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

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 25

July 2010

PASTOR'S COMMENTS

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and hi the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:25,26,28)

According to Luke 21:26, the predominant reaction of people living on planet earth will not be hope but fear. Given the list of natural disasters and strange happenings the Bible foretells, this reaction cannot be said to be unreasonable. If a person does not know that such things are signs of something better to come, the signs appear to indicate that much worse things will come instead. It is only because of hope-inspiring faith that we can entertain the possibility of standing up and raising our heads because our redemption is drawing near.

Again, the skeptics of this world lay odds on the belief that there are no happy endings, that in the long run we are all going to end up dead. But as Christians, we know that we have a better offer for the future.

As I have been studying events in the world through the eyes of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, I have come to some sobering conclusions. It is apparent that those who do not cling or hold fast to the Truth during the trying times just ahead will be false witnesses and will betray the faithful in order to save their own skin. They will betray their former church family to the wolves who are seeking their destruction. Jesus has warned us that this would happen so we would not be surprised at the cruel, unnatural course pursued by our former friends and relatives.

At this time we must trust in nothing but the abiding presence of Jesus, Friends and relatives who have been deceived by the enemy will believe they are helping God by opposing and creating hardship for us, hoping we will deny our faith. But God has promised, and we may trust our lives to the hand of Christ during the darkness and peril.

If we follow Jesus, we can expect to encounter sneers and be reviled for our faithfulness to Historic Biblical Adventism. Our words and our faith will be misrepresented. We may find that the coldness and contempt from others wiil be harder to endure than martyrdom.

We can expect parents to turn harshly against their children who accept unpopular truth. And those who conscientiously serve God will be accused of rebellion, but this has already been prophesied by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And this from the Spirit of Prophecy: "We have far more to fear from within than from without The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world." (LDE 156)

Let me close with a few precious promises from the Word of God. "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29) "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear [reverence] him, and delivereth them." (Ps. 34:7)

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

"After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven, and He is today presenting our needs to the Father. "I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands," He says. Isaiah 49:16. It cost something to engrave them there. It cost untold agony. If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. But, though professing to be converted, we carry around with us a bundle of self that we regard as altogether too precious to be given up. It is our privilege to lay this burden at the feet of Christ and in its place take the character and similitude of Christ. The Saviour is waiting for us to do this." (9T 189.4)

CHURCH NEWS

Great News!
Someone has donated funds to hire a Bible Worker for Midtown Church. This is a wonderful blessing and will surely facilitate the gospel work here in Columbia. Please pray that the Lord will send us just the right person to fill this position.

Becca Ganter will be going to Zambia in August to help in an orphanage. She could use some financial help towards her mission trip expenses. Please pray for the success of her trip.

Midtown Church now has its own Facebook page (thanks to Susan). Come and check us out.

Midtown has voted to bring our Church Officer terms in line with the Conference—July through June.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

"Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath-school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work." Ministry of Healing pg. 149

We have been given instruction for training in the Lord's work, and in keeping with this instruction and our mission, Midtown Community Services will hold its first cooking school beginning on September 13 and ending on November 1, 2010. Classes will be held every Monday evening from 6:30-8:30 at the Quail Valley Plaza Shopping Center. We will be studying the "Wellspring Healthy Cooking" program. This is a great way to introduce your friends to the Adventist Health Message, so watch for further details. Registration will begin soon and space is limited to 30 participants.

Our food pantry is in need of food. When you shop for your groceries please remember others who are less fortunate and may have limited resources for food. We help all who come to us in need of food, clothing or household items.

Please remember to pray for this ministry. It is our church's outreach to the community to share the love of Jesus and His desire for His children to live a healthy, faithful and righteous life in Him.

Don't forget to check out our new website at ACTShop.org.

Helen Koon

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Voted to recommend to the church that Gregory Sheroian be made S. S. Secretary.

Interviewed our first candidate for Bible Worker.

Voted to recommend to the church that our church officer's terms be changed from January through December to July through June.

MIDTOWN BIBLE SCHOOL

Our Discovery Bible Study Ministry continues to be an effective outreach for Midtown. Please pray that each of our new students will continue to hunger for God's truth found in each lesson plan. Also, continue to seek out opportunities to encourage others with the opportunity of Bible study in the convenience of their own homes. A wonderful prayer would be to ask God to impress you with the names of people who are searching, and to then bless you with divine appointments, allowing your paths to cross and conversations to open to serious spiritual matters. That is a prayer God is sure to answer.

A big thanks to each of you who have already contributed your effort in dispersing the Discovery Bible Study application cards throughout the past year. This outreach endeavor involves each and every one of us ....Keep up the faith in what God is going to do through it. God bless you.

Karen Covington

BUILDING FUND

Our Building Fund continues to grow. It now stands at $154,000. Let's continue to work towards our goal of $250,000.00 for a down payment We praise the Lord for His generous blessings.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon:

August 11, Karen Covington
August 14, Marion Marple
August 17, Renee Nicks
August 19, Pat Stephen
August 30, Ronelin Zearfoss

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 are continuing our study on the book of Nehemiah, which is proving to be 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.

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

Your future depends upon many things, but mostly on you.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.

"He is our Alpha and Omega. . . .Only by His power can our hearts be kept daily in the love of God." (HP 49)

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Loneliness and High Blood Pressure

A study of 229 men and women found that those who rated themselves as feeling the loneliest had an average blood pressure increase, over four years, of 14 millimeters more than those who reported feeling the most socially content. Theory: Loneliness alters physiological functioning, including blood pressure. Self-defense: Expand the number of friends and relatives with whom you connect ... and have contact at least twice a month. (Louise Hawkley, PhD, Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience)

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.