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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church June 2007 Newsletter |
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The Elmira Seventh-day Adventist Church June 2007 Newsletter |
". . . If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth Thee" (Exodus15:26).
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been given a beautiful message. That message is the "Health Message." Our health message is vital to the success of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Without it we are not complete.
The Spirit of Prophecy calls it the entering wedge, the right arm of the Gospel.
"When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart. When the third angel's message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body" (6T p.327).
Note that she states "when properly conducted" this is a caution in and of itself - not to make the message of health the end, but a means to the end. In other words, everyone is uniquely individual, individually different; ONE SIZE does not fit all. Also, the message of health is not to become a religion.
"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1Timothy 4:8).
Why am I including the above verse? I believe that it gives us an example of how the health message should be used.
Paul pens, "bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable." Is he saying that exercise is unnecessary and the Christian life is all one needs? Absolutely not! A careful evaluation of the above text gives huge insight to the message of health. Exercise is a supplement to one's Christianity. So also, the message of health is to be supplement to our Christian experience today. How so? What affects the mind affects the stomach and what affects the stomach affects the mind. The clearer the mind, the clearer the understanding of the word of God.
It is important that we are careful on how to care for the human organism. Not just in the area of food, but, what we listen to, watch, etc. . . The One who created man, knows what man needs. The farther we stray from the original plan the greater the risk of getting diseased. You have heard the old saying, "You are what you eat"? Well, if you're eating Twinkies and Ding Dongs all day! I'm sure you get the picture.
"The physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities should be developed in order to form a properly balanced character" (CG p. 187). Note the three areas of health - physical, mental, spiritual. All three areas of life need to be ministered to in order to have balance. Again, the message of health is a means not the end, and one size does not fit all.
The Adventist community - should be first and foremost in health. We should be the healthiest people on Planet Earth. Diet, is the physical, which helps the mind to be sharper to understand the spiritual.
The following quote is the healing balm, for the sin-sick mind:
"The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that is rarely seen in these times" (CE 58.1).
The study of scriptures have been given to broaden the mental powers, and to give life, to the spiritual.
I'm not suggesting that you will never get another headache, or break a leg, or even be healed of all ailments, by following the health message. We live in a sinful world and because of sin there is going to be decay, disease and death. However, a large number of those diseases and sicknesses are brought upon us because of daily choices. We are the primary caretakers and it has been left to us to manage and properly care for these bodies.
The Three Angels' Message is to be shared globally and is largely dependant upon the Adventist People. If we are filled with diseases, brought upon ourselves because of lack of health reform in the personal life - we will be held guilty at the judgment seat of God.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
God wants to heal the three areas of our lives mental, physical and spiritual. The first step to the healing way is to hearken unto the voice of the LORD. And by faithfully obeying his voice and he will bring none of those diseases upon us, and will heal us.
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (III John 1:2).
Jesus is Coming Soon! Will you be ready?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). Sincerely,
Elders and leaders are invited to attend a District Leaders' Meeting, Sunday, June 10, 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon, at the school. Lunch will be provided following the meeting.
We have been learning much during our study of the book of Acts and The Acts of the Apostles. We will be taking a break during June. Plan to join us when we resume, date to be announced.
Congratulations to Rachael Miller, who will graduate from Waverly High School on June 22.
Doug Falle, New York Conference Treasurer will be the speaker for the worship service, Sabbath, June 2.
June 9, our speaker will be Elder Lawrence Maxwell, former editor Junior Guide, Signs, and Adventist Affirm.
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. Worship Services will be held in Elmira at the usual times during Camp Meeting, followed by the Fellowship Luncheon.
"When Jesus Drives!" is the theme this year at Camp Cherokee, our New York Conference camp on Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. Teen Camp (ages 13-17) – July 1-8, Junior/Tween Camp (ages 10-13) – July 8-15, Adventurer Camp (ages 1st grade -10) – July 15-22, Family Camp 1 –July 29-August 5, Family Camp II/Health Professional Retreat - August 5-12, Family Camp III/Home School Camp - August 12-17. If you like to swim, ride horses, canoe, AND get to know Jesus better, see Jim for an application.
A lot of work by teachers and students alike was demonstrated in the spring music program presented at Horseheads Christian School. Readings and music focused on God's creation and trusting God, illustrated in the story of Gideon. Makayla and Megan Curtis participated in the choral singing.
Many hours of preparation were evident in the third grade program at Pine City Elementary School. Logyn Stanton was one of the students performing in singing and a play, illustrating the things they had learned about the country of Ireland.
We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of Mary Mae Whitney and Wilfred Brewer. Mary Mae passed away April 26. Bill passed away May 17.
. . . to all who came to the work bee. We had many workers who helped move everything out of the fellowship hall in preparation for our new carpet. Others washed windows, inside and out.
Our new carpet has been installed in the fellowship hall. We thank all those who helped and/or donated to make this possible.
THANK YOU to all who helped out with our last drive, May 10. Our next scheduled blood drive will be Tuesday, July 10, 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.
Everyone is invited to our luncheon each Sabbath following the worship service. Please bring a dish to pass.
There will be no picnic in June due to unsettled weather. The luncheon in June will be at the church as usual. Picnics for the summer will be in July and August, dates to be announced later.
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.
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.
Becky (Haesche) Gottshall
Levi Haesche
Pat Haesche
Susie Keltz
John Pack
Karen Wasiczko
Frank Ziegler
Our lessons during June continue the study of Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet: The Bible for Today.
During the third quarter, our study will be For Better of Worse: Lessons From Old Testament Couples.
Mission Spotlight is shown once each month. Adventist Medical Work Around the World will be shown in June. Mission projects currently are in the Trans-European Division. 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. 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.