What a great weekend we had in the Lord this week! Great weekend you wonder? Well, almost every newsletter I greet you with “Dear Friends and Family.” Saturday, we had a work day and I was reminded again we are indeed family. At one point, I was tired and wondered if the work I’d done personally was ‘good enough.’ I was surprised to hear a chorus of my fellow coworkers say, ‘it looks wonderful’ Pastor Dan. I was humbled and thankful at the love and support fellow workers provided and thanked them, to which Rickie R. immediately responded, ‘We’re family, Pastor Dan! It’s what we do!” And so, I began a wonderful reflection on the blessings of being part of the Christian Church once more. She was right! We are family and you’re all dear! PTL! Bless everyone who came to work day and labored for the Lord! Your work didn’t go unnoticed and your sore muscles are appreciated! You served our loving Father in heaven! Thank you!
God’s message this week came from Luke 9:18-27 and was titled, “Being a Disciple.” Years ago, Robert Frost penned a poem entitled, “The Road Not Taken.” The poem tells the story of a man who comes to a fork and must make an irreversible decision to choose one path over another. The poem ends with these three lines:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The fork all Christians face is whether to become a disciple. With heartache, I’ve watched hurting people walk in our door, be gloriously saved, and then walk back out the door and return to their former ways, and in one extreme case, die. I’m convinced a life of victory requires a full commitment to the costly work of discipleship.
In Luke 9:23-25 we find three key differences between just getting saved and being a disciple. First, a disciple must deny himself. Denying means you not only refuse to place a crown on your own head; it means you don’t even remember the guy or gal you were that once did! Denying self provides room to live wholly for Christ.
Second, Jesus calls disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. Jesus’ statement is repulsive. It evokes pictures of a ‘dead man walking’ through the streets carrying a cross beam on his back on the way to his public execution. Let me ask you… Does that describe your Christian walk and public testimony? Jesus leaves no room for a quiet, safe, private disciple! Carry your cross daily!
Finally, Jesus tells disciples to lose their life to save it! Here lies the paradox of the road less traveled: you’ll find fullness of life when you lose yourselves for Jesus! You lose yourself when you say, “Here are my talents, Jesus! Here are my hands and feet, Jesus! Here is my checkbook! It’s all yours! ‘You have my permission to do anything you want with me and my stuff! Because I know you have a better plan for me than I have! This is the sanctified life! Are you ready to be a disciple and live the victorious life? Then deny yourself, take up the cross daily, follow Him, and lose your life to find it! May it be so! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
WORLD MISSION BROADCAST OFFERING THIS SUNDAY!
Sunday morning, a special offering will be received to fund Christian broadcasts around the world. This may be the only way a person might hear about Jesus. Pray and ask God what you should give for this offering.
Join in this meeting at 5 PM and learn more about our missions and how we can be a missionary too!
INTERESTED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
A series of membership classes will be starting in June. If you are interested in learning more about the Church of the Nazarene, or becoming a member of our church, please let Pastor Dan know by contacting him at: 616-204-1153 or hathdan@me.com.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH SUMMER BREAK HAS STARTED
While we love the children, our children’s workers need a summer break. The kids will now be staying with us in the worship service. Bless you for understanding!
ONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH TEACHER IS STILL NEEDED!
Pray about becoming a children’s church teacher this September. You only need prepare a lesson once a month. Also, a helper will be there alongside you.
A NEW BIBLE STUDY IS COMING SOON!
Beginning in September, Mary W. will begin a study titled, “Remembering the Forgotten God”. This will be held Tuesdays at 10 AM for 7 weeks, beginning Sept. 5th. Sign up on the sheet in the church annex so she knows how many books to order.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY is at the church – 6:30 PM
We are now meeting at the church for Bible Study and fellowship. We hope to see you there!
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.
SUMMER CAMP @ INDIAN LAKE
Indian Lake Nazarene Camp has a wonderful summer camp for students of all ages. At camp kids learn to feel good about themselves, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, learn leadership skills, make friends, and learn about God’s love for them! You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.nazcamp.org/summer-camp
Discovery Camp Completed K – 2nd grade Jul. 05-07
Adventure Camp Completed 2nd – 4th grade Jul. 24-28
Voyager Camp Completed 4th – 6th grade Jul. 31-Aug. 04
Mid. School Camp Completed 6th – 8th grade Jul. 10-14
High School Camp Completed 9th – 12th grade Jun. 26-30
Note: All camps are $ 285 (except for Discovery Camp which is $ 135)
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017 WORK & WITNESS PROJECT:
The largest Nazarene Work & Witness project called, One Heart - Many Hands Indianapolis 2017 is this week, June 18-23. OHMH is a Work & Witness project geared for the entire church to participate in. For more information about this service project please contact our office at office@oneheartmanyhands.com or visit our website at www.oneheartmanyhands.com.
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:
June 18-23 General Assembly 2017 Work & Witness Project
June 25 World Mission Broadcast Offering
June 25 Missions Night @ church
June 26 Indian Lake Camps begin
July 16 & 17 District Assembly
July 16-23 Family Camp
July 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM
July 22 NMI/SDMI/NYI Convention
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