We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! While sickness is still ravaging our ranks significantly, those who did come were blessed! Perhaps the most notable effect of our recent sickness outbreak, was the significant absence of Jean C., our dear piano player! Still, without missing a beat (pun intended) Steve H. did a wonderful job as our praise leader leading us into the presence of Jesus without instrumentation! We were also blessed with Mary W. Julie O., and Rev. Christopher return this week! We’ve missed you very much! Welcome back! Amen!
God’s message this week came from John 11:1-45 and was titled, “Learning to Trust Jesus.” We are now half way through the Lenten period which began on Ash Wed. and will end on Easter. Three weeks ago we learned with Nicodemus:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
We asked then, “Are there any limits to God’s love?” in Nicodemus, we discovered God loved influential men who had it all. Two weeks ago we discovered God loved broken, sarcastic, and deeply sinful women like the Samaritan Woman. Last week we discovered God loved blind and defective folks, and this week we learn God’s love can even overcome sickness and death!
In John c. 11, we find the familiar story of Lazarus. We discover Jesus’ timing is not the same as our timing! After Lazarus’ two sisters call on Jesus in v. 3, Jesus doesn’t come running; in fact, he takes a two-day delay. Did Jesus delay because he didn’t know? No! Because He didn’t care? No! Why then? In v. 5 we discover it was so God’s Son (Jesus) would be glorified through it!
Can you relate to Jesus’ delay? What’s important to remember is Jesus does know, He does care, and that whatever the outcome of the matter, He will be glorified! It’s easier to declare, ‘Jesus will meet my every need’ when everything’s going great! But it can be quite another to trust that ‘Jesus will meet my every need’ when a child is sick, a marriage is on the rocks, we’re unemployed, homeless, and hungry with no money in the bank or in our pockets. But, we can and should trust Him! He knows us and loves us and wants what’s best for us! Amen? Amen!
The key to faith is found in my favorite KJV verse and Jesus response in John 11:39-40:
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (John 11:39KJV). Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40NIV).
So, what is the stone Jesus has asked you to move that requires putting feet to your faith? ‘But Lord, my child’s been sick for days…‘But Lord, I’ve been out of work for months…‘But Lord, my marriage’s been broken for years.’ My prayer is you would seek the glory of God by taking the first step in faith and roll away your stone trusting Jesus does know and Jesus does care! Your victory may just be one obedient step away! To God be the Glory! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
EASTER OFFERING FOR WORLD EVANGELISM FUND – APRIL 16
On Easter Sunday, churches around the world will be participating in receiving an Easter offering for world missions. God’s blessings as you prepare for this offering.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DR. JOHN SEAMAN
On Saturday, April 8, 2017, there will be a memorial service for Dr. Seaman at Jackson First Church of the Nazarene, 3905 Clinton Road, Jackson, MI 49201. From 1-3 PM will be a time of Family Greeting, and at 3 PM will be the Memorial Service.
NARRATOR’S NEEDED FOR EASTER CANTATA
If you like to read, like to tell the Easter story, and want to help the choir, please consider being a narrator for this very important day. We need one male and one female narrator. See Bev, Gerry, or Pastor Dan – soon!! (And thanks!)
STILL NEEDED: ONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH TEACHER
Please contact Mary W. to help with this need. While most of the weeks have a teacher and a helper, one more teacher is still needed. Is God calling you to do this?
SOUND BOOTH PERSON NEEDED:
The church is looking for someone who is interested in being a sound booth technician. You will need to be able to attend music practices Sunday morning at 9 AM. Let Janie know if you are interested at 616-204-2499 or hathjan@icloud.com.
NEXT WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS is April 22 @ 10:30 AM
LADIES DAY AT ONU: April 22, $30.00, $10.00 for a box lunch. Join other women for a day of learning, laughter, music and fellowship! For tickets, call 855-98-SHINE or visit iTickets.com. (Box lunches are only available to order through March 31.) Featured will be Missy Robertson from Duck Dynasty and Grayson Reed.
HAPPILY LAUGHTER AFTER TOUR on Friday, May 5th
If you are interested in having a Friday night full of laughter, Chonda Pierce, with special guest, Karyn Williams, are at Grand Rapids First Church 5/5. Tickets can be purchased at ticket.com. If anyone is interested, call/text Cherry @ 616-916-7595.
The Michigan District Church of the Nazarene presents:
A MOMENT IN TIME
At the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island on May 28 – May 30, 2017
A Moment in Time is open to all ages of families and individuals. The cost is only $345 per person. Children ages 12-17 are $185 and children birth to age 11 are free.
Price includes:
· Two nights lodging at the historic Grand Hotel
· Two delectable five course dinners
· Two scrumptious breakfasts (choice of menu/breakfast buffet or continental)
· Adult round-trip ferry ride (ages 5-11 are $12)
· All baggage handling
The first non-refundable deposit of $50 is due by March 27th. The balance is due April 22nd. Please see the attached brochure for all of the details!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017 WORK & WITNESS PROJECT:
I'm writing to invite you and any members of your church to be a part of the largest Nazarene Work & Witness project called, One Heart - Many Hands Indianapolis 2017! This week-long service project will take place June 18-23. In a recent conversation with Dr. David Downs, the District Superintendent of the West Texas District, it came to my attention that many pastors are under the impression that One Heart - Many Hands (OHMH) projects are just for youth groups. In actuality, OHMH is a Work & Witness project geared for the entire church to participate in. Many churches bring multi generational groups who work on the project and learn from each other. In past General assembly years we have averaged 2000 Nazarenes serving together with OHMH to leave the fingerprints of God all over the General Assembly host city. I'm sure you receive hundreds of emails each year encouraging you and your church to be a part of something… OHMH is a unique Work & Witness project that not only affords your group the opportunity to be involved in missions together but also to experience the Global Church of the Nazarene in a very visible and tangible way as team members participate in the General Assembly services. Would you prayerfully consider encouraging your church to take advantage of this opportunity to serve alongside thousands of Nazarenes this summer in Indianapolis? For more information about this service project please contact our office at office@oneheartmanyhands.com or visit our website at www.oneheartmanyhands.com. Thank you, George Sisler
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. or Sherry J.
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
Is there someone missing or would like to invite to church? Why not grab a few church postcards and send them out? A simple hand written note blesses everyone! You will find them on the table under the missionary bulletin board in the Annex.
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!
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:
April 8 Memorial Service for Dr. John Seaman at Jackson First Church
April 9 Palm Sunday
April 16 Easter Sunday
April 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM
April 22 Ladies Day @ ONU with Missy Robertson & Grayson Reed
April 22 Ladies Rendezvous at Church @ 10:30 AM
May 5 Happily Laughter After Tour with Chonda Pierce at Grand Rapids
First Church
May 28 A Moment in Time at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island
June 18-23 General Assembly 2017 Work & Witness Project
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