Dear Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! What a joy to see new and returning faces in worship! We met George and Vicky from Florida for the first time Sunday! Fun fact was to learn George is a gifted southern gospel singer! How wonderful is that? It was also a week to have Robert K. and Harry K. return to worship with us! Both men have faced great challenges to their health in recent days, but both made impressive efforts to be in church! Praise the Lord! It is humbling to consider what some of you do to be here! It is also inspiring! What a testimony!
We continue our series on Discipleship Essentials by looking at another essential belief: Love! While some may think wearing a cross, the ability to use church words, or having a fish on the back of their car is the way those outside the faith can tell we’re Christian, Jesus taught us by His actions and words in John c. 13, the real way to witness is to offer sacrificial love to them!
We often overlook John 13:1 as we rush on to the ‘good parts’ of the story, but the narrator offers us a huge insight into the context of the rest of the chapter in v. 1. There we read:
“…Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love” (Jn. 13:1).
So, how did Jesus show His disciples the full extent of His love? He begins by taking off his outer clothes and washing His disciples stinky, dirty, calloused feet. That’s right! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords did something even one of them would never do… He loved them sacrificially! But His sacrificial love didn’t end with stinky feet! His love included ridicule, beatings, the crown of thorns, and death on The Cross! In the midst of His teaching, Jesus speaks these familiar words:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (v. 34-35).
So, are you? Are you loving people inside and outside the church? Does the love you share with others include sacrifice? I am convinced families, communities, churches and homes are being torn apart because we have failed to love one another the way Jesus loves. A deep theological children’s song declares in the chorus: They will know we are Christians by our love.
If you want to see pagans come to Jesus; if you want to see healing in your family and in your nation; you need to confess the places where you have allowed selfishness, pride, and position to keep you from washing stinky feet! Ask Jesus to forgive you, yield to the Spirit, and then love your coworkers, neighbors, and friends like Jesus did! You’ll be amazed!
Blessings! Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
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 there. We serve breakfast for one hour – 9 to 10 AM. 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. There is still time to be a part of this!
ANNUAL CHURCH BLANKET/COAT DRIVE BEGINS AGAIN!!
During the month of November, the church will again be collecting blankets and coats to be donated to Mel Trotter Ministries. This is a wonderful opportunity to help an organization that helps others. GOAL = As many as possible!
BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES
Mary W. has begun a study titled, “Remembering the Forgotten God”. This is held Tuesdays at 10 AM for 7 weeks. {began Sept. 12th}.
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.]
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.
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
October 10 Bible Study “Remembering the Forgotten God” @ 10 AM
October 11 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PM
October 15 Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride @ 2 PM
October 19 3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
October 21 Renucci House Breakfast served by our church@ 9 AM
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