Northeast Community News – December 13, 2016

Northeast Community News – December 13, 2016

PASTOR’S PARAGRAPH

Dear Friends and Family! 

It was another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! While the snowy weather did its best to discourage people from coming to church, many of you braved the elements and worshipped the Triune God anyway on the third Sunday of Advent! Not to suggest we didn’t miss those who found it too dangerous to come! It’s impossible for me to know who the wise and foolish were among us! I only hope you did what was best for you and your family and took time to worship! God is surely worthy of our praise and worship! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

God’s message this week came from Matthew 11:2-11 and was titled, “Preparing the Way.” Are you prepared? Is your life up to code? Much like a builder, Jesus has provided the way to build lives that can withstand the storms of life. Just as it’s too late to build a strong roof to withstand heavy snow when it starts snowing, Advent reminds us to prepare our lives ahead of the storm using the building code God has provided us: Christ! The solid Rock! 

Certainly John the Baptist had prepared, but in Matt. 11 we find something interesting…even the one who had baptized Jesus and heard the voice of God, could face doubts (vv. 2-3). Surely this was a low point in John’s life. He had faithfully prepared the way for Jesus, but now he was in jail far from his Savior. Life didn’t turn out the way he had planned! Perhaps you can relate! 

But, the way John faced doubt provides us three lessons. First, everyone is susceptible to doubt. Second, when he doubted, he turned to Jesus and waited for a reply. Third, Jesus replied by challenging John to ‘consider the evidence.’ “Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor” (Matt 11:4-5).

Jesus essentially said to John, ‘yes, I’ve fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy….consider the evidence.’ Jesus had indeed healed the blind, lame, deaf, and those with leprosy. He also raised the dead and preached the good news to the poor. ‘Yes John! When you consider the evidence I’m the One!’

With less than two weeks until Christmas, I wonder if any of us are struggling with doubt? Are you at a low point in life…perhaps a marriage has crumbled, a job has ended, or you’re suffering with physical and/or emotional pain. Maybe you’ve begun to wonder if Jesus is the One; if God hears and answers prayer? If so, respond as John did – turn to Jesus! Tell Him where you hurt! Then, wait for His reply! Perhaps like John, He will ask you to consider the evidence! 

What evidence? Look around you at the lives Jesus has touched and healed! Jesus continues to heal; Jesus continues to bring life at out ashes! And, Jesus continues to reach out to those poor in finance and poor in Spirit with the good news of Christmas! Blessings, Pastor Dan

NEWS AND EVENTS

OUR NEXT 3^RD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS THIS THURSDAY DEC. 15!

Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is this Thursday, Dec. 15, at 11:30 AM 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!

NEEDED:  CHRISTMAS CAROLERS!

On Wednesday, December 21^st, we are planning on going to the shut-ins and singing to them.  Join in on the fun as we hope to be a blessing to these dear people!  It has been said there will be hot chocolate (just not in the car)!  Please meet at the church and we will car pool.  We will be leaving at 6 PM.  

ATTENTION TEENS! FREE WINTER JAM 2017 CONCERT – 

JAN. 08 – ARE YOU IN? Janie has declared Winter Jam 2017 at the Van Andel Arena a must go to concert for all teens and young adults. Bands will include: Crowder, Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole, and Thousand Foot Krutch! It is already a deal at 10 bands for $10 bucks, but for teens the cost is FREE! That’s right, zip, zero, nada, because Janie convinced the church to pay your way! What? You gotta go! Young adults can come, too, but they’ll need to pay the $10! What’s stopping you? Text your friends and then RSVP Janie at hathjan@icloud.com or text her at 616.204.2499! What a great way to start your New Year! Are you in? Hope so!

ATTENTION ALL KNITTERS 

The stewards will be collecting items for bags for the homeless after the holidays.   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 @ 6 PM

Sunday, December 25, worship service 10:00 AM – NO Sunday School                                                       Sunday, January 1, 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 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 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. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017 WORK & WITNESS PROJECT:

   I'm writing to invite you and any members of your church to be a part of the largest Nazarene Work & Witness project called, One Heart - Many Hands Indianapolis 2017!  This week-long service project will take place June 18-23.
   In a recent conversation with Dr. David Downs, the District Superintendent of the West Texas District, it came to my attention that many pastors are under the impression that One Heart - Many Hands (OHMH) projects are just for youth groups. In actuality, OHMH is a Work & Witness project geared for the entire church to participate in. Many churches bring multi generational groups who work on the project and learn from each other. In past General assembly years we have averaged 2000 Nazarenes serving together with OHMH to leave the fingerprints of God all over the General Assembly host city.
   I'm sure you receive hundreds of emails each year encouraging you and your church to be a part of something…  OHMH is a unique Work & Witness project that not only affords your group the opportunity to be involved in missions together but also to experience the Global Church of the Nazarene in a very visible and tangible way as team members participate in the General Assembly services.
   Would you prayerfully consider encouraging your church to take advantage of this opportunity to serve alongside thousands of Nazarenes this summer in Indianapolis?  For more information about this service project please contact our office at office@oneheartmanyhands.com or visit our website at www.oneheartmanyhands.com 

Thank you,  George Sisler

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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 16                       Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill on Alpine 11:30 AM

Dec. 21                       Christmas Caroling – meet at church – leaving 6 PM

Dec. 24                       Christmas Eve – 6 PM service

Dec. 25                       Christmas Day

Jan. 1                          New Year’s Day