Northeast Community News – August 06, 2013
Dear Friends and Family,
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! I can still remember when Sunday morning was all about Dan! My sleep, my entertainment, my wants, my desires! I am so glad Janie reached out to me and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ! While I do think about remaining under my warm covers every once in a while, I am always blessed and encouraged and renewed and glad when I come into His presence to worship, sing, and praise Him for setting me free through the blood of Jesus Christ! God is so good! Amen!
God’s message this week came from Colossians 1:24-2:7 and was titled, “The Body of Christ.” Paul uses this metaphor 30 times to describe Christians collectively in his first letter to the Corinthians and letters to the Romans, Ephesians, and here in Colossians 1:18, 24, and later in 3:18. Jesus is the head; we are the body! But what is a body to do?
Paul makes it clear the body of Christ is to be about the business and mission of God. Yes, we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned (Matt. 25:31-46) but we are also to be about spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul suggests this begins by being willing to suffer (v1:24) for the good of the Church. When was the last time you were inconvenienced to spread the Good News?
When was the last time you prayed for people who did not know Jesus? When was the last time you invited someone to church? When was the last time you used “Jesus” in a sentence outside the church walls? While we embrace blanket, food, and diaper drives, we need to make sure all of us are involved in the effort to share the Good News!
Will you pray? Will you call? Will you invite? Will you testify?
In v. 2:2 Paul reveals his purpose for writing. He prays that they may be encouraged in heart, united in love, and have a full understanding of God, namely Christ. Our primary work as the “body of Christ” is to lead people into encounters with God where they may be encouraged, loved, saved, sanctified, and united with God and others! Will you help?
Finally, Paul speaks of living the saved and sanctified life in vv. 2:6-7. The goal of the body is to 1) receive Christ Jesus as Lord, 2) continue to live in Him, 3) be rooted and built up in Him, 4) be strengthened in the faith, and 5) overflow with thankfulness! It is only when we are living the life ourselves that we can win others to Jesus!
WED. NIGHT ADULT BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30PM
We are currently studying a little book on Christian Community on Wednesday nights and this week’s study is titled, “Servant’s Entrance” based on Matthew 25:31-46. Are you ready to serve others as Jesus serves? Come Wednesday night at 6:30pm to learn about life in Christian Community!
Healthy Living! It is a way of life as Holiness People!
In his book, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, Richard A. Swenson, M.D., a Christian doctor, sees a steady stream of exhausted, hurting people suffering from what he calls living without margin.
While we have examined areas lacking margin, Swenson suggests there are four areas that can significantly contribute to margin in all areas. For the last two weeks we have examined contentment, this week we will examine “health through simplicity.”
Swenson writes, “We hear frequent talk about the rat race and the treadmill, about stopping the world to let people off. Many fantasize about walking away from their jobs, throwing away the television, and moving to a cabin in the woods…the solution is not so much escaping, but transcending: The solution is simplicity” (pp. 201-202).
Simplicity is not new! We see it in the Amish people. We read about it in the monastic orders, the Desert Fathers, the Puritans, and the Quakers. In fact, our country was built upon the simple, godly lifestyle of plain living. But the simplicity they sought and found was based on Christ, who Luke writes, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Lk9:58). Swenson wrote, “Jesus was born with nothing, lived with little, and died with nothing. His simplicity was not accidental. Jesus could have chosen any standard, yet He chose to live simply”(p. 203).
Swenson argues that simplicity is not the result of a set of external rules to live by, but an inward change that guides us into being more Christlike. “This means seeking the Kingdom first, thus giving over our plans, our expectations, our future, our family, our reputation, and our possessions to Him…. With the internal issues settled, we are free to wear older clothes or live in a modest home because God doesn’t care. We no longer need to impress [others]. With the internal truth [of Christlikeness] anchored, the external simplicity of our lives is a celebration [not a set of rules, a chore, or legalism] (p. 204).
The doctor concludes with a long list of areas to consider simplicity. I will merely list the categories and let you use your imagination!
Given our call to live a life of simplicity, how should we handle our: 1) possessions and finances, 2) pace and atmosphere, 3) relationships, 4) appreciation, 5) spiritual life, 6), activities, and 7) nutrition and exercise? Swenson concludes, “The simple life will not sound attractive unless you are in love with the Truth” (p. 213).
Blessings! Pastor Dan
Hello from Pastor Amy, your Associate Pastor/Administrative Secretary
My office hours will vary every Tuesday, and if you need to see me, just call! My responsibilities also include preparing our weekly program, so if you have an event that you would like to put in the program or newsletter, please feel free to contact me!
On Prayer Requests: If you have a specific praise or prayer request which you would like to appear in the program and/or newsletter, please make sure to fill out the tear-off sheet in the weekly program, or contact me at any time.
Please Update Me! We have a long, ongoing list of prayer requests. Please keep me
updated. Requests will be pulled from the newsletter & program after three weeks.
Church Office: 616-459-2773 My Contact Info: 616-514-9521 or aorban@nnu.edu
NEWS AND EVENTS
BE OUR GUEST! NE COMMUNITY POTLUCK SUNDAY AUGUST 11TH
This Sunday we are holding one of our delicious potlucks immediately following our morning worship service. But this Sunday, we are encouraging you to invite ANYONE and EVERYONE to join us! There will be a ton of food and fellowship. Even if they do not want to come for church, they can still come for a good meal! Will you invite friends and family? Neighbors and strangers? Talk to Irene to help setup/teardown.
HIGHLAND PARK – DUMPSTER DAY – AUGUST 10 – 8AM to 12:00 NOON
Do you want to get rid of some unused appliances or other pieces of junk cluttering up your storage area? Well I have good news! Highland Park Neighborhood Association in conjunction with the City of Grand Rapids is having their annual ‘dumpster day’ Aug. 10 between 8am and 12 noon for those who live in Highland Park. Bring your ‘treasures’ to the upper parking lot of St. Isadore’s on Spring St! Highland Park boundaries are Fuller Ave (East), College Ave (West), Leonard St. (North), and I-196 (South).
TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER MEETING BEGINS AUGUST 13TH
The primary purpose of the church of Jesus Christ is to bring sinners into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we do this through preaching and teaching. Sometimes we do this through compassionate ministries such as diaper drives, blanket drives, and other service by which we show the love of Jesus to the world. And often, we do this through prayer. This is why beginning next Tuesday the 13th, Pastor Amy will be leading an hour of prayer specifically for the unsaved, every Tuesday from 9am-10am. While we all have many prayer burdens, we want to use this hour to pray specifically and passionately for people we know who need to know Jesus or recommit their lives to Jesus. So who do you know that does not yet know Jesus? Please feel free to join us in the sanctuary for an hour or for five minutes, as you feel led.
DICK AND EMILY MORSE BIRTHDAY PARTY! YOU ARE INVITED!
Dick and Emily Morse have both celebrated their 90th birthdays this summer! Everyone is invited to join their family in celebration on Sunday, August 25 at 2:00pm. The party will be held at Dr. Beverly Shepherd’s house at 7258 Russet Dr. NE, Rockford, MI. Please RSVP at 616.863.6808. Also, Emily wants to make sure that everyone knows NO GIFTS ARE NECESSARY, just bring yourself!
Tri-District Men’s Retreat – Friday September 20 thru Saturday September 21
Attention all men, you are invited to attend a tri-district men’s retreat being held at Lost Valley Bible Farm in Gaylord, MI. Activities will include teaching, small groups, golf, trap shooting, rifle range, basketball, fishing, horseshoes, deer rifle sight-in and table tennis. The cost is only $55 per person, meals included. We would love to send a group of men from our church! The registration deadline is September 10th. Talk to Pastor Amy to get more information and to get signed up!
Come to the Fire Women’s Conference – October 17-19
Attention all women, you are invited to the Come to the Fire annual women’s conference in October. The conference will be held Holland, MI. Last year, a group of us traveled to the conference, stayed in a hotel, and were blessed by it! It is a great weekend of worship, teaching, fellowship and renewal. There is no cost for registration, but we will be discussing how to pay for meals and lodging. If you are interested in attending this conference, please talk to Pastor Amy or Janie soon! For more information, you can also grab a pamphlet from the table outside of the sanctuary, or go to cometothefire.org.
August School Pal Packs!
It is time once again to collect items for School Pal-Paks as part of our Nazarene Missions International efforts. If you don’t know, the Church of the Nazarene operates numerous primary schools around the world, providing quality education for children. Unfortunately, children around the world often do not have the supplies needed for school. In countries with economic challenges, families cannot afford to purchase supplies, or siblings are often required to share the supplies. In response to the need, Nazarene Missions International partnered with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc. (NCM, Inc.) to provide School Pal-Paks. You can put purchased items under the sign on the Mission bulletin board in the annex. See Gerry Dawson with any questions. Make sure to get a shopping list before you shop, because the paks require very specific items! Here is the information:
Shopping List:
• 2 composition notebooks (such as Mead brand), no larger than 93⁄4x71⁄2 inches
• 1 package of 10-12 #2 pencils
• 1 package of 10-12 black pens
• 2 pink erasers, 2-3 inches long
• 2 6-inch or 12-inch rulers (with metric measurements)
• 1 package of 12-15 colored pencils
• 1 pair blunt-nosed scissors
• 1 hand-held pencil sharpener (NOT electric or battery-powered)
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PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT IN CHURCH!
Do you play an instrument or used to play an instrument and want to use your gift to bless others and glorify the Lord? Recently, the church purchased sheet music to the hymnal we use for flute/oboe and clarinet. Trombone is also available. We would love to have a few people play their instruments occasionally during the offering time! If you are interested or even think you might be interested see Pastor Dan.
Jonathan Gingrich is in Germany! Check out his blog updates!
Most of you know that Jonathan Gingrich is studying abroad in Germany with a group of students from Calvin College this summer. Please continue to pray for him! Jonathan recently updated his blog after visiting a concentration camp in Germany. Here is the link: http://grinchingermany.
Indian Lake Paint Project – will you help?
Irene Pratt is leading an effort to repaint part of the Indian Lake Nazarene Camp Tabernacle. We recently received a $400 donation toward the project! We want to help take care of this wonderful place which is truly a gift from God. Irene is also asking people to come down to the camp to do the actual work. If you are willing to get on board, contact Irene!
Postcard Greetings Now Available
Don’t forget, we have NE Community postcards and they are available to anyone who would like to send them to invite, encourage, miss, or welcome someone to the church! Interested? See a Sundayschool teacher or Pastor Amy or Dan.
Upcoming Events
August 10 Highland Park Dumpster Days
August 11 Northeast Community Potluck follows morning worship service
August 13 Tuesday Morning Prayer Meeting 9am-10am
September 08 Gideon Visit during morning worship service
September 22 Missionary visit!
September 10 Registration for Tri-District Men’s Retreat due
October 17-19 Come to the Fire Women’s Conference in Holland
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