FROM THE WORD

When Two Agree

Recently, Reebok International Ltd. paid a large sum of money to customers to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it made deceptive claims in numerous ads.  The scoop?  The shoemaker said that its toning shoes would measurably strengthen the legs and buttocks of those who wore them.  Reebok had garnered a lot of business from the toning shoes that apparently encouraged strength by engaging more of a wearer's muscles; however, according to the FTC these claims were unfounded; hence the lawsuit. 

Whether the FTC charges are valid or not, I’m eternally grateful that when the Bible makes a claim you don’t have to worry about it being misleading, illusory, or unreliable.  What the Bible pronounces, predicts, or promises you can depend on ...

Click here to read more

This Week (January 10 to 16): 

• Monday @ 7:00 PM – 10 Days of Prayer (Chapel)

• Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – 10 Days of Prayer (Chapel)

• Wednesday @ 7:00 PM – 10 Days of Prayer (Chapel)

• Wednesday @ 7:00 PM - Spanish Group Prayer Meeting (Family Life Room)

• Thursday @ 7:00 PM – 10 Days of Prayer (Chapel)

• Friday @ 7:00 PM – 10 Days of Prayer (Chapel)

• Various L.I.F.E. groups (in-home small group Bible studies) take place across Sacramento. To locate one near you contact our small groups’ coordinator, Richard Anger @ (916) 681-3990

• Sabbath @ 9:00 AM - Morning Manna – Ivan Martinez

• Sabbath @ 9:30 AM - Central Study Hour with Pastor Chris Buttery + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School Classes

• Sabbath @ 10:50 AM - Worship Service with Pastor Chris Buttery

• Sabbath @ 1:00 PM – New Believer’s Luncheon

• Sabbath @ 2:00 PM – Discipleship University with Pastor Fred Dana

 -----------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Events

10 Days of Prayer: We will be participating in the 10 Days of Prayer organized by the General Conference January 5 to 15, 2016.  We will be meeting from 7 to 8 PM each night in the chapel. Central’s ministry team and elders will be leading throughout the 10 nights. Whether you can join us in the chapel or not, please plan to join us in prayer at 7 PM each night.  To access nightly handouts go to http://tendaysofprayer.org

Women’s Ministry Bible Study will resume Tuesday, January 12, from 10 AM to Noon in the Family Life Room.

Central Church Retreat. Plan now to join us for our annual church retreat at Leoni Meadows, March 4-6, 2016 with featured speaker Randy Skeete. There will be activities for children and youth.  More information and application coming soon.

Family Matters

Note From the Treasurer: Address updates need to be in by January 15.

Church Business Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20 at 7 PM in the chapel. All members are welcome. Please join us to receive the latest information happening at Central and learn about plans for the upcoming year.

Member Profile: It’s that time of year again to provide our church clerk with updated personal information. Please complete the form and turn it in at the church hostess desk, or in the church mailbox. We will be collecting these over the next three weeks. Thank you for your prompt response.

Smart Thrift is in need of luggage, men’s clothing, and furniture. They will be happy to pick up furniture. Please call 916.457.6500. Also, please be note that Smart Thrift is closing earlier on Fridays during the winter and spring season (2 PM).

Watch Us on Television! Enjoy viewing Central’s flagship programs, Central Study Hour, every Friday night at 8 PM and Sabbath morning at 6 AM (PST) on 3ABN Proclaim! Also enjoy our Receiving the Word, 30-minute programs weekly on Sunday at 11 AM, Tuesday at 11:30 AM (NEW TIME), Wednesday at 8:30 PM, and Thursday at 9 PM (NEW TIME) on Sacramento Faith TV. These can also be viewed on our website (www.saccentral.org) and our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thecentralconnection). Let everyone know where they can receive timely Bible messages!

Podcasts Available! If you didn't know, every Central Study Hour and worship service can be viewed and downloaded by going to our website (https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/sermons). This is an easy way for you to invite friends and family to listen to important Bible messages coming from Central church. The podcasts are uploaded a week after the live presentation.

If you want others to enjoy receiving this e-newsletter as much as you do, please invite them to sign up by going to https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/central-happenings/ 

BULLETIN BOARD - An assortment of happenings, announcements, and resources from around the world Seventh-day Adventist Church

The North American Division (NAD) mourns the passing of Elder Robert Stanley Folkenberg, former president of the General Conference. He served in several capacities as pastor, conference secretary, and conference president, before becoming president of the Carolina Conference in the NAD in 1985, where he was serving when elected president of the General Conference (GC) at the 1990 GC Session. His great passion was sharing the gospel through evangelism and mission. Upon retirement in 1999 he founded and developed the ShareHim ministry for which the goal was to empower and mobilize lay persons to be active in a lifestyle of evangelism. He died at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, surrounded by his family at his home in Winter Haven, FL. Please keep the Folkenberg family in your prayers.

January 17 to 23 will be Religious Liberty Week and the NAD Religious Liberty offering will be collected on January 24. Resource materials are being mailed to each church in NAD this month. The offering will sponsor Liberty magazine subscriptions to high-level government officials, federal, state, and provincial judges, and prominent social and religious leaders throughout the division. It will also be used to support the NAD litigation fund used for defending and preserving your religious liberty rights in court when necessary. A portion is returned to local Unions to aid in religious liberty promotion and education. 

Job Posting: The Central California Conference has an opening for a full time Gift Planning Consultant. To apply, please send application and resume to Human Resources. The link to the application is: http://ccchr.adventistfaith.org/assets/106093. You can email lbarron@cccsda.org or mail PO B0x 770, Clovis, CA 93613.

Watch "Life on the Line," Loma Linda University Health’s national TV show that will air nationwide on WORLD Channel in January on Tuesdays at 7 PM ET.  “Life on the Line” is an inspiring look into Loma Linda's mission to further the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.  Go here for more information: http://lifeontheline.tv/

Adventist Christian Fellowship/Public Campus Ministries (PCM) is one of the church’s best resources. It is estimated that over 80% of Adventist young people attend non-Adventist colleges and universities. Many of these risk getting disconnected with the church during their tertiary education if efforts are not made to engage them. Finding these young people, connecting them to their nearest church, encouraging them in their faith, and deploying them as co-workers with Christ are equally important aspects of PCM. To learn more go here.

Resources

Believe His Prophets, the sequel to Revived by His Word, is a five-year program reading through the Bible and selected Ellen White writings, including Steps to Christ, Christ’s Object Lessons, Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, and The Great Controversy. You can receive daily Bible readings, participate in interactive blogs, and read select inspirational writings by going to http://www.revivalandreformation.org/bhp

The Real Star Wars: This powerful documentary reveals the great conflict between good and evil now being waged on Planet Earth! Watch here: http://www.cosmicconflict.com/af

2016 Devotionals. Go to the Adventist Book Center to pick up next year’s devotionals for you and your family. They can also be ordered online right here. Two addresses to choose from: 5207 Madison Avenue, Suite G Sacramento and 401 Taylor Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA.