Hello Dear Ones!
We had a wonderful day in the Lord, yesterday! From preparation, to Sunday school, to a worship service filled with singing, praying, giving, and receiving the Word, God was the central part of all we did! Did you sense His presence yesterday? God is moving at Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene! Praise the Lord!
God’s message this week came to us from Jeremiah 1:4-10 and was titled, “Taking Life Seriously.” In Jeremiah’s day most of the priests were wicked, but a few who saw what was taking place remained firmly anchored in God’s ways. Jeremiah’s priestly parents (v. 1) were likely among this minority and raised their son to honor and serve God. At any rate, Jeremiah was prepared to hear the call of God when he was still a young teen.
Jeremiah writes, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
From these verses it becomes clear God knew Jeremiah before he was even conceived! The Hebrew word ‘yada’ translated ‘knew’ is the same word used to describe intimacy between a man and woman. God knew Jeremiah intimately! As incredible as it sounds, before Jeremiah was conceived God already knew him and had a plan for his life!
It is also clear God formed Jeremiah. The word ‘formed’ comes from the Hebrew yāṣār, meaning to form or fashion and conveys the idea of a potter shaping clay into a vessel. Jeremiah was no accident! God formed Jeremiah purposely with specific gifts! Finally, it is clear God set him apart for a specific purpose before he knew about it (see Jer. 1:6).
This means life isn’t a random arrangement of biological goo. From unborn babies, to those viewed as expendable we must hear this text and receive it with the conviction that all life is worthy of sustaining, preserving, and treating with dignity because God says so! He knew! He formed! He has a plan for everyone!
Not sure what His plan is? Pray! Read the Bible! Listen to His Spirit! The good news is it’s never too late to get with the program! Regardless of your past! Regardless of your fears! Regardless of your age, Jesus can set you free and help you get back to the plan and purpose God had for you before you were born! May it be so! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR 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) 916-7595 or email her at pakielac@gmail.com
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THU., FEB. 18 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!
OUR NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS FEB. 21 @ 4PM
Our missionary gathering is Feb. 21 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 questions? Contact Sherry J. She loves to text! (269) 932-8334
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY – IT’S CRISIS CARE KIT TIME!
Our NMI Council has asked us to start collecting items for Crisis Care Kits starting this week! Crisis Care Kits are a cooperative effort between Nazarene global missions and Nazarene compassionate ministries to collect and send basic toiletries to those who have experienced a ‘crisis’ all over the world. You can either purchase items or donate money to purchased items! We want to collect enough for 6 kits! Our ‘overflow’ will be donated to N.E.C.M. Bless you for loving hurting people! Questions? Contact Sherry J.
Here is the shopping list to make 1 Crisis Care Kit:
· 1 Shampoo (12 to 18 oz.)
· 2 Bars of Soap (Bath size or larger)
· 1 Toothpaste (4.0 to 6.4 oz.)
· 3 Toothbrushes (in original packaging)
· 1 Box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
· 1 Fingernail clippers
· 1 Sturdy hair comb
· 2 Hand towels
· 4 Pocket sized pkgs. of Kleenex (tissue)
· 1 Beanie Baby sized stuffed toy
Each Crisis Care Kit (CCK) should contain only the items/quantities listed. Place all items into a 2 gallon zip-lock bag (or bring them to church and we’ll do it). Remember! You don’t have to buy a ‘whole kit’ just bring what you can and we’ll put them together!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY! COME BE A PART! (ASH WED. IS 2-10)
Remember! We are currently meeting at the parsonage! Regardless of your experience, background, or age, Wed. night is a great time of singing, prayer, and Bible study. Come and be blessed! On Wed., Feb. 10 we will have ashes mixed with anointing oil available for those who would like to receive them. It is certainly optional, but many request this annual tradition placing an ‘ash cross’ on their forehead at the beginning of Lent. Come, join our fellowship and as always we will end our night with ice cream!
SAVE THE DATE! TEAM DAY IS SAT., APR. 02
Team Day is a day of equipping and motivating through a variety of workshops and has lots of opportunities to network with other folks from all three Michigan Districts. It’s also an opportunity to reignite your passion for ministry. Team Day brings together lots of workshops on topics relating to church leadership, discipleship, missions, and youth and children’s ministries. There is literally something for everyone.
Team Day takes place on Apr. 02 at Perry H.S. in Perry MI. Cost is $25 if you register before Mar. 01 ($35 if registered before Mar. 15). The cost includes the Keynote session, music by O.N.U. and a catered continental breakfast and box sandwich lunch. So, save the date! More details to come including workshop descriptions and registration info!
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., FEB. 27 AT 10:30AM
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Feb. 27 and all ladies are invited! Need a ride? Wonder what you will be doing this month? Call Cherry at (616) 916-7595.
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND!
Sherry J. reports readership is up dramatically! Last report had 127 books read. Sherry thinks if we get to 150 books read Pastor Dan should dye his hair red! Yikes! What do you think? Not reading? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started!
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE! (POSTAGE IS .35)
Have you been missing someone, want to invite someone church, or want to encourage? Great! Grab some church postcards and send them out! A handwritten note is getting pretty rare these days, but they always bless! Find them on the table in the Annex.
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.
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!
DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND EMAIL INFO?
As you have probably noticed, we put our church family’s birthdays and anniversaries in our weekly program. Do we have yours? We also send a newsletter, prayer requests, and district information via email if we have your email. If you would like to be included just add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ on the program and drop it in the offering plate
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
Feb. 02 Groundhog Day
Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday (Lent begins)
Feb. 14 Northeast Community Potluck at 12:15pm
Feb. 14 Valentines Day
Feb. 18 Third Thu. Chinese Lunch @ 11:30 (Hibachi Alpine)
Feb. 21 Missionary Gathering at 4pm
Feb. 27 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Mar. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
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