Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Northeast Community News – March 28, 2016

Dear Friends and Family!
We had a wonderful Easter Day in the Lord, Sunday! Christ has risen! Christ has risen, indeed! Bless all of you for generously purchasing flowers in memory and honor of your loved ones. Jean C. did her usual beautiful job of placing them with the flare of an artist. While the Evil One did his best to throw us off with a few last minute hiccups, we would not be deterred! God’s House was full, you singing powerful, and God’s Spirit was moving! 
We concluded our time together with little ones gathering candy filled eggs on the church lawn. Thank you to Janie for leading our Easter Egg hunt and for the ladies who filled them during their ‘rendezvous’ this month! God is good! How often? All the time! Amen!
God’s message this week came from John 20:1-18 and titled, “I Have Seen the Lord!” Many have faced moments of doubt in their faith and the early disciples were no different. In our text this week we discovered Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene encountering the evidence of the resurrection and believing! It had now been three days since Jesus had been hastily wrapped in linens and placed in the borrowed tomb. Haste had been necessary to fulfill the Passover requirements forbidding Jews from working after sundown.
But with the Passover requirements fulfilled, Mary Magdalene and two other women made the somber trip back to the tomb to give Jesus a proper burial. Why was Mary coming back? In Luke c. 8 we discover Mary had been cured of 7 evil spirits and diseases. Tradition tells us Mary was the sinful woman anointing Jesus feet with her hair, and later we learn she had remained at the cross as Jesus died. Why was Mary making this journey? It wasn’t duty or curiosity; it was because she loved Jesus and had been transformed by His grace! So what motivates you to come to church? Have you been transformed by His grace? 
But, as Mary lingered outside the tomb she began doubting. She’d been certain of Jesus, but with His body missing she didn’t know what to believe! Life hadn’t turned out the way she thought it would…but as she stood alone sobbing Jesus comes to her (v. 15) and everything changed! At the mention of her name (v. 16) the confusion is gone and everything is clear! 
Perhaps you can relate. Things haven’t turned out the way you thought they should, either. Truths that once seemed so clear earlier have begun to blur and you struggle with belief and doubt. One word from Jesus can change that! Are you listening? Jesus is still calling out our names! The tomb is still empty and Jesus is alive! The hymnist wrote: You can see His hand of mercy – you can hear His voice of cheer – you can feel His loving mercy. He lives! He lives! He lives within my heart! Happy Easter Dear Ones! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
EASTER WORLD EVANGELISM FUND OFFERING BLESSINGS! WOW!
WOW! I just can’t believe it, but when I checked with the counters I discovered you had given a WHOPPING $503 in Easter World Evangelism Fund Offering this year! PRAISE THE LORD! Combined with the $90 given in regular Faith Promise and WEF Giving, you gave an AMAZING $593 to world missions this week! Bless all of you! PRAISE GOD! 
ZONE MISSION IGNITE SERVICE AT GRIF – APR. 10 at 6PM
Every year our District NMI hosts missionaries to help us ‘Ignite a Fire for Missions!’ This year ’s missionaries are Josh and Brandi Williams who are Global / USA Canada missionaries. G.R.I.F. is located at 3765 Kalamazoo Ave SE.Questions? See Sherry J. 
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! 
SPRING REVIVAL IS COMING APR. 17-20!
Many of us have longed for revival in our church! 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? On Sun., Apr. 17, Tenured Evangelist Bill Ulmet is coming to lead 4 days of services. Please begin praying and fasting! A prayer guide is available on the table outside the sanctuary! 
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
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., APR. 23 AT 10:30AM ATCHURCH!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Apr. 23and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595
INDIAN LAKE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS MAR. 31
We strongly urge everyone to send their kids to camp at Indian Lake! At camp kids discover their gifts, enjoy fresh air, swimming, and friends, but most importantly, they will discover God loves them and has a plan for their life! The deadline for scholarship applications is Mar. 31. If you’re interested in sending your 3rd – 12th grade student to camp this year, see Pastor Dan! Together, we’ll 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 140 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! 
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS APR. 21 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Apr. 21 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!
FRANKLIN GRAHAM SCHEDULE
Rev. Christopher has asked us to remember and pray for Franklin Graham as he travels to all 50 state capitals to hold prayer rallies. He writes, “America is in trouble, and the only answer is found in Jesus Christ…. I will challenge Christian’s to pray, boldly live out their faith and stand for biblical values, and help turn America back to God” (2 Ch. 7:14). You will find a copy of Franklin Graham’s schedule on the table outside the sanctuary. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Apr.  02    Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
Apr.  10    Ignite Missions Service at G.R.I.F. at 6pm
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
Apr.  21    Third Thu. Chinese Lunch @ 11:30 (Hibachi Alpine)
Apr.  23    Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
May  21    Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp

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