Northeast Community News – August 7, 2017

     Dear Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! One of the highlights for me this week had to be when we were blessed with Pastor Ed Douglas’ special on receiving a ‘fresh touch’ from God.  As he sang accompanied only with his guitar about the needed daily fresh touch of God to get us through the dark and stormy days of life, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Dan, we have a lot of people who need a fresh touch from God right here today!”  So, even though it wasn’t on the order of worship, we let God lead us and we opened the altar and 8 people came forward to be anointed with Holy Oil and receive a special prayer by Pastor Ed! Wow! I pray this every week, but guess what? God really did show up Sunday! Praise God!
We continued our series on Discipleship Essentials this week by talking about an essential belief: The Trinity! At salvation, you have a choice: return to the road (that leads to sin and death) you once travelled, or the road that calls you to change everything, take up your cross and follow Jesus! Stop the madness! Embrace the discipleship essential beliefs and practices.
In Matthew 28:16-20 most of us know Jesus gives the “Great Commission.” But, in it, He offers the most powerful evidence for the reality and power of the Triune God. Jesus declares:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).
Jesus doesn’t ask us to baptize new believers in name of the Father or the Son or the Holy Spirit alone; but into the full Triune nature of God! In other words, the Father, Son and Spirit are co-equals both in name and authority!   But Jesus doesn’t just want us to be baptized into the Trinity. Jesus repeatedly reminds disciples God is revealing Himself to them through the Trinity, too! In Gen. 1:26 we discover the Trinity was at work creating us. IN John we discover Jesus came to reveal the fullness of God in human flesh (see John 10:30, 14:11) and the Holy Spirit came to be with us and LIVE IN US (John 14:17).
Finally, we discover that belief in the Trinitarian Nature of God also makes us Christian! While atheists claim no God, polytheists believe in multiple gods, and pantheists believe in a nature based god is in everything, only Christian’s believe in the Trinity. While some might argue Jews have the same God (and they in many ways do) they lack belief in the Savior and Holy Spirit.   The Trinity gives us a standard by which we can separate Christianity from cultism. Nearly every heresy in Church history began by misunderstanding or twisting the nature of God. The Trinity! It’s a discipleship essential! Believe in the fullness of God and be set free!
   Blessings! Pastor Dan

NEWS AND EVENTS

BUY NOW FOR SCHOOL PAL PAKS!
These items are needed (NEW) & exact sizes:  
-    2 composition notebooks (i.e. Mead), no larger than 9-3/4” x 7-1/2”.  (Spiral bound NOT accepted.
-    1 package of #2 pencils (quantity of 10-12 pencils)
-    1 package of black pens (quantity of 10-12 pens)
-    2 pink erasers, 2-3” long
-    2 rulers (6” or 12”, with metric measurements)
-    1 package of colored pencils (quantity of 12-15)
-    1 pair of blunt-nosed scissors
-    1 hand-held pencil sharpener
If you would like to donate cash or write a check for Pal-Paks, please make checks payable to the church and designate what the check is or.  You can also make a cash donation by placing the money in an envelope and mark it “School Pak-Paks”.
                                                Walmart            Meijer                Target                Staples                Dollar Store
2 Composition Notebooks    $0.50 each        $0.50 each        $0.75 each          $0.50 each           $1 each

10-12 #2 pencils                   $0.98 (12)         $1.99 (24)          $1.99 (24)           $1 (12)                  $1 (10)
Black pens 10-12                 $1.62 (12)          $1.39 (10)          $0.97 (10)           $1.50 (12)             $1 (10
2 pink erasers                      $1.46 (3)            $0.59 (3)            $0.50 (2)             $2 (3)                    $1 (2)
2 rulers- 6 or 12”                  $0.44                  $0.25                 $0.49                  $0.50                     $1 (2)
12-15 Colored Pencils         $0.97                  $1                      $0.97                  $2.29                     $1
Blunt Nose Scissors             $1.79                 $1.49                 $1.99                  $1.75 (2)                $1
Hand Held Pencil Sharpener    88 cents        $0.99                 $0.99                  $0.99                     $1
Total by Store                    Just under $9       Just under $8    $9                        $11                        $9
Multiple Stores-cheaper     $7  

               [Prices as found by Janie - THANKS!!!]

POTLUCK DINNER THIS SUNDAY (AUGUST 13)
Everyone is welcome to eat Sunday lunch together after the service.  It is fun to enjoy our church family’s fellowship a little while longer!  

SIX (6) CHILDRENS MISSIONARY BOOKS ARE HERE!
Anyone with children, have them read these enjoyable books.  For any child who reads all 6, a special event will be planned for them (a movie, Chuck E Cheese, or Craig’s Cruisers).  See Sherry J.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES
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!)

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.  

THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILL – August 17th
Join in the food, fun, and fellowship at this buffet restaurant located off Alpine Ave.  There are many delicious items for your taste buds to try!   See Tracy T. if you have any questions.

WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS TIME AGAIN – August 19TH
Meet us at the church for a time of food, fun, and fellowship.   Call Cherry if you have any questions at 616-916-7595.

SEPTEMBER IS ALABASTER MONTH!
See Sherry if you do not have an Alabaster box to put money or find one at the Sound Booth.  Alabaster offering sends 100% of the money to the Mission Field to build buildings,  and to purchase property for our missionaries.

RENUCCI HOUSE BREAKFAST – OCTOBER 21
If you are interested in joining in with this fun event, let Cherry or Deb know.  We will be feeding 45-50 people who are staying here.  These people have loved ones in the hospital.  We will give them a good first meal of the day and pray for those who wish us to do so.  

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
August        School Pal-Paks items being collected
August 9        Wednesday Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
August 13        Church Potluck after the AM Service
August 13        Bike Ride @ 2 PM
August 17        3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM        
August 19        Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
September        Alabaster Month
October 21        Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM