Dear Friends and Family!
We had another great day in the Lord, Sunday! Sunday was the first of six Sunday’s in Lent. Lent is the traditional 40-day time of fasting and reflection. According to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, fasting is: “Eating sparingly or abstaining from food altogether, either from necessity or desire… Spiritual fasting entails setting aside activities as well as reducing the intake of food and replacing these activities with the exercise of prayer and preoccupation with spiritual concerns.” I’m challenged with that word ‘preoccupation.’ Lent is a great time to change our preoccupations! Instead of being overly preoccupied with food, Facebook, video games, and getting ahead, we can take these 40-days to become preoccupied with prayer, reading our Bibles, and serving God! Let me know how you are fasting and how God is challenging you as you hunger and thirst for Him!
God’s message this week came to us from Mark 1:9-15 and titled, “From Rivers to Wilderness.” In the first 8 verses, we learn Isaiah prophesy that one would come prepare the way for the Messiah had arrived and his name was John. While crowds gathered to repent and be baptized John said, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mk 1:7-8).
But before Mark shares the first words of Jesus in verse 15, he establishes Jesus is indeed the Messiah. In vs. 10-11 we read, “As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mk 1:10-11). What a mountain top experience! Who would have blamed Jesus if He had wanted to stay a day or two basking in God’s presence! Can you relate to a time when you wanted to stay at the mountain top with God? Who wants to go into the valley?
In Jesus case, this is exactly what the Spirit had in mind. Right after the Spirit descended on Him as a dove, He sends Him to the desert for 40 days of temptation by the Devil (vs. 12-13). And yet, we often face the same sort of whiplash, too! We can also move from moments of warm embrace to the wilderness where our lives are filled with question, doubt, and grief. While lent symbolizes an intentional 40-day rehabilitation in a self-imposed wilderness to face our own pain, darkness, and struggles, we do so reminded Jesus overcame the wilderness, so we may be victorious, too!
Where is the Evil One tempting you right now? He wants nothing more than for you to lose hope, give up, and chose death over life! But beloved here this! We serve a God who walks with us! You are never alone! Let Jesus help you bravely face your wilderness! May this year’s 40-day journey of prayer and fasting be a path to lasting freedom. Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
LENTEN SCRIPTURE READINGS CONTINUE!
Lent is a 40-day purposeful time of fasting and reflection beginning on Ash Wed (2-14) and ending on Easter (4-01) except the Sunday’s of Lent (considered ‘mini’ Easter’s). During Lent many spend more time reading their Bibles and praying while eliminating (fasting) something that competes for worship! Here is the ‘reading outline’ for this week provided by The Foundry! Bless you on your inward journey this year!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2018 - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1–10 Additional Scriptures: Psalm 77; Job 4:1–21
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 - Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-18a Additional Scriptures: Psalm 77; Job 5:8-27
LENTEN SCRIPTURE CLUB DINNERS AT THE PARSONAGE
Lent is a 40-day purposeful time of fasting and reflection. Lent is a time when many spend additional time reading their Bibles and reflecting on their faith. Janie suggested we gather on Sat.’s at 6pm for a simple meal of soup and salad and discuss this week’s readings. Children are welcome. No need to bring anything, but Janie would like to know (if possible) if you’re coming! We are meeting at the church because it is much more handicap accessible. Hope to see you there! The dinners will end on the Sat. before Easter (3-31). Hope to see you there! RSVP to Jane at (616) 204-2499 (call or text) or email her at hathjan@icloud.com.
TIME TO THINK ABOUT ORDERING FLOWERS FOR EASTER!
Available to order are: 6” Easter lilies; 6” tulips (6 bulbs per pot) in red, pink, or yellow; or 6” mini-daffodils. Each flower pot is only $8.00. All orders must be paid in full. Order deadline is Sunday, March 18, 2018.
CRISIS CARE KITS (ending mid-March)
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.
2018 TITHE ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE!
Stewardship is for every Christian disciple! In response to the love we have received as adoption Children of God, we give cheerfully our time, talent, and treasure, regardless of membership! If you would like to have a box of tithe envelopes, see Anna Boeve our church treasurer! Bless all of who give so generously to help support the needs of this church!
TEAM DAY COMING!
On Saturday, March 17th, 2018, Lay Leadership & Clergy can meet at Perry High & Middle School for volunteer workshops. (Early registration is February 15th for $30; Final registration is by March 1st and costs $40)
2018 SPRING TOUR IGNITE SERVICES
LADIES DAY AT OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
On Saturday, April 23rd, there is a Ladie’s Day at ONU. It is 9 am to 3 pm. The cost is $30 with an optional lunch of $10. For more information, see the poster above the refreshment table.
A MOMENT IN TIME AT THE GRAND HOTEL ON MACKINAC ISLAND
TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT SUMMER CAMPS!
Indian Lake Nazarene Camps will start June 18-22 for High School Camp (completed grades 9-12); Middle School Camp (completed grades 6-8) is June 25-29; Discovery Camp (completed grades K-2) is July 1-3; Adventure Camp (completed grades 2-4) is July 9-13; and Voyager Camp (completed grades 4-6) is July 23-27. Cost will be announced later & includes a T-shirt.
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:
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
