Northeast Community News – February 22, 2016
Hello Dear Friends and Family!
Yes, it was another wonderful day this week in the Lord! This week we celebrated our Alabaster Offering! Celebrate an offering? Well, I can still remember (before I knew Jesus) when ‘celebrating’ and ‘offering’ wouldn’t have been used in the same sentence! And yet, after our NMI President Sherry J. prayed, and Jean C. played a hymn to march to, I had the privilege of watching a long line of smiling people celebrating by bringing their Alabaster Boxes up to the front of the church. What a joy it is to give to His Kingdom! Praise the Lord!
God’s message this week came from Luke 13:31-35 and was titled, “Oh Jerusalem.” This text is rich with meaning, but the Spirit presented me three clear points. First, Jesus did not deny reality! He was opposed by the religious leaders and in this passage we learn even the political establishment wanted to kill Him! (v. 31).
Jesus knew the corruption in the political and religious organizations around Him. He knew the fickleness of people. He knew they would cry hosanna and crucify Him with the same mouths. He wasn’t in denial! No, Jesus saw clearly what was happening and would happen and kept going! How about you? When bad news comes fast do you duck and run, deny reality, or see reality clearly? Jesus teaches us to ‘call it like we see it’ and keep going!
In fact, instead of denying reality, growing cynical or callous or even pulling back to protect Himself, Jesus continued to move forward and heal and share the good news at great risk!
“He replied, “Go tell that fox [Herod], ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day” (Lk. 13:32-33a). Jesus saw the risks clearly and continued to care! He refused to become callous or cynical! How about you? When people continue to oppose, reject, or disappoint do you get cynical or stay engaged in the Kingdom?
Finally, we find Jesus showing a mother’s compassion as He prepared for the Cross: “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Lk. 13:34) How did Jesus respond to those who rejected Him?
(Hint: not as an angry wrath filled God who couldn’t wait to destroy them). Jesus responds as a mom weeping over her lost kids wishing it’d been different… but they weren’t willing (v. 34b). How do you respond to those who challenge… take advantage… disappoint you? With love and compassion or something else? Does Jesus weep for you? He does if you still refuse to trust in Him and be saved! It’s never too late to accept Jesus! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
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.
ALABASTER BLESSINGS CONTINUE!
This week’s offering is still being counted by our father father and son duo Jerry and Terry Buning, but I can tell you we received $172 in cash and checks and we will be leaving the Alabaster Church in the back of the sanctuary for two more weeks! What will the final total be? I’m not sure, but it’s not too late to help! Bless you for giving!
SPRING REVIVAL IS COMING APR. 17-20!
Many of us have longed for revival in our church! Revivalcomes 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!
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!
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!
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.
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY – IT’S CRISIS CARE KIT TIME!
It’s not too late to help with Crisis Care Kits! You can help by purchasing items or donating money (to purchased items!) Any ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for loving people in crisis! Questions? See Sherry J.
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 – 12th grade student to camp this year, see Pastor Dan! Let’s work together as a church family to make camp a reality for every child!
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND! DYE PASTOR DAN’S HAIR RED!!
Sherry J. reports readership is up dramatically! Last report had 129 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!
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS MAR. 17 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Mar. 17 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!
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/
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. 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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