Dear Friends and Family!
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord! It was a snowy and cold day on the outside, but warm and wonderful inside! Since it was Thanksgiving Sunday, we shared a few things we were thankful for during a hymn! I heard everything from food, to family, to this church, and Jesus! But if you want to discover all our church is thankful for you’ll need to check out the ‘thankful hands’ taped to the glass in the sanctuary! We also had the opportunity to give to the World Evangelism Fund! You’ll definitely want to keep reading to learn why Sherry J. (our missionary president) felt like fainting when she was told how much you gave! Needless to say, but God is good! Yup! ALL THE TIME!
God’s message this week came from Ps. 16:1-11 and was titled, “Pleasant Boundaries Bring Thanksgiving.” While some of us may have fought the boundaries God established for their lives, we learn God creates boundaries to keep the good in, the bad out, so that we might live safe, secure, contented lives filled with thanksgiving!
Like the pilgrims we remember who came to America who gave thanks so long ago, David declares in v. 1 it is God who keeps him safe and in God whom he takes refuge. Like those early pilgrims, David rejects idols and foreign gods (vv. 3-4) and declares sorrow increases for those who chase them. Those early pilgrims trusted God and kept faith in Christ even during those long cold, lean winters when many died. Why? Because they knew God decided their fair share of His bounty and secured it.
This is further illustrated in vv. 5-6: Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance (Ps. 16:5-6).
‘Who assigned David’s portion and his cup?’ ‘Who made David’s lot secure?’ The LORD! You see, David understood something we all need to realize: Our government, parents, and employers don’t determine our portions, security, and inheritance…only God does! And when we realize these boundaries were established on purpose for our good, we can stop out longing, coveting, and complaining, and give thanks for what we do have!
Contentment – that is, true thanksgiving comes by realizing all we have (great or small) is part of God’s plan and instead of looking around and comparing ourselves to others, we simply look up and give thanks to God! Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
EAT SOUP AND HELP DECORATE THIS WED. NIGHT AT 6:30PM
Advent starts this next Sunday so it’s time to decorate the church for Christmas! Instead of our regular Bible study, Janie’s making some chili and cheesy bacon (bacon will be added separate for vegetarians) potato soup, and is playing Christmas Carols in the Sanctuary while we decorate! So, come eat, laugh, and help us decorate the church for Christmas! (Of course, we’ll still have ice cream after!)
WED. NIGHT IS MOVING TO THE PARSONAGE STARTING DEC. 02!
Starting next week, our Wed. night Bible study for all ages will meet at the parsonage located at 883 Fuller Ave NE (the white house across the parking lot). We are doing this to be good stewards! By meeting at the parsonage we won’t have to spend the money to heat the church. The Study will still be from 6:30-7:30 and we will still eat ice cream!
MAKE PLANS TO SPEND CHRISTMAS EVE WITH US! (6:00PM)
Christmas is a special season for all of us and to celebrate it we will be having a special Christmas Eve ‘Carols and Communion’ Service. Come at 6pm for a time to remember your pain in the presence of Jesus by lighting a special candle, singing Christmas Carol’s led by Beverly Shephard, hear the retelling of the Christmas Story from Scripture, and partaking in Communion. Of course we’ll conclude singing Silent Night by candlelight! Then, stay for a few light refreshments and then continue your Christmas Eve plans!
WOW! WOW! WOW! THANKSGIVING OFFERING RECEIVED WAS $625!!
Our local Missionary Council (NMI) led by Sherry Johnson set a goal of $350 for the Thanksgiving World Evangelism Offering this year and Sherry nearly fainted when told $625 was received! Wow! Wow! Wow! Praise the Lord! On behalf of the nearly 400 missionaries stationed around the world, BLESS YOU! You have made a world changing difference by deciding to join God in His Mission to Seek and Save the Lost! Amen!
IT’S TIME TO ORDER YOUR POISETTIAS! HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH!
Do you love to see the church filled with poinsettia’s for Christmas or give a poinsettia to a loved one (including you!) Great! For the next two weeks you can order a poinsettia or three and pay for them on/or before Dec. 13. They’ll be delivered for Christmas Sun. Service (Dec. 20) and you can pick them up Christmas Eve! Order forms were in the program last week and will be in the Nov. 29 and Dec. 06, too! Questions? See Gerry D.
BLESS YOU FOR GIVING THANKS!
While one person said our turkey looks anything but thankful, many of you took the time to give thanks! Check out the thankfulness of your church by looking at them taped around the turkey on the glass! God is good! Bless you for giving thanks!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS DEC. 17 AT 11:30AM
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Dec. 17 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine Ave. It’s a time to eat, share joys, concerns and even laugh! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
HONORING CHRIST’S BIRTHDAY BY LOVING THE HOMELESS!
Christ's birthday is fast approaching and to honor His special day, we want to give gifts to the least of these (see Matt. 25:31-46) in our community - the homeless. Steve H. has put together a list of items we're collecting through Dec. 20th. You may purchase items or provide a financial gift using a blue giving envelope, mark it 'homeless project,' place it in the offering plate, and we’ll shop for you!
ITEMS NEEDED (MUST BE NON-PERISHABLE)
· Small packages of crackers, granola bars, and/or chips, 2 gal. Ziplock bags
· Socks, knitted caps and mittens, chapstick, toothbrushes, dental floss
· Travel sized toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, combs, small hand sanitizer bottles
· Band-Aids, bottled water, mints or gum, cough drops, small tissue packs
· Favorite Bible verses / encouraging words / Sm. New Testament Bibles
Bless you for bringing and giving a little CHRISTmas to those who may need it most! If you have any questions, see Steve H. or call or text him at: (616) 929-2195!
JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS CANTATA PRACTICE! SAT. AT 10:00AM
About 12 people are practicing each Sat. from 10am – 12noon! It’s not too late to join us either! We could use a few more male voices (hint hint)! Beverly S. is leading us and she is a great choir director! Never sang in a choir? No problem! You’ll catch on quickly! Did I mention we have a snack time in the middle of the practice? Yum Yum! Fun Fun!
TURN AND DON’T GIVE SOMEONE THE FLU!
It’s that wonderful season when we learn how to use hand sanitizer and practice our best ‘fist bumps’ instead of giving hugs! Not sure what a fist bump is? It’s easy! Simply make a loose fist and gently reach out towards someone. In return, they will reach their fist out and gently ‘bump’ yours! It’ fun and easy way to say hi without catching the flu!
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.
NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS SUN., DEC. 13
Do you like to eat? Do you like to laugh? Do you like to tell stories (true or exaggerated) share your struggles and triumphs? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to come to our next Northeast Community Church Potluck! It is always a great time to sit down with family and friends and share life. Not a potluck passes without me learning something about one of you! So, invite a friend, bring something to share, and make plans to stay after our worship service! If you would like to help set up or clean up, contact (call or text) Cherry P. (616) 916-7595 or email her at pakielac@gmail.com
WORLD AIDS TODAY IS DEC. 01
“It’s been said that in a 100 years, people will look back on this time in history and the main question they will ask is, “What did they do about AIDS?” AIDS is often referred to as a pandemic, a plague, a deadly disease touching all world regions. Yet, this pandemic is not just about staggering statistics, but the faces of people. It is about real lives. It is about children. It is about the church!” Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM)
What can we do? First and foremost we can pray for those with AIDS and those family members and friends affected. Second, we can learn more about this disease and the people carrying it and consider how Jesus would respond. (Hint: love and compassion). Finally, we can give our time, talent, and resources. If you would like to know more about AIDS including an opportunity to give click: http://ncm.org/learn/hivaids/
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry reported readership is up dramatically! As of Nov. 15 we had read 101 books! WooHoo! If you’ve got one, read it and return it so others can read them! Not reading yet? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started! God is on the move!
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
Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Offering for World Evangelism Fund
Nov. 22 Missionary Gathering
Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 28 Cantata practice at 10:00am – 12:00Noon
Dec. 01 World A.I.D.S. Day
Dec. 13 Deadline to order and pay for Poinsettia’s
Dec. 13 Northeast Community Potluck
Dec. 17 Third Thur. Lunch at Hibachi Grill on Alpine
Dec. 20 Christmas Sunday! Christmas Cantata
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