Finally, some warm weather!  It seems like we’ve been under a long winter’s spell from a white witch but now we’ve finally been set free by… a sunny lion, I guess?  This analogy is not very good.
Spring has this way of bringing out newness or fresh starts in people.  The onset of the warmer weather and the departure of the paralyzing cold remind us that we’ve got things to do this year!  Time to start doing some yard work.  Time to get outside.  Time to get ready for the summer beach season.  Time to order allergy medicine.  In reality, maybe Spring is when we should actually make our New Year’s resolutions since it ties in so well with this idea of new beginnings.  Also, I’m pretty sure that about 99% of us have already given up on our original January 1 resolutions anyway… don’t worry, I’m not judging you – my own claim that 2014 would be the year of eating better has been pushed to a yet-to-be determined time.
And why shouldn’t we be focused on making changes anew?  Spring is the perfect time to remind us of new life.  As all the snow melts away to uncover the hidden green, and trees start to bear colorful leaves instead of dry cracked branches, we are reminded that even with death, there is always new life being born again.
In the same way, Spring is when we celebrate Easter.  Can there be a more synonymous season for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?  For us, Jesus’ resurrection symbolizes not only our death to sin but also our new life in Christ.  In fact, not only during Spring or this Easter season, but every day, we need to remind ourselves of this fact.  Every day, we should wake up and commit to the Lord to die to ourselves today that we may live a new kingdom life by the power of the cross.  And Jesus never says, “too bad, you had your chance and you blew it.”  With Jesus, the invitation is always open and His grace is always enough.
So whatever our resolutions were, even if they have died, now is the time to resurrect them.  It’s not too late to go to the gym or read more or whatever else you may have resolved to do in 2014.  And it’s certainly not too late to start the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan that we go through together as a church or commit to a daily prayer schedule.  Wherever we are at, Jesus always gives us the opportunity to come back to him again.  Even now, if there’s a tugging at our hearts or a small desire to recommit some portion of our lives to the Lord, let’s embrace the thawing today.  Spring is here!

From Pastor David’s Heart
April 13, 2014

So the announcement was made last Sunday by the Pastoral Search Committee that Pastor Neil has been designated as NCFC English Congregation’s Acting Senior Pastor. This announcement was warmly received by the congregation as a whole. And judging by the congregational comments made at the reception following service many had thought he should’ve been made senior pastor all along and wondered why it had taken this long for the decision to be made.
I think the answer to that speaks to Pastor Neil’s sincere faith and deep-seated humility above and beyond any other worldly concerns. He never campaigned for nor positioned himself for any such lofty titles or authority. For the last two decades, he always simply wished to serve the Lord faithfully by thoughtfully and carefully shepherding those placed in his care throughout the years. He embraced the privilege to serve the Lord in the many various roles he served as deacon, elder and now pastor so selflessly without any regard for the consequence or sacrifice to himself.  This is a tremendous witness of the true measure of the man. Indeed, at the reception “pledges” of support and allegiance were made to him by those who held such high respect and admiration for him. He has been essential to our spiritual growth. It must’ve been heart-warming for Pastor Neil to receive back just a little of the warmth and support he and his wife and family have graciously given out over the years. Without him this church would no doubt look very different then and now.
I count myself as one of the many people Pastor Neil has encouraged and nurtured along the way. Although I have not known him for as long as many in our congregation have I feel as though I have a good sense of his character having witnessed the sheer effort, time and energy he invested in this church from the time I was a lay congregation member to now serving with him as pastoral staff.  The patience and grace he demonstrated while serving under strong leadership in previous years was truly remarkable.
And while we as a congregation may profess our commitment to Pastor Neil as now senior pastor, what I love most about that gesture is that it was never calculated or demanded by Pastor Neil. It’s my sense that his ministry was never about getting people to draw closer to him but rather, through his guidance and encouragement, we drew closer to the Lord. God gives us our will and purpose in life if we choose to follow it and there is no doubt He places special persons in our paths to prepare the way. Pastor’s Neil’s reluctant election to step into this senior pastor role as God has called him to, and once again set aside his personal comfort zone and desires, makes him eminently qualified for the position. amen to that.

From Pastor Mark’s Heart
April 6, 2014