Dear Friends and Family,
What a wonderful time we had in the Lord, Sunday! It was Father’s
Day and we celebrated our heavenly Father and earthly dads, stepdads,
granddads, and a few gals who serve as mom and dad! A little boy has said,
“Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend as much on the
gift!” While that is not true in my house, it is easy to overlook what dads
mean to us.
What a blessing, then, to hand out a small devotional book and
coffee mug to each dad after the worship service! Didn’t get your gift? Let me
know and I will make sure you get one!
God’s message to us this week was on fatherhood and was titled, ‘A
Father’s Day Toolbox’ from Ephesians 6:1-4. Raising children is no easy task!
It takes hard work and the right tools. While many great tools can be found at
Home Depot (also known as the mall for men) and other places, the tools parents
need to raise kids are found in the Bible, not Menards or Sears!
The letter to the Ephesian Church is filled with lots of great
advice and ‘codes of conduct’ for Christian parents. In c. 6 Paul turns his
attention to parenting. While Roman contemporaries thought nothing of
dominating, disowning and/or killing children, Paul declares Christians ought
to live differently. He wrote, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children;
instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians
6:4).
Tools in a Christian father’s toolbox are not devices for manipulation or control, but training in the ways of Jesus. This means a man needs an adjustable wrench in his toolbox because he realizes all children are different and he needs to be flexible. He needs a level to remind him to be level-headed so as to be a righteous example (Prov. 20:7). He needs shop towels to remind him he also makes messes (Rom. 3:23) and he needs to be an example of grace to his kids. Additional tools include a staple gun and clamp to remind him he needs to hold things together in storms. Storms do strike Christian families and dads need to stay strong. (Hint: it will help a lot if dads are already anchored to the Savior).
Dads must also have cologne in their toolbox. Cologne? Well, maybe
not cologne, but all dads need something to remind them to love, admire, and
respect their wives. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). One of the
greatest gifts a dad can give his children is to demonstrate sacrificial love
to his wife! This means sometimes dads need to give up ‘watching the game’ to
go shopping or to take a walk.
Dads must also have pliers in their toolbox to hold on when
everyone else is losing their grip! Prov. 3:5-6 reminds us where dads are to
latch on to for their wisdom and their understanding. Finally, we find a bible
in a dad’s toolbox. A bible? Yes! If a father is to be fully equipped as a dad
he needs to spend regular time embracing the discipleship essentials of bible
study, prayer, worship and quiet time with God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Do you have a Father’s Day toolbox? Not a dad yet? It is never too
soon to get ready! Kids left home? Trust me, they never stop watching and
listening. They may say they don’t need you anymore, but a Godly example still
impacts kids even after they retire. Never going to be a father? Kids are still
watching! It’s never too early or too late to start your own Father’s Day
toolbox!
This week’s Bible study is titled ‘Using the Bible.’ From the
study: “It is very important that a new Christians establish the habit of
reading the Bible regularly. It is a source of blessing, inspiration, guidance
and truth.” You can always find our Wednesday night Bible Study on the table
outside the sanctuary.
NOTE: Can’t make Wed. night, but still want to do a study? No
problem! Let’s find a time that works for you and complete it together. See if
others would like to join you! Discipleship is too important, so just ask!
Supper House
Outreach is 1 week from today! June 26th
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help serve dinner at
the North End Community Ministry (NECM) Supper House on Tuesday, June 26th. We
need to arrive at St. Alphonsus Church located at 228 Carrier Street no later
than 4:45pm.
Here is the list of those who signed up to help. If you are not on
the list or need to be removed let me know right away!
Gerry Dawson, Janie and Pastor Dan, Theo or Pastor Amy Orban, Pat,
Shannen, and Alannah Parsaca, Irene Pratt, Tracy Tamm, Brittney and Bradlee
Toole.
Volunteers can either meet me in the Church Parking Lot at 4:25
and caravan
over or meet me there. Per Michelle at NECM we need to park in the
parking lot on the corner of Leonard and Lafayette or on Carrier St.
Michelle will train 4:45-5:00. We serve from 5:00 to 6:30 and then
we clean up.
Thanks again for your willingness to reach outside our church
walls with the love of Jesus! Jesus clearly instructed us to care for the least
of these! (Matt. 25:31-40) What a joy to put our hands and feet to this
instruction! You will be blessed!
Blessings!
Pastor Dan
Hello From Pastor Amy/Your Part-Time Church Secretary
My office hours will be
on Tuesdays from 8am-5pm, but if you need to see me, you may want to call
first. My responsibilities also include preparing our weekly program, so if you
have an event that you would like to put in the program or newsletter, please
feel free to contact me!
On Prayer Requests: If you have a specific praise or prayer request
which you would like to appear in the program and/or newsletter, please make
sure to fill out the tear-off sheet in the weekly program, or contact me at any
time.
Please Update Me! We have a long, ongoing list of prayer requests. Please keep me updated. Requests will be pulled from the newsletter & program after 3 weeks. Thank you!
Church Office:616-459-2773 My Contact Info: 616-514-9521 or amyorban@hotmail.com
NEWS & EVENTS
Praise
Team Singers Wanted!
Would you like to sing with Pastor Dan on Sunday
morning? One commented they ‘didn’t know they could join me’ and she was
surprised. Pastor Dan would love to see more folks use their gift of singing
with him on Sundays. All he requires is a humble spirit, a willingness to
attend practice on Wednesday night after bible study and Sunday morning at
9:00am, and a desire to worship God! Interested? Let Pastor Dan know!
World Mission Broadcast Offering—June 24th
– THIS Sunday
World Mission Broadcast takes the Gospel to the world through radio,
television and internet programs. On the air since 1951, World Mission
Broadcast (WMB) reaches even the most remote parts of the world, with words of
hope and holiness... and lives are changed. The cost to support one minute of
WMB airtime is $4.00. That's right. $4.00 to air one minute of the Gospel
somewhere in the world. How many minutes will you support this year? Offering
THIS Sunday.
Leona Atkinson Memorial Donation Thank You
Upon the passing of Leona Atkinson, our longest standing member here at NE Community, we have received generous donations from several of her loved ones in support of our church. Because Leona had a love for missions, your church board has decided to give the $425 to the World Evangelism Fund. A heartfelt thank-you to each one of you for your generous giving!
Ladies
LIFT CHANGE! Next Meeting June 28th!
Our women’s group usually
meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at 4:30pm in the upstairs
of the church outside of the sanctuary. The women meet and share a time of
devotion/Bible study, as well as snacks, good conversation, and crafts/recipe
exchange. If you have not yet attended, you are invited to check us out! All
women need the fellowship of other women, so even if you do not attend our
church we invite you to join us. Bring a friend and come get refreshed by God’s
Word and the company of other women. Questions? Talk to Irene Pratt.
PLEASE
NOTE CHANGE: NEXT MEETING WILL BE JUNE 28TH!!!
Family
Festival at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp – Jun. 30-Jul. 01
Do you have plans for the June 30-July 01
weekend? If not, there is fun, food, and fellowship for all at Indian Lake
Nazarene Camp! Family Festival is typically held on the July 4th weekend, but
changed because the 4th is on a Wednesday. You will find a 5k run/walk, dodge
ball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe tournaments, crafts, wagon rides, a
climbing wall and a zip line and more!
Janie and Pastor Dan will be working at the
information table (near the ball field) on Saturday between 8am-10am (stop by
and say hi!) If you have any questions see Janie or Pastor Dan! Here is a link
to a postcard: http://www.nazcamp.org/Special%20Events%20Info/20120107%20FAMILY%20FESTIVAL%20POST%20CARD%20LG%202012.pdf
Kids Camp at Indian Lake
Indian Lake offers a camp week for boys and girls from 3rd to 5th grade.
This is an awesome opportunity for our children! Our church is offering
financial assistance if you are interested in sending your child. The
deadline for registration is July 1st, so see Pastor Dan soon. Also, Youth
Camp is also available for grades 6-12. The registration deadline was June 1st,
but you can still register with a late fee!
July Cancellations!
Because July is a busy month due to summer and events at Indian Lake
Nazarene Camp, we have several dates for you to note changes:
July 4th: Wednesday Family Night cancelled
July 5th: Ladies LIFT cancelled
July 11th: Wednesday Family Night cancelle
No July Children’s Program!
In addition to other July cancellations, we will NOT be holding any
Wednesday Night Program for children. The children’s program will pick up at
it’s usual time on the first Wednesday in August at 6:30pm.
Family Camp Week at Indian Lake – You are Invited!
There
is fun, food, and fellowship for everyone this summer at Indian Lake Nazarene
Camp. If you don’t already know this, Pastor Dan and Janie have cabins at
Indian Lake and invite everyone to come down and check it out. Below are a few
events we have planned during
the week of Family Camp.
Sunday 7/8 – 5:30-6:30pm Potluck before the ordination service!
Pastor Dan and Janie will provide hamburgers and hotdogs grilled to near
perfection, lemonade and coffee, and paper plates, napkins, cups, and
silverware. You bring a dish to pass! Then, stay and attend the Ordination
Worship Service at 7:00pm (typically ends at 9:00pm).
Wednesday 7/11 – 8:30-9:30pm Free Ice Cream AFTER the 7:00pm
service. Come to church at 7:00pm and receive a free coupon for ice cream from
Pastor Dan at the Indian Lake Snack Bar when the worship service ends!
Sunday 7/15 – 1:30-3:00pm - Potluck before the final service of Family Camp
Meeting! Pastor Dan and Janie will provide brats and chicken breasts grilled to
near perfection, lemonade and coffee, and paper plates, napkins, cups, and
silverware. You bring a dish to pass! Then, stay for the final worship service
at Camp Meeting at 4:00pm.
If you have questions,
please don’t hesitate to ask Janie or Pastor Dan!
New Website Coming!
We have launched our new website!
Here is the link:
Please take the time to check it out, and
understand that the site will be under construction as we build it up and get
used to the new software. Please send any input or ideas to amyorban@hotmail.com. IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED in helping keep our website updated, Amy would love the help of someone
who is more adept at using technology, so let her know!
Do
We Have Your Contact Info?
It is once again time for us to update our
directories. If we do not have your contact information, or if there have been
changes, please let us know! You can also receive our newsletter every week via
email. Please email or give your information to Gerry Dawson or Amy Orban.
Children’s Program
In addition to the weekly Children’s Church we have added
two new programs for our Children!
At 10:00am on Sundays during our Sunday School hour, we now
have a Children’s Reading time.
During this 45 minute period before church we will be reading about
missionaries from the Church of the Nazarene. We have a series of 6 books that
will be read. These books will be read aloud by adults from the church.
Children who attend regularly and listen to all 6 books will be treated to
lunch at Chuckie Cheese! We will complete the readings by the end of May.
On Wednesday nights @ 6:30pm Pat and Shannen Parsaca have
started the Caravan program, which is
a scouting, or kids’ club, type of program. All children grades K – 6 are
welcome!
In Children’s Church we have started a “Children Helping Children” program. This will be part of the semi-annual
Alabaster Offering. Each child will have a box of their own. Every week they
attend Children’s Church a quarter will be added to their box. In addition they
may bring an offering to put in the box. All Alabaster Offerings are used to
buy property and build schools and churches on the mission field. The Children
will be able to march with their boxes on Alabaster box Sundays. We hope to see
your children on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you have any questions please ask Cherry
Pakiela or Gerry Dawson!
Want to help, but not sure
how?
If
you are wondering where to plug in, but are not sure how, we have
opportunities. Current opportunities include a soundboard worker, nursery
helpers, childrens workers, potluck coordinators, visiting our shut-ins, greeters
and ushers, visitor follow-ups, Sunday School teachers, music leaders, people
willing to shovel snow in the winter, and much more. It doesn’t matter how long
you have been attending our church, serving is a great way to honor God and get
to know the people around you! If you sense a call to a specific area or need
some ideas to pray about, please contact Amy Orban or Cherry Pakiela or Irene
Pratt.
Indian
Lake Nazarene Camp – Summer 2012 is coming!
Summer 2012 is
just around the corner! Indian Lake has all kinds of upcoming events, so get
ready. For those of you who don’t know, Indian Lake is a Nazarene campground in
Vicksburg, MI where people from all over our district gather. They have camp
and activities for everyone, including families and children. Pastor Dan and
Janie have two cabins on Indian Lake, and always invite everyone down to visit!
We will be publishing more information on camp week in July and other events as
they become available. Here are a few things so far:
June 18-21: Middle School Camps
June 25-29: High School Camps
June 30-July 1: Family Festival
Weekend, activities, parade, & more.
July 7-14: Convention Week
July 16-20: Boys Camp
July 30-Aug 3: Girls Camp
Note: If you have
a child interested in attending camp, please talk to Pastor Dan or Amy Orban!
We do have people in our church willing to help sponsor children going to camp
even if you cannot afford it! We believe any child should be able to have this
wonderful opportunity.
There are fliers
posted on the bulletin board outside of the sanctuary if you would like more
information, or you can also talk to the experts, Pastor Dan and Janie. You can
also see the camp’s website at www.nazcamp.org
Upcoming Events
June 26 NECM Supper House Volunteer Night
June 27 Wednesday Night Dinner @ 5:30pm,
Regular Family Night to Follow
June 28 Ladies LIFT meets @ 4:30pm
June
30/July1 Family Camp Weekend at Indian
Lake Nazarene Camp
July 4 NO Wednesday Family Night
July 5 NO Ladies LIFT
July 6 First Friday Chinese Lunch @
11:30am, Empire Buffet Alpine
July
7-14 Convention Week at Indian
Lake Nazarene Camp
July
9-15 Pastor Dan vacation week
July 11 NO Wednesday Family Night
July 15
Reverend Christopher visits
Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene
Church - 616.459.2773 Parsonage
- 616.459.0402 Pastor Dan Cell - 616.204.1153
Pastor Amy Orban – 616.514.9521
Other Contact Numbers:
Julie Orban: Weds Night Dinner Coordinator 616-890-5550
Tracy Tamm First Friday Chinese Lunch 616-406-9602
Irene Pratt Ladies LIFT 616-949-4679
Gerry Dawson Sunday School/Children’s Church 616-863-6808
Cherry Pakiela Sunday School/Children’s Church 616-916-7595
Pat & Shannen Parsaca Weds Night Children’s Program 616-272-6021
Theo Orban Weds Night Youth Group 616-890-4045
Larry Branagan Trustee 616-538-8765
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” -C. S. Lewis
June Worker Schedules
Nursery
June 24 SS
– Janie Hathaway & Liz Bowman
Worship – Tracy Tamm
& Brittney Toole
Counters
June 23 – Larry & Dick
Announcements
June 24 – Irene Pratt
July Worker Schedules
Nursery
July 1 SS – Janie Hathaway & Jean
Christoffersen
Worship
– Anna Boeve & Valda Einis
July 8 SS-
Janie Hathaway & Emily Morse
Worship
– Britney Toole & Alannah Parsaca
July 15 SS-
Janie Hathaway & Barb Buning
Worship
– Anna Boeve & Morgan Parsaca
July 22 SS
– Janie Hathaway & Liz Bowman
Worship
– Mary Danks & Alannah Parsaca
July 19 SS
–Janie Hathaway & Shannen Parsaca
Worship
– Lindsey Wright & Tracy Tamm
Counters
July 1 – Pat & Dick
July 8 – Terry & Jerry
July 15 – Dick & Larry
July 22 – Jerry & Pat
July 29 – Larry & Terry
Announcements
July 1 – Pat Parsaca
July 8 – Shannen Parsaca
July 15 – Mike Braun
July 22 – Joan Grinwis
July 29 – Alannah Parsaca
Reflections from Pastor Amy
Weekly thoughts, life-lessons, and reflections from a redeemed child of God,
a woman, a mother, a wife, a sinner under the Cross of Jesus Christ, and a Pastor-in-training.
June 19, 2012
Bouncy Ball vs. Servant
A friend gave little Theo a bouncy ball as a gift. It is small, small enough to fit perfectly inside of either child’s mouth and make them choke – small enough to make me nervous. As mom, I am the constant force of no that’s not safe, no he’ll put it in his mouth, no he doesn’t need the sugar, no he needs to take a nap, no it’s bedtime, no he has already had two juice boxes today so it’s time for milk instead. That’s my job, but experience is teaching me that I can’t keep him in a bubble…and no matter how I try, they can and will get hurt randomly – like the time little Theo tripped over his own feet in the middle of the kitchen, smacked his face on the floor and had a mouth full of blood. There is only so much you can prevent, but I still won’t be letting him shoot off fireworks (or guns, dad) anytime soon.
So he loves the bouncy ball, and when I need something special to keep his attention or ward off a boredom meltdown, I let him to throw it at the walls and watch it bounce from one end of the house to other. He laughs and chases it and inevitably has us moving furniture and crawling in tight spaces, discovering unwanted blobs of dust and fermenting sippy-cups, to find it so he can throw it just one more time.
In a busy week, it occurred to me that I often feel like a bouncy ball. Like maybe God is up there with a Divine Sling Shot, and he places me in it, and sends me flying, watching to see how much grace I have while I bounce off of all the people, places, and situations I come into contact with.
Is this really what you want for me Lord? Does most everyone feel this way? Always feeling like there is not enough time in the day? Always feeling like I’m cheating someone or skimping on a task only to hurry up and cheat and skimp in another area? Ending the day with the guilt of what I didn’t get done and the anxiety of doing better tomorrow, instead of resting in your presence?
The truth is that life is busy. There are a lot of things that are not negotiable. My husband must work to provide for us. Nurturing our children must be a top priority. We have made commitments to this church because our hearts are here and we believe God has called us to it. So other than packing up and moving into wilderness to live alone, which is tempting, but not God’s plan for us at this point, THIS is life. And let’s face it - even if we did move somewhere isolated, I would still find 1,000 things to do every day, from picking berries to learning how to cook with firewood to making diapers out of leaves. Wherever you go, there you are.
So like always, the problem is not external circumstances. The problem lies within my perception and within my self. As I was praying over these feelings this week, I was telling God all about the pressure and how tired I was. Lord I love my kids but sometimes they just need so much! Lord I treasure my husband but sometimes I don’t have energy to cook dinners and pack his lunch every night! Lord I’m so behind on housework it just isn’t a priority lately! Lord I love and treasure my friends but it’s so hard to make enough time to really show them I care! Lord I am convinced that you have called me into this ministry but how can I possible squeeze all of this together without going crazy? I am a mother of two babies, I am a wife, I am a homemaker, I am a board member, I am a friend to many, I am a church secretary, I am soon to be a student…
At this point, a soft voice floated through my self-centered tirade …I am a servant of all…
The ranting ceased. In the most simple of ways God can totally flip my perspective. It is so easy to become convinced that the world revolves around me. And it’s often subtle – I can serve others and get the right things done, but all the while good old self is creeping in, sucking the life out of me, using up needed energy by planting seeds of resentment and entitlement into my soil. God rip them out before they sprout!
The Bible is clear that as Christians we are to die to self, take up our cross, follow Christ, and in doing so have servant hearts. (Luke 9:23). He has showered us with “grace upon grace” (John 1:16), and Paul says that our spiritual (also translated reasonable) response is to give our entire self to God, and let Him change us. We offer not only our actions up to him, but also our internal strife, our very hearts, for him to mold like clay into what we should be (Romans 12:1-2).
I am a servant to all…take up my cross…follow Jesus. Think about what a tall order this really is. Our cross is simply whatever is in front of us at this point in time. Our cross is living our lives, in every detail, in a way that is obedient to God, no matter the sacrifice or discomfort. Our cross is loving people even when we are exhausted and at the end of ourselves. Our cross is living as servants in a world that typically doesn’t care. Our cross is seeing it and calling it sin when our heart doesn’t match our actions, or when both don’t match Jesus’ commands.
It is the spiraling of the nasty inner self-life that makes me feel like a bouncy ball, and I fail Jesus each time I let it continue to spiral without bringing it straight to Him to deal with. My eyes are either on ME or on HIM, because He asks for my all.I am the bouncy ball, He is the green pastures and still waters. Isn’t it great to know that He does the work in us, when we bring ourselves to Him? If we take his words seriously, then his standard is high, but his grace is enough. I am so grateful He is still working on me and I am covered by His grace.
This week, are your eyes on YOU or on HIM? It cannot be both, you can serve You or you can serve Him. My prayer is that the soft reminder continues to stay with me - I am a servant of all, no matter what I am doing – cooking, cleaning, writing, worshipping, changing dirty diapers, watering my flowers, lending a listening ear, loving the people around me whom God has called me to love. All in His strength.
With love, Pastor Amy Orban Phone:616-514-9521 Email: amyorban@hotmail.com
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