Monday, August 21, 2017

Northeast Community News – August 21, 2017

Dear Friends and Family!
    What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday. It was one of those Sunday’s when everybody just lingered and milled about chatting… It almost felt like a family reunion that no nobody wanted to leave…It was beautiful to see knots of people milling about and sharing. We really are a family who is learning how to love God and others together. But, unlike a pregnancy that needs 9 months, we’re welcoming new life monthly! If you’re looking for a church home or a family to join our arms are open wide! We’d love to have you join us! Our next planned family reunion is Sunday! Come, experience love, acceptance and grace! Welcome to the family!
We continued our series on Discipleship Essentials this week by talking about another essential belief: The Fall of Humanity! In Genesis 3:1-19 we find a perplexing conversation between Satan and Adam and Eve with tragic consequences. Through the sin of Adam and Eve, sin entered the world and sadly, we are inheritors of that sin. We are born with a sinful nature and it is a plague that can only be rooted out by sanctification… But, we are getting ahead ourselves!
    In our text, we find Eve’s falling for the crafty and cunning Devil didn’t come at her directly; her (and subsequently Adam’s) fall into sin came through an insidious three-step process which begins with doubt. Satan whispers, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1b) ‘Did God really say?’ No, God didn’t say ‘all fruit was forbidden’ but instead going to God directly, she wonders what He really said…and that introduces doubt.
    The Devil goes further to distort God’s truth in v. 4 when he says, “you will not surely die” in (Genesis 3:4b) But Adam had been given a clear directive and he had told Eve: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:16b-17). Eve’s mind was reeling. She wasn’t equipped to argue with such a crafty being…. And yet, she still didn’t turn to God!
    Finally, in v. 6 with Eve doubting and God’s command distorted, Satan asks her to look closely at the forbidden. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it…”  (Genesis 3:6a). As she stared at the forbidden fruit it now captured her attention….and she ate and then Adam ate and then as sin always does they felt naked and exposed and ran for cover in their shame.
    It is the same for us, Dear Ones! Satan whispers doubt; he distorts God’s truth, and he focuses our attention on the forbidden… And once the forbidden is indulged in, we feel naked, ashamed and make an effort to cover up our sin and guilt. We’ve all been there! Like Eve, we could have turned to God instead of indulging in a moment of sinful pleasure…but we didn’t.
    But, here’s the good news! Even when overwhelmed with the sin and shame we deserve, God doesn’t leave us that way! “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I Jn 4:4). Who is greater than Satan? Jesus Christ! As the hymnist writes, ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!’ Come out of hiding and be set free! Amen? Amen!             Blessings! Pastor Dan

NEWS AND EVENTS

MISSIONS NIGHT @ CHURCH AUGUST 27TH
Meet at the church at 5 PM for food, fun, and fellowship.  There is also a short mission’s lesson presented by Sherry J.  Come for this interesting and educational time!!!

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”.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND @ INDIAN LAKE CAMP    
See the poster for the speakers and other events.  From Sept. 1-4, there are many things to do at the campground!  This includes a chili cook off on Saturday, Sept. 2 @ 5 PM.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH TO BEGIN SEPT. 10TH
There will be a new program where the children will have the whole church time for their program.  They will meet in the basement for a social time before their service with cookies and a drink.  This will be followed by singing praises and a lesson.  

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 Cherry.  [For adult missionary books, please 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. 12th.  

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.  

SOUND BOOTH PERSON STILL 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 23        Wednesday Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
August 27        Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
September        Alabaster Month
Sept. 1-4            Labor Day Weekend @ Indian Lake Camp
September 21    3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM        
September 23    Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
September 10    Children’s Church Begins Again!
September 12    Bible Study “Remembering the Forgotten God” Begins 10 AM
October 21        Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM

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