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for all of the recent graduates in our community. Ask God to guide them as they take the next step in their lives.

This the ninth and final sermon is from the series titled “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3”.

Theme – This is weird.  The book of Acts seems to stop right in the middle of the story.  The story doesn’t really seem to end.  Why is that?  Why doesn’t Luke finish the story?  The reason Luke doesn’t finish the story is because the story isn’t actually over yet.  We—the church, the people of God in the 21st century—continue to live out the story of Acts!

The text for the sermon was taken from Acts 28:17-31.

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Wherever You Are“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

• If you could take cruise anywhere, where would you go? Why?
• Have you ever been seasick? What happened? How did you recover?

STUDY IT – Acts 27:1-28:10

• Read Acts 27:1-28:10 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
• What is Paul’s position as a passenger on this ship (27:1)?
• In 27:9-11, why do you think the centurion did not take Paul’s advice?
• Compare 27:31 with 27:11. How does the centurion feel about Paul now? About the God Paul serves?
• How do Paul’s attitudes and actions compare with those of the sailors? To what would you attribute Paul’s ability to remain calm under pressure?
• Name all of the ways in which Paul blessed (or at least tried to bless) those he was with during this voyage and once on the island.

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

• In a crisis, Paul reacted with urgent forewarnings, maintaining hope, counseling, common sense, giving thanks, remaining calm, persevering to the end. In comparison, how do you react to crisis?
• Paul strove to be a blessing to everyone in whatever situation he found himself. Name one or two situations in your life where you could be a blessing to someone. In what way(s) could you bless the people in those situations?
• Is there a “stormy” situation in your life in which you could respond by being a blessing?

PRAY IT

• Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
• Application: Ask God to show you how you can be a servant and a blessing in a difficult situation.
• Here at Northminster: Pray for the family of little Maison Conroy, who was baptized this Sunday. Pray for strength and patience to raise Maison to be a faithful follower of Jesus when he grows up.
• Beyond Northminster: Pray for the families of Northminster Preschool as they move into summer. Pray that God would continue to work in each of their lives to draw them closer to him.

This the eighth sermon is from the series titled “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3”.

Theme – You are called to be a blessing to everyone, in any circumstance, wherever you happen be. In this week’s passage, we see Paul live this out as he travels by ship as a prisoner and is ultimately shipwrecked on the island of Malta. No matter what the circumstance, Paul does whatever he needs to do to serve and bless those around him.

The text for the sermon was taken from Acts 26:27-29, Acts 28:1-10, Acts 27:22-26, Acts 27:36 , and Acts 28:3-9