August 2012 The Latest Word by Downey Church

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

Summer Surprises

A Prayer for Times of Sorrow

by Pastor Mitch

ecently, Mitch Williams, Jr. was ordained as a minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and his wife Lena and their four girls serve two churches in Colorado: the Adventure Church in Loveland and the Greeley Church in Greeley. Mitch and his family will be with us, on August 4, to share a gospel message. Special music will be provided by Gabrielle, her sisters and cousins.

On August 11, Gustavo Ortega will share the message about the prodigal son’s brother called The Prodigal Son, part 2. When the prodigal son returned home, after squandering his inheritance, his father called for a feast and celebration. His father’s joy was rebuffed by his older brother who protested. “Look,” said the brother, “... all these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even

a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends” (Luke 15:29). The envious remarks of the older brother and how the father replied and what it means to us today are probed in the message. Also, on August 11, Pastor Mitch invites all those who serve as teachers and assistants to be part of the Teacher Dedication he’s leading. Whether you teach or help with the children’s Sabbath School or continued on page 1

Parking Lot Party

he party will begin at August 25 at 5:30pm. Then there will be food, worship and fun in the newly refurbished parking lot. Show off your artistic side in the pavement drawing contest, or play some

God of compassion, When our hearts are filled with sorrow, When our minds are wondering with questions, How often you come to us With an assurance that we are in your presence! It may not give us the answers we hunger for, But it is all we need to make it Through the moment! —David McPherson

INSIDE Always Learning on page 3

ping-pong, volleyball or basketball or just hang out by the fire and enjoy the food and fellowship. Bring some picnic food to share and some lawn chairs to sit in and enjoy the evening with us. =

Congregation or Community? page 4 Ginny’s Kitchen on page 5 What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Stewpot Annual Quiz on page 7 Our Church Family page 10 Kid’s Page on page 11

THE LATEST WORD Summer Surprises (cont. from page 1) are a professional teacher, you’re invited to be part of the Teacher Dedication.

It’s time to fill-up the baptismal pool and celebrate with all those being baptized on August 25. At this writing we have 6

sents. Call Pastor Mitch at (562) 869-6013 with any questions or concerns you might have about baptism.

Each summer we invite the band to not only lead us in worship with All those music but, also, who are with encouraging baptized on We know God’s words. Mark your August 25, will blessing will calendars for August be our honored 18 and invite the guests at the accompany this year’s neighbors to hear Parking Lot service too. and participate in Party planned this uplifting service. for that eveLast year the band ning. This year members focused on fresh surprises are individuals looking forhow the immenseness being “cooked up.” ward to committing their of the universe reflects The Parking Lot Party is lives to Christ through the on the immenseness of an outreach event. Bring waters of baptism. There God and his love for us. a neighbor or friend or is still time to learn how The church’s response extended family memyou can join-in and be was overwhelming. We ber. Our goal is reach our baptized. Or perhaps you know God’s blessing will community for Christ and have questions or concerns accompany this year’s serthe Parking Lot Party is about what baptism reprevice too. our opportunity. You’ll hear much more about the Parking Lot Party “surprises” soon.

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The Latest Word V 24 N 08

WE DID IT

BILL AUMACK

responsible for this

LINDA AUMACK

See you when the church gathers. =

copy editor

HATZUKO AISPURO paper distribution

MITCH WILLIAMS 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

August 2012 God, Webster & You by Linda Bewley

ebster says “lesson” means “passage from sacred writings read in a service of worship ...a piece of instruction ... a reading or exercise to be studied by a pupil... something learned by study or experience” (www.merriam-webster.com).

od’s word says, “GOD, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response” (Psalm 119:33 MSG). I recently found a video on YouTube which I thought would be a good object lesson to use during a Junior Sabbath School class that I would be presenting. I planned to

Always Learning take my laptop to church so that, at the appropriate point in the lesson, I could play the video. I was very excited about the idea. The morning of the lesson and while still at home, I decided to double check to make sure I would be able to find the video easily when I was at church. Yes, easy-peasy. But all of a sudden it dawned on me that I would not be able to use the video during class, because there is no Internet connection in our room. I had completely forgotten and taken for granted that, while at home, I am wirelessly connected. I was unable to download the video to my computer and had to come up with another idea for the lesson at the last moment. That day I was reminded of just how

Worship Schedule August 4 Mitch Williams, Jr.

August 18 Downey Praise Band

August 11 Gustavo Ortega

August 25 Mitch Williams

Prodigal Son, Pt. 2

Baptism

many things I take for granted in life. Apparently the Internet is now one of those things as well. I also thought about a spiritual lesson that day. Just like I would be unable to play a YouTube video without an Internet connection, I am unable to live a Christ-like life and do what He asks of me unless I stay connected to Him. I was reminded of the verses in John 15 about Jesus being the vine and we the branches. I was particularly reminded of the verse where Jesus says, “Without me, you can do nothing.” Although I was not able to present the object lesson to the class that day, it was quite clear to me. Well, the class came and went, and a few weeks have passed. So here I am on June 30th. Some changes are coming my way as to teaching Sabbath School. I will be moving to the Primary class, starting next week. Earlier this week, when I turned in my teacher’s guide to start preparing my final lesson to the Juniors, I was a little astounded when I read the title of the lesson: THE CONNECTION. The memory verse, or Power Text as it is called, is “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much

fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). The teaching suggestions included inviting someone to your class to talk about grafting plants and then comparing that process to the way that God grafts us into his family and how we can only live by our connection to Him. It is a really, really good lesson, particularly given my experience of a few weeks ago. Sometimes I have to wonder whether the lessons I am to teach are for the kids or for me! At any rate, I was happy to be given a new opportunity to share an object lesson with the kids. And guess what? I found another video on YouTube that explains grafting!!! And this time, thanks to our awesome newsletter editor who doubles as a techie (lol), I have since learned how to download YouTube videos to my laptop using RealPlayer. Nice! The lesson went very well in class, and the kids could readily see the connection between the object lesson about grafting and our relationship with Christ. One child summed it up nicely when he said, “Jesus is our power source.” I agree. How about you? =

THE LATEST WORD Before the Father by Linda Fernandez

Congregation or Community?

A “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind…” 1 Peter 3:8

We are bound together by faith, not by the experience.

s I write this article, I am half way through a forty day devotional journey with words of wisdom by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, who was hanged in 1945 as a traitor because he strongly opposed Hitler’s genocide against the Jews. Though he died at the young age of thirtynine, his writings continue to be a source of inspiration for many. Congregation and Community – the two are often thought of as inside and outside the church. Many churches set up programs to reach unbelievers that fall under the heading of “Community Outreach”; but what of the community within the church? When the Bible speaks of community, it is directed toward believers. In 1 Thess. 4:9 Paul writes, “Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters…. you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” How do we express this love for one another? According to Bonhoeffer, “The measure with which God gives the gift of visible community is varied. “ He says Christians who live dis-

persed from one another are comforted by a brief visit of another Christian or a prayer together. Indeed they are strengthened by letters written by another (in our electronic age that might include a phone text or a Facebook message) and the gathering together to wor-

ship. Bonhoeffer also points out that though we may be graced by the gift of community within our church family, it is not the experience of Christian community, but firm and certain faith within our community that holds us together. We are bound together by faith, not by the experience. I wonder if that is why many people go from church to church looking for something they don’t take time to invest in. They seek the experi-

ence, but faith does not hold the same value. In the past one drawback of the ‘church’ was an idealized image that was brought in from our own ideas of how church should be. We made up rules and demands and judged each other, even our pastors according to how we thought things should be done. Bonhoeffer says we had “a dream of Christian community and we loved that dream more than the community itself.” But can we choose when we want to be a part of the community and when we do not? I do not believe so, for in Romans 12:4, 5 we are reminded that we are many who make up the body of Christ and each one has a function. As I thought on these things, I stepped back to look at my own Christian community. I may be biased, but I think we do a pretty good job of showing love to and for one another in our words and by our actions. Let’s pray: Father, may our faith continue to hold our hands and hearts together. =

August 2012 From Ginny’s Kitchen Summer Vegetable Salad 1 can Green Giant Steam Crisp Mexicorn /drained

1 small green or red or yellow pepper/ chopped

1 can French-style green beans/drained

1 tsp celery seeds

1 can small size, canned peas/drained or fresh frozen peas cooked and cooled

1/3 Agave Nectar or 1 full cup of sugar 1 cup vinegar ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

all the vegetables in a bowl. Place in an airtight container and it will keep for days. Better as it marinates. =

1 small jar Pimentos 1 small red onion, chopped finely

Mix together celery seeds with Agave nectar and 1 cup vinegar. Toss together

The Arms of Jesus

teacher took her class of 7-year-olds to visit residents of an Alzheimer’s care center. One boy spied an elderly woman sitting alone on a bed, slipped into her room and gave her a hug. She — and many who saw the interaction — shed tears. The boy scurried back to his group, apologizing for making the woman cry. “She just looked like she needed a hug,” he said meekly. To the boy’s surprise, the teacher commended him: “Your arms were the arms of Jesus to her.”

Scripture tells of Jesus taking children in his arms (Mark 10:13-16). This child became Jesus to someone in her “second childhood,” taking her in his arms and blessing her. —Based on “She Needed a Hug,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories Sampler (Simon & Schuster eBook, 2011)

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.

Downey Adventist Church Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

7:52 pm sunset Visit www.downeychurch.org S.S. – Sabbath School C.S. – Community Service

9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Mitch Williams Jr. Hawaiian Shirt Day

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

10 7:46 pm sunset

11 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Gustavo Ortega Teacher Dedication

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

18 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Praise Band

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

25 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Mitch Williams

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

7:29 pm sunset

First Day of School AUS & SGA 26

17 7:38 pm sunset

8am Pathfinder Yard Sale & Car Wash 19

7 pm Band Practice

31 7:20 pm sunset

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group

7 pm Band Practice

Parking Lot Party

August 2012 Stewpot by Gordon Botting, DrPH, CHES

his year’s annual financial quiz was developed from a potpourri of very informative surveys, percentages and figures that are sure to raise your awareness about the national economy. More importantly, you will discover how it may affect you or your family and give you steps to help you plan to personally avoid a financial crisis. 1. What is the average amount saved by individuals who are less than 10 years away from retirement? a. $25,000 b. $60,000 c. $78,000 d. $95,000 1. c. This Week, April 27, 2012 [If you answered a. that is what more than 30% have in their account, or b. the average balance in all 50 million 401K accounts]

Stewpot Annual Quiz 2. d. This Week, April 27, 2012 3. How much do Americans pay daily to the financial industry in 401K fees?

5. a. According to DLLR’s Division of Workforce, April 2012 6. What is the percentage change in the earnings of women with Bachelor degrees over the last 20 years? a. 5% b. 12% c. 22% d. 37%

a. $57 million b. $129 million c. $164 million d. $188 million 3. c. This Week, April 27, 2012 4. What percentage of preretirees will have enough money to live the same lifestyle they had while they were working? a. 35% b. 44% c. 51% d. 70% 4. c. Study by Center for Retirement Research

2. How many who are currently ages 45 to 54 say they are not saving for retirement at all?

5. What is the current earnings equivalent of American women as compared to each $1 earned by men?

a. 13 percent b. 22 percent c. 36 percent d. 43 percent

a. 77 cents b. 81 cents c. 93 cents d. $1.04

6. c. “Earnings for women with college degrees shot up almost 22 % over the past two decades but, for women without a postsecondary education, there was little or no advancement,” Monthly Labor Review, April 2012. 7. What is the Number 1 expense that moms worry about? a. Education b. Housing c. Healthcare d. Food 7. a. 66% Debt Proof Living, October 2011, page 3 [If you answered b. 47% or c. 44% or food 42%] 8. How much does the average American family spend on transportation? a. 3.5% b. 5.5% c. 7% d. 13%

#6 - This development left out groups such as Hispanic women, who were less likely than others to have attended college, were comparatively less well off and generally exaggerated the earning inqualities among Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.

8. c. Consumer continued on page 8

THE LATEST WORD Stewpot Annual Quiz (cont. from page 7) Expenditure Survey, US Department of Labor Statistics, 2010 [If you answered a. that is what it costs for apparel, or b. that is what it costs for entertainment, or d. that is what it costs for food] 9. At what rate is Warren Buffett’s income taxed by the IRS? a. 15% b. 17% c. 21% d. 35% 9. b. Time, April 30,2012 10. Which president is on the $500 U.S. bill? a. Grover Cleveland b. William McKinley c. Howard Taft d. Abraham Lincoln 10. b. [If you answered a. it would be for the $1,000 U. S. bill] 11. How much of the average household budget is currently dedicated to food? a. 22% b. 16% c. 10% d. 7%

11. d. Time, October 10, 2011 If you answered a. that was the amount in 1950, or b. the amount in 1970, or c. the amount in 1990] 12. Which country’s citizens would return both wallet and money? a. Australia b. Philippines c. Italy d. Russia 12. a. 91% Readers Digest, June/July 2010 [If you answered b. only 86% or c. 75% or Russia 49% would return both] 13. What percentage of U.S. households use cell phones exclusively?

enue that was generated by services to landlines] 14. What do you think the U.S. Office of Personal Management reported that the federal government spent in benefits over the last five years to those deceased? a. $150 million b. $360 million c. $600 million d. $1 billion 14. c. American Family Association Journal, December 20, 2011

16. c. This Week, April 13, 2012 17. According to a recent survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, what tempts men more? a. Sex b. Money c. Food d. Power

15. About how many people are incarcerated in American prisons?

17. a. 50% Leadership, Summer 2010 [If you answered b. women 15%, or c. women 56%, or d. women 7%]

a. 1 million b. 2 million c. 4 million d. 6 million

18. In this new age of austerity, what are Americans doing more for themselves?

15. d. This Week, April 6, 2012 [A higher number than the Soviet Union imprisoned during Stalin’s rule.]

a. Housecleaning b. Lawn Care c. Auto Repairs d. Household Repairs

16. How much do you

18. d. 29% Time/money Survey, 2012 If you answered a. 28%, or b. 23%, or c. 21%. =

a. 27% b. 32% c. 47% d. 52% 13. b. This Week, April 20, 2012 [If you answered c. that is the percentage of AT&T’s rev-

a. $12 Million b. $17 million c. $36 million d. $42 million

think Americans over 60 still owe on their school loans?

August 2012 THIS MONTH

Upcoming Events August Birthdays Zelina Archila – 1 Gabriela Miranda – 5 Gabriel Miranda – 8 Frank Duran Jr. – 8 Armando Paredes – 9 Byron Molina, Sr. – 15 Orlando Archila – 15 Sarah Guerrero – 15 Stella Martinez – 25 Kirk Bathgate – 27 Samantha Ramirez - 27 Celene Aispuro – 31

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

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

4 - Hawaiian Shirt Day 11 - Teacher Dedication 12 - Pathfinder Yard Sale & Car Wash 20 - School Begins @ AUS & SGA 25 - Parking Lot Party @ 5:30pm

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

Coming Soon Sept. 29 - Pathfinder Induction Oct. 27 - Fall Party Nov. 17 - Celebration Sabbath

Check out the audio and video sermon podcasts at www.downeychurch.org/ sermons.html

THE LATEST WORD The Latest About

Our Church Family We sorrowfully report that Thelma Stephens passed away on July 9th. Please remember Kaye and Darrell, and the entire family, during their time of mourning.

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! =

Our Place in the Universe

“

When I look at the galaxies on a clear night, when I look at the incredible brilliance of creation, and think that this is what God is like, then instead of feeling intimidated and diminished by it, I am enlarged,” said author Madeleine L’Engle. “I rejoice that I am a part of it.”

How wonderful — and mysterious — that the Creator of the universe not only knows and loves us but wants us to know and love him! Incredibly, we are at once infinitesimally small and yet immeasurably significant because of whose we are. =

Dollars and Sense

n Fearless, author Max Lucado likens trusting in money instead of God to trying to make a purchase with play money. Pretend bills from Monopoly or other board games might look real to children, but even kids soon learn those

don’t do any good at the cash register. Sure, money is essential to meet our basic daily needs, and conventional wisdom urges us to save for retirement. But that’s a far cry from seeking security in accumulating

things we don’t really need and spending more energy growing our financial accounts than our relationship with God. Paul’s words to Timothy still ring true in our modern-day economy: “As for those who in the

present age are rich, command them not … to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17, NRSV). =

August 2012

Ponder This... = “Imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the cracks.” —Philip Yancey = “Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer’s year — it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.” —Unknown = “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing and the lawn mower is broken.” —James Dent

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

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