Hello Dear Ones! We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! This week we started singing a song by the Christian group, ‘Unspoken’ called ‘Start a Fire.’ The first verse declares a cultural truth:
This world can be cold and bitter. Feels like we're in the dead of winter. Waiting on something better. But am I really gonna hide forever? Then the lyrics add a familiar challenge from the Holy Spirit to our Christian lives: Over and over again, I hear Your voice in my head, Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see.
But as we learned 2 weeks ago, Jesus’ first disciples remained in a locked upper room… until the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fell! The song then acknowledges this in us, too!
Start a fire in my soul. Fan the flame and make it grow. So there's no doubt or denying. Let it burn so brightly. That everyone around can see. That it's You, that it's You that we need, Start a fire in me! There’s more to this song, but you get the point. Are you gonna hide forever?
God’s message this week came from Isaiah 6:1-8 and was titled, ‘Encountering the Holy.’ Isaiah was the most righteous guy in the world at the time of his encounter with God. But in his encounter with God, Isaiah discovered many truths. First, he realized God alone is truly Awesome! God’s throne is ‘high and exalted, his attendants are described as a burning fire, and their praise is so loud it is rocking the temple and doors (literally).
Holy, Holy, Holy, the Seraphs sang! The basic meaning of ‘holy’ is separate. God is not like us. He is absolutely just in everything He does. He has no beginning or end. He doesn’t have mood swings, and most importantly, God is without sin. God is so holy and awesome that even His angels dare not look directly at Him or even expose their feet.
Second, standing before God and measuring himself against the true standard of holiness, Isaiah sees himself clearly and declares: “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (v. 5). Having seen himself as he truly was, Isaiah repented! Have you seen yourself clearly? When you enter the presence of God your awareness leads to repentance!
Third, we discover God provides a way to heal Isaiah’s failure and sin by sending fire from His altar. In love and grace God sent an angel with a live coal from the altar to take away his sin, atone for his shortcomings, and prepare Isaiah for service. In love and grace, the Father still sends healing from heaven! Through Christ, God still saves us and sancitify through His Spirit so we can be restored and prepared for service! Are you saved and sanctified?
Finally, we see transformation has a purpose. After he has been sanctified Isaiah is no longer downcast and insecure. In fact, when God asks: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” [Isaiah says], “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8). Isaiah has become a man on fire. And God can do amazing things with a person on fire for Him. How our world needs people ready to ask God to bring a fire to their souls that will not just cleanse them but with empower them to go and be witnesses for the LORD. May the Fire burn in you! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ANNUAL MEETING AND LUNCH RIGHT AFTER WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY! (6-07)
Every year we have an annual church meeting to give our departments and opportunity to share their praises, updated plans, need for prayer, and get your feedback so we can be better leaders. In the past we've done an ice cream social, potlucks, and a service, but this year we’re trying something different! This year Janie's grilling burgers, hot dogs, and baking beans and serving chips right after the meeting so you can stay, hear the brief reports (maybe 30 minutes), and still not miss your lunch! RSVPs to Janie!
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE BLESSINGS!
Well, with God’s help you’ve DONE IT AGAIN! You’ve not only met our goal to collect 1,200 diapers, but exceeded it by collecting 1,644 diapers and even donated 432 wipes! Why I even received a donation from Sharon Benton (a former member) who now lives in PA! How cool is that! Bless all of you who cared for some of the frailest ‘least of these.’ All of our diapers are going to North End Community Ministry who runs a ‘crisis pantry’ (giving those in crisis 3-day’s of supplies). I can’t wait to see their faces! God is good!
Our goal = 1,200 and we have collected 1,644!
CHILDREN MISSIONARY READERS HAD A GREAT TIME AT CRAIG’S CRUISERS!!
Last Wed. night (May 27) Cherry picked up our three children Missionary Book Reader winners and took them to Craig’s Cruisers! You want to know how I knew they had a great time? When Cherry pulled back into the parking lot around 8:15pm the kids were all smiling, laughing, and couldn’t wait to tell me what a wonderful time they had and Cherry looked like she needed a nap! Seriously, what a blessing to have three kids read our missionary books and for an adult that chaperoned them by herself! God is good!
RUN AGAINST HUNGER FOOD DRIVE IN JUNE!
Janie and Corynne Johnson (Sherry J’s daughter) are planning to ‘Run Against Hunger’ on Jul. 11 to help North East Community Ministry (N.E.C.M.) restock their depleted food shelves. Janie and Corynne will be running a 5k (3.1 miles) in the hot summer sun! Your job is a bit easier! Starting this Sun., bring 3 cans or boxes of non-perishable food and place them on the table in the back of the sanctuary! Bless you for helping the hungry! Can’t bring 3 items? No problem! Just bring what you can! Questions? See Pastor Dan.
CHURCH ELECTION BLESSINGS! GOD HAS SPOKEN! AMEN!
Every year we ask the Holy Spirit to help us nominate the right candidates and ask our prospective candidates to pray before letting their name run on the ballot. Likewise, we ask member members to pray before voting! Therefore, we believe God has spoken and below you will find the results! Bless everyone who took part! God is good!
Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene
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2015 / 2016 Election Results (May 31, 2015)
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Trustees
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Stewards
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Larry Branagan
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Cherry Pakiela
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Steve Hammond
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Fran Stoll
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NMI President
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NMI Council
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Sherry Johnson
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Gerry Dawson
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Tracy Tamm
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Anna Boeve
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SDMI Superintendent
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NYI President
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Gerry Dawson
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Janie Hathaway
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District Assembly Delegate
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District Assembly Alternate
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Fran Stoll
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Steve Hammond
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NMI Convention Delegate
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NMI Convention Alternate
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Tracy Tamm
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Fran Stoll
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Sunday School Conv. Delegate
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Sunday School Conv. Alternate
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Janie Hathaway
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Cherry Pakiela
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NYI Convention Delegate
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NYI Convention Alternate
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Anna Boeve
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Steve Hammond
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WED. NIGHT IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Join us at 6:30pm for a time of singing, prayer, and study for the whole family. Willing to help lead? We need help with children and teens. Contact Pastor Dan or Gerry D. if you can help! Praise God Shannon M. and Jeffrey R. started attending Wed! Don’t forget, we always end our night with ice cream! Come be a part of our midweek renewal!
SUMMER FESTIVAL IS COMING JUN. 28 – 12:30-3:30PM – WE NEED HELP!
The Stewards would like to plan a Summer Celebration this year to be a blessing to our community, but they need your help to make it happen! Ron Morse has already agreed to generously donate his tent again this year, but we need help with food, organizing a game or two, and helping set up and clean up! Can you do something to help?
You can find more information and sign-up sheets on the wall outside the sanctuary or please ask Cherry P. or Steve H. if you have any other questions! Let’s all do our part to help host a great Summer Celebration! Trust me! It will be fun for everyone involved!
HELP WANTED! WE NEED WORKERS!
Can you help in the nursery? Help teach a Sunday school class? Sing on the Praise Team, help run the sound booth, call on shut-ins, move the palms, or help mow the grass? It is a lot of work to keep up a church and we need everyone to help! Let Gerry D. or Pastor know if you can help! Remember: many hands make light work!
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH, JUN. 18 (AT HIBACHI GRILL)
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is on Jun. 18 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target). Remember! It’s more than food! It’s a time to share our joys, concerns and laugh! So grab a friend and come at 11:30! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
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 HERE! 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)
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!
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
Jun. 3-28 Run Against Hunger Food Drive for N.E.C.M.
Jun. 07 Annual Church Meeting / Lunch after Worship Service
Jun. 09-15 Pastor Dan and Janie on vacation
Jun. 18 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
Jul. 12-19 Camp Meeting / Dist. Assm. at I.L.N.C.
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