Hello Friends and Family!
Pastor Ed brought his 4th message preparing us for Pastor Dan’s return. Week 1, “A Time of Renewal”, week 2, “What’s on the Menu” (spiritual food), week 3, “Are You All In (to win it)?”, and now week 4, “Where Has the ‘GO YE’ Gone?”
Even if people reject Christ, we as Christians have to love them. God has commissioned us to spread the Gospel of Christ, Matthew 10:7. What makes people hesitate to share their faith?
1. It would do more harm than good.
2. They don’t know what to say to answer questions they might be asked.
3. They don’t want to invade someone’s space.
4. They are afraid to fail.
The opportunity to witness could be a life changing experience for that person. Matthew 28:16-20, the great commission, tells us to go to all nations and make disciples. Most people come to know Christ because someone invited them! This is what God wants us to do.
NEWS AND EVENTS
PASTOR DAN IS HEADING NORTH!
Pastor Dan continues his bike trip along Route 66. Today, Tuesday October 25, he is in Missouri and has checked in for the night just west of Fort Leonard Wood. Please remember that we cannot contact him while he is on sabbatical but you can find out where he’s at throughout each day by checking out his ‘Spot Tracking Website.’ While this isn’t a blog, it does provide a ‘real-time GPS spot location’ every 10 min. while he’s moving!
Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/gv83kun. You can now find a ‘GPS spot’ for every 10 min. he is riding. At the end of the day an ‘ok’ message will be sent to indicate he’s where he will spend the night. Note: there is also a U.S. map on the bulletin board in the church that will be updated for those who want to track Pastor Dan and don’t have the internet.
WHILE THE PASTOR IS GONE
I think we all are surprised by how much our Pastor does. While he is on sabbatical, the members of the church board will be filling in. Below is an abbreviated list of who is doing what. If you have any questions, just give one of us a call.
Preaching – Rev Ed Douglas
Wed. Bible Study – Mary Warner
Visitor follow up – Cherry and Tracy
Shut in calling – Mary W
Hospital calling – Cherry
Order of Worship – Steve H
Program/Prayer insert – Deb Xia
Newsletter – Gerry D
Prayer/praise request – Gerry
CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE ORDER OF SERVICE
Beginning this coming Sunday, October 30, 2016 some changes will be made in the order of our worship service. The “Time of Greeting” will be eliminated. Please greet friends and visitors before and after service in the refreshment/classroom area. The sanctuary will be available for prayer and quiet reflection before the service. Please be respectful of those praying as you enter.
MICHIGAN DISTRICT PRAYER EFFORT
We are at an unique time in the history of the Michigan District . Who among us could have anticipated that Dr. Seaman would be facing such a health crisis so soon after beginning his last year of district leadership that would force him to take a medical leave of absence? Many questions concerning the future o the district are being asked. One thing that has become obvious, as a district we need to pray. A district wide prayer effort for the Michigan District, Dr Seaman, and the choosing of a new district superintendent to lead us upon Dr. Seaman’s retirement has been set up. Each month a flyer with the month’s prayer focus will be placed in the program. On October 26, 2016, at 6:30PM a prayer event will be held at Grand Rapids West International Church. Everyone is invited to participate.
UPDATE ON DR. JOHN SEAMAN
TREATMENT WEEK 4 - Oct 21, 2016 10:23 pm
What a beautiful week it has been and many levels! Autumn has finally broken through the warmth of an Indian Summer with cool, crisp air, more blue skies and sunshine than rain, providing the perfect background for the incredible reds, yellows, oranges, golds and bronzes of the deciduous trees that are so plentiful in Michigan! After living in the tropics for nearly 30 years--the places where Michiganders like to go when it snows--we love the change of seasons, especially these days! John has now successfully completed four of his six weeks of treatment. Monday he had a follow-up visit at the oncologist's office and every Tuesday we meet with the radiologist after his treatment. There is always lots of laughter when John is around, and they continue to be amazed at how well he is doing. Three days this week a pastor (or two!) has driven him to Ann Arbor for his treatments, then they stop for lunch on their way home. Their company and conversations have boosted his spirits and proven to be a great encouragement! He has been doing so well, in fact, that we are actually going to an Il Divo concert in Chicago! John had gotten tickets this spring for my birthday/our anniversary--a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible, but we leave Saturday morning and will stay with our kids! Since Baby #3 is due November 19, this will also give us some unexpected time with Lauren and his "girls," since they won't be able to come for Thanksgiving. The Cubs will be playing at Wrigley this weekend (it was also a pretty scary week!), and so the celebration continues! We are reminded moment by moment of God's gracious gifts to us these days--no pain, no nausea, blood counts stable, strength increasing, incredible support in prayer and encouragement, and "joy unspeakable!" You bless us each day. I told a friend this week that we feel cocooned in love...His and yours. Please know that is never taken for granted. Borrowing the words the Apostle Paul wrote so long ago, we each say "I thank my God every time I remember you...it is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. ALL of you share in God's grace with me." (Philippians 1, verses 3 and 7)
Linda for John and the family
What a beautiful week it has been and many levels! Autumn has finally broken through the warmth of an Indian Summer with cool, crisp air, more blue skies and sunshine than rain, providing the perfect background for the incredible reds, yellows, oranges, golds and bronzes of the deciduous trees that are so plentiful in Michigan! After living in the tropics for nearly 30 years--the places where Michiganders like to go when it snows--we love the change of seasons, especially these days! John has now successfully completed four of his six weeks of treatment. Monday he had a follow-up visit at the oncologist's office and every Tuesday we meet with the radiologist after his treatment. There is always lots of laughter when John is around, and they continue to be amazed at how well he is doing. Three days this week a pastor (or two!) has driven him to Ann Arbor for his treatments, then they stop for lunch on their way home. Their company and conversations have boosted his spirits and proven to be a great encouragement! He has been doing so well, in fact, that we are actually going to an Il Divo concert in Chicago! John had gotten tickets this spring for my birthday/our anniversary--a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible, but we leave Saturday morning and will stay with our kids! Since Baby #3 is due November 19, this will also give us some unexpected time with Lauren and his "girls," since they won't be able to come for Thanksgiving. The Cubs will be playing at Wrigley this weekend (it was also a pretty scary week!), and so the celebration continues! We are reminded moment by moment of God's gracious gifts to us these days--no pain, no nausea, blood counts stable, strength increasing, incredible support in prayer and encouragement, and "joy unspeakable!" You bless us each day. I told a friend this week that we feel cocooned in love...His and yours. Please know that is never taken for granted. Borrowing the words the Apostle Paul wrote so long ago, we each say "I thank my God every time I remember you...it is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. ALL of you share in God's grace with me." (Philippians 1, verses 3 and 7)
Linda for John and the family
NORTH END COMMUNITY MINISTRY FUND RAISER
NECM is one the local organizations our church supports. They benefit from our annual diaper drive and when we receive extra items for our care kits, we send the items to them. They have been named as a recipient of gift cards from the Meijer Corporation “Simply Give” program at the Plainfield Meijer. From October 30 to December 31, 2016. During Double Match Days, November 11 and 12 $10.00 becomes $30.00 through a Meijer Corporation “match”. If someone wants to participate, all they have to do is present a donation card to the cashier at the Plainfield Meijer’s and $10.00 will be added to their total grocery bill. The cards are available on the table at the back of the church for from Gerry Dawson. This is a great way to support NECM.
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., November 19, 2016!
The next Ladies Rendezvous will be Saturday November 19, at 10:30 AM. The Ladies will be setting up for the Thanksgiving potluck the next day. Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
6th ANNUAL BLANKET AND COAT DRIVE FOR MEL TROTTER!
What began with one person asking for a blanket donation 6 years ago became an annual event to provide warmth for the ‘least of these!’ After learning Mel Trotter is often without enough blankets to cover their beds we started collecting them and to date have given over 300 blankets, scarves, and coats to some who really need them!
While the NMI intended to start the drive in mid-October, they’re already arriving! So join the fun and bring your new or gently used blankets and put them on the tables in the back of the sanctuary. We already have 46 blankets and 2 coats!! Our goal is to collect 50 blankets! Questions? See Sherry!
THANKSGIVING POTLUCK AND WECOLME HOME FOR PASTOR DAN AND JANIE
Our next potluck is scheduled for November 20, 2016. That will be Pastor Dan’s first Sunday back from his sabbatical and the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The stewards are planning a Thanksgiving dinner. If you can bring a Thanksgiving type item, please let Cherry know. We need the whole works including the turkey.
WORKDAY COMING
Larry has scheduled a workday to do the fall cleanup. So bring your rakes and join the trustees on Saturday November 5, at 9:00 AM. There are usually donuts!
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.
COME TO THE FIRE
We have had to cancel our plans to travel to Nashville for the Come to the Fire conference this fall. It is possible to stream the conference and the information will be posted later.
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.
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 Oct 20!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is this Thursday, Oct 20 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
Sep. 26/Nov. 13 Pastor Dan and Janie’s 7-week Sabbatical
Now-Nov. 30 Blanket and Coat Drive for Mel Trotter Mission
Oct. 29 Ladies Bible Study at 12:30 AM
Nov. 5 Church Work Day at 9:00 AM (weather permitting)
Nov. 6 Daylight Savings Time Ends
Nov. 8 Election Day
Nov. 12 Church Board Meeting 11:00 AM
Nov. 17 Third Thurs Chinese Lunch at 11:30 (Hibachi Grill)
Nov. 19 Women’s Rendezvous at 10:30 AM
Nov. 20 Northeast Community Potluck (after worship)
Nov. 24 Thanksgiving
Nov. 27 Missionary Night 5:00 PM
