Dear Friends and Family!
We had a wonderful New Year’s Eve Service, Sunday! While it was indeed cold and many of you were sick, it was a joy to celebrate the last day of 2017 with those who came, including visiting Jonathan Gingrich who is studying for his Master’s and PhD in Austin, TX and stayed in GR for a few days on his Christmas break. It was great to see him again! Later, many of us gathered at Linda K’s house for a NYE Party! Thanks to everyone who brought a snack or game and thanks to Linda for sharing her home with her church family! May God bless each of you in the New Year!
God’s message came to us from Psalm 148:1-14 and titled, “Let Heaven and Earth Sing.” Truth is, the Psalmist challenges everything created to Praise the Lord! From angels to humans, the Psalmist insists all of creation to abandon themselves and praise God. In the first 6 verses, the psalmist calls for praise to ring out from the heavens which includes the angels, the heavenly hosts, the planets, the stars, the sky, and the clouds! All that is in the heavens were created by God’s command and the ‘heavens’ owe their continued existence to Him, too!
But, in verses 7-14, we learn it’s not just the heavens that should praise God, but the earth as well! In verse 7, we read: “Praise the Lord from the earth….” (Psalm 148:7a). What on earth should praise God? Sea creatures of the deep (7b) the weather (v. 8), mountains and trees (v. 9) all animals and birds (v. 10), and all human beings! Like the heavens, the Psalmist insists everything on earth ought to completely abandon themselves in a Hallelujahchorus of praise for God.
So, have you joined the Hallelujah Chorus? While we can imagine St. Francis shouting Hallelujah as he danced through the forest and lived out a simple life of service and poverty, and we have witnessed others jumping up and praising God, we may be less sure. And yet, Psalm 148 reminds us praise is central to our faith! God, is the great "I AM" (Ex. 3:14), the Creator who sent His Son Jesus to save us! Further, He’s the God who loved us while we were so unlovable! So, instead of sitting on our hands and stifling our voices, maybe it’s time to join all heaven and nature and lift up a chorus of praise that shakes the rafters and makes the neighbors wonder what’s going on! Maybe 2018 is our time to really Praise the Lord! Amen? Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
COLLECTING FOR CRISIS CARE KITS UNTIL MID-MARCH!
Please collect these items for the much needed kits that are used in disasters.
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.
COLLECTING FOR THE HOMELESS ALSO!
We will begin collecting items to help the homeless during the cold weather and distribute these love offerings in February. A list will soon be coming!
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 3 Wed. Night Meeting @ 6:30 PMat church
January 18 3rd Thursday Lunch @ Hibachi Grill off Alpine
January 26 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM at church
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