For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church Merry Christmas! This Christmas Season you can help spread the Good News of Jesus. So many people need to hear some Good News. Invite them to join us for our Community Christmas Program on Dec. 19th.
2 THE LATEST WORD Commercial Christmas by Cary Fisher The Christmas season has arrived and the rat race is off and running. As the malls get hectic, the store lines are long. and the traffic becomes more of a standstill than ever, it seems that every year we fight to gain some perspective on how we are to celebrate the birth of Christ. I am pretty sure that the Son of God didn t come on this earth to make retail CEOs unfathomably rich. According to infowars.com, the average American adult spent almost $800.00 on Christmas gifts last year. The total amount spent on Christmas in the United States was over 600 billion dollars which is more than most countries entire GDP (gross domestic product). the average American adult spent almost $800.00 on Christmas gifts last year Since we have just completed the series on Faith and Finance and learned some invaluable principles on how we view money, this Christmas may be the perfect time for all of us to apply that knowledge that we gained from it. Let us remember the words of Paul as he said, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind: (Romans 12:2). In a financial sense, the pattern of the world is debt and overspending, and Paul s solution is to let Christ renew or change your thinking on the way you do things. So, let s reflect on what would be Christ s ways in celebrating His own coming on this Earth. First of all, I believe Jesus would say that you can t give what you don t have, so I d say don t try to. Be prudent and creative with your gift giving instead of spending money that you don t have. It would also seem that Christ will care more for those who were less fortunate, so if you are going to spend money on gifts maybe it can be for the opportunity to help others. After all, how many toys does your child really need or does your distant relative need that gift basket from Costco? One suggestion is to give to a worthy cause in honor of someone that seems to have everything anyways. Also, let us remember that Jesus came for one purpose and that is for the world to know Him and His love for us. So if we are going to renew our minds to Christ s ways in the context of Christmas, maybe it s time to join in on Jesus mission by making sure the world knows what it means. Christmas is not about what we get or give, but it s about the Immanuel (God with us) has come as Jesus is truly the only gift anyone truly needs. December s Sermon Calendar December 5 - The Light of the World - In the Gospels, Jesus said I WE DID IT continued on page 3 The Latest Word V 27 N 12 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 90240 office: 562.869.6013 fax: 562.622.1691 downeychurch@gmail.com www.downeychurch.com distributed monthly issue date: Dec. 2015 copyright 1992-2015
December 2015 A Commercial Christmas (cont. from page 2) am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life John 8:12. In the Christmas story, the wisemen from the East followed the light of a star which lead them to Jesus. The sermon for this Sabbath will be a reminder to always follow the light that Jesus is continually giving us. December 12 - Pathfinder Sabbath - This will be a ceremonial worship service that highlights the attributes of Pathfinders and this service will also be an induction for any new youth that are joining the ministry. This is always an inspirational Sabbath as Pathfinders is such an important part of our church. December 19 - The Gifts of Christmas - Every year, we have a special Christmas program for our worship service. This year our program will have a narrative that is themed around the gifts that come with Christmas. This will be a wonderful Sabbath that will give us the right perspective as we celebrate during this Christmas season. December 26 - The Day After - While we are very much still in the Christmas season, Christmas Day has come and gone, so now what? We will learn the principles that come from following Joseph s journey. We obviously know that the birth of Jesus is just the beginning, and there was still so much more for Joseph as life goes on. See you when the church gathers. = Bring some Christmas Cookies on Dec. 19th to share with the church family after the Community Christmas Program. Thank you! Worship Schedule Dec. 5 Cary Fisher The Light of the World Dec. 19 Community Christmas The Gifts of Christmas Dec. 12 Cary Fisher Pathfinder Induction Dec. 26 Cary Fisher The Day After 3
THE LATEST WORD God with us Faith isn t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It s something more, something more costly because it involves being present and making a sacrifice. Perhaps that s why Jesus is sometimes called Immanuel God with us. I think that s what God had in mind, for Jesus to be present, to just be with us. It s also what he has in mind for us when it comes to other people. Community Christmas Program This Christmas Season you can help spread the Good News of Jesus. So many people need to hear some Good News. Invite them to join us for our Community Christmas Program on Dec. 19th. The Gifts of Christmas This year, our program will have a narrative that is themed around the gifts that come with Christmas. This will be a wonderful Sabbath that will give us the right perspective as we celebrate during this Christmas season. After the service we will share some Christmas cookies. Join us! = 4 Bob Goff, Love Does
Taste & Inspiration December 2015 Roasted Harvest Vegetables in a Baked Pumpkin that it gives you a top. Ingredients 2 lbs mixed vegetables such as red bliss potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams, carrots, turnips, parsnips or beets 2 large red onions cut in large chunks 6 whole shallots 4 cloves garlic minced 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoons sea salt 1 to taste black pepper 5 sprigs fresh rosemary 5 fresh sage leaves 1 to taste olive oil 1 large pumpkin 1 to taste red peppers 1 to taste green peppers Directions 1. Cut off the top of the pumpkin in such a way 2. Scoop out the seeds of the pumpkin and save them for toasting, or discard them. 3. Clean out the inside of the pumpkin and rub with olive oil. 4. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and add about 1/2 cup of water. 5. Place the pumpkin in a 325 degree oven and bake for about 30 minutes until slightly softened on the inside. 6. Remove from the oven and set aside. 7. Peel and cut the root vegetables in large pieces all about the same size. 8. Place them in a zipper type plastic bag with about 1/3 cup of olive oil. 9. Close the bag and shake to coat the vegetables well. 10. Pour the vegetables in a large roasting pan. 11. Add the cut onions, shallots, minced garlic, and herbs. 12. Stir with a large spoon. 13. Sprinkle with the kosher or sea salt and some black pepper. 14. Place the pan, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven. 15. Roast for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan two or three times. 16. Turn the pan and reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes, shaking or stirring to keep the vegetables from burning. 17. Continue baking until all veggies are soft, about 10-20 minutes more. 18. Remove the vegetables to the warm pumpkin and cover with the top. 19. Serve, adding small pieces of the softened pumpkin if you like. 20. Remember to remove the bay leaves before eating. 21. VARIATIONS: Add some roasted red or green peppers. 22. Add a bit of cayenne pepper for a hot taste. Enjoy! = Pilar & Phillip Please make plans to join us on Friday Evening, January 1st for our annual Agape Feast Communion Service. This special service is not to be missed. Put it on your calendar. 5
Downey Adventist Church Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Visit www.downeychurch.org S.S. Sabbath School C.S. Community Service 1 2 3 4 5 4:43 pm sunset 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Band Practice 2 pm Pathfinders 9 am Pathfinders 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4:44 pm sunset 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary Pathfinder Induction 13 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Band Practice 14 15 16 17 18 19 4:46 pm sunset 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary Community Christmas 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7 pm Band Practice 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Church Board 7 pm Band Practice 4:40 pm sunset 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 pm Pathfinders 9:30 am S.S. 10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary 7 pm Wed. Fellowship 7 pm Agape Communion
December 2015 Upcoming Events Dec. Birthdays Brenda Guillen 2 Von Pond 5 Laurel Haglund 8 Ray Fernandez 10 Johnny Macias, III 12 Alonso Ortega 16 Genesis Huinquez 16 Eduardo Lozano 17 Lourdes Centeno 17 Eddie Rivas 18 Ricky Gonzalez 19 Claudia Aponte 23 Yolanda Ortegon 28 Jocelyn Huinquez 30 If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in. Wednesday - 7 p.m. Wed. Fellowship Friday - 7:00 p.m. Band Practice Dec. 5 - Pathfinders @ 2pm Dec. 6 - Pathfinders @ 9am Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Day Dec. 12 - Pathfinder Induction Dec. 19 - Community Christmas Dec. 19 - Pathfinders @ 2pm Dec. 21 - First Day of Winter Dec. 25 - Christmas The Latest Word deadline is the 5th of the month. Be sure to keep up with the latest news by signing up for the Wednesday email. You can sign up here www.downeychurch.org/signups.html or send us an email at DowneyChurch at gmail dot com and we ll add you. Coming Soon Jan 1 - Agape Feast/Communion 7pm Jan 10 - Cooking School Feb 6 - Small Groups Start Mar 19 - Celebration Sabbath Mar 26 - Easter 7
THE LATEST WORD The Latest About Our Church Family It was good to see Ava Meade at church on Nov. 7th. Please keep her in your prayers as she battles cancer. Sergio Garcia had back surgery. Please pray for him as he heals and recovers. If you have any Church Family news, please contact the church office so we can get it into the newsletter. = 8 Now That Is News! In 1809, with Napoleon sweeping through Austria, the world was in such upheaval that nobody paid much attention to baby news. Yet during that year, Abraham Lincoln, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Darwin, Alfred Tennyson, Edgar Allen Poe and William Gladstone were born. Although the attention was on an Austrian battlefield, history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America, writes Charles Swindoll. Similarly, everyone thought taxation was the big news when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior. Adapted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life = 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! = Welcome & Attached According to research conducted by the Barna Group, the holidays are tough for people who aren t connected to faith communities or other civic groups. They feel isolated by experiences that bring others joy, such as giving gifts, singing carols and attending religious services and parties. In past decades, writes George Barna, there was an assumption that the holidays were a time when outsiders might explore church life. These days, however, churches and other religious institutions are not seen as safe or value-adding places by most outsiders. They see little reason to attend seasonal events, especially since those events often highlight their outsider status. This Christmas, how can you help someone feel welcome and attached at your church? =
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December 2015 Ponder This... = Christmas is not an event within history but is rather the invasion of time by eternity. Hans Urs von Balthasar = When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? G.K. Chesterton = Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles. Edwin Louis Cole = Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. Janice Maeditere Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church 9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA 90240 DATED MATERIAL Return Service Requested 10