Hello Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! Sunday was not only a great opportunity to hear from the Lord, but it was a great opportunity to commune at His Table, receive the elements symbolizing His body and blood, and ask the Spirit to examine us! As Isaiah taught us last week, the closer we get to Him, the more aware we are of our flaws, and our need to make small and big changes to look and smell a lot more like Jesus!
Last Sunday was also an opportunity to hear from our church leaders. While some might think listening to reports from the Stewards, Discipleship, Finance, Missions, and Trustee (that’s right singular Trustee) would be boring, they pulsated with the heartbeat of God. As each department testified, God is leading, God is blessing, and God get’s the glory! If you’d like your own copy of their reports, you can find one on a table outside the sanctuary!
God’s message this week came from Psalm 138 and was titled, “Stouthearted Faith.” It is my contention that in the 21st century where ‘anything goes,’ we can forget who we are. We can even become so self-absorbed we forget the people around us. And sometimes, when we’re at our worst, we might even forget about God and our need to witness to the good news!
In Psalm 138 we find the writer worshipping God in the Temple Court. With passion and conviction, he is praising God in the presence of others worshipping their pagan gods. He declares, “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise” (v. 1). How about you? Are you willing to praise God boldly in the marketplace where you live? Are you willing to risk the ‘odd looks’ and ‘laughter’ of others in your praise of Jesus?
What does the psalmist possess to give him that kind of courage and fearless faith? We find the answer in v.3: “When I called you, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted” (v. 3). One dictionary defines stouthearted as courageous or determined. A thesaurus offers ‘brave, determined, plucky, fearless, gutsy, and spunky’ as alternatives for stouthearted.
How did the Psalmist become brave, gutsy, and spunky in his faith? By praying! Here we discover prayer not only can change the outcome of events (like the way our God healed a babies heart while still in the womb, amen?) but can and does change the person praying!
Want to be more stouthearted in your faith and witness for Jesus? Want to be more bold and fearless praising God while surrounded by your pre-Christian friends and family? Then pray regularly! Pray in all circumstances! Seek the will of the Father! Intercede for those you love! Confess often and see if God doesn’t just change you, too! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ANNUAL MEETING AND LUNCH BLESSINGS!
As I mentioned earlier, our annual meeting was a blessing to all who stayed. One item (blessing) I forgot to mention earlier was the lunch Janie prepared for everyone. While we were giving reports and listening, Janie grilled burgers and dogs, baked beans, and with Cherry’s jello and watermelon prepared a feast for all of us afterwards! Thank you Janie for all of your hard work and great cooking! I ate too much! But what a blessing!
5th ANNUAL KEEP ‘EM COVERED DIAPER DRIVE BLESSINGS!
It was with pride I walked into North End Community Ministry (NECM) with our 1,644 diapers, 432 wipes, and Nancy Branagan’s donated boxes of Desitin, baby shampoo, and Eczema cream last Tue. wondering what they might say. I wasn’t disappointed! After a gasp or two and about a half dozen thank-you’s and praise God’s, they quickly rallied their troops and carried our donations down to their hungry shelves! Bless each person who gave to this need. It was good to be ‘Jesus’ to so many in need! Praise the Lord!
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.
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!
WED. NIGHT IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Join us at 6:30pm for a time of singing, prayer, and study for the whole family. This week Pastor Dan is on vacation and WE ARE NOT cancelling Wed. night! Newly elected Sherry J. stepped forward and said she’d ‘give it a try.’ EVERONE should come support Sherry as she takes this ‘bold step of faith.’ How about you? Are you willing to help? We need help with children right now. Jeffrey R., and Danasia O. have started attending and if Carrie brings hers as she is planning to do, we would have 5 kids! Don’t forget, even when Pastor Dan is gone we always end our night with ice cream!
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
| ||
2015 / 2016 Election Results (May 31, 2015)
| ||
Trustees
|
Stewards
| |
Larry Branagan
|
Cherry Pakiela
| |
Steve Hammond
| ||
Fran Stoll
| ||
NMI President
|
NMI Council
| |
Sherry Johnson
|
Gerry Dawson
| |
Tracy Tamm
| ||
Anna Boeve
| ||
SDMI Superintendent
|
NYI President
| |
Gerry Dawson
|
Janie Hathaway
| |
District Assembly Delegate
|
District Assembly Alternate
| |
Fran Stoll
|
Steve Hammond
| |
NMI Convention Delegate
|
NMI Convention Alternate
| |
Tracy Tamm
|
Fran Stoll
| |
Sunday School Conv. Delegate
|
Sunday School Conv. Alternate
| |
Janie Hathaway
|
Cherry Pakiela
| |
NYI Convention Delegate
|
NYI Convention Alternate
| |
Anna Boeve
|
Steve Hammond
| |
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
June Run Against Hunger Food Drive for N.E.C.M.
Jun. 09-15 Pastor Dan and Janie on vacation
Jun. 18 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
Jun. 28 Summer Celebration after Worship Service
Jul. 12-19 Camp Meeting / Dist. Assm. at I.L.N.C.
Aug. 06 N.E.C.M. Supper House
No comments:
Post a Comment