Dear Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day in the Lord we had Sunday! Please know how much we love and appreciate you! We really do miss you when you don’t come to church…. In fact, last Monday, I began asking Jane where all the people were this week in church. Concerned, I started listing all the people I couldn’t remember seeing and told her I better follow up with them…. to which Jane laughingly replied, “Honey, you were on vacation last Sunday! You didn’t see any of them!” While slightly embarrassed at my poor memory, we really did miss you! Even when we’re on vacation!
Bless you for keeping us in your prayers! We had many moments where we felt surrounded by prayer. Like, when our 3-year-old grandson left his room and got on an elevator trying to find his daddy on the cruise ship! Yikes! But God provided a quick reunion with help from strangers! Or were they angels sent in response to your prayers? God is good, how often? Yup, all the time!
Bless you for letting us rest (and chase grandkids) on vacation! We heard great reports regarding the preaching from Rev. Bob Evans and Rev. Ed Douglas! Thank you to everyone who filled in and made our vacation go so smoothly! We are blessed to be your pastoral family! Thank you!
God’s message this week came from John 6:1-21 and was titled, “More than enough.” While many spend their whole life searching and accumulating things that will satisfy them, John reminds us Jesus is the true source of satisfaction. In Jesus, you have more than enough! When we last met, we had spent several weeks in the Gospel of Mark and concluded Jesus has power over nature, demons, sickness, and even death. When we face the storms of life, we’re to turn to Jesus in faith!
In John 6, we find another example of faith. In feeding the 5,000 Jesus asks His disciples “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5b). John records two responses. First, Philip responds to Jesus in verse 7, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Though true from a human perspective, Philip lacked one thing” ‘faith in Christ.’ Philip couldn’t see beyond the natural order of things. He responded with his own strength in mind!
But, Andrew responds differently! He tells Jesus, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (verse 9). Unlike Philip, Andrew moved out in faith and brought what little he found to Jesus! He still couldn’t see how it could feed 5,000, but he trusted Jesus enough to go out and find 5 small loaves and 2 fishes and bring them to Jesus!
And what could Jesus possibly do with a small meal offered in faith from a disciple unsure how it could feed so many? It could feed 5,000! “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish” (verse 11).
So how about you? For some, it’s time to see how foolish it is to try to do the miraculous in your own strength! For others, it’s time to take that first step of faith and bring Jesus what you have! Still others need to see faith in Christ always satisfies! Let’s be obedient! Blessings Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
TIME FOR SCHOOL PAL PAKS AGAIN!
It is time to gather school supplies for children around the world who cannot afford the basic supplies necessary to go back to school. Our goal is to get 20 paks! If you don’t like to shop, just put a contribution in the offering and mark it “Pal-Pak” or give it to Fran or Sherry. These items are needed:
· 2 Composition Notebooks (Mead) no larger than 9-3/4 x 7-1/2 (not spiral bound)
· 1 package of #2 pencils (10-12 pencils)
· 1 package of black pens (10-12 pens)
· 2 pink erasers, 2-3 inches long
· 2 rulers (6” or 12” with metric measurements)
· 1 package of colored pencils (12-15)
· 1 pair blunt-nosed scissors
· 1 hand-held pencil sharpener
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER THIS WEEK
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:15 pm(before Bible study). Volunteers are needed to make main dishes, side dishes, or desserts. Please contact Cherry with any questions.
WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS - AUGUST 11
Come to the church at 10:30 AM until noon and enjoy time together with other women. Any questions, feel free to contact Cherry. See you there!
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH – AUGUST 16
Join us at Hibachi Grill off Alpine for a time of visiting and lots of good food. We meet there at 11:30 AM. Any questions, see Tracy.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
Some take a ‘Nazarene Nap’ Sun. afternoon; others ride their bikes and enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and each other’s company! Just grab a quick lunch and nap and join us in Belmont for a relaxing Sunday afternoon bike ride! Nobody will get left behind! We will have a lot of fun! This is a great family event to invite a friend to, too! Need a bike or a tune up on your old bike? We can help! Just let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested! He’s got all the tools needed for minor repairs, too!
Where: From Rogue River Park in Belmont to Rockford on the paved White Pine Trail (9 miles). Rogue River Park is located at 6300 Belmont Ave NE – Belmont, MI 49306
CHURCH POTLUCK AUGUST 12
It is almost time once again for potluck! This will be after the morning service. If you need an idea of what to bring, see Cherry.
CHURCH BOARD MEETING IS AUGUST 13
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
August 5 Sunday afternoon bike rides begin @ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park
August 11 Women’s Rendezvous @ 10:30 AM at church
August 12 Church Potluck after AM service
August 13 Church Board Meeting
August 16 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch - Hibachi Grill off Alpine – 11:30 AM
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