Saturday, July 23, 2016

Northeast Community News – July 18, 2016


Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! It was good to be back after living out of suitcases for 2 weeks! Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our ‘working’ vacation. It was amazing to see Gaudi’s Cathedral in Barcelona, visit Pompeii, the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Likewise, it was incredible to attend our own District Assembly and encounter the Living God during Camp Meeting at Indian Lake. Especially wonderful were hearing reports from our missionaries around the world! God is certainly on the move! Hallelujah!
But, for all the wonder of God’s creation, people, and places we saw, nothing was better than ‘coming home.’ There’s something special about the Northeast Community church family. You just can’t find your smiles, hugs, and warmth anywhere else! This is a special church and Janie and I are glad to be back home! Thank you to everyone who pitched in while we were gone! You are a blessing! Praise God! 
God’s message came to us from Galatians 6:1-10 and was titled, ‘Doing What is Right.’ This is 6th week we’ve spent in the Galatian letter. Earlier, we discovered Paul addressing false teachers who had perverted the Christian Gospel. Some had required Gentile believers to embrace something even they couldn’t keep: the Jewish Law. 
Salvation comes not as a result of something we do! It is received as a gift through faith in Christ! It is rich and free! Later, in c. 5 Paul would address excesses in freedom, too! “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).  We discovered the key to living free and responsibly was to let the Spirit lead (and not your sinful nature)! When the Spirit leads, we can experience the freedom, joy, and peace God had always intended! 
With this foundation, Paul begins giving tangible examples of how to live the Spirit led life. First, in we discover how to confront a fellow believer caught in sin. While some may be tempted to respond in a self-righteous manner, Paul declares the Spirit led believer is to “…restore him gently [lest] you also may be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). Unlike those who ‘entertain themselves’ at the humiliation of others and thus are tempted to sin themselves, the Spirit led response is to gently confront (not deny either) and make every attempt to restore the caught sinner with Christlike grace!
Paul also declares when you are led by the Spirit, you will humbly and graciously help carry a fellow Christian’s burdens “…thus fulfilling the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). When we’re saved we’re part of God’s family. We can’t help in every situation, but as the ‘family,’ knit together by the Spirit, we respond, thus fulfilling the law of Christ: to love God and love one another! 
Paul concludes with a familiar teaching: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows…” Bottom line: You can’t thumb your nose at God and expect blessings! While some seem to be ‘getting away with murder’ don’t be deceived! Judgment is coming! Therefore, as the Spirit leads, do not grow weary of doing good! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS CALLS FOR PEACE, HEALING, RECONCILIATION
Recent global events remind us yet again that our world continues to be divided by many political, ethnic, racial, and cultural issues. Horrific violence in places such as the Middle East, Belgium, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Louisiana, Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, USA, cast images of hatred that illustrate these divisions and lead to alienation, strife, and brokenness. Our call to stand against hatred and for peace has not changed since we first issued the following statement in 2014:
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God's people traveling through a very difficult wilderness. Their road went through a desert with valleys, hills, curves, and rough spots. Isaiah 40:1 states, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." The prophet goes on to promise the coming of a Messiah who will care for us. He uses this powerful imagery: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isaiah 40:11, NIV).
The Father sent His Son to live among us and be Immanuel, "God with us." He came to provide the way for our salvation and reconciliation to God and fellow human beings. This gospel message is for all people and makes us one at the foot of the Cross. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NIV). This declaration calls all followers of Christ to come together in love. 
We are ambassadors of this gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). In our world, we best reflect the example of Christ and the ones who live out the vision of Isaiah 40:1–11 when we:
  Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
  Mourn with those who mourn.
  Comfort people wherever we find them.
  Feel the pain of those who are hurting.
  Seek to alleviate that pain whenever possible.
  Be slow to speak and quick to listen to the positions of others.
  Seek to understand the situations of others.
  Show dignity and respect to everyone.
  Break down walls that separate.
  Build bridges that connect.
  Follow in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace.
  Extend grace and mercy to others as God has extended it to us.
  Pray for wisdom and direction to better reflect the example of Christ to others.
It is our hopeful prayer that wherever there are Nazarenes, they will stand for peace, healing, and reconciliation. Father, thank you for sending your Son into our divided world. Grant us the power of your Holy Spirit to be agents of support, comfort, peace, and healing. In Jesus' strong name we pray. Amen. 
--Board of General Superintendents
THIS JUST IN>>> STEEPLE WILL BE REMOVED THURSDAY!
For years our steeple and cross has languished in a state of disrepair. In fact, you may remember the cross had to be removed 6 months ago after nearly falling off. After a spirited discussion, your church board decided it better to remove the heavy steeple than refurbish it. Windmueller has been contracted to do the work and it will take place this Thursday using a crane. Come watch them work and pray for the workers safety! 
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY RETURNS! COME BE A PART OF IT!
Family Camp at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp was amazing last week, but with it now in the past it is time to return to our ‘regularly scheduled programming.’ Seriously, Wed. night is a great time of singing, prayer, and Bible study for all ages. Come, be a part of it and be blessed! Remember, we always end our night with ice cream!
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS JUL. 21 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Jul. 21 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine. 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!
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., JUL. 23 AT 10:30AM!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for July 23 and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
OUR NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS JULY 24 @ 5PM (THIS SUNDAY!)
Our missionary gathering is July 24 at 5pm at the church. Bring a friend and come enjoy a brief lesson on missions led by Sherry J. Afterwards, we eat snacks, laugh, and chat (sometimes at the same time! :) So bring a snack to pass and join us at 5pm! You’ll be glad you did! Have questions? Contact Sherry J. She loves to text! (269) 932-8334
CHURCH WORK DAY IS SAT., AUG. 13 - 9AM to 12PM
Larry B. has called an ‘Official Work Day’ for Sat., Aug. 13! We need folks to help paint and scrape the church and parsonage. So, bring your worst work clothes and we will make them look even worse! (smile). Just kidding! Seriously, we need everyone’s help to make our church owned properties look their best! Got Questions? See Larry B.
NEW ‘LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY IS BEING PLANNED!
Mary W. and Cherry P. want to know who’s interested in a Saturday Bible Study from the book of Daniel. While the study and DVD presentations byBeth Moore are ‘geared towards women,’ Mary said this study would be open to a few good men, too. If you’re interested, sign up on the list outside the sanctuary. Questions, see Cherry P. or Mary W. 
JUST A REMINDER! NO CHILDREN’S CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER!
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, the kids will stay with us during the worship service for the summer! Bless you for understanding! 
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WED. NIGHT STUDY STARTING JULY 27
Have you ever wanted to examine the basics of your faith? Do you want to freshen or kick start your spiritual life, but don’t know where to start? Have you ever wished you had insight into Pastor Dan’s weekly preaching Sunday morning? If so, then you might just be interested in Pastor Dan’s Dog Days of Summer Bible Study Wed. nights. 
Using the pdf booklet, “First Steps in the Christian Life,” everyone is invited to spend 10 weeks with Pastor Dan examining key concepts and Bible passages every Christian needs to know and have an inside look on what he is going to preach that Sunday. 
Come for one week or all of them! (of course, the more the better!) If you’re interested, curious, or just want to know more, see or contact Pastor Dan
DAILY DEVOTIONS – “REFLECTING GOD” IS AVAILABLE! FREE!!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available free to anyone interested. The devotions provide a brief truth from the Bible every day. Reflecting God also has a section for reading the Bible in a year and praying for our missionaries! Feel free to take one! You’ll find them located on the table outside the sanctuary!
HELP! THE CHURCH BOARD APPROVED A 7 WK FALL SABBATICAL FOR PASTOR
Having served as our pastor since Sept. 2008 and after consultation with Dr. John Seaman, our District Superintendent, your church board voted unanimously to extend Pastor Dan and Janie a 7-week sabbatical beginning Mon. Sept 26 through Sun. Nov. 13.
Please begin praying for Pastor Dan and Janie as they prepare to be away that God will refresh and renew them as they seek to draw nearer to Him through prayer, study, and fasting. But also begin asking God how He wants you to serve while they are gone.
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
Jul.    11-17                Family Camp at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
Jul.    13             NO Bible study here! Come to Indian Lake for the 7:00pm Service
Jul.    21             Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ 11:30 (Hibachi Alpine)
Jul.    23             Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Jul.    24             Missionary Gathering at 5:00pm
Aug.  13             Church Work Day 9am – 12pm 
Sep. 26/Nov. 13        Pastor Dan and Janie’s 7-week Sabbatical

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