Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Northeast Community News – August 14, 2017

    Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day we in the Lord, Sunday! It was a potluck week so we finished our time together over plates (and for some of us more plates) of food and wonderful desserts! Our cooks are the best! But, physical food isn’t the only nourishment we receive each week! In fact, it felt like a veritable feast as the Holy Spirit swept over us Sunday. While Neutrogena may very well be the answer for dry, cracked skin, nothing quenches a dry, thirsty soul like Jesus!
We continued our series on Discipleship Essentials this week by talking about another essential belief: Made in God’s Image: our value as sacred human creations! In Genesis 1:26-27 we read the ‘meeting minutes’ as the Triune God considers human creation:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27).
While the media is filled with depictions of violence and brutality against sacred human image bearers, the Internet filled with images of drugged, beaten, and objectified women, babies are aborted, children are trafficked, we discover in Genesis 1:26-27 that our value isn’t based on how we look, what we own, or what we do; our value and dignity is grounded in our Creator!
God finds every human being valuable and lovely because He created them and loves them! Even after the fall (which we will discuss next Sunday), God never gave us on us! Even after all of the shameful and sinful stuff you’ve done, God still loves you! How do I know?
“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)
Dear ones! Regardless of what you are going through… the pain, the loss, the struggle, the cyberbullies, you need to know: God created you ON purpose FOR a purpose! You weren’t a mistake and you aren’t a result of evolution! He hasn’t forgotten you! Your value doesn’t come from your stuff or what you do or what others think of you! It’s time for some of us to see the person in mirror as He does! You are beautiful! Finally, we must protect life. Why? because all human life is sacred! Made in God’s image! It’s an essential belief!          Blessings! Pastor Dan

NEWS AND EVENTS

THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILL – August 17th
Join in the food, fun, and fellowship at this buffet restaurant located off Alpine Ave.  There are many delicious items for your taste buds to try!   Contact Tracy T. if you have any questions.

WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS TIME AGAIN – August 19TH
Meet us at the church for a time of food, fun, and fellowship.   Call Deb if you have any questions at 616-560-9062.

BUY NOW FOR SCHOOL PAL PAKS!
These items are needed (NEW) & exact sizes:  
-    2 composition notebooks (i.e. Mead), no larger than 9-3/4” x 7-1/2”.  (Spiral bound NOT accepted.
-    1 package of #2 pencils (quantity of 10-12 pencils)
-    1 package of black pens (quantity of 10-12 pens)
-    2 pink erasers, 2-3” long
-    2 rulers (6” or 12”, with metric measurements)
-    1 package of colored pencils (quantity of 12-15)
-    1 pair of blunt-nosed scissors
-    1 hand-held pencil sharpener
If you would like to donate cash or write a check for Pal-Paks, please make checks payable to the church and designate what the check is or.  You can also make a cash donation by placing the money in an envelope and mark it “School Pak-Paks”.

SIX (6) CHILDRENS MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE HERE!
Anyone with children, have them read these enjoyable books.  For any child who reads all 6, a special event will be planned for them (a movie, Chuck E Cheese, or Craig’s Cruisers).  See Sherry J.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES
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
Time: 2:00pm until aprox. 4:00pm
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!)

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!
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.  

SEPTEMBER IS ALABASTER MONTH!
See Sherry if you do not have an Alabaster box to put money or find one at the Sound Booth.  Alabaster offering sends 100% of the money to the Mission Field to build buildings,  and to purchase property for our missionaries.

RENUCCI HOUSE BREAKFAST – OCTOBER 21
If you are interested in joining in with this fun event, let Cherry or Deb know.  We will be feeding 45-50 people who are staying here.  These people have loved ones in the hospital.  We will give them a good first meal of the day and pray for those who wish us to do so.  

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        School Pal-Paks items being collected
August 16        Wednesday Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
August 17        3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM        
August 19        Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
August 20        Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
September        Alabaster Month
September 10    Children’s Church Begins Again!
October 21        Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM

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