Still Being Written

Each book of the Bible comes stamped with the individuality of its own author.  When you read the book of Acts, Dr. Luke is intent on drawing his hearers into the very events and daily happenings of that fledgling community of believers during the first century A.D.  It’s a riveting read to say the least. 

You can’t help being stirred by the unapologetic preaching of Peter; that once cowardly disciple who denied His Savior at His greatest moment of need.  His preaching brought thousands to God.  Then there’s the globetrotting, fearless apostle Paul who took the gospel of a risen Savior first to his countrymen, then to strangers outside the walls of the church.  Through his, and others, faithful efforts Christian churches sprung up all across a pagan-dominated landscape. 

The early church were told it was going to be hard and difficult, and hard and difficult it was, however…

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CENTRAL HAPPENINGS & NEWS

This Week (March 30 - April 5): Tuesday @ 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting with Elder Buddy Harper – The Persecuted; Sabbath @ 9:00 AM Morning Manna –Eileen Eisenbiesz; 9:30 AM Central Study Hour with Pastor Doug + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School; 10:50 AM Worship Service with Dr. David DeRose.

Media Ministry In Motion: Some have been asking whether Central plans to continue a media ministry after Amazing Facts eventually withdraws to set up shop at the Granite Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church. The answer to that question is YES! Recently a church-wide survey was conducted and over 80% of you indicated your desire to see a thriving media ministry continue that sends the gospel beyond the church walls.  So with this in mind we want to point your attention to a couple of important things:

1. In a short while the church board will be dedicating an entire meeting to reviewing the options for video equipment, discussing the type of media program the church can continue, and seeking to make some decisions. Please pray for God's guidance in this matter.

2. Next week Brian Bazemore from Amazing Facts will be conducting a media ministry training program for any interested member.  We would love to see at least a dozen or so interested individuals register for this event.  See below for more information on this.

The success of Central's Media Ministry is dependent on you. It needs your prayers. It needs your interest and involvement. It needs your financial support (even now you can support the purchase of new equipment by putting a gift in your tithe envelope and marking it "Media Ministry"). Thank you for being willing to get involved!

Last Call! Sacramento Central Church invites our members to get involved with our media production ministry.  This is a great way to send the gospel beyond our church doors and into the rest of the world.  The intro media training will be held at the church on Wednesday, April 9 2014 @ 7 PM.  Training is free but you must register by calling or emailing the church office no later than Monday, April 7. Thanks!

Pastoral Search Update: As you know the church board and the Northern California Conference have been in ongoing discussions to find a replacement for the senior pastor position.  While a final decision has yet to be made we want to ask the church body to continue to pray for God’s will to be done as we anticipate the process coming to a close soon.  Thank you for your patience and for continuing to move the work of God forward during this transition period.

Spring Youth & Family Restoration Weekend!  Places are filling up quickly.  Mail or turn in your registration forms (along with payment) to Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6045 Camellia Ave. Sacramento, CA 95819.  If you need a registration form please call Central’s Family Life Ministry Leader, Tyra Taylor @ (916) 230-3938, or the Central church office @ (916) 457-6511. 

Discipleship University: Our speaker this week (April 5 @ 2 PM) is Danny Strever, Special Projects Coordinator with Remnant Publications.  He will be presenting "Modern Mysticism & The Emerging Church." Ellen G. White saw, "the Alpha of a train of heresies," and "that the Omega would follow in a little while." (Selected Messages, Vol. 1 pp. 200, 203)  Join us in the Camellia Room as we examine our history encompassing the past to the present time and how to avoid these spiritual pitfalls designed by the enemy of souls.

Support Our Pathfinders! The annual Bike-a-thon for the Northern California Conference (NCC) Pathfinders takes place this Sunday.  To support Central’s Soldiers For Christ Pathfinders please consider sponsoring a Pathfinder.  Don’t know how?  See the display in the foyer, find a Pathfinder, talk to a Pathfinder Counselor, call the church office, or better yet contact Stacey Jaaskela our Pathfinder Club Director @ pathfinders@saccentral.org.

Adventurer Fun Day!  Will take placethis Sunday (April 6) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The theme is NEWSTART for Kids! Our children will have the opportunity to learn about health under God's plan with lunch, crafts, and games provided by the club!  For more details, call Amapola @ (916) 741-2665.

Communion will be held during church service on Sabbath, April 19. Plan now to attend.

Work Bee!  Mark your calendars for our annual spring work bee on Sunday, April 20.  Indoor and outdoor work needing to be done.  Thank you for showing that you care about God’s house.

MINISTRY NEEDS: Presently Central has several ministry needs that must be filled ASAP. Please look these over, pray, and see whether God might be leading you to help.  Contact Pastor Chris @ pastorchris11@gmail.com or (916) 457-6511 to indicate your interest or to receive more information: Food Pantry Ministry Leader; Pre-K & Cradle Roll Sabbath School Leaders; Van Ministry Leader; & Media Ministry Leader.

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

News & Announcements

Town Hall Meetings: In preparation for the 2014 Northern California Conference (NCC) Constituency Session, a series of town hall meetings will be held around the conference for delegates and interested members. The meeting at Gracepoint Church (in Rocklin) will be Thursday of this week (April 3) @ 7 PM

Join the NAD Prayer Ministry Team this Thursday, April 3, for an all-night prayer teleconference, 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. ET.  Call (712) 432-0031; access code is 435650#. Each half hour will have a different leader.  Join the intercessors who are expecting great things from God at any time during the call, even if you can participate for only a few minutes. Invite your friends and family. 

Adventist WestPoint is the premiere ministry training event for pastors, chaplains, evangelists, lay members and conference leaders in the Adventist Church.  This year’s event will take place April 20 to 23 at the Arizona Golf Resort in Mesa, Arizona. For details and registration go to www.adventistwestpoint.org.

Building Bridges: Big City Evangelism Convention is calling all physicians, dentists, eye specialists, and other medical professionals and lay workers to serve the under-served from April 23 to 27, 2014.  Call (623) 329-0078 or visit www.BigCityEvangelism.com.  This event is sponsored by ASI Pacific Union.

Sacramento Adventist Academy Junior Class Presents: An Outdoor Film Fundraiser. Feature presentation, “I Believe I Can Fly (Flight of the Frenchies).”  The fundraiser will take place Saturday, May 17 at 8 PM at the Sacramento Adventist Academy in Carmichael. Concessions and three short extreme-sport films are also part of the evening’s entertainment. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, or other seating apparatus.  There is a general admission charge and extra fees will apply for concessions. 

Resources

Eye-Opening Assessment: With all the hype surrounding the recent Noah movie you might be interested in viewing this eye-opening assessment of the movie to understand the issues.  Click here to learn more.

FREE Resource: You may not be aware that you can access all of Ellen G. White’s writings for free but you can.  Simply go to www.whiteestate.com to access her books, letters, and periodical articles, and be blessed!

Adventist Frontier Mission recently produced a stirring appeal for more missionaries.  You’ll want to take a few minutes to view it by clicking here.  Even if you can’t go you can give and pray.

Napa Valley Adventist Retirement Estates (NVARE), located in the beautiful Napa Valley, currently has openings for new residents 55 years of age and older. There are some double units and single studio units available. For more information, contact Doug or Judy Withrow at (707) 944-2994 or visit www.nccsda.com/NVARE.

The Northern California Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services Department has a newly designed website with numerous resources to assist you with your financial giving plans. Check it out at www.SDALegacy.org.

ABOUT CENTRAL HAPPENINGS

Dear friend,

We would like to warmly welcome you to Central Happenings – a weekly e-newsletter from your pastoral staff to inform, update, and keep in touch.

It was George Bernard Shaw who once quipped, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”  Ask anyone and they will tell you how true this is.  Healthy communication is a prerequisite to healthy relationships, and no less for the church family.

We plan to make Central Happenings a pithy and relevant read with the obvious goal to simply communicate.  You can expect each edition to contain:

Pastor’s Blog - a refreshing Biblical insight from your pastors.

Central News & Happenings – important info on news and events taking place at Central.

Bulletin Board – includes various news, resources, programs, and/or initiatives taking place in the Seventh-day Adventist Church locally and around the world that may impact you.

We trust you’ll find Central Happenings (not to be confused with The Central Connection put together by Central’s Communication Department) another great resource that will allow you to stay in touch with your church family.  As your pastoral staff we look forward to continuing to reach out to you, including through this new way, as we seek to press together for the work at hand and in preparation for the soon return of Jesus.

Your Pastoral Staff