January TIPS Update
First of all, I wish you all a most blessed 2022.
I understand that for some of you this TIPS process has not been what you expected and you’re feeling somewhat pushed aside and forgotten. I truly am sorry that is where you find yourselves. Unmet expectations can cause all sorts of anxiety. I do understand how any sense of loss, and you have had more than your fair share, can deeply affect us in a negative way, and I want you to know that I and the Prayer Team are praying for the church as you walk through this season of loss.
In my personal experience with loss, the best way through it has been to personally take it to God and then begin again to focus on what God has in store for me in the present and the future. I pray you are able to do that, no matter what the present or future may appear to hold for you.
With that thought in mind I asked for this space in the Newsletter to inform you of what is happening this month in the TIPS process.
If you joined the Prayer Team for prayer last Sunday, I hope you were as blessed by it. The plan is for those prayer gatherings to be a monthly occurrence. But you don’t have to wait for a called gathering to pray at the prayer wall, once completed, and you don’t have to wait for someone from the Prayer Team, or the pastoral staff to call for a gathering at the wall, or the altar, or anywhere you feel led to gather and pray. The wall was built to be a reminder to pray for the community surrounding the church, for the prayer requests posted on it, and for us all to see God answer our prayers as those too will be posted on the wall.
Speaking of prayer, on January 30th the Sunday morning worship service will be a Concert of Prayer service focused completely on prayer and praise. I pray you will determine right now that this is a Sunday you will not want to miss out on. Because the majority of the service will be times of prayer it will not be online, but I will send out to those of you who are regularly online a list of what we will be praying for so you can have your own time of prayer at home. What I really am praying for is you being able to join us for this service in person. And, because it will be all based on prayer and the church praying it may run longer than normal, interfering with the Learning and Growth (Sunday school) hour, so please have that expectation in mind as well.
The transition Team will be completing their recommendations for Inspiring Worship to the board by the scheduled January meeting date. With the boards blessing those recommendations could then begin to be implemented in February. The recommendations are not yet complete, so I am unable to share anything with you at this time. I do feel quite confident that you will discover the recommendations will include consideration for all ages and preferences for worship.
Thank you for staying the course, no matter how difficult, not only over the past decades, but especially during this transition period. As we shall see, God has always been faithful, and He will be faithful in the days ahead, and we can trust God with His church.
Peace be with you church,
Pastor John
SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOME TO THE NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
- Beginning January 6, 2022, the weekly newsletter has been to a monthly newsletter. We currently utilize many other ways of communication and will continue to do so. The SFNAZ Highlights will continue to be distributed on Sunday mornings and will have the weekly reminders and communications.
2022 TITHING ENVELOPES
- The 2022 tithing envelopes are available at the welcome counter. Please sign your name and address on the same line as the number on your box.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
- If you have moved in 2021, please fill out a card in the pew rack with your new address and place in the offering box.
UPCOMING EVENTS
LADIES BUNCO NIGHT – Friday, January 7th – 7pm
- Due to the weather, Ladies Bunco Night has been postponed and will resume in February.
SENIOR LUNCHEON – Wednesday, January 12th – 12pm
- Join us at Old European. Call Roberta to RSVP 509-325-0711.
SFNAZ MEMBERSHIP CLASS – Sunday, January 16th – 12pm
- If you are interested in becoming a member of SFNAZ, please sign up at the All-Church Ministries kiosk.
CONCERT OF PRAYER – Sunday, January 30th – 9:30am
- Join us for a Concert of Prayer service focused completely on prayer and praise. Because the majority of the service will be times of prayer it will not be live streamed. A list of what we will be praying for will be available for those who will be praying at home.
BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY – Sunday, January 30th
- On the fifth Sunday of the month, we take up a separate offering designated for the benevolence fund. This is an opportunity to support fellow church members, and those within the community in need. If you feel led to contribute, please mark your envelope “benevolence”.
AFTERNOON OF SHOOTING
- Looking for something fun to do this spring as we thaw out? Are you a shotgun enthusiast? If yes to either of those questions, then please click here!
Tithes & Offering
Thank you so much for your faithful support of our church! Here are a few options available to continue with giving tithes & offering.
1. Online giving is available here.
2. You may mail your check directly to the church
Spokane First Church of the Nazarene
9004 N Country Homes Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99218
3. Give By Text – Text the dollar amount to (833) 948-2179 and follow the prompts.
Faithfulness in giving
Raised Expenses +/-
General $ 443,500 $ 488,700 -45,200
Missions $47,800 $ 47,000 +800
(As of November 30, 2021)
Your church needs your faithful giving to meet our budgeted expenses. Please give generously.
Pastoral connection phone line
By calling (509) 239-7849 you can reach a 24-hour voice message service which will allow you to reach the pastoral team directly. You are encouraged to call with any urgent prayer requests
We will do our best to return your calls in a timely manner.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
Prayer Chain by Email – Contact the church office to receive prayer requests by email (office@sfnaz.org).
Prayer for District Churches
- January 9: Richland El Señor es Dios & Ritzville
- January 16: Sandpoint & Selah
- January 23: Spokane Bethel & Spokane First
- January 30: Nazarene Theological Seminary & President, Jeren Rowell
Missions Prayer Requests
- January 9: Senegal & Cote d’Ivoire
- January 16: Cube & Cyprus
- January 23: Denmark & Solomon Islands
- January 30: Spain & St. Kitts-Nevis
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Tracy Aronson
- Shaylah & Baby Hudson
BEREAVEMENT
- On January 5th, Pastor Bill Vaughn went home to be with Jesus. Pastor Bill’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22nd at 10am here in the Sanctuary. Please continue to pray for Pastor Danene, Ashley, Katie, Kevin, & Erika as well as the entire Vaughn family.
Adult ministries
Adult Learning & Growth – Sunday – 11am
- “Unleashing The Power Of The Holy Spirit” (Acts of the Apostles) (Fireside Room – Led by Charlie Scott) This class is also available via Zoom. Click here to join Adult Bible Study on Zoom or enter the meeting ID 9664266598 after tapping “Join a Meeting” in the Zoom app. (PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATED MEETING ID)
- “The Book of Jonah” (Library)
Men’s Group – Tuesdays – 6pm
- The Tuesday night men’s group would like to again extend an invitation to join them on Tuesday nights at 6pm IN PERSON in the Conference Room. The group rotates weekly between topical discussion, marriage, church history/apologetics, and scriptural study.
- For further information or questions, please contact Randy Coffey at (509) 570-4026.
Adult Bible Studies – Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Join Charlie Scott for an in-depth study of Mark in the Fireside Room. Visitors welcome! This class is also available via Zoom. Click here to join Adult Bible Study on Zoom or enter the meeting ID 9664266598 after tapping “Join a Meeting” in the Zoom app.
- Women’s Bible Study “Restless” by Jennie Allen led by Laurie Richardson
- Men’s Bible Study – The Book of Matthew in the library, led by Ed Richardson
YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY – Thursdays 8pm (Fireside Room)
- Bible study geared towards young adults (approximately ages 18-30) and includes seniors in high school.
- This study on the Book of Luke, will be co-led by Pastor Shawn and Patrick Herbert (a recent Whitworth grad).
children’s ministries
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We have been so blessed to have a growing children’s ministry department. With that growth in the ministry we are in desperate need of volunteers to continue the ministry to our children and pre-teens. If you can give of your time (one or two times a month) for the following areas, please contact Pastor Hope at hopet@sfnaz.org
- Check-in Counter: Wednesday Night
- Nursery: Sunday Morning & Wednesday Night
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
9:30am
- Nursery-Toddlers (Infant through 3 non-potty trained years old)
- 3 & 4 year old Class (3-year-old must be potty trained)
- Kindergarten & 1st grade Class
11am
- Nursery-Toddlers (Infant through 3-years-old not potty trained)
- PreK – Kindergarten Class (3-years-old potty trained through Kindergarten)
- Learning & Growth: 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th grade classes
Wednesday Night Schedule:
6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Nursery: Infant through 3 years non-potty trained
- Preschool/Kindergarten Bible Buddies: Children ages 3 – 5 year old! Each week the children will have hands-on learning, bible concepts, games, and snack.
- Wacky Wild Wednesdays (Kindergarten – 6th grade):
As many of you know, for many years on the 4th Wednesday of the month the children Kindergarten- 6th grade have participated in a ministry called Hands and Feet. This is a way for them to minister and give back within our church, the Spokane community and even outside the US. There are so many ways to serve.
We are reaching out to you, our church family for help. How can you help?
- Would you like to spearhead one of these evenings? Commitment would be one Wednesday 6:30-8:00, and whatever time it takes to set up and clean up. Be in charge. (We will make sure you have plenty of help)
- Do you have a great idea of a way the kids can serve? Please share your ideas and we will find someone to take the lead.
- Show up to help in any way needed! No planning needed. Just come and be a light to the kids.
Dates needed
January 26th
February 23rd
March 23rd
April 27th
May 25th
Please email me jrroth99@msn.com
Upcoming Dates
January 15th : Pre-Teen Breakout Event 1-3pm
- Calling all pre-teens (5th-6th graders)!!! Come enjoy a day of fun in the snow and a bonfire with smores!
- The event will be at the Roth Family home. Please contact Pastor Hope for the address.
January 23rd: Family Worship 9:30am
- Come join our church family as all generations lead in worship!
January 26th : Hands & Feet Night 6:30-7:45pm
- Come ready for our monthly service project. Information about the project will be posted on Facebook and fliers available at the check-in counter.
January 28th : Pajama Party 5-8pm
- Calling all 1st-6th graders!!! Come in your funniest PJ’s to play games, eat pizza and watch a movie. Bring a friend and get a prize! 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place awards given to the funniest PJ’s!
SAVE THE DATE IN FEBRUARY!!!
February 19th: Family Sledding Day at Holmberg Park 1-3pm
- Come meet other SFNAZ families for a day of fun in the snow. This is a family event to come enjoy some sledding and fellowship with others. Children who participate must have a parent with them.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
Our Regular Weekly Schedule
- Wednesdays 6:30-8PM – Youth Group (Gym and Teen Loft)
- Sundays 9:30AM – Worship (Sanctuary) 11AM – Discipleship (Teen Loft)
Guys and Girls Small Group Bible Study
- Small group bible studies will resume Jan 16. The girls meet in the Fireside Room are working through a series called “Anxious,” and the guys meet in the Teen Loft are working through a lesson called, “I Am: Getting to Know God.” After our meetings on the first and third Sunday in February we will take a break from Sunday small groups.
- Our remaining dates to meet are:
- Jan 16 – 4pm (hangout time afterwards at 5pm done by 6:30pm)
- Feb 6 – 4pm to 5pm
- Feb 20 – 4pm (hangout time afterwards at 5pm done by 6:30pm)
Teen Worship Team Rehearsals
- We are leading two songs in the worship service on Jan 23. We will have rehearsal at 5:30pm on:
- Wed, Jan 12
- Wed, Jan 19
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
- Jan 14-15 – Quiz Meet at Grandview
- Jan 28 – 7-10PM Youth Night Out: All teens @ the Synders, bring a snack to share
- Feb 4-5 – Quiz Meet (in Oregon)
- Feb 11-13 – Teen Winter Retreat at Twinlow – Cost $75 (scholarships available) – Speaker Kyle White
- Mar 18-20 – NW District Breakthrough – Equipping event in Yakima, WA cost $75 (scholarships available) (more info nwnyi.com/breakthrough)
- Detailed Winter calendar coming soon!
INFO UPDATE TEXT MESSAGES & EMAILS
To automatically join the SFNazYouth info text messages, simply text “ADDME” to (509)790-4048. If this doesn’t work or you are still not receiving the text messages or have questions, please contact Pastor Shawn (shawns@sfnaz.org)
In addition to regular text updates, there are also periodic email info updates with more details about upcoming events and youth ministry happenings. These come out about every month. If you (or someone you know) isn’t receiving these emails, you can sign up to receive the emails at http://sfnaz.org/youth