Northeast Community News – March 16, 2015
Hello Dear Ones!
What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, yesterday! It was sunny and warm and many of us are beginning to sense the grip of winter is slipping. Perhaps it is the season of Lent or our recent messages from God, but I couldn’t help wonder if the grip of sin on your life is gripping or slipping as we move towards Easter? You don’t have to remain trapped in the snow and ice of sin! Jesus makes it possible through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be cleansed from your past and live in a whole new life of victory!
God’s message came from John 3:14-21 and was titled, “The Gift of Eternal Life.” Do you like taking your medicine? While most of us have matured to the point where we realize we need to or pay the consequences in our physical health, many still deny God has a remedy for our sin-sick souls, too! Still others simply refuse to receive the medicine: Jesus!
In our text Jesus is reminding His hearers of an O.T. lesson from Numbers (the 4th book in the Bible) 21:4-9. There we find the Israelites complaining about being delivered from their bondage! “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (Numbers 21:5b).
While God had miraculously delivered them, they still complained. Consequently God sent an attack by poisonous snakes. The people were saved when God answered Moses’ prayer by commanding Moses to make a bronze serpent, lift it up on a pole, and have the people look at it. God didn’t remove the snakes or keep them from biting, but He did give them a cure, a medicine of sorts. When they took their medicine, looked at the serpent, they lived.
Our text takes us full circle. Back to the bronze snake; back to sinful rebellious people; back to a need for medicine. And God provided a way to survive and thrive in the midst of biting and poisonous snakes through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
Look, God knows you’re hurting and suffering from the sickness of sin and all it entails. He knows your temptations, struggles, failures, and the ‘poisonous snakes’ nipping at you and in love has provided the medicine: Jesus Christ! Will you receive Jesus? Will you confess and believe in Jesus or continue living a life filled with sinful complaining, ingratitude, and mistrust? Take your medicine! Choose Jesus! I pray you did! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAR. 28 @ 10:30AM
The ladies are planning to get together at the church on Sat., Mar. 28th at 10:30am. All ladies are invited and welcome! Please see Gerry D. or Cherry P. for details!
SUNDAY (3-22) IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER YOUR EASTER FLOWERS
This Sunday is the last day to order and pay for your Easter Flowers. Don’t forget you have the option of ordering them ‘in memory of’ or ‘in honor of’ someone(s) which will be listed in the weekly program as an insert. If you have any questions, see Gerry D.
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO SEE YOU IN SUNDAY SCHOOL?
Every Sunday Gerry prepares an amazing lesson for Adults that starts at 10am. Why aren’t you coming? I’ve heard some think it’s too early – too boring – it’s only for adults and I’ve heard you really don’t need it to live a Christian life. Really? So, what would it take to disciple you for 30 min. a week? What time - curriculum - place - medium would it take? Challenge us! We’re interested! We want to make sure everyone is growing!
THIS THURSDAY (MAR. 19) IS CHINESE LUNCH AT 11:30AM
This Thu. we are meeting at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target). Remember! It’s more than food! It’s a time when we share each other’s joys and concerns and laugh, too! So grab a friend and make your way to Hibachi! Any questions? See Tracy or Linda!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS SUN., MAR. 22nd AT 4PM
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., Mar. 22ndat 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study and learn what our missionaries are doing, how we can join them in prayer, learn how to be a missionary in our own neighborhoods, and enjoy snacks and laughter together. It’s a lot of fun and you might just learn something (in spite of yourself! :) Last month you had a chance to win a Coney Combo at the Grand Coney! What will happen this month? So bring a snack, bring a friend, (even an enemy) and join us! You’ll be glad you did!
EASTER EGG HUNT FOR KIDS – APR. 05 (after our Easter Service)
For several years now we have held an Easter egg hunt for our kids immediately following our Easter Morning Worship Service. All ages are invited to participate, but we usually give the little ones a head start! This is a great Sunday to invite friends and family! Let Janie know if you’d be willing to help stuff eggs and prepare for the hunt!
THE SEWER IS DONE! THE YARD IS A MESS!
McDonald plumbing arrived last Friday to replace the leaking, cracked, offset, root filled sewer line at the parsonage and I rejoice to advise you after many setbacks including the need to dig a second hole, it is complete! ‘Praise God!’ While the yard is a mess we know there’s nothing like some rain, settling, raking, and a little grass seed to heal it! Thank you Phyllis for investing in the future of our church! Bless your faithfulness!!
MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE UPDATES AND DEADLINES!
If you’ve received this newsletter for any length of time, you know we’re collecting stuff to sell to raise money for 4 Nazarene Schools operating in the Middle East. Continue to bring your clean and gently used items to church and place them in the fellowship hall. Bless everyone who has brought something or is planning to bring some things to sell.
Today, I want to make you aware of a few details. First, we will STOP receiving items on Sun., Apr. 12th.While the sale is May 7-9, we need time to price, pack, and ship items to Wayland where Ron Morse will be selling them for us. Second, we need people to come help price items Apr. 16 between 1:30-4:00pm(after Chinese lunch). Finally, we need people willing to help load and unload a large enclosed trailer being provided by Phil Pakiela on May 4 or 5. If you can help, please let Gerry D. or Pastor Dan know! Thanks!
PREACHING AND WORSHIP AMBASSADORS ARE COMING APR. 12!
For five years now, Olivet Nazarene University has offered the ‘Preaching Ambassador Program.’ The preaching ambassador program gives students preparing for ministry an opportunity to preach at a local church while pursuing their academic degree, but also gives us an opportunity to see and hear “flesh and blood” examples of those we have supported at ONU. Last year, ONU added ‘worship leaders’ to this wonderful program! On Apr. 12 we welcome Pastor Esther Decker to preach the Word and Rosie Vavario to come lead our worship music! It will be a wonderful service! Please invite your friends!
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE – MAY 03-31
Can you believe we have been collecting diapers for 5 years! How exciting! Well, we are once again holding a diaper drive for North End Community Mission (NECM) in Grand Rapids. We have found diapers are an incredible need because they aren’t provided by most assistance programs and are a huge expense for some of the ‘least of these.’ This year we would like to collect 1,200 diapers.
I LOVE MY CAMP WEEKENDS – APR. 9-11and APR. 30-MAY 02
Do you love Indian Lake Nazarene Camp? Would you like to help get the camp ready for another busy and life-changing summer? If you would, Emily Compton at ILNC is willing to provide breakfast and lodging for free! Just call her at (269) 649-2281 or email her at ecompton@nazcamp.org to register! Projects include scrapping and painting, washing siding, raking and picking up sticks, spreading topsoil, grass seed, and stacking wood!
PHYLLIS PLATH MOVED LAST WEEK!
Want to encourage and love someone who is no longer able to come be a part of us each week? Phyllis Plath just moved and it would be nice if you would stop by or send a card.
> Phyllis Plath – Emerald Meadows - 6117 Charlevoix Woods Ct SE – GR – 49546
DO YOU WANT TO JOIN OR START A SPRING WALKING CLUB?
So far, I’ve only heard from 1 person interested in walking! If you’re interested but wish it were another day, let me know! Spring is just around the corner! I originally planned Tue. nights, but I’m flexible! Interested? Last call! (smile) Let Pastor Dan know!
SPEAKING OF FITNESS….
I’m also wondering if you might be interested in a few slow and relaxing Sunday afternoon bike rides down a safe trail? I promise nobody will get left behind or is going to suffer! But, I can’t promise we won’t stop for ice cream and laugh a lot! Let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested. This would be a great event to invite a friend!
SUMMER CAMP IS COMING SOON! TIME TO REGISTER!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp has a wonderful summer camp for students of all ages. At camp kids learn to feel good about who they are, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, learn leadership skills, make friends, and learn about God’s love for them! You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.nazcamp.org/camps
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jun. 29 – July 1
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 06-10
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 20-24
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jun. 15-19
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 22-26
Note: All camps are $ 270 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 120)
IS SOMEONE MISSING? WHY NOT SEND THEM A POSTCARD!
Is there someone missing? Someone you used to look forward to seeing each week but they haven’t been here in awhile? Or, maybe there’s someone you would like to invite to church or a potluck or Sunday school, but you’re not sure how to go about it. Well, one possibility is to send them a postcard! If you would like to send one or several, you will find them on the table in the back of the sanctuary! Bless you for caring!
OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS APRIL 12
Just a reminder! Our next Northeast Community Potluck is April 12th. If you missed the last potluck you missed a lot! Our ladies and men really know how to cook! Why, we even had six homemade desserts! (can you tell what I remembered?) Seriously, make plans to bring a friend, a dish to pass, and join us after the Apr. 12worship service! If you could help set up, serve, or clean up, please call Cherry Pakiela at (616) 916-7595
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – MAY 07
The first Thursday of the May is always the National Day of Prayer in America. Look for an insert in the bulletin in late April to guide your prayers. If you’d like to come to the church to pray, the sanctuary will be open between 10:00am – Noonand you will have an opportunity to pray for America at our altar.
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY (AND ICE CREAM) AT 6:30PM
What would it take to do something good for you? We all know coming together mid week not only lets our souls drink deeply in the Word, have an opportunity to share our burdens and pray and get ice cream, too, so what will it take for you to come? If you have ideas for taking part in discipleship, we need to hear them! You’re important to us!
DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND EMAIL INFO?
As you have probably noticed, we put our church family’s birthdays and anniversaries in our weekly program. Do we have yours? If you’d like to be included, simply add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ and drop it in the offering plate or email Pastor Dan! Thanks!
DON’T FORGET TO READ YOUR MISSIONARY BOOKS!
Remember, to get your missionary books read by the end of March! There will be prizes for everyone who gets them read! Chuckie Cheese for kids, a Concert for the teens, and a White Caps game for the adults. If you need a book or a book on CD see Janie! Our goals is to have 100 read by May and we are currently at 83. Read Read Read! (smile)
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER REQUESTS
Remember, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin for 3 weeks without an update. If you want to keep your prayer request in the bulletin or newsletter just keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar. 19 Third Thursday Lunch 11:30am at Hibachi Grill
Mar. 24 Tentative - Spring Walking Club
Mar. 29 Palm Sunday
Apr. 05 Easter Sunday (Children’s Easter Egg Hunt)
Apr. 12 ONU Preaching/Worship Ambassadors and NEC Potluck after the service
Apr. 12 Deadline to bring ‘garage sale stuff’ to church
May 07 National Day of Prayer
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