Keeping you informed and connected
OCTOBER /// 2026
A Letter from Rob Hey North Metro, If you didn’t know…the book of Jeremiah is the longest book in the Bible by word count… and one of the least preached. There's a reason for that. It's long, it doesn't move in a straight line, and it deals with some difficult stuff. The prophet Jeremiah is often referred to as the “weeping prophet.” He spoke to people who were watching their world come apart. He experienced moments where he felt he had lost all hope, but his despair ultimately caused him to turn back to faith and trust in God. While Jerusalem was under siege, Jeremiah bought a field. He made an investment in a future he couldn't see yet. That's not optimism….that's faith in action. I don't know what you're carrying into this fall. Some of you are in a good season where things are growing, God is moving, and life feels full. Some of you are standing over ground that hasn't produced anything in a long time and you’re wondering if it ever will. Jeremiah has room for both…and he doesn't ask you to pretend. Starting Thursday, October 1, and Sunday, October 4, we'll be diving into this often overlooked book in a series we’re calling: The Fountain & the Field. I believe God is going to use our time together in a big way to help bring perspective, healing, and growth to everyone. So be here and bring someone with you. Grateful for you,
Rob McDowell Lead Pastor
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UPCOMING FOR KIDS AND STUDENTS
NMC KIDS | THURSDAY NIGHT CHURCH
Thursday Night Church in NMC Kids has officially launched! This new service mirrors the engaging, high-energy experience kids enjoy on Sunday mornings, giving them another opportunity to learn biblical truth in a fun, age-appropriate environment. Each week, kids experience dynamic teaching, worship, games, and small group time designed to help them grow in their faith and build meaningful relationships. Our goal is to partner with families by offering an additional option that fits busy schedules while still giving kids a place to have a blast and encounter Jesus. We’d love for your family to join us on Thursday nights!
OLD TESTAMENT CELEBRATION
OCTOBER 15-18
We have reached a BIG milestone in NMC Kids! Every three years, our kids journey through the entire Bible, learning the stories, people, promises, and truth found throughout God’s Word. This October, we are celebrating the completion of the entire Old Testament as part of our three-year journey through the Bible! We are so proud of all our kids have learned and the way they have grown as they have explored God’s Word together. What an incredible milestone to celebrate! Parents, thank you for partnering with us as we help our kids know God’s Word and understand the bigger story He is telling through Scripture. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with our NMC Kids!
PAJAMA SUNDAY FUN DAY
BARRETT & SEWELL MILL CAMPUS | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Grab your comfiest PJs because Pajama Sunday is back, and this year, we’re making it extra fun! Kids, get ready for a morning packed with fun games, awesome surprises, giveaways, and plenty of reasons to smile! And of course, bring a friend! The more, the merrier! So roll out of bed, throw on your favorite pajamas, brush those teeth, and maybe
even your hair, then come ready to have a FUN DAY at church! Don’t forget to tag @wearenorthmetro and @nmc_kids on Instagram so we can see all your Pajama Sunday fun!
PJs + Friends + Games + Giveaways = The BEST Sunday!
ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 | 9:15-10:00AM
If your elementary-aged child has already taken the step of salvation, this class is the perfect next step. This 45-minute class is designed for you and your child to attend together. For more information on the baptism process, visit northmetro.org/events.
NMC KIDS TABLE TALKER
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER DISCIPLESHIP TOOL
This is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to equip families to connect around the table intentionally. The activities and devotions you’ll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum that we use in the classrooms. This means you can connect what you do at home with what your kids do in the classroom. But it’s not all curriculum; you’ll also find silly games, get-to-know-you questions, and family challenges. As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher and the first person to disciple your child. We hope the NMC Kids Table Talker is just the tool you need to take your family relationships to the next level. Grab yours today in NMC Kids.
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS Please join our NMC Kids Facebook Page and Instagram Account (@nmc_kids) to stay in the loop on all things NMC Kids.
NMC STUDENTS | COMPASS
BARRETT & SEWELL MILL CAMPUS SUNDAY EVENINGS | 6:00PM-8:30PM
Calling all students in grades 6 through 12! Compass is the middle and high school weekly environment for NMC Students. It’s a place for students to come as they are, build real friendships, and take a next step in faith through worship, relevant teaching, small groups, and community. Join us at 6:00pm for an incredible night with dinner, awesome worship, and an impactful group time to connect with friends and leaders.
NMC STUDENTS: DWELL WKND PART 1
WOODLANDS CAMP | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 | GRADES 6-12
Our fall and winter retreats are one thing this year. Part 1 is at Woodlands Camp: check-in is 6:30pm Friday at North Metro Church; we leave together at 7:30pm, and students are back around 1:00pm Sunday. Registration is $175 for one weekend or $275 for both, and closes Sunday, November 1. Scholarships are available, and a friend who is brand new to NMC goes for half price. Part 2 is January 29-31 at Camp Grace. Save your retreat spot TODAY by visiting northmetro.org/events.
NMC COLLEGE | TRELLIS
BARRETT CAMPUS | TUESDAYS | 7:00PM
Looking for community, connection, and a place to grow your faith? If you’re between the ages of 18 and 23, join NMC College every Tuesday night for our weekly environment, Trellis. Trellis is a place designed to help you connect with others and pursue the Lord together. Plus, dinner is on us!
TRELLIS FALL RETREAT (COLLEGE)
MIDDLE SCHOOL MORNINGS
OCOEE RETREAT CENTER FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Every Sunday morning, 6th-8th grade students are invited upstairs to the Student Headquarters (SHQ) at 9:15am and 11:00am for Bible study and community. Parents, encourage your student to bring a friend, and we’ll see you there!
A weekend away for college students: worship, teaching, community, and adventure. $75 covers lodging, meals, and activities, with an optional whitewater rafting trip on Saturday, October 24 for $50. Scholarships are available. Registration closes Tuesday, October 13, so visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and save your spot.
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAYS | 9:15AM & 11:00AM
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Connect & Grow WELCOME HOME
and inflatables for the kids. It is free and open to everyone, so bring your neighbors and friends.
Join Pastor Rob McDowell and the NMC staff for lunch! Welcome Home is designed to help you learn about everything that makes up North Metro Church and to provide you with next steps to become part of our family. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.
Looking to connect with people over a shared hobby or interest? Check out our Meetups. You can drop in anytime, no commitment, just fun and fellowship. See the entire list at northmetro.org/groups.
SEWELL MILL FALL FESTIVAL
When we serve others, we set the table for them to experience God’s grace. That’s why, around here, we call our volunteers Tablesetters. Our goal is for everyone to experience the joy of serving others
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 11:15AM-12:15PM BARRETT CAMPUS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 | 12:15-2:00PM
SEWELL MILL CAMPUS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 | 10:00AM-1:00PM
Our third annual Fall Festival. Coffee truck, donuts, face painting, pumpkin painting,
MEETUPS
TABLESETTERS
Care & Missions BAPTISMS
We offer quarterly classes for elementaryaged children, students, and adults. After attending a class, one of our pastors will meet with you or your child to discuss what you learned. If you’re ready to take this step in your faith journey, we invite you to sign up for the next age-appropriate baptism class. Our next Adult Baptism Class will be held on Sunday, December 6 at 10:15am. For more information about our beliefs on baptism, as well as upcoming class dates for NMC Kids and NMC Students, visit northmetro.org/baptism.
HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE NMC has a faithful group of men looking to assist widows, single moms, and other ladies in our church. These men are skilled in most areas of basic home repairs, including plumbing, electrical, and carpentry; however, they can’t take on major renovations or projects that require county permitting. If you are a single woman who needs help with home maintenance or repairs, please visit northmetro.org/care to submit your request.
STEPHEN MINISTRY Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one care ministry that supports those experiencing difficult times. Stephen Ministers are members of our NMC community who are well-trained to encourage others enduring painful times, such as the loss of a loved one, a marriage, a job, or a health issue. If you are facing any of life’s difficult circumstances, please consider using a Stephen Minister to help bear your burdens. Learn more by visiting northmetro.org/care/stephenministry. 4
BEAUTY FOR ASHES SUPPORT GROUP
BARRETT CAMPUS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 7:00-9:00PM
Beauty for Ashes is a confidential group designed to encourage and give hope to women whose husbands struggle with sexual addiction. We understand the devastation of a husband’s betrayal; however, our goal is not to stay in this place of wounding but to seek the Lord for healing and hope.
INFERTILITY & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
BARRETT CAMPUS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 | 7:00-9:00PM
When God calls our hearts to grow our families, He never promises it will be easy, but He does promise to lead when we are lost. Take refuge in knowing you’re not alone. If you struggle with infertility or have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, there’s a place for you.
FOSTER AND ADOPTION PARENT SUPPORT GROUP DINNER
BARRETT CAMPUS | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 | 6:30-8:00PM
Scripture urges believers to look after the orphans in our community. At NMC, we do this by welcoming parents and families involved in foster care or adoption. This group also provides a place to find support and encouragement from others who understand these specific challenges. This group meets on the third Thursday of each month for a meal and fellowship. Whether you’re currently fostering, in the midst of an adoption process, or have been part of this special community of parents for years, we’d love for you to join us for fellowship and a relaxing dinner.
as a Tablesetter and serve somewhere within our church. Regardless of your schedule, experience, or gifting, there’s a fulfilling place for you to serve here. Visit northmetro.org/serve to browse opportunities and take the next step to serve.
GUATEMALA CELEBRATION LUNCH
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 | 12:05-2:00PM
Join us for lunch to hear what God is doing in Guatemala. If you have been, supported someone who went, or are thinking about a future trip, come celebrate with us. Registration closes Sunday, October 18 at 12:00pm. Learn more by visiting northmetro.org/events.
ANNUAL FOSTER AND ADOPTION FAMILY PICNIC
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 | 3:00-5:00PM TUMLIN PARK 400 CHESTNUT HILL RD SW, MARIETTA, GA 30064
Join us for a family picnic at Tumlin Park in Marietta! Snacks and drinks will be provided. We hope you can join us for a relaxing afternoon with your family. To find out more or to sign up for this free event, visit our Events page at northmetro.org/events.
WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
BARRETT CAMPUS | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 | 12:15-2:30PM
Cancer hits with a terrible punch, whether it’s you, a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend. We can’t take you out of this storm, but we can walk alongside you and hold you up when the weight is too heavy. We can be that safe place where you can let all your feelings fall. We’d be honored to pray continually for you and your family. We can be that safe group of ladies who get it without explanation or apologies; we get it all. If cancer has impacted you in any way, we strongly encourage you to connect with Diana Pethel, the leader of NMC’s Cancer Support Group, at 678.357.2933.
Groups & Serving GROUP LEADERSHIP BRUNCH AND LEARN
BARRETT CAMPUS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 11:00AM-12:00PM
Leading a group is not as scary as it may seem. It can be life-giving for the leader and for the people being led. Come learn what it would look like to start and lead your own group or meetup. You will hear about the training and the ongoing coaching you receive, so you have what you need to make it work. Sign up at northmetro.org/events.
NMCU | ENROLL TODAY North Metro Church University (NMCU) is our primary vehicle for studying the Bible together to form a biblical worldview. In NMCU Core (101-104), you will move through a set sequence of classes and learn the big picture of Scripture and how everything in it points to and is fulfilled in Jesus. Along the way, NMCU helps you understand and communicate your faith so you can become a disciple who makes disciples. NMCU is no longer offered as semesterbased classes. Sign up for the first course, NMCU 101, at any time by visiting northmetro.org/nmcu. Courses are designed to be taken in sequence, so you register for the next one after finishing the one before it. Independent study: Work through NMCU at your own pace on Teachable, our online learning platform. Community group experience: If you would rather learn alongside other people, NMCU is North Metro Church’s preferred curriculum for groups, where you can learn, discuss, and grow together.
MARRIAGE MINISTRIES
Your marriage is worth it. Your marriage is worth fighting for. Worth investing in. Worth growing. It does not have to be falling apart for you to want something more. Maybe you are doing great. Maybe you have become more like roommates. Maybe you are stuck in the same conflict over and over. Or maybe you are carrying something deeper that no one else knows about.
RE|ENGAGE | FOR MARRIED COUPLES Wherever you are, Re|engage is a safe place to come as you are. You will hear from real couples, spend time with other married couples, and learn how to apply God’s truth to your marriage. You do not have to have it all figured out. Registration for the January class opens Thursday, October 29 at northmetro.org/events.
MERGE | PREPARE FOR THE MARRIAGE, NOT JUST THE WEDDING Merge is an eight-week premarital experience for seriously dating and engaged couples. We spend so much time preparing for the wedding day. Merge prepares you for all the days after. Over eight weeks, you will have honest conversations about communication, conflict, finances, family, intimacy, expectations, and what it looks like to build your marriage on Christ. The January class meets Monday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm, starting Monday, January 11, with a light dinner served. Class cost is $50. Registration is open at northmetro.org/events.
FOUNDATION | FOR YOUR FIRST THREE YEARS Your wedding was one day. Your marriage is a lifetime. The first few years are exciting, and they are also full of change, adjustment, and a lot of figuring things out together. Foundation groups are for couples married three years or less who want to build a Christ-centered marriage alongside other couples in the same season. Each class includes a light dinner and a semester-long study, and costs $50. The next class begins in early 2027.
RE|NEW | FOR A SECOND MARRIAGE If you have been married before, are in a new relationship, and are seriously considering marriage, Re|new is for you. Re|new is a nine-week course, one-on-one with a mentor couple who has been through a second marriage themselves, working through a biblically based workbook together. You will learn to communicate and listen more effectively, navigate the complexities of blending families, and build a foundation for a lifelong love that honors Christ. Learn more at northmetro.org/events.
Questions? Email classes@northmetro.org.
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Blake Goss
Barrett Campus Worship Pastor
Welcome to the NMC Team Lindsay Stippich
Kids Programming Coordinator
Elliott DeJarnett Service Programming Director
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Carly Powell Intern
Heather Kays Sewell Mill Coordinator
fun questions for our newest team members What’s one thing you are excited about in your new role at NMC?
What’s your go-to comfort food or favorite local spot for a treat?
Heather: I am looking forward to getting to know more people at Sewell Mill on a personal level and helping us build our own distinct identity and culture together.
Heather: Comfort food=Steak n Shake. A good classic cheeseburger, fries, and a vanilla milkshake is my absolute favorite.
Lindsay: I’m so excited to be back at NMC in this new capacity! I love being part of our large group gatherings and seeing all the exciting things on the horizon. I’m especially looking forward to diving deeper into our kids’ curriculum. The Lord has wonderful things in store for the children at NMC, and I am thrilled to be a part of it! Blake: There is nothing better than experiencing the presence of God with others. It’s heaven on earth! I’m excited to encounter more of God’s presence with NMC!
Lindsay: Chick-fil-A is my absolute go-to! You can’t beat a number 1 with fries and a large sweet tea. Blake: COFFEE!!! I love finding local coffee shops that roast their own coffee. Elliott: I will eat an entire Antico’s Pizza by myself no questions asked. Carly: My go-to comfort treat would definitely be Jeni’s ice cream!
Elliott: I’m excited about worshiping together, encountering God’s love and presence together, and getting to know more people and hearing about how God is moving in their lives. Carly: Since I’ve grown up at this church since I was 2, I’m so excited to now be able to work and give back to the ministries that once changed everything for me! The student ministry is where I found Jesus, so it feels like such a full circle moment to now be interning with them. I’m excited to pour my heart and passion into making the student ministry even better for the students who come after me!
If you had an entirely free Saturday with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?
What is a random skill, hobby, or fun fact people might be surprised to learn about you?
Heather: It would be all about rest and sunshine. I would sleep in late, head over to Biscuits and More for breakfast (cheese grits), and then spend the afternoon relaxing outside in perfect 75 degree weather, with a mid day hammock nap definitely included.
Heather: My career background is in emergency nursing. I used to thrive on the adrenaline rush, but these days, I avoid adrenaline at all costs.
Lindsay: Spending the day having fun with my family, especially if we’re heading up to our family cabin in Ellijay! I also love getting out on the tennis court and curling up with a good book. Blake: Braves game!! Elliott: Breakfast with my kids (after they let me sleep in), play Golf, play Golf again, and then watch the Braves and Dawgs. Carly: If I had an entirely free Saturday, I would spend it hanging out with my friends at the lake, watching the sunset, and making s’mores. We’d end the night with a worship night around the fire, just like we used to!
Lindsay: I used to yodel with my mom’s band back in the 90s! Blake: Shark fishing! Elliott: I speak French, I’m in too many fantasy football leagues, and I love applesauce on my Pizza. Carly: I love playing mahjong, and I’m actually pretty good at it! I also love traveling and have visited five countries in the past three years. Some of my favorite memories have been visiting Lake Como in Italy, seeing where Star Wars was filmed, and getting to see Highland cows in Edinburgh, Scotland, on my recent mission trip!
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Is Re:generation for you? Maybe you are struggling with an addiction. Maybe it is anger, shame, fear, anxiety, relationships, pornography, or something you have not told anyone about. Maybe you cannot even put a name to what you are struggling with. You just feel stuck. Re:generation is for you. It is a place where you can be honest about your brokenness, walk through 12 biblical steps of growth, and find that you do not have to walk through it alone. God offers healing. God offers freedom. God offers new life. Take the first step. Show up. Learn more at northmetro.org/regeneration.
Join us Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00pm. Barrett Campus
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Mobilization UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
FROM THE FIELD: VOICE OF THE MARTYRS REGIONAL CONFERENCE
BARRETT CAMPUS | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | 6:00-8:30PM, OR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 | 9:00-11:30AM
This year’s From the Field conference centers on Iran, where following Jesus can cost you your job, your family, or your life. Voice of the Martyrs brings firsthand accounts from believers there, and North Metro Church is hosting. The two sessions are identical, so come to whichever one works for you. It is free, and space is limited. Register and learn more by visiting northmetro.org/events.
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES AND PARTNERS North Metro Church partners with 11 missionaries and 23 mobilization partners serving locally and around the world. Join us to learn more about these people and ministries, spend time praying for them, and write Christmas cards to encourage our missionary families. Details are coming this fall.
CHRISTMAS MARKET | SERVE AND GIVE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
The Christmas Market is how we partner with Mission 1:27 to help make Christmas possible for local families. Parents come and choose the gifts their own kids open on Christmas morning. Gifts are due Sunday, November 29. Ways to give and serve are coming, so watch for them this fall.
For more information or to sign up for any of our Care Ministries, visit our Care page at northmetro.org/care.
—— Upcoming trips to ——
PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA We have two upcoming trips going to serve with Casa del Redentor in Guatemala.
February 14-20, 2027 Application Deadline is November 3
April 4-10, 2027
Application Deadline is January 3
Guatemala Celebration Lunch Sunday, October 18 Whether you have been to Guatemala or supported someone who has, we invite you to join us for lunch. Sign up at northmetro.org/events.
Ivan Mijango Casa del Redentor Director
An update from Ivan Mijango. Casa del Redentor (Redeemer’s House), is North Metro Church’s international ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.
Preparing the Field In Panajachel, where Casa del Redentor is based, we live by two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. For generations, the families in the villages where we serve have worked to that rhythm. They know when to prepare the land, when to plant, and when the harvest should come. Months ahead, they can usually tell you what kind of harvest is coming. For these families, corn is not something they grow to sell. It is what they store and eat all year, mostly as tortillas. A poor harvest can mean not having enough food until the next growing season. Right now, that is a real concern. For almost two months we have had unusually dry weather in what should be one of the wettest times of the year. Instead of rain most days, the skies have stayed dry. Driving down the hills toward Patzutzun, we pass cornfields that should be tall and green, close to six feet high. Many of them are yellow, small, and struggling. We are praying the drought breaks soon, and that the hundreds of families who depend on these crops see their fields come back. Thinking about this, I cannot help seeing a connection with CDR. For years our ministry has served in a cycle that has been familiar and consistent: food,
education, Bible teaching, discipleship, and chances for children and families to experience God’s love. As I have shared with you before, that has been and still is a tremendous blessing. But seasons of ministry change the same way the weather does. We have had seasons of drought and seasons of abundant fruit. Recently, a new idea started to find a place in our hearts. Maybe this is the season to plant. Land that looks dry and lifeless can become fertile with a little work and a good rain. I am not talking about corn. In August, I visited North Metro Church in person for the second time. Honestly, being there was a dream come true. I had the chance to share a few words with the church, and I shared something that has been on my heart for a long time: after more than 15 years of serving in Patzutzun, the dream of planting a church there has finally arrived. We can see the clouds on the horizon. The rain is coming. It is time to prepare the field and scatter the seeds. God will take care of the rest. I share this with you, my NMC family, because you have been such an important part of CDR’s ministry and what God
is preparing to do in Patzutzun. We do not know how long it will take before we celebrate a first Sunday service. We do not even know where it will be. But we know this: together we are going to help people find and follow Jesus, one person, one family, and one village at a time. I write with a big smile, and also knowing this will not be easy. There will be challenges and turns we cannot see yet. But as I said on stage a few weeks ago, God has given us the vision. He has given us the people. He has given us the provision. Now it is time to plant. Thank you, NMC, for the love, prayers, generosity, and support you keep pouring into CDR. Thank you for believing in what God is doing here and for being part of the story He is writing in Guatemala. We hope to see you on one of the upcoming mission trips, working the field together. There is still much to plant, and we are excited to see what God will grow. Your brother in Christ, Ivan
Hear more in person at the Guatemala Celebration Lunch - Barrett Campus, Sunday, October 18, 12:05-2:00pm.
We get to partner with Casa del Redentor to help people find and follow Jesus in Guatemala because of your obedience in giving. To get involved, you can go to northmetro.org/serve. 10
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Thursday Night Church kicks off our weekend services, including the same message and worship as Sunday. It’s a great way to connect, celebrate, and help make room for the incredible growth we’ve seen at the Barrett Campus. We hope you join us at Thursday Night Church.
BARRETT CAMPUS 7:00PM
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
YTD August 2026 Income: $1,440,345.45 Expense: $1,160,155.87 Over/(under): $280,189.58
BARRETT CAMPUS (CENTRAL CAMPUS) 2305 Barrett Pkwy NW • Marietta, GA 30064 Service Times: Thursdays at 7:00pm | Sundays at 9:15am & 11:00am SEWELL MILL CAMPUS 2550 Sewell Mill Road • Marietta, GA 30062 Service Time: Sundays at 10:00am info@northmetro.org • 678.290.7830
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