Dear Friends and Family!
What a bittersweet time we had in the Lord, yesterday! Yes, we had a wonderful Sunday school hour with 28 in attendance! Wow! Yes, we had a wonderful time celebrating our moms and every mom received a gift! Yes, it was wonderful to see the Lord speaking to many through His Word! And yes, we had a wonderful time celebrating Jonathan Gingrich’s graduation with perhaps 30 or more of his family members and fellow students at a party after the worship service the Stewards organized. Why bittersweet? Because, yesterday was also the last Sunday Jonathan would be attending our church! We have enjoyed his 4 years with us and we will miss him dearly! Let’s pray God sends new students this fall!
God’s message this came from week 1 John 4:7-21 and was titled, ‘A Mother’s Example’ with the subtitle, “Of God’s Perfect Love.” It is often in the example of our mothers, where we first discover clues to God’s perfect love. We know God’s love is holy, unconditional gracious, and never-ending. But for many of us, long before we knew anything about Jesus, our moms taught us how to love like Jesus! Truth is, if we only looked at Hallmark cards to understand love, we could conclude love is just a bunch of flowery platitudes and feelings!
But, Christian love, whether it be extended to a spouse, child, or stranger is neither a warm Hallmark moment nor easy! In fact, often, we discover love is quite the opposite! We are reminded of this in vv. 9-10. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (I John 4:9-10).
How would Jesus atone for our sins? By loving us so much he willingly died a grisly, bloody death on a sweat-stained cross! Bottom line: Love, real love, is costly! Our moms modeled this sort of love by giving birth; staying up all night with us when we were sick; and doing a lifetime of thankless chores! Love is more than pretty words! It’s sacrificial, costly action!
Further, Christlike endures! In fact, when you accepted Christ, God’s love, through the Holy Spirit came and took up residence in you! “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit” (v. 13) To ‘live in’ in the original Greek was to ‘hold out, remain, abide, and wait for. Nothing can pry you apart from Jesus’ love! (or moms except you!)
Finally, we discover God’s perfect love frees us from fear (v. 18). When we accept the love of Christ, we’re set free from condemnation! Free from guilt and shame. Free from sin and death! Free to love sacrificially when nobody seems to notice or care. Free to be the mom or dad we never had. I pray we all learn to show others Christ’s love! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
THIS JUST IN! WATCH PASTOR DAN GET HIS HAIR DIED PURPLE! SERIOUSLY!
When Sherry J. asked Pastor Dan if he would be willing to dye his hair purple if the church ever read 150 missionary books, he said ‘sure’ thinking it was an impossibility! Imagine his surprise, when she announced 153 books have now been read! Reluctantly, Pastor Dan will have his hair dyed purple at the next Missionary Gathering on May 22nd at 4:00PM and we hope EVERYONE WILL COME WATCH! Afterwards, stay for a brief missionary lesson and time of snacks! Questions? Contact Sherry J. (269) 932-8334
CHANGE!!! LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAY 21 AT 10:30AM AT CHURCH!
After thinking about it, Cherry and Gerry decided to move the Ladies Rendezvous up one week! After all, we need our ladies to cook over Memorial Weekend (right guys!) So, the next Ladies Rendezvous has been moved to May 21 and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
ATTENTION! CHILDREN’S CHURCH SUMMER BREAKSTARTS MAY 29!
Yes, we love your children and agree kids can worship and learn about Jesus better when they can create something with their hands, receive a snack to eat, and move around, but our children's workers need a summer break! So, beginning May 29, the kids are staying in the worship service with us! Bless you for understanding!
GRADUATION AND FAREWELL PARTY FOR JONATHAN G. WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Hats off to our Stewards and all who helped them! Not only did about 12 of Jonathan’s friends and family come to worship with us, but another 20 or so came to the party! Many positive comments were made! I heard one person ask Jonathan if he could come with him to church next week only to hear him say this was his last week… sigh, maybe his friend will come anyway! Also, Jonathan’s parents were overwhelmed and blessed! Bless all of you for being such a loving church! The love of Jesus was evident to all!
6th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY
During the month of May, we’re collecting diapers for North End Community Ministry (NECM). Remember, diapers aren’t provided by assistance programs and are a huge expense for many single parents. What began as a simple and practical way to show God’s love to some of the neediest folks in our community 6 years ago, is now an annual event! God is good! Bring any size and put them in the crib in back of the sanctuary! GOAL = 1,200 COLLECTED = 406
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!
DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND EMAIL INFO?
As you’ve probably noticed, we put our church family’s birthdays and anniversaries in our weekly program. Do we have yours? If you’d like to be included, simply add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ and drop it in the offering plate or email Pastor Dan! Thanks!
CHURCH ELECTIONS – SUN., MAY 22
Attention members! Church elections will take place Sun., May 22nd. Members are asked to make a special effort to be present and vote for your representatives this next church year (The next church year runs from June 01, 2016 – May 31, 2017). Larry will be handing out ballots before and after Sunday school. Don’t forget to vote!
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!
THE LEAKING FLAT ROOF IS BEING REPLACED SOON!
Our trustee Larry B. is excited to announce the flat roof over the side /front entrances is being replaced! Since I arrived we’ve had trouble with that flat roof! It’s been patched often and once even had an inch of tar poured over it, but it always eventually leaked! Not anymore! Because of your faithful giving, the old will be torn off, the deck repaired, and it will receive “layers of polyisocyanurate insulation and a 60 mil TPO membrane!” Even better, Larry saved us $1,050 by seeking several bids! God is good! All the time!
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 I’m excited to inform you our trustee Larry B. made a motion (with church board support) to have the sidewalks leveled using a company called ‘concrete lifters.’ Not only does it look better, but it minimizes the stumbling risks we once had! Feel free to ask Larry to show you what they did! God is good! Bless you for your giving!
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)
FAMILY CAMP MEETING (SUMMER REVIVAL) IS COMING TO INDIAN LAKE IN JULY!
The Church of the Nazarene is just over 100 years old and one of her oldest traditions is to come together each year for a time of spiritual renewal called ‘Camp Meeting.’ Camp Meeting in Michigan was originally held under a large tent for several weeks at a time (without air conditioning!) Today, Camp Meeting is a week with 2 services a day plus a daily time of discipleship (in a now air conditioned tabernacle!) But, it is still a time for spiritual renewal! Come for just one service or the whole week and you will be blessed!
Camp Meeting begins with District Assembly on Sun., Jul. 10th and ends Sun., July 17th. Pastor Dan spends the week at ‘camp’ in a small cabin at 7959 Victory St. Vicksburg, MI and would love to have you stop by! Need more information? See Pastor Dan or Janie!
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.
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
May 01-31 6th Annual Diaper Drive
May 21 Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
May 21 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
May 22 Church Elections
May 29 No Children’s Church for Summer Begins
Jun. 12 Annual Church Meeting (during potluck)
Jul. 10-11 District Assembly at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
Jul. 10-17 Family Camp Meeting at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
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