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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2006 Newsletter |
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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2006 Newsletter |
REST FOR THE WEARY
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus' greatest appeal to all mankind is a rest for the weary soul. We have all been encumbered with the cares of this life and have had daily struggles with sin.
Do you ever get tired of wrestling with sin and temptation? I am sure you do. We all do! Jesus invites each of us to come to Him as we are and find rest. His invitation to you is to provide you a respite from this wrestling.
You have struggled and tried desperately to stop a sinful behavior only to find yourself right back where you left off - staring down the same road again and again.
I like Paul's method for victory. That what I don't want to do I end up doing - Oh wretched man that I am who can deliver me!? Paul claims his victory in the following words. . . I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7 - Paraphrased).
Once again VICTORY is ONLY found in Jesus… So, if this is the case, let us learn from Jesus the method to victory.
First of all Jesus says to the sinner, Come - We must accept His invitation and come just as we are, riddled with sin and all. He is the only one who understands what you are going through . . . and . . . He has the answers to your problems.
Secondly, Jesus says to the sinner, Take My Yoke - a yoke was used to bind two oxen together - you must realize that you can not overcome your sin or sins by yourself. You need help. Accept the fact that Jesus wants to help you overcome sin and temptation. And, of course, have faith that He can and will help you.
Thirdly, Jesus says to the sinner, Learn of Me - Jesus can teach you how to overcome the sinful behavior. Ask Him to show you how to overcome. Remember - "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Corinthians 10:13). Ask Him to lead you to that door of escape. Fourthly, Jesus is patient with our weaknesses. If Jesus is patient with you, then remember to be patient with yourself. I wonder if sometimes we are hard on ourselves because we didn't get it right the first time. The devil is constantly reminding us of our failures. Don't entertain the devil. Do not focus on the failures. Instead, use them to your advantage. Many times we learn by failure. And failures can lead to victory.
Jesus loves you and He wants more than anything to see you live the victorious life. After all, this is why He came to planet earth - to die and save sinners such as ourselves.
I believe if you do these things you will find peace and rest for your souls. I don't know about you, but after awhile, wrestling with sin tires me out. Sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel. When this happens, I realize that I have been trying too hard with my own strength. So, then I turn back, go to Jesus and I find that He has been waiting for me.
Finally, Jesus will not give you more than you can handle. He knows your heart better than you do. And He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.
We have a fair God. And believe me, friend, He wants to see you living the victorious life more than you want this for yourself.
Take these simple steps and you will find rest.
A praise song that I often sing when overcome with failure portrays that rest:
No excuse, no one to blame, nowhere to hide,
The eyes of God have found my failures,
found my pain.
He understands my weaknesses
and knows my shame.
But His heart never leaves me.
- Song: Your Kindness
Peace to you,
NET 2006 - LIVE FROM PHOENIX, AZ
REVELATION SPEAKS PEACE - UNLOCKING THE SIGNS
We have very much appreciated the studies of prophecy and Bible doctrine each evening presented by Shawn Boonstra, Speaker/Director of It Is Written. Meetings continue each evening at 7 p.m. through April 8, every night except Monday and Thursday. All meetings except Wednesday night will be at the church. Wednesdays are at the school.
April 1 - "God's Strange Act"
April 2 - "A Desolate Planet"
April 4 - "How to Postpone Your Funeral"
April 5 - "The Mark of the Beast"
April 7 - "The Day of the Woman"
April 8 - "The Last Night on Earth"
Our Bible Study series, "In the Footsteps of Paul," will resume Thursday, April 13, at 7:00 PM. Subjects during April will be:
April 13 - The Greatest Mystery Solved
April 20 - Revival and Riots in Ephesus
April 27 - Return to Galatia
WELCOME . . . to our newest members.
Myra Barnes joined the Elmira Church by Profession of Faith, Sabbath, February 11 after studying with Allen (and Eleanor) Simkin.
Ruth (Gidget) Green transferred into our fellowship in December. Daughters Alexis and Tiffany attend our Primary Sabbath School.
We are very happy these new friends have joined us!
Monday, April 10, 5:00 - 6:30 PM there will be a vegetarian dinner in the Church Fellowship Hall. The menu includes "Wham" with pineapple, potato, vegetable, salad, and desert.
Cost will be: Adults - $4.50, Children under 12 - $3.00 Pay at the door. Personal Ministries Inreach/Outreach. Come and invite your friends!
The object of this drawing class is not to produce Rembrandts, but to increase the participants ability to perceive their environment in a new and challenging direction. This study will be a preliminary preparation for a follow-up painting class using acrylics on wooden panels. Your instructor holds a degree in Art Education and is listed in "Who's Who in American Art." The class is limited to 12 participants, ages 14 - 80. This is free and open to the public. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. This is scheduled to begin in May.
"I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES" - John 15:1-5
The painting currently hanging in the church foyer is a work by our "artist in residence," William Cameron Macdonell. Christ is in the middle of the picture. The major gospels of His ministry prior to His crucifixion are on the left. The gospels that took place after His crucifixion are on the right, proceeding up to the second coming and the white throne judgement.
Our next drive is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 from 1:30 - 6:30 PM in the church fellowship hall. We are currently hosting the rotation for the Southside Community, with a drive approximately every two months. Thank you to all who have helped out or donated in this outreach in our community. Plan to join us for the next one!
* In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed every 2 seconds.
* Approximately 34,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States.
* One out of three people will need donated blood in their lifetime.
* Each blood donation can save the lives of up to three people.
* Donors can safely give blood every 56 days.
So far we have recipes from as far away as California and Florida! Remember - This is not just for the ladies! We know some of you gentlemen cook as well! If you haven't turned in your favorite recipes yet, it isn't too late! Each person is allowed to submit 12 recipes to the project. We are looking for a variety of types: appetizers, beverages, entrees, vegetables, salads, soups, breads, desserts, etc. Turn in your recipes to Barb or Sharon. If you have a computer, send to: bboyce@stny.rr.com or shareyn@localnet.com.
Everyone is invited to our luncheons each Sabbath following the worship service. If you are a regular participant, please help out by bringing a dish to pass. Our guests are always welcome. Soup & Sandwich Luncheon this month will be April 22.
It is time to begin planning to attend Camp Meeting at Union Springs, NY, June 23 - July 1, 2006. Our theme this year is "Giving the Trumpet a Clear Sound." Speakers include: Dr. Phillip Samaan, Theology Professor at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tennessee; Pastor Shane Anderson, Senior Pastor, New Market Virginia, Shenandoah Valley Academy Campus Church; Pastor David Asscherick, Associate Pastor, Troy Michigan Church and Director Arise Ministry; Pastor Jim Wood, LLT Productions, Angwin, California. 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.
So far we have $64,800.52 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." We very much appreciate the generous donation of $5,000 from the Christian Faith Fellowship Church. Work is scheduled to begin in May.
Hilda Dwyer
Ferne Robinson
Moriah Washburn
Levi Haesche
Allen Simkin
Net 2006 interests
Martha Pack
Cindy Taft
"The Holy Spirit, our study for the next quarter, is based on a previously published Bible study guide, written by the late Arnold V. Wallenkampf. While the lessons will present a doctrinal picture of the Holy Spirit, they also will emphasize the daily and practical aspect of His work in our lives. The powerful reality of His work is manifested not only in our personal experiences but in the life and power of the church." (Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, p. 104) Please join us as we study each Sabbath morning. Song service begins at 9:20. Classes are provided for adults and children.
Mission Spotlight is also shown once each month. This quarter the programs are from the South American Division. Projects for our mission offerings this quarter will be: rebuilding boys' dormitories at two Academies, establishing seven churches in newly entered regions in the East Brazil Union, and building chapels for existing congregations in Northwest Argentina,
Our Primary Sabbath School Department has recently begun some of the activities for the Adventurer Class, Busy Bee. This is a pre-Pathfinder program for the younger children and includes Bible stories, memory verses, character building, health education, nature study, etc.
Thank you for saving your newspapers, magazines, and health food labels for Investment. See Alvin Jackson, our Investment leader.
Check with Larry for monthly sales on case lots. Orders go in monthly.
STORE HOURS Thursday, 4:00-7:00 p.m.