Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! I remain convinced God is moving in our midst. From the over 100 blankets and coats we’ve received for Mel Trotter, to the $635 we received for our Thanksgiving World Evangelism Offering in the last two weeks, to the special gifts we’ve received that will enable us to refinish our wood floors and purchase new carpeting, to the phone calls we’ve received ‘out of the blue’ to remind us how much we’ve impacted the lives of others in the past, God continues to use Northeast Community to do great things! How is God calling you to serve in His Kingdom? What a joy to serve a Risen Savior! Praise God!
In our morning worship service, God’s message came from Ephesians 4:17-32 and titled “Walking in Obedience.” When we accepted Jesus, we were called to put off the old self, habits and ways, and grow to be more like Jesus by putting on the new self, habits, and ways. First, we need to realize we all had a pre-Christian life. Before Christ, we were ‘darkened in our understanding,’ ‘separated from God,’ and had ‘hard hearts’ (vs. 17-19).
The word ‘darkened’ means to lack the moral perception to understand right from wrong. The word ‘hardened’ is a medical term meaning a ‘covering with thick skin.’ In other words, before Christ, we were calloused, blind, insensitive, and uncaring, too! These words describe someone before they accepted Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and were transformed!
Second, we are to desire and seek transformation! Paul wrote, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Transformation is life changing! Where once there had been darkness, hardness and a lust for more sin and impurity, the life yielded to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit is turned upside down! The inability to know right from wrong is replaced with a new attitude and moral compass! Callousness, blindness, and insensitivity is replaced with a desire for righteousness and holiness, too! And when you yield your life to Christ and are led by the Holy Spirit, the only time you will walk in the darkness is to seek out others who desperately need the light of Jesus!
So, what about you? Have you been transformed? Have you yielded your life fully to Christ? Have you been sanctified? You cannot supernaturally transform yourself! If you’re ready to live a life of radical transformation, ask Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to transform you! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
BREAKING NEWS!! ANNEX FLOOR REFINISHING APPROVED!!
Because of your continued generous giving, the church board approved the refinishing of the annex wood floor starting Tue., Nov. 28! The annex floors will undergo a 7-day process to sand, stain, and seal them by Classic Wood Floors. In fact, we will not be able to walk on the wood floors until Sun., Dec. 10th In addition, we are advising anyone with asthma or any other breathing concerns to avoid the church Sun., Dec. 03 due to strong odors.
Since we will not be able to walk on the annex floor between Nov. 28 and Dec. 12, we will need to make the following temporary changes during the project:
- The Wed. Night Bible Study on Nov. 29 and Dec. 06 will meet at the parsonage.
- Decorating the sanctuary on Nov. 29 is cancelled.
- The Adult Sunday school class will meet Dec. 05 in the basement community room.
- The annex furniture (inc. the stove/refrigerator) will be stored in the nursery.
- We will still use the table under the bulletin board for cookies, coffee, and cocoa.
Bless you for your understanding! We are told maintenance in the future will be a 2-day process avoiding these challenges in the future. Thank you for making our church more beautiful, and better maintained! We praise God for your faithfulness! Amen!
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
The proceeds from the Thanksgiving offering go to the World Evangelism Fund. Our goal is to get $400. We have received $625 to date!! If you forgot to give yet, you can still give to this important fund for the next week.
MORE BREAKING NEWS!! LOBBY CARPET REPLACEMENT IS COMING!!
Again, because of your continued generous giving, the church board also approved the replacement of the carpeting in our lobby area including the stairs to the basement. The carpeting replacement is scheduled for Mon., Dec. 11th and should only take one day. The carpet and wood floors have needed attention for a long time! What a blessing to realize both of these projects will be completed before Christmas (and all of our visitors!) Thanks to the trustees for recommending these projects and those who give for making our church a more beautiful and inviting place to worship God! God is good! All the time! Amen!
TIME TO ORDER POINTSETTIAS!
These lovely Christmas flowers are available in 5 colors: red, white, pink, jingle-bells, and marble. They come in 6-1/2” pots wrapped in foil for only $7. Orders need to be placed by Sunday, Dec. 10th. Please include payment with your order.
ANNUAL COOKIE EXCHANGE COMING SOON!
On Saturday, December 16th, bring your 1-2 dozen favorite Christmas cookies to exchange with others. We will meet at the church at 10:30 AM for this fun event! So, get out those recipes and prepare to bake!
DECEMBER IS TIME TO COLLECT FOR CRISIS CARE KITS!
Be ready to again collect items for the much needed kits that are used in disasters. More information will be coming soon!
PEOPLE WANTED TO PRAY FOR STRANGERS!
There is a “prayer mail box” out by the bus stop. Many hurting and broken people are 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.
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 for collecting General Mills box tops! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for the Native American Christian Academy. Questions 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
November 29 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PMat the parsonage
December Crisis Care Kit Collection
December 6 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PMat the parsonage
December 10 Last Day to order Poinsettias
December 16 Annual Cookie Exchange @ church @ 10:30 AM
December 21 3rd Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
