The Coming Swell - August 2

Thanks for taking the time to read our NHC blog. You'll find other NHC bloggers' links to the right. And comments are always welcome!


New Four Week Series Begins Sunday
Our series on Moses has prompted us to spend the next 4 Sundays talking about "holiness". Matt Glock will be joining Rick to team teach us about "Holier Than Thou?". This week: Our Holy God.

Discovering Nags Head Church
Register Sunday for this introduction class to the beliefs, structure, vision and purposes of our church. If you're wondering why we do what we do or how to get plugged in this class is where you start. We'll try to answer all your questions up front. Sunday, August 9 from 3-7PM. Child care is provided if requested in advance.

Kids Zone Construction Update
Thanks to all who worked hard this last week getting the Zone ready for dry wall. By tomorrow all the sheet rock should be hung. Painting can't be too far behind. We'll need volunteers to come in and sand first, so watch your email and this blog for dates and times.

Impact OBXThis week our youth, along with other church youth from the beach did hands-on missions right here in our community. Wonder how it went? Check out Andy's blog.

Baptism
We want to have another baptism before the summer goes by. If you have received Jesus Christ by believing in Him as your Savior and have not followed that belief with believer's baptism, please email us at info@nagsheadchurch.org.

Operation Back Pack
Our 2nd year of reaching out to local families by providing needed school supplies. Wednesday and Friday evenings, August 12 and14 and Saturday morning August 15 we'll be open for business. Everything is given away free. You can start bringing in your loot now. And there's still room to join the team and help staff the event. Email info@nagsheadchurch.org to find our more. Note: Aug. 7-9 is a tax free weekend in NC.

Crown Financial Seminar - Mark your calendar Nov. 14th.
In conjunction with Crown Ministries and the Southern Baptist Convention Nags Head Church will be hosting a one day fiancial freedom seminar. Click here to register online or call Amy Torcasso at 919-459-5539. $20 Registration Fee with no additional charge for spouses.

Connection Group Leadership Training
Set aside Sunday afternoon, August 23 if you are a group leader or are interested in becoming one. You don't have to be a teacher!! The training will be from 2 to 5PM. New groups will be launched in September!

Single Adults Beach Volleyball
Tuesday nights @ 6:30. Bonnett St. access in Nags Head. Bring your game.

Contagious Youth
Sundays 5-7PM @ Bonnett St. Students 6th through 12th grades.
Parent Pod same time and location.

Sunday Parking
Thanks for filling up the west side and street side parking so that our guests can park nearest the front entrance. Also, please observe the Families with small children zone on the south side.

And to make a safer exit after worship, consider turning left out of the parking lot on Soundside Road, then turn left on Deering Street. That will take you to the traffic signal on 158. Let's be safe!

Moses Prints

Several people have asked us over the past few months about the Moses paintings on stage. Amber Elwood, a local artist and regular NHC attender, has been beautifully illustrating the journey of Moses during our current Sunday Morning Series.

This Sunday (August 2) will be Amber's last at NHC and on the OBX as she is moving away to attend school. As a way to say "thanks" for her assistance, we're making 11 x 14 prints (without the "NAGSHEADCHURCH" watermark that you see below) of the Moses painting series for Amber to sell this Sunday.


If you're interested in giving back to Amber and owning a print, be sure to look for her this Sunday in the Big Lobby (cash and checks accepted)!

CREST and The Journey

It's no coincidence that God has us in a study of how He led the nation of Israel through the wilderness to reach their Promised Land. Life is a journey, whether it is an individual life, a family's life or the life of a community of believers. And journey's sometimes require detours and stops.

Tonight's CREST meeting had it's share of praise for the good things God is doing among our ministries and missions. But it also had a very serious tone as well as we wrestled in our spirits with two challenges.

The first is our financial state. The economy has kicked us hard. At the same time we're growing at a rapid rate our giving just hasn't kept up with our needs. For over a year we've been operating in the red, borrowing our own money to operate. Tonight our elders shared that we can't continue on with such a large deficit, including last year's shortfall. The good news is that we have met our budget over teh past 4 months, but not at a rate that will allow us to repay our Building Fund.

So tonight our staff took the first step to recovery by committing to be bi-vocational - working in secular employment - to help the church catch up. We hope it is a temporary measure. Already God is working in the hearts of others to determine to do what we must.

The second is the sad news that a brother has fallen into sin. The church was challenged from the Word to put Mt. 5 and Galatians 6 into practice humbly and with compassion to reach out to him and go after this lost sheep. We're reminded that it is only the grace of God that allows us to live for Him.

So tonight I'm content that God is at work in ways we may not understand and probably can't see. NHC is His church, and I'm convinced greater things are yet to be done in this city for His glory. Let's do our part, whatever that means, and watch God part seas. Yes, He still can do that.

If you're a partner in the fellowship of NHC I'll be sending you a copy of the memo I sent the elders that Burnie read tonight. If you could not be in attendance or chose not to attend, I hope you'll read it and take on the challenge to do whatever it takes.

Rick

Nags Head Church takes advantage of the waves

Here's an article that just came out today in the NC Baptist paper "Biblical Recorder" about our Hukilau Surf Camps!

CREST Wednesday night 7PM

We have some very vital things to share with the church regarding our spiritual and financial health and need every partner (member) to be in attendance and Spirit-filled.

Sing A Song of Celebration

We love to describe our worship gatherings at NHC as "celebratory"...one of our goals is to create an atmosphere where everyone can feel free to bring the good the bad and the ugly of their weeks and lay it at the feet of God and celebrate the great things that He has done and is doing and is going to do.

One of our favorite songs to sing at NHC is "Sing A Song" (written by the guys of Third Day). The following was written by the same guys...it relates well with the song and the motivation behind our worship gatherings. Take a few minutes to read below (maybe pull out your Bible and read Psalm 135 as well) and leave your comments.



A few years ago, we wanted to write a simple song about the joy we have because of our relationships with God. When you realize all God is for us, you can't help but sing!

Psalm 135 served as an inspiration to "Sing A Song." Here, scripture declares again that God is the ruler of the universe, the one who delivers his children from oppression. The Psalmist then calls Israel to rededicated service to God. One way of doing that is to "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious," as one translation reads (v. 3).

The middle portion of Psalm 135 provides the proof, if Israel needs any, as the Psalmist recalls God's intervention on their behalf. It's as if to challenge, "Don't forget what you've endured!" Identified as the creator of heaven, earth and seas (v. 7), God is the defender of his children from aggressor nations, delivering Israel with enduring compassion (v. 8-12). Its history shows that Israel's creation, exile and deliverance to new life was written, directed and performed by God, who is worthy of Israel's dedication.

For us, Israel's deliverance is a story of hope, a model for our own deliverance stories—from poverty, from violence, from whatever stones of despair life hurls at our spirits. Our first response can only be one of thankfulness, followed by commitment. That's why we sing, "I want to live my life for you, Lord." Growing in a relationship with God brings hope. Hope triggers joy, and joy triggers celebration: "I want to sing a song for you, Lord."

The idea of celebration is rich with opportunity. But celebration is sometimes a buzz word in our churches and Bible studies, and we risk not fully understanding its possibilities. On tour a couple years ago we learned more about celebration studying a classic book on spirituality, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, by Richard Foster.

The author teaches that celebration helps us maintain perspective on life. It helps to heal our weary spirit. It replenishes the well from which we draw energy to accomplish all our busy lives demand. When we celebrate, we allow our hearts, minds and souls to breath a sigh of relief and smile, feeling safe in God's compassionate greatness.

There are many ways to celebrate. Joy is expressed in singing and in laughing. We celebrate when we create, whether it be music or a painting or a vegetable garden or a homemade card for a friend. We celebrate, too, while enjoying another's creativity, as at a concert, reading a book or attending a church drama.

Anytime you feel joy is a good time to celebrate with family and friends. Of course, there are regular opportunities for celebration, like holidays, and occasional moments to be marked, like birthdays, anniversaries, starting a new job or school graduation. Celebration should reflect brightly the joy we have for the moment and for each other.

Foster concludes that celebration creates a cyclical affect for our spiritual life. "Joy begets joy. Laughter begets laughter," he writes. Joy energizes us to make our relationships with God stronger - through things like prayer, worship and study, just to name a few. Spurred on, we become closer to God, and the joy from knowing the Lord gives us reason (again and again) to celebrate!

That's what we love about Psalm 135. It calls us to recognize gratefully God's influence over our lives and helps us to remember the ways He delivers us regularly from anything that distracts us from being his Beloved. It urges us to rededicate ourselves to God's service. It reminds us of the hope-filled fact that God wants to be in relationship with us and has revealed ways to make that possible. That's where our hope lies. And hope is reason to celebrate! It is reason to sing a song!

Update from Taylor

(Taylor is the daughter of one of our church partners. She's serving a two year term in Rome with the Journeyman program of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. For security reasons I've left out her last name.)

Hello from Rome, Prayer Partners!

I hope the warm summer months have been treating you all well! It's really been heating up in the city, with many days pushing 100 degrees. Surprisingly, it hasn't been as hard as I anticipated to enjoy the sunny summers here without air conditioning. I've been thankful that God's made the human body able to adapt well!

Things have been pretty quiet around here as far as time with friends goes. Romans often go on long vacations (as in nearly all of July and August!!!) to get away from the heat and spend some time with family. Last weekend, I decided to follow suit on the vacation idea, so I went with my coworkers Heidi, Stephanie and Amber on a short, 3-day trip to Cinque Terre in northern Italy. It's a beautiful area with 5 tiny villages dotting the coastline and a 9 kilometer hike up and down mountains connecting them. We really enjoyed the grueling hike, and especially some beach time afterwards! This short trip was a real blessing, because the next few weeks will be pretty busy.

The first week of August (the 1st till the 7th), I'll be joining all the company's workers in Bavaria, Germany for a conference. We'll be learning more about how to reach Western Europeans with the love of Christ, and we'll also have a rare opportunity to gather with other believers for a time of worship in our own language! Please pray for safety in traveling, and open eyes and ears eager to learn!

Two days after the conference, Heidi and I will leave for Spain (the 9th till the 23rd). We and 9 other Journeymen and Journeywomen from all over Western Europe will be taking part in a pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago...basically for us a 350 kilometer walk across north-west Spain, finishing in the town of Santiago de Compostela (the last city visited by the Apostle James before his death). More than 100,000 people complete the pilgrimage each year, some just looking for a good hike, some searching for answers to spiritual questions, and some working through difficult times in their lives. Our small group will be going for two weeks, hoping to meet people from our current countries so we can walk alongside them in their journey of faith. Pray for opportunities to have Spirit-led encounters with pilgrims! This will be quite a challenging trip, both physically and spiritually. We'll be walking sometimes as much as 20 miles per day, relying completely on the Lord to sustain our strength by His grace. Pray for endurance and protection from injury, but especially for a deepened walk with Christ!

Thanks again for your prayers and support! I'll fill you in on how the pilgrimage goes once I get back (and recover the use of my legs!)

Blessings,
Taylor

Sunday Feedback July 26

Relationship not rules.

Whether it was a song, a verse from Scripture, an act of service you witnessed, whatever...what happened Sunday to draw you closer to God?

And here's a quiz question for you. What is the only one of the Ten Commandments not repeated in the New Testament for Christians? Nine of the ten are; one is not. Reply after you've done your research.

Next Sunday Matt Glock and I will start a 4 week series on holiness. Boring? It could be life changing!

The Coming Swell - July 24

Kids Zone Work Day Saturday!
Insulation needs to be put in place before the dry wall hangers can come in next week and cover the walls. So we're in need of a team of volunteers Saturday morning to put up the insulation. Nothing at this point is overhead. It's all in the walls. Anyone can do it! A long sleeved shirt is advised. From 9 to noon. LUNCH is being provided at noon. Our rough-in inspection went great!

Hukilau Surf Camp for Adults
Saturday. Here's the link to register, or call Steve at 441-1696 to see if there are still openings. Pray for another great day of teaching surfing and sharing the Gospel, this time with adults!

Discovering Nags Head Church
Register the next two Sundays for this introduction class to the beliefs, structure, vision and purposes of our church. If you're wondering why we do what we do or how to get plugged in this class is where you start. Sunday, August 9 from 3-7PM. Child care is provided if requested in advance.

Impact OBXThis week our youth, along with other church youth from the beach will be involved in hands-on missions here at home. Read more about it here.

CREST
This coming Wednesday at 7PM. Our next CREST meeting is a very important meeting for NHC. For the health of the church, it's vital that every partner attend if possible. CREST is a quarterly gathering for communicating, casting vision and working together as a congregation.

Baptism
We want to have another baptism before the summer goes by. If you have received Jesus Christ by believing in Him as your Savior and have not followed that belief with believer's baptism, please email us at info@nagsheadchurch.org.

Operation Back Pack
It's time again to start collecting school supplies for our 2nd year of reaching out to local families. August 12,14 and 15 we'll open the church building and give away much needed school supplies that you've provided. Dates and times for bringing them in and for the event will be announced soon. A team of volunteers to staff the event is now being formed. Find our more or sign up on Sunday! Note: Aug. 8-9 is a tax free weekend in NC.

Crown Financial Seminar - Mark your calendar
In conjunction with Crown Ministries and the Southern Baptist Convention Nags Head Church will be hosting a one day fiancial freedom seminar. Click here to register online or call Amy Torcasso at 919-459-5539. $20 Registration Fee with no additional charge for spouses.

Single Adults Beach Volleyball
Tuesday nights @ 6:30. Bonnett St. access in Nags Head. Bring your game.

Contagious Youth
Sundays 5-7PM @ Bonnett St. Students 6th through 12th grades.
Parent Pod same time and location.

Sunday Parking
Thanks for filling up the west side and street side parking so that our guests can park nearest the front entrance. Also, please observe the Families with small children zone on the south side.

And to make a safer exit after worship, consider turning left out of the parking lot on Soundside Road, then turn left on Deering Street. That will take you to the traffic signal on 158. Let's be safe!

Thanks for taking the time to read our NHC blog. You'll find other NHC bloggers' links to the right. And comments are always welcome!

The Hoffmans are sizzling in So. California!

Friends,

Summer SoCal Heat is intense, heat wave should leave next week.

Continue praying for the Pasadena Insight location (Adam and his staff). We are finalizing the program components and starting to schedule specific sessions in the first months. Pray for the flood of incoming applications we are hearing about. There could be as many as 10 applications to process in these last three weeks. While exciting that we get to influence more students, time consuming to process the application and interview each applicant, making sure we are getting the right people in the program.

Pray for the National Office (Melissa and staff) as they guide hopefully two new sites starting this fall (Boone NC & Detriot MI) Pray as she gathers information on possible locations to launch.

Pray for the recruitment of staff. Tonight we are continuing a conversation with former staff of ELIC back in the states but wanting influence with students. They seem to be a great fit for Insight and could possibly replace us for our roles here in Pasadena, freeing us to launch a site in Raleigh/Durham.

Thank you and please send a quick update with life on your end.

With Love For He First Loved Us,
Adam (& Melissa) Hoffman
INSIGHT a ministry of the U.S. Center for World Mission www.uscwm.org/insight http://www.thehoffmans.info
Cell: 919-272-8865
BLOGS:
Missional
Personal

Keep prayng for our troops - update from Iraq

I hope this message finds you and your congregation enjoying a wonderful summer in North Carolina. Just that thought is refreshing! Dale Hamilton is back with us after his second trip home. We're envious of him but happy for this privelege he gets to share with his family. Dale said he spent most of the time on the beach relaxing with his family near him. Sounds like a great way to forget Iraq for awhile.

I know it has been a long time since the last time I updated you on the condition of the 1-63 CAB Dragons and make request for current needs- so I'll make up for that now. First and foremost, thank you to all who have held us up in prayer- those of us overseas and for our families statewide. Our battalion has the distinction of being the only battalion not to have lost any Soldier to hostile fire in our brigade. We would like that to continue. And I recognize this to be a matter of God's undeserved grace to us and we need to be thankful.

Before Columbus Day (,operational security prevents me from dishing out more details,) we will return to the US. In the meantime, we need to keep our heads in the game because the enemy is still killing people around the areas we are patrolling and intimidating others in our area. All of us are exhausted- both here and our families back home- and this sets people up to say and do things most of us would not consider in our right minds. Some are doing painful, destructive things but most are doing a great job of standing strong and looking forward to Dad or Mom or their sweetheart to come home. The families are possibly more stressed than we are? And some of our families are going through some deep valleys of suffering with children sick and wives giving up the fight. A lot of this is spiritual as the other needs are covered.

So please pray for strength, companionship, and hope to be refreshed for our families even in these last couple months. For the most part, we are doing good over here. I have started my redeployment briefings for the Soldiers to help with the transition when they go home, as this can be a stressful change for all involved. When the hearts are strong, everything else is a piece of cake. Cheesecake, preferably.

Rick, thank you again and your congregation for supporting us during this long time away from home. Thank you!!! :)

CH (CPT) David Chapman
1-63 CAB Dragons
Camp Striker, Iraq.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. II Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)

Update from the Glock family

Greetings from the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

In a good place -
We bought a little plaque for my parents that reads, "Grandma and Grandpa's nest, where the Flock gather. We are blessed to be here and enjoy the blessings of their home.

Not only only are we in a good place to stay, Sylvie and I feel we are in a good place in relation to our work in France. One of the things I watch when we come back to the States is how long it is till I'm ready to go back. During our trip in 2007 it was 4 or 5 weeks before I was ready to think about it. This time it has been just 2 weeks. This just underlines what I wrote about in the last update. We've entered a new season of ministry in France.

Travelling -
We came to the States this summer with an extra child. Mathilde Cuzin is a good friend of Anastasia's and a daughter of family at the CEP. She will be flying back to France Sunday and we are going up to the DC area to show here some of the sights. We will worship at Wallace Presbyterian Church this Sunday. This is a sort of homecoming for me. I grew up at Wallace and have not been back for some time. For those from Wallace who read this update I'm looking forward to being with you all, especially in the new building.

Pascal's arm -
He's in a bright orange cast. The fracture was not displaced so we are hoping that he'll get it off at his first follow-up visit on the 30th.

Fraternellement,
Matt

ps the attached photo was taken while we were on a bear watching trip!

Matthew and Sylvie Glock
2 rue Champ Rochas
38240 Meylan
FRANCE
tel 04 76 04 84 06

Impact Outer Banks

Next week several local churches, including NHC, are bringing our students together to do a week long missions emphasis event.  Students will be put on teams and each day they will do a different mission project.  Currently there are 60 students signed up to be involved.  

You can get involved in missions.  Next week we have open spots for adults to serve as team leaders.  If you are a partner of NHC and free next week or can take a week off of work to do missions please contact Andy, andy@nagsheadchurch.org.  

Sunday Feedback July 19

God revealed his mighty power on Mt. Sinai for all the Israelites to see as in a thunderous voice He gave them His Ten Commandments. How much do you really know about the God you claim? Do you have a healthy "fear" of Him that helps you stay within the lines?

Sunday was full of activity, ministry and worship. Share with us something you came away with from your worship experience.

The Coming Swell - July 17

NHCU - Get around the bases
There is still time to get in on this Sunday's class: Discovering My Misssion. The best way to do at this date if you haven't registered is to email the teacher, Burnie Staples (burnie@nagsheadchurch.org). Class is 3-7PM.
Keep in mind that the prerequisite for taking the above is to have already taken Discovering Nags Head Church and to have made the commitment of being a partner at NHC. That class will be offered again on Sunday, August 9.

Outer Banks Bear Factory
This Sunday afternoon 40% of the receipts from all bears purchased will be given to NHC! It's located across the highway from NHC at Kitty Hawk Landing, next to Kitty Hawk Kites.

Hukilau ADULT Surf Camp
Saturday. Here's the link to register. Pray for another great day of teaching surfing and sharing the Gospel, this time with adults!

CREST
Mark Wednesday, July 29 on your calendar. It's our next CREST meeting and an important one. CREST is a quarterly gathering for communicating, casting vision and working together as a congregation. If you're a NHC partner please plan to attend.

Baptism
We want to have another baptism before the summer goes by. If you have received Jesus Christ by believing in Him as your Savior and have not followed that belief with believer's baptism, please email us at info@nagsheadchurch.org.

Kid's Zone Construction Update
Everything is ready for our "rough in" inspection. That means next week we'll see the dry wall get started. If you volunteered to be on a work team, please be ready soon. Following the sheet rock will be clean up, sanding and painting and trim. You're welcome Sunday to go up and take a peek!

Lifeguard Dinner
Thanks to everyone who cooked and served this past Thursday night. Our NH Ocean Rescue lifeguards really appreciate this outreach. There's only one more of these dinners left: August 20.

Operation Back Pack
It's not too soon to start collecting school supplies for our 2nd year of reaching out to local families. In August we'll set aside dates to open the church building and give away much needed school supplies that you've provided. Dates and times for bringing them in and for the event will be announced soon.

Crown Financial Seminar - Mark your calendar
In conjunction with Crown Ministries and the Southern Baptist Convention Nags Head Church will be hosting a one day fiancial freedom seminar. Click here to register online or call Amy Torcasso at 919-459-5539. $20 Registration Fee with no additional charge for spouses.

First Appointment
Our connection groups just for men meet on Thursdays at 6AM and on Saturdays at 7:30. Choose one or the other. There's room for you. Just guys getting real about their walk with Christ. Both groups meet at NHC. Just show up.

Single Adults Beach Volleyball
Tuesday nights @ 6:30. Bonnett St. access in Nags Head. Bring your game.

Contagious Youth
Sundays 5-7PM @ Bonnett St. Students 6th through 12th grades.
Parent Pod same time and location.

Sunday Parking
Thanks for filling up the west side and street side parking so that our guests can park nearest the front entrance. Also, please observe the Families with small children zone on the south side.

And to make a safer exit after worship, consider turning left out of the parking lot on Soundside Road, then turn left on Deering Street. That will take you to the traffic signal on 158. Let's be safe!

Thanks for taking the time to read our NHC blog. You'll find other NHC bloggers' links to the right. And comments are always welcome!

Bike & Build Update

Bike & Build is a non-profit organization that raises money (over 1.5 Million so far!) for affordable housing for low-income families across the US. Each year, they send out several teams that literally bike across the country, stopping every few days to help build Habitat for Humanity houses.

Some of you might not even know, but Nags Head Church has hosted a B&B team for the past few years...they gather at Nags Head Church for a few days in May, then head off for a two month ride to Sand Diego, CA. You can view their route below, and read more about this team Here.


Well, they finish their journey this week! Unfortunately, on the last few days of their trip, three different bikers have been struck by vehicles...all are OK, but could use our prayer.

Congrats to our B&B team for their successful trip, and to NHC for helping to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most!

Your Time With God

Most of us need a structured Quiet Time - the same time, place and devotional guide -to be consistent in our time with God. Copies of "Our Daily Bread" are provided at NHC if you prefer a hard copy. You can even subscribe to it and have it mailed to your home. If you prefer something online (I do), there are a couple of suggestions to the right for devotional aids. And you can subscribe to The Purpose Driven Connection daily devotional which will be delivered to your email address.

So, if you haven't, now's a great time to get started having a daily time to read, listen and meditate on God's Word.

Tell us here what your personal devotions (Quiet Time...devo...whatever you call it) blessed you with today. This post will be perpetual. On occasion it will be bumped back up to the top.

Guest Blogger: Mart DeHaan - "Moses and the Taliban"

An interesting discussion is going on over at Mart DeHaan's (Radio Bible Class/Our Daily Bread) blog. Since it is about Moses and the Law he was given by God, I'm posting this link for those interested.

Note: I am not endorsing the comments of any of the readers! But it is thought provoking.

Outer Banks Bear Factory

The Outer Banks Bear Factory is donating 40% of it's gross sales from 1 to 7pm on Sunday, July 19 to Nags Head Church. Use this video to invite your friends and neighbors to have some fun with their kids!



Nate

Beth Moore "Living Proof" Simulcast - A group is forming to go!

Ladies, there are two churches in Hampton, VA hosting this Friday night/Saturday event August 28-29. Also, Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC is hosting it as well.

Here's a link for more info.

A group is forming from NHC to go to Hampton on Saturday, Aug. 29. If you would like to get in, contact Barbara Kay @ 599-7770 or 441-7548.

E-Mail Us at Camp

We made it to camp safe and sound after leaving bright (not so bright) and early.

E-mail a camper here .

Follow us at camp this week here

Listen in on our worship services here

Pray for God to work in our lives this week. 

The Journey - Start to Finish

This coming Sunday Moses meets with God and receives the Ten Commandments.
Why? You might be surprised.
Find out Sunday.

Sunday Feedback July 12

Missions! Today Matt and Sylvie Glock shared with us what God is doing in France and how they're a part of it.

Something happened today to help you worship, serve, fellowship, grow or discover life in Christ. A song, a word, an opportunity to serve or be served. Tell us about what you came away with today.

BTW, your love offering for the Glocks was amazing! Thanks for your generous support of them.

The Coming Swell - July 10

This week has been a busy one for new posts on the blog. Scoll down and you'll find lots of great reading, including updates from the DeHarts and the Petersons.

Here's what's shakin' at NHC:

Hukilau Surf Camp
Saturday. Here's the link to register. Pray for another great day of teaching surfing and sharing the Gospel with students. And check Wednesday's Sentinel for a fantastic article on our surf camp.

NHCU - Get around the bases
There is still time to get in on this weekend's classes. The best way to do at this date if you haven't registered is to email the teacher.
Discovering Worship (nathan@nagsheadchurch.org) - Saturday, July 11 9AM to 1PM
Discovering the Basics (steve@nagsheadchurch.org) and Discovering My Ministry (tom@nagsheadchurch.org)- Sunday, July 12 3PM to 7PM
Discovering My Mission (burnie@nagsheadchurch.org) - Sunday, July 19 3PM to 7PM

Keep in mind that the prerequisite for taking any of the above is to have already taken Discovering Nags Head Church and to have made the commitment of being a partner at NHC. That class will be offered again in August.

Interview with the Glocks
Matt and Sylvie Glock, along with Anastasia, Pascal and Juliet are here from France. Sunday Rick will be interviewing them in both gatherings. We love our missionaries at NHC, and look forward to hearing form Matt and Sylvie what God is doing. They have exciting new things to share with us.

Get to Church on Time!
It takes a bit longer with all the traffic, so give yourself a few extra minutes. And finding a parking spot isn't always easy if you're not early. And Sunday at 9:00a late family could not be seated because we were completely full! So come early, grab a cup of holy joe and be ready to worship from the start of the first song.

Student Life Camp
Pray for Andy and our youth who head out Monday for SLC in Lynchburg, VA.

CREST
Mark Wednesday, July 29 on your calendar. It's our next CREST meeting and an important one. CREST is a quarterly gathering for communicating, casting vision and working together as a congregation. If you're a NHC partner please plan to attend.

Congratulations to Chris Mauldin and Cathy Drake
Their wedding is Friday afternoon. Pray for God to bless this union and give them decades together.

First Appointment
Our connection groups just for men meet on Thursdays at 6AM and on Saturdays at 7:30. Choose one or the other. There's room for you. Just guys getting real about their walk with Christ. Both groups meet at NHC. Just show up.

Single Adults Beach Volleyball
Tuesday nights @ 6:30. Bonnett St. access in Nags Head. Bring your game.

Contagious Youth
Sundays 5-7PM @ Bonnett St. Students 6th through 12th grades.
Parent Pod same time and location.

Sunday Parking
Thanks for filling up the west side and street side parking so that our guests can park nearest the front entrance. Also, please observe the Families with small children zone on the south side.

And to make a safer exit after worship, consider turning left out of the parking lot on Soundside Road, then turn left on Deering Street. That will take you to the traffic signal on 158. Let's be safe!

Thanks for taking the time to read our NHC blog. You'll find other NHC bloggers links to the right. And comments are always welcome!

4th Of July Video

Thanks to Matt the Intern for putting this together!

John and Cindy Peterson Update

Why leave home, drive for 3 days and live in student apartment housing near the Colorado State campus for 6 weeks?

Because we have an opportunity to equip Campus Crusade staff from around the U.S. and Australia to help fulfill the Great Commission.

John is helping to lead Campus Crusade’s Leadership Track this summer, and is building into the lives and ministries of staff from our student ministry, high school ministry, faculty ministry, ministry to business professionals and staff who serve at our headquarters in Florida. The training covers valuable leadership skills, and focuses on character and the participants’ walk with God. Each trainee receives feedback and individualized help from a coach. Much of John’s work has been to help design and implement the program for the 2nd week of the training.

In Johnson Hall about a 10 minute walk from John’s meetings, Cindy emcees the training for new team leaders from around the country. She’s coaching several of the women, and on Friday she’ll teach one of the sessions to the 100+ men and women participants. These young leaders have some of the most important and challenging jobs in our ministry. They lead teams across the country in trusting God to raise up movements of students and faculty that will help reach their campuses with God’s love and forgiveness in Christ. Cindy feels so privileged to be able to help them with this great calling God has placed on their lives.

And in the meantime Emily participates in ‘Kid’s Camp’ along with many other Campus Crusade kids. It’s a cross between Vacation Bible School and camp, running the same hours as a typical school day, and Emily LOVES it. Kid’s Camp almost meets her tremendous social needs, and gives her exposure to godly men and women committed to sharing and demonstrating God’s love to her.

Please pray with us that the men and women in these training venues will grow as leaders, and leave better equipped to reach students and faculty with the Gospel. In particular, we’re asking God to bless and reach students and faculty across this nation (and Australia) through the growth He brings to the lives of our trainees this summer.

Thank you for impacting the lives of these missionaries as well as the men and women they’ll influence. You’re touching the lives of so many students and faculty.

It’s not all work…

Our summer assignment is hugely satisfying but it’s also pretty tiring. One thing we’ve looked forward to is combining some vacation with work. We stopped and toured a cave on our way out west and we’ll stop at a different one on the return trip (Mammoth Cave in KY). Emily loves caves.

John bought a used bike here that he uses to get to and from his meetings on campus. That and playing tennis some evenings has been a great change of pace.

And on the weekends we love going up into the mountains for day hikes and even a little camping. Cindy DOES NOT love camping J. She is however looking forward to a 2 hour trail ride (on horseback) that we’re planning as a family.
Helping Leaders Reach Leaders,
John and Cindy Peterson
114 Lost Tree Lane
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 244-6155
s.john.peterson@ccci.org
cindy.peterson@ccci.org

Update from Don and Mary DeHart

Dear Nags Head Family,

Thank y'all for being so faithful in this harvest. Summer has caught up with us. It is by grace alone we expect to carry this work together this summer.

We're heading into a full schedule without any let up until the end of August other than a few days early on when Mary's brother will visit. We are grateful for your prayer cover prompted by your love for Jesus spilling over onto us.

Red Soul Rising Youth Camp runs from July 13 - 27....a marathon before and after in preparation, clean up and follow-up. I'll be in the bush for that time out of any kind of communication but for when we come out to town a couple times for supplies. We'll have over 100 youth and adults... preparing 3 meals a day without any kind of services...hauling water from a creek for food prep and clean-up and purifying all our drinking water. We were forbidden to return to our traditional camp last year by a local Native person and invited to this new territory by elder pre-Christian Natives who heard of our situation. This is a historical first for us...God be praised for speaking into the lives of those He is choosing from among the indigenous people of our land.

Mary is not going with me this year, for the first time. She is waiting some tests on July 29 for abdominal pain, making it too uncomfortable to camp that long sleeping on the ground, away from any services or medical attention. Please pray for her as we wait... and as I must be away for this camp. Pray for local people to rise to the occasion and team with us in helping to carry this work.

We will be telling the Bible story in chronological stories through the whole of Scripture. Please pray for hearts and lives to be open to know our Creator. Pray for the communities of Sachteen, Ska'tin, Shamuk'wum and Lil'wat to be like Lydda and Sharon in Acts 9:35..."the whole population turning to the Lord"...

And for strength of heart to lean into this stretching time of ministry...may it be harvest time among these traditionally resistant Sta'atl imx.

First Nations Partnership has had to turn away several Native colleagues seeking financial support to engage short term start-up ministries due to lack funds coming to the budget this spring and summer. This at first discouraged me, I felt somehow responsible, but through scripture and time alone with Jesus, have remembered it is His work in His time, not mine. Two Native colleagues are in full time work this summer with the assistance of First Nations Partnership carrying 1/3 of their support needs. This alone is cause for thanksgiving.

Our support had risen to 100 % by the time we returned from our recent furlough this late winter/spring, but the past two months have seen our support drop to 72% and 80%. This too is in the hands of our LordFather of the Harvest. His work in His time with His provision... pray we can keep this central in our hearts as we ask Him together to raise up new financial partners and supporters, for our own support and for the First Nations Partnership vision. ..maybe another church or two even.

This morning Isaiah 58:10 and context, 1 John 3:16, along with Philippians 2:17 spoke strong encouragement into my heart as I looked with almost a dread at the approaching months of ministry. These gave me strength of heart to lean into these coming days with confident expectation in the good guiding hand of our God to be my strength ...for pouring out my soul for the souls of Sta'atl'imx people confused by religion and tradition...that many would turn to Him through this camp and the many ways He will be tell His story with our lives.

Psalm 40 has been my anchor for some weeks now...my cry is for verse 8 to be the strength of my heart.

We remain grateful for your faithfulness dear friends, our partners in ministry. May our keeping God hold you all close and fill you with His joy and the strength embedded there,
don and mary

Great Article on Hukilau Surf Camp!

Today's Outer Banks Sentinel ran a primo story on our Hukilau Surf Camp!
It's on the front page of the Sports section. You can link it here. Under "News Sections" on the left of the page click "Sports".

Can God use your passion for reaching others with the Good News of Christ?

Impact Outer Banks

Impact Outer Banks is a 5 day mission event for students in middle and high school.  This year Impact is taking place July 27 to 31.  Impact is from 8:30am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. Students and parents can get more information at www.obxstudents.com.

Adults are needed to serve during this mission week.  You could do a week long local mission project here on the OBX.  Here are the positions we need help with:

• Mission Team Leaders - this adult drives a team of 5 or 6 students to their mission projects each morning and serves with them and also enjoys the recreation time with them in the afternoons.  Provide spiritual leadership for the team.  Work with the project coordinator to organize the team, delegate tasks, and encourage the team.
• Project leader - Adult who directs and assists the mission teams in their work at a specific project.  Each project coordinator will work with the same project throughout the week, providing continuity at the project site.

If you would like some missions exposure by participating in this event please contact Andy at 441-7548 or andy@nagsheadchurch.org. 

(Bump) 4th of July Outreach at NHC!

Just an update to let you know that we had a great time serving our community at the event on Saturday night. We had several local, young families come through and hang out between 7 and 8, and then had about 30 cars parked to watch fireworks by 9. God gave us perfect weather! Those who served did so with great attitudes, and several of our guests told me how thankful they were for something fun to do. Look for more outreach events to plug into later this summer!


If you were at church on Sunday, you heard about the outreach event we're hosting this Saturday. And, if you've been around NHC for more than a few years, you'll remember, back when Manteo was the only place for fireworks on the OBX, we used to invite everyone from the church to come early and eat some ice cream and walk up Jockey’s Ridge for a primo view. Good times!

Although that tradition has faded away, we see an excellent opportunity (this year, especially with the 4th of July falling on a Saturday) to take what we've done in the past and use our facilities as a tool to turn Independence Day into a big outreach that day, making our parking lot available for unchurched guests to use to walk up the dunes and watch the Manteo, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills fireworks.

We’ve contacted Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and they have informed us that their own parking lot fills up with people every 4th of July evening, so we’re hoping to fill our parking lot as well. Our target is unchurched locals, and our goal is to serve our community in a fun way and let them know that NHC loves people!

Along with free parking, we’ll also have free Boar’s Head hotdogs (thanks to Brad Myers), free Seafreeze Slushies (thanks to Larry Czernik) and some awesome activities for kids. Again, everything is free.

Because this is an outreach event, and because our parking lot is not the biggest in the world, we are asking that only those NHC partners and regular attenders who have committed to serve during this event come...we don't want to fill our parking up with people who already have discovered life in Christ! If, however, you can bring an unchurched guest with you, come on!

If you're interested in joining the team and investing a few hours in reaching our community by helping to serve food, entertain kids, or safely park our guests, please, contact Nathan at the church ASAP to get plugged in! The event is from 7 to 9pm.

And, invite your friends and neighbors who have yet to discover Christ!

Sunday Feedback July 5

Preparing to meet with God on the journey.
A full house twice!
Communion.
Let the praises ring!

When we gather to worship, not only are we gathered to meet with God, but also to have an opportunity to serve others. So whether it was a song or an act of ministry or something said or prayed, share with us how today's worship gathering helped you to discover life in Christ in a new way.

Contagious Youth

Due to the rain youth group will be at NHC tonight from 5 to 7.

Come hungry!

Parent Podders are welcome to chill in the office area and have some "coffee talk".

The Coming Swell - July 5

Fireworks Outreach
July 4 @ NHC. Come to serve our community and guests! Read more about it here.

Happy Birthday USA!
As you celebrate Independence Day, don't forget to thank God for the privilege of living in a free nation. And remember to pray for our country.

The Journey - Start to Finish
"Preparing to meet with God on the journey". This Sunday Rick will tie in the story of Exodus 19 and The Lord's Table. We'll be celebrating Communion. 9 and 11AM.

NHCU
Discovering Worship - Saturday, July 11 9AM to 1PM
Discovering the Basics and Discovering My Ministry - Sunday, July 12 3PM to 7PM
Discovering My Mission - Sunday, July 19 3PM to 7PM
Our next Discovering Nags Head Church class will be taught in August.

Single Adults Beach Volleyball
Tuesday nights @ 6:30. Bonnett St. access in Nags Head. Bring your game.

Contagious Youth
Sundays 5-7PM @ Bonnett St. Students 6th through 12th grades.
Parent Pod for Parents same time and location.

Sunday Parking
Please fill up the parking in the rear of the building and along the street first, allowing our guests the front and sides! Also, please observe the "Families with Small Children" zone on the south side.

Get to Church on Time!
It takes a bit longer with all the traffic, so give yourself a few extra minutes. And be safe after church. Try the Soundside Road to Deering Street exit. You'll turn onto 158 at the light.

Hukilau Surf Camp
The next camp is Saturday, July 11. For middle and high school students. Click here for registration information. You must register online.

Fish Fry!
The Outer Banks Anglers Club invites you to a Fish Fry and benefit for the children of NHPD Sgt. Earl Murray. Saturday, July 11 from 2PM to 6PM. 7810 S. Croatan Hwy (on the causeway next to Daniels Crab House at the Washington Baum Bridge). $10/person. Prizes. Raffles and games.

Welcome Home!
The Glock family - our missionaries in France. Matt, Sylvie, Anastasia, Paschal and Juliet will be with us through most of August.
The Bensons our missionaries in Honduras are with us most of this month. Please get to know our global team while they are here. They love OBX hospitality!

Swim near a lifeguard!!
Seriously.

Pray for our Students at Camp

Summer camp has the potential of having a powerful impact in the life of a student.  We are looking for some prayer warriors who will pray for us over the next 15 days as we prepare to go to camp and while we are at camp.  Are you in?

Here are the names so you can be praying for us:

Alex

Trystan

Andrew

Maddy

Abbey

Matthew P

Josh

Drew

Justus

Ashley J

Ashley M

Amy

Whitney

Matthew R

Bryan

Nick

Analyse L

Haley

Ian

Emma

Bonnie

Rich

Lauren

Andy

During the week of camp you can go to this page to send campers and leaders e-mails, gift certificates, etc.  Nags Head Church is known for piling the "mail" on us while we are at camp.  This is a huge encouragement to us and a testimony to other churches about how much love we have here at NHC for our students.

You can follow us during our week of camp, July 13-17, and see pictures and video by checking out our camp blog.  

Your "soulmate"

The word "soulmate" seems to be used a lot these days. I've heard it; so have you. It's in this week's news, and the way it is used makes me think, "Who should be my 'soulmate'?"

Here's how Webster defines the word:
1 : a person who is perfectly suited to another in temperament
2 : a person who strongly resembles another in attitudes or beliefs

The obvious implication is that your "soulmate" is someone who truly understands who you are and with whom you love to spend time because of your "chemistry".

Troubled South Carolina Governor Mark Sandford, talking fast and loose about his confessed adulterous lifestyle, said about his Argentine paramour that she is his "soul mate" -- but he would try to save his marriage anyway. I have to add that Gov. Sandford is a professing believer in Christ, and has been vocal about his faith.

But I have to ask the obvious - at least to someone who has done his share of pre and post marital counseling: Shouldn't your spouse be your soulmate? I mean, if you need one, didn't God bring you two together to compliment one another and become one? That's my understanding of Genesis 2:24 - This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

United into one - a pretty good definition of "soulmate", don't you think? So when a third party somehow takes that role away, (or even in a fantasy is given that role) whether emotionally or physically, God's design for us has been rejected.

All that to say this: if you are married your spouse is your "soulmate". There can be room for no other person to assume that role in your life. None. If you're marriage is lacking the togetherness that it should have then do something about it. But don't look elsewhere for what God says should only come from your mate. Be careful about relationships with someone of the opposite sex. Guys, stay away from porn! Don't have internet "friends" of the opposite sex unless your spouse not only approves, but has open access to your accounts. Be honest with your spouse when you sense you might be growing apart, and don't wait until "you have to get counseling".

If you are married to another believer your marriage is to be a picture of Christ's relationship to His bride, the church. That means our marriages, which are seen by the world, should say to the world, "Here's how Jesus relates to us". Read Paul's words in Ephesians 5:21-33.

If you are married to a non-believer God's Word tells you to stay with him or her and be an example of Christ's love. See 1 Corinthians 7:12-17. Don't preach it with words - live it by your servanthood and devotion.

I don't know; don't care to know why Gov. Sandford went astray. The pain he has caused his wife, his sons, his family, his church has to be tremendous. But it's obvious, at least to me that somewhere he got way off track, and continues to be if he continues to consider another woman his soulmate.

None of us are immune from the enemy's attacks against our faith through our relationships, including our marriages, no matter how long we've been married. So work together at not only becoming "soulmates" and best friends but at staying that way.

And if you do need "counseling", please start with someone who knows the Lord intimately. Our Counseling Team is available, and will do all they can in their ability to help you. Pastor Steve Wise leads a trained compassionate team who will biblically and confidentially help you stay on track or get back on it if you've drifted.