May God bless you today and everyday!  We pray that God will richly bless your life until your next birthday celebration. 

“Happy Birthday!”

  Happy Anniversary

These couples will celebrate their wedding anniversaries this month; let’s wish them a “Happy Anniversary!”

                                                                Apr. 1  Glen & Dee Tharp

                                                                Apr. 6  Tim & Grace Pfaltzgraf

                                                                Apr. 9  Butch & Pam Levering

                                                                Apr. 11 Don & Helen Todd

                                                                Apr. 18 Leon & Pat Hughes

                                                                Apr. 19 Clarence & Phyllis O’Nail

May your celebration be filled with plenty of family and lots of love.  God Bless You, “Happy Anniversary!”

NWC Weekly Services

Sunday:

Prayer-A-Foot                                           8:45am

Choir                                                           9:00am

Sunday School                                         9:30am

Sunday Worship Service                      10:30am

Sunday Evening Service                        6:00pm

601 Service                                             6:01pm

Monday:

PRC – Pregnancy Resource Center     Noon

Monday & Thursdays’:

Lighter Side, Mon. & Thurs.                    6:00pm

Wednesday:

BBBS - Brown Bag Bible Study            11:30am

Drive By Prayer                                        1:00pm

Family Night                                               7:00pm

Thursday:

Wesleyan Men & Women 7pm

Saturday:

PRC – Pregnancy Resource Center    10:00am

Quilting Class

Our favorite Quilting teacher, Jane Taggart, and her students are busy quilting!  Think you’d like to join the fun,… the next Quilt Class on Saturday, April 12^th at 10::00am in the fellowship hall. 

To participate, please bring your own sewing machine; and/or contact Jane at 753-1728 for information and a supplies list.  Come “stitch” up a new friendship! 

SUPER SATURDAY

“Super Saturday” will be held on Saturday, April 26^th, 7:30am – 12:30pm at the Columbus District Office. 

The Gold Institute is hosting a day of seminars for everyone.  Seminars include:  Church Treasurers, Youth Ministries, and Teaching Methods for Adults, Teaching Methods for Children and Worship & Promoting Mission Trips with the local church. 

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Pastor Mike or the church office at 753-1307.

April Board & Committee Meetings

The NWC Church Board will meet on Wednesday, April 23^rd at 6:00pm.  All board members are encouraged to attend.

The Nominating Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 30^th at 6:00pm.  All committee members are encouraged to attend. 

And thank you for your support of NWC.  We appreciate you using your talents to help our church.

Van Trip

Spring has sprung at NWC!  Mark your calendar; we’re headed out for a Van Trip on Thursday, April 10^th at 8am to Discover Lancaster!  We’re starting at the Sherman House and working our way from there! 

The Sherman House Museum, the birthplace of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman, his brother U.S. Senator John Sherman, and many of their siblings, is a Registered National Historic Landmark and on the Civil War Discovery Trail.  And from here,… who knows what we’ll “discover” in Lancaster! 

Of course we’ll stop for lunch, some place fun ~ so bring along some spending money and join the fun! 

Don’t forget to get to the church early,… we leave at 8:00am sharp!  See you there!

Andy Griffith Rerun Watchers Club

This fun loving group enjoys taking a step back in time to the days of Andy Griffith and the folks Mayberry, North Carolina.  The group meets the last Friday of the month – this month April 25^th at 7:00pm in the 601 Building.

Together the group shares trivia, and stories about the show, the cast and reflections about how the Andy Griffith Show touched their lives.  The show created a felling of “home.”  A place where together we could live peacefully.  No matter your own personal quirk, you were accepted and beloved for who you are.

We know you’ll enjoy reminiscing with this group!  So come enjoy a walk down the lane to the fishing hole with Andy, Opie, Pastor Mike and the gang!

Welcome to “Mayberry” NWC style!

Christmas In July

That’s right; we’re busy planning this year’s NWC “Christmas In July” event!  And this year promises to be even bigger and better than ever! 

The next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8^th at 7:00pm. 

This NWC signature event has quickly become a community favorite!  We touch the lives of hundreds of people across Nelsonville and the surrounding communities.  We entertain our guests with music, games, a silent auction, a yard sale, a bake sale, a school supply give-a-way and much, much more! 

But the best part of the day is when we get the opportunity to share Jesus with our guests!  We minister to their hearts and minds,… and even offer hugs too! 

This is just one of the NWC ways of sharing God’s love not only at Christmas, but everyday! 

We’re reaching out to a lost world – a world that struggles every day to find a purpose, meaning and love within their lives.

At NWC, you can find all of those things and the King of all Kings - - - GOD!!  He is alive and well within the spirits of our NWC family.

So let’s expand our family, and reach out to our lost brothers and sisters and share a little Christmas spirit in July with them! 

Come join our team of committed Christian soldiers and make this Christmas In July, the premier event in Nelsonville! 

Merry Christmas!

God's Cake

 Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

 A daughter is telling her Mother  how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend  is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

 'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck' says her daughter.  'How about a couple raw eggs?'  'Gross, Mom!' 'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?' 'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

If you like this, share this story with the people you really care about. I did.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance and enjoy some cake!! 

.

TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce.  "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moore’s framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point.   I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."

Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

 This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

 A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at."

Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

 When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.  Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. 

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards.

But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door.  

There were still cards to be written.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."-John 3:16.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13.

If you feel the same way, share this story so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. 

My "People I shared the gospel with” file just got bigger,… how about yours?

Two Horses

Author - unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing... Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.  If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.   Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.   Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.  It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. 

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. 

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.  He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. 

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way... Good friends are like that... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.  And remember... Be kinder than necessary -everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly... Leave the rest to God!!!

THE FOUR BLESSED LOOKS

Look back and Thank God.

Look forward and Trust God.

Look around and Serve God.

Look within and Find God!"

A Pastors Business Card

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door. 

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.'

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' 

Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'

Remember when the funniest jokes were the clean ones? They still are! 'A cheerful heart is good medicine' (Prov. 17:22) Now, pass it on!