Hello Dear Ones! Since I will be on vacation this is a special ‘early edition!’ Have a great week and we will see you next week!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, yesterday! It was a Lord’s Day with two opportunities to encounter God! First, we gathered Sunday morning to be discipled and worship God! What a joy it is to learn about God and then worship Him! At 4pm we gathered to learn about missions. We learned God continues to do miracles on the mission field and in our midst. If it’s been awhile since you came to Sun. school, worship or a Missionary Gathering, it’s time to see what you are missing! God is good! All the time!
God’s message to us came from 1 John 1:1-2:2 and was titled, “Easter is Not Over.” The good news of Christ’s resurrection isn’t just for one Sunday! While we formerly celebrate Jesus’ victory over the grave on Easter, we need to realize Jesus remains victorious over the grave and still invites us into fellowship with the Father every week! Think you missed Easter? You didn’t! We celebrate the miracle of Easter every week we come together!
In the first 4 verses John offers a witness to what He expereinced and learned from Jesus. He tells us Jesus is the Word of Life; He existed from the beginning; and He offers eternal life, for example. In vv. 3-4 he provides the purpose of writing: ”We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete” (1 Jn 1:3-4).
So, the purpose of his writing is to provide believers a guideline for having fellowship with God. First, John writes in v. 5 it is important to understand “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (v. 5). While God reaches into a dark, sinful, and broken world through the Spirit of Christ, to rescue us, He remains Holy, righteous, true, and pure.
Second, John writes in v. 6 we cannot live in the darkness and have a relationship with a God living in the light. In fact, John writes, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (v. 6). The scripture makes it quite clear we cannot walk with God in the light and continue living in darkness. There is no room in the Christian life for secret sin. John only has one word for those living a double life: liar.
The good news is that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9). Are you ready for Easter? Are you ready to be born again, repent of that secret sin, and go all the way with Jesus? Easter is not over! Jesus is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and purify us from all unrighteousness! Ready to live a life of truth? Confess your sins and believe! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
PASTOR DAN AND JANIE ARE ON VACATION (Apr. 20-26)
Over the next few months Pastor Dan and Janie will be taking several weeks of vacation and the first week begins Monday. Please contact Gerry D. or Cherry P. with any needs.
SPRING CLEAN UP BLESSINGS!
What does 12 donuts, a dozen people, a chain saw, a bunch of rakes, and two trucks full of leaves, roots, and branches equal? That’s easy! A wonderful Northeast Community Spring Workday! Bless everyone who came and for all of the work done! It looks great!
Pastor Dan and Janie are on vacation this week so we will not have our regular Wed. Night Bible Study. We will return to our regular time and format (including ice cream) next week. Bless you for understanding!
MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE LOADING!
While the garage sale to raise money to support Middle East Schools teaching kids in a war zone on May 7-9, we need help people willing to help load and unload the trailer provided by Phil P. on May 4 or 5. If you can help, please let Pastor Dan know! Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS MISSIONARY BOOK READERS!
The following are our NMI book reading winners! We challenged everyone to read all the missionary books before the end of Mar. and they’d win a prize. Adults, a Whitecaps game – teens a concert, and children – a trip to Chuckie Cheese! Congratulations to all!
Adults – Jean C., Gerry D., Dan and Jane H., Sherry J., Dick and Emily M., Gary P., Fran S., and Deb X. who will be going to a Mon., May 11th Whitecaps game! Free! (Want to go to the game but didn’t read the books? Bring $6.50 each for a box seat and join us!)
Children winners were Savannah, Jeffrey, and Brady! They will be going to Chuckie Cheese just as soon as we can coordinate all three of their families!
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Did you know Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops are worth cash? While it seems small, when we work together, it really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School in AZ. Start collecting them and give them to Fran S. and Sherry J. Questions? See Fran or Sherry or go to this link: http://www.indianschool.org/cambells-labels.html
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE – MAY 03-31
How incredible to think we’ve been collecting diapers for 5 years to love some of the tiniest and neediest folks in our community…and, we’re doing it again! We’re collecting diapers for North End Community Ministry (NECM). Diapers are needed because they aren’t provided by most assistance programs and are a huge expense for some of the ‘least of these.’ This year we would like to collect 1,200 diapers.
SPRING MISSIONS IGNITE SERVICE – SUN., MAY 03, 6:00PM IN SPARTA
Everyone is encouraged to attend our Spring 2015 Ignite: Missions in the Real World Service on May 03 at 6:00pm at our Sparta Church (665 13 Mi. Rd NW – Sparta) where we will hear from Andy and Judy Bennett, Global Missionaries to Papua New Guinea!
Ignite mission services are offered in each zone and have a time of worship, prayer for the missionaries and a simple fellowship to get to know them. It’s an opportunity to learn what God is doing in another part of the world and how your prayers and W.E.F. offerings are making a difference! If you need a ride or want to car pool, see Pastor Dan.
Have you ever wanted to run a 5k and just needed a little encouragement and support? Janie (a newer runner) is planning to RUN AGAINST HUNGER to raise money and food for North End Community Ministry (NECM) on Jul. 11 and you’re invited to join her!
Info meeting Sun., May 03rd, training with alternate minutes of running and walking begins May 26th and the 5k event happens at Cornerstone University on Jul. 11th! You can find more information and/or register here: http://www.grrunagainsthunger.org
SUMMER CAMP IS COMING SOON! TIME TO REGISTER!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp has a wonderful summer camp for students of all ages. At camp kids learn to feel good about themselves, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, learn leadership skills, make friends, and learn about God’s love for them! You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.nazcamp.org/camps
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jun. 29 – July 1
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 06-10
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 20-24
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jun. 15-19
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 22-26
Note: All camps are $ 270 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 120)
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – MAY 07
The first Thursday of the May is always the National Day of Prayer in America. Look for an insert in the bulletin in late April to guide your prayers. If you would like to pray at church, the sanctuary will be open between 10:00am – Noon!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH, MAY 21, (AT HIBACHI GRILL)
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is May 21 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target). Remember! It’s more than food! It’s a time to share our joys, concerns and even laugh! So grab a friend and come to Hibachi at 11:30! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAY 30th @ 10:30AM
The ladies are planning to get together at the church on Sat., May 30th at 10:30am. All ladies are invited and welcome! Please see Gerry D. or Cherry P. for details!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS SUN., MAY 31st AT 4PM!
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., May 31st at 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study, learn what our missionaries are doing, how to pray for them, and how to be a missionary in your own backyard! We also enjoy snacks and laughter together, so bring a snack, a friend, and an open heart and join us May 31st! 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!
HELP NEEDED! PEOPLE TO MOW!
Ok it is official! Bob Hill has retired from mowing! Would you be willing to mow a week or two this summer? The lawn is small and we have all of the equipment! I like to push mow with the gas mower, but we also have a riding lawn mower. Let Pastor Dan or Bob Hill know if you would be interested. We need you! We really do! Thanks!
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER REQUESTS
Remember, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin for 3 weeks without an update. If you want to keep your prayer request in the bulletin or newsletter just keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Apr. 20-27 Pastor Dan and Janie on vacation
Apr. 26 Rev. Christopher Preaching
May 03-31 5th Annual Diaper Drive
May 03 5k Run for Hunger Information Meeting (after worship)
May 07 National Day of Prayer
May 21 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
May 30 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
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