Dear Friends and Family!
We had a wonderful day in the Lord, this week! In addition to our time of prayer, worship, and discipleship, we gathered at our August potluck. What a joy to see new and old faces come together to share the joy and pain of living out their faith over a communal meal. In Acts 2:42 we read, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Indeed, when we come together we are connecting with our ancient faith heritage! Bless everyone who made this reality possible! Praise God!
God’s message this week came from Psalm 34:1-8 and was titled, “Try It, You’ll Like It!” Most remember parents and grandparents encouraging them to move beyond immature and irrational fears to experience something good! The assumption was if they could get us to try something once, we would realize how good it was and come back for more!
What works for green beans and swimming pools works in the faith, too! David declares you’ll never know how good faith in Christ is until you taste Him yourself! In the intro to Psalm 34 we discover David is reflecting on the crisis he experienced in 1 Sam. 21:10-14. While running from Saul, David takes refuge in Philistine kingdom only to be taken hostage. If we only read Samuel’s account, we might believe David responds brilliantly! Go David!
But in Psalm 34, David declares his escape wasn’t the result of brilliant thinking, but a loving God who freed him from his fears (v. 4) and saved him from his troubles (v. 6). He wasn’t clever; he was overwhelmed, humbled, and desperate. “In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened (v. 6). David simply humbled himself and prayed! God did the rest!
Are you in crisis? Do you feel like a hostage in your situation? Are you overwhelmed and outnumbered? Then turn to God in prayer! Jesus still listens, frees, and saves those who humbly come to him with all of their troubles! Yield your life completely to the Holy Spirit, cast your cares upon Him, and be saved beyond your wildest imagination!
David models how to respond when God answers prayer, too! “I will praise the Lord at all times, I will constantly speak of his praises” (v. 1). He remembered all God did, praised Him constantly, and shared his testimony with others! Finally, in v. 8 we find David, desiring all people know the joy he experienced he was saved and delivered, declares, “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8). May all of us praise, testify, and inviting others to taste the joy of our deliverer! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
SUPPER HOUSE BLESSINGS!
We were blessed to serve 200 people at Supper House last week! 12 people came (inc. two pre-teens and two who came early to cook). I must say the many hands and feet of Jesus made the work light! Thank you to Larry B., Judy C., Carrie C., Gerry D., Steve H., Janie H., Isis, Sherry J., Savannah N., Gary P., and Mary W. who worked and to everyone who gave. Together, we made this possible! Bless you loving the least of these!
WORLD MISSION BROADCAST OFFERING THIS SUNDAY, AUG. 16th
World Mission Broadcast (WMB) takes the Gospel to the world through radio, television and Internet programs. On the air since 1951, (WMB) reaches even the most remote parts of the world, with words of hope and holiness... and lives are changed. The cost to support 1 minute of WMB airtime is $4.00. We’re taking an offering on Aug. 16!
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS THIS SUNDAY, AUG. 16th AT 4PM
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., Aug. 16th at 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study, learn what our missionaries are doing, how to pray for them, and learn how to be missionary in your own neighborhoods! We also enjoy snacks and laughter together! So bring a snack, a friend, and join us! You’ll be glad you did! Questions? See Sherry J!
MISSIONARY BOOKS
Sherry J., our Missionary President, reports we are half way to reading 100 books this year! Praise the Lord! Remember, there are books designed for children, youth, and adults and there are prizes for the first adults, teens, and children who read them! See Sherry J. if you need a book! By the way, they are really good books this year!
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH, AUG. 20, (AT HIBACHI GRILL)
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is at the Hibachi Grill located 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!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY IS HAPPENING! COME BE A PART OF IT!
Regardless of your age or whatever might be keeping you away, come join us this week at 6:30pm for a time of singing, prayer, and study. Remember, we always end our night with ice cream! Come, invite a friend, and be blessed! You’ll be glad you did!
UPDATED DIRECTORY IS COMING! DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT INFO?
We do our best to keep our directory current, but we need your help! If you’ve moved, changed your email, or phone #, etc., would you let us know? Bless you for helping!
JUST A REMINDER! NO CHILDREN’S CHURCH IN JUL. AND AUG.
Yes, we love your children and agree kids can worship and learn about Jesus better when they can create something with their hands, receive a snack to eat, and move around, but our children's workers are taking vacation, so for the next 2 months the kids are staying in the worship service with us! Bless you for understanding!
VISIT OR WRITE OR CALL A ‘SHUT-IN’ THIS WEEK!
I was going to give you Bob Hill’s information so you could call or visit him while he rehabilitates from hip surgery (and I will), but then I got to thinking all of our shut ins would appreciate a visit or a card or a phone call! Time goes slowly without any contact. Many can feel forgotten. Perhaps if you could visit one in the next couple weeks? If not, why not send a card or call one or two of them this week! Bless you for caring!
Barb Buning Dorene Coe
Porter Hills – 3600 Fulton St. E Christian Home – 1000 Edison Ave NW
GR, MI 49546 – Room # 212 GR, MI 49504
David Hathaway
Battle Creek Manor – 675 Wagner Dr.
Battle Creek, MI., 49017
Bob Hill
Breton Rehabilitation Living Center – 2589 44th St SE – Room # 212
GR, MI 49512 (616) 643-2575
Rhoda Holmquist
Mount Mercy Apartments – 1425 Bridge St. NW # 223
GR, MI 49504 (616) 791-2096
Dick and Emily Morse
3051 Wildridge Dr NE
GR, MI 49525 (616) 363-0626
Phyllis Plath
Emerald Meadows Assisted Living - 6117 Charlevoix Woods Ct SE
GR, MI 49546 (616) 974-3178
Catherine Tague
Holland Home – Fulton Manor – 1450 Fulton St. E. # 221
GR, MI 49503 (616) 281-9358
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Remember! Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops are worth cash! While it seems small, it really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School. Give your labels and box tops to Fran S. and Sherry J. See Fran or Sherry if you have any questions.
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
Jul.-Aug. No Children’s Church in Jul. and Aug.
Aug. 16 World Mission Broadcast Offering
Aug. 16 Missionary Moments at 4:00pm
Aug. 20 Chinese Lunch at 11:30am
Oct. 11 Northeast Community Potluck at 12:30pm
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