Hello Dear Ones! Yes, it was another wonderful day in the Lord, yesterday! The weather is a bit warmer and we are thankful. But, regardless of the weather outside, God’s love remains warm and His presence inviting! If it has been a while since you invited someone to church, consider doing it this week! We are a warm, welcoming church and God always shows up!
God’s message Sunday came from John 1:43-51 and was titled, “The Joy of Being Found.” As we continue in the season of Epiphany, we’ve turned from the manger in Bethlehem to find Jesus in adulthood calling His first disciples. While we often hear of people ‘finding religion’ or ‘coming to Jesus’ at different points in their life, in this text we discover long before we started our search for God, Jesus was actively searching for us!
In the NIV version of the Bible we read: “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Phillip, he said to him, ‘Follow Me’ (John 1:43).
The RSV version puts it this way: The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me”(John 1:43 – RSV).
Who left Galilee and initiated the search for Philip? JESUS! Who found Philip? JESUS! Long before Philip knew Christ, Christ knew him. Long before Philip knew he needed a Savior, the Savior knew he needed Him. The good news is we don’t need to figure out how to ‘find God.’ We simply need to be found and believe and receive Him!
Having found Philip and Nathanael we find two responses. Both Nathanael and Philip knew a Messiah was coming, but in vv. 43-44 after Jesus commanded him to follow Him, Philip responded so immediately and completely he not only left his own life behind but called others to do the same! Come and see! Are you like Philip?
Nathanael's response is different. Instead of being ready and willing, Nathanael is skeptical and doubtful, declaring,“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (v. 46) It’s almost as if his knowledge and expectations about the coming Messiah clouded his ability to see the hand of God working before him. Are you like Nathanael?
It’s important to see Jesus doesn’t give up on Nathanael! He continues to seek and speak new life and finally Nathanael finds the joy of being found, too! The good news is no matter whether you’re eager to respond or a bit skeptical (or a lot skeptical), Jesus loves you and continues to seek you! Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to come, find, and invite the lost to ‘Come and See’ and be saved. Oh the joy of being found! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY - CRISIS CARE KITS - THROUGH FEB 22!
Get your toothbrushes, wash clothes and beany babies ready! Our Nazarene Missions International Council is asking us to collect items for Crisis Care Kits (CCK)! CCK is a cooperative effort between our global missions and Nazarene compassionate ministries to collect and send basic toiletries to those experiencing a ‘crisis’ around the world. You can purchase items or kits or donate money and we’ll shop for you! The ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for showing God’s love!
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!
THE WINDOWS ARE COMING! THE WINDOWS HAVE COME!
Because of a generous financial gift of Phyllis Plath, the church board approved the replacement of the old leaky, drafty, windows in the parsonage. As I write, Corey from Window World is at work making our ‘home’ warmer, more energy efficient and easier to take care of and clean! We praise God for your faithfulness, Phyllis! God is good! (See the picture below!)
TEAM DAY 2014 – SATURDAY, MAR. 08 (EARLY REG DEADLINE FEB. 02)
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| Old Living Room Windows |
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| Check out the mold in the corners! |
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| The New Living Room Windows |
TEAM DAY 2014 – SATURDAY, MAR. 08 (EARLY REG DEADLINE FEB. 02)
All three Michigan Districts are joining again for one big day of inspiration, information and training at Perry High and Middle Schools On Mar. 08 between 8:00am–3:50pm. There are 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 Anna before Feb. 08th and $35 until Feb. 22nd (no late reg. is accepted). Need more info? See Pastor Dan, grab a brochure, or check out this link! http://www.minaz.org/files/858/File/TD15-Brochure.pdf
Note: Because Team Day organizers have requested one registration per church, please coordinate your registration through Pastor Dan and Anna Boeve! Thanks!
GUIDELINES FOR OUR PRAYER REQUESTS
So, you read our prayer requests every week and wonder how you add someone to the list. Or maybe, you requested prayer and then discovered a few weeks later your prayer request disappeared and wondered what gives? Well, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin if you’ve put them on the ‘tear-off’ tab in the Sunday program or contacted Pastor Dan and then they are removed after 3 weeks without an update. So, keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
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 Districtraise $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!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS FEB. 19th AT 11:30AM
Finish off your Valentines Candy and come join us for our next Third Thursday lunch at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at 11:30am. You did remember Valentines Day, right? Perhaps this year you could remember Valentines Day with one of our shut ins or widows? Regardless, look for the coupon and come! See Tracy or Linda with ?’s
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS SUN., FEB. 21st AT 4PM
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., Feb. 21st at 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study to learn what our missionaries are doing, how we can join them with our prayers, gifts of financial support, and enjoy snacks and laughter together. It’s really a lot of fun and you might just learn how to be a missionary, here! 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!
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? If you’d like to be included, simply add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ and drop it in the offering plate or email Pastor Dan! Thanks!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 23-24 District Celebrate Life at Kuyper College
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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