Dear Friends and Family!
They’re back! That’s right! Last night after the last service ended, Janie and I packed two very full cars (including two cats and a dog) and returned home from Indian Lake Nazarene Camp after a FULL week of Bible Study, Worship, Prayer, District Assembly, and Youth, Missions, and Discipleship Conventions! Wow! Our cups are full! Bless you for the opportunity! God is good!
No doubt you were blessed as Rick Evans shared God’s Word at Northeast Community! Rick’s message was titled “Are you A Sam?” This is in reference to Luke 10:25-37 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He referred to Sam as a person who is willing to help others. Jim (the Jew) is a person who has needs. Many people in our world are suffering. Sometimes all they need is someone to sit beside them and not necessarily speak. Many others in the Bible suffered: (just to name a few) Job, David, Elijah, Jonah, Moses, Jeremiah, and Jesus himself. So all “Sams” need to keep an eye out for those who are hurting and need someone to show them Jesus’ love. All “Jims” need to ask for help.
I look forward to hearing how God spoke to you in Grand Rapids last Sunday! While there were many messages from our speakers at Indian Lake, I’ll share the last one with you. Dr. T. Scott Daniels preached on Jonah 4:1-11 and his titled was “A Bad Ending to a Great Story.” Unlike, most stories that end ‘happily ever after,’ Jonah doesn’t end this way. You’ll recall Jonah begins with God’s call. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me” (Jonah 1:1-2)
But, in verse 3, we discover Jonah does just the opposite! “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord” (Jonah 1:3).
And, as even a child will tell you, a terrible storm came up and Jonah finally convinces the sailors to throw him overboard and a whale swallows him! Finally, in the depths of the sea Jonah confesses and God answers by vomiting Jonah onto dry land where God gives him a second chance to go to Nineveh and Jonah obeys! (and 120,000 people repent and are saved!)
But, instead of the story ending with an obedient Jonah and repentant Nineveh, we discover Jonah isn’t happy 120,000 in Nineveh were saved. In fact, he would just as soon die! How sad! “But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:1-3).
From this, Dr. Daniels had three lessons. First, do we at Northeast Community Church really want ‘those people’ to be saved? Perhaps some of us have even entertained thoughts of ‘those people’ getting theirs when Jesus comes instead of being saved! God forgive us!
Second, are we not only resistant to reach out to ‘those people,’ but skeptical of those who are successfully doing so using methods were not comfortable with? God raised the Church of the Nazarene for a purpose (and it wasn’t to maintain structures). In 2 Peter 3:8-9 we discover God desires none perish but all will come to repentance. God will use any and all means necessary to reach people with Christ (with or without us!). Let’s celebrate where God is working!
Finally, do we ever fail to examine ourselves? Jonah knew the Lord God was indeed slow to anger and abounding in love, but he remained angry and distant from what God had done. What needed to change in Jonah? What needs to change in us?
Blessings! Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
SPECIAL WED. MOVIE NIGHT, PIZZA, AND DISCUSSION ON JULY 26 AT 6:30PM
To follow up on his July 23rd message, Rick is showing “A Man Called Norman” (produced by Focus on the Family) and leading a discussion to follow. His plan is to meet at 6:30 for pizza and prayer – start the 45-minute video at 7:00 with ice cream and discussion to follow. Grab a friend and come! Rick has said this video changed his life! Maybe, it will change yours!
Meet us at the church for a time of food, fun, and fellowship. (Due to upcoming knee surgery, we will be rescheduling our breakfast at Renucci House to October.) Call Cherry if you have any questions at 616-916-7595.
MISSIONS NIGHT – July 30th!
It is time once again for a reminder of what people are doing around the world for God. Meet at the church at 5 PM for fellowship and information. See you there!
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
Some of us like to take a ‘Nazarene Nap’ Sun. afternoons and others like to go out and ride their bikes and enjoy each other’s company! I say do both! If you can eat a quick lunch and grab a short power nap you’ll still have time to join us for a relaxing Sun. afternoon bike ride down a safe trail! Nobody’s getting left behind! But, we may stop for ice cream and laugh a lot! Let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested or have questions. This would be a great event to invite a friend!
What: Weekly Bike Rides
Where: From Rogue River Park in Belmont to Rockford on the White Pine Trail. Rogue River Park is located at 6300 Belmont Ave NE – Belmont, MI 49306
Cost: Free! (unless you plan to buy ice cream!)
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
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 24-28
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 31-Aug. 04
Note: All camps are $ 285
INTERESTED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
A series of membership classes will be starting soon. 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.
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.
ONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH TEACHER IS STILL NEEDED!
Pray about becoming a children’s church teacher this September. You only need prepare a lesson once a month. Also, a helper will be there alongside you
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.
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
August 13 Church Potluck
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