Vancouver Today — e.Update January 31, 2011

                                   JANUARY 31, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - Practice makes perfect Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Blink, explores actions people take, seemingly without thinking, in the blink of an eye. In the chapter, "Seven Seconds In The Bronx", Gladwell describes several situations where people describe how time or action seemed to slow down, and peripheral sounds and objects faded away. He also describes the opposite, where people failed to process information and respond appropriately. He writes, "You must rehearse it … because only if you have rehearsed it will it be there." Later, he says, "…we are able to develop our rapid decision making with training and experience." He describes a police officer's decision not to fire his gun in a critical situation, calling it "…the gift of training and expertise —the ability to extract an enormous amount of meaningful information from the very thinnest slice of experience." Gladwell says "Every moment — every blink — is composed of a series of discrete moving parts, and every one of those parts offers an opportunity for intervention, for reform, and for correction." Paul wrote to Timothy that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17 If we haven't trained ourselves in Scripture, developing understanding and the ability to pull key texts at critical moments, we'll be like the person Gladwell writes about, forgetting to hit the call button on a 9-1-1 call. We're asking for help but not connecting with the Helper. One month has gone by in this new year. Some of you have been diligently following your Bible reading plan. Others have been pulled every which way by life, family, even church work — important things that need to be handled.  You may have missed a day or more of Bible study. I want to encourage you: God is still there. If you missed study, pick up your Bible and start again. And again. And again. As often as you stop. God will always be there.

What's happening SAVE THE DATE: Feb. 23, 7pm - Keepers of the Faith Quartet. THIS WEEK Tuesday, Jan. 31 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright  Wednesday, Feb. 1 6:30pm Youth Night      Thursday, Feb. 2 7:00pm Community Group Leadership Training      Friday, Feb. 3 6:00pm Shabbat Service  Sabbath, Feb. 4 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter: The Treasure Principle, Part 3 10:00am Sabbath School NEXT WEEK Sunday, Feb. 5 9:00am Men's Group   Tuesday, Feb. 7 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright  Wednesday, Feb. 8 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Elder's Meeting 7:00pm Worship Meeting      Thursday, Feb. 9 7:00pm Community Group Leadership Training      Friday, Feb. 10 9:00am God's Closet 6:00pm Shabbat Service  Sabbath, Feb. 11 9, 11 am Gordon Pifher, The Love Graph 10:00am Sabbath School 2:30pm Gordon Pifher, The Love Graph, continued

Thank you, from the Richards family

Dear Church Family,

As I sit here tonight in my big comfy chair, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Gratitude for tiny finger smudges on my nicely cleaned refrigerator, gratitude for hugs and good night kisses. Gratitude for late night talks with friends, gratitude for the peaceful quiet after a busy day. Gratitude for a million little things, that most days I take for granted. 

Today our family loaded into our car and drove to the church to pick up bags and boxes of groceries that were lovely picked out for our family.  As I loaded and unloaded those cans, boxes, jars and fruit in to our pantry, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to each of you who sacrificed of your time and means to show a little bit of Jesus to our family.  

 

As I stocked our pantry to the brim, I couldn't help but reflect on some 7 years ago when we first arrived at this church.  My feelings of apprehension of joining a new church quickly were dissolved as we were enveloped with love and kindness. As the years have come and gone and this small church has grown and changed, my heart has continued to be impacted with the kindness and love that each of you has chosen to show our family.  This love and kindness has in small and big ways shown me the very heart of our Father.  For this I am most grateful!

In this world of sadness, stress and discontentment, I find our community of faith to be the very anchor for my soul, a place where I am experiencing God. For this I say Thank You! Thank you to each one of you who has been part of our journey in small or big ways. Thank you for being God's blessing to us!

With much Gratitude,

Stephanie Richards

Pastor Gene Heinrich

FYI. Some of you may have already heard, but Gene is okay! Please keep the Heinrich family in your prayers. Praise the Lord it wasn't worse! See below for more details. 

roger

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Krissy Barber <Krissy.Barber@oc.npuc.org>
Date: January 26, 2012 5:02:38 PM PST
To: Krissy Barber <Krissy.Barber@oc.npuc.org>
Subject: Pastor Gene Heinrich

As many of you may have already heard, Pastor Gene Heinrich, pastor of the Rockwood church, was in a serious accident last evening with a drunk driver. Pastor Heinrich apparently was hit head-on by the drunk driver and his car was totaled. The rescue crews had to use the jaws of life to extricate him from the car. He was taken to OHSU where we understand he has an arm broken in four places, but apparently no internal injuries. I am sure he was jolted pretty severely and will be sore for some time. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Vancouver Today — e.Update January 17, 2011

                                   JANUARY  17, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - Secret Prayers — by Lois Pecce. Copyright © 2012 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © 1982. There is a passage of Scripture that conveys such hope and joy that it should be at the top of every parent, grandparent, teacher, pastor, and sibling's precious promises list. I'm talking about 1John 5:16. The whole of 1 John is a treasure, but my focus is this verse. "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that." Verse 17 explains, "All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death." The good news is that God does not give to any human the task of judgment. Not one of us can determine whether anyone has sinned the "unpardonable sin" of eternal rejection by God.   What this text means to me is that I can lift my child, my grandchild, my brother, my sister, my friend, my spouse, (and myself) in prayer, claiming for them in Christ's name the gift of eternal life. Human Request I've heard it explained this way: When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Satan claimed rulership of the earth and its inhabitants. One divine stipulation remained for humanity: free choice. Heavenly agents were restrained in their activity on earth and could only be summoned by a human request. Every believer in Christ, our Intercessor, is called to the ministry of intercessory prayer. It is the highest privilege and duty of a Christian. Oswald Chambers, in his book, My Utmost for His Highest, states that "Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying." (Ref. March 30 reading.) Jesus put it ever so simply: "Ask, and it will be given you…" (Matthew 7:7).   These are not days to leave issues and loved ones to the "hands of fate." Temptations for all ages, especially youth, are innumerable and multiplying. This is a time, that with every thought of a loved one, our secret "closet" prayers claim their souls for Christ.

What's happening: Jan. 25: Oregon Conference Town Hall/Lay Advisory Meeting   Jan 27-Feb. 2: Community Group Rally Weekend SAVE THE DATE: Feb. 23, 7pm - Keepers of the Faith Quartet. PLAN AHEAD to invite your friends and neighbors. Check out our Concerts and Events page on the church website. THIS WEEK Tuesday, Jan. 17 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright Wednesday, Jan. 18 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Finance Committee     Friday, Jan. 20 6:00pm Shabbat Service     Sabbath, Jan. 21 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter  10:00am Sabbath School 3:00pm Memorial Service/Nanette Lane's Father 5-8:00pm Soup, Bread & Games, Fellowship Hall NEXT WEEK Sunday, Jan. 22 9:00am Men's Group   Tuesday, Jan. 24 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright 7:00pm Church Board Wednesday, Jan. 25 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Oregon Conference Town Hall/Lay Advisory Meeting, Vancouver Church     Thursday, Jan. 26 7:00pm Oregon Conference Town Hall/Lay Advisory Meeting, Holden Center, Gladstone 7:00pm CAA Constituency      Friday, Jan. 27 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Community Group 101 (Introduction) Sabbath, Jan. 28 9, 11 am Pastor Kurt Johnson 10:00am Sabbath School 2:00pm Community Group 101 (Introduction) 2:30pm Pathfinder Bible Bowl 5:00pm Community Group 301 (Leadership training). Dinner included

Prayer Changes Lives

We are drawing to the end of our 10 days of prayer in coordination with
Operation Global Rain and God has been blessing abundantly. Have you been a part
of this special time of prayer? If you haven't why don't you consider attending,
maybe tonight or at one of the final remaining times.

Friday evening at 7 pm in the Board Room, (Tonight)
Sabbath morning at 10 am in the Board Room (Tomorrow)
Sabbath evening at 7 pm in the Board Room (Tomorrow)

We are seeking God's face to pour out His Holy Spirit upon each one
individually, on our families, our church, our world.

Come join us, I guarantee you will be blessed! God IS pouring out His Holy
Spirit Power, be a part of it.

— Leslie Cassageneres

Reminder: Fill the Pastors' pantry

Just a note to remind you that this Sabbath is our annual Fill the Pastors' Pantry Day. Please bring 3 of any non-perishable items that the families can use as they want. Home canned foods, juices, mixes, paper goods, anything you can think of. You don't need to put your name with them but you might want to include a note of appreciation. I don't have everyone's email so please forward this to anyone in our church.

— Ginny Allen

Vancouver Today — e.Update January 10, 2011

                                   JANUARY  10, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger Matthew 6:7 (NLT): "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again." That's the Scripture that ran through my mind as I chanced on a radio talk show. Babble, repeated again and again. And again. Then I realized that it wasn't just this talk show. Think about any major news event. Missed the first announcement on CNN? Not to worry. Just tune back in anytime all day and it will be Breaking News — repeated, perhaps 'enhanced' with idle and so-called expert speculation on the how's, why's and anything else they can think of. But, you say, they weren't really praying, so the Scripture doesn't apply. Or does it? It's been said that what you spend your time on is your idol. Perhaps they were worshiping at an altar of their own importance. Are you spending more time paying attention to the Cable God than to the God of Love? Or in the gym in homage to the creation rather than the Creator? Or in the mall, bowing before the supplies rather than the Supplier? Operation Global Rain continues through January 14. At 7pm every evening, join us in prayer. You can come to the church, pray in your home, with your community group, alone or with a group of friends. It is my prayer that we can experience what the early church felt in Acts 2:1-4b: "On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…"

What's happening: Praise God for the safe return of our mission team from Fiji. We're looking forward to their report. SAVE THE DATE: Feb. 23, 7pm - Keepers of the Faith Quartet. PLAN AHEAD to invite your friends and neighbors. Check out our Concerts and Events page on the church website. THIS WEEK Tuesday, Jan. 10 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Wednesday, Jan. 11 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Thursday, Jan. 12 7:00pm Operation Global Rain     Friday, Jan. 13 6:00pm Shabbat Service  7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Sabbath, Jan. 14 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter  10:00am Sabbath School 7:00pm Operation Global Rain NEXT WEEK Tuesday, Jan. 17 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright Wednesday, Jan. 18 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Finance Committee     Friday, Jan. 20 6:00pm Shabbat Service     Sabbath, Jan. 21 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter  10:00am Sabbath School 3:00pm Memorial Service/Nanette Lane's Father 5-8:00pm Soup, Bread & Games, Fellowship Hall

It's Time to PRAY Tonight!

Tonight we continue our "Global Rain" initiative. Global Rain is a gathering
together of people to pray each night for 10 days. We are seeking God's face to
pour out His Holy Spirit upon each one individually, on our families, our
church, our world -- hence a Global Rain.

Especially TONIGHT We are dedicating our time to "Heartfelt Repentance." What a
wonderful opportunity as we contemplate our time together on Sabbath morning
meeting at the Communion Table before God, Cleansed, Forgiven, Rejoicing in
God's great mercy & grace.

Come join us, I guarantee you will be blessed! God IS pouring out His Holy
Spirit Power, be a part of it.

2012 Retreat discount

Begin forwarded message:

Subject: 2012 Retreat discount

Date: January 6, 2012 8:44:41 AM PST

Hello Oregon Conference Prayer Warriors:

 

This is just a reminder that the early bird discount for the 2012 Oregon Prayer Retreat expires on Jan. 31.  Register now and save 15%. 

 

To register go to: http://www.plusline.org/eventdetail.php?id=1066818

 

For more info go to: http://orgcpersonalmin.adventistnw.org/2012-prayer-retreat

 

Have a blessed 2012!

 

Chuck Burkeen

Member Ministries Director

Members in Ministry training;

Men's Ministries; Oregon Church Consulting Service;

Personal Ministries; Prayer Ministries; Prison Ministries; ShareHIM

Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

19800 Oatfield Road

Gladstone, OR 97027

Office: (503)850-3559

http://orgcpersonalmin.adventistnw.org/

 

If you want a better pastor, pray for the one you have.

 

It's Time to PRAY!

Hey Everyone!

Tonight's the night we are starting our "Global Rain" initiative. Global Rain is where we are having a gathering of people to pray each night from tonight, until Sabbath Evening the 14th of January. Each night, dedicated to prayer. Each night, dedicated to seeking God's face. Each night, dedicated to starting off the new year right. Will you join us? Will you come and spend the evenings praying.

From my personal perspective, I am convinced that we need to become more of a house of prayer in 2012. I have become personally convicted that prayer is vitally important and we somethings give it a perfunctory experience at church - praying before a meeting starts, at the end of announcements, and we use it to silence a crowd. WRONG! 

It's not that these are totally wrong, but prayer ought to be about having an experience and a communication with the Holy God of the Universe. God wants to be in relationship with you and I. And we should take that time.

"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him." (Steps to Christ p. 93)

Come on out beginning tonight at 7pm. You can come any night, all the nights, or whatever fits you. But please pray. Pray for a revival. Pray for the Holy Spirit. Pray for the mission of the Adventist Community Church. Pray for healing. Pray for the Holy Spirit (did I mention that already - wow! So very important), Pray for Hope. Pray for Strength. Pray for our country/the world. Pray for the Holy Spirit!

I love being your pastor! I can't wait to see what God does for us through our time of prayer! Let's keep this going all year long! 

God Bless!

Roger Walter

Senior Pastor   http://bit.ly/qO3Vg

Adventist Community Church of Vancouver

Fwd: Vancouver Today — e.Update December 27, 2011

                                   JANUARY  7, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger Just seen on CNN: Lena Paahlsson, in Sweden, found her wedding ring 16 years after she lost it. The ring was extra special because she designed it. She was working in the kitchen doing Christmas baking with her daughters in 1995. She placed the ring on the kitchen counter while she worked. When she was done, the ring was gone. They searched everywhere, even pulling up the floor boards, with no luck. In October of 2011, they were picking the last carrots in her garden. When they pulled up one of the carrots, her ring was around the top of the carrot, right where the root meets the leaves. They assume the ring must have fallen into the sink and become mixed with potato peels that were composted or fed to the sheep. Everyone is searching for something. Success. Love. Belonging. Peace. Hope. The list goes on, but it's a list of our thoughts and desires. Some just look around the surface of life, hoping they will be lucky enough that what they desire will pop up to the surface, at the right time, in the right place. Others plan their search more industriously, making their own luck. Rarely is either group totally satisfied with the results. In 2 Chronicles, the kingdom of Judah was in disarray. Verses 1-4 (italics are mine): "The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them." NIV Isaiah reinforces the thought: "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call on him while he is near…"   Isaiah 55:6 NIV The blessings that come from seeking and finding God are many: "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. " Psalm 9:10 NIV "Glory ye in his holy name: let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." Psalm 105:3 NIV "Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully ." Proverbs 28:5 NIV Amos 5:4 summarizes this beautifully: "Seek me and live…" The L.I.F.E. Journal plan is being used by many in our church family in their search for communion with God. There are many other Bible reading and study plans available. Whichever one you choose, don't be discouraged if you miss a day, a week, a month — start again. And again. And again. God never forsakes those who seek him (Psalm 9:10).

What's happening: Pray for our mission team in Fiji. They're coming home Thursday -- Yes, this week, not last week.  THIS WEEK Tuesday, Jan. 3 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright  Wednesday, Jan. 4 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Thursday, Jan. 3 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Friday, Jan. 6 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Sabbath, Jan. 7 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter  10:00am Sabbath School   7:00pm Operation Global Rain NEXT WEEK Sunday, Jan. 8 7:00pm Operation Global Rain     Monday, Jan. 9 7:00pm Operation Global Rain 7:00pm MGAES School Board Tuesday, Jan. 10 7:00pm History of the Church, Richard Wright 7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Wednesday, Jan. 11 6:30pm Youth Night 7:00pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Operation Global Rain Thursday, Jan. 12 7:00pm Operation Global Rain     Friday, Jan. 13 6:00pm Shabbat Service  7:00pm Operation Global Rain   Sabbath, Jan. 14 9, 11 am Pastor Roger Walter  10:00am Sabbath School 7:00pm Operation Global Rain