For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church
God’s Love
Being a Friend by Cary Fisher
D
o you remember a time when everyone seemed to know who lived next to them, and people understood what it meant to be a neighbor? While we live in the so-called social media generation, we are becoming less and less social, and it has its consequences. According to Livestrong. com, 35 percent of all men and 50 percent of all women experience moderate to extreme amounts of loneliness. People are becoming more isolated, feeling empty, alone and
unwanted. Loneliness negatively affects a person’s health and their brain function such as heart disease, memory loss, the way we learn and our decision making. Ultimately, it can lead someone to depression and even suicide. According to Psychology.about.com, loneliness may even be contagious. Research has found that a person close to someone experiencing loneliness has a 52 percent chance to also becoming
lonely themselves. During the month of February we will learn how to be a church that combats loneliness. For example, Valentine’s Day is coming up which can be a reminder for many of their loneliness. The Bible writes, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). continued on page 2
O
On Saturday, February 28th, we will take a group
out in Downey to make friends with our neighbors. We will be offering to pray
—Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai
INSIDE
Friendship Outreach ur theme for the month of February is “Being a Friend.” Too many people in our community are lonely. So we will be following our long standing tradition and trying to ‘build community.’
Could we with ink the ocean fill, were the whole sky of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretch’d from sky to sky.
with people. Or maybe someone will just want to talk and have someone listen to them. Another may just want a free hug. Stay tuned during February for more details about our new Friendship Outreach ministry. =
Transformed Stewards page 3 Taste & Inspiration on page 5 What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Our Church Family page 7 Young Adult Ministry on page 8 Kid’s Page on page 9