E-Bulletin September 12th 2025
ROM Trip
The Harvest Festival at Rivers of Mercy has been scheduled for Saturday, October 18th. We hope to bring a team down, Tuesday October 14th through October 21st. Please pray and Let Bob or Linda know if you have any questions or are interested in coming.
Also, Rivers of Mercy is in need of help purchasing school supplies for the kids and created an Amazon wish list. Click on the link below to help out!
https://bit.ly/romschool
Joni & Friends Fundraiser
Saturday October 11th in Shrewsbury MA, NLBC will be bringing a team to the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll for a great day of fundraising, fellowship, and fun to bring hope through hardship to people and families living with disability across New England and the globe. There will be games, worship, Chick-fil-A lunch, a Wheels for the World wheelchair collection, and a fun time of walking and rolling, all in a disability-friendly family environment. Contact Mariah Jackman 413-522-8014 to register to walk or to be a volunteer for our activity booth!
Children's Ministry Donations Needed!
Each week, our children earn a ticket for reciting their memory verse. Once a month, the Memory Verse Store opens, and they get to "shop" for something they enjoy using their tickets! We would love to add more fun toys and games to bless our kids and make this special time even more exciting. Suggested donation items should be between $1-$10. Please avoid character items from show or movies. A collection box will be located in the foyer for your donations. Thank you so much for helping encourage our children to hide God's Word in their hearts!
Parenting Class
This Sunday the 14th our new Sunday school season begins. We will have a 5-week parenting class entitled Parenting with Patience. This will be using material from The Disciple Making Parent and includes videos, a workbook, and discussion during our time together.
Harvest Festival
Our annual Harvest Festival will be Sunday October 12th from 1:00-3:30pm. There are sign-up sheets on the back bulletin for help.
Called to Counsel Conference
On Thursday, Oct. 23, from 9-3:30, NLBC will be hosting this year's Small Town Summits Massachusetts conference. In partnership with CCEF New England, the theme is "Called to Counsel," encouraging and equipping everyone in the church to grow in offering wise counsel to one another. This conference is open to all, and you are highly encouraged to register and attend. There will also be opportunities to volunteer to help with the conference so stay tuned for more details. To register or to learn more click here
https://www.smalltownsummits.com/sts-ma
Ministry Opportunities
We have some areas of service and ministry within the church that need to be filled. Would you pray about how you could help?
Offering
2025 Budget - Yearly $190,624
- Weekly $3,666
Offering - The offering for this past Sunday (9-7-25) totaled $4,536.06. Designated gifts were as follows: $500 Kevin/ Mo Kimball and $100 Mike/ Grace ROM.
The Harvest Festival at Rivers of Mercy has been scheduled for Saturday, October 18th. We hope to bring a team down, Tuesday October 14th through October 21st. Please pray and Let Bob or Linda know if you have any questions or are interested in coming.
Also, Rivers of Mercy is in need of help purchasing school supplies for the kids and created an Amazon wish list. Click on the link below to help out!
https://bit.ly/romschool
Joni & Friends Fundraiser
Saturday October 11th in Shrewsbury MA, NLBC will be bringing a team to the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll for a great day of fundraising, fellowship, and fun to bring hope through hardship to people and families living with disability across New England and the globe. There will be games, worship, Chick-fil-A lunch, a Wheels for the World wheelchair collection, and a fun time of walking and rolling, all in a disability-friendly family environment. Contact Mariah Jackman 413-522-8014 to register to walk or to be a volunteer for our activity booth!
Children's Ministry Donations Needed!
Each week, our children earn a ticket for reciting their memory verse. Once a month, the Memory Verse Store opens, and they get to "shop" for something they enjoy using their tickets! We would love to add more fun toys and games to bless our kids and make this special time even more exciting. Suggested donation items should be between $1-$10. Please avoid character items from show or movies. A collection box will be located in the foyer for your donations. Thank you so much for helping encourage our children to hide God's Word in their hearts!
Parenting Class
This Sunday the 14th our new Sunday school season begins. We will have a 5-week parenting class entitled Parenting with Patience. This will be using material from The Disciple Making Parent and includes videos, a workbook, and discussion during our time together.
Harvest Festival
Our annual Harvest Festival will be Sunday October 12th from 1:00-3:30pm. There are sign-up sheets on the back bulletin for help.
Called to Counsel Conference
On Thursday, Oct. 23, from 9-3:30, NLBC will be hosting this year's Small Town Summits Massachusetts conference. In partnership with CCEF New England, the theme is "Called to Counsel," encouraging and equipping everyone in the church to grow in offering wise counsel to one another. This conference is open to all, and you are highly encouraged to register and attend. There will also be opportunities to volunteer to help with the conference so stay tuned for more details. To register or to learn more click here
https://www.smalltownsummits.com/sts-ma
Ministry Opportunities
We have some areas of service and ministry within the church that need to be filled. Would you pray about how you could help?
- Assistant Treasurer: We are looking for an Assistant Treasurer to help with the finances of the church. You must be a member to serve in this role. Please see Derek Postema with any questions about the position.
- Social Committee: We are also looking for anyone interested in serving on the Social Committee. This would involve helping with events including set-up, take down, prep, etc. This role is open to all, please see Judy Todd or Janice Abbott with any questions.
Offering
2025 Budget - Yearly $190,624
- Weekly $3,666
Offering - The offering for this past Sunday (9-7-25) totaled $4,536.06. Designated gifts were as follows: $500 Kevin/ Mo Kimball and $100 Mike/ Grace ROM.
Question: What is the Bible’s teaching on transgenderism? Can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian?
Answer: This question, and all of the surrounding topics that come with it, boils down to the question of authority. Who is in charge of life? Of my life, your life? Who makes the rules and sets the agenda and boundaries? Within the worldview that affirms transgenderism, the answer to these questions is simply “self.” I make the rules and how I feel, what I desire and think is my highest authority. But this is a rejection of God and his authority as God and creator over all things. The Bible is very clear that God is supreme over all and he sets the rules and boundaries for life. He has created male and female (Genesis 1:27), and not just the categories, but every individual person from conception is personally knit-together, sovereignly designed by God (Psalm 139). Therefore, it is God who determines our gender, he is the authority and creator of our bodies, not us. We are to submit to his designs as God even if our feelings and desires say otherwise. It is only there will we find peace and rest from the deceitful schemes of our flesh, it is only in submitting to the authority of our creator that we will live as we were created to live.
So, can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian? Again, we have to ask, whose authority are they basing their lives on? If they are rejecting God’s authority in something as foundational as his created order and design, and something as clear in Scripture as this, then we would have to question how they can be submitting to his authority in anything at all. This would be similar to someone who lives as a thief, robbing houses and banks regularly, but says they are a Christian. We would rightly say that those two things don’t add up! Their life is not in line with the very clear teachings of Scripture; they are rejecting God’s clear commands and designs for life, the way they live rejects the gospel they are professing.
But it is so important we remember that God can save and overcome any heart in any situation! He can pull people out of the deepest rejection of him, the most hard hearts, the most blinded eyes. This is what God did in the church of Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds them of their former lives, how God saved them from some incredibly dark lives! Starting in verse 9 he says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Corinthians walked in lifestyles that blatantly rejected the authority of God over them. But God saved them! They were no longer like that, but now washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Jesus Christ! No one is outside the reach of God and so we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all, whoever they are, in hopes they too will know the truth and be set free from unrighteousness, made new in Christ, as we have been!
Answer: This question, and all of the surrounding topics that come with it, boils down to the question of authority. Who is in charge of life? Of my life, your life? Who makes the rules and sets the agenda and boundaries? Within the worldview that affirms transgenderism, the answer to these questions is simply “self.” I make the rules and how I feel, what I desire and think is my highest authority. But this is a rejection of God and his authority as God and creator over all things. The Bible is very clear that God is supreme over all and he sets the rules and boundaries for life. He has created male and female (Genesis 1:27), and not just the categories, but every individual person from conception is personally knit-together, sovereignly designed by God (Psalm 139). Therefore, it is God who determines our gender, he is the authority and creator of our bodies, not us. We are to submit to his designs as God even if our feelings and desires say otherwise. It is only there will we find peace and rest from the deceitful schemes of our flesh, it is only in submitting to the authority of our creator that we will live as we were created to live.
So, can someone who identifies as “trans” be a Christian? Again, we have to ask, whose authority are they basing their lives on? If they are rejecting God’s authority in something as foundational as his created order and design, and something as clear in Scripture as this, then we would have to question how they can be submitting to his authority in anything at all. This would be similar to someone who lives as a thief, robbing houses and banks regularly, but says they are a Christian. We would rightly say that those two things don’t add up! Their life is not in line with the very clear teachings of Scripture; they are rejecting God’s clear commands and designs for life, the way they live rejects the gospel they are professing.
But it is so important we remember that God can save and overcome any heart in any situation! He can pull people out of the deepest rejection of him, the most hard hearts, the most blinded eyes. This is what God did in the church of Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds them of their former lives, how God saved them from some incredibly dark lives! Starting in verse 9 he says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Corinthians walked in lifestyles that blatantly rejected the authority of God over them. But God saved them! They were no longer like that, but now washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Jesus Christ! No one is outside the reach of God and so we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all, whoever they are, in hopes they too will know the truth and be set free from unrighteousness, made new in Christ, as we have been!
Our Food pantry has had an increase in clients and we could use help monetarily.
Needs:
Chunky Soups
Beef Stew
Bar hand soap
Cereal
Snack items
Ketchup
Brownie mixes
Cookie mixes
Olive Oil
Frozen Pizzas
Frozen waffles or pancakes
Anything is welcome, but these are the biggest needs.
Thank you to all the people that have donated to the pantry.
The Food Pantry will be open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6-7pm
Donations can be left in the foyer or in the hall outside the Food Pantry
Needs:
Chunky Soups
Beef Stew
Bar hand soap
Cereal
Snack items
Ketchup
Brownie mixes
Cookie mixes
Olive Oil
Frozen Pizzas
Frozen waffles or pancakes
Anything is welcome, but these are the biggest needs.
Thank you to all the people that have donated to the pantry.
The Food Pantry will be open every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6-7pm
Donations can be left in the foyer or in the hall outside the Food Pantry
Praises
For the opportunity last Sunday to hear from Kevin and Mo about their time in central Asia.
For the children that we have in our congregation.
That God the Father sent his son to earth in human form and the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection give us salvation and eternal life.
For the Holy Spirit that helps us in our daily walk.
For the freedom we have in this country to worship God and Jesus.
For God's creation and the beauty of the changing seasons.
That the Shutesbury Community Church will be donating any food that is given to their food drive to our food pantry.
Prayer needs:
For our Sunday service and Connor Lafleur, who will be preaching.
For Rita Deyo. The surgery went well. She did have to spend the night in the hospital due to an arrhythmia issue but was cleared by cardiology the next day and she is at home recovering. She is doing really well.
For Alison Burek. At her surgeon appointment, she learned that the lymph node near her kidney is not malignant. The growth on her kidney is stage 1 cancer, but it can be removed laparoscopically. She is very anxious about all of this, so pray for peace that surpasses understanding.
For Bob Tidlund who had to spend a few days in the hospital due to fluid around his heart.
That as a congregation we would always show care, love, and devotion to each other.
For Kevin and Mo's friend. We were able to have a Zoom session with him on Sunday and learned more about the work in central Asia. He is the leader of the ministry there and one of Kevin's bosses in Kevins new position. Pray for the house churches that exist and that more will be planted. Pray for Christians who are persecuted by their own families after accepting Christ.
For our fall programs: the Discipleship groups are meeting again, the Youth Group car wash to benefit ROM on Saturday, September 13th, Sunday school begins on September 14, the special parenting class starting September 14 and running for five weeks, the ROM fundraiser on Wednesday, September 24, the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll Fundraiser on October 11, the Harvest Festival on October 12th, the Mission trip to ROM from October 14-21, the Harvest Festival ROM will be having for the community, and the "Called to Counsel conference on October 23.
For those dealing with ongoing health issues: Danielle Buonaugurio, Sara Robinson, Bob Tidlund, John Burek, Rita Deyo, Matthew Jackman, John Drumgool, Carl McConchie, Steve Samal, Tina LaClaire, Alison Burek, Shelley Snow, Paul Burek, Ella Bartlett, Lucas Hunting, Charlie Buonaugurio, and Juliana Jackman. Pray for their caregivers as well.
For the group traveling to Rivers of Mercy in October. Eight people have signed up to go. The plane tickets have been purchased.
Our ministry focus this week is our Sunday school classes. Pray for the teachers of each class, adult and children classes. Pray for good attendance.
Our church of the week is the Shutesbury Community Church and their pastor Mark Ellis.
Our GO Partners this week are Santiago and Jackie Olortegui. Jackie's mom is dealing with multiple blood clots and a liver infection, so Santi and Jackie have traveled to Australia to be with her.
For the opportunity last Sunday to hear from Kevin and Mo about their time in central Asia.
For the children that we have in our congregation.
That God the Father sent his son to earth in human form and the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection give us salvation and eternal life.
For the Holy Spirit that helps us in our daily walk.
For the freedom we have in this country to worship God and Jesus.
For God's creation and the beauty of the changing seasons.
That the Shutesbury Community Church will be donating any food that is given to their food drive to our food pantry.
Prayer needs:
For our Sunday service and Connor Lafleur, who will be preaching.
For Rita Deyo. The surgery went well. She did have to spend the night in the hospital due to an arrhythmia issue but was cleared by cardiology the next day and she is at home recovering. She is doing really well.
For Alison Burek. At her surgeon appointment, she learned that the lymph node near her kidney is not malignant. The growth on her kidney is stage 1 cancer, but it can be removed laparoscopically. She is very anxious about all of this, so pray for peace that surpasses understanding.
For Bob Tidlund who had to spend a few days in the hospital due to fluid around his heart.
That as a congregation we would always show care, love, and devotion to each other.
For Kevin and Mo's friend. We were able to have a Zoom session with him on Sunday and learned more about the work in central Asia. He is the leader of the ministry there and one of Kevin's bosses in Kevins new position. Pray for the house churches that exist and that more will be planted. Pray for Christians who are persecuted by their own families after accepting Christ.
For our fall programs: the Discipleship groups are meeting again, the Youth Group car wash to benefit ROM on Saturday, September 13th, Sunday school begins on September 14, the special parenting class starting September 14 and running for five weeks, the ROM fundraiser on Wednesday, September 24, the Joni and Friends Walk and Roll Fundraiser on October 11, the Harvest Festival on October 12th, the Mission trip to ROM from October 14-21, the Harvest Festival ROM will be having for the community, and the "Called to Counsel conference on October 23.
For those dealing with ongoing health issues: Danielle Buonaugurio, Sara Robinson, Bob Tidlund, John Burek, Rita Deyo, Matthew Jackman, John Drumgool, Carl McConchie, Steve Samal, Tina LaClaire, Alison Burek, Shelley Snow, Paul Burek, Ella Bartlett, Lucas Hunting, Charlie Buonaugurio, and Juliana Jackman. Pray for their caregivers as well.
For the group traveling to Rivers of Mercy in October. Eight people have signed up to go. The plane tickets have been purchased.
Our ministry focus this week is our Sunday school classes. Pray for the teachers of each class, adult and children classes. Pray for good attendance.
Our church of the week is the Shutesbury Community Church and their pastor Mark Ellis.
Our GO Partners this week are Santiago and Jackie Olortegui. Jackie's mom is dealing with multiple blood clots and a liver infection, so Santi and Jackie have traveled to Australia to be with her.
1 – Alison Burek
8 – Pastor Mark Brussel, Christina Leonovich
11 – Crosby Barber
17 – JR Webb
20 – Betty Greemore
21 – Josh Barber
22 – Barry Black
25 – Tonia Jackman
28 – Dave Cobb
29 – Pastor Able Threeton
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