The Church Courier, December 2009

Dec 2009 Vol. 10, Issue 12

Wise men and women still seek Him Shepherds hurried to find him; wise men traveled thousands of miles seeking the Messiah, the newborn King. To our knowledge they had no map, they had no compass. They only had a star to guide them on their journey, a star of wonder, a star of light, a star of hope. Wise men seeking, wise men finding, wise men rejoicing in their salvation. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt. 2:10) All men are seeking something, but not all are wise. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) So, what are you seeking? Is it joy, peace, forgiveness? All of these things are good, but where are you looking? “But rather seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:31 Wise men still seek Him. May the Lord bless you with wisdom this Christmas season. The wise shall find Him. (Online source)

In this issue: Holiday Cake .............. 4 The Sabbath .............. 6 Oktoberfest ................ 9 Church @ Work ....... 10

A Christmas thought God is our only hope. God alone will not fail us, for God came to abide in our midst as one of us, if we will but open our hearts to receive Him. He came to glory in our glory, to suffer in our sufferings, and tears. God is no stranger to what we experience. -Author Unknown

Long ago Martin Luther received some discouraging news. But he responded by saying, “Recently I have been looking up at the night sky, spangled and studded with stars, and I found no pillars to hold them in. Yet they do not fall.” Luther was encouraged as he reminded himself that the same unseen God who was upholding the universe was also caring for him! Yet there is another unseen source of help from which God’s people can take courage when facing any crisis---angels! These heavenly beings, called “ministering spirits” in Heb. 1: 14 are instantly responsive to God’s commands. We have no earthly idea what powerful protection and help they bring to us every day! Remember when Jesus was agonizing in the garden of Gethsemane, “an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him,” (Luke 22:43) Even though we might not see them, they’re doing their work just the same. Many centuries ago some of then had the task of forming an unusual star in the heavens to guide wise men to the birthplace of our Savior. Others were given the task to appear to some shepherds to sing the announcement that He was born. Have any appeared to you? Maybe they have, but you’ve not recognized them! Just knowing these unseen helpers are on our side strengthens our trust in the God they faithfully serve! Yours for allowing God’s “ministering spirits” to work for us, Pastor and Sharon Webb

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The Church Courier

Fall Festival Carry the peanut, eating pie contest, face painting, and crafts, were some of the games and activities that our youth had the opportunity to enjoy during the Fall festival. I think it was a great activity offering our youth an alternative to Halloween. We know how hard it is for our youth to deal with the pressures of the world, and with activities like this one, we help them a little bit. Thanks to Mark Schiefer, Susan and Alan Hecht, Martha and Stan Getlinger, and all the parents and members that helped in this activity in one way or another. Great job! Remember that you can see photo albums of activities on the Church webpage: www.nprsda.org/PhotoGallery Thanks to Susan Hecht for pictures of this activity.

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Holiday Scripture cake .The fun starts with looking up the ingredients, which can be

found in the Bible. You won't find a verse that says, 'five eggs, separated,' so all of the ingredients are listed in the baking instructions. Enjoy! 3/4 cups of Psalm 55:21 1-1/2 cups of Jeremiah 6:20 5 Isaiah 10:14 3 cups of 1 Kings 4:22 3 tsp. of 1 Corinthians 5:6 3/4 tsp. of Leviticus 2:13 1 tsp. each of 2 Chronicles 9:9 1 tsp. of Exodus 30:23 1/2 cup of Judges 4:19 3/4 cup of Numbers 17:8 3/4 cup of Nahum 3:12 3/4 cup of 1 Samuel 30:12

Cream butter with sugar. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. Blend into creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. Fold in chopped almonds, figs, raisins. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 70 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Page 4

The Church Courier

PIXIE PIN-UPS DO YOU KNOW ME? If you think you know this church member, submit your guess to us, either by phone or email. You can submit your baby pix by email or directly to us. Photos can be black and white or color and will be promptly returned. For more information please contact us. November baby was: Jim Litardo Clue: “Everybody wants him in their team.” Jim Litardo is very good at sports. Our winners were: Justin Rivera, Pastor Webb,

Clue: “Goldielocks?”

Martha & Stan Getlinger, Alan Hecht, Arlene Learman, Marjorie Boyd, and the Rodriguez-Menendez Family (Christie, Gabriella, Myranda, Brittany, Kristin, and Benjamin)

Thanks for participating!

Think about it…


Those who walk with God always reach their destination.
"This is a ch_ _ch. What is missing?”
If your life is headed in the wrong direction, God allows you to make a U-turn.
May you have the Spirit of Christmas, which is Peace, The Gladness of Christmas, which is Hope, The Heart of Christmas, which is Love, The Gift of Christmas, which is Christ.

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THE SABBATH QUESTION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT By Gary D. Grimes Everyone admits Sunday keepers and Sabbath keepers alike, that the holy day of the OT was the seventh-day Sabbath. Today the world calls the seventh-day of the week Saturday. The modern week day names were named after pagan gods by the Romans. Saturday is named after the pagan Roman god Saturn. Yet in the Bible both OT and NT the name of the seventh-day is Sabbath. Hundreds of modern languages use a word that means Sabbath to describe their seventh-day of the week. Since everyone agrees that the holy day of the OT was the seventh-day Sabbath we need not discuss that point in this article. But, what is the holy day of the NT? I maintain it is still the seventh-day of the week. Here’s why. 1. No where in the NT does it specifically say that God (Jesus) transferred the holiness of the seventh-day to the first day. NO WHERE! To honor Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection the Bible gives us the act of baptism by immersion (Romans 6:1-6). 2. The great question of the NT was not which day of the week is the Sabbath, but how to keep it. Jesus, the Apostles, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Zealots, the Priests, the Scribes and the common Jew all believed the seventh-day of the week was the Sabbath. 3. What Jesus and Jewish leaders did clash over was the practical aspects of Sabbath-keeping, not which day of the week was the Sabbath. Jesus allowed His disciples to pluck and eat grain on the Sabbath, the Jews said He and His followers were

breaking the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28). By and large, the greatest conflict Jesus had with Jewish leaders was over His acts of healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14). So what some interpret as Jesus being anti-seventh-day Sabbath is not that at all. It is Jesus keeping the seventhday Sabbath the way He intended it to be when He created it. It is to be a day of blessing. It is a time to do well. It is a time to draw near to Him.

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Bought too many? Stocked with too many pecans? I know! Our school kids did a great job selling them in their last fundraiser. The good news is that pecans are very popular during this season in desserts such as pies, cookies, and candies, but also make an interesting addition to salads, stuffing, main or side dishes. They are also delicious whole, toasted and spiced, or covered with chocolate. Here’s a great idea for those extra pecans. After you finish with this quick recipe, put them in a little cellophane bag and put a nice ribbon. A nice perfect little Christmas gift! Ingredients: •

20 small mini pretzels

•

20 chocolate covered caramel candies

•

20 pecan halves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). 2. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.

3. Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Sunset Dec. 5 ........ 5:35 pm Dec. 12 .......5:36 pm Dec. 19....... 5:39 pm Dec. 26 ...... 5:43 pm Page 8

“Guess who got voted to be a sheep in the Sabbath School program for the fifth year in a row?!” The Church Courier

Oktoberfest at Camp Kulaqua by Martha Getlinger October is a wonderful time to go to Camp Kulaqua. The air is crisp and a little cool. It feels good to be outside. Several members of our church in the 50 plus category enjoyed a peaceful rustic four days at Camp Kulaqua’s “Young at Heart” camp The ladies with German outfits this past month. Activities enjoyed were morning walks, Sabbath-School studies, worship times, horse-back riding, go-carting, mini-golf, shuffleboard, model rocketry, softball game by the Camp Kulaqua staff, Scrabble tournament, Mexican Train tournament, a visit to the zoo to meet Samson, the new baby lion and many more things. Each day was filled with various activities that you could choose from and participate if you wanted. The end of the stay was a celebration of Oktoberfest featuring German cuisine and music. It was a delight! Drivers and their crew Those of us who attended are already planning for next year. Why don’t you come with us. It is an excellent time to fellowship with old friends and make new friends.

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Support our School New Port Richey Seventh-day Adventist Church presents:

International Sabbath Sabbath, March 13, 2010

Want to participate representing your country? Please turn in your participation form or contact Martha for more information.

by advertising your business or congratulating a special student in our School Yearbook. Time and spaces are running out, reserve yours today. For more information contact the School office, Church office or Omayra Rivera.

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 to one or all of these Christmas programs. May God’s blessing be on you and yours this Christmas Season. Sabbath 5th, Worship with Joanne Gilkey and Friends. Sabbath 12th, Worship with Adventist Christian Academy. Sabbath 19th, NPR SDA Sanctuary Choir Christmas Cantata. All programs at 11:00 AM Page 10

The Church Courier

From the Editors If you look in a diction- different things this seaary the word “hope”, you will find something like this: “a general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled.” (www.elook.org)

son. But one wish we should have in common is the hope to see the second coming of Jesus really soon. That is my hope. What’s yours?

Wishing you a great This year went so fast, Season and thanking you packed with lots of trials for a great year! and happenings. I can’t wait for the new year to Omayra & Alex start, to see what is in store for us. I’m

sure

This newsletter is published monthly by the NPR SDA Church. If you have any comments to make about the newsletter, wish to make a donation, or wish to submit an article, please send it to the church or to us.

everybody

hopes and wishes for

Contact Us Alexander Ortiz 727-365-2892

Omayra Rivera 727-372-0052

[email protected] NPR Seventh-day Adventist Church 6424 Trouble Creek Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 727-848-4567  www.nprsda.org

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NPR Seventh–day Adventist Church 6424 Trouble Creek Road New Port Richey, FL 34653