For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church
Silence is Trust at Work
Knowing God by Cary Fisher
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ebruary is coming upon us which means Valentine’s Day is near, and stores will be cluttered with chocolates, balloons and greeting cards. Then, we will be able to buy all these sweet little nothings for the special people that we love. While Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, we certainly know that there is so much more to it than giving someone flowers or a “be mine” candy heart once a year.
Love is such a complicated word with so many different meanings, but certainly, the Bible gives us the clearest understanding of what love is. In the first letter of John, The Bible says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (I John 4:7-8). Interestingly, we usually think that our
knowledge of God is based upon our understanding of scripture; however, John points towards a different model for understanding who God is. As children of God, we show that when we experience His love, we are able to love others. When we are able to truly love others, it is then we know the true character of God. For example, imagine the knowledge of God that a mom gains as she loves and takes care of her child. She learns how God procontinued on page 1
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This will also be a Children’s Sabbath. We look forward to hearing from the children and their views on love. This is one way our children learn leadership skills and we can show our support for them as
—Thomas Merton
INSIDE
Children’s Sabbath ebruary 15th will be a special Sabbath. This is the Sabbath closest to Valentine’s Day and we will be celebrating love; love for our families and friends, love for our church family and of course love for Jesus.
The purest faith has to be tested by silence in which we listen for the unexpected, in which we are open to what we do not yet know, and in which we slowly and gradually prepare for the day when we will reach out to a new level of being with God.
they grow and develop. If your child would like to be involved, please contact Pastor or Bill. Also, the Pathfinders will be delivering the flowers that you have pre-ordered. Please take this opportunity to not only support the Pathfinders, but show some brotherly love to some people at church. There will be a fellowship luncheon after the service. =
Get Rick Quick page 3 Who Do You Really Love? 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