Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Northeast Community News – January 16, 2018

Dear Friends and Family! 
    What a wonderful day we had in the Lord, Sunday! It was great to see so many new faces this week! We continue to be blessed with visitors, our folks are getting over their sicknesses, and many of you are responding to prompting of the Holy Spirit! Hallelujah! God is on the move! It was bittersweet to learn Liz B’s son-in-law Bob (Diana) and Linda R’s friend Sherry (Glen) passed into the arms of Jesus this week, but acknowledge each of us will one day ‘go home, too!’ Bless you for praying for these and everyone’s prayer requests! Even now, Lord Jesus come! Amen! 
    God’s message this week came to us from 1 Samuel 3:1-20 and titled, “Did You Call?” When I was a kid (in an ancient time before cell phones, caller ID and answering machines) if you didn’t get to the phone before it stopped ringing, you’d have no idea who called! Some would randomly call friends and ask, “Hey, did you call me?” Today, we’ve got the opposite problem!  Hundreds of people constantly text, call, tweet, and email us their ideas, activities, and needs. Sadly, in a world of massive amounts of communication, it can be hard to hear God! 
    In examining Samuel’s call, we discover several ways to improve our receptivity to God’s voice. First, we discover Samuel is serving the Lord under Eli, the Priest. As Samuel naps in the Temple beside the Ark of the Covenant to make sure the ‘lamp of God’ doesn’t go out, he hears a voice and thinks it is Eli. Three times Samuel wakes Eli and declares, “Here I am; you called me.” But, Eli had not called him. First, if you want to improve your receptivity of God’s voice, serve Him! 
    Second, we discover God is persistent. In v. 10 we read, “The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” (v. 10a). God called Samuel four times! Look, if God is calling you, it is unlikely to change! In fact, until you say yes to God, you’re unlikely to ever have the perfect peace you desire! In fact, you will likely be miserable until you say yes to the Lord!
    Finally, God often uses others to confirm His call. After waking Eli the third time, Eli gives good advice: “...Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’ (1 Sam. 3:9a). God often uses others (even a rascal priest in Samuel’s case) to confirm His call on your life. From Christian friends and Sun. school teachers to the homeless sleeping on the side of the road! So, what about you? Are you serving? Taking time to quiet? Inviting God to speak? Are you listening? Lord, may it be so in all of our lives! Amen!                       Blessings, Pastor Dan

NEWS AND EVENTS
THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH @ HIBACHI GRILLTHIS WEEK!
Meet with others at Hibachi Grill off Alpine Avenue at 11:30 AM, January 18th, to enjoy the wide variety of foods offered, as well as time spent with our church family!   See you there!!!   (Any questions, please contact Tracy T.)
TIME FOR WOMENS RENDEZVOUS AGAIN!
This Saturday, January 20th, we will meet at the church at 10:30 AM.  We will be discussing what events and things we would like to do this year at our meetings.  Come join in for time together with other women and a snack. 
Meet at the church for a time of education about what is going on in other countries, what we can do here in our mission field, and enjoy some snacks.  See you there!
COLLECTING ITEMS FOR THE HOMELESS
We are collecting items to help the homeless during the cold weather and will distribute these love offerings in February.   These items are needed:
  • Socks
  • Combs
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Band-Aids
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Kleenex
  • Crackers (or other non-perishable food items)
  • Bottle of Water
  • Mints
  • Dental Floss
  • Feminine Hygiene products
  • Words of Encouragement
  • Black permanent Marker


    CRISIS CARE KITS
    Each Crisis Care Kit includes the following new items in a 2-gallon Zip-loc bag:
  • 1 medium size bottle of shampoo (12-18 oz)  [Please tape the flip-tops closed]
  • 2 bars of soap (bath-size or larger)
  • 1 medium toothpaste (4.0-6.4 oz)
  • 3 toothbrushes (in original packaging)
  • 1 box of Band-Aids (30 or more)
  • 1 fingernail clipper
  • 1 sturdy hair comb
  • 2 hand towels
  • 4 pocket-size packages of facial tissue
  • 1 Beanie Baby-size stuffed toy
Each Crisis Care Kit (CCK) should contain only the items/QUANTITIES REQUESTED.  Items in the CCK MUST MATCH INVENTORY.
Deviating from this list can cause an entire shipment to be rejected in customs.  The cost of the items for typical CCK is about $20.
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
Until Mid-March      Crisis Care Kit Collection
Until Feb. 14             Homeless Items collection
January 17                 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PMat church
January 18                 3rd Thursday Lunch @  Hibachi Grill off Alpine
January 20                 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM at church
January 28                 Mission Sunday @ church @ 5 PM

February 11              Potluck after AM service
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