Northeast Community News – March 24, 2014
Hello Dear Ones!
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord this week! We had a wonderful time in Sundayschool, a wonderful time in singing and worship – a wonderful time praying, and a wonderful time examining the Word together, too! Later, Janie led a Missionary gathering at the parsonage and as we ate taco’s we learned about how God calls all Christians to serve and we can learn to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit. If you are not coming to Sunday school, worship, and small groups, well, you are missing out!
God’s message this week came from John 2:13-22 and was titled, ‘Cleanse the Temple.’ As Jesus came to celebrate the annual Passover in the Jewish Temple, He discovered a system forcing visiting Jews to pay exorbitant prices for sacrificial animals and money exchange while providing ‘kickbacks’ to the Temple priests. What God had intended to be a sacred witness to the Gentile nations had become a corrupt flea market.
We find Jesus’ response in vv. 15-16: “So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:13-16)
In essence, Jesus cleaned house! It was dramatic – it was painful – I’m sure it didn’t feel good and the time and sure it cost people a lot of money. But it needed to be done! The Temple was God’s house and God doesn’t tolerate trash in His house. While He doesn’t have that Temple anymore – in 1 Cor. 6:19-20 we discover He does have temples!
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
God’s presence now resides in us! God’s Holy Spirit now lives within those who have received His son, Jesus Christ! If you are a Christian, you are a temple of the Holy Spirit! Question? Is your temple sacred or have you have allowed sin to creep back in to your life? If you were to put every area of your life on tables would Jesus want to turn over a few of them? As we move through Lent, I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit access to every area of your life and give Him permission to change you, cleanse you, drive things out of your life and invite in whatever is needed to be made into the image of Jesus. I pray you would allow the Father to replace your apathy or indifference to sin with a ‘zeal for God’s temple’ (you)! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Love and blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ORDER EASTER FLOWERS AND HONOR AND REMEMBER!
We’re planning to decorate the church again for Easter Sunday and you can help by ordering flowers in ‘honor’ or ‘memory’ of a loved one and then taking them home on Easter Sunday! Below you will find the order form and they will be in the bulletins on March 30, and April 06th(Note: deadline to order and pay is April 06)
THE NEXT ‘LAST WED. POTLUCK’ IS THIS WEEK! MAR. 26th @ 5:30PM!
Don’t forget! Bring a dish to pass and enjoy the fun, food, and fellowship! It really is fun!
NEXT ‘FIRST FRIDAY CHINESE LUNCH’ – APRIL 4th
Everyone is invited to Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at 11:30am on the first Friday of every month! The food is inexpensive, delicious, and the fellowship is even better. Talk to Tracy Tamm if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!
WED. NIGHT PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30PM – JESUS IS LORD!
We have slowed down our study and are examining the last two chapters of our book (8-9) during our Lenten journey. Our youth and children are taking part in this study, too! For the time being it makes more sense to meet at Pastor’s house (the parsonage) across the parking lot instead of heating up the whole church. So grab your babies, kids, teens, and adults and make the trip! You’ll be glad you did!
4th ANNUAL ‘KEEP ‘EM COVERED’ DRIVE – GOAL = 1,500 - COLLECTED = 742
We are again collecting diapers for North End Community Ministry as part of the Kent County ‘Keep ‘Em Covered’ program through April 13. Why you ask? Because Jesus asks us to care for the ‘least of these’ (see Matthew 25:31-46). Consider these facts:
• 1 out of every 4 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty and safety net programs such as W.I.C. and food stamps do NOT cover the cost of diapers!
• Babies need 6-10 diapers a day, but sadly many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford them.
• Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk for physical abuse by the caregiver.
This year, our goal will be to collect 1,500 diapers. There is a playpen set up in the back of the sanctuary for you to place your diapers through April 13th – Bless you for helping!
EASTER EGG HUNT FOR KIDS – EASTER SUN. AFTER CHURCH (APR. 20
We will be holding an Easter egg hunt immediately after our worship service on Easter. Children through 6th grade are invited to participate, (but we usually give the little ones a head start)! This is a great Sunday to invite friends! So grab the neighborhood kids and bring them to church this Easter! If you are willing to help stuff Easter eggs and prepare the hunt, see Janie Hathaway or call her at 616-204-2499!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING – SUN., APR. 23 at 4:00PM
We’ve tried it twice and think we’ll do it again! So, invite a friend, bring a snack food, and gather with us in the basement of the house where Pastor and Janie live across the parking lot (883 Fuller Ave NE) on Apr. 23 at 4:00PM for food, fun, and a lesson on missions! It’ll be a good time! Promise!
DISTRICT MEN’S RETREAT 9/26-27 – CRAN-HILL RANCH, RODNEY, MI
Sponsor: Midland Nazarene (Midland Naz is paying for speaker so that this retreat is affordable for all.) Cost: $50 (price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 27th and most activities; some activities – archery tag, skeet – cost $5) Arrive: 6:30PM on 9/26th Depart:6:30PM on 9/27th – Speaker: Bay Forrest (www.focus-ministries.com) I know this is a long way away, but save the date and plan on coming! You’ll be glad you did!
IS SOMEONE MISSING?
From time to time someone in the church will come up to me and say, ‘Hey, where is so and so?’ While I often have an idea, it’s up to ALL OF US to love, encourage, and hold one another up! So, if you notice someone missing, give them a call or send them an email! You have no idea how much it means to be ‘missed.’ Remember, we really are in this whole ‘body of faith’ thing together! Bless you for caring!
DO YOU WANT TO HELP BUT AREN’T SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?
The Kingdom of God needs EVERYONE to get involved, but we often make it hard to figure out exactly how to get involved! We’re sorry about that! If you would like to serve contact Pastor Dan to see how we can plug you in! We really do need you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar. 16-Apr. 13 Keep ‘Em Covered Diaper Drive
Mar. 26 Wed. night potluck (5:30pm at the parsonage)
Apr. 04 First Friday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine (11:30)
Apr. 20 Easter – He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Apr. 20 Missionary Gathering (4:00pm at the parsonage)
Apr. 26 Ladies Day at Olivet Nazarene University!
May 11 Mother’s Day
May 26 Memorial Day
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