Dear Friends and Family!
Yes, it was another wonderful week in the Lord, Sunday! We had 5 visitors this week! Can you believe it? While some were here because they were visiting family, it was still wonderful to see these old friends once again! How long has it been since you invited someone to church?
We have invitation cards and postcards available to hand or mail out. Remember, New Years is a wonderful time to invite friends and coworkers to church. Many are saying, ‘after the New Year I’m going back to church.’ Why not invite them to your church? You might just change their life!
God’s message Sunday came from Luke 2:41-52 and was titled, ‘What Child is This?’ Imagine the terror of realizing you have left your child behind. Now, realize the horror of leaving the Son of God behind. Yikes! Well, this is the dilemma Mary and Joseph were in as we examine our text.
It is a story of losing, searching, and finding Jesus. And yet, as Christmas 2018 slips into history, many find leaving Jesus behind an equally easy thing to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if several in our church have drifted away from Jesus. Are you one of them? If you are, I have good news! If you are serious about finding Jesus, you will definitely find Him!
First, in verse 43, we discover Mary and Joseph have left Jesus behind. While historians inform us they’ve got good reasons to think Jesus was travelling with the other, they had left Him behind because they had become more interested/distracted with getting home than caring for Jesus. What about you? Do you ever allow the distractions of life to take your eyes off Jesus?
In verse 44, Joseph and Mary begin their search among their relatives and friends. Eve when they travel back to Jerusalem it takes them 3 days to find Jesus. Why? Because they are searching for Jesus in all the wrong places! What about you? Do you ever search for Jesus in the wrong places? To be honest, I’ve met many who are searching for a savior in all the wrong places! Sometimes it seems as if Jesus is the last person they turn to for peace, joy, and salvation!
In verse 48, we see an interesting exchange. “When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2:48). While I can understand their frustration, let me ask, ‘Who moved?’ Jesus hadn’t left them; they had left Jesus! If anyone had gotten lost it was His parents! How about you? Do you ever drift away from Jesus and wonder why He’s no longer as close as He once was?
Finally, in verses 46-47, we receive clues to find Jesus! To begin with, Jesus was in His Father’s House soaking up learning and offering insight to others. There is no better place to begin your search for Jesus than coming to church! In addition, you ought to learn to pray regularly as Jesus did, read and memorize God’s Word as Jesus did, and sit down with others in a small group as Jesus did to dig into the questions of faith. Yes, it will require a sacrifice of time and energy, but as 2019 comes, the Hymnist reminds us, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!” Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH- JANUARY 17TH
Again, at 11:30 AM, join others at Hibachi Grill off Alpine for good food and fun! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tracy T.
MISSIONS NIGHT – JANUARY 23
After enjoying a delicious meal at 5:30 PM, stay and learn what missionaries are doing around the world as Sherry J shares this news at 6:30 PM.
NEXT WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS IS JANUARY 26TH
Come to the church on this Saturday at 10:30 AM and enjoy time with others in fellowship and also snacks. Bring along a craft or perhaps help Tracy make cards for people this year.
FREE ONLINE SECURITY TRAINING!
Janie’s employer has graciously given us free access to their online security training class again this year for anyone interested. From their training site:
More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. KnowBe4 is the world’s most popular integrated Security Awareness Training and Simulated Phishing platform with over 10,000 customers.
Our basic training modules specialize in making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job. You get high quality web-based interactive training combined with common traps, live demonstration videos, short comprehension tests and scenario-based Danger Zone exercises.
As someone who has helped clean up many viruses, this is valuable stuff! Here’s the link: https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse Use the password: homecourse
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS
Dinner is 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.
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.
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
January 14 Board Meeting
January 17 Third Thursday Chinese lunch @ Hibachi Grill 11:30 AM
January 23 Missions Night @ 6:30 PM
January 26 Women’s Rendezvous at 10:30 AM at church
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