Dear Friends and Family!
How does that familiar song go? ‘Well, the weather outside is frightful…’ Seriously, it was a very cold Sunday to come to church and I imagine many of you stayed in near your ‘delightful fire’, but even with that said it was still a wonderful day in the Lord. In fact, not only did we study one of my favorite passages of Scripture in Sunday school, but we had a person tell me they would be willing to sing a special in church, and even better, I had another person tell me they’ve decided to make Northeast Community Church their church home! How wonderful is that? Praise God!!
Do you know someone looking for a church home or in need of the Savior? Why not invite them to come to church with you this week! While I can’t assure you it’ll be warmer outside the church, I can guarantee your guest will be warmly received inside the church! God is good! All the time!
God’s message Sunday came from 1 Corinthians12:1-11 and was titled, ‘Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts.’ So, what are your gifts? Have you unwrapped them? Much like children at Christmas, followers of Jesus should be excited to discover and unwrap their spiritual gifts. God has not only given us life, and eternal life, but spiritual gifts us for the benefit of the body (the Church) and His Mission to seek and save the lost! Look with me at verses 4-7:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are differentkinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (I Cor. 12:4-7).
If God is working through the Holy Spirit in ALL men (and women, boys and girls), why are so many reluctant to unwrap their God given gifts? I suspect many don’t use them because they are comparing themselves to others. If I can’t sing like… or know the Bible like… then I better keep my gift of music and teaching to myself. But, if your gifts are given to you through the Holy Spirit for the ‘common good’ how can you refuse to unwrap and use your gift?
True, you may not sing like a professional or know the Bible like a scholar, but that is no reason to put yourself down and refuse to us your God given gift. In fact, when you refuse to use your gift and act like you know better than God, you are questioning the wisdom of the Gift-Giver (God).
Further, we need to remember the second part of verse7. God’s Spirit works through us, not for our glory, but for His glory and the common good. God knows exactly what our church needs, and He has brought all of us together! Therefore, if you’re not using your gift, the church is like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing. It’s irritating! It’s frustrating! We’re incomplete! Everybody matters! Everybody counts! Everybody ought to be serving God’s Kingdom and Body as they are gifted!
So, don’t put yourself down. Don’t compare yourself to others. When you say you have nothing to offer, you’re saying more about your lack of faith than about yourself. You are limiting what God can do. The truth is, all of us are supernaturally equipped to be part of God’s greater mission at Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene. Let’s go! Just do it! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
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.
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH- February 21
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.
TIME TO COLLECT ITEMS AGAIN FOR THE HOMELESS
As you are out shopping, remember to pick up a few extra items for the homeless. The church will pass out bags to people around Valentine’s Day to show them God’s love.
Here are the items needed: 1) socks, 2) winter gloves and hats, 3) hand sanitizer, 4) toothbrush, 5) toothpaste, 6) Kleenex, 7) Band-Aids, 8) small bottle of water, 9) dental floss, 10) Crystal Lite packages, 11) feminine hygiene products, 12) black permanent marker.
2019 LENTEN JOURNEY BEGINS WITH ASH WED., MARCH 06!
Lent is a 40-day purposeful time of fasting and reflection beginning on Ash Wed (3-06) and ending on Easter (4-21) except the Sunday’s of Lent (which are considered ‘mini’ Easter’s). During Lent, many spend more time reading their Bibles and praying while fasting something that competes with God for worship! Some ‘fast’ sweets, coffee, and a few fast Facebook.
On Wed., Mar. 06 we will have the ashes (last year’s crushed and burned Palm leaves) mixed with holy oil available for those who would like to receive ‘the imposition of ashes,’ It’s optional, but many keep the tradition of seeking an ‘ash cross’ on their forehead to remind them at the start of their Lenten journey that ‘from ashes you came; to ashes you shall return.’ Hope to see you there!
LENTEN SMALL GROUP AT THE PARSONAGE (Start 3-09)
Since Lent is a time when many spend additional time reading their Bibles and reflecting on their faith, Janie has suggested again we gather on the Saturday’s of Lent at 6pm for a simple meal of soup and salad to discuss the assigned readings. No need to bring anything, but Janie would like to know (if possible) if you’re coming! The dinners start on March 09 and end April 20.Hope to see you there! RSVP to Jane at (616) 204-1153 (call or text) or email her at hathjan@icloud.com
LENTEN STUDY BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! (LIMITED SUPPLIES)
This year we have ordered 20 copies of the book, “For God so Loved,” a Lenten Devotional Book produced by The Foundry (formerly Nazarene Publishing House). We will use this book during our Lenten Small Group this year. If you’re interested in receiving a copy of the book, please let Pastor Dan know right away. We’d like everyone attending the small group to have a book!
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
Have questions? Contact Pastor Dan – hathdan@me.com
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 23 Missions Night @ 6:30 PM
January 26 Women’s Rendezvous at 10:30 AM at church
February 10 Church Potluck after morning service
February 11 Board Meeting
February 21 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill
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