Newsletter – October 2026
Pastor Wes Devotional
Don’t Forget the Filter
On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people… (Nehemiah 13:1a)
As we wrap up our Old Testament portion of reading, we close the book of Nehemiah. It’s an exciting book. The city of Jerusalem was a shell of its former image. The defenses so necessary for the city were heaps of stones, no fortifications at all. Nehemiah had accomplished the impossible. He had directed the rebuilding of the city walls from heaps to structure in fifty-two days.
Then comes the task of restoring the nation. It turns out, nations are much harder to restore than are walls. People had grown accustomed to the customs of the land of their exile. The ways of Babylon were still a part of the pattern of living. Why wouldn’t they? By this time the exile had extended beyond fifty years for most of them. Imagine yourself immersed into a foreign culture for fifty years; that amount of time can cause anyone to get lost in it. The people needed a filter. A filter is an important part for fuel lines and cultures. Both can have debris mixed in with the good part. What is the culture filter? What did the people need to allow the good part of the culture to pass through while discarding the damaging parts? For Nehemiah’s time it was the Bible.
The people needed to become familiar with their story again. They needed to learn the ways in which God had set them apart. That instruction came from the book. We too are living immersed in a culture which is not ours. We belong to Christ and his kingdom is different than the one in which we live. Every culture has value and things which are damaging. The way we filter out the harm is the same. God’s word instructs us and informs us of our identity. Open the book. Read it. Learn from it.
Prayer for today:
As we read our Bible, teach us the good things you want us to do. Show us the way you want us to be. We desire to be your people living inside the culture we are placed so we can share the light of your love to the people around us. Amen.
I love you,
Pastor Wes
SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS
PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH
October marks Pastor Appreciation Month!
We extend our gratitude to our amazing Pastors: Pastor Wes, Pastor Jordan,
Pastor Justine, and Pastor Wanda & Worship Arts Director, Marsha Schlangen. We cherish and value all of you! Your church board encourages you to uplift them with a heartfelt note of thanks & appreciation this month. Cards can be found in the Holy Grounds.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER
Friday, October 9th | 6pm
Join us as we have the opportunity to serve you! The pastors of SFNaz want to express their gratitude for everything you do by preparing and providing dinner for all volunteers. Kindly RSVP by October 6th.
MISSIONARY SERVICE
Sunday, October 11th | 10am
Guests: Monte & Beth Cyr
COFFEE W/ PASTORS
Tuesday, October 13th | 8:30am
Head on over to Little Garden Café on N Waikiki Rd. to have coffee with the pastors of SFNaz!
SENIOR LUNCHEON
Wednesday, October 14th | 12pm
Join us at Old European. Call Roberta to RSVP 509-325-0711.
ALL-CHURCH WORKDAY
Friday & Saturday, October 16th & 17th | 9am-12pm
Come help us get the property ready for our Fall activities. Something for everyone to do. Please save the date!
BAPTISM SUNDAY
Sunday, October 25th | 10am
Baptism Sunday is open to those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and would like to be baptized. Register on Church Center or at the Info Counter and one of the SFNaz pastors will contact you.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Saturday, October 31st | 4-7pm
SAVE THE DATE! We’re excited for a fun evening of candy, popcorn, a bounce house, and time with friends and family. Join us for this free event and decorate a trunk if you’d like! Sign up on Church Center. We are also accepting candy (or monetary) donations as well!
CAPTIVATING Ladies Bible Study
Beginning on Tuesday, October 27th |10am
We’re excited to begin a new Bible study: Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge! Join us in the Library on Tuesdays through December 1st.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY | Sundays | 9:00 – 9:50am
ALL GOD’S CHILDREN | Sundays | 9:00 – 9:50am
REFUGE MEN’S GROUP | Tuesdays | 6:15 – 8:00pm
ADULT BIBLE STUDY | Wednesdays | 6:30pm
Weekly Schedule:
SUNDAYS
- 9:00am
- Nursery for children 3 and under
- Learning and Growth – Nursery – 6th grade
- 10:00am
- Nursery for children under 2
- Children’s Church for 2’s and 3’s
- Children’s Church for Pre-K and K
- Grades 1st-6th will join parents in church for worship, then be dismissed before the sermon for Children’s Church
WEDNESDAYS
- 6:30pm
- Nursery | 3 and under
- Pre-school/Kindergarten Brite Nite
- 1st – 6th grade with Pastor Jordan | Small group lessons, games, and music
Needs in Children’s Department:
- Kids’ check in desk help needed 1-2 times a month on Sundays from 8:45 – 9:55.
- Nursery help- hold babies, read to toddlers during 10:00 am service.
- Contact Pastor Jordan for more info or signup on Church Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- October 7th | 6:30-8pm – We will start practicing for the Christmas musical, find Pastor Jordan this week to get a CD so you can get a head start on practicing!
- October 21st | 9:30am – Mom’s Meet-up at Little Garden Café. There is a place for the kids to play too! 99218 N Waikiki. See you there!
- October 31st | 4 – 7pm – Trunk or Treat, we need lots of volunteers for this awesome event! If you’d like to decorate a trunk sign up on Church Center, call the church office, or let Pastor Jordan know. We’d love to see your awesomely decorated trunks for this free event. We are taking candy donations now until October 31st drop them off anytime at the church or bring it with you on Sunday morning!
We look forward to having you join us. If you have any questions, please email me; jordanr@sfnaz.org
SFNAZ YOUTH MINISTRIES
YOUTH MINISTRY NEEDS:
- Area rugs – Last summer the youth area was given a much-needed refresh with new chairs, a good coat of paint, lots of cleaning and more. One thing we could not do is replace the 30+ year old carpet. To help the floor match the new cozy vibe of the rest of the space, youth group is looking for gently used area rugs that can be placed over the existing carpet. If you have an area rug that you are no longer in love with, the youth group would love to have it! Talk to Pastor Justine if you have a rug you would like to get rid of (bonus points if it has green/cream/orange in the color scheme).
- Fabric Scraps – In November the youth group is going to do a Patchwork Clothing night where teens will get to customize their clothes. If you have scrap fabric lying around that you don’t know what to do with, the youth group would love to take it and turn it into something unique!
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Sunday –
- 9:00 am – Sunday School 7-12th grade in youth room
- 10:00 am – Worship Service in sanctuary
Wednesday –
- 6:30 pm – Youth Group 7-12th grade in gym
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Merch Design Contest – We need some youth group merch! Our design contest is currently happening. If you want to participate create a cool design that you would want on a shirt or sticker and submit it to Pastor Justine by 10/12. Digital content is allowed, but AI generated images will be disqualified from the contest.
- Angry Birds Night – Wednesday, 10/14 – Join us at 6:30 for a life-size Angry Birds competition! This is a great night to bring a friend.
- Corn Maze – Saturday, 10/24 – Meet at the church at 1:00 to load into the van and head to Siemers Farm for an afternoon of fall activities! Sign up on Church Center.
- Baptisms – Sunday, 10/25 – We have had an amazing summer of life changing events, if you are ready to take the next step in your faith (or just want more information about what it means) talk to Pastor Justine about baptism.
- Murder Mystery – Saturday, 10/31 – Stay after Trunk-or-treat to solve a murder that takes place. It is going to be a fun and mysterious night! Sign up on Church Center.
NOT YET BUT COMING SOON
- Patchwork Clothing Night – Saturday, 11/14 – Bring a piece (or several) of clothing that you want to customize. All supplies will be provided and we will spend the evening creating unique pieces!
Questions, comments, concerns? Email justinew@sfnaz.org
WE HAVE A NEW MINISTRY COMING SOON || BE WATCHING FOR UPCOMING DETAILS
UPCOMING EVENTS
- District Young Adult Retreat | November 6-8th | YA retreat is a great opportunity to connect with other young adults, worship together, relax in nature, be encouraged and inspired through the Word of God and have fun! Registration is open through November 1st. Cost includes all lodging and meals. Young adult leaders and pastors are welcome to attend as well as young adult families with their small kids (ages 4 and under). We can’t wait to see you there at Tall Timbers ranch in Leavenworth! Cost $105. Children 4 and under are free.
Are you looking for a way to connect with SFNaz? Life groups are the perfect way to build community that matters. We would love to have you be part of our life group family. Check out Church Center or contact the office. We’ll do our best to find a group that will work for you. Would you like to lead a Life Group? Please let us know by contacting the office. We’ll host a training session as soon as possible.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY | Thursdays 6pm – led by Richard Flatt Are you curious about Celebrate Recovery? We’d love to have you there. Whether you are interested in how we address hurts, habits and hangups for you or someone you know, or want to help support the program. We hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Flatt 509-499-6118.
🌎 OCTOBER MISSION PRIORITY
THE GREAT COMMISSION
Nazarene Missions International
“Go and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19
October is our opportunity to focus on The Great Commission, and the call Jesus has given His Church to take the Gospel to the world.
Nazarene Missions International (NMI) helps our local church participate in that mission by encouraging us to:
PRAY — Pray for missionaries and global outreach.
GIVE — Support the work of missions through generous giving.
GO — Be willing to answer God’s call to serve.
INVOLVE — Help children and youth develop a heart for missions.
Through NMI, we learn about the needs around the world and discover ways we can be part of what God is doing.
🌍 MISSIONARY SERVICE
Sunday, October 11 • 10:00 a.m.
Come Meet Monte & Bethany Cyr!
We are excited to welcome Monte & Bethany Cyr as our special missionary guests.
Monte and Bethany (pronounced “Sear”) are preparing to retire from their missionary service with the Church of the Nazarene after more than 28 years of international ministry.
They have served across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Mesoamerica Region, including Mexico and Central America.
As they prepare for this new season, they are grateful for the many people God has allowed them to serve and for His faithfulness throughout their journey.
Although their official missionary service will conclude in April 2027, their passion for people, the Church, and God’s mission continues.
Join us October 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Come hear their story and celebrate God’s faithfulness!
🙏 MISSIONARIES WE SUPPORT IN PRAYER
Please continue to pray for these missionaries and mission partners:
- Tim & Michelle Eby — South Africa
- Yoan & Astrid Camacaro — Italy
- Bruce & Cinda McKellips — Portugal
- Monica Boseff & The Open Door Foundation — Romania
Your prayers are an important part of supporting those who serve around the world.
📬 STAY CONNECTED
Want to know more about what God is doing through Nazarene missions?
Subscribe to Nazarene Missions News at news@nazarene.org.
“Therefore I will give thanks to you among the nations; Lord, I will sing praises to your name.”
Psalm 18:49
Thank you for your faithful prayers, generous support, and heart for missions!
Your NMI Team
TITHES & OFFERING
Thank you so much for your faithful support of our church! Here are a few options available to continue with giving of tithes & offerings.
- Online giving is available. Visit https://sfnaz.org/giving
- You may mail your check directly to the church!
Spokane First Church of the Nazarene
9004 N Country Homes Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99218
Faithfulness in Giving
Income Expense +/-
- General $ 176,310 $ 182,354 -$ 6,043
- Missions $ 10,493 $ 7,137 +$ 3,355
(Giving March 1st, 2026, through May 31st, 2026)
Thank you for giving generously to your church general fund. Your faithfulness in giving help to meet our budgeted expenses.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
Prayer Chain by Email
- Contact the church office to receive prayer requests by email (office@sfnaz.org).
Prayer for District Churches & Events
- October 4 Nazarene Bible College & President Douglas Pierce
- October 7 NNU Trustees
- October 11 The Call Conference at NNU
- October 14 Post Falls and Princeton
- October 18 Prosser harvest and Pullman Church Plant
- October 21 Quincy and Republic
- October 25 Second Chance Ministries & Director Dirk Scott
- October 28 The Dwelling Place & Director Tina Banks
Mission Prayer Requests
- October 4 Bahamas & Guyana
- October 11 Haiti & Honduras
- October 18 Hong Kong & India
- October 25 Indonesia & Ireland
PRAYER REQUESTS
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