Seasons A Monthly Publication of

Volume 16 Number 4; April 2018

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

On Sunday, October 8th, Brian Harmon is coming to Sparta Naz to give us some creative tools for sharing our faith with others. During a combined teen and adult Sunday School class at 9:15, he will be teaching some very practical ways that we can have conversa-tions with people about the LORD including our neigh-bors, classmates and even our family members.

T

Daniel & Margarita Pesado are global

missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene serving in Spain.

Testimonies and Song

Our next Sunday evening service will be on April 8th at 6 pm. This will be a great opportunity for all ages to hear and share stories of God’s grace and provision. At your request, we will sing together some of our favorite songs. There is nothing like gathering together with family and friends!

Baptism Service Sunday morning on April 22

Baptism symbolizes a Christian’s commitment and his/her total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ If you are interested in being baptized, please contact Pastor Tim at the church office (616-887-1169) as soon as possible to receive information.

Children's Ministries

Reduce-the-Risk Class

Are you interested in working with our children or youth? Desire to work VBS? Have you attended Sparta Naz for at least 6 months? Please sign up today to go through the required Reduce-the-Risk class on Sunday, May 13 at 9:15 a.m. in Pastor Sherri’s office. You may register at the Welcome Center or online at www.spartanaz.org.

April Schedule

April 4: NO AWANA—Spring Break

April 11: Regular Awana Activities

April 18: Noah Night—Bring a stuffed animal tonight

April 25: Regular Awana Activities

Outreach Ministries

Nazarene Neighbor Nuggets

We all know people who are unchurched. Ask the Lord to guide you to invite someone to the Easter service on April 1st.

Spring is here. Hooray! While you are working on Spring yard clean-up, just keep going into your neighbor’s yard. Even if you only do the front yard, it will mean less work for them and will surely be appreciated.

This is a good time of the year to sort through all those coats, jackets and other outerwear. Take items that you haven’t worn in a long time, or won’t wear again to the Goodwill, Mel Trotter or the Salvation Army. Make sure that they are in good condition before donating.

Sparta Naz VBS June 25-29 6-8:30 p.m.

Starting April 1st, you can register your kids for Vacation

Bible School online at www.spartanaz.org, pick up a

registration form at the Children’s Ministries check-in

desks or by calling the church office at (616) 887-1169.

We still need volunteers!

Pick up a volunteer form at the Welcome Center or sign

up at www.spartanaz.org to spend time with our kids and

help them learn more about our great God. All volunteers

must have completed Reduce-the-Risk training.

Through Hand2Hand, Sparta Naz is partnering with Ridgeview Elementary School to confidentially pack and distribute weekend backpacks of nutritious food to identified low income families during the school-year. If you’d like to help in this ministry, please sign up at spartanaz.org or at the Welcome Center. The following canned food item donations are needed during the month of April to feed 100 children. (NO EXPIRED DATES)

Regular serving sizes: Cereal, Canned fruit, Individual snack items

(Pretzels, Goldfish, Animal crackers)

Mark Your Calendar ...

4/1: Easter Sunday service (No Sunday School) 10:45 am

4/3: Senior Adult Breakfast at Russ’ 9:00 am

4/8: Choir Rehearsal 4:30 pm

‘The Gathering’ evening service 6:00 pm

4/10: Creative Worship Planning 10:30 am

Church Board Meeting 7:00 pm

4/11: ‘Radiance’ Ladies’ Ensemble Practice 11:00 am

4/16: Audio Visual Team Meeting (Library) 6:30 pm

Children’s Council Meeting (Cove) 6:30 pm

4/24: Facilities & Grounds Team Mtg (Library) 6:00 pm

NMI Council Meeting (Room 101) 7:00 pm

4/29: Faith Promise Sunday Events throughout day

5/1: SDMI Meeting 7:00 pm

5/3: Nancy Smith’s Birthday!

5/5: MI District Kids Praise & Talent Day 8:00 am (Leaving for Portland, MI Nazarene Church)

5/6: Kevin Hardy, MI District Superintendent 10:45 am

5/13: Reduce the Risk Class for VBS workers 9:15 am

5/18: Mother-Daughter Cupcake & Canvas 6:00 pm

5/22: Chad Jensen’s Birthday!

5/24: Miss Libby’s Birthday!

Women’s Ministries

All Senior Adults Breakfast!

When: Tuesday, April 3 at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Russ’ on Alpine (3531 Alpine Ave. NW)

Invite a friend or neighbor to join you for this time of

food and fellowship! All senior adults are welcome!

Senior Adult Ministries

Bridal Shower Ladies, join us for a Bridal Shower to honor Angela Kellar (Ed & Annette Douglas’ daughter) on Monday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rich Friendship Center gym. Angela and Matt are registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target.

THRIVE Student Ministries

Mel Trotter Homeless Shelter Visit —April 18th We will be leaving the church at 4:00 pm and returning at 8:00 pm. Donations are appreciated and will be delivered by our youth. Particularly, toiletries and new socks. These items can be placed on the Thrive Student Ministries table in the Rich Friendship Center north entrance.

Lodging Reservations:

Make your reservations now at

Indian Lake Nazarene Camp for

2018 District Assembly, Family

Camp and Conventions. Call the

camp office at (269) 649-2281.

Dates:

MI District Assembly: July 15 - 16

Family Camp: July 16 - 22

MI District Conventions: July 21

New Sunday School Bible Study

We are excited to begin Not A Fan—Teen Edition on April 8th at 9:15 am. We will have the opportunity to hear challenging teachings and watch testimonies from other teens on what it looks like to be a completely committed follower.

Games & Grub—April 20th—5:30 to 10:30 pm We will purchase food and cook dinner together at the church (the Grub) and play table games (the Games). Bring your favorite games and $8 for groceries.

PRESORTED

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

SPARTA, MI

Permit No. 67

665 13 Mile Road

Sparta, MI 49345

(616) 887-1169 www.spartanaz.org *Address Service Requested*

Service Schedule

Sunday………………….. 9:15 am Sunday School for all ages

10:45 am Morning Worship

5:45 pm Thrive Student Youth Group

(7th—12th grades)

Wednesday……………. 6:45 pm AWANA( Toddler—6th grade)

7:00 pm Adult Bible Study & praise team

(Nursery available for all services) 2018

THANK YOU!

Dear Church Family, Thank you for the beautiful gift

basket, cards, delicious meals, and all your prayers!

Bill, the girls and I really appreciate them. Thank

you Rev. Batterbee for coming to the hospital and

praying with us before my surgery. We are so

thankful for such a wonderful and loving church

family. ~ Amber Schmitt

Many thanks to our church family for all of your

prayers, cards and visits. Bob is healing slowly but

surely. The gift basket that Pastor Tim brought to

Rehab when Bob was there, really lifted his spirits.

Thank you! ~ The Bob Watters Family

Thank you to my church family for the gift of

clothes and for taking care of me so well.

~ Chad McCuaig

I would like to thank you for the love, support and

prayers during my recent emergency. I appreciate

the beautiful gift basket. Thank you Pastor Tim for

your hospital visit. You are an awesome church

family! ~ Liz Sanford

Sparta Nazarene, My wife and I would like to thank

you for all your prayers during my recent illness.

They were appreciated more than words can

express. ~ Irv and Jill Ekkel

Michigan District Project 5K 2018 — May 26, 2018 for all ages!

Our Michigan District NMI (Nazarene Missions International) is sponsoring the Dr. John Seaman Memorial 5K Run/Walk to raise $20,000 to provide 267 audio Bibles to Church Planters in mission areas. This will be a fun way to spread the Word of God! Registration fees ($25) as well as sponsors will help meet this goal.

Funds can be given in our local offering and designated “District Project” or you can give directly online at https://www.egsnetwork.com/events/?eventid=95889C5A80B04E0.