What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! Sadly, Gerry D. was sick (and on the mend) and so the Adult Sunday school class fell on my shoulders. Together, we investigated our last lesson on attitudes! Attitudes you ask? Do Christian’s ever have attitudes? Yes, and in our study of Philippians 2:1-11 and Romans 12:1-2 we found a model for good Christian attitudes: Christ!
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).
Oh, how our culture would be different if we all strived to have the attitude as Jesus! Can you imagine a restaurant where everyone served instead of sat waiting to be served? Can you imagine a church that was humble enough to suffer for each other? Let’s get that attitude!
God’s message this week came from John 1:29-42 and was titled, “Lost in Plain Sight.” Each of us has experienced moments when we have failed to see the obvious! For me, this includes car keys, my wallet, and even my wife! Well, for 30 years after Jesus’ humble birth in a stable, He remained largely ‘lost in plain sight.’ That is, until John the Baptist saw Him coming and said: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b). Surely, the Jewish people understood the significance of these words! The Jews had been sacrificing lambs as a symbol of deliverance from sin and death since the exodus! John is declaring plainly that Jesus is the true Passover Lamb that would forever deliver them from their sins. And yet, Scripture doesn’t even record a yawn, let alone movement towards Jesus…. Huh?
Even after giving testimony that Jesus was indeed the prophesied One he was baptizing for, and even after giving witness that the Holy Spirit had descended on Jesus, nobody seemed to care! It wasn’t until the next day when John said again, “Look, the Lamb of God,” that two of John’s followers followed and engaged Jesus in conversation! (see vv. 1:35-37). Where was everyone else? The Messiah had arrived and yet some were blind to the truth standing in front of them!
How about you? Are you searching? Are you searching for the one thing that will give your life meaning, direction, purpose, and significance? Stop searching! Open your eyes and hearts! He is here! Hallelujah! He is here knocking on the door of your heart! I pray you’ll stop your search and let Jesus, the Lamb of God, in! Your life will never be the same!
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ALABASTER OFFERING:
It was Alabaster Sunday yesterday and funds received so far are $148.50! If you did not remember your money this week, just bring it in this Sunday.
NAZARENE WORLD WEEK OF PRAYER – February 26 – March 4, 2017
This is an annual event occurring during the week that includes World Day of Prayer (March 3). During this week, Nazarenes dedicate themselves to interceding for our church and our world.
COLLECTION OF ITEMS FOR CRISIS CARE KITS:
We will be collecting the following items for crisis care kits. These will need to be ready to go by March 18th.
Each Crisis Care Kit includes the following new items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
- 1 medium size bottle of shampoo (12-18 oz) [Please tape the flip-tops closed]
- 2 bars of soap (bath-size or larger)
- 1 medium toothpaste (4.0-6.4 oz)
- 3 toothbrushes (in original packaging)
- 1 box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
- 1 fingernail clipper
- 1 sturdy hair comb
- 2 hand towels
- 4 pocket-size packages of facial tissue
- 1 Beanie Baby-size stuffed toyWED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY! COME BE A PART! (ASH WED. IS MAR. 01)Remember! We are currently meeting at the parsonage! Regardless of your experience, background, or age, Wed. night is a great time of singing, prayer, and Bible study. Come and be blessed! On Wed., Mar. 01 we will have ashes mixed with anointing oil available for those who would like to receive them. It is certainly optional, but many request this annual tradition placing an ‘ash cross’ on their forehead at the beginning of Lent. Come, join our fellowship and as always we will end our night with ice cream!WANTED: SINGERS FOR THE EASTER CANTATAOn Saturday, March 4th, at 10 AM, join us at the church to practice the Easter cantata, This We Believe. Come praise the Lord and make a joyful noise!
NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS:
Join in the fun and fellowship with other ladies from our church. We will be meeting Saturday, March 25th, at 10:30AM at the church. We plan on stuffing the Easter eggs for the children at this meeting. Call/text Cherry for rides or information @ 616-916-7595. See you there!!!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILL ON ALPINE AVE:
Meet us there and enjoy the food and fellowship on March 16th. Meet at the restaurant at 11:30 AM.
STILL NEEDED: ONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH TEACHER
Please contact Mary W. to help with this need. While most of the weeks have a teacher and a helper, one more teacher is still needed. Is God calling you to do this?
SOUND BOOTH PERSON NEEDED:
The church is looking for someone who is interested in being a sound booth technician. You will need to be able to attend music practices Sunday morning at 9 AM. Let Janie know if you are interested at 616-204-2499 or hathjan@icloud.com.
TEAM Day 2017 IS COMING TO Perry Michigan again on March 18, 2017. We are looking forward to a full day of inspiration, motivation, rekindling friendships, networking with others, and soaking up the possibilities for ministry in your local community. Our goal every year is that people will make connections with ministries, and to be encouraged to look for the possibilities for ministry in their community. TEAM Day is about letting you meet and talk to other people from around our three Michigan Districts and our Educational Region, and see the opportunities for ministry that are in our communities. We have workshops on many topics that are vital in the church (leadership, worship, discipleship, missions, children, youth). We will have an enlightening worship service to start the day. Lunch is included on the campus of the school. There are ministry vendors that will be available throughout the day to discuss specific ministries that you may want to participate Some of you may say “But I am already so busy, I am tired…”; this is a chance to recharge your batteries. This is a chance to see others who are also busy, and to encourage each other. You are not serving on an island, we need to support and encourage each other. TEAM Day is one way that we can help do that. Mark your calendars (Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Perry Michigan from 8 am to 4 pm). Visit the website www.minaz.org/teamday, download the brochure, and register yourself and several from your church to attend. The cost is $30 before February 15, and $40 after February 15 and before March 1st. We hope to see you there!PO Box 678 , Perry, MI 48872
email: teamday@tds.net or 517-675-7442 (evenings or leave a message please)
email: teamday@tds.net or 517-675-7442 (evenings or leave a message please)
The Michigan District Church of the Nazarene presents: A MOMENT IN TIME
At the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island on May 28 – May 30, 2017
A Moment in Time is open to all ages of families and individuals. The cost is only $345 per person. Children ages 12-17 are $185 and children birth to age 11 are free.
Price includes:
· Two nights lodging at the historic Grand Hotel
· Two delectable five course dinners
· Two scrumptious breakfasts (choice of menu/breakfast buffet or continental)
· Adult round-trip ferry ride (ages 5-11 are $12)
· All baggage handling
The first non-refundable deposit of $50 is due by March 27th. The balance is due April 22nd. Please see the attached brochure for all of the details!
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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!
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 March 4 Nazarene World Week of Prayer
March 1 Ash Wednesday Service
March 16 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM
Now – March 18 Collection of items for Crisis Care Kits
March 21 Week Day Ladies Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM
March 25 Next Ladies Rendezvous at Church @ 10:30 AM
May 28 A Moment in Time at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island
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