Dear Friends and Family!
It was another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! This week was the first Sunday of the month with means it was an opportunity to receive the elements of Communion. If you are anything like me, you look forward to these once a month tangible reminder of the price of your salvation. His body was beaten, bruised, and hung on The Cross; His blood was poured out the cross for you! So, whatever you may be facing today, know this: God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for you!
God’s message this week came to us from Ruth 1:1-16 and titled, “Make the Next Right Choice.” As the book of Ruth opens, we discover decisions have consequences. How? We read: “In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab” (v. 1).
Why was there famine in the land? Judges 21:25 declares: “At that time there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing” (Judges 21:25 TM). The consequence of rebellion and sin was famine in the land. So, what does Elimelech do? Rebel and sin again by moving his family into Moab, the long-time bitter enemy of Israel! Not only did Ruth’s father in law try to escape God’s judgment on his own people; he doubled down by disobeying God a second time.
How about you? Do you ever rebel against God and double down by covering up your sin? If you’ve sinned, confess your sin, and repent! Sadly, Elimelech doesn’t and it has devastating results! Not only does he die, but his two sons die ten years later, too! It is important to realize your sin affects more than you! It hurts everyone around you!
So, what should Naomi, Elimelech’s widow do? What should Ruth and Orpah, the Moabite daughters’-in-law, do? Will they turn (return) to God or continue in their sin and rebellion and worship false gods? After Naomi makes the next right choice to return to Judah and her people, Ruth declares: “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Ruth shows us the next right choice puts God first! Ruth made the choice to follow God even in the worst of times. Her husband was dead. She was a poor widow. She could have made the easy decision and gone back to her family and friends, like Orpah, but she chose to put God first.
Second, Ruth shows us even well-meaning people can give terrible advice! Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to return to their pagan religion! Yikes! But Ruth trusted the living God more than the person who had shown her God and told her to leave. Yes, get advice dear ones! But make sure you have prayed, read your scriptures, and received guidance from the Holy Spirit!
Finally, Ruth teaches us to surround ourselves with the right people. Ruth could have returned to her Moabite family and surrounded herself with their gods! If she had, she would have likely gone back to worshiping their false gods, too. So, who are your people? My prayer is that you will put God first, check your advice, and surround yourself with God’s people as you make the next right choice (regardless of your last bad choices)! Amen? Amen! Blessings Pastor Dan!
NEWS AND EVENTS
THANKSGIVING WEF OFFERING – NOVEMBER
Begin thinking about what you would like to donate to World Evangelism Fund for the Thanksgiving Offering. This money is used for many things around the world.
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH
Our next monthly meeting at the Hibachi Grill off Alpine is Thursday, November 15, at 11:30 AM. Any questions, please feel free to see Tracy T.
NEXT WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS
This month, we will be meeting at Linda K’s house at 10:30 AM, on November 17, for fellowship, fun, and a little food. A craft will be provided (button frames). So bring any extra buttons you have to decorate with. A map will be provided. For any questions, feel free to contact Cherry.
BLANKET & COAT DRIVE IS ON!
As the weather again turns cold, we will be collecting blankets and coats to be donated to the homeless at Mel Trotter Ministries. This collection will be from mid-October through mid-November. Our goal is 100 blankets.
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. At 6:30 PM, Bible study for adults and kids begins.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
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
November 11 Thanksgiving W.E.F. Offering
November 11 Sunday afternoon bike rides @ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park
November 15 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill 11 AM
November 17 Women’s Rendezvous @ church 10:30 AM
November 30 Board Appreciation Dinner
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