Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, this week! The dog days of summer couldn’t keep the faithful away! What a blessing to have Jonathan G. return from Ohio for his last year at Calvin! What a blessing, too, for all of the visitors God has sent us lately! I probably say it too often, but I think ‘God is up to something’ here! I can see His fingerprints in your smiles and laughter, your service, and in your tears and uplifted hands! Praise God!
God’s message came to us from Ps. 34:11-22 and titled, “Hope for the Brokenhearted.” Two weeks ago, we examined Ps. 34:1-8 and discovered Ps. 34 is David’s reflection of his escape from the Philistine King in 1 Sam. 21:10–14. He makes it clear it wasn’t his quick thinking that set him free! He wrote, “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles” (v. 6). Where should we turn when we’re in crisis? Turn to Jesus!
In v. 18 we discover this Psalm is also written for pre-Christians! David writes, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
While you’ve likely never been ‘there,’ many around you feel too hopeless to look up. There are people in your neighborhood, work, and family who are crushed in sprit and so broken hearted they’re considering suicide. It may even include you! But hear the good news!
For those whose spirit is crushed; whose heart is broken; for those who feel hopeless to the point of considering ending their own life, hear this! Jesus is close and is reaching out to you right now! Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: “A bruised reed he [Jesus] will not break, and a smoldering wick he [Jesus] will not snuff out…” (Mt. 12:20). Jesus didn’t come to crush the broken, break the hurting, or snuff out the tiny little flame still barely burning within you!
No, Jesus came to ‘seek and save the lost’ (Lk. 19:10) ; heal the sick (Matt 9:12) ; and give fullness of life (Jn. 10:10). He wants to fan that little flame within you! All you need to do is ‘cry out to Him.’ We closed with ‘Cry Out to Jesus’ by Third Day and invited those gathered to respond as the Holy Spirit led them. Listen to a portion of the lyrics:
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing, He’ll meet you wherever you are! Cry out to Jesus! When you’re lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you, you just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus! Cry to Jesus!
Are you broken, crushed, bruised, and hopeless? Stop pretending you’re fine and cry out to Jesus! There is indeed grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing! Maybe you’re not but you know someone who is? Share this message of good news with them! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
SCHOOL PAL PAKS! BRING YOUR SUPPLIES TO CHURCH IN AUG.
The Church of the Nazarene operates many schools around the world, providing quality education for children. Unfortunately, many can’t even afford the basics. To meet this need, our NMI collects and ships ‘School Pal-Paks’ made available to kids around the world. Want to help? Click this link for a list of supplies or look in this week’s bulletin.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HOURS ARE CHANGING IN TWO WEEKS (SEP. 06)
To allow for those who enjoy coming a bit early to church to fellowship and socialize, our Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries Director Gerry Dawson has changed our Sunday school time to start at 9:45 beginning Sept. 06th. This change allows our Sunday School classes to finish at 10:30 so the Annex/ Fellowship area is available for anyone arriving early to church wanting a place to eat a cookie, drink coffee, and fellowship!
PRE-WEDDING RECEPTION FOR JENN S. AND JESSE C. – SEP. 13 AT 12:30PM
You are invited to a “Pre-Wedding Reception” to honor our friends, Jenn Smith and Jesse Churilla. Since many of you may not be able to attend their formal reception, we thought it would be fun to have a ‘pre-wedding reception’ here at Northeast Community Church on Sun., Sept 13, (before the wedding) immediately after our Sunday worship service approximately at 12:30PM. If you have any questions, see Cherry P. or Fran S.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH BEGINS SEP. 13
We are just a few weeks away from children’s church again this fall! We love kids and realize children often worship and learn better when they create something with their hands and get an opportunity to move around! Remember, children’s church dismisses after our prayer time during our worship service every week EXCEPT the first Sunday of the month when we receive communion together as a family! Questions? See Gerry D.
SHHHH! SILENCE EVERYONE!
As I heard in the library regularly: “Shhhhhh! Be quiet!” Seriously, we would like everyone to remain silent in the sanctuary before the service to provide a quiet place for those who would like to pray and meditate! If you want to talk and catch up or just chat (like I do), please take your conversation out to the annex, instead! Bless you!
WE’RE GIVING AWAY THE OLD WOODEN TABLES!
We’ve been blessed with newer (and lighter) tables through the generous donations from the Thomas Christoffersen Memorial and the South Haven Church. This means our older, heavily used, and just plain heavy tables need to find new homes! Until the end of Aug., we’re limiting individuals to 2 tables. In Sep., you can have as many as you want! On Sep. 14 we will sell or donate what’s left on Craigslist! Questions? See Pastor Dan.
MISSIONARY BOOKS (SHERRY J. MAY BE LOOKING FOR YOU!)
Sherry J., our Missionary President, reports we’re past half way to reading 100 books this year! Praise the Lord! But, she wants those who have a missionary book to finish reading it and turn it in (so others can read it) and to find more readers to read them! Remember, Missionary books are written for children, youth, and adults and there will be prizes for those who read them all! See Sherry J. if you need a book or are ready to return one! If you wait too long, she may just start looking for you, instead!
WORLD MISSION BROADCAST BLESSINGS!
We received an offering for World Mission Broadcast (WMB) on Aug. 16 and received $158! PTL! Your giving has funded 39.5 minutes of hope and holiness! What a blessing! May God bless each one of you who gave!
UPDATED DIRECTORY IS COMING! DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT INFO?
We do our best to keep our directory current, but we need your help! If you’ve moved, changed your email, or phone #, etc., would you let us know? Bless you for helping! Also, if we do not have your anniversary or family birthdays we need them, too!
THANK YOU FOR LOVING US AS WE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF MARRIAGE!
Janie and I came together in an inauspicious way some 26 years ago. Meeting in a bar (Janie’s first time at the insistence of a friend) I met my ‘earthy angel’ who would lead me to Jesus, love me through the growth in grace, and encourage me to accept my call to ministry. God has been good to us through the ups and downs of marriage and you have been a part of it! Bless you for the wonderful reception after church Sunday, and for the unique and wonderful gift of a cross, surrounded by 25 SBA dollar coins in a frame! It is a unique and wonderful gift from a unique and wonderful church! We’re also thankful to have received the $50 Visa gift card and used it to go out to eat on our anniversary! Bless you for remembering our special day and for loving us! Pastor Dan and Janie!
PASTOR DAN’S PLANS! SEP. 15-22
Pastor Dan and Janie have plans to get away for a fall week of vacation (Sep. 15-21) and then attend the District Fall Pastor Workshop at Indian Lake (Sep. 21-23). If you have something that can’t wait, please contact Gerry Dawson (our Church Board Secretary). It will be a blessing to have Pastor Ed Douglas come fill the pulpit again on Sep. 20.
THIRD THU. CHINESE LUNCH IS SEP. 17 (AT HIBACHI GRILL)
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Sep. 17 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine! This is a great time to share our joys, concerns and even laugh over lunch! So grab a friend and come to Hibachi at 11:30! (Remember your coupon!) Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY IS HAPPENING! COME BE A PART OF IT!
Regardless of your age or whatever might be keeping you away, come join us this week at 6:30pm for a time of singing, prayer, and study. Remember, we always end our night with ice cream! Come, invite a friend, and be blessed! You’ll be glad you did!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS SUN, SEP. 27 AT 4PM (CHANGE)
Our next two missionary gatherings are set for Sun., Sep. 27th and Oct. 25th. Come enjoy a brief study (last mo. was 20 min!) to learn what our missionaries are doing, how to pray for them, and how to be missionary right here! Afterwards, we enjoy snacks and laughter together! So bring a snack, a friend, and come! You’ll be glad you did!
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Remember! Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops are worth cash! While it seems small, it really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School. Give your labels and box tops to Fran S. and Sherry J. See Fran or Sherry if you have any questions.
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
Sep. 06 Sunday school at 9:45am begins
Sep. 13 Jenn S. and Jesse C. Pre-Wedding Reception (after church)
Sep. 15-21 Pastor Dan on vacation
Sep. 17 Third Thur. Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine
Sep. 21-23 District Fall Pastor Workshop at Indian Lake
Sep. 26 Jenn and Jesse’s Wedding at 2pm (Church is invited!)
Sep. 27 Missionary Gathering at 4pm
Oct. 11 Northeast Community Potluck at 12:30pm
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