PASTOR’S PARAGRAPH
Welcome back! What are those whiskers? Give me a hug? I missed guys! How was your trip? Don’t cut! Yup, these were many of the first words we heard when you arrived at church last Sunday! So, was it a wonderful day in the Lord? Of course it was! Any time Christians gather to worship the Triune God it’s going to be wonderful! Yesterday was no exception! God is good!
Thank you for the extravagant Pastor and wife appreciation gift cards! I’ve said it many times, but mean it when I say you shouldn’t have! The gift of your presence and your fellowship is all the gift we seek and boy did we receive it abundantly! Thank you again for allowing us 7 weeks off to renew, restore, and reflect. God showed up for us AND YOU! God is good! Amen!
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put on a FEAST for our homecoming! Wow! Oh, and in case you’re wondering who said, ‘Don’t cut!’ it was Chase Carpentier who was just kindly reminding me during the potluck that a 7-year-old can be just as hungry as a 54-year-old!
God’s message this week came to us from Philippians 4:4-9 and was titled “We Give Thanks!” While we may have learned to say ‘thank you’ as a child receiving a gift, Paul reminds us feeling thankful, that is, possessing an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ must be cultivated and is central to the Christian Way of life. While we find ‘thankfulness’ weaved throughout our Bibles, Paul speaks of it directly in Philippians 4:6:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Scripture makes it clear! You can’t worry about what you need and at the same time give thanks for what God has given you! The Christian way of life Paul yearns that the people in the church in Philippi and Northeast Community will possess is a life of thanksgiving; the healing kind of thanksgiving that goes beyond a simple ‘thank you.’
In establishing a day of National Thanksgiving, Abraham Lincoln wrote on October 03, 1863:
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.”
Perhaps it is time AGAIN for God’s people, to remember why we give thanks! Paul reminds us in part it is because the Lord is near (v. 5), we have a God who hears (and answers) prayer (v. 6), and through Jesus, the peace of God guards our hearts and minds (v. 7). What are you giving thanks for this Thanksgiving? May each of us move beyond words of ‘thanks’ learned as a child to a life and attitude of genuine gratitude and thanksgiving.
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
UPDATE ON DR. SEAMAN
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Sat. Nov. 19th 2016 10:52 PM
It is difficult to believe that John's six weeks of treatment ended two weeks ago. I apologize for not sending an update last weekend, but we decided we needed a little rest after a rather intense three months. We actually had a leisurely all-day date--even turned off our phones! That first week was also spent catching up on doctors' appointments missed this fall. How thankful I am to report that, according to our dentist and ophthalmologist, John's teeth and eyes suffered no ill effects from the radiation!
On a different note, this past Monday morning I received a call that my uncle, George Garvin, Jr., awakened in Heaven. He was my mother's baby brother, husband of "Musical Memories" Martha, father of three wonderful sons, two beautiful daughters, Grandpa to 11 great grandkids, a successful businessman and amazing churchman. What his five children remember, though, is coming down the stairs every morning for breakfast and turning their heads to the left to see their Dad reading his Bible or on his knees praying for them in the sunroom. With all his successes, his greatest investment was in the Kingdom and in the lives of his family. Following his funeral in Nashville Thursday, the family brought him back to Chicago, where he was born and lived most of his life, to be laid to rest. What a great blessing it was for us to join in celebrating his life and influence last night with lots of laughter and tears...and singing! At the end, we joined hands, stood in a circle and sang some of the songs he loved--When we all get to Heaven; Praise Him, Praise Him; the Family of God; Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and his favorite, "When We See Christ." It was very overcast, cold and blustery this morning when we gathered at his gravesite. My brother Tim was reading these words of committal: "For as much as the spirit of our departed loved one has returned to God, Who gave it, we therefore tenderly commit his body to the grave, in sure trust and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall give us new bodies like unto His glorious body." When Tim read the words "...in sure trust and certain hope," the sun broke through the clouds and shone down on his casket and on all of us who loved him! We lifted our heads in amazement--I will never forget it as long as I live! As we continue to walk the path set before us these days, that extraordinary moment was a clear affirmation of God's extraordinary promises! No wonder Hosea and the apostle Paul remind us, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Another incredible moment to treasure!
Tonight when we drove back into our little hometown of Grand Ledge, I noticed that all the Christmas decorations had been put up over the weekend. Since coming back to the States, I've often felt like poor Thanksgiving was being lost in our race to Christmas. However, after the last two days, I realized there is no better way to begin Christmas than by being thankful. So this week, while we're eating turkey and singing Christmas carols, the Seaman family will be thankfully celebrating the One Who keeps His promises. Counting on your prayers, Linda for John and the family.
On a different note, this past Monday morning I received a call that my uncle, George Garvin, Jr., awakened in Heaven. He was my mother's baby brother, husband of "Musical Memories" Martha, father of three wonderful sons, two beautiful daughters, Grandpa to 11 great grandkids, a successful businessman and amazing churchman. What his five children remember, though, is coming down the stairs every morning for breakfast and turning their heads to the left to see their Dad reading his Bible or on his knees praying for them in the sunroom. With all his successes, his greatest investment was in the Kingdom and in the lives of his family. Following his funeral in Nashville Thursday, the family brought him back to Chicago, where he was born and lived most of his life, to be laid to rest. What a great blessing it was for us to join in celebrating his life and influence last night with lots of laughter and tears...and singing! At the end, we joined hands, stood in a circle and sang some of the songs he loved--When we all get to Heaven; Praise Him, Praise Him; the Family of God; Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and his favorite, "When We See Christ." It was very overcast, cold and blustery this morning when we gathered at his gravesite. My brother Tim was reading these words of committal: "For as much as the spirit of our departed loved one has returned to God, Who gave it, we therefore tenderly commit his body to the grave, in sure trust and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall give us new bodies like unto His glorious body." When Tim read the words "...in sure trust and certain hope," the sun broke through the clouds and shone down on his casket and on all of us who loved him! We lifted our heads in amazement--I will never forget it as long as I live! As we continue to walk the path set before us these days, that extraordinary moment was a clear affirmation of God's extraordinary promises! No wonder Hosea and the apostle Paul remind us, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" Another incredible moment to treasure!
Tonight when we drove back into our little hometown of Grand Ledge, I noticed that all the Christmas decorations had been put up over the weekend. Since coming back to the States, I've often felt like poor Thanksgiving was being lost in our race to Christmas. However, after the last two days, I realized there is no better way to begin Christmas than by being thankful. So this week, while we're eating turkey and singing Christmas carols, the Seaman family will be thankfully celebrating the One Who keeps His promises. Counting on your prayers, Linda for John and the family.
THANK YOU
From Emily Morse to all the people who picked up leaves in our yard and Cherry and Phil for taking 80 filled bags from our yard.
CHURCH SECRETARY
Starting next week Deb Xia has been hired to be our church secretary. She will be working 5 hours a week and her responsibilities will mainly be doing the program and newsletter. Additional duties will be added when we are able to increase her hours.
ADVENT
Sunday November 27 is the first Sunday of Advent. To prepare our building for the Advent celebration decorating the sanctuary will take place Wednesday November 23 (that’s tomorrow, folks). Please join us at 6:30.
POINSETTIAS
We will again be ordering poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas Eve and Christmas day services. The cost of the 6 ½ pots will be $6.60. Order forms will be in the program for the next three Sundays. All orders must be in by Sunday December 11, 2016.
ATTENTION ALL KNITTERS
The stewards will be collecting items for bags for the homeless after the holidays. are If you are a knitter and can make hats and/or mittens for men or women they would love to add them to the bags. A complete list of all items will be available later.
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF SERVICE
Changes have been made in the order of our worship service. The “Time of Greeting” has been 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.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES SCHEDULE
Saturday December 24 – Christmas Eve Service (time to be determined)
Sunday December 25 – Christmas Day worship service 10:00 AM – no Sunday School
Sunday January 1 – New Year’s Day worship service 10:00 AM – no Sunday School
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. 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.
LADIES RENDEZVOUS AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
The next Ladies rendezvous will be December 3, where the ladies will be exchanging cookies. Please bring one dozen cookies to trade. Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
THE PATH OF A PEACEMAKER
On Saturday January 21, 2017 the Michigan District is sponsoring “The Path of a Peacemaker” workshop at the Perry Church of the Nazarene. The Path of a Peacemaker is intended to assist all believers in resolving conflicts biblically with one another. The goal of Path is to bring healing, reconciliation, and restoration to relationships among believers in Christ. Through its use ministries will be renewed, grace will be promoted, and the witness of Christ greatly enhanced. The cost is $10.00. If you think you might be interested in attending, please see Pastor Dan.
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.
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 THIS THURSDAY NOV. 17!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is this Thursday, Nov 17, 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
Nov. 24 Thanksgiving
Nov. 27 Missionary Night 5:00 PM
Dec. 3 Ladies Rendezvous and cookie exchange
Dec. 16 Third Thursday Lunch
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
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