I can. Many of our church family are abuzz, pointing out the surge of energy at North Lake right now. There is no doubt; it is an exciting time to be a member of North Lake. Every day of the week, our doors are open, and our hallways are buzzing with one group or another. Along with the energy, we added 18 new members in September and already have the same number signed up for our next class in November.
In the business administrators’ report, you will also notice that our giving is up substantially and our finances are good. We have even received several generous estate bequests, which are strengthening the standing of our Big Three missions and have allowed us to make much-needed facilities repairs and improvements. At the end of September, Elder Dick Young reported that the session is managing these opportunities and has prioritized the biggest needs to steward these gifts well.
All of this puts us in the perfect position to continue our strategic plan for North Lake – most importantly to “make disciples of Jesus Christ.” With this new energy and growth, opportunities to get involved and serve also grow. I encourage you to stay connected through our multiple avenues of communication and find ways to contribute your gifts to the Holy Spirit’s work among us. It is a great day to join in.
It's almost time for our Annual Church Yard Sale! The event runs from Thursday till Saturday. The Thursday presale will require a $5 donation. Friday and Saturday are free to attend. This is an absolutely MASSIVE sale, so don't plan to go home empty handed! We will be accepting donations beginning October 11th. If you have treasure you are ready to part with, we would love to have them to help support our North Lake ministries. We are not accepting donations of clothing, books, picture frames, or medical supplies at this time. Donation drop offs will be at door #4.
Sunday, November 8
Kirkin' o' the Tartans
Starts at 11am
On Sunday, November 8, during the traditional worship service, we will have a special Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans service, which will include bagpipes, drums, and fanfare. Truly a service you will not want to miss. Invite your neighbors to join you on that special day.
This meaningful service requires many people to pull it off, so we need volunteers to help out! Please let us know if you can carry a tartan (flagpole with flag). We also need a veteran or active-duty service member from each branch of the United States Military who has a uniform to wear during the service.
Contact the church office or sign up in the lobby if you want to participate.
Join us for an evening of good food, fellowship, and a little magic at our next FAB dinner! We’ll welcome Rudy Castle of Mr. Castle’s Magic, a Florida magician with more than a decade of experience bringing laughter and amazement to audiences.
Bring a friend, enjoy dinner together, and get ready for some “How did he do that?” moments. We hope to see you for a FABulous evening!
Tickets go on sale October 7th for $15. The link below will work at that time.
Giving to church operations reached $128,920, which is 7% higher than last year. Average attendance rose just over 10%. From January through August, the church has an operating surplus of $191,038. The five-year chart shows revenue running further ahead of expenses this year than in any year since 2022.
You can see that support across our 8-acre campus. Summer projects so far include new HVAC for the Sanctuary choir loft, a refreshed and restriped parking lot, a new Sanctuary projector and screen, and LED lighting in the Sunday School rooms. A new projection screen for Fellowship Hall is scheduled for September.
August's Second Mile Offering raised $7,921 for Presbyterian Disaster Relief.
Little Blessings kicked off September with its annual Teddy Bear Parade, moved indoors to Fellowship Hall because of the heat. Chapel has started for the 4-year-old preschool classes, and a generous friend helped the school buy a new bus. Trunk or Treat is coming in October, and volunteers are welcome to help pass out candy.
Operation Homebound has a newly resurfaced kitchen floor that brightens the space and is easier to keep clean. Stop by and see it. FAB dinners are growing, and fall brings Thanksgiving and Christmas pie sales and a yard sale. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals, serve, and help prepare food. Find the October OHB menu here
The Christian Food Pantry serves an average of 385 family visits each month.
Presbyterian Women are inviting all women of North Lake and their friends to Friendsgiving on Saturday, November 14, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring a Thanksgiving dish to share and a canned good for the Christian Food Pantry. Save the dates for the "Remember When" fundraiser on February 12 and the "Cowgirl Chuckwagon" Spring Tea on April 17.
One of the simplest ways to support North Lake's future ministry is to name the church as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement account. You keep full control during your lifetime and can change beneficiaries as circumstances change.
Churches typically receive these funds free from income tax, so more of your gift goes to ministry. Stewardship Chairman Don Kipke explains how it works and what to review before you update your forms.
An introduction to Operation Christmas Child (OCC) by Franklin Graham.
“For over 30 years Samaritans Purse has had the privilege of distributing gift-filled shoeboxes to boys and girls in need around the world through their Operation Christmas Child (OCC) project. For many, this is the first gift they’ve received. Whether they live in Kenya or Kosovo, Cambodia or Columbia, their squeals of joy and excitement need no translation.
But more than giving just a fun gift, our trained ministry partners share the Gospel with the children during local events and invite them to participate in our follow-up discipleship program called The Greatest Journey. As you read through this booklet (available at North Lake’s Serve desk in the lobby) please prayerfully consider how the Lord may be calling you to join us as we share the Good News that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Praise the Lord for what He has done and is doing in the hearts and lives of these young disciples and their families.
Audio Fetch is a new super simple way to get the audio from our Sunday services straight into your hearing aids! It is super simple to set up, and we are more than happy to assist in getting it working for you.
North Lake Presbyterian Church | 975 Rolling Acres Rd. | Lady Lake, FL 32159 US