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LETTER FROM PASTOR JOHN
Boldly proclaim the transforming love of Christ through acts of mercy and grace and His unconditional love.
1 Cor 9:19-23 NLT, “… I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ. 20 When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. 23 I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.”
What is your take-away from this Scripture?
These two paragraphs, written by Paul, thousands of years ago, may very well capture the heart of what I believe is to be the mission of His church. To never lose sight of who we are in Christ, yet at the same time fitting in as much as possible, trying to find common ground with everyone so that we might bring them to Christ. That means His church will have to spend time with them, get to know them, and seek to understand their beliefs and perspectives on life, so that, at just the right time we can introduce Jesus into the conversation. Never losing sight that some plant, some water, and some harvest where they have never planted or watered. The harvest is ALWAYS up to Jesus!
If the church is to truly be in alignment with Christ it must embrace the truth that we, all of us, are to be on mission with Him. This is an undeniable truth. Matt 28:18-20, “Jesus came to (the disciples) and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We’re to be the one’s going and making disciples. Instead, we have embraced a mindset that apparently doesn’t fully align with His by creating programs and events to get those still far from Jesus to come to us. And while it was somewhat successful for a time, that time has now passed.
So how are we to go and where are we to begin? Again, let’s look to Jesus’ commands.
Matt 22:37-39, Jesus (said): “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Then, just moments before His earthly departure He said this, “… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
The where is to our neighbors, at least that is where we are to begin, and then, as the Spirit leads into our cities, country, and nations. The how begins with our absolute love and commitment, with all our heart, mind, and soul, for God and His Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is, being led by the Spirit and listening to the Spirit as He leads us into God’s Word and application of it.
It begins by simply introducing ourselves to our neighbors, whether they are across the street, working next to you, or living in the house down the road. Then, we’re to love like we would want to be loved. Earnestly desiring to build a friendship-type relationship with them, getting to know them and what their needs may be, reaching out to be there for them and to support them. To truly care about them as a child of God who just hasn’t experienced His transformational love yet. All the time praying for that moment in time when the opportunity to share your story of God’s love and grace may suddenly appear. At the same time, realizing it may not be you that has that opportunity to share Christ with them, or they may not ever attend SFNAZ, and both of those outcomes are OK. What matters is they are shown His mercy and grace and unconditional love by you with no strings attached.
BUT once they meet Jesus your friendship doesn’t end there. Look again at the great commission, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. This is when the discipling and mentoring really begins. This is a commitment to a friendship for life. And I truly believe it is what Jesus is calling each of us to when He calls us His disciples.
So, who is it the Spirit may be bringing to your mind for you to build a relationship with, so at some point, maybe months from now, they will meet Jesus and begin their own journey of faith in Christ Jesus?
Peace be with you,
Pastor John
SFNAZ ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALL-CHURCH CHILI COOK-OFF & ROAD RALLY ~ POSTPONED
- Understanding this is a really busy time in the life of the church, we need to postpone the Road Rally & Chili cookoff until a later date. Thank you for your understanding.
CRISIS CARE KITS FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
- Crisis Care Kits are an assortment of personal items given by the Church of the Nazarene to people all over the world.
- A list of items needed for the crisis care kits are available at the Missions kiosk.
- Please have all items returned by May 15th.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SENIOR LUNCHEON ~ Wednesday, May 11th – 12pm
- Join us at Old European. Call Roberta to RSVP 509-325-0711.
BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN ~ Sunday, May 8th – June 19th
- Life Services provides free medical care through their MyChoice Clinics; short and long-term housing through their Residential Housing Program; mentoring and life-skills classes for moms and dads to be, as well as referrals to healing groups for those who’ve experienced abortion or sexual trauma.
- Each year we, as a church, take part in this vital ministry by hosting a baby bottle campaign to raise public awareness and financial support. That campaign begins Sunday! Consider grabbing a bottle at the table in the church foyer. Over the next 6 weeks, you can fill up your bottle with coins, cash, or checks. There are also some resources inside each bottle for you to keep.
- All bottles can be returned here at the church on Father’s Day, June 19th.
- Last year, we blessed Life Services with over $96,000, in conjunction with other churches! For more information about Life Services visit www.lifeservices.org or check their social media pages. Thank you helping us make sure all lives are valued.
PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT BIBLE STUDY ~ Thursdays beginning May 15th – 6:45pm
- 2 Thessalonians (Not Deceived About His Coming)
- Hosted by Roger & Janice Long
- For full details, pick up a flyer in the church foyer.
- All are welcome to join us
SFNAZ LADIES TEA ~ Saturday, May 21st – 1pm
- Come enjoy an afternoon of tea and light refreshments as we fellowship together. A short devotional will be shared.
- Ladies of all ages are welcome to attend (kindergarten and older, with proper tea etiquette please).
- Cost: $10 per person (each lady will receive a teacup and saucer to take home)
- Tickets and the deadline to purchase a ticket is May 15th.
- Wear your favorite tea hat! Prizes for best hat will be awarded.
SFNAZ COMMUNITY LIFE GATHERING (BBQ & Yard Games) ~ Sunday, May 22nd – 11am
- Join us after service on the back lawn for a BBQ and play some yard games.
COMMUNITY CAR WASH ~ Wednesday, May 25th – 6:30pm
- The children and teens will be providing a free car wash to the community.
- We will be inviting the Evergreen Elementary School teachers, our apartment neighbors, and firemen to the car wash.
- No donations or payments will be taken . . . this is a community outreach/service project.
SFNTOS OPEN CONSOLE ~ Thursday, May 26th – 7pm
- An informal time for players to show their talents. Join us!
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ~ May 28th – 30th
- NEW Worship Service time – 10:45am!
- No Discipleship Classes.
- The office will be closed on Monday, May 30th.
MEMORIAL SUNDAY ~ May 29th – 10:45am
- Join us as we remember SFNAZ family we lost in the past year. Certificates will be presented to their family members.
BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY ~ Sunday, May 29th
- On the fifth Sunday of the month, we take up a separate offering designated for the benevolence fund. This is an opportunity to support fellow church members, and those within the community in need. If you feel led to contribute, please mark your envelope “benevolence”.
GRADUATION SUNDAY ~ June 5th
- We will be honoring our 2022 graduates on June 5th. We will have a moment during the service to recognize them and pray for their future goals. After the service we will have a cake reception in their honor and an opportunity for the church family to give them cards and encouragement.
- 2022 Graduates:
- Caleb Cavanaugh
- Rallye Chambers
- Kaeden Finnigan
- Samuel Love
- Nathan Roedell
- Gracelyn Roth
- Sadie Stevenson
- Dakota Terhaar
FAITH PROMISE ~ Sunday, June 5th – 10:45am
- Simon Jothi, Principal of South Asia Nazarene Bible College will be our guest speaker.
SFNAZ FAMILY CAMP ~ September 2nd – 5th (Camp Lutherhaven)
- Online registration will begin now! Register online @ https://sfnaz.org/events/allchurchcampout/
- We will once again be at Camp Lutherhaven on CDA lake. We will have tent, RV and cabins available to reserve. A large outdoor chapel area for Sunday service will be available as well. The speaker is TBD. We will have group activities such as: archery, rock climbing wall, ropes course, kayaks, paddle boards, canoes with lifeguards.
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Cafeteria Meals are available, registration for meals deadline is August 15th .
Tithes & Offering
Thank you so much for your faithful support of our church! Here are a few options available to continue with giving tithes & offering.
1. Online giving is available here.
2. You may mail your check directly to the church
Spokane First Church of the Nazarene
9004 N Country Homes Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99218
3. Give By Text – Text the dollar amount to (833) 948-2179 and follow the prompts.
Faithfulness in giving
Raised Expenses +/-
General $ 41,800 $ 41,400 $ +400
Missions $ 3,700 $ 3,050 $ +600
(As of March 31, 2022)
Thank you for giving generously to your church general fund. Your faithful giving helps to meet our budgeted expenses.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
Prayer Chain by Email – Contact the church office to receive prayer requests by email (office@sfnaz.org).
Prayer for District Churches
- May 1st: Bonners Ferry & Chelan
- May 8th: Women’s Retreat
- May 15th: LEAD Retreat for pastors
- May 22nd: Cheney & Cle Elum
- May 29th: Adult Spring Retreat
Missions Prayer Requests
- May 1st: Uruguay & Venda
- May 8th: Venezuela & Virgin Islands
- May 15th: Western Samoa & Zimbabwe
- May 22nd: Albania & American Samoa
- May 29th: Angola & Antigua
PRAYER REQUESTS
- SFNAZ Pastors
- SFNAZ Transition Team
- SFNAZ Board Members
- The Wood family & Baby Hudson
- Logan Marquardt
- Sheryl Valoff
- Karen Mahar
- Lloyd Brown
- Gene Englebrecht
- Barb Weatherly
Adult ministries
Adult Learning & Growth ~ Sunday – 11am
- “Unleashing The Power Of The Holy Spirit” (Acts of the Apostles) (Fireside Room – Led by Charlie Scott) This class is also available via Zoom. Click here to join Adult Bible Study on Zoom or enter the meeting ID 9664266598 after tapping “Join a Meeting” in the Zoom app.
- “Redeem the Screen” by Kyle Idleman (Library)
- NEW Study “Unfiltered Jesus” by Drew Karschner begins May 15th
Men’s Group ~ Tuesdays – 6pm
- The Tuesday night men’s group would like to again extend an invitation to join them on Tuesday nights at 6pm in person in the Fireside Room. The group rotates weekly between topical discussion, marriage, church history/apologetics, and scriptural study.
- For further information or questions, please contact Randy Coffey at (509) 570-4026.
Adult Bible Studies ~ Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Creation, Fall, & Flood: Genesis 1-11 in the Fireside Room. Visitors welcome! This class is also available via Zoom. Click here to join Adult Bible Study on Zoom or enter the meeting ID 9664266598 after tapping “Join a Meeting” in the Zoom app.
- Women’s Bible Study ~ “Before Amen” by Max Lucado in the Library
- Men’s Bible Study ~ The Book of Matthew in the Conference Room.
CELEBRATION CHOIR REHEARSALS ~ Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Meeting in the choir loft.
children’s ministries
NURSERY NEEDS
- We are in need of volunteers to help hold/play with babies and toddlers on Sundays and Wednesdays. We would like to continue with a co-op style system. If you have children in children’s dept. we would ask you to give an occasional Sunday to serve.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- We have been so blessed to have a growing children’s ministry department. With that growth in the ministry we are in desperate need of volunteers to continue the ministry to our children and pre-teens. If you can give of your time (one or two times a month) for the following areas, please contact Jordan Roth (jordanr@sfnaz.org)
- Check-in Counter: Wednesday Night
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
9:30am
- Nursery-Toddlers (Infant through 3 non-potty trained years old)
- 3 & 4 year old Class (3-year-old must be potty trained)
- Kindergarten & 1st grade Class
11am
- Nursery-Toddlers (Infant through 3-years-old not potty trained)
- PreK – Kindergarten Class (3-years-old potty trained through Kindergarten)
- Learning & Growth: 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th grade classes
Wednesday Night Schedule:
6:30pm – 7:45pm
- Nursery: Infant through 3 years non-potty trained
- Safari Bible Month (Preschool/Kindergarten):Come on a Safari while we learn about Jesus and grow in knowing Him better!
- Worship Wednesdays (1st grade – 6th grade): New Series Praying with Jesus: Over the next 7 weeks we will focus on the Lord’s prayer and learning to grow closer to God in our prayer life.
Upcoming Dates
(PRINTED CALENDARS AVAILABLE AT KID’S CHECK-IN)
5/1- Music & Drama Club Registration Begins: Star Quest
5/22 – Family Worship Service & Community Life Gathering: BBQ & Yard Games
5/25 – Hands & Feet Night: 1st-6th Graders Free Community Car Wash
5/28- Kids Regional Quiz Meet (Nampa, ID)
5/29 – Memorial Day Weekend: No Learning and Growth Classes
6/22 – Summer Fun Night: End of School bash
6/26 – Family Worship
6/27 – Swim Day @ Wintersteens ~ 12pm-2pm: Hot dogs provided. Bring a side to share. Parent must accompany children grades 3 and under.
6/29 – Summer Music & Drama ~ 3pm-6pm
6/29 – Summer Fun Night ~ Wheels Night 6:30pm: Bring your favorite wheels and a helmet
STUDENT MINISTRIES
Our Regular Weekly Schedule
- Wednesdays 6:30-8PM – Youth Group (Gym and Teen Loft)
- Sundays 9:30AM – Worship (Sanctuary) 11AM – Learning & Growth Class (Teen Loft)
UPCOMING DATES
(PRINTED CALENDARS AVAILABLE AT YOUTH MINISTRIES KIOSK)
MAY
22 ~ Family Worship & BBQ & Yard Games
25 ~ Love in Action Night: Free Community Car Wash
29 ~ Memorial Day Weekend: Service @ 10:45am. No Learning & Growth
JUNE
4 ~ Herbert’s Hatchets Axe Throwing 7pm – 9pm: Must sign up.
5 ~ Graduation Sunday: Come help celebrate our seniors. Seniors please respond to graduation survey.
14 ~ Senior Silver Mt. Day: SENIORS ONLY event.
22 ~ Youth Group: End of School bash
24 ~ Friday Fun Night 7-9pm: Smores & Glow Sticks @ Gunthers
26 ~ Family Worship
INFO UPDATE TEXT MESSAGES & EMAILS
To automatically join the SFNazYouth info text messages, simply text “ADDME” to (509)790-4048. If this doesn’t work or you are still not receiving the text messages or have questions, please contact Pastor Hope (hopet@sfnaz.org)
In addition to regular text updates, there are also periodic email info updates with more details about upcoming events and youth ministry happenings. These come out about every month. If you (or someone you know) isn’t receiving these emails, you can sign up to receive the emails at http://sfnaz.org/youth
Worship Ministry Updates
Celebration Choir
- We are always looking for choir members, both new and veteran choir members. Rehearsals are in the sanctuary on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. We sing on Sundays a couple of times each month. The remaining opportunities to sing before summer break are:
- May 8 (Mother’s Day)
- May 22 (Family Worship)
- Choir, please arrive at 9am on the Sundays we sing for a brief rehearsal before the service starts.
- The regular summer break for choir will begin in June and continue through July and August. With Pastor Shawn’s leaving in June, the leadership team is still determining the plan for choir in the fall.
Worship Team
- If you have an interest in being a part of the Sunday morning worship team, please let Pastor Shawn know. We are always interested in exploring how different people’s musical gifts fit into our weekly worship rhythms.
Audio/Visual Media Team
- Are you a techie or creative person, or both? We are always looking to train additional people how to run our sound system and live streaming system. Or are you interested in helping us create video content to use online or during services let’s talk!
Worship Leader Transition
- As Pastor Shawn transitions to his new role as a chaplain, David Dixon has stepped up, and will become the point person for coordination of the worship ministry through the remainder of the pastoral transition. Pastor Shawn’s last Sunday will be June 5th.
If you are interested in being a part of any of the opportunities listed above in worship ministry, please let Pastor Shawn or David Dixon know.
They can be reached at shawns@sfnaz.org or by calling the church office.