Apr 2014 The Latest Word by Downey Church

For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church

A Friday Transformed

Taking Back What is Good by Cary Fisher

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Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26 Remember this phrase, “Don’t ruin it for the rest of us”? It is used at times such as when everyone is seemingly enjoying a moment, but then, someone mishandles that moment in such a way that it ultimate-

ly destroys it for the rest. I feel in a way that is what has happened to how we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (Easter). In history, the church has combined this event with other rituals that take away the meaning of what Jesus had did. Today, the world has obviously made it more about chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs than the spiritual ramifications of the event. Because of that, some Seventh-day Adventists unsure how to act when

Easter comes around. Easter is the day that commemorates the time Jesus had risen from the grave. As we all know, it actually starts a few days before when Jesus was willing to die for our sins through the torturous ordeal of the crucifixion. It continues with a violent earthquake that rolls back a tomb, and witnesses that see Jesus come out of the grave. We cannot undervalue the importance of

For Sabbath School, we have an abbreviated lesson study until about 10am. Then we will start to get ready for footwashing with a God Story and a Worship song. During the

—R.C. Sproul, When Worlds Collide: Where Is God?

continued on page 1

INSIDE

Easter & Communion pril 19th is Easter Sabbath. This will be an extra special day because we will also have our Communion Celebration.

The cross was not a senseless tragedy but the most important redemptive act in human history. For all who down through the ages have put their trust in Jesus, the cross is their highest blessing as it turns Black Friday into Good Friday.

worship service we will have the service of the bread and the cup. As well as a message about Easter from Pastor Cary. This will be a very special day and different from our normal service. Make plans to join us for a special Sabbath School and Worship Service on April 19th. =

I Will Trust You page 3 It’s a Big Deal page 4 Taste & Inspiration on page 5 What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Our Church Family page 7 Kid’s Page on page 9

THE LATEST WORD Taking Back What is Good (cont. from page 1)

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April 26th - “Is There Any Doubt?” - After Jesus’s resurrection, he famously dispelled the

doubts that Thomas had. Remember when Thomas had to touch Jesus’s wounds to truly believe that Jesus was real? Think about your doubts, and how nice it would have been to be in Thomas’s shoes to touch Jesus at that moment. This Sabbath, we will reflect on what Jesus said to Thomas afterwards. In John 21:29, Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” See you when the church gathers. =

The Latest Word V 26 N 04 BILL AUMACK

WE DID IT

what Jesus did. Because this sermon as it follows God’s plan for us in the He had risen, we have vic- the last letter in the acroway we eat. tory over sin and we can nym of CREATION. Our April 12th thank him for giving us eating is more of a habit “Celebration Sabbath” life. So, I encourage you than just a survival funcAfter the completion of all to not let others ruin of our small group it for the rest of us, series, we dedicate and take back what a worship service is good. You do We cannot undervalue to what our groups that by celebrating from their the resurrection of the importance of what learned experience, and we Jesus with a spiritual Jesus did call it “Celebration connectedness that Sabbath”. We will appropriately honors hear testimonies on what God has done what kind of impact for you. that CREATION Health tion that we do to keep us has had on our groups. alive. We need to eat to April’s Sermon We may hear some lifesustain ourselves, but we changing stories that could Calendar eat to fulfill other needs inspire us all to live a betlike taste, culture or an April 5th - “Eat to ter way. addiction. In fact, most Live” - This sermon people’s eating habits April 19th will be our final one in are more destructive than “Communion and Easter our small group series life sustaining, and I will Celebration” - This will on CREATION health. spend some time showing be a special Sabbath for Nutrition is the theme of us. We will have communion but it will be done a little different than usual. We are going to shorten our Sabbath School and have our foot washing starting at 10:00 am. Then, we are going to finish our communion with the Lord Supper during our worship service. After that, we will complete our service with a message that appropriately commemorates the resurrection of Christ, and celebrate our freedom from sin because of what Jesus did for us.

responsible for this

LINDA AUMACK copy editor

LAURA LUNA

paper distribution

CARY FISHER pastor

address mail to: Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd. Downey, CA 90240 office: 562.869.6013 fax: 562.622.1691

downeychurch@gmail.com www.downeychurch.com

April 2014 The Word & You by Linda Bewley

od’s word says, “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:1-2)

Ever have a nagging thought or problem that seems to hang over your head? I’d be surprised if you answered “no” to that question, because troubling issues seem to be a part of life. And sometimes they can become our focus. I’m certainly not immune! When I feel like that, I find comfort in the Book of Psalms, particularly David’s psalms. Unlike me, David experi-

I Will Trust in You enced some very real lifethreatening situations. But like me, he was a sinner and a human being filled with emotion. One of the things I like about David is that he never seemed to keep his feelings bottled up inside of him. He very honestly expressed sadness, fear, disappointment and all manner of emotion. But, better than that, he always turned his thoughts to God. He never chose to stay in the valley with his troubles. He climbed right out of the pit by declaring God’s goodness, faithfulness and power. David’s words remind us that God is faithful and always keeps His promises. And David warns us, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings ...” Psalm 146.3. Rather, he tells us, “Blessed are

Worship Schedule April 5 Cary Fisher

April 19 Cary Fisher

Eat to Live

Communion & Easter Celebration

April 12 Cary Fisher

April 26 Cary Fisher

Celebration Sabbath Fellowship Luncheon

those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God” (v. 5). So maybe our problems are not really the biggest issue at hand. Maybe the bigger issue is one of trust. After all, everyone puts their trust in

Is There Any Doubt?

something or someone. We are called to put our trust in God. Here are a few expressions from David about trusting God: • The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:9-10) • I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s

praise,for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:5) • Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:6-7) • When I am afraid, I put my trust in [God]. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4) Need more? Just open the Book of Psalms and start reading! I’ve no doubt you will find comfort and encouragement. So, in whom or in what do we place our trust? May God give us the strength to trust Him each day. =

THE LATEST WORD by Bill Aumack

It’s a Big Deal

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)

The fact that the King of Kings died for you and me MUST make a difference.

aster. It’s a big deal. Obviously as Christians, we know Easter is a big deal as it signifies God’s victory over sin and death. Without Easter, there’s no eternal life. Without Easter, there’s no hope. So it’s a big deal. But it’s not just a big deal in that way. Churches put a lot of resources into planning and executing Easter Services. There’s a whole bunch of Easter events that churches do. Some start early in the week, some start on Friday, some start with sunrise service, you get the idea. Lots of people go to services at Easter as well. Easter is also one of the few days that nearly everything is closed. Easter, it’s a big deal. But what happens on Monday? What happens on the day after? When everything goes back to ‘normal’, what then? Is Easter just another holiday that we celebrate but it doesn’t really make a difference? These are questions that I struggle with every year. I wonder how I can live my life to show my friends who only go to church on Easter and Christmas that Easter matters. I wonder how I can live my life to show my friends who never go to church that Easter matters. The fact that the King of Kings died for you and me

MUST make a difference that people can see. I don’t think it’s enough just to be a good person. I have plenty of friends that are kind, nice, they care about the environment and they give to charity but they do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as their savior. So I could be nice and kind and how would I be any different? Christians must show that Easter means more than just being a good person and going to church once a week.

I recently watched the animated hit movie, Frozen. My friend has daughters who are right in the target age group and we watched it with them. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that a big part of the movie is about love. True, genuine love, selfsacrificing love. One of the ways the characters can tell love is true, is if someone cares more about the other person than they do about themselves. That’s a pretty accurate

description. That’s certainly the type of love that Jesus showed for me. He could have stayed in heaven and not given my future a second thought. But He cared more about me than He cared about his comfort and convenience. I think the major thing that makes Easter, and all the days after Easter important is following Jesus’ words in John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” That kind of love is easy to talk about. That kind of love is hard to comprehend. And that kind of love is really difficult to show to everyone, all the time. But that kind of love is what shows the world that Easter matters. Showing that kind of love is what will give you permission to talk to that person about a Savior who loves them the same way. It’s not enough just to love. It’s not enough to show selfsacrificing love. We have to tell people about the Source of the love too. Do your friends know why Easter matters to you? That’s worth pondering about... =

April 2014 Taste & Inspiration Fusilli with Spinach and Asiago Cheese

e left off in 1 Samuel last month with David being used as a delivery boy, by his father Jesse of all people, to take food to his brothers on the front lines and to get an eyewitness account and assurance on their safety in the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. What he carried to them in his pouch was an ephah of roasted grain, (which is roughly equivalent to 1 bushel), ten loaves of bread and ten cheeses to the commander. We’re guessing the cheese must’ve been hard cheeses like pecorino, asiago or maybe some good pungent reggiano cheese. These require no refrigeration. It’s also safe to assume it wasn’t grilled cheese sandwiches that Jesse had in mind for his sons in sending the bread & cheese. That’s the 1st thing that comes to my mind when being given bread & cheese. Also, that David must’ve had a big delivery pouch to have carried all that food with him. After leaving the food & supplies with the keeper David ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were holding up. In doing so, he heard Goliath defiantly yelling and provoking the Israelites into battle

which created much more fear within the Israelites. Goliath was a very intimidating looking warrior. I don’t think any of them wanted to go one on one with him. But David; he was willing. He didn’t share the same fear as his brothers or any of the Israelite soldiers because he had much more faith in God. Apparently more than all the others there on the battle lines. Probably combined!! But once he learned what was to be gained to the man who kills Goliath and removes Israel from his disgrace, David volunteered. Much to the dismay of his older brothers. You know, the ones who perceived him as the pesky weakling of a little brother. Little did they know this is the same little brother that killed both lion and bear while tending to and protecting his “few sheep in the wilderness”. Part III, the climax of this story to be continued until next time. With that, we’ll leave you with a tasty, nutritious and simple to prepare rec-

Pilar & Phillip ipe. Another one incorporating a healthy cheese to it. Asiago, one of several from the parmesan family. And continue to encourage you, our church family, to make healthy, nutritious food choices as well as promote healthy living. God Bless!!

Ingredients • 1 pound Fusilli pasta • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 (9-ounce) bag fresh spinach, roughly chopped • 8 ounces (1/2 pint) cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup (about 3 1/2-ounces) grated Asiago

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan • 1 teaspoon salt • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and tomatoes and cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 more minutes. Add the cooked pasta and toss. Add the cheeses, salt, pepper, and the pasta cooking liquid and stir to combine. Transfer the pasta to a serving plate and serve. Enjoy! =

Downey Adventist Church Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

7:17 pm sunset Visit www.downeychurch.org S.S. – Sabbath School C.S. – Community Service

9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group 9 am Pathfinders/ Adventures

3 pm Pathfinders/ Adventures

7 pm Band Practice

11 7:22 pm sunset

12 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

Celebration Sabbath 12:30 pm Luncheon

18 7:28 pm sunset

19 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Easter Sabbath Communion

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

3 pm Pathfinders

25 7:33 pm sunset

26 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

April 2014

Upcoming Events April Birthdays Jessica Michel – 6 Veronica Lozano – 7 Gabriel Gomez – 7 Ella Fisher – 8 Jessica Ramirez - 18 Daniel Michel – 19 Judy Joseph – 19 Joshua Perez - 19 Edwin Morales – 20 Erik Concha – 20 Miranda Gomez – 21 Whitny Braun – 22 Roschelle Fisher – 24 Ricardo Gonzalez – 24

Thursdays - 7 p.m. Women’s Prayer Group Fridays - 7:00 p.m. Band Practice Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr.

If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in.

5 - Pathfinders / Adventurers @ 3pm 6 - Pathfinders / Adventurers @ 9am 12 - Celebration Sabbath 12 - Fellowship Luncheon @ 12:30pm 19 - Easter Sabbath / Communion 19 - Pathfinders @ 3pm 20 - Easter 23 - Administrative Professionals Day

The Latest Word deadline is the 5th of the month.

Coming Soon Be sure to keep up with the latest news by signing up for the Wednesday email. You can sign up here www.downeychurch.org/Signups.html or send us an email at DowneyChurch at gmail dot com and we’ll add you.

May 31 - SGA Chorale July 21-25 - Vacation Bible School

THE LATEST WORD The Latest About

Our Church Family Chris Martin recently had an eventful business trip as he was delivering some organs for his company. Ask him about his experience. Ask Pastor Cary and Roschelle about their recent family get away.

Be sure to thank Laura for her work on Administrative Professionals day on April 23rd.

If you have any Church Family news, please contact the church office

so we can get it into the newsletter. =

Thank you to everyone who has been saving Box Tops for Education. That is greatly appreciated. For the Box Tops for Education, please save the Box Tops coupon. Please give your labels to Linda Aumack. Thank you for your support! =

Celebration Sabbath

pril 12th is Celebration Sabbath. We will be celebrating the success of the 6 Weeks of CREATION Health series and our Small Groups. Our Small Groups will be sharing some of their experiences and how this series has affected them. Hearing about how God is working in our lives can inspire us all. After the worship service we will have a fel-

lowship luncheon. Watch for sign ups in the foyer so you can sign up to bring something to share too. Plan to join us on this day for a very special service. And bring a friend or two as well. =

The Perks of Giving Although National Volunteer Week is officially observed in April, every week thousands of volunteers help people in need. As volunteers can attest, sharing one’s time and talents leads to many intangible benefits. New research shows that volunteering and giving also provide physical and emotional advantages.

Givers report an improved sense of well-being, lower stress levels, better physical health, an enriched sense of purpose in life and increased happiness. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely help another without helping himself.” =

April 2014

Ponder This... = “Easter was when Hope in person surprised the whole world by coming forward from the future into the present.” —N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope = “He who claims never to have doubted does not know what faith is, for faith is forged through doubt.” —Paul Tournier = “Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.” —Carl Friedrich Gauss

Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA 90240

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