NORTHWAY WEEKLY UPDATE | Week of Jan 19

This Sunday: 

"Dreams & Reality: Connecting with God's Vision for Us Today"

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10; Daniel 2:19-23

Join us On Campus or Online | Sunday, January 22 at 10:30 am

Amateur astronomers have discovered a giant gas cloud near the andromeda galaxy. The professionals missed it, not because it's too small, but because it's too big, and their vision is so laser focused on a narrow field that they literally couldn't see what was right next door. This year invites us to renew our commitment to see the world with God's eyes - to expand our vision so that we can see and hear those around us with greater clarity, insight and understanding. As we prepare for this weekend of work and worship, study and fellowship, may we be inspired toward new ways of encountering God's vision for the world. See you Sunday.

A Note from the Ministry Team

Happy New Year:

Moving Forward Together – In Reflecting and Writing


“One thing I have desired of the Lord…

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

Psalm 27: 4


As we continue moving FORWARD TOGETHER, I encourage you to a time of reflection and writing in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead. Regardless of the timing you might choose, know we are in this together. 


The holiday rush is behind us. The new year is upon us, and it appears we are already met with a new flurry of activity. Our congregation has experienced two unexpected deaths within the past month. Sudden death leaves a family, congregation, and the extended community grappling with sensations often too difficult to describe in words.


As the subject of death is approached, well-researched studies have highlighted differences in how one desires to die.  Some prefer dying peacefully and, in their sleep, while others prefer having an abrupt ending of life. Most of us certainly want to avoid dying tragically and will do all we can to avoid risky behaviors that would cause a sudden death.


Given our days are numbered by God, no one knows when (or even how) death might occur. While reflecting on the topic of sudden death, or even death that happens from a short illness trajectory, it behooves us to begin preparing on some levels. Advanced Care Planning is a topic becoming more popular in the U.S. Writing an Obituary Ahead of Time is a suggested topic I frequently encourage individuals and families to consider long before death occurs.


The media prepare celebrity death notices well in advance. They create ‘soft files’, gathering and updating information on celebrities throughout their lives. As death occurs, this information is immediately and easily updated and shared with the world almost instantaneously following death.


TIPS FOR PREPARING AN OBITUARY IN ADVANCE:


1.      Attempt to move past the discomfort of this topic. Before writing, take some time

to settle in – lighting a candle, praying, breathing/meditating or even

journaling. Scheduling quiet time around this process will be beneficial.

Separate yourself into a quiet area of your home, the library, or even outdoors

on your patio.


2.      Recollect – Lifespan:

  • Birth (location)
  • Family or Origin - names and locations of each family member
  • Schooling - lower, middle, and upper school
  • College and/or Vocational Training
  • Degrees/Awards/Honors
  • Professional Life - Summarizing over time, highlighting specific positions or an overall snapshot of years worked.
  • Hobbies/interests - plus anything else significant you'd like others to know about you.
  • Surviving Family life - marriages, children, grandchildren, etc.
  • Service Information - think about how you'd like to be memoralized; location.
  • Body Disposition - think about how you'd like to be disposed; cremation, burial, columbarium, etc.


The overall writing should be a time of reflection –

remembering and recalling things from the past and

turning it into a well-written and picturesque scene.  


The obituary should be stored in a safe place – electronically, in a folder or binder, or a notebook where other important documents are being stored.


3.      Pictures – determine which photograph(s) you prefer sharing for a death

notice. One could even take it a step further by selecting other photos for a

memorial service or a funeral.


4.      Sharing the important stories and overall narrative of one’s life is important.


5.      One could even take it a step further by preparing your Memorial Service. 

Being intentional about preparing for the finality of our lives is the practice of

good stewardship. The goal of leaving our beloved with less stress and less

tasks to be completed after death is helpful on many levels.


Additional:


Elderly persons may be more open to sharing important details of their lives. Younger persons may not be as open to the idea initially. Gathering the important details is a good place to start. Writing and saving this information with the intent to continue adding and editing to it is always beneficial.

 

If you or anyone in your family are interested in writing an obituary,

and if you need assistance doing so, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

I will be happy to meet in person, schedule a Zoom call, or even visit with a

small group (Sticky group or even a Sunday School class) to provide guidance

on how to write and prepare a meaningful obituary.


Rev. Regina Franklin

Associate Minister of Congregational Care

regina.franklin@northwaychristian.org; 214/755-9644 Cell

This Sunday

SUNDAY START TIMES


  • 9:00 am - Sunday School
  • 10:00 am - Fellowship Time
  • 10:30 am - Worship Service


You may also join us online for worship.


The worship service is available

on Facebook and YouTube, too.


Tips for worshiping with us online:


  1. Announcements start at 10:15 am, with the prelude to follow, just prior to the 10:30 am service start time. Join us early!
  2. The Google Chrome browser is recommended for the best viewing experience.
  3. Prepare your own bread, cup and candle for communion.
  4. Turn on and adjust the sound to your computer.


Children's Music (K - 5th grade)

9:00 am (W-202)

Children will be escorted to their Sunday School classes following 

music time. 


Worship Rocks! (3rd- 5th grade)

Following the children's moment in

the worship service, children will be escorted to F-102 for their own

worship experience. 


Youth & JYF Groups After Church

11:45 am in Youth Hall

Youth & JYF Groups will meet in Youth hall after the worship service for a meal, fellowship, and discussion time.

Growth Opportunities

Tai Chi

Mondays @ 10:30 am in F-101

Contact Donna

(972-271-3949) for info.


Mobile Food Pantry

Volunteers sign up here.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Front lot at Northway


Transformation Prayer Call

Wednesdays at 12:00 pm

(Conference Call)

Learn more here


Wednesday Bible Study

Bible in a Year

Wednesdays @ 12:00 pm

(Parlor & Facebook)


Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays

7:00 - 8:30 pm

in the Music Suite

Contact Leanne Seabright

for more info.


Point-in-Time Dallas

Homeless Count

Thursday, January 26

6:00 - 11:00 pm

Email for details about

meet up location and time.


Solomon's Porch (Men's Group)

1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays

7:45 am in the Music Suite

Visit our website
Serve Opportunities
Calendar & Events

Point-in-Time Homeless Count

Thursday, January 26

6:00 - 11:00 pm


Thursday, January 26, marks an important moment for North Texas. It’s when community nonprofits and organizers—led by Housing Forward—will conduct this year’s Point-in-Time Homeless (PIT) Count.


This important volunteer event is one of the best ways to support our unhoused neighbors right now.


If you'd like to join a Northway team for the 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, or if you have a question about this volunteer opportunity, please email the church office.


If you would like to read more about the PIT Homeless Count, please click here.

Wednesdays

12:00 pm | Hybrid

(Parlor & Zoom)


Join the Northway Pastors in this year's Midweek Noon Bible Study on Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. To simplify the Bible and uncover what it means to you! We believe that studying the Bible doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. This study offers an appealing and motivating approach to diving into God’s

word in a way that is simple, approachable, and impactful. You can find the outline here. Each week, we will focus on one book of the Bible (and occasionally two). The week includes up to five reading chapters and a memory verse for every book of the Bible. Join us and enliven your encounter with God, deepen your spiritual formation, and increase the impact of your mission and witness in the world in 2023.

Saturday, January 21

9:00 am | Hybrid


A Board Meeting & Leadership Retreat will take place on Saturday, January 21 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Lunch will be included. This meeting is hybrid and will take place on campus in F-102 and on Zoom.


Details available at northwaychristian.org.


All Northway Board Meetings are open to congregants, unless otherwise noted.


Copies of the approved minutes from the prior month’s Board Meeting will be available at the Welcome Center each month.

Sunday, January 29

10:30 am | Hybrid


Save the date and plan to join us for Northway's 5th Sunday Intergenerational Worship Service, which will take place on Sunday, January 29 at 10:30 am.


We look forward to making this a memorable and exciting worship experience for all ages.


You can join us in person or online at worship.northwaychristian.org

Parent Connection

Hey Parents! If you'd like to keep up with Northway's activities for children and youth, you'll want to click here to check out our "Parent Connection" newsletter.

If you're not receiving this weekly email, but would like to, send us a note.

Other Notes

Happy Birthday to You!


Stuart Johnson

Shelbie McKenzie

Robb Miller

Dallas Reed

Wanda Regalado

Pick Scruggs

Julia Stine



Financial Update

Week of January 12 - 18, 2023


Weekly Receipts

$3,211


YTD Receipts

$17,073


2023 Budget

$431,633

FINANCIAL UPDATE NOTE:
Contributions will be reported at the time they are received, even if they are prepayments of annual pledges. If you have questions, please contact Laura Giffin or call 214-361-6641.
GIVING OPTIONS for Northway Christian Church
Give via text message by texting NORTHWAY to 73256
Gifts and offerings may also be mailed to the church office at
7202 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225
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