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Calvin Stevens
Student Ministries


“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8

 

I would not be sitting here writing this if my mother had not responded to the voice of the Lord and invited me to church. Instead of just putting it off, avoiding an uncomfortable conversation, with an uncertain outcome, she said: “Here I am, send me.” Well, maybe not in those words, but you get the point. On March 17, 2014, I gave my life to Christ and have been serving at our church ever since.

One of the very first projects I ever worked on in the church was helping Timmy Stoner paint a banner for Easter. I would have never had that fellowship and friendship early on in my walk if Timmy at some point did not say to the Lord, “Here I am, send me.” On that very same day, Ms. Dawn shared some of her testimony with me and reminded me that God can and is willing to use anyone in His kingdom. Later on down the road, she invited me to volunteer in children’s ministry. I would have never been involved in youth ministry if Ms. Dawn had not planted the seed of pouring into our youth, and if she hadn’t responded to the voice of the Lord, “Here I am, send me.”

I write all of this to ask, how are you responding to the voice of the Lord? Who is He putting on your heart to reach out to, to speak with, maybe even to invite to church? I know one simple invite has changed my life forever, and I know there is someone out there right now that needs that same invite. Easter is coming, and over the next few weeks we will be leaning into the impact Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has on our lives. The world needs to hear this; our community needs to hear this! The Lord is calling us all to spread this Good News. Will you pick up this call?  Let’s all step out of our comfort zones as Easter approaches and not miss any opportunity God gives us to invite someone to church. Let’s all together, as the body of Christ say, “Here I am Lord, send me!”.

 
 


Sign Up Now for Sunday Serve April 7
 
Service opportunities are available for sign up at the information tables. Please take a look at the many options and sign the whole family up for Sunday Serve!

Everyone will meet at 9am for a short service then go out to the community to serve.

There are projects for all ages and abilities, including some at NTCC. Project lists are available at the church.

Register children under 4 years of age for child care if needed.

Remember: There will be NO 10:30
 service April 7.

 
 
Sunday, April 21

The Easter Experience has a few weeks left.  It’s important and not too late to jump in and join a small group or ABF.  It is equally as important that you do not miss the question that remains: What do we do with Jesus?  It really is the ultimate question.  What do we do with Jesus as He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected to life by the power of God and is alive today? We can dismiss Him. We can reject Him. We can play ignorant. We can follow, then desert Him, OR we can follow Him by surrendering our life to Him and His will.  This is the more difficult decision.  It is the narrow path, the less taken road.  Many people have chosen to follow Jesus. Many have also fallen away from allowing Jesus to be Lord.  The last weeks of the Easter Experience will leave no doubt in your mind on how you ought to answer the question, “What do we do with Jesus?”


Sunday, April 21 Easter Pancake Breakfast 8am - 10am in MPB
Services will be at 9am and 10:30am with nursery- PreK at 9am Children's program for all ages at the 10:30 service.
Easter Egg hunt will take place for children PreK - 5th during 10:30am service.
**ABF classes will not be meeting this day.

If you would like to help donate for the pancake breakfast we are collecting 10 bottles of syrup, 2 bottles of sugar free syrup, 20 cans of frozen orange juice, 5 packages of butter and financial donations for breakfast sausage.

Please sign up at the information tables if you can help supply any of these items.
 
 
Schedule of Events for NTCC
 
April

April 6: 2019 Keokuk Christian Academy Auction @ 9am doors open

April 7: Sunday Serve 9am (no 10:30 worship service)

April 14: Easter Experience Prayer Night @ 6:00pm - 7:00pm

April 20: K-Play Easter Event in MPB

April 21: Easter Sunday, Pancake Breakfast serving from 8:00am -10:00am 

April 23: Mobile Food Pantry @ 4:00pm in MPB

April 28: Camp Sunday, Linger Longer Lunch & Family Sunday



 
For more information on any of these events, please call the NTCC office at
319-524-8727.
 

 
LaMoine Camp Sugar Collection & Camp Sunday April 28

 

NTCC is collecting sugar for the camp all through the month of April. Our goal is 300lbs of sugar by Camp Sunday on the 28! Members of the camp staff will be with us that Sunday to help us kick off camp season.  If you would like to help with this project you can drop off a bag of sugar and place it on the table next to the office anytime this month. 

 

         
                                                       

Jesus called His earliest disciples, inviting them to “Come and follow Me.”  Once they were fully trained, He sent them out as Great Commandment disciple makers.  Following His Great Commission to “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” 

TCM has been doing this since its beginning over 60 years ago.  As TCM follows where God leads, they are compelled to go into every nation, developing Christian leaders for significant service so that every nation will have effective leaders of disciple-making movements impacting their churches, cultures, and countries for Christ. 

Hand-in-hand (with NTCC) and other partners around the world, TCM is following The Lord’s leading to move deeper in areas currently at work (Russia, Central and Eastern Europe) and wider as they engage areas which are new (Central Asia, Turkey, Africa, and the United States). 

Through Global Expansion Model, TCM continues to follow The Lord’s lead into every nation, grateful to be included in His family Commission.  God is on the move.  Prayerfully seek to be in lockstep with Him as He advances His Kingdom throughout every nation on this shrinking planet.

 

 

 





Commission Coffee Corner
Every Sunday, coffee is ready at the Commission Coffee Corner before worship and ABF Classes. Coffee is free, but as you fill your cup, you may notice a jar for donations on the counter. Your donations support a different mission organization each month that is working to bring the good news to all corners of the world.

March & April Commission Coffee Corner donations go to TCMI

                     

 

Cullen Hartley
Minister of Administration

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

 

Smack-dab in the middle of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, we receive one of the most treasured promises for Christians. We are told to “seek first” God’s kingdom with the promise that all the things we worry and fret about (and more!) will be granted to us by God!

 

This promise is incredible and can only be attained by grasping our new life in Christ! When all of us are in our early life, we develop a variety of interests, ambitions, and goals. However, when we come to Christ, we begin to be transformed into something new! The things that we used to want fade away. The bad habits that we used to do move into the past. Our earthly priorities are replaced with biblical priorities.

 

A few of these changes will occur instantaneously at salvation. For instance, we might start enjoying worship music when we once hated it; we might forgive someone we loathed; or we might gain a new spirit of generosity. Other changes will only be found within the context of weeks, months, years, or decades of prayer and Christ seeking.

 

God will teach us over a period of time that the earthly things we enjoyed are little more than a mist, and we will have new appreciations developed with a kingdom mindset. Moreover, other transformations that we experience will be hard. We might have a love for something in the world, but we know it is dross compared to the gems of Christ’s crown. We will make agonizing, prayerful decisions to value God’s kingdom over our old friends, church activities over extracurricular, and eternal experiences over earthly treasures.

 

When we’re making the changes and performing the sacrifices, it might seem nonsensical. We are changing our identities for something that we can’t even see! However, after we have made the choice and performed the action, we will be visited by God’s spirit which will be more firmly planted in our soul. We will experience the blessings of true kingdom living as we realize the power of seeking first God’s kingdom through prayer and finding our treasure in Him!


 

Please don’t forget to join us each week for our prayer and worship meeting on Sunday nights from 6pm to 7pm.

 

 

 
            Find and follow Jesus forever

SERVE TOGETHER WITH YOUR KIDS (HISKIDZ)
Sunday serve is April 7. We know that kids who serve with their families are more likely to stay faithful as they grow up. With that in mind, we want to encourage you to sign up as a family to help reach out into our community as we launch our first Sunday Serve. There are opportunities for all ages to serve in various ways. On Sunday Serve, we will meet together at 9am for a short service and then head out into the community to serve. 

                                              

Easter at Hilton Road is one of our favorite celebrations of the year! Be sure to take note of the changes in our regular programming for that day.

Between 8 and 10am, NTCC will be serving a pancake breakfast in the MPB.

At 9am, there is no K-6th children's programming. Children, K-6th grade, will sit in the main service with their families, and activity packs will be available. Nursery and preschool classes will be held as usual.

Then, at the 10:30am service, children's programming will be available for all ages, birth-6th grade. During this time our preschool-6th grade children will have quality teaching, music and an Easter egg hunt. 

Easter is  a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors and family to join you for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Invite a family you know to celebrate Easter at Hilton Road.


                           
  HiSKidZ begin their new "Blessed," series which focuses on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12. Our "Blessed" series builds on our Disciples focus for this year as HiSKidZ continue to learn what it means to find and follow Jesus forever.  KidZRocK continues through May 8, and then will break until fall. 


    


SAVE 1/2 OFF CAMP WHEN YOU REGISTER EARLY.
CAMP SUNDAY IS APRIL 28


We love church camp, and we have designated April 28 as Camp Sunday. Members of the camp staff will be with us that Sunday to help us kick off our camp sign ups. This year, campers registered before the discount date will receive 1/2 off the early registration price of the camp. Simply use the code NTCC1950 when registering as part of New Testament Christian Church. Payment plans are available for the remaining balance. For more information, see the camp's website www.lamoinecamp.com  Camp sessions are available for students entering grades 1-12.
 




Current Opportunities include:
Toddler Nursery Volunteers--We currently have one first service and one second service opportunity available. See Ms Dawn or make a note on your connection card to be contacted about serving. Training provided.

KidZChurch Volunteers--Come be part of what God is doing in the lives of HiSKidZ.
Training provided.

Nursery Cleaning Team Volunteers--Volunteers are needed to come to the church one afternoon a week to clean the baby and toddler nurseries and toys. 

 
HiSKidZ classes on Sunday morning meet at 9am (lessons with Bible skills games) and 10:30 KidZChurch (with songs, lesson, communion time and lesson review games).
NTCC's Youth Programming, TheLoft, for grades 6-12, exists to evangelize, disciple, and equip youth through exposure to God's work, prayer, community, and Christ-centered relationships in order to mobilize them to works of service. The Loft meets on Wednesday Nights in the NTCC MPB. Grades 6-8 meet from 6pm-7:15pm and Grades 9-12 meet from 7:30pm-9pm. On Sunday mornings, grades 7-12 meet at 9am for The Loft AM Bible study all year long.



Calvin Stevens
Student Ministries


 

Greetings from the Loft!

 

I’d just like to start off by thanking everyone for the prayers and support you offer our youth ministry. Our students are blessed to belong to a church body that believes so strongly in the development and growth of their relationship with Christ. We have done some exciting things, and have even more exciting things planned for the future that is only possible through the Lords provision and your partnership. Thank you from our students, the sponsors, and myself!

 

Last month, we took a group of middle schoolers to the CIY Believe conference in Springfield, Il. It was an amazing weekend event that challenged us to focus not on worldly influences, but on the way God sees us. It was a short and sweet retreat that was jam packed with biblical truth, and lots of fun and fellowship. Huge thanks to Maddie Johnson and Chris Ralph for being our adult sponsors on the trip.

 

Coming up, from June 16th to the 22nd our High Schoolers will be heading to Johnson City, Tennessee. We’re changing this up and going big for this years CIY MOVE trip. Our typical spot of Joplin, Mo is already sold out, and the other dates nearby overlap with our LaMoine Camp schedule. We love LaMoine and we love CIY and we want to ensure the kids are able to go to both. The Cost of CIY Move this year will be $430, which will cover gas, food, t-shirts, and ZIP-LINING! We have a few fundraising ideas coming up, and are always open to any sponsorships. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

 

As always we appreciate all the prayers and support you pour out over our students.
 

To God be the Glory

Calvin Stevens

forchristcalvin@gmail.com

319-520-1430

 

TheLoft for Junior High

Grades 6-8
6pm-7:15 pm on Wednesday Nights during the school year 

TheLoft for High School
Grades 9-12
7:30pm-9pm on Wednesday Nights during the school year 

For more information about youth programming at NTCC, or more information about volunteering with youth please call
319-524-8727


Cullen Hartley
Administrator


Dear NTCC,

Keokuk Christian Academy students, parents, and volunteers have been working hard at fundraising! We have sold over sixty boxes of candy bars so far, and everyone is gearing up for our annual auction on Saturday, April 6 at 10am! (doors open at 9am) We can’t wait to see you there!

 

We are also looking forward to seeing our five seniors graduate on Saturday, May 25 at 2:00. Many of these students have been at KCA for over a decade and a few have been at KCA since preschool. I’m so thankful to celebrate with these students and am excited to see what God will do next in their lives.

 

I also have a few items that I would like to ask that church members add to their prayer lists. First, KCA needs more junior high students! We have had encouraging enrollment in our lower elementary program and high school, but the groups that are getting to be junior high age have never had large classes. Please pray that we would strengthen this aspect of our program and find students that are eager to learn a Bible-centered, traditional skills curriculum within the context of a caring community.

 

Second, I would like to pray about KCA starting a strong relationship with our local Christian radio station. In January, 90.9 FM moved their offices from Carthage to Keokuk and became LIFT FM. This station is the perfect platform to promote Christian education and events! If you have the resources to help make this partnership happen, please give me a call at 319-524-5752.

 

Thank you for your help and encouragement! KCA is getting ready for its 39th school year! This could not happen without the support of New Testament Christian Church.

 

Sincerely,

Cullen Hartley

 

 

 
 
For more information about KCA and how to enroll, visit www.keokukchristianacademy.com


We are looking for some volunteers from 2:30pm until about 6pm on Tuesday, April 23.  (If you can not stay for the whole time, we would love any help you can give!) Volunteers have a variety of tasks, from unboxing food from the truck, setting out food on tables, handing out food, helping to carry items to cars and breaking up boxes.

If you are interested in helping with the Mobile Food Pantry hosted at NTCC please sign up at the information tables in the back of the sanctuary or call the office for more details: 319-524-8727 



 

    
 
K-Play Easter Egg Hunt Service Day:

April 20
                                                
NTCC will be hosting KPLAY's 2nd Annual Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt here at the church on April 20. Refuge women are planning to help with this event. Sign up at the tables in the back of the church at the Refuge section to help with set up, event help and/or clean up. 
 
SAVE THE DATE 
 
May 4, 2019
5pm

Tickets are $7

(Children 3 and under free, but will still need a ticket.)

Ticket Availability Begin April 7
(The day of Sunday Serve)

Seating is limited. Please purchase tickets early to assist with planning
.

Want to help with planning? Sign up at the Refuge section at the tables in the back of the church.

Special activities planned for girls during the speaker's message!

Adult Bible Fellowship: Sunday Mornings are just the beginning!



Easter is much more than just a holiday. The Easter Experience  explores the life-changing meaning of Easter. Featuring dramatic story-telling with Biblical teaching. The Easter Experience brings the passion and resurrection of Christ to life.
 

ABF and small groups will continue the Easter Experience through the month of April to coincide with the sermon series of the same name. 
It is never too late to jump in and experience this incredible study with us. There are two options on Sunday morning and a few during the week, please see the small groups listed below for times and locations. We hope you will join us in this journey.

No ABF April 7 for Sunday Serve or April 21 for Easter
9:00am Study leader: Shiloh Parents
10:30am Study leader: Cullen Hartley

 

For more information about our ABF ministry, please see Chris Mickelson or contact the NTCC Office 319-524-8727

At 6pm: 
Sunday Night Prayer 

 
Join New Testament Christian Church on Sunday nights, from 6pm to 7pm, for a time of prayer. This service focuses on seeking our God together as the Church through singing, scripture reading, and praying in groups, with a friend, or by yourself. For more information, please see an NTCC staff member.



A special Easter Experience prayer night will take place on Sunday, April 14 at 6pm -7pm. We are asking for everyone at NTCC including all of those attending small groups and ABF to join us for this prayer night surrounding Easter and what we can be seeking the Lord to do in hearts and lives during this time season in our church, families, friends and the community. 



The following small groups will be studying the Easter Experience series throughout the week. If you are not attending ABF be sure to join one of these small groups that coincide with the Sunday sermons! Contact the office for location details.

 

MIXED STUDIES

Tuesdays: at 7:00pm Keokuk, IA - Led in rotation by the Abegglen, Blankenship and Hanson families.

Thursdays: at 6:30pm Keokuk, IA - Led by Nathan & Kristin Schulte

Thursdays: at 6:30pm rotating in Carthage & Warsaw, IL - Led by Dave Snowden & Tim Crose

 

WOMEN'S STUDY

 
Tuesdays: at 6:30pm Hamilton, IL - Led by Dawn Farris
 

God uses small group studies to help us BELIEVE, BELONG and BECOME all He desires for us as His body.  Small groups are a great way to connect and be a part of what God is doing in lives here at NTCC.
 
For more information and details regarding these and other studies please contact the office
319-524-8727
 

 
 
Offering and Attendance
2019 Weekly Need: $5,428.00
       
March  Offering  Attendance   Volunteers
March 3 $5770.97 155 58
March 10 $5774.02 185 57
March 17 $4140.02 214 54
March 24 $4658.02 193 61
       
 



Monthly Financial Reports are available upon request from the NTCC Office.


 
Click here to catch up on sermons or to listen again
Considering taking your faith to the next level? Contact the office for more options at NTCC
319-524-8727
Click here to contact an NTCC staff member


New Testament Christian Church

Staff
Derek Olsen, Senior Pastor
Dawn Farris, Children's and Family Ministry Director
Cullen Hartley, NTCC Minister of Administration and KCA Administrator
Calvin Stevens, Student Ministries
Bree Hartley, Secretary

Elders
Jeff Doore, 319-524-2376
Ray Miller, 319-795-2500
Bill Schulte, 319-524-7238
John Wardwell, 217-847-3628
David Zanolla, 309-259-0284

Deacons
Tim Crose, 309-224-9408
Harold Hough, 319-524-4365
Denny Moore, 217-242-9402
Nathan Schulte, 319-795-6346
David Snowden, 217-256-3248
Calvin Stevens, 319-670-1430

 

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