Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

Traces of a Divine Creation Bring Healing

We will often find a new outlook on life by applying one or more of these Divine traces. Too many people look at themselves and others through dark glasses. They have learned to be "helpless". They have been trapped by despair, repeated delinquent acts, uncontrollable tempers, or prolonged feelings of bitterness. They have the "loser's syndrome". 

A war is raging within each of us — the war between the desire for goodness and the inclination to badness, between the perception of right and the perceived attractiveness of wrong. This creates an internal restlessness, confusion, and neurotic conflict. 

We need to explore the likely outcomes of following the options available on both sides in the war that rages within, and encourage the nurturing of the spiritual nature! We may need to take a walk, breath deeply, and crystallize what our spiritual nature would do if we gave it some support.

Many, even religious persons, make life miserable for themselves, by chastising themselves for their shortcomings. We need to remove our dark glasses and find the traces of good that God, the Divine Creator, has put in every one of us.

We each possess intellectual power, spiritual power, the ability to know what is right, the desire for goodness, and our unique combinations of individualistic and positive qualities. We need to acknowledge the Source of these qualities and thank a loving God for creating these within us!

The nurturing of our impatience for whatever "feels" good is an encouragement to emotional immaturity — the level that every child would operate on, namely the immediate gratification of the senses. These are precursors to the development of anti-social personalities. Followed in early childhood, this practice of doing what initially feels good has been highly correlated with the development of children who have no conscience.

It is much better to encourage ourselves to follow through on our deepest desires for goodness, doing the right thing, and nurturing our spiritual power. We will soon experience "good feelings" that are not transient, but enduring. Thank God for these good feelings and for the privilege of fellowship with Him. I have found God quick to respond and energize those positive gifts He has blessed us with. These positive traces of a Divine creation, such as, desire for goodness, perception of right doing, and spiritual power, will continue to increase and then multiply. We will then be making long strides in our journey toward genuine spiritual, mental and emotional health. These Divine traces of Creation will also enable us to 
understand the last days.

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."  (Daniel 12:4)

The Book of Daniel contains the most detailed description of the end times of any book in the Bible, except the Book of Revelation.  In Daniel's last chapter, after all the prophecies had been recorded, the condition in our text was given as a sign of their imminent fulfillment, at "the time of the end."

A more striking summary of our own times could hardly be imagined. The Hebrew word for "run to and fro" is used first in 2 Chronicles 16:9. "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth," and its sense is "race back and forth." What a description of our present society, with speeding automobiles all over the land and airplanes filling our skies! In  little more than one lifetime, the world has "progressed" from horse and buggy to spacecraft, and almost everyone is racing to and fro. 

Furthermore, "knowledge" has been "increased" far beyond the wildest imaginations of people in the days of our founding fathers. The Hebrew word could well be understood as what we mean today by "science."

It is significant that the foundations of our modern scientific age were laid mostly by great scientists who were creationists (Newton, Boyle, Pascal, Pasteur, Faraday, Maxwell, etc.). In our present generation, however, science has been largely taken over by non-Christian evolutionists, and science has also generated deadly instruments of destruction and pollution which are threatening life's existence. This rise in "science falsely so called" is also given as a sign of the last days (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Peter 3:3-4; etc.).

In any case, the traces of a Divine creation will empower us to rightly understand and relate to the explosive increase in science (both true and false) and rapid travel in our day, which is one of the many God-given signs that the return of Christ is near! Let's get ready!! 

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place — that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.

Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, that they may not blow until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. (Ed 179).

CHURCH NEWS

We would like to welcome three new members to our church family this month. Joe Fry, James McDonald and Jerry White. Let's be sure to let them know how joyful we are in having them in our happy and growing Midtown Church family.

The church has chosen its new officers for this coming year of 2010. May the Lord bless them as they fill the responsibilities to which He has called them.

We are in need of a missionary minded pianist who can fill in for us when our pianist is away. If you know anyone who can be a blessing to us in this capacity, please contact Pastor Fry.

Pat Stephen has a new phone number.  

COMMUNITY SERVICES

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6 (NASV)

Elizabeth (not her real name) came into the shop just prior to closing one evening with two shopping bags in her hand, one containing clothing and in the other was books. She didn't say anything for a moment so I asked if she had a donation. She replied, "Yes" and told me she had been on her way to the other thrift shop with her donation, saw our sign and decided to bring her donation to us instead. After she received her receipt and the tri-fold explaining about our shop, she left and I began to put the books on the shelf. She referred to the books as "self-help" but they all related to addictions and their affect on the lives of individuals. I have since prayed for Elizabeth because she did not just happen into the shop. I believe the Lord directed her and that she will return again. Nothing happens by chance and Almighty God knows all things. How interesting it would be to know what Elizabeth's life story is and the impact of her encounter with the staff the day she came through the doors of ACTS.

ACTS is up and running in Columbia for people like Elizabeth who need to know that JESUS is the answer to heal their past and to provide them with a future filled with peace and the knowledge that He loves them with an everlasting love; and as they (and we) allow Him, He will heal us and bring us into the paths of His righteousness.

Please continue to pray for ACTS and the volunteers who support it. Also, please pray that the Lord will use you to help in the shop as you are able.

Helen Koon

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to change the Church Board meeting time from 6:00 to 6:30 PM. 

Voted for Doug Leonhardt to plan some outings for the church youth. 

Voted to send a donation to the Palm Center for the use of their facility on Oct. 24. 

Voted to purchase a quarter page ad in CAA's yearbook.

MIDTOWN BIBLE SCHOOL

Dear Church,
We have 4 new request for Bible lessons this month. What a blessing! One of our students is so excited about the soon return of Jesus, she wrote on her answer sheet, "I can hardly wait to see the One who died for my sins." Isn't this how we should all feel?

We are hoping that a couple of our students will soon finish the Voice of Prophecy Bible School lessons and we can have a
"Graduation" at the church. We will then offer them a new set of lessons. 

Doris Sheriff

BUILDING FUND

BUILDING FUND Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at nearly $ 118,000. Let's continue to work towards 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. Thanks so much. 

Charlie Davis, Chairman

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon: 

December 10, Gregory Sheroian 
December 12, Rose Sheroian 
December 14, Michael Clarke
December 19, Nicholeta Hodis

MIDWEEK AT MIDTOWN

The time of our Prayer Meeting is 6:30 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 6:30 PM here at the Capital Senior Center.

We are told in Steps To Christ, p. 98, that, "Those who are realty 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 others better.

BITS OF WISDOM

Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of problems. It empties today of its strength.

Our efficiency without God's sufficiency is only deficiency. 

To Find peace, one need only to walk in the light of the Lord.

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). 

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

 
Swine Flu Update

New study: In caregivers of people with the H1N1 (swine) flu, researchers found three main transmission routes for the virus: Contamination of the eyes, lips and/or nostrils with cough droplet sprays (containing particles too large to be inhaled) from the patient (52%)...hand contact with contaminated surfaces followed by touching of the eyes, lips and nostrils (31%)...and inhalation of small virus-carrying particles from the sick person (17%). If you care for an H1N1 patient: wash your hands often, disinfect surfaces — and consider wearing latex or neoprene gloves and an N95 face mask, which is more protective than a surgical mask. (Mark Nicas, PhD, adjunct professor of environmental health sciences, University of Berkeley)

VESPERS

Friday Night Video Vespers

Each Friday, at 6:30 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 10:00 AM for Sabbath School and 11:15 AM for the Worship Hour. Please come and join us for fellowship and worship.

All photos by     ©2001-2012, Columbia Midtown SDA Church, 701 Gervais St. #150-301, Columbia SC 29201