Hello Friends and Family!
Yes, it was another wonderful day in the Lord last Sunday! The air was brisk and refreshing and so was our worship service! What a joy to see so many come back to church! We’ve missed you and are glad to see you back! Someone missing? Grab a new directory and give them a call, write them a note, or send a postcard! You’ll never know how much it means to be ‘missed’ and though of! Perhaps you’re the one God wants to use to ‘reach out and touch someone’ this week! Will you do it? I hope so! Amen!
God’s message Sunday came from John 1:29-42 and was titled, “Come and See.” As we continue in our season of Epiphany, we are now turning our attention from the manger to Jesus in adulthood and calling His first followers. This passage provides us a wonderful pattern for our own journey with Jesus: 1)recognizing, 2) following, and 3) sharing Jesus!
First, John the Baptist declares in v. 29: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ as Jesus comes towards him and again in v. 36. The reality is many do not realize the presence of Jesus in their midst! Perhaps you could be one to share that He is? Regardless, after John declares this some of those who were previously following him, recognize Jesus! Have you yet recognized Jesus in your midst?
Having recognized Jesus in their midst, we discover in vv. 37-39 two disciples begin to follow Him, speak with Him, and desire to learn from Him. At first, following Jesus means to believe on Him as Lord and Savior and receive Him in your heart. But as we discover here, following Jesus is an ongoing apprentice-like relationship where we learn from Him and become more and more like Him and put His words into action. Are you following Jesus?
Finally, this passage demonstrates reproducing faith. John the Baptist had recognized and was following Jesus and shared the good news with Andrew, John, and others. In vv. 40-42 we discover Andrew, who had just recognized Jesus and began following Him, immediately shared Jesus with his brother. We read, “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (Jn 1:40-42a). Andrew couldn’t wait to share Jesus with his brother!
In these verses we don’t see an ‘evangelism strategy’ but an excited, passionate Christian who couldn’t wait to share Jesus with others. Are you still passionate about your faith in Christ? Do you share your Jesus with others? May all of us will recognize Jesus, follow Him, and share Him with others with the joy excitement Andrew did! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
BREAKING NEWS… ANNOUNCING ANNA BOEVE AS OUR NEXT TREASURER!
God has moved in an amazing way! (again!) When we received the news Shannen was stepping down as our treasurer, the normal expected thing to do (according to our culture) would be to worry and despair. After all, we waited nearly two years to find someone to replace Dick Morse and now we only had two months! But, your church board asked you to join them in prayer and guess what? God answered prayer!
After prayerfully considering the position and agreeing to serve, your church board unanimously voted last night to appoint Anna Boeve as your next treasurer. You may recall Anna has faithfully attended our church for 4 years while going to college and graduated from Grand Valley State College last year with a degree in….accounting!
That’s right! God gave us the perfect person to do the work and His timing is perfect! And God gave us Janie who knows how our accounting software works to help Anna! Isn’t God good? He has moved in an amazing way AGAIN and we are so blessed! Want to congratulate Anna for saying a BIG YES to God? Email her! annagirl2006@sbcglobal.net
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY - CRISIS CARE KITS - THROUGH FEB 22!
Get your toothbrushes, wash clothes and beany babies ready! Our Nazarene Missions International Council has asked us to start collecting items for Crisis Care Kits starting this week! Crisis Care Kits are a cooperative effort between Nazarene global missions and Nazarene compassionate ministries to collect and send basic toiletries to those who have experienced a ‘crisis’ all over the world. You can either purchase individual items or donate money so the items can be purchased. Our ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for helping show God’s love to hurting people!
Here is the shopping list to make 1 Crisis Care Kit:
· 1 Shampoo (12 to 18 oz.)
· 2 Bars of Soap (Bath size or larger)
· 1 Toothpaste (4.0 to 6.4 oz.)
· 3 Toothbrushes (in original packaging)
· 1 Box of Bandaids (30 or more)
· 1 Fingernail clippers
· 1 Sturdy hair comb
· 2 Hand towels
· 4 Pocket sized pkgs. of Kleenex (tissue)
· 1 Beanie Baby sized stuffed toy
Each Crisis Care Kit (CCK) should contain only the items/quantities listed. Place all items into a 2 gallon zip-lock bag (or bring them to church and we’ll do it). Remember! You don’t have to buy a ‘whole kit’ just bring what you can and we’ll put them together!
THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS WEEK! (JAN. 15th) AT 11:30AM
Surely, your Christmas exchanges and returns are done by now, right? By now, most have taken their tree down and returned to normal! (whatever that means!) Whether you’re sad or glad we’ve started a New Year, come to Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at 11:30am and share your favorite Christmas story or New Year’s resolution! Remember, to look for the coupon! Hope to see you there! See Tracy or Linda with ?’s
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS THIS SUNDAY (JAN. 18) @ 4PM
Our next missionary gathering will be this Sunday at 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study to learn what our missionaries are doing, how we can join them with our prayer, gifts of financial support, how to be a missionary here, and enjoy snacks and laughter together. It’s really a lot of fun and pretty interesting! Since we show a brief video Jane always makes popcorn for us! So bring a snack to pass and join us! You’ll be glad you did!
THE WINDOWS ARE COMING! THE WINDOWS ARE COMING! JAN. 19-20
Because of the generous financial gift of Phyllis Plath made last fall, the church board approved the replacement of the old leaky, drafty, windows in the parsonage. And next week Monday and Tuesday they are being installed by Window World! Once they are installed there will definitely be an open house for you to come see them and celebrate! Thank you Phyllis for making our ‘home’ warmer, more energy efficient and easier to take care of and clean! We praise God for your faithfulness! Amen!
‘ENCOUNTER GOD WEEKEND’ COMING TO CLYDE PARK CHURCH JANUARY 30-31!
This Jan. the Grand Rapids Zone is hosting an ‘Encounter God Weekend’ at the Clyde Park Church of the Nazarene starting Fri. evening and ending Sat. evening on Jan. 30-31.
Encounter God weekends are an opportunity for Christians to experience deep spiritual renewal and change their life! By leading the participant through a series of lessons and experiences, this weekend can result in a visible, manifested change, by discovering how to establish a closer relationship with God, how to have direct fellowship with Him, and how to commit to His lordship in their lives.
Perhaps the best part is that you will learn how to experience forgiveness, emotional healing, how to experience freedom from spiritual and emotional bondage, and how to restore your sense of worth and value. This isn’t just hype, this is the real deal! Janie and I were in Cali Colombia where this originated and it is changing the world.
What: Encounter God Weekend
Where: Clyde Park Church of the Nazarene, 2545 Clyde Park Ave., SW, Wyoming, MI
When: begins Fri., Jan 30 at 4:30pm and Sat., Jan. 31 at 8:00am
Cost: $35 per individual; $60 per couple
How to register? Click on the link below!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY (AND ICE CREAM) AT 6:30PM
Using “Faith Connections,” a Bible based study centered on Wesleyan holiness, we sing, pray, and then let our souls drink deeply in the Word! (and stay for ice cream!) Looking for a New Year’s faith builder? Well, come check out Wed. night! You’ll be glad you did!
TURN AND DON’T GIVE SOMEONE THE FLU!
Remember to use hand sanitizer and ‘fist bump’ instead of hugs! It’s a fun, easy, and safe way to say hello! If you want to know how more, see Jesse C. or Jenn S!
WILL YOU HELP WITH A MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE?
With all of the problems in the Middle East, it’s easy to overlook the needs of the kids living there. While we can’t stop the violence, we can help these kids receive a quality education by DONATING quality new and used items to be sold in a spring garage sale. We hope to raise $250 to help our District raise $20,000 to support 4 Nazarene Schools operating in the Middle East who are shining stars in the midst of turmoil and conflict.
Bring your clean, gently used items (priced if possible) to church and place them on the table outside the classroom at the far end of the fellowship hall. If you would like a ‘tax receipt’ for your donation, see our Church Treasurer. Any questions? See Pastor Dan!
DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND EMAIL INFO?
As you have probably noticed, we put our church family’s birthdays and anniversaries in our weekly program. Do we have yours? We also send a newsletter, prayer requests, and district information via email if we have your email. If you would like to be included just add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ on the program and drop it in the offering plate!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 15 Third Thursday Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine (11:30am)
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 23-24 District Celebrate Life at Kuyper College (Reg deadline Dec. 04)
Jan. 30-31 Encounter Weekend at Clyde Park Church
Feb. 08 Northeast Community Potluck (after the worship service)
Mar. 07 Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
Apr. 05 Easter Sunday
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