It has been an incredible experience! Who could have guessed or imagined what the Lord had in store for us over these last eleven months? Kathy and I arrived in Meridian, MS on September 3, 2020, to initiate an Interim Ministry with the NorthPark Church of God. We were very excited and a little nervous, but God quickly calmed our nerves and has far exceeded our expectations. You welcomed us with open arms and have supported our ministry in every way. Kathy and I have enjoyed our time with you and cherish the many friendships God has gifted to us. I want to take this opportunity to publicly express my sincere appreciation to the various leadership teams I have been privileged to serve with.

The Staff: Dan Petersen / Justin Keene / Amy Youngblood / Jordan West / Susie Box
Their immediate acceptance and full support of me was invaluable to any success I have had! I wasn’t just their “boss”, they allowed me to be their friend. We laughed together often, we ate together regularly, we prayed together weekly, and we served as a team. Each of them championed me among their family, friends, and peers, elevating my level of influence across generations. It was a joy and blessing to serve with them and I will miss our daily interactions! And I am confident they will do the same with and for Pastor Jim! NorthPark is blessed to have such a caring and talented staff.

Governance Board:  Kelly Menard, Chair / Charles Stewart, Vice Chair / Terrie Carlisle, Secretary / Lillie Cooks / Rob McArthur / Ron Reid / Nedra Bradley (Dwayne Joyner & Marilyn Cole rotated off in February)
This group of leaders was a unique blend of generations, gender, race, and background who graciously provided me with background, context, and insight which I did not have and desperately needed. Though I have many years of experience in ministry, this was my first experience in the south. Their honesty and candidness in our many discussions were always expressed with sincerity and patience. They never kept secrets from me, and they never violated any confidences. And I am confident they will do the same with and for Pastor Jim! Indeed, NorthPark is blessed to have such a diverse and united Board.

Search Team: Kay Stewart, Chair / Tyler Hughes / Donna Wheatley / Todd Mathis / Dwight Watts / Brad Anthony / Jonathan Sisson
The Search Team was formed before I arrived and began meeting immediately for weekly Scripture reading and prayer. Upon my arrival they invited me to join their team which I was honored to do. God used these weekly gatherings to solidify the team and unify the search as we developed a Pastor Profile, Church Profile, and Community Profile. Those months of prayer and preparation were providential and richly rewarded as God orchestrated the events leading to Pastor Jim’s candidacy and call. NorthPark is blessed to have had such a wise and discerning team.

Transition Team: Kelly Menard / Justin Keene / Kay Stewart / C. D. Smith / Nedra Bradley / Virgil Cole / Linda Weir / Adam Vance / Dewayne Joyner
This team was initiated by me to craft a workable action plan to address the 4 minimum factors identified in the Assessment Report we received from New Church Specialties last fall which included FIRST IMPRESSIONS, ASSIMILATION, HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS, and COMMUNITY OUTREACH. This team formed and led 4 separate task force groups to develop strategies and process to enhance each of these areas of concern. A Master Action Plan was compiled which is being partially implemented and will provide a valuable starting point for Pastor Jim. NorthPark is blessed to have had such a creative and visionary team.

Prayer Team: Dwight Watts / Mary Bond / Dewayne McCallister / Tina Cumberland / Lillie Cooks / Donna Wheatley / Kathy Comp / Charles Stewart / Brad Anthony / Tyler Hughes / Virgil Cole / Gerri Lynn Croley
The Prayer Team was formed by me to undergird this season of reflection, transition, and growth by praying for clear direction, specific challenges, and unified advancement. Each week I would send out an email with some specific bullet points to focus our prayers. Several selected a specific day of the week on which they would fast & pray. Most every Thursday we would have a Zoom prayer call with those who were available. Indeed, NorthPark was blessed to have such a group of dedicated prayer warriors.

It has been a privilege to serve with these leaders. And I have been richly blessed by your faith and friendship. Thank you for your acceptance and support!

I am genuinely excited about the next chapter of NorthPark Church as Pastor Jim Freitag and his family begin their ministry among you! I am convinced he is exactly what NorthPark needs, wants, and deserves. Indeed, NorthPark has a great legacy! But I am confident the best is yet to come!

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

We are very excited about the arrival of the Feirtag family later this month. They are hoping to arrive in Meridian on July 28th or 29th and will be staying with Julia’s family until their furniture arrives sometime between July 28th and August 6th. To help them navigate this “in between” time the Adult Sunday Morning Life Groups are providing a number of gift cards they can use for meals and other necessities. To help them settle in their new home we want to fill their pantry with the basics and other niceties. To contribute to this pantry fund you are asked to give online or use one of the NorthPark offering envelopes located in the seat pockets and write Feirtag Pantry on the outside. To give online go to www.northpark.church, click on Give in the menu bar, scroll down to Give Online and click on the Give Now button, fill in the information and select “Feirtag Pantry” from the Designation box, and then complete the transaction. We hope everyone can join us on Sunday, August 1st to welcome Pastor Jim and his family.

NorthPark is in a great place! God has prepared and placed you in this exciting season. Over the last eleven months, we have been on a fascinating journey. It began last fall with the Church Assessment conducted by New Church Specialties and the formation of our Transition Team to develop a Master Action Plan. In January, the Search Team was commissioned to identify the best possible candidate to be your next Lead Pastor. After numerous meetings & much prayer….Jim Feirtag was recommended to the Governance Board & Staff with unanimous approval and then to the entire Congregation with a 99.1% affirmative vote. As we wait for Pastor Jim to begin his ministry with us, we are in season of transition as we prepare to pass the baton of leadership from one generation to the next. I am 67 and Jim is 44. Twenty-three years is definitely a generational shift which I believe NorthPark needs and is ready for.

Every successful organization goes through changes and transitions. That’s true whether it’s a large or small church….whether it’s a family business or a publicly traded company. Consider a couple of significant transitions found in the New Testament.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the hearts and lives of people for the long-promised Messiah. And when Jesus arrived on the scene John immediately recognized him and gladly deferred to his leadership with these words: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

Timothy was one of Paul’s earliest converts and closest companions. On three occasions, Paul refers to him as his son or child in the faith. And in the two letters he wrote to Timothy, he charged him to preach the Word and continue the ministry entrusted to him.

Apollos was a contemporary of Paul. He was a native of Alexandria in Egypt who was discipled by Aquila & Priscilla in Ephesus. He was a young and eloquent speaker who taught the way of the Lord with accuracy & enthusiasm and he became Paul’s successor in the church at Corinth.

Picture a swimming medley race which consists of four different swimmers in one relay competition, each swimming one of four basic strokes. The backstroke is the first stage, and it is started with the swimmer in the water. The breaststroke is the second stage & the slowest style. The butterfly is the third stage and one of the most challenging strokes. The final stage is called freestyle where the swimmer uses the fastest stroke, usually the front crawl. Each swimmer has their own specialty or style…but they are all on the same team and have one common mission or objective. In much the same way…Jim’s leadership & preaching style are much different than mine. He is much more visionary and innovative than I am and much more spontaneous and creative in sermon delivery than me. We have different styles based on our age, life stage, personality, skills, & talents; but we are on the same team and have one common mission and objective which is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)

One of the defining moments of King David’s life came in his later years when he paved the way for his son, Solomon, to be his successful successor. David created a legacy by putting the nation of Israel in a position of continuing greatness without him. He admitted his own limitations and graciously accepted that it was not God’s will for him to build the Temple. (1 Chronicles 28:1-12) David recruited workers, collected materials, and gave generously; then He stepped aside at the appropriate time and in a healthy manner. (1 Chronicles 29:23-25)

My time here has been blessed and rewarding. Thank you for your acceptance and support! NorthPark has a great legacy! But I am absolutely convinced the best is yet to come!!

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

It has been broadly stated that the American foster care system is in crisis. The crisis can be simply understood as suffering in capacity, stability and quality. NorthPark currently has several licensed foster families in various stages including adoption, no open beds, no longer accepting placements, and open beds. CompaCare helps reduce that stress and improve outcomes. It empowers a very important, and often missing element, to achieve betterment through an unequaled volunteer resource known as the Church. It teaches the church how to provide a support system for foster families inside the church and in the community!

NorthPark Church is partnering with CompaCare to offer an opportunity for you to learn about foster care & the best ways we can support local foster families on July 24 from 8:30 am until 11:30am. Please register, even if you can’t attend on July 24, by contacting Lee & Gretchen Watson at:http://www.frontlinefamilies.net or 601-778-8019 For more information visit their website at
http://www.frontlinefamilies.net

Here are five reasons NorthPark is partnering with Compacare:
   1.  It is a practical way to care for the orphan, widow or other vulnerable persons. (James 1:27)
   2.  It helps church leaders apply Ephesians 4:11-12 by providing practical ways to “equip the
        saints for the work of the ministry.”
   3.  It is evidence-based. Research has shown a significant increase in foster care outcomes when
        this partnership is wisely applied.
   4.  It is local church led and gives the church a voice to impact their community.
   5.  It helps resolve the foster care crisis by increasing capacity, promoting placement stability,
        and thereby increasing foster care quality.

Big Week July 19-23: NorthPark’s annual VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is happening each night from 6:00 to 8:30 pm for kids who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade. This year Gerri Lynne Croley and her crew will be providing a meal each night to make it easier for families. You can sign up to register your child(ren) and volunteer by clicking this link  https://northpark.church/vacation-bible-school Also, Northcrest Baptist Church will be hosting the LOVE OUT LOUD community event from 8:00 am to 2-3:00 PM each day. For more information and to register stop by the display table in the lobby or go to http://www.lolmeridian.com And don't miss the community worship services at the Temple Theater at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 18th, Wednesday, July 21st, and Friday, July 23rd, even if you are not able to participate in any of the daily work projects.

NorthPark will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit again this year on Thursday and Friday, August 5th & 6th. This is a great opportunity to grow your leadership skills and confidence by learning from some nationally known speakers and authors. Since we are a host site for GLS you can receive a significant savings of up to $80.00 by clicking on this link https://link.globalleadership.org/reg/host/?siteId=764779  and typing in the priority code 21HSFAMILY. The Early Bird rate of $99.00 expires after July 13, after that the registration fee will be $129.00. If you would be able to help host this event, contact Dan Petersen athttp://dannorthpark.church or 601-527-4137.

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. This fall Anne King will once again be leading this 13 week ministry to help and support those grieving the loss of a loved one. They will be meeting in room 102 each Monday night from 6:30 to 8:00 pm starting August 23rd through November 15th. Each week the GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments, and on-location video. After viewing the video, there will be a time of group discussion providing further insight, encouragement and support. During the week each participant will have the opportunity to use a personal workbook for further study of the grieving process and to help sort through their emotions through journaling. For more information, visit the GriefShare website at https://www.griefshare.org Please help us spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers who may benefit from this community program.

Reminder: The month of July there will be no Kids Connection (Kindergarten-Grade 6) during the 10:45 worship service. This will give our families an opportunity to worship together and our faithful volunteers some time off to be in adult worship. Nursery and preschool classes will be staffed and available.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

One of the daily devotionals I read is LOVE WORTH FINDING (www.lwf.org) which posts the writings of the late Adrian Rogers, a conservative Southern Baptist pastor and author who passed away in 2005. I always find these brief devotionals poignant and inspiring!

Today’s post, June 23rd, was based on 1 Peter 3:15 (NASV) where the Apostle Peter challenges disciples of Jesus to “..sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”

Pastor Rogers wrote: “In the first century, Christians were accused of subversion, of being an economic threat, and of condemning others. Their accounts are a clear warning of the days ahead for Christians of the twenty-first Century. In 1 Peter, we are instructed to be real, to be ready, and to be bright lights in a dark world. We must enthrone Christ as Lord. Often, we hear people say they’ve accepted Jesus as Savior, but we cannot have what He gives unless we accept Him as Lord. You’re not saved by the “plan” of salvation; you’re saved by the “man” of salvation and His name is Jesus. We must also be ready with an answer. If we have truly been saved, there will be something about us that is unexplainable; we must be ready to give a defense form our faith. And we must practice genuine humility. Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control.”

The post concludes with 3 questions and a challenge: “Have you enthroned Jesus as your Lord? How ready do you feel to give and answer for your faith? How might you become more ready? Take time to write out your story of faith and how Jesus has changed your life.”

I find these words to be very timely both in relation to the cultural moment we live in and the current mini-sermon series on doubt and suffering. People have many questions they are wrestling with but if Christians are not living a distinctive life of holiness and hope, they most likely will never ask us. And if or when they do ask, we must be ready with solid answers which are true and reasonable AND those answers must be expressed with humility and respect. This is a tall order in our chaotic and hostile culture, but God has graciously given us His Word to stand on and His Spirit to empower us! Let us all and always be students of God’s Word and vessels of God’s Spirit.

The 14th Annual Reconciliation Week Celebration will take place in Meridian July 6th-11th with several special community events. What began as a one-day annual commemorative observance of the 2003 Lockheed tragedy expanded to a week-long celebration in 2008. This year’s theme is "Remaining Resilient for Reconciliation". For information and details visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/190527327665716/?ref=share

NorthPark will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit again this year on Thursday and Friday, August 5th & 6th. This is a great opportunity to grow your leadership skills and confidence by learning from some nationally known speakers and authors. Since we are a host site for GLS you can receive a significant savings of up to $80.00 by clicking on this link https://link.globalleadership.org/reg/host/?siteId=764779 and typing in the priority code 21HSFAMILY. The Early Bird rate of $99.00 expires after July 13, after that the registration fee will be $129.00. If you would be able to help host this event, contact Dan Petersen at dan@northpark.church or 601-527-4137.

Big Week July 19-23: NorthPark’s annual VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is happening each night from 6:00 to 8:30 pm for kids who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade. This year Gerri Lynne Croley and her crew will be providing a meal each night to make it easier for families. You can sign up to register your child(ren) and volunteer by clicking this link https://northpark.church/vacation-bible-school Also, Northcrest Baptist Church will be hosting the LOVE OUT LOUD community event from 8:00 am to 2-3:00 PM each day. For more information and to register stop by the display table in the lobby or go to www.lolmeridian.com  And don't miss the community worship services at the Temple Theater at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 18th, Wednesday, July 21st, and Friday, July 23rd which is for the entire community, even if you are not able to participate in any of the daily work projects.

Reminder: The month of July there will be no Kids Connection (Kindergarten-Grade 6) during the 10:45 worship service. This will give our families an opportunity to worship together and our faithful volunteers some time off to be in adult worship. Nursery and preschool classes will be staffed and available. FYI: Next week, June 28th through July 3rd, my family and I will be vacationing in Gulf Shores, AL.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

This past Sunday, June 13th, I concluded a 16 week sermon series titled “MESSY” through the book of 1 Corinthians. Chapter 16 is the Apostle Paul’s final instructions and personal greetings. And he begins his concluding thoughts with the challenge to give regularly, intentionally, and proportionately! The Bible contains many passages on giving and Jesus spoke clearly about the importance of using our finances for kingdom purposes. I believe all these passages and teachings can be summed up in this simple statement,…Our giving is a reflective response to the grace of God in our lives. The more aware we are of God’s grace in our lives,…the more faithful and generous we will be in our giving! There are two aspects to biblical giving that every Christian should know about and practice:
     1. Faithful Stewardship which is expressed in tithing.
     2. Generous Giving which is expressed in sacrifice.
God never intended for giving to be a mere duty or obligation! He wants it to be a willing choice,…expressing a grateful hear. Research indicates that on average, Christians give 2.5% of their income to the Lord’s work. Now any amount that is given is valuable and important, but can you imagine the impact of an increase of 4 times the amount of money given if every Christian gave at least 10% of their income to the Lord? Tithing is really a standard we need to stretch us and help us step up to consistent joyful giving. Try it! Put God to the test. (Malachi 3:10) He can be trusted! (Matthew 6:33)

As I wrote last week, the Transition Team has completed their assignment and developed a Master Action Plan for the 4 minimal factors identified in our Church Assessment last fall which we believe these initiatives will greatly enhance our church health and effectiveness. In conversations I’ve had with Pastor Jim, he has encouraged us to aggressively pursue First Impressions & Holistic Life Groups during these two months of transition.

Regarding First Impressions, Jody Clark has volunteered to be the Team Leader for the Greeting Team to recruit, train, & schedule volunteers to serve at the main entrances and Information Center. He will be making an appeal on Sunday, June 27th and the target date to launch this vital ministry is August 1st. Contact Jody directly or make a note on a Connection Card to get connected.

Regarding the Holistic Life Groups, Pastor Jim released an informative 5 minute video this past Monday, June 14th which can be viewed on our Facebook page. In addition to promoting participation, he is seeking individuals/couples willing to serve as facilitators and host homes. Over the next two months there will be training opportunities provided so we can launch multiple groups after Labor Day in September. I am so excited about the energy and vision Pastor Jim is bringing to NorthPark Church. It will be an adventure you’ll definitely want to be a part of.

Speaking of excitement and volunteers,…Vacation Bible School (VBS) is right around the corner. The dates are July 19th – July 23rd from 6:00 to 8:30 pm each day and the theme is “TREASURED: Discovering You’re Priceless to God”. Kids who have completed Kindergarten through Grade 6 will embark on an epic quest through hidden ruins, ancient caves, and dense jungles as they learn about Jesus. At Treasured VBS, kids dig into exciting action-packed, faith-building adventures. They’ll discover God’s greatest treasure isn’t diamonds, gems, or gold – it’s them! People are priceless!! To volunteer and register your child(ren) go to our website or Facebook page  or sign up at the VBS table in the lobby. Nursery and pre-K will be provided for adult workers and NorthPark kids.

Don’t forget the annual LOVE OUT LOUD initiative hosted by the Northcrest Baptist Church during the same week, July 18-23 from 8:00 am to 2-3:00 pm. For more information and to register go to www.lolmeridian.com. And don't miss the community worship services at the Temple Theater at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 18th, Wednesday, July 21st, and Friday, July 23rd which is for the entire community, even if you are not able to participate in any of the daily work projects.

MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES & OPPORTUNITIES: If you are interested in playing co-ed softball contact Shelby Crouch or indicate that on a Connection Card. We need more women! We are looking to put together several teams to rotate mowing and trimming the church property this summer. If you available, please contact Pastor Dan or note that on a Connection Card. For the months of June and July we will be operating on our “summer schedule”. To stay informed please pick up a Children’s calendar at the Check-in desk, read the weekly bulletin & newsletter and monitor the appropriate NorthPark website & Facebook pages.

As you can see, there is a lot happening around here and God continues to bless in many ways. Thank you for your prayers, support, and participation.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

It is imperative that the church understand the implications and dynamics of being the body of Christ. Church is not someplace we go or something we do,….it is what we are.  We are the church. Wherever we go, whatever we do; we are the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 the Apostle Paul uses our physical body as an analogy to explain the structure and functionality of the church. From these verses, we learn that every member is important (verses 12-13), every member is unique (verses 14-20), and every member is interconnected (verses 21-26). Jesus desires and deserves a healthy body where every member is actively involved and doing its’ part.

As I mentioned Sunday the Transition Team, which was formed back in November, 2020, has completed their assignment and developed a Master Action Plan for the 4 minimal factors identified in our Church Assessment last fall. We believe these initiatives will greatly enhance our church health and effectiveness.

• First Impressions – greeting people and welcoming guests / multiple interactions from the parking lot to their departure
• Assimilation – strategies & pathways to help people get connected and grow in obedient faith
• Holistic Life Groups – smaller relational groups that involve the heart, the head, and the hands
• Community Outreach – dismantling walls and building bridges in our community through witness and service

In conversations I have had with Jim Freitag, our new Lead Pastor, he has encouraged us to aggressively pursue First Impressions & Holistic Life Groups during these two months of transition. In order to do that,…we need volunteers!! People who are available, gifted, and passionate about leading and serving in these areas. So, I asked you to indicate on a Connection Card or email me your area and level of interest in these two areas. I have received some positive feedback, but we need many more participants.

Regarding the First Impressions initiative we need people to serve in the following ways on a rotational basis with some basic training to be provided. The numbers in parenthesis () are the number of volunteers needed per week to fully staff each area.

• Greeters in the lobby and the main entrances to the building/sanctuary (11)
• Staff the Information Desk to answer questions and assistance (2)
• Section Hosts in the sanctuary to interact with people and assist with seating (6)
• Hospitality Team to set up and oversee the coffee and pastries table (2)

Regarding the Holistic Life Groups Jim will be releasing a video on Monday, June 14th to highlight his vision and stimulate interest. At this point we are looking for individuals/couples who are interested in serving as group facilitators and host homes. Over the next two months there will be training opportunities provided so we can launch multiple groups in August/September. I want to challenge and encourage you to prayerfully consider stretching yourself to sign up and attend the training.

A simple formula to help you find or create a place of meaningful ministry is (N + G) x P = M. “N” stands for a need you sense or see in our church or community. “G” stands for a natural talent or spiritual gift you have been given by God. “P” stands for passion which compels or motivates you to act. “M” stands for ministry which occurs when all these ingredients come together. Keep in mind, there may be some old ministries that need to be resurrected & modified. Sometimes old things provide stability and can be repurposed. There may be some current ministries that need to be tweaked or retired. Sometimes in order to do more, we need to do less; and in order to be effective, we need to be focused. There may be some new ministries that need to be imagined & initiated. We have limited resources of time, space, & personnel so we want to employ what we have available strategically.

The bottom line is we need more participants and fewer spectators, more producers and fewer consumers, more contributors and less critics, more followers of Jesus and fewer fans of Jesus. Because,…..we are the body of Christ and He desires & deserves a healthy body!

Thank you for your faithfulness and witness as we seek to be a healthy body of Christ.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

BAPTISM SUNDAY: We will be celebrating another BAPTISM SUNDAY on June 27th. To help start conversations and answer questions Amy will be conducting a brief orientation for children and parents called JUMP START on Sunday, June 13th right after church, Justin will be offering a breakout session for youth on Wednesday, June 23rd during youth group, and I will be leading a study for adults on Sunday, June 13th at 9:30 am in the Chapel. Baptism is a significant event in the life of every believer. The Apostle Paul explains it in Romans 6:1-4 as our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a defining moment when we die to sin, bury that old person, and resurrect to live a new kind of life. If you are interested in learning more about this important and life changing opportunity, please fill out a Connection Card at http://www.northpark.church or call the church office at 601/482-1322. And invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to witness this life changing experience.

 LOVE OUT LOUD: LOL isn’t about one church, it’s about Christians joining together as one body to show the love of Jesus to our community. Northcrest Baptist Church will be the host site during the week of July 18-23. There’s a spot for all ages, and no specific skills are required. Projects will happen all week, but you can find a place to serve for one day or even a few hours.  So go to https://www.lolmeridian.com and tell us you are in! Each LOL workday begins at 8:00 am at Northcrest’s multipurpose building with a light breakfast. Grab some food and a name badge, and you will find tables set up with signup sheets for the different ministries that will happen that day. Each table is hosted by team leaders that can answer questions about their ministry before you sign up. You may have kids and you want to do something together, or you may have a group and you would like to stay together at the same ministry for the day - this is the opportunity to find what fits you. At 8:15 am we start a short assembly and a time to reflect that we are serving not for a church, not for a city, but for Jesus. After closing in prayer, we scatter out to the different ministry locations for the day. Around noon, you will be provided lunch delivered to your site and all ministries will finish up at different times, but most are finished by 3:00 pm. And please mark your calendars for the community worship services at the Temple Theater at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 18th, Wednesday, July 21st, and Friday, July 23rd. This is for the entire community, even if you are not able to participate in any of the daily work projects.

NOTE: I realize this is the same week as our Vacation Bible School which runs 6:00 to 8:00 PM each night, but I am promoting it for several reasons: 1.) If a person has lots of time and energy, it is possible to do both. Love Out Loud in the morning and/or afternoon and Vacation Bible School in the evening. 2.) It allows shift workers to be involved in a ministry that fits their schedule…morning, afternoon, or evening. 3.) It provides an opportunity for more people to be involved in a community outreach that fits their gifting and passion. Some may see this as an either/or decision, but I ask that we view it as a both/and opportunity.

Communication Is Crucial: As we continue to expand our activities and move into our summer schedule, communication is crucial. There are several ways for you to stay informed and be involved. Each week, we produce a detailed newsletter and bulletin to highlight announcements and upcoming events. The bulletin is distributed each Sunday at our weekly worship gathering and the newsletter is emailed each Friday to those who have requested it. To request being added to the newsletter email list just check the box on the Connection Card and give us your email address or call the office. In addition, we have an active social media presence which you should “like” and check often. Our website, http://www.northpark.church provides some basic introductory information and access to our livestream and weekly online worship. Our three Facebook pages (NorthPark Church, NorthPark Kids, & NorthPark Students) are much more dynamic and interactive.

Thank you for your faithfulness and witness as we seek to expand the Kingdom of God. May He continue to bless and direct our humble efforts.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

SUMMER SCHEDULE: Summer is here and people, especially little people, are excited about the change in pace! The weekly routine is replaced with a slower pace and lots of outdoor activities. Sports leagues, camps, Vacation Bible Schools, and family vacations fill our calendars. In the same way, and for the same reasons, our church family experiences a change of pace. For the months of June and July we will be operating on our “summer schedule”. Our Wednesday evening schedule will be replaced with a series of children and youth activities scheduled throughout the summer and our adult groups will not be meeting. To stay informed please pick up a Children’s calendar at the Check-in desk, read the weekly bulletin & newsletter and monitor the appropriate website & Facebook pages listed below.
CHILDREN:

• https://northpark.church/kids
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/2555424294681454/?ref=share 

STUDENTS:

• https://northpark.church/students
• https://www.facebook.com/northparkstudents  

ADULTS:

• https://northpark.church/adults
• https://www.facebook.com/NorthParkChurch.Net/

LEAD PASTOR: It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we announce the call and acceptance of Dr. Jim Feirtag as the new lead Pastor of NorthPark Church.  On Sunday, May 23rd, the church family voted overwhelmingly to call him for this position and when he was informed, he immediately accepted. God has led and directed our pathway through the entire search process.  God has brought our church family and his servant, Pastor Jim, together to continue NorthPark’s mission and ministry in Meridian, Lauderdale County, and beyond.  Pastor Jim comes to us from an eighteen year pastorate with the Parkgate Community Church in Pasadena, Texas (https://www.parkgate.church).We look forward to his leadership and ability to share the truth of God’s Word each Sunday.  Please pray for Pastor Jim and family as they make plans to arrive the last week of July and preach on August 1st.  To God be the glory, great things He has done!

INTERIM PASTOR: I honestly believe Jim Freitag is the Lead Pastor NorthPark needs, wants, and deserves. I am confident he will build on the legacy entrusted to you by those who have gone before and lead you to new heights in advancing the kingdom of God here in Meridian and Lauderdale County. My last Sunday with NorthPark Church will be July 25th which will conclude my eleven month interim ministry here which is my first assignment with New Church Specialties (https://yourncs.org). It has been a privilege and blessing to work with such a talented and dedicated staff and Governance Board. The church family has been extremely warm and welcoming to us. We appreciate your generosity and cherish your friendship. My immediate plans are to return to our home in Nashville and be a fulltime Opa for a season.

LOVE OUT LOUD: LOL is a multi-church community service week hosted by Northcrest Baptist Church the week of July 18-23. There’s a spot for all ages, and no specific skills are required. Projects will happen all week, but you can find a place to serve for even a few hours.  So go to https://www.lolmeridian.com and tell us you are in!

Each LOL workday begins at 8:00 am at Northcrest’s multipurpose building with a light breakfast. Grab some food and a name badge, and you will find tables set up with signup sheets for the different ministries that will happen that day. Each table is hosted by team leaders that can answer questions about their ministry before you sign up. You may have kids and you want to do something together, or you may have a group and you would like to stay together at the same ministry for the day - this is the opportunity to find what fits you. At 8:15 am we start a short assembly and a time to reflect that we are serving not for a church, not for a city, but for Jesus. After closing in prayer, we scatter out to the different ministry locations for the day. Around noon, you will be provided lunch delivered to your site and all ministries will finish up at different times, but most are finished by 3:00 pm.

A Love Out Loud shirt is the recommended dress, available at cost, but not required.  If you don't have one, wearing any kind of red or grey shirt would be a helpful substitute because if you are working in an area as a group, it’s easier for you and your team leaders to keep up with everyone in the LOL shirts. Some ministries will be outside in the heat, so it’s always a good idea to bring some sunscreen, some work gloves, and possibly a towel. Bring a cooler with water or your favorite sports drink and stay hydrated if you are working an outdoor ministry.
Childcare is provided at Northcrest from 8:00 am-2:00 pm for children age 5 and under. Let us know IN ADVANCE if you need it by checking the childcare box when you signup online. Childcare is over at 2:00 pm so you will need to leave your ministry site early enough to pick up your children.

If you would like to help but are not able to participate, visit http://lolmeridian.com/donate and see other ways to be involved by donating goods for distribution. And most importantly, we can all pray that LOL will be fruitful in the work of showing the love of Jesus to those He came to seek and save!

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

CONGRATULATIONS to all our high school graduates and their families: Cole Brooks, Micah Crum, Peyton Henderson, Mackenzie Robinson, Ember Temple, and Alice Williamson. We are proud of their achievements and excited about their futures. Their display tables in the lobby on Sunday were very informative and beautifully decorated. And it was a blessing to see their families and friends celebrating this significant milestone. May God continue to bless and direct their steps as they begin an exciting new chapter of life.

LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE WEEKEND: What an amazing weekend we shared together with the Feirtag family. The weather was absolutely perfect, the planned activities were simple & fun, and the participation was significant. I want to thank everyone who helped plan, host, or participated in any of these events. I believe God was orchestrating all the details to clarify and confirm Jim’s calling to NorthPark. Please allow me to provide some background and context for this conviction.

FIRST, the entire process has been so prayerful and providential. The Search Team was formed in August, 2020 right after Pastor Ben’s resignation. They started meeting weekly to pray, seeking the Lord’s direction. We received the Church Assessment Report from New Church Specialties on November 4th from which the Search Team developed the Pastoral Profile. The Search Team was commissioned on Sunday, January 3rd and immediately started receiving applicants and requesting recommendations. On February 24th the Search Team received 3 strong recommendations from several trusted leaders of the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. After reviewing the information and some discussion it was unanimously agreed that Jim Feirtag was the top choice. The Search Team had an initial Zoom call with Jim on March 11th and was so impressed they set up a second Zoom call with Jim & Julia on March 25th. On April 14th the Search Team introduced Jim to the Governance Board prior to their initial visit on April 19th & 20th. During this visit, Jim & Julia, spent considerable time with the staff and had a long meeting with the Governance Board from whom Jim received their full and unanimous support. On April 28th the Governance Board had a follow-up Zoom call to discuss details and finalize a compensation package. This all culminated in the Candidate Weekend Visit, May 14-16, when the Feritags were introduced to the NorthPark family through several social gatherings and Jim preaching on Sunday.

SECOND, Jim met or exceeded every characteristic listed in the Pastoral Profile which reads in part: “This profile is intended to unify the Search Team and provide an initial template to sort through all applicants for the position of Lead Pastor at NorthPark Church. These are general characteristics considered to be best suited to meet the needs and expectations of our church family and lead us into a dynamic future. It is our opinion that the church needs a pastor with strong interpersonal skills, who can cast vision, and lead the church into the future. This is not an exhaustive profile of all that needs to be considered, but it does address the issues revealed in the assessment report.” Those characteristics included education, experience, theology, giftedness, and passion.

FINALLY, Jim brings the following unique and significant qualities to NorthPark which will enhance our outreach and effectiveness:
     1.  A Doctorate in discipleship with years of implementation and refinement.
     2.  Eighteen years of experience and proven success.
     3.  A visionary leader and team builder.
     4.  High endorsements by trusted leaders in the Church of God.
     5.  Leadership roles with the Church of God on a national & global level.
     6.  Energy & innovation of youth with the wisdom & experience of middle age.
     7.  Bridge generation, he has influence with the generations on both sides.
     8.  He has a heart for racial reconciliation and evangelism.

This Sunday, May 23rd, at 10:00 AM we will be conducting a Special Called Business Meeting, as required by our Bylaws, to approve and ratify the calling of Jim to be our next Lead Pastor. Our Sunday Morning Life Groups will be meeting from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and then dismiss to the sanctuary for this important business meeting. If you are not currently attending a Life Group, please plan to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM. For those who may be out of town or unable to attend, absentee ballots are available in the lobby or through the Church Office and must be returned prior to the meeting on May 23rd.

I honestly believe Jim Feirtag is the Lead Pastor NorthPark needs, wants, and deserves. I am confident he will build on the legacy entrusted to you by those who have gone before and lead you to new heights in advancing the kingdom of God here in Meridian, Lauderdale County, and beyond.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

SUMMER INTERN: Jonathan Hall
As you know, Jonathan has been an active part of the NorthPark family for some time. He has served as our Summer Intern in 2019 under Ryan Bell in the area of updating & cataloging the choir suite, in 2020 under Justin in the area of Student Ministry, and this summer he will be serving under Jordan in the area of Worship Ministry. Jonathan’s 9 week Internship started on Monday, May 10th and will conclude on Sunday, July 18th with the week of June 25th through July 1st off to attend the Church of God General Assembly in Denver, CO with his father, Keith. Following the completion of this internship, Jonathan will be staring his teaching career at Northwest Rankin Elementary in Flowood, MS in August. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

TRANSITION TEAM: This group of 9 individuals was recruited in November, 2020 and commissioned on January 3rd to formulated some strategic initiatives based on the all church assessment conducted by New Church Specialties back in September, 2020. The assessment identified several minimum factors needing attention in order for NorthPark to remain healthy and effective in making disciples. Over the last six months, multiple teams have been meeting to formulate specific action plans to address each of those factors: First Impressions, Assimilation, Life Groups, & Community Outreach. The Transition Team is finalizing a Master Action Plan to present to the Governance Board for their review and endorsement before unveiling it to the church family and implementing the specific initiatives. The current sermon series, MESSY, was selected to coincide with this process laying a solid foundation for the effective use of spiritual gifts and efficient functioning of body life. (1 Corinthians 12 – 14) Your continued prayers and active participation are requested and appreciated.

NORTHEAST SCHOOLS: We continue to serve and partner with our local schools in several practical ways. The Backpack Ministry provides food for at risk students identified by the School Counselors over the weekend throughout the school year. Each Wednesday during the school year volunteers serve at NE Elementary cutting, folding, stuffing, organizing, or assembling various materials for the teachers to use in their classrooms. After the severe storm in March, the Men’s Brotherhood cleared and cleaned up all the downed branches around the elementary school. And this spring we are hosting several Award Nights for the high school and the 4th grade graduation for the elementary school. All these activities have been a mutual blessing for the church and schools as we seek to build healthy partnerships in our community.

LEAD PASTOR CANDIDATE WEEKEND: May 14th – May 16th
As announced Sunday, the Search Team has planned several social gatherings throughout this coming weekend to allow people to meet the candidate and his family. For more information click on this link www.northpark.church/candidate-weekend.  Jim will be preaching this Sunday morning and there will be no Kids Connection during that service to allow our faithful volunteers to be in the sanctuary and part of this experience. Nursery and preschool will be available. Next Sunday, May 23rd, at 10:00 AM we will be conducting a Special Called Business Meeting as required by our Bylaws, to approve and ratify the calling of Jim to be our next Lead Pastor. Our Sunday Morning Life Groups will be meeting from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and then dismiss to the sanctuary for this important business meeting. If you are not currently attending a Life Group, please plan to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM. For those who may be out of town or unable to attend, absentee ballots will be available by mail or through the Church Office on May 18th and must be returned prior to the meeting on May 23rd.
 
MISCELLANEOUS:
Last week during the severe weather warning the top section of our road sign was blown out by the wind. The good news is the electronic sign was not impacted and works fine. Pastor Dan is getting an initial replacement estimate for insurance purposes. Volunteers are needed to help with the May Day activities at Northeast Elementary on Monday, May 24th. They are requesting help with concessions, inflatables, relays & field games, and just an extra set of eyes to help supervise. There are two shifts 8:30 am – 11:00 am and/or 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. If you are available, please contact Linda Weir.

Thank you for your continued generosity and service as we seek to advance the kingdom of God here in Meridian and Lauderdale County.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

I hope you will take some time to read the memories posted on one of the 8 “decade sheets” (1950-2020) hung in the main lobby and hallway around the sanctuary from our HISTORY NIGHT on April 25th. And I encourage you to take a few moments to write some of your own memories on the appropriate colored "Post-it" note and post them to the correct decade sheet. NorthPark has an incredible legacy we need to celebrate and an amazing future we need to anticipate!

I want to urge you to continue to pray for our Search Team and Lead Pastor Candidate as we move into the final stages of the search process. Please continue to use the Prayer Guide available at the Welcome Center or on our website at  https://northpark.church/blog/2021/04/15/compositions-24

And finally, I want to invite you to connect with one of our six adult Sunday Morning Life Groups which meet from 9:30 to 10:30 AM each week. A listing and description of each group is available at the Welcome Center or on our website at https://northpark.church/groups-and-bible-study (NOTE: We also offer children’s classes https://northpark.church/kids and youth groups https://northpark.church/students from 9:30 to 10:30 AM each Sunday.)

As you may have noticed, we have changed the name of Sunday School to Sunday Morning Life Groups and the rationale is twofold. FIRST, we want to eliminate the distinction between Sunday School and Small Groups to foster a more comprehensive and less confusing format. Some of our Life Groups meet on Sunday morning, some meet on Wednesday night, and others will be meeting at various times during the week. The emphasis being, we want everyone to be involved in at least one life group. SECOND, we want to minimize the negative connotations associated with the word “school” and emphasize the positive idea of a relational environment conveyed in the word “life”. School generally focuses on information transfer while life groups convey the idea of total transformation,…the head, the heart, & the hands.

I am excited to inform you of our immediate plans for the upcoming Candidate Weekend and Congregational Affirmation. As Pastor Kay, the Chair of the Search Team, announced last Sunday; the Search Team has identified their recommendation for the next Lead Pastor of NorthPark Church. After multiple Zoom meetings with the Search Team, he and his wife and their youngest daughter had an on-sight visit here April 18-20, at which time he was interviewed by the Governance Board and met with the Staff on multiple occasions. I am thrilled to affirm that He has the full and unanimous support of the Search Team, Governance Board, and Staff.


THIS SUNDAY, May 9th: Pastor Kay will be announcing the details of the candidate and his family at the end of the service with a picture and bio. The reason this has been so confidential was to allow him time to inform his current staff, church leadership, and close friends of his plans before they heard about it second hand or through social media.

CANDIDATE WEEKEND, May 14th – 16th: The Search Team is planning several social gatherings over the weekend to allow people to meet he and his family. Both their daughters will be traveling with them. The Candidate will be preaching that Sunday morning, May 16th and there will be no Kids Connection during that service to allow our faithful volunteers to be in the sanctuary and part of this experience. Nursery and preschool will be available.

CONGREGATIONAL VOTE, May 23rd @ 10:00 AM: We will be conducting a Special Called Business Meeting, as required by our Bylaws, to approve and ratify the calling of our next Lead Pastor during our Sunday Morning Life Groups. We are asking each Life Group to meet from 9:30 -10:00 AM and then dismiss to the sanctuary for this important business meeting at 10:00 AM. If you are not currently attending a Life Group, please plan to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 AM. For those who may be out of town or unable to attend, absentee ballots will be available by mail or through the Church Office on May 18th and must be returned prior to the meeting on May 23rd.
 
Thank you for your continued faithfulness and witness as we seek to advance the kingdom of God here on earth.

For His Glory, Pastor Greg

NORTHPARK HISTORY NIGHT
My sincere thanks to all who attended and participated in our History Night last Sunday evening. A special word of thanks to Gerri Lynne Croley, Terrie Carlisle, Silbie Clark, Kathy Petersen & Jane Osborn who prepared and served the delicious meal.

We had several folks share some memories from specific seasons of our history. Dewayne Joyner informed us of our beginnings as part of First Church of God. Dwight Watts spoke of our early years as Parkview Church. Linda Arledge told of the transition to NorthPark Church. And Todd Mathis shared some more recent memories. There was a mixture of laughter, some tears, and several “AHA” moments.

Following these shared memories, everyone was invited to write out some of the life changing moments they have experienced at Parkview/NorthPark over the years. They were asked to write their memories to the following three questions and on the appropriate colored Post-it notes placed on each table:
1. Write some significant life events you experienced at NorthPark during each decade.
2. Write some joyful events or special victories NorthPark enjoyed during each decade.
3. Write some challenging seasons or painful events NorthPark endured during each decade.
Each recorded memory was then posted to one of the 8 “decade sheets” (1950-2020) hung around the Celebration Center. These same Post-it notes and decade sheets will be placed around the perimeter of the sanctuary for the next several weeks to allows others to write and post their memories. Please take some time to read and write some memories for others to enjoy.

After Kay Stewart gave an update from the Search Team on the search process, we concluded the evening with a time of prayer fashioned after our current Prayer Guide available at the Welcome Center or at  https://northpark.church/blog/2021/04/15/compositions-24. We thanked God for His faithfulness & promises and asked God to search our hearts & reveal any sinful acts or attitudes that need to be repented of & forgiven. We prayed for healing from past hurts, reconciliation & unity of the Spirit in the bond of love, and for the Search Team, Governance Board, Staff, and our next Lead Pastor. It was a great night to reminisce about the past as we anticipate the future!! NorthPark has an incredible past and a promising future. We thank God for His faithfulness in the past, we trust His promises for the futures, and we believe the best is yet to come! As the Chris Tomlin song “God of This City” boldly proclaims “greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city”!

RIGHTNOW MEDIA
In case you missed it, I want to remind you that Northpark Church has officially partnered with RightNow Media to provide you with free family entertainment and solid Christian teaching. The best way to describe RightNow Media is that it’s like Netflix for Christian Bible study resources that can be streamed to your phone, tablet, device, or smart tv. At RightNow Media you can find video resources from some of today’s most engaging teachers on any topic you can think of. You can find resources to help strengthen your marriage, assist you in parenting, or help you with your finances. You can find Bible studies on specific subjects or books of the Bible. You can find videos specially geared for children or students. RightNow Media is an incredible resource for the entire family, a small group or just for personal devotions/growth. The best part about our partnership with RightNow Media is that we have already covered the cost which allows you FREE access to their entire library. You literally won’t have to pay a penny for your RightNow Media subscription and access to their 20,000+ video resources! To sign up for this exceptional free resource just send an email request to dan@norhtpark.church and he will initiate an invitation email from RightNow Media that will come directly to you with the information to access our subscription and set up your own personal account.

Stewardship & Finances
The good news is we are resuming some ministries & activities and our attendance continues to increase. The challenge is that these blessings result in increased costs and volunteers. The added expense of utilities, cleaning supplies, paper products, curriculum materials, and other resources necessitate an increase in our financial stewardship. And the added gatherings, activities, and increase in participation necessitates an increase in our time & talent stewardship. Interestingly, in our MESSY sermon series through 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul addresses both these issues in chapters 12 and 16. Regarding giving, the Bible teaches proportional giving (tithing) and equal sacrifice, not equal giving. Regarding serving, the Bible teaches body life (spiritual gifts) and calls us to utilize our gift(s) in order for the body of Christ to be healthy and grow.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Helpful Resources for Healthy Marriages

This past Sunday my sermon text was 1 Corinthians 7 which is the most complete summary on the subjects of marriage & singleness in all of Scripture. www.northpark.church/messages I recommended the following resources for your possible use and encouragement. A 2014 book by Shaunti Feldhahn titled “The Good News About Marriage” and her website & blog at www.shaunti.com. Another helpful website is www.marriedpeople.org designed to help couples make marriage real, fun, and simple. The final resource I mentioned was RightNow Media which is a free online Christian video library similar to Netflix. You can view and explore the site at www.rightnowmedia.org but to gain access you must join under our paid subscription. Just let us know your interest and preferred email address and you will receive an email invitation from RightNow Media with instructions to create your own individual account through NorthPark Church’s account.

There are two other excellent resources, and potential ministries, I would recommend for NorthPark to consider: DivorceCare at www.divorcecare.org/about and the book, “The Church and the Single Mom: Why you should care and what you can do” by Jennifer Barnes Maggio. www.jennifermaggio.com  If either of these ideas stir a passion in you, please let me know.


SUNDAY MORNING LIFE GROUPS:  9:30 to 10:30 am
(Formerly known as Sunday School Classes)

This past Sunday we resumed our Sunday Morning Life Groups, formerly known as Sunday School classes, with 101 in attendance. We have age-appropriate classes for children and youth, and offer several adult groups listed below. PARENTS, please arrive a little early to check-in your children at the Kids Connection desk or by texting Check In to 601 531 2100.

Young Marrieds taught by Tyler Hughes and meets in room 209
•  An open discussion small group for people who want to learn more about the Scripture and
   how to apply Bible principles to the realities of life.

Raising Cain & Abby (RCA) taught by Kay Stewart & Linda Weir and meets in room 104
• This class is made up of a diverse group of people with lessons designed for group discussion
   and application based on God's Word.  The class provides a great opportunity for sharing,
   relating to and supporting each other as we seek to grow as disciples of Jesus in our daily lives.

Touching Lives for Christ (TLC) taught be Tony Pompelia & Mike Farmer and meets in room 207
• A diverse group of adults committed to exploring, through learning and discussion, ways to apply
   the teachings of Jesus to our daily lives.

Friends & Believers taught by Donna Wheatley and meets in room 205, also on Zoom.
• A diverse group of adults who enjoy going deeper into the study of God’s word. We are currently
   in a study of the Gospel of Matthew. In the coming months we will be studying the entire New
   Testament. Our class is designed around the discussion of thought-provoking questions that
   help us to understand what the scripture means and how we are to apply them to our everyday
   lives.

Christian Homebuilders taught by Dwight Watts & Dan Petersen and meets in room 208, also on Zoom.
• This group of Senior Adults enjoys studying Scripture together and is open to discussion of how it
   is relevant to helping one lead a holy life and a life of service.

Welcome to NorthPark taught by Pastor Greg and meets in the Chapel.
• A great starting point for new and not-yet believers designed to answer questions and help you
   get connected. The focus is building relational intimacy with God and relational influence with
   people based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-39.

Obviously, moving into smaller rooms, we will need to maintain some basic safety protocols to minimize risks and maximize confidence which each adult class will determine and monitor independently. Thank you for your continued patience and anticipated participation. I encourage you to attend a life group to get connected and experience authentic Christian community.


HISTORY NIGHT: Sunday, April 25th

This Sunday evening, the highly anticipated History Night will take place in the Celebration Center at 5:00 PM. Following a shared meal and some directed conversations we will reminisce together about God’s faithfulness through the years. If you have registered, you are encouraged to bring pictures, scrapbooks, and directories to display and be prepared to post some of your special memories, both the joys and the sorrows, you have experienced at Parkview and/or NorthPark Church of God.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

PRAYER GUIDE
The Search Team is having some conversations with potential candidates interested in the position of Lead Pastor here at NorthPark. They are asking the church family to continue in daily prayer for this crucial process. Here is a helpful prayer guide to focus and unify our prayers as we seek the Father’s guidance and provision. Thank you for your partnership in this vital and ongoing ministry of prayer.

Our Search Team: Kay Stewart, Jonathan Sisson, Brad Anthony, Donna Wheatly, Todd Mathis, Dwight Watts, & Tyler Hughes
1. Pray for wisdom & discernment as they process names and interact with applicants and
    referrals.
2. Pray for candidness & clarity as they delve into deeper conversations with candidates.
3. Prayer for confirmation & favor as they make recommendations to the Governance Board,
    Staff, & congregation.

The Search Process: The search process involves a series of conversations, assessments, references, and on-site visits.
1. Pray for clear connections & communication as they interact through various social media and
    online platforms.
2. Pray for accurate & helpful information gleaned from the assessments and references.
3. Pray for safety in travel for those on-site visits.

Lead Pastor & their family: The decision to move involves lots of issues and individuals, not just the candidate.
1. Pray for insight & courage as they discuss and consider a move.
2. Pray for confirmation & agreement among their immediate family members.
3. Pray for understanding & support from extended family and close friends.
4. Pray for the housing situation on both ends of their move. (Sale & purchase or rental)

Our church leaders & family: NorthPark has been through a number of transitions over a short period of time in the midst of a pandemic.
1. Pray for patience & continued provision as we navigate this season of uncertainty together.
2. Pray for discernment, confirmation, & unity as a candidate is announced and considered.
3. Pray for a smooth transition from Interim to Lead Pastor.
4. Pray for our church staff as they get to know a new Lead Pastor and make the necessary
    adjustments

Their church leaders & family: As we know, the departure of a Pastor can be traumatic and difficult for a church.
•  Pray the announcements to the church leaders & congregation will be clear and positive.
•  Pray their response will be one of gratitude & affirmation.
•  Pray for God to orchestrate the next chapter in their faith journey as they seek an Interim or new
    Lead Pastor.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES: Sunday, August 18th
This Sunday we will be resuming our Sunday School hour which runs from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. There will be age-appropriate classes for children, a youth class, and several adult offerings. PARENTS, please arrive a little early to check-in your children at the Kids Connection desk. At this time, we will be offering the following adult classes:
•  Young Marrieds taught by Tyler Hughes meeting in room 209.
•  Raising Cain & Abby (RCA) taught by Kay Stewart & Linda Weir meeting in room104.
•  Touching Lives for Christ (TLC) taught be Tony Pompelia meeting in room 207.
•  Friends & Believers taught by Donna Wheatley meeting in room 205.
•  Christian Homebuilders taught by Dwight Watts & Dan Petersen meeting in room 208.
•  Welcome to NorthPark taught by Pastor Greg meeting in the Chapel.
Obviously, moving into smaller rooms, we will need to maintain some basic safety protocols to minimize risks and maximize confidence which each adult class will determine and monitor independently. NorthPark has been extremely blessed and protected from any significant outbreaks or cases. We need to continue to pray for protection and exercise caution as we resume more intimate gatherings.

HISTORY NIGHT: Sunday, April 25th
Next Sunday evening we will be gathering in the Celebration Center at 5:00 PM for a shared meal and some directed conversations as we reminisce together about God’s faithfulness through the years. Childcare for nursery and preschoolers will be available after the meal and we need you to register by Wednesday, April 21st at www.northpark.church under “Events”, on a Connection Card, at the Welcome Center, or by calling the church office. We need to know the total number attending and the number of nursery and preschoolers needing childcare. You are encouraged to bring pictures, scrapbooks, and directories to display and will be invited to post some of your special memories, both the joys and the sorrows, you have experienced at Parkview and/or NorthPark Church of God. Don’t miss this incredible family experience.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Holy Week Services and Easter Sunday at NorthPark were a powerful witness and blessing to me and I trust for all who attended. I want to thank the many, many volunteers who made it all possible. From the showing of The Passion of the Christ, to the Maundy Thursday Service, to the Journey to the Cross, to the Sonrise Service, to our 2 worship services. So many served in various ways to make it all happen. I'm so grateful for the privilege to serve alongside so many amazing people! Although statistics don’t tell the whole story, the numbers from Easter Sunday were significant and worth celebrating:
1st Service attendance --> 117 + 2nd Service attendance ---> 223 = Total attendance --> 340
In-person giving --> $9,836.00 + Online giving --> $5,578.15 = Total giving --> $15,414.15
Praise God for His abundant provision and thank you for your faithful partnership!

DAY OF PRAYER: The Search Team is calling our church family to a DAY OF PRAYER this Saturday, April 10th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Thirty-two people have signed up to cover 21 of the 27 thirty-minute increments to pray for the search process and our next Lead Pastor. I would love to see every timeslot filled for continuous prayer and welcome multiple sign-ups for any timeslots. Click on this link to sign-up https://subsplash.com/+mfty/lb/ev/+ckjs9qj?branding=true... A prayer guide is available in the lobby or by email to unify our prayer focus.

This Sunday, April 11th will be Baptism Sunday. Baptism is a significant event in the life of every believer. The Apostle Paul explains it in Romans 6:1-4 as our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a defining moment when we die to sin, bury that old person, and resurrect to live a new kind of life. If you are interested in learning more about this important and life changing opportunity, please fill out a Connection Card at www.northpark.church or call the church office at 601/482-1322. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to witness this life changing experience.

COVID UPDATE: In light of the Governor Reeves's lifting of the mask mandate in early March and Mayor Bland's downgrade to "masks highly recommended" status in late March, we have modified our current practice to reflect these changes. As of Easter Sunday, April 4th, NorthPark is operating under the following policy posted at each entry:
WELCOME TO NORTHPARK
Masks are
highly recommended
for high-risk individuals
We don’t want to be naïve or reckless but believe this is a safe and healthy step toward the return to socialization and fellowship. NorthPark has been extremely blessed and protected from any significant outbreaks or cases however, we need to continue to pray for wisdom, patience, and protection as we begin to add more activities and gatherings. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of the Governance Board members or any of the Church Staff. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed about any necessary changes. Thank you for your concern and cooperation in keeping NorthPark Church open and a safe place to worship.

We will be resuming our Sunday School hour on Sunday, April 18th. There are several things we need to do in preparation for this to happen. FIRST, we need to continue to pray for wisdom, patience, and protection as we begin to add more activities and gatherings. SECOND, we need more volunteers serving in our Children’s Ministry to create a warm atmosphere and maintain a safe environment. THIRD, we need to maintain some basic safety protocols when in close proximity to others in order to minimize risks and maximize confidence. There will be classes for all ages, nursery through adults, starting at 9:30 AM

History Night: On Sunday evening, April 25th we will be gathering in the Celebration Center at 5:00 PM around tables of 6-8 people for a shared meal prepared by Jane Osborn and her crew with some directed conversations facilitated by table hosts. As we proceed through the evening there will opportunities for people to post their memories on large sheets of butcher paper placed around the room representing the 8 decades, 1950s through 2020s, of NorthPark’s history. Childcare for nursery and preschoolers will be available after the meal. The menu is ham & chicken strips, mashed potatoes, green beans, garden salad, rolls, tea & lemonade, and a sheet cake for dessert. You must register by Sunday, April 18th, and can do so online by clicking on this link https://northpark.church/events?sapurl=LyttZnR5L2xiL2V2Lys4bTR4cWRtP2JyYW5kaW5nPXRydWUmZW1iZWQ9dHJ1ZQ== You may also register through the Connection Card, at the Welcome Center, or by calling the church office. It will be an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Jesus is unique by any standard. He was no ordinary man,…no ordinary teacher,…no ordinary revolutionary. People had many opinions about the identity of Jesus, but He was clear and compelling in His claim to deity. (John 1:1-2, 14; 10:30; 14:9-10; 17:21) You can believe Him or not, but you can’t just ignore Him nor label Him as a good moral teacher because He claimed to be God in the flesh. If those claims are NOT true, he would be either a liar or a lunatic but if those claims ARE true he is in fact the Son of God. The one thing he could NOT be is a good moral teacher. The resurrection is a fact of history that verifies Jesus’ identity and message.

Everything converges around the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the promise to Satan in Genesis 3:15, the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, the offering of Issac in Genesis 22, the Passover Lamb instituted in Exodus 12, the entire sacrificial system announced in Leviticus, and all the promises of the Psalms and Prophets. The prophet Isaiah said it this way:  “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

So why does God’s forgiveness require someone’s death? The answer is found in the holiness of God, the severity of sin, and the extent of His love for all humankind which are perfectly expressed in Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, and death on the cross.

Holy means set apart or unique; without flaw or defect. That God is holy is a fundamental truth of the Bible, presented clearly and consistently from Genesis to Revelation. God cannot look at or overlook sin.  In the garden He made it clear that the sin would lead to separation and death. (Genesis 2:16-17) Sin is no laughing matter! It is an offense to the holy God and brings an end to the life we were created to live. (Romans 3:23, 6:23) Thus Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s holiness. (Hebrews 9:22)

God’s love is unexpected and undeserved. It is immeasurable and inexhaustible. (John 3:16) Jesus left the holiness of Heaven, took on our humanity, lived a sinless life, and died a sinner’s death. Second Corinthians 5:21 says it best:  “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Calvary is no small sacrifice! Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love. (Romans 5:8) This is the culmination of God’s plan announced in Genesis 3:15 and explained in John 3:16.

If you have been hurt by some Christians or disappointed by a church,…please don’t hold that against Jesus! It wasn’t His fault and He isn’t like that. People are imperfect and the church is made up of imperfect people. But I must warn you, conviction hurts and repentance is painful so please don’t confuse them with offense or judgment. They are the necessary and inevitable response to a genuine encounter with Jesus.  Like going to the Doctor, there is some initial pain and awkwardness before healing occurs. Jesus was forsaken so we could be forgiven.  He had to die so we could live.

Jesus stretched His arms out and took the full impact of God’s punishment for sin in His body, so that we might be saved and live. Our merits do not enhance God’s love and our failures do not diminish it. There is nothing you can do that would make God love you anymore and there is nothing you can do that would make God love you any less. The cross is the perfect expression of God’s holiness and love!!

So, the question is what do believe about Jesus? Is he a liar, a lunatic, or the Son of God come to take away the sins of the world? I want to encourage you to take some time this weekend to reflect on God’s holiness and love expressed in the passion of Christ as He willing suffered and died for your sins. I invite you to repent your sin, confess your faith, and surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. As the old hymn expresses so simply and powerfully:

                             For nothing good have I, Whereby Thy grace to claim;
                      I will wash my garments white, In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.
                                             Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
                          Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, is the week immediately preceding Easter and the last week of Lent. It is a traditional observance dating back to the 3rd & 4th century, where people would reflect and reenact the last scenes of Jesus’ life in pilgrimages and dramas to focus attention on the “passion” or suffering of Jesus; the perfect Son of God, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, and willingly died for the sins of the world. Holy Week covers the 7 days, from Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, to his crucifixion at Golgotha on what we call Good Friday and the grieving darkness of Holy Saturday.

To help us prepare and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, April 4th I invite you to join me in reading and reflecting on the events and significance of each day.

PALM SUNDAY: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
     Read Matt. 21:1–11 / Mark 11:1–11 / Luke 19:28–44 / John 12:12–19
On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd welcomed him with shouts of praise and the waving of palm branches. This is the reception that Jesus deserves. There is excitement & anticipation in the air. He leaves the city to spend the night in Bethany.  

HOLY MONDAY: Jesus clearing of the Temple
     Read Matt. 21:12–17 / Mark 11:15–18 / Luke 19:45–48
As he returns to Jerusalem, Jesus curses the barren fig tree and weeps over Jerusalem. When He arrives at the Temple, He finds the court of the Gentiles full of traders and money changers making large profits as they sell animals and exchange “pagan” money for Jewish coins. After teaching the crowds and offending the Chief Priests & Teachers of the Law,….Jesus and the disciples return to Bethany. A sense of confusion & concern begins to set in.

HOLY TUESDAY: Teaching and controversy with the religious leaders
     READ Matt. 21:23–24:51 / Mark 11:27–13:37 / Luke 20:1–21:36
Jesus inspects the Temple,…..evading the traps set by His enemies. Outside of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city, Jesus teaches in parables and warned the people against the Pharisees. They return to Bethany for the night. There is a growing sense of fear & uncertainty!

SPY WEDNESDAY: Judas arranges to betray Jesus
     READ Matt. 26:3-16 / Mark 14:1-11 / Luke 21:37-22:6
The leading priests and teachers of the Law were looking for a way to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. Jesus and his disciples were eating in the home of Simon the leper when a woman anointed him with expensive perfume. After a heated discussion about the waste and witness, Judas left to arrange his betrayal.

MAUNDY THURSDAY: Jesus celebrates the Passover meal and institutes the Lord’s Supper
     READ Matt. 26:17–30 / Mark 14:12–26 / Luke 22:7–23 / John 13:1–30
In an upper room, Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death, washing their feet and giving the Passover meal a new meaning. The word “Maundy” is built off the Latin word for “command or mandate” which is why some churches have foot washing as part of their Maundy Thursday service. After singing a hymn they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead of him. (John 17)

GOOD FRIDAY: The scourging and crucifixion of Jesus
     READ Matt. 27:1–61 / Mark 15:1–47 / Luke 22:66–23:56 / John 18:28–19:37
It may seem odd to call this GOOD Friday.  Betrayal is not good.  Suffering is not good.  Death is not good. But what these things accomplished for us,…is good news! Jesus took on our sins, and then hung in our place, paying the price for our sins so that we could be forgiven and we can be restore to our right relationship with God.

HOLY SATURDAY: A day of confusion and grief
     READ Matt. 27:62-66 / Mark 16:1
The Jewish Sabbath in which the confused and grieving disciples waited to complete the proper embalming and burial ceremonies on Sunday. Today, Jesus’ disciples wait in joyful anticipation of His glorious resurrection celebration. A solemn time of prayer and fasting to meditate on Jesus’ sinless life and perfect sacrifice.

On October 16, 1987 Northwest Airlines flight 225 crashed on take-off in Detroit, Michigan killing all but 1 of the 156 passengers & crew on board. Only 4 year old Cecilia survived as she was found walking among the wreckage. Just prior to the crash, Cecilia’s mother, Paula, unbuckled her seat belt, knelt in front of Cecilia, & warped her arms around her daughter. Paula took the impact of the crash in her own body and Cecilia lived.  Her loved saved her daughter from certain death.

In a similar manner, Jesus stretched His arms out and took the full impact of God’s punishment for sin in His body, so that we might be saved and live. Our merits do not enhance God’s love and our failures do not diminish it! There is nothing you can do that would make God love you anymore and there is nothing you can do that would make God love you any less. The cross is the perfect expression of God’s holiness and love.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

On Monday, March 15th the Governance Board appointed the following officers as required in our Bylaws: Chairperson: Kelly Menard, Vice Chairperson: Charles Stewart, & Secretary: Terrie Carlisle. They will serve in these capacities through our fiscal year which runs from March, 2021 to February, 2022.

This weekend, March 19th–21st, our Student Ministry is hosting the Mississippi State Youth Convention here at NorthPark. As a result, MSYC will be using the Celebration Center for their closing worship service Sunday morning from 10:00 to 11:15 AM which will overlap with our regularly scheduled Children’s Ministry and adult worship. Pastor Amy has made the necessary adjustments to Kid’s Connection and we ask that you be mindful of this change as you move about the building.

The Search Team is beginning to have some initial conversations with individuals interested in the position of Lead Pastor here at NorthPark. They are calling the church family to a Day of Prayer on Saturday, April 10th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. The idea is a prayer vigil with 30 minute increments for individuals or families to sign-up to pray for the search process and our next Lead Pastor. There will be a prayer guide to unify our prayer focus and an area set up in the church building or you can pray remotely. We would like to see every timeslot filled for continuous prayer and welcome multiple sign-ups for any timeslots.

I have decided to host a brief Sonrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 4th at the gazebo in the Forest Lawn Cemetery. It will be a simple service beginning at 6:15 am with some Scripture and comments followed by a period of reflective silence as we watch the sunrise and conclude with a time of group prayer. “Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.” (Mark 16:2)
 
Baptsim Sunday, April 11th: Baptism is a significant event in the life of every believer. The Apostle Paul explains it in Romans 6:1-4 as our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a defining moment when we die to sin, bury that old person, and resurrect to live a new kind of life. If you, your child, or grandchild are interested in learning more about this important and life changing opportunity please contact Pastor Amy, Pastor Justin, or me. On Palm Sunday, March 28th, Pastor Amy will be offering a 20-minute presentation called JUMP START immediately after morning worship where parents/grandparents and kids learn what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Jump Start is designed to help families have those meaningful conversations about faith and obedience. At 9:00 AM that same day, I will be hosting a BAPTISM CLASS in the Chapel for any adult who is curious or considering this important step of faith.

As I wrote back on January 23: “Several have asked about our plans to resume the in-person Sunday School hour. Due to the smaller classrooms and the need for social distancing we, the Governance Board and I, do not think it is prudent to resume in-person at this time. We think it wise to wait for a drop in the number of cases and allow time for the vaccine to be more widely administered. We are hopeful this will occur by mid to late April and will definitely keep you updated.” Well, with the increase in vaccinations and the decrease in COVID cases and hospitalizations, along with the lifting of the mask mandate by Governor Reeves, we may be getting closer to resuming in-person Sunday School classes here at NorthPark. We don’t want to be naïve or reckless but if things continue to move in this positive direction, we are hoping to resume a full Sunday School hour on Sunday, April 18th. There are several things we need to do in preparation for this to happen. FIRST, we need to continue to pray for wisdom, patience, and protection as we begin to add more activities and gatherings. SECOND, we need more volunteers serving in our Children’s Ministry to create a warm atmosphere and maintain a safe environment. THIRD, we need to maintain some basic safety protocols like social distancing and masks when in close proximity to others in order to minimize risks and maximize confidence.

History of NorthPark: History provides context for the present and inspires hope for the future. It can be written down for others to read, recorded for others to watch/listen to, or relived for others to experience. On Sunday evening, April 25th we are planning to conduct a History Night here at NorthPark to celebrate the blessings and acknowledges our losses over the last 65 years. It will be an interactive experience for all ages fostering generational integrity as we learn about our legacy and dream about our potential. We will be gathering in the Celebration Center at 6:00 pm around tables of 6-8 people for directed conversations. As we proceed through the evening there will opportunities for people to post their memories on large sheets of butcher paper placed around the room representing the 8 decades, 1950s through 2020s, of NorthPark’s history. We hope to include some kind of meal option but will be following the appropriate COVID safety measures. Childcare for nursery and preschoolers will be available and there will be activities for elementary students. It will be an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Easter is just 3 weeks away on Sunday, April 4th. As I wrote last week and you can read in the newsletter, we are planning a number of special events to help people prepare and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! Please be in prayer for these special opportunities, plan to participate, and invite your family & friends.

On Wednesday evening, March 31st, we will be showing the recut version of the Mel Gibson film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST which was originally released in 2004. It is a dramatic and graphic depiction of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, opening with his betrayal by Judas through his trials, torture, and crucifixion; ending with a brief portrayal of his glorious resurrection. Dr. James Dobson, Founder and former President of Focus on the Family said of this film, “It is among the most powerful and important [films] ever made. In addition to being faithful to the essentials of the biblical account, it is easily the most heart-wrenching, powerful portrayal of Christ’s suffering that I have ever seen.”

The original film was rated R and families should never undertake its viewing lightly or without spiritual and emotional preparation. However, unlike films with lesser ratings that exploit brutality, it doesn’t at all glamorize maliciousness and murder. Indeed, it is disturbing for all the right reasons.

After the initial showing in movie theaters, Gibson decided to re-edit the more brutal scenes without removing them or compromising the impact of the film. As a result, those who have seen the original will notice that the scourging scene is shorter and less brutal. The crucifixion scene has also been trimmed in places. Gibson took “The Passion Recut” to the Motion Picture Association of America asking for a PG-13 rating, however the MPAA felt it still deserved an R rating. Therefore, this re-edited version was released with no rating (NR). We will start the re-edited film at 6:00 PM with a running time of two hours plus a fifteen minute intermission mid-way through the film.

Next weekend, March 19th–21st, our Student Ministry will be hosting the Mississippi State Youth Convention here at NorthPark and Pastor Justin has done an excellent job of planning and promoting this statewide event. As a result, on Sunday, March 21st the MSYC will be using the Celebration Center for their closing worship service from 10:00 to 11:15 AM which will overlap with our regularly scheduled Children’s Ministry and adult worship. Pastor Amy has made the necessary adjustments to Kid’s Connection and we ask that you be mindful of this change as you move about the building.

I read a thought-provoking article this week by a trusted veteran preacher friend titled “Rebuke Unapologetically” in which he writes, “Most preachers bend over backward not to hurt anyone’s feelings.  As soon as someone protests, ‘You offended me!’ we scramble to apologize or explain our position more tactfully.  Since people are so easily offended today, we walk on eggshells around controversial, Biblical subjects…or avoid them altogether. The Bible does instruct us to preach the truth in love.  But the Bible also commands faithful preachers to ‘rebuke and encourage’ (2 Timothy 4:2).  Sometimes the truth is offensive no matter how tactfully it is presented.  It has been said, ‘Love sounds like hate to those who hate the truth.’  A good coach knows when to build up and when to chastise.  So does a good preacher.” This really resonates with me as I reflect on our current sermon series “MESSY: A Study of 1 Corinthians” in which the Apostle Paul strikes that crucial balance of speaking/writing the truth in love. It is not an either/or but a both/and. As I said last Sunday in connection with 1 Corinthians 4, Christians are to be more concerned about the approval of God than the applause of people. This Sunday will be another example of this fundamental challenge as we look at 1 Corinthians 5 and talk about blatant sin in the church. Don’t miss it! (NOTE: The entire article referenced above can be read by clicking on this link http://www.bobrussell.org/rebuke-unapologetically/)

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Staffing Adjustment: I am happy to announce the Governance Board has made the decision to adjust Jordan West’s title and position. In August, 2020 in the midst of all the uncertainty associated with COVID and the departure of two full-time staff members, Jordan was brought on staff as an Interim Worship Pastor. He and his family moved from Houston, TX to Meridian, MS trusting God to lead and provide in this season of insecurity. Over the last 6 ½ months Jordan has built an incredible team of volunteers, created a dynamic atmosphere of worship, and significantly enhanced our online presence. In addition, he and Jillian have become deeply involved in other church ministries and community events developing many solid relationships of witness and influence. I admire Jordan’s faith in accepting this temporary position and applaud the Governance Board’s decision in making it a permanent agreement. Welcome home Jordan, Jillian, Jhett, and baby West!

The COLSON CENTER FOR CHRISITAN WORLDVIEW (www.colsoncenter.org) equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, they help Christians better understand what’s happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them. It was founded by Chuck Colson who was converted to Christ in prison following his conviction in the Watergate scandal and cover-up in the mid ‘70s. Colson passed away on April 21, 2012 but his legacy lives on through his successor and current President of CCCW, John Stonetreet. I have been an avid reader and supporter of Colson & Stonestreet for decades as they have proclaimed and defended biblical truth and morality with conviction and compassion. In 2019, I enrolled in the Colson Fellows Program (www.colsonfellows.org) which is a ten month rigorous course of study of various worldviews and the preeminence of the Christian worldview. One of the oft repeated statements is: “Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas have victims.” This first statement is inevitable because our thoughts always precede and determine our actions. The second statement is unfortunate because the victims are often children and the marginalized.

In a recent BreakPoint Daily commentary titled A PROMISE TO AMERICA’S CHILDREN Stonestreet boldly and insightfully wrote: “Thirty years ago, the idea of socially and medically experimenting on children to advance a controversial and unproven ideology was unthinkable. Today, it’s considered by some to be unquestionable. There is a full-court press to fully and finally embed transgender ideology in public life, especially with school-aged children, starting with the Equality Act. At the root of this all-out assault on our children is the dangerously bad idea that adult desires matter more than the well-being of children. Each chapter of this sexual revolution, but especially the most recent ones, have placed ‘us before them’, repeating the age-old myth ‘the kids will be fine’. But clearly,…they are not and that statement is patently false.”

All of that to say, everyone has a worldview; whether they can articulate it or not. And every worldview has consequences! A worldview is simply the lens through which we view, understand, and explain the world. Worldviews can be boiled down to two fundamental beliefs: 1.) We are here by random chance and evolution which means that life has no inherent value, worth, or purpose making us free to do whatever we think or feel. 2.) We are here by intelligent design or creation which means all life has inherent value, worth, and purpose making us responsible to do what is right and good. The Bible clearly and consistently advocates for the later position which we would identify as the Judeo-Christian worldview. The challenge is for professing Christians to fully embrace this fundamental belief or worldview and learn to think biblically about all of life. In a world that has abandoned reason and lost its moral compass this will not be easy or popular, but it must be done and the Church of Jesus Christ should be leading the way with conviction and compassion.

ATTENTION MEN: We offer two weekly opportunities for growth and encouragement. Our Men’s Study on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in classroom 208 here at NorthPark. Our Men’s Breakfast on Thursday mornings at 7:00 AM at the Meridian Cracker Barrel. No reservations are necessary and everyone is welcome.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Easter is just 4 weeks away and we are planning some special events to help us prepare and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! On Wednesday, April 24th we will be hosting two Easter Egg Hunts, one for children 0-3 years with their parents at 6:00 pm and the other as part of the Wednesday activities for pre-K through 6th grade at 6:30 pm. On Wednesday, March 31st at 6:00 pm we will be showing the movie “The Passion of the Christ”. On Thursday, April 1st we will be hosting our annual Maundy Service at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, April 3rd we will be hosting "come & go" experience for families called Journey to the Cross from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. And then on Sunday, April 4th we will be conducting 2 worship services at 9:00 am with Nursery & Preschool only and 10:45 am with full Children’s Ministry. The following Sunday, April 11th will be our next Baptism Sunday with Pastor Justin scheduled to preach. Please be in prayer for these special opportunities, plan to participate, and invite your family & friends.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

UPWARD SUNDAY was an incredible opportunity to witness and celebrate what God is doing through our annual 8 week sports ministry called Upward Basketball & Cheerleading. The number of volunteers who take considerable time to invest in the lives of children and youth in our community is amazing. From set up to clean up, Coaches to concessions, and scorekeepers to referees; everyone worked together as a team and made it a phenomenal season in spite of the cutbacks and limitations of COVID. The weekly practices and games provided many opportunities to learn some new skills, make some new friendships, experience a positive environment, and hear about God’s great love for all people. A huge thank you to Jonathan Sisson and his executive team for organizing and overseeing another great season in the midst of a pandemic. And a sincere thanks to all the volunteers who pitched in and made it happen. To God be the glory!

Our ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING took place this past Wednesday night. Though the turnout was small there was a positive spirit and everything on the ballot was ratified. The 2021-2022 Budget of $720,000.00 was approved. This is a reduction of $77,000.00 from the 2020-2021 Budget and $76,205.00 below our total 2021 Income. We anticipate the restrictions and limitations of COVID will be lifted at some point thus allowing us to resume some of the ministry expenses which were reduced or eliminated due to COVID. In addition, Nedra Bradley and Charles Stewart were approved for a 3 year term on the Governance Board which they will assume on March 1st. Please be sure to welcome them and make it a point to express your appreciation to Marilyn Cole and Dewayne Joyner who rotated off the Governance Board this year. On behalf of the Governance Board and Staff, we sincerely appreciate your confidence, participation, support, and prayers as NorthPark seeks to show and share the love of Jesus to Meridian and Lauderdale County. May God continue to bless, direct, and provide as we keep a clear vision, maintain our common values, and offer ourselves as living sacrifices.

Here at NorthPark we want to provide hope & assistance for people to seek, discover, & experience an intimate relationship with God. Whether that person is far from God or deeply rooted in their faith,….because we believe everyone has a next best step. We believe this can best be achieved by pursuing 3 vital relationships:
1.INTIMACY WITH GOD  (Genuine Worship)
    Intimacy is cultivated through the consistent practice of the “spiritual discipline” which consists
    of personal Bible reading, prayer, solitude, fasting, simplicity, & service.
2.COMMUNITY WITH INSIDERS  (Intimate Fellowship)
    Community with fellow believers is cultivated through the consistent practice of the “one
    another” commands like love one another, forgive one another, honor one another, encourage,
    one another, bear one another’s burdens.
3.INFLUENCE WITH OUTSIDERS  (Christian Service)
    Influence with “not yet believers” is cultivated through intentional acts of compassion in Jesus’
    name, being active in community events, and hosting engaging activities.

Everything we do here at NorthPark is focused on these objectives. Although COVID has significantly limited our church activities and the participation level of many people, we have been blessed to be able to gather for weekly worship on Sundays and regular Wednesday night activities without incident for the last 49 weeks. Praise be to God! And thank you for your diligence in masking and social distancing. With the increasing availability of the vaccines and the decrease in serious cases, I am hoping more people will feel comfortable returning to these weekly gatherings and reinvesting in these important relationships. We hope to add more activities in the coming months as confidence increases and the number of cases continues to go down. For the time being and the foreseeable future, we will be following the current mask and social distance protocols.

As you know, a logo is a graphical design used by businesses and churches to convey a succinct message by which the organization can easily be recognized.  It is a tool to build an identity and generate a favorable impression about the organization.  A logo needs to be simple and memorable for the greatest impact. The NorthPark logo displays a cross in the center of two of the Chapel towers which are a distinguishing architectural design. The towers represent the building where we meet,….the cross points to Jesus whom we preach. The logo can be seen and conveys an impression, but it is still up to us to share the good news and tell others about Jesus. I want to challenge you to join me in making it a point to display our logo publicly and share the good news about Jesus regularly with your family, friends, classmates, and co-workers. Now as always, but perhaps more than ever,….people need the Lord!

ATTENTION MEN: If you are retired or able to stop by before work, I want to invite you to join us for a weekly Men’s Breakfast on Thursday mornings at 7:00 AM at the Meridian Cracker Barrel. You can come when you’re able and stay as long as you’d like, order a full meal and enjoy some conversation or just stop by for a cup of coffee and say hello. No reservations are necessary and everyone is welcome.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Our Annual Business Meeting has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, February 24th at 6:30 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to ratify by ballot the proposed church budget for 2021 and affirm the appointment of two Governance Board members to a three (3) year term. A copy of the proposed budget and sample ballot with the nominees are available in the foyer. Absentee Ballots can be picked up in the church office during work hours and must be returned prior to the business meeting. Congregational voting privileges shall be extended to those who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, considers NorthPark their church home, worshipped regularly here for not less than the preceding six (6) months, is 18 years of age or older, supports NorthPark through Christian service and financial giving, and supports the mission, goals & leadership of NorthPark Church.

This Sunday, February 21st will be our Annual Upward Basketball & Family Sunday during our 10:45 worship service with a video highlight, volunteer recognition, and White Star Award presentations. We are expecting a number of guests and ask that you make it a point to welcome and accommodate them,…even if they sit in “your” seat. I would remind and ask that we do our best to maintain the current practices of masks and spacing in the sanctuary which may necessitate moving to the center of the row or migrating to the balcony. The suggested space is every other row and at least two seats between families or groups attending together. Again, thank you for your patience and faithfulness as we navigate this pandemic together. (NOTE: There will be childcare for nursery & preschool children. Kids Connection students are asked to sit with their family.)

Today is Ash Wednesday, February 17th, which marks the beginning of Lent which is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar leading up to Easter Sunday, April 4th. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of every believer for Easter through prayer, repentance, self-denial, and generosity. During the 42 days of Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus’ journey in the desert for 40 days marking the beginning of his earthly ministry. Many Christians also add the spiritual disciplines of reading a daily devotional and praying through a Lenten calendar to draw themselves near to God. There is an excellent resource available to you for
FREE on our RightNow Media account called THE LENT EXPERIENCE. All you have to do is click on this link https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/468550 If you are not registered on our RightNow account, just email the church office or a staff member and we will send you an invitation link.

This past Sunday, February 14th, as part of our CHILD DEDICATION SUNDAY my sermon title was The Priority of Parenting based on Genesis 1:27-28, Deuteronomy 11:18-22, & Ephesians 6:1-4. My main point and challenge was that if the nuclear family is going to survive and thrive, it is imperative that Christians restore the biblical principles and priority of parenting. And in the course of the message, I said I would include the principles and habits in my weekly blog/article, so here they are:
5 BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ABOUT PARETNING:
1.  Children are a GIFT from GOD.Psalm 127:3-5; 139:14-16
2.  Children are born with a SIN NATURE.Psalm 51:5 / Romans 3:23
3.  Children must be TRAINED to HONOR GOD.Deuteronomy 11:18-21
4.  Children are to be DISCIPLINED in LOVE.Proverbs 22:6 & 15
5.  Children are to be RELEASED from PARENTS.Genesis 2:24 / Mark 10:7-9

5 HEALTHY HABITS FOR FAMILIES:
1.  They are COMMITTED to one another.Ephesians 5:21
2.  They express APPRECIATION & AFFECTION to one another.
3.  They COMMUNICATE positively with one another.
4.  They spend LOTS OF TIME with one another.
5.  They LIVE out their FAITH with one another.

Remember,….children learn what they live! If children live with criticism,….they learn to CONDEMN! If children live with hostility,….they learn to FIGHT! If children live with shame,….they learn to FEEL GUILTY! But if they live with encouragement,….they learn CONFIDENCE! If they live with praise,….they learn to APPRECIATE! If they live with fairness,….they learn JUSTICE! If they live with faith,….they learn to BELIEVE! As John the Apostle wrote to his spiritual descendants in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Folks, this doesn’t happen by accident and isn’t a matter of luck! It requires constant effort and lots of prayer.  Even then, there are no guarantees. But the good news is, we don’t have to do it on our own. God has given us all the help we need; His Word to guide us, His Son to save us, His Spirit to empower us, and His people to encourage us. God’s love is unconditional, His forgiveness is complete, His offer is free, His promises are true, and His power is great! We can trust Him!

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Black History Week started in the United States in 1926 as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on Febraury 12th and Fredrick Douglass on February 20th, dates black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. It grew in popularity over the following decades and the first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State University in February, 1970. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. As I posted on my Facebook page on February 1st: “This year’s theme is ‘The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity’. I want to listen, learn, and celebrate all the sacrifices and achievements of my fellow citizens.” This is a hard season to speak publicly on this issue because people will either label you as woke, if you speak up, or racist, if you stay silent. I am neither, and I refuse to be bullied by either extreme. Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly taught and consistently practiced this fundamental biblical principle: “Within the best of us, there is some evil, and within the worst of us, there is some good. When we come to see this, we take a different attitude toward individuals. The person who hates you the most has some good in him; even the nations that hates you the most has some good in it; even the race that hates you the most has some good in it. And when you come to the point that you look in the face of every man and see deep down within him ‘the image of God,’ you begin to love him no matter what he does.” (from the sermon “Loving Your Enemies” delivered November 17, 1957)

Our Annual Business Meeting will take place next Wednesday, February 17th at 6:30 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to ratify by ballot the proposed church budget for 2021 and affirm the appointment of two Governance Board members to a three (3) year term. A copy of the proposed budget and sample ballot with the nominees are available in the foyer. Absentee Ballots can be picked up in the church office during work hours and must be returned prior to the business meeting. Congregational voting privileges shall be extended to those who have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, considers NorthPark their church home, worshipped regularly here for not less than the preceding six (6) months, is 18 years of age or older, supports NorthPark through Christian service and financial giving, and supports the mission, goals & leadership of NorthPark Church.

Upward Basketball & Cheerleading is a community outreach ministry of NorthPark Church that shares the love of Jesus Christ with families throughout our community through sports. Children are taught fundamental basketball and cheerleading skills while also learning about God and his son, Jesus. They are taught different scriptures and virtues throughout the course of the 8-week season. Next Sunday, February 21st we will be hosting our Annual Upward Sunday & Family Sunday during our 10:45 worship service with a video highlight, volunteer recognition, and White Star Award presentations. We are expecting a number of guests and ask that you make it a point to welcome and accommodate them,…even if they sit in “your” seat.

Kudos: Over the last week, I have been uber impressed with the number and quality of volunteers we have here at NorthPark. They faithfully serve behind the scenes and are impacting lives for Christ in huge and subtle ways. Last Wednesday night there was a tremendous amount of energy & excitement in our building among the Student & Children’s Ministries! This past Monday night there was a similar dynamic as some of our Upward Teams practiced and the Celebrate Recovery group met. Then today, Tuesday, the Staff was privileged to help Vicki Kurszewski re-stock the Food Pantry for the Backpack Ministry and tomorrow, Wednesday, several folks from NorthPark will be at Northeast Elementary School to serve the teachers and staff. In addition to all this, we have the weekly teams who serve every Sunday in the worship arts, technology, and children’s ministries. And on a short term basis, we have dozens of people serving on the Prayer Team, Search Team, Transition Team, and Task Force Teams. NorthPark is blessed to have so many doing so much in spite of all the limitations of COVID. Though I may not say it often enough, I do mean it sincerely……..THANK YOU!! Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and you are making an investment in eternity.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Staffing Adjustment: After some candid conversations and prayerful consideration I am happy to announce a slight change or subtle adjustment to Pastor Justin’s and Pastor Amy’s roles and direct reports. In order to develop and oversee a ministry to young adults, post high schoolers, Pastor Justin will no longer be overseeing the children’s ministry or supervising Pastor Amy. In addition to allowing NorthPark to launch this new and much needed ministry, it will streamline our organizational flow chart. The Interim/Lead Pastor will be the direct report for the entire pastoral staff and each Pastor will be able to better focus on their area of expertise. Please contact me if you have any question.

Nominations: The Governance Board received 18 nominations from the church family to serve one of the three year terms on the Board in place of Marilyn Cole and Dwayne Joyner whose terms expire at the end of this month. Thank you for your prayerful participation in this important process. Keep in mind, some of the nominees were not interested, available, or ready to assume this leadership role at this time. After meeting to review the list of nominees, the Board is in the process of contacting those individuals they identified as prime candidates. Those two names will be placed on a ballot for your ratification at the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, February 17th at 6:30 PM. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance and plan to attend the meeting.

Full House: Our attendance this past Sunday, January 31st, was 174. Praise the Lord! That is the highest attendance since our last pre-COVID service on Sunday, March 8, 2020 which was 267. As you know, NorthPark has not experienced a serious COVID outbreak thanks, in part, to your diligence in following the appropriate safety protocols and God’s goodness. We are very fortunate and extremely thankful, but we must not become lax. There may come a point when we will need to consider 2 worship services in order to accommodate the crowd and maintain social distancing. We are monitoring this closely, but do not feel like it is necessary at this time. However, we do ask that everyone do their best to maintain the current practices of masks and spacing in the sanctuary which may necessitate moving to the center of the row or migrating to the balcony. The suggested space is every other row and at least two seats between families or groups attending together. Again, thank you for your patience and faithfulness as we navigate this pandemic together. (NOTE: We are planning to have 2 services on Easter Sunday, April 4th.)

Speaking of Easter, LENT is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, and ends approximately six weeks later, on Wednesday, March 31st, four days before Easter Sunday, April 4th. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of every believer for Easter through prayer, repentance, self-denial, and generosity. The last week of Lent is referred to Holy Week which starts on Palm Sunday, March 28th. Following the New Testament accounts, Jesus' crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, April 2nd, and on the first day of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday, April 4th, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the 42 days of Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus’ journey in the desert for 40 days marking the beginning of his earthly ministry. Many Christians also add the spiritual disciplines of reading a daily devotional and praying through a Lenten calendar to draw themselves near to God. I have ordered a devotional book titled JOURNEY TO THE CROSS written by Paul David Tripp. It is a hardcover book that sells for $15.99 plus shipping If you want to check it out or join me in this journey just click on this link https://www.paultripp.com/products/journey-to-the-cross-lenten-devotional?utm_campaign=Journey_to_the_Cross&utm_medium=Broadcast&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_term=1&_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIlJRanI1NiIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJncmVnQG5vcnRocGFyay5jaHVyY2gifQ== 

This Sunday, February 7th will be COMMUNION SUNDAY as we take time to remember and reflect on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to atone for the sins of the world. Donna Wheatly will present a devotional thought to direct our thoughts and unite our hearts as we partake together. If you will be here in person, be sure to pick up the elements as you enter the sanctuary. If you will be joining us online, I encourage you to have some elements available in order to participate with us. You are welcome to stop by the church office at your convenience to pick up the elements we use or create your own at home. One of my most meaningful and memorable communion services was with my family in a German hotel room where we used crackers and water.

Next Sunday, February 14th will be our ANNUAL CHILD DEDICATION SUNDAY. This simple event is more than a ceremony. Child Dedication provides an opportunity for families to connect and commit to a community of faith that helps them imagine a bigger story. It is our hope that this marks the beginning of a partnership between NorthPark Church and parents that spans the lifetime of each child(ren). We will meet in the Chapel at 9:30 am for a time of fellowship, instruction, and encouragement prior to the Worship Service at 10:45 am. For more information contact Pastor Amy or click on this link https://northpark.church/parent-child-dedication to register.

Know that your continued generosity and faithful service are deeply appreciated and making a positive difference in the lives of many people.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg

Last week Pastor Dan sent out an email to the Staff asking us to check our schedules for any potential conflicts we might have with the local elections for City Council and Mayor being held at NorthPark this spring. The Primary Election will be April 6th, with April 27th designated as a run-off election if necessary, and the General Election is scheduled for June 8th. After checking my calendar, I responded with the following email: “I see no conflict with those dates. I don’t know the future but there is a reasonable possibility I may not be here in June!! That is a crazy thought but true!”. That was a startling realization for me which provoked mixed emotions! On the one hand I felt genuine sadness because I will miss this amazing church family and my new friends. On the other hand, I felt great joy because I am convinced God has great plans in store for NorthPark! As an Interim Pastor I don’t want to drag my feet nor do I want to rush things, but with the faithful service of the Prayer Team, the Transition Team, and the Search Team; God is definitely directing our steps and orchestrating many providential connections. Your continued prayers and faithful support are needed, requested, and appreciated.

The Transition Team has identified the top five priorities from the Church Assessment Report presented to us by New Church Specialties back in November. They are currently recruiting 5-6 church members who have some interest or experience in one of the following areas to develop a plan of action:
•  Discipleship Pathway:Lead by Justin Keene
•  Holistic Small Groups:Lead by Kay Stewart & Virgil Cole
•  Community Outreach: Lead by Linda Wier
•. Gift-based Ministry: Lead by Nedra Bradley & Kelly Menard
•  Effective Structures: Lead by C.D. Smith & Adam Vance

The Search Team has developed a Pastor Profile from the qualities and expectations identified in the New Church Specialties Assessment Report. In addition, they have developed a valuable 25 step process to move from applicants to candidates to Lead Pastor. They are now contacting various Church of God schools, ministries, and Pastors to solicit referrals and recommendations.

Nominations: The Governance Board is receiving nominations from the church family to serve a three year term on the Board in place of Dwayne Joyner and Marilyn Cole whose terms expire this year. Nominees need to be mailed, emailed, or texted to the church office by Sunday, January 31. According to our bylaws, nominees must have made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, worshipped regularly with this us for not less than the preceding six (6) months, be 18 years of age or older, support NorthPark through Christian Service & financial giving, and consider this his or her Church home; supporting the mission, goals and leadership of NorthPark Church. A member of the Governance Board must not be an employee of the Church and cannot be an immediate family member (spouse, sibling, son or daughter, parent or in-law) of another Governance Board member.

Wednesday Nights: There is an energy and excitement in our mid-week family gathering that is palpable and contagious!! As I walked around last night before and after our studies, I witnessed this incredible dynamic among every class and age group!! I sense God is doing some amazing things among us and stirring the hearts of his people. I am grateful for all who serve and participate but to God be the glory!

Here are some significant upcoming activities to put on your calendar:
•  Sunday, February 14th will be our Annual Baby Dedication Sunday @ 10:45 AM
•  Wednesday, February 17th will be our Annual Business Meeting @ 6:30 PM
•  Sunday, February 21st will be our Annual Upward Sunday & Family Sunday @ 10:45 AM
•  Sunday, April 11th will be our next Baptism Sunday with Pastor Justin scheduled to preach.
•  March 5th & 6th our Women’s Ministry will be hosting the IF: Gathering which is a livestream
   simulcast through RightNow Media.
•  March 19th–21st our Student Ministry will be hosting the Mississippi State Youth Convention
   at NorthPark.

Your prayerful consideration and active participation are sincerely wanted, welcome, and appreciated.

For His Glory,  Pastor Greg