April 30, 2015 Volume 49, Issue 5 Garden Grove Church of the Nazarene 13411 Euclid Street Garden Grove CA 92843 (714) 534-5770 [email protected] www.ggnaz.org S AFE TO BE Hi Friends! My mind has been dwelling on the issue of safety because of recent events in our lives together at GGNAZ. An attempted theft and the related vandalism is a relatively minor incident. It’s a temporary headache and crisis that passed before many knew much of the specifics. Appropriate action and reaction for repair and prevention can be taken quickly in those types of situations. But there are bigger safety issues in the church than physical theft. It’s caused me to mull over some more important questions. Is the church a safe place to be a real person? We could have a theological dialogue about that and nothing productive would come from it. But there’s something we can say that most of us would agree on, “people are messy.” A spiritual community, a church, can be destroyed and disabled when even a small amount of people take pleasure in spreading gossip about other people’s lives. The Scripture speaks very strongly about it. There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying R EAL tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19) of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Encouraging someone in their mess isn’t condoning it; it’s just giving them love anyway. Hopefully you have people in your life who do that for you. Here’s what I find remarkable. Lying and stirring up trouble among brothers is in the same list as murder. Solomon hated it so much and was convinced that God hated it as well that he brought up twice, if not three times in the same paragraph! You can justify gossip any way you choose, but I’m afraid it won’t pass God’s judgment. To know that somebody’s life is messy is like knowing the traffic is bad at rush hour. It’s obvious and a well-known fact, it’s not worth bringing up to others. If they truly care about and know an individual, they already know. Being a safe place for people to be real is important because we will live with very surface relationships without it. When a church or any social group is safe, people can start to share their real selves and we can begin to help each other. God formed the Church to be his change agents armed with the most powerful message in history. But if the members of the body can’t be safe with each other we’re simply a semidysfunctional social club. I hope you’re not interested in that. We’ve got great and fulfilling work to do for our Lord! So what do you do? Build people up, be an encourager and accept people with all of their messiness. Paul says in Ephesians 4, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out Let’s serve Him together, Pastor Dan BOARD M EETINGS - M AY 2 0 1 5 Church Board - Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. Discipleship Board - Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Both of these boards meet in the fellowship hall. If you are on one of them, please call the church office before 3:00 p.m. that day, if you will be unable to attend your meeting 2015 D M A 6 L EARN, SHARE, C ONNECT 7 District Assembly will be held at Cerritos Crossroads Multinational Church (12229 E. Del Amo Blvd., Cerritos 90703). Everyone is invited to attend Assembly. Only official delegates may participate in the voting. Opening Service Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. Business Sessions Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. Elected delegates and ex-officio delegates are obligated to attend Saturday Business Sessions. Ordination Service Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Tony Falealili of our Huddle Christian Fellowship will be ordained this year. There will be a reception in honor of those being ordained following this service. Mike McHargue ................. 03 Alexandra Vargas .............. 05 Eileen Gibbs ...................... 10 Avalon Alves ..................... 12 Blanca Craig ...................... 12 Dave Kindell ...................... 15 Pedro Juarez ..................... 19 Erma Erhart ....................... 23 Loveta Ravize ................... 23 Ashley Guardado............... 28 John & Sharrill Johnson .... 13 Mike & Maria Winship........ 18 Keeping Our Data Current If we missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact the church office. Also, if you have changed your phone number or email address please inform the church office. Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Children’s and youth classes are grouped by age or school grade. Ask a greeter where your child’s group meets. Adults: College & Career meet above the fellowship hall—last room on the west side. The Friendship Class which uses the Nazarene curriculum and The Books of the Bible Class meet in the fellowship hall. Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. “Champions” Men's Life Group meets above the fellowship hall on the east side. Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study led by Pastor Dan meets in the fellowship hall. College/Career meets above the fellowship hall on the west end. Teens meet with Pastor Gina in the youth center. GGN AZ YOUTH MINISTRIES Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB) School is starting to come to an end. Some school years are finishing in May, while others are finishing in June. During this busy time of make-up work and summer preparation, don't you can move past your past. forget to make time for God. Pray for His strength and endurance to finish your course work. Listen for His direction of what to do this summer, through Bible reading and spending time with His family. Take time to rest in God's presence, alone and without the distractions of technology. Turn away and let go of the areas where you have fallen short and accept God's grace and forgiveness so Church Office: (714) 534-5770 Celebrate the growth you have had and continue in your good habits. Turn to God and find peace knowing He is with you. Youth Events Stay posted for all the great events going on around the church. The youth ministry is going to join the rest of our church this month. In June we will have a Movie Marathon. Church Email: [email protected] WORSHIP M INISTRIES STAFF AND MINISTRY LEADERS If you are interested in participating on the Praise Team or assisting in the sound booth please contact Michelle Ruth. Rev. Dan Keeton - Lead Pastor ([email protected]) Pastor Tony Falealili The Huddle Pastor Pastor Magied Interim Arabic Pastor A M UST TO WORK WITH KIDS OR T EENS Child/Teen/Teacher Safety Thursday, May 28 We will again be offering our mandated safety course for all persons that work with children and teens. This will take place in the sanctuary and fellowship hall beginning at 7:00 p.m. This is required for all persons that work with children and teenagers in all of our congregations. We take this responsibility very seriously, to make sure our physical campus and personnel are as safe as we can make them. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Pat. Rev. Noé and Sherly Guevara Hispanic Pastors Pastor Gina Anson - Youth Ministries ([email protected]) Pat McHargue - Children's Ministries ([email protected]) Debbie Kindell - Office Manager ([email protected]) Michelle Ruth - Women’s Ministries and Worship Ministries ([email protected]) Deborah Johnson - Missions C HILDREN’ S M INISTRIES Kids’ Kamp Sunday Mornings Join us for Sunday school Sunday mornings at 9:00. Pre K Grade 2 meet downstairs. Grades 3 - 6 meets upstairs in the Children’s Department rooms. Children’s Church We are continuing our study on the Armor of God, based on Ephesians 6. Preschool kids have a separate lesson with Donna Alves. Caravan Caravan is our Nazarene scouting program for children. We meet most Sunday nights at 5:00 in the fellowship hall. NOTE: Round Up Family Camping (Garden Grove only) will be held June 5-7. Contact Pastor Pat for details. Anaheim District Kids’ Kamp will be held July 6-10, 2015. Cost is $305. We need help with transportation, and prayer warriors for our kids and the camp. Parents can help earn camp scholarships by working our fireworks booth in July. If you can help sponsor a child financially and/or in prayer, contact Pastor Pat. Vacation Bible School VBS will be held August 3-7, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This is a terrific opportunity to have a positive impact on our community and in the lives of our children and their families. Our theme this year is Home Town Nazareth. We will transport Church Office: (714) 534-5770 kids back to Nazareth where they'll learn firsthand what it was like when Jesus was a kid. We need help in set design/ construction, teachers, crafts, games, snacks, photography, registration. Come join the fun! Contact Pastor Pat for information or to sign up. Pat’s Thoughts The summer months are coming up and so are several awesome opportunities for children to experience Jesus’ love in unique ways: Kids’ Kamp and Vacation Bible School. Please join me in prayer for our children, and how you may participate in helping kids know and experience His amazing love and grace. Church Email: [email protected] WOMEN’ S M INISTRIES Your Talents, His Calling But as God has distributed to every man, as the Lord has called every one, so let him walk. —1 Corinthians 7:17 Every believer has an assortment of gifts and talents. In John 15:16, Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” It is terribly important that you heed God’s calling by discovering and developing your talents and your spiritual gifts. If you seek to make a difference – and if you seek to bear eternal fruit – you must discover your gifts and begin using them for the glory of God. Have you found your special calling? If not, keep searching and keep praying until you find it. God has important work for you to do, and the time to begin that work is now. - From Jesus Our Great Hope by Criswell Freeman Ladies’ Luncheon Finding Beauty in Brokenness This year’s luncheon will be on May 17. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. The food will be catered by Inka Mama’s (Peruvian cuisine). Tickets available to purchase until May 11, 2015: Adults $17, Kids $10 (12 and under). Secret Pals Remember the reveal is at the Ladies’ Luncheon May 17. Bring your pal’s final gift and always pray for her. If you are interested in participating in Secret Pals please see Michelle Ruth the day of the luncheon. Forms will be due on May 31. Book Club Our next meeting will be on Saturday, June 20 to discuss our current selection, Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. of Christ---to battle the immorality of the crumbling culture around her. Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, Hadassah clings to faith in a living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.” Craft Days If you want to work on crafts that you have begun, start a new project, learn a craft or just come and fellowship then this is where you want to be. We will meet in the fellowship hall from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 and July 25. For more information, contact Michelle Ruth Craft Fair Mark your calendars and start saving up. We are having a Craft Fair on September 26 at 10:00 a.m. There will be handmade crafts for sale and a bake sale. You won’t want to miss it. “A Jewish slave girl uses the only weapon she has---the gospel N M I ( N AZARENE M ISSIONS Napal Earthquake The massive destruction has created a catastrophe. But among the devastation there are hopeful numbers, too. In Nepal, there are there are 356 Nazarene churches and church plants consisting of 8,477 Nazarene members. Local churches in Nepal are working with Nazarene Com- passionate Ministries staff to assess and meet the immediate needs of children, families, and communities who have been affected. We are also working with a trusted partner to provide medical care. This annual event is to honor those who read or listened to our NMI books. We will be ordering our 2015-2016 NMI books soon. We will let you know when they arrive so you can start reading your way to that free ice cream next year. –Nazarene Compassionate Ministries The 2014-2015 church year has ended and the new year has begun. We look forward to great things being accomplished through the church for His kingdom. Here at Home We had a wonderful ice cream social on Sunday, April 26. Church Office: (714) 534-5770 Church Email: [email protected] OUR REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE D ISTRICT S D M I B ANQUET This great event is to celebrate and honor all those who are Sunday school teachers and Disciple-makers in the Local Church. Come casual and ready to enjoy great fellowship and all your favorite Fair Foods as it is a CIRCUS THEMED EVENT! It will be on May 18, 6:30 p.m. at Anaheim First. Cost is $15 per person. Contact Pastor Pat ASAP, if you want to attend. Sunday Hispanic Prayer ......... 7:30 p.m. Sunday School .......... 9:00 a.m. Hispanic Study .......... 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Worship ..... 10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study ....... 7:00 p.m. Hispanic Worship ... 10:00 a.m. Huddle Bible Study .... 7:00 p.m. Arabic Worship ....... 12:00 noon Teen Study/activity .... 7:00 p.m. Caravan..................... 5:00 p.m. College Bible Study ... 7:00 p.m. The Huddle Study ..... 4:30 p.m. Worship Music ........... 7:00 p.m. Huddle Worship ......... 5:00 p.m. Friday Hispanic PM Service .... 5:00 p.m. Huddle Rehearsal ....... 6:30 p.m. Hispanic Study .......... 7:00 p.m. Tuesday Men’s Life Group ....... 7:00 p.m. Arabic Study .............. 7:00 p.m. If not specified, the times listed above apply to the English congregation. M A Y SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 2 01 5 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1. 2. Lunches for the Homeless 9:30AM 3. MOTHER’S DAY NMI Convention @ Ontario First 8:30AM 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. NMI Council Meeting 6:30PM BABY DAY 10. SATURDAY Women’s Church Board Ministries Meeting Meeting 7:00PM 6:30PM District Assembly Service 7:00PM District Assembly Business Session 8:30AM Ordination Service 7:00PM Farmer’s Market 9:00AM Ladies’ Luncheon 11:00AM Hispanic Watch Night 8:00PM 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. District SDMI Banquet 6:30PM MEMORIAL DAY 31. Discipleship Board Meeting 7:00PM Child Safety Seminar 7:00PM This calendar reflects special events for the month as well as new studies, group meetings, or services. Church Office: (714) 534-5770 Church Email: [email protected]
© Copyright 2024