Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! For two of our members it was the best Sunday ever! Why? Because, for Phyllis Plath and Gary Parker they worshipped God first hand around God’s throne in heaven in restored bodies that had no more pain, no more sadness, no more limitations, no more sin or sorrow! Yes, we will miss both of them! But, as Christians we realize this ‘place is not our home.’ Funeral arrangements are coming, but for now, pray for the loved family and friends left behind mourning and their unsaved loved ones who need Jesus!
A few months ago, I was sent a link to join “The Culture Generator” by our District Youth President. It has been an eye-opening experience to read what teens face today. Yes, they occasionally ask for a donation, but this free resource is an excellent way to understand the pain and pressure our teens face. For example, in an article I received today titled “Kylie’s not immune” I read that Kylie Jenner revealed the reason behind her “world-changing plump pout: A boy judged her kissing skills.” The article continues….
“Kylie first appeared with plump lips in 2014, meaning she was 16 years old when she got lip injections. Since then, her lips have changed beauty standards everywhere, leading to young girls taking the painful “Kylie Jenner Challenge” and using expensive lip plumpers to achieve the look. Tons of other female celebs have followed suit, and according to one plastic surgeon, “young girls in their early 20s and their late teens are getting lip fillers everywhere.” All because of one boy’s comments and how they fed into a star’s insecurities…”.
[The writer concludes as follows]
“Two quick takeaways: 1. Teach your children to face, and overcome their insecurities, not ignore them; and 2. Help them understand that “the tongue has the power to bring life or death”, and if they cannot control their tongue, they may not be able to control their future.”
I’d strongly advise every parent (grandparent) sign up to receive these insights at this link: https://axis.org/ct/ This is certainly not the culture you and I grew up with! God help us!
Sunday, we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials by talking about another essential belief: Sanctification! Christians weren’t meant to live lives of compromise and failure! God wants us to live victoriously above sin by cleansing us, filling us, and sanctifying us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! In Ephesians 5:1-20 Paul offers the standard, challenge, and solution to living a victorious Christian life. The standard is God Himself! In verses 1-2, we read:
“Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Who are you imitating? As Christians, we are to model Christ who has taught us to love, yield, and sacrifice Himself to God. As Peter wrote, “We are to be holy as He is holy.” So, are you? Truth is, we face many challenges to living a holy life in a perverse and sinful culture when our sin nature is allowed to reign within. This bent to sin meets many opportunities! God help us!
And God does help us! How? In verse 18, we read: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). You see, God has provided the answer to our internal bent on sinning: sanctification! When we finally imitate Jesus by yielding ourselves completely to God, He accepts our sacrifice (us) and in a moment often described as ‘Personal Pentecost” the Spirit cleanses our sinful nature, fills us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and God sanctifies entirely! This allows us to live a life of holiness within the sinful culture! Will we continue to be tempted? Absolutely! But, with the sin nature destroyed and the Holy Spirit abiding and empowering, we can be holy as He is holy!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
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. This offering will be taken Sept. 24th.
A NEW BIBLE STUDY IS HERE!
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. {began Sept. 12th}.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH BEGAN!
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 at 11 AM before their service with a snack and a drink. Then there will be singing praises and a lesson.
IGNITE – MOBILIZING THE CHURCH IN MISSION!
Go and listen to some of our missionaries here as they speak about the work God is doing in the countries they are serving in! October 8th @ 6 PM at Mt. Pleasant First, 1980 S. Lincoln Road, Dan & Coralee Behr from the Philippines will be speaking. Also, on October 8th @ 6 PM at Chapman Memorial in Vicksburg, 7520 E. U Ave., Ellen Gaily Decker from Africa will be speaking.
PEOPLE WANTED TO PRAY FOR STRANGERS!
Our church has placed a “prayer mail box” out by the bus stop. The Holy Spirit has indicated that there are many hurting and broken people walking right past us without a church to pray for them! If you are interested, let Pastor Dan know by calling/texting (616) 204-1153 or email him at hathdan@me.com.
FREE ONLINE SECURITY TRAINING!
Due to the generosity of Janie H. and her employer, we have free access to their online security training class for anyone interested. Here is some information from the training site:
More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. KnowBe4 is the world’s most popular integrated Security Awareness Training and Simulated Phishing platform with over 10,000 customers.
Our basic training modules specialize in making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job. You get high quality web-based interactive training combined with common traps, live demonstration videos, short comprehension tests and scenario-based Danger Zone exercises.
As someone who has helped many clean up viruses, I think this could be valuable. Here is the link: https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse Use the password: homecourse
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 AFTERNOONBIKE 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
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.
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
September 19 Bible Study “Remembering the Forgotten God” @ 10 AM
(downstairs)
September 20 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
September 21 3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
September 23 Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
September 24 Alabaster Offering
September 24 Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
September 24 Mission Night @ 5 PM
October 8 Church Potluck after the AM service
October 21 Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM
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