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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2005 Newsletter |
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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2005 Newsletter |
You may have heard the saying, "Just when you think you're getting ahead of the rat race along come faster rats". It's the one step forward, two steps back typology.
It's as though with vain effort you try to succeed - you try and try and try but to no avail. This is the great controversy in action in our lives. Throughout the Bible we are to rejoice in this experience because it's God's way of strengthening our faith.
We are reminded not to look at those around us, but to focus on our own salvation with fear and trembling. So, who cares if faster rats come along, let's run the race that God has set before us with perseverance!
Paul says: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Whether we like it or not we are in the race for life and eternity. The only way to win the race is to fixate our eyes on Jesus. If you begin to look at the faster rats in this life you will lose confidence. This is why, over and over again, the Bible encourages us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus; this is our only security if we are going to win the race.
If you have ever watched a baton race you will notice the runner never seems to focus on his or her opponents, but rather, they fix their eyes several yards down the track and on the next post. Why? If you pay too close attention to your opponent, constantly looking back to see where he or she is you might lose valuable time and, worst of all, lose track of your footing and possibly stumble.
The same is true for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus enables us to keep our footing and the goal ever present in our view. What is the goal anyway?
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (1Corinthians 9:24-25).
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).
According to these verses, the goal is eternal life. All of a sudden the running and competing with the faster rats in this life seem to make it all worthwhile. Our race is not for earthly things - but heavenly. We are not looking to win an earthly crown - but a heavenly.
So then who cares if faster rats come our way - who cares if we lose a few steps in the race for life, the point is - keep running. Fix your eyes on Jesus; the prize is worth all the enduring.
Let me leave you with this verse,
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)
May God truly bless you and give you the patient endurance to run the race that is before you.
Our "In His Steps" study series will resume Thursday March 31, 7:00 PM, following "The Prophecy Code" series. All are encouraged to attend each week. This is held in the adult Sabbath School room at the church.
. . . has returned to 11:00 AM each Sabbath morning.
. . . to our newest members - Luke Moss, Jr, Jeff Andrus, and Bill MacDonell, who were baptized by Elder Roger Curtis on Sabbath, February 12.
We have appreciated the Biblical teaching of Doug Batchelor in the Evangelistic series "The Prophecy Code." Our worship service Sabbath, April 2 will be Pastor Doug's testimony.
Sabbath evening vespers will be April 9, at 6:30. A video entitled "Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution" will examine the fascinating world of animals, shaking the traditional evolution theory with Dr. Jobe Martin, formerly an evolutionist. This will be followed by a light supper.
Sabbath, April 16 is our next planned service of foot washing and the Lord's Supper. Every disciple is called upon to participate publicly, and thus bear witness that he accepts Christ as a personal Saviour. It is at these, His own appointments, that Christ meets His people, and energizes them by His presence....All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed. The Desire of Ages, p. 656.
The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. Fundamental Beliefs, 15.
Monday, April 18, 5:00-6:30 PM there will be a spaghetti dinner in the Church Fellowship Hall. The menu includes spaghetti with vegetarian meatballs, salad, bread, and brownies. Cost will be: Adults - $4.50, Children under 12 - $3.00 Pay at the door. This is an fund raiser for Personal Ministries.
COME AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS !
Our "Eight Weeks to Wellness" program held during February and March was well attended with twenty to thirty people in attendance. We plan on another seminar in September. Our next health series will be "A Guide to Living with Diabetes." This will include topics such as: What is Diabetes? Managing Diabetes, Diet & Physical Activity, and Healthy Relationships. This will begin Tuesday, April 26, and continue for 3 weeks, plus a one evening cooking class to follow. CAMP MEETING
It is time to begin planning to attend Camp Meeting at Union Springs, NY, June 17 - 25, 2005. Our theme this year is "Do It Again, Lord." Speakers include: David Gates, missionary, Director of Guyana and Venezuela Adventists Medical Aviation Service, Director Caribbean Family Network; Merlin Bert, E. G. White Estate; and Ty Gibson, Author of "Endlessly Falling in Love" and Associate Director/Speaker for "Light Bearers Ministry" For information on accommodations, contact Priscilla English at the New York Conference Office, 4930 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215-4203, Phone: (315) 469-6921.
Our last month's calendar left off Guy Thompson's birthday - March 10. Hope it was a happy one!
. . . to Ben & Rachael Miller who were inducted into the National Honor Society March 17. Rachael is a sophomore and Ben is a senior at Waverly High School.
Congratulations to Joan & Rod Van Galder. Grandson Ryan Andrew Schaeffer was born March 21, and weighed in at 6 pounds.
A belated congratulations to Mac & Hilda Dwyer. Grandson Spencer Aaron Chase was born December1. Spencer lives with his parents Jeff & Barbara (Dwyer) Chase in Maine.
Our Best Wishes go to John and Martha Pack whose 50th wedding anniversary was February 25. Many family members and friends gathered to honor them February 19 at the fellowship luncheon.
Each Sabbath following the worship service, we enjoy eating together with our church family. All are invited to stay and fellowship. Please bring a dish to pass. Our luncheons for the fourth Sabbath of each month during the winter will be Soup and Sandwiches.
So far we have $50,342.44 toward our goal of paving our parking lot. The weekly Children's Offering is added to this fund. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund, please mark your tithe envelope "Church Parking Lot."
Jean DiPio died February 21. She is survived by a son, Robert K. Ryniker; brother, Robert K. Brewer; sister, Jessie K. McCall, all of Elmira; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Jonathan and Jessie Brewer; sisters, Bernice Black, Thelma Bucci, Miriam Widdis; brother, Glenn Brewer. Jean was a former local industrial design artist and was the owner of Jean's Beauty Salon.
Our Sympathy is also extended to the family of Gloria Danforth, wife of Elder Jim Danforth who was pastor of the Elmira district in 1964-65. Mrs. Danforth passed away February 2.
Cindy Taft
Our Sabbath School lessons during the Second Quarter, beginning in April, "Jesus Through the Eyes of Mark," by William G. Johnsson, will take us on a journey to the Holy Land, to Galilee in particular. With John Mark as our guide, we will retrace the steps of the greatest Man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, the One who gave His life as a ransom for ours.
Please join us as we study each Sabbath morning. Song service begins at 9:20. Classes are provided for adults and children.
Thank you for saving your newspapers, magazines, and health food labels for Investment. See Alvin Jackson, our Investment leader.
A Special Thank You to everyone who has faithfully helped out with the fruit and bake sales this year. Our next citrus fruit sale is planned for November 20. We especially thank Larry Taft for all his work in organizing and overseeing our fruit program.