The Cutting Edge. November 27, 2015

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1 Current news from across the KS-NE Conference View this in your browser The Cutting Edge November 27, 2015 Here's what's happening across our Conference, at least what I've heard about. Feel free to share this with anyone! Pastor Michael Paradiselet me know, "I had the privilege of baptizing Becky McCue last Sabbath at the College View Church. It's so good to see people become part of the family!" says Pastor Michael.

2 "Ramiro Carreon grew up in a spiritual home and loved Jesus," shares Reba Lucky. "As he became an adult, he moved away from following Jesus, but the Holy Spirit worked on his heart. About three years ago he began attending the Lawrence church where he became acquainted with Pastor Jonathan Burt. After the Burts left, Pastor Mike Fenton continued to study with Ramiro and he attended Chapel Oaks. Most recently he viewed the Thunder in the Holy Land series and was convicted that he must follow Jesus all the way. That was declared publicly by his baptism last Sabbath. He was welcomed into church fellowship by local elder, Matt Crouch. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead Ramiro in his walk with the Lord," says Reba.

3 Seminarian Sandro Sandoval shares, "I've been in Quito, Ecuador since last Friday evening leading a week of spiritual growth titled "RELEVANTE" that shows in Biblical, practical and experiential ways that God is still relevant to this generation. I'm being blessed beyond measure by having the opportunity to come and to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in this community of believers this week. "Our Capitol View Church had a busy Sabbath last week with activity all day," says Pastor Dean Carlisle. "In the afternoon young people from our church and other area churches went door to door announcing the evening concert and inviting folks to the

4 free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. Later that evening we hosted a concert including College View Academy musical groups, the College View Church Men's Chorus as well as musicians from our church. We were particularly excited to make use of our new balcony seating which Union College students helped make possible," says Pastor Dean. "Our Hastings, NE church members enjoyed their Thanksgiving Sabbath," shares Regina Harvey. "A Union College student shared his testimony for the sermon and then members participated in a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Several members invited family members who are not members of our church to attend. Everyone was blessed by the 'food' for the soul and food for the body! It was a High Sabbath for all!" says Regina.

5 Kyle Smith & Annie Hanson (to be married in June) have accepted our invitation to be a new pastor in our Conference after their May '16 graduation from Union College. Kyle (from Missouri) will complete his degree in Theology and Annie (from Iowa) is finishing her Elementary Education degree. Their assignment has not yet been finalized, but we look forward to the youthful zeal they will add to our pastoral team. Doris Reile-Kneller let me know, "Our Women's Ministries group organized the Great Bend Church family to provide large (2 boxes) food baskets for Thanksgiving dinner for seven local families. These were delivered on Tuesday before Thanksgiving," says Doris.

6 "This last week the Scottsbluff churches enjoyed our annual Fall Festival at Valley View School,' says Jeannie Cosopoulos. "The evening was full of great food, fun for the kids and the young at heart, and fellowship with each other. This year we even had a jail. There were many choices of games for the young and not so young, and best of all, we raised $620 for our school," says Jeannie.

7 "Midland Adventist Academy (MAA) spent Monday honoring grandparents with a scrumptious meal prepared by the Fairchilds and served by the seniors," says Principal Randy Bovee. "Our MAA elementary grades performed for the families before the meal. It's a wonderful tradition that starts out the Thanksgiving week with the right focus," says Randy. Then on Tuesday, grades 7-12 served their community in a variety of ways: cleaning, raking, volunteering at a day care to name a few," says Randy.

8 Thirty-five volunteers from Piedmont Park helped staff the Center for People in Need s (CFPIN) annual Giving Thanksgiving on November 21. Volunteering at this event has been a church family tradition for the last four years, shares Aubrey Hagen, who is one of Piedmont s youth members who has volunteered all four years. The Giving Thanksgiving program is a resource for low-income, high needs families to 'shop' for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, hygiene and cleaning products, as well as other home and personal necessities. Piedmont s volunteers distributed food and supplies, answered questions, did some heavy lifting, and wore their biggest smiles! This program is a blessing every year to the Lincoln community and the volunteers, shares Aubrey.

9 "Last week was a great week at College View Academy to get out and be a servant," shares Suzette Powell. "Grades 1-4 had a beautiful day to go raking for some of our friends in the community. The rakes were flying and the bags were filling up quickly. First grade even got a chance to slide in the leaves. There is just something about serving others that puts a smile on your face and a lightness in your heart," says Suzette.

10 "Last night my Kansas City Hispanic district served our community by having a dinner to the homeless," says Pastor Ezequiel Gonzales. "Dozens of homeless enjoyed the meal and were also given a present containing a scarf, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, razor, shave cream, dental floss, gloves, socks, hand sanitizer and bar of soap. Our Adventist youth sang and I presented a message to the present people were the people were invited them to give their life to Jesus. This activity was directed by my wife, Gaudy, along with women's ministry director of each church," says Pastor Gonzalez. "My George Stone students enjoyed the annual Thanksgiving Dinner cooked by Mrs. Simpson!" shares Jenienne Kriegelstein. "Pastor Rich Carlson made a surprise visit to thank us for his pastor appreciation gift. Mrs. Johnson loves art and K-4 made clothespin pilgrims her. George Stone School students have an attitude of gratitude!"

11 "This week our High Plains Christian School (Garden City, KS) students got to have a special learning experience," says Jessi Whitson. "One of our church members helped the kids make turkey pillows. They got to watch the embroidery machine work (super cool!) and they all got to use sewing machines to stitch up their pillows. It was very fun and they all did an amazing job!" says Jessi.

12 "One of our biggest fundraisers for Grand Island Elementary is the annual supper with pie and dessert auction," says Regina Harvey. "Even though attendance was slightly lower this year, we were still able to raise nearly $2,600! Members from district churches supported the auction by baking goodies, donating them, buying other various goodies and a sweet "itty-bitty" supporter sold lemonade for the school! Kids and adults entered a pie eating contest with prizes. Overall, we had a lot of fun!" says Regina.

13 "Union College is on Thanksgiving break this week but before everyone left we collected 275 boxes for Operation Christmas Child, an organization that provides Christmas for children in wartorn or poverty-stricken countries," says Pastor Rich Carlson. "We do this every year but this was our highest level of participation, another indication of the amazing Spirit that is seeming to reside in a very special way on our campus this year," says Pastor Rich.

14 "Last Sunday my Fredonia, KS congregation concluded our five week vegan cooking class and health talks including wonderful ideas for Thanksgiving," says Pastor Francois Erasmus! "It was the first experience with vegan cooking for some and they were pleasantly surprised. The food served over the past five weeks was absolutely scrumptious!"

15 On a recent Sabbath the "Federation of Adventist Hispanic Youth South" had their first meet at the Great Bend gym. There were over 200 attendees representing churches in Southwest Kansas. Hispanic Churches that belong to the FESJA South are: Ark City, Wichita East, and Wichita West. Here's what some of us from the office are up to this weekend:

16 Travis, Renee & Brady Sager (Youth Director) will be worshiping with the West Lenexa congregation where Travis will be preaching. Sue & I are in Dayton, OH enjoying the holiday with two of our of grandsons and their parents (Steve & Daisy). **If you know something that you think would be of interest to other Kansas-Nebraska Adventists, please let me know. I am trying to keep everyone on the "cutting edge" by sending this out each Friday. Have a wonderful Sabbath! Ron ************************************* Ron Carlson, President Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 3440 Urish Rd. Topeka, KS ************************************** Copyright 2015 Kansas - Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, All rights reserved. You or someone else subscribed you to The Cutting Edge Our mailing address is: Kansas - Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 3440 Urish Rd.

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