Hello Dear Friends and Family!
First, we need to wish Aaron and Vamie Carpentier happy anniversary! Since they were married on an extra day on a past leap year we only have every 4 years to wish them well! So, what will you do with this extra day? If you’re like me, you’re working! But as Paul said, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (2 Cor. 10:31).
God’s message this week came from PSALM 63:1-8 and titled, “Thirsting for God.” We live in a ‘Gatorade culture’ offering all sorts of great drinks to quench our thirst. While my dad still can’t believe people ‘pay for water’ out of bottle, the convenience of bottled water is often hard to pass up on a hot dry day. Other’s prefer lemonade or a sports drink when they are really thirsty. In all reality, we are surrounded by a lots of liquids to quench our thirst.
But, what do you do when your soul is dry? Truth is, there are a lot of options, but not many of them are good for you and will really satisfy your thirst long-term. From alcohol to drugs to shopping to extra marital affairs our culture is full of ‘thirst quenching options.’ But these are more like salt water to the soul. They’re wet and have their appeal, but they’re deadly.
In Psalm 63 we find David on the run for his life from Saul who is trying to kill him. There, in the desert wilderness of Judah hiding in a cave we find David hungry and thirsty, but not for food and water; David is earnestly seeking, thirsting, and longing for God! (see Ps. 63:1)
Earnestly seek comes from the Hebrew shachar and means to look earnestly/diligently for the first rays of dawn breaking through darkness. David seeks help from the only One who can bring forth light into his dark situation. David is desperate for a fresh touch from God!
While David is literally in the Desert of Judah running for his life, many of us know what it’s like to feel pressed by enemies, chased by bill collectors, weary, harassed, and in physical and emotional distress. The question is Who or what are you seeking to quench your thirst?
Who or what are you depending on to bring light into your darkness? Many are fasting during Lent. That’s great, but Lent is also a time to cry out to God! It’s time we all became desperate for God again! Interestingly, after getting desperate for God in v. 1, David does something unusual in vv. 2-8; he begins praising God! BEFORE God gives David victory over his pursuers, darkness, and death… while David is still in the dark cave waiting for the light he starts shouting praise! Oh, that we would get desperate for God again and have enough faith to begin praising God in advance for our deliverance!Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ZONE MISSION IGNITE SERVICE AT GRIF – APR. 10 at 6PM
Every year our District Nazarene Mission’s International (NMI) hosts missionaries to help us ‘Ignite a Fire for Missions!’ It’s a great time of inspirational music, prayer, and a great opportunity to hear directly from missionaries we support through our Faith Promise and World Evangelism Fund giving! This year ’s missionaries are Josh and Brandi Williams, Global / USA Canada missionaries. Grand Rapids International Fellowship (GRIF) is located at 3765 Kalamazoo Ave SE.Questions? See Sherry J.
PROJECT 5K – REG. NOW FOR THE MAY 21 DISTRICT NMI FUNDRAISER
Do you like to walk? Do you like to run? Do you like missions? Do you like Indian Lake Nazarene Camp? If you answered yes to any of these, you’re goning to want to register for the 5k Walk/Run to raise money for a church in Kazatin, Ukraine. You may only register online to streamline the process. If you want a guaranteed T-shirt in your size, register before May 07. Cost is $25 – Questions? See Pastor Dan
Register at: http://www.minaz.org/Missions/District%5FProject/
ORDER YOUR EASTER FLOWERS NOW THROUGH MAR. 13
Last Sunday we started taking orders for Easter Flowers with an insert in the program (it will be inserted the next 2 Sundays, too). All orders must include payment and you have the option of ordering them ‘in memory of’ or ‘in honor of’ a person or persons of your choice (which will be listed in the weekly program as an insert). Easter Lilies will cost $7.50 and Tulips and Mini-Daffodils $7.00. If you have any questions, see Gerry D.
EASTER WORLD EVANGELISM FUND (WEF) OFFERING – MAR. 27!
The Easter Season is upon us, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! One of the ways we celebrate is to give to World Evangelism Fund which funds the entire global Church of the Nazarene including 702 missionaries sent from 35 world areas to 159 different world areas.
Your partnership with WEF helps fulfill the Great Commission to make Christlike Disciples in the Nations and everyone needs to be involved! Bless those give already through Faith Promise and regular giving! Everyone is responsible for reaching the lost!
ALABASTER OFFERING $354.70 – PRAISE THE LORD!
Believe it or not we received more Alabaster Offerings this week! This means we have now collected $354.70! WOW! PRAISE THE LORD! Remember, the Alabaster Offering is taken twice a year to purchase land and buildings on the mission field. If you’d like to start collecting for fall, grab a box off the railing and get started! Bless you for giving!
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., MAR. 26 AT 10:30AM
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Mar. 26and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for location and rides! You can call or text her at (616) 916-7595.
SPRING REVIVAL IS COMING APR. 17-20!
Many of us have longed for revival in our church! Revivalcomes from the Hebrew word Chayay {khaw-yah'-ee} and means to be quickened, made alive, restored to life/health from sickness, from discouragement, from faintness, and death! In revival, the heart of a believer is awakened by the Holy Spirit from spiritual slumber and a fire is ignited! In revival, the believer moves beyond complacent Christianity to a life of holiness because He is holy! In revival, believers become passionate for the lost! Do you long for revival?
Well, if you do we have good news! On Sunday, April 17, Tenured Evangelist Bill Ulmet is coming to our church to lead 4 days of services. More information will be coming, but we can all begin praying and fasting that these services will indeed result in revival!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY! COME BE A PART!
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, be a part of it and be blessed! Remember, we always end our night with ice cream!
CHURCH SPRING CLEAN UP DAY IS SAT., APR. 16 – 9AM – 12PM
Larry B. has proclaimed Apr.16 as Spring Clean Up Day! All the work will be ‘outside’ so be prepared! Join us for a great time serving God by raking, cleaning out flower beds, and even raking some pesky oak leaves that waited til Spring! Questions? See Larry!
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.
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY – IT’S CRISIS CARE KIT TIME!
It’s not too late to help with Crisis Care Kits! You can help by purchasing items or donating money (to purchased items!) Any ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for loving people in crisis! Questions? See Sherry J.
INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!
As your pastor, I strongly urge you to send your kids to summer camp at Indian Lake, a place of discovery! At camp kids discover hidden gifts, fresh air, swimming, and friends, but most importantly, they will discover 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!
MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND! DYE PASTOR DAN’S HAIR RED!!
Sherry J. reports readership is up dramatically! Last report had 129 books read. Sherry thinks if we get to 150 books read Pastor Dan should dye his hair red (or purple)! Yikes! What do you think? Not reading? See Sherry J. on Wed. or Sun. and get started!
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS MAR. 17 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Mar. 17 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine Ave. The food is good, but the fellowship is even better! Come, enjoy a great time to eat, share joys, concerns and even laugh! If you have any questions? See Tracy or Linda!
TRI-DISTRICT TEAM DAY IS SAT., APR. 02 - REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Team Day is a day of equipping and motivating. 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). You will find information brochures on Team Day on the table outside the sanctuary or you can go online and check it out here: http://www.minaz.org/TEAM%5FDay/
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
Mar. 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (Spring Forward)
Mar. 13 Deadline to order Easter Flowers
Mar. 26 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday
Mar. 27 Easter Sunday Offering for Missions
Apr. 02 Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
Apr. 16 Spring Clean Up Day at Church 9AM – 12PM
Apr. 17-20 Spring Revival with Evangelist Bill Ulmet
Apr. 17 Northeast Community Potluck after service/prayer time
May 21 Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
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