CHURCH LIFE. WEEKLY NEWSLETTER December 19, 2013

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1 FRESNO SUNNYSIDE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER December 19, 2013 Sunnyside News is a weekly publication designed to inform members and subscribers of our current news and events. CHURCH LIFE For Your Service After over eight years of service as Head Deacon, Mike Ward gave his official resignation at the December church board meeting. Mike, we appreciate your love for God and your church family and what it has meant for you to give of your time and service to His work. For that, we are thankful. May God continue to bless you as He leads you into your next area of service for Him. Mike is handing the reigns over to Tim Kerr, who will become the new Head Deacon on January 1. Tim is looking forward to working with the deacon team as we begin In this week's issue Church Life..1 Worship Celebration....2 Announcements...3 Getting to Know Our Family & Friends.4 The Last Word.. 5 Blessed By The Service Candles were lit in honor of a loved one lost, a dream denied or a relationship ended, at the Blue Christmas Service yesterday evening. The candles reminded us that our hope is anchored in Jesus. In spite of loss, He has the power and compassion to make our lives new and restore them with comfort and peace. "Grief is how we love when someone is gone." - words shared by Pastor Dennis in a message of hope. Committed to Service in Love Sunnyside's commitment to service in love, has shone brightly over the past few days. The Youth and Young Adults assisted with passing out the gifts to the children and families for Angel Tree this past Sabbath afternoon. Cheryl Colombini and her crew donated handmade blankets for all 78 children that were assigned to us through this ministry. Many of you baked cookies and pumpkin bread that also given to each family. On Wednesday morning at 8:00, the line of people waiting to receive food, stretched from the front door of the church out to the street at Maroa Avenue. The Community Services team worked diligently and lovingly to prepare boxes for each family that came requesting food. Over 300 boxes of food were given to families in the community. Of those, 39 boxes were given to families of students at McLane High School. (pictures on page 4) Worship Learn Connect Serve

2 Sabbath CELEBRATION December 21, 2013 Sunnyside Light 9:00 9:50 A.M. What Child is This? I Feel Jesus Prayer Desrie van Putten Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 How to Spell Immanuel Worship Service 11:15 A.M. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen Do You Hear What I Hear? Welcome Advent Candle the Walker Family O Come, O Come, Immanuel Giving Thanks Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child Camille van Putten The Parable of the River Youth directed by Camille van Putten O Holy Night The First Noel Prayer Cal Redman What Child Is This? Bob Gilbert and Yvette Kerbs Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 Clif van Putten How to Spell Immanuel Joseph's Lullaby Garry Clark this Week at a Glance Monday, December 23 Church Office Closed through January 2 Wednesday, December 25 Bulletin Info Deadline: bulletinstaff@sunnysidesda.org 6:00 p.m. Merry Ch!"mas Sabbath, December 28 Sunnyside Light - 9:00 a.m. SunnysideUp Café - 10:00 a.m. Sabbath School - 10:00 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m. QR Code for Online Giving Access Sunnyside's secure online giving portal from your smartphone. Just scan this code with any barcode reader app and it will take you directly to our online giving site. Sunset Healthy Bytes Preaching Schedule December 28 - Pastor Kerr January 4 - Pastor Kerr January 11 - Pastor Ray December Needs $29, Church Needs Donations 22, Over (Short) (7,226.86) Year to Date $351, Donations Received 272, Over (Short) (79,033.92) Associate Pastor Fund $20, Youth Pastor Fund $36, This Friday 4:45 p.m. CHOCOLATE RECIPE: This is a Christmas present for you chocolate lovers. Everything in this recipe is good for you. 1/2 cup coconut oil offers antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. It improves digestion, nutrient absorption and intestinal health. It provides cardiovascular benefits and helps manage Type 2 Diabetes. Coconut oil promotes kidney and liver health and supports the immune system. It also benefits metabolism, energy, and weight management. 1/2 cup raw cacao powder (not the roasted, processed cousin known as cocoa), has nutritional benefits, from reducing cataracts to improving heart function, to alleviating stress and preventing cancer. I also add a tablespoon of cacao nibs for an extra crunch. 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (as in peanuts ground with a little salt) makes a very healthy fat that is high in nutrients, fiber and protein. 1/4 cup raw honey (honey that has not been filtered, strained or heated above 115 degrees fahrenheit), has many health benefits such as: energy boost, excellent source of antioxidants, supports good bacteria, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and slows aging. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract has a few health benefits with many vitamins in trace amounts. One little known fact is vanilla extract is good for nausea. Add a few drops to a glass of water and sip on it to relieve nausea. Vanilla has also been known to reduce stress and anxiety. Alternate flavoring: Substitute about 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract flavoring (or to taste) for the peanut butter, for a chocolate mint candy. All these ingredients can be found at Whole Foods Market or most health food stores. Directions: Prepare a mini muffin pan with liners. Put all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor. Pulse a few times until everything is smooth and nicely combined (it will be very liquidy). Don't over mix. Pour the liquid fudge into the prepared muffin liners dividing evenly between them. There will be about half an inch of fudge in each muffin liner. Place the muffin pan in the refrigerator or freezer until the fudge has hardened (10 to 30 minutes). Remove the muffin liners from the pan and enjoy your delicious, healthy fudge! Store in the refrigerator. It will melt quickly at room temp. If you don't have a muffin tin you can pour the whole batch into a shallow tupperware. To remove, just place your warm hands on the bottom to release the fudge. Cut into small bites and return to refrigerator. This recipe comes with a warning: It is VERY habit forming! If you like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, this is a healthy alternative. Remember that anything in excess will cause weight gain, however for that Chocolate "fix" to help you through the holidays, this one is easy to make and even easier to eat! Enjoy! For more information on healthy solutions and recipes, contact Gale Bolinger at gale4health@yahoo.com or visit my blog at Page 2 Monthly Contribution Summary This Week s Offering Local Church Budget Next Friday 4:50 p.m.

3 A nno u n ce m en t s Membership Transfers Second Reading Shar Johnson from Auburn SDA in Auburn, CA. Carol Dement from Clovis SDA. Women's Ministry Bible Study in the New Year Sunnyside Soul Sisters will begin another 11-week "Breaking Free" Bible Study by Beth Moore on Monday, January 13 at 6:00 p.m. Join them on this incredible journey with God and experience how He can change the course of your life! To register, go to A Sabbath School Connection Are you looking for a way to connect at Sunnyside? Try any of our Adult Sabbath School Classes:! The Quarterly Class, traditional Bible study class! Life & Teachings of Christ, the "Desire of Ages" book study class! In Step With Jesus, a class for new believers and people interested in developing their Christian faith.! SunnysideUp Café, the café offers a variety of classes and groups from which to choose. The newest study group added to SunnysideUp is the "Experiencing God" 12-week study. Page 3 Office Closed for Holidays The church office will be closed December 23 through January 2. If you are in need of pastoral care during the holidays, you may contact Pastor Dennis ( or dennis@sunnysidesda.org) or Pastor Taneshia ( or tkerr@sunnysidesda.org). Dear Secret Santa, Once again you amaze us. Your generosity is such a blessing to our family. We still feel like a kid when we open up the mailbox. Thank you, thank you, thank you. May your Christmas be overflowing with God's peace and joy. --The Ray Family This Christmas season has been filled with wonderful surprises thanks to the kindness of our Secret Santa. Tim and I would like to say thank you so very much to the generous person who has thought of us in such special ways. Merry Christmas, Tim & Taneshia From the Treasurer As we contemplate our response to God s goodness to us during this past year, let us remember the many ministries that take place here at Sunnyside and the urgent need to fund our church budget that helps those ministries function in such a wonderful manner. Thank you for your faithful giving to our budget in the past, and we look forward to a good December to bring the budget up to date. An Angel Tree Thank you to everyone who bought gifts, wrapped presents, donated money, donated time, made blankets, made phone calls, ran errands, baked cookies and pumpkin bread, all for Angel Tree. Your support of this ministry has been overwhelmingly amazing. Youth Events Comin' Up Play Rehearsal - Thursday and Friday: Rehearsal is at 6:30 p.m. tonight and the final rehearsal is Friday. Youth Holiday Play - December 21: Invite your family and friends to enjoy "The Parable of the River" during the 11:15 a.m. worship service. Christmas Party & Ice Skating - December 22: Ice skating first and then a nice dinner out! More details to come! Vespers & Game Night - January 11: We'll meet at the church to close the Sabbath together and have some fun playing games. Please submit your bulletin and enews announcements of 50 words or fewer (in paragraph form) to: bulletinstaff@sunnysidesda.org. All info is due by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday (November 26). The Bulletin staff reserves the right to edit text. Flowers for the Sanctuary Flowers add warmth and beauty to the worship service. Your donation of $75 provides a beautiful arrangement. Call the church office ( ) if you d like to donate a floral arrangement in honor of a loved one, a birthday, an anniversary, or just because. Three Short We re missing three of the listening devices for the hearing impaired. If you accidentally put one in your purse or your jacket pocket at the end of any service, please bring it back and make sure it gets to one of the sound technicians. Thanks for your help!

4 Page 4 Getting to Know Our Family & Friends Community Services Holiday Food Pantry Angel Tree Reception

5 Church Address 5375 North Maroa Avenue Fresno, CA Phone: Fax: website: The Last Word Advent 4 Joseph and " Walk of Fai# Page 5 by Ruth Haley Barton Happy Birthday to... Reed Johnson (12/21) Dennis Ray (12/21) Isa Ribadu (12/21) Brittany McCann (12/22) Eric Mendibles (12/22) Elisa Torres-Messing (12/22) Amy Fox (12/23) Felix Ferrer (12/24) Joshua Donaghy (12/25) Luke Donaghy (12/25) Caleb Haldeman (12/25) David Smith (12/26) Janelle Ward (12/27) Happy Anniversary to... Erbe & Jerma Palafox (12/27) Sooner or later, if we follow Christ we have to risk everything in order to gain everything. We have to gamble on the invisible and risk all that we see and taste and feel. But we know the risk is worth it, because there is nothing more insecure than this transient world. Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude The greatest story ever told begins with a real moral dilemma: Mary was betrothed to Joseph and they had maintained a chaste relationship when she was found pregnant. What s a man to do? When we are under pressure, our true character is revealed and this was certainly true for Joseph. In the midst of what he perceived as a profound betrayal, subjecting Mary to public scandal was not in him. From his good heart, Joseph decided to dismiss her quietly rather than claiming his right as an injured husband. But grace was at work in Joseph s situation, and God sent an angel to tell him the truth about Mary, to calm his inner turmoil, and to give him the wisdom to know what to do. Joseph had a plan to put Mary away quietly and it was a good plan. But it was still a plan based solely on a human perspective. The walk of faith required Joseph to wake up, to see his situation in the light of what God was doing, and to change his approach accordingly. He had to relinquish his own plan in order to respond to God s plan as it was unfolding in the midst of this human drama. When we start to see more clearly what the walk of faith requires, we are faced with a choice the choice to say yes or no to what God has clearly indicated is ours to do. Paul calls this the obedience of faith. But knowing the will of God is not enough; doing it is what matters. Sometimes we wish that we could take the journey of faith without it ever requiring real faith; however, Joseph s story reveals that the walk of faith will require something of us, and probably more than we think we are capable of. Yet it also tells us that as we say yes to walking in the light of God s purposes, we too can find our place in the greatest story ever told God s story lived in and through our simple existence. We, too, can experience the coming of the Divine into our hearts and lives God with us and call his name Jesus. God of all wisdom, whose ways are beyond my own, show me the limitations of relying on my own plans. Help me wake up to what you are inviting me to a crazy step of faith, a sweet surrender, an act of blind trust. Like Joseph, give me the courage to follow you in the obedience of faith wherever it may lead for it is you I trust. Amen.