September 2008 Newsletter

Midtown Herald

Church Newsletter of the Midtown Seventh-day Adventist Church

No. 3

September 2008

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

Concerns About the Future?

Lately there has been a lot of talk about a severe crisis in the US economy. Dates have been suggested for this Fall. Personally I try to shy away from sensational projections, as well as conspiracy theories -- which, by the way, are rampant. BUT, while not wanting to predict that a great crisis is coming this Fall, I think it is only common sense to see that we are nearing some severe type of crisis.

Many do not know that on March 13th the US Congress held a historic "closed session" -- one of only 6 since 1825. Such sessions are closed to the media and public. Only the highest-level staff are included. The topic was to discuss classified information relating to an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It has also been said that some discussion took place about the situation with the US economy. The real question is, who knows what is really going on behind closed doors? Why can't the general public know what is being discussed? What is the future for our global economy?

And should we have concerns about the future? Yes. The US dollar has dropped around 22% in the last 2 years in the international markets. Inflation, energy costs, ever-rising fuel costs are all dipping heavily into our pocketbooks.

If for any reason we enter into a "new depression," the cities of America could become very unsafe (if they aren't already in many areas!) Every generation except ours has faced some life-changing crisis. Ask any elderly person about the Great Depression or World War I or II. During the Depression, 80% of the population in the US lived in rural areas -- meaning many people had small gardens, chickens and maybe even a milk cow. Today it is reversed, with over 80% of the population living in urban areas, purchasing their weekly or daily food from nearby shopping centers. Is it any wonder why we were counseled to move to the country? So when a crisis comes we can avoid many of the problems people in the cities will face.

Perhaps we should consider Proverbs 6:6-8, which says, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her [food] in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest."

It is imperative that we search out what God says to do in these last days and be following His instructions as well as keeping our sights upon His character, dwelling upon His goodness and His power. "If we would take our minds off the distressing situations in which we are placed and think of the power and majesty of our God, we would be at peace, even in the midst of the shadows of death". See PP, 657.

People should, out of common sense, have some food put away, as well as drinking water. If the power goes off for a few weeks in the winter, or there is a trucking strike, or fuel shortages, it is wise to have some provisions. Our grandparents always canned food for the winter, and they were not fanatics. They used common sense. Bible prophecy tells us there will come a crisis in "buying and selling." We need to be careful not to get caught up in sensational hype. Watch the signs of the times. Have some way to provide for your families. Set spiritual and financial priorities in your life and try to live debt-free as much as possible. MOST OF ALL, TRUST IN CHRIST.

Pastor Fry

PROPHETIC COUNSEL

Prepare for an Overwhelming Surprise

"Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. God's people should be preparing for what is to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise" (GC 555).

"God has placed you in a world of suffering to prove you, to see if you will be found worthy of the gift of eternal life. There are those all around you who have woes, who need words of sympathy, love, and tenderness, and our humble pitying prayers. Some are suffering under the iron hand of poverty, some with disease, and others with heartaches, despondency, and gloom. Like Job, you should be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, and you should inquire into the cause which you know not and search it out with the object in view to relieve their necessities and help just where they most need help." (T3, 530).

CHURCH NEWS

Great News

The Midtown Church is an alive and growing church, and are in the process of becoming an organized church. We are looking forward to this in the coming weeks and are preparing a three year plan for church growth. We will share more news about this below.

Sermons

If you missed some of Pastor Fry's recent sermons, or would like to hear them again, there are two ways you can do this. First of all, you can hear Pastor Fry on WBAJ radio (890 AM) every Thursday morning from 7:30 to 8:00. At the conclusion of each radio sermon, listeners are invited to hear Pastor Fry in person by joining us in Worship every Sabbath morning at the Capital Senior Center. Also, you can log on to our website, MidtownChurch.net, click on "Sermons", and select from a list of about twenty sermons we have online so far. This list includes sermons by Pastor Fry, Gary Beihl, and Jon Tillay, with more being added each week.

WBAJ

Donations to WBAJ have dropped drastically, while at the same time, expenses to keep WBAJ on the air have risen. Electricity alone costs thousands of dollars a month, and another increase is scheduled to go into effect soon. WBAJ is our most effective method of spreading the Word, and we must do all we can to keep this station on the air. The station is directly responsible for over a hundred baptisms in the past few years. WBAJ management has suggested that if every member of our local churches gave just five dollars a week, all expenses could be met and programming could be expanded. If you can make WBAJ a part of your weekly offering, God will bless your efforts.

Baby Shower

The entire church is invited to a Baby Shower to be held on October 4, 2008, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Capital Senior Center. This Baby Shower is to honor Brittany Pawlowski and to welcome Baby Lauren.

Business Meeting

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, September 20, a Church Business Meeting was held at the Capital Senior Center to discuss plans to become an organized church. There are six requirements that must be met for a company to become a church, and we have already met four of those requirements. One of the remaining requirements is a three-year plan that addresses church growth. Also discussed at the meeting was the head deacon position.

Three Year Growth Plan

First year goal is to reach fifty members
Second year goal is to reach seventy-five members
Third year goal is to reach one hundred members

1. Discovery Bible Correspondence School
2. Annual Sabbath Conference in partnership with Sensible Living Ministry
3. Annual Bible History and Archeology Seminar
4. Weekly radio sermons and daily announcements on WBAJ Radio station and Web Site
5. House-to-house literature distribution evangelism. (plans to cover Urban Columbia high-rise apts. (Mail) and streets (in person)
6. Van Ministry (Transportation to and from church for the blind and disabled)
7. Prayer Ministry with certain Prayer Warrior members praying daily for projects
8. Health Ministry-blood pressure testing, Vegan and vegetarian cooking schools, Stop Smoking seminars, etc. in cooperation with Sensible Living Ministry.
9. Annual Family Camps in cooperation with Sensible Living Ministry
10. Internet Ministry, offering a selection of On-line Bible Correspondence Schools
11. New member nurturing ministry
12. To secure our own church building as soon as possible. (Our Building Fund at this time has approximately fifty thousand dollars.)

Welcome, New Members!

On September 6 our church membership grew by two, with the addition of Mary Gene Davis and Rebecca Ganter. Mary Gene joined through Profession of Faith, and Rebecca was baptized that afternoon at Lake Murray. We're so grateful to Elizabeth Baynard for allowing us to use her home for the baptism services. There are lots of pictures of Mary Gene and Rebecca on our website, MidtownChurch.net. Thanks, Gary and Doug, for these fine photos.

Prison Inmate

We received a letter from Richard Harrison, an inmate at the Broad River Prison, requesting Bible Studies. Pastor Doug Batchelor's organization, Amazing Facts, wrote to Mr. Harrison and gave him our name and address as a caring church to contact for information and Bible Studies. We in turn gave Mr. Harrison's name and address to the First Church's Prison Ministries team, who plan to visit with him in the near future. He wrote that he believes in "the seventh-day Sabbath" and
is "very hungry for God's true word, not man's word." He believes "that the SDA preach from the Bible" and looks forward to a "Bible Study with someone of the SDA religion." If you would like to write to him and encourage his studies, send a letter to Richard Harrison 132488, CPRC 80, 4530 Broad River Rd., Columbia, SC 29210.

Transportation Needs

We continue to receive phone calls and internet inquiries about transportation to our church. There are a lot of people who have heard of our church and want to worship with us, but who lack transportation. Fortunately, we are located on several bus routes, and that helps somewhat. But some people who don't live near this service need to rely on the kindness of others to get to our church. Will you help by volunteering to transport someone, even if just one Sabbath a month? The Lord will be so pleased and will bless you beyond your imagination.

Kids' Sabbath School

Do you have friends or family members who may have been thinking of visiting our church, but were reluctant to do so because we had no Children's Sabbath School? Well, you can let them know that we now have Children's Sabbath School every Sabbath, in the room right next to where the adult Sabbath School is held. Sabbath Schools, for both adults and children, start each Sabbath at 10:00. Elizabeth Baynard is our Sabbath School leader and frequently teaches the adult class, while Penny Beihl, with help from Karen Covington and Mary Gene Davis, teaches the children's class. Be sure to let all your friends and family members know that they can now bring their children to church every Sabbath and be assured of the best instruction and care from our well-qualified and loving Sabbath School teachers.

Bob Sitko

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR)

"You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land." (Deut. 15:11).

Hundreds of volunteers from numerous Unions and Conferences have partnered to provide disaster assistance to communities all over our country. Early this year, ACS DR responded to flooding in the Northwest by providing goods and assisting with recovery and rebuilding. Numerous tornadoes and flooding have impacted our country's mid-section. In response, ACS DR has distributed tons of goods such as food, personal care products, cleaning supplies, and clothing.

July brought Hurricane Dolly to Texas. ACS DR distributed much needed new clothing outfits, blankets, and personal care kits. This month we have seen Hurricanes Gustav and Ike not only devastate the states of Texas and Louisiana, but severely affect numerous other states as well. With financial assistance from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency to purchase needed goods, the distribution of over 2,000 flood buckets and 6,000 blankets in Louisiana has begun. Teams have also assisted with community clean up. Thousands are still living without electricity. The effects of Hurricane Ike are still being determined. Tens of thousands remain in shelters. Water, sewage, and electricity are still not available in large areas. ACS DR once again is providing clothing, blankets, and personal care kits in response to Hurricane lke. Resources are stretched thin and continuing needs are still being identified.

"The love of God not only proclaims through our message, but is demonstrated through our compassionate act of Adventist Community Services Disaster Response volunteers," says North American Division ACS DR Director Sung Kwon. "This serving opportunity earns us the privilege to share the truth that we uphold. We appreciate the collaboration and effort of church members through the multiple Unions and Conferences. We need your support at this difficult time."

Please pray for all of those affected by these tremendous tragedies and consider opening your hand wide to your brother by making a donation to Adventist Community Services.

CHURCH BOARD ACTIVITY

Board Meeting

At the September 2nd Church Board Meeting, the Board members discussed church building rental properties, van ministry, transportation to our church for interested visitors, foot washing supplies, communion supplies, Rebecca's baptism, Mary Gene's Profession of Faith, and Music Coordinator. Resolutions were made and carried to accept a vehicle donated by Gary Beihl to be used for Van Ministry (transportation to church) and Evangelism; to purchase additional foot washing bins and towels; and to accept Rebecca Ganter and Mary Gene Davis into church membership. The next Board meeting will be held on October 7, so if you have any topics you want the Board to consider, please contact members Gary Beihl, Pastor Fry, Doug Leonhardt, Elizabeth Baynard, Mary Grace McPherson, or Bob Sitko.

A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER

We continue to meet our budget each month for which we can praise the Lord. We are praying to the Lord for our own church building. Our Building Fund must continue to grow if we are to realize this very important project.

Mary Grace McPherson

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Members who will be celebrating their birthdays soon:

Gary Beihl on September 23
Thomas Beihl on September 28
James Middleton on September 29
Elizabeth Baynard on October 26

MIDWEEK AT MIDTOWN

We continue to have near-capacity crowds at Wednesday's Midweek at Midtown Bible study, where we are studying Last Day Events. We always have room for a few more students, so stop by any Wednesday evening from 6 to 7 pm and see what everyone finds so intriguing.

In three weeks we will be starting a new series for Prayer Meeting which will teach us how to prepare for the Second Coming and the End Times.

Bob Sitko

FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES

Come join us for good food and fellowship every second and fourth Sabbath after the Worship Hour.

LITERATURE EVANGELISM

Eugene Bolden and others will soon be starting a door-to-door literature distribution in the Greater Columbia area with Bible School sign-up cards and selected literature.

BITS OF WISDOM

Attitude

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ...a church ...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...We are in charge of our attitudes."

So the question is, if we have but one string to play in life, will we play our string in harmony or discord? If we play our string in harmony with God's principles, we can reap peace of mind in all circumstances.

Mary Ann Fry

HEALTH BITES

Zinc May Soon Be Known as "The Man's Vitamin"

If your prostate is giving you problems, it's a good idea to investigate natural solutions before scheduling surgery, or taking unnecessary prescriptions. A swollen prostate usually indicates that a man's body is producing lower levels of testosterone than in previous years. Instead, the body begins producing a dangerous substance called dihydrotestosterone. This substance, in turn, stimulates an over production of prostate cells resulting in a slowly enlarging gland.

The prostate uses 10 times more zinc than any other organ in the body. Zinc is a mineral that blocks the production of dihydrotestosterone. The over processing of food and the poor quality of our soils are depleting needed zinc levels. (incidentally, Vitamin B6, enhances the body's ability to better absorb zinc). - Journal of Nutrition, Dr. G.W. Evan's Study.

Simple Solutions for Leg Cramps!

Contracted muscle fibers cannot extend without the use of serum calcium. Calcium improves circulation and relaxes Muscle groups. Long term solutions to improve circulation which enhances calcium absorption is to exercise and take supplements. Exercise enlarges the blood vessels in the muscles. Taking Vitamin B5, called niacin, aids in opening the blood vessels. A short term solution was also developed by Dr. Donald Cooper of Cortlandt Forum Journal. The quick fix is to pinch the skin at the center of the upper lip between the thumb and index finger for 20 to 30 seconds (at times for longer periods). This
technique alleviates cramps 9 out of 10 times.

Karen Covington

TIP OF THE MONTH

Spice up your sandwiches by lightly toasting the bread, then rubbing the inside-sandwich sides with a peeled garlic clove. The bread acts 'like sandpaper -- as the garlic gets shorter, the sandwich gets richer.

GASOLINE CRISIS

During the week of Hurricane Ike we saw gasoline prices spike and stations run out of gas. We had to drive past many stations before we could find one that had gas to sell -- and at what a price! $4.39 a gallon. This reminds me of what will soon come upon us suddenly as an "overwhelming surprise."

Was this crisis a wake-up-call? I believe it was. It definitely was to Mary Ann and myself. The thought comes to my mind that we need to attend church and worship with each other while we can, for the time is soon to come when this will be impossible. May the Lord help us to be a discerner of the times.

Pastor Fry

WORLD NEWS

U.S. in "Once-in-a-century" Financial Crisis

"I can't believe we could have a once-in-a-century type of financial crisis without a significant impact on the real economy globally, and I think that indeed is what is in the process of occurring."

Alan Greenspan

Shock Waves

When Wan Street woke up Monday morning, two more of its storied firms had vanished. Lehman Brothers, burdened by $60 billion in soured real-estate holdings, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after attempts to rescue the 158-year-old firm failed.

Bank of America Corp. said it is snapping up Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. in a $50 billion all-stock transaction [saving it from bankruptcy].

The demise of the independent Wall Street institutions came as shock waves from the 14-month-old credit crisis that has roiled the U.S. financial system six months after the collapse of Bear Stearns.

The world's largest insurance company, American International Group Inc., also was forced into a restructuring. The news slammed Wall Street, and in the next few days, it fell into meltdown as Asian markets plunged.

Consortium Offers Pool of Funds

And a global consortium of banks, working with government officials in New York, announced a $70 billion pool of funds to lend to troubled financial companies. The aim, according to participants who spoke to The Associated Press, was to prevent a WORLDWIDE PANIC on stock and other financial exchanges. Another Wake-up-call?

Homeland Security

Homeland security-agents are on heightened alert for young Turkish Muslims who may be trying to enter the U.S. as part of an al-Qaida terrorist operation, WND has learned from counterterrorism officials and internal agency documents.

Al-Qaida leaders in Pakistan have been creating cells with the mission of attacking Western targets, including the U.S. officials say.

A computer flash drive found on an al-Qaida operative was found with a list of New York targets including the Empire State Building, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and the subway system.

WND has learned that customs and border agents are taking a closer look at female Muslim travelers, and handicapped Muslim travelers and their aides.

Editor's note: We live in troublous times! Is it not a time to seek for righteousness?

VIDEO VESPERS ARE BACK

Friday night Video Vespers have started back up. Each Friday, at 6 pm, you can watch an inspirational sermon from one of our church's great speakers, such as Dwight Nelson, Steve Wohlberg, C.D. Brooks, or others. The program lasts about an hour, and is a great way to start the Sabbath. Check our website, MidtownChurch.net, or call the Church at 803-834-9115, to find the location. These video programs are held in various members' homes in the downtown Columbia area, so check to
see who is currently hosting them.

Bob Sitko

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS

Be sure to pick up your Fourth Quarter Sabbath School Quarterly (October to December) if you have not already done so. If you have a Quarterly already, but forget to bring it to Sabbath School, you can pick up a copy of the week's lesson on the literature table.

FOR THE SORROWING

David Livingston, the great explorer and missionary, had a secret sorrow. His son, Robert, had never followed the right path, and he was unable to reach him. The lad went to Boston, joined the Union Army during the Civil War, and at the age of nineteen died in the Battle of Gettysburg. Before the father knew of his death, he wrote to a friend about the great sorrow of heart caused by this son. He spoke of this sorrow as the "secret ballast" [ballast is what holds a ship steady in the rough sea] which is often applied by God's hand when outsiders think we are sailing gloriously with the wind. God holds us steady by this secret ballast of sorrow.

Pastor Fry

Midtown Church meets at the Capital Senior Center on Park Circle, behind Maxcy Gregg Park, Sabbath (Saturday) Morning at 10 AM for Sabbath School and 11:15 AM for the Worship Hour. Please come and join us for fellowship and worship.