Good morning Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, yesterday! After all, on Valentines Day in a church that loves God and loves others what else would you expect? (smile) Seriously, we are a church filled with the love of our Savior and it shows up in the way we greet, welcome, worship, and even potluck! Why even the tables we ate at had reminders of God’s love for us found in Scripture! Bless everyone who came on such a cold morning to share the warmth of the Savior! You are such a blessing!
God’s message this week came from Luke 4:1-13 and titled, “Remember Your Identity!” While preventing identity theft seems of great concern recently, the Evil One has been stealing identities before Adam bit the apple! It was no different for Jesus! Just before his 40 days in the dessert to face temptation, we hear this from God at Jesus’ baptism:
“…as he [Jesus] was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21b-22).
Jesus’ true identity included being: 1) God’s Son, 2) a Son loved by God, and 3) a Son in whom God was well pleased! Some might say, ‘Well duh Pastor Dan… everybody knows that…’ Perhaps, but as Jesus completes a 40-day fast in the dessert and the Devil comes I fear we often forget or minimize Jesus was also 100% human / subject to temptation.
Twice, Satan uses the insidious ‘if’ word to undermine Jesus’ identity. “The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God,tell this stone to become bread….’” (v. 3) “If you are the Son of God... throw yourself down from here…” (v. 9). Satan is trying to get Jesus to doubt His identity… In effect saying, ‘Come on, Jesus… how can you be the Son of God? After all, you’re just a poor Galilean carpenter, with a poor education…from a poor family… How can you expect anyone to believe you’re the chosen Messiah? Look, you need my help! Just forget what God told you about your identity and worship me (v. 7). Praise God He didn’t forget His identity when He was tempted and at His weakest! Amen? Amen!
But what about you? Have you forgotten your identity? Satan will try to convince you that you’re unloved, unsaved, and too far gone to reach! Don’t believe his lies! When you’re saved you’re a child of God! Having an identity crisis? Spend more time in the Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship! You’ll be glad you did! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS WEEK AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is this week at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine Ave. The food is good, but the fellowship is even better! Come, enjoy a great time to eat, share joys, concerns and even laugh! If you have any questions? See Tracy or Linda!
ALABASTER OFFERING IS FEB. 21 DURING WORSHIP! PREPARE TO MARCH!
Our next bi-annual Alabaster Offering takes place Sun., Feb. 21st. This “loose change” offering is taken up twice a year and every penny goes directly to the mission field to purchase land and materials to construct buildings. Of course, cash, checks, and gold doubloons are also welcome! If you would like an Alabaster box to start filling, grab one off the sound booth or ask Sherry J. our Missionary President.
OUR NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS FEB. 21 @ 4PM
Our missionary gathering is Feb. 21 at 4pm. Bring a friend and come enjoy a brief lesson on missions! After Sherry J. leads our lesson, we eat snacks, laugh, and chat (sometimes at the same time! :) So bring a snack to pass and join us at 4pm! You’ll be glad you did! Have questions? Contact Sherry J. She loves to text! (269) 932-8334
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., FEB. 27 AT 10:30AM (AT EMILY MORSE’S HOUSE!)
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Feb. 27 and all ladies are invited! They will be meeting at Dick and Emily’s house located at: 3051 Wildridge Dr NE – GR
Need a ride? Wonder what you will be doing this month? Call Cherry at (616) 916-7595.
SPRING REVIVAL IS COMING APR. 17-20!
Many of us have longed for revival in our church! Revival comes from the Hebrew word Chayay {khaw-yah'-ee} and means to be quickened, made alive, restored to life/health from sickness, from discouragement, from faintness, and death! In revival, the heart of a believer is awakened by the Holy Spirit from spiritual slumber and a fire is ignited! In revival, the believer moves beyond complacent Christianity to a life of holiness because He is holy! In revival, believers become passionate for the lost! Do you long for revival?
Well, if you do we have good news! On Sunday, April 17, Tenured Evangelist Bill Ulmet is coming to our church to lead 4 days of services. More information will be coming, but we can all begin praying and fasting that these services will indeed result in revival!
TRI-DISTRICT TEAM DAY IS SAT., APR. 02 - REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Team Day is a day of equipping and motivating. It’s also a great opportunity to reignite your passion for ministry. Team Day has workshops on youth and children ministries, missions, discipleship, and leadership! It takes place on Apr. 02 at Perry H.S. in Perry MI. Cost is $25 if you register before Mar. 01 ($35 if you register before Mar. 15). You will find information brochures on Team Day on the table outside the sanctuary or you can go online and check it out here: http://www.minaz.org/TEAM%5FDay/
CHURCH SPRING CLEAN UP DAY IS SAT., APR. 16 – 9AM – 12PM
Larry B. has proclaimed Apr.16 as Spring Clean Up Day! All the work will be ‘outside’ so be prepared! Join us for a great time serving God by raking, cleaning out flower beds, and even raking some pesky oak leaves that waited til Spring! Questions? See Larry!
INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!
As your pastor, I strongly urge you to send your kids to summer camp at Indian Lake, a place of discovery! At camp kids discover hidden gifts, fresh air, swimming, and friends, but most importantly, they will discover God loves them and has a plan for their life! It is vitally important each child has this opportunity to attend camp each year!
Now, I’ve heard from many parents that ‘camp is too expensive’ and I agree it can stretch (or bust) any family budget, but this is why the camp and your church offers scholarships. The camp’s deadline for scholarship applications is March 31.If you are interested in sending your 3rd – 12thgrade student to camp this year, see Pastor Dan! Let’s work together as a church family to make camp a reality for every child!
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY – IT’S CRISIS CARE KIT TIME!
We are now collecting for Crisis Care Kits! Crisis Care Kits are a cooperative effort between Nazarene global missions and Nazarene compassionate ministries to provide basic toiletries to those who have experienced a ‘crisis’ all over the world. You can help by purchasing items or donating money (to purchased items!) We hope to make 6 kits! Any ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for loving hurting people in a crisis! Have questions? Contact Sherry J.
Here is the shopping list to make 1 Crisis Care Kit:
· 1 Shampoo (12 to 18 oz.)
· 2 Bars of Soap (Bath size or larger)
· 1 Toothpaste (4.0 to 6.4 oz.)
· 3 Toothbrushes (in original packaging)
· 1 Box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
· 1 Fingernail clippers
· 1 Sturdy hair comb
· 2 Hand towels
· 4 Pocket sized pkgs. of Kleenex (tissue)
· 1 Beanie Baby sized stuffed toy
Place items in a 2 gallon zip-lock (or bring them to church and we’ll do it!) Remember! You don’t have to buy a ‘whole kit’ just bring what you can and we’ll put them together!
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry J. reports readership is up dramatically! Last report had 127 books read. Sherry thinks if we get to 150 books read Pastor Dan should dye his hair red! Yikes! What do you think? Not reading? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started!
REMEMBER OUR SHUT INS!
Many of you are so faithful in visiting, calling, and sending cards to those who can no longer get out and drive. Bless you for this ministry! It can be a lonely place when you no longer drive and wait for ‘signs of life’ from the outside world! Would you consider sending a card this week? In addition, I have added Harry K. who is not able to drive right now and Mary Warner ‘stuck in Florida’ (I heard that!) Bless you for caring!
Barbara Buning – Birthday: May 02 (79)
Porter Hills
Rev. Christian Christopher – Birthday: Oct. 14 (94)
Dorene Coe – Birthday: Mar. 14 (93)
Christian Home
David Hathaway – Birthday: Jan. 13 (just turned 91)
Manor of Battle Creek
Rhoda Holmquist
Mount Mercy Apartments
Sandy Kloet
Harry Krueger – Birthday: Nov. 01 (87)
Phyllis Plath – Birthday: Aug. 23 (93)
Sanctuary at St. Mary’s (for rehab)
Catherine Tague – Birthday: Nov. 08 (94)
Holland Home – Fulton Manor
1450 Fulton St E. – Grace Hall # 221 - Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mary Warner (home for Feb., Mar.)
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY! COME BE A PART!
Remember! We are currently meeting at the parsonage! Regardless of your experience, background, or age, Wed. night is a great time of singing, prayer, and Bible study. Come, be a part of it and be blessed! Remember, we always end our night with ice cream!
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Thank you to everyone who is collecting Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops! While it seems small, the cash they generate really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School. Questions, labels and box tops should go to Fran S. and Sherry J.
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? We also send a newsletter, prayer requests, and district information via email if we have your email. If you would like to be included just add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ on the program and drop it in the offering plate
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
Feb. 21 Alabaster Offering During Worship Service
Feb. 27 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Mar. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
Apr. 02 Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
Apr. 16 Spring Clean Up Day at Church 9AM – 12PM
Apr. 17-20 Spring Revival with Evangelist Bill Ulmet
Apr. 17 Northeast Community Potluck after service/prayer time
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