Hello Friends! I apologize for the lateness of this week’s ‘news.’
As most of you know I had surgery to remove my gallbladder last Friday and felt God had enabled me to be strong enough to preach Sunday (and He did). Bless you for your prayers! I can feel them! But yesterday, I felt physically and mentally exhausted and slept much of the day… Janie reminded me (again) this feeling of fatigue is ‘normal’ after surgery….and after yesterday I’m ready to admit she was ‘right’… again (I can hear Bob H. saying something like, ‘Isn’t she always right?’) Seriously, thank you for your prayers! I will see many of you Wednesday and more of your Sunday! God is good! All the time! (even when we need to rest!) Blessings, Pastor Dan
Northeast Community News – April 03, 2016
Dear Friends and Family!
Can you feel it? Something big is coming! Our services just seem to have more power, more joy, more shouting and more singing! With less than two weeks until Rev. Bill Ulmet arrives I know what it is! Revival is coming to Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene! Look around you! The Holy Spirit is already softening hearts and preparing minds! Are you ready for a fresh ‘touch’ from God? Then pray this old chorus: “Come, Holy Spirit, I need you. Come sweet Spirit I pray. Come in your strength and in your power. Come in your own gentle way.”
I cannot emphasize enough the need to pray and fast for every part of our revival. For many, a revival is just an antiquated historical event that has no place in the church today. Hogwash! This couldn’t be further from the truth! In a day when Christians are increasingly under pressure to compromise, living in victory couldn’t be more important! I’m convinced our churches current struggles with sickness, finance, discouragement, disunity, etc., are all tools of the Evil One to keep us from living in victory! Bless you for praying for revival!!
God’s message this week came from Acts 5:27-42 and titled, ‘Transformed by Pentecost.” Easter has come and gone and sadly many won’t darken the church’s doorway again until Christmas comes. While celebrating the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus are indeed the two most important events in the church year, there’s a close third place: Pentecost!
Pentecost was on the mind and lips of Jesus as He prepared to ascend to the Father. He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Even after Jesus had come to them in the upper room and declared ‘peace’ the disciples remained fearfully and powerlessly locked in the upper room (John 20:19). And yet, a few chapters later in our text we find Peter and John arrested a second time (see c. 4) for boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus in the Temple Courts. What caused this huge change?
It wasn’t a new teaching. After all, they had had a three year 24/7 apprenticeship with Jesus and they were still afraid! It wasn’t a Bible study, or a sermon by a gifted preacher, a concert, a 5-day conference, or a college degree or two, either! While those are all great ways to grow in grace, what empowered the disciples to leave the security of the upper room was the Pentecostal fire of the Holy Spirit!
After Pentecost the once fearful disciples flooded the streets boldly declaring the wonders of God. Peter, who had earlier denied Christ three times and ran as Jesus was crucified, was now boldly preaching and 3,000 were saved. John and Peter are now boldly proclaiming the good news to the Jewish High court. In a word – they are fearless!
On their second run in with Jewish officials in c. 5 we find them in jail again, freed through an angel of the Lord, back in the Temple Courts proclaiming the good news, and arrested again. When asked why they didn’t stop witnessing as they had been ordered to, Peter and the others declare: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29b)
After wanting to put them to death for claiming they had received the Holy Spirit, they had them flogged and ordered to stop speaking in the name of Jesus! How did they respond?
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:41-42).
What the church needs today is the supernatural power and presence of the Holy Spirit! Northeast Community needs a fresh anointing with the fire of the Holy Spirit if we are ever going to find the strength and courage to be all God wants us to be! Revival is coming! Jesus is still looking for a few committed men, women, boys and girls to yield completely to Him and be filled with the Pentecostal fire! Are you ready? Let’s roll! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ZONE MISSION IGNITE SERVICE AT GRIF – THIS SUNDAY (APR. 10) AT 6PM
Every year our District NMI hosts missionaries to help us ‘Ignite a Fire for Missions!’ This year ’s missionaries are Josh and Brandi Williams who are Global / USA Canada missionaries. G.R.I.F. is located at 3765 Kalamazoo Ave SE.Questions? See Sherry J.
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!
SPRING REVIVAL IS COMING APR. 17-20!
Many of us have longed for revival in our church! 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? On Sun., Apr. 17, Tenured Evangelist Bill Ulmet is coming to lead 4 days of services. Please begin praying and fasting! A prayer guide is available on the table outside the sanctuary!
NIGHTLY REVIVAL SERVICE TIMES – SUN – WED AT 6:30PM
Our revival will begin Sunday morning at 11:00AM (our regular worship time) and will continue each evening (Sunday-Wednesday) at 6:30PM. Each service will have music, prayer, and the anointed preaching of Evangelist Bill Ulmet. I want to encouraged you to attend ALL of the services! For those who may need to travel directly from work each evening Cherry and Janie are planning some simple dinners at 5:45 – 6:15PM. You are also encouraged to come early and pray for the service and invite friends and enemies! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Dan (616) 204-1153.
OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS SUN., APR. 17
We have moved our regular April potluck 1 week so we can potluck with our evangelist, Rev. Bill Ulmet. So, invite a friend, bring something to share, and stay after our opening revival worship service for April’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
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS APR. 21 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Apr. 21 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!
LADIES RENDEZVOUS – SAT., APR. 23 AT 10:30AM ATCHURCH!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Apr. 23and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
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 140 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!
FRANKLIN GRAHAM SCHEDULE
Rev. Christopher has asked us to remember and pray for Franklin Graham as he travels to all 50 state capitals to hold prayer rallies. He writes, “America is in trouble, and the only answer is found in Jesus Christ…. I will challenge Christian’s to pray, boldly live out their faith and stand for biblical values, and help turn America back to God” (2 Ch. 7:14). You will find a copy of Franklin Graham’s schedule on the table outside the sanctuary.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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
Apr. 23 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
May 21 Project 5k at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
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