PASTOR’S PARAGRAPH:
Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! As the popular song declares, “Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful…Let it Snow! Let it Snow Let it Snow.” Surely, the weather lately has been frightfully cold! Even while wearing ‘thermal base layers’ under my dress clothes, Sunday, I could feel the cold clawing its way in! And yet, the fire was so delightful! What fire you ask? Did the church install a fireplace? Hardly! In fact, just before the Sunday School hour our furnace even faltered a bit! (but came back).
No, the fire I’m referring to is the fire of the Holy Spirit that warms from the inside out! This is why we can confidently declare, “Let it Snow!” In fact, this is why we can face the suffering and death of loved ones; the loss of a marriage; the loss of…well, anything, because we know regardless of our circumstances we serve a God who never leaves or forsakes us! Amen!
Our message this week came from Neh. 2:11-16 and was titled, “Stewardship of Relationships.”Last week, we learned the first creation God ever gave you to ‘steward’ was you! Before you were born, God already intimately knew you, knit you together, and provided you just the right gifts to accomplish the plan He had for your life! This week we see in Nehemiah that if we want to steward the relationships God has gifted us with, we need to assess them clearly, humbly take the initiative to strengthen or rebuild them, and inspire them to see Jesus!
First, Nehemiah doesn’t just show up and start giving orders. After praying and fasting he began by getting a clear assessment of the problem (Neh. 2:13-15). How about you? Do you have a current assessment on your relationships? How long has it been since you checked with them?
Second, Nehemiah took humble action! While the Israelites had returned to Jerusalem decades ago and hadn’t done anything, three days after arriving Nehemiah takes action to rebuild them by making ‘their’ problem ‘our’ problem. Nehemiah doesn’t spend time assessing fault, blaming others, or allowing 70 years of inaction to become an excuse for not doing the right thing. How about you? Are you waiting for someone to make the first move to rebuild your relationship? Do you spend more time assessing blame than solving the problem? Are you sure?
Finally, we discover Nehemiah gives God the glory for the rebuilt walls through his testimony. While Nehemiah had once been a lowly cupbearer to the king; that is, the one who drinks the wine first to see if it had been poisoned, in v. 18 Nehemiah says something like, “Look, if God can use a lowly man like me to do something great; He can use you, too!” What about you? How could God use your testimony to encourage others? (hint: start with your before story)
While I do pray your relationships are all strong (unlike mine), if they aren’t, begin being a good steward of them by assessing them clearly, taking the humble initiative, and giving God the glory through your testimony! Everything is possible with God!
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
NEXT CHURCH BOARD MEETING: January 14th
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILL ON ALPINE AVE:
Meet and enjoy the food and fellowship at this event. Meet at the restaurant at 11:30 AM.
LADIES RENDEZVOUS:
Join in the fun and fellowship with other ladies from the church. We will be meeting Saturday, January 21, at 10:30AM at the church. Bring along your own craft to work on, or assist with another craft (making cards for Tracy to send to church people), or just sit and enjoy the conversation!
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.
ATTENTION ALL KNITTERS:
If you knit or crochet, and can make hats and/or mittens for men or women, the stewards would love to add them to the bags for the homeless.
ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE HOMELESS BAGS (to February 12):
1) Socks, 2) combs, 3) hand sanitizer, 4) toothbrush, 5) toothpaste, 6) dental floss,
7)Kleenex, 8) Band-aids, 9) crackers (or other non-perishable food items), 10) $5-10 gift cards at fast food restaurants, 11) bottle of water, 12) mints, 13) words of encouragement, 14) feminine hygiene products (for female bags only), 15) black permanent marker
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
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!
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:
Now to Feb. 12 Collection of Items for the Homeless
Jan. 14 Board Meeting
Jan. 19 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill-Alpine @ 11:30 AM
Jan. 21 Workshop – The Path of a Peacemaker – Perry Church of the Naz
Jan. 21 Ladies Rendezvous at the church @ 10:30 AM
Jan. 22 Missions Sunday
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