Northeast Community News – March 14, 2016
Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Sickness has ravaged our ranks, but it didn’t stop those able to attend from praising the Lord! Your voices were strong! Your walk in the Lord deliberate and uncompromised! Your love for God and others unparalleled! We really do have a wonderful church and Christ reflecting in you makes all the difference!
God’s message this week came from Isaiah 43:16-21 and was titled, “God is Doing New Things.” Like it or not, God’s plan for humanity requires change. We can resist it and cause strife and division, but we do so at the risk of missing what God is doing. While there is a time to remember the past, God calls us to let go of the past and prepare to do new things!
First, God through his prophet Isaiah reminds the people of what He has done in the past. In vv. 16-17 God seems to be saying, ‘remember the good old days?’ Remember how I led you out of slavery and bondage in Egypt? How I divided the sea and drew Pharaoh’s army into the divided water and let the water close over them and extinguished your enemies?
Those really were the days, right? God really did show up and rescue His people in a truly remarkable way! These are surely stories God’s people can shout about, right? Amen! Truth is, we have these kinds of memories, too! Many of us can remember services when the ‘fire fell’ and the altar was lined! Many remember when God rescued them in a remarkable way!
But, as soon as God reminds them of the good old days, He declares something shocking: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18) Forget them? Huh? God isn’t telling them to forget the past; but stop dwelling in it. Sadly, the people of God had stopped seeking and following God – and were essentially longing for the past instead!
Do we ever do this? Do we ever long so much for ‘good old days’ we stop focusing on God?
Finally, in v. 19 God points to the future. While the people of Israel and Judah had spent their days dwelling on former glory days and current punishment (exile) at the hands of the Babylonians, they had forgotten the God who had the power and might to lead them out of Egypt, could and would one day lead them out of their current mess!
In v. 19 we read, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?...” (Isaiah 43:19a). It’s as if God is saying, “You think the Exodus was great? Wait til’ you see what I’m going to do this time!” Sadly, the people of Israel were so focused on their past glories they didn’t perceive it…. How about you? Where are you focused? God is doing new things! Our best days are ahead! Can you perceive it? I pray you can! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS THURSDAY 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!
OUR NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS MAR. 20 @ 4PM
Our missionary gathering is Mar. 20 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
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
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!
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/
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!
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.
INDIAN LAKE CHILDREN’S CAMP SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS MAR. 31
We strongly urge everyone to send their kids to camp at Indian Lake! At camp kids discover their gifts, enjoy 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!
The camp’s deadline for scholarship applications is March 31.Forms are on the table outside the sanctuary! If you’re interested in sending your 3rd – 12th grade student to camp this year, see Pastor Dan! Together, we’ll make camp a reality for every child!
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. 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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