Northeast Community News – July 10, 2017

  Dear Friends and Family!
    What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! This Sunday something new was in the air. No, it wasn’t a new attitude or new discipleship offering or new way of doing worship. Nor was it new folks (although we did have two visitors which was fun). What was it then? Why, it was new LED lights that were installed in our ceiling light fixtures! In the last two weeks, Rick Evans, our new friend visiting from Joplin, purchased a case of new LED bulbs. With the help of Phil P., they replaced our old dingy bulbs high energy using florescent bulbs and ballasts with new energy efficient LED bulbs. When you turn on the lights the difference couldn’t be more extreme! Bless you Rick for your purchase and work and Phil for your help! As Timbuk 3 once sang, “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades!” God is good! Yup, all the time!
    This week we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials. If you want to live a victorious life, you must yield fully to God and embrace essential disciplines. Discipleship is more than being saved. As your pastor, I’ve watched in tears as alcoholics, drug addicts, and domestic assault victims were gloriously saved only to walk back out the door and return to their former ways.
I’m convinced if you want to end the roller coaster of faith and live a lifetime of victory, you must embrace the essential beliefs and disciplines of Jesus and the apostles. Last week we examined Quiet Time and Meditation – this week we examined another essential: Bible Study.
    George Barna (founder of The Barna Group) found among people who identify themselves as Christian: 48% couldn’t name the 4 Gospels and 60% couldn’t name 5 of the Commandments. Barna wrote, “Americans revere the Bible, but by and large they don’t know what it says. And because they don’t know it, they have become a nation of Biblical illiterates.” Ouch or Amen?
In II Timothy, we find Paul writing to a young person preparing for ministry. To prepare young Timothy, Paul begins in 3:1 by making sure Timothy understands what he is up against in the church and in the culture. In 3:10 he reminds Timothy to follow his own example by doing right regardless of the cost, trusting God to rescue him, and learning to trust God’s Word. In chapter 4:3-4, he warns Timothy there is coming a day when people will want to hear what their itching ears want to hear and turn away from truth and turn towards myths. Is that day now? Help us!
    The good news Paul tells Timothy is in a day of questionable truth and facts: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  
The same God who breathed life into human form in Genesis 2:7 has breathed into His sacred text to guide our journey with Jesus and equip us to serve in His Kingdom! Are you ready? If you want to be grounded in your faith and live a full life of victory with Jesus, you must consume regular portions of God’s Living Word and let it change you!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
                                NEWS AND EVENTS
DISTRICT SUMMER EVENTS AT INDIAN LAKE NAZARENE CAMP!
It’s that time again when we all gather at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp for rest, renewal, and spiritual nourishment called Camp Meeting! It is also the time when our District has assemblies and conventions for missions, youth, discipleship and we come together as a district for District Assembly (our District policy and governance organization).
One of my favorite activities is the ordination service where we see the culmination of much prayer, hard work, and accountability come together as the presiding General Superintendent first delivers a great message and then all the ordained elders (Pastors) and invited to lay hands on the candidate and the General Superintendent prays!
This year will be a special treat to see our own Amy Orban receive ordination! Many of you will remember Amy and Theo walking into our church fresh into recovery and over the years watching as God did miracle after miracle in their lives! We were witnesses to God’s saving and sanctifying work in their lives. We witnessed their baptisms, heard their testimonies, were invited to their wedding the arrival of two beautiful boys, Theo and Remington, and their wonderful service to Jesus as church board members!
But, in two weeks, after years of preparation and examination, God will bless them with a new miracle! Amy’s ordination as Elder in the Church of the Nazarene! Come for the service! Hug them and shake their hands and weep with them and witness first-hand what God can do in the lives of those yielded to Him. Nothing is impossible with God!
Jul. 16        Study 9:00AM, Worship 10:30AM, Dist. Assm. 6:30PM Ord. Serv. 7:00PM
Jul. 17        District Assembly at 8:30AM – Evening Service – 7:00PM
Jul. 18-21    Morning Service – 9:00AM, Study 10:30AM, Evening Service – 7:00PM
Jul. 22        NMI, SDMI, and NYI Conventions – 9:00AM, Fireside Cookout – 7:00PM
Jul. 23        Study – 9:00AM, Worship 10:30AM, Evening Service – 4:00PM
Pastor Dan spends the week at ‘camp’ in a small cabin at 7959 Victory St. Vicksburg, MI and would love to have you stop by! Need more information? See Pastor Dan or Janie!   

MICHIGAN DISTRICT IMPACT TEAM AT CLYDE PARK CHURCH JULY 15
On Saturday, July 15 at 7:00PM the Michigan District Impact Team (District Youth Choir) will be presenting a concert at Grand Rapids Clyde Park Church of the Nazarene. We received a letter of invitation from the Clyde Park Church that says:
We would like to invite your congregation to join us for a great evening of music. This is a great event for youth, as well, as your whole congregation. Come, enjoy the music of our District Impact Team.
What:    Michigan District Impact Team
Where:  Clyde Park Church – 2545 Clyde Park Ave., SW, Wyoming, MI
When:     Sat., July 15 at 7:00pm

RICK EVANS TO FILL THE PULPIT JULY 23
Our visitor, Rick Evans, received a local pastor’s license from Jesse Middendorf (retired General Superintendent) in 1999. Life has a way of getting in the way of the best laid plans, and on advice from Dr. Middendorf, he mothballed his pastoral journey. But, God has a way of calling us out of our mothballed existence and Rick approached the church board and pastor to discuss God’s plans for his life. We’re glad he did!
On July 23, while Pastor Dan and Janie finish their week at District Camp, your church board has asked Rick to fill the pulpit. What a joy it is to watch obedience in action! Be in prayer for Rick as he discerns, along with your church board, God’s plans for his life!

SPECIAL WED. MOVIE NIGHT, PIZZA, AND DISCUSSION ON JULY 26 AT 6:30PM
To follow up on his July 23rd message, Rick is showing “A Man Called Norman” (produced by Focus on the Family) and leading a discussion to follow. His plan is to meet at 6:30 for pizza and prayer – start the 45-minute video at 7:00 with ice cream and discussion to follow. Grab a friend and come! Rick has said this video changed his life! Maybe, it will change yours! 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
Some of us like to take a ‘Nazarene Nap’ Sun. afternoons and others like to go out and ride their bikes and enjoy each other’s company! I say do both! If you can eat a quick lunch and grab a short power nap you’ll still have time to join us for a relaxing Sun. afternoon bike ride down a safe trail! Nobody’s getting left behind! But, we may stop for ice cream and laugh a lot! Let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested or have questions. This would be a great event to invite a friend!
What: Weekly Bike Rides
Time: 2:00pm until aprox. 4:00pm
Where: From Rogue River Park in Belmont to Rockford on the White Pine Trail. Rogue River Park is located at 6300 Belmont Ave NE – Belmont, MI 49306
Cost: Free! (unless you plan to buy ice cream!)

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
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
Note: All camps are $ 285 

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!

INTERESTED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
A series of membership classes will be starting soon.  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.

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.

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

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. 

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:
July 12        Wednesday Service @ 6:30 PM at the church
July 15        Impact Team sings at Clyde Park Church @ 7 PM
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
July 23        Rick speaking @ church
July 26        Movie & Pizza Night @ 6:30 (“A Man Called Norman”)
July 29        Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
July 30        Missions Night @ church – 5 PM
August 9        Church Potluck