February 2010 Newsletter of the Columbia SC Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 20

February 2010

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

In the last couple of decades we have sadly witnessed in Adventism an over emphasis on "common ground" with other religions. This type of thinking is causing the minds of our people to think that doctrinal differences do not matter as long as we share some "common ground" with these religions. What kind of impression are we giving by doing this? I believe the message that is conveyed is that we are all OK because we all serve the same God. We give the impression that we understand and accept what everyone stands for and doctrines do not matter.

Could this be the reason why so many Seventh-day Adventists do not take seriously their own beliefs? Perhaps many think "Why should I defend my beliefs, if after all, we have so much in common with other faiths? If there are many roads to heaven, then maybe it is not so important which one I take. I'll take the easiest one." "There is as great a difference in our faith and that of nominal professors, as the heavens are higher than the earth" (2SG 300).

In reality, my friends, once you get beyond vague generalities, this illusion of "common ground" disappears, when one considers the great mission and the present-truth messages that have made us Seventh-day Adventists. Let's look at the last-day apostasy that is alive today and consider God's answer to this universal problem. Babylon has been fostering unbiblical doctrines. Some of these poisonous, unbiblical doctrines are the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and exalting the first day of the week above God's holy, sanctified day, among others. How does one build "common ground" with a system of beliefs that negates the core beliefs of Seventh-day Adventism? When we speak too much of "common ground" with Babylon we tend to lose respect for the prophetically unique message we are to give to the world.

My friends, how can we find "common ground" and unite with those who are pushing for Sunday laws and opposing our great commission? This is sowing confusion among Adventism with regards to our prophetic teaching. God has given to Seventh-day Adventists a special work to do before the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus. By uniting with religious leaders who are hostile towards the work of the "third angel" we are placing ourselves on dangerous ground. Seventh-day Adventists do want to find unity and common ground with others, but notice the kind of unity we must seek. "Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on wrong practices. The God of heaven draws a sharp contrast between pure, elevating, ennobling truth and false, misleading doctrines ... unify upon a true Scriptural basis" (17 MR 306). How might we relate to this "common ground" thinking after reading the following paragraph?

Jesus climbed the lonely road up Calvary, and He bore the heavy cross to set me free. But He fainted beneath the load. How can it be that my Saviour would have borne it just for me? I can never understand His love for me. For to Him I was a bitter enemy. Oh, forever it will be a mystery, that my Saviour would have died for only me. Then they nailed Him to the cross by men's decree. Yes they crucified God's Son so shamefully, and they gave Him gall to drink. How can it be that my Saviour would have suffered just for me? Oh, behold Him hanging there in infamy. See the haughty priest, the scowling Pharisee. See the crown of thorns He wears. How can it be that my Saviour would have worn it just for me? See the darkness that descends on Calvary. See the lightening flash, the earth quake violently. Hear His dying bitter cry of agony; and to think He would have died for only me! I can never understand His love for me. For to Him I was a bitter enemy. Oh, forever it will be a mystery that my Saviour would have died for only me.

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

Sitting at his toll booth one day, the publican saw Jesus approaching. Great was his astonishment to hear the words addressed to himself, "Follow Me."

Matthew "left all, rose up, and followed Hun." There was no hesitation, no questioning, no thought of the lucrative business to be exchanged for poverty and hardship. It was enough for him that he was to be with Jesus, that he might listen to His words, and unite with Him in His work.

So it was with the disciples previously called. When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour's invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, How shall I live, and sustain my family? They were obedient to the call; and when afterward Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" they could answer, "Nothing." Luke 22:35. To Matthew in his wealth, and to Andrew and Peter in their poverty, the same test was brought; the same consecration was made by each. At the moment of success, when the nets were filled with fish, and the impulses of the old life were strongest, Jesus asked the disciples at the sea to leave all for the work of the gospel. So every soul is tested as to whether the desire for temporal good or for fellowship with Christ is strongest.

Principle is always exacting. No man can succeed in the service of God unless his whole heart is in the work and he counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. No man who makes any reserve can be the disciple of
Christ, much less can he be His co-laborer. When men appreciate the great salvation, the self-sacrifice seen in Christ's life will be seen in theirs. Wherever He leads the way, they will rejoice to follow.

(DA 273)

CHURCH NEWS

Great news! The Maple St Methodist Church has consented to allow us to hold services in their church. At last we will be able to worship in a real church without all the distractions of the Senior Center and all that goes on there. We are very grateful to the members of Maple St. for their kindness and loving response to our appeal to rent their facility. I know that God will bless them for it. We must treat the church with respect and keep it clean. Remember, we are witnesses as to how God's people live their lives. In no way do we want to dishonor God by giving these dear people the wrong impression of Seventh-day Adventists.

Change in Prayer Meeting time: Starting March 2nd we will move Prayer Meeting to Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. in order not to conflict with the Maple St. congregation's Prayer Meeting. Please come and enjoy learning from the book of Nehemiah.

Starting March 6 (in our new facility) we will have two adult Sabbath School classes. The regular class, and a Pastor's Class (which is primarily for struggling members, new believers and non-members). However, regular members may join the Pastor's Class if they wish. We will use the same quarterly but use a more simple approach to the lesson.

We wish to give Gary and Penny Beihl a big THANK YOU for lending our church their piano for the last few years. This
generous gift has been a tremendous blessing to our church and its services.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Please remember the food pantry at ACTS. We need flour, sugar, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, corn meal, cake mix, frosting, and pancake mix. Thanks so much for your kindness and generosity.

Rose Sheroian

"The followers of Christ are to labor as He did. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and inspire hope in the hopeless. And to us also the promise will be fulfilled, 'Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.'"

Isaiah 58:8; DA pg 350

The plea for volunteers to help at ACTS has been answered by the Lord. God has brought several volunteers to the shop that are from the community and not of our faith. These individuals are such a blessing to us as they have brought their own special talents using them for the Lord in His work at ACTS. One of these volunteers is asking questions about the Sabbath and why the day of worship was changed from Saturday to Sunday. Please pray for this individual and for us as we interact with her, that God will send His Spirit to help us to say and do only the things mat will bring glory to Him and will help her to learn His truth and choose to follow it. We now have volunteers from each of our churches and the community.

During their last board meeting the Columbia First Church voted to put a receptacle in the Adventurer room to collect donated items for ACTS. The Men's Ministry will be involved in transporting the items from the church to the shop. Praise God for His blessings in this area!

We are planning a cooking class, which is part of our annual plan. Please watch for more details as they unfold.

We thank each one for their prayers and support of this ministry of our church.

Helen Koon

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to request the Ingathering rebate from the Conference.
Voted to suspend Fellowship Lunches through the month of March due to our change in location.

MIDTOWN BIBLE SCHOOL

Dear Church,

I wish to thank each of you who have been working to put stickers, with our web address, on the Bible School application cards. Also I wish to thank each of you who have given out the cards. We are inserting the cards in free books to be given away at the Thrift Store. We also have the dispenser card holders at the Thrift shop. If you know any business that will permit the dispenser to be displayed, please pick up the holders and cards on the display table each Sabbath.

We have 14 new applications in January and February which means that 14 new people have been introduced to God's
Word. Please pray that they will continue wanting to study the lessons.

Doris Sheriff

BUILDING FUND

Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at $130,000. Let's continue to work towards our goal of $250,000.00 for a down payment.

Charlie Davis, Chairman

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon:

Brandon Palmer, March 2
Josh Baynard, March 25
Gladys James, March 26

MIDWEEK AT MIDTOWN

The time of our Prayer Meeting is Tuesday at 6:30 PM. If you haven't yet stopped in, it's never too late. We welcome all members and visitors to join with us and participate in the Bible Study. We have just begun a new study on the book of Nehemiah which should prove very interesting. Our goal is to learn more about how to live for Christ in this world, which will deepen our conviction that the coming of our Lord is near.

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 Tuesday evening at the Maple St. Methodist Church (Comer of Maple St. and Preston St.) where we meet in the sanctuary.

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 others better.

NOTE: FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES ARE CANCELLED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH DUE TO THE CHANGE IN CHURCH LOCATION.

BITS OF WISDOM

It's Good Medicine!

Laughing for 10-15 minutes burns about 50 calories. That's equal to a 13 minute brisk walk. (Prevention Magazine)

"A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

"He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15)

The future depends on what we do in the present.

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Boost Your Life Span

An analysis of data for 6,360 retirees who were over age 65 showed that those who participated in volunteer activities (for a median of 96 hours yearly) had a death rate of 12% compared with a death rate of 26% for non-volunteers over a four-year period. Theory: Volunteering promotes self-respect — a trait that may lead volunteers to make healthy lifestyle changes (such as losing weight and exercising more). Self-defense: Consider performing volunteer activities that match your interests. Hint: ACTS could use more volunteers.

VESPERS

Friday Night 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 Maple St. Methodist Church, located at the comer of Maple St. and Preston St. in Columbia, SC, 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.