Pastor Mary Ivanov

Cedar Springs United Methodist Church

140 S. Main St., Cedar Springs, MI  49319

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” I John 4: 7-12 (NIV).

It’s Valentine’s Day, and in our house, that means signing names on cards for classmates, giving treats to friends, and decorating boxes to receive cards at school. This year, it also means sending some cards to family members far away—even my grandmother who is now 91 years old! It was fun to go through these traditions again. We are a part of the billions of dollars spent on candy, flowers, and other Valentine’s Day gifts each year. (The National Retail Federation estimated that Americans spent over $17 billion in 2012!)

But what about going beyond the traditions of gifts and last-minute card-buying? The words from First John challenge us to realize that God’s love is agape love that makes sacrifices for the sake of others because of the sacrifice God makes for you and me in Jesus Christ. It is God’s love in our lives that motivates us to love each other.

So, in the hype of Valentine’s Day itself, how will we show God’s love (agape love) to others? To our spouses? Our children? Our loved ones? Our neighbors? Our friends? The stranger whom we encounter at the store? The person with whom we have trouble getting along? The neighbor who is lonely?

The promise of God’s Word is that when we love as God loves us, then we grow in faith and trust in God and others know the power of God’s love in their lives. Our relationship with Christ is stronger, and we know the blessing of God’s love even more powerfully. We share the witness of God’s grace when we love.

If you don’t have a church home or have been away for a while, consider getting back to church or trying it out for the first time. I invite you to worship with us this Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. We share the love and hope of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Mary Ivanov

Cedar Springs United Methodist Church

140 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Danny Diliwenava, former sports announcer from California, sometimes related the following story.

One night, Danny invited a young baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers over to his house for dinner. Danny and the ballplayer were sitting in the living room talking while their wives finished putting together dinner in the kitchen. All of a sudden, the young ballplayer’s infant son began crying.

Over her shoulder, the ballplayer’s wife said, “Change the baby.”

The ballplayer was a bit embarrassed and replied, “What do you mean change the baby? I’m a ballplayer, that’s not my line of work.”

The young wife whipped around, placed both hands on her hips, and she communicated!

She said, “Look buster, you lay the diaper out like a diamond, you put second base on home plate, put the baby’s bottom on the pitcher’s mound, hook up first and third, you slide home underneath, and if it starts to rain, the game ain’t called, you start all over again.”

In many ways respects the days in which we live are dark and difficult times — times fomenting with changes and challenges. These are days when we need clear communication from someone who knows not only the questions but likewise the answers. While we face distressing circumstances, we do not need to be discouraged. We are not left alone without a voice. The God of Heaven is still speaking and He speaks to our day and to our times.

God is speaking to the problem of insecurity. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV) The Psalmist is saying that our refuge is not in man-made institutions like government or even in military might but in God. Violent changes may come, our tall buildings may tumble into dust and our dreams may be shattered, but our refuge is in God! The voice we just read teaches us that God is existent, He is infinite, and He is present.

Then we notice that God speaks to the problem of insufficiency. “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the City of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her.” (Psalm 46:4-5a NKJV)

We can’t make it on our own strength–but there is a river of God’s presence flowing for us and in His presence we find a provision for fullness. Ephesians 5:18 tells us to “Be filled with the Spirit.” (NKJV) If there is any emptiness on our part, it is not because of any insufficiency on God’s part. God is ready to pour His presence upon us, but often the channels become clogged. Too many of us are running on empty. We are not demonstrating the sufficiency of His grace.

There is also a provision for freshness in God’s presence. Rivers can be a source of joy and great blessing. Are you a vibrant and happy person? You can be. God is speaking to our times, let Him speak to you. And once He speaks be sure to follow His instructions: “For there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Pastor Mike Shiery

Pilgrim Bible Church

West Pine St. • Cedar Springs • 696-1021

 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

It is said that in its hey day, the Temple of Jerusalem was like a beacon on a hill. Against the backdrop of the drab hill surrounding it, the whitewashed walls of the Temple could be seen for miles. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:14-16).

Looking back at this past year, we have seen a lot of dark. There is world unrest, natural disasters, families struggling and way too many predictions of the end of the world. When I was in Sunday school as a young boy, we used to sing “this little light of mine” and we learned not to cover our “fin-ger-light” with the cup of our hand. How can we keep the light of Christ alive in us? What needs to happen to bring the light of Christ to our fami-lies, our church and to our community? What needs to change so that the light can continue to shine?

This year we have seen a change in the marketplace because of the ban of some incandescent bulbs but new kinds of bulbs are now available. The new bulbs are supposed to be more efficient and use less energy but some prefer the ones like Edison developed over 130 years ago. It is good that we have new and better bulbs because the kinds of darkness seem to also be growing.

Our increasing addiction to technology has yielded more isolation and people lonely for a real personal relationship. If there was ever a time for the church, it is now. Like our light bulbs, people need to be connected to the source of power in order for the light of Christ to shine through. People need to grow in love in order be a help through the darkness that we see all around us.

This year let us model our mission using the different kinds of light bulbs as examples.

Incandescent-Let us be reliable and universal in bringing the light. Even though some of our models are being discontinued, let us continue to show how easy it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ and let them know that there are still a lot of us around.

CFLs (compact Fluorescent lights)-Let people know that the church can change and there are new ways of bringing the light while being good stew-ards of our time and energy. We can pack a lot into our lives and still have energy left over to help others.

LEDs (light emitting diode)-Show those around us that God’s word is still relevant, even though we live in a much different world than we did 130 years ago. Let us continue to improve ourselves and adapt to new chal-lenges with a light that cannot be easily broken.

Sometimes we need to include all the different kinds of light, including all those who are helping us light this world with the light of Christ—the one light that we all point to. May 2013 find you letting your light shine no matter what kind of bulbs you use.

Pastor Herb VanderBilt

East Nelson United Methodist Church

9024 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV).

Throughout the Bible we are constantly being told to examine ourselves, and make sure that we truly are children of God. In a day and age where Church has become more important than a daily relationship with God, and being a Christian has become the catch phrase of the day, it is ever so important to examine ourselves in order to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we belong to Christ.

The Bible says that personal faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, on your behalf, will place you into the family of God. This is the gospel truth. Jesus suffered, died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sins and to enable us to share in His life. If we believe in this with all our heart and call out to God for salvation, then we will be saved. But how do we examine faith?

How do you examine something you cannot see, and cannot describe? Well, it’s really quite simple. If you have faith, it should be evident to others around you. The evidence of faith is lived out through our actions. We are told to examine ourselves and make sure what we’re doing is in line with what we profess to believe. Not only am I saved but am I living my life as if I am saved? The things that we do should be things that prove our faith, not bring it into question. I’m not talking about a legalistic adherence to a set of rules just because we’re supposed to, but I am talking about ordering our lives in such a way that others will know we’re different simply by observing us.

So, you answer the question, does your life prove your faith? If not why not?

Pastor Kevin Reed

Grace Evangelical Free Church

4714 13 Mile Rd, Rockford

By Pastor Craig Owens, Calvary Assembly of God

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” —Benjamin Franklin

It’s a new year.

Time to seize new opportunities.

Time to try something new.

Explore new options.

Retry old options.

Find new ways to make peace.

Find new ways to be at peace.

Get to know the Prince of Peace.

Go to war against your vices.

Employ new strategies.

Pray more.

Pray bigger prayers.

Pray knowing God loves you passionately.

Be better than last year.

Be better than yesterday.

Be the “you” God created you to be.

Forgive others more.

Forgive yourself more.

Receive the forgiveness Jesus paid for.

Love God with all you’ve got.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Love like you’ve never loved before.

Make 2013 a year to remember!

Calvary Assembly of God

810 17 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs

www.cscalvary.org

http://craigtowens.com

Have you ever noticed how the Christmas story is all about visits? In fact, there would be no Christmas without a series of important drop-ins. Consider the events of the Birth of Christ and what each visit represented.

To get things going, the Angel Gabriel pays a call to Mary, the Virgin, to make an announcement—she would bear the Savior. Mary, carrying the child, visits her cousin Elizabeth, also with child, to share her good news. The angel later visits Joseph, the perplexed fiancé, for the purpose of reassurance. Then the Heavenly Host appears to the shepherds in the fields for the purpose of proclamation. The good news was that God had visited the earth in the form of a child, the Messiah, to bring grace, and love and good cheer. The shepherds quickly made a visit to Bethlehem just to see if everything was all right. Later the wise men made a very long trek to the Holy Family, paying their respects and dropping off gifts. Finally, much later in the story, several women come to the tomb of Jesus to discover it is empty. Their visits give them a perspective of new life as people of the resurrection.

Think about those marvelous visits that are part of the Christmas Season. Also consider how each of us can become a part of that good news through our own efforts to care and make a visit to another person.

Let us take a lesson from the Gospels and understand that visiting others is the greatest gift that can be given for so many reasons. Just as in our story, the purposes of visits are many. The intent may be to make an announcement, to share good news, to reassure, to proclaim, to bring love and cheer, to see if everything is all right, or even to bring a gift.

Availing ourselves to others in gifts of time and concern is a sacrament. The care represented in a visit reflects the concern of God for all humanity. Finally, remember that the one visited is not the only one who is blessed. Just as the women at the empty tomb experienced resurrection, making time for others is an opportunity for rebirth of the spirit.

Take some time, now that the heaviest press of the holiday is past, and remember how the Christ Child visited earth and understand that a few minutes spent with others allows us to participate in the Christmas miracle.

The Rev. David Meyers

Holy Spirit

Episcopal Church

1200 Post Dr., Belmont, MI 49306

“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me” Song of Solomon 7:10 (nasb).

My life was filled with busyness leading into the Christmas season. So busy that the meaning and purpose of life, let alone Christmas, was being lost! Life requires us to give so much throughout the year, and the thought of spending more time, energy and money for another brief season in time was overwhelming. I was so overwhelmed, that I just wanted to rebel from the whole Christmas and giving thing this year. I thought, maybe I can just take a year off! I know these are not the greatest thoughts for a father, husband, employee and pastor to have, but they were mine none-the-less.

Then I read Brennan Manning’s book, “The furious longing of God.” I was reminded of some simple truths that were a gift to me and set my heart free to enjoy life and Christmas again this year. I hope they are a gift to you as well.

First, God is crazy in love with you! He not only loves you, he likes you, too! We focus so much on ourselves and our own shortcomings, that we forget this. Many people acknowledge God loves them, but live their lives as if He does not like them! The Song of Solomon 7:10 reads, “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” The book of the Song of Solomon is an amazing book about God’s love for you and me. This verse says His “desire” is for you! Meaning he likes you a lot and wants to spend every moment of His day with you. He is concerned about everything that concerns you! God spends all his time and energy on seeing that you and I understand, believe and receive this love. I encourage you to spend the next few weeks quoting this verse to yourself. Make this verse your life’s motto! “I am my beloved’s and his desire is for ME!” If we truly believe and receive it, it will change our lives.

Second, life is just as much about receiving, as it is about giving. I have been taught, as a Christian, this life is not about me. That is true. So, I have spent all my Christian life giving to the needs of others. I have taught my children and my church this valuable truth. Yet God has made His focus all about us! My greatest challenge has been to receive it. I love giving to others and encouraging them to receive what God has for them. But, I am not very good at receiving it myself. God has reminded me that if I fail to receive, then I have very little to give. Christmas, God sending His son into the world as our Saviour, is more about receiving than giving. John 1:12 states, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…”(KJV). For if we fail to receive Him, we miss the purpose of the gift. Learn to receive from God. God is in a giving mood all the time. Try to be a better receiver. Commit to God and others that you will learn to receive from Him all he has for you!

Pastor Craig Carter

North Kent Community Church

1480 Indian Lakes Rd. N.E.

Sparta, MI 49345

Tis the season for a party! How many parties compete for your attendance this year? For many, we have all the Christmas parties: family; the in-laws; the work; spouses work, Church programs; the children’s school programs; then there are the friends’ gatherings. You may even have a birthday party or two, maybe even a wedding to attend. Oh and one of my favorites, the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

But wait there’s more! Many will have New Year’s parties to attend. Some will have a masquerade ball (you dress all up and wear a little mask over your eyes); or a formal party (dress your very best). I have even heard of dress code of the ugliest Christmas sweater with a contest. (I think that would be difficult for me since I personally like most Christmas sweaters). And that’s only this month!

Throughout the year we have many more opportunities for parties. I think we humans will think of just about any reason to get together or throw a party! This shouldn’t come as a surprise though. God said “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18 NIV). In the book of Leviticus, chapters 23-25, The Lord proclaimed sacred assemblies appointed feasts (parties) of the Lord. These were times set apart for worship. There was to be no work during these feasts. The first listed is the Sabbath! How cool is that? We get to work for 6 days then party with God every 7th day!

Then there were these feasts: the Passover and Unleavened Bread which lasted a week; the Firstfruits; the Feast of the Weeks; the Feast of Trumpets; the Day of Atonement (lasted 24 hours); the Feast of Tabernacles which lasted 7 days. There was even a Sabbath Year. That’s right—every 7th year the land had to rest. Then the year of Jubilee came every 50th year! God felt so strongly about the importance of His people gathering together to worship at these feasts, that if you did not participate, there were serious consequences!

Regardless of the purpose of the party, we find ourselves dressing special (up or down) for these parties. Many fix their hair just right, wear favorite clothes or even buy something special for the occasion. We try to hide bulges or imperfections. Many wear make-up trying to “look better.”

There is one party with no need for any make-up or special clothes. One day, we will stand before the creator of parties, our God, who sees past the make-up—past the wardrobe—past the masks—past the hurts, rejection, fears, struggles—pain, loneliness—past the smiles to our very bare souls, where we can hide nothing! Everything we’ve ever said, thought or done lay bare before His eyes.

But the Good News we celebrate this season is Jesus’ birth into humanity for the very purpose of atoning for our sin and one day making right all the wrongs of this world so that we can celebrate (party) with Jesus for eternity. All those who confess with their mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, will be saved and invited to the party of all parties! May you find Christ this Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!

Pastor Kristi J. Rhodes

Hillcrest Community Church

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Christmas is quickly approaching and for many it is an occasion where family and friends spend time together as they recognize the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This time of year we are also reminded of those in need who are less fortunate than ourselves. Although we think of those people in need, we often times are satisfied with having had sincere thoughts and sharing kind words. We often fail to fulfill any actual giving or physical assistance to those same individuals. The Bible describes this very concept in James 2:15-16.

When we think of being selfish or greedy, we tend to think of mean spirited people who are engrossed in themselves and their needs and not of the needs of others. While there are people in this world who exhibit this Scrooge-type personality, the truth is, all of us demonstrate some greed and have self-centered tendencies. This tendency can get in the way of our willingness to give or to help those in need. The Bible tells us the importance of helping others throughout the scriptures including Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 28:27 and in the parable of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37).

Why is God so concerned about us giving to and helping others? God tells us in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image. This indicates that we are to be like God and to take on His traits. To be like God is to give. Our God is a giver and that’s imminent in the scriptures. However, the most important thing God gave came around 2,000 years ago. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Bible also tells us to be Christ-like (Philippians 2:1-3). When you read the Gospels, you will see Christ consistently helping those in need. Therefore, God wants us to give in order that we may be like Him. When we become more like Him, we are growing in God spiritually and are able to fight off the enemy (Satan). The Bible tells us that a “giving spirit” cannot be forced; it is something that must come from the heart and should be an enjoyable act from within (2 Corinthians 9:7).

This time of year we are reminded to give to those in need. However, the concept of giving should not just be contemplated around Christmas. It should continue throughout your entire life in order that a Giving Spirit may take over. When you become focused on being a Giver instead of a Receiver, it will change your life forever. Giving is something God intended for us to do to others just as He does for us when we face adversity. The Bible tells us that if we give like Him, we will be blessed for it (Proverbs 22:9).

Pastor Ryan Black

Cedar Springs Christian Church

340 West Pine Street, Cedar Springs

Real love will change people. Remember that song? What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. What the world needs now, is God’s sweet love, the love of our heavenly Father for his children. That is genuine love.

We read in Revelation 21:7: “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (NIV).

We can think of a second child born into a family and how sometimes it seems to the older sibling that the mother will love the new baby and have less love for him but that is not true. There may be lots of children in a family who worry that their mother’s love will be divided up like pieces of a pie—the more children, the smaller the portions.

But we know that the love of most mothers is not like that. Love is not something that is given out until there is no more. The more love that is needed, the more love there is. That is how it is with God’s love. If an earthly mother’s love can increase without end, imagine how inexhaustible and eternal God’s love is; freely given to everyone who stands in need of mercy and seeks repentance. By the way, that includes each and every one of us.

Scriptures tells us in 1 John 3:1: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (NIV).

Has the love of God been lavished on you? If you don’t think so, perhaps you need to sit down and take inventory of every good and perfect gift God has given you. The greatest gift or blessing is that of Jesus. Without him there would be nothing, no promise of eternal life.

We are fast approaching the end of the year 2012. I sincerely doubt that I am the only one who has made wrong decisions over the course of this year, generally because I have failed to read God’s word and go by it, or else stubbornly choosing to live my own way in life. The truth is, we are all guilty; we don’t always live by the book.

I want to live for God and please him, as I pray you do too. It is his great love that enables me to follow him and have confidence in his promise to be my heavenly Father. Despite my failings, I know that one day when he appears, we shall be like him, with no aches, no pains, no diseases or aging to complain about.

Meanwhile, we should truly follow in His steps in regard to holiness and purity. How can we do this? Have the right model and keep working at it. Practice makes perfect. Practice will definitely make us more holy with God’s help. Look to Christ. Ask for His help and the help of His Spirit and keep walking the walk as best you can! God will do a good work in you!

Pastor Dick Nichols

Cedar Creek Community Church

2969 14 Mile Road, Sparta