Paul wrote these words to the fledgling church in Thessalonica: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. . .” 1 Thess 2:8. He and his apostolic companions cared so deeply for these new Christians that they experienced the bond of family with them. Mount Dora, this is how I feel about you. Read the rest of this entry »

“And God said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).

Every Christmas season the City of Mount Dora hosts a beautiful spectacle entitled “Light up Mount Dora”. On Saturday evening November 28th the heart of downtown will be illuminated with over 2,000,000 Christmas lights! This annual event truly enhances the Christmas spirit for those of us who call Lake County our home.

But there is another light that shines in our community, the Light of Jesus Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas 2008 at the Carpenter's House for Children

A very special family lives among Northlanders in Lake County. The 20-member family of The Carpenter’s House consists of Pat and Linda Manfredi, Linda’s parents, and 16 former orphans who today are their sons and daughters. Pat and Linda have been following the Lord’s call to take in orphans for 3 decades. To date they have raised over 140 children who have gone on to adulthood (and some have gone home to be with the Lord).

In the same way that the Manfredis have taken these children to become their own, God has taken us in to become His children. Read the rest of this entry »

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-6. Strong words from a strong Savior. Words of power that demand a response. Northland Mount Dora exists so that the unincluded can believe in Jesus and never die and that the included can live out His resurrection power.
Come join us on Wednesday September 9th for The Night of Power. World renowned martial arts expert James Sang Lee will perform feats of power, strength and skill on the Mount Dora stage. Mr. Lee brings a thriving faith in Jesus Christ, a God-given prowess in martial arts, and a powerful testimony of the Love of God in his life. He has served on the stunt cast of many a Hollywood film and has won numerous victories in the world of competitive martial arts. He loves the Lord and longs to use his gifts to bring others to know the One who is “the resurrection and the life”.This is a special youth event (but adults are welcome, too!). If you have a grade, middle or high schooler, you need to bring them to the Night of Power. Invite your friends from other churches. Invite your unchurched friends and their kids. They will be entertained, encouraged and challenged to turn to Christ. Folks from all Northland Worship Sites are welcome.

Who: James Sang Lee
What: The Night of Power
When: September 9th, 2009 from 7 to 9pm
Where: Northland Mount Dora Sanctuary
Why: To include those who are not yet included
Sponsored by: Northland Mount Dora Crew 352 Youth group
Contact: Bill Chapman at bill.chapman@northlandchurch.net or 352-434-4116

The cost is free, childcare is not provided. For more information about James Sang Lee and his martial arts group check out www.JamesSangLee.com and www.fortresshill.us

Come and let God speak to you and the ones you love on The Night of Power

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:31-2.

Jesus says if we hold to His teaching, we will know the truth and will be set free. But what is Jesus’ teaching? And how can we be free in the truth? We find this Truth in the Word of God. Christians need to pick up their Bibles each day and allow God to speak. He wants to talk to you; He is just waiting for you to listen. We can’t get free unless we know the truth and hold to it. And we can’t do this alone. Holding to Jesus’ teaching involves studying the Bible in the company of friends. At the Mount Dora Site we have several Wednesday venues where you can dive into the Word with other like-minded believers. Read the rest of this entry »

On Sunday August 9th many families from the Mount Dora congregation of Northland brought backpacks into the church to be blessed and then distributed to kids in need. We love kids and want them to know how much Jesus really cares about them. The Northland backpack drive has been a great way to communicate the love of God to needy children in our neck of the woods. Thanks to all of you who gave your time, money and love to this great cause. A special thank you goes out to the volunteer team who led Mount Dora in this backpack effort. I am proud of all of you - and so is Jesus!

Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14-15). At the Mount Dora worship Site we love kids. From the tiniest baby to the tallest 5th grader, we keep our kids engaged with the love and power and fun of knowing Jesus! Our Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers pour their hearts out each weekend so that every kid who comes to Mount Dora knows that God loves them like crazy! Allow these photos to speak for themselves — and if you would like to play a part in serving our children please connect with Tanya Carpenter, Mount Dora’s Children’s Coordinator (tcarpenter@cfl.rr.com or 352-735-3832). “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” Prov 22:6.

Aiden and Ana enjoy fun in the Mount Dora nursery

Nathan and Nelson Cox hang out and learn about Jesus

Pre-K kids enjoy a snack and fellowship under the tent

A friend of mine who worships in Mount Dora has just started reading the Bible. He told me recently that he has completed the Gospel of John and is now pressing on into new books of Scripture. He said that God is really speaking to him and showing him things that he needs to know. He even shared about a dream he had of serving the Lord in a mighty way. This man’s faith is catching on fire.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bill Chapman, Jack Terman and Micah Bradford take a pause from their labor

God sure is keeping the Mount Adorables busy this summer! On July 18th we will be painting the home of a single-parent family in our community, and with a project such as that the prep work is considerable. So on Tuesday June 30th a handful of Northlanders gathered at the home to cut back bushes and pressure clean the house. Pictured here are the three men who did the work. Notice that each of us is part of a different generation: I was born in the 1960’s, Jack in the 20’s, and Micah in the 90’s. Brothers in the same Lord who came together to serve Jesus by serving this family. Jack cut back the shrubs, I loaded the clippings in the truck, and Micah pressure cleaned. After a couple of hours we stopped to rest awhile and began trading stories. Jack shared an experience in Europe during World War II. I described my call to vocational ministry. Micah spoke of school, sports and a time when the Lord protected him from certain disaster. We prayed together, we joked around a bit and we enjoyed the unity of fellowship and service.I love the unity that grows up when Christians serve together. It’s one thing to come together for our mutual benefit - fellowship among believers provides that. And it is another deeper thing to come together to meet the needs of others. No one expresses this better than God Himself, as He does in Psalm 133:1. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”. Good and pleasant indeed.

Are you connected to other believers in Christ? Is Psalm 133:1 simply a concept for you or are you experiencing it now? There are ample opportunities in Mount Dora and at all Northland Worship Sites to experience unity in fellowship and serving: may I suggest that you ask the Lord where He wants to plug you in, and then ask fellow Northlanders to point you in the right direction. A few unity venues are advertised right on this page; many more can be found in the back of the Northland News. And if you would like to help out with this painting project on Saturday July 18th, just contact Jack Terman at jterman@cfl.rr.com or 407-782-3944. Bring your painting equipment and an extension ladder if you have one. Jesus prayed “that [His people] would be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20). Pursue and experience this unity with your Northland family. Your life will never be the same!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36 

The Northland Mount Dora Men’s Group has been studying the Acts of the Holy Spirit for nearly a year now. This morning (June 23rd 2009) we gathered to consider how the Spirit of God sent Paul and his missionary team to bring the freedom of Christ to the city of Philippi. What follows is the study we worked through. Feel free to use it as a guide to help you work through Acts 16. And may the Holy Spirit lead you to greater and greater measures of freedom in the Son!

Read the rest of this entry »