What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! This week in our adult discipleship class Gerry D. continued to teach us on the Sermon on Mount in Matthew and wow is it good! If you haven’t come in a while, check it out every Sunday from 9:45 – 10:30am. After our worship service, we enjoyed our potluck and annual church meeting! While meetings of any kind, tend to be boring, this one was more like a celebration! Combine that with about 10 desserts (yes we had great food, too), and it was a potluck and annual celebration to remember! If you’d like a copy of the Annual Report, they are available on the table outside the sanctuary. Thank you to everyone who set up and cleaned up, brought something to eat, gave a report, or ate! We are a church community and all of you are part of the Northeast Community family!
God’s message this week came from Luke 9:1-10 and was titled, “Making Disciples.” Do you like to work out? Are you someone who embraces discipline? If you want a victorious life, you need to become a disciple and embrace the essential disciplines. Over the next 25 weeks we will be examining what it means to be a disciple and how to live it out.
As we begin this journey, we find insights in Luke 9:1-10. The first lesson is so obvious we might miss it! When Jesus called, the disciples came! They didn’t argue, complain, or ask for a few more days (or years), they just showed up! What about you? Do you come when Jesus calls? Jesus has called every Christian to serve somewhere in the Kingdom of God! Let’s get started!
Second, we need to see our Christian life as an ongoing process of hands on apprenticeship. In Luke 9, scholars tell us the disciples had been with Jesus 2 years. Surely, these former fishermen and tax collectors, etc., didn’t have the all the answers and didn’t feel prepared! And yet, Jesus sent them out to do ministry! I imagine sweat on the brow of Matthew and butterflies plaguing John as these former tax collectors and fishermen consider preaching, driving out demons, and healing the sick in Jesus name! But, regardless of their feelings, they did go (see v. 6) If serving others makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re in great company! In faith, go anyway!
Finally, in v. 3 we realize the disciples didn’t do this work in their own strength nor were they responsible for the results! (see v. 5) Regardless, they did everything in the Power and Name of Jesus! This is good news! It means, when you feel the Spirit’s tug to teach, invite your neighbor to church, or love on the homeless, you can move forward in confidence knowing you’re going in the Name and power of Jesus! When you don’t feel ready, or adequately prepared you might just be humble enough to depend on Jesus! (and be effective!) Bottom line? When Jesus calls: show up! Where Jesus sends: Go! How? In His Name and power!
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
7th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE BLESSINGS!
Well, with God’s help, you’ve DONE IT AGAIN! You’ve not only met our goal to collect 1,800 diapers, but exceeded it by collecting 1,832 diapers (we had a special Sunday afternoon delivery), 1,368 wipes, and even 4 homemade baby quilts!! How cool is that! Bless all of you who provided ‘cover’ for some of the frailest ‘least of these.’ All of our diapers are going to North End Community Ministry who runs a ‘crisis pantry’ (giving those in crisis 3-days of supplies). I can’t wait to see their faces tomorrow! God is good!
CHURCH WORK DAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 17th
Join us at the church for a day of cleaning up things and making things look a bit better around the church. This will be from 9 AM to noon.
NEXT WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS is June 17th @ 10:30 AM
We will be meeting at the church for this time of fellowship and fun. Call or text Cherry for any questions @ 616-916-7595.
Join in this meeting and learn more about our missions and how we can be a missionary too!
INTERESTED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
A series of membership classes will be starting in June. If you are interested in learning more about the Church of the Nazarene, or becoming a member of our church, please let Pastor Dan know by contacting him at: 616-204-1153 or hathdan@me.com.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH SUMMER BREAK HAS STARTED
While we love the children, our children’s workers need a summer break. The kids will now be staying with us in the worship service. Bless you for understanding!
A NEW BIBLE STUDY IS COMING SOON!
Beginning in September, Mary W. will begin a study titled, “Remembering the Forgotten God”. This will be held Tuesdays at 10 AM for 7 weeks, beginning Sept. 5th. Sign up on the sheet in the church annex so she knows how many books to order.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY is at the church – 6:30 PM
We are now meeting at the church for Bible Study and fellowship. We hope to see you there!
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.
SUMMER CAMP @ 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/summer-camp
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jul. 05-07
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 24-28
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 31-Aug. 04
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jul. 10-14
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 26-30
Note: All camps are $ 285 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 135)
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:
June 15 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM
June 17 Church Work Day – 9 AM to Noon (Larry often brings doughnuts!)
June 17 Women’s Rendezvous @ church @ 10:30 AM
June 18-23 General Assembly 2017 Work & Witness Project
June 25 Missions Night @ church
June 26 Indian Lake Camps begin
July 16 & 17 District Assembly
July 16-23 Family Camp
July 22 NMI/SDMI/NYI Convention
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