Dear Friends,
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In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus talks about how his followers are to interact with each other and especially with the world around them.  In chapter 5:14-16 (NIV) we read, “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In the Bible, as in other literature, goodness is represented as light and bad or evil is represented as darkness.  John speaks of Jesus as the Light in John 3:19, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”
So, in Matthew 5 Jesus is telling His followers that when they go about their daily tasks out among other people who are not following Him, that they are going into the darkness.  There are some situations and places where darkness of evil is even more rampant because what is being done is so very evil.  Anywhere the Christian goes they are going to be around darkness and it is our job to shine the light of the goodness of God into the dark world of evil around us.  Because of standing strong against temptation, there are places where you and I will just not even go into so that we do not become weak and be overcome by the darkness.  In those situations we pray for those involved and for those Christians that God has sent into those areas to shine His light.
One of the great things about light is that it overcomes the darkness.  All you have to do when you walk into a dark room is turn on the light.  God is stronger than evil, just as light is stronger than darkness!
Our admonition from Christ is to GO BE THE LIGHT!  Don’t try to hide the fact that you are a Christian, but in love let His light shine through you wherever you go!
Our Administrative Assistant, Jenifer Crowl, has designed the above design that we are having put onto the front of t-shirts that we will be taking orders for so that we can have them to wear to the Albion Fair (September 10-14).  We can especially be wearing them when we are serving at the Snack Shack.  They will remind us that we are there being the Light and will help those we encounter to see a truth from Scripture and perhaps ask a question about it.  One the back they will say, “Be the Light...” with the Scripture reference. 
Whether or not you are wearing the t-shirt, be a part of TEAM LIGHT wherever you go.  Many people are living in the darkness of evil, which is in their lives, and they need us to show them the Light by our love, grace-giving, compassion, and with our words. 
On Sunday, September 8th I will be developing these thoughts further in my message to the congregation.  I want us to be ready to go to the Albion Fair and be TEAM LIGHT and to be His light as we invite our friends, neighbors, and families to Back to Church Sunday on September 15th.  Who will you invite? I would love to see us double our attendance that Sunday, welcoming our guests with a smile and a joyous atmosphere of worship!  (Listen to the sermon from August 18th online).

Until next month (and beyond) BE THE LIGHT!!                   

In Christ’s Love,                                                                                                                      Pastor Wayne

Dear Friends,

​School is out for some of our students and will be out soon for the rest of them.  That means that we are heading into the summer season for the congregation which includes Vacation Bible School in the Albion Park June 10-13, Kids’ Camp, Teen Camp, and Family Camp at Mt. Chestnut, District Conventions, Country Campout (August 16-18), and our annual baptism service at Raccoon Park (see below). 

Pastor’s Connie, Tonya, and I are just completing the sermon series “Ancient Words—Ever True” on your favorite Old Testament Bible stories.  We have learned many lessons from these interesting and inspirational stories.  As I look at how I can best prepare our congregation for the upcoming pastoral transition (after October 2019), I am looking at preaching sermons on the New Testament instructions for the church and how it is to function.  We will be looking at such topics as Christ being the head of the church, the church functioning as the Body of Christ, and the church being united in mission. 
Please join with me in prayer for 3 things:

1.That God will use these last 5 months that I am your pastor to prepare our congregation for the transition that will be happening following my retirement;
2.That God will guide the Church Board and the church members as they determine God’s will for who the next pastor will be;
3.That God will be preparing the next pastor (and their family, if applicable) for their transition to this wonderful congregation at Albion Nazarene.

God has wonderful plans for the future on Albion Nazarene and I am confident in this congregation that you will discern what steps need to be taken to bring those plans about.

Last September we really enjoyed Back to Church Sunday when the theme was “You Belong Here.”  We will be participating in this nationwide outreach event again this year on September 15th.  The theme this year is “Together” and will focus on encouraging people to go back to church to experience doing life together with other people of faith and who are searching for faith and meaning in their lives.
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The date for Back to Church Sunday is the day after the Albion Fair finishes which give us a wonderful opportunity to invite people and promote the event at our fair booth.  T-shirts will again be available and we will soon have a sample for you to see and place your order.  Begin now to pray for TOGETHER on September 15th!

Another annual favorite Sunday for our congregation is when we gather for Sunday School classes and Worship Service at Raccoon Park so that we can have our baptism service at Lake Erie.  This is currently in the planning stage, but you can notify me now if you are interested in being baptized.  I already have a couple of individuals who want to proclaim their faith in Christ through their baptism.  I would love to add you to the list.       
                 
Have a wonderful summer!  See you in church.  
     
In Christ’s Love,                                                                                                                      Pastor Wayne

Dear Friends,
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What brings you joy?  What are you joyful about?  We had “Joy Teams” that delivered cookies on Christmas Eve to various places where people were having to work.  The teams found joy in delivering Christmas greetings and cookies and the people who received the cookies were recipients of joy as well.  At our January Church Board meeting we discussed ways we can be joyful and share joy with others throughout this year, rather than just at Christmas.  Nehemiah 8:10 says, “...the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Philippians is Paul’s letter of joy (even though written from a prison cell) and in 4:4 he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!”  Psalm 66:1 admonishes us, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth!”  In Galatians 5:22 we find that joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  In His teaching on the Vine and the Branches in John 15, Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  Find your joy in Christ and then share it with others.  You need joy, our communities need joy, your workplace needs joy, your school needs joy, your friends need joy, and our world needs joy.  Share the JOY!

We have quite a few people in the church who are newer to the church and quite a few who have been a part of the church for a while who would like to know more about the International Church of the Nazarene, including our local congregation.  Pastor Connie and I are going to be co-leading 6 week group beginning Sunday, March 3rd at 9:45AM called “Nazarene Essentials.”  It will run during the Sunday School hour through April 7th.  This class will prepare you to consider whether or not you would like to join this church.  You will gain information that will enable you to make an informed decision on membership.  We have many people who are very much a part of our church family, but have chosen not to become a member and that is fine. However, joining the church gives you more a sense of belonging and a sense of mutual commitment.  Members are able to vote in church elections and hold office.  We will look at what the commitment to being a member involves. 

Anyone is welcome to come to the class.  Where we meet will depend on how many people sign up.  We will begin promptly at 9:45AM as we have a lot of material to go over in each hour session.  Material will be provided to you at no charge.  You can have the study book electronically or we will print it for you.  If you are looking to join the church you will need to make every effort to be there each week.

Here is what we will be looking at:         
  
March 3:  The Basics—A Brief History and Our Core Values
March 10: Worship and Theology
March 17: Evangelism and Discipleship
March 24: Leading and Serving
March 31: A Closer Look at Wesleyan Theology
April 7:  A Closer Look at Polity and any other topics that we need to cover in more depth
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On Sunday, April 21st we will be taking in new members during the morning service so that they will be eligible to vote in our Annual Meeting the following Sunday.

• Please contact Pastor Wayne or Pastor Connie to sign up for the course.
• Teens are welcome to come to the class and join the church.
• Current members are welcome to take this class in order to have a refresher course on your church.
• Children are allowed to join the church and we will prepare them separately from the teens and adults.
• Members must be 15 years old before they can hold office or vote.

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the Church of the Nazarene’s purpose, mission, organization, and key beliefs.  I am hoping that many of you will join with us for this group!  (It will certainly bring me JOY)!

Our apologies that the January newsletter did not get out to you until half way through the month.  It was the month where if anything could go wrong with the newsletter, it seemed to.  It is our goal to have it out to you in a timely fashion so that you are well informed concerning all things happening in your church.  Have a great month.
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In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Wayne