Hello Dear Ones! We had another wonderful day in the Lord! It was Mother’s Day this last week and we celebrated our mothers with small potted flowers from the church! How did you remember and celebrate your mother? Whether she’s living or gone or you never knew her, you can still give thanks for her effort in bringing you into this world! Remember, it is never too late to say, thank you mom! Many of us first learned unconditional love in the lap of our mothers and made trusting a loving heavenly Father and Savior seem so natural.
God’s message this week came from 1 John 3:16-24 and was titled, “Love in Action.” Are your hands connected to your heart? Are your feet connected to your faith? Have you ever been the answer to someone’s searching prayer? The Apostle John reminds us Christians are to demonstrate love like Jesus demonstrated love. How is that you ask? What is love?
John records in v. 16: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).
In the worldly culture we live in, love is described as temporary and based on feelings, sweaty palms, and googley eyes. But love like Jesus is more about long-term sacrifice of self and commitment. Jesus, the Scripture says, laid down His life and we are to do likewise.
Want to know if someone really loves you the way Jesus loves you? Watch what they do more than what they say. Charming words are fleeting and require little sacrifice. Want to know if a church loves the way Jesus loves? Watch what they do more than what they say!
I can still remember my mother sharing hurt after a person with great biblical knowledge was hurtful again. She said, “I know she knows a lot of Bible verses; I just wished she could learn to live out one of them.” Ouch or Amen? Are you living out God’s love or just talking about it? Loving the way Jesus loves requires more than words; it requires loving action!
John then declares in v. 17: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17).
It’s easy to love someone the way the world loves. Let the government help them or give them empty words of encouragement without any personal sacrifice. However, unless we love others to the point of sacrifice, like Jesus did, the love of God is no longer in us! Finally, John summarizes, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). This week let’s love the way Jesus loves! May our hands and feet be attached to our hearts and faith! To God be the Glory! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE BLESSINGS!
The short answer is WE DID IT! PRAISE THE LORD! After all of the work advertising, collecting, pricing, loading, hauling, setting up and selling our stuff, we raised $727.20 to help children in 4 Nazarene Schools in the war-torn Middle East (our goal was $250). Thank you to everyone who made this event a HUGE success! From donors, to haulers, to pricers, to sellers, to Ron Morse who let us set up in his yard, (not to mention gave us any undesignated sales) and even folks who made an additional donation at the sale, it took lots of people, lots of time to make this happen, but it was so worth it! Praise God!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BLESSINGS!
Last Thu. was the annual National Day of Prayer. Thank you for everyone who prayed for America! God heard your prayers! But let’s make sure we keep praying! America needs our prayers every day! So keep those prayers coming! Amen!
REVOLUTION (313) IS COMING THIS SUNDAY!
Pastor Dan and Janie are on vacation this week and while they are gone Pastor Brent and Emily Bittenbender are coming to share what God can do with a couple of folks sold out to Jesus! Specifically, they feel called to the lost people of Detroit, Michigan! 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.)…
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 580! Praise God!
NO WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK!
With Pastor Dan on vacation, we will NOT HAVE our Wed. night Bible Study this week! The Bible study will resume the following week (May 20th). In the meantime, would you please pray God will raise up a leader for Wed. night when Pastor Dan is gone? Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS MISSIONARY BOOK READERS!
We had a wonderful time heading out to the old ballpark to cheer on the West Michigan White Caps! The weather was perfect and we had a lot of fun! The children have had a change of plans! Since the kids are getting a little older, Cherry P. is taking our winners (Savannah, Jeffrey, and Brady) to Craig’s Cruisers on Wed. May 27, instead! Bless all of you who read the Missionary Books! Janie still has books available! New ones in July!
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)
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!
CAMP MEETING (SUMMER REVIVAL) IS COMING TO INDIAN LAKE IN JULY!
The Church of the Nazarene is just over 100 years old and one of her oldest traditions is coming together each year for a time of spiritual renewal called ‘Camp Meeting.’ Camp Meeting was original held at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp in Vicksburg under a large tent for several weeks at a time. Then, our three Michigan districts were one and a large crowd gathered to hear evangelists preach 3 services a day plus a time of discipleship.
While Camp Meeting is only a week now and there are just 2 services a day and a time of discipleship, it is still a time for spiritual renewal for 1,000+ people. Come for just one service or the whole week and you will be blessed!
Camp Meeting begins with District Assembly Sun., Jul. 12th and ends Sun., July 19th. Pastor Dan spends the week at ‘camp’ in a small cabin and would love to have you stop by! Need more information? See Pastor Dan or Janie!
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!
It’s official! Bob Hill retired from mowing! We were blessed he did the maintenance on the mowers before his hand surgery, but now we need others to mow a week or two this year. Thank you Pastor Dan for mowing last week! Who’s next? See Pastor Dan or Bob Hill if you’d be willing to help! 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
May 03-31 5th Annual Diaper Drive
May 11 White Caps Baseball Game 6:35pm
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
May 31 Church Elections
Jun. 07 Annual Church Meeting
Jul. 12-19 Camp Meeting / Dist. Assm. at I.L.N.C.
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