Have you noticed that

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1 For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church Be Not Ashamed by Cary Fisher Have you noticed that being a Christian in today s world is becoming more and more difficult? We are living in an increasingly secular society that seems to mock many of our beliefs. Today s culture is constantly belittling and discrediting the Christian faith with the media is a driving force in influencing a negative view on those that subscribe to God. The reality is that we are feeling the effects of a worldview where the Christian La Sierra s Roots Sabbath, May 21st, the La Sierra University Roots will be leading out in our worship service. The Roots is a student led traveling ministry team. Their mission is to share the gospel with churches and school in the Pacific Union. Make plans to be with us on this Sabbath and bring some young people with you. = has become the minority. However, praise God that most of us are not being physically persecuted for our beliefs as of yet. All that being said, this isn t the time to hide your experience and relationship with Jesus. Think of the passion that Paul had in sharing his faith. Paul seemingly had no inhibitions as he writes, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16). The worldview during Paul s time was much more hostile to the Christian faith than what we are experiencing today. It seems to me that the more distant society is from God the more passionate the Christian becomes. Again, Paul said that he wasn t ashamed because of the power of the Gospel. Being in a socalled Christian culture for continued on page 2 Of Greatest Worth Give! Not what I get, but what I give, this be the gauge by which I live. Not merely joys that come my way, but the help I give to those astray. Not the rewards of money and fame, but the loads I lift in mankind s name. This be the pay at the end of the day, not what I keep, but what I give away. INSIDE Easter Pics page 3 The Last Word page 4 Taste & Inspiration on page 5 What s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Our Church Family page 7 Kid s Page on page 9

2 THE LAST WORD Be Not Ashamed... (cont. from page 1) 2 such a length of time, we have been lulled to sleep in thinking that everyone around us relatively believes the same as us. Our senses to witness to our neighbors have become deadened. However, we are living in a time of opportunity. An opportunity to witness the power of God as we share our faith with others that have never heard or never truly understood what Jesus had done for them. Although, we do need to change our approach. We don t have the influence that we once had when we were in a position of power because of our majority status. We also don t do our faith any favors when we pressure people on morality which is often done when we mix our faith with politics. To be effective witnesses for Christ in today s climate takes caring for others through our humility, love and service To be effective witnesses for Christ in today s climate takes caring for others through our humility, love and service. As we become personable with listening ears, we will have opportunities to show people the power that comes from God as He brings them salvation even in this secular world that we live in today. May Messages May 7 - A Mother s Love - The closest comparison of God s love for us may be compared to a mother s love for her child. The prophet Isaiah writes, as one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you (Isaiah 66:13). For this Sabbath, we will honor our mothers who have shown us what it means to be loved and to be cared for throughout our lives. May 14 - All the Time God is Great - It is easier to be a Christian when we are in church, but what about in our workplaces or schools? This message will reflect on how to not only let God into every aspect of our lives, it will teach us on how your life can prevail when you let your faith be known where ever you are? May 21 - LSU Roots - La Sierra University s student-led ministry called Roots will be providing the message for us. This should be an inspirational Sabbath as collegiate youth share with us their love for Jesus. May 28 - What is Important? - During this Memorial Day weekend, we remember all those that sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free. We can often forget what truly matters until something or someone is taken away from us. As we show our gratitude to all those that died for our freedom, let us live in a way that also honors their death. See you when the church gathers. = WE DID IT The Latest Word V 28 N 05 BILL AUMACK responsible for this LINDA AUMACK copy editor ALEX AUMACK paper distribution CARY FISHER pastor address mail to: Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd. Downey, CA office: fax: downeychurch@gmail.com distributed monthly issue date: May 2016 copyright

3 Easter Pics January 2016 Worship Schedule May 7 Cary Fisher A Mother s Love May 21 Cary Fisher LSU Roots May 14 Cary Fisher All the Time God is Great May 28 Cary Fisher What is Important? 3

4 THE LAST WORD The Last Word by Bill Aumack 4 In 1988 the Downey Data went to a monthly format. Since that time a church newsletter has been published every single month. Looking forward, there will be a monthly handout to pickup at church with the highlights for the month. In the early 1980 s the first newsletter of the church was started. It was called the Downey Data. It was published on a semi-monthly basis for several years. In 1985 Bill Aumack transferred to Downey Church and shortly there after began helping with the Downey Data. In 1988 the Downey Data went to a monthly format. Since that time a church newsletter has been published every single month. In 1990 the title was changed to the The Latest Word. There have been a lot of changes over the years. There have been different formats and layouts of the newsletter. As computers have improved, we moved from producing the Downey Data on a typewriter to the computer. And in August of 2003 the first color edition of the The Latest Word was produced. Many people have contributed over the years. But three stand out over all others. Linda Fernandez started her popular Before the Father articles in Apparently this inspired Linda Bewley who started the Webster, God and You series a year later. Both of these series have been reader favorites through the years. Also Linda Aumack has been helping with and proofing the newsletter as long as Bill has been working on it. The Latest Word used to have a fairly diverse readership. Not only was it mailed to church members and friends of the church, Good-bye, Downey but also to the other pastors in our community, the Conference leadership and it was also posted on the website. You never know where you might find The Latest Word. Annie Mendez reported meeting an individual at the Downey Library who had photocopied part of The Latest Word and was handing it out. Several soldiers have reported that newsletter helped lift their spirits and that they often shared it with their fellow soldiers. You never know who might find an article interesting or helpful in finding their way back to God. However, society changes and things do not remain the same. You probably have noticed that print media is rapidly declining. Newspapers are going out of business. Magazines are shrinking and disappearing. People just don t read like they used to. Despite printing the newsletter, putting it online on the website and on Issuu, ing everyone that it is available, providing it in a mobile friendly format and in our app, readership is at an all time low. So that brings us to where we are today, the very last issue of The Latest Word or The Last Word. Looking forward, there will be a monthly handout to pickup at church with the highlights for the month. Be sure to pick yours up starting in June. Also a few of our articles will continue in the Wednesday . Pastor s article will be sent in the first Wednesday of the month. Phillip s recipe will be sent in the second Wed. of the month. And we may add a few others. So make sure you are checking for the Wed. . continued on page 5

5 Taste & Inspiration January 2016 Strawberry Bread Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Dry Ingredients 3 cups all purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp salt Wet Ingredients 20 oz washed, stemmed & mashed fresh strawberries 1 cup Canola oil 4 large eggs beaten Procedure Lightly coat with shortening or oil 2 8x4x2 inch loaf pans then coat that with flour. In a large bowl combine & mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients bowl and add wet ingredients. Mix well. Pour mixture into prepared loaf pans and bake for an hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. by Ginny from a charter member of the Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church, Clarice Murray. Clarice passed away recently. Clarice & John Murray were a lovely couple that touched many hearts and we all look forward to the Second Coming and seeing them again. Enjoy! = Pilar & Phillip This recipe was submitted as a special request The Last Word (continued) It s hard to believe that I ve been working on the newsletter for our church for about 30 years and now it s over. I hope the newsletter has been useful and have helped you in some way. It s been a lot of work, but it has been fun too. If you have ideas on how we can improve our communications moving forward, I d love to hear them. = Memorial Day emorial Day emerged Mfrom the grim shadows of the American Civil War. Before the close of the war, women began decorating the graves of soldiers who had died in that war. The practice quickly spread, and a few years later May 30, 1868, was designated as Decoration Day a day for placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers throughout the United States. In 1882, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day, and soldiers who died in other wars were also honored. Over the years, it has become a day when all loved ones who have died in war and otherwise are remembered. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed annually on the last Monday in May. On this Memorial Day, remember those who gave their lives for our country. But also pray for those who continue serving to keep America free, especially those who are in harm s way. = 5

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday pm Wed. Fellowship Downey Adventist Church 7:40 pm sunset 7 pm Band Practice :45 pm sunset 8:00 am Breakfast 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary 2 pm Pathfinders 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary 15 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Band Practice :50 pm sunset 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship LSU Roots 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Church Board 7 pm Band Practice :55 pm sunset 2 pm Pathfinders 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Band Practice Visit S.S. Sabbath School

7 January 2016 Upcoming Events May Birthdays Chris Martin 1 Dudley Meade 1 Victor Zamora 4 Linda Aumack 6 Michael Fernandez 6 Grace Huinquez 10 Byron Molina Jr. 11 Bill Aumack 17 Ray Munguia 18 Frank Duran 23 Mimi Gonzalez 26 Michael Parras 27 Alex Aumack 28 Phillip Mondragon - 28 Wednesday - 7 p.m. Wed. Fellowship Friday - 7:00 p.m. Band Practice May 7 - Mother s Day Breakfast 8am May 7 - 2pm May 8 - NO Pathfinders May 8 - Mother s Day May 19 - Church 7pm May 21 - LSU Roots leads Worship May pm May 30 - Memorial Day If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in. Be sure to keep up with the latest news by signing up for the Wednesday . You can sign up here or send us an at DowneyChurch at gmail dot com and we ll add you. Coming Soon June 18 - Father s Day Sabbath June 25 - Pathfinder Investiture June 25 - Parking Lot Movie Night July VBS 7

8 THE LAST WORD The Latest About Our Church Family Graduates needed! If you have a family member who is graduating from Kindergarten, 8th grade, high school or college, please let us know. We would like to honor their achievement and celebrate with them. the office and let us know the graduate, the grade level and the school. Thanks. VBS is coming! This year it is July Please contact Bill Aumack if you would like to help out. Thanks! If you have any Church Family news, please contact the church office so we can share it. = Thank you to everyone who has been saving Box Tops for Education. That is greatly appreciated. For the Box Tops for Education, please save the Box Tops coupon. Please give your labels to Linda Aumack. Thank you for your support! = 8 A Mother s Example When I think of my mom, especially on Mother s Day, I recall a scene I witnessed many times during my childhood. Late at night, just before bedtime, my mother would sit in a rocking chair in the darkness with her head bowed in prayer. When it was nippy, the glow from the space heater revealed a lovely scene that fascinated me. My bed wasn t far away, and just before I fell asleep I often saw my mother praying. Her face was beautiful and aglow. She radiated holiness and serenity, and I was deeply affected. I never once talked to my mom about her prayer life. I was only 17 when she died. As traumatic as it was for me, I wonder if it weren t a rather easy transition for her. After all, she seemed to live with one foot in heaven. Charles Ferrell A Mother s Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings of my children. Help me rely on you for guidance, patience and even-temperedness throughout my days. I want my children to love you, worship you and serve you as best they can. Grant me the wisdom to know how to influence them to live godly lives. Prevent me from provoking my children to anger and from manipulating or nagging them. Fill our household with abiding love and respect, and help us all be united in purpose to do your will. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen. =

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10 January 2016 Ponder This... = Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord. A.W. Pink = A mother knows what her child s gone through, even if she didn t see it herself. Pramoedya Ananta Toer = We are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful. Mother Teresa Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA DATED MATERIAL Return Service Requested 10