It was another wonderful day in the Lord, Friday, Saturday and Sunday! What was so wonderful about Friday and Saturday you ask? Well, because we had the opportunity to say farewell to our dear Catherine Tague over the weekend. Yes, I know anyone’s passing is bittersweet, but I must say that any time a follower of Jesus passes, it’s time for celebration, too! Lowell and Catherine Tague played a big part of our church history. What a joy to hear numerous stories of a lifetime of faithfulness at the visitation Friday night. If you never met Catherine, you missed a lot. Perhaps you’ve never thought of it, but how do you want to be remembered? Should anything change? While you may never live to 97 as Catherine did, you can leave a legacy for others to follow!
God’s message this week came to us from Mark 8:31-38 and was titled, “Come and Die to Self.” While Peter had rightly answered, “You are the Christ” in verse 29, it becomes apparent after Jesus’ stinging rebuke in verse 33 that he had no idea what the implications of being the Christ were! Jesus quickly called the crowd and His disciples together and declared in Mark 8:34:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
While Peter had rebuked Jesus for declaring He would suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise three days later, Jesus made it clear that to follow Him meant that not only He would suffer, but anyone who wanted to follow Him deny themselves, take up his cross, and suffer, too! As we continue our Lenten Journey inward, where might you be reluctant to deny your power and humble yourself? Where might you be reluctant to embrace suffering publically for the cause of Christ?
Taking up the cross would have evoked a picture of a criminal forced to carry a cross beam they would soon be publically executed on. As they carried their cross through the streets, they were like the modern equivalent of ‘dead men walking.’ Their lives were over in a very public way. The public knew the convicted “dead man’s” hopes, dreams, and agendas were over! How about you?
Where are you reluctant to face social discomfort, persecution, and even martyrdom for Christ? Jesus doesn’t offer those who want to follow Him a hidden or easy option. In fact, you may not want to hear this, but there is a fork in the road for believers. You either deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus or face a dead-end road. Jesus put this truth starkly in vs. 35-36:
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:35-36).
Only when you yield your stuff, money, relationships, past, present, and future will you ever find the joy and peace God intended for you. Will you surrender your life, so you can find it? Trust me, His plan is better for your than yours! I pray for your obedience to Him! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
LENTEN SCRIPTURE READINGS CONTINUE!
Lent is a 40-day time of fasting and reflection beginning on Ash Wed (2-14) and ending on Easter (4-01) except the Sunday’s of Lent (considered ‘mini’ Easter’s). During Lent many spend more time reading their Bibles and praying while eliminating (fasting) something that competes for worship! Here is the ‘reading outline’ for this week provided by The Foundry! Bless you on your inward journey this year!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018 – Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:8–12 Additional Scriptures: Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45, Genesis 21:1–7
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018 - Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1–3, 13–19
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45 (See Monday), Genesis 22:1–19
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 - Scripture Reading: John 12:36–43
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45 (See Monday), Jeremiah 30:12–22
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018 - Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:4–10
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 19, Exodus 19:1–9a
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 - Scripture Reading: Acts 7:30–40
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 19 (See Thursday, Mar. 01), Exodus 19:9b–15
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 - Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2–8
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 19 (See Thursday, Mar. 01), Exodus 19:16–25
LENTEN SCRIPTURE CLUB DINNERS AT THE PARSONAGE
Janie suggested we gather on Sat.’s at 6pm for a simple meal of soup and salad to discuss our weekly Scripture readings. No need to bring anything, but Janie would like to know if you’re coming! We are meeting at the church because it is much more handicap accessible. Dinners will end the Saturday before Easter (3-31). Hope to see you there! RSVP Jane at (616) 204-2499 (call/text) or email hathjan@icloud.com
ORDER FLOWERS FOR EASTER!
Available to order are: 6” Easter lilies; 6” tulips (6 bulbs per pot) in red, pink, or yellow; or 6” mini-daffodils. Each flower pot is only $8.00. All orders must be paid in full. Order deadline is Sunday, March 18, 2018.
MICHIGAN DISTRICT KID’S PRAISE & TALENT DAY
This event is designed for grades K-6 and is a day dedicated to allowing kids the opportunity to showcase their God-given talents. This is a place where (1) Kids can glorify God through the abilities that He has given them, (2) Kids can see their friends from camp and across the Michigan District, and (3) the kids worship God and have the opportunity to hear from an amazing speaker that they normally would not be able to hear. This will be May 5, 2018 at Portland Church of the Nazarene. Cost = $5 per student, plus $2 for each event they participate in. A taco lunch will be provided for free, but a donation basket will be out to help cover food costs. Registration can be done online or by mail. Michigan District website: www.minaz.org. Registration deadline – April 1, 2018.
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
April 15th service will be at The Lakes Community (Muskegon) at 6 PM
April 22nd service will be at Perry at 6 PM.
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 or order tickets at www.shine.fm.
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.
CRISIS CARE KITS (ending mid-March)
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!
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 Mid-March Crisis Care Kit Collection
Until March 18 Order Easter Flowers
February 28 Wednesday Service @ 6:30 PM
March 3 Lenten Scripture Dinner @ church @ 6 PM
March 4 Mission Sunday @ 5 PM
March 15 3rd Thursday Lunch @ Hibachi Grill off Alpine
March 17 Team Day 8am-4pm at Perry High & Middle School
March 24 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM at church
April 25 & 22 2018 Spring Tour Ignite Services
May 5 Kid’s Praise & Talent Day at Portland Church of the Nazarene
May 27-29 A Moment in Time on Mackinac Island Grand Hotel
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