Dear Friends and Family!
We had a wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Last week we placed our new invitation card called, “A Church For Everyone” in each program (bulletin) and asked you to do one thing: hand it out.
So, have you handed it out yet? Why not? We have 500 cards – that is 500 opportunities to make an eternal difference in someone’s life by introducing them to Jesus and His Church! The back of the card reads:
“If you’ve never been to church, or it’s been awhile, you might be surprised when you visit Northeast Community Church! We are a loving, welcoming church who loves God and others! Think of us as a hospital who welcomes hurting, broken, and searching people with open arms. Come and see what Jesus meant the Church to be.”
My prayer is each of you will hand out at least one card. Remember, your job isn’t to make them come to church or get saved – that’s work only the Holy Spirit can accomplish! Your work is to simply warmly and lovingly invite them and trust God to do the rest! Let’s love God and others!
God’s message this week came from John 6:51-58 and was titled, “Take This Bread.” In v. 51 we read: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).
Here Jesus isn’t simply saying He’s the fulfillment of the bread given to the Israelites as they wandered in the desert; but He is God. While God provided manna in the desert for 40 years, Jesus had come from heaven to satisfy their hunger forever! And all God’s people said, Amen!
Except… all God’s people didn’t say Amen! Look at v. 52: “Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (v. 52). In v. 53 Jesus speaks even more graphically and the Jews are repulsed! In declaring they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life Jesus is describing an intimate relationship where we hunger for Him in the same way we hunger for meat and potatoes (or veggies for our vegans!)
In verse 60 we read, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" (v. 60). Hard teaching indeed! I’ve met many ‘Christians’ who aren’t that hungry for Jesus. Like the Jews Jesus spoke with, they want eternal life, but to place Jesus at the center of their life is simply ‘asking too much.’ But, sadly they’ve missed an offer to really live! Oh, if we could see when Jesus is the center of our life; when we develop a deep hunger for Jesus; we’ll finally find everything we’ve searched for!
Dear Ones! It’s time to go beyond knowing Jesus as our Savior and live a life of holiness of heart and life! Hunger, thirst, yield, and abiding in Him. It’s time to yield ourselves fully to His Lordship with hearts cleansed and made pure. If you will, you’ll discover what few ever find: an eternal life filled with joy, peace and abundant life!
Blessings Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
MISSIONS NIGHT – AUGUST 22
After enjoying a good evening meal at 5:30, join us for an education about what is going on in the missions field at 6:30 PM.
TRAINING SESSION FOR ALL CHILDREN’S WORKERS
On Saturday, September 8, at 10:30 AM, there is a training session for all teachers, helpers, and nursery workers. We will learn how to better serve our children. After the meeting, we will have pizza and a time of fellowship. There will be a sign up at the back of the church. (Children’s Church will begin again on Sunday, Sept. 9th) See Mary W with any questions.
CHURCH WORK DAY – SEPT 22ND
Meet at the church at 9 AM and help our church and property look a little bit better. See Larry with any questions.
SCHOOL PAL PAKS
It is time to gather school supplies for children around the world who cannot afford the basic supplies necessary to go back to school. Our goal is to get 20 paks! If you don’t like to shop, just put a contribution in the offering and mark it “Pal-Pak” or give it to Fran or Sherry. We will be collecting school items through September. These items are needed:
· 2 Composition Notebooks (Mead) no larger than 9-3/4 x 7-1/2 (not spiral bound)
· 1 package of #2 pencils (10-12 pencils)
· 1 package of black pens (10-12 pens)
· 2 pink erasers, 2-3 inches long
· 2 rulers (6” or 12” with metric measurements)
· 1 package of colored pencils (12-15)
· 1 pair blunt-nosed scissors
· 1 hand-held pencil sharpener
RENUCCHI HOUSE BREAKFAST!
Once again, the ladies, and any men that want to, will be bringing breakfast to be served at Renucchi House. This is a place where family can stay while they support their loved ones at Butterworth Hospital. We will be going September 22 from 8 am to 11 am (serving from 9-10 am). We will meet at the church and car pool there.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER THIS WEEK
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:15 pm (before Bible study). Volunteers are needed to make main dishes, side dishes, or desserts. Please contact Cherry with any questions.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
Some take a ‘Nazarene Nap’ Sun. afternoon; others ride their bikes and enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and each other’s company! Just grab a quick lunch and nap and join us in Belmont for a relaxing Sunday afternoon bike ride! Nobody will get left behind! We will have a lot of fun! This is a great family event to invite a friend to, too! Need a bike or a tune up on your old bike? We can help! Just let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested! He’s got all the tools needed for minor repairs, too!
What: Weekly Bike Rides; Time: 2:30pm until aprox. 4:30pm; Cost: Free!
Where: From Rogue River Park in Belmont to Rockford on the paved White Pine Trail (9 miles). Rogue River Park is located at 6300 Belmont Ave NE – Belmont, MI 49306
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
August 22 Missions Night @ 6:30 PM at church
August 26 Sunday afternoon bike rides begin @ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park
Sept. 8 Children’s workers training session 10:30 AM @ church
Sept. 8 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM
Sept. 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
Sept. 22 Church Work Day @ 9 AM
Sept. 22 Renucchi House Breakfast being served
