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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2007 Newsletter |
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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church April 2007 Newsletter |
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5)
It goes without saying - without Jesus you can do nothing! How many times have you heard this? Someone may say, "If you have Jesus, you can handle it." Correct as it may be it is not the answer one may be looking for.
The Lord of the universe has never promised that all would be a bed of roses and peaceful sunsets. The reality is, roses have thorns and the sun can burn.
John 16:33 says: In the world ye shall have tribulation. This may not seem very promising when you are looking for words of comfort. But He tells us ahead of time, to expect trouble, so that when trouble does happen you won't be shocked or surprised. However, Jesus tells you this for this reason - "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace." You will notice He said "peace" before trouble, (I changed the sentence structure, you might want to read John 16:33 for yourself.) Peace in trouble are His words of comfort. He continues by saying "but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He (Jesus) personally has overcome the world, so that you can have confidence too. If Jesus can do it, then so can you.
Jesus, experienced trouble - thorns, burning heat - that He may help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15 says "For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
And in Hebrews 12:4, "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." In other words the Bible writer is suggesting that Jesus experienced trial, a hundred fold greater than you and I will ever have to, so that He can help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
The comfort that comes, knowing that we have someone to go through the trials with us, gives peace. It is a hopeless soul that experiences tribulation without Jesus. Without Him we can really do nothing. Christ is the one that helps us through our tribulations, our struggles, our weakness, our hopelessness.
Your hope then, is to Abide in Him, and through Him you can do all things.
Our study is currently in the book of Acts and The Acts of the Apostles. We meet each Thursday, 7:00 PM at the church. All are encouraged to come as we continue our study of the early Christian Church.
Sabbath, April 14 is our next 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.
We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of Guy Thompson, and Rosa Knight. Guy passed away March 7. Rosa, who was Mildred Rosekrans mother, passed away March 15. A memorial service for Rosa will be held Sabbath, April 7, at 2:30 PM at the church.
Jim Schmieder, Teen Mission Trip Director, will be here Sabbath, April 21. Jim is from the Wayland Church.
Elder Angel Rodriguez, New York Conference Executive Secretary, will be the speaker Sabbath, April 28.
New York Conference Rally, April 21, Syracuse Hispanic Church. A day of prayer, worship and fellowship. This will begin with music at 9:45 and Sabbath School at 10:00, with Elder Angel Rodriguez leading out in the Lesson Study. Worship Service will feature music by Union Springs Academy, Crystal & Natasha Poholka, and the Westvale Choir. The message will be "Setting Our Eyes on the Lord" with Elder Stan Rouse, and Dan Kelly. A potluck lunch will be served at 1:00 (If your last name begins with A-L, bring vegetarian sandwiches, M-Z bring a vegetarian salad, enough for two families.) A concert with Crystal & Natasha Poholka will be at 2:00 and at 2:30 will be "Take Up Your Positions: Stand Firm and See the Deliverance the Lord Will Give You!" – a time of sharing, discussion, and praying together.
Each Seventh-day Adventist member in North America is encouraged to distribute SEVEN pieces of literature in SEVEN days beginning April 7 and ending April 14, 2007. Give something to a friend, acquaintance, or neighbor; leave something at an office, Laundromat, or phone booth; send something in the mail. Suggested literature: Signs magazine, pocket Signs, The Da Vinci Code: Unveiling the conspiracy, Taking a Stand for the Ten Commandments. Take this opportunity to reach people for Jesus and experience how easy sharing your faith can be.
Thank you to all those who spent many hours working in our sanctuary as we replaced our carpet. Moving and replacing pews and doors, repairing the concrete floor, replacing the baseboard – all required many hands and much time. We thank everyone for their help. A big thank you also to all who donated to make this possible.
THANK YOU to all who helped out with our last drive, March 13. Our next scheduled blood drive will be Tuesday, May 8, 1:30-6:30 PM. Many blood types are currently in very low supply, so donors are needed. We are in need of callers to contact previous donors in the area around the church. As we receive lists of 1000 – 1200 names to contact, any help would be really appreciated! If you can call a list, please contact Sharon.
Anyone who values Adventist education is encouraged to participate in a conference-wide time of prayer for our New York schools. Choose an hour per day, March 29-April 7 to pray for our teachers and students in: Arthur S. Maxwell Christian School, Geneva; Bay Knoll SDA School, Rochester; Buffalo Suburban Christian Academy, Lancaster; Dexterville SDA School, Fulton; Frontenac SDA School, Union Springs; Jamestown SDA School, Jamestown; Kingsbury SDA School, Hudson Falls; Parkview Junior Academy, Syracuse; Sandy Creek Christian School, Holley; Southern Tier SDA School, Vestal; Union Springs Academy, Union Springs.
The Adventist Health Study (AHS-2), conducted by researchers at Seventh-day Adventist-owned Loma Linda University, needs another 5,000 surveys to top the 100,000 mark. According to the research team, the end of March is the deadline to turn in questionnaires. The previous Adventist health study attracted a great deal of attention and confirmed that vegetarians tend to live longer, healthier lives. The month of March is the final push for enrollments. All members over 29 years of age can join. It's not too late to join or request a replacement survey form. Call toll-free 1-877-700-7077 or go to www.adventisthealthstudy.org
Please bring in articles of food for those in need. Food boxes go out each week. Fresh produce and bread are needed. Mark any financial donations for "Food Pantry." If you know of a needy family, please contact Lois Shappee.
Everyone is invited to our luncheon each Sabbath following the worship service. April 28 will be the last Soup and Sandwiches Luncheon for now. Everyone is invited. Please bring a dish to pass.
It is time to begin planning to attend Camp Meeting at Union Springs, NY, June 22 – 30, 2007. Our theme this year is "My Life: My Witness." Speakers include: Elder Ron Christman, Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries; Elder C.D. Brooks, retired Director/Speaker, Breath of Life; Elder Marvin Moore, Editor of Signs magazine, and Pastor David Klinedinst, Christian Record Services. 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.
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.
I want to thank everyone for their prayers and the beautiful basket of flowers, during my recent hospitalization. May God bless you all. – Alice Congdon
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the cards, prayers, and Christmas plant. I am so thankful. It was just wonderful. – Martha Pack
Alvin Jackson
Becky (Haesche) Gottshall
Levi Haesche
Pat Haesche
Allen Simkin
Karen Wasiczko
Frank Ziegler
Our lessons during the second quarter will be Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet: The Bible for Today. "This quarter attempts to answer some of the Bible's critics and show just how relevant it is for us today." Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, p. 112
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. Titles for the second quarter will be: Adventist Medical Work Around the World, Adventist Women Around the World, Power of the Gospel
Thank you for saving your newspapers, magazines, and health food labels for Investment. See Alvin Jackson, our Investment leader. Please be sure the UPC symbol is on the food labels.
Check with Larry for monthly sales on case lots. Orders go in monthly.
STORE HOURS Thursday, 4:00-7:00 p.m.