March 2018

Dear Friends,
We had a wonderful service this past Sunday at Albion Nazarene with Pastor Phil and Deb being back with us after his double kidney removal surgery and her fall that resulted in an injured knee. Baby Jackson Ransom was able to be with us for the very first time. We have prayed for all three of these and will continue to do so. Baby Jackson has an appointment at Shriner’s Hospital in Erie later in March to decide how best to handle his one leg that has a bone missing and a short bone. Pray for wisdom for the right treatment. Deanna Ransom sang a beautiful song for us and then I preached on the question, are you a Fan or Follower of Jesus. One gentleman was praying at the altar during the response time and God is doing fantastic things in his and his wife’s lives! It is so exciting to see people catching the message of the transforming power of God in their lives. Many were praying at the altar during our family prayer time for various needs. It is always exciting to see children and teens come to prayer of their own accord. Praise God for all He has done, is doing, and is going to do at Albion Nazarene and through Albion Nazarene! If you missed that service or any service, just go online to the church Facebook page or search on Youtube and you can be a part of the service online.

Pastor Connie is ministering to the Meadville Nazarene church as their pastor, Rod Johnson, moved to a new church. She is preaching every Sunday morning and making needed pastoral visits. Pray for her and Dana as she helps lead this congregation through this time of transition.

Pastor Connie continues to be our Associate Pastor of Discipleship and is with our church the rest of the week. In my January/February letter I was telling you about some of our discipleship initiatives. Things are moving right along. The church board discipleship group has completed the basic study and most of the board are now ready to lead groups of their own. Dana Young has already started and others are putting their groups together. Please let Pastor Connie or I know if you want included in a group so that we can get you into a group that fits your schedule. The groups will be meeting at various times and locations. I will be leading a men’s group on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7PM at the church, during the same time as the Daniel Plan group. I still have several open slots (the groups take a limited number of people to keep the group small enough to allow for all to participate and they are closed to new members once they begin to allow for continuity and mutual support). Men, please contact me right away so I can get you in. Others that don’t get into a group this time can get in on one next time they are started. Small group at 6PM will no longer be meeting, in lieu of the multiple groups that we are starting. I look forward to fantastic spiritual growth among our people as we study and apply the Bible to our daily lives. Don’t just be a fan of Jesus. Be a follower (disciple).

Not everyone who is a fan of Jesus and calls themselves “Christian” are Christians. From last Sunday’s message, “It’s not about “doing” but is about “being”! You can act like a Christian on the outside, but not be one on the inside. You can use the right language on Facebook and elsewhere, but not be a “friend” of Christ in your heart!” (See Mark 10: 13-31, especially about the ruler who was asking Jesus what he must DO to be His follower.)

We will be having a transition in the church office at the end of April as Denise Hites, who has been Administrative Assistant for 30 years, retires. In next month’s letter I should be able to introduce our new Administrative Assistant to you. We can’t express enough appreciation to Denise for her many years of faithful service to God and our church. Thank you Denise! Have a great month!

​In Christ’s Love, Pastor Wayne