Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! It was our Family Church week, the first week of the month, when we keep the kids with us and receive communion. While cooler fall weather is leading us an even colder winter, the love received from the Holy Spirit and shared with remains warm and welcoming! In fact, we’re a church where you can confidently invite your friends AND your enemies! Why not invite someone new to this week’s potluck? Your invitation just might change their life….and yours! (smile)
God’s message this week came from Psalm 8:1-9 and was titled, “Out of the Mouths of Babes.” First, David marvels at the awesomeness of God, his Lord. David describes God as majestic, meaning in part, very great, mighty, magnificent, glorious, and excelling in moral qualities. David is overwhelmed with who God is and basks in His glory and then says a strange thing: “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Ps. 8:2).
Is David really expecting toddlers and infants to praise God and silence God’s foes? Later Jesus explains David’s statement in Lk. 19:39-40 and Mt. 21:15-16 at the time of Jesus’ triumphant entry. You’ll remember the Pharisees were indignant with the praise Jesus was receiving. Jesus responded by declaring if they tried to silence them even the stones would cry out! Why? First, God is worthy of praise and it silences His enemies!
Further, David declares this great and awesome God is his Lord! God not only deserves praise, He deserves being followed! Are you praising and following Him?
Finally, in v. 4 David wonders ‘who is humanity that God should think and care?’ Before we see David’s conclusion, we acknowledge some hear the same questions today…in a negative way. Parents, teachers, and bosses question our intelligence and abilities and if we’re not careful, we can allow the Devil to convince us we’re too incompetent, flawed, and broken, to ever expect laughter, joy, and peace.
But in v. 5-8 David reminds his hearers that God created humanity different. Humanity is unique, crowned with glory and honor, and made ruler (steward) over creation. Not only has God created humanity in His image (Gen. 1:27), we are created on purpose for a purpose! The next time you struggle with self-doubt, first marvel at how great God is and then realize that great and awesome God created you! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS THIS SUNDAY (OCT. 11)
Our next Northeast Community Potluck is THIS Sunday! So, bring friends, an enemy, and a dish to pass and join us after our worship service downstairs for a time of food, fun, and fellowship! Willing to help? Bless you! Please tell Cherry P. (616) 916-7595
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS OCT. 15th AT 11:30AM
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is on Oct. 15 at the Hibachi Grill located on Alpine (behind Target). It’s more than food! It’s a time to share joys, concerns and even laugh! So grab a friend and come to Hibachi at 11:30! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
WORK DAY SCHEDULED FOR SAT, OCT. 17!
Larry B. has called an ‘Official Work Day’ for Sat., Oct. 17! Folks are needed to help clean the parking lot, rake leaves, take our window air conditioners out, trim foliage, roll up hoses, and a bunch of other things to prepare our church for winter! Please come help!
ALABASTER OFFERING BLESSINGS! AND THE FINAL TOTAL IS….
As we finished our final ‘official’ week of Alabaster giving last Sunday, I rejoice to report we received $593 in cash, checks and coins to send to the mission field! Because of your giving, $593 will be sent to the mission field to purchase land and buildings to reach the lost for Christ! Bless you for joining our Missionary God in reaching a world for Christ!
ARTPRIZE WALK TUE., OCT. 06 BETWEEN 5:00PM to 7:00PM
ArtPrize 7 began Sep. 23 and ends Oct. 11. This public art competition encourages us to decide what’s worthy by voting for it! Round 1 ends Oct. 03. Round 2 begins (top 20) on Oct. 4 and ends Oct. 08. At 5pm, we’ll take the city bus from the front of the church, get some exercise, see some art, and enjoy some laughs! Questions? See Pastor Dan.
OCTOBER IS OUR 5th ANNUAL BLANKET (COAT) DRIVE FOR MEL TROTTER!
Believe it or not, even after all of these years of collecting coats and blankets for Mel Trotter, the need remains greater than ever for clean new and used coats and blankets! We will be setting up a table in the back of the sanctuary this week! Bless you for all you do to love ‘the least of these!’ GOAL = 50 TO DATE = 6
DISTRICT TEEN LOCK IN – OCT 23 – 11PM-7AM
Attention teens! On October 23rd the District is hosting a teen Lock-In at the 3-Mile Project: http://www.3mp.org/ Cost is $15 and inc. food! So, grab a friend and prepare for a night FULL of fun! See Pastor Dan if you’re interested! RSVP by Sun., Oct. 18
NEW DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE!
As you have probably realized, our church family directory changes frequently! Whew, you keep us busy! Thankfully, Gerry Dawson is all over it! This week we will have a new directory available at the Bible Study Wed. night and on the table outside the sanctuary Sunday! Check it for accuracy, let us know, and we’ll get your changes in the next one!
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., Oct. 25th 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 ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry reported missionary readership is up dramatically! So, if you have a book, read it and return it so others can read them, too! Not read one yet? You can start this week! See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and discover how God is moving in the world! Thanks!
EAT SOUP AND GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Thank you to everyone who is collecting Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops! While it seems small, the cash they generate really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School. Questions, labels and box tops should go to Fran S. and Sherry J.
CHRISTMAS CANTATA ANYONE?
Yes, we were unable to garner enough support for a Christmas Cantata last year, but our church has a lengthy tradition of sharing the gospel through music. Beverly S., who was a former professional musician and bandleader, has agreed to lead us this year! So, are you interested in singing in a Cantata this year? See Pastor Dan if you are interested.
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!
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS MEETS HERE TUESDAY’S AT 7:00PM
Do you often feel nervous, tense, or bored…have trouble sleeping or sleep too much… experience mood swings or feel useless? You’re not alone. At an EA meeting you’ll find others who’ve been where you are and experienced many of the same feelings, but, they found help at an Emotions Anonymous Meeting! Need more info? Look for literature rack in the ‘Community Room’ or call Helen W. (leader) at 616-363-7347.
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
Is there someone you have missed, would like to invite to church or encourage? Why not grab a few church postcards and send them out? Everyone is blessed by a simple hand written note! If you would like some postcards, see Pastor Dan.
DAILY DEVOTIONS – REFLECTING GOD IS AVAILABLE!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available FREE to anyone interested in spending a daily time with God. The devotions provide a brief reading and truth from the Bible for every day. It also has a schedule if you’d like to read the Bible in a year and/or pray for our missionaries! You’ll find them located outside the sanctuary!
DISTRICT INVITATIONS TO WORK AND WITNESS
We’ve received two invitations from the District to join in work and witness projects. While we might not have anyone ready to go this time, let’s start praying about how our church could join a work and witness missionary project someday soon!!
WORK AND WITNESS – PERRY CHURCH – PUERTO RICO – SUMMER 2016
Hi there, my name is Lonny Bumgardner and I’m an Associate Pastor at Perry Nazarene. It is an awesome day to serve the Lord! In the summer of 2016 there is an opportunity to be part of a massive outpouring of service and love to Puerto Rico and I’m inviting you to join us on the team from the Michigan District. For a brief overview of the event, check out the video at www.encuentropr.org .
There will be something or some way for everyone to serve. Below is the synopsis of the costs for adults and teens to attend. But I wanted to share with you something really special. This event is not just a ‘youth’ event, it is an event for the family of all ages. There are even discounted rates for children (not inc. airfare):
0 – 2 years old (free) 3 – 5 yrs old ($79) 6 – 11 years old ($110)
STANDARD COSTS PER PERSON
$688.00 Quad Room Extra Day $35.00 $745.00 Triple Room Extra Day $40.00
$838.00 Double Room Extra Day $55.00 Deposit $100.00 DUE Oct. 10, 2015
Payment $150.00 January 10, 2016 Balance March 31, 2016
If you want to go, please let me know. It will help me to know how many are going and I can get you and/or your group through the registration process pretty quickly
Grace and Peace, Pastor Lonny Bumgardner - Perry Nazarene
WORK AND WITNESS – THREE RIVERS CHURCH – GUATEMALA – JAN. 2016
Our church is sponsoring a Work and Witness trip to Palestina, Guatemala, Jan. 23-31, 2016. We have at least 4 openings for additional team members. Individual cost for the trip is $1300.00. Interested persons may contact Jodi Schnetzler at 269-718-8968, or fill out the application and send it to our church: Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene, 1221 Coon Hollow Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093. Feel free to call Jodi or our church (269-273-7415) if you have additional questions. Pastor Bob Anderson
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 5th Annual Blanket (Coat) Drive for Mel Trotter
Oct. 06 ArtPrize Walk (second round voting) 5:00-7:00PM
Oct. 11 Northeast Community Potluck at 12:30pm
Oct. 15 Third Thur. Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine
Oct. 17 Church Work Day
Nov. 01 Daylight Savings Time ends (fall back 1 hour)
Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund
Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day
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