Dear Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! It was another snowing Sunday and we had many who ‘called in.’ Some hope our church grows significantly, and while I join them in that hope, I pray we never grow beyond our ability to know and love each other. After worship we enjoyed our every other month potluck! It was wonderful to eat great food, share laughter and concerns, and take a few moments to connect. Speaking of making connections, check out an opportunity in the newsletter to eat at our house on Saturday nights during Lent and discuss the weeks Lenten readings. Speaking of Lent, I will be imposing ashes to anyone interested at our Bible Study this Wed. (Ash Wed) and speaking about Lenten fasts. Needless to say, God is moving in our midst….have you sensed Him? I pray you have! God is good, all the time!
God’s message this week came to us from 2 Kings 5:1-14 and titled, “Great Expectations.” Our text is actually part of a larger section of Scripture, 2 Kings 4:1-6:7. In this section, we discover blessings (and protection) come to those who trust in God and His Prophets. But, in 2 Kings 5, our text asks and answers if the rich and powerful must also align themselves with God or are they someone exempt? Can those who can afford it ‘buy influence’ from God?
In verse 1, we discover Naaman is powerful. He is the commander of the Syrian Army; he is a great man, highly regarded, and a valiant soldier. In verse 5, we discover he is also politically connected and wealthy! In fact, he brings over $3 million in silver and gold to meet Israel’s king and Elisha. But, we discover this rich and powerful man is sick with leprosy (v. 1b) threatening everything: his powerful relationships, his high standing, and his great wealth.
Thankfully, a teenage Israelite slave girl knows of Elisha the prophet who could cure him of his sickness. There is only one catch: his pride! Without even meeting him, Elisha sends him to the ordinary Jordan river and commands him to dip his body in the river 7 times. Naaman is more than angry; he is in a rage (vs. 11-12). How dare Elisha ‘blow me off’ Naaman seems to suggest! Eventually, Naaman humbles himself and does as Elisha instructed! And he is healed (v.14)!
So, how about you? Ever think you’re too rich and powerful to need God? Or, thought you could just ‘buy God off’ in times of trouble? Maybe, like Namaan, you’ve been angry when God answered your prayer differently than ‘you told him to’? (Yikes!) If so, maybe it’s time to set aside your rage, humble self and your expectations, and try it God’s way! My prayer is that each of us would discover God’s Great Expectations for us are always best! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE – RECEIVING THE ASHES – FEB. 14 – 6:30PM
Have you attended an Ash Wed. service and ‘received the ashes?’ before? The traditional 40-day season of Lent in the Church begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40 day period where Christians deepen their faith through increased prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and self-denial based on Jesus’ life. As you may remember, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert before being tempted by Satan before beginning his public ministry. The six Sundays are not counted because they each represent a "mini-Easter," a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. Another tradition is to receive the imposition of ashes in the form of a cross on your forehead. Receiving a small cross of ash on your forehead dates back to the Old Testament times when the faithful marked their humility and repentance with sackcloth and ash. Today the ashes still symbolize repentance, but also remind us of God’s amazing grace and mercy.
LENTEN SCRIPTURE READINGS START WED.
Lent is a 40-day purposeful time of fasting and reflection beginning on Ash Wed (2-14) and ending on Easter (4-01) except the Sunday’s of Lent (which are considered ‘mini’ Easter’s). During Lent many spend more time reading their Bibles and praying while fasting something that competes for worship! This year I will be following a ‘reading outline’ provided by Foundry. Look here for the readings each week! We can gather to discuss on Saturdays! (see below for that invitation and opportunity!) Here are this week’s readings!
ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
Additional Scriptures: Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 or Isaiah 58:1–12; Psalm 51:1–17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10
1 John 1:3–10
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 25:1–10; Daniel 9:1–14
2 Timothy 4:1–5
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 25:1–10; Daniel 9:15–25a
Matthew 9:2–13
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 25:1–10; Psalm 32
LENTEN SCRIPTURE CLUB DINNERS AT THE PARSONAGE (Start 2-17)
Lent is a 40-day purposeful time of fasting and reflection. Lent is a time when many spend additional time reading their Bibles and reflecting on their faith. Janie suggested we gather on Sat.’s at 6pm for a simple meal of soup and salad and discuss this week’s readings. Children are welcome. No need to bring anything, but Janie would like to know (if possible) if you’re coming! The dinners start this Sat. (2-17) and will end on the Sat. before Easter (3-31). Hope to see you there! RSVP to Jane at (616) 204-2499 (call or text) or email her at hathjan@icloud.com.
CRISIS CARE KITS
Each Crisis Care Kit includes the following new items in a 2-gallon Zip-loc bag:
- 1 medium size bottle of shampoo (12-18 oz) [Please tape the flip-tops closed]
- 2 bars of soap (bath-size or larger)
- 1 medium toothpaste (4.0-6.4 oz)
- 3 toothbrushes (in original packaging)
- 1 box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
- 1 fingernail clipper
- 1 sturdy hair comb
- 2 hand towels
- 4 pocket-size packages of facial tissue
- 1 Beanie Baby-size stuffed toy
Each Crisis Care Kit (CCK) should contain only the items/QUANTITIES REQUESTED. Items in the CCK MUST MATCH INVENTORY.
Deviating from this list can cause an entire shipment to be rejected in customs. The cost of the items for typical CCK is about $20.
2018 TITHE ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE!
Stewardship is for every Christian disciple! In response to the love we have received as adoption Children of God, we give cheerfully our time, talent, and treasure, regardless of membership! If you would like to have a box of tithe envelopes, see Anna Boeve our church treasurer! Bless all of who give so generously to help support the needs of this church!
TEAM DAY COMING!
On Saturday, March 17th, 2018, Lay Leadership & Clergy can meet at Perry High & Middle School for volunteer workshops. (Early registration is February 15th for $30; Final registration is by March 1st and costs $40)
2018 SPRING TOUR IGNITE SERVICES
LADIES DAY AT OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
On Saturday, April 23rd, there is a Ladie’s Day at ONU. It is 9 am to 3 pm. The cost is $30 with an optional lunch of $10. For more information, see the poster above the refreshment table.
A MOMENT IN TIME AT THE GRAND HOTEL ON MACKINAC ISLAND
This year’s event will be held Sunday, May 27th – Tuesday, May 29th. The price is $352 per adult & $192 per child ages 10-17. Children birth to age 9 are free.
TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT SUMMER CAMPS!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camps will start June 18-22 for High School Camp (completed grades 9-12); Middle School Camp (completed grades 6-8) is June 25-29; Discovery Camp (completed grades K-2) is July 1-3; Adventure Camp (completed grades 2-4) is July 9-13; and Voyager Camp (completed grades 4-6) is July 23-27. Cost will be announced later & includes a T-shirt.
PEOPLE WANTED TO PRAY FOR STRANGERS!
There is a “prayer mail box” out by the bus stop. Many hurting and broken people are 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.
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.
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 for collecting General Mills box tops! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for the Native American Christian Academy. Questions 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
Until Feb. 14 Homeless Items Bag collection
Until Mid-March Crisis Care Kit Collection
February 14 Ash Wednesday Service @ 6:30 PM
February 15 3rd Thursday Lunch @ Hibachi Grill off Alpine
February 17 Lenten Scripture Dinner @ parsonage 6 PM
February 24 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM at church
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