Hello dear friends and family!
Finally, we can finally sing, “Well, the weather outside is frightening…” Now some of us think this is wonderful news! …still others aren’t so sure! Well, whatever the weather is outside, it’s always warm and wonderful in our church! …and I’m not just talking about the air temperature, either! The warmth of the Holy Spirit was there! …and so was the warmth of the Holy Spirit moving within each of you! Perhaps nothing warms the soul more than a warm smile and fist bump from you in the presence of God! Toasty! Amen!
Last week we were reminded to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever” (Ps. 106:1). It was the first of four messages on stewardship and taught us God is the only One worthy of praise for everything we possess including ourselves! Truth is, we can’t be good stewards until we acknowledging God is the giver of all good gifts!
God’s message this week came from Romans 12:1-2 and was titled, “Giving Ourselves to God” and declared another stewardship truth. God wants more than our praise (or our money as some cynics suggest) God wants ALL of us! Paul declares as we continue to yield more and more to the Spirit there comes a point when we become a sacrifice.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom. 12:1, NIV).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1, KJV).
So, what is your reasonable (rational /intelligent) response to God’s mercy? What is your spiritual act of worship? ‘to offer (present) your body as a living sacrifice….’
The word ‘present’ (offer) is a technical term to describe the sacrifices and offerings OT priests made to God in the Temple. The priest carried the sacrifice/offering to the altar and placed it facing the Most Holy Place, thus presenting it before the Lord. There it was consecrated and sacrificed before the LORD. So have you consecrated yourself to God?
Is everything in life pointed towards Him? Nobody can make an offering of you except you! No doubt your consecration began when you confessed and asked Jesus into your heart. It was a decision to receive! You were saved! Are you ready to make a decision to give yourself fully to God and be sanctified? The truth is, God can’t do great things with you until He has done a great work in you! May it be so! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP? CLASSES STARTING SUN., JAN. 17 @ 9:45AM
We’ve had several indicate an interest in the Church of the Nazarene and membership and so we’ve planned a series of 4 membership classes during our Sunday school hour! Attendees receive a small book providing the history and beliefs of the Church of the Nazarene and opportunity to examine their gifts! If you’re interested in learning more about Nazarenes and/or would like to become a member, please let Pastor Dan know!
2016 GIVING ENVELOPES ARE FOR EVERYONE!
Someone asked if you had to be a member to have a box of giving envelopes? Absolutely not! Everyone’s encouraged to ask Anna or Janie for a box of giving envelopes and give! With envelopes you will also receive an end of year giving statement, too! “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
OUR NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS JAN. 17 (THIS SUNDAY!) @ 4PM
Our missionary gathering is Jan. 17 (this Sunday!) at 4pm. Bring a friend and come enjoy a brief lesson on missions! After Sherry J. leads our lesson, we eat snacks, laugh, and chat (sometimes at the same time! :) So bring a snack to pass and join us at 4pm! You’ll be glad you did! Have any questions? Contact Sherry J. (she loves to text!)
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THU., JAN. 21 AT 11:30AM
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Jan. 21 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine Ave. It’s a great time to eat, share joys, concerns and even laugh! Questions? See Tracy or Linda!
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.
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry reported readership is up dramatically! Not reading? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started! God is on the move! Read about it in the Missions books!
NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS SUN., FEB. 14
Do you like to eat? Do you like to laugh? Do you like to share your struggles and share your triumphs? If you said yes, you need to come to our next Northeast Community Church Potluck! It’s a great time to life. Not a single potluck goes by that I don’t discover something about one of you! So, invite a friend, bring something to share, and stay after our worship service for December’s potluck! If you would like to help set up or clean up, contact (call or text) Cherry P. (616) 916-7595or email her at pakielac@gmail.com
TURN AND DON’T GIVE SOMEONE THE FLU!
It’s that wonderful season when we use hand sanitizer and give our best ‘fist bumps’ instead of hugs! Not sure what a fist bump is? It’s easy! Simply make a loose fist and gently reach out towards someone. They’ll reach their fist out and gently ‘bump’ yours! It’s fun and it is a good way to stop the spread of the cold and flu!
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
Jan. 17 Membership class at 9:45am
Jan. 17 Missionary Gathering at 4pm
Jan. 22-23 District NYI Celebrate Life at Kuyper College
Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday (Lent begins)
Feb. 14 Northeast Community Potluck at 12:15pm
Feb. 14 Valentines Day
Mar. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
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