Northeast Community News – May 26, 2014
Happy Memorial Day! Ok, while the U.S. government has declared yesterday the official day for remembering those who died in the military service to keep us free, I think any day is a good day to remember those who died to keep us free! Much like our salvation, if we aren’t careful we can treat our freedom like we do Christmas; just another special day on the calendar soon to be forgotten in the blur of activity called life. Let us remain grateful all year for Jesus, our loved ones, and our military folks! Happy Memorial Day!
God’s message this week came John 15:1-8 and was titled, “The True Vine.” Is your faith growing, shriveling, or barely hanging on? What gives you life? What establishes and maintains your relationship with the Father? First century Jews may have answered they maintain their relationship with God by being a descendant of Abraham, following Jewish Ceremonial Law, being male, or going to The Temple.
Jesus rejects this and declares clearly in v. 1 He is the True Vine – Jesus is the source of life! Jesus makes clear it isn’t the Church or following a strict set of rules or who your parents are that establishes and maintains a relationship with God; but by receiving and abiding in Him! God loves you and has a plan for you! If you are shriveling, struggling, or barely hanging on, come abide in Jesus! Jesus is God’s gift and the source of all life!
Salvation is a choice! Abiding in Jesus is a choice! For those who chose to abide in Jesus He declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Choose to abide in Jesus and you’ll naturally bear much fruit (see Gal. 5:22-23) to the glory of God. Don’t worry! You don’t need to work harder; simply yield to Christ and let the Spirit of Christ teach you, equip you, and empower you to grow and witness to others! Praise God!
But, since God gave us freewill and abiding in Christ is a choice, Jesus also warns those who choose to refuse to abide in Him saying: “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6). Jesus makes it painfully clear! Those who abide in Him will bear much fruit, but those who reject and refuse to abide in Him will not only produce nothing of lasting value, but will end up in the fire of hell. God forbid! Choose Jesus! “…the way and the truth and the life…” (John 14:6b). Love and blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
‘LAST WED. POTLUCK’ IS TOMORROW (MAY 28) @ 5:30PM!
Come join us for the last Wed. Night Potluck before the fall! That’s right! Our Wed. night potluck planners are taking June, July, and August off! BUT, before we break for summer we’re going to grill some burgers and hotdogs and potluck OUTSIDE! So, bring a friend and a dish to pass and join us for food and fellowship before our Bible study this week!
WED. NIGHT PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY AT 6:30PM (AT THE PARSONAGE)
Broken marriages, shattered friendships, racial divisions, war between the nations – we live in a fractured world. In Ephesians, Paul helps us see God’s plan to unite everything in Christ! Come discover God’s plan to being wholeness to a broken world!
CHURCH ELECTIONS – JUNE 01
Our annual church elections will take place before and after Sundayschool on June 1st. Because the Church of the Nazarene has a representative form of government, we ask all members in good standing to vote! Positions we vote for include the church board (which appoints our treasurer and church board secretary) and delegates to District Assemblies and Conventions. Want to become a church member? See Pastor Dan!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING – SUN., JUN. 01 at 4:00PM (DATE CHANGE)
We’ve tried it twice and we’re doing it again! Invite a friend, bring a snack, and gather with us in the basement of the Pastor’s house (across the parking lot) on Jun 01st at 4:00PM for food, fun, fellowship and a lesson on missions! It’ll be a good time! Promise!
NEXT ‘FIRST FRIDAY CHINESE LUNCH’ IS JUN. 06
Everyone is invited to Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at11:30am 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!
SURPRISE GRADUATION PARTY FOR TIAN XIA – JUN. 06 from6:00 – 9:00PM
Recently we have been blessed to have Tian and Deb Xia worshipping with us. Deb is Jerry and Barb Buning’s daughter and married to Donshin. Donshin and daughter Tian are originally from China and after lot of hard work Tian graduated from High School!
On Friday, June 6th, Debbie and her sister and planning a SURPRISE graduation party for Tian and her sister’s exchange student from Spain from 6-9pm and we are all invited! (REMEMBER IT IS A SURPRISE!)
WHAT – A Graduation Party for Tian / Goodbye party for an exchange student.
WHO – All of us are invited to celebrate!
WHEN – Jun. 6th from 6-9PM
WHERE – 3937 4 Mile Rd NE (off 4 mile down Buning Lane)
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK AND ANNUAL CELEBRATION JUN. 08
Our next Northeast Community Potluck is scheduled for Jun. 08. Along with our potluck each of our departments will be giving a brief report on how God has blessed, what they accomplished, and how to pray for them! So, grab your lasagna, tuna casserole, veggie dish, cookies and friends and come potluck with us! It will be a good time!
INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CAMP! REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN!
So many of us have a story that includes spiritual growth and friendships we made while we were at camp! We want every child and teen to come to Indian Lake Nazarene Camp and find a deeper relationship with Christ and form his or her own stories with God’s help (and a whole lot of fun!!) The cost for all camps is $250! Here’s the schedule!
High School Camp June 23-27 (for students completing 9-12th grades)
Middle School Camp June 16-20 (for students completing 6-8th grades)
Boys and Girls Camp July 7-11 (for students completing 3-5thgrades)
Discovery Camp June 30 – July 02 (for students completing 1-3 grades)
Here’s the link to register: https://registration.
DISTRICT SUMMER EVENTS ARE COMING TO INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CAMP!
It’s that time again when we all gather at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp for rest, renewal, and spiritual nourishment called Camp Meeting! It is also the time when our District has assemblies and conventions for missions, youth, discipleship and we come together as a district for District Assembly (our District policy and governance organization).
One of my favorite activities is the ordination service where we see the culmination of much prayer, hard work, and accountability come together as the presiding General Superintendent first delivers a great message and then all the ordained elders (Pastors) and invited to lay hands on the candidate and the General Superintendent prays! But, there are many activities for all ages and services each night! Come be a part as you can!
Jul. 13 Study – 9:00AM, Worship 10:30AM, Ordination Service – 7:00PM
Jul. 14 District Assembly at 9:00AM – Evening Service –7:00PM
Jul. 15-18 Morning Service – 9:00AM, Study 10:30AM, Evening Service – 7:00PM
Jul. 19 NMI, SDMI, and NYI Conventions – 9:00AM, Evening Service – 7:00PM
Jul. 20 Study – 9:00AM, Worship 10:30AM, Evening Service –4:00PM
DISTRICT MEN’S RETREAT 9/26-27 – CRAN-HILL RANCH, RODNEY, MI
Sponsor: Midland Nazarene (Midland Naz is paying for speaker so that this retreat is affordable for all.) Cost: $50 (price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 27th and most activities; some activities – archery tag, skeet – cost $5) Arrive: 6:30PM on 9/26thDepart: 6:30PM on 9/27th – Speaker: Bay Forrest (www.focus-ministries.com)
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 28 Wed. night potluck (5:30pm at the parsonage)
Jun. 01 Church Elections (before and after Sunday school)
Jun. 01 Missionary Gathering (4:00pm at the parsonage)
Jun. 06 First Friday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine (11:30)
Jun. 08 Northeast Community Potluck and Annual Meeting
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