E-Bulletin September 19th 2025
Harvest Festival
Our annual Harvest Festival will be Sunday October 12th from 1:00-3:30pm. We will have kids Sunday School but not adult classes. We'll eat soup together after church and get things set up! Please see back bulletin board to sign up to help. We also need candy donations and would like them brought to church by September 28th. Candy should be pieces that are individually wrapped.
Family Night ROM Fundraiser
Join us next Wednesday September 24th for a special Family Night! This will be a Fundraiser for the Rivers of Mercy trip to raise money for expenses related to travel and the harvest festival. The goal is $9000.
ROM Trip
The Harvest Festival at Rivers of Mercy has been scheduled for Saturday, October 18th. We hope to bring a team down, Tuesday October 14th through October 21st. Please pray and Let Bob or Linda know if you have any questions or are interested in coming.
Also, Rivers of Mercy is in need of help purchasing school supplies for the kids and created an Amazon wish list. Click on the link below to help out!
https://bit.ly/romschool
Joni & Friends Fundraiser
Saturday October 11th in Shrewsbury MA, NLBC will be bringing a team to the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll for a great day of fundraising, fellowship, and fun to bring hope through hardship to people and families living with disability across New England and the globe. There will be games, worship, Chick-fil-A lunch, a Wheels for the World wheelchair collection, and a fun time of walking and rolling, all in a disability-friendly family environment. Contact Mariah Jackman 413-522-8014 to register to walk or to be a volunteer for our activity booth!
Donations can be made through the link below.
https://secured.joniandfriends.org/team/771126
Children's Ministry Donations Needed!
Each week, our children earn a ticket for reciting their memory verse. Once a month, the Memory Verse Store opens, and they get to "shop" for something they enjoy using their tickets! We would love to add more fun toys and games to bless our kids and make this special time even more exciting. Suggested donation items should be between $1-$10. Please avoid character items from show or movies. A collection box will be located in the foyer for your donations. Thank you so much for helping encourage our children to hide God's Word in their hearts!
Called to Counsel Conference
On Thursday, Oct. 23, from 9-3:30, NLBC will be hosting this year's Small Town Summits Massachusetts conference. In partnership with CCEF New England, the theme is "Called to Counsel," encouraging and equipping everyone in the church to grow in offering wise counsel to one another. This conference is open to all, and you are highly encouraged to register and attend. There will also be opportunities to volunteer to help with the conference so stay tuned for more details. To register or to learn more click here
https://www.smalltownsummits.com/sts-ma
Ministry Opportunities
We have some areas of service and ministry within the church that need to be filled. Would you pray about how you could help?
Offering
2025 Budget - Yearly $190,624
- Weekly $3,666
Offering - The offering for last Sunday (9-14) totaled $4,274.78. Of that amount there was a designated gift of $50 for Mike/ Grace ROM. In addition to the offering a seperate deposit was made in the amount of $1,185 which was money raised for the October ROM trip.
Our annual Harvest Festival will be Sunday October 12th from 1:00-3:30pm. We will have kids Sunday School but not adult classes. We'll eat soup together after church and get things set up! Please see back bulletin board to sign up to help. We also need candy donations and would like them brought to church by September 28th. Candy should be pieces that are individually wrapped.
Family Night ROM Fundraiser
Join us next Wednesday September 24th for a special Family Night! This will be a Fundraiser for the Rivers of Mercy trip to raise money for expenses related to travel and the harvest festival. The goal is $9000.
ROM Trip
The Harvest Festival at Rivers of Mercy has been scheduled for Saturday, October 18th. We hope to bring a team down, Tuesday October 14th through October 21st. Please pray and Let Bob or Linda know if you have any questions or are interested in coming.
Also, Rivers of Mercy is in need of help purchasing school supplies for the kids and created an Amazon wish list. Click on the link below to help out!
https://bit.ly/romschool
Joni & Friends Fundraiser
Saturday October 11th in Shrewsbury MA, NLBC will be bringing a team to the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll for a great day of fundraising, fellowship, and fun to bring hope through hardship to people and families living with disability across New England and the globe. There will be games, worship, Chick-fil-A lunch, a Wheels for the World wheelchair collection, and a fun time of walking and rolling, all in a disability-friendly family environment. Contact Mariah Jackman 413-522-8014 to register to walk or to be a volunteer for our activity booth!
Donations can be made through the link below.
https://secured.joniandfriends.org/team/771126
Children's Ministry Donations Needed!
Each week, our children earn a ticket for reciting their memory verse. Once a month, the Memory Verse Store opens, and they get to "shop" for something they enjoy using their tickets! We would love to add more fun toys and games to bless our kids and make this special time even more exciting. Suggested donation items should be between $1-$10. Please avoid character items from show or movies. A collection box will be located in the foyer for your donations. Thank you so much for helping encourage our children to hide God's Word in their hearts!
Called to Counsel Conference
On Thursday, Oct. 23, from 9-3:30, NLBC will be hosting this year's Small Town Summits Massachusetts conference. In partnership with CCEF New England, the theme is "Called to Counsel," encouraging and equipping everyone in the church to grow in offering wise counsel to one another. This conference is open to all, and you are highly encouraged to register and attend. There will also be opportunities to volunteer to help with the conference so stay tuned for more details. To register or to learn more click here
https://www.smalltownsummits.com/sts-ma
Ministry Opportunities
We have some areas of service and ministry within the church that need to be filled. Would you pray about how you could help?
- Assistant Treasurer: We are looking for an Assistant Treasurer to help with the finances of the church. You must be a member to serve in this role. Please see Derek Postema with any questions about the position.
- Social Committee: We are also looking for anyone interested in serving on the Social Committee. This would involve helping with events including set-up, take down, prep, etc. This role is open to all, please see Judy Todd or Janice Abbott with any questions.
Offering
2025 Budget - Yearly $190,624
- Weekly $3,666
Offering - The offering for last Sunday (9-14) totaled $4,274.78. Of that amount there was a designated gift of $50 for Mike/ Grace ROM. In addition to the offering a seperate deposit was made in the amount of $1,185 which was money raised for the October ROM trip.
Question: What is the Bible’s teaching on transgenderism? Can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian?
Answer: This question, and all of the surrounding topics that come with it, boils down to the question of authority. Who is in charge of life? Of my life, your life? Who makes the rules and sets the agenda and boundaries? Within the worldview that affirms transgenderism, the answer to these questions is simply “self.” I make the rules and how I feel, what I desire and think is my highest authority. But this is a rejection of God and his authority as God and creator over all things. The Bible is very clear that God is supreme over all and he sets the rules and boundaries for life. He has created male and female (Genesis 1:27), and not just the categories, but every individual person from conception is personally knit-together, sovereignly designed by God (Psalm 139). Therefore, it is God who determines our gender, he is the authority and creator of our bodies, not us. We are to submit to his designs as God even if our feelings and desires say otherwise. It is only there will we find peace and rest from the deceitful schemes of our flesh, it is only in submitting to the authority of our creator that we will live as we were created to live.
So, can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian? Again, we have to ask, whose authority are they basing their lives on? If they are rejecting God’s authority in something as foundational as his created order and design, and something as clear in Scripture as this, then we would have to question how they can be submitting to his authority in anything at all. This would be similar to someone who lives as a thief, robbing houses and banks regularly, but says they are a Christian. We would rightly say that those two things don’t add up! Their life is not in line with the very clear teachings of Scripture; they are rejecting God’s clear commands and designs for life, the way they live rejects the gospel they are professing.
But it is so important we remember that God can save and overcome any heart in any situation! He can pull people out of the deepest rejection of him, the most hard hearts, the most blinded eyes. This is what God did in the church of Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds them of their former lives, how God saved them from some incredibly dark lives! Starting in verse 9 he says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Corinthians walked in lifestyles that blatantly rejected the authority of God over them. But God saved them! They were no longer like that, but now washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Jesus Christ! No one is outside the reach of God and so we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all, whoever they are, in hopes they too will know the truth and be set free from unrighteousness, made new in Christ, as we have been!
Answer: This question, and all of the surrounding topics that come with it, boils down to the question of authority. Who is in charge of life? Of my life, your life? Who makes the rules and sets the agenda and boundaries? Within the worldview that affirms transgenderism, the answer to these questions is simply “self.” I make the rules and how I feel, what I desire and think is my highest authority. But this is a rejection of God and his authority as God and creator over all things. The Bible is very clear that God is supreme over all and he sets the rules and boundaries for life. He has created male and female (Genesis 1:27), and not just the categories, but every individual person from conception is personally knit-together, sovereignly designed by God (Psalm 139). Therefore, it is God who determines our gender, he is the authority and creator of our bodies, not us. We are to submit to his designs as God even if our feelings and desires say otherwise. It is only there will we find peace and rest from the deceitful schemes of our flesh, it is only in submitting to the authority of our creator that we will live as we were created to live.
So, can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian? Again, we have to ask, whose authority are they basing their lives on? If they are rejecting God’s authority in something as foundational as his created order and design, and something as clear in Scripture as this, then we would have to question how they can be submitting to his authority in anything at all. This would be similar to someone who lives as a thief, robbing houses and banks regularly, but says they are a Christian. We would rightly say that those two things don’t add up! Their life is not in line with the very clear teachings of Scripture; they are rejecting God’s clear commands and designs for life, the way they live rejects the gospel they are professing.
But it is so important we remember that God can save and overcome any heart in any situation! He can pull people out of the deepest rejection of him, the most hard hearts, the most blinded eyes. This is what God did in the church of Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds them of their former lives, how God saved them from some incredibly dark lives! Starting in verse 9 he says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Corinthians walked in lifestyles that blatantly rejected the authority of God over them. But God saved them! They were no longer like that, but now washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Jesus Christ! No one is outside the reach of God and so we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all, whoever they are, in hopes they too will know the truth and be set free from unrighteousness, made new in Christ, as we have been!
Our Food pantry has had an increase in clients and we could use help monetarily.
Needs:
Chunky Soups
Beef Stew
Bar hand soap
Cereal
Snack items
Ketchup
Brownie mixes
Cookie mixes
Olive Oil
Frozen Pizzas
Frozen waffles or pancakes
Anything is welcome, but these are the biggest needs.
Thank you to all the people that have donated to the pantry.
The Food Pantry will be open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6-7pm
Donations can be left in the foyer or in the hall outside the Food Pantry
Needs:
Chunky Soups
Beef Stew
Bar hand soap
Cereal
Snack items
Ketchup
Brownie mixes
Cookie mixes
Olive Oil
Frozen Pizzas
Frozen waffles or pancakes
Anything is welcome, but these are the biggest needs.
Thank you to all the people that have donated to the pantry.
The Food Pantry will be open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6-7pm
Donations can be left in the foyer or in the hall outside the Food Pantry
Praises
For the beauty of God's creation.
For God's plan for our salvation. That we have eternal life as a child of God.
For the successful car wash last week to raise money for the trip to Rivers of Mercy. $1,190 was raised.
For our church family.
Tina LaClaire is able to walk around more without her walker. She uses a cane when she's walking outside. Her back continues to heal well, and she has lots more movement in her hand where she had the broken wrist.
Prayer needs:
Our ministry focus this week is our Elders. Daniel Sargent (Pastor and Lead Elder), Jim Browning, Tim Hunting, and Derek Postema.
Hello everyone!
I'm Lori, SRM's GiveAway Center Coordinator, and I'm with Dave, our Warehouse Coordinator. We are in need of various items in our Warehouse, GiveAway Center as well as items for our residents here on site:
Amazon link - https://a.co/g9AfLcK
Donation Link - https://springfieldrescuemission.org/?give=5WEY6LD2-COPY
For the beauty of God's creation.
For God's plan for our salvation. That we have eternal life as a child of God.
For the successful car wash last week to raise money for the trip to Rivers of Mercy. $1,190 was raised.
For our church family.
Tina LaClaire is able to walk around more without her walker. She uses a cane when she's walking outside. Her back continues to heal well, and she has lots more movement in her hand where she had the broken wrist.
Prayer needs:
For our Sunday service and Pastor Daniel who will be preaching.
For those recovering from surgeries.
For the family of Charlie Kirk.
For our country and for healing from the divisions that are tearing our country apart.
For someone to fill the vacancy of assistant treasurer.
For our fall programs: The Discipleship groups are meeting again, Sunday school classes, the ROM fundraiser on Wednesday, September 24, the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll Fundraiser on October 11, the Harvest Festival on October 12th, the Mission trip to ROM from October 14-21, the October 18 Harvest Festival ROM will be having for the community, and the "Called to Counsel conference on October 23.
For those dealing with ongoing health issues: Danielle Buonaugurio, Sara Robinson, Bob Tidlund, John Burek, Rita Deyo, Matthew Jackman, John Drumgool, Carl McConchie, Steve Samal, Tina LaClaire, Alison Burek, Shelley Snow, Paul Burek, Ella Bartlett, Lucas Hunting, Charlie Buonaugurio, and Juliana Jackman. Pray for their caregivers as well.
For the group traveling to Rivers of Mercy in October. There are now nine people that have signed up to go. The plane tickets have been purchased.
Our ministry focus this week is our Elders. Daniel Sargent (Pastor and Lead Elder), Jim Browning, Tim Hunting, and Derek Postema.
Our church of the week is the Christ Church of Franklin County and their pastor, Nathan Tomlinson.
Our GO Partner of the week is the Springfield Rescue Mission.
Fall Needs at Springfield Rescue MissionHello everyone!
I'm Lori, SRM's GiveAway Center Coordinator, and I'm with Dave, our Warehouse Coordinator. We are in need of various items in our Warehouse, GiveAway Center as well as items for our residents here on site:
- New Pillows
- Sheet Sets (particularly twin sets)
- Bath towels
- Toothpaste
- Cold Weather items (hoodies, hats, gloves etc.)
- Sugar
- Salad Dressing (other than Ranch)
- Eggs
- Milk
- BBQ Sauce
- Horseradish
- Bottled Waters
Amazon link - https://a.co/g9AfLcK
Donation Link - https://springfieldrescuemission.org/?give=5WEY6LD2-COPY
1 – Alison Burek
8 – Pastor Mark Brussel, Christina Leonovich
11 – Crosby Barber
17 – JR Webb
20 – Betty Greemore
21 – Josh Barber
22 – Barry Black
25 – Tonia Jackman
28 – Dave Cobb
29 – Pastor Able Threeton
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