Dear Friends and Family!
We’re back! Yes, after a wonderful time of travel and vacation Janie and I returned late Saturday night in time to join you in worshipping the LORD, yesterday! While we were saddened to learn Rev. Christopher had suffered a small stroke earlier in the week (he looked really good on our visit today) that prevented him from sharing God’s Word, our former ‘Fuller Ave Pastor’ Bob Evans rose to the challenge and did a wonderful job! Just in case you’re wondering – YES – it was another wonderful day in the Lord! Praise God!
God’s message came from 2 Peter 1:3-11 and while I didn’t ‘hear’ an ‘official title’ I decided Rev. Bob Evans message should be called, “Stories of Transformation.” Beginning in Genesis Rev. Evans shared examples of ‘patterns for living.’ Abraham was offered as an example of the right pattern. Abraham walked in faith and trusted in God. Sadly, the Jewish people also had many bad examples, too, leading to the Pharisees to trust more in the Law than faith.
The Apostle Peter had been born into this culture. Beginning at the age of 7, Peter (along with all Jewish boys) would be taught 7 hours a day, 6 days a week, the Scriptures, the Law, and… prejudice against Gentiles, Samaritans and other ‘non Jewish’ people. At age 13, the Rabbi decided their vocation. The best would be chosen to be priests while others would be selected to be fisherman, farmers, carpenters, and shepherds.
In Lk. 5:1-11 Jesus began calling His disciples. Among them was a fisherman (not a priest) named Simon (later named Peter) a ‘sinful man (v.8).’ Rev. Bob concludes, ‘God still calls imperfect people.’ Is Jesus calling you? Remember! Perfection isn’t required! In fact, even after 3 years of living with Jesus the cowardly and imperfect Peter denied Him 3 times. Lesson? Even when we quit or walk away from God, He never quits or walks away from us!
But something happened to Peter at Pentecost (read Acts 2). After the ‘fire fell’ the former coward suddenly became bold and courageous! After Pentecost this unschooled fisherman led 3,000 people to Jesus (see Acts 2:14-41). It’s a story of transformation! Pentecost makes a difference in the life of the believer! Jesus wants us to trust more, not try harder!
But, even the Spirit filled believer continues to grow in grace. Examining Acts 10, Gal. 2, and Acts 15, we discover Peter’s continued transformation. Here God deals with his prejudice and by Acts 15 we find a transformed Peter advocating for those he once rejected! Where might Jesus be calling you to grow today? Are you willing to yield to His Lordship?
Has God called you to serve Him? Perfection isn’t required, but trust, faith, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to continually grow in grace is! Pastor Evans concluded by reading 2 Peter 1:3-11. In part we read: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly lifethrough our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Peter’s story is a story of radical transformation!
My prayer is that you will likewise yield your life completely to the Spirit regardless of your past or social position and be another story of transformation!
After our morning worship service, Janie and I travelled down to Indian Lake Nazarene Camp for the brief Sun. evening District Assembly followed by the Ordination Service. I am pleased to report it was a beautiful service with Spirit led singing, preaching by Dr. Gustavo Crocker (our presiding General Superintendent) and acknowledgement of newly District licensed pastors, retiring pastors, and five being ordained. Among those being ordained this year was Pastor Amanda Earley who shared after the service how much our church had blessed her. After all, she said, we had been the first to invite her to preach outside her home church and we’d been so warm, attentive and loving! God is good (all the time).
This morning (Mon) the work of the District Assembly began in earnest. The work included hearing, receiving, and approving many reports and budgets and voting to select leaders on the District. You would have been proud of your delegates, Sherry J., Fran S., and Mary W. who attended every session and took part in every vote! Of special note, during his report, Dr. Seaman announced he would be stepping down after this year as our D.S. What a joy to be part of a denomination that embraces elected representation! Everyone is accountable!
Camp Meeting began tonight and continues all week! Will you consider coming down to the ‘lake’ for a service or two? You will be blessed as we gather around the old stone altar. If you do come down, make sure to stop by and say hello! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
FAMILY CAMP (SUMMER REVIVAL) IS HAPPENING AT 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! Come for a single service or the week! whole week and you will be blessed! I Promise!
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!
NO WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK (JUL. 13th) COME TO INDIAN LAKE!
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!
CHURCH WORK DAY IS SAT., AUG. 13 - 9AM to 12PM
Larry B. has called an ‘Official Work Day’ for Sat., Aug. 13! We need folks to help paint and scrape the church and parsonage. So, bring your worst work clothes and we will make them look even worse! (smile). Just kidding! Seriously, we need everyone’s help to make our church owned properties look their best! Got Questions? See Larry B.
NEW ‘LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY IS BEING PLANNED!
Mary W., our Discipleship Superintendent, wants to know who might be interested in a Bible Study on Saturdays from the book of Daniel. While the study and accompanying DVD presentations by Beth Moore are ‘geared towards women,’ Mary said this study would be open to a few good men, too. If you are interested, please sign up on the list outside the sanctuary. If you have any questions, please see Cherry P. or Mary W.
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS JUL. 21 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Jul. 21 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine. 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., JUL. 23 AT 10:30AM!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for July 23and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WED. NIGHT STUDY STARTING JULY 27.
Have you ever wanted to examine the basics of your faith? Do you want to freshen or kick start your spiritual life, but don’t know where to start? Have you ever wished you had insight into Pastor Dan’s weekly preaching Sunday morning? If so, then you might just be interested in Pastor Dan’s Dog Days of Summer Bible Study Wed. nights.
Using the pdf booklet, “First Steps in the Christian Life,” everyone is invited to spend 10 weeks with Pastor Dan examining key concepts and Bible passages every Christian needs to know and have an inside look on what he is going to preach that Sunday.
Come for one week or all of them! (of course, the more the better!) If you’re interested, curious, or just want to know more, see or contact Pastor Dan
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!
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!
HELP! THE CHURCH BOARD APPROVED A 7 WK FALL SABBATICAL FOR PASTOR
Having served as our pastor since Sept. 2008 and after consultation with Dr. John Seaman, our District Superintendent, your church board voted unanimously to extend Pastor Dan and Janie a 7-week sabbatical beginning Mon. Sept 26 through Sun. Nov. 13.
Please begin praying for Pastor Dan and Janie as they prepare to be away that God will refresh and renew them as they seek to draw nearer to Him through prayer, study, and fasting. But also begin asking God how He wants you to serve while they are gone.
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
Jul. 11-17 Family Camp at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp
Jul. 13 NO Bible study here! Come to Indian Lake for the 7:00pm Service
Jul. 23 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Aug. 13 Church Work Day 9am – 12pm
Sep. 26/Nov. 13 Pastor Dan and Janie’s 7-week Sabbatical
No comments:
Post a Comment