Northeast Community News – February 10, 2014
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! In addition to the wonderful time of discipleship, prayer, and worship, we had our every other month Community Potluck and share lots of fun, food, and fellowship! While Pastor Amy and Theo’s kielbasa was noticeably missing (sigh), others more than made up for this loss with lots of good food! We were surely blessed with fun, food, and fellowship! Perhaps the message I found for Dean to put out front summarized it best: “God’s Love is Deeper than this Snow.” Surely God’s love was evident on each face and in our hands and feet, too! Praise God! Amen!
Perhaps it is just coincidence (which I struggle to believe!), but God’s message this week was titled “A New Commandment” and came from John 13:31-35. In one of His final private conversations with His disciples, Jesus declares: “A New command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
First, regardless of the fact his followers had known the great Shema (the central prayer in the Jewish prayer book) since childhood which declared, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:4-5) and Jesus had ‘answered correctly’ the debating teachers of the Law with the Shema plus ‘mind’ and ‘love for neighbor’ in His answer to them found in Mark 12:28b-30, the love Jesus commanded was ‘new!’
What was new? They were to “Love one another. As I [Jesus] have loved you.” Love, the way Jesus commanded them to love, could be found in His example! In Jesus, we find love washes feet (John 13:1-17), love finds value in the discarded (Luke 10:25-37), and love has no limit (think His arrest, scourging, and crucifixion). In Jesus we find love is generous, extravagant, and willing to pay ‘whatever it costs’ even death of a cross!
But Jesus’ command does not simply redefine love and provide endless examples; His command invites us to join Him! Jesus wants you to love God for sure, but He wants you to love family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and perfect strangers like He did, too! Let your love be generous, sacrificial, and extravagant! Jesus said, “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Let it be so! Amen!
NEWS AND EVENTS
WED. NIGHT PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30 PM – JESUS IS LORD!
This week we will examine Jesus is Lord: A New Commandment! Please read chapter 5 of the book, “Jesus is Lord.” Our youth and children will also be taking part in this study in Children’s Church and Youth Group! Hope to see you there!
NEXT ALABASTER OFFERING IS THIS WEEK! FEB. 16!
Our next Alabaster Offering will take place THIS SUNDAY! This is an offering taken up twice a year and every penny of the proceeds goes directly to the mission field to purchase land and buildings. While we regularly march forward with our pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, gold, silver, cash, and checks are welcomed, too!
MISSIONARY SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE - FEB. 16 at 4:00 PM
Do you like missions? Do you like cookies? If you answered YES then you will want to come to our great experiment: an evening Missionary Gathering at 4 pm on Sun., Feb. 16th at the parsonage (883 Fuller Ave NE)! Bring a friend and plan to learn and laugh! If you have any questions, see Janie or email her at: allsmiles@comcast.net
TEAM DAY 2014 – SAT., MAR. 08 (Deadline to Register is Feb. 16th)
All 3 Michigan Districts have joined for one big day of inspiration, information and training at Perry High and Middle Schools between 8:00 am–3:50 pm. There will be workshops on General Leadership, Worship and Technology, Missions, Discipleship, and Children’s and Youth Ministries. The cost is $35 and you must register before Feb. 16th (no late registration is accepted). Need more info? Grab a brochure, or check out this link! http://www.minaz.org/files/
Note: Because the Team Day organizers have requested one registration per church, please coordinate your registration through Pastor Dan and Shannen Parsaca!
CRISIS CARE KITS THROUGH FEB 23! (TWO MORE WEEKS!)
Crisis Care Kits are a cooperative effort between global missions and compassionate ministries to send basic toiletries to those who have experienced a ‘crisis’ all over the world. Please see the list in the weekly program to buy and donate items OR give money so items can be purchased. The ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for helping show God’s love to hurting people!
WORK DAYS COMING IN APRIL!
So you’ve missed working around the church and wondered whatever happened to the monthly church workdays, eh? Well, whether or not you missed them, we have appreciated everyone’s help and want you to know workdays will return in April!
A FEW ‘CHRISTMAS EVE CROSSES’ ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
The cross reminds us we ALL have a place in the Kingdom! If you need a reminder, take a cross home! But, others need to know this, too! If you know someone who needs to know God loves them, regardless of their flaws, take them a cross in Jesus’ Name! You’ll find them on the table outside the sanctuary! Take one! Share one!
DO YOU WANT TO HELP BUT AREN’T SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?
The Kingdom of God needs EVERYONE to get involved, but we often make it hard to figure out exactly how to get involved! We’re sorry about that! If you would like to serve contact Pastor Dan to see how we can plug you in! We really do need you!
NEXT FIRST FRIDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS FRIDAY – MARCH 7th
Everyone is invited to Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at 11:30 am on the first Friday of every month! The food is inexpensive, delicious, and the fellowship is even better. Talk to Tracy Tamm if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!
KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE IS COMING MARCH 16 – APRIL 13!
This just in! Our 3rd annual ‘Keep ‘Em Covered’ diaper drive will take place between Mar. 16-Apr. 13. Get ready to love the little ones from the bottom up!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Now - Feb. 23 Crisis Care Kits Collection!
Feb. 16 Missionary Service TODAY at 4 PM, Alabaster Offering
Mar. 05 Ash Wednesday
Mar. 07 First Friday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi
Mar. 08 TEAM DAY – Early Reg. Due by Feb. 02
Mar. 16-Apr. 13 Keep ‘Em Covered Diaper Drive
Apr. 04-05 Mission Mania – details to come!
Apr. 20 Easter
Apr. 26 Ladies Day at Olivet Nazarene University – details to come!
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