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Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 34

Sandra Justus, Editor

April 2011

Pastor's Comments

A Call to Repentance

Disasters serve as a wake up call to mankind. Disasters can have a sobering effect upon the human mind. When a war breaks out, or an earthquake destroys countless lives and property, or a drought burns the crops and dries up the water supply or an epidemic disease victimizes millions of persons, many will call out to God, either in curse or in prayer.

In His Olivet Discourse Jesus predicted that certain calamities will occur before His return. Because of their nature and function, we can call these calamities "signs of divine judgment." Jesus said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of sufferings" (Mt. 24:6-8). Luke adds "the roaring of the sea and the waves" (Lk. 21:25) among the signs of the End. The latter reminds us of Katrina and the South Asia Tsunami, and now, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruption, tornados, and hurricanes can have a sobering effect upon the human mind. They can challenge complacent, self-centered, and self-sufficient people to acknowledge their finiteness and helplessness and thus to seek God. It was the earthquake which marked the death of Jesus that led the centurion and his soldiers to confess, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Mt. 27:54).

The recent rash of natural disasters causes many to ask: Are natural disasters increasing today? The answer is not difficult to find. A search in GOOGLE for "increase in natural disaster" shows more than 7 million pages of reports and studies. Many of the reports are issued by credible organizations, warning of the dramatic increase in natural disasters.

A report published by the "Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters" shows that "over the past decade, the number of natural and technological disasters has risen sharply. Both hydro-meteorological and geophysical disasters have become more common, becoming 68 percent and 62 percent respectively more frequent over the decade. This reflects longer-term trends."

It is also noteworthy that insurance companies agree with the Bible in predicting a dramatic increase in natural disasters. In a long-term assessment published in June, 2002, the "Munic Re"—one of the world's main re-insurers predicts a "dramatic increase" in devastating floods, earthquakes and storms in the future. "The company's statistics show that comparing the ten years (1993-2002) with the 1960s, the number of major catastrophes has increased from 27 to 70. The economic losses, adjusted for inflation, rose from 75.5 billion to 84.5 billion." What would it show today in 2011???

Recent disasters have caused some to wonder, as expressed by the headline of "U.S. News & World Report, a few years ago, "Is Mother Nature Going Berserk?" To the Christian this trend indicates not that "mother nature has gone berserk" but rather that divine judgments are being manifested in a special way in our time, to call mankind to repentance before the final judgment at Christ's Coming.

The Bible teaches that natural disasters will intensify before the End. Jesus spoke of wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences as being "but the beginning of the sufferings" (Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8). "But the beginning" presupposes that there will be more and more disasters yet to come. These will cause such a "great tribulation" that, Jesus said, "If those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved" (Matt. 24:22: Mark 13:20).

The time of great punishments to befall humanity before Christ's Return is described in the Bible as "The Day of the Lord."  The prophet Isaiah tells us that those days of global suffering "will come as destruction from the Almighty" and "every man's heart will melt and be afraid" (Isa. 13:6-8). The Book of Revelation offers shocking details of horrific plagues by which "a third of mankind was killed" (Rev. 9:18; 9:15). But, could it be that we have become so accustomed to natural disasters that we no longer grasp their eschatological significance?

The present intensification of natural and man-made disasters must be seen as clear signs of God's final warning to mankind of the impending divine judgment. These disasters tell us that, as in the experience of ancient nations, God will not allow human rebellion and wickedness to continue much longer (Gen. 15:16). Soon Christ will come to bring an end to the colossal crises that are engulfing our fragile planet (Rom. 8:19-22). Since these things are about to happen, "What sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God"? (2 Pet. 3:11). 

Pastor Fry

Happy Birthdays

May 2 Jacob Pawlowski
May 10 Gareth Fome'
May 10 Steffan Moresco
May 17 Doris Sheriff
May 19 Janet Beason

 

Midtown Bible Institute

Dear Church:

The new Prophecy of Hope Bible lessons are being well received, especially by our members. We have had several members request lesson sets to give to friends and family. Thank you for doing this. We have already given out 24 sets of the lessons. Olivia Smith and Pat Stephen have completed their lessons. They will be receiving their Diploma at a later date. Thank you all for your support and continued prayers for the Columbia Midtown Bible Institute.

Doris Sheriff

Community Services

"By earnest, thoughtful efforts to help where help is needed, the true Christian shows his love for God and for his fellow beings.  He may lose his life in service: but when Christ comes to gather His jewels to Himself, he will find it again".  Christian Service p.271

There are many who have given unselfishly of their time to work in the Lord's ministry at ACTS. Some believe it to be a small thing but in every seemingly small act of service, we are told we are doing the Lord's will and will receive His blessing. We thank each one who takes part in this ministry.

Doris Sheriff, who initially helped to start the ministry at ACTS, is officially retiring. She will be greatly missed as a valued friend and sister in the Lord's work at the thrift shop. We are looking for someone who has a burden for helping the needy, enjoys meeting the public and would be available to work each Wednesday afternoon. If you know someone who would like to help, please contact Rose Sheroian. We are in earnest prayer in this matter and ask that you pray with us.

We would like to welcome Donice Corbine to ACTS. Donice is helping on Thursday afternoons as she is able. We truly appreciate her willingness to allow God to use her in His service at the thrift shop.

Our Bible study that began in March has grown from two to three individuals, two of these dear people are from the Irmo community. These studies are being conducted by Anh Pham each Wednesday morning from 10:00 — 11:00. Our prayer is that God will multiply the numbers and many more will learn His Truth and become a part of His last day church.

We covet your prayers and support. God is good and has led this ministry with His guiding hand. May He bless each one who takes part by your prayers, support and donations.

Helen Koon

Bits of Wisdom

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

By perseverance the snail made it to the ark!

When truth is in your way, you are on the wrong road.

A Christian shouldn't have to be MISSION-MINDED!

Jesus was born in a stable, and He is the only One who can really stabilize lives. 

Mary Ann Fry

Church Board Activity

There is no church board activity to report this month due to the ongoing Revelation Bible Seminar. 

Bob Sitko

Fellowship Meal

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

Church Location

Midtown Church meets at the Maple St. Methodist Church, located at the corner of Maple St. and Preston St. in Columbia, SC. Sabbath (Saturday) morning at 10:00 AM for Sabbath School and 11:00 AM for Worship Hour. Please come and join us for worship and fellowship.

Prophetic Counsel

The Blessings of Sabbath Observance

 All heaven was represented to me as beholding and watching upon the Sabbath those who acknowledge the claims of the fourth commandment and are observing the Sabbath. Angels were marking their interest in, and high regard for, this divine institution. Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and who sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability, and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight—these the angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength was given them.

Strict compliance with the requirements of Heaven brings temporal as well as spiritual blessings. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." "The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer." Isaiah 56:1, 2, 6, 7. 

So long as the heavens and the earth endure, the Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator's power. And when Eden shall bloom on earth again, God's holy rest day will be honored by all beneath the sun. "From one Sabbath to another" the inhabitants of the glorified new earth shall go up "to worship before Me, saith the Lord." Matthew 5:18; Isaiah 66:23. (CCh 271.1-271.4)

 Treasurer's Notes

Offerings received:

Church budget ...................................  
Sabbath school .................................. 
Missions ............................................
Building fund ....................................  

Expenditures:

Church budget ..................................  
Sabbath school ................................. 
Evangelism ....................................... 
Miscellaneous .................................... 

Literature distribution:

Bus Station: Train Station:  Church Table:
Bringing It Back 24
Christmas, Easter & Halloween 24
Defending The Spirit Of Prophecy 24
Mark Of The Beast 20+10
National Sunday Law 20+20
Search For Paradise 10
The Broken Blueprint 24
You Can Be An Overcomer 20+40+10

Church attendance: 

April 02 ................ 90
April 09 ................ 43
April 16 ................ 46
April 23 ................ 48
April 30 ................ 47

For your convenience when you are away, absent from church, or just want to make that extra donation during the week you can still go to our web site (www.MidtownChurch.net) and make a donation on line. Tell your friends about our online giving and our need for a church building. Donations of unexpected and found money is coming in slowly. We are up to $18,348.96 in our quest to receive the $25,000.00 matching grant. Please ask our Lord to bless us with unexpected funds. 

Doug Leonhardt


I earnestly solicit everyone's prayers as I work on the monthly newsletter. It is very plain to me that Satan does not want this newsletter printed. I have computer troubles that I have never experienced in 10 or more years. I have lost the program I used to print up the newsletter. Pray that I can get it back.  

Sandra Justus

Wonder How Much I Limited God Today?

"If we commit the keeping of our souls to God in the exercise of living faith, His promises will not fail us; for they have no limit but our faith." -Signs, Nov. 14,1906

Remember in Prayer

The Recipe Box

Beef-like Seasoning

In blender, combine all ingredients.
Blend until it is a fine powder.
Store in refrigerator in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

Thank You!

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Steve Sorenson for his freewill offering in repairing a used office copier I purchased to produce the church's newsletter and this at his expense. More so, he has loaned me his own copier to produce this edition while parts are ordered and installed on my copier. I am deeply appreciative of his good will toward us and our church in his selfless act. Please remember Steve and his family in your prayers. 

Sandra Justus

Our Books and Periodicals

Did you notice how many books and tracts were taken this month? My heart is thrilled when I see the amount of material that is taken to be used in ministering to others. This is what the servant of the Lord said about our use of these tracts and books: "Let more time be given to the publication and circulation of books containing present truth. Call attention to books dwelling on practical faith and godliness and to those that treat on the prophetic word. The people are to be educated to read the sure word of prophecy in the light of the living oracles. They need to know that the signs of the times are fulfilling. It is God alone who can give success either in preparing or in circulating our publications."--Testimonies, Vol. 7, pp. 150-158. 

Here are precious opportunities to work for Christ. I invite each and every member to visit the back table and gather a few booklets, tracts or articles and pass them out whenever you have opportunity. Pray as you work asking God to give success in your effort to place material in other's hands. Maranatha!

All photos by     ©2001-2012, Columbia Midtown SDA Church, 831 Maple St., Columbia SC 29205

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Sandra Justus