“Watchman, what is left of the night?
Watchman, what is left of the night?” 12 The watchman replies,
“Morning is coming, but also the night... Isaiah 21:11,12
Dear Church Family,
I am writing this as a ‘special edition’, to answer questions that may have come up because of today’s news…
I hope that you, as Jesus said,
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Matthew 26:41
Be Blessed,
Pastor Albert
“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
Due to the contagious COVID-19, church is closed until it is safe to open.
If you need groceries, other supplies, or other types of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact your church family in regards to how we can help you.
Not Opening Tomorrow: Although President Trump said that he considers churches to be “essential”, we will not be open tomorrow. Our services will be held via Zoom, and you can join us by telephone or computer.
If you have not yet joined us, I can tutor you and walk you through the steps that it takes to ‘tune’ us in. It isn’t that difficult. Call me at church or home (see below, “Ongoing” section).
Some commentators have remarked that they consider it unfair that a liquor store can be open, but not a church. But, let’s be fair. A liquor store, like a supermarket, can limit the number of customers that are allowed in.
On the other hand, church is a public gathering. We would need to put in safeguards that are quite different from a grocery store. In fact, our headquarters is holding a meeting for pastors to inform us about reopening procedures and timing. I will share that news next Thursday in our newsletter.
I know we’ll want to be on the safe side.
And, YES, our church is essential!
Tomorrow’s Service:
For the Adult Sabbath School, beginning at 10 a.m., we will have a special guest, Dr. Stan Hudson, who has made it his focus to compare and contrast evolution vs. creation evidence. He will have some very interesting insights to share on the subject of the lesson: The Book of Genesis.
Pastor Stan was a guest speaker at our church about three years ago.
For our Worship Hour we will have as our speaker, Pastor Mitch Williams, who wrote the book, “The Inviting Church”, subtitled “Equipping disciples to plan, invite, and host outreach events with 6 Weeks of Small Groups.” The principles he teaches in this book have been very encouraging and inspiring to me.
ONGOING:
Programs:
1. Daily: 100 Days of Prayer: This is a World Church call to prayer. By email, once per day, I get a reminder to pray, scripture promises to claim, a devotional thought, and the opportunity to join others in prayer and fellowship. If you are looking for a daily devotional this is a great place to start. To begin, and sign up: http://www.revivalandreformation.org/100days
2. Daily: Rolling Hills Church Prayer Call: Tuesdays – Sundays, 1:00 p.m. / Mondays 12:00 noon, we join the “Weekly SCC Prayer Call” (See the next paragraph for participation information).
3. Weekly: Mondays: “Weekly SCC Prayer Call” 12 Noonwith the Southern California Conference Prayer, Spirituality and Renewal Team. To participate call (435) 777-2200. When asked, enter the identification number: 202077# There is always a special devotional, testimonies and prayer requests are fielded. Janet Lui can answer questions: (310) 963-2578 Helpful commands:
*5 = ‘Raising your hand’ to ask permission to chime in.
*6 = To mute or unmute your phone
*86 = Increase speaking volume
*87 = Decrease speaking volume
4. Weekly: Mondays: Women’s Ministry Group: Host, Janet Lui, “Please Invite other women that you think might like this time of fellowship, devotional and prayer. Open to all women.” Mondays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Pathfinders: Sabbaths: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Specific Zoom, or FaceTime contact information will be provided directly to the Pathfinder Parents based on individual classes.
6. Weekly: Wednesdays and Sabbaths: ‘Zoom’ Services: Our Mid-Week Bible Study is full of fellowship and prayers. Our Sabbath Morning Adult Lesson (10 a.) and Homily (11 a.) We share our highs and lows, viewpoints, scripture promises, and pray requests. Here is the connection information. Please note the password (it is our address, plus the number 7)
Topic: Rolling Hills Adventist: Mid-week Prayer Meeting Time: Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. Topic: Rolling Hills Adventist Church: Sabbath Morning Time: Sabbaths, 10 a. & 11 a. Online:https://zoom.us/j/6579293321?pwd=VksvMFFBMVQxeStjQkpDMEd5ZGR0QT09 Telephone: (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 Meeting ID: 657 929 3321 Password: 283407
Announcements:
Southern California Conference COVID 19 Relief Fund (Quoted from a Letter to Churches):
The Southern California Conference recognizes the financial strain that work restrictions have placed on many people throughout the conference as a result of COVID-19 shelter-in-place recommendations. In an effort to provide financial assistance to those most in need, the Southern California Conference would like to ask you to partner with us as, together, we grow a financial assistance fund that will help those who need it most at this critical time. This relief fund is intended to assist members who can demonstrate that, as a direct result of COVID-19, they have experienced a loss of income from the following: Job Loss; Job Furlough or Reduced Work Hours.
Contributions to this fund can be made through the Adventist Giving website (see below).
Financial Help: The Church Board has set aside funds to help those in our church family who have been financially impacted by the pandemic. If you would like to receive such help, please contact one of the Elders directly (Betsy Adams, Raymond Barnes, Janet Barnhill, Janet Lui, Dahlma Osborne), or call me, Pastor Albert, at the Church Office. There are details and a process so that this will be confidential and smooth.
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
It Is Written Online Meeting:
It Is Written will conduct a virtual, online evangelistic event starting April 17 that will reach all of North America. Over 600 churches have joined with us in online advertising, and thousands have already registered for the meetings.
The month-long series, entitled Revelation Today: Hope Awakens, will feature Pastor John Bradshaw and present the prophetic message of the Bible while speaking to hearts burdened by anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. The interactive meetings will be viewable on mobile devices and online. Individuals are encouraged to register for the series at hopeawakens.com.
I encourage you to write a thoughtful note to your friends and family inviting them to join!
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
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”
