TNC-Decatur’s blog

GO FISH - wk 3

2009-11-20T05:10:38Z

Here is part of the passage in Acts 4 that we looked at in week 2 of the GO FISH series, entitled " Why Fish?".

"Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20

It is clear that Peter and John have moved from just following Jesus, to fishing! They can not be silent about what they have experienced, can you? Jesus is calling each of us, as Christ Followers, to not be silent about what He has done in our lives. Fishing is NOT an option for you and I. The message of salvation is not an intuitive message. People need you and I to share the love and hope of Christ with them.

THIS Sunday, Steve will be preaching LIVE at TNC Decatur. He will continue our series GO FISH, by inviting each of us to become Fishing Buddies. I want to encourage you to be HERE this Sunday! It's going to be a challenging and moving service you won't want to miss!!!

Can't wait to see each of you on Sunday!

Shane

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GO FISH - Week 2

2009-11-12T21:46:42Z

Go fish slide

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

This passage in Mark reminds us the He not only wants us to follow him but to become fishers of men. Simply said, Followers Fish! You are and will be perfectly positioned in your job, your life, and your spirit of influence TO FISH! Have you decided to follow Jesus yet? If so, our you seeking to become a fisher of men and women? Our method of fishing at TrueNorth is for each person to INVEST in relationships and INVITE them to Sunday mornings at TrueNorth. START FISHING TODAY!

In week 2, THIS Sunday, of our GO FISH series, we will be answering the question of Why Fish? I am so excited to see how God continues to use TrueNorth to reach people nobody else is reaching! I hope you're doing your part!

I look forward to seeing more fish this Sunday!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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GO FISH Series starts THIS Sunday!

2009-11-06T01:44:10Z

Go fish slide

WOW! What beautiful weather this week! I hope you're able to get out and enjoy God's beauty this weekend!

Our We Unite series finished up last week with our celebration service! I am so excited about how God continues to transform lives! Being a part of TrueNorth is such a blessing! My prayer is that we get out of the way and continue to allow God to use us anyway He chooses!

Our NEW Series - GO FISH, begins this Sunday! I am PUMPED about this series and how God chose regular guys and called them to a life of fishing! Make plans to be there THIS Sunday! I truly expect God is going to WOW us this Sunday! Don't MISS IT!

A quick reminder that we ARE continuing are Journey Teams (small groups) even though the We Unite series has ended. If you haven't been part of a journey team, NOW would be a great time to start. Check out where and when they meet each week at the Guest Service table on Sunday mornings!

That's All Folks! Can't wait to see you on Sunday!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE- CELEBRATION SUNDAY

2009-10-29T21:50:27Z

We unite

This Sunday, WE UNITE IN CELEBRATING what our BIG GOD has done during our 40 Days of Community! God has changed lives, deepened community and touched lives through our Saturday Service Project! The Bible says in Deuteronomy 11:2 "Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him." That's exactly what we plan to do, as we gather together Sunday to remember, reflect and celebrate the victories of our WE UNITE experiences!

I want to ENCOURAGE EVERYONE who has purchased a WE UNITE T-SHIRT to wear it this Sunday to commemorate our day together! If you didn't purchase a t-shirt, then wear something you would wear to a party and come ready to celebrate BIG TIME!!! Join us and bring a friend to party with you at TNC and enjoy a FREE lunch on us at Decatur Christian School!!!

IN HONOR OF OUR PARTY, WE HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE YOU AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP, DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK ON SATURDAY NIGHT!

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE GOD'S GOODNESS, TNC! WE WILL SEE YOU SUNDAY!

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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Saturday Service Project

2009-10-25T00:08:40Z

What an awesome day of working together and cleaning up the Virtue House! The weather coorperated and people showed up! Thanks to all those that were able to come out! If you missed us this time, try and catch us next time! Check out the NEW PHOTOS of TRUENORTH people serving!

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WE UNITE

2009-10-22T21:52:33Z

We unite

Our focus this entire week has been on becoming a servant like Christ. Steve did a great job this past Sunday, reminding us that not only were we made for a mission, we were made to fulfill our life's purposes with each other. That is when weneed to serve together. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:8 thatthe one who plans and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. This is an excellent example of how we should do things as a team. If you take each letter inT.E.A.M. and break it down, you will find fundamental truths and benefits of serving together.

It starts with Trust. Many people claim to be loyal, but it's hard to find a trustworthy person. Next, there is Empathy. When we have empathy for our teammates, we understand the other person and validate how they feel. From there, we need to be Accommodating. This requires selflessness on our part. Be faithful, loving and easy to get along with (2 Timothy 2:22). Finally, we need to be on Mission together. Philippians 2:2 says to be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intend on one purpose. If we're going to serve together, these things are essential to making an impact as a team.

THIS SATURDAY, October 24, is "SERVE SATURDAY"! We will meet at 9 am, at the Virtue House, 225 S. Franklin Street, we will NOT meet at the Hickory Point Theater! If you need better directions give me a call! We will be outside working, so dress warm.

The final days of WE UNITE: 40 Days of Community are quickly approaching. The journey has awakened hearts and lives to the presence, peace and power of Jesus. What has Jesus done in your life the last 40 Days? What has changed in you? Have you found new community in a Journey Team (small group)? Did the WE UNITE daily devotional cause you to draw closer to Jesus and obey His truths more? Did you memorize any verses? What was your favorite memory verse during these 40 Days? Did you touch someone else's life during these 40 days as you made the choice to serve others? Have you made a choice to serve on a ministry at TNC on Sundays? WE WANT TO HEAR HOW JESUS HAS TOUCHED YOU!!!!!

I want to encourage you to put that story in words this week. Your story may seem small to you, but no story is small when Jesus is changing lives! Write your story and email me at shaned@truenorthchurch.com.

Sunday we continue WE UNITE, week 6- Worshiping Together! You won't want to MISS IT!

LOVE YOU,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE - week 5

2009-10-15T18:19:12Z

We unite

We continued the WE UNITE series this past Sunday by looking at "Growing Together". Let me ask you, what is God's greatest desire for you? Some may say eternity or to be a good spouse or to succeed in a vocation or academic achievement. In Romans 8:29, we are told thatfrom the very beginning God decided that those who come to Him--and all along He knew who would--should become like His Son. God's greatest desire for Christ followers is for us to become like Jesus. Therefore, as we unite to do this life together, we should help each other grow to become more like Christ.

THIS Sunday, we will be talking about "Serving Together"! YOU don't want to miss what God has to say to each of us about servanthood! We will also be doing our Community Serve day on Saturday, October 24, 9 am. We will meet at the Hickory Point Theater and disperse from there. I hope you make plans to serve on Saturday!

DON'T FORGET, Tailgating before the Maroa-Forsyth Football game on Friday night, we will be on the east side of the football field, look for my red van and the TrueNorth banners. FREE FOOD! The game starts at 7 pm! Don't forget to dress warm!

Have a great week! Thanks for being a part of TrueNorth church!

The Church that Rocks,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE - Week 3

2009-10-01T21:51:39Z

We unite

Hey gang,

This past Sunday we continued "WE UNITE" with week 2, "Reaching Others"! Check out this scripture passage: "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42 NIV)

As we unite, God wants for us to live out and reach others, just as Jesus did the Samaritan woman. Jesus met her where she was, dialogue's with her and told her of her needs. Above all else, He loved her and broke down the barriers of the time that separated Jews from Samaritans. Love was the foundation of Jesus' ministry to this woman, and when we're going to reach others in our lives, it must always begin with love. Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us! (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NCV)

What does this mean? It means developing relationships, and centering those relationships around love. This is the opportunity we have, but we cannot love without the love of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. (2 Timothy 1:7 LB) Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians the way he develops relationships with people, and then goes on to share the fruits that come out of reaching others: Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23 LB)

It's easy to get caught up in two extremes: isolation and imitation. People who are isolated aren't doing a whole lot in finding common ground in order to reach others; they are staying sheltered from the world. There are also those believers who are imitating the world around them in ways that are counteractive to a transformed life. Rather than isolation or imitation, we need to have insulation. This is where we go in the world, find common ground with unbelievers, and enjoy being with them why staying true to the life God wants us to live.

In the midst of our story together are our individual stories that we have to share with the world. Reaching others involves telling your story. You are ... God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you. (1 Peter 2:9 MSG) The stories of the power of Christ in us change the world. Each believer has a story of how they became passionate followers of Jesus Christ they can spend a few minutes sharing with others. What's your story?

This Sunday, we continue our WE UNITE Series with an intense look at "What Kills Relationships and What Builds Them?". I'm stoked about this topic because it has applications in so many areas of your life. You can apply it with your friends. You can apply it with your marriage (if you're married). You can apply it in your family relationships. You can apply it in your work and in your career in relating to others. You can apply it in your small group (Journey Team). I guarantee it will beat the advice that you can get from Oprah or Dr. Phil, because God's Word has divine counsel for you and me about healthy relationships!

This SUNDAY would be a great day to invite a friend or "fish" who is struggling with a relationship in their life. I promise you that they will leave with something that could resuscitate a dying relationship. Who do you need to bring with you Sunday? I'm expecting Jesus to change hearts and heal relationships as WE UNITE together for worship at TNC! See ya Sunday!

UNITING TOGETHER,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE - week 2

2009-09-24T22:40:46Z

We unite

This Sunday we continue into our second week of WE UNITE: 40 Days of Community. My prayer is that each of us are actively focusing on praying, attending a small groups, reading the Daily Devo. and memorizing God’s Word. This week we have memorized John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

This past Sunday's message was entitled, Why We Need Each Other. Together, God is using us as His Body to accomplish what only He can through us!

Read Mark 2:1-5 and 10-12 to see what we are capable of when WE UNITE. Each of us has something unique we can contribute to what God is calling us to as TrueNorth Church. When we work together and love one another, watch the astonishing happpen like it did with those who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus in Mark.

Here are the lessons from that account to remember heading in to this Sunday as this series continues:

I need others to walk with me. (vs. 3)

-Community is God's answer to lonliness. (1 Peter 3:8a LB)

I need others to work with me. (vs. 4)

-Community is God's answer to fatigue. (Ecclesiasties 4:9 NCV)

I need others to watch out for me. (vs. 5)

-Community is God's answer to defeat. (Ecclesiasties 4:12 NLT)

For the people in Mark 2, it was "their faith" that led them to Jesus, and united them to walk, work and watch out for each other. Their interdependence led them to strentgth and the accomplishment of their task. Their faith went on to lead them to be forgiven of their sins. Community brings victory, not defeat.

As we unite, get ready to say these seven words: we've never seen anything like this before!

Look forward to seeing ya'll THIS Sunday, don't forget to invite and bring a FISH with you!

Serving Together,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE - 40 Days of Community

2009-09-16T21:34:22Z

We unite

This Sunday, we begin a 40 Day Journey of passionately pursuing how to love Jesus and each other. Loving God and others doesn't come naturally. Love is unnatural for us. It's human nature for us to think of ourselves first. That's why for the next 40 Days we will unite and focus on learning to love. Jesus called it the "greatest commandment" (Matt. 22:38). Nothing else comes close in IMPORTANCE!

On Sunday WE UNITE to worship Christ and commit to pursue LOVING HIM and OTHERS! It's going to be an INCREDIBLE service filled with powerful worship, community, and a challenging message! You will have a final opportunity to commit to sign-up for a small group (Journey Team) for 6 weeks. (They start THIS Sunday Night) Our WE UNITE 40 Day Daily Devotional will be available for pick up for all students and adults. It's going to be a HUGE DAY, DON'T MISS IT and BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU!

Many people are preparing in many ways for this 40 Days journey. I want to encourage all of us to participate and prepare through prayer. Paul reminds us, ''In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.'' (Ephesians 6:17,18 MSG) Prayer is our greatest asset as we ask God to restore and renew our lives during the next 40 days!

I know you will join us as WE UNITE in prayer! Get ready TNC - God is going to rock our world in the next 40 Days!

Let's Pray Together,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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