Pastor Wayne, Pastor Connie, Pastor Phil, Pastor Rob, Members and Friends of the Albion Church of the Nazarene:
Earlier this month we had our women’s retreat with the theme of Wonder Woman. We examined Psalm 139 and how God is all-knowing, always with us, His personal concern in every detail of our lives, and how He is in control. In every part of our life He is there and He wants nothing more than to have an intimate relationship with each one of us. This is more than our human minds can comprehend! How great is our God! Psalm 139:14 says, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” No matter who you are, man or woman or child, you are a wonderful creation and God loves you! He knows you by name! He is worthy of our praise, no matter what our circumstances may be in life. It has been a great year and I look forward to the new church year. We have had many opportunities to serve others and to share the Good News. We once again had Kidz Klub at Northwestern Elementary, both in the fall and the spring! VBS in the park last summer was wonderful! We had several children participate in children’s quizzing this year. They studied the book of Matthew. I love that our children are learning and studying the Bible in depth and know that it is something they cannot keep to themselves. They are to share it with others! I am thankful and praise God for all the many volunteers and teachers we have to work with our children! In January, some of us embarked on a journey to reclaim a healthier life with the Daniel Plan. We have been learning how to take care of our bodies that God has given us. We have experienced a healthier way of eating, weight loss, and having more energy. While food and fitness are two areas that are focused on in the Daniel Plan, it also looks at faith, friends, and focus. It isn’t just about losing weight, but becoming healthier in all areas of your life. Anyone is welcome to join at anytime. I am thankful and praise God for friends who are doing this with me. I have also had the privilege to host a Bible study in my home for the last year. We spent the year doing Tell THE Story Bible studies. After going through the discipleship class Passages, with the board, we are now doing Passages. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that the Bible is from God and teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains us in righteousness so that we will be equipped for every good work. If you aren’t a part of a discipleship group, I encourage you to find a way to be in one. One thing that has been with me all year is a song of praise in my heart. The song sometimes changes, but there is always a song there to praise and worship God. I have had a year with a lot of changes and firsts—moving, taking classes for ministry, preaching, leading a Bible study with women, etc. With each there have been challenges and doubts and frustrations (mostly with myself), but the joy and peace of knowing that God is with me, He is in control, and He has a plan, far outweigh any trial I have endured. I praise Him for who He was, is, and always will be! I praise Him for His care and love for each one of us! I praise Him because He is holy and Lord God Almighty! I praise Him because He alone is worthy of my praise! Thank you for the opportunity to serve over the year as children’s ministry director, a board member, through Women’s ministries, and as a locally licensed minister. As we embark on a new church year, I leave you with the song that is in my heart today—How Can I Keep from Singing. Do you have a song of praise in your heart? Have you praised Him and thanked Him today? There is an endless song Echoes in my soul I hear the music ring And though the storms may come I am holding on To the rock I cling How can I keep from singing Your praise How can I ever say enough How amazing is Your love How can I keep from shouting Your name I know I am loved by the King And it makes my heart want to sing I will lift my eyes In the darkest night For I know my Savior lives And I will walk with You Knowing You'll see me through And sing the songs You give May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Tonya
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been a great year of spiritual growth here at the Albion Church of the Nazarene both for myself and for many of you! I want to thank all of you that have participated in making the body of Christ work in unity to care and minister to the adults and children of this congregation and the community. Praise God for answered prayers! Here is a portion of last years 2017 report, “As I continue to answer God’s call and work toward the goal of becoming an ordained minister (prayerfully by 2018) I will continue to serve His church here unless I am called elsewhere. In Matthew 28: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We receive instruction from Jesus which leads me to the subject of discipleship. I have been sensing a need for growth in discipleship training and developing discipleship groups within the church. It is my hope that with Gods leading we will begin to develop discipleship groups where we can grow in spiritual maturity and provide accountability with one another as well as continuing to fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus instructed us. Please join me in prayer and action as we seek to make disciples and grow as disciples.” This prayer has been answered and I ask you to continue to pray that discipleship will continue to grow and spill out into our communities! The Discipleship group started with your Church Board and those that completed the first study received a blessing from God and an awesome illuminated pen! We currently have six discipleship groups happening, Praise the Lord! When completed these people will also be prepared to disciple others. Please let Rev. Wayne Hennen or Pastor Connie Young know if you would like to be contacted when the next opening is available. As Paul said to Timothy, “6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). I have had many opportunities to serve in the church from preaching and teaching, to leading the first Discipleship group. I have also been co-leading The Daniel Plan group in Faith, Focus, Food, Fitness and Friendship. In addition to growing stronger in the Lord, we have lost over 140 pounds combined so far! I have missed worshiping here in Albion the last several weeks since I have been preaching at the Meadville Church of the Nazarene while they begin the search for a new minister. God continues to use new opportunities for training and growth. I cannot thank all of you enough for the opportunity to serve and grow as I follow God’s call to enter into full minister status. On April 13th (a Friday) the Pittsburgh District Ministry Board approved me to be recommended for ordination as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. I invite you to attend the Ordination Ceremony on June 29, 2018 at Mount Chestnut Nazarene campground in Butler, PA. I also covet your prayers as I finish this journey and begin a new one. Peace & Grace to you, Pastor Connie Young Dear Pastors and Congregation of Albion Church of the Nazarene:
One of my goals when I was first elected as Sunday School Superintendent was to give the Children’s and Teen’s Teachers a break during the summer. This past year we were able to achieve this for the Children’s classrooms and many of the regular Sunday School Teachers were excited to receive the break and get fed by attending an Adult Sunday School Class. When I first became Sunday School Superintendent I did it because there was a need, not necessarily because I wanted something else to do, but what I found out was that I loved it and loved working with the great SDMI Boards over the years to plan and organized just not Sunday School but many fun and Christ filled activities. Many activities were a think “outside of the box” mentality and not always about how we can have fun but how we can reach people of all ages and share the love of Jesus. This year the Church Board went through “Passages” a Discipleship study and we were encouraged as Board Members to find some individuals to do the study with. This has taken me past my personal comfort zone as adults scare me. Put me a classroom with 20 Teens and I am comfortable, but three Adult men was more than I thought was possible. God has been there through out our time of studying God’s word and praying together. He has taken me outside my comfort zone and gave me a love for fellowshipping with other men. Us meeting together has taken us from studying together to wanting more Men’s Fellowship. I have for years been wanting to see a Men’s Ministry started at Albion. Our group of four men have been talking and we are seeking and praying about a Men’s Retreat this fall. If you want to dig deeper into God’s word and fellowship with other Men let me know and we would love for you to join us. With Connie having accepted the call to be a long-term Pulpit Supply Pastor for the Meadville Church of the Nazarene I decided not to have my name on the ballot for Sunday School Superintendent. I decided this after seeking God’s will through prayer. While this will be my last report as Sunday School Superintendent it will not be without many fond memories of what seemed to be short meeting agendas that took much longer as the ideas and creativity was flowing with new ways to seek lost souls. I thank you for the confidence that you have bestowed upon me for these last several years as Sunday School Superintendent and I pray that whoever is the next Sunday School Superintendent that you will show them the same support that you have given me. God Bless and if you haven’t attended a Sunday School lately, what are you waiting for? God’s Blessings, Dana Young Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This past church year has been exciting and fruitful, especially in the Worship and Technology Department. We have started live streaming our morning services online, and we continue to work on improving the quality of those broadcasts. The service is now available to watch in the nursery on the smart TV. We also have a new website service. This service has much more potential. My goal is for the church to use the technology to its full potential. We have been blessed with many resources that can enhance accessibility of worship and witness. The new sound booth has been built, thanks to those who have spent many hours designing and constructing the booth. It is great to see all who have been involved. Many people are stepping into use their talents and skills for His glory. God is good, and He blesses our endeavors. In Christ's Love, Robert Swedenhjelm Praise our GOD for his never-ending Grace to help us on our earthly journey! Thanks you for allowing me to serve the Albion Church of the Nazarene as the NYI President (Nazarene Youth International) this last year. It is a privilege and honor to minister to the youth of our church. We have wonderful and caring teens. I am excited to see the spiritual growth in each of them. Our teens have participated in the district Nazarene teen retreats and mission work ministries. I am so proud of our teen’s leadership and involvement with many local ministries like vacation bible school, Kidz Klub, children’s Christmas program, country campout, highway cleanup, Sunday school breakfasts and other dinners and events at the church. They are always willing to chip in and help. Praise the Lord for our young people. We have been working on getting closer to GOD and others on Sunday evening teen time by studying being a better friend and our Lord is blessing our time together. The Teen ministry at our church is a team effort and I would like to thank Gayle Gollmer and Dana Young for their backup support and leadership. As we transition in a new church year I am excited about what is ahead for our teen group. We have some graduating high school and others going on a mission trip to Costa Rica. Please continue to pray for our teens and GOD’s guidance in their lives.
Randy Hites 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (ESV) Greetings Pastor Wayne and members,
I would like to begin by saying the Lord is my Savior. I give HIM all the glory for giving me the opportunity to do all that we have done in and through the church. It has been a privileged to be on the church board this past year. Thanks be to God and the support and cooperation of fellow board members. Much has been accomplished on the facilities and grounds. Much more needs to be done in various areas. Through the Grace and strength of God, it will be. Thank you for the chance to serve in this way. I know I have a personal relationship through JESUS CHRIST. He called me to serve in this way. He saved and sanctified me as a teen and that is relevant and still going on. It is a joy unspeakable and full of glory, as the song says. In serving HIM, I have been and even now blessed beyond measure in attending this church all these years. I thank HIM for the opportunity. Respectfully Submitted in HIS name, Niles L. Copeland Pastor Hennen, Church Family.
Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Albion Church of the Nazarene is a missional church. Here are some of the things we do as a church. -Help Melody in Kenya with food, medical help, education and most importantly sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with her through Nazarene Compassion Ministry. -We support the Jesus Film ministry. Many around the world are saved through this ministry. We had John Cunningham speak at our church about The Jesus Film. -We give through Alabaster offerings that help build buildings around the world -We participate with Operation Christmas Child. We pack over 200 boxes this year. Each box is filled with love and each child receives the gospel of Jesus Christ. - We participate in work and witness trips. 2 went to Guatemala this past year. We have 7 from our church going to Costa Rica in July. Praise the Lord 2 teens are going. Thank you for supporting us through our fundraisers. Our trip is paid for but we are short on project funds. - We also support local and district mission projects. You may never travel to another country, but you can be involved in missions in many ways. Thank you for allowing me to be your NMI president. In Christ, Judy |
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