Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Did you know this summer we have been having ‘children’s moments’ during our services? That’s right! Each week just before the sermon I offer a child’s sized version of the message and a special bulletin the kids can use to fill in during the service. The number of kids varies week to week! Aurora came this week along with Aunt Savannah. What a joy to see this little on wiggle before the Lord! No, you might not bring your crayons and coloring pages to the altar as Aurora did, but it did make me wonder what I might bring to Jesus if I felt her level of freedom! Jesus, give us the freedom to worship you with the honesty and transparency of a child! Amen!
God’s message this week came from James 1:2-15 and titled, “Dealing with Temptation!” The first two words in James 1:13 say “When tempted.” You will note the brother of Jesus doesn’t say “If tempted,” but “When tempted.” Temptation to sin isn’t just a possibility, but a certainty! You aren’t in denial about temptation are you?
James continues in vv. 13-14 declaring, “…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).
Bottom line, you are weak and vulnerable somewhere and both God and the Devil know it! God has intimately created you and provides a way out, but the Devil has studied you and exploits your weakness! Let’s be clear! Satan doesn’t just want to disrupt and frustrate you, he wants to destroy you! While Christ is life and victory, the Devil is death and destruction!
How does the Devil do it? First, a tempting thought passes through your mind in hopes that it’ll stick. If we entertain the thought, then our imagination takes the thought and magnifies it in our mind through our imagination and our body responds. Our imagination can easily be deceived because it can’t distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Once the line is blurred between fantasy and reality, temptation to sin moves beyond our minds and we begin entertaining action plans. It is at this point we may say, “It’s fantasy; I’d never really do it….” Really? I’ve seen what happens when desire is conceived and grows!
How can we effectively deal with temptation? 1) think on those healthy things that come from God! (See Phil. 4:8) 2) follow Jesus’ example and memorize the Bible. 3) like Joseph in Gen. 39 run from temptation as fast as you can! 4) remember in 1 Cor. 10:13God will make a way of escape available in the midst of temptation so look for it and take it immediately! 5) If you know temptation is just around the corner, go around a different corner; avoid it! Last, remember His Grace is Sufficient when you fail! Don’t let the Evil One convince you you’re unforgiveable! Seek forgiveness, repent, and be restored! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
CHANGE!!! OUR MISSIONARY GATHERING HAS CHANGED!
Due to Fran S. being in the hospital yesterday, we felt it best to postpone our Sunday Missionary Gathering until THIS WEEK (Aug. 28) at 5pm. So, bring somebody and come enjoy a brief lesson on missions! Afterwards, we eat snacks, laugh, and chat. Just bring a snack to pass and join us at 5pm! You’ll be glad you did! Questions? Contact Sherry J. via phone or text to (269) 932-8334.
WED. NIGHT RETURNS TO NORMAL THIS WEEK! (AUG. 24)
Yes, after a week when pastor was sick and Janie taught (Aug. 10) and last week’s travel to celebrate pastor and Janie’s anniversary and Mary taught and had fun (Aug. 17), this week we are returning to normal! (whatever that means!) Regardless of whatever that means we want you to come join us at 6:30pm and stay for ice cream! See you there!
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., AUG. 27 AT 10:30AM!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for Aug. 27 and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
SCHOOL PAL PAKS! BRING YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
The Church of the Nazarene operates many schools around the world, providing quality education for children. Unfortunately, many families can’t even afford basic supplies. To meet this need, our NMI department collects and ships ‘School Pal-Paks’ that are made available to kids around the world. Will you help? A list of the supplies needed for each School Pal-Pak will be in the bulletin this week or you can click here for a shopping list. http://nmi.nazarene.org/Stories/docs/Giving/Compassion/SPP_Shopping-List.pdf
ATTENTION CHILDREN/PARENTS! CHILDREN’S CHURCH RETURNS SEPT. 11
Children’s Church is a kids focused time of worship where kids through 5th grade are dismissed before the morning message for their own age appropriate opportunity to learn about Jesus, work with their hands, and move from qualified and background checked adult leaders! Children’s Church begins Sep. 11th and is offered every week except the first Sunday of the month when we celebrate communion together! Need more information or have questions? See or contact Mary W. at (616) 337-4549.
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
Is there someone missing or would like to invite to church? Why not grab a few church postcards and send them out? A simple hand written note blesses everyone! You will find them on the table under the missionary bulletin board in the Annex.
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. or Sherry J.
OUR FALL ALABASTER OFFERING IS SEP. 18! LET’S MARCH!
Our twice a year Alabaster Offering is Sun., Sep. 18th. Every penny of this loose change offering goes directly to the mission field to purchase land and materials to construct buildings. Of course, cash, checks, and gold doubloons are welcome, too! Need an Alabaster box? See Sherry J. our Missionary President to get one!
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS MEETS HERE ON TUESDAY’S AT 7:00PM
Do you often feel nervous, tense, or bored…have trouble sleeping or sleep too much… experience mood swings or feel useless? You’re not alone. At an EA meeting you’ll find others who’ve been where you are and experienced many of the same feelings, but, they found help at an Emotions Anonymous Meeting! Need more info? Look for literature rack in the ‘Community Room’ or call Helen W. (leader) at 616-363-7347.
COME TO THE FIRE 2016
We have received the following from the Michigan District! Please consider it:
We are excited about this year's theme for Come to the Fire: Restore the Joy
Isaiah 35 describes what will happen when God restores His Church. The once barren landscape will suddenly burst with joy! We long for the day when God visits His people once again. He’ll come in response to our prayers, and many of you have been praying. One dear lady said she has been praying and fasting daily since the last conference! I am grateful for each of you who have continued to pray. At the set time, He will come!
Recently I was reading some of the many amazing testimonies of transformed lives from previous conferences, and quietly said, "Jesus, You did that!" The Spirit whispered, "I can do even more." Our hearts' cry is for restoration to the body of Christ. Will you pray that the council will have guidance in planning an event in which God will send revival?"Shout, and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming," declares the LORD. (Zechariah 2:10).
SAVE THE DATE! OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS OCT. 09
Make plans to attend our October Community Potluck after our worship service. Willing to help? Bless you! Please let Cherry P. know! (call or text (616) 916-7595
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!
OUR NEXT 3RD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS SEP. 15!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Sep. 15 at 11:30am 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!
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
Aug. 22 Ladies Bible Study on Daniel @ 10am
Aug. 27 Ladies Rendezvous at 10:30am
Sep. 18 Fall Alabaster Offering
Sep. 26/Nov. 13 Pastor Dan and Janie’s 7-week Sabbatical
Oct. 09 Northeast Community Potluck after our worship service
Nov. 10-12 Come to the Fire (Nashville, TN)
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