With our belly’s full of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, I pray that our hearts are filled with love. As we gathered with friends and family this past week, I pray that you shared in true genuine love for one another. There is nothing more sacred than gathering around tables to share life, love, and thanksgiving. Home is where love is taught and caught. Our time with family is where we learn what love is. Our view of life and our expression of love is modeled by the love we experience with those whom we share tables with. Our homes are laboratories that produce lovers of God and lovers of others.

      The Lord left his home of perfect love and fellowship with God to come and dwell with us. The truth of God was revealed through Jesus the Son. The true and perfect God came to make his home in our hearts. Jesus, the creator of the world, came into the presence of his creation. The author of our faith entered the narrative of our lives. Can you recognize him in your life? Do you see him in the everyday plot of your existence? Are you sharing life with him around your table? Have you filled yourself with his love?
If you don’t know what love is, look to Jesus. If you don’t know how to love others, look to Jesus. If you don’t know God, look to Jesus. Jesus has done everything, he has even given his very life for us to become everything God desires. God invites you to his table, to make Jesus your home, and to live true lives of obedience and love. I pray you will make this church family your home as we live together in love and unity. Join us as worship and fellowship today. Let us know how we can help you in any way.

--Bryan Johnston, preaching minister - nbcoc@hotmail.com

There is one word that describes our visit to Bend last weekend, "Blessing.” We were thankful for the time together exploring the city that grew out of the eastern foot of the Cascade Mountains at the bend in the Deschutes River. In one-word expressions I will share what I am thankful for from our time away: Marriage. Friendship. Rest. Travel. Food. Coffee. Cardamom. Books. Creation. Snow. Love. While shopping, we noticed several stores that advertised their business with one-word descriptions: "Furnish,” "Thrive,” and "Coffee.” This made me think what is the one word description of marriage? That’s easy, “Love.” This also made me think what is the one word purpose of the church? The same answer is, "Love."

Upon our return to our home in North Bend, at the bend in Coos Bay, I was filled with thanksgiving. As we enter into this holiday deason, I want to share some of my thanksgivings. I am thankful to God for answered prayer. God is so good. God provides more than we could ever imagine or desire. God spoils us beyond belief. God gives us a purpose. God forgave our sins. God calls us his sons and daughters. God blesses us with friends to love. God blesses us with families to care for. God blesses us with a home surrounded by beautiful creation. God blesses us with a church to do life with and experience the love of Christ. God has chosen us to be his disciples and to serve in his kingdom. God allows us to learn and to grow. God has given us a mission. God shapes our world view and challenges our faith. God loves us and calls us his friends. [So...] What are you thankful for in one-word expressions? What has God done for you? Share your responses with someone it will be a blessing to you and those who hear.

Bryan Johnston

     Scripture says, "Dear friends let us love one another, for love comes from God.” (1 John 4:7) One thing I always hear about this church is that it is so friendly and welcoming. This attribute comes so naturally. Kindness and hospitality are gifts not commonly found in our world and are sadly missing in some of our churches. Love is abundantly shown through smiles, handshakes, hugs, and greetings. Your love is seen in how you listen and care for others. People feel known and valued through your love. Visitors to this church frequently say, “I have never been to a church that was so welcoming and friendly.”

     “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9) God’s expression of love has been witnessed through the sacrificial gift of his Son. Jesus willing obeyed God by giving his life so that others might live. As agents of love, we have the opportunity to lay down our lives and share our resource with others. Our greatest resource is our love. Since our love is from God, it never fails, it never gives up, and it never runs out. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11) It is not enough to just accept God’s love and keep it for ourselves. The love of God is incomplete until we share it and give it to others. “If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:12)

     Church, let us continue to use our gifts to love God, love others, and serve the world – starting in our community. Church let us be good listeners, good sharers of our tables, good givers of our resources, and good examples of God’s love. I love this church and I am blessed to be a part of you.

- Bryan

Integrity is everything when it comes to influencing others for Christ. Knowing who Christ is and living your life based on kingdom values will motivate others to follow Jesus. Do your words and deeds match up? Are you who you are, no matter where you are or who you are with? This is a daily struggle to determine how we  will respond to choices, conflicts, and circumstances in our lives. V. Gilbert Beers says, “A person of integrity is one who has established a system of values against which all of life is judged.” As followers of Christ we strive to live our lives in response to the gospel of Jesus. The value of love is what Jesus taught and modeled above all else. When asked about the greatest command, Jesus replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-38) Jesus taught love and showed love through how he lived. Through his consistency and loyalty in the face of trials and persecution andwhen he was alone and in private, his disciples came to understand and believe based on the integrity of whom Jesus was. John C. Maxwell says, “What people need is not a motto to say, but a model to see.”

The Lord is looking for a few good men and women who will be committed to hard core discipleship. Jesus is wanting disciples who will do the hard work of becoming like Christ by living a life of love. Through self-discipline, inner trust, and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives, we can gain integrity. We can become credible influencers who can lead others to become disciples of Christ. You Will Only Become What You Are Becoming Right Now Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.  ---Bryan

     Our Life Group ministry will be starting September 10! Our groups meet on Sunday evenings in homes and at the building from September thru May. It is essential to our growth and maturity that we have opportunities to share our love for God and love for one another. Life Groups provide members a setting to grow as disciples of Christ and to minister one to another. We will share in God’s word and discuss the morning sermon. We will share our lives with each other, providing opportunity to be encouraged and mentored in our walk with Christ. Life Groups provide a place for each one to use their gifts to edify and build up the body of Christ. As we are built up our love overflows into serving the world and growing the kingdom of God.

We grow closer as the body of Christ through our involvement in these groups. We become unified in our faith and partner together in ministry one to another. Our Life Groups truly become a group of believers with whom we “do” life with. Be encouraged to spend time serving others with your group time. You don’t have to spend every Life Group in bible study. You are free to join together to visit shut-ins, clean a neighbor’s yard, haul wood, or to provide resources to the homeless, just to name some examples. Your group should be the first responders to members in your group when one is sick, needs meals, needs help, or needs encouragement. Be sure to “show up” in each other’s lives. You will be blessed to spend time playing together – have a game night, plan a hike or picnic, go to Shore Acres, go to dinner or coffee, attend a game, concert, or play together. “Do” life together! Finally Life Groups provide a wonderful place to invite neighbors, friends, and visitors to experience Jesus and his church. What makes Life Groups great is you!

Our goal is to have every member involved with a Life Group. We believe in how God works in those small, intimate settings. You will be blessed and our church will be blessed by your involvement and participation in a Life Group. Share your gifts of grace and love to further the work of the Lord and his kingdom here in this place.

Bryan - nbcoc@hotmail.com