Dear Friends and Family!
Happy Labor Day!! As many of you know, God created us to work! Even before the fall, we read in Genesis: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). But if God created labor, why does the dictionary define it as: work, toil, exertion, industry, drudgery, effort, manual work, and to slog, grind, and sweat? Because we live in a sinful and fallen world! God had created a perfect world where even labor was good! But after the fall God said to Adam, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17b). So, enjoy your brief respite from the fall today and know your slog, grind, and sweat wasn’t part of God’s perfect plan!
Sunday, we continued our series on Discipleship Essentials by talking about another essential belief: Justification! In Romans 3:21-31 Paul teaches on an important theme. How will human beings stand before God one day without condemnation, guilt, or shame? How can we be set free and pardoned as if we had never sinned in the first place? Paul addresses several theories.
First, to those who might make the preposterous assertion they had lived a life and never sinned, Paul responds, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Paul makes it clear! Nobody is perfect (except Christ)! All have sinned (except Christ). So, it is apparent everyone will need a Savior or some means to justify themselves.
So, Paul explores the Jewish concept of being justified by following the Law. Before Christ, it was thought that observing the Jewish Law saved you! To this Paul responds, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20). In other words, the Law had a purpose, but it wasn’t to save you, but to make you aware of how sinful you are!
God’s answer? Christ! Not perfection! Not meticulous legalism! Only, faith in Jesus Christ! Only by the gracious pardon Jesus offers to us through His shed blood on the Cross are you justified! “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom. 3:22) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Through His blood, Jesus paid your debts! Through His blood, there’s no longer even a record of sin! This is what gives Paul the confidence to write later, “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Celebrate beloved! As the Hymn writer wrote: Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow! Lift up your head beloved! Your sins have been washed away! Blessings! Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
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 COMING!
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 Alabaster Month
September 6 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
September 10 Children’s Church Begins Again!
September 10 Offering for Hurricane Harvey Victims
September 10 Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
September 12 Bible Study “Remembering the Forgotten God” Begins 10 AM
September 17 Alabaster Offering
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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