Northeast Community News – September 24, 2018

Dear Friends and Family!       

    Yes, it was another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! This week Janie and I had our grandkids Johnathan (8) and Jenna (5) in our worship service. Jenna, as she often does, came to the front to sit with me during our singing. Steve and Sherry led us in powerful worship last week and as I often do, I raised my hands in praise to the Risen Christ, our Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit!   Perhaps it’s a bit prideful but I was joy-filled when I looked over to see Jenna with her hands in the air, too! Was she just copying grandpa? Probably! But, it reminded me how important it is to set a good example to those around us! So, who is watching you? What are they watching you do? Will it lead them closer to or further from Jesus? I pray that it does! Amen? Amen!

       Speaking of setting a good example, God’s message this week came from James 3:1-12 and titled, “Just a Little Thing.” James pulls no punches! If you’re Christian, then you ought to act differently than those around you, including your speech! He offers 3 different object lessons to illustrate the tongue. In verse 3, he likens the tongue to a bit in a horse bridle; in verse 4, he compares it to a rudder on a ship, and in verse 5, he likens the tongue to a spark that can create a fire. 

       Our tongues can be used to tell rumors, grumble, and say hurtful and caustic things that have the potential to destroy family peace, church unity, and office morale. Why might a person speak in a way that would destroy? Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

       In essence, Jesus declares our speech reveals what we store in our heart. When we speak from the heart, it reveals our true self. If we are hard-hearted, scarred from abuse, or full of anger and resentment, our speech will reveal it! Likewise, if we are content and deeply love God and others our speech will reveal this, too! So, who are you? What is going on inside? Do you need healing?

       James reveals a critical truth in 3:7-8: All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue…” (James 3:7-8a).             Does James provide an excuse for salty language? I mean, if no man can ‘tame my tongue,’ then why should anyone expect me to sound like Mother Teresa, right? Wrong! While no ‘man’ can tame the tongue (including you by the way), God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can! 

       But, like a horse, we must accept the bit and bridle of our Father! Like a ship, our tongues must accept that our Father is the pilot who controls the direction of our conversation like a rudder! If you’re incapable of controlling your tongue, humble yourselves and give your tongue to God! 

       When you yield your life (and tongue) to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, God will not only tame your tongue, He will give you a Spirit filled life worth living!                              Blessings Pastor Dan!

 NEWS AND EVENTS

MISSION NIGHT THIS WEDNESDAY – 9/26

    Join us and learn what Sherry has to tell us about what is happening with our missionaries!   This will be at 6:30 PM (after a delicious dinner at 5:30 PM).

CHURCH WORK DAY – SEPT 29th

            Meet at the church at 9 AM and help our church and property look a little bit better.  See Larry with any questions.  (There may even be doughnuts!)  

WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS IS OCTOBER 6^TH

            Meet at the church on Saturday at 10:30 AM for a time of fellowship and getting to know each other a little better.   There are usually snacks too!  Any questions, feel free to contact Cherry.  

NEXT CHURCH POTLUCK IS OCTOBER 14^TH

            It is soon time again to celebrate birthdays for October and November, as well as get together for much yummy food!  This lunch will be after the morning service and in the basement of the church.

NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS OCTOBER 18^TH

            Meet at Hibachi Grill off Alpine Avenue and have some good food.  There is much conversation and time with others.   For any questions, feel free to contact Tracy T.

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.   

SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE? 

What: Weekly Bike Rides; Time: 2:30pm until aprox. 4:30pm; Cost: Free! 

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

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

Sept. 26                      Mission Night 6:30 PM at church

Sept. 29                      Church Work Day @ 9 AM

Sept. 30                      Sunday afternoon bike rides@ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park

October 6                  Women’s Rendezvous 10:30 AM @ church

October 14                Church Potluck after AM service

October 18                Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill @ 11:30 AM

Northeast Community News – September 17, 2018

Dear Friends and Family!       

       We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Beyond the incredible discipleship, worship, prayer, and time in God’s Word, we received an updated testimony from Jennifer and Jesse C. It’s a boy! Praise the Lord! Why, you might ask, do I consider their pregnancy a testimony? Because, the nearly dozen doctors they had been examined by told them it was impossible to get pregnant! 

       But, Jennifer and Jesse never lost faith and with them we kept praying…why? Because God isn’t limited to the natural or the limits of science or medicine! God is the Great Physician! Our God has ‘super’ natural (greater than the natural created order) power and abilities! So, we celebrate not only that Jennifer is pregnant (which is wonderful), but that God has done a miracle in our midst! Praise the Lord! So, what impossible situation are you facing? With God ALL things are possible! 

       God’s message this week came from James 2:1-17 and was titled, “Being and Doing.” James, the half-brother of Jesus, speaks in a tone reminiscent of Jesus! For example, James speaks with the same ethical and moral tone Jesus used. And, like Jesus, James spoke against religious hypocrisy. In reading the book of James we discover words of challenge and comfort; encouragement and rebuke, while remaining practical in tone and at the same time teaching profound truth.

       In chapter 2:1-17, we see a correlation between being and doing. Christians are not only to be holy; they are to live out their holiness in practical ways! So how should we live out our holiness? First, we are to avoid showing favoritism. James writes, My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1). What about you? Do you show favorites?

       Favoritism is destructive! I’m amazed how wealth, status, age, or skin color changes some of us from being Christ-like, to a selfish, mean, and rude. When we show favorites, we’re not following Jesus teaching! James said in vs. 8-9: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9).  (See Matthew 22:37-39).

       Second, holy people are to care for the least, the last, and the lost, too! “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:15-17). 

       For James, it isn’t enough to just attend church each week, lead a small group or sit on the church board, and never lift a finger to help the poor. Or speak kindly to a homeless lady and wish her well but never do anything to help her financially.  James calls this kind of Christianity dead faith. To refuse help to the hurting and poor is to have a selfish faith that isn’t a Christian faith at all!

       My prayer is that we’d all wrestle with this text and, with God's help and courage, confess as needed and make the changes necessary to indeed ‘love God and others’.                                                          Blessings Pastor Dan!

NEWS AND EVENTS

THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH THIS THURSDAY - 19^TH

^{Everyone interested in a good lunch with lots of different food to choose from, meet at Hibachi Grill off Alpine at 11:30 AM for a fun time and wonderful company!    Call Tracy T with any questions.}  

RENUCCHI HOUSE BREAKFAST!

            Once again, the ladies, and any men that want to, will be bringing breakfast to be served at Renucchi House.  This is a place where family can stay while they support their loved ones at Butterworth Hospital.   We will be going September 22.   Meet at church at 8 am, car pool downtown, and serve from 9-10 am.  This is a wonderful opportunity to be the eyes, ears, and hands for Jesus! 

CHURCH WORK DAY – SEPT 29th

            Meet at the church at 9 AM and help our church and property look a little bit better.  See Larry with any questions.  (There may even be doughnuts!)  

SCHOOL PAL PAKS

We continue to gather school supplies for children (through the month of September) 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.   We will be collecting school items through September.  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.   

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! 

What: Weekly Bike Rides; Time: 2:30pm until aprox. 4:30pm; Cost: Free! 

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

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

Sept. 19                      Bible Study 6:30 PM at church

Sept. 23                      Sunday afternoon bike rides@ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park

Sept. 20                      Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM

Sept. 22                      Renucchi House Breakfast being served-meet @ church 8 AM

Sept. 26                      Mission Night at Church6:30 PM

Sept. 29                      Church Work Day @ 9 AM

October 6                  Women’s Rendezvous 10:30 AM @ church

October 14                Church Potluck after AM service

Northeast Community News – September 4, 2018

Dear Friends and Family!       

         We had a great day in the Lord Sunday!  We welcomed back Pastor Ed Douglas to speak to us this week. 

God’s message this week was titled “The Great Shepherd”.    We as people are called sheep many times by Jesus, so we all need a shepherd.  

    Sheep have a reputation of being dumb or stupid (Isaiah 53:7).  Sheep require a caretaker or a shepherd.  The shepherd protects the sheep as they are defenseless.  The sheep need someone to look after their smallest needs.  Sheep need someone to lead them where they need to go.    We have a shepherd to do everything for us!   His name is Jesus!

    Sheep form a special bond with their shepherd due to their dependence on him.   [Psalm 23]  A Shepherd in the Bible knew everything he needed to know about his sheep intimately, i.e. which ones were wanderers, which ones were loyal, and which ones were mischevious.   Sheep knew their shepherd’s voice, his sound, and his smell.  [Isaiah 53:6] As long as we, you and I, trust our shepherd [the Lord Jesus Christ], we will have our needs met in His time.  

    The shepherd gave his sheep the best that he had.  He even slept and ate with the sheep.  The sheep followed him and trusted him to supply their needs.  

    In John 10:1-21, Jesus labels himself as a good shepherd.  Jesus knows us by name and He calls us to follow Him.  [1 Peter 2:25]  Jesus wants the same relationship with you as a shepherd has with his sheep.  Do you know His voice?   Are you listening?

                                                         Blessings!

 NEWS AND EVENTS

ALABASTER OFFERING – Continues

            Remember to bring in your Alabaster box money, within the next few weeks, to help support the many mission projects this money is used for.   Thank you!

TRAINING SESSION FOR ALL CHILDREN’S WORKERS

            On Saturday, September 8, at 10:30 AM, there is a training session for all teachers, helpers, and nursery workers.  We will learn how to better serve our children.  After the meeting, we will have pizza and a time of fellowship.  There will be a sign up at the back of the church.    (Children’s Church will begin again on Sunday, Sept. 9^th) See Mary W with any questions.

RENUCCHI HOUSE BREAKFAST!

            Once again, the ladies, and any men that want to, will be bringing breakfast to be served at Renucchi House.  This is a place where family can stay while they support their loved ones at Butterworth Hospital.   We will be going September 22.   Meet at church at 8 am, car pool downtown, and serve from 9-10 am.  This is a wonderful opportunity to be the eyes, ears, and hands for Jesus! 

CHURCH WORK DAY – SEPT 29th

            Meet at the church at 9 AM and help our church and property look a little bit better.  See Larry with any questions.  (There may even be doughnuts!)  

SCHOOL PAL PAKS

We continue to gather school supplies for children (through the month of
September) 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.   We will be collecting school items through September.  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.   

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! 

What: Weekly Bike Rides; Time: 2:30pm until aprox. 4:30pm; Cost: Free! 

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

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

Sept. 5                       Bible Study 6:30 PM at church

Sept. 8                       Children’s workers training session 10:30 AM @ church

Sept. 9                       Alabaster Offering

Sept 9                         Sunday afternoon bike rides @ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park

Sept. 20                      Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM

Sept. 22                      Renucchi House Breakfast being served

Sept. 26                      Mission Night at Church6:30 PM

Sept. 29                      Church Work Day @ 9 AM