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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church December 2006 Newsletter |
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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church December 2006 Newsletter |
WHEN VICTORY SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE - THERE'S HOPE Have you ever experienced temptation? My guess is that you have. I am guessing that you have a sin in your life that doesn't seem to ever go away. You have prayed, confessed, vowed, maybe even fasted - and yet this same habit or sin seems to be attached to you as a fetus to his umbilical cord.
There is hope for you, dear Christian. Yes, you can be free from that annoying long term relation. How? The word of God, the Bible; it is still the most powerful weapon.
1. Memorize Scripture
Storing the word of God in the heart helps us stay clear of temptation.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee (Psalms 119:11).
I am positively sure that you can see the hope in the above scripture - not sin - it is your greatest desire to be free from those annoying habits of sin. And take . . . , the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
No soldier goes into battle without his weapon unless he is gambling with death! Take the Bible with you wherever you go. It can be your source of courage and hope in time of trouble.
2. Walk in the Spirit
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13).
Ask for the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit. Notice . . . . we must ask for the Holy Spirit - God gives a requirement and that is, we must ask. He is not going to give us what we do not ask for. Ask and you shall receive. Then the Holy Spirit will empower us to live a victorious life.
3. Stick Close to Jesus
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I . . . . O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . . (Romans 7:14-15, 24-25).
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20).
You are certainly aware of your dilemma, you may be kicking yourself with doubt, anger, fear and hopelessness - the list can go on and on - don't lose heart. Take courage, there is hope. Paul in the above scripture, Romans chapter seven, talks of the battle between doing that which is right and the ever presence of sin - I am sold to sin, what I want to do I don't, I am nothing but a wretch. Sound familiar?
His last remark of hope was Jesus...!
Revelation three is about a church - a church that is poor, blind and naked and they don't even know it. The Laodicean church is so steeped in sin that it can't find a solution to the problem. In this same chapter God offers hope for the poor, blind and naked church, a solution to their problem. And once again it is Jesus. Jesus is the only hope for this poor, blind, naked Laodicean church. Jesus is standing at the door and He is knocking. They must open the door and let Him in if they want to be healed from their maladies. Thus we must open the door of our hearts and let Him in, if we want to be healed from our maladies.
Once again - Jesus.
Carefully read the following verse.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1John 2:1)
Jesus is our help in the heavenly places. He has all the power to keep us away from temptation and the power to forgive and free us.
1. Memorize Scripture
2. Walk in the Spirit
3. Stick close to Jesus
These three can give you an edge to defeat that old debilitating habit of sin.
Let me share two more scriptures in closing.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: Mine anger is turned away from him.
Victory is ours for the asking, and Jesus will heal our backsliding (from our sins).
Whatever you do don't give up - Jesus is your only hope of security and defense against sin and temptation. Lean on Him, trust His word, walk in the Spirit, and you too can become . . . . more than conquerors through Jesus (Romans 8:37).
Many Blessings,
Sabbath, December 16, our speaker for the worship service will be Elder Dan Whitlow, New York Conference Youth Director.
Probably no other sea animal has captured our affection and attention like the dolphin. Its intelligence and athleticism have fascinated observers for years. Dolphins seem to exhibit a friendly willingness to cooperate with humans - something very rare in the wild animal kingdom. We think we know them - racing through aquariums and performing at marine parks.
But dolphins are more complex animals, with the capacity for language and affection.
In "DOLPHINS: Tribes of the Sea" we travel the world to see how dolphin groups in different locales interact with humans. We'll also visit researchers as they discover just how intelligent, clever and intuitive dolphins really are.
Christmas Carols, and video will begin at 4:30 PM, Sabbath, December 16, followed by a light supper at 5:30 PM. Please bring sandwiches or finger foods. Everyone is invited!
THANK YOU to all who helped out with calling, donating, opening & closing up, etc. to make this a successful drive. We had 27 people come to donate, collecting 22 units. This time our location was also open for double red cell donation. Our next scheduled blood drive will be Tuesday, January 16, 1:30-6:30 PM. We are in need of callers to contact previous donors in the area around the church. Any help would really be appreciated! If you can call a list, please contact Sharon.
Monday, December 18, 5:00-6:30 PM there will be a Church & Community dinner in the Church Fellowship Hall. The menu includes Vegetarian Turkey Roast with Gravy, Potato, Vegetable, Tossed Salad, Rolls, and Dessert .
Cost will be: Adults - $4.50, Children under 12 - $3.00 Personal Ministries Inreach/Outreach
Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner was held Sabbath, November 18. Thank You to each one who provided food or assisted with this time of fellowship.
Anyone wishing to donate used children's clothing in good condition (infants on up), please contact Alice Congdon, 570-537-6259.
We recently completed our fall health seminar. We had many excellent speakers, discussing exercise, diet, reducing stress, and many other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Another series is planned for after the first of the year.
The church board has voted to proceed with replacing the sanctuary carpet in the near future. We currently have $4506.20 in this fund. Anticipated cost will be $8,155.77. Anyone wishing to contribute, mark your tithe envelope "Carpet Fund."
2007 devotional books are available from the Adventist Book Center, for ages Preschool through Adult. A sign-up sheet is provided on the bulletin board, with special pricing through the church. Order now to be ready for the new year in your family worship and personal devotions.
End-Time Living, by Mark Finley is the sharing book of the year. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board if you wish to order.
We extend our condolences to the family of Mary Jane Smith, who died November 22.
Everyone is invited to our luncheon each Sabbath following the worship service. Our luncheons for the fourth Sabbath of each month, will be Soup and Sandwiches.
There will be no Fellowship Luncheons December 23 and 30 due to the holidays.
Our Personal Ministries Department cookbook is available. Cost is $12.00 per book with $3.00 shipping and handling. To order, contact Sharon. Make checks out to Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church, designated "Cookbook."
Thank you for saving your General Mills Box tops and Campbell's UPC symbols for the Holbrook Indian School in Arizona. Box tops and UPC symbols can be given Joyce Cmelko.
Don Congdon
Alvin Jackson
Becky (Haesche) Gottshall
Levi Haesche
Cindy Taft
Guy Thompson
Harold Washburn, Sr.
During December, we continue our study of Beginnings and Belongings, focusing on Genesis, a book about Creation and Redemption. Our lessons during the first quarter of 2007 will be from the book of Ecclesiastes.
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 shown once each month. In December our program will be "The Legacy of the Sabbath School." During the first quarter 2007, programs will be from the Euro-Africa Division. Mission projects will be: Evangelistic outreach in Geneva, Switzerland; Outreach to Istanbul, Turkey; and a Media Center in Darmstadt, Germany.
Thank you for saving your newspapers, magazines, and health food labels for Investment. See Alvin Jackson, our Investment leader.
Remaining 2006-2007 Fruit Sale Dates are as follows: December 17, January 14, February 11, and March 11 in the Nature's Garden building.
The December sale will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; January through March will be 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Oranges and Pink Grapefruit are available by the full case, half or quarter. Fruit baskets are available in December. To order fruit and fruit baskets or to offer your help, contact Larry or Cindy Taft, 732-0463.
Check with Larry for monthly sales on case lots. Orders go in monthly.
STORE HOURS Thursday, 4:00-7:00 p.m.