Northeast Community News – May 04, 2015
Hello Dear Ones! We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Have you noticed Sunday school is growing? There is a reason! If you aren’t a regular part of a small group of disciples, you really ought to consider this opportunity! Wed. night is also a wonderful time to share our burdens, pray, and feast on the Word. Ready to grow your faith? Do the next right thing by joining with others who are on a journey, too! You’ll be glad you did! Really!
God’s message this week came from Luke 24:36-49 and was titled, ‘Resurrection Changes Everything.’ All of us are afraid of something! I can remember a construction worker, who had been up on a 30’ ladder ‘no hands’ cutting siding and seemingly fearless of heights tell me he was terrified of speaking in the front of the church! Many, are fearful of sharing their faith, witnessing to others, and leading others to Jesus. What are you afraid of?
In Luke 24, the 11 disciples begin to hear reports that Jesus has been resurrected. The first report came from the women at the tomb and then from men on the Road to Emmaus. Even with these reports, they remained behind locked doors, full of fear and wondering what to do next. Into that confusing time Jesus comes and declares: …“Peace be with you” v. 36b). It is important to notice Jesus comes to them! And what does he bring? Peace!
However, instead of reacting with joy, they are startled, frightened, troubled, doubting, and thinking they had seen a ghost (vv. 37-38). Scholars tell us they had begun to doubt what Jesus had told them including the resurrection. We discover in vv. 39-45 Jesus provided them the evidence they needed to believe! Ever been filled with doubt and wanted to run? Jesus knows all about your fear, doubts, and disbelief and meets you at your point of need!
And from these fearful, doubting, and struggling ordinary people Jesus commissioned them to share the good news to all nations! All nations? How were these ordinary folks going to reach the world for Jesus when they were too terrified to leave from behind a locked door?
The answer is in v. 49: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (v. 49). What would lead a group of ordinary, terrified, paralyzed disciples into the streets speaking foreign languages to a group of people they had never met? The Holy Spirit! Jesus declared ‘Pentecost is coming!’
Just for those who don’t know, Pentecost did come 50 days after Jesus ascended 2,000 or so years ago and the same power of the Holy Spirit is available to us today, too! Let’s leave our locked rooms and share Jesus even when we’re scared! He’s with us! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE LOADING!
It is finally here! You have searched through your stuff and given sacrificially! You stuff has been priced to sell (well at least we hope)! And now, it is time to load it up into to Phil P’s trailer, take it to Wayland to the actual sale, and set it up! If you can load or unload Tuesday (tomorrow), please call, text, or email Pastor Dan! Thanks!
SPRING MISSIONS IGNITE SERVICE BLESSINGS!
If you didn’t go to the service last night you really missed out a lot! We sang, we prayed, and then we heard from Andy Bennett, a Missionary Doctor to Papua, New Guinea, and it was incredible to hear what God is doing! From kids been healed of club foot, to folks being saved at the clinic, to ‘baby of Diana’ who exceeded everyone’s expectations, and more, we heard how our W.E.F. monies are being used and were incredibly blest!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS THURSDAY (THIS WEEK) MAY 07
The first Thursday of the May is always the National Day of Prayer in America. There was an insert in your bulletin this week (May 03) to guide you. If you would like to pray at church, the sanctuary will be open between 10:00am – Noon!
REVOLUTION (313) IS COMING SUNDAY, MAY 17!
Prepare to be challenged! Pastor Brent and Emily Bittenbender bear witness to what God can do with a couple of folks sold out to Jesus! Specifically, Brent and Emily feel called to the lost people of Detroit, Michigan! On May 17, Brent, Emily, and their 3 kids are coming to lead a VERY different worship service! Brent is a good friend of Pastor Dan’s and Pastor Dan almost wishes he wasn’t on vacation so he could be here! Brent has a deep passion for the hurting, broken, and lost anywhere, but especially Detroit.
Listen to his heart:
I’m Brent Bittenbender, pastor of The Church of the Nazarene’s “new start” in Detroit Michigan. As we begin our mission here focusing on “The Other Six Days” of the week in our community, we are spending the majority of our Sundays in what we call “Two Way Ministry.”
“Two Way Ministry” is our effort to minister to church bodies who could use some help filling the worship platform or pulpit while staff or volunteers are away or just plain tuckered out. We all need a refreshing break from time to time. We minister to churches by filling some of those roles as guests, and churches minister back to us by potentially partnering with us through Prayer, Presence (hands on missions in Detroit), or Provision (love offering or honorarium.)
I’ve led worship for about 18 years and my family brings the “bare bones” of a great worship band…I’m also a speaking pastor IN LOVE with Nazarene theology and passionate about connecting people to The Revolution that God has in store for them through the power of His Spirit. (…continues next page…)
Though we do share stories from our work in Detroit, we are NOT on a mission to promote what WE are doing and how people should help US. We are on a mission to mention how God is using us in order to encourage others to continue passionately in The Revolution that God has set each of us on.
May the Revolution Continue!
Brent Bittenbender
Trust me! You’re in for a treat! Grab a friend! Grab a stranger! Grab an enemy and bring them to church to hear Revolution (313). You won’t be disappointed! Two quick things: First, for those of you who may not know, 313 is the area code for Detroit. Second, we will be taking a love offering for the Bittenbenders after the service (which means you will be asked to consider giving them a small or large cash donation). If you would like to know more about their ministry, go to this link: http://www.revolution313.com/
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE – MAY 03-31
While we had announced the diaper drive was starting May 03rd, I must confess I wasn’t sure anyone would bring diapers the first week. I didn’t hear any ‘buzz’ about this drive and so imagine my shock when I discovered you gave 524 diapers this week! Wow! In case you didn’t know, we’re collecting diapers for North End Community because they aren’t provided by most assistance programs and they are a huge expense for some of the ‘least of these.’ Our goal is 1,200 and we have already collected 524! Praise God!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY RETURNS THIS WEEK!
With Pastor Dan back from vacation, we return to our regular Wed. night Bible Study this week which includes a time of singing lead by Sherry J., prayer, Bible study, and ice cream, laughter, and good conversation! Hungry for community? Trying to figure out what Christian life is and how to live it out? Join us as we work on it together!
CONGRATULATIONS MISSIONARY BOOK READERS!
We challenged everyone to read all the missionary books before the end of March and here are our winners! Congratulations to all of you!
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
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)
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’s official! Bob Hill has retired from mowing! We are blessed that he waited to have hand surgery until after he had the equipment ready for work! Would you be willing to mow a week or two this year? Thank you Janie for mowing the lawn last week! Who’s next? We have all of the equipment! See Pastor Dan or Bob Hill if you’d be willing to help! We need you! We really do! Pray about it will you? 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
May 03-31 5th Annual Diaper Drive
May 07 National Day of Prayer
May 09 Church Board Meeting 12:30pm
May 12-18 Pastor Dan and Janie on vacation
May 17 Revolution (313) Rev. Brent Bittenbender and family
May 21 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
May 30 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
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