Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! In my humble opinion, any day we wake up, can go to God’s house and worship is a wonderful day! Sadly, we had many who could not be in God’s house this week! For some, a hospital visit was needed while others are recovering from surgery, overslept alarms, and some were just plain sick! In fact, as I write this to you on Monday morning I’m coughing, wheezing, and not feeling myself as I battle a chest cold! Yuck! But, God continues to be good and no doubt the sleep will do me good! Bless you for praying for all the sick ones! We serve a Great Physician who hears and answers prayer! Amen? Amen!
Sunday, we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials by talking about another essential belief: Adoption! In Romans 8:15-17 we read: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spiritthat we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:15-17).
There is so much here! First, it becomes clear that when we receive Christ in our hearts we not only received eternal life, we were adopted as God’s children. Second, as a son or daughter of God we can share intimacy. Third, we are no longer slaves, but heirs, co-heirs with Christ!
Some of us may wonder if we’re adoptable. We aren’t like the cute little kid at the orphanage who is sure to get adopted. Some of us are old, scared and bruised – beaten and disfigured. If you’re past is anything like mine, you’re sure nobody in their right mind would adopt you! But God’s love and grace is amazing! Yes, He wants to adopt you!
But His desire to adopt you isn’t out of pity; it’s out of His love! When you are adopted God doesn’t treat you like a stepchild or one He loves reluctantly; He treats you as a co-heir with Christ! Wow! As a co-heir with Christ He wants you to experience the same deep intimacy Jesus did! Further, He wants you to realize you’re no longer enslaved to past failures, bitterness over past wrongs, enslaved to sin or in fear of His wrath. He wants you to be free! Praise God!
But, whether you are adopted is up to you. God has been looking for a child just like you. Yes you! In fact, He has sent the adoption papers with the Holy Spirit to you, but needs to know if you’ll let Him adopt you? Will you let Him love you this morning? Will you say yes to Jesus? I pray that you said yes and continue to say yes! Blessings! Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
CHILDREN’S CHURCH BEGAN!
There will be a new program where the children will have the whole church time for their program. They will meet in the basement for a social time at 11 AM before their service with a snack and a drink. Then there will be singing praises and a lesson.
A NEW BIBLE STUDY IS HERE!
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. 12th.
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. This offering will be taken Sept. 17th.
IGNITE – MOBILIZING THE CHURCH IN MISSION!
Go and listen to some of our missionaries here as they speak about the work God is doing in the countries they are serving in! September 10th @ 6 PM at Mason First, 415 E. Maple St, Lynn & Sherry Schmidt from the Philippines will be speaking. October 8th @ 6 PM at Mt. Pleasant First, 1980 S. Lincoln Road, Dan & Coralee Behr from the Philippines will be speaking. Also, on October 8th @ 6 PM at Chapman Memorial in Vicksburg, 7520 E. U Ave., Ellen Gaily Decker from Africa will be speaking.
PEOPLE WANTED TO PRAY FOR STRANGERS!
Our church has placed a “prayer mail box” out by the bus stop. The Holy Spirit has indicated that there are many hurting and broken people walking right past us without a church to pray for them! If you are interested, let Pastor Dan know by calling/texting (616) 204-1153 or email him at hathdan@me.com.
FREE ONLINE SECURITY TRAINING!
Due to the generosity of Janie H. and her employer, we have free access to their online security training class for anyone interested. Here is some information from the training site:
More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. KnowBe4 is the world’s most popular integrated Security Awareness Training and Simulated Phishing platform with over 10,000 customers.
Our basic training modules specialize in making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job. You get high quality web-based interactive training combined with common traps, live demonstration videos, short comprehension tests and scenario-based Danger Zone exercises.
As someone who has helped many clean up viruses, I think this could be valuable. Here is the link: https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse Use the password: homecourse
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 Cherry. [For adult missionary books, please 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
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.
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.
SOUND BOOTH PERSON STILL 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
September 13 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
September 17 Offering for Hurricane Harvey Victims
September 17 Alabaster Offering
September 17 Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
September 19 Bible Study “Remembering the Forgotten God” @ 10 AM
(downstairs)
September 21 3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
September 23 Women’s Rendezvous at the church – 10:30 AM
September 24 Mission Night
October 8 Church Potluck after the AM service
October 21 Renucci House Breakfast served @ 9 AM
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