Bulletin & News. Sabbath July 1st, :45 am 10:00 am 11:30 am. We WELCOME you to our Worship Services Today

Transcription

1 Issue No Taking the Three Angels Messages to the whole world King Street Hamilton, Victoria, 3300 Bulletin & News Sabbath July 1st, 2017 We WELCOME you to our Worship Services Today Song Service Sabbath School Church Service 9:45 am 10:00 am 11:30 am "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." [ Acts 11:18 ]

2 ~ Announcements ~ Welcome - We welcome Alex Buckler to the pulpit today and his wife for Sabbath praise and worship with us. May God bless you and lead you all in His truth always. Building Fund - Today there is an offering for the church building fund. Please dig deep so we can make the necessary changes and additions to the church buildings and grounds. Literature Evangelist Visits - We have 45 people requesting Beyond the Search DVDs, so we need as many members as possible to visit them. Please meet after lunch today to organise to do these follow-ups. All these people are seeking God, let us not disappoint them. Keep these 45 people in your prayers. Upcoming Communion Service - We are asking for volunteers to help with the deacon and deaconess duties for Communion. Specifically, work with the head deacon, Jay, and the deaconesses, Therese and Coral, to make sure there is bread and grape juice, and to have foot washing equipment and table settings ready. Cleaning Rosters - Please make note of the change to the cleaning rosters as of today. The new roster is on the notice board in the church and will be /posted to those members on the roster sometime this week. If you are on the roster and wish to be removed or dates need to be altered, please let Shaun know so the new roster can be updated. Sabbath Singing Lessons - All Sabbath afternoon singing lessons have been cancelled until mid July. Joi is away until then. Please keep her in your prayers and she was ill but still requires further treatment. Combined Lunch - There will be a combined lunch next Sabbath in the church dining room after the main service. All are welcome to join us for fellowship and a light meal. ~ Upcoming Events ~ C.A.R.E. Group meeting, July 7th - It s held every Friday at Amber & Krystal s place. (See page 11 and Krystal for address and further details.) Communion Service - This quarter s communion service has been moved from June 10th to Sabbath, July 15th. Please update your calendars to reflect the 2

3 new date. Prayer Meeting - July 12th 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. Recipe Club - A special thankyou to Jay and Therese Neff for the cooking demonstration and Amber and Krystal Morris for the supervision and background workings last Tuesday night. Thanks also to all the church members who helped out on the night. The next recipe club meeting will be on July 25th. Please keep it in your prayers and on your calendar. ~ Prayer Requests ~ This Week s Prayer List: Please remember: Kyle Thomas, Youn & Lee Koh, The Hamilton Church and its members, Roger Pearce, Ruth O Dempsey, Joan Ruthven, Johnny and David Mocilac, Dale Mea, Olga Novak, Simon Novak, Kezia Derksen, Shaun s Grandchildren, Steve and his children, Trevor at the fish shop, Marilyn McDonald, John & Gloria Tyack, Suzi, Peter Tyzack and family, Maria and John Franjic, the Recipe Club, Sunday Market Stall and our Pastor. ~ Quarterly Prayer Vigil ~ This quarter s vigil: The aim is to pray for Evangelism in the Community and Also for our Pastor and the work that he is doing. Please set aside the time on Wednesday, July 12th, 5:45pm for a special season of prayer. Time is short and we need to be ready now! ~ Reflections ~ The race we all run is called life and the prize, salvation in Christ Jesus. Every living being has the chance to claim the prize and win the race. How you win matters! How you run matters! How you live matters! What you choose to do or be in your life matters! The Divine Prize is Christ and a home in heaven to be eternally with God and our Saviour. Run your race and win! The Editor 3

4 ~ Adventist News Network ~ Duane McKey, center, baptizing Perfecto, the chief of Mangyan village, on the Philippine island of Mindoro on Sabbath, June 24, The whole village of 85 people was baptized. [Photo credit: AWR] 1,400 BAPTIZED DURING GROUNDBREAKING EVANGELISTIC INITIATIVE IN PHILIPPINES Adventist World Radio and 49 Japanese presenters get big results. Jun 25, 2017 Mindoro, Philippines Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission Duane McKey, center, baptizing Perfecto, the chief of Mangyan village, on the Philippine island of Mindoro on Sabbath, June 24, The whole village of 85 people was baptized. [Photo credit: AWR] About 1,400 people were baptized on an island in the Philippines after a groundbreaking evangelistic campaign propelled by 49 Japanese presenters and Adventist World Radio. Among those who gave their hearts to Christ on Mindoro island on Sabbath, June 24, were dozens of former Adventists, an entire village of 85 people, and 12 villagers who hiked for 12 hours to reach the nearest river. The outreach effort, which saw a total of 15 villages express an interest in baptism, marks the first time Adventist World Radio has taken a frontline role in the Seventhday Adventist Church s Total Member Involvement evangelistic meetings, and it is to be replicated in Japan next year. 4

5 Adventist World Radio has never had such a successful experience, said Duane McKey, who serves as Adventist World Radio president and oversees the Adventist world church s Total Member Involvement initiative. The evangelistic work started on March 1 when nine local radio stations started airing one to three hours of Adventist World Radio programming daily across Mindoro, which is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines and located five hours by boat and car south of the Philippines capital, Manila. But the health and lifestyle programs generated little response over the first three weeks, so Adventist World Radio tweaked the programming to include daily evangelistic sermons on topics such as the state of the dead and the seventh-day Sabbath, McKey said. At 11 a.m. every day, listeners were asked a question about the previous day s sermon, and the first five people who called in with the correct answer received a small radio, a copy of Ellen White s book Steps to Christ, or another gift. Big Radio Response The response mushroomed, McKey said, speaking by telephone from Manila on Sunday. People were running down the mountains to find a radio to listen to the sermons. They were excited. They took notes as they listened so they could answer the question the next day. Adventist World Radio connected callers with local churches, which, in turn, sent out Bible workers and organized Total Member Involvement events such as free health screenings and street marches against illegal drugs. The focus was connecting people with the local churches, and that is why it worked so well, McKey said. About 1,400 people were baptized on Sabbath, and more than 100 others will be baptized in the next week or two. McKey participated in the baptisms at Mangyan village of 85 people, baptizing the village chief and other villagers. Later in the day, he and other church leaders met 12 baptismal candidates at a river 48 miles (77 kilometers) from their mountainside village. They walked a solid 12 hours to get to the river for baptism, McKey said. 5

6 All 250 families of the village had wanted to be baptized after listening to sermons on the radio, but the others weren t ready, he said. We sent a Bible worker to work with them, he said. Twenty-five families made the 12-hour walk to attend the baptisms. The radio broadcasts and evangelistic meetings also brought former Adventists back to church, and they were rebaptized on Sabbath. It wasn t immediately clear how many residents from the 15 villages who expressed interest in baptism were baptized on Sabbath, but five villages have decided to prepare for baptism. Another island with 10 villages just contacted Adventist World Radio just this weekend to request a Bible worker to help villagers prepare for baptism. Adventist World Radio has decided to expand its broadcasts and set up a permanent presence in the Philippines, McKey said. We were going to broadcast only for six months, but now we will broadcast for another year and help them get their own radio station, he said. Enthusiasm in Japan Thirty pastors and 19 laypeople from Japan participated in June 9-24 evangelistic meetings in Japan.The Japanese presenters who are preparing for national evangelistic meetings in Japan in 2018 were reenergized by the experience, McKey said. They said this was so life changing, he said. Some thought that public evangelism couldn t be done anymore, but now they see that you can preach the message and get results. Enthusiasm also is growing back in Japan, with one local church voting a U.S.$120,000 budget for public evangelism next year. McKey said the day after the church board approved the budget, the pastor found three envelopes containing $10,000 each in his office. The following Sabbath, an elderly church member placed another $10,000 in the Sabbath School offering plate. Church members are saying, Do something! McKey said. It s been a thrill to see that happen. 6

7 Lesson 24 The Life of Christ Second Quarter,

8 LESSON XXIV THE DEMONIACS, AND OTHER MIRACLES OF HEALING Julie 17, Gergesa, Capernaum, and Gennesaret. (Matt. 8 : ; 9 : ; Mark 5:1-43.) 1. CHRIST having stilled the tempest, where did He and His disciples soon land? Mark 5: 1. See note Upon landing from the boat, who met the Saviour? Verses 2-5. See note 2 3. How did he approach Jesus? Verses 6, Why did the demoniac thus address Christ? Verse 8. Side Texts to be studied with questions Luke 8 : 26. Matt. 8: 28. Matt. 8 : 29. Luke 8 : When asked his name, what reply did the suffering man make? Verse What request was then asked in behalf of the demons? Verse 10. Luke 8 :31 7. Where did the demons desire to go? Verses 11, What was the result of their being permitted to enter the swine? Verses 13, 14. See note In consequence of the extended report by the swine-herders, how many came to meet Jesus? Matt. 8 : 34. Luke 8 : When the people saw what was done, how were they affected? Mark 5: As Jesus was complying with the people's request, what earnest plea was made by the restored man? With what result? Verses See note 4. 8

9 12. Upon returning to the other side of the lake, how did the people there receive Jesus? Luke 8: Just then who came to Jesus? With what request? Verses 41, Tell the story of the woman who touched the garment of Christ while He was on His way to the ruler's house. Verses Mark 5: 21.. Mark 5 : 22, 23 Matt. 9: 18. Mark 5: During this circumstance, what message was brought to Jesus from the ruler's house? Verse Upon hearing this, what comforting words did Jesus address to the ruler? Verse Arriving at the house, what did Jesus find? Matt. 9 : 23. See note 5. Mark Mark 5: 38, Having put out the noisy throng, what did the Lord then do? Mark 5: 40, 41, 37, 19. What followed the Lord's words? How were the child's parents touched? Verse 42. Luke 8 : What charge was then given them? V. 43 READING Luke 8: 26-56; "Desire of Ages," pp NOTES 1. Gadara was the fortified 'capital of Perea, the " country of the Gadarenes" or Gergesenes. It was about eight miles southeast from Tiberias. The present ruins of the city are about two miles in circumference. The tombs were in the sides of the cliffs, round about the city, some of which are still preserved, and used by Arabs for dwellings. 2. Mark and Luke speak of but one demoniac coming to Christ, while Matthew 9

10 introduces two. The lesson here given follows the two former accounts, simply because they are more complete in detail. While two demoniacs were present, probably one of them made the prominent demonstrations, which would explain why only one is mentioned by the two evangelists. 3. "It was in mercy to the owners-of the swine that this loss had been permitted to come upon them. They were absorbed in earthly things, and cared not for the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus desired to break the spell of selfish indifference, that they might accept His grace. But regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to the Saviour's mercy." Desire of Ages, p338, Jesus readily complied with the selfish request of the Gergesenes to leave their coasts, even though He was deprived of the needed rest He had sought in crossing the lake; for He knew that, although He was to be absent in person, the restored demoniac would proclaim the truth instead. The record states that he " began to publish in Decapolis," meaning ten cities, the things Jesus had done for" him. Pliny says that this district reached from Damascus on the north to Philadelphia on the south, and from Scythopolis on the west to Canatha on the east. Six other cities than those here mentioned were included: Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Gerasa, Dion, and Raphana. All of these cities except Scythopolis were on the east side of the Jordan. "The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to preach the Gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct the people as the disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But they bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew, what they themselves had seen and heard and felt of the power of Christ. This is what every one can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God... This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want, of which the world is perishing." Desire of Ages, p These " minstrels " were hired mourners, who kept up continual discord on wind instruments, accompanied with wild howls of lamentation. The number of these mourners was in proportion to the wealth of the afflicted family. HAMILTON CHURCH WEBSITE Website: Church info@hamilton-adventist.net recipeclub@hamilton-adventist.net Facebook: Mobile App: Recipe Club: 10

11 ~ Memory Verse ~ "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [ Revelation 22:18, 19 ] ~ Bible Promises ~ "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." [ 1 John 2:15 ] ~ C.A.R.E. Group ~ 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, July 7th. 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: ~ The Organs of Digestion Too Frequent Eating 677. A second meal should never be eaten until the stomach has had time to rest from the labor of digesting the preceding meal.--h. to L., Chap. 1, p. 55. {HL 164.5} 678. After the stomach has done its work for one meal, do not crowd more work upon it before it has had a chance to rest, and to provide a sufficient supply of gastric juice for the next meal. Five hours at least should be given between each meal, and always bear in mind that if you would give it a trial, you would find that two meals would be better than three.--u. T., Aug. 30, {HL 164.6} 679. If a third meal be eaten at all, it should be light, and several hours before going to bed. But with many the poor tired stomach may complain of weariness in vain. More food is forced upon it, which sets the digestive organs in motion, again to perform the same round of labor through the sleeping hours. The sleep is generally disturbed with unpleasant dreams, and in the morning they awake unrefreshed. There is a sense of languor and loss of appetite. A lack of energy is felt through the entire system. In a short time the digestive organs are worn out, for they have had no time to rest. Such persons become miserable dyspeptics, and wonder what has made them so. The cause has brought the sure result. If this practise is indulged in a great length of time, the health will become seriously impaired. The blood becomes impure, the complexion sallow, and eruptions will frequently appear. You will often hear complaints of frequent pains and soreness in the region of the stomach; and while performing labor, the stomach becomes so tired that they are obliged to desist from work, and rest. They seem to be at a loss to account for this state of things; for, setting this aside, they are apparently healthy.... After the stomach, which has been overtaxed, has performed its task, it is exhausted, which causes faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want of food that produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to rest, they take more food, which for the time removes the faintness....{hl 165.1} The stomach becomes weary by being kept constantly at work disposing of food not the most healthful. Having no time for rest, the digestive organs become enfeebled, hence the sense of "goneness" and desire for frequent eating.--h. to L., Chap. 1, p. 55. {HL 166.1} 680. Gluttonous feasts, and food taken into the stomach at untimely seasons, leave an influence upon every fiber of the system.--h. R. {HL 166.2} Improper Food Combinations 681. The less that condiments and desserts are placed upon our tables, the better it will be for all who partake of the food. All mixed and complicated foods are injurious to the health of human beings. Dumb animals would never eat such a 12

13 mixture as is often placed in the human stomach.... Rich and complicated mixtures of food are health destroying.--u. T., Nov. 5, {HL 166.3} 682. Because it is the fashion, in harmony with morbid appetite, rich cake, pies, and puddings, and every hurtful thing are crowded into the stomach. The table must be loaded down with variety or the depraved appetite cannot be satisfied. In the morning, these slaves to appetite often have impure breath and a furred tongue. They do not enjoy health, and wonder why they suffer with pains, headaches, and various ills. The cause has brought the sure result.--h. to L., Chap. 1, p. 57. {HL 166.4} 683. If we would preserve the best health, we should avoid eating vegetables and fruit at the same meal. If the stomach is feeble, there will be distress, the brain will be confused, and unable to put forth mental effort. Have fruit at one meal and vegetables at the next.--y. I., May 31, {HL 166.5} 684. I frequently sit down to the tables of the brethren and sisters and see that they use a great amount of milk and sugar. These clog the system, irritate the digestive organs, and affect the brain. Anything that hinders the active motion of the living machinery, affects the brain very directly. And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat.--t., V. II, p {HL 167.1} Overeating Nearly all the members of the human family eat more than the system requires. This excess decays, and becomes a putrid mass.... If more food, even of a simple quality, is placed in the stomach than the living machinery requires, this surplus becomes a burden. The system makes desperate efforts to dispose of it, and this extra work causes a tired feeling. Some who are continually eating call this "all gone" feeling hunger, but it is caused by the overworked condition of the abused digestive organs.--u. T., Aug. 30, {HL 167.2} 686. They (ministers, students, etc.) closely apply their minds to books, and eat the allowance of a laboring man. Under such habits, some grow corpulent, because the system is clogged. Others become lean, feeble, and weak, because their vital powers are exhausted in throwing off the excess of food; the liver becomes burdened, and unable to throw off the impurities in the blood, and sickness is the result.--t., V. III, p {HL 167.3} 687. Often this intemperance is felt at once in the form of headache and indigestion and colic. A load has been placed upon the stomach that it cannot care for, and a feeling of oppression comes. The head is confused, the stomach is in rebellion. But these results do not always follow overeating. In some cases the stomach is paralyzed. No sensation of pain is felt, but the digestive organs lose their vital force. The foundation of the human machinery is gradually undermined, and life is rendered very unpleasant.--u. T., Aug. 30, {HL 167.4} 688. The power of the brain is lessened by drawing so heavily upon it to help the stomach get along with its heavy burden.--t., V. II, p {HL 168.1} 689. The brain nerve energy is benumbed and almost paralyzed by overeating-- T., V. II, p {HL 168.2} From the book Healthful Living Chapter 25 (1897, 1898) by (E.G. White) 13

14 ~ For The Kids ~ 14

15 God's Church to Reflect His Glory Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ~ Weekly Devotional ~ The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvellous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:10), the final and full display of the love of God. 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" (Ezekiel 34:26).... "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (Isaiah 49:16). The church is God's fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only-begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the work. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people. Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition.-- The Acts of the Apostles, pp (Reflecting Christ Ellen G White - page 196) 15

16 ~ Sabbath Services ~ Service This Week Next Week July 1st July 8th Divine Service Alex Buckler Pastor Justin Bone Sabbath School Peter Tung Pastor Justin Bone ~ Sunset Times ~ Sunset Sabbath (Tonight) 5:24 pm Sunset Next Friday 5:27 pm This Week: Next Week: ~ Church Offering ~ Camping Ministry World Mission Budget July 2nd July 15th 2017 ~ Church Cleaning ~ Roberts Family July 16th July 29th 2017 Coral Aisbett July 2nd July 15th 2017 ~ Garden Maintenance ~ Peter Roberts July 16th July 29th 2017 Volunteer Needed ~ Church Website ~ Website : info@hamilton-adventist.net - Contact Details - Pastor Justin Bone