Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! This was our annual celebration and potluck Sunday! After we spent time in discipleship, prayer, song, giving, and engaging in God’s Word, we went downstairs to our fellowship hall and listened as our church board leaders gave their annual reports! I must say, they all had something worth celebrating! God continues to move in our church and we are blessed! God is good! All the time!
God’s message this week came from Galatians 2:15-21 and was titled “Justified by Faith.” The term justified can be understood as “just as if I had never sinned.” In other words, when you’re justified your criminal record is expunged! As sinners with long ‘rap sheets’ we must ask how we’ll ever make it to heaven to live with a God who abhors sin?
Before Christ, the answer was to live perfectly by carefully observing (learning, keeping, and meticulously following) the Jewish Law and traditions. This was an exhausting and confusing process even for those who had lived their whole life as Jews. Frankly, trying to remember and live according to thousands of rules took the joy right out of living. Ugh!
But, in His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the way, the truth, and the life! (see John 14:6). The Law still points out the depth of our sin, but keeping the Law and traditions and the thousands of rules was no longer necessary to spend eternity in heaven! Woohoo!
Sadly, many of the first Jewish believers couldn’t come to terms with this new freedom! The prison doors were open, but they remained in their cells. Worse, they were trying to force the new Gentile believers to join them in prison! This is why Paul writes in 2:15-16:
“We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 2:15-16a).
So what about you? What are you going to do with your ‘rap sheet?’ How are you going to make it to heaven to live in the presence of a God who abhors sin? One answer is to simply ignore the penalties and live as a ‘criminal!’ Bad answer! Hell is for real and you really don’t want to go there! Seriously! Another answer is to live perfectly and be justified (that is earn your salvation) by working really hard! Ugh! Not only was this impossible even for the first century Jews who suggested it originally, but how exhausting to even try!
No, the right answer is to listen to Paul and receive the same amazing grace he did on the Damascus Road when he encountered Christ. God has provided you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the means to be justified (saved) and set free! Pray to receive the gift of Christ and then go forth joyfully forgiven and free to live life! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS WEEK AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is this week 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!
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., JUN. 25 AT 10:30AM!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for JUN. 25and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
PASTOR DAN AND JANIE ARE GOING ON VACATION JUN. 30 – JUL. 09
Ok, the truth is Pastor Dan is going on a fabulous ‘work trip’ with Janie starting June 30. Janie will be taking Pastor Dan to Barcelona, Rome, and Athens, Greece while she ‘hosts’ her companies highest performing agents. Either way, it will be the trip of a lifetime and we give all the credit to our Heavenly Father for making this possible!
Should you have any concerns or needs while we’re gone, please contact Gerry Dawson. As you know, Gerry is our church board secretary and in that position leads the church when I am in any way unable to care for you. Yes, we have visiting pastors coming! Take notes and let me know how God spoke to you through them! God is good! All the time!
FAMILY FESTIVAL AT INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CAMP JUL. 01-04
Do you have plans for the July 4th weekend? If not, there is fun, food, and fellowship for all ages at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp! Family Festival is almost always held on the July 4thweekend. Typically, there has been dodge ball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe tournaments, crafts, wagon rides, a climbing wall and a zip line and more! You can find more about Family Festival at the camps website: http://www.nazcamp.org
FAMILY CAMP (SUMMER REVIVAL) IS COMING TO INDIAN LAKE JUL. 11-17
The Church of the Nazarene is just over 100 years old and one of her oldest traditions is to gather each year for a time of spiritual renewal called ‘Camp Meeting.’ Today, Camp Meeting is a one-week time of renewal with 2 services a time of discipleship each day! You may wish to come to the ordination service on Sunday, July 10th. While I have been told it is a ‘pastor’s service,’ it’s amazing to see God’s new leaders as they are ordained! Come for a single service or the week! whole week and you will be blessed! I Promise!
Jul. 11 District Assembly at 8:30AM – EveningService – 7:00PM
Jul. 12-15 Morning Service – 9:00AM, Study 10:30AM, Evening Service – 7:00PM
Camp Meeting begins with District Assembly on Sun., Jul. 10th and ends Sun., July 17th. Pastor Dan spends the week at ‘camp’ in a small cabin at 7959 Victory St. Vicksburg, MI and would love to have you stop by! Need more information? See Pastor Dan or Janie!
LET KIDS CAMP AT INDIAN LAKE! THEY WILL LOVE IT!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp has a wonderful summer camp for students of all ages. At camp kids learn to feel good about themselves, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, learn leadership skills, make friends, and learn about God’s love for them! You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.nazcamp.org/camps
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jul. 06-08
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 18-22
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 25-29
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jun. 27 – July 01
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 20-24
Note: All camps are $ 275 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 125)
July 11-17 is Family Camp at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp! It is a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and fellowship around the ‘old stone altar.’ Instead of having our regular Wed. night program, we’re encouraging everyone to come to camp for the 7:00pm service! Pastor Dan is serving ice cream at the cabin to everyone who comes!
JUST A REMINDER! NO CHILDREN’S CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER!
Yes, we love your children and agree kids can worship and learn about Jesus better when they can create something with their hands, receive a snack to eat, and move around, but our children's workers need a summer break! So, the kids will stay with us during the worship service for the summer! Bless you for understanding!
2016 PRAYER GUIDE FOR THE MICHIGAN DISTRICT (STARTS JUN. 01)
It’s getting to be that time again when the District Church asks us to pray for the July activities at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. From the District Assembly, to Camp Meeting, to the NMI, NYI, and SDMI Conventions, they all need our prayers! If you’re willing, pick up a 40-day prayer guide off the table outside the sanctuary and pray! Bless you!
DAILY DEVOTIONS – “REFLECTING GOD” IS AVAILABLE! FREE!!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available free to anyone interested. The devotions provide a brief truth from the Bible every day. Reflecting God also has a section for reading the Bible in a year and praying for our missionaries! Feel free to take one! You’ll find them located on the table outside the sanctuary!
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.
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
Jun. 16 Third Thu. Chinese Lunch @ 11:30 (Hibachi Alpine)
Jun. 25 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Jun. 30-Jul. 9 Pastor Dan and Janie on vacation
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