71 King Street Hamilton, Victoria, Bulletin & News. Sabbath March 11th, We WELCOME you to our Worship Services Today

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1 Issue No Taking the Three Angels Messages to the whole world King Street Hamilton, Victoria, 3300 Bulletin & News Sabbath March 11th, 2017 We WELCOME you to our Worship Services Today Song Service Sabbath School Church Service 9:45 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [ Romans 8:26, 27 ]

2 ~ Weekly Announcements & Upcoming Events ~ Welcome - We welcome Pastor Justin Bone to the pulpit today for the Communion Service and for Sabbath praise and worship with us. May God bless you and lead you in His truth always. Combined Lunch - There will be a combined lunch today in the church dining room after the main service as Pastor Justin Bone has joined us again this Sabbath. All are welcome to join us for fellowship and a light meal. There will be a combined lunch next Sabbath also. Communion Service - Today is the communion service for this quarter. We pray that you have prepared your hearts and minds for this special time with Christ Jesus. Singing Group - Joi Wilkinson, who is a very good singer, would like to start a group to sing at nursing homes. She is calling for anyone interested to meet in the church at about 1.30pm this afternoon. Business Meeting - There will be another business meeting on Wednesday the 22nd of March at 6pm, after the prayer meeting, to choose a nominating committee. Other items may be added, but it should be a short meeting. Membership Transfer - There will be a first reading of transfer of membership from Hamilton Church to Gateway East church for Chen Yee Lee and Siew Seen Lim. Grange Retirement Village - Next Sabbath there will be a visit to the Grange Retirement Village at 1:45 pm with Paul Glover. All are welcome to attend and share with the residents. Prayer Meeting, March 22nd at 5pm Please join us each fortnight for prayer and a short Bible study. Let us always keep the communication channels to heaven open through our prayers. C.A.R.E. Group meeting, March 17th - It s held every Friday. (See page 11 and Krystal for address and further details.) Recipe Club - On Tuesday, March 28th, the first recipe club for 2017 will be held. Please pray for a successful meeting and that hearts will be drawn to Christ. Do come along and fellowship with the members of the group. 2

3 SCAW Meeting - Pastor Justin Bone will take a Safe Churches Awareness Workshop at Hamilton church on Sunday May 7th. Please plan to attend if you hold any office in the church and have not yet attended a workshop. This will be a 5 hour session, starting time to be decided later. Big Camp - Big Camp is on again this year during the Easter long weekend in April. (16th-20th) Application forms available from Amber. ~ Prayer Requests ~ This Week s Prayer List: Please remember Milan Kelemen's sister in Belgrade, Joan Ruthven, Johnny and David Mocilac, Dale Mea, Olga Novak, Kezia Derksen, Simon Novak, Shaun s daughter Keryn and family for a house, Marilyn McDonald, John Tyack, Suzi, Roger Pearce, Peter Tyzack and family, Maria and John Franjic and John s brother and his family, the Recipe Club, Sunday Market Stall and our Pastor. Special Prayer Vigil - Please set aside the time on Wednesday, March 22nd, 5:45pm for a special prayer season. The aim is to pray for a Church Growth and Blessings on the Pastor. Time is short and we need to be ready now! ~ Reflections ~ When you feel that God isn t listening to your prayers, take a good look into your life and try to find where or what you are out of order with God. If you can t find anything yourself, ask God to reveal it to you and then repent and pray again. You will see that God was listening all along and just waiting for you to ask the right questions first. God will always hear and always answer the fervent prayer of a repentant sinner. 3

4 ~ Off the Net ~ ORDAINED WOMAN PASTOR BAPTIZES LESBIAN SDA MARRIED TO LESBIAN MEMBER. NCC TAKES NO SUBSTANTIVE ACTION Posted on February 3, 2017 by admin 0n July 14, 2014, Alice Silva and Amber Machado were married, with Alice taking Amber s last name. In June 2016 Alice Machado became a baptized member in the Chico Seventh-day Adventist church in Northern California Conference (NCC). Amber Machado was already a baptized member of the Chico church. Ginger Harwood baptized Alice Machado at the Chico Church. Harwood holds a commissioned minister credential through the Pacific Union Conference. Harwood was ordained as a Seventh-day Adventist minister in 2013 in a rebel ordination service held at the La Sierra University church in Riverside, California. The Seventh -day Adventist Church never has and currently does not practice the ordination of women to the gospel ministry. In a November 8, stated to be from NCC president Jim Pedersen to a concerned member, Pedersen wrote The SDA Church continues to call all people to a saving relationship with Jesus, including baptism. There is also an understanding that members are not yet perfect, including those who get baptized but there is a growth experience as we become more like Christ. The LGBT discussion continues to expand and be defined by the church, upholding the biblical foundation of marriage. Now, three years later, ordained pastor Harwood has baptized a practicing lesbian into the Seventh-day Adventist church. And we were told that accepting women s ordination would never lead to this. Interestingly, 23 years ago Harwood wrote a chapter in The Welcome Table, a book promoting the ordination of women. Back then she saw that those who opposed women s ordination felt that, such changes will alter our core identity (p. 271). In 4

5 that book, Harwood s is perhaps the most credible, measured, and fair-minded chapter. And yet, two decades later she is bringing into church membership a person whom she must have known to be currently married to another woman. This is what is so chilling. If just twentyish years of journey brings one of the coolest heads and most rational among supporters of women s ordination to the place of baptizing a lesbian, where has the same passage of time taken those more radical? To baptize a practicing lesbian is something new for the Adventist Church. To embrace it would be to engage in change of Adventist core identity. One wonders if Harwood would have thought 23 years ago that this is where she would be today. People who are convinced that their view is correct act on those beliefs. It is inevitable. What is happening in Northern California Conference right now is a time -machine to the future. These events are foretelling what will be happening in your Conference tomorrow if the current beliefs promoted by the current leadership of the Pacific Union and the North American Division are permitted to play out. Members in local conferences need to do what Seventh-day Adventist Church president Ted N.C. Wilson called for in his 2010 address to the Church: Seventh-day Adventist Church members, hold your leaders, pastors, local churches, educators, institutions, and administrative organizations accountable to the highest standards of belief based on a literal understanding of Scripture. There is a linkage between the theology of women s ordination and queer theology. While this is denied on the one hand, we see it turned into practice on the other. People who are convinced that their view is correct act on those beliefs. There are two opposite approaches to biblical interpretation in the Church, and there are two different sets of actual beliefs and practices which stem from them. God s Church stands at the door of pluralism and paganism. For more extensive information, see NOTE: Errors corrected and two new paragraphs added. Posted in Ginger Harwood, Homosexuality, Insubordination, North American Division (NAD), Northern California Conference, Pacific Union Conference (PUC), Political correctness, The larger issues, Women's Ordination. 5

6 7 SMALL CHURCH CHOICES THAT WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR MINISTRY... Continued from last week... ~ Off The Net ~ 6. Let People Make Mistakes Big churches can t make mistakes. Big buildings with big crowds and big budgets leave them no wiggle room for anything less than fully-prepared, highquality excellence at all times. Small churches can make mistakes. That s not an excuse for shoddy work or lack of excellence. But it s an acknowledgment that excellence looks different in a small church than in a big one. For instance, musicians who couldn't get on the worship team in a big church are celebrated for leading in worship at a small church. And the fact that they can be on the platform, leading in worship at an earlier stage of their musical development helps them accelerate their skills. If we wait until people are completely ready before we trust them to do ministry, they ll never be ready. It s never too early for any volunteer to do some kind of ministry. Even if they re not quite ready yet. If we wait until people are completely ready before we trust them to do ministry, they ll never be ready. Training others to do the work of ministry, then letting them do it before they re completely ready is a good small church choice. 7. Don t Act Like a Big Church, Act Like a Great, Growing Small Church People don t attend a small church to get a dumbed-down version of a big church experience. But that s often what we try to give them. For too many years, I made the mistake of trying to act like a big church. After all, that s what I d been told to do. But my church members got frustrated, I became overwhelmed and the church became unhealthy. Acting like a church of 500 when you re a church of 50 makes no sense. Acting like a church of 50 that's preparing for 100? Now that s more like it. Acting appropriately for your current size, while preparing to be bigger is a good small church choice. Copyright 2015 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here to read our guidelines concerning reprint permissions. 6

7 Lesson 8 The Life of Christ First Quarter,

8 LESSON VIII CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES February 25, At Bethabara, A. D. 27 (John I : ) Side Texts to be studied with 1. WHEN Christ appeared again at the place of John's baptism, what exclamation did the Baptist make concerning Him? John 1 : To what words previously uttered does he call the people's attention? Verses 30, How was the Baptist so sure of Christ's identity? Verses verses John 8 : 58. John 5 : 32 ; Luke 8 : Who were standing with John the next day? Verse As Jesus appeared in sight, how did John announce Him to the two disciples? Verse 36. Isa.53 : 6, What did the disciples of John immediately do? Verse How were they introduced to Jesus? Verse What apparently indifferent question did they ask? See note What answer was returned by Christ? Verse 39. See note How long did the disciples continue their interview with the Lord? 11. Who were the two disciples thus highly favoured? Verse 40. John I8: 15, 16; 13:23; 19:26 21: Dan. 9: 24, 25 ; Luke 2: Upon learning the abode of Christ, what did Andrew first do? Verse 41. See note 3. Matt. 16 : 17. 8

9 13. When Simon was brought to Jesus, what did the Lord first say to him? Verse 42. See note The following day, while on His way to Galilee, whom did Christ find by the way? and what did He say to him? Verse What was Philip's nativity? Verse 44. John 21 : 2. Deut.18:18 Isa. 9 :6, Whom did Philip quickly find? and what message did he bear to him? Verse What curt reply did Nathanael make to this statement? V erse 46. John 7:41, 52, 18. How did Philip meet this objection? See note 2 of lesson While Nathanael was yet coming, what remark concerning him did Christ make in his hearing? Verse 47. Ps.32:2; ROM. 2 28, 29; 9: In his astonishment, what reply did Nathanael offer? Verse What answer did Jesus give? See note Upon hearing this, what confident expression fell from Nathanael's lips? Verse What did Christ say he would yet see? Gen. 28:12. READING "Desire of Ages," pp NOTES 1. But the question was not asked for lack of other thoughts. The two inquirers wanted more than a passing word with the newly-found Being, and so desired to spend time with Him in the privacy of His home. He, divining their wish, 9

10 readily opened the way for an extended interview. 2. The place to which they went was some home which had been opened to Christ for a few days' sojourn, by the hospitality of strangers. How strangely the mission of Christ opened. He did not make any demonstration; no public harangues were given by Him. But as He quietly walked before the people, His first disciples were drawn to Him by the quiet words of another. 3. Messiah " means anointed, and was used with reference to any one anointed with the holy oil. Christ was the antitype of all those Hebrew anointings, and was therefore the " consolation " to which every true Israelite looked forward. Luke 2: 25. The word " consolation " there used comes from the same original as " Comforter " in John 14:6; 5: 6, etc., and means a calling alongside for help. In other words, the Jewish consolation consisted in calling to their very side the help which their blood offerings typified. 4. " Jona " in Hebrew means a dove. As though Jesus had ever known Simon, He called him the " son of a dove," and then with divine foresight as to the developments of Peter's future, added, " Thou shalt be called Cephas," that is, a stone. It will be noticed that this change of name for the impulsive apostle was bestowed at the very first meeting of Peter with his Lord, and before any other words had passed between them. The name " Peter," by which this disciple is most commonly known, is the Aramaic and Greek equivalents of Cephas, or stone. 5. "Under the fig tree." The chosen place for meditation and prayer with the devout of Israel. Philip had been in devotion under the fig tree, pondering over the very truths he had heard at Bethabara, when listening to the words of the Baptist, and wondering, like many others, when and where the Messiah would appear. He came to Christ doubting, but with a guileless heart. Christ's words to him seemed so full of divine prescience that he could not help believing that One was before him who knew his very thoughts. He was by this deeply impressed that the desire of his heart had become the sight of his eyes, and his doubt gave way to the sincerest faith. It has been supposed by some that, inasmuch as the name Nathanael does not appear in the list of the twelve apostles, he was identical with Bartholomew, who is always named next to Philip. 6. These five were Christ's first disciples. He called but one of them direct; two were prompted to unite their interests to His by the words of John; one of them joined the company at the instance of a brother; and the other, by the solicitation of a friend. It was all done by direct, individual work, the efforts which God blesses above all others to the salvation of men. 10

11 ~ Memory Verse ~ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [ Matthew 7:7 ] ~ God s Little Book of Encouragement ~ Just Ask! Some things God will not give until we want them enough to ask. [ Matthew 7:7 ] Don t be ashamed by ignorance; instead, be blessed by the knowledge of God. We are not just another small group meeting weekly to read the bible and hang out together - we are a C.A.R.E. Group! C.A.R.E. stands for Christ's Attitude Reflected in Everyone - and that is exactly what we are all about. Our group meets on Friday nights from 6:30pm every week at Amber and Krystal's House. Next gathering - Friday, March 17th. ~ C.A.R.E. Group ~ EVERYONE is welcome to join in the fun of sharing and caring for one another and there is plenty of floor space. For more information contact Krystal/Amber (03) or visit / care_group.htm or find us on Facebook - Hamilton CARE group. See Amber or Krystal for more information. 11

12 ~ From the Spirit of Prophecy - Think About: ~ Testimonies for the Church Volume I by (E.G. White) The Shaking (chapter 32, pp ) Said the angel: "List ye!" Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard. It seemed to be so full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel: "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, firmly, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy. {1T 181.3} The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out, and left by the way. ["I KNOW THY WORKS, THAT THOU ART NEITHER COLD NOR HOT: I WOULD THOU WERT COLD OR HOT. SO THEN BECAUSE THOU ART LUKEWARM, AND NEITHER COLD NOR HOT, I WILL SPEW THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH. BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I AM RICH, AND INCREASED WITH GOODS, AND HAVE NEED OF NOTHING; AND KNOWEST NOT THAT THOU ART WRETCHED, AND MISERABLE, AND POOR, AND BLIND, AND NAKED." REVELATION 3:15-17.] The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, but their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Still the evil angels pressed around them, but they could have no power over them. ["FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES. [OR, "WICKED SPIRITS IN HEAVENLY PLACES," AS IN THE MARGIN.] WHEREFORE TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOR OF God, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND. STAND 12

13 THEREFORE, HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH, AND HAVING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED. AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF God: PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, AND WATCHING THEREUNTO WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR ALL SAINTS." EPHESIANS 6:12-18.] {1T 182.1} I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power. It had effect. I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of it. All fear of their relatives was gone. The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered: "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel." {1T 182.2} ~ Bible Promises ~ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [ 1 Corinthians 1:27 ] HAMILTON CHURCH WEBSITE Website: Church info@hamilton-adventist.net recipeclub@hamilton-adventist.net Facebook: Mobile App: Recipe Club: 13

14 ~ For The Kids ~ 14

15 March 11th ~ Weekly Devotional ~ Sanctification Embraces The Entire Being And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 The sanctification set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire being--spirit, soul, and body. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that their "whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Again he writes to believers: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1). In the time of ancient Israel, every offering brought as a sacrifice to God was carefully examined. If any defect was discovered in the animal presented, it was refused; for God had commanded that the offering be "without blemish." So Christians are bidden to present their bodies, "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." In order to do this, all their powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Every practice that weakens physical or mental strength unfits man for the service of his Creator. And will God be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer? Said Christ: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." Those who do love God with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of their life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will. They will not, by the indulgence of appetite or passion, enfeeble or defile the offering which they present to their heavenly Father. Peter says: "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Every sinful gratification tends to benumb the faculties and deaden the mental and spiritual perceptions, and the Word or the Spirit of God can make but a feeble impression upon the heart. Paul writes to the Corinthians: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). And with the fruits of the Spirit--"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness"--he classes "temperance" (Galatians 5:22, 23). Notwithstanding these inspired declarations, how many professed Christians are enfeebling their powers in the pursuit of gain or the worship of fashion; how many are debasing their godlike manhood by gluttony, by wine drinking, by forbidden pleasure.... He whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit will not be enslaved by a pernicious habit. His powers belong to Christ, who has bought him with the price of blood.--the Great Controversy, pp (Reflecting Christ Ellen G White - page 84) 15

16 ~ Sabbath Services ~ Service This Week Next Week March 11th March 18th Divine Service Pastor Justin Bone Paul Glover Sabbath School Pastor Justin Bone Paul Glover ~ Sunset Times ~ Sunset Sabbath (Tonight) 7:57 pm DST Sunset Next Friday 7:48 pm DST This Week: Next Week: ~ Church Offering ~ Adventist World Radio Camping Ministry ~ Church Cleaning ~ March 12th March 25th 2017 Tung Family March 26th April 8th 2017 Roberts Family ~ Garden Maintenance ~ March 12th March 25th 2017 Peter Tung March 26th April 8th 2017 Peter Roberts ~ Church Website ~ Website : info@hamilton-adventist.net - Contact Details - Pastor Justin Bone