Northeast Community News – July 2, 2013
Dear Friends and Family,
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! After a challenging Sunday school hour we sang Irene Pratt happy birthday, Janie challenged us to support missions, and we sang our praises and prayed together as a community of faith! God is so good!
In just a few days we will celebrate, as a nation, Independence Day. For Americans, it is often a day filled with picnics and fireworks, but should also be a day that reminds us how fortunate we all are to be American. Our founding fathers and mothers came from a religiously repressive environment and sought and won the freedom we enjoy!
Our culture reminds us of this every day! From our money that declares, “In God We Trust,” to a Declaration of Independence that reminds us we were “created” to a Pledge of Allegiance that includes, “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Those who formed our nation knew oppression so they formed and fought for a nation under God, not above God, in spite of God, make up your own God, or deny God!
But, if we were honest, some of us are not really free! Some of us continue to rationalize our bondage and slavery instead. God’s message to us this week was titled, “The Truth Will Set You Free” and came from John 8:31-36. In this passage Jesus is talking to some Jewish believers who were new to the Christian faith about how to be truly free.
In v. 31 He begins by telling them if they want to be free, they need to not only believe in Him and know His teaching, they needed to hold to it – they needed to do it! If we want to be free we need to begin by learning Jesus teaching and then doing it! Jesus declares in v. 32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Are you ready for the truth or are you tempted to reject or rationalize it?
Well, some of the Jewish Christians wanted to reject the truth, too! In v. 33 they tell Jesus they had never been slaves, but anyone with even a little bit of Old Testament knowledge knew the Jews were in and out of slavery throughout their history! The second part of truly being free is to stop rationalizing your sin! While the Holy Spirit is trying to lead you to freedom, the Evil One tells you the lies you desperately want to hang on to and believe! If the Holy Spirit tells you it is wrong – it is wrong – period!
Jesus gives us a test regarding whether something is a sin. In effect He asks, “who is the master and who is the slave” in v. 34. The Message puts it this way:
Jesus said, ‘I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave” (John 8:34).
But the Good News is Jesus doesn’t just condemn us and leave us slaves! Jesus doesn’t just leave us in our bondage under a heavy yoke without the possibility of freedom; He provides a way out – Himself! If you are ready to be free – truly free – start by humbling yourself and believing the unvarnished ugly truth, confess your sin, and then ask the Holy Spirit to come cleanse you, empower you, and set you free! Jesus declared: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36). Amen! Hallelujah!
WED. NIGHT ADULT BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30PM
Yes, we are going to have a midweek bible study and prayer meeting on July 3rd! We are currently studying a little book on Christian Community and this week’s study is titled, “Everyone’s Involved.” Join us Wed. night at 6:30pm to learn about getting involved!
Healthy Living! It is a way of life as Holiness People!
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive…So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:23, 31).
Everything we do or do not do can bring honor or dishonor to God and be constructive or destructive to the temple of the Holy Spirit! With that said, we plan to bring a variety of articles, thoughts, and opportunities to keep the temple holy and honor God!
Margin! Marginless Living! Margin in Physical Energy!
In his book Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, Richard A. Swenson, M.D., a Christian doctor, sees a steady stream of exhausted, hurting people. The majority suffers from an uncontrolled societal epidemic he calls living without margin. This week we will examine margin in physical energy!
Dr. Swenson writes, “A large portion of Americans are sadly out of shape and have diminished physical energy reserves because of poor conditioning… Lacking margin in physical energy [leaves us] feel[ing] under-rested and overwhelmed. With no strength left for our own needs, let alone the needs of others, we put our tiredness to bed hopingtomorrow will be a stronger day” (p. 121). Swenson cites a CDC study estimating 50% of all deaths are significantly shortened due to bad habits and lifestyle choices! Ouch!
He argues maximum body strength and the ability to manage stress today requires three factors: proper rest, proper exercise, and proper quantities and types of foods that allow the body to maintain its energy reserves. The lack of sleep, obesity, lack of exercise, and improper nutrition contribute to fatigue, insomnia, and early death.
The good news, declares Dr. Swenson, is the body can bounce back; God designed it this way! But, not without some cooperation from its owner!
The doctor offers 28 prescriptions to restore margin in our physical energy. I will only list about 15 of them here by name! If you would like more information let me know!
1. Take Personal Responsibility 2) Value Sleep 3) Take a nap
4. Decrease fat intake 5) Decrease sugar intake 6) Avoid overeating
7. Reduce processed foods 8) Drink a lot of water 9) Avoid eating out
10) Exercise for the heart 11) Exercise for muscle 12) Exercise for flexibility
13) bike or walk
If you’re feeling physically overwhelmed right now know first of all you’re not alone! I was there! We’ve all been there! Just try to gain some margin by trying one or two of these strategies! Finally, remember to pray! God is still listening and answering! Amen!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
Hello from Pastor Amy, your Associate Pastor/Administrative Secretary
My office hours will vary every Tuesday, and if you need to see me, just call! 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 three weeks.
Church Office: 616-459-2773 My Contact Info: 616-514-9521 or aorban@nnu.edu
NEWS AND EVENTS
Pastor Dan and Janie’s Family Camp Schedule
Please note that Pastor Dan and Janie will leave for Indian Lake this Thursday, July 4th. They will return Saturday, July 6th, and will be here for service on Sunday July 7th. Pastor Dan will be available via phone during this time. Then, they will be at Indian Lake for Family camp week, and Reverend Chris Christopher will be preaching on Sunday July 14th. Both Pastor Dan and Pastor Amy will be available via phone during camp week, but will not be in Grand Rapids.
YOU are Invited to Camp!
Everyone, everyone (yes everyone) is invited to come down to Indian Lake for Family Festival (July 4-6) and Family Camp week (July 7-14). Family Festival is made up of fun filled days with activities for all ages, including a 5k walk, other sports, water slides and rides, animal show, crafts, swimming, ponies, pontoon boat rides, a climbing wall and zip line, an outdoor movie and more! Family Camp week includes our District Assembly and conventions, and twice daily powerful worship services in the tabernacle, plus prayer meeting, morning Bible studies and more. Indian Lake is located in Vicksburg, Michigan. Pastor Dan and Janie have two cabins on property at the campground, and many others from our church will also be at the campground for the week in tents and campers. You can comeWednesday, or you can come any day! This is a great week of spiritual renewal and fellowship with other Nazarenes from our district. If you are interested talk to Pastor Dan or Pastor Amy.
Adult Alternative Sunday School – Two Week Break!
For the next two weeks while Pastor Amy and Theo and many others are at Indian Lake, the adult Sunday school class will be joining the other adult class upstairs. We will pick up our new book on Sunday July 21st with the chapter titled “Religion and Politics,” so make sure to read all the way through chapter 9. It is not too late to join us in our new book titled “A Charitable Discourse” by Dan Boone. Talk to Pastor Amy to get a book!
First Friday Chinese Lunch – July 05
This Friday is our first Friday of the month Chinese lunch. Everyone is invited to meet at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine located behind the Target at 11:30am. The food is cheap and delicious! Everyone is welcome, bring a friend, and join us for food and fellowship! Talk to Tracy Tamm with questions.
Jonathan Gingrich is going to Germany!
Jonathan is a Calvin student who was with us for the year, and he is heading to Germany this summer. Will you pray for his travel and his time there? Will you check out his blog?
Here are some details from him:
I come to Grand Rapids on the evening of July 7th. We have a week of classes in Grand Rapids and leave that Friday (July 12) for Berlin, so prayers for travel would be very nice. We have classes Monday-Thursday every week and either have Friday through Sundayfree, or we go on a group trip together. On the 19th we are going to Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp just north of Berlin, so that should be a pretty somber experience. The week after we are taking the entire weekend and going down to the southwest, to Heidelberg, and then coming back to worship in Luther's church in Wittenberg.
We're going to try and find a race or two to run while we are in Germany, which should be a very exciting experience, as I've never run a race outside of the midwest, much less outside of the county, but we're having trouble finding a good race with competition to run against. My friend and I have to leave the program a week early to come back August 17thfor cross country camp. I also went ahead and created my blog for the trip http://grinchingermany.
Indian Lake Paint Project – will you help?
Irene Pratt is leading an effort to repaint part of the Indian Lake Nazarene Camp Tabernacle. So many of us cherish the experiences we have had at ILNC over the years, and we want to help take care of this wonderful place which is truly a gift from God. While this might seem like an enormous project for our little church, we believe that God has called us to make it happen, and He will provide a way! We still need $400, but money is not the only way to give! Irene is also asking people to come down to the camp to do the actual work. If you are willing to get on board, contact Irene!
Attention Teens – Summer Youth Group has begun!
We have kicked off our summer youth group, and we want all teens to know that they are invited to join us on Wednesday nights. For the summer we will be studying lessons about missions, and so far they have been great lessons. We also have pizza parties, work on painting the youth room, and pray for each other. If you are a teen or know a teen, won’t you join us? Talk to Theo Orban or Pastor Amy.
You can send mail to Larry! Please note new address!
Most of you know that Larry Terhaar is currently in prison. We received his new address. It is important that he hears from his church family! Don’t forget, we even have church postcards that you can use, just ask Pastor Dan for one! Here is Larry’s new address:
Larry TerHaar # 866962
c/o Marquette Branch Facility
1960 U.S. Highway 41 South
Marquette, MI 49855
40 Days of Prayer for Camp Meeting Started May 29
The District Office has put together a 40-day prayer guide leading up to Camp Meeting this summer at Indian Lake. Copies of the prayer guide are available on the table outside the sanctuary. Would you make intercession a part of your daily prayer life from May 29 thru July 7? Bless you in advance for taking the time to pray for our District and Camp Meeting! God is good!
Attention Children and Youth! Do You Want to go to Camp?
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp is located in Vicksburg, MI, and is a place where Nazarenes from throughout Michigan join together everyone summer for camp. Many who spent their childhood and teen years at summer camp will agree that camp is not only a lot of fun, but can be life-changing! This year, Indian Lake is offering a special promotion! If we get three new campers to attend, the fourth goes for free! Registration for camp has already begun and we are running out of time! We already had three teens register!
Please note that your church board feels strongly about making sure children and teens who want to go to camp can go! Therefore, scholarships are available to help cover expenses if needed. You can see the bulletin boards, the tables outside of the sanctuary, or Pastor Dan or Pastor Amy if you are interested and want more information! You can also go to the website: www.ilnccamps.org, or call 269.649.228. The dates for different ages and camps can be found below:
CHILDREN AND YOUTH CAMPS!
Discovery Camp (grades 1-2-3): July 1-3
Boys & Girls Camp (Grades 3-4-5): July 29-August 2
Middle School Camp (Grades 6-7-8): July 18-22
High School Camp (Grades 9-12): July 14-18
Postcard Greetings Now Available
Don’t forget, we have NE Community postcards and they are available to anyone who would like to send them to invite, encourage, miss, or welcome someone to the church! Interested? See a Sunday school teacher or Pastor Amy or Dan.
Upcoming Events
July 4-6 Family Festival at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
July 5 First Friday Chinese Lunch @ 11:30am, Hibachi Alpine
July 7 Family Church/Communion Sunday – NO Children’s Church
July 7-14 Family Camp/District Assembly at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
July 14 Reverend Chris Christopher visits
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