Sometimes our world today can seem like it is spinning out of control. What a comfort it is to know that our God is still on the throne. He is our King Forever, the One who holds us all in His hands. Jesus defeated death and ascended to Heaven and now reigns eternally. We can trust Him to keep all things in order. Spend some time today giving your cares and worries to the One who can take care of them.  Trust Him to hold your today and tomorrow in His hands. Think of some ways you can affirm that Jesus is King in your life?  How are you living differently from others who’s king is themselves?

Song: King of Kings by Hillsong

All throughout Scripture, God has sent deliverers to save His people.  Joseph, Moses, Esther and the judges were all a foreshadow of THE Deliverer who was to come, the One who would save His people not from invading armies or from famines but from sin and death.  Take courage, friend, because you have THE DELIVERER fighting for you.  Look in Scripture and share some of the accounts of God delivering His people in amazing ways with your family or a friend.  Today, thank God for all the ways He has delivered you in the past.  If there is any situation in which you need help, take that to Him.  

Song: God With Us by Hillsong

Throughout the Old Testament, the vine was used as a symbol of Israel, often to show how she was lacking in some way. God carefully tended His vine, protecting it from harsh elements and creating an environment for it to flourish, yet Israel rebelled. God could have judged her harshly, but He graciously provided another Vine.  As the True Vine, Jesus both fulfills Old Testament prophecy and makes possible our inclusion in God’s family. He sustains us, connecting us with the nourishment we need to bear fruit. He pulses our healing salve to bind our wounds when the Gardener prunes us to be more fruitful. He supports us when the weight we carry seems too much to bear.  Today, think of a way that Jesus provided nourishment to you, healed you or supported you.  Thank Him for that and share that testimony with someone in your life.  

Song: Abide by Aaron Williams

After years of hearing the story of Jesus putting on flesh and coming to earth, we can forget the overwhelming enormity of what happened.  God's only Son, the one who sits at the right hand of God, gave all of that up to come and live on this earth, not as a king but as a poor and lowly man.  He did that so that we could have the chance to join Him in Heaven someday as His brothers and sisters.  What an amazing thought that we can know and be in relationship with the Son of God! Today, praise Jesus for all that He is - God, Savior, and friend.

Song: I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin

Don't you just love the idea that Jesus is our GOOD Shepherd? The idea that we have someone so loving and kind guiding us, feeding us, and keeping us safe is so comforting.  The 23rd Psalm paints such a beautiful picture of how Jesus tends His sheep.  One of the lines in the 23rd Psalm says He anoints my head with oil - that line didn't make much sense to me.  As I researched that line, I found that in Biblical times shepherds would rub oil on the sheep's head and ears to form a layer of protection.  Sometimes sheep will butt heads to assert dominance, and the oil would make the blows slide off with less injury. It also protected them from biting insects that would annoy or injure the sheep.  The oil was also applied if there were wounds that needed help in healing. Think about your life today. Are you butting heads with someone in your circle?  Are there things that are annoying you and threaten injury to your heart or mind?  Is there a wound that just won't seem to heal?  Take those things to your Good Shepherd.  He can and will help!

Song: Still Waters by Leanna Crawford

Don't you just love the idea that Jesus is our GOOD Shepherd? The idea that we have someone so loving and kind guiding us, feeding us, and keeping us safe is so comforting.  The 23rd Psalm paints such a beautiful picture of how Jesus tends His sheep.  One of the lines in the 23rd Psalm says He anoints my head with oil - that line didn't make much sense to me.  As I researched that line, I found that in Biblical times shepherds would rub oil on the sheep's head and ears to form a layer of protection.  Sometimes sheep will butt heads to assert dominance, and the oil would make the blows slide off with less injury. It also protected them from biting insects that would annoy or injure the sheep.  The oil was also applied if there were wounds that needed help in healing. Think about your life today. Are you butting heads with someone in your circle?  Are there things that are annoying you and threaten injury to your heart or mind?  Is there a wound that just won't seem to heal?  Take those things to your Good Shepherd.  He can and will help!

Song: Still Waters by Leanna Crawford

For years, when I thought about this name, I thought of something sweet, soft, docile. However, when we talk about the Lamb who takes away our sins, we are talking about Jesus who resolutely marched toward death so that we could have life. That is anything but soft. Our Lamb of God was brave yet humble, fearless yet kind. He was and is the true picture of gentleness, however, – controlled power. When we behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the fire of his Word burns away our unrealistic expectations, settles our debts, restores our joy, and unchains us from the insurmountable burden of sin. So, we worship the Lamb like the angels do in Revelation 5:12, declaring, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” We can also know that this powerful and gentle Lamb will continue to take care of us. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:16-17 ESV)

Song: Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin

Our world today can seem like it is spinning out of control. What a comfort it is to know that our God is still on the throne. He is our King Forever, the One who holds us all in His hands. Jesus defeated death and ascended to Heaven and now reigns eternally. We can trust Him to keep all things in order. Spend some time today giving your cares and worries to the One who can take care of them. Trust Him to hold your today and tomorrow in His hands.

Song: Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
by Chris Tomlin

Redeeming something is to make it new and better.  Jesus not only made the sacrifice that paid the debt our sins incurred but He came to make us new.  He came into our lives and took the mistakes and flaws and is daily working in us to make us like Him.  Our hope is that one day, Heaven will come down and redeem this Earth!  The one who brings us salvation and redeems humanity will usher in the kingdom of God, for redemption is about God's reign and its establishment in our midst.  So, we no longer wait for the Messiah to be born but to come back and redeem all things.  Pray today that as God is redeeming you and your life, you can make this world a little more like Heaven for those around you.

Song for today: Redeemer by Anthem Lights

Recently we have become very familiar with the term child advocate.  During the adoption process, a child is assigned a lawyer who is supposed to look out for the best interest of the child and speak to the judge on their behalf.  As a child of God, we are given an Advocate who knows our every thought, desire and need.  He is someone who lived a life full of trials, pain and sadness and can empathize with our weakness (Heb. 4:15).  He goes to the Father on our behalf. He works all things together for good.  What a beautiful gift!  Today, thank Jesus for being our Advocate who understands us.  Thank Him for loving us enough to come to this broken world and to live and die for us.

Song for today: Canvas and the Clay by Pat Barrett

Have you ever thought about the word "Christ"?  Most of the time we use it like it was Jesus' last name.  However, Christ is a word that means "anointed one".  When we say Jesus is the Christ, we are proclaiming that we believe that Jesus is the one who was prophesied about in the Old Testament, the King who came from the line of David.  We are telling the world that this is the ONE who came to save us and make all things new.  He is the one who rules not only our world but also our hearts and lives.  Today, spend time thinking about the GREATNESS of the Christ.  He was hoped for, prayed for, prophesied about.  He came to Earth, lived, healed, taught, died and CAME BACK TO LIFE,  to reign forever in the line of David! Ask Him to reign in your heart over your thoughts, choices and words.

Song for today: O What a Glorious Night by Sidewalk Prophets

No parent is perfect.  We all do our best with what we have learned and have been taught.  However, God is perfect.  He is generous and kind, patient and understanding. He rebukes but lovingly encourages.  He keeps no record of wrongs. He runs to us when we turn to Him. His love never fails.  It is a giving love. This love gives His most precious treasure—his Son. Meditate on that this Advent. Jesus, the Son, came, sharing the very nature of His Father. He became the expression of the Father’s love for us: love incarnate, willing to lay down His very life for us.
As parents we love to give our children what they wish for, especially at Christmas. If we could afford it, we would give our children the world. God knew the world needed His Son to save them.  God gave us more than this world, He gave us  the hope of Heaven! Today, thank God for giving His Son to save us.  Thank Him for the beautiful family you have been adopted into!


Song for today: Noel by Lauren Dangle

In the book of Isaiah it says “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”  This was a prophecy about the Messiah who would come.  The nation of Israel was given hope in a very dark time that the Savior would come and light the way. We often see hope as something uncertain—a wish for better days ahead. But biblical hope is different. It’s not a wish; it’s a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God. And just as Isaiah promised light for those in darkness, Jesus declares in John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." Are you or someone you love in a dark time and searching for light at the end of the tunnel?  Today, pray for God to remind you of all the ways he has fulfilled His promises and ask Him to shine a light on all the ways He has shown up in your life.  Ask Him to help you or someone you love to HOPE in HIM.

Song for today: Light of the World by Lauren Dangle

In the Old Testament, we see the Word of the Lord is powerful! At creation, God spoke and the universe and all that is in it came to be!  When the prophets got a word from God, the whole course of the nations changed. People waited for years to hear the word of the Lord.  Then the Word became flesh and came to dwell among us.  The whole world changed when the Word came to the world. Now, we can change our hearts and lives by following the words of Jesus.  Today, pray that God will reveal His plan for you and your family through His Word.  Ask Him to give you words to give life to others.

Song for today: Beautiful Name by Hillsong

If we really acknowledge and believe that Jesus is who the Bible says He is (Creator, Healer, Commander of Heaven's Army, Counselor) we cannot help but  stand in awe and then fall to our knees in worship.  This Advent, we want to focus on the indescribable gift we have in Jesus. The King of Kings gave up Heaven and came to this broken world because He loves and cares about you.  That changes everything! Because we are so loved, we must let that love overflow onto the people around us. Today, let's pray for God to open our eyes and hearts to all of who Jesus is.   Ask God to help you be so filled with His love that you live and love differently, more like Jesus.  Ask Him to help you be bold to tell others of His love!

Song for today: Christmas Eve by Jordan St. Cyr

Attacked

What a beautiful December we had at NCCOC. God moved in such big ways; blessing families with Christmas gifts, giving away over a hundred thousand pounds of food, and a beautiful worship service for hundreds of people to celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas Eve. God blessed the Church and the community in North Canton.    

Then January hit.  The boiler quit working, pipes burst and the sprinkler system went down.  It felt like our church family was under attack.  There are two reactions to being attacked - tuck and run or fight.  Let me tell you this Church came to fight. We fought to make sure our Church got to meet - even if it was across the street.

The Church fought to keep the building safe as person after person volunteered their time to “keep watch” even spending the night at the building. We fought to host funerals and a food giveaway. Members used their talents to check pipes and valves to make sure everyone was safe.  Men came in to clean up water and  the messes that came with it. All of these things could have been looked at as  road blocks, however, God allowed our Church to use these things like stepping stones - steps toward love, unity, and beautiful relationships. This month reminded me of the words of Joseph, “What you intended for harm, God intended for good...”(Gen. 50:20).

I’m so thankful to be a part of the Church that isn’t scared off by fiery arrows. What a beautiful picture of God making all things work together for good! Want to be a part of this family who fights together?  Talk to our Elders to see where you fit in!

Ministry Spotlight:

• In 2023 NCCOC served 1,500,000 pounds of food!
• In 2023 NCCOC served 41, 535 individuals and 14,564 families!!
• Over 500 children were given Christmas gifts through our stocking stuffer giveaway
• We had a full house on Christmas Eve!
• 1286 families were served this month at our food giveaway.
• 165,000 pounds of food was given away in January.
• 416 families served at the clothing giveaway in Dec.
• 77 seniors got food boxes
• 273 families were served at the clothing giveaway in Jan.
• Teen small groups began last week with an averages 23 teens attending
• Over 140 backpacks  full of food were given to local elementary children EACH WEEK
• Love Packages has collected 1507 books and 143 Bibles

Many people joke about how crazy people can get about fall...hoodies, pumpkin spice and apple cider. People decorate, take special trips to pumpkin patches, watch fun movies, tailgate and carve pumpkins.  For some, that may seem all a bit much but you have to admit it is a special time of the year.  The air is crisp and you are surrounded by vivid colors in nature.  It’s a beautiful time to witness God’s creativity.
I recently read this quote: “Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. Growth requires release—it's what the trees do.”

It is my prayer that as we are wrapping up this year, we can see the beauty of letting go. What if we let go of worry and anxiety?  Could we  work on letting go of unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others?  How wonderful would it be to let go of hard feelings, selfishness and pride?   And with the release of these things, we can embrace growth in areas that matter. With our hearts clear of the clutter, I pray that we grow in thankfulness, grace and generosity.  With our minds more focused on God and not ourselves, we can work on growing in forgiveness and humility. Our good Father has given us so many blessings and many opportunities to grow His Kingdom. If you are ready to grow with us, we’d love to have you.  There are many places at NCCOC that God can use you!

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

• Our food giveaway served 1341 families with 150,000 pounds of food in October and 1358 families with 160,00 pounds of food in november
• We have collected 875 books for our love packages project (96 are bibles)
• We served 251 familes at our october clothing giveaway and 431 families in november

over 750 people attended our trunk or treat event

• 23 teens/chaperones attended belpre youth rally
• Our burgers and blessings gathering was so much fun with cornhole and egg toss winners
• Over 130 Back packs of food were given to our local schools each week in October and November
• Our Needles and Knots group is supplying 7 nursing homes and 3 hospitals with slippers, walker bags, lap blankets and dolls
• 1800 thanksgiving meals delivered!

Story time is a pretty big deal at our house right now. There is excitement every time we open a book.  Some evenings, when a story is too long or little eyes can’t stay open, we stop in the middle and leave the rest for tomorrow.  Whether it’s seeing if the hero will save the city or if Jonah will get out of the big fish, we almost cannot wait to see how the story will play out.  Our Church just finished THE STORY curriculum where we went through the Bible in chronological order.  We got to see God’s rescue plan unfold starting with the fall and going through the early church.  It has touched my heart to see that God goes to such great lengths to be with His people.  The exciting part is God’s story isn’t finished.  It is still being written through you and me.

I see Him reaching the lost and loving His people in so many ways. I see Him rescuing people from sin every time someone steps into the baptistry and gives their life to Jesus. He was touching hearts as our teen girls spent the day reminding other teens that they are not alone and that God is with them.  I see Him showing up and reminding families that they are loved in our gym as we hand out school supplies. He gives hope to mothers who had been worrying about what their kiddos would eat by placing nutritious food into their cars. He comforts little children when backpacks of food are brought to their schools to make sure that their bellies are full over the weekend.  Just like the nights at our house that the story has to pause, I cannot wait to see how God’s story will play out through His church and through you!

Ministry Spotlight:

• Marissa Keating was baptized 
• Our back to school blast served over 500 people 
• Over 300 families were served at each of our August and  September clothing giveaway
• Teen small groups have begun
• Several of our young families enjoyed water day
• Our cast your nets program wrapped up in September with 32 attending the luncheon
• We have collected 452 books for our Love Packages Project (48 are bibles)
• Over 40 women attended our ladies Bible class
• Our food givewaway served 1195 families in August
• 151 Back packs of food were given to our local schools this month
• Over 30 teens attended our summer “tribes”
• Our Needles and Knots delivered 70 laprobes, 70 walker bags, 36 blankets, 36 dolls and 36 slippers to 7 nursing homes and 3 children’s hospitals

As a kid, we all looked forward to summer time. I don't think it was just the fact that we were out of school. There was a sense of expectancy and hope that accompanied the beginning of June. As the summer stretched before us, the possibilities seemed endless! Whether we took trips with our families or spent extra time with friends, summer held a promise of good things that could leave a mark on our lives forever.

As Christians, we can live all year long with that same wonderful feeling of expectancy. Our God is always giving good and perfect gifts and experiences that will leave us and our world forever changed (James 1:7).

This summer God has shown up in so many ways and places. In Tennessee, He touched the hearts of our teens and reminded them that they are not alone in following Him.  He reminded our women at a cookie decorating party that they have friends "in their boat" who will help them go to Jesus when storms arise. He encouraged and strengthened teens and adults at Camp Caraway. He fed thousands of people in our own gym.

Are you living with your eyes open, expecting God to change your life and this world? If not, you're in the perfect place to start! Get ready to be amazed, with God the possibilities are endless!

Ministry Spotlight:

• Victor and Heather Kirkpatrick were baptized
• Alana Johns was baptized
• 6 new folks placed membership at NCCOC
• 13 kids and 6 adults went to Impact in Tennessee
• More than 60 kids learned about God at Camp Caraway
• Over 300 families were served at each of our June and July clothing giveaway
• Several blankets, slippers and dolls have been made for local nursing homes by our Needles and Knots group
• 1073 families were served at our June food giveaway
• 1047 families were served at our July food giveaway
• We have had great fellowship on Sunday nights at our Summer Socials

I saw a meme the other day that said, "I finally understand why this month is called 'May'…because it may be 78 degrees or it may be 20, it may be beautiful or it may hail, it may be sunny or it may snow!"

That made me laugh! It also made me think of how unpredictable this life can be. It seems like the brokenness of this world tosses many things at us. One day we are healthy and life seems good, the next we are dealing with sickness and loss.  Jesus says this in the book of John, “In this world you WILL have trouble, BUT take heart for I have overcome the world!”

We are guaranteed trouble but it's how we handle the things that may come our way that makes believers different.  One of our favorite movies says, “You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”  As Christians, we don't have to fear storms because we know the one whom the waves and winds obey. So, this month, no matter what "MAY" come, know the one who holds us in His hands.

Ministry Spotlight

• Sarah and Tyler Palmer were baptized
• Debbie wellman was baptized
• Ralph May and Robert Blair were baptized
• we hosted our annual egg hunt and everyone left feeling loved
• several blankets, slippers and dolls have been made for local nursing homes by oue needles and knots group
• 74 backpacks of food were given to local school children each week
• 305 people were served at our April clothing giveaway
• 898 families were served at our April food giveaway
• our teens started their "love our Community" or "lOC" month by helping with outdoor jobs at the church
• our church family had our yearly cleanup day & accomplished many tasks - Thanks to all who helped!