Bulletin & News Sabbath October 20th, 2012

Transcription

1 ISSUE No King Street Hamilton, Victoria hamilton.adventist.org.au/ Bulletin & News Sabbath October 20th, 2012 We WELCOME you to our Worship Services Today Prayer Service Song Service Sabbath School 9:25 am 9:40 am 9:50 am Church Service 11:15 am Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves (Psalm 100:3).

2 ~ God s Little Book of Prayer ~ Be Holy... Holy living promotes holy praying. [ 1 Peter 1:15 ] ~ Memory Verse ~ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. [ 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ] ~ God s Little Book of Encouragement ~ You would worry less about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. Cultivate God s good opinion Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ [ 1 Corinthians 3:10, 11, Message ] Hamilton Church Website Why not visit the church s website the next time you re on the internet? There s plenty to do and to catch up on at Church Hamilton.sda.church@gmail.com It Is Written - Television It Is Written Oceania - featuring Pastor Gary Kent, can be seen on channel 10 at 4:30am til 5:30am Sunday mornings. Faith FM Radio Tune in to Faith FM, our local Adventist Radio Station located between 87.6 MHz and 88.0 MHz on FM Radio. Can t get it on the radio but you have internet? Then why not go to and click on the listen live here!

3 ~ Church Notice Board ~ Prayer Meeting The next prayer meeting will be held on Wednesday the 24th of October 2012 at 5pm, in the church dining room.. Recipe Club The next Eating for Health Recipe Club will be this Tuesday, October 30th, at 7pm in the Salvation Army church hall. See Lynette Tung for more details. Combined Lunch There is also a combined lunch on Sabbath November 3rd when Paul Glover joins us and there will be a visit to the Grange Nursing Home following lunch. Hosting: The Bates family are the assigned hosts for Pastor Nikola Trajkov on Sabbath November the 10th. Upcoming Business Meeting Our next business meeting for this year will be held on Wednesday November 21st at 5pm following the prayer meeting at 4pm. Please have your agendas submitted to Lynette Tung by November 14th. All church MEMBERS are requested to attend these meetings. ~ Amazing facts ~ Photosynthesis is the miraculous process by which green plants containing chlorophyll capture energy in the form of light and convert it to chemical energy at the same time, transforming carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen. Virtually all the energy available for life on earth is made available through photosynthesis. NASA scientists have studied this process for years knowing that it is also the secret to long-term space travel. ~ Food for Thought ~ Many and wonderful are the promises recorded in the Scriptures regarding the church. "Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." Isaiah 56:7. "I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; {AA 9.2}

4 ~ Adventist News Network ~ AFTER DEBATE, ANNUAL COUNCIL VOTES STATEMENT ON CHURCH POLITY Oct. 16, 2012 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Mark A. Kellner/Adventist Review, and Edwin Manuel Garcia/ANN Following three hours of respectful study and discussion, leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist world church voted to approve a Statement on Church Polity, Procedures and Resolution of Disagreements in the Light of Recent Union Actions on Ministerial Ordination on October 16, during the Annual Council of world church leaders held in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. The vote was 264 in favor and 25 opposed. The move comes after three local unions the North German Union in the Euro- Africa Division, and the Columbia Union and Pacific Union in the North American Division separately voted this year to permit ordination without respect to gender, something the Adventist Church as a whole has twice rejected in votes at the movement s General Conference Sessions, which are held every five years. The voted statement expresses disapproval of the independent actions of the unions, appeals for all Church units to consider thoughtfully the impact and implications of decisions made independently of the world community, and affirms the role of women in the Church s life and ministry. The document also points toward continuing studies on the theology of ordination, the results of which are expected to be ready in 2014, ahead of the following year s 60th General Conference Session. No sanctions are applied, or suggested, in the document. This statement deals with Church structure and procedures. It does not address the question of ministerial ordination practices per se, the statement said. The central

5 issue is one of Church polity how the Church defines its organization, governance and operations. Decisions to pursue a course of action not in harmony with the 1990 and 1995 General Conference Session decisions (with respect to ministerial ordination) represent not only an expression of dissent but also a demonstration of selfdetermination in a matter previously decided by the collective Church, the statement said. The General Conference Executive Committee regards these actions as serious mistakes. The statement text continues, The world Church cannot legitimize practices that clearly contradict the intent of General Conference Session actions. Accordingly, the world Church does not recognize the actions of unions or conferences that have authorized or implemented ministerial ordination without regard to gender. But the statement is also clear in stating the Seventh-day Adventist Church s position on women: The General Conference Executive Committee specifically affirms the important roles that women fill in the life of the Church. Their giftedness and commitment is a blessing to the whole Church and a necessary part of its work in mission. The measure passed on a secret, paper ballot after the day's discussion, which began with comments from Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, Seventh-day Adventist world church president. Wilson expressed the hope that the world church's units would continue "focusing on the mission of the Church, uniting in Christ, even though we will face some differences and disagreements." Wilson was followed by noted evangelist and retired General Conference vice president Pastor Mark Finley, who spoke about the question of how the early church made decisions and worked in unity. He referenced three incidents in the book of Acts. "The essence of unity is not uniform action; it is respecting one another enough to listen carefully, respond thoughtfully and decide together," Finley said. "Insurmountable difficulties were resolved as early church leaders met together,

6 prayed and surrendered their personal opinions to the decision of the larger corporate body." During an extended comment period, Pastor Daniel Jackson, North American Division president, sought to reassure world church leaders that the division supported the Church's mission, despite the polity question discussed in the statement. "We want to make it abundantly clear that the NAD without any hesitation expresses our unity with the world church," Jackson said. "We are not just an adjunct to the world church; we are brothers and sisters with every person in this room." A pastor in the NAD s Atlantic Union Conference, Dedrick Blue, told his fellow delegates that the process deals with the mechanism, but the effect is just as important as the process. What we are grappling with here is the effect of our decision as a world body, adding, Don't get involved with process to neglect justice and mercy. While he voted in favor of the statement, Northwest Pacific Union Conference president Pastor Max Torkelson II said he hoped younger Adventists wouldn t get the wrong message from the action. He spoke with a reporter following the meeting. I m concerned that, particularly our younger church members have less patience to wait for the world church to act, he said. And we re asking them, we have been asking them, for years, to be patient, and now again we re asking them to be patient. I admire them to the degree that they are, but I m wondering how long we can presume that they will be patient. I m afraid that we may disappoint them. Following the vote and before prayers by Adventist university leaders from three continents, Wilson said he appreciated delegates careful approach to the matter. Thank you for your confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring unity to God's Church, Wilson said. We're not at the end of the road, we still have a journey to complete, but by God's grace, let's do it together. Click HERE to read the full statement (PDF download)

7 ~ Adventist Review ~ Adventist Church to Stream International Bible Conference Sessions, in Israel, to feature discussion of theological issues (Posted June 10, 2012) For the first time, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide fellowship of 17 million baptized members, will be able to attend a weeklong International Bible Conference of the movement s top scholars and theologians. While the physical event takes place in Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, near Tiberias, Israel, and in Jerusalem, live Internet streaming of almost every session will allow viewers to feel as if they are present for the discussions and major presentations. Our goal is to bring the International Bible Conference to the people, and the people to the conference, said Clinton Wahlen, an associate director of the church s Biblical Research Institute (BRI) and conference coordinator. The 2012 International Bible Conference, at which nearly 300 scholars, theologians and Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders are expected to attend, is the third such event. The first two were held in 1998 and The theme chosen for the 2012 conference is Issues in Biblical Anthropology from an Adventist Perspective. A total of twelve plenary sessions are planned, some exploring the theme in connection with the ancient Near East, the Old and New Testaments, Greek philosophy and Judaism, Christian history, culture, and contemporary theology. Other plenary sessions will deal with ministry in an age of spiritualism, creation, evolution, and human nature, and death and hell in Scripture. All of the plenary sessions with the exception of the opening night on June 11, due to technical issues will be available via live streaming at A link on that page will direct viewers to a program book for the conference indicating start times (in Israel) and subjects of the plenary sessions. The Biblical Research Institute was established by action of the General Conference Committee in It consists of several Adventist theologians and staff working at the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The BRI exists to promote the study and practice of Adventist theology and lifestyle as understood by the world church. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing body of the movement, and was organized in Today, 17 million people are baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and an estimated 25 million people attend weekly worship services. Adventists are active in 203 countries and territories, and operate the largest Protestant educational network, from primary through tertiary and graduate schools. The world headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, and online at

8 ~ Victorian Conference News ~ OCTOBER 27 th - PLAN FOR IT Mark it in your diary our Annual City-wide/State-wide Sabbath. (DVD in this week s mail to churches) Program Guest Speaker: Troy Fitzgerald Chaplain from Walla Walla College USA and Author of many books Music guest artists: Ali and Leighton Heise from Avondale College as well as our own Melbourne Worship team Lunch: For Pre-paid lunch (cost is $5per pack) ring (tickets will be posted to you on receipt of your money and order) Cveta on or cbakof@adventist.org.au to purchase or bring your own for a picnic. Cut of date for ordering Meal Tickets is 22 nd October 2012 Program for the day: Combined worship commencing 10:30 am with segments for small children and up teens Lunch Afternoon concert and Presentation from Troy. Come and visit our largest Seventh-day Adventist College in north of Melbourne. You will be delighted with the day and the spiritual feast, challenge and family get together it will bring. When: 27th October at 10:30am Venue: Gilson College 450 Taylors Road, Taylors CHANGING SOMEONE S LIFE IN 2 HOURS ADRA APPEAL 2012 How can you make a difference? Ask your church s ADRA leader today What can you do in 2 hours?... Wash the dog, clean the car? How about... CHANGING SOMEONE S LIFE IN 2 HOURS. Just 2 hours on an intersection collecting for the ADRA Appeal, can raise over $400 to help children like Ley Ley drink clean water, access nutritious food and have the opportunity to live out a hopeful future. Check out Ley Ley s story here: **Be Sure to read the latest news from the Victorian Conference on the church website.

9 ~ Bulletin Crossword Puzzle No. 54 ~ Topic: Revival All Clues from the King James Version 2012 Shaun Keast - Created for the Hamilton Seventh-Day Adventist Church Bulletin. ACROSS 2 Messenger of prophecies 5 The great battle of God Almighty 6 These were angry 7 Church members 11 To fully immerse in water 14 They make up the nations 16 To lift up or exalt 18 Head of the Godhead 19 These are they that are taken 20 Personal communication with God DOWN 1 These are left behind 3 Written predictions in the Bible 4 We ar living in these 8 Sent by Jesus to us 9 Poured out in the last days 10 Must be preached to the world 12 Fully man and fully God 13 Sharing the Gospel 15 Christ's bride 17 To bow down to

10 ~ Children s Corner ~ The Swan God didn't create an ugly duckling when He made the swan. It is so graceful and beautiful.

11 ~ Weekly Devotional ~ October 20th Do I Rightly Represent my Lord? Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen. Isaiah 43:10. If believers associate with unbelievers for the purpose of winning them to Christ, they will be witnesses for Christ, and having fulfilled their mission, will withdraw themselves in order to breathe in a pure and holy atmosphere. They will draw near to God, and send up earnest petitions to Christ in behalf of their friends and associates, knowing that He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. When in the society of unbelievers, ever remember that in character you are a representative of Jesus Christ, and let no light and trifling words, no cheap conversation, be upon your lips. Keep in mind the value of the soul, and remember that it is your privilege and your duty to be in every possible way a laborer together with God. You are not to lower yourself to the same level as that of unbelievers, and laugh, and make the same cheap speeches. In thus doing you... make yourself one with the sinner. This manner of conduct will only make you a stumbling block in the way of sinners... When the Holy Spirit moves upon the heart, we should cooperate with its molding influence, and we shall have noble aspirations, a clear perception of truth, meekness, teachableness, and will perform our duty with humility. This is the way in which you will become better acquainted with God, and acquaintance with God is the privilege of the Christian. Then you can labor for those who are unconverted, and the society of unbelievers will do you no harm, because your life is hid with Christ in God, and you seek the companionship of those who are out of Christ for the purpose of winning them to His service. Your connection with God makes you strong spiritually, so that you can withstand any wrong influences which are exerted by them... Be sure to place yourself in the channel of light, and to be a practical follower of Him who went about "doing good." (Maranatha Our High Calling Ellen G White - page 300)

12 - Service Roster for August/September Date Divine Service Preacher Sabbath School Teacher 20 th October Peter Tung Peter Roberts 27 th October Paul Fenech Peter Tung 3 rd November Paul Glover TBA 10 th November Pastor N. Trajkov TBA 17 th November Peter Roberts TBA - Sunset Times - Sunset Sabbath (Tonight) 7:54 pm DST Sunset Next Friday 8:00 pm DST - Contact Details - Pastor Nick Trajkov Head Elder Paul Fenech or Bulletin Shaun Keast hamilton.sda.church@gmail.com Website Shaun Keast hamilton.adventist.org.au