Hello Friends and Family!
“Are You ALL In? That was the question Pastor Ed asked in his Sunday sermon. Using scriptures from II Timothy 3:12, I John 4:7-8, Romans 6:23, Matthew 26:69-75, Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-10 and 17-20 he reminds us that living a Godly life will not insulate us from hardship. Jesus warns us to be on guard. We have to decide that we are going to please God regardless of the opinion of others. Ephesians 4 and 5 are instructions for Christian living.
NEWS AND EVENTS
WHERE’S WALDO… OOPS, I MEAN PASTOR DAN?
Pastor Dan continues his bike trip along Route 66. Today, Tuesday October 18, he is approaching Oklahoma City. The last I heard he was about 3 days ahead of the planned schedule. Please remember that we cannot contact him while he is a way 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
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.
BENEVOLENCE FOR DRS. JOHN AND LINDA SEAMAN
The district has sent out guidelines for those who would like to help Drs. John and Linda Seaman financially. Our church board voted last week to send them $350.00 from our benevolence fund. If you would like to send a personal gift the instructions are below on how to do that.
1. All monies should come to the District Office at Michigan District Church of the Nazarene, 15180 S. Wright Rd., Grand Ledge, MI 48837. Checks and money orders must be made out to LINDA SEAMAN. This is a personal gift and should be stated in the memo line as such. Any money given personally is NOT tax deductible for individuals. Individuals can give up to $14,000 per year to an individual without it being a tax burden on the Seamans. We are asking that checks be made out to Linda to save Dr. John from having to deal with any of this issue. Thank you for understanding.
2. If a local church collects money from its congregation the following constraints must be followed via IRS rulings:
a) If an individual wants credit for giving, all checks MUST be made out to the local church and designated in the memo line as “Benevolence Fund.” Drs. John & Linda cannot be listed anywhere on the check, envelope or letter.
b.) If a person writes a check to the Seamans, it needs to be written out to Linda Seaman. Giving in this way is not tax deductible. These checks should be sent to the district office and not to the Seamans.
We have no way of knowing what all of the costs may incur during this time, but this is all about helping a brother and sister in Christ. At their request, there is no way to give electronically. This will be done only by check or money order.Thank you for your help in this situation! We know how much you love the Seamans. Whatever your church or individuals decide to do will be greatly appreciated!
THE PARSONAGE SIDING!
A special thanks to our contractor, Phil Camps who installed the siding on the parsonage and then he installed gutters that he donated. Praise God!
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., Oct. 22 AT 10:30AM!
The next Ladies Rendezvous is this coming Saturday, Oct 22 at 10:30 AM. The ladies will be working on blankets for the blanket drive. 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 43 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 22 Women’s Rendezvous at 10:30 AM
Oct 22 Ladies Bible Study at 12:30 AM
Nov 5 Workday at 9:00 AM (weather permitting)
Nov 12 Church Board Meeting at 11:00 AM
Nov. 20 Northeast Community Potluck (after worship)
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