From the District Superintendent
In just a few hours, millions of Americans will be streaming to their polling place to cast a ballot for candidates all the way from County Clerk to President of the United States. For Christians it would be easy to take a cynical view and just set back and hide behind the so called separation of church and state. But I believe it is not only our right as Americans to voice our opinion on election day, but also our duty as children of God to stand up and be heard that day and every other day as well.
A long time ago, I vowed to not support or vote for any candidate that supported abortion on demand. Certainly the economy is a huge issue this year, but the biggest issue that eclipses the economy or any other issues are the rights of the unborn. Friends, these are not just embryos – some blob of inanimate cells, they are living human beings just as much as you and I. They do not have any voice except your voice and my voice. They cannot stand up on their own and be heard, that is our responsibility. Approximately 3,700 abortions a day are performed in the U.S., is it any wonder that our nation is in a mess? How can God bless the USA when this is happening? How can God bless the church if we stand idly by without doing something about it? We cannot hide behind the fact that we have been affiliated with one or another political party all of our lives – we must stop this insanity if we are going to survive as a nation.
Please, before you go to your polling place on Tuesday, check out the candidates – where do they stand on the BIG issues. Vote your conscience and convictions, not just your wallet.
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:3-4).
District Superintendent
P.S. I am encouraging a “NO” vote on Michigan Proposals 1 & 2
Proposal 1 - Michigan Medical Marijuana Act - Vote NO
Proposal 2 - Human embryonic stem cell research in Michigan – Vote NO
EMD Churches Celebrate Nazarene Centennial (Part 2 )
Last month many of our district churches shared with us how they celebrated a very special day on October 5th. Since then, we've received some additional 100th anniversary celebration stories...
Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene
At Bad Axe, we held our service in Memorial Chapel which is a log cabin building that is located in the Bad Axe Log Cabin Village in the city park. This building is a restored log cabin that was moved to the site. It is a replica of the type of church buildings that were built when the thumb area was first settled. We had a great service which communion and our rendition of the Hallelujiah March (the skit that was in the resource kit). When it came time to wave our white handkerchiefs, everyone joined in with the handkerchiefs that we had handed out earlier in the service. The temperature was quite chilly, and we even used the old cast iron stove in the cabin to take the chill off for the service. We had planned a potluck dinner in the park, but moved it to the gym in the school where we normally meet due to the weather. Everyone had a great time. We even had an article about the centennial published in two local newspapers (including a picture of the origianal Hallelujiah March in 1908.
-Pastor Bill Thorn
Chelsea Church of the Nazarene
 
(Photos only)
-Pastor Jeff Crowder
Fowlerville Church of the Nazarene
Fowlerville's Centennial Service was exciting as the musical ONE was presented by our ensemble, men's quartet, and praise team. Our adult drama ministry performed the reenactment of the Hallelujah March skit. We handed out Centennial handkerchiefs to emphasize a time in our history when these were used to praise the Lord. After the massage, we joined with our brothers and sisters around the world in Holy Communion. It was a great day to feel the Spirit and know that we are part of the Global Church of the Nazarene preaching heart holiness.
-Pastor Gary Griffin
Love Mercy Ministries Church of the Nazarene
Love Mercy Ministries
On Centennial Sunday we had an awesome service. We celebrated beginning
with our young people, marching in with flags: Christian, Holiness and
Missional while the core values of each one were being read. After that we
presented the Heritage Award to Mother Mattie Williams who is a 40+ year
member. After that gifts and awards were given to the charter members. We
had one baby dedicated and we had 88 in attendance. We presented all
members and guest with a door-knocker as a keepsake stating "100 years and
Still Standing!" We then joined the new, New Hope Church of the Nazarene
for dinner in their multipurpose sanctuary. We had a glorious day!
-Pastor Vera Davis
 South Flint Church of the Nazarene
Our Centennial Celebration kicked off at 10:30am with a combined service in our main sanctuary. It was very exciting to have the children and teens each have a special part in the service. The children marched in with a birthday cake singing, “Happy Birthday, Nazarene Church.” The teens shared a video presentation showcasing various NYI members, both past and present, which was a great blessing. The main message was shared in portions  by Pastor Don Frey, Pastor June Burton, and Pastor Shawn Kidle.
Following the service, the children went outside for a balloon launch, with each balloon carrying a special Centennial Celebration message from a child. The morning concluded with a Pizza Party for the kids and an All-Church Potluck for the rest of the congregation.
-Pastor Don Frey
Other News from Around the District
 Pastor Wright has been pastor at Detroit New Hope for 24 years and one month. The old church building in Pastor Wright's words "got the job done, but did not have the image that I know the Nazarene's image to be.
The new church building is an answer to prayer and a blessing. It is a place to invite family & friends to. The new church building is a 300 degree turn around; like a mud lot to a parking lot, where the women can walk in wearing their shoes now and not come in to church carrying their shoes due to the condition of the ground.
Regarding the New Building Dedication Service we had on  October 12, at 5:00 PM, Dr. Anthony led our service. It was a service for whoever wanted to come. We had people from the Plymouth Church, Love Mercy Ministry, Detroit Grace, Flint Abundant Grace, and other community members. We had a total of 124 people in all. We sang and had a praise time. We dedicated our new building to Florence Hardrick, who was a very faithful member of ours and passed away 4-5 years ago at the age of 93."
NEW CHURCH ORGANIZED
 Amid shouts and cheers of joy on Sunday October 12, 2008 at about 3 PM Dr. Stephen T. Anthony, District Superintendent of the Eastern Michigan District, officially declared Flint New Life Church of the Nazarene to be a fully organized Church of the Nazarene. The afternoon service was blessed with songs of highest praise to the Lord and energetic preaching by the pastor, Rev. Robert Cattane. A highlight to the day came when the children's choir led the church in two worship choruses. Their ministry was filled high energy and plenty of hand motions that went along with the choruses! At the time of organization Dr. Anthony introduced guest ministers that were present: Dr. David Bowser Senior Pastor of Flint West Church of the Nazarene, Rev. Roger Lutze Director of the Eastside Mission, and Rev. Larry Betz  Assistant to the District Superintendent. Dr. Anthony also introduced Rev. Robert Cattane pastor of Flint New Life Church of the Nazarene and his pastoral staff, Rev. Gene Pincomb and Rev. Ray Shamel. Dr. Anthony called on Dr. David Bowser to pray for the church, her pastoral team and her members. The service ended with Rev. Roger Lutze praying the closing prayer. Rev. Lutze reminded everyone that the Flint New Life Church of the Nazarene and the Flint Eastside Mission were really one with shared space, shared vision and a shared mission to the people living on the eastside of the City of Flint, Michigan. A meal was served following the service.
Seventy two Churches of the Nazarene across Eastern Michigan along with 12,528 Nazarenes proudly say, "Welcome to the Family Flint New Life Church of the Nazarene!" Please keep this our newest church lifted in your prayers.
From Headquarters to Global Ministry Center
 You are invited to participate in the Church of the Nazarene's worldwide enterprise by discovering the denomination's new Global Ministry Center. The facility will serve as the administrative hub for the church's many faith initiatives.
This endeavor to move from a Headquarters to Global Ministry Center reaches
across borders and boundaries to profoundly affect countless support efforts around
the world including accessible medical care, hospitals, educational facilities, training
programs, and disaster relief.
Why a Global Ministry Center?
The current complex with three aging office buildings
can no longer address adequately the full breadth of the church for worldwide
communications, training, and support.
Additional information on the transition, new building, questions, and donation
opportunities are available on the web at http://www.nazareneglobalministrycenter.org.
 Rev. Hugh Donnelly has accepted the position of pastor at Beulah Church. Pastor Harold Williams has resigned. Pastor Donnelly is pictured at right with wife Rochelle and children Asher and Eden.
Congratulations go to Eric & Debbie Ward (Eric is the Children's Pastor at Williams Lake Church)
on the birth of their baby boy, Jonathan Andrew.
Jonathan was born Thursday, Oct. 30. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces, and is 19 inches long.
Proud grandparents are Darold & Patty Ward, Ann Arbor First Co-Pastors.
General Assembly and Conventions 2009
The General Assembly Site Commission has selected the Orange County Convention center in Orlando, Florida, as the site for the 2009 General Conventions and Assembly. This adjustment in location commitment for 2009 became necessary due to planned demolition and construction projects of the convention center in Indianapolis. Several other cities inside and outside of the USA were researched for viability to host the quadrennial events. Consideration was given to criteria such as availability of event dates, demographics of Nazarene constituency, function space, accommodations and local infrastructure.
Orlando has committed over one million square feet of complimentary space to the Church of the Nazarene for the 2009 events. The area surrounding the convention center offers a wide range of hotel accommodations and food service opportunities.
Although this denominational gathering is being moved from the middle part of the USA in 2009, there are great opportunities for international delegate and visitor access in Orlando. The location also provides wonderful options for families to attend the quadrennial events and General assembly in one of the great destination cities of the world.
The dates for the 27th General Assembly and Conventions are June 24—July 3, 2009
For more information, please visit http://web.nazarene.org/site/PageServer?pagename=General_Assembly_Home
Join the Jesus Film team on a trip to Guatemala February 15th - 22nd, 2009. Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene is leading the trip. If you or other members of your church are interested in going along, please contact Pastor Karen Payne at pastorpayne@comcast.net or 248-673-5911. The cost is $1250.00. |
Work has started to repair the clothing house roof! That's the good news. . . the bad news is that we still need donations to fully cover the cost. As of the writing of this article, I don't have the most recent figures, but last I heard we still needed around $2,000 to have it fully paid for. We all are feeling the effects of the economy, however, please take a moment to consider helping to cover this terribly over-due need! Thank you!
Dana and Sherry Howard from Ecuador
Jeffrey and Susan Myers from Kudjip, Papua New Guinea.