Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
e s u a c e B we Care!
Inside:
Refocus on Helping Others n Transformation by Tenths n Ministry Spotlight n Let's Go! Published by the Mt Pisgah SDA Church Communications Department 3340-50 NW 215th Street Miami Gardens, FL 33055
Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
REFOCUS ON HELPING OTHERS
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[God] comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4).
elping others actually serves as an antidote to resentment, jealousy, envy, and unhappiness. Instead of focusing on yourself, your problems, your complaints, your aches, your pains, your limitations, the injustices in your life, turn the focus off yourself and onto God’s purpose and plan behind those problems and how you can help other people. “What is God’s purpose behind my pain? What is God’s purpose behind my problems?” There could be many possible purposes. But you have to realize this: God wants to comfort you in your problems so you can go out and help other people and comfort those have face the same kinds of problems. So we need to stop focusing on hurting and start focusing on healing – healing others. Stop focusing on receiving – what can I get, what does the world owe me, and start focusing on giving and watch what happens in your life. God loves givers. God is generous, and He wants us to become like Him. He blesses us and to be happy you must learn to be generous with what you have. You need to say something like, “God, I know that everything isn’t perfect in my life, but what I have I’m giving to you. I want you to use it to help others. If the problems I have experienced can help somebody else, God, I want you to use me.” There is
no greater thrill than that. Think of all the problems you have gone through in your life and you have just defined the major part of your ministry. God never wastes a hurt. Remember the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Many do not really believe that verse. They do not believe it is happier to give rather than receive. They think that it is happier to get. The reason they think this way is that they have never been generous. Until a person has done that, they do not know that this verse is true. God does not want to bless you just for your own benefit. He wants you to share it. He watches to see how much you give away. Some people plan to be generous one day. That’s more “whenand-then thinking” that goes like this, “When I get to this certain level of financial ability, I’m going to really start giving. When I get these bills paid off then I’m going to start being generous. When I get out of debt then I’m going to start tithing.” In actuality, these kind of people will never be generous because their hearts are small and shriveled. Until a person leans to be generous, their hearts will not grow. Every time a person is generous, his heart grows. That is the only antidote to materialism.
Source: http://daily-devotional.free-online-bible-study.com/2012/05/refocus-on-helping-others.html
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PERSPECTIVES
TRANSFORMATION BY TENTHS By A. Allan Martin
“T
he job of retaining, nurturing, and engaging young adults in service is the work of each [member], not just the pastor or youth leader. So what can we, individually and as a church, do to engage tomorrow’s leadership today?” –Elder Ted N. C. Wilson
Our General Conference president, Ted Wilson, has strongly affirmed the vital need to involve and equip young adults in the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And, I agree with him in that it is the intentional mentoring of current leaders, in every arena of our church, that help propel the next generations into meaningful service for Christ’s cause. So I appeal to you leader—whether you are a volunteer in your local church or campus, or whether you serve as a ministry professional, educator, or administrator. I’m asking you to take tangible steps to empower young adults in ministry. Specifically I’m asking you to tithe one or more of the following: (a) travel, (b) time, (c) Timothys, (d) telecasts, (e) talents. Beginning today. TITHE YOUR TRAVEL Instead of taking that tenth speaking appointment or attending another committee meeting, invest that trip’s budget into the leadership development of a young adult. Send them to a ministry training event/conference, giving them an opportunity to interact with other leaders and glean valuable equipping from ministry professionals and experts. Future leaders in the church have to be developed. Investing that travel budget in a young adult will have a substantial impact on their growth and passion for ministry. TITHE YOUR TIME Offer a tenth of your time each week to mentoring a young adult. If you average a 40-hour workweek, set aside four hours this week— and every week—to nurture, apprentice, and encourage a young adult. Begin to pour yourself into the next generation. If you’re working a 60-hour week and are saying to yourself, “There’s no way I can offer six hours each week to mentor a young adult,” maybe you need to change your work habits/schedule. TITHE YOUR TIMOTHYS Empower a tenth of your young leadership to develop new generations. You may be in a situation in which you have a large team of young ministry leaders (i.e., a campus ministry or Student Association for an Adventist college or university). Ask your team to train, mentor, and nurture the young people who follow them in age. Set aside a tenth of the resources and efforts you give to minister to your campus/church and invest it in the next generation of leaders. Then be amazed as those young people express their loyalty, dedication, and ministry skills.
TITHE YOUR TELECASTS Dedicate a tenth of your broadcast time to intentionally disciple young adults. Knowing the integral role media plays in young lives, invest in nurturing their spiritual growth through music, television, film, drama, comedy, photography, literature, art, production, etc. Involve young adults in the production, creative, and technical aspects of your ministries’ outreach and nurture. For some of you, the pulpit is where you broadcast the gospel. Afford at least a tenth of the worships in your church to involve young people. If you don’t have any youth in your church, more radical tithing may be in order. TITHE YOUR TALENTS Begin today to let a young person take your place. The classic parable admonishes us to multiply our talents, not bury them in the sand. Although often referring to talents as money, I offer here a hybrid application, noting that your skills, abilities, giftedness, and wisdom need to be invested in the next generation. Allow up-andcoming young adults to take roles you might easily and competently have taken. Give them the opportunity to take your place; begin at least with a tenth of your place. TRANSFORMATION BY TENTHS If Seventh-day Adventist leaders would take seriously tithing their travel, time, Timothys, telecasts, or talents, we would see a marked and pervasive transformation occur. Experienced leaders have a tremendous wealth to share with next generations, and it can start with just a tenth. “If we’re serious about our mission,” encourages Wilson, “we must, beginning on a local church level and extending into all our organizations, mentor young adults and get them into the stream where they begin to associate with those who do have experience.” And just in case you weren’t sure if this applies to you: If you’re an adult following Christ as a member, in good and regular standing, with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, you are considered a leader by the younger generations who follow you. So fellow leader—whether travel, time, Timothys, telecasts, or talents—I ask that you put your tithing into practice today. Spark the transformation by tenths. May the God sought by young adults be found living among those who love Him with all their heart. May Jesus Christ be found living in and through you. i A. Allan Martin, PhD, CFLE is the teaching pastor of Younger Generation Church [www.YGchurch.com], the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventhday Adventist Church in Texas Quotes taken from: Wilson, T. N. C. (2011, April). Young & ready: Nurturing and preparing young adults to lead. Adventist World, 7(4), 8-10. This article was reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
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Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
Ministry Spotlight Hazel Davis, Community Service Director
How long have you served as director of Mt. Pisgah Community Services? I took over from Sister Maxine Burnside in 2006.
What motivates you to keep going in this challenging ministry?
What is the most rewarding aspect of Community Services, for you? I was so blessed to hear the director of our choir, One Purpose mention from the stage at the recent Youth Federation she is proud of what
How do you see the future of Community Services, and what are your goals for the department?
Helping people is what motivates me. It’s a feeling I get from helping others that I just can’t explain. In blessing others I receive a bigger blessing.
What is the biggest challenge your department faces? The Food Pantry offers me the biggest challenge. I deal with many different personalities. The people who come for food, and the volunteers; sometimes it’s hard to keep everyone happy. Getting food supplies for the pantry has not been so hard lately, and that has made it possible to open the pantry twice a month. This will continue until we can’t get the food we need from our suppliers. When I announced food would be distributed twice a month the patrons were so happy!
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men, and he really spoke from the heart. What a blessing it was to see seven men give their hearts to the Lord that day. Also, recently I received a letter from a person who comes to the food pantry saying she does not know what she and her family would do without the food they get from the pantry.
Community Services at her church is doing. It’s nice to know church members take pride in what our department is doing. One Purpose also performed last spring at Miami Rescue Mission where we have a feeding program every other month. They did an amazing job! Elder Cliff Ingram spoke to the homeless
I would love to add more outreach. Volunteers visit two nursing homes twice a month, and the residents are so receptive of our ministry. At each facility approximately 30 attend our services. During one recent visit Elder McMiller’s presentation touched the heart of a resident, and she gave her heart to the Lord. To see that one soul saved makes all our visits worthwhile. I would love to see each department take a turn visiting the nursing homes. We could have a team go out every week instead of twice a month. I would love to have our members come and see for themselves what we are doing in Community Services. Pictures can’t tell thestory.
*Interview reprinted from a 2011 edition of the Pisgah Post
Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
MT. PISAGH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS & ACTIVTIES VISITATION MINISTRIES (SICK AND SHUT-INS) ■■ Each month, Community Services members visit either the Villa Maria (40 residence) or Claridge House (25 residences) Nursing Homes to minister to the men and women in these Homes – over 300 volunteer hours each year. ■■ In 2012, over 500 people in the Miami Gardens area will be visited in their homes, a hospital or nursing facility.
BENEVOLVENT FUND ■■ Each year this fund provides over $5000 in assistance to members/families with emergency living situations in the Miami Gardens Community. PISGAH FOOD PANTRY
CLOTHING DISTRIBUTIONS
■■ In 2012, over 7,000 pieces of adult and children’s clothing will be provided to families in Miami Gardens. ■■ Monthly distribution of clothing also includes over 825 various pieces of furniture, baby items, electronics, school supplies and appliances.
■■ In 2012, the pantry will distribute over 180,000 pounds of food to 5,800 households with over 26,000 individuals in these homes. It takes over 10,000 volunteer hours to operate the Pantry each year. ■■ The annual (May 2012) Post Office food drive for the needy netted 8,550 pounds of food that was donated to the Pantry. The Pantry also received food from the Publix supermarket bakery, on Miramar parkway. ■■ The pantry is open every second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The pantry is opened to all of our church members along with those in our community who are in need and certified as eligible.
HOMELESS FEEDING IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI ■■ Six (6) times a year, over 300 hot meals are provided to homeless men and women of downtown Miami. This is a joint Program with the Miami Rescue Mission, the City of Miami and the Miami Coalition for the Homeless. ■■ In 2012, over 1,400 meals were provided by Community Service volunteers (over 700 volunteer hours to cook, transport and serve the meals).
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■■ This year's goal is to distribute over 300 Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Christmas Bags for the community and nursing home residents. Your gift of $15 or more to Community Services can help make this possible. DISASTER REPONSE ■■ Volunteers are provided each year to assist in a Regional Adventist Community Services Disaster Response Program. In 2007, two volunteers were sent to Georgia for a week to help with the aftermath of the Tornados in Southeastern Georgia.
MT PISGAH COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY AT WORK
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Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
HEART OF THE MATTER That you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend …the love of Christ with knowledge. Ephesians 3:17–19
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By Karin Katherine
hen I hear the words Family Traditions, Norman Rockwell FOUR STEPS TO CREATING MEANINGFUL images come to mind with their wholesome, yet quirky FAMILY TRADITIONS portrayals of family life in America. 1. Create traditions that are biblically based first. Christian But, what if your family wasn’t big on traditions or your parents have a responsibility to instill in their children a love family life was a far cry from a Norman Rockwell painting for the Lord and a respect for His word. Some of the simplest and looked more like a bad sitcom? What does that mean ways of implementing spiritual traditions is to pray together for your family? If you didn’t grow up with memorable before meals or hold regular family devotional time. traditions does that mean your children won’t either? 2. Remember, more is just more. Your goal in creating American artist, Norman Rockwell, was once quoted as saying, Family Traditions isn’t to win the award for most traditions “The view of life I communicate in my pictures excludes the sordid implemented by a single family. Families with too many traditions and ugly. I paint life as I would like it to be.” And, so can we. We can ultimately dilute their importance and jeopardize creating either blend our own family traditions with that of our spouse’s anything of true meaning and value within their family. or we can create completely new 3. Take inventory of existing traditions in your family, ones. Traditions that are better your spouse’s family, and your community. aligned with our personal What traditions are truly meaningful and beliefs, core values, align with your family’s beliefs and values? and promote family What traditions lack value or go against togetherness, while your family’s beliefs and values? Because creating fond memories traditions are often fondly remembered it’s to be cherished by okay to have some that are just fun, such our children and as “backwards day” where you serve up future generations. dessert first before dinner. When evaluating WHY ARE FAMILY traditions don’t negate the value of less TRADITIONS serious traditions; Remember, it’s okay IMPORTANT? to have silly traditions in the mix. Traditions are the glue that bind one generation to another. They give every member something to look forward to in our sometimes chaotic lives. They remind us to slow down and remember the things and people that are most important. Some traditions are based on God’s word, while others reflect cultural or ethnic beliefs. Effective traditions should create positive feelings and fond memories, while promoting a sense of belonging and creating a sense of safety and security in young children.
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4. Don’t be afraid to borrow traditions from other families, edit them, or create your own. Each family is individual and unique and so are its traditions. If your family wasn’t big on traditions but you’ve admired another family’s from afar, why not borrow theirs? You cannot control the world around you, but you do have control over the traditions you wrap your children in. Remember, it’s never too late to begin creating meaningful traditions.
Source: http://heartofthematteronline.com/family-traditions
Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
Let's Go! 10
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Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
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November Birthday’s Marsha Baptiste — November 2nd Simone Anderson — November 2nd Aaron Edwards — Nov 9th Marsha Eldson-Joseph — November 9th Mirnelle Cinous-Jules — November 10th Joy Josey — November 17th Regine Azemard — November 22nd Pastor Kevin Bryan — November 23rd Terry Manns Williams — November 25th Anthonette Kerr — November 26th Rigoberto Varela — November 27th Simone Laing — November 30th
Anniversaries Noel & Chandra Cabrera — November 21st
Please send your birthdays & anniversaries to us at PisgahCommunications@gmail.com
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Recipe of the Month:
Veggie Cheeseburgers With Special Sauce And Sweet Potato Fries Fresh sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and dietary fiber. TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes, MAKES: 4 SERVINGS VEGGIE CHEESEBURGERS WITH SPECIAL SAUCE INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic 1/4 teaspoon hickory-flavor marinade 1 tablespoon ketchup 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 medium tomato 1 medium red onion 4 (2 1/2-ounce) frozen vegetarian burgers 4 Bakery French hamburger rolls 4 Swiss cheese slices 1 cup shredded lettuce STEPS 1. Combine in small mixing bowl: mayonnaise, roasted garlic, marinade, ketchup and granulated garlic. 2. Wash tomato and onion. Peel onion. Slice
tomato and onion into four 1/4-inch slices. 3. Cut 1/2-inch slit in burger bags. Place on microwave-safe plate and microwave on high 3 minutes. 4. Slice hamburger rolls in half. 5. Assemble each sandwich as follows: Spread 1 tablespoon special sauce on bottom half of buns. Add burger patty, 1 slice cheese, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tomato slice, 1 slice onion and top half of bun. Place all 4 sandwiches on 1 plate and microwave on high 1 minute. SERVE.SWEET POTATO FRIES INGREDIENTS 1 (32-ounce) bottle canola oil 2 medium sweet potatoes paper towels 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar STEPS 1. Place oil in large saucepan and heat on high 10-12 minutes, or until oil reaches 350°F. 2. Wash potatoes and cut ends off. Using vegetable peeler,
peel potatoes. 3. Slice potatoes in half then into 1/4-inch slices lengthwise. Cut potatoes into 1/4inch strips. 4. Using tongs, place one potato strip into oil. If oil bubbles up and potato begins to immediately cook, then oil is hot enough. 5. Using tongs, carefully place remaining potatoes in oil. Fry 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. 6. Place paper towels in medium mixing bowl to absorb excess cooking oil. Using slotted spoon, remove potatoes and place in bowl with paper towels. 7. Remove paper towels, sprinkle fries with cinnamon sugar and toss to coat. Serve. Calories 512kcal; Fat 21g; Cholesterol 5mg; Carbohydrate 61g; Fiber 8g; Protein 19g; Sodium 901mg Vitamin A 270%; Vitamin C 34%; Calcium 10%; Iron 23% Š 2011 Publix Super Markets Inc.
Edition II, Vol 2, Issue 11 Saturday, November 3, 2012
HEALTH You get ready for a date. You prepare for meetings and presentations at work. But most people don’t think to prepare for visits to the doctor. If you’re one of them, you’re missing out on an important way to help ensure you get the best possible health care. One key to getting good health care is good communication between you and your health professionals. The first step in good communication is finding a doctor you feel comfortable talking with, a doctor you can trust and with whom you can talk openly. Talking about your health means sharing information about how you feel, both physically and emotionally. Having a good relationship with your main, or primary, doctor is one of the best ways to ensure your good health. Your doctor should know you and your particular health history and understand your health concerns and problems. He or she can help you make medical decisions
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TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE that suit your values and can guide you toward other medical specialists and health care providers you may need. SPEAK UP-BECOME A PARTNER IN YOUR HEALTH CARE Many people go to the doctor ready to just listen and let the doctor take the lead. But the best patient-doctor relationships are partnerships. You and your doctor can work together as a team that includes nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and other health care providers to address your medical problems and keep you healthy. So, before going to the doctor, make a list of the things you want to discuss. Think about how you’re going to describe your symptoms. Put your questions in order so you’re sure to ask about the most important ones first. Do you have a new symptom? Are you concerned about how a treatment is affecting your daily life? A recent survey found that nearly twothirds of older Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine—health practices outside the realm of conventional medicine, such as herbal supplements, meditation,
homeopathy and acupuncture. Less than one-third of them, however, discuss these practices with their doctors. This news is a cause for concern because your doctor needs to have a full picture of everything you’re doing to manage your health. HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: ■■ Make a list in advance of things you want to discuss at your appointment ■■ If you don’t understand something your doctor is saying, ask questions until you do understand. ■■ Take notes, or get at friend or family member to take notes for you. ■■ Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal or homeopathic supplements you take ■■ Ask your doctor to write down instructions for you. ■■ Ask your doctor for printed material about your condition or suggestions for where you can get more information. ■■ Don’t forget that other members of your health card team, such a nurses and pharmacists, can be good sources of information. Talk to them, too.
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Communications Team 2012 Jondra Grier Jessica Garcon
Peggy Joseph Nancy Wells
Simone Laing Melda Peterkin
Betty Eugene Chikina Williams
Nathan Greene Deattra Greene
Simone Anderson Elder Steve Williams
November 2012 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat Early Service at 8:00 am
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Service at 11:00 am Community Service Day
Sunset: 6:39 pm
Sunset: 6:38 pm
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Daylight Savings Time Ends (fall back 1 hour)
Pathfinder Meeting at 9:15 am
Nursing Home Visitation after Church Service
Mid week Bible Study & Prayer at 7:30 pm
Sunset: 5:35
Sunset 5:34 pm
SEC pm Pathfinder Federation
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pisgah Pantry 2-4 pm
VETERANS DAY
HEALTH MINISTRIES DAY
Mid week Bible Study & Prayer at 7:30 pm
Sunset: 5:35 pm
Sunset: 5:31 pm
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mid week Bible Study & Prayer at 7:30 pm
THANKSGIVING DAY
Nursing Home Visitation after Church Service
Thanksgiving Day Service at 10:00 pm
Sunset: 5:30 pm
Sunset: 5:30 pm
25 26 27 28 29 30 Pathfinder Club Awards Breakfast at 9:15 am
Pisgah Pantry 2-4 pm
Mid week Bible Study & Prayer at 7:30 pm
Sunset: 5:29 pm
Mt Pisgah 50 year Anniversary Celebration November 25- December 2, 2012
If you would like to place an ad for your business in the Pisgah Post please contact us at PisgahCommunications@gmail.com