June 2009 Newsletter

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 12

June 2009

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains" (Eph. 6:19,20).

When Ercan Sengul committed his life to Christ in the Muslim nation of Turkey, some saw it as turning his back on his heritage and nation. When he said that he would do anything for God, he had meant it then. But what about now?
Ercan sat in a dark, dank prison cell surrounded by cell mates. He had been arrested by local police who said he'd "insulted Islam" by distributing books for a Christian publisher. Ercan cried out to God, begging Him to be rescued. He knew that he'd done nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be there. "You said you'd do anything for Me." God whispered to Ercan's heart. "Did you mean it?" Broken before God, Ercan wept and worshipped. He told God in his heart, "I really mean it." Ercan began to preach three hours each day in prison. He learned that God allowed him to be imprisoned to give him a new mission field! Ercan was in prison for thirty days until witnesses admitted that police had pressured them to sign statements, and the judge found no evidence of any crime.

The arrest had furthered Ercan's witness. Since his release, many who shared his cell have visited his church, asking about the God who gave him peace while locked in prison. Ercan still joyfully gives out Christian books, knowing he could be arrested.

Most Christians would admit that suffering is not exactly what we have in mind when we say we want to be used by God. Sure, we want to live out our faith — but not to the point of persecution. We resent being overlooked for promotions at work or excluded from social events. We feel slighted, cheated, and ripped off. However, we must be willing to prayerfully seek God in the midst of our desperation. The moment we do, we find prayer changes our perspective. We begin to see opportunities for growth. We receive hope. We find promise amid pain. Eventually we begin to discover our current situation, however unfair and undeserved, may be part of God's plan after all. When we pray for God's perspective on persecution, we find the courage to be obedient at all costs.

Which would be more dangerous? To do mission work in some far off land, or to preach the Three Angels' messages in the backyard of the Beast? You might find this hard to believe, but America is fast becoming the most dangerous mission field in the world. A recent Newsweek magazine had as its headline, "The Decline and Fall of Christian America" (April 13, 2009). The article stated, "The number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since 1990, rising from 8 to 15 percent."

Is it any wonder then that we are watching our country tumble through a moral freefall with no stopping? Let's face it When people living in the very conservative state of Iowa legalize same-sex marriage, you know the nation is in trouble. In fact, the spiritual decline in North America is so obvious, other countries like India, Kenya, and South Korea are now sending Christian missionaries to the U.S.A.! May the good Lord help us!

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

"Let not those who have the truth as it is in Jesus give sanction, even by their silence, to the work of the mystery of iniquity. Let them never cease to sound the note of alarm...The truth must not be hid, it must not be denied or disguised, but fully avowed, and boldly proclaimed." (Maranatha 239)

"Wickedness is reaching a height never before attained, and yet many ministers of the gospel are crying, 'Peace and safety.' But God's faithful messengers are to go steadily forward with their work. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they are to advance fearlessly and victoriously, never ceasing their warfare until every soul within their reach shall have received the message of truth for this time." (CS 52)

CHURCH NEWS

Becca in lraq

Becca is in Iraq teaching in an English language school. She will be there for another two and one half months. Please keep her in your prayers.

"The members of the church should individually keep the light of God's love burning brightly in their own souls, that it may also shine forth to others.... That church will be healthy and prosperous whose members are putting forth active, personal effort to do good to others, to save souls." (OHC 164). This is the pattern we want for our Midtown Church. Can we do it? By the grace of Jesus we can. Let us join hearts and hands to finish the work in our area so Jesus can come soon.

Welcome Back to Gareth

Gareth just graduated from Quachita Hills Academy and will soon be heading to Southern University. Please pray for the Lord's direction in the way of financial help and scholarships. God bless you, Gareth.

Discover Bible School

Our Bible Correspondence School has received eighty-five new requests for the Bible course. Please keep this mighty work for God in your prayers.

SENSIBLE LIVING

Herbs and wild edibles, for families and singles is being held September 11-13, 2009 at Camp Kinard in Leesville, SC. Learn how to identify and use wild herbs, preserve heirloom seed, build primitive shelter and fire, and strengthen the family. Call 1-800-837-3139 for details.

Susan Balcerzak, President

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to purchase 100 new basins for the Ordinance of Humility.
Voted to accept a draft of the Community Services Three-year Plan and to encourage the Community Services Committee. Voted to authorize the purchase of $400.00 worth of literature for evangelism.
Voted to acquire a new sound recording system to record the Worship Hour sermons.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Mission: To develop and maintain Christ centered, caring community services in the Columbia area by providing assistance to those in need.

Year 1

Develop mission statement.
Conduct survey within first three months. This will determine which ministries are needed in the Columbia inner city area.
Promote community service ministry to church and solicit donations.
Secure climate controlled storage facility for non-perishable food and clothing donations.
Develop criteria for providing services to those in need.
Develop flyer for distribution to agencies that provides information regarding die programs and services available from the Midtown SDA Church.
Hold cooking school for the community and members of the church during January or February, 2010.

Year 2

Rent a building for community services outreach, food and clothing distribution and thrift shop. Adventist Community Thrift Store (ACTS) Acts 20:35
Establish a collection box for clothing. (Available through Friendship Used clothing Collection, LLC, Raleigh, N. C.)
Open a thrift shop.
Purchase freezer and refrigerator for perishable food items.
Expand program for distribution of food to the needy to include perishable food items.
Hold cooking class for community and members of the church.
Review and revise three year plan as necessary.

Year 3

Hold a health fair (could work through Sensible Living since this is their mission).
Continue programs started in years 1 and 2.
Add one new program, alcoholics, abused women and narcotics abuse, etc.
Review and revise three year plan as necessary.

Each member of the church can play a role in Community Services outreach by donating non-perishable food items, used clothing in good condition and household items that may be useful to others. Ultimately we want to start a thrift shop that will fund specific programs in the community to help those in need. The local Adventist churches work through LICS, which is a good organization, but Adventists get little or no recognition for the services we provide. Please pray that the Lord will use our church in a mighty way as a light to those in financial, physical and spiritual need.

Helen Koon

BUILDING FUND

The most beautiful building of antiquity was the temple of God built by King Solomon. Its exterior was covered with precious, pure white marble stones. Interestingly enough, the gold was on the inside of the temple. The Bible says That this is a good pattern for living temples as well. "Your beauty should reside, not in outward adornment -- the braiding of the hair, or jewelry, or dress -- but in the inmost center of your being, with its imperishable ornament, a gentle, quiet spirit, which is of high value in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3 3,4 NEB. Like Solomon's temple of old, our gold should be on the inside! Now is the time to make a call as Moses did during the Exodus when he asked the Israelites to donate the gold and jewelry they received from the Egyptians as wages, for the building of the tabernacle. We know that many people who have accepted the Three Angel's Messages and taken off their jewelry, have stored it away as a keepsake. Perhaps now would be a good time to take it out of storage or even off our bodies, and donate it to the Building Fund. Old gold, necklaces, rings, earrings, diamonds, old coin collections, anything of value that we can turn into building blocks for a representative church building would be appreciated.

Pastor Fry

Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at nearly $84,000.00.

An Anonymous donor has offered a $10,000.00 matching grant to our church if we can raise another $10,000.00 from sources outside Midtown Church. We already have over $5,000.00 towards our part. With God's help we can do it. Keep praying and working and we soon will have our own building.

Charlie Davis, Chairman

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon:

July 9, Helen Koon
July 12, R.J. Sherman
July 20, Jenna Moresco
July 22, Trina Moresco
July 25, Vera Hill

MIDWEEK AT MIDTOWN

Please notice!!! The new time of our Prayer Meeting is now 7:00 PM instead of 6:00 PM. We hope this makes it easier for those who are having trouble getting there at the earlier time. If you haven't yet stopped in, it's never too late. We welcome all members and visitors to join our group and participate in the Bible Study. Our study is on How to Prepare For Christ's Second Coming. The emphasis is on the spiritual aspect. At this time we are starting chapter twelve, which is about the factors in preparation . After this study is over we will start a new one which will be Face-To-Face-With Jesus.

We also pray for our church, and other requests, as well as the needs recorded on our Prayer Request cards from our Worship Service. Stop by any Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm. here at the Capital Senior Center.

We are told in Steps To Christ that, "Those who are really seeking communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting" (SC 98).

Bob Sitko

FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES

On the second Sabbath of each month, we have a Full Lunch, and on the fourth Sabbath of each month, we have a Light Lunch consisting of salads, soups, sandwiches and deserts. Please come and enjoy the fellowship of eating together and getting to know others better.

BITS OF WISDOM

"Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it" (COL 206).

Tough times never last, but tough people do. Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Being willing makes you able. A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition!

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Burning Midnight Oil May Be Burning You Out

Do you normally "burn the midnight oil" in an attempt to accomplish more during the day, or staying up late to watch your favorite TV program? Well you may be "accomplishing" more than you think! Dr. Michael Irwin, a psychiatrist at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and his team, studied 23 healthy men age 22 to 61 who spent 4 nights in a sleep laboratory. They discovered that even modest levels of sleep deprivation resulted in a 30% drop in immune function. On the East coast, Dr. Thomas Wehr, head of the clinical psychobiology branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, is conducting some interesting studies to see if people who follow the "early to bed, early to rise," maxim actually receive extra health benefits. So far, his studies have shown that sleeping in a "dusk-to-dawn" pattern as opposed to late bedtime and late rising, actually increases production of brain melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which is implicated in the regulation of sleep, mood, puberty, and ovarian cycles. Melatonin deprivation may be implicated in such disorders as chronic fatigue, insomnia, jet lag, depression, lethargy, and even suicide. So, when you are tempted to burn the midnight oil, stage a boycott-and go to bed!

(Science News, 1995)

VESPERS

Friday Night Video Vespers

Each Friday, at 7 PM, you can watch an inspirational sermon from one of our church's great speakers, such as Dwight Nelson, Steve Wohlberg, Dr. Walter Veith, or others. The program lasts about an hour, and is a great way to start the Sabbath. Check our website, MidtownChurch.net. These video programs are held at Doug Leonhardt's home in the downtown Columbia area.

Bob Sitko

Church Location

Midtown Church meets at the Capital Senior Center on Park Circle, behind Maxcy Gregg Park, Sabbath (Saturday) Morning at 10 AM for Sabbath School and 11:15 AM for the Worship Hour. Please come and join us for fellowship and worship.