Dear Friends and Family!
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! First, it was one of those unique weeks when the Sunday school lesson was the same as God’s message to us in worship! What a wonderful blessing to be twice blessed with God’s Word! How do you receive your regular communal examination in God’s Word? If you haven’t tried Sunday school, you really ought to give it a try! It’s a great opportunity to ask those questions you always wanted to ask!
This week was also special because we received Naomi Brown and Robert Kolhoff into membership! What a blessing to receive two new folks hungry for God and ready to serve. How you thought about membership? Make the commitment! You’ll be glad you did!
God’s message this week came from Luke 15:1-3, 11-31 and was titled, “Welcome Home!” No doubt all of us have lost something precious from time to time and spent hours and days relentlessly searching for it! Well, Jesus reminds us in the parable of the prodigal son this is exactly what God did when He sent Jesus!
Three quick points: first, sin always takes you further than you intended to go! You know the story – the younger son demands his inheritance and runs off to a distant land where he squandered his new found wealth on wild living. Did he start with this in mind? Certainly not! But, later we find him in a pig pen wishing he could eat pig food in v. 15. Be wise child of God! The Evil One tempts with little things that always lead to bigger ones!
Second, regardless of how far your siblings, children, parents or you have travelled away from God, He has NEVER given up on you! Your new life is just an act of repentance away! In v. 17 the prodigal ‘comes to his senses’ with God’s help and makes a U-turn. Beyond just thinking about returning, he ‘set out and went back’ (v. 18). Are you ready to change? Then make a U-turn in life and come back! Ready to give up on someone else? Don’t! God hasn’t given up on them and neither should you! Pray they come to their senses with God’s help!
Finally, God loves, seeks, and restores hurting, and lost folks! Earlier in vv. 1-2 we found Jesus eating with sinners to the disgust of the Pharisees. In v. 20 Jesus illustrates His love! “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Lk 15:20b).
God was looking for the lost one, ran to him filled with compassion and repeatedly kissed him! Later, the lost one would be restored fully and they were going to throw a party! Do you ever wonder if God could love you? I’ve got good news! You may have been written off by friends and family, but God wants to welcome you home! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS THURSDAY 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!
DON’T FORGET! DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS MAR. 13 (THIS SUNDAY)
Don't forget to SPRING FORWARD THIS WEEK! DST begins Sunday, Mar. 13!
DEADLINE TO ORDER YOUR EASTER FLOWERS IS SUN, MAR. 13
This Sunday is the last week to order your Easter Flowers! All orders must include payment and you have the option of ordering them ‘in memory of’ or ‘in honor of’ person(s) of your choice (listed in the weekly program as an insert). Easter Lilies will cost $7.50 and Tulips and Mini-Daffodils $7.00. If you have any questions, see Gerry D.
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAR. 26 AT 10:30AM
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Mar. 26and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for location and rides! You can call or text her at (616) 916-7595.
EASTER WORLD EVANGELISM FUND (WEF) OFFERING –MAR. 27!
The Easter Season is upon us, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! One of the ways we celebrate is to give to World Evangelism Fund which funds the entire global Church of the Nazarene including 702 missionaries sent from 35 world areas to 159 different world areas.
Your partnership with WEF helps fulfill the Great Commission to make Christlike Disciples in the Nations and everyone needs to be involved! Bless those give already through Faith Promise and regular giving! Everyone is responsible for reaching the lost!
ALABASTER OFFERING $442.68 – PRAISE THE LORD!
Believe it or not we received more Alabaster Offerings this week! ($87.98). This means we have now collected $442.68! PRAISE THE LORD! Remember, the Alabaster Offering is taken twice a year to purchase land and buildings on the mission field. If you’d like to start collecting for fall, grab a box off the railing and get started! Bless you for giving!
TRI-DISTRICT TEAM DAY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAR. 15
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 $35 and you must register before Mar. 15. Brochures are on the table outside the sanctuary or go online at: 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!
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
ZONE MISSION IGNITE SERVICE AT GRIF – APR. 10 at 6PM
Every year our District Nazarene Mission’s International (NMI) hosts missionaries to help us ‘Ignite a Fire for Missions!’ It’s a great time of inspirational music, prayer, and a great opportunity to hear directly from missionaries we support through our Faith Promise and World Evangelism Fund giving! This year ’s missionaries are Josh and Brandi Williams, Global / USA Canada missionaries. Grand Rapids International Fellowship (GRIF) is located at 3765 Kalamazoo Ave SE.Questions? See Sherry J.
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!
PROJECT 5K – REG. NOW FOR THE MAY 21 DISTRICT NMI FUNDRAISER
Do you like to walk? Do you like to run? Do you like missions? Do you like Indian Lake Nazarene Camp? If you answered yes to any of these, you’re goning to want to register for the 5k Walk/Run to raise money for a church in Kazatin, Ukraine. You may only register online to streamline the process. If you want a guaranteed T-shirt in your size, register before May 07. Cost is $25 – Questions? See Pastor Dan Register at: http://www.minaz.org/Missions/District%5FProject/
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 (or purple)! Yikes! What do you think? Not reading? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started!
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.
INDIAN LAKE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS MAR. 31
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!
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. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 13 Deadline to order Easter Flowers
Mar. 26 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday Offering for Missions
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
May 21 Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
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