Hi Newport Church Family,

We pray that you are in good health, heart and spirit.

As I think about all of the invitations I’ve received over the years, the most significant invitation I have ever received was to go to church with a group of young people on a Sunday morning over 40 years ago.

I have received many invitations over the years, giving me opportunities to meet new people, experience new things and create new memories.

However none of them were to impact my life in the way that invitation did, because it changed the course and trajectory of my life.

Come and See 

It began with a simple invitation to come and see, and I had no idea how my life would change as a result.

I was a 22 year old hippie looking for meaning and purpose in life, and that morning set into motion a series of questions and soul searching that ended with an encounter with Jesus on a cold winters evening in the Blue Mountains in Australia.

That day my life changed not just for time but for eternity and I am forever thankful to God and those who invited me to attend that church service.

Each one of us has the opportunity every week to invite someone to church, to “come and see,” and that invitation could change their lives forever, just like it did mine!

When Andrew and the other disciple of John the Baptist, witnessed Jesus’ baptism they followed Him as He walked away. Jesus turned round and asked them what they wanted. They asked Him, “where are you staying?” Jesus answered, “Come and see,” and when they did their lives were changed forever.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

John 1:38-39 NLT

In these coming weeks and months let’s do all that we can extend the same invitation that Jesu did to Andrew and the other disciple. “Come and See!”

It may be the greatest invitation they will ever receive and change the course of their eternal destiny.

Let’s pray that in this season we will see many more of our family, friends and acquaintances coming to know Jesus.

Don’t forget to pick up some of the “You’re Invited” cards, which are available at church and are a great way to share the details of our location and service times.

You can also click on this link for a digital invitation.

Follow M

Jesus’ invited the disciples to “Come and see,” and then He said, “Follow Me.”

Jesus saw Peter and his brother fishing and He said to them,  “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

What it means to follow Jesus is made clear in the Amplified translation of this text:

“Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matt 4:19 Amp

 

And I will Make You…

When we follow Jesus, accepting Him as our Master and Teacher, walking the same path of life that He walks,He promises that He will “make us” into people who can partner with Him in the greatest cause of all!

 Jesus told these fishermen that He would make them fishers of men, who would themselves in turn invite others to “Come and See.” He would make them, and all who follow Him into disciples who know Jesus and make Him known.

Our prayer for our church family, our community and our world is that every one of us would know God’s love and Divine purpose for our lives and make Jesus known.

May each one of us allow the Spirit of God to shape us and make us into those who know Him and make Him known!

And it all begins with the simple invitation, “Come and See!”

See if I will not Open the Windows of Heaven!

 One of the most remarkable statements that God makes in the Bible is,

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Mal 3:10 NIV

 God is saying, “Put Me to the test and SEE what I will do!”

If you bring the tithe (the first tenth of your income) to God’s house, SEE how I will open the windows and floodgates of heaven to pour my blessing out on you.

See how the 90% that you are left is supernaturally blessed.

See how 90% that is blessed by God will always increase and go further than 100% that we manage on our own.

If you haven’t already put God to the test, then we encourage you to do so.

God is saying, “Come and See what I will do!”

A big thank you to all who have been giving faithfully and consistently, your generosity is making a big difference not only within our church family but with Food with Love in Santa Ana and our partnership with Vision Rescue in India.

Our giving means that we can continue to be present, bringing much needed provision, hope and faith!

If you would like to give your donation, tithe or offering now you can do so  by clicking here.

 

See you Tomorrow!

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Once again please take a moment to think and pray about who you could invite and bring to church. It may be the greatest and most significant invitation they ever receive!

If you are watching online, we have been working on improving our live stream in order to overcome some of the teething problems we’ve had in our new location. Our apologies for the recent glitches and thank you for your patience!

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow, it won’t be the same without you!

We love and appreciate you all greatly.

Jonathan and Dianne Wilson

Senior Pastors