Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Do you like thrilling adventure park rides? If you said yes, you would have loved our worship service, Sunday! Why? Well, we got blessed! This week we examined worship and, well, at one point in the service we had people with their hands in the air and shouting! Not because they were the daring people heading down the first hill on a roller coaster, it was something even better! We were worshipping God! The Church of the Nazarene has always been a place where God’s people expressed themselves!
The reason our first church in L.A. was affectionately called the ‘Glory Barn’ was because that was where God’s Glory regularly fell! To say the people responded enthusiastically is a huge understatement! Neighbors recall the shouting and singing from the people who had been set free from sin and sanctified! Woohoo! God is good! His Glory fell here, too! Do it again, Lord!
This week we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials. If you want to live a victorious life, you must choose the right path (and take it)! At salvation, you are given a choice: return to the road you once travelled that leads to sin and destruction or travel the narrow road that leads to the thrilling ride of Christian Discipleship! Sadly, too many gloriously saved from sin return to sin and misery months later because they refused to embrace a life of discipleship! This should not be! If you want to ‘stop the madness’ you need to embrace essential beliefs and practices.
This week we examined another key discipleship practice: worship! As we looked at portions of Revelation 4 and 5 we quickly discover worship requires three things: a right understanding of who God is, a right understanding of who we are, and the freedom to express ourselves fully!
First, until we capture a glimpse of how truly awesome God is, we will struggle making God the only One worthy of our worship! Of that each of us would capture a vision for God! “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8b) Paul tells us even the creation testifies to God’s eternal power and divinity! (Rom. 1:20). How about you? You won’t run to the worship service until you have a vision of all God is, has done, and continues to do!
Second, worship requires a right understanding of ourselves! Moments after Isaiah had seen the Glory of the Lord he wrote, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah was the most holy guy alive at the time, but when he came into God’s presence he was undone! Are you undone in God’s presence? Jesus is the Shepherd, we are His sheep; God is the Creator, we are the created. Are you ready to stop being and worshipping your own god?
Finally, worship requires an emotional response. We are human! We were created to laugh, cry, shout, sing, and have a passionate response to our Living God in worship! So, are you? Or, are you more concerned about what your neighbor might think to shout, sing, clap, stand, and wave your arms high when you worship? Maybe it’s time to get a little undignified! Surely God is worthy of it! Let’s get blessed and share our love of God with others!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Do you like thrilling adventure park rides? If you said yes, you would have loved our worship service, Sunday! Why? Well, we got blessed! This week we examined worship and, well, at one point in the service we had people with their hands in the air and shouting! Not because they were the daring people heading down the first hill on a roller coaster, it was something even better! We were worshipping God! The Church of the Nazarene has always been a place where God’s people expressed themselves!
The reason our first church in L.A. was affectionately called the ‘Glory Barn’ was because that was where God’s Glory regularly fell! To say the people responded enthusiastically is a huge understatement! Neighbors recall the shouting and singing from the people who had been set free from sin and sanctified! Woohoo! God is good! His Glory fell here, too! Do it again, Lord!
This week we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials. If you want to live a victorious life, you must choose the right path (and take it)! At salvation, you are given a choice: return to the road you once travelled that leads to sin and destruction or travel the narrow road that leads to the thrilling ride of Christian Discipleship! Sadly, too many gloriously saved from sin return to sin and misery months later because they refused to embrace a life of discipleship! This should not be! If you want to ‘stop the madness’ you need to embrace essential beliefs and practices.
This week we examined another key discipleship practice: worship! As we looked at portions of Revelation 4 and 5 we quickly discover worship requires three things: a right understanding of who God is, a right understanding of who we are, and the freedom to express ourselves fully!
First, until we capture a glimpse of how truly awesome God is, we will struggle making God the only One worthy of our worship! Of that each of us would capture a vision for God! “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8b) Paul tells us even the creation testifies to God’s eternal power and divinity! (Rom. 1:20). How about you? You won’t run to the worship service until you have a vision of all God is, has done, and continues to do!
Second, worship requires a right understanding of ourselves! Moments after Isaiah had seen the Glory of the Lord he wrote, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah was the most holy guy alive at the time, but when he came into God’s presence he was undone! Are you undone in God’s presence? Jesus is the Shepherd, we are His sheep; God is the Creator, we are the created. Are you ready to stop being and worshipping your own god?
Finally, worship requires an emotional response. We are human! We were created to laugh, cry, shout, sing, and have a passionate response to our Living God in worship! So, are you? Or, are you more concerned about what your neighbor might think to shout, sing, clap, stand, and wave your arms high when you worship? Maybe it’s time to get a little undignified! Surely God is worthy of it! Let’s get blessed and share our love of God with others!
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”.
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!)
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. August 8th, Sunday, is the last day to sign up!
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILL – August 17th
Join in the food, fun, and fellowship at this buffet restaurant located off Alpine Ave. Many delicious items for your taste buds! 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 2 Wednesday Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
August School Pal-Paks items being collected
August 8 Last day to sign up for Bible Study in Sept.
August 8 Bike Ride @ 2 PM
August 13 Church Potluck after the AM Service
August 17 3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
August 19 Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30
September Alabaster Month
October 21 Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM
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