Mark 5: 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Michiko was born in Japan, married a Japanese-American and moved here to California, making a home and raising their children. Our families became friends at church. One day, she was explaining certain cultural differences to us. In particular, she said that her culture does not like to display emotions. She grew up with far less hugging and kissing than I did, with my Mexican-American heritage. Overt displays of affection were ‘just not done’.
I decided to probe this a bit. (You should now that we were friends enough for me to express amazement without offending her in the least.) I said, “How do you know that your parents loved you, if they didn't tell you!? Maybe they didn’t… really…”
Michiko laughed at me, “Oh, I knew. They loved me!”
I pressed further, “But how did you know? Maybe they faked it!”
She settled the matter, “They may not have been as demonstrative as your parents, but they had their ways, a special look, a hand on my shoulder. They loved me.”
So. Is a church where people love God? Is it our culture to avoid expressing our devotion? Or is it alright to talk about it? How do we know if we really have Love in our church family? Is it special looks and helping hands?
I like to think Linda and I have made a loving home. We’re polite. We do the chores. Sometimes I do hers, when she’s busy or tired; sometimes she does mine. And sometimes we have to remind the other one to ‘get with it’. Do I have to tell her that I love her? Aren’t my actions enough?
No. We also tell each other, just to be sure.
I also think in church we need to tell our stories. Our stories of Faith. Our stories of God loving and helping us.
We’re setting aside some time during our Mid-week Prayer Meeting and Sabbath afternoon Men’s Bible Study to learn how to share stories, and to retell those stories of Faith with each other, and especially our families.
And I would like to have those stories told at church time. So, if you have a good story, or have heard a good one recently, please tell me and prepare to tell your story.
Peace,
Pastor Albert
PS: Prayer Meetings are on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom or in person.
Men’s Bible Study is on Sabbath afternoons, 3:00 p.m., at the church.
Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:11 - 13
Church is now open with antivirus measures in place.
Outdoor Church: Yes, we are allowed to have services, meeting certain requirements. Wear a mask, your temperature will be taken, please bring your own chair (so we don’t have a lot of cleaning to do) and socially distance.
Please do not attend if you are uncomfortable; we would not want you to go past your ‘comfort zone’.
We will be setting out more shade structures than last time, and try to mark aisles . Please remember that our local weather can vary a lot; dress in layers. At this writing, we are expecting warm, summer weather. Bringing your own water bottle and a fan might be a good idea.
You can still attend on Zoom, too. With both ‘audiences’ meeting at the same time, we are experiencing some ‘growth pains’ with our technological challenges. Please be patient with us. For example, when I sit at the computer, inside the foyer, it is difficult to hear those who participate on Zoom, since their voice is broadcast through the television, which is outside.
New Sermon Series: We are retelling the stories that our Youth have picked of their heroes. Each week will feature the story of a different hero, retold for ‘kids of all ages’.
Men’s Ministry is starting a new lesson topic. Three different lesson booklets have arrived; we will pick one to use for the next while, this Sabbath. While you would be welcome anytime, now is an especially good time to join. Sabbath afternoons, at 3:00 p.m.
If you have a blessing to share with the church, please send us your message to include in our next newsletter!
REMINDER:
Sabbath School this quarter we want to brainstorm ideas to be more effective both individually and as a church to share the love of God. Please join us to provide your testimony, experience, and ideas. Join us Sabbaths at 9:40am.
Reach Your Pastor: I am forwarding the church phone (310/541-1819) to my home phone (424/206-2949). You can call my cell phone (626/826-8448), text me, or email me: albertfrederico@gmail.com
This is the perfect time to share more uplifting messages online: if you have any social media accounts, follow and share post, messages, and comments with and from our church accounts on Facebook, Instagram, our youth Instagram, our local conference page. There are many people online who may not come to church, but may see a message that will encourage them to seek Christ.
A healthy body is the foundation for an optimally healthy mind that will also be the foundation for an optimally healthy spirituality. And optimal health is the greatest protection against COVID-19, which, unfortunately, is still out there. What is and how we can have this optimal health is a quest we will always be on in this world of imperfect understanding, so here are some new videos for you to keep learning from! Watch the latest videos from Modern Manna's online Health and Healing Crusade!
Online Giving: did you know you can return your tithes and offerings online? Adventist Giving enables us to return our tithes and offerings online easily.Go to Adventist Giving
Isaiah 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
he deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us—
yes, the many good things he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
