Unambiguous 

It doesn’t take a person traveling from one country to another to discover obvious differences in language, customs and perspectives.  When I first came to the United States it took me a while to get acquainted with certain sayings and behaviors I wasn’t accustomed to in Australia.  I think the same was equally true for my new American friends who had to get use to me as well.

While in college, I remember several of us from Oceana coming together to talk about some of these differences in “language” we’d recently encountered in the U.S....

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CENTRAL HAPPENINGS & NEWS

This Week (August 11 to 16): Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – Prayer Meeting with Pastor Chris Buttery – Judge Not; Sabbath @ 9:00 AM Morning Manna – Aaron Earnest; @ 9:30 AM - Central Study Hour with Pastor Doug Batchelor + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School; @ 10:45 AM - Worship Service with Pastor Chris Buttery – Only One Concern

Take Action Now! Central has now officially entered its “Media Ministry” campaign. Beginning September 7 we will be launching our very own media ministry that will continue to develop high-quality, Christ-centered programming. We ask for your continued support in helping us develop a robust media crew and fund the new equipment (our goal is for our membership to raise $75,000, which will be matched by existing Central funds), while praying that God will use what is produced to lead people to be ready for the soon return of Jesus. To financially support this endeavor please mark your tithe envelope “Media Ministry” or click here to give online. Thank you for your continued support!

Vegetarian Foods Have Arrived at Your Neighbor Thrift Store (YNTS): Your Neighbor Thrift Store has partnered with the local Adventist Book Center to provide various vegetarian food options for the masses.  The food is there and available now. YNTS is open Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM. You’ll be impressed with the selection.

Also, the thrift store is looking for dedicated helpers to assist them on a regular basis.  If you have a good work ethic, can volunteer consistently, enjoy people, and want to share the love of Jesus, please contact Central church office or Buddy Harper directly @ (916) 676-6632.

Central’s Food Closet: Over the past couple of months our Food Closet Ministry has been re-tooling for a re-launch early September (new time).  This is a vital ministry to our community and we need your donations and qualified individuals to assist Buddy Harper and Andre Hope to both physically and spiritually feed those in need.  To apply to join this ministry please contact Buddy @ (916) 676-6632 or Andre @ (719) 580-2206 ASAP.

Welcome to the Team! We would like to welcome Diana Mitchell, Mimi Baldwin, and Florina Ilyes to the team of deaconesses; JeAnn Davis as new leader of Morning Manna; and Ray Rengifo as General Sabbath School Superintendent. Our prayers are with each of you as you take up these new roles in ministry.

Annual Women’s Ministry Supper: All ladies, plan to attend Central’s annual women’s ministry supper that will be held in the Camellia Room on August 24 @ 4 PM. Invite a friend!

Sacred Concert: Laura Williams will be conducting an inspirational concert for Central members, friends, and the community on August 30 @ 4 PM in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome. Don’t forget to tell a friend.

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

News & Announcements

Pathfinder Camporee: Report from NAD News Points – 46,000 young people representing more than 100 countries will set up a tent city August 11 to 16 as they attend the seventh International Pathfinder Camporee at the Experimental Aircraft Associations (EAA) AirVenture Campgrounds in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Pathfinders from all over the world (more than 100 countries including England, Singapore, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, and Kenya) have been planning to attend this camping extravaganza for several months. Some clubs sold pizzas, washed cars, hosted yard sales/flea markets to raise money to attend the event. According to the organizers, some of the largest delegations are from the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

One of the most important activities the Pathfinders will undertake is the community service projects. Attendees will assist in a variety of service efforts in the communities surrounding Oshkosh. Projects include helping prepare garden plots, assist with trail building, be part of beautification efforts, and help with lakeshore cleanup and enhancement projects in the city of Winneconne, WI.

Additionally, Adventist Community Services (ACS) will sponsor an Emergency Supply Bucket drive on the EAA Campgrounds. ACS organizers have a goal of filling 3,000 5-gallon buckets with cleaning supplies to be used by those affected by natural disasters. Once filled, the containers will be shipped to California, Dallas, and Pennsylvania, to be used as part of ACS’s emergency response.

Want to go on a mission trip? Local resident of Sacramento, Carol Herbert, is coordinating a Maranatha Mission trip.  For more details go here.

Help Rebuild SAA’s Science Lab! You can help - one square foot at a time. After receiving a $15,000 grant, the remaining cost is $47,000. At 1,450 square feet - this equals $33 per square foot. Can you contribute to our students' science education? How many square feet can you support? Sign up by calling the school, (916) 481-2300 or send a check made payable to SAA. Write “Science Lab” in the memo line.

Volunteers Needed: Amazing Facts is looking for volunteers to improve their reach and service to those who need to hear about Jesus. You can make a big difference in several key departments, and some work can even be done from home! If you can help , then contact Nikki Smith at (916) 209-7220 or email nsmith@amazingfacts.org

Resources

The 2014 Annual Statistical Report, which is the 150th Report of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® for 2012 and 2013, is now available. You can get the latest church stats on membership, tithes and offerings, schools, churches, pastors, missionaries, hospitals, literature evangelists, and much more right here.

Mission 360: Go to http://www.adventistmission.org/dvd to watch inspirational stories about what God is doing in different parts of the world church. This quarters’ focus has been on the Euro-Asia Division.

Hope Channel (HC) has moved to a high-definition (HD) satellite on DIRECTV, and will be available on DIRECTV all across the U.S. without limitations and without the need for an additional antenna. While HC will continue to be available on Channel 368 on DIRECTV, as of July 16, all DIRECTV customers who didn't have HD equipment and the subscription package, need to have an upgrade. Call (800) 531-5000 for information about upgrading your equipment and subscription package.

HC can be watched online, with the HC app; through a Roku box or stick available from stores such as Target or Walmart (requires high speed internet but with no monthly fees to use Roku); via Glorystar satellite, a one-time purchase with no monthly fees (Information: (866) 597-0728); and via Hope Channel's free-to-air broadcast channel in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Tampa. Other free-to-air and cable channels are available across the country.

HC regrets the inconvenience this change may cause some viewers, yet are glad for the providential opportunities that allow them to reach more people in the U.S. and around the world.  MORE: (301) 680-6689.