Northeast Community News – May 18, 2015
Let the revolution begin! Hello Dear Ones! I heard from a few of you that you had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Praise the Lord! Rev. Brent and Emily Bittenbender and their musical family were a huge blessing! If you’re wondering, the giving report indicates you gave $295 in a love offering to them! God is good! While you were worshipping here in Grand Rapids, MI, Janie and I were waking and preparing to worship in Kona, HI.
It is always such a wonderful surprise and blessing to travel and visit our sister churches. While the Sunday morning service at Kona Coast Church of the Nazarene was the same as our church in many ways, it was very different in others. While we share the joy of living victoriously and everyone we met were warm and friendly, our music, open-air sanctuary, and geckos crawling on the ceiling were very different!
Regardless, we encountered God and He was praised! Pastor Ryan Fasani preached from Mark 9:30-37 and the title of God’s message was “Servant of All.” His preaching style was very different from mine! First, he asked a child to read the narrator portion and he read the words of Jesus dramatically, twice. It was moving to watch him pick up a child and say, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37).
Pastor Ryan also differed by asking us and expecting us to answer: 1) what we liked or welcomed in this passage, 2) what we disliked or found difficult, and 3) what we will or should teach others that we have learned. Perhaps, if you have time you will do the same!
At the core of the teaching was this idea of ‘who is the greatest’ in the Kingdom of God versus the world in which we live. While being ‘greatest’ in our society is about power, prestige and influence, Jesus declares ‘great’ in the Kingdom is based on servanthood.
We read in vv. 33-35: “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:33-35).
The way of the world creates unholy jockeying for position resulting in shame, separation, and silence. Humility, service, and servanthood on the other hand results in love, joy, and unity. May our lives be modeled after the One who was Servant to All! Whether we serve in Detroit, Kona, or Grand Rapids, may we all serve like Jesus! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY RETURNS THIS WEEK!
Pastor Dan is back and so is our midweek service! Come join us for a time of singing, prayer, and Bible study! We gather in the sanctuary at 6:30pm! Hope to see you there!
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH, MAY 21 (TOMRROW AT HIBACHI GRILL)
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is tomorrow at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target). Remember! It’s more than food! It’s a time to share our joys, concerns and laugh! So grab a friend and come at 11:30! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE BLESSINGS! UPDATE!
Last week we reported we had collected $727.20 and I was wrong! The actual total was a whopping $738 to help children in our Nazarene Schools in the war-torn Middle East!
Judy Owens, our District Nazarene Missions International President wrote:
WOW DAN! That is so exciting! I want to hear the whole story. Thank you so much for believing BIG and challenging your people to raise money for this project.
Praise the Lord! Judy
Thank you to everyone who made this event a HUGE success! From donors, to haulers, to pricers, to sellers, to Ron Morse who let us set up in his yard, (not to mention gave us any undesignated sales) and even folks who made an additional donation at the sale, it took lots of people, lots of time to make this happen, but it was so worth it! Praise God!
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE – MAY 03-31
In case you didn’t know, we’re collecting diapers for North End Community Ministry because diapers aren’t provided by assistance programs and they are a huge expense for some of the most fragile ‘least of these.’ Bless everyone who has given! With two weeks left we need to collect another 344! We can do this!
Our goal is 1,200 and we have collected 856!
CONGRATULATIONS MISSIONARY BOOK READERS!
Well I was prepared to write, “we had a wonderful time heading out to the old ballpark to cheer on the West Michigan White Caps last Monday, but the weather was rainy and we had to postpone! Keep your eyes open for the new date!
Cherry P. will be taking the children winners (Savannah, Jeffrey, and Brady) to Craig’s Cruisers on Wed. May 27. Janie still has books available and the new ones come in July!
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Did you know Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops are worth cash? While it seems small, when we work together, it really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School in AZ. Start collecting them and give them to Fran S. and Sherry J. Questions? See Fran or Sherry or go to this link: http://www.indianschool.org/cambells-labels.html
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAY 30th @ 10:30AM
The ladies are planning to get together at the church on Sat., May 30th at 10:30am. All ladies are invited and welcome! Please see Gerry D. or Cherry P. for details!
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 themselves, gain self-confidence, 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)
CAMP MEETING (SUMMER REVIVAL) IS COMING TO INDIAN LAKE IN JULY!
The Church of the Nazarene is just over 100 years old and one of her oldest traditions is coming together each year for a time of spiritual renewal called ‘Camp Meeting.’ Camp Meeting was original held at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp in Vicksburg under a large tent for several weeks at a time. Then, our three Michigan districts were one and a large crowd gathered to hear evangelists preach 3 services a day plus a time of discipleship.
While Camp Meeting is only a week now and there are just 2 services a day and a time of discipleship, it is still a time for spiritual renewal for 1,000+ people. Come for just one service or the whole week and you will be blessed!
Camp Meeting begins with District Assembly Sun., Jul. 12thand ends Sun., July 19th. Pastor Dan spends the week at ‘camp’ in a small cabin and would love to have you stop by! Need more information? See Pastor Dan or Janie!
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!
HELP NEEDED! PEOPLE TO MOW!
We need help mowing our lawn this year. See Pastor Dan or Bob Hill if you’d be willing to help a week or two! We need you! We really do! Thanks!
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
May 03-31 5th Annual Diaper Drive
May 21 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
May 30 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
May 31 Church Elections
Jun. 07 Annual Church Meeting
Jul. 12-19 Camp Meeting / Dist. Assm. at I.L.N.C.
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