Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! As I stood outside this week I was blessed to see how many of you bring someone to church! Great-Grandkids and Aunts, friends and neighbors, young and old ones came to church this week because many of you took the time to invite them and picked them up!
What might happen if everyone invited one person to church each week and offered to pick them up? If direct mail results are any indication, we could expect 1-3% to say yes! So, what might happen if 40 people invited 52 people a year? (total of 2080 invitations). Well, if 1% of the 2,080 said yes, we would have 20.8 people visit the church. If 3% said yes, 62.4 or 5 new people would visit us each month. (obviously 1 of them is pregnant!)
Introducing people to Jesus is everyone’s business! Let’s invite people to church! Amen!
God’s message this week came from Ps. 91:1-16 and was titled, “Confidence in Crisis.” Some of us are facing difficult days right now. While bad things happen to good people, Jesus wants every child of God to know we can be safe and secure in a decidedly unsafe and insecure world when we place our faith in Him.
Psalm 91 reminds me of raising chickens. In the wild, a mother hen will pull her chicks under her wings. When rain comes, she pulls them under her wings and forms a seal. When the wind howls she digs her toes in and hangs on. When a predator come she fiercely pecks and squawks until they leave. The chicks needn’t understand threats; only stay under her wings. Sadly, those baby chicks who run from momma often die.
We find these same principles as we turn to the Psalm. In vv. 1-2 the Psalmist teaches we are to run to Jesus! When the storms come (and they will) we are to declare, “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Ps. 90:1b-2).
In vv. 3-4 we discover we are to ‘stay with Jesus, too!’ “He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Sadly, some see the power of the storm and… run back into sin…and to spiritual death!
Finally, in vv. 11-12 we discover not only is the Holy Spirit our advocate, friend, and counselor, but God commands angels to be near you, too! You aren’t alone! In fact, Jesus laid down His life so He could protect you! Are you ready to stop running? Jesus is ready to come as your savior, protector, and friend! (if you will let Him) Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
IT’S GETTING DOWNRIGHT BERMY OUTSIDE! PRAISE GOD!
While the weather outside is anything but ‘balmy,’ the yard around the parsonage has become downright ‘bermy.’ Come take a look at our newest landscaping. And no, Pastor Dan and Janie didn’t do it! It was a gift and it’s a secret, but it’s beautiful. Come and see!
WORK DAY BLESSINGS!
Larry B. called an ‘Official Work Day’ for last Sat. and I am delighted to say 3 came on Sat. (2 others worked Fri.) to rake a few leaves, take the window air conditioners out, trim foliage, roll up hoses, spread bark, and a bunch of other things! Bless everyone who came to work! As my dad used to say, “Many hands make the load light!”
PASTOR (AND WIFE) APPRECIATE YOUR PASTOR (AND WIFE) APPRECIATION!
On behalf of Janie and I, thank you for your continued acts of appreciation. You’ll never know how much your affirmations mean to both of us! Thank you for appreciating us! We love and appreciate you, too!! Together, we are the church! Pastor Dan and Jane
5th ANNUAL BLANKET (COAT) DRIVE FOR MEL TROTTER!
Even after 5 years of collecting coats and blankets for Mel Trotter, the need remains. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for the cold weather! Well, I saw some snowflakes Thu. Surely that’s cold enough! (smile) Bless you for all you do to love ‘the least of these!’
GOAL = 50 TO DATE = 21
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
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!
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE! (POSTAGE IS .35)
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? A simple hand written note blesses everyone and the postage is only .37 cents! You can find them on the table in the Annex.
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry reported missionary readership is up dramatically! As of last Sunday (Oct. 11) you have read 90 books! Woohoo! Praise the Lord! 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.
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS MEETS HERE ON 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.
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.
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!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS NOV. 19 AT 11:30AM
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Nov. 19 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine Ave. (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!
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
October 5th Annual Blanket (Coat) Drive for Mel Trotter
Nov. 01 Daylight Savings Time ends (fall back 1 hour)
Nov. 19 Third Thur. Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine
Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund
Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 13 Northeast Community Potluck
No comments:
Post a Comment