NLICC Women's Update 08.19.22
NLICC WOMEN’S UPDATE 08.19.22
Focus for August: The Sanctity of Life
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.”
Psalm 139: 13-16
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Do you consider all life sacred?
If you feel so led, please send your response to nlicc.wm@gmail.com
Please respond under 700 words. We look forward to hearing from you!
Submitted by Nancy Haenlein
When I put this question and Bible text together for August, I had no idea that our Supreme Court would be releasing a decision on Roe v Wade. Even though an earlier case (Casey) had previously broken the hard and fast position taken on Roe V Wade, it was an answer to very many prayers for very many people who consider all life sacred. This scripture really spoke to my heart after our third child died at 9 months and two weeks before she had even taken a breath. She was born perfect in every way but never knew life out of the womb. Ted and I were devastated. I spent days in a bottomless pit asking God WHY?! Why did He create her if he did not let her live? Why did He allow me to have a nursery ready and two children prepared for another sibling? The questions went on and on.
Even though grief was a long process, God brought me to this verse before the Celebration of Life service we had for baby Alexandra. It spoke to the depth of my soul. It spoke to the sacredness of her life. It spoke to the fact that she was no mistake and created for a special purpose. It spoke to the fact that God had determined the number of her days before there was yet one of them. These facts were all supported by the scripture above. Because we were able to accept God’s will even though He chose not to bring her back to life miraculously, as He could have, we thanked Him for her precious life, her sweet, sweet features, her full head of hair. We thanked him and prayed that He would help us understand. We prayed that He would help us move forward.
I believe, because we accepted God’s will and finally made the decision to allow joy in our lives, He was faithful to show us how He could turn even this great sorrow into glory for Himself. A young couple God brought into our lives for a season, lost their first child in almost exact circumstances. I was able to minister the love of God to them through a close friendship for a number of years. Eventually, she became pregnant again but was afraid to share her joy with me because of our shared loss. But this is how great the love of God is…..we both had babies 1 week apart! We had sown tears together and grew in the love of the Lord together and for a time we shared unexplainable joy, as well, and her son and my daughter became playmates until they moved. God is Sovereign. God is Good and His mercies are new every morning!
2 Corinthians 2:1-5 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the suffering of Christ flows over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
I consider all life sacred. My dad struggled for breath the last few years of his life and finally passed into glory. My mother is lost without him and is slowly losing herself and her wonderful memories to dementia. Even the knowledge of her salvation seems lost to her, but even in our suffering, life is sacred. If you struggle with barrenness, or with a spouse or parent or child who is struggling for health, I pray that you will reach out to believers around you for the community, the love, and support that you need from fellow believers. We must support one another in our joy and in our grief and suffering. “For just as the suffering of Christ flows over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you, patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer and our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:5-7
I invite you to listen to this beautiful song online: You Are a Masterpiece by Sandy Patty.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Baby Shower for Gillian Both and Rachel Both | Sunday, August 21, from 5-7pm | Hope of Christ Church | 1449 Courthouse Rd, Stafford, 22554
Hope of Christ will be hosting a baby shower for both Gillian and Rachel Both on Sunday, August 21st from 5-7pm at 1449 Courthouse Rd, Stafford, 22554. New Life is invited to join in the fun. This will be a family friendly, pot blessing picnic with Hope providing the meat, drinks, and dessert. We are asked to bring a hearty appetizer or side-dish. They will also provide some chalk and bubbles for the kids. Folding chairs or a blanket, plus yard games would be good since we will be outside. Gillian and Luke are having their first, a little girl, in October. Rachel and BJ are having their second little boy also in October. We are so thankful to God for these new little lives and excited to celebrate with their families in anticipation of their arrival.
Contact | Ginny Haagenson | Connie Both
Bridal Shower for Grace O'Hara | Saturday, August 20 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. | Room 100
Join family and friends as we shower Grace O'Hara (soon to be Mrs. Lucas Shevlin) with love before her upcoming wedding! There will be light refreshments and games. Grace is registered at Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pampered Chef, and Target. Grace's bridal party is hosting the shower; if you might have any questions, please reach out to Amy Auker.
Contact | Amy Auker
Baby Shower for Sue & Nathan Lewis | Saturday, September 24 from 2:00-4:00pm | NLICC Fireside Room
Join us on September 24th to celebrate Nathan & Susanna Lewis and little Lewis. Please RSVP via comment, messenger, or text to Krisee Yee. They are registered with Target.
Contact | Krisee Yee
Nursery | Sunday School hour 9:30am - 10:30am | Sept 4 - Nov 27
We are in need of an assistant to serve in the nursery with Amy Auker each Sunday during Sunday School (Sept 4 - Nov 27). If you are able and willing to help in this way, please contact Amanda Oberlin or Amy Auker. If you are willing to be a substitute, please let us know as well.
Contact | Amanda Oberlin or Amy Auker
Children's Sunday School | 9:30am - 10:30am | Sept 4 - Nov 27
Several Sunday School teachers, assistants, and substitutes are needed for the fall quarter which runs from Sept 4 - Nov 27. Two-person teams are needed for the following classes: 2/3 year olds, 1st/2nd grade, and 5th/6th grade. Please contact Amanda Oberlin if you are interested in teaching or assisting in one of these classes.
Contact | Amanda Oberlin
Pioneer Girls 2022-2023 Registration | August 16-31
Registration is now open for PG 2022-2023! Pioneer Girls is a discipleship ministry for girls ages 4-18. We meet on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 at the church. We are excited to begin and spend the year with your amazing girls. Future events coming up include Mother Daughter Tea Party/Kickoff on September 14th and Spirit Day on October 8th. For more information you can contact Sharon S Nicole or Andrea Sanderson.
Contact | Sharon S Nicole or Andrea Boylan Sanderson
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Outing to The Battlefield Country Store - Sept. 24
Ladies - we are excited about our upcoming Fall event at the Battlefield Country Store set for Saturday, September 24th. We will enjoy a great lunch, fellowship outdoors, and a speaker. If you went a couple of years ago when the WMC hosted, this was a very fun event! Hope to see you there! Details to come.
Summer Bible Study
There is a summer Bible Study meeting every other week through August 30. The study covers the first 7 chapters of Spiritual Depression: It’s Causes and Cure by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The group will meet at the home of Lisa Capitano with a daytime session (10:30am-Noon) and an evening session (6:00-7:30pm). Please contact Lisa Capitano for more information.
Contact | Lisa Capitano
Genesis Women’s Bible Study
The Genesis study is breaking until January where they will pick up the study with Genesis 12-50. They are using Jen Wilkin’s book, God of Creation. Please reach out to Joy O’Toole for any questions.
Contact | Joy O’Toole
CONTACT US
Have a ministry need, idea for an activity, or prayer request? You can reach us at nlicc.wm@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. Please don't hesitate to contact us!
All for His glory,
Julie Root
For the Women's Ministry Committee
We are always happy to post news and announcements for NLICC ministries and events. Please note, however, that the deadline for the Friday email is 9:00 a.m. on the previous day (Thursday). Submissions are subject to approval and may be edited for clarity and length.