NORTHBRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
Friday, January 2, 2026
Navigation: Current News • Upcoming Events • Missions Updates
CURRENT NEWS
Newsletter update - Welcome to the new and (hopefully) improved Northbridge Community Church newsletter. We’ve taken a lot of the repetitive information out of the newsletter and moved it to pages in the regular church site with the goal of focusing on news in the newsletter. Most recurring items are now just a one-line item with links to more information. We welcome any feedback you might have at newsletter@nbchurch.org.
This week’s Scripture: Eph. 4:31-32; Matt. 18:21-22
Weekly Schedule
Worship Service - Sunday, 9:30 am
Youth Group - No youth group this week
Prayer gathering - This Sunday, January 4, 6:30
Men’s Alliance - Monday, 8:00 pm
Men’s Breakfast at Novios Cafe - Tuesday, 6:30 am
Men’s Bible Study - Tuesday, 6:30 pm
Family Style Supper - Wednesday, 5:30 pm
Bridge Kids - Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 pm
Men’s Alliance - Saturday, 7:00 am
We will be returning to our regular weekly schedule this week except for the youth group. They will pick up next Sunday, January 11.
Other Events
Name Tag/Donut Sunday - 4th Sunday of the month
Baptism Service
We had three people follow the Lord in Believer’s Baptism last Sunday and will have another baptism service on Sunday, January 11. If you are interested in following the Lord in this step, please contact us to set up a meeting with Pastor Kevin or one of the transition coordinators, George and Jim. You can email kathy@nbchurch.org or call 507-289-4179.
Jim and Tara Kluth
Jim Kluth, one of our transition coordinators, announced last Sunday that he has accepted the role of senior pastor at Columbus Berean Church in Columbus, Nebraska. Jim and Tara have been members and leaders at Berean Community Church for decades and Jim has been a transition coordinator for the past six months through the church merger process. While sorry to see them leave, we rejoice in the new ministry God has called them to.
There will be a cake and fellowship reception for the Kluths after the service on January 11.
Meal Train for the Gregory Family
Mallory and Ryan Gregory just welcomed a sweet baby girl, making them a family of 5. Let’s help support this transition through a meal train.
Looking for: Metal or Wood Worker
NCC’s decorations ministry is looking for a skilled metal or wood worker to make signs for our lobby. If you have experience or a gift in this area, please contact Dianna Plantan, diwspam@aol.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
55+ Fellowship Lunch
Everyone 55+ (and spouses) is invited to lunch on Saturday, January 17th. Come for good food, conversation, and connection. The lunch will be from 11 am - 1 pm, with a suggested donation of $4 per person. Please sign up by January 14th.
Women’s Ministry
Every Tuesday, beginning Feb 3, join us as we continue in the book of Genesis. We will witness image bearers as they sin and wrestle to maintain trust in the only One who will fulfill every promise, the One for whom nothing is too hard. We will learn to see Jesus through the stories of His people and discover how the God of creation and covenant is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
HOLY LAND JOURNEY – OCTOBER 2026
Informational Meeting: Sunday, January 11 at 11:15am Room 132
Several of our church family and friends have expressed a desire to see the Holy Land. For those who don’t know us, my wife, Lynn, and I (Paul) have been members of Berean for decades. We have led many of these trips through the years. For us this is truly a ministry—an opportunity to help others encounter the places where God’s redemptive story unfolded. Lynn and I are looking ahead with great anticipation to return to Israel October 9–20, 2026. You are invited to join us.
Traveling through the land where Jesus walked is a powerful, faith-deepening experience. There, the words of Scripture—HisStory—come alive in unforgettable ways. It is the place where Jesus taught, prayed, and poured out His love; where His life, ministry, death, and resurrection took place in real locations you can still experience today.
If October does not work for your schedule, we are also close to finalizing plans to return again in February 2027 on a slightly longer journey that includes Biblical sites on the other side of the Jordan such as Mount Nebo where Moses stood and Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptized.
If this journey stirs your heart, we warmly invite you to learn more. An informational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 11 at 11:15 am, immediately following the worship service, in Room 132. Family and friends are welcome.
For questions or early interest, please contact Paul Larsen at 507-261-3300 or pcl@ed-ventures.com.
MISSIONS UPDATES
Emily in the Middle East
Emily is returning to the Middle East after spending time with family, friends, and supporters here in the US.
Prayer requests:
- Adapting back to my life in the Middle East... it's so different than the US!
- Re-establishing good rhythms of work and rest
- Financial support of my team to continue our work
Praise for:
- Restful and encouraging times with friends and family in the US!
- New friends and contacts while in the US
- A team that has continued the work in the Middle East despite my absence
Marty and Regen in Central Asia
Marty and Regen have finished 10 months of language training and are moving into their final stages. They are also working in the English center and have had opportunities to read gospel stories weekly which has led to many questions and deep discussions. Addy’s language continues to improve. Her teacher has been exclusively speaking to her in the local language and has weekly lesson plan themes which has given Addy tons of new vocabulary.
Praise God for the opportunity to help at the English center and meet many friendly locals!
Praise God for us all receiving our new visas.
Pray for depth of relationships with locals at the English center and elsewhere. Pray for the Bible talking club and participants.
Pray for our new language phase and schedule in the coming year.
Please pray for Addy to continue to learn well and for us to have wisdom on when/if to move her to the next age group.
Pray for us to continue to rely on the Lord to guide and lead us.