Marathon/Shoebox Sunday!

"The facts, just the facts, Ma'am."

• Nags Head Church will meet together for worship at 11AM only this Sunday. It's our once a year time to do this, so don't miss it. You'll see folks that you may have been missing.
• The Marathon starts at 7AM and with the exception of a few stragglers, all are beyond NHC by 10AM. So traffic is not an issue in getting there for the 11AM start.
  
• If you want to come out early and cheer on the runners, you can get into the parking lot. Our Hospitality Team will be set up with coffee at 7AM.
• If you are serving this Sunday and will by default have to miss the worship gathering the message "Love is Not Easily Angered" will be available online via our podcast by Sunday afternoon. You don't want to miss this one!
• Don't forget to memorize this Sunday's verse! "Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs." - 1 Corinthians 13:5
• Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are being collected Sunday, too. Bring them into the auditorium. Click here for more info.
  

Communion at Nags Head Church (Pt. 2)

Because of these Biblical principles (in the previous post) that guide our observance of Communion, which includes liberty, Nags Head Church's approach to Communion allows us to both form our own traditions and stay true to the Scriptures.

For example, we observe Communion on Wednesdays, on Sundays, on at least one Friday and then on Christmas Eve, whenever that falls each year. Starting in 1991 when Rick came as our pastor, we went from a church that celebrated communion once/quarter (4 times a year) to a monthly celebration on Sunday evenings. That change kept in mind that Communion is the most intimate gathering of the church. On Sunday nights we were able to have more of that "family reunion" time that Sunday mornings couldn't provide with so many guests.

We also for many years included a covered dish meal that typically followed the Lord's Supper. Logistically, however, even after moving into the new building we found ourselves out of space for everyone to sit together. That dictated we do something differently. God uses things like crowding to move us forward. Our belief that as we grow larger we should be growing smaller at the same time through Connection Groups gave us the natural transition to allow "meal fellowships" to become part of our small group strategy. And think about it, even in a room with 150 people at tables, your real fellowship is limited to those at your table.

Because our Sunday worship gatherings take into account that the church is inviting and bringing their non-believing friends moved us to establish a second worship gathering designed especially for believers. That led us to begin First Wednesdays, and we then began to observe Communion at those gatherings.

Back in the summer of 2010, realizing some folks' schedules just made it difficult to be at church midweek the elders decided to add some additional Sunday mornings throughout the year as Communion gatherings as well. In July and August of 2009 and 2010 Communion was held on Sundays, and our plan now is to offer it at least once per quarter on Sunday mornings.

One of the great characteristics of NHC is that change is part of our make-up. We're not afraid to change if and when we see it is needed or beneficial and when that change is in keeping with our vision and purpose.

So,in addition to the 9 or 10 First Wednesdays, we'll be having Communion 4-5 times on Sundays plus Good Friday and Christmas Eve. That means at NHC you’ll have at least 15 opportunities to come to the Lord’s Table.

The key to Communion is not when it is observed or even how often, but that whenever we come together around the Lord's Table it is with a clean heart of gratitude for what Jesus did for us on the cross. And it is our conviction that every partner do all he/she can to participate as often as possible.

Project Turkey in a Box

On Sunday, November 21st, Contagious Youth of NHC will be delivering Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Students will gather at NHC and pack boxes with everything a family would need to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. They will load into vehicles with their adult leaders and deliver the meals. Students will then gather back together to talk about the experience of this local mission/ministry project.

You can get involved in two ways:

1. We need families to deliver meals to. If you know of a family in need that could benefit from this project please contact Andy. You would then become the contact person between the youth group and the family to let them know we are coming and when we will be coming to deliver the groceries.

2. Turkeys, the number of turkeys donated will depend on the number of families we have to deliver meals to. Currently we have 5 turkeys donated and are hoping to have 5 more. If you can bring a turkey to church on Sunday, November 21, please let Andy know.

For more details, info or to get involved e-mail andy@nagsheadchurch.org

Communion at Nags Head Church (Pt. 1)

When the Lord Jesus began the first Communion gathering with His remaining 11 disciples (Judas had left the Supper to betray Him) He gave them this command: "As often as you do this do it in remembrance of me". As a Christian church we view that command seriously and as a baptist church view it as one of the two ordinances Jesus gave the church, the other being baptism.

There is quite a bit of Scripture to draw from that teaches us about the meaning and purpose of Communion or the Lord's Supper/Table, beginning the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. We can also learn from the first church in Jerusalem the importance of observing Communion and from Paul's corrective letter to the Corinthian church we learn even more about it.

Some try to argue that Communion should be observed each Sunday. And while there is certainly nothing wrong with a weekly observance, it seems clear that becoming legalistic about when to have Communion misses the point. Jesus didn't dictate how often or even when. His first Communion was in the middle of the week, either on a Wednesday or Thursday night. So that tells us it doesn't have to be on a Sunday.

The Jerusalem believers, we're told in Acts 2, observed Communion daily. But then in 1 Corinthians 11:17 Paul speaks of Communion being observed when the church gathers together. Yet nothing is said of if it was every time they met or if it was only when the whole church met together or if it was in home groups. Nothing is said that it must be on a Sunday or any other particular day. And since nothing definitive is said we have to surmise that in this area of "how often/when" God gives us liberty. In other words, there is no hard and fast rule. We are free as a church to make those decisions.

It's also vital that we understand the purposes of Communion as set forth in the Scriptures. First, Communion is a time for believers to gather together to remember the suffering and crucifixion of Christ as our Savior. Because it is an ordinance of the church it is also open only to those who know Christ as Savior. That Jesus did not begin the first Communion until after Judas had left reinforces this.

Second, it is a time for fellowship in the church. Fellowship is much deeper in meaning than what we tend to first think. Fellowship may include food, but food isn't a necessity for fellowship. In fact, the word for fellowship and communion in the Greek language are the same and means "partnership". Gathering around the bread and the cup is a spiritual time of recognizing we belong together because we belong to Christ.

Third, Communion is a time for introspection - each believer looking within his/her own heart and evaluating his/her own relationship both with God and with one another. So, it is a time for reconciliation both with God and with others who may need my forgiveness or I may need theirs.

Fourth, Communion is a time to be reminded that Christ is returning. He told us to continue observing Communion until the day we observe it with Him. It gives us hope.

Fifth, the elements of Communion - the bread and the cup of wine (or in our case juice) are simply symbols of Jesus body and blood. They do not in some way physically or mystically become His body and blood. But they are real reminders as we eat and drink them together.

These principles from the Bible guide our approach to Communion.

Next: Why do we observe Communion when we do at Nags Head 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.

Sunday Feedback November 7

Love lets it go. I heard from several about how God used the Word this morning in lives. If you feel comfortable sharing, please do.

Great music selection to go with the message.

Did you meet someone for the first time today?

What really bugs you?

Our nursery opened up a new room today for infants!! Three nurseries going on now!

Did you consider becoming an organ donor?

Next week is Shoebox Sunday. Let's set a new NHC record so children can hear of Christ and so we can plant seeds.

And next Sunday is Marathon Sunday. 11:00 Worship gathering only. It's our one time of the year to pull us all together at once.

Fall Back Tonight!

It's the good change - the one we like because it gives back the hour we lost in the Spring!

Two Gatherings tomorrow at 9 and 11. "Love Lets It Go".

Memory Verse: "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." (1 Cor. 13:6)

Also Sunday at NHC you'll be able to sign up to be an organ donor. A table will be set up in the lobby with forms and information.

If you're not already a donor, please prayerfully consider becoming one. Your unselfish final act could save lives.

Some Christmas Giving Ideas from Advent Conspiracy

Just click on the graphic a time or two to enlarge it.

Tonight at 6:30

Vote tomorrow! It's our watch.

David Barton of Wall Builders explains scripturally and historically why we need to vote prayerfully and righteously. It's not just about the economy, and he explains why.

Take the time to watch.

(For our men who have been to the Maximum Man conferences, David Barton is no stranger.)