Northeast Community News – November 12, 2013
Dear friends and family,
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! God’s message this week came from Psalm 107:1-32 and was titled, “Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness.” As we move from the inward fruit of love, joy, and peace and explore the outward fruit of patience, kindness, and goodness, we discover the Fruit of the Spirit not only benefits us; it challenges us to take the Fruit of the Spirit into the pagan surrounding us that so desperately needs it!
In Psalm 107 we find a 4-step pattern that repeats itself 4 times: 1) the people are lost and are in need, 2) the people cry out, 3) God hears their cries, draws them back and provides for them, 4) and they give thanks for all God has done!
While the Psalmist declares some Israelites were lost in the desert wastelands (v. 4), some as prisoners in darkest and deepest gloom (v. 10), some as fools through their rebellion (v. 17), and some in ships at sea (v. 23), all were separated from God. To be lost, is to be separated from God. For us, it means we do not have a relationship with Christ. This Psalm teaches us there is more than one way to get lost. Are you lost? Are you separated from God? You are if you do not have a relationship with Christ.
The good news of this Psalm is that God knew where they were, heard their cries, and every time rescued them! Why? Is it because they did something right? Absolutely not! God saved them because He is loving, and gracious, and good! The good news is God knows where you are lost, too, and He has sent Jesus to save you not because you deserve it, but because He is loving, graceful, and good to you, too!
Finally, this Psalm demonstrates the appropriate response to all God has done! In all 4 examples, regardless of how or where they were lost or the needs God provided them, they said: Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men (Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, and 31). In this response we find genuine thankfulness and a witness to those surrounding them. Not only can we study God’s goodness in our Bibles and receive God’s goodness in Jesus, but when we yield our lives to the Holy Spirit, we are able to reflect God’s goodness to others with our thankfulness and witness, too!
How often should we reflect God’s goodness? John Wesley wrote, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” Amen!
WED. NIGHT PRAYER MEETING AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY AT6:30PM
We changed our format! While we still examine God’s Word, we are now singing and praying first to give us enough time to pray! Sometimes this means we need two weeks to finish a lesson and that is ok! This week we continue to examine goodness in Psalm 107:1-32 as we continue our Fruit of the Spirit study. Hope to see you there!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
Hello from Pastor Amy, your Associate Pastor/Administrative Secretary
My office hours vary on Tuesdays, so 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, or a prayer request to publish, please contact me!
Also, we have a long, ongoing list of prayer requests. Please keep me updated. Requests will be pulled from the newsletter & program after three weeks. My Contact Info: 616-514-9521 or aorban@nnu.edu
NEWS AND EVENTS
Wednesday Night Potluck Dinner – Holiday date changes
Our Wednesday Night potluck dinners usually take place on the LAST Wednesday of every month before Bible study. For the months of November and December, these dates fall on the holidays. So we are changing the dates! Please make note that for November, the dinner will be at 5:30pm on WedsNovember 20th. In December, the dinner will be on Wednesday December 18th@ 5:30pm. Talk to Julie O. with questions or to help.
Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation
Everyone is invited to join Pastor Dan and Janie for a Thanksgiving meal at noonon Thanksgiving Day. We know that not everyone has family to be with for this holiday, so please know you have a place with us here! If you want to come,please RSVP no later than Nov 24 to: Pastor Dan 616.204.1153,hathdan@me.com Janie 616.204.2499 allsmiles@comcast.net
Our Teens are FUNDRAISING!
In an effort to raise money for summer camp at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp, our teens are selling World’s Finest Chocolate Bars. They have a variety of flavors, and the bars are $1 each. They are selling them on Wednesday nights, as well as after service on Sunday. This is a great way to support our teens and help them get to summer camp! Talk to Pastor Amy if you have any questions, or see Kamrie and Alannah to buy!
New Membership Class Coming!
Pastor Dan is planning a class for those who are interested in membership at our church, or for those who simply want to learn more about the church of the Nazarene and what we believe. The class will be made up of four sessions and will tentatively take place on the Sundays of November 24, December 1,December 8, and December 15. Please talk to Pastor Dan if you are interested so that he can order materials.
November Blanket Drive for Mel Trotter! Coats too!
During the month of November, we are holding our third annual Blanket Drive for Mel Trotter mission. Three years ago we learned that the mission is often in need of blankets, and many of their people end up sleeping on beds without blankets during these cold months. So bring your new or gently used blankets in and add them to the pile in the back of the sanctuary. This year we are also collecting gently used and new coats to donate with our blankets! Talk to Janie with questions. Our goal is 65 blankets/50 coats!
Blanket Total so far: 20 blankets Coat Total so far: 3 coats
TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER MEETINGS 9AM-10AM
Come pray with us on Tuesday mornings! Everyone is invited to join us for an hour of prayer. We all know many who need Jesus, and many who have other needs. We believe that prayer really does change things, and God really does love the world – especially those who don’t know Jesus yet! Who could you be praying for? It is a midweek blessing and encouragement to join with other believers in prayer! See you Tuesday!
Upcoming Events
November 20 Wednesday Night Potluck Dinner @ 5:30pm, Bible study follows
November 24 New Membership Class Begins
November 24 RSVP Deadline for Thanksgiving Dinner (RSVP to Janie/Pastor D.)
November 28 Thanksgiving Day Dinner at Noon at the church
December 01 Communion Sunday/ NO Children’s Church
December 06 First Friday Chinese lunch, 11:30am @ Hibachi Alpine
December 08 NE Community Potluck follows morning worship
December 18 Wednesday Night Potluck Dinner @ 5:30pm, Bible study follows
December 24 Christmas Eve Service @ 6pm
December 25 No Wednesday Night Bible Study – Merry Christmas!
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