2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Dear Church Family,
This text might be misquoted nowadays, given the problems we face.
Will God indeed solve the Pandemic and Violence problems that we are facing if all Americans pray together?
Originally, the text meant just that. But it was directed to a Nation that was indeed "God’s Nation": Israel. Do not confuse them with the current Nation of Israel, nor the United States of America. This promise was given at the time of King Solomon, for his nation.
They were “chosen” to be blessed, in order to be a blessing to others. As God said, in Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
A careful reading of 2 Chronicles 7:14, and the history of Biblical Israel, shows that this promise was fulfilled many, many times as they meandered back and forth in their spiritual path.
In the message for this coming Sabbath, we ask the question, “Does this text apply to individuals? Are Christians better off than others?”
Here’s our answer in brief:
Psalms 37:1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
We are blessed!
Pastor Albert
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."
Psalms 46:1,2
Church is now open, albeit with several protective measures in place. We are still meeting online via Zoom for those who are still at risk.
Weekly Women’s Ministry Group will continue throughout the summer. See the link to our “Ongoing” programs. The theme will be “Hiding His Word in Our Hearts”. (If I were a woman, I’d join!)
Corrections: We neglected to put names of the Derek Dee Family graduates with their photograph. We apologize, Zekiel, Alli and Kieran!
Lola H. graduated from South Bay Junior Academy, not Orangewood Adventist Academy
Scholarship Applications are available on our website. If you want one and cannot get it, please contact the church office and we will send one to you.
Workers on Campus: There has been a cell tower crew working on our campus. If you look carefully you will see the scaffolding that has been erected at the side of the church.
Happy Father’s Day! This Sunday. We love our guys!
Summer Solstice is this Sabbath. That means it will be the day with the longest daytime hours of any other day of the year. I think it’s ‘cool’ to keep track of these things…. I think God’s solar system is awesome!
Adult Sabbath School Lesson: (from Nathan Towns) You're invited to join the Adult Sabbath school class this Saturday Morning at 9:45 AM. If you can't make it at 9:45, but you can at 10am, then join at 10am. Anytime you are able to join you are welcome to do so!
Time:
9:30 am - Zoom meeting start and setup (try to join in this time)
9:45 am –11 am - Sabbath school discussion
This week the lesson is "Dealing with Difficult Passages."
Have you asked or heard the question, "How do you know that you are right and almost everyone else is wrong?" Perhaps in regard to SDA beliefs or maybe about our explanation of a particular scripture. Can we be open-minded and also embrace a certainty about SDA beliefs being true, and reasonably handle contrary evidence, contradictions? How do we handle doubt? If you deal with or in the past have dealt with these issues, please join in the discussion.
If you come on Sabbath: You will be most welcomed! Precautions are in place and you will catch on quickly to them when you get here. But, please be prepared in advance for the following:
Dress warmly, since there will be extra circulation of outside (cooler) air.
Wear a mask continually.
Children must remain with their parents at all times.
Received in response to our visit to the Lomita Sheriff Station.
Highlights
Reach Your Pastor: I am forwarding the church phone (310/541-1819) to my home phone (424/206-2949) and though it often has bad reception you can call my cell phone (626/826-8448) or text me. Email works, too: albertfrederico@gmail.com
With most of us at home, we may not have many opportunities to give out tracts, but we should attempt to use every little opportunity that may make a difference! Here is a tract made specially for this time: https://www.buyglow.org/coronavirus-and-immunity/. You can read it here. Consider ordering a pack of these to give when helping someone out, co-workers (if you are one of those essential workers), or leaving in a place that still gets some traffic, or share this link online.
This pandemic has forced us to start using long-neglected technology platforms to reach out to people. If you spend time on social media—Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and others—follow the various Adventist ministries that publish content that you can share. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and talk to Nathan about how you can help publish inspiring content on our church social media pages and our website.
