Northeast Community News – February 08, 2016
Hello Dear Ones!
What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, yesterday! We were blessed with four of Jonathan G’s friends from Calvin College and even needed to add tables to seat them all for Sunday school! How cool is that! God is good! Since it was also the first Sunday of the month, we received the elements of the Lord’s Supper as a family, too. What neat it is to hear the sounds of ‘little voices’ from time to time in our service and see them all come forward during Communion. God is good! How often? (All the time!) Amen!
God’s message this week came to us from 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 and was titled, “Take Your Veil Off.” Upon reflection, it should have been titled, “Let Jesus remove your veil” (but I do tend to digress….). In our text Paul compares life before or without Jesus and living under the Law with life in Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Unlike a glory that faded in Moses time, Christians possess a glory that lasts! This is why Paul concludes: “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold” (2 Cor. 3:12). Why can he be so bold? What gives Paul such hope? Because Jesus had come and rocked his world. The former Pharisee and Christian persecutor encountered Jesus and everything changed! Christ had removed his veil and he now saw clearly.
This is why Paul declares, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord [that is Jesus], the veil is taken away” (2 Cor. 3:16). Anyone? Yes, anyone! And what did Paul now see clearly?
That the Law with it’s 613 rules and 6,200 pages of priestly commentary and opinions had veiled him from the truth, life, and freedom! It wasn’t adhering to the Law that set him free or meticulous observance of the rules that saved him – it was faith in Christ!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Do you want to be free? Do you want to have victory over sin and darkness? Turn to Jesus who will send His Spirit to free you! But it gets better! When the Spirit of Christ is living in you, you’ll not only grow to become more like Jesus on the inside; you will start reflecting and acting like Jesus on the outside, too! ”And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (3:18). Bottom line? Encounter Jesus! Let Him remove your veil and let His Spirit transform you! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS THIS SUNDAY! (FEB. 14)
It’s going to be Valentines Day this Sunday and what could be better than to have an old fashioned love feast at the church! Invite a friend, bring a dish to pass and come join us in a time of great food, fun, and conversation after our worship service this week! If you can help set up or clean up, contact Cherry P. (616) 916-7595 or pakielac@gmail.com
OUR 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!
ALABASTER OFFERING IS FEB. 21 DURING WORSHIP! PREPARE TO MARCH!
Our next bi-annual Alabaster Offering takes place Sun., Feb. 21st. This “loose change” offering is taken up twice a year and every penny goes directly to the mission field to purchase land and materials to construct buildings. Of course, cash, checks, and gold doubloons are also welcome! If you would like an Alabaster box to start filling, grab one off the sound booth or ask Sherry J. our Missionary President.
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
INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!
As your pastor and friend, I would strongly urge you to send your children to summer camp at Indian Lake. It is truly a place of discovery! At camp kids discover hidden gifts, fresh air, swimming, and most importantly, that God loves them and has a plan for their life! It is vitally important each child has this opportunity to attend camp each year.
Now, I’ve heard from many parents that ‘camp is too expensive’ and I agree it can stretch (or bust) any family budget, but this is why the camp and your church offers scholarships. The camp’s deadline for scholarship applications is March 31. If you are interested in sending your 3rd – 12th grade student to camp this year, see Pastor Dan! Let’s work together as a church family to make camp a reality for every child!
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!
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!
SAVE THE DATE! TRI-DISTRICT TEAM DAY IS SAT., APR. 02
Team Day is a day of equipping and motivating through a variety of. It’s also a great opportunity to reignite your passion for ministry. Team Day has workshops on youth and children ministries, missions, discipleship, and leadership! It takes place on Apr. 02 at Perry H.S. in Perry MI. Cost is $25 if you register before Mar. 01 ($35 if you register 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 (AT EMILY MORSE’S HOUSE!)
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Feb. 27 and all ladies are invited! They will be meeting at Dick and Emily’s house located at: 3051 Wildridge Dr NE – GR
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!
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.
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. 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 Alabaster Offering During Worship Service
Feb. 21 Missionary Gathering for everyone at 4pm (parsonage)
Feb. 27 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Mar. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
Apr. 02 Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
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