A new 6 week Connection Group for married and engaged couples starting Sunday, Jan. 8. The Group will meet at NHC following the 11AM Gathering. Sign up here or with a Communication Card on Sundays. The group will be limited to 6 couples! We will do our best to provide child-care if needed.

One of those weeks created one of those weeks

September is always a busy month as lots of things get cranked back up after the summer. But when a hurricane comes in to play the last week of August, it not only wreaks havoc in physical ways, it creates a logjam in the calendar.

Last week as we jumped into recovery mode, it became necessary to put everything that was previously scheduled on the back burner or reschedule. This week we're seeing way more lumped into one week than we certainly would prefer.

We try, at NHC, to keep from becoming a "something at church every night" church. In fact, we work hard at not allowing that to happen. But Irene's surge followed by a holiday weekend has pushed a bunch of things together.

The Connection Group Leader training that was to be held on Sunday, Aug. 28 has been moved to Wednesday night, Sept. 7.

Our youth begin their new schedule this week, with middle school on Wednesday night and high school on Thursday night. But last week's storm moved FFMS open house to this Wednesday night. What do you do? Andy says there will be middle school youth tonight at the church for those who can make it.

Friday night is our planned Kick off for our Connection Groups. It's also a change from the past, moving "First Wednesday" to Friday nights. There is child care through 1st graders.

Saturday morning is the Ladies Ministry Brunch at Kelly's.

Saturday night, that last installment of the Financial Peace University (previously scheduled for the night of Irene's arrival) is at 5:00.

Sunday morning is normal!

Sunday after the 11:00 gathering we have a lunch and new partner interviews.

Sunday at 4:00 is our Fall Church picnic.

Did you get all that?

Trust me. This too shall pass!

College Students Bible Study

If you're a college student here for the summer and want to connect with others your age in a Bible study join us Sunday nights at 7:30 at South Beach Grille, MP 16 on the Beach Road.

Bring a Bible and a friend. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, so use the bathroom before you come... and bring a drink if you want. We'll meet on the deck.

So who do I next if I want to...

• Take a Discovery Class at the next NHCU? Just fill out a Communication Card. On the back you can check off which class you want to take next*. NHCU classes are typically offered the 3rd Sunday of each month except June, July and December.
  
• Find out what Connection Groups are offered? At the Welcome Center is a listing of current groups that tells the time/day of their meetings, what they're studying, and leader contact info. It is updated regularly as new groups are added or groups fill up. We also hope to have that available soon on our web site as well.
• Check out a Connection Group? Give the group leader a call or shoot him/her an email. Just because you attend a group a time or two doesn't mean you have to commit to it. But if it's not for you, be sure to check out another until you find the right one.
• Be a Connection Group leader or host? Contact our Groups Pastor, Burnie Staples. burnie@nagsheadchurch.org. Most new leaders have been "apprenticed" by a veteran group leader first. We also have ongoing leadership training.
  
• Get in or start a Quest Bible Study? A QBS is for those already in a Connection Group and is in addition to continuing with that group. If you're ready for that kind of commitment contact Rick about it. Your study teacher needs to have completed all 5 NHCU classes, have the gift of teaching and your study needs to be approved.
• Register for a Christian Life Intensive class? Fill out a Communication Card and indicate on the back your desire to be in the class. Watch and listen for announcements about upcoming classes.
• Attend a conference or retreat? Listen and watch for announcements as conferences come available.
• Become a Coach? Contact Discipleship Pastor Steve Wise via a Communication Card or at steve@nagsheadchurch.org. If you haven't been all the way around the bases, you'll need to be on track to get that completed asap.
  
• Be coached? Contact Pastor Steve Wise via a Communication Card or email at steve@nagsheadchurch.org. He'll match you up with an available coach.
• Get involved in a Ministry Team? After getting on 1st Base (becoming a partner of NHC) you'll be able to try out ministry teams that you think may fit your SHAPE and gifts. A listing of current teams is available at the Welcome Center. Be sure to take Discovering My Ministry. Contact either the team leader of the team that interests you or Ministries Pastor Tom Lee at tom@nagsheadchurch.org. Certain teams have greater requirements than others. (For example, you have to be a proficient musician to serve on the MP13 Band as a musician or singer. Children's and Youth ministry team members are required to have a background check provided by the church.)

(*To move around the bases and take the NHCU classes beyond Discovering NHC has the prerequisite of becoming a committed partner in the church.)

Ministry with Love

We have a fantastic ministry opportunity for a Connection group or a couple of groups to work together.

The youth group is having an Agape Feast on Sunday, December 5^th from 6 to 7pm. This dinner is a part of our 40 Days of Love. The purpose behind the dinner is for students to get to know students, who they wouldn’t normally talk with, hang out with, to help them build relationships.

The details are simple for a Connection group to get involved. The group will gather at NHC on that Sunday afternoon and prepare a meal for the youth group, a dinner for 50. This dinner won’t be potluck or buffet but a menu created by the serving Connection group. The food costs will come out of the youth budget. The meal will be served to the students.

What’s in it for your group? You get to work together as a group to minister to the church. Your group will strengthen your relationships. Most importantly your group will model to the youth what ministry done in love looks like. I bet you would have a whole lot of fun in the process.

If your group is interested in preparing and serving this meal please contact me, andy@nagsheadchurch.org.

Kids' Zone Cleaned Up

The young moms' Connection group got together during their weekly meeting last night and cleaned up the Kids' Zone! They swiffered the walls, vacuumed, cleaned windows, moved stuff, hauled trash, and mopped floors. The place looks fantastic!! What a great idea for a Connection group to get together and do some ministry together. They stuck to ministry rule #1 - "Never do ministry alone."

Here are some pictures from the fun they had cleaning up and getting the space ready for children to learn about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ:

Connection Group Leader Training

Sunday from 2-5PM training for all group leaders and those who are interested in group leadership.

If you attended the training in August you are exempt! This time around is for those who missed last time and for new leaders.

This training is for NHC partners (members) only!

Connection Groups (Two Stories)

In case you missed F1RST Wednesday, Brad and Dianne each shared their unique perspective about the impact that Connection Groups have had in their lives.



Are you plugged into a Connection Group at NHC?

Connection Group Commercial (05)

The part begins tonight! Contact the church to find the connection group that's right for you!

Connection Group Commercial (04)

Here is the commercial we showed last Sunday...the commercial from this past will be coming shortly!

Connection Group Commercial (03)

Connection Group Leader Training takes place this Sunday afternoon! Call the church office or contact Pastor Burnie for more information.

Connection Group Commercial (02)

Sign up as a Connection Group Host in the Big Lobby this Sunday!

Connection Group Commercial (01)

Sign up for a Connection Group in the Big Lobby this Sunday!

The Group

I belong to a Saturday morning Connection Group of guys. This morning's group just knocked the ball out of the park.

Our study is on the life of David and viewing what it means to be a success. It also views the moments of failure that brought tragedy to his life.

This morning our leader Mark got us started and the discussion just took off from there. He did exactly what a group leader should do. Everyone had come prepared and it was so fantastic to be a part of a group of men talking honestly and openly about the subject. And we didn't chase any rabbit trails. We stayed on track. It was nothing short of incredible.

I love being a part of a group like this. Frankly, I've never been involved with a group of men like these guys on Saturday and the men I meet with on Thursday morning. Never, in over 40 years of following Christ.

If you're part of a group, please take a moment and "brag" on it. If you're not in a group, I hope you'll be encouraged to join one or help get a new one started.

New Connections Groups now forming

Connections Groups help us keep each other sharp!

Second trimester of connections groups will be getting back in gear in May. You have heard us say before and we'll continue to say, "Everyone needs to be in a Connections Group" !

Our groups are the DNA of Nags Head Church. We are offering several new groups in May including, at least one Financial Freedom Group, a marriage enrichment group, and a parenting group, along with many others covering a wide range of topics in locations from Manteo to Southern Shores. There is a group for you!

Email us at connections@NagsHeadChurch.org or sign up at the Welcome Center in the big lobby this Sunday.

Connection Group Shout Out

One of our values at NHC is to be a church of small groups. We believe that for fellowship, discipleship, ministry, mission and worship there's nothing that can come close to a healthy small group.

So use the comment option here to brag on what God is doing in your group. And if you're not yet in a group, ask about them here and you'll likely get an answer.

(And if you've got pics from your group you'd like to show everyone, send them to me.)