LWF E-Newsletter - Come Join Us

Lake Worth First Church of the Nazarene

E-Newsletter

January 27, 2024

1401 2nd Avenue N., Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

This Sunday: Jesus' Death a True Valentine's Gift!

Pastor Rob Diehl is our special Sunday speaker this week.

He will be taking us on a journey through the world's greatest story - the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! What better Valentine's gift could we ask for than the love of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Rev. Diehl has been an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene for over 20 years. He has served as a children's pastor, children's evangelist, and a Day School director. He and Deb have ministered to children and families across much of the United States - using puppets, gospel illusions, balloons, and laughter.

Pastor Rob and Deb Diehl

Start the New Year right with “Breakfast Sunday”

Come enjoy a delicious breakfast this Sunday beginning at 8:55 a.m. There is no better way to begin the year – than having breakfast with friends at church – before a wonderful worship service.

Next Sunday – Celebrating Jesus:

Annual Church Meeting & Elections

Plan to be part of our annual congregational meeting and elections next Sunday. Pastor Donna will be giving her first report as our pastor. It will be a day of reflection and a day to look forward to God’s leading of our church.

We will be electing our church board leaders for the next year and also delegates to our upcoming conventions and district assembly.

It all begins at 9:30 a.m., Family Life Center, 2^nd Avenue North and D Street, Lake Worth Beach.

If you can’t be there, join our video streaming by going to our website at: www.lwfnazarene.org or by going to YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lwfnazarene.

Which is more important?

Have you ever decided that the rainy/cold weather, children, need for more rest, or staying out too late were good enough reasons to skip Sunday church?

Below are fans at a recent Buffalo Bills football game. NOTHING could stop them from attending the game – including being covered with 2 inches of snow!

Hmm!

Coming Saturday, February 10: Prayer Retreat #2

The 3-in-1 Prayer Retreat held January 13 was so successful and so spiritually fulfilling the congregational church leaders of all three language groups were anxious to do it again. It all begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday February 10 in the Family Life Center, 2^nd Avenue North and D Street.

Youth Bible Study, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. –

Family Life Center

Pastor Donna and Rich Carlile lead our youth group in a weekly Bible study. They are studying Scriptures for teens in a way that relates to school, home – everyday life. Come join with them each Thursday, 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

We are looking for a “few good” volunteers who would be willing to provide a “Simple Supper” for our teens on Thursday nights. See Pastor Donna or Wendy Moore if you’d like to help.

Welcome New Church Members!

We had a great celebration when Pastor Donna Carlile officially welcome seven new members to our congregations.

Congratulations to our new members: (l to 4) Matt VanVoorthuijen, Silvia VanVoortthuijen, Richard Godby, Tobias Kudla, Chloé Wilkinson-Martinez, Briana Wilkinson-Martinez, Todd Velez

Our Baptistry Runneth over!!

What a great Sunday morning as our whole congregation celebrated the baptism of two teens. There was such exuberance that our baptistry overflowed as the baptism took place. Our church carpet got a thorough bath! It was an amazingly encouraging wet experience!

Pastor Donna applauds as Tobias Kudla enthusiastically surfaces from her baptism. It was amazing!

Pastor Donna prepares to baptize Richard Godby. What a surprise when the enthusiastic process caused the baptistry to overflow. Congratulations Richard – your sins have been washed away and you’re a new person in Christ. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Let us know if you would like to be Baptized in a future service.

Just for women:

“Women’s Retreat” scheduled for February 23-25 at the beautiful Lake Placid Camp & Conference Center. You can register at www.sfnazarene.org or you can email Linda Russ at: lllr1111@yahoo.com.

Be part of the Wednesday evening “Prayer Meeting Pack” we hold at 6:30 p.m. in the Grace Café of the Family Life Center. You can also join us via Zoom or a conference call. Click HERE for the new link. The new Meeting I.D. is 836 4052 8793 and the new passcode is: Hb3D47. You can download the free Zoom App on your phone, tablet, or computer! A praying church makes all the difference in the world! Come join in person or electronically!

Prayers Needs for our church family:

Pastor Donna, Rich and family – as they deal with so many pressures on them with full time jobs, church responsibilities, girls school involvement and so much more!
Brenda Lawson – is the mother of Pastor Donna Carlile. She has made such good progress after breaking several leg bones, that she is now using a walker and was expected to be released to return home late this week. We praise God for this great progress.
Elaine Long – was hospitalized earlier this week but was expected to return home on Thursday with a new pacemaker. Elaine continues to be a walking miracle.
Deb Scortico – Had a complete knee replacement surgery in October. The drive from Massachusetts to our area was very difficult. She is now undergoing additional physical therapy and making good progress.
Wendy Moore – is making good progress after knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. She is walking more each day and is undergoing additional therapy.
Robert Barnes - Laura Creel’s father is under hospice care. We praise God that Laura is now receiving some respite care by others for up to 20 hours each week.
Richard Nevitte – Richard is in a memory unit in Boynton Beach and continues to do well. His wife Annette is in Deland helping a relative pack and move to North Carolina.
Norma Dembinski – a resident of Lake Worth Towers is under hospice care.

To send or receive prayer requests, just send a text to 833-270-2519.

February Birthdays:

15 – Richard Nevitt

26 – Gary Campeau

February Anniversaries

14 – Silvia and Matt VanVoorthuijsen

If we inadvertently missed your special day or the special day of someone you know, please let Sandi Coxson or Dennis Moore know.

If we inadvertently missed your special day or the special day of someone else, please let Sandi Coxson or Dennis Moore know.

The hardest places to be a Christian

This week, the watchdog organization, Open Doors International released its annual list detailing countries of concern when it comes to persecution against Christians. The graphic below shows the countries where living as a Christian is difficult.

More than 82% of Christians killed for their faith globally this were in Nigeria, Africa. In North Korea the government tracks down illegal house churches and then condemn Christian to hard labor in prison. Eight three percent of all Christian churches closed by the government were from China and India.

Here is a list of the top 10 countries where it is hardest to serve as a Christian:

1. North Korea

2. Somalia - Africa

3. Libya - Africa

4. Eritrea - Africa

5. Yemen

6. Nigeria – Africa

7. Pakistan

8. Sudan – Africa

9. Iran

10. Afghanistan

This provides all of us with an earnest prayer list. If ever prayer is needed, it is needed now for our fellow Christians living in these countries.

Visit the Lake Worth First Church of the Nazarene Website