March Pathfinder Dinner under the Stars: A Night in the Hanging Gardens. Inside This Issue: by April Hughes and Gina Meekma T

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1 Pathfinder Dinner under the Stars: A Night in the Hanging Gardens by April Hughes and Gina Meekma T he Pathfinders annual fundraiser dinner on March 2 featured wonderful Mediterranean food, beautiful decor, great service, a video about the International Pathfinder Camporee, and personal testimonies. Although the dinner was free, the Pathfinders accepted donations to support their trip to the Forever Faithful International Pathfinder Camporee this August. Even if you did not attend the dinner, you can still donate using a tithe envelope. Mark the envelope Pathfinders. Or contact Janessa Howell at , or April Hughes at , or via niles4flagspathfinderclub@gmail.com. The International Pathfinder Camporee is a life-changing experience. This gathering only happens every five years, and Pathfinders attend from around the world. This year the theme, Forever Faithful, will focus on the life of Daniel. Photos by Chip Meekma Inside This Issue: From Pastor Darrel Meet Our New Members Hunt Family Adventurer Club News NAS Family Reading Night Church Family News Pillows & Pillowcases NAS News March Calendar of Events March Birthdays Senior Pastor: Darrel le Roux F pastor@nileswestside.org Associate Pastor: William Dudgeon, Sr. F pasd987@msn.com Head Elder: Sue Fattic F suefattic@mac.com Editor/Church Secretary: Gina Meekma F (cell) F (church) secretary@nileswestside.org Church Office Hours: Thursdays p.m. Church Web Site: Like us on Facebook!

2 Nothing New under the Sun There is an innate desire within us for things that are new. We make space for new things. We are attracted to new things. We enjoy being surrounded by new things. Why should we want something old when we could have something new? Yet some of the most valuable items are antiques. Suddenly we don t want to throw everything away. Old vs. new appears to be an ongoing debate. Some would prefer an eclectic collection of the latest and the greatest gadgets, while others are content with continuous characteristics of the antique. (Note of caution: be careful Photo by Don Harris around those who are allured to new things all the time they may get bored with you too.) There is nothing new under the sun, the wise man has said (Ecclesiastes 1:9). How do we live meaningfully if there is really nothing new under the sun? Salvation itself is as old as the foundation of the world and written in an ancient book inspired by the Ancient of Days Himself. Yet the sparkling experience of new mercies every morning is ours to have through faith. Prayer may be considered by many as outdated, yet it connects you to the most powerful source ever known: God. Though there may be nothing new under the present sun, the Son plans to create a new Heaven and a New Earth in which righteousness (ancient concept) dwells. What will be your new experience with this Ancient of Days? Pastor Darrel le Roux É Meet Our New Members Hunt Family by Gina Meekma D elbert & Myrna Hunt moved to Niles after they married in Before that, Delbert lived in Cassopolis and Dowagiac. Myrna grew up in Marshall, Michigan. They have a son, Todd, who is married to Swehla. Originally a math major, Delbert graduated from Western Michigan University with degrees in speech and business. He then taught middle school in the Niles school system for thirty-eight years. Myrna attended both Oakwood and Andrews University. She worked at the Secretary of State in Niles for thirty-four years. Myrna and Delbert met at a roller skating rink after their freshman year in college. He took Bible studies through correspondence, and was baptized in 1966 at the Village Adventist Church in Berrien Springs, although he Photo by Lauretta Mann became a member of the Niles Philadelphia Church. After belonging to the Niles Philadelphia church for forty-seven years, Myrna transferred to Niles Westside in March Delbert transferred from Niles Philadelphia in February At Niles Westside, Myrna blesses us by playing the piano and organ for church. Now that they are retired, the Hunts have more time to focus on their hobbies. Delbert enjoys working with wood. Myrna s passion is music. She used to sew and likes to roller skate. They are both part of a seniors bowling league. They also love to travel and have been to most of the fifty states. This summer they plan to take a road trip to the East Coast, to go the five states that they haven t visited yet. Welcome to the Niles Westside Church family, Myrna & Delbert! É Niles Westside News 2

3 Spring? by Tami le Roux, Director We know that everything has a season, but our spring this year seems like it s going to be late. I know my children have been asking me where spring is this year and have started to pray for green grass and warm weather to play outside in. The weather man is predicting a cold start for March, so start reminding your kids that under all that snow the ground is preparing for spring. Where we can t see - it s getting ready. Everything has a season, in its time. Just as God works where we cannot see in our heart, on our character, to help with our choices. Pray your kids through this winter, through their storms, and through the rough spots in their lives. God promises a season for everything - and to NEVER leave you (or your kids) alone and cold in winter. Our club enjoyed some fun activities in February, including swimming at Andrews University to earn our swimming awards. Adventurers learning about building from Dan Minter. Dan Minter came to teach us our Building Blocks award, and we Photo by Pastor Darrel le Roux LOVED his tools! Thank you to each one for joining us in making great memories for February. We want to especially thank all the guest teachers we have had so far. You all have done a wonderful job! The kids love it. Please keep your eye open for our investiture date as we d like to present you with a gift then too. As we look forward to March, we have some fun things planned as well. Busy Bees and Sunbeams have finished their curriculum and are doing extra awards now. The schedule is below. Please make sure your child is with us each night to get their curriculum finished and to earn these fun awards. Swimming at Andrews University Photo by Pastor Darrel le Roux March 3 - Curriculum (Busy Bees and Sunbeams - Cooking Fun) March 10 - Handicraft Award, Part 1 March 17 - Spring Break - No Adventurers March 24 - Curriculum (Busy Bees and Sunbeams - Lady Bug) March 31 - Handicraft Award, Part 2 É Two NAS students getting books from the book exchange at the Family Reading Night at Niles Adventist School on February 25. The evening also included make-your-own trail mix, camping decorations, and true adventure stories from Michiana Jones. Photos by Heidi Beardsley Niles Westside News 3

4 Welcome New Member! Church Family News Delbert Hunt from Niles Philadelphia Adventist Church, Niles, MI Church Heating Issues: This winter we have had some heating issues and have fixed them as quickly as possible. We will also have to replace the thermostats with updated ones, so your support of the church budget is very much appreciated! - Don Hilliard Farewell to Our Member: Brian Seltzer to Buchanan Adventist Church, Buchanan, MI Fellowship Lunch: Sabbath, March 8, after second service, in the school gym. Please bring extra food and join us! The Tuesday Morning Bible Study group is starting a new Bible study series, so we are inviting new members! The group has traditionally had a support group feel to it, because of the sharing and camaraderie. Feeling lonely? If you are free Tuesday mornings, come join us! You will make new friends... If you are shy, you can just sit and absorb. Participation in reading or prayer is completely voluntary. Our focus of study will be the themes of the book of Ephesians. The new study begins Tuesday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. right here at Niles Westside. We typically meet twice a month. Our study group leader is Sheila Patterson, M. Div., a member of our congregation. If you have questions, call her at , or (cell). Plan now to come check us out. Pray now for what God wants for you and the group. Women s Night Out: Thursday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Ho Ping (Bell Plaza, Niles). Please RSVP to Kathy Dockerty (kadockerty@yahoo.com or ). YOLO (You Only Live Once): Is This the Life You Signed Up For? A seminar asking, Who has the good life? and Is it available to me? Topics include the following: - How do I start over? - How do I make sense of this world? - Am I alone? - Why is there so much suffering? - Do ancient prophets, poets, and song writers have any light on the subject? Join Andrea Jakobsons and Jared Browne as they unpack God s Word to this Generation. Bring a friend who is searching for meaning in their lives. The seminar continues Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. through March 8, at Niles Adventist School. Pillows & Pillowcases When many children enter foster care, they are often unable to take belongings like pillows with them, especially if the home they are leaving is a crime scene. You can help make their transition to a new home easier by donating a brand new pillow and pillowcase that they can use both on their way to their new home and at their new home. This simple and inexpensive gift can make a world of difference. We will be collecting the pillows and pillowcases at Niles Adventist School starting Monday, March 31. PLEASE NOTE Due to health regulations and the current bed bug epidemic in the United States, we are only able to accept new pillows and pillowcases. Inexpensive pillows and pillowcases are available at most major retailers. No life of faith can be lived privately. There must be overflow into the lives of others. Eugene H. Peterson Niles Westside News 4

5 NAS News Niles Adventist School Q Q Michael Jakobsons, Principal Like us on Facebook! We bring our children to Jesus to be touched by His love, trained for service, and educated for Heaven. School Round-Up/Visitation Day: Wednesday, April 9, 8:30 a.m noon at NAS Prospective Parent Information Meeting: Tuesday, April 8, 6 p.m. at NAS Please RSVP for both events by phone or on our web site. Sunday, April 13, from 4-7 p.m. in the gym Come and view the science projects and bridge-busting competition at this year s Science Fair! There will also be food for sale. NAS students enjoy tubing at Five Pines on February 19. Photos by Pastor Darrel le Roux Homeschoolers are welcome to participate! Contact Staci Fagal ( ) for more information. Thursday, April 10, from 2-7 p.m. Sign up and be a hero! Niles Westside News 5

6 March Calendar of Events 1 Andrea Jakobsons, Speaker :30 & 11 a.m. YOLO Seminar (gym) p.m. 2 Sunday Sunup Runners/Walkers (Plym Park) a.m. Pathfinder Dinner under the Stars (gym) p.m. 3 Adventurers (Curriculum - gym) p.m. 5 Pathfinders (gym) :30 p.m. 6 Women s Bible Study p.m. YOLO Seminar (gym) p.m. 7 YOLO Seminar (gym) p.m. 8 Jared Browne, Speaker :30 & 11 a.m. nd Fellowship Lunch (gym) after 2 svc Sunshine Band at Riveridge Manor :30 p.m. YOLO Seminar (gym) p.m. 9 Daylight Savings Time Begins - Spring Ahead 1 Hr Sunday Sunup Runners/Walkers (Plym Park) a.m. 10 Adventurers (Award - gym) p.m. 11 Women s Bible Study :30 a.m. School Board Meeting (school) p.m. 12 Pathfinders (gym) :30 p.m. 13 Women s Bible Study p.m. Women s Night Out - Ho Ping, Niles :30 p.m. 14 Noon Dismissal for Spring Break at NAS 15 Pastor Darrel le Roux, Speaker :30 & 11 a.m. Baptism: Colleen Staniszewski nd 2 svc CareNet Donations Collection 16 Sunday Sunup Runners/Walkers (Plym Park) a.m NAS Spring Break 18 Finance Committee Meeting p.m. 22 Pastor Darrel le Roux, Speaker :30 & 11 a.m. 23 Newsletter Items Due Sunday Sunup Runners/Walkers (Plym Park) a.m. 24 Adventurers (Curriculum - gym) p.m. 25 Women s Bible Study :30 a.m. Church Board Meeting p.m. 26 Pathfinders (gym) :30 p.m. 27 Women s Bible Study p.m. 29 Youth Service :30 & 11 a.m. Music by NAS - Grades 5 & nd 2 svc 30 Sunday Sunup Runners/Walkers (Plym Park) a.m. 31 Parent/Teacher Conferences at NAS :15-6 p.m. Adventurers (Award - gym) p.m. Deborah Burlingame 1 Bruce Bauer 2 Lucy Jann Kaoma Chende 3 Helen Kline 4 Walter Quist 5 Tami McClellan 6 Lynn Bradford 8 Sungita Chung Marga Prouty Michael Robbins David Scroggs Alexa Leonor 10 Richard Makungu Dawn Safstrom Helen Krall 12 Christopher Ruedinger 13 Beautie Mondol 15 Rand Rusher Roy Kingman 16 NAS Calendar Laurel Gaudin 17 Tyler le Roux 18 Chioma Ejiofor 19 Patricia Klemm Benjamin Paramiah Andrea Thames Aldar Nommik 21 Abbey Bredenkamp 22 Elizabeth Patterson Jeanne Sorensen Brina Irwin 23 Trisha Robertson Benjamin Panigot 24 Tamara Storie 25 Jennifer Constable 26 Bonnie Benner 28 Jesse Boomsliter 29 Susan Ellis Donald Irwin 30 Jamison Bennett 31 Monday, March 10 - Gift Card Orders Due March Week of Spiritual Emphasis Tuesday, March 11 - School Board, 7 p.m. March 14 (noon) Spring Break Tuesday, March 25 - Gift Card Orders Due th th Saturday, March 29-5 & 6 Grade Music at Westside Monday, March 31 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 12:15-6 p.m. Services First Worship Svc Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. Sabbath School Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. Second Worship Svc Saturdays, 11 a.m. Prayer Meeting Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Niles Westside News 6