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

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 21

March 2010

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

Have you ever found yourself in a life or death situation? Dutch sea captain Johan Lindeman did. All summer long Captain Lindeman had taken boatloads of European sightseers to an uninhabited island to experience the fanfare of an active volcano. On August 26, 1883, the little island, too small to even bother naming on most maps, exploded.

Lindeman was in the Sunda Straits at the time Krakatoa erupted. Heavy ash and pumice fell on the ship. The choppy waters made it impossible to land. Early next morning, the captain watched a wave sweep away those gathered on the pier of Telok Betong and beach a ship among coconut trees. To save his ship, he dropped both anchors, heading straight into the waves.

The ship was tossed violently. Sulphurous acid burned the air. In minutes the deck of the ship was covered in a foot and a half of pumice. The sea heaved convulsively as the crew worked desperately to clear the deck. It seemed a losing battle. A giant wall of water came at them. Lindeman lashed himself down in the engine room. The monster wave hit and flung the crew from one side of the engine room to the other. The ship rode up the wave almost until it was vertical and seesawed down. All on board gave themselves up for dead. When the wind died down at around noon, a deadly calm ensued more frightening than the storm. But not one passenger lost his or her life thanks to the decisiveness of the captain who dropped anchor and headed straight into the killer waves. Instead of running from the waves, Captain Lindeman dropped anchors and headed straight into them. His quick thinking saved the lives of his crew and passengers. Sometimes the right action involves considerable risk. Consider this: Sometimes following Jesus can be a life or death situation.

As 2009 has ended and 2010 has begun I am deeply concerned about developments in our country and world. Some of our history's greatest famines, pestilence, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, tsunamis, droughts, hurricanes, disasters, depressions, hatreds, and wars are taking place. Old tyrannies are being overthrown, only to be replaced by worse tyrannies. Financial leaders admit we are in uncharted waters as they see nations falling into financial and economic chaos. But a promise in Isaiah 41:10 to God's people gives us hope. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea. I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Our Lord has told us in Matthew 24:6-8 that these things must come to pass, and in the time of the end these things would grow in intensity and in frequency. That time has come, my friends. Present-day conditions match the divine description of the ancient prophecy of our Lord. This deepens our conviction that the coming of the Lord is near. Even at the door!

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

"Those who love to think of God will be in their element, breathing in the atmosphere of heaven. Those who on earth love the thought of heaven will be happy in its holy associations and pleasures." (RH 5-13-90)

Heaven must become very, very real to us. Heaven must become more real to us than this old world of rebellion. As the dark night of tyranny, terror, and global control descends upon this dark planet, how our souls must reach out for that better land - heaven, and ultimately the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and Him Whom our soul loveth- Jesus Christ. Like Enoch we must walk with God. The presence of Christ, His streets of gold, the Holy City, the title to Abraham's farm, a different world, a far, far better world, must stir our souls, and animate our hope. Here, now, we must walk with reference to the heavenly domain, though all around us the world denies this reference.

"Language fails to express the value of the immortal inheritance. The glory, riches, and honor offered by the Son of God are of such infinite value that it is beyond the power of men or even angels to give any just idea of their worth, their excellence, their magnificence." (2T 40; Heaven, 53)

"Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, 'Oh, what love! What wondrous love!' The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour's love." (Mar.309,310; Heaven, 58)

CHURCH NEWS

We had our first Sabbath service in our new location (Maple St. Methodist Church). It was an excellent turnout and a spiritual treat. We are so thankful for the Lord's leading in this. We thank all who prayed and worked so hard to make this happen.

Susan Balcerzak has named her new ministry (a vegetarian restaurant) the Seventh Day Cafe. We wish the Lord's blessings as she continues to move forward with this very important missionary project.

We welcome Wanda Amick into our fellowship. May the Lord bless you, Wanda. We are pleased to have you as part of our church family.

Carl Hatcher is to be baptized on April 3. We welcome Carl's decision to join our church family. God bless you Carl.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

"There is something for everyone to do. Every soul that believes the truth is to stand in his lot and place, saying, 'Here am I; send me.'" Isa. 6:8, Christian Service, page 11.

It has been over four months since the Lord opened the doors at ACTS. The ministry has helped many people, and volunteers have had the opportunity to share their faith with shoppers as well as with each other. ACTS is a community of people who have become close in fellowship, encouraging each other.

One of our volunteers who came to us from the Irmo community has offered a $100 donation to ACTS. Linda Rahner's husband, Harry, is a technical representative for Northeast Security and sells ADT systems. If you or anyone you know has thought of purchasing a security system, you could make a donation to ACTS through your purchase. Please call Harry Rahner at 803-917-5874 (Mobile) or 803-787-0056 (Office). You may also communicate with Harry by e-mail at hrahner@belsouth.net for further information.

This month ACTS is requesting flour, salt and biscuit mix. We have made positive changes in how our food pantry looks. It is more organized on the new shelves which were donated and put up by Carroll Dailey, one of our volunteers. Please stop by and check it out. It is much easier and takes less time to fill food boxes for our clients.

ACTS is in need of volunteers. We ask that you take a few moments to complete the attached survey and turn it into to Rose. This survey will also go to West Columbia and Columbia First Churches in their news letters. We thank you in advance for your consideration and may the Lord richly bless you as you prayerfully consider working for Him at ACTS.

Helen Koon

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to accept Wanda Amick membership from the First Church to the Midtown Church.
Voted to accept Carl Hatcher for baptism.

MIDTOWN BIBLE SCHOOL

We have eighteen (18) requests for lessons since the beginning of the year, including our first request for "large print" lesson. If you or someone you know is interested, we do have "large print* lessons available. We also have our first "on line" student. If you are interested in taking lessons "on line", please go to: www.bibleschools.com/1311. Please continue to pray for the Discover Bible School as we endeavor to reach souls for the Kingdom.

Doris Sheriff

BUILDING FUND

Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at $134,000. 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:

Rebecca Ganter, April 23

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 (Corner 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.

BITS OF WISDOM

It's Good Medicine!

Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you have it, you've lost it.

Before a person can become bread to feed the multitude, they must first be ground under the millstone of life.

Our choices are the only way we can lose our assurance of salvation.

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Boost Your Cold and Flu Fighting Defenses

In a study of 19,000 people, those with the lowest levels of vitamin D - less than 10 nanograms per milliliter - were 36% more likely to report a recent respiratory infection (such as cold or flu) than those with the highest levels. People with lung disease (such as asthma or emphysema) were at greater risk. Theory: Vitamin D may play an important role in the body's immunity. Self Defense: In addition to vitamin D from sun exposure, aim to get a total of 1,000-2,000 international units daily of vitamin D from food and supplements. (Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.)

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.