PRESORTED

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

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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)

Church Family, THANK YOU for your prayers,

cards and food after my surgery. It is so wonderful

to have a church family that cares.

~Beverly Vickery

2018

MARCH MEETINGS & EVENTS:

3/3: Awana Olympics Practice ...…… 8:00 a.m. to Noon

(8 am to 10 am Sparks / 10 am to Noon T&T)

3/4: Growth Track 101 ……………………… 12:15 p.m.

3/6: Senior Adult Breakfast at Russ’…………. 9:00 a.m.

3/6: Creative Worship Planning ……………… 1:30 p.m.

3/6: SDMI Meeting …………...……………… 7:00 p.m.

3/10: Awana Olympics Practice ...…… 8:00 a.m. to Noon

(8 am to 10 am Sparks / 10 am to Noon T&T)

3/11: Growth Track 201 ……………………... 12:15 p.m.

3/18: Growth Track 301 ……………………... 12:15 p.m.

3/18: Fellowship & Hospitality Team ……..... 12:15 p.m.

3/21: Sr. Adults—Meijer Gardens / Butterflies 11:00 a.m.

3/20: Finance & Personnel Team ………………6:00 p.m.

3/20: NMI Council (Library) …………………. 7:00 p.m.

3/24: Awana Olympics Practice ……... 8:00 a.m. to Noon

3/25: Growth Track 401 ……………………... 12:20 p.m.

NAZARENE NEIGHBOR NUGGETS

It’s March Madness time. Why not invite someone outside your normal circle of friends to watch a game or two with you? Your time together might mean the world to them.

Tired of being cooped up for the winter? Call someone you haven’t seen much and take them out for coffee/dinner/movie. Be creative! We all enjoy different things.

What is your gift or talent or passion? Share it with a local charity or nursing home. They love the involvement of others.

Your prayers, and care following my neck surgery

have been very appreciated. You are such a loving

church family! ~Pastor Tim

Seasons A Monthly Publication of

Volume 16 Number 3; March 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

Presenting: Christ in the Passover Jesus' Last Supper was actually a Jewish Passover. On Palm Sunday, March 25 at

10:45 am, Alexander Adelson of Jews for Jesus will re-create the traditional

Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus' death and resurrection.

Alexander Adelson will set a table with items traditionally used at the Passover

meal and detail their spiritual significance. He will also explain the connection between the events of the first

Passover in Egypt and the redemption that Jesus accomplished, as well as the deep bond between the ancient

Passover feast and the Christian communion celebration today.

In celebration of the Resurrection, we are ordering Easter Lilies to adorn our Sanctuary. If you would like to purchase one or more of these plants in memory of,

or dedicated to, a special person, please fill out the worship folder Communication Card or contact the church office at 887-1169 by March 11.

The cost is $8 each. Payment must be received when placing the order. You may take the flowers home following the 10:45 a.m. Easter Service on April 16.

Easter Lilies

Join Us Easter Sunday, April 1st, at 10:45 am (There will be no Sunday School)

The musical presentation, ‘Road to Calvary’ walks us down the path as we

follow Jesus’ footsteps from Nazareth, across the hills of Galilee, traversing the

Mount of Olives, and walking a lifetime of steps towards Gethsemane.

Carrying the weight of our sins up Calvary’s hill, He gave His life’s blood for

the redemption of every man, woman and child; there He established this

unimaginably beautiful truth for all people, for all time … Calvary covers it all.

GROWTH TRACK is for every person that attends Sparta Naz. In four sessions, you will discover who we are, what we believe, and your place in the body of Christ. Whether you have been here for years or are newer worshipers at Sparta Naz, we are encouraging every person, youth through senior adults, to participate in this endeavor as we build relationships with each other and Become … Like Jesus. Session size is limited to 12. Please use the special Growth Track Notebook at the Welcome Center to reserve your spots in March. Our next sessions will be available in October and November.

Cupcake Decorating Class Thursday, March 15th — 6 to 8 pm

Have you ever wanted to learn different techniques in decorating cupcakes (or cakes)? This class is just in time for the Easter season. There is NO FEE for this class, but you must sign up ahead so we have supplies ready for you. We will see how much frost-ing actually ends up on the cupcakes!!

Please sign up at the Welcome Center or online at www.spartanaz.org by March 11th.

Women’s Ministries

“If you believe, you will

receive whatever you ask

for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

Women’s Bible Study

‘Detours—The Unpredictable Path to Your Destiny’ (6 weeks)

This Bible study of the account of Joseph clearly demonstrates that God is at work even when life seems to be going wrong. Thursdays at 7 pm beginning 3/22: Led by Cheryl Bremer Fridays at 9:30 am beginning 3/23: Led by Connie Jolly and Ellen Mullen Participant Fee is $15 per person (including book). Childcare is available. Please sign-up at the Welcome Center or online at: www.spartanaz.org

Survivor Author: Duane C. Miller

Reviewer: Peggy Neeley

Library Selection: Biography

If only we could turn back the clock to change that one

moment in time that has left us with so many regrets.

Survivor is a true story of one man’s struggle to live with his

actions on a canoe trip in Ontario, Canada. Three men were

dead and Duane felt it was his fault. Read how a seasoned,

body recovery diver has to share about what he had seen

when he recovered two of the Christian bodies from Opeongo

Lake. Never in all of his years of recovery diving had he ever

witnessed this before. Duane goes on into seminary but is

unable to speak publicly because he can’t forgive himself.

Read what it took to bring him back from the depths of

depression and his feelings of failure. This book is laced with

perfect Bible verses at each turn of events.

CHURCH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW

Faith Promise

April 30

Where do I fit?

Each person is given

something to do that shows who God is:

Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.

1 Corinthians 12:6 (MSG) Faith Promise

April 30

Children's Ministries

March Schedule

March 3: Practice for Awana Olympics

— 8 am to 10 am Sparks

— 10 am to Noon T&T

March 7: March Madness Night—Wear your favorite

college basketball team’s apparel

March 10: Practice for Awana Olympics

— 8 am to 10 am Sparks

— 10 am to Noon T&T

March 14: Awana Store Open March 17: Awana Olympic Games

March 21: Crazy Hair Night—Come with crazy hair!

March 28: Regular Awana Activities

All Senior Adults Breakfast!

When: Tuesday, March 6 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 wel-

come!

Fredrick Meijer Gardens ‘Butterflies Are Blooming’

Wednesday, March 21 at 11 am

The cost is $11 person (or $10 if we have enough

people for the group discount). This price does not

include lunch.

We will be meeting at the cafeteria at 11 am for

lunch. Please DO NOT sign in at the desk before

lunch. If you would like to car pool, please meet at

the church by 10:30. For those who choose not to

join us for lunch, please meet the group in the cafe-

teria at noon and wait to sign in together.

Please sign up at the Welcome Center. Call the

church office with any questions.

Senior Adult Ministries

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 March to feed 100 children. (NO EXPIRED DATES)

Regular serving sizes: Canned Vegetables (Corn, Peas, Green Beans) Cracker Snack Packs (Cheese or Peanut butter)

Juice Boxes or Pouches Spaghetti O’s

Please mark your calendars for the end of March. Sparta Naz is planning a church/community event to see the new movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ”. We are looking to get a block of tickets for one evening between 3/28 and 3/31. Be in prayer for who you should invite to this outreach event. More details to follow from the Outreach Team.

Outreach Ministries

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 25-29, 2018

"Kids Got Talent” 3/11 at 6pm!

This is a wonderful night where our kids (ages 2 through

6th grade) show off God’s gifts! If your child is interested

in sharing their talents, please fill out a Kids Got Talent

registration form which can be found at both the

Lighthouse Bay and Christ’s Cove desks.

This will be a wonderful evening to celebrate the gifts

God has given to each child so invite friends and loved

ones to this special night!

This year's event will be followed by a Bake Sale Auction

(by our own Art Smith and Noah Smith) in the Rich

Friendship Center (gym) where the kids will be raising

money for supplies for an electronic check-in system. We

hope to see you there!

Sunday,

March

10th