Posts Tagged ‘Sally Webb Amstutz’
All God’s children welcome here
Posted on: November 20, 2013
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
The famous poet Carl Sandberg once said, “There is only one child in this world, and its name is All Children.” Northview Church opens its doors to all families and all their children, striving to serve their needs for spiritual growth. Luke 9:48 (NIV) shares the thoughts of Jesus: “…Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me…”
Amanda Arroyo is the coordinator of GraceWorks, which is a special-needs program at Northview Church. “We believe that each and every child is made perfectly by our God and bears His image,” Arroyo said. “Our mission is to teach kids with special needs about Jesus, to create an environment where all children are accepted and loved, and to develop relationships with children with special needs and their families.”
GraceWorks serves children ages birth to sixth grade. Arroyo shared, “We serve children of different needs and abilities—children with moderate to severe disabilities, children with mild disabilities, children who are medically fragile and others with special circumstances who might just need a little extra support for a short amount of time.” There are two opportunities for children during Weekend Services: the GraceGivers Program and the GraceWorks Room.
Every weekend, GraceGivers accommodate children with special needs in the preschool, elementary and middle school (North Beach) environments. A buddy, called a GraceGiver, will love on the child to whom they’re assigned and work to develop a relationship with them. They worship together during large-group time and learn about God in small groups.
Some children are better served outside the large classroom, so the GraceWorks room is available to them during church. The GraceWorks room provides large motor activities and a curriculum that is modified for learning styles and needs.
During the last eight months, the GraceWorks room located on the second floor of Northview’s Carmel campus has been temporary—requiring setup and tear-down every weekend. A new room has been built on the lower level of the rotunda across from the Stadium and Studio. This new room is called The Prairie, and Northview will celebrate its grand opening this weekend, Nov. 23/24. Stop by the room after services this weekend to check it out.
“I am so excited about this new room for many reasons,” said Arroyo. “First of all, I think it sends a huge message to our kids, families and the whole population at Northview Church that children of all abilities are equally valued. There will also be a much smoother transition for children who need a combination of time in both their assigned room and the GraceWorks room. Our volunteers who serve in The Prairie will also get the opportunity to feel a part of the Northview Kids team by being in the same location.”
Volunteers are at the heart of this ministry and crucial to its success. There are numerous opportunities to serve: Help prepare the curriculum, be a GraceGiver, teacher or a team lead. The ministry also needs volunteers for their monthly respite event, Friday Fun Night. Amanda is also looking for a Life Group that could adopt the room and take responsibility for cleaning and maintaining it.
GraceWorks is growing, and they are in constant need of new volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, you can go directly to www.northviewchurch.us, find the online volunteer application and indicate that you are interested in GraceWorks. You can also contact Arroyo at amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us.
![The GraceWorks ministry relies on help from volunteers during Weekend Services and other events. To serve, contact amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us [photo by Steve Schuster]](https://thenorthviewblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_2018.jpg)
The GraceWorks ministry relies on help from volunteers during Weekend Services and other events. To serve, contact amanda.arroyo@northviewchurch.us [photo by Steve Schuster]
If families with special-needs children are interested in participating and receiving this support for their child, they can contact Arroyo at any time. She sets up meetings with families and together they determine the best approach to serving the child. “A child profile sheet will need to be filled out, which gives people serving with that child a clear picture of them and their needs,” said Arroyo.
What a blessing this program is to Northview’s church family. “GraceWorks is making a huge difference in the lives of many special kiddos and their families. Praise God!” Arroyo said.
By SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
Kids Against Hunger Meal Packets (photo by Nicole Roswarski)
Being intensely hungry and totally without food is something difficult for most of us to imagine. The kind of starvation that threatens life and the lack of nutrition that prevents the body from functioning, making it susceptible to disease and death, is happening daily around the globe.
Dave Choutka, Campus Pastor of Northview’s Greater Lafayette campus, decided to participate in a Kids Against Hunger (KAH) pack to alleviate hunger and encourage kids to serve others. It was truly a project of love and caring. Dave said the following about choosing KAH, “This was part of our re.IMAGINE Campaign because 10% of our land/building campaign goes towards mission projects. One of those projects is KAH. What a joy to be able to serve together and make a difference to those with hungry bellies.”
Buzz Aldrin, astronaut, said, “If we can conquer space, we can conquer hunger.” That’s exactly what the non-profit organization, Kids Against Hunger, founded in 1999, strives to do. Since its inception they have provided over 250 million meals to children and families! Recently they have helped in Colorado following the massive floods that left many homeless. Their website states: “Our mission at Kids Against Hunger is to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the USA and to feed starving children throughout the world. We ship meals to starving children and their families in over 60 countries through partnerships with humanitarian organizations worldwide.”
Choutka shared that the night before the pack a men’s fellowship event called Mantivites met. Following their meeting 30 men had great fun working and serving together to set up for the KAH food pack.
The church campus had expected to pack over 20,000 meals, and they exceeded that by packing 21,000 meals. Over 110 volunteers helped. They had an amazing assembly line of eight tables with lots of kids participating. Some of the meals were donated to those in need in the Lafayette community with other meals going to Nicaragua.
It was a special time of service for others and Choutka said, “Seeing families serve together in this way is so powerful to me. I love that parents and kids can make a difference to another family that is hungry. They are seeing 1 John 3:18 lived out: ‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.’ We also had families that took a meal packet home and made that for supper together. They talked about how families around the world will have this as their only meal for the day. It’s great to have families processing that together.”
Isaiah 58:10 says, “Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day.” (The Living Bible)
The light of Northview’s Greater Lafayette campus is certainly shining with great brilliance!
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
Fishers’ baseball team volunteers at Third Phase
The legendary Babe Ruth said, “Every strike out brings me closer to the next home run.” An entire local baseball team, the Fishers’ Tigers 13 and under traveling team, certainly hit a home run this past summer with a special volunteer project!
The Fishers’ Tigers had such an encounter when they volunteered at Third Phase — Hamilton County’s largest shelter, food and clothing pantry — located in Noblesville. Their teamwork on this project made their dream of helping others a reality and had such a positive outcome. Albert Schweitzer said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing that I know. The ones among us who will really be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Northview attendee, Fred Sugg, has coached the Tigers for 7 years. His son, Tyler, is a member of the team. Sugg and the other coaches, who included some former high school players, knew the boys needed to see the bigger picture. So, they shared both their faith and how to have a meaningful life. The Lord’s Prayer was said before every game.
Finding a way for the team to serve was put on Sugg’s heart, and he asked the church for some ideas on how these teenage boys could do just that. Third Phase provided a perfect opportunity. The team used their teamwork in a different venue as they spent about 4 hours restocking shelves, moving crates from one warehouse to another and cleaning. The Third Phase staff raved about the work the teenagers did and praised their positive, caring attitude.
Teamwork at Third Phase
Sugg said, “This helped the boys realize that hunger and homelessness happen in Hamilton County.” It was an eye-opener.
Tyler, Sugg’s son, said, “I enjoyed it because you were helping other people out who really needed it, and we were having fun doing it.”
By giving their time to serve others, all were blessed. The words of Jesus in Acts: 20:35 (The Living Bible) says it all: “It is more blessed to give that to receive.”
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
The American coffee shop phenomenon is pretty amazing. Northview Church’s Carmel campus is blessed with the Capstone Cafe & Bookstore – a truly happening place where one can relax, be inspired, and enjoy a cup of joe. One can meet friends, shop, knit, surf the Internet and grow in their faith.
Since Northview began studying The Story, more than 8,000 copies have been sold at Capstone. As the study progresses into the New Testament, even more copies will be sold.
Val Welty, Northview’s Capstone Bookstore manager, shared a very beautiful story about Capstone. A young man from Panama brought his mother to Capstone during her trip to America. She noticed the book The Story. Welty told the mother that there was a Spanish version of the book, called La Historia, as well as a teen version.
Welty enthusiastically explained the significance of the book. The mother was so excited about it and was interested in getting copies for her church in Panama. A Good Neighbor grant was applied for and received. Now 150 copies of La Historia will be shipped to the small church in South America.
Capstone Cafe & Bookstore has sold more than 8,000 copes of The Story since Northview began reading the book. (photo by Byron Settles)
Capstone receives a technology makeover
Recently, a new iPad system replaced the older cash registers at Capstone. The upgrade has made a world of difference in how Capstone does business. It’s a compact system that allows for more counter space and is easy to read and implement.
There are many advantages to having a compact web-based system. It’s convenient for Welty because she can check the store’s sales totals from her home. The iPad system also provides a much-improved inventory management system. When there is a cross-country meet on campus, Capstone staff can take the system to the Barn and operate on-location. Another advantage of this iPad system is being able to continue business even when the Internet goes down.
There are also new TV menu boards in Capstone with graphics that can easily be changed.
An outstanding staff works at Capstone, including many students who are waiting eagerly to serve you. Capstone is a joyful, welcoming place with a feeling of fun and warmth. The new technology has made it even more efficient.
Capstone is the best place around to enjoy your favorite beverage. A dose of inspiration may touch your heart as you browse the bookcases and interact with those working there.
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
Chances are that if you stop by Capstone Cafe and Bookstore at Northview Church’s Carmel campus for a cup of coffee on a Wednesday morning about 10:30 a.m., you’ll observe a wonderful group of ladies of various ages knitting or crocheting and having a wonderful time working on handmade treasures.
There is a lot of love stitched into what they create. Northview Knitters is as much about building relationships, supporting one another and sharing as it is about the handiwork! This outreach welcomes everyone to join in the fun and fellowship. Different skill levels are represented, and even if you can’t knit, the group is a great place to learn how! The group is relaxed, and participants can come and go when knitting fits their schedule. Northview Knitters meets from 10:30 a.m. to whenever they feel like quitting for the day.
The knitting group started about two-and-a-half years ago under the guidance of Denise McCool and her mother, Glenda McClintock. One of Denise’s friends wanted to learn to knit, which motivated them to get together at the church. Glenda, who learned to knit as a child, said, “It’s like a ‘girl’s morning out’ where you learn a lot about different styles of knitting and grow together as a group.” Denise reluctantly took it up when she was expecting her first baby. She found knitting to be both therapeutic and a great stress reliever. She loves being with the ladies and the laughter they share as well as having serious and deep conversations with the knitting group.
Northview Knitters welcomes knitters of any skill level. The group meets Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Capstone.
Loy Wieser, who attends regularly, said, “It reminds me of an old ‘quilting bee’ where there’s a lot of camaraderie. You can learn new skills and connect spiritually with Christian sisters.”
Kelly Blackford, who was crocheting some leggings, said, “I really like the community of it. It’s one of the highlights of my week, and I look forward to the fun we have together!”
The ladies work on sweaters, scarves and baby blankets. They’ve created hats, socks and dishcloths as well. Glenda has worked on baby sweaters with yarn that was given to her; she plans to donate them to a local charity.
Knitting is an important part of our heritage and history. As a craft and art form it has been around since before 200 A.D. Martha Washington enjoyed knitting and was well-known for her skills. During the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I and II, women generously knitted socks for our nation’s soldiers. Knitting is even known to have health benefits for those who adopt this creative skill.
If you have questions about Northview Knitters and would like to participate, you can contact Denise McCool at djmcc04@yahoo.com or simply show up on Wednesday mornings.
By Sally Webb Amstutz
Decisions! Decisions! Life is full of decisions. Choosing whom to marry and together choosing what you’d like your marriage to look like ranks toward the top of the decision list. For those who are engaged or seriously considering marriage, the Becoming One course can well-equip them and their significant other with the wisdom to begin a journey to a healthy, happy, stable union.
“Statistically couples who participate in a marriage course are 31 percent more likely to have a lifelong, successful marriage,” Derek Irvin, Northview Church’s Carmel campus’s life groups pastor, said.
Northview Church offers the Becoming One course for couples five times a year. There are three components of this class: Fridays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. & 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, a relationship assessment, and six mentoring sessions with a married couple. Each couple will meet their mentors at lunch during the Saturday session.
“Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts,” by relationship experts, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, is a guide for the class. This outstanding book and DVD series is used internationally by churches and counselors and is widely acclaimed as an outstanding tool.
Derek and Missy Irvin created a marriage initiative called “Better Together”, a faith-based, non-profit organization focusing on strengthening couples’ relationships. Their goal and hope was to reduce the divorce rate in Hamilton County. They partnered with Northview to open Becoming One to all couples in our community. The course is held off-site at Flexware Innovation, 9128 Technology Lane in Fishers. Lunch is provided for the Saturday class.
Derek Irvin was quoted in the Nov. 27, 2012, issue of “Current in Fishers” as follows: “Couples do better when they know better. It’s much easier to make a good marriage great than rescue one in crisis. If you equip couples with skills for healthy relationships, it keeps them from getting into a crisis. It’s not about staying in a stable, miserable marriage; it’s about having an awesome marriage.”
Max Lucado, best-selling author and preacher, said, “God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of God.”
Courses will be available on April 19& 20, June 21& 22 and Oct. 18& 19. Interested couples can register at www.northviewchurch.us/becomingone. There is a $115 fee for the class. If you have questions, contact becomingone@northviewchurch.us.
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
Christmas brings great joy as we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. This special Christian holiday is a time to worship God’s greatest gift, our Lord Jesus, to enjoy fun traditions, to fellowship with others, and to express love. The season can sometimes be of difficult adjustments when someone is coping with the loss of a beloved family member or friend.
An unknown author said, “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” Finding ways to remember loved ones at Christmastime can help to alleviate the pain of loss. By remembering, we are honoring them and the significant roll they played in our lives.
Pastoral Care Pastor at Northview Church’s Carmel campus, Doug Kizer, shared that Glowing Memories was created as a special remembrance service for people who have loved ones who aren’t with us at Christmastime. This beautiful, quiet time will be held in candlelight on Thursday, Dec. 13 in Northview’s Carmel campus main auditorium at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
As people arrive at the service, they write their loved one’s name on a ribbon that will be attached to a wreath. In Christian history, a Christmas wreath symbolized that God’s never-ending love is all around us, and its circular shape represents eternity.
That is followed by a sharing of the Christmas story and ways to remember loved ones. Special music is played and one by one those in attendance honor their family member or friend by lighting a candle on their behalf. Following the service refreshments are served.
I thought of you today,
But that is nothing new,
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too,
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name,
Now all I have is memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart! Author unknown
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
This summer saw the worst drought in more than half a century devastate about 62 percent of the United States including the rich farmland of Indiana. Add to that the oppressive heat, and the drought provided great challenges for farmers, groundskeepers and gardeners alike as crops, trees and landscape were scorched and stressed by temperatures in the 90s & 100s.
Marcia Schwartz, grounds manager at Northview Church’s Carmel campus, shared that this was a very hard summer with all of the challenges that the drought caused.
“Everything was three weeks early including mowing in the spring,” she said. “The drought really started the end of May.”
Since Northview Church has no in ground irrigation, the trees, flowers and shrubs had to be protected and hand watered by many volunteers all summer. Several ladies helped water the entrance and the prayer garden, which is the highest point in Hamilton County. Many high school and college students were put behind a hose as well.
The young trees on our property had to be given a lot of TLC; tree water bags helped to save the day. The water bags were placed around the tree, zipped up tightly, and filled with 20 gallons of water. The water then slowly dripped on the tree for about nine hours. They would then be refilled the next day. A member generously donated tree saver bags that helped them survive the drought. Despite this effort, about four trees were lost; one of them was planted seven years ago.
“It won’t be until next summer that we will see the total effects of this year’s drought,” Schwartz said.
A drought of this magnitude can put a lot of stress on older trees too.
Even though the beautiful grasses that usually surround Northview were brown and seemed dead, they were simply dormant. Now, after some good soaking rains, the grounds have revived themselves. That reminds me of the Resurrection Ferns that grow on the branches of the magnificent live oak trees in the South. When there is rain, the fern turns brown, curls up and appears to be dead. When a rain does fall again, they seem to come to life and grace the enormous branches with a lush green adornment.
“No one waters like God does,” Schwartz said. “It’s steady, even and perfect!”
The rains totally revitalized the grasses. At the recent Carmel Classic cross-country meet, participants were surprised at the great condition of the course.
Despite the stress of the drought, Schwartz said, “God draws us closer to Him when challenges come. He uses conditions, even weather conditions, to bring His people nearer to His heart.”
Jeremiah 17: 7-8 (The Living Bible) says, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its root reaching deep into the water – a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit.”
Interested in volunteering with Northview’s Groundskeeping/Maintenance team? Check out http://www.nvcl.org/volunteer.
BY SALLY WEBB AMSTUTZ
Have you ever questioned what your spiritual gifts are? Do you wonder how you can best serve at Northview Church’s Carmel campus? Are you looking for a way to be actively involved in service rather than being a spectator? The SHAPE class is a wonderful, practical and special way for you to answer any of those questions about your God-given gifts. The next four-week session will begin on August 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Northview’s Carmel campus. To participate, go to www.northviewchurch.us/shape. You may also sign up at the Volunteer Expo at Carmel’s campus on August 11 and 12.
SHAPE stands for the following: S is for Spiritual Gifts; H is for Heart or Passion; A is for Abilities; P is for Personality; and E is for Experience.
“An individual’s personal ministry is determined by the combination of these things,” said Doug Starkey, assimilation pastor at Northview Church. “The purpose of the class is to help you identify your spiritual SHAPE as well as assist you in finding opportunities available through Northview to put your gifts and passions to use.”
Jeff Scott and Kathy Moffatr serve as teachers for the SHAPE class. Participants looking to find their spiritual gifts will take an online survey for assessment that also includes a personality evaluation. There is a $10 fee for these surveys that includes the entire fee of the class. In the second week more details about gifts and what they are intended for are covered. Passion, abilities and experience are discussed in week three. Kathy Moffat teaches personality and spiritual gifts in the fourth session. By the end of the class a facilitator is available to meet with participants to review their SHAPE profile to help them find the ministry that best suits their gifts.
1 Peter, 4:10-11 says, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings. Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies, so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ – to Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.” (The Living Bible)
There is true joy in finding your passion and spiritual gifts to truly bless others. Look to this great opportunity to better discover plans that God has for you.
Rick Warren said, “Life is about letting God use you for His purpose, not using Him for yours.”
Child care is available for this class at an additional fee. For more information, please contact Lynn Rupp at lynn.rupp@northviewchurch.us or call 317.846.2884.
by Sally Webb Amstutz
Webster’s Dictionary defines a vow as a solemn promise made to God, such as the promise of love and fidelity in marriage. The promise to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part is one that our heart of hearts desires to keep. In today’s world, the reality is that promises and vows are often broken and divorce can occur. At times such as these, there is a tremendous need for comfort, support and healing with the help of God’s grace and love. DivorceCare was created to provide this opportunity for broken hearts to become whole again. Participants draw closer in their personal relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the foundation for recovery. They meet with others who are in similar circumstances for support, understanding and compassion. Bill Heckaman, one of the facilitators for DivorceCare at Northview Church, said, “One thing that we see typically see in participants once they have completed the course is that they are in a better place to continue through their healing process.”
DivorceCare whose headquarters are in Wake Forrest, North Carolina, holds seminars in the US, Canada and around the world, and can be that first step in the right direction for healing and coping with the trauma that divorce can bring. This outstanding program is provided by Northview Church as an outreach for our community and beyond. There are facilitators who have experienced divorce themselves and are specially trained to lead the classes that meet on a weekly basis for 13 weeks. DivorceCare classes watch an inspirational, compelling video which is followed by discussion in large or small groups. Some of the topics covered during the 13 weeks are: “Facing My Anger,” “New Relationships,” “Financial Survival,” “Kid Care,” “Forgiveness,” “Moving On, Growing Closer to God” and “What’s Happening to Me?” Participants are welcome to join the group at any time during the series of sessions.
DivorceCare offers “Daily Encouragement,” which are free emails focusing on “one day at a time” to sooth and provide encouragement. They also recommend resource books such as When the Vow Breaks: A Survival and Recovery Guide for Christians Facing Divorce by Joseph Warren Kniskern and Single, Married, Separated, and Life After Divorce by Myles Munroe.
The next DivorceCare session at Northview Church will begin on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and meet until April 5. The group will gather in Room U202. To register, you can contact Bill Heckaman at divorcecare@northviewchurch.us. Even if you attend another church, live in another city, or have been separated/divorced 3 months or 3 years, all are welcome to attend.
You can go to the website www.DivorceCare.org for more information on the program. It states on this site, “You’ll discover hope for the future. While things may look bleak now, you’ll learn ways to restore your hope and rebuild your life. Many DivorceCare alumni tell us that the program helped them move from adversity to becoming a better person.” How true the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 is: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
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