Yes, it was another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Sherry J. celebrated 6 kids in Children’s Church this week! WooHoo! How wonderful is that? What is children’s church? Glad you asked! You may already know this, but we’ve discovered kids can worship and learn about Jesus better when they can create something with their hands, receive a snack to eat, and move around and make some noise! Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Me too, but I’m not a kid!’
If that describes you, too, why not help out in children’s church once a month? Yes, you will need to complete a federal background check before starting (for the safety of the kids), but it will give you a great opportunity to celebrate and learn about Jesus like a kid! Interested? Bless Mary Warner, our Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries Director, by calling or texting her!
Children’s Church takes place every week EXCEPT the FIRST SUNDAY of the month so all of our workers and kids can receive communion together. Come, and worship like a kid! God is good!
God’s message this week came from John 4:4-42 and was titled, “Living Water Transformation.” Last week, we discovered Jesus offering love and grace to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish Ruling Council. Nick had everything: position, wealth, influence; status, education, and respect---and yet he was still searching for something that satisfied. He found it in Jesus!
Last week Jesus told Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
But what happened when Jesus moved out of Jerusalem where he encountered Nick? Is the good news for everyone or just powerful Jewish men? We find the answer in John. chap. 4. There we find Jesus engaging a sinful, weak and nameless woman from Samaria who could only boast of her intense brokenness. In John chap. 4 we discover the truth of John 3:16-17 applies to everyone, including you!
First, we discover Jesus crosses all the boundaries to reach her! In v. 4 we read “Now he had to go through Samaria.” Huh? No, he didn’t. Samaritans were so despised most Jews avoided any travel in Samaria. Why did Jesus have to go to Samaria? To share God’s love and salvation with this woman! How about you? What barriers keep you from sharing God’s love with others?
Second, we find Jesus overlooking her sarcasm and skepticism. Regardless of her objections and even theological rabbit trails she attempts, Jesus keeps focused on her real need: repentance and salvation! Are you willing to overlook sarcasm and skepticism where you live and work?
Finally, while Scripture is silent regarding her confession and repentance, we find ‘fruit of her repentance’ in her response! Where? By telling everyone she knew about Jesus! In fact, John records her witness has started a Samarian Revival. In v. 39 we read, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39).
Dear Ones! If you have ever wondered if God loves you, just take a moment to read John chap. 4. May today be the day you set aside your hurt to be loved by the Savior.
Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
ALABASTER OFFERING: Alabaster offering funds received were $519.45!
TIME TO ORDER EASTER FLOWERS!
The order form for these flowers will be in the weekly church program. Cost is $7.25 each for 6” Easter Lilies, 6” Tulips (red, pink, or yellow), and 6” Mini Daffodils.
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!!!
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.
Tragedy Into Triumph is coming to Michigan District Churches MARCH 19-22, 2017!
What is Tragedy Into Triumph?Tragedy Into Triumph is an opportunity for you to hear what God can do in your life.
Each night a different speaker will tell their own personal story of tragedy, and how God brought triumph to their lives. The Bible Says: We Overcome By The Blood of the Lamb and Word of Our Testimony Rev. 12:11
What Will Tragedy Into Triumph Do For Me?
The tragic circumstances of life are everywhere: Loss, Adversity, Drug Addiction, Sexual Addiction, Depression, Adversity, Physical Struggles, and much more! We gain reassurance from hearing someone else’s story of overcoming, that God can work in our lives too! We seek to take on the real life problems of the world with the power of Jesus Christ, and we believe that God’s power can change our lives to live differently. We believe that tragedy does not define us…God’s Triumph Does!
Check out the following link for each night’s topics and speakers: http://www.tragedyintotriumph.com/
Here is the list of churches on our district who are hosting the simulcast:
1) Grand Ledge Church of the Nazarene, 3432 Jefferson Hwy., Grand Ledge, MI 48837;
2) Cross Community Church of the Nazarene, 5625 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI 49024; 3)Midland Nazarene, 5700 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640; 4)St. Louis Nazarene, 1001 W Washington St., St. Louis, MI 48880; 5) East Jackson Church of the Nazarene, 5549 Ann Arbor Rd, Jackson, MI 49201
LADIES DAY AT ONU: April 22, $30.00, $10.00 for a box lunch
HAPPILY LAUGHTER AFTER TOUR on Friday, May 5th
If you are interested in having a Friday night full of laughter, Chonda Pierce, with special guest, Karyn Williams, are at Grand Rapids First Church 5/5. Tickets can be purchased at ticket.com. If anyone is interested, call/text Cherry @ 616-916-7595.
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!
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
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:
March 21 Week Day Ladies Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM
March 25 Next Ladies Rendezvous at Church @ 10:30 AM
April 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM
April 22 Ladies Day @ ONU
May 5 Happily Laughter After Tour with Chonda Pierce at Grand Rapids
First Church
May 28 A Moment in Time at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island
June 18-23 General Assembly 2017 Work & Witness Project
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