Vancouver Today — e.Update April 25, 2012

                             April 25, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - Let them build Me a sanctuary ...Chapter 3 "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." CET 204.1 A quick review of miracles Every building site we looked at was beyond our budget. But God found this site, which not only met our budget and space needs, it came ready-made with a traffic signal.   We need dirt. $600,000 worth of dirt, which God provided for less than 1% of that cost after a special prayer meeting.   With only 5 minutes left before Maranatha pulled the plug on our project, Pastor VJ called from the County offices, with permit in hand. Thanks to the intervention of Elmer Armstrong's neighbor (and God!) the nearly two-year permit process was finally over. There was no direct connection to the sewer line on St. Johns Road. We were going to have to go through one of our neighbor's properties. A providential encounter led to a mutually beneficial arrangement with a new subdivision that brought in money.   Before we put up all the sheetrock, everyone was invited to go to the space where they would be most involved and write their favorite Bible verse or promise. This is a church full of promises  — promises fulfilled, promises being fulfilled, and promises soon to be fulfilled. Please search your hearts and see what God has promised you as you partner with Him. Donations to help with the mortgage payments should be marked on the tithe envelop on the line labeled "Building Fund". If you would like to make a major gift to help pay off the mortgages, the parking lot loan currently has a balance of $448,000 and the church loan currently has a balance of $1,668,000. Donations of $50,000 or more allow us to pay down the balance of the small loan and reduce our monthly payments. Malachi 3:10-12 "...'Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the LORD Almighty."

What's happening >Sign up for the Gardening Club. See the attached flyer for more information. >Future concerts: • June 23, 7:30pm, King's Heralds THIS WEEK Wednesday, Apr. 25 4:00 Discoverers, Adventurers 6:30pm Youth Bible Study   7:00pm Church Board 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Thursday, Apr. 26 7:00pm The Journey   7:00pm CAA Board Friday, Apr. 27 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope  Sabbath, Apr. 28 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter       What is Tolerance, Part 2 10:00am Sabbath School 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope     NEXT WEEK Sunday, Apr. 29 9:00am Men's Group 4:00pm CHIP 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Tuesday, May 1 6:30pm CHIP 7:00pmYoung Adult Wednesday, May 2 6:30pm Youth Bible Study   Thursday, May 3 6:30pm CHIP 7:00pm The Journey   Friday, May 4 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope  Sabbath, Apr. 28 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter       What is Tolerance, Part 2 10:00am Sabbath School 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope

Vancouver Today — e.Update April 18, 2012

                             April 18, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - Let them build Me a sanctuary ...Chapter 2 "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." CET 204.1 Owner to renter When we first thought of selling the old church building, no one was interested in church buildings, except to tear them down and use the land for a more profitable structure. The time did come when God led us to put the building on the market. In a very short time, we received offers that were well within reason. One offer was perfect: The Vineyard Fellowship of Vancouver wanted to rent, with option to purchase, and the offer was for our asking price. That gave us time to get our building plans approved and begin building. Or so we thought. Bureaucratic red tape extended our timeline beyond anything we could have imagined. After two years, the Vineyard Fellowship completed the purchase of the building, and we went from owner to renter. New building, big plans Nearly four years elapsed from the time we accepted the offer from our friends in the Vineyard Fellowship to our first Sabbath in our new building. We wanted to stop paying rent as soon as possible so that money could go into paying for the new building. We started with two million dollars. Those funds came from selling Fir Grove School to the Vancouver School District and from selling the old church to the Vineyard Fellowship of Vancouver, and many of our members at that time had been giving sacrificially for several years. We wanted a church that could become an evangelistic center for Clark County. We also wanted one that could be well located and be attractive to people to visit. What we really wanted would have cost us eight to nine million dollars but we knew that was not practical. In the end, we designed and built a facility that cost about six million dollars. Later, when the land next door became available for additional parking, we borrowed and bought that for $625,000. Clearing the debt We didn't have a lot of wealthy members in our congregation, so with God's help we each chipped in as much as we could. When it was all said and done, we still needed about $2,250,000 to finish the building and buy the parking lot land. That money was borrowed from the North Pacific Union Conference Association Revolving Fund in two different 20-year loans. We have been making payments on those loans for a number of years, but if they go full term, the last payment will not be made until 2026. Our mortgage payments are $19,541 per month. Since May 2011 our church member offerings to the building (mortgage) fund have been averaging $14,598, nearly $5,000 per month less than the payments. Here is what it looks like (blue=member donations, maroon=mortgage payments): If we continue to give to the building fund at this rate, we will quickly use up the reserves we have set aside to be able to continue making our payments on time each month. Please search your hearts (and personal budgets) and see what God and you together in partnership can do to make this a better picture. As we have learned in recent sermons, you cannot out-give God. He will bless your faithfulness. Donations to help with the mortgage payments should be marked on the tithe envelop on the line labeled "Building Fund". If you would like to make a major gift to help pay off the mortgages, the parking lot loan currently has a balance of $448,000 and the church loan currently has a balance of $1,668,000. Donations of $50,000 or more allow us to pay down the balance of the small loan and reduce our monthly payments. Malachi 3:10-12 "...'Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the LORD Almighty."

Sorrow in our family Reporting the deaths of: >Greg Hamilton's father, Duane K. Hamilton >25-year-old Vytaus Leonavichus, son of Leta Ayres >20-year-old Nathan Hettman, son and stepson of Dan and Stephanie Hettman What's happening >Friday, Apr. 20, 7:00 pm:  Songs of Ascent, The gospel through word and song. songsofascent.org Pick up a LIFE Journal bookmark at the greeter's desk in the foyer. >Future concerts: • June 23, 7:30pm, King's Heralds THIS WEEK Wednesday, Apr. 18 4:00 Budget 6:30pm Youth Bible Study       Thursday, Apr. 19 7:00pm The Journey   Friday, Apr. 20 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Songs of Ascent Concert  Sabbath, Apr. 21 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter      What is Tolerance? Part 1 10:00am Sabbath School 3:30pm Marguerite Barger Memorial Service 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope    NEXT WEEK Sunday, Apr. 22 9:00am Men's Group 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Monday, Apr. 23 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Tuesday, Apr. 24 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Wednesday, Apr. 25 4:00 Discoverers, Adventurers 6:30pm Youth Bible Study   7:00pm Church Board 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope Thursday, Apr. 26 7:00pm The Journey   7:00pm CAA Board Friday, Apr. 27 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope  Sabbath, Apr. 28 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter       What is Tolerance, Part 2 10:00am Sabbath School 7:00pm Prophecies of Hope

Fwd: News from Grenada

From Dan Weston - Please pray that his time will be safe and productive for the kingdom!

Make a Difference! (Matt. 25:31-46)

roger walter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senior Pastor   http://bit.ly/qO3Vg

Seventh-day Adventist Community Church of Vancouver

Begin forwarded message:

From: DAN WESTON 

Hello all,

I am sending this to everyone I can think of at the moment who may have some interest in my trip to Grenada.  If you don't want to receive further messages please reply and ask me to delete you from the list and I will do so.  I don't want to be a bother.  If you think of others who may have an interest, please feel free to forward.

I arrived on the island of Grenada as scheduled at 7:30 last Tuesday evening.  I was met by Sue Bartels and their two children Stephen (15) and Sarah (12).  (I am here because John Bartels has some health issues that have made it necessary for him to be away for several weeks for treatment and the building project of a Christian television studio is right in the middle of construction, so he asked me to come and be his eyes and ears for a while.)  It was already dark when I arrived so I didn't get to see any of the island on the way to the house where I am staying.  I was taken to the site of the TV station the next morning and stayed busy the rest of the week.  The house where I am staying is about a mile from the construction site so I have been walking back and forth morning and evening.

Sue had graciously provided some groceries to last me a couple of days.  On Thursday afternoon she took me shopping in St. Georges for groceries.  St. Georges still has many of the 18th century buildings.  The streets are very narrow and steep.  I went to an open-air market where I purchased some produce from the local growers and was accosted to purchase various articles made by local artisans.  A very interesting place.  I did go to an Ace Hardware store and an IGA supermarket as well to purchase some items.  Sue chose Thursday afternoon because that is when the shipments of fresh groceries arrive on the island and the shelves are freshly stocked at the IGA supermarket.  They even have a small mall with a dozen or so stores next to the IGA store.

On Saturday I attended a local SDA church in St. Georges where the Bartels' family are members.  There are about 13,000 SDA members on the island of Grenada.  The total population of the island is somewhere around 110,000.

Today I spent doing laundry and preparing for tomorrow when I expect to meet with another engineer from the island and plan to make some ground resistance measurements to verify if the grounding system design will be adequate to protect the electronic equipment inside the building.

The weather has been, well, tropical!  It is not as humid as Guam was and not as hot.  More like Hawaii, actually!  Even though it is the "Dry Season", it has rained several times, sometimes quite heavy.  It is the tropical type of rainstorm where it rains for a few minutes and then the sun comes out again.  Yes, I did bring an umbrella!  However, I need the umbrella more for shade than for protection from the rain.  I forgot to add sunscreen a couple times and have gotten a small amount of sunburn – it doesn't take long when the sun is directly overhead.  Maybe I will actually have some tan when I return!

I discovered that the buses don't run on Sunday, so I didn't have transportation to the beach today.  Bummer! - a tropical island and I can't even get to the beach!  I will check into a rental car for next weekend.  I would like to visit the rest of the island.  The locals call the southern part of the island the city and the northern part the country, so it must be less densely populated on the northern part.  I am on the southern part not far from St. Georges in a community called St. Pauls.  I still haven't been able to locate the house or the construction site on Google maps.

Grenada doesn't have very much level ground – either you are going up or down.  The roads are all very narrow and the people drive on the wrong side of the street!  The people are friendly and I have been treated well so far.  Fortunately they all speak English, although there is some local dialect that sometimes makes it hard to communicate.  On top of that the foreman on the construction site stutters which makes it harder to understand him.

More later.. :)

May God bless,
Dan

Fwd: My Dad's Downturn

Please continue to pray for Greg and his extended family - especially his dad. 

roger

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Greg Hamilton" 
Date: April 15, 2012 8:47:12 AM PDT
Subject: My Dad's Downturn

My Dad's Sudden Downturn

Unfortunately my Dad is back into bodily shutdown mode, and in earnest. He is swelling up and turning yellow all over, accompanied with a decaying putrid body smell.

He was unable to even handle a moist swab of water in his mouth and on his lips today. Poor guy. The doctors and nurses are proving to be right, despite the fact that he was cognizant today while not overly or readily conversant.

He seems to have given up hope, as he looked quite depressed with a seeming awareness of his dire situation kicking in.

But we still hope and pray, and are leaving it all in His loving and caring hands. Since he is ready to meet His Lord and Saviour, "His will be done" is our ultimate prayer.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. ")

Gregory W. Hamilton, President
Northwest Religious Liberty Association
5709 N. 20th Street
Ridgefield,WA 98642
Office: (360) 857-7040
Website: www.nrla.com

A non-partisan government relations and workplace mediation services program that champions religious freedom and human rights for all people and institutions of faith in the legislative, civic, judicial, academic, interfaith, evangelical and corporate arenas in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon & Washington.

"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Sent from my MOTOROLA ATRIX™ 2 on AT&T

Vancouver Today — e.Update April 11, 2012

                             April 11, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - Let them build Me a sanctuary ...Chapter 1 The lighthouse at Yaquina Head, near Newport, Oregon, is an amazing place. As you walk the paths along the edges, you are treated to fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and, at this time of year, nesting seabirds. The huge rocks are covered with nests, noisy birds, and, depending on the wind direction, fresh ocean breezes or not-so-fresh, nose-wrinkling Parfum d'Nature. The nests are interesting. The cormorants are satisfied with a barely covered dent in the rocky surfaces. The gulls seek a little more comfort. Twig by twig, grass blade by grass blade, bit by bit of moss, they soften the rock for Mom and the eggs. How long do you think it would take you to build a house one twig at a time? How much longer would it take if fierce winds kept blowing you backwards, like the gull in the picture? What if rude neighbors kept trying to take the building materials worked so hard to find? Or if they tried to take over your home completely? You may be thinking, "I'm grateful we don't have to answer those questions." We certainly are blessed with a wonderful church home. But we have other questions that keep coming up. Why do people asking for the offering at church often mention the building fund? Isn't our building already built? Are we planning to build more? Why do we still need donations to a building fund? Some of you were fortunate to be involved from before the start of the project. Many of us are enjoying the fruits of your vision, faith and hard work. For every fierce wind blowing us backwards, God had an answer. For every attempt to thwart our work, God had an answer. We still have a mortgage and loan to pay off. Our mortgage is little over $1.6 million and a loan balance of nearly $450,000 for the north parking lot extension. Compared to the original cost, the age and size of our building, it's not a huge amount. Compared against the funds that are coming in, it seems huge. Every dollar we spend on our debts is one dollar less that we have for outreach ministries, one dollar less for children's ministries, one dollar less for taking Christ to our community. We know God has an answer. I believe His answer is you. "In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." {CET 204.1} CHAPTER 2: We'll take a look back at the miraculous way that God led from the old Vancouver Church on East Reserve Street to this beautiful sanctuary on St. Johns Road. CHAPTER 3: We would love to share your stories of how God blessed you as you helped build this church. We would also like to share thoughts and ideas for paying off our building debts. Send your story to vancouveradventist@gmail.com, or call the church office or one of the staff at 360.696.2511.

What's happening >Today, Apr. 14, 4:30 pm, Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus. Tickets not picked up by 4:20 will be given to those on the waiting list. www.oamc.org.   >Friday, Apr. 20, 7:00 pm:  Songs of Ascent, The gospel through word and song. songsofascent.org Pick up a LIFE Journal bookmark at the greeter's desk in the foyer. >Future concerts: • April 20, 7: • May 5, 7:30pm, Michael Bishop • June 23, 7:30pm, King's Heralds THIS WEEK Wednesday, Apr. 11 4:10 Adventurers 6:30pm Youth Bible Study 7:00pm Elders Meeting      Thursday, Apr. 12 7:00pm The Journey  7:00pm CHIP Information Session Friday, Apr. 13 6:00pm Shabbat Service  Sabbath, Apr. 14 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter        Communion 10:00am Sabbath School 4:30pm Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus Concert    NEXT WEEK Sunday, Apr. 15 9:00am Men's Group  Wednesday, Apr. 18 4:00 Budget 6:30pm Youth Bible Study       Thursday, Apr. 19 7:00pm The Journey   Friday, Apr. 20 6:00pm Shabbat Service 7:00pm Songs of Ascent Concert  Sabbath, Apr. 21 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter        Communion 10:00am Sabbath School 3:30pm Marguerite Barger Memorial Service

Update on Greg's Dad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Greg Hamilton"
Date: April 5, 2012 8:28:20 PM PDT
Subject: Update on My Dad

Thanks for your prayers dear friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Here's the latest from Dr. Blake Gornowicz based on our lay understanding. While it's positive, it's not conclusive as there are more tests to be conducted. But there is some reason to be hopeful:

1) CT Scan shows no edema swelling in the brain, but more thorough tests remain. While this is positive, it is NOT conclusive that a heat stroke DID NOT have any significant or lasting neurological damage. One sign is that when touching his fingers, he is beginning to respond. But this is preliminary. Positive but preliminary.

2) Liver Shock is showing gradual signs of decreasing and potentially back to normalcy.

3) Zero Kidney Damage.

4) Heart is strong. Dad works out nearly three hours daily -- 50 pool laps, cardio machines and all the weights at Cherrywood Retirement Center near the Sunnyside Church. The doctor says this has sustained him, and that even though he just turned 82 on Sabbath at our house he has the body condition of a 40-year old.

5) He is essentially in a Coma. No cerebral hemorrhage kind of a stroke, though. That has been ruled out and determined that it was a high fever flu with a near death heat stroke at 107.3 degrees when taken to the emergency room at Portland Adventist Hospital on Tuesday, April 3, at 4:31 p.m. 108 is fatal, but so is 107 in most cases.

6) More CT Scans and neurological tests will ensue, along with pulling him off of life support to see how my Dad, Ken Hamilton, responds, including whether he can breathe on his own using a CPAP machine.

7) Neurological damage is likely, and the extent -- along with all other responsive mechanisms and tests -- will determine a great deal as we move forward -- whether he is in a vegetative state or whether it leads to a salvageable physiological and neurological recovery through major rehab, etc.

There are lots of questions and discoverable answers that remain. But a few more days -- by Sunday afternoon -- will tell us a great deal, the doctor says.

Well, this is the best technical medical report I can possibly give at this time regarding my father's medical condition.

He is very dear to us -- a spiritual rock and pillar for all of the family, and for so many of his friends all over California and at Cherrywood Village, and perhaps for some at the Sunnyside Church.

Thanks again for all of your prayers. This will either be a short or long journey depending on what we find out Sunday. We leave it in God's hands.

Sue Patzer shared this text with Laura and I yesterday:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9/NIV).

There is HOPE! May God be praised. We are humbled, very, very weary, and blessed. We will not give up praying for a miracle. Please continue to pray with us.

Finally, Dad was truly ready to continue to live for Jesus or die. That's because he was at peace with God and his fellow man, loving God supremely and his neighbor as himself. In the end that's all that really matters, along with the promise that Jesus will take us home to live eternally with Him.

Many hugs and heartfelt thanks to all of you! God is good no matter what...

Greg

Fwd: Greg's dad is in the hospital (UNCLASSIFIED)

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Hamilton, Laura
Date: April 4, 2012 7:50:45 AM PDT

Yes Roger, that is great to send it out... We need the whole Hamilton family in your prayers! This is a time of transition for all of us. Thanks
Laura

-----------

   Hi Pastor Roger; Danny; and Jeff

   Greg's dad (Ken Hamilton) went into the Portland Adventist hospital yesterday and is on life support now in ICU. He fell asleep in a bath tub while hot water was running continuously for 1 to 1 ½ hours. He had a temperature of 107  F when he arrived at the hospital. There is a fear that he is brain dead but we won't know until they can do some tests. Please put him on the church's prayer list

   Cheers

   Laura

Fwd: Vancouver Today — e.Update April 3, 2012

                             April 3, 2012
 

From Pastor Roger - The empty tomb Every 30 minutes in the winter and every hour in the warmer months, a solemn ritual takes place at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns. There is a symbolic meaning to nearly every aspect of the ritual, but it is still conducted in accordance with Army regulations. At any time, the Tomb Guard will confront the watching crowd to command respectful behavior. The respect that is shown to the remains housed in the tomb is legendary. The Tomb Guards show up for duty no matter how bad the weather – no stopping for heat waves, ice storms, or big storms. Only a small number of those who apply pass the test to enter into training for this special position. And an even smaller number of those who complete training actually make the cut to be a Tomb Guard. The Tomb Guard badge is the second rarest award in the US Army. Their service record must be without blemish. The attention to detail in the care of their uniform is only surpassed by the vow they take to live their life, for the rest of their life, in keeping with the honor and tradition of the Tomb guards. If they fail, at any time in their life, their name can be removed from the honor wall. Each guard spends an average of six hours a day preparing his/her uniform, have a hair cut the day before, participate in physical training as well as other regimental functions. It would take a lot of space to cover every step of the training and preparation for the Tomb Guard, but I am struck by a couple of things. The Tomb Guard is a highly coveted position, even with the demanding training and daily preparation, the lifetime vow of how they will live their lives, bad weather and all of the other challenges they face. And they do it willingly. Those who want to be Tomb Guards for the prestige of the post rarely make it. The ones who succeed have genuine respect for the fallen comrades they guard. Why is it sometimes difficult for us to live our lives with honor and respect for the God who has given so much for us? One more thing: Scientific advances have made it possible to identify the unknown soldier from the Vietnam war. His remains were removed and returned to his family. There are still remains from earlier wars, yet, the Tomb Guard would willingly guard an empty tomb out of respect for the ultimate sacrifice paid by these men. We celebrate an empty tomb this weekend. It represents the ultimate sacrifice paid for all of humanity. And it represents the ultimate honor given to us – we get to live eternally because Christ chose to die. I pray that we willingly treat the sacrifice of Calvary and the glory of the resurrection with no less respect and honor as the Tomb Guards show to their fallen comrades-in-arms. 1 Thessalonians 5:9: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What's happening >Apr. 7, 7:30 pm, a special showing of the movie "Forks over Knives." >Sabbath, Apr. 14, 4:30 pm, Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus. Free, reservations recommended. www.oamc.org  Pick up a LIFE Journal bookmark at the greeter's desk in the foyer. >Future concerts: • May 5, 7:30pm, Michael Bishop • June 23, 7:30pm, King's Heralds THIS WEEK Wednesday, Apr. 4 4:00 Budget Meeting 6:30pm Youth Bible Study Thursday, Apr. 5 7:00pm The Journey Friday, Apr. 6 6:00pm Shabbat Service Sabbath, Apr. 7 9, 11am Resurrection Service       Pastor Roger Walter, "The       Three Gardens"  10:00am Sabbath School 4:00pm Passover Seder 7:30pm "Forks over Knives" movie NEXT WEEK Sunday, Apr. 8 9:00am Men's Group  Monday, Apr. 9 7:00pm School Board Tuesday, Apr. 10 7:00pm CHIP Information Session    Wednesday, Apr. 11 4:10 Adventurers 6:30pm Youth Bible Study 7:00pm Elders Meeting      Thursday, Apr. 12 7:00pm The Journey  7:00pm CHIP Information Session Friday, Apr. 13 6:00pm Shabbat Service  Sabbath, Apr. 14 9, 11am Pastor Roger Walter        Communion 10:00am Sabbath School 4:30pm Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus Concert