Dear Friends and Family!
What a wonderful time we had in the Lord, yesterday! After a great time of discipleship in Sunday school we had a very special worship service! Special, for many reasons including: the fact we had 7 children in worship! We heard God’s Word! We received Communion! We continue to be blessed with a growing Praise Team under Steve Hammond’s direction, and we had an opportunity to hear Rev. Christopher’s testimony of a miracle coming May 20th.
While safety for the one involved keeps me from sharing the miracle with you right now, you need to realize God has been faithful to over 25 years of cries from the heart in prayer! Nothing is impossible with God! God is good (how often?) All the time! Amen!
God’s message this came from week John 14:23-29 and was titled, ‘Trust and Obey.’ Last week we discovered Jesus showed the disciples the fullness of His love (13:1-2) by loving them with a humble, suffering, servant kind of love. We are commanded to love one each other the same way! (13:34). In c. 14 we discover how to love like Jesus and still possess a peace that passes understanding. Entire Sanctification!
Jesus declares: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26).
The key to deep and abiding peace is to discover the fullness of the Spirit! Life without the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit is, at best, a wild roller coaster ride! But here Jesus assures them the Holy Spirit is coming to fill their hearts with His love and power! It’s the Spirit that will teach them what they need to know, support and comfort them, and give them peace! We find the beautiful promise of God’s peace to the Spirit filled spoken with authority by Jesus in v. 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
What? Don’t be afraid? Don’t be anxious? Come on Jesus! Really? Yes, really! When you’ve asked Jesus to be Lord of every area of your life and the Holy Spirit has control, you will experience a peace that passes all understanding! But, you must let the Holy Spirit lead!
Last, Jesus repeatedly says to His disciples, If you love me, you will obey me…there is a clear connection between sanctified peace and obedience to Jesus’ teaching. If you want the peace that calms trouble hearts and storms, then begin by recognizing you only have room for only one Lord and Savior (and it isn’t you!), yield yourself completely to Him holding nothing back, and ask Him to sanctify you! Of the clarity and peace that comes when the Holy Spirit comes to cleanse, fill and empower! There’s nothing like it! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
BREAKING NEWS! THE LEAKING FLAT ROOF IS BEING REPLACED!
Our trustee Larry Branagan is excited to announce the flat roof over the side and front entrances is finally being replaced! Since the day I arrived we’ve had trouble with that flat roof! We’ve patched it many times and even once had someone pour an inch of tar over it, but it always eventually leaked! But thanks to your faithful giving the old will be removed and trashed, the deck repaired, and it will receive “layers of polyisocyanurate insulation, and a 60 mil covering of TPO membrane!” (ask Larry what this means!) Even better, Larry saved us $1,050 by seeking several bids! Isn’t God good! Praise the Lord!
BREAKING NEWS II! THE SIDEWALK HAS BEEN LEVELED!
Ok, maybe you’ve never noticed, but as a person who has shoveled a lot of snow on the sidewalks out front of the church I am excited to tell you our trustee Larry Branagan made a motion (and the church board supported it) to have the very uneven sidewalks (like 2” off in some places) leveled using a company called ‘concrete lifters.’ This not only makes it look nicer out front, but minimizes any stumbling risks we used to have! Feel free to ask Larry to show you what they did! God is good! Thanks for your giving!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – THURSDAY, MAY 05
Since the first National Day of prayer proclaimed by President Truman in 1952, every president since (including President Obama) has challenged Americans to turn to God in prayer for our nation. In 1988, President Raegan declared the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday in May. America still needs prayer! You will find a prayer guideline on the table outside the sanctuary if you would like one.
GRADUATION AND FAREWELL PARTY FOR JONATHAN GINGRICH MAY 08
We’ve been blessed! Four years ago a young Nazarene from Columbus, OH adopted us to be his home church while he attended Calvin College and never left… well, until now! It is with glad and heavy hearts we must say goodbye to Jonathan. In just 4 short years, Jonathan earned a chemical engineering degree, became co-captain of the cross country team, and found a place in our hearts! We’ll miss him! But, not before we party! Come, say goodbye and congratulate Jonathan after our May 08th worship service.
6th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY
Starting next Sunday (May 01) we are starting our 6th annual diaper drive! What began as a simple and practical way to show God’s love to love some of the neediest little folks in our community 6 years ago has become an annual event! During the month of May we will be collecting diapers for North End Community Ministry (NECM). Remember, diapers aren’t provided by most assistance programs and are a huge expense for many single moms. Any size will do! This year we would like to collect 1,200 diapers.
CHURCH ELECTIONS – SUN., MAY 22
Attention members! Church elections will take place Sunday, May 22nd. Members are asked to make a special effort to be present and vote to elect your representatives for this next church year (The next church year runs from June 01, 2016 – May 31, 2017). Your voice is important, so make sure to vote on Sunday morning! Larry Branagan will be handing out ballots before and after Sunday school.
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS MAY 19 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is May 19 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!
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAY 28 AT 10:30AM ATCHURCH!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for May 28and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION AND POTLUCK AFTER WORSHIP SUN., JUN. 12
Every year we have an annual church meeting to give our departments an opportunity to share their praises, plans, needs for prayer, and get your feedback so we can be even better leaders. This year we will be timing our Annual Celebration with our every other month potluck in an attempt to involve even more of you! Remember, this is a time for all of us – not just the members of the church! Come, listen, eat, and be blessed!
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN TOO GREAT A DEMAND!
That’s right, the demand for reading the Missionary Books was waaaay toooo high! When Sherry J. asked Pastor Dan if he would be willing to dye his hair purple if the church ever read 150 books, he said ‘sure’ thinking it was an impossibility anyway! Well, imagine his surprise (shock) when she announced 151 books had been read!
Rumor has it Janie is trying to arrange having Pastor Dan’s hair dyed purple at the next Missionary Gathering (in May!) Yikes! Not reading yet? It’s never too late! See Sherry and she will be more than glad (trust me) to get you started reading one!
INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CAMP – I LOVE MY CAMP WEEKEND!
You are invited to "I LOVE MY CAMP" work weekend on May 5-7 at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. They write, “Your help is essential to make this camping season our best yet!” Some possible projects include but are not limited to:
· Painting buildings
· Raking/Picking up brush
· Cleaning up/Seting up the Tabernacle for Summer
· Setting up patios outside Snack Bar
The best news is you can stay Thu. & Fri. nights in the Dorm for FREE and breakfast and lunch are provided Thu., Fri. and Sat, too! All you need to do is register by emailing the camp at: office@nazcamp.org and then meeting at the Snack Bar at 8:00 AM each day!
IT’S TIME TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMP AT INDIAN LAKE!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp has a wonderful summer camp for students of all ages. At camp kids learn to feel good about themselves, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, learn leadership skills, make friends, and learn about God’s love for them! You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.nazcamp.org/camps
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jul. 06-08
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 18-22
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 25-29
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jun. 27 – July 01
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 20-24
Note: All camps are $ 275 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 125)
PROJECT 5K – REG. NOW FOR THE MAY 21 DISTRICT NMI FUNDRAISER
Do you like to walk, run, like missions, and/or Indian Lake Nazarene Camp? If you answered yes to any of these questions, register for the 5k Walk/Run to raise money for a church in Kazatin, Ukraine as our District NMI project. Cost is $25 – Register at: http://www.minaz.org/Missions/District%5FProject/Questions? See Pastor Dan
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
May 01-31 6th Annual Diaper Drive
May 05 National Day of Prayer
May 05-07 Indian Lake Nazarene Camp Workday
May 07 Barbara Miller Memorial / Luncheon at the church
May 08 Graduation/Farewell Party for Jonathan Gingrich
May 21 Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
May 22 Church Elections
May 28 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Jun. 12 Annual Church Meeting (during potluck)
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