July 2009 Newsletter

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 14

August 2009

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you." (I Peter 4: 12).

Just as Pastor Li Dexian began his sermon, the doors of the house church burst open. Armed officers of the Chinese Public Security Bureau poured into the room, threatening everyone present and grabbing Li to arrest him. "Wait, please allow me to grab my bag." As always, the pastor's tone with the officers was polite yet firm.

The officers were surprised at the request. "What's in there?" they demanded, grabbing the black zippered bag Li held and ripping it open. The bag contained a blanket and a spare change of clothes, Li told them, because he had been expecting to be arrested that day.

Pastor Li had been arrested many times. Twice, police had beaten him to the point that he had vomited blood, and one time Li's face was beaten with his own Bible. Li was warned that the police were watching the village where he held his Tuesday meetings. He knew if he showed up to preach, he would be imprisoned. Today, Chinese citizens can be sent to labor camps for up to three years without a formal trial.

The risks were great, but Li's bag was packed. More than having a bag packed, though, he had his mind and heart prepared. He was willing to pay any cost to preach the gospel. He was convinced God would care for him — even in prison.

Readiness is a sign of commitment. Commitment that is unprepared to sacrifice is merely compromise in disguise. For example, consider the marriage commitment. It costs one's selfishness and deals a heavy blow to one's sense of independence. However, the result is a stronger marriage. Relationships that are not ready to sacrifice for the sake of commitment do not last. Compromise takes a steady toll and weakens our desire and ability to be committed. In the same way, the believer's commitment to Christ must exact a price in order to maintain its value. We must prepare for the test of our commitment by daily affirming that Christianity is worth it. It's worth spending our time in daily prayer. It's worth gathering for worship at church. It's worth enduring hardship and trial, abuse, and even arrest for the privilege of maintaining our commitment without compromise.

Cicero, one of the leaders in Rome over two thousand years ago, had some counsel which seems to fit today's problems. He said, "The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." History repeats itself!

Oh friends, the end is near, it is stealing upon us stealthily, imperceptibly like a noiseless approach of a thief in the night. May the Lord grant that we shall no longer sleep as do others, but that we shall watch and be sober. The truth is soon to triumph gloriously, and all who now choose to surrender all and to be laborers together with God, will triumph with it. The time is short; the night soon cometh when no man can work. Let us lay all on the altar for Jesus and put self in the dust, crucified, never to rise again.

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

"We must no longer remain upon enchanted ground. We are fast approaching the close of our probation. Let every soul inquire, "How do I stand before God?" We know not how soon our names may be taken into the lips of Christ, and our cases be finally decided. What, oh, what will these decisions be! Shall we be counted with the righteous, or shall we be numbered with the wicked?" (RH 3/22/1887)

CHURCH NEWS

We are planning a baptism for September 26. Please keep this in your prayers.

Our dear friend, Emma Kingsbury, sends us her greetings from Virginia. She misses us as we miss her, but look forward to meeting again in heaven.

Discover Bible School

Many thanks go out to each of you who were faithful in distributing "Interest Cards" petitioning the public's interest in taking at home Bible studies. There are presently two separate Bible Studies in progress. The first, is the "Discover Bible Study" series that is published by the Voice of Prophecy. The Discover Bible course includes twenty six lessons, answering hundreds of important questions, such as why God permits suffering, what happens when one dies, what is the secret of true happiness and more importantly, offering great hope for today's chaotic existence. There are currently over thirty students participating. Three of the students have taken time to include a brief note of appreciation and one even included a monetary gift to assist with the purchase of our postage stamps.

The second Bible study is the "Focus on Prophecy Series", made up of twenty study lessons designed to make the books of Daniel and Revelation come alive as their prophecies are literally being fulfilled in our current world events. The first lesson booklet has just been mailed to eighty student prospects. Five students have already returned their lesson's answer sheet and have included notes of gratitude as well as personal prayer requests for themselves.

One student, named Linda, stated that she had been able to make sense out of a bad event in her life by applying the truths presented in the first lesson plan. She added that she has been "blessed and is looking forward to the next lesson with great anticipation". Please keep each of these students in. your prayers, pray that Satan will not be allowed to discourage, distract or deceive them from completing the course. I pray that your soul winning efforts will reap a harvest of many new visitors coming to Midtown as a result of their learning the Sabbath Truth as presented by the Living Word of God.

Karen Covington

WBAJ HAS BEEN OFFERED a wonderful opportunity during the month of October! One of our listeners, who is not a member of our church, has offered to match all funds donated during a fundraiser on the radio. This means that every dollar you give becomes TWO dollars. Please talk this over with the Lord to see what He would like to have you give. WBAJ has helped direct many souls to Jesus and we do not want to let this effort stop or slow down for lack of funds. Listen to WBAJ radio for further details.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

We are counseled as Seventh-day Adventists to provide for those in need. "As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Savior was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known 'the unsearchable riches of Christ" (AA 134).

The Adventist Community Thrift Shop (ACTS) will open its doors within a few months, providing the necessary funds to show Christ-like love to those who have needs. The Lord has provided a facility for the shop in the Quail Valley Plaza Shopping Center on St. Andrews Road. Renovations will begin within a few weeks and we need donations of saleable items as well as volunteers to help prepare the shop for opening. We also need volunteers who would be available to help once the shop is opened. If the Lord speaks to your heart about this special ministry, please contact Rose Sheroian, Community Service Director, Midtown Church 755-1441, Doris Sheriff, Assistant 779-4167 or Helen Koon, Assistant 532-8233.

Columbia First Church is a partner with the Midtown Church in this ministry and the West Columbia Church Board will consider partnering with the Midtown Church at their next meeting. The Columbia First Church board approved the construction of a donation box that will be built and serviced by Friendship Used Clothing Collection, LLC and strategically placed at the WBAJ radio station. The First Church has committed to promote the thrift shop by requesting donations and volunteers as well and as pledging the financial support, which was previously going to the Lexington Interfaith Community Services (LICS). As we lift up Jesus, this ministry will draw our churches together, brothers and sisters of like faith, whose passion it is to live for Jesus and share Him with others. May God bless this ministry and those who give unselfishly of their time and means to see it grow.

Helen Koon

SENSIBLE LIVING

Survival Retreat
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.

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to adjust Sabbath School materials as needed.

Voted to accept Carey McDaniel's offer of a store front building to house the Community Services Thrift Shop (ACTS).

Voted to assist Josephine Fome' with tuition help at Ouachita Hills Academy this school term.

BUILDING FUND

The Lord has done it! We have reached our matching grant. Praise the Lord for His goodness. We greatly thank our anonymous donor for the $10,000.00 matching grant. Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at nearly $107,000. Let's continue to work towards the halfway point in our goal of $250,000.00 for a down payment.

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.

Charlie Davis, Chairman

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon:

Debbie Biehl, Sept. 18
Damon Moresco, Sept. 19
Leslie Palmer, Sept. 21
Gary Biehl, Sept. 23
Thomas Biehl, Sept. 28
James Middleton, Sept. 29

MIDWEEK AT MIDTOWN

The time of our Prayer Meeting is 7:00 PM. 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. We do have a lively discussion as we study Face To Face With Jesus. Our goal is to learn more about our dear Savior.

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, p. 98, that, "Those who are really seeking communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting."

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 desserts. Please come and enjoy the fellowship of eating together and getting to know other better.

BITS OF WISDOM

"The powers of darkness gather about the soul and shut Jesus from sight, and at times we can only wait in sorrow and amazement until the cloud passes over. These seasons are sometimes terrible. Hope seems to fail and despair seizes upon us. In these dreadful hours we must learn to trust, to depend solely upon the merits of the atonement, and in all our helpless unworthiness cast ourselves upon the merits of the crucified and risen Savior. We shall never perish while we do this — never! When light shines on our pathway, it is no great thing to be strong in the strength of grace. But to wait patiently in hope when clouds envelop us and all is dark, requires faith and submission which causes our will to be swallowed up in the will of God. We are too quickly discouraged, and earnestly cry for the trial to be removed from us, when we should plead for patience to endure and grace to overcome" (IT 309,310).

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Fight Swine Flu With Mushrooms

The ordinary white button mushroom can help you beat the swine flu with an immunity boost, say researchers at Tufts University.

This lowly fungus, which was thought for many years to have no medicinal or nutritional value, actually bolsters immunity systems, the researchers say.

The Tufts study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, showed that grocery-store button mushrooms have as much antioxidant oomph as more exotic Asian mushrooms, long-prized for their ability to heal and to prevent disease. Common button mushrooms also contain polysaccharides and ergothioneine, along with other substances that jump-start the immune system. And they raise levels of cytokines, which are hormone-like proteins that help defend against viruses and tumors, the study found.

How many mushrooms are enough, and how should they be prepared? Holistic health counselor Margie King suggests one-half cup serving a day for full health benefits. You can add them to stews and soups or just put them in tossed salads, she says.

Dietitian Glenn Cardwell calls mushrooms one of nature's "true superfoods" and says, "While it is always tempting to reach for a quick fix vitamin or medical supplement, real food alternatives, such as the mushroom, are a healthier long term choice."

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.