Christmas Eve at Northgate is one of the most beautiful nights of the year—candles glowing, families gathering, carols filling the room, and Jesus at the center of it all. And this year, we’d love to invite some new faces to jump in and serve with our First Impressions team. Whether you’ve greeted before or this would be your very first time, here are five reasons why volunteering at one of our Christmas Eve services might be exactly the gift you didn’t know you wanted to give. 1. It’s a memory-maker (and yes, kids LOVE it). Serving together as a family becomes one of those “remember when we…” stories that sticks for years. Kids absolutely light up when they’re handing out candles or helping to sweep and clean up—it makes them feel like they’re part of something big and meaningful. It’s basically Christmas magic with name tags. 2. It’s an act of worship—no wrapping paper required. There’s something powerful about giving Jesus your time on the day we celebrate His arrival. It’s a simple way to say, “Lord, this night is Yours.” As Paul puts it, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” (Ephesians 6:7) Bonus: no shepherd costumes required. 3. It actually makes your brain happier. (Yes, really.) Science tells us that serving others triggers those feel-good chemicals—dopamine, oxytocin, all the warm fuzzies. You help someone else feel welcome, and your brain throws you a little Christmas party. Win-win. 4. You get the best seat in the house. Door greeters, ushers, coffee-pourers, candle-helpers… you get to see the joy on people’s faces the moment they arrive. You’re part of those sacred little interactions—helping someone find a seat, calming a nervous visitor, handing a kid their first candle ever. You’re in the heart of the moment. 5. Your joyful welcome might be the thing someone remembers. For many guests, Christmas Eve is the one time they step into church all year. Helping to tidy and reset sets the space for a special experience. Your smile, your kindness, your “Hey, we’re so glad you’re here” might be the very thing God uses to open a heart. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…” You never know who God will place in your path that night. If you’re free for one service (or two!), we’d love to have you jump in. It’s meaningful, it’s fun, and it truly helps our church share the hope of Jesus with every person who walks through our doors. Ready to join the fun? Click below to sign up and choose a role that fits you best!
PARTY TIME! As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many of us are looking for fun, family-friendly ways to enjoy the weekend. Whether you're planning to stay close to home or venture out a bit, we’ve gathered a list of local fireworks displays happening all across the Anoka County and Twin Cities North Metro area. This weekend, as we enjoy the freedom we have as a nation, it's also a great time to pause and give thanks for the deeper freedom we’ve been given in Christ. Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” May your celebrations be full of joy, gratitude, and good company. Check out the list below, and enjoy a safe and meaningful 4th of July weekend! 🎆 Thursday, July 3 Anoka – Castle Field (600 Castle Field Blvd/7th Ave.): 27th annual show, fireworks at 10 pm. anokaareachamber.com+12anokaminnesota.com+12anokaminnesota.com+12 Ham Lake – Lions Park (1220 157th Ave NE): Festival culminating with fireworks at 10 pm. familyfuntwincities.com Columbia Heights – Huset Park: Fireworks at dusk (~10 pm). familyfuntwincities.com 🎆 Friday, July 4 Coon Rapids – Ice Center grounds & Anoka‑Ramsey CC: Full celebration (parade, carnival & 10 pm fireworks). anokaminnesota.com+10coonrapidsmn.gov+10kstp.com+10 Blaine – National Sports Center: Free fireworks at 10 pm; rain date July 5. axios.com+2tcgateway.com+2familyfuntwincities.com+2 Elk River – Oak Knoll Athletic Complex area: Show starts at 10 pm. axios.com Forest Lake – Lakeside Memorial Park: 10 pm fireworks. coonrapidsmn.gov+10axios.com+10familyfuntwincities.com+10 Stillwater – Lowell Park near the Lift Bridge: Dusk show. fox9.com+5axios.com+5kstp.com+5 Shakopee – Mystic Lake Casino: Fireworks at 10 pm. axios.com+1familyfuntwincities.com+1 🎆 Saturday, July 5 (Rain‑date fallback) Should Blaine need it, fireworks may occur tonight. tcgateway.com+1familyfuntwincities.com+1 🎆 Sunday, July 6 Delano – Central Park (650 River St N): Fireworks at 10:30 pm. familyfuntwincities.com Hudson, WI (just across the river, still easy to reach) – Lakefront Park: Dusk fireworks. axios.com Don't forget to make Northgate a destination this weekend too! We're exploring an incredible story from scripture, and it's all about the importance of community to your story. Saturday at 5pm and Sunday and 9 + 11am. Catch you between the fireworks and the fellowship!
It’s summer! The days are longer, the grills are fired up, and calendars are sprinkled with road trips, weddings, beach days, and family reunions. After a long winter (and a chaotic spring), we all need a little rest. But here’s a gentle reminder: while you might take a break from your routine, don’t take a break from your faith. Vacations are great for the soul, but so is staying connected to the One who made your soul. Faith isn’t a To-Do List, but it should also never be “Out of Office.” When life slows down, it’s tempting to press pause on spiritual habits: church attendance, devotional time, small groups, even prayer. But God doesn’t need you to perform for Him—He just wants to stay close. Whether you’re watching the sunset at the lake, standing in line at Disney, or sitting on your front porch with a cold lemonade— God is already there. 3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Faith in Gear This Summer You don’t have to do anything complicated to stay spiritually grounded while you're on the go. Here are a few simple ideas: 1. Make Worship Part of the Road Trip Create a playlist of worship songs or podcasts and press play between destinations. Turn the car into a moving sanctuary. Northgate Live Streams every service and has a huge archive of music and messages, too! 2. Bring Scripture with You (Digitally or Old-School) Download a Bible app, pack a pocket devotional, or screenshot a verse each week. The goal isn’t to be impressive, it’s to stay connected. 3. Use Nature as a Reminder The lakes, the trees, even your neighbor’s backyard flowers—creation speaks! Let the beauty around you nudge you to say thanks and talk to the creator. God Doesn’t Clock Out. One of the best parts about our relationship with Jesus is that it’s not confined to a location, schedule, or season. He doesn’t need you to be “at home” with your regular routine to be present in your activities. He’s walking with you through every vacation photo, every quiet moment, and every family memory you’re making. So go ahead— rest, relax, recharge. Just don’t forget to bring Jesus with you.
