Dear Friends and Family!
What another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday. While the weather huffed, and puffed, it still couldn’t blow God’s house down! (at least not yet! Smile). The violent weather and sickness did keep many from coming to church this week, but it gave me a chance to teach the adult Sunday school class this week and it was a good one! Speaking of Sunday school, we start a new quarter next week… which is great place to start or re-start your discipleship journey! One great thing about this class, is you can participate by talking and sharing or just staying quiet and listening. So, come, grab a cookie, some coffee or cocoa and be blessed! You will be glad you did! Amen!
God’s message this Sunday came from 1 Corinthians 15:35-56 and was titled, ‘Everlasting Life.’ Have you ever wondered what happens when you die? What we discover is death isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of another new chapter of life! For those trusting in Jesus for their salvation, death still comes, but then death is overcome and conquered as a gift that leads to eternal life!
Earlier in chapter 15, Paul reminds the Corinthian Church of core Christian beliefs. In essence, are you Christian? If you are, then you receive the promises Christ provided in His death and resurrection of everlasting life, including your own resurrected body. One day Christians will experience the ultimate extreme, make-over. Paul provides a few clues about our resurrected bodies.
First, Paul begins his teaching with the obvious…we must die! Paul writes: “How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (I Cor. 15:36). Then, in vs. 37-38, Paul tells us our old body will provide the seed to our new bodies. While your resurrected body is brand new, if it doesn’t come from your own body it’s not a resurrection.
But this answers another important question… will we be recognizable to our loved ones when we get to heaven? In Jesus example of resurrection, we discover His body was recognizable and yet so different He wasn’t recognized at first, but Mary knew His voice and His body still bore the marks of the crucifixion. He had a real body that could be touched and could eat.
Finally, in vs. 42-44 Paul tells us our resurrected body will be indestructible (imperishable), glorious, powerful, and spiritual. In our resurrected bodies we finally become who God always meant us to be. I pray you all have received Christ, continue to grow in grace, and look forward to everlasting life in your resurrected bodies! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
MISSIONS NIGHT IS FEBRUARY 27
After a delicious evening meal at 5:30 PM, listen to what Sherry J has to tell us about our missionaries and what they are doing at 6:30 PM.
WOMEN’S RENDEZVOUS IS MARCH 9TH
We will meet at the church at 10:30 AM and “do your own thing”. This means bring something you are working on, i.e. craft, sewing, knitting, crocheting, making cards, etc. Snacks are also provided, along with coffee and water for tea.
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
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.
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
February 27 Missions Night
March 6 Lenten Begins
March 9 Women’s Rendezvous 10:30 AM @ church
March 9-April 20 Lenten Small Group at the Parsonage begins
March 10 Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 11 Church Board Meeting
March 21 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch @ Hibachi Grill 11AM
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