ReCAP | Nov 2013

Volume 4, Issue 9

RECAP

November 2013

Stories from the past, inspiring our future

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Come Unto Me!

3 Women’s Ministry 4

Let’s Move Indy!

6 Social Media “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

- Mark 16:15

7 Calendar 8 Teen Talk

2013 Theme: From Membership to Discipleship

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ReCAP

Pastor’s Corner: No Excuses - Come Unto Me!

by Pastor William J Lee

Recently, I read about a pastor who was tried of hearing his congregation make excuses on why they could not attend church services and support the ministries and activities of the church.

During his weekly pastoral remarks he commented that next week would be called, Pastor William J Lee “No excuse day.” The announcement went as such: Next week we will place cots in the foyer for those who say, “I want to sleep in.” There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard. Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold, and fans for those who say it is too hot.” Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present. Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can’t go to church and cook dinner, too. Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick. We will provide hearing aids for those who can’t hear the preacher and cotton for those who can! If your favorite music group is not singing next week, don’t worry, Jesus will still inhabit the praises of His people! No excuses please.

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Ellen White wrote, “Never entertain the thought that you can be Christians and yet withdraw within yourselves. Each one is a part of the great web of humanity, and the nature and quality of your experience will be largely determined by the experiences of those with whom you associate. . . .

Then let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God, and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed, and they would refresh one another.

We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. {FLB 246.2} Frankly, when you consider the goodness of the Lord our hearts should be motivated to fellowship with the Lord privately and publicly. When we consider who God so richly serves us we should be so motivated to serve one another. Listen, I enjoy private worship, but there is something I cannot get with the four portals of my walls. Fellowship, singing, hearing testimony, listening to fellow brother and sisters discuss the word of God, O my friends this is critical to our spiritual and social development.

I must admit that there is quite a bit of truth to the Pastors expressed humorous sentiments about not wanting to hear excuses when it comes to church attendance and ministry service. You see, the Bible says in Jeremiah 3:15, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” As your Pastor I spend quite a bit of time praying for my congregation.

I literally see a lot of your faces while I am praying to God. Sometimes I am even overwhelmed with an urgent sense to intercede on your behalf before God. As the under-shepherd of this church I realize that my primary responsible is to feed this congregation with knowledge and truth. We must move from In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come unto membership to discipleship. We must move from me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will complacency to revival and reformation. give you rest.” Jesus simply said, “Come.” No excuses. No worries. No regrets. Just, “Come.” If your The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 10:25, “Not heart has been broken, “Come.” If you have been forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the buried and wounded, “Come.” Whatever your manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so physical, spiritual, or mental condition, Jesus says much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We simply, “Come unto me.” need to encourage one another to remain faithful to the services of our God. Sabbath School is important. Sincerely, Prayer Meeting is important. Adventist Youth Society is important. In fact, all the ministries of the church are critical to the success of the church and the spiritual enlightenment of our congregation and community.

William J Lee Church Pastor

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Volume 4, Issue 9

Women of Strength: Lake Region Women’s Retreatby Wayne Bu

by Marian Strong, Capitol City Women’s Ministry Leader

Photo courtesy of Gwen Mitchell The ladies of Capitol City with LRC President Jerome Davis and LRC Treasurer Yvonne Collins.

The ladies of Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church were on the move when they attended the Lake Region Conference (LRC) Women’s Retreat held at The Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on September 26-29, 2013. Themed “Women of Strength”, this year’s retreat was once again hosted by LRC Women’s Ministry Leader Doris Goddard. They were uplifted and inspired by Ron Smith-Psychologist and Marital Family Therapist. Break out sessions included speaker Judge Judith Warren (County Judge in Florida) who spoke on What’s behind our Mask.” “How to Deal with Difficult People” was presented by Charlotte Stuart. The ladies also learned “How to Deal with Leadership Stress” and “Being a Winner in God’s Army.”

We were truly blessed with the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, prayer, good music and fellowship from men and women of different Adventist churches. The ladies also enjoyed early morning exercise and exhibit booths.

Women in attendance were, Doris Harris, Johnnie Cooley, Gwen Mitchell, Latoria Lee, Krysti Arnold, Nicole Morris, Inell Lumsey, Marian Strong and District Women’s Ministry Leader Sharon Justice.

Annual Breast Cancer Program Photo courtesy of Gwen Mitchell

Photo courtesy of Gwen Mitchell

by Marian Strong, Capitol City Women’s Ministry Leader

Guest Speaker Addie Smith from The Sisters Network Organization

Breast Cancer survivors and supporters stand united during Breast Cancer Program

Capitol City Women’s Ministry hosted its Annual Breast Cancer program on Sabbath evening October 26th, 2013 at the Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church. Wonderful testimonies of courage and God’s grace were given by survivors Johnny Cooley and Francesca Castle.

Guest Speaker Addie Smith from The Sisters Network Organization took us on her personal journey. Addie informed the ladies of options available to them including free mammograms if needed for them or a love one. The ladies were treated to special gifts of scented lavender bath soap and facial scrubs donated by Sybil Satterfield of Annie’s Epiphany along with other goodies and gift bags. Afterward light refreshments were served and the fellowship continued.

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ReCAP

Let’s Move Indy!

by Wayne Burrell

A Lovely Afternoon with some of Capitol City’s Lovely Women

By Marian Strong & Sylvia Wilson

© Burrell Photo Design | Wayne Burrell

The fight for a healthier life was waged in earnest on Sunday September 22, 2013 as hundreds of Adventists and community friends descended on downtown Indianapolis' White River State Park for Let's Move! Indy. This event was designed to provide the people of Indianapolis a way to kick start and live a healthier lifestyle. Born out of Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative aimed at bringing faith and community groups together to promote overall wellness.

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“Let's Move Indy was an opportunity to catapult the Adventist brand forward. We are interested in loving our community and wanting them to joy good health. There was no hook in Let's Move Indy. The essence was to let love speak for itself. Two thousand years ago the Gentle Healer walked on Earth spreading love and healing wherever He went.”

- President Van Hurst (Indiana Conference) The centerpiece of the day's festivities was the 5K Run/Walk. Participants warmed up for the 5K with an invigorating Zumba session. What energy children had left after the 5K was worked off in the Kids Expo.

“I came out because this is an initiative that we all should want to take part in. We all want to be healthy, be wealthy and be wise so why not support.”

- Doris Harris (Capitol City) “Let's Move Day was such a fun and awesome experience! This event not only promoted healthy living, but also unity between the churches of Indiana. All sorts of people from all over the state gathered downtown to be united in one cause: to spread and promote the Adventist health message. It was and honor and a privilege to have been part of this and I can't wait until the next one!”

- Jennifer Bolejack (Chapel West) Several members of community and faith groups delivered remarks including 1988 Olympian Tedd Braumm, Indiana State Representative Karly Mazer and President Dan Jackson of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Let's Move! Indy was a joint partnership between several local Lake Union Seventh-day

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© Burrell Photo Design | Wayne Burrell

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© Burrell Photo Design | Wayne Burrell

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© Burrell Photo Design | Wayne Burrell

© Burrell Photo Design | Wayne Burrell

Volume 4, Issue 9

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Adventist churches and lead by Indiana Conference President Van Hurst. Capitol City's Health Ministry Leader, Cynthia Pinkston, was an integral member of the Let’s Move Day committee helping to plan activities and coordinate the registration process for the Let’s Move Day 5K walk/run participants.

“It was so exciting to see so many people participant in this year’s flagship Let’s Move Day event. It was the start to what we hope will become a health movement as we partner to promote health and physical activity in our families, churches, and in the community. The day was a success because of the combined effort of many individuals committed to making a difference in the lives of others. This is just the beginning as we continue to allow God to lead and open doors for the message of hope and healing to be shared through active health ministry and outreach.”

- Cynthia Pinkston (Capitol City) In order to continue the momentum from this day, the importance of healthy lifestyles will be

reinforced through education and practical health ministry that reaches individuals at the point of their need. It will take a total team effort much like what was displayed not only at September’s Let’s Move! Indy, but also at April’s Lifestyle Health Expo where close to a dozen area Lake Union churches joined forces.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to reach our community with the life saving truth of health and life in Jesus.

Photographs: A - NAD President Dan Jackson opens with prayer B - Latoria Lee and Yolande Stewart enjoy fitness fun C - Participants of the 5K Walk/Run D - Pastor William Lee & Cynthia Pinkston (Capitol City) along side Pastor Antonio Lopez (Glendale)

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ReCAP

SPOTlight: Social Media

by Alicia Turner

Today’s teenagers have become the most electronically connected genera on of all me. Dubbed by some the “iGenera on,” many teenagers have become much more computer savvy—and social media savvy—than their parents. During a recent Adven st Youth Society program John and Alicia Turner lead an informal dialogue with church family and the teenagers of the church. We discussed which Social Media tools are acceptable to be used by teenage Chris ans and which is not appropriate for our teenagers at this me ( for example, Instagram because of the photo images that is displayed) due to various reasons. We set up a place where are teenagers can feel as if they are being heard while ge,ng feedback from our village ( church members) on the usage and guidelines of Social Media.

What is Social Media?

Jones defines social media as “essen ally a category of online media where people are talking, par cipa ng, sharing, networking, and bookmarking online. Most social media services encourage discussion, feedback, vo ng, comments, and sharing of informa on from all interested par es.”

As Jones points out, social media is a two-way conversa on that allows people to stay “connected or linked to other sites, resources, and people.” The key words for teenagers being “stay connected.”

Social Media Terms Facebook: the most popular social networking site with over 900 million ac ve monthly users worldwide, according to Facebook follower: members of a Twi4er user’s social network (members can follow other members and be followed by members) social networking: socializing in an online community such as Facebook or YouTube Twi4erverse: the community (universe) of people who use Twi4er sex ng: sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images via cellphone, computer, or other digital devices friend: members of a Facebook user’s social network Facebook depression: believed to be caused by the intensity of online interac ons, including acceptance and rejec on by one’s peers Who’s Being Social?

According to a survey conducted by Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Center in 2009, age and gender are factors in determining whether teens have an online social media profile.

• 86 percent of 15 to 17 year old girls • 69 percent of 15 to 17 year old boys • 38 percent of 12 to 14 year olds Why Use Social Media?

A study in Pediatrics (2011) revealed that teens use social media in a posi ve way to……

•connect with people with shared interests, •learn about people with varied backgrounds •enhance their crea vity by sharing musical and ar s c projects, •expand their ideas by crea ng blogs, videos, and podcasts, •collaborate on school projects outside of class •raise money for charity, •volunteer for local charitable and poli cal events

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The goal was to explain the uses and benefits of Social Media while se,ng guidelines for our youth (teenagers in par cular) to follow that will allow them to exemplify Christ while taking advantage of this new way of communica ng.

Volume 4, Issue 9

November & December Calendar of Events Nov. 23

Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Lower Level Church 1:45pm

Nov. 30

Guest Choir: Oakwood Voices of Triumph 40 young people

Dec. 14

Women of Grace Prayer Group 6-8pm.

Dec. 15

Church Board Meeting

Dec. 21

Choir Christmas Program (Divine Worship)

Dec. 25

Christmas Day - No Prayer Meeting

Dec. 28

Holy Communion

Dec. 31

Agape Feast – New Years Service - Personal Ministry

Jan. 01

No Prayer Meeting

3 – Chelynn Bostick 3 – Natalie Sibanda 5 – Luna McClean 6 – James Cartwright 8 – Terahnáe Turner 8 – Nixon C. Lubaba 10 – Dickson Chigudu 10 – Sylvia Wilson 11 – Ghee Selawe 15 – Lamiyah Van Horn 15 – Janet Wynn 16 – Aaron Kirkland 17 – Marlo Ewing 18 – Effie Jones 18 – Delois Castlel 20 – Christopher Jones 21 – Miranda Nganga 22 – Mehira Burrell 24 – Joelle Burrell 27 – Alyssha Spearman 29 – Beverly Woods 29 – Doreen Chin 30 – Bobbie Harley

6 – James & Charli Cartwright (65th) 17 - Tim & Gina Neely (23rd) 22 – Robert & Avonelle Dorant (21st)

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Family Life - Teen Talk 1801 E 49th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-251-1053 info@capitolcitysdachurch.org

Our Youth Connecting to Christ

by Pastor William J Lee

Editor-in-Chief Wayne Burrell To submit an article for next month’s ReCAP or provide feedback please send an email to: Wayne Burrell at... capitolcitysdachurch@gmail.com

Use this key to see how our stories link to our Model for Church Growth

November’s ReCAP Submission Deadline OCTOBER 25th Publication Date NOVEMBER 1st

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On Sabbath evening, October 12, I led a discussion with our teens on various issues concerning spirituality, purity, and success. Our conservation began with me challenging our young people to rise above the statue quo of “normal Christianity” and make a bold stand for Jesus Christ. I suggested that we need a bold, fearful, spiritual generation of young people similar to that of the Prophet John the Baptist that would stand for the right no matter what.

We discussed how John Baptist was a man who stood for principle, had strong convictions, and was led by the Spirit of God. Our young people committed themselves to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I shared my testimony about sincerely accepting Jesus into my life my 11th grade year of high school. Even though I had been in church all of my life even participating in the “youth” activities I did not have a personal relationship with God. I shared the importance of reading the word of God, prayer, and sharing one’s faith. Our young people made a commitment to “connect with Christ.”

We also discussed the need for purity. In a “Miley Cyrus” world there is a tremendous need to understand God’s view of purity and self respect. We discussed God’s view on marriage, sexuality, and sexual orientation. We concluded that God’s way is the best way and that 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is extremely important to our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Lastly, I challenged our young people to spend more time reading and studying and thinking about what God would have them to do and be in life. I suggested a book that motivated me as a youth by Dr. Ben Carson entitled, “Think Big.” I challenged our youth to think big, dream large, and expect the blessings of God in their life. As we “seek God’s kingdom firstQ” God will take care of us and bless us beyond our wildest dreams.

Additional texts of discussion: Romans 1:26-28, Phil. 4:19 Matthew 6:33.

The Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Christian congregation that has been serving the Greater Indianapolis area since 1906. Our mission is to Grow the Kingdom of God

by Changing Lives so that together we can Strengthen the Saved and Save the Lost.

For more information on the Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church please contact Sylvia Wilson at 317-251-1053.