A Word that will Speak!!!!!!!

GOD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011] “For I am the Lord thy God . . . and I have loved thee. . . . Fear not: for I am with thee" (Isaiah 43:3-5). The Old Testament stories of Abraham, Joshua and all of Israel are meant to encourage and exhort us to seek God’s presence in our lives. We can thank God for what His presence did for them and yet each of us has a powerful testimony of what God's presence has done for us: guiding our lives, opening doors, moving obstacles, melting hearts, making us fearless. I have seen this proven true in my life. You may say, "You're just boasting!" No, the fact is, God's presence has been with me in spite of myself! When we started Times Square Church in New York City, the presence of Christ emanated from us in all we did. I remember walking into a famous Broadway producer's office in search of a theater to use as a church. This man's secretary and staff scoffed at me; their words and attitudes assured me, a lowly minister, I would not be able to get an appointment. In fact, I thought I might even get kicked out. But then the producer came out of his office and when he saw me, he invited me in! Over the next several weeks, the producer and I got to know each other. At times he would look across his desk at me and say, "I don't know why I'm spending so much time with you. My schedule is absolutely full." But whenever I walked into his office suite, his secretary pushed me past all other visitors, saying, "Go right in, Reverend, he's waiting for you!" Eventually, this man sold his flagship theater to us to use for Times Square Church. Even as he was signing the documents of sale, he said, "I don't know why I'm doing this!" It was only God's presence that moved him to sell that building to us. Just a few years after the deal was done, he and his attorneys were begging to buy it back! I saw God change the hearts of others as well. The man who owned the building next to ours refused to sell it to us as an annex. But over time he became a friend of mine, and eventually he sold us the building. All along, he kept telling me, "Somebody up there is working for you!" That is the power of the presence of God. And every Christian can testify in the same way: "God's presence with me has done great things!"

News and Notes for Wednesday, Sept. 25

Hello Holland First Family, Here is what’s happening this week at church… •Wednesday (25th) – Family Night at 7pm: Men’s Class: The Quest for Authentic Manhood. Ladies’ Class: Kingdom Woman plus ministry for Youth and kids! •Thursday (26th) – Ladies’ Prayer from 6-8am, Men’s Life Group at 7pm at Rich Hardenburgh’s home •Friday (27th) – The Gathering! This Life Group for Young Adults will meet at Johnny Carino’s at 7pm •Saturday – Men’s Breakfast at 9am, Corporate Prayer from 6-8pm, both events are at the church •Sunday – There will be an evening service this Sunday at 6pm because it’s a fifth Sunday. We’ll have ACCESS night, Water Baptisms, and our S.N.A.C. potluck!!! Everyone bring a dish to pass and 2 liter beverage. Also… Do you attend the 11am service and have a fast internet connection? Would you be interested in uploading the sermon audio and video each week? No experience necessary - training provided. Please contact Lisa Horton at lisaanne999@gmail.com or 616-990-4263. Thanks!

Pastor Mike News & Notes for Thursday, Sept. 12

Hello Holland First Family, We had a great first week of double services. We had 415 in attendance! Praise God! I am believing that moving to two services will enable us to do more towards the Great Commission and that is "Winning the Lost!" Believe with me. I want to let the church know that we do have a 5th Sunday night service on Sept. 29th at 6p.m. We only have them once per quarter, but this one falls on the same month we moved to double services in the morning and stopped our 1st and 3rd 6p.m. services. So, mark your calendars and do plan on being here Sunday night, Sept. 29th at 6p.m. for ACCESS Night. A night of praise & worship, water baptisms and then S.N.A.C. night. Everyone is to bring a dish to pass and a 2-liter of pop. Take care and have a great rest of your week, Pastor Mike Houser Senior Pastor www.hollandfirst.com