Northeast Community News – January 27, 2014
Welcome to the Winter Wonderland! We had 41 brave souls come to worship this week and most of us expected LESS! What does this prove? While the cynics might suggest we are a foolish bunch, I believe this demonstrates how hungry our folks are to encounter and worship the Triune God! I rejoice to report we were not disappointed as the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident on each face! Hallelujah!
God’s message this week came Lk. 24:1-16, 30-32 and titled ‘Resurrection Wonders.’ While we humorously reviewed some 6th grade answers to the question, we realized the events in ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, and recent medical advances could not compare to resurrection of Jesus Christ. While you might visit the graves of spiritual leaders Muhammad and Buddha, political leaders such as JFK and our own President Ford, and scientists like Einstein and Louis Pasteur, you cannot visit the burial place of Jesus Christ because he rose from the dead and still lives today!
The first disciples encountered His resurrection and were filled with wonder! The hopelessness of Jesus’ crucifixion and death was replaced with hope, possibility and joy! This encounter with the Risen Christ changed the course of their lives!
We find seven wonders in the resurrection: 1) the rolled away stone, 2) the grave without Jesus’ dead body, 3) angelic visitors, 4) the angelic message, 5) news to good to be true, 6) the wonder of conversation with Jesus, and 7) the wonder of that ‘aha moment’ when all the puzzle pieces fit! Jesus resurrection left them in wonder!
My prayer is that each of us would encounter the Risen Christ and possess a bit of the wonder we find here in our text. You see, regardless of how big your problem is or how hurt or confused or discouraged you might be, the power God demonstrated in raising Jesus from the dead is available to you, too! So, lift your head up and go out into your world this week and live the resurrection wonders! Jesus has Risen! Amen!
NEWS AND EVENTS
2014 TITHE ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE!
Christian disciples cheerfully give God their time, talent, and treasure! If you would like to have your own box of tithe envelopes, see Shannen or Pastor Dan.
LAST WED. NIGHT POTLUCK IS THIS WEEK!
Do you like to eat and chat with your Church family? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions you need to come to our Last Wed. Night Potluck this week (Jan. 29) at 5:30 PM. Bring a dish to pass and join us! Talk to Julie Orban to help!
WED. NIGHT PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30 PM – JESUS IS LORD!
This week we will examine Jesus is Lord: Can I Get a Witness! Please read chapters 1-2 of the book, “Jesus is Lord.” I strongly urge you to get a book if you are part of the Bible study and see no reason why one couldn't be shared. Our youth and children will also be taking part in this study! Hope to see you there!
SUPERBOWL PART AT THE PRATT’S!
Dan and Irene have opened their home up on Superbowl Sunday starting at 5:30 PM for fun, food, and fellowship. Bring a snack to pass and come for the first half or the whole game! If you have any questions, contact Irene or Pastor Dan.
THIS JUST IN! MISSIONARIES FROM COSTA RICA COMING IN SEPTEMBER!
Janie joyfully informed the church board Dr. Rueben Fernandez, a missionary from Costa Rica is coming to speak with us Sunday, Sept. 14!! So, brush up your Spanish and get ready to hear how God is working in Central America! If you would like to help host our visiting missionary, let Janie know! In the meantime pray for his visit!
TURN AND GIVE SOMEONE THE FLU!
With the recent flu outbreak, we’re asking our friends and family to refrain from shaking hands and hugging during the 'time of greeting.' While we don’t want to seem unfriendly, we need to be responsible! Please consider giving a pat on the back, instead! I love hugging and shaking hands, too, but we sure don’t need anyone to get sick! Thanks for understanding!
TEAM DAY 2014 – SATURDAY, MAR. 08 (EARLY REG DEADLINE FEB. 02)
All three Michigan Districts are joining together again for one big day of inspiration, information and training at Perry High and Middle Schools between 8:00am–3:50pm. There will be workshops on General Leadership, Worship and Technology, Missions, Discipleship, and Children’s and Youth Ministries. The cost is $25 if you give your registration to Shannen before Feb. 02nd and $35 before Feb. 23rd (no late reg. is accepted). Need more info? See Pastor Dan, 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!
NEXT FIRST FRIDAY CHINESE LUNCH – FEB 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 cheap, delicious, and the fellowship is even better. Talk to Tracy Tamm if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!
NEXT ALABASTER OFFERING IS FEB. 16!
Our next Alabaster Offering will take place on Sun., Feb. 16th. This is a “loose change” offering taken up twice a year and every penny of the proceeds goes directly to the mission field to purchase land and buildings. If you would like an Alabaster box to start filling, just ask Janie in the sound booth on Sunday morning. Thank you!
MISSIONARY SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE - FEB. 16 at 4:00 PM
Do you like missions? Do you want to know more about what Missionaries are doing around the world? Do you like cookies? If you answered YES to any of these, then you will want to come to our great experiment: an evening Missionary Service at 4 pm on Sunday, Feb. 16th! Bring a friend and plan to learn and laugh! If you have any questions, see Janie or email her at: allsmiles@comcast.net
MEIJER COMMUNITY REWARDS WORK!
Thank you to everyone who signed up and uses their Meijer Community Rewards Card. Last month we received a check for $104.91 because you remembered us when you shopped! Remember, were not ‘pushing’ Meijer’s, but if you already shop there you can earn money for the church! The Meijer website states:
Meijer Community Rewards was developed to meet our customers' growing desire to support k-12 schools and religious groups in ways that don't stretch their budget...or their time. Your k-12 school or religious organization can now raise group funds without administrative costs or sales of any kind!
To participate you DO NOT need to attend our church! So, if you have friends or family members that want to help Northeast Community, well, that’s just great!
To sign up go to the Meijer website. You will be asked for an organization and ours is #214242. Here’s the link: http://www.meijer.com/mcr/
CRISIS CARE KITS & LOCAL MISSION HELP THROUGH FEB!
Crisis Care Kits are a cooperative effort between NCM and NMI and are sent all over the world wherever crisis ‘happens!’ Through February 23 our local NMI is asking you to donate specific items OR give money so these items can be purchased. You will find the list of items needed weekly in the Sunday worship program. Bring all you can! The ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for helping! People you will never meet will know God loves them because of you!
DID YOU KNOW YOU’RE SUPPORTING A HAITIAN CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS?
Yes you are! As many already know, Rev. Matthew Pierre, former pastor at Grand Rapids West Church of the Nazarene moved due to secular employment transfer last fall. Rev. Pierre, a Haitian, had led a growing church of Haitians on the West side of GR for many years and finding a new Haitian pastor would be difficult!
The exciting news is nothing is too difficult for God! Amen! God has provided a new pastor (Rev. Joas Occes) who just finished his training at Haiti Bible College and the District expects he will arrive in April or May. But, Grand Rapids West is financially struggling and needs $600 a month for 1 year to support their new pastor.
The District suggested the 13 churches in the our zone could help them and I was humbled to hear your church board joyfully wanted to help by giving $50 a month starting immediately! So, not only is one of the smallest churches the first to give, but we agreed to give a full 1/12 of the amount needed! What a joy it was to share our commitment with the other churches and challenge them! So, you may not have realized it, but because of your faithful giving, you are supporting a Haitian church right here in Grand Rapids! How cool is that? To God be the Glory! Amen!
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!
DON’T FORGET TO PAY FOR YOUR ‘JESUS IS LORD’ BOOKS!
While we are in the third week of our 7-week study on what it means to declare, “JESUS IS LORD,” some of us haven’t yet paid for the book they ordered. If you are able to pay, please turn in your money to Shannen, soon! Bless you!
JONATHAN GINGRICH IS COMING HOME FROM AFRICA! PLEASE PRAY!
Jonathan Gingrich, a college students attending Calvin College, left for Africa on Jan. 6th for a mission trip and is returning to Grand Rapids TODAY (Jan. 27th). Please pray for the team’s flights, transportation, and luggage! Bless you!
DO YOU LIKE TO SHOVEL SNOW?
Me neither! But it has to be done and Pastor Dan does the majority of it! If you would like to help we try to clear the walks every day, but especially for our treasurer on Mon. AM, Emotions Anonymous Tue. PM, and for Wed. night and Sun. morning activities. See Pastor Dan if you would like to help!
INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP?
We have had two indicate an interest in membership and are considering forming a series of 4 classes beginning in February. If you are interested in learning more about the Church of the Nazarene or becoming a member of our church, please let Pastor Dan know by calling (616-204-1153) or emailing (hathdan@me.com) him!
A FEW MISFIT CHRISTMAS EVE CROSSES STILL AVAILABLE!
On Christmas Eve we examined our faith through the eyes of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hermie the Dentist, Yukon Cornelius the failed Peppermint Mine Prospector, and an island of rejected and unloved misfit toys. Like these misfits, Romans 3:23 reminds us we are all misfits, too! But through Jesus’ birth, death of the cross, and resurrection, we have ALL been sought out, offered grace, and received a welcome place in the Kingdom just the way we are through Jesus!
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! Do you know someone who needs to know God loves them, regardless of their flaws? Take them a cross in Jesus’ Name! You will find a small wooden cross on the table outside the sanctuary! Take one! Share one!
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
Jan. 19-Feb. 23 Crisis Care Kits Collection!
Feb. 02 Superbowl Party at the Pratt’s
Feb. 07 First Friday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi
Feb. 16 Missionary Service at 4 PM, Alabaster Offering
Mar. 05 Ash Wednesday
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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