For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church
Merry Christmas!
This Christmas Season you can help spread the Good News of Jesus. So many people need to hear some Good News. Invite them to join us for our Community Christmas Program on Dec. 19th.
THE LATEST WORD Commercial Christmas by Cary Fisher
he Christmas season States was over 600 bilthe words of Paul as he has arrived and the lion dollars which is more said, “Do not conform to rat race is off and runthan most countries entire the pattern of this world, ning. As the malls get GDP (gross domestic but be transformed by the hectic, the store lines are product). renewing of your mind: long. and the traf(Romans 12:2). In fic becomes more a financial sense, of a standstill than the pattern of the the average American world is debt and ever, it seems that every year we fight overspending, and adult spent almost to gain some perPaul’s solution is to $800.00 on Christmas let Christ renew or spective on how we are to celebrate the change your thinkgifts last year birth of Christ. I am ing on the way you pretty sure that the do things. Son of God didn’t Since we have just So, let’s reflect on come on this earth to completed the series on what would be Christ’s make retail CEOs unfathFaith and Finance and ways in celebrating His omably rich. According learned some invaluable own coming on this Earth. to infowars.com, the principles on how we view First of all, I believe Jesus average American adult money, this Christmas would say that you can’t spent almost $800.00 on may be the perfect time give what you don’t have, Christmas gifts last year. for all of us to apply that so I’d say don’t try to. Be The total amount spent on knowledge that we gained prudent and creative with Christmas in the United from it. Let us remember your gift giving instead of spending money that you don’t have. It would also seem that Christ will care more for those who were less fortunate, so if you are going to spend money on gifts maybe it can be for the opportunity to help others. After all, how many toys does your child really need or does your distant relative need that gift basket from Costco? One suggestion is to give to a worthy cause in honor of someone that seems to have everything anyways. Also, let us remember that Jesus came for one purpose and that is for the world to know Him and His love for us. So if we
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are going to renew our minds to Christ’s ways in the context of Christmas, maybe it’s time to join in on Jesus’ mission by making sure the world knows what it means. Christmas is not about what we get or give , but it’s about the Immanuel (God with us) has come as Jesus is truly the only gift anyone truly needs.
December’s Sermon Calendar December 5 - The Light of the World - In the Gospels, Jesus said “I continued on page 3 The Latest Word V 27 N 12 BILL AUMACK
WE DID IT
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responsible for this
LINDA AUMACK copy editor
ALEX AUMACK 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
distributed monthly issue date: Dec. 2015 copyright 1992-2015
December 2015 A Commercial Christmas (cont. from page 2) am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life� John 8:12. In the Christmas story, the wisemen from the East followed the light of a star which lead them to Jesus. The sermon for this Sabbath will be a reminder to always follow the light that Jesus is continually giving us.
December 12 - Pathfinder Sabbath - This will be a ceremonial worship service that highlights the attributes of Pathfinders and this service will also be an induction for any new youth that are joining the ministry. This is always an inspirational Sabbath as Pathfinders is such an important part of our church. December 19 - The
Gifts of Christmas - Every year, we have a special Christmas program for our worship service. This year our program will have a narrative that is themed around the gifts that come with Christmas. This will be a wonderful Sabbath that will give us the right perspective as we celebrate during this Christmas season. December 26 - The Day After - While we
are very much still in the Christmas season, Christmas Day has come and gone, so now what? We will learn the principles that come from following Joseph’s journey. We obviously know that the birth of Jesus is just the beginning, and there was still so much more for Joseph as life goes on. See you when the church gathers. =
Bring some Christmas Cookies on Dec. 19th to share with the church family after the Community Christmas Program. Thank you!
Worship Schedule Dec. 5 Cary Fisher
The Light of the World
Dec. 19 Community Christmas
The Gifts of Christmas
Dec. 12 Cary Fisher
Pathfinder Induction
Dec. 26 Cary Fisher The Day After
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THE LATEST WORD God with us
Community Christmas Program
Faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly because it involves being present and making a sacrifice.
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Perhaps that’s why Jesus is sometimes called Immanuel — “God with us.” I think that’s what God had in mind, for Jesus to be present, to just be with us. It’s also what he has in mind for us when it comes to other people.
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—Bob Goff, Love Does
his Christmas Season you can help spread the Good News of Jesus. So many people need to hear some Good News. Invite them to join us for our Community Christmas Program on Dec. 19th.
The Gifts of Christmas
This year, our program will have a narrative that is themed around the gifts that come with Christmas. This will be a wonderful Sabbath that will give us the right perspective as we celebrate during this Christmas season. After the service we will share some Christmas cookies. Join us! =
December 2015 Taste & Inspiration Roasted Harvest Vegetables in a Baked Pumpkin that it gives you a”top. Ingredients 2 lbs mixed vegetables such as red bliss potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams, carrots, turnips, parsnips or beets 2 large red onions cut in large chunks 6 whole shallots 4 cloves garlic minced 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoons sea salt 1 to taste black pepper 5 sprigs fresh rosemary 5 fresh sage leaves 1 to taste olive oil 1 large pumpkin
2. “Scoop out the seeds of the pumpkin and save them for toasting, or discard them.
3. Clean out the inside of the pumpkin and rub with olive oil. 4. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and add about 1/2 cup of water. 5. Place the pumpkin in a 325 degree oven and bake for about 30 minutes until slightly softened on the inside. 6. Remove from the oven and set aside. 7. Peel and cut the root vegetables in large pieces all about the same size.
1 to taste green peppers
8. Place them in a zipper type plastic bag with about 1/3 cup of olive oil.
Directions
9. Close the bag and shake to coat the vegetables well.
1. Cut off the top of the pumpkin in such a way
10. Pour the vegetables in a large roasting pan.
1 to taste red peppers
Pilar & Phillip 11. Add the cut onions, shallots, minced garlic, and herbs.
18. Remove the vegetables to the warm pumpkin and cover with the top.
12. Stir with a large spoon.
19. Serve, adding small pieces of the softened pumpkin if you like.
13. Sprinkle with the kosher or sea salt and some black pepper. 14. Place the pan, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven. 15. Roast for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan two or three times. 16. Turn the pan and reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes, shaking or stirring to keep the vegetables from burning.
20. Remember to remove the bay leaves before eating. 21. VARIATIONS: Add some roasted red or green peppers. 22. Add a bit of cayenne pepper for a”hot” taste. Enjoy! =
17. Continue baking until all veggies are soft, about 10-20 minutes more.
Please make plans to join us on Friday Evening, January 1st for our annual Agape Feast Communion Service. This special service is not to be missed. Put it on your calendar.
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Downey Adventist Church Sunday
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4:43 pm sunset Visit www.downeychurch.org S.S. – Sabbath School C.S. – Community Service
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9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary
7 pm Band Practice
7 pm Wed. Fellowship 9 am Pathfinders
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2 pm Pathfinders
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12 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship
Pastor Cary Pathfinder Induction 7 pm Wed. Fellowship
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7 pm Band Practice
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19 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship
Pastor Cary Community Christmas 7 pm Church Board
7 pm Wed. Fellowship
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7 pm Band Practice
2 pm Pathfinders
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7 pm Band Practice 7 pm Wed. Fellowship
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7 pm Wed. Fellowship
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7 pm Agape Communion
December 2015
Upcoming Events Dec. Birthdays Brenda Guillen – 2 Von Pond – 5 Laurel Haglund – 8 Ray Fernandez – 10 Johnny Macias, III – 12 Alonso Ortega – 16 Genesis Huinquez – 16 Eduardo Lozano – 17 Lourdes Centeno – 17 Eddie Rivas – 18 Ricky Gonzalez – 19 Claudia Aponte – 23 Yolanda Ortegon – 28 Jocelyn Huinquez – 30
Wednesday - 7 p.m. Wed. Fellowship Friday - 7:00 p.m. Band Practice Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.
If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in.
5 - Pathfinders @ 2pm 6 - Pathfinders @ 9am 7 - Pearl Harbor Day 12 - Pathfinder Induction 19 - Community Christmas 19 - Pathfinders @ 2pm 21 - First Day of Winter 25 - Christmas
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.
Jan 1 - Agape Feast/Communion 7pm Jan 10 - Cooking School Feb 6 - Small Groups Start Mar 19 - Celebration Sabbath Mar 26 - Easter
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THE LATEST WORD The Latest About
Our Church Family It was good to see Ava Meade at church on Nov. 7th. Please keep her in your prayers as she battles cancer.
If you have any Church Family news, please contact the church office so we can get it into the newsletter. =
Sergio Garcia had back surgery. Please pray for him as he heals and recovers. 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! =
Now That Is News!
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n 1809, with Napoleon sweeping through Austria, the world was in such upheaval that nobody paid much attention to baby news. Yet during that year, Abraham Lincoln, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Darwin, Alfred Tennyson, Edgar Allen Poe and William Gladstone were born. Although the attention was on an Austrian battlefield, “history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America,” writes Charles Swindoll.
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“Similarly, everyone thought taxation was the big news when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.” —Adapted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life =
Welcome & Attached
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ccording to research conducted by the Barna Group, the holidays are tough for people who aren’t connected to faith communities or other civic groups. They feel isolated by experiences that bring others joy, such as giving gifts, singing carols and attending religious services and parties. “In past decades,” writes George Barna, “there was an assumption that the holidays were a time when outsiders might
explore church life. These days, however, churches and other religious institutions are not seen as safe or value-adding places by most outsiders. They see little reason to attend seasonal events, especially since those events often highlight their outsider status.” This Christmas, how can you help someone feel welcome and “attached” at your church? =
December 2015
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December 2015
Ponder This... = “Christmas is not an event within history but is rather the invasion of time by eternity.” —Hans Urs von Balthasar = “When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” —G.K. Chesterton = “Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.” —Edwin Louis Cole = “Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” —Janice Maeditere
Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA 90240
DATED MATERIAL Return Service Requested
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