February 2010 Archives
Life @ Montrose
Feb. 24, 2010
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Montrose: The Adventurer club is leading out in a worship service about "The Beatitudes."
Feb. 24, 2010
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Montrose: The Adventurer club is leading out in a worship service about "The Beatitudes."
BUTTER BRAIDS
The Adventuers & Pathfinders are doing a joint fundraiser selling Butter Braids. What are they? They are delicious pastries filled with cream cheese, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cream cheese along with vabarian cream or cinnamon. I haven't tried these before but I am assured that they are delicious so I have placed our order. You can place your order, too, by contacting any one of the Pathfinders or Adventurers.
SCHOOL CONSTITUENCY MEETING THIS SUNDAY
On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Last Thursday I met with some of the other pastors in town for a meeting about what we can do to help those in need in our community. Two years ago the Association of Montrose Clergy gave away on average between $6,000 to $6,000 per year. Last year they gave away approximately $48,000 in their assistance fund (which our congregation contributes to). The need has never been greater. So, we need to look at ways in which we can help.
This morning I learned that Delphine Watson Gates (sister to John Watson) passed away last night. Our condolences to John and the rest of his extended family. Some of you may know her from the fact that she was a school teacher on the western slope for many years.
Over the weekend our family had the privilege of visiting Steve & Judy Schwarz in Canon City, Colorado, where I was able to do a weekend series on the Spirit of Prophecy. On Friday night I talked about Ellen White's conversion experience, then on Sabbath morning about the rise of Adventism as a prophetic movement, and then on Sabbath afternoon a how-to seminar on how to understand Ellen White's writings. Several church members have told me that they would like me to do the same seminar for our church so I think I may try to do that some time in the not-to-distant future. I was thankful for traveling mercies. On Friday while we were driving up there, just past the canyon beyond Arrowhead on the last wide turn, there was a terrible accident (some church members last Saturday night rolled their car on the very same spot). So we were thankful that the Lord protected us.
I was able to learn recently that it would be to our advantage to hold a radio station board meeting. So, on Monday, we got some more information from a second engineer that led us to discover that no tower on the western slope would fit the FCC requirements, but if we could find a piece of land on a high piece of property that we could reduce the height (and cost) of such a tower. Pastor Seth and I met with John Harold who told us exactly where such a tower should be built--in fact he was working on installing a tower for a GPS system to keep track of all of his tractors on the western slope--so we went and did some sleuthing and have a potential spot for a radio tower that is approximately 800 feet above the town of Olathe. On Monday evening we had our first radio station board meeting. At the meeting we voted to accept the 3 delegates each from Delta and Cedaredge churches, and that the pastors of involved churches also be board members. In addition, we voted David Lehmann as the new president, Jerilyn Pester as the secretary, and Robert Johnson as the new treasurer. If you have questions about the radio station please contact David at: (970) 252-0429 or info@mrdetector.com). At this point the board has collectively voted to proceed with the engineering services required to file the application and to also proceed with filing an application for both radio station licenses. If we should be so fortunate as to actually get both of them the goal is to have one station in English, and the other in Spanish.
Instead of my sermon series on the book of Galatians I am now going to begin a new series (and postpone the series on Galatians until after we get done with this first) on peacemaking. There is a wonderful series of materials that several friends, including Elder Eric Nelson at the conference office, have recommended to me, and I think it would be to our advantage for all of us as a church family to understand how to deal with conflict in a biblical way. So, we are going to look at biblical principles for how to resolve conflict. It is important because if, as Ellen White says, we are to become "more loving and lovable Christians" then as a church family we need to know how to resolve differences in a healthy way. I will post a new sermon series handout this coming Sabbath so that you can follow along. I also plan to have a more extensive conflict resolution policy that I will present at our next church business meeting.
This morning I learned that Delphine Watson Gates (sister to John Watson) passed away last night. Our condolences to John and the rest of his extended family. Some of you may know her from the fact that she was a school teacher on the western slope for many years.
Over the weekend our family had the privilege of visiting Steve & Judy Schwarz in Canon City, Colorado, where I was able to do a weekend series on the Spirit of Prophecy. On Friday night I talked about Ellen White's conversion experience, then on Sabbath morning about the rise of Adventism as a prophetic movement, and then on Sabbath afternoon a how-to seminar on how to understand Ellen White's writings. Several church members have told me that they would like me to do the same seminar for our church so I think I may try to do that some time in the not-to-distant future. I was thankful for traveling mercies. On Friday while we were driving up there, just past the canyon beyond Arrowhead on the last wide turn, there was a terrible accident (some church members last Saturday night rolled their car on the very same spot). So we were thankful that the Lord protected us.
I was able to learn recently that it would be to our advantage to hold a radio station board meeting. So, on Monday, we got some more information from a second engineer that led us to discover that no tower on the western slope would fit the FCC requirements, but if we could find a piece of land on a high piece of property that we could reduce the height (and cost) of such a tower. Pastor Seth and I met with John Harold who told us exactly where such a tower should be built--in fact he was working on installing a tower for a GPS system to keep track of all of his tractors on the western slope--so we went and did some sleuthing and have a potential spot for a radio tower that is approximately 800 feet above the town of Olathe. On Monday evening we had our first radio station board meeting. At the meeting we voted to accept the 3 delegates each from Delta and Cedaredge churches, and that the pastors of involved churches also be board members. In addition, we voted David Lehmann as the new president, Jerilyn Pester as the secretary, and Robert Johnson as the new treasurer. If you have questions about the radio station please contact David at: (970) 252-0429 or info@mrdetector.com). At this point the board has collectively voted to proceed with the engineering services required to file the application and to also proceed with filing an application for both radio station licenses. If we should be so fortunate as to actually get both of them the goal is to have one station in English, and the other in Spanish.
Instead of my sermon series on the book of Galatians I am now going to begin a new series (and postpone the series on Galatians until after we get done with this first) on peacemaking. There is a wonderful series of materials that several friends, including Elder Eric Nelson at the conference office, have recommended to me, and I think it would be to our advantage for all of us as a church family to understand how to deal with conflict in a biblical way. So, we are going to look at biblical principles for how to resolve conflict. It is important because if, as Ellen White says, we are to become "more loving and lovable Christians" then as a church family we need to know how to resolve differences in a healthy way. I will post a new sermon series handout this coming Sabbath so that you can follow along. I also plan to have a more extensive conflict resolution policy that I will present at our next church business meeting.
February 18, 2010
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Montrose: Elder Mike Ryan will be preaching a message from Titus 2:11-14 entitled "From Saints to Sinners."
THE SCHOOL NEEDS A NEW ROCKING CHAIR
Last Saturday night we had a little work bee at the school and I was impressed at all of the hard work that our teacher, Bridget Cline, and some of her helpers have been doing. They have so much to do. It crossed my mind that the library could use some extra "TLC" or "tender loving care" because as I sat in the library getting my son to sleep the rocking chair in the library, I noticed, was literally falling apart! So, I thought I would make an appeal because I am willing to be that someone, somewhere in our congregation has an extra rocking chair that they aren't using or might like to get rid of. If you have such a rocking chair would you please let Carlton Mason, our school board chair, know. You can reach him at: 209-4606 or by e-mail at:masons86@montrose.net.
SCHOOL AUCTION THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date! COMPOST BIN NEEDEDThis morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com).
CITRUS FRUIT ORDER DUE NEXT MONDAY
The next citrus fruit order is due on Feb. 22. For more information or to place your order please contact Bridget Cline (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com) or the church office (249-4942 oroffice@montrosesda.org). Mrs. Cline is challenging all of the parents and our church family to order their weight in fruit! Please note the following revised list of prices:
The next citrus fruit order is due on Feb. 22. For more information or to place your order please contact Bridget Cline (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com) or the church office (249-4942 oroffice@montrosesda.org). Mrs. Cline is challenging all of the parents and our church family to order their weight in fruit! Please note the following revised list of prices:
Naval Oranges: small box $18; large box $34
Grapefruit: small box $17; large box $30
Tangerines: small $23
Variety Pack: $26
BUTTER BRAIDS
The Adventuers & Pathfinders are doing a joint fundraiser selling Butter Braids. What are they? They are delicious pastries filled with cream cheese, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cream cheese along with vabarian cream or cinnamon. I haven't tried these before but I am assured that they are delicious so I have placed our order. You can place your order, too, by contacting any one of the Pathfinders or Adventurers.
SCHOOL CONSTITUENCY MEETING
On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
This last week was very special as we concluded our week of prayer with a special Agape feast with the celebration of Communion on Friday evening. One of the most memorable parts for me was the special time when those present were able to share testimonies. I'm praying that this will be a great avenue for us to continue praying for the Holy Spirit. We've also started sending out a sign-up sheet for those who are interested in small groups.
On Sabbath I was blessed once again with a wonderful worship service. I continue to receive such positive feedback from our church family. If you have suggestions on how to improve it please let me know so we can pass those along to the worship and music committee. Our commitment is to excellence so that we can do our very best in our worship to uplift and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus, in every worship service. On Sabbath afternoon Elder Valentine continued his talk with a follow-up training seminar talking about leadership principles from the life and experience of Nehemiah.
Each Sabbath for the past three weeks we have had increasingly disruptive elements that have occurred that have caused me concern as the pastor of this congregation. As a result, I am going to postpone my sermon series on the book of Galatians and begin a new sermon series that coincides with the Church Peacemakers process. It is a non-profit group that works with churches and has a core curriculum that follows biblical principles for resolving conflict. I think it is important that each and every church member know what is appropriate versus inappropriate, and when someone disagrees with someone else that their be healthy processes in place to encourage people to deal with their disagreements in a loving and Christ-like way.
I don't know if any of you happen to watch "The Amazing Race" but it happens to be my favorite television program because it shows lots of different cultures and interesting places around the world. I love to travel so every time I have a chance to watch it I learn something new about the amazingly diverse world that we live in. It also reminds me that the Apostle Paul talks about the fact that each of us are a part of a spiritual race. In fact we are to run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). Just like the Olympians who are competing right now God calls us to keep our eyes focused on the prize before us: the invitation he extends to all of us to spend all eternity together with Him. So, as we think about the Olympics or maybe if you are like me and like to watch "The Amazing Race" remember that God loves you and to keep focused on the spiritual race that each of us are on, too.
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Montrose: Elder Maurice Valentine, ministerial director for the Mid-America Union, will be our featured speaker. After church there will be a regularly schedule potluck followed by a seminar.
WEEK OF PRAYER IS THIS WEEK!
Each night this week we have been having a wonderful time in prayer and listening to church members who have prepared on their knees presentations on various facets of the work of the Holy Spirit. On Sunday evening Gordon Reichard shared about the fact that our greatest need is the Holy Spirit, then on Monday evening Dr. Wes Cooper shared about how the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and educates us, and then last night Tavia Wilson shared about the work of the Holy Spirit in community service. She shared a powerful story last night that moved our hearts. Then each night we have been taking pages from the church directory and praying over each and every name. Also, each night we have people who are helping with the kids. So there is an opportunity for childcare. Please come and join us. Tonight Allison Duncan and Celia George will share about the Holy Spirit in our families, then tomorrow night David Arthur will share about the role of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual growth, and on Friday night Norm Graham will share about the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The meetings start at 7 pm each night and last about an hour, but on Friday evening we are having an Agape Feast with Communion (Elder Valentine will be joining us for this) so we will begin at 6 pm on Friday night.
BANNER NEEDED
Do you know how to make a banner? I'm looking for someone to help me create two banners: one which has the name of the next sermon series entitled "Truth on Fire" (on the book of Galatians) and the second which lists some of the fruits of the spirit ("faith, hope, love...") from Gal. 5:19-23. If you are interested or know of someone who might be able to help me out please notify Pastor Campbell (497-9636).
FEDCO SEEDS
Orders for Fedco Seeds are due on Feb. 17. This is a great way to support our Pathfinder young people and make plans for your garden all at the same time. You can turn in an order to any one of our Pathfinder young people or drop it in the box at church for one of our Pathfinder leaders.
NEED A NEW ROCKING CHAIR
Last Saturday night we had a little work bee at the school and I was impressed at all of the hard work that our teacher, Bridget Cline, and some of her helpers have been doing. They have so much to do. It crossed my mind that the library could use some extra "TLC" or "tender loving care" because as I sat in the library getting my son to sleep the rocking chair in the library, I noticed, was literally falling apart! So, I thought I would make an appeal because I am willing to be that someone, somewhere in our congregation has an extra rocking chair that they aren't using or might like to get rid of. If you have such a rocking chair would you please let Carlton Mason, our school board chair, know. You can reach him at: 209-4606 or by e-mail at: masons86@montrose.net.
CITRUS FRUIT ORDER
The next citrus fruit order is due on Feb. 22. For more information or to place your order please contact Bridget Cline (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com) or the church office (249-4942 or office@montrosesda.org). Mrs. Cline is challenging all of the parents and our church family to order their weight in fruit!
SCHOOL AUCTION
On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date!
COMPOST BIN NEEDED
This morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 orbridgetsline@yahoo.com).
SCHOOL CONSTITUENCY MEETING
On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Have you ever had something that you trusted turn out to be not so safe after all? Yesterday afternoon I sat in the Toyota dealership while they fixed our car (ours is one of the vehicles that has been recalled for safety issues). I've called several times so after delays we were finally able to be one of the first ones to have our car repaired. I believe in being proactive so if there was any danger whatsoever, especially since our children ride in that car, I want to make sure it is as safe as I can possibly have it be. With that in mind, what I thought was safe turned out not to be quite so safe. And a half hour repaired turned into something that took the mechanics four hours. But in the end it was worth knowing that the car was as safe as I could have it be. Some times things are not always what they seem.
I think the same thing holds true for the church. People come for healing and to have a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ, but some times they discover that what they expected was safe wasn't so safe after all. As Pastor Knott preached last Sabbath, the most important thing is for people to have a life-changing experience with Jesus. It was so important that Christ broke with all protocol and decorum to heal the crippled woman. Many times I've heard church members talk about all kinds of things that are important to them, but we have to always remember that the most important thing--what trumps everything else!--is for people to have a living encounter with Jesus Christ. When we do that we actually are increasing the standards of the church instead of lowering them, because such an experience captivates our souls.
I've had an overwhelming number of people share with me how much they appreciated, and just how timely Pastor Knott's sermon was last Sabbath along with the new worship service format. I praise the Lord for that. As a result we've had a number of people pass out CDs to members who either no longer attend or have become distanced from our church family. I've received several e-mails and phone calls from people who have shared with me that they are coming back to church this coming Sabbath. It is ever so important that we show the love of Jesus to these people. Would you please join me in making a special effort to welcome these people and extend to them the loving hand of friendship and fellowship? Many of these people have been hurt because we have had priorities backwards: trying to push for standards instead of introducing them to the Savior. Our top priority as a congregation is for Christ to transform us day by day into "more loving and lovable Christians" as Ellen White puts it. As a congregation I'm thankful for Pastor Knott's sermons last week so that we can make sure we always keep our priorities straight.
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Montrose: Dr. Bill Knott, the editor of The Adventist Review and Adventist World, will be speaking during the worship hour. This is a rare privilege to have one of our church leaders and I believe is the first time the editor of the Review has ever spoken in one of our congregations on the western slope so please come. Afterward there will be a fellowship potluck.
WEEK OF PRAYER
We've done a little bit of re-arranging our week of prayer, but the overall format is still going to be the same. We are going to start each evening at 7 pm and conclude on Friday evening with an Agape Feast that will include the celebration of the Communion Service. Here are the list of topics:
Sunday, Feb. 7: The Holy Spirit and the Church (Gordon Reichard)
Monday, Feb. 8: The Holy Spirit in Our Personal Lives (David Arthur)
Tuesday, Feb. 9: The Holy Spirit and Community (Tavia Wilson)
Wednesday, Feb. 10: The Holy Spirit and Our Families (Allison Duncan and Celia George)
Thursday: Feb. 11: The Holy Spirit and Education (Wes Cooper)
Friday, Feb. 12: The Holy Spirit and Scripture (Norman Graham) with an Agape Feast and Communion
SCHOOL AUCTION
On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date!
COMPOST BIN NEEDED
This morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 orbridgetsline@yahoo.com).
SCHOOL CONSTITUENCY MEETING
On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
First of all I want to congratulate my good friend, Dr. Jonathan L. Vigh, who last Friday successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation in atmospheric science at CSU. Friday was a long day since I drove to Brighton to pick up Citrus fruit. I left early, since the fruit wasn't going to be delivered until mid-afternoon so I could hear my old roommate from academy explain about the formation of the hurricane eye. What was interesting to me was to learn that not all hurricanes develop an eye--some of them develop a partial eye or one that collapses, and often they appear and disappear. What is interesting to me, is that the Bible says that God spoke to Job out of the eye of the storm (Job 38:1) so you have to wonder if God might have been in the midst of a hurricane? Altogether it is wonderful to celebrate significant achievements in life. Mrs. White talks about how we should strive for excellence in our academic pursuits so I praise the Lord for my friend Jonathan (and for being able to successfully pick up our citrus fruit for the school).
I was also impressed at how many young people showed up for the regional Bible Bowl across the western slope on Sabbath afternoon--one of the largest groups ever with five teams participating. The Cortez team, as they have for the last ten years, blew everybody else out of the water! But, our kids studied hard and I'm really proud of them. Some of the questions were really hard. Our church was a bundle of energy, and all of the studying each young person did of the Bible books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel, are an invaluable treasure. I'm also thankful for Debbie Short who worked tirelessly to prepare a special supper afterward for our young people, and our deaconesses who earlier that day coordinated the potluck. What a wonderful church family we have that press together to tirelessly serve others. It reminds me of our Mid-America Union motto: "selfless service for the Savior."
On Sunday our daughter turned three. It was a special day for us. We had a couple of her friends over and played games and the usual type of thing. At the end of the day Heidi asked her what was the best part of the whole day: she said it was being able to play with her friends. It reminded me about what really is important in life: our relationship to God and then our relationships with one another. I had to have my own daughter remind me that what really counts is God's love transforming our own lives and then prioritizing those around us. As it says in Galatians 5:6: "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
It was brought to my attention recently that one area that we have a few members struggling with is how to in a healthy and balanced way approach the sacred writings of Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White. The thrust of my recent article in the Adventist Review is about how important it is to realize that how we approach sacred writings (hermeneutics) is more often than not the area that divides "liberals" from "conservatives" within the church (although I don't like the use of labels since I think they are altogether harmful and destructive). If we are not clear on this point of hermeneutics we can compile all of the lists of Scriptural texts and Spirit of Prophecy quotations, but it won't do us any good. I've now done two series for week-of-prayer about how to read her writings so I have attached a document that I have frequently used for weekend seminars on the Spirit of Prophecy (I will be doing another weekend seminar for a church here in a few weeks) that I hope church members will find helpful. Also, in case you missed it, our speaker for this summer's church retreat is Dr. George R. Knight and he also contributed a really insightful article on the topic that can also be read online at: http://www.adventistworld.com/article.php?id=655&search=knight
I received a phone call from JoAnn Reed about our upcoming worship service, which just makes me so excited about what we are doing: rehearsals on Friday evening, putting more planning into the actual service, and then afterward we are going to meet as a worship committee for a few minutes to debrief and keep working on our worship service. I really believe the Lord is blessing this church in the direction we are headed and that as the worship and music committee invest their collective resources we are going to see rich dividends of spiritual blessings for those who come. Our worship is so very important and it is vital that we take the time to be intentional about how we go about doing it. As a committee we won't get everything right, but the point is that a greater effort is going to be made to do our very best so that the Lord will find our worship pleasing and acceptable in His sight (Psalm 19:14).
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 am): Michelle Crawford will be speaking.
Montrose (10:45 am): The Pathfinders are putting on the worship service, which will include several sermonettes from our young people. There will be a potluck this Sabbath that was postponed becuase of inclimate weather last weekend.
WESTERN SLOPE REGIONAL BIBLE BOWL
This coming Sabbath (after being postponed due to inclimate weather last week) there will be a potluck after church in Montrose followed by a Bible bowl in the church at 3 pm. We are going to have seven teams who will be tested on their knowledge of the books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel. Last year our club was able to participate in Grand Junction. This is the largest regional Bible bowl with this many teams that they have ever had so please come out and support our young people. You will also notice extra young people along with their leaders at church on Sabbath, and a few clubs will be staying on Saturday evening for a supper and some recreation after Sabbath in the school gym. For more information contact Heidi Campbell (240-3412 or heidi.c.campbell@gmail.com).
This coming Sabbath (after being postponed due to inclimate weather last week) there will be a potluck after church in Montrose followed by a Bible bowl in the church at 3 pm. We are going to have seven teams who will be tested on their knowledge of the books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel. Last year our club was able to participate in Grand Junction. This is the largest regional Bible bowl with this many teams that they have ever had so please come out and support our young people. You will also notice extra young people along with their leaders at church on Sabbath, and a few clubs will be staying on Saturday evening for a supper and some recreation after Sabbath in the school gym. For more information contact Heidi Campbell (240-3412 or heidi.c.campbell@gmail.com).
FEDCO SEEDS ORDERS
This last weekend we planted the first seeds in our peat pots for our garden this coming summer. If you enjoy gardening and would like to both get a great deal on seeds while at the same time support our Pathfinder club you can order your seeds from any one of our Pathfinders or one of their leaders. Packets of seed are $1.50 and the order form (which is also available in your box at church) can be downloaded at: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/
CITRUS ORDERS
If you ordered citrus please stay tuned for details.
NEW WORSHIP SERVICE FORMAT
Last Sabbath I preached a message outlining Biblical principles for worship. Our worship and music committee unanimously voted on starting a new order of worship. From what has been presented there is nothing that we have not tried or done before except that it may be in a slightly new order. The goal is to be more intentional and to plan our services better because I believe God expects us to put our very best when it comes to our worship services. So with that in mind there will be worship rehearsals on Friday evenings starting next week at 7:30 pm. The new order of worship is as follows:
10:45 Musical Prelude
10:50 Welcome and Announcements
11:00 Offering
11:05 Children's Story
11:15 Call to Worship ("Come Let Us Worship & Bow Down")
11:17 Scripture
11:19 Garden of Prayer
11:25 Songs of Praise
11:40 Sermon
12:05 Closing Song and Prayer
NEXT SABBATH & WEEK OF PRAYER
For the first weekend in February we have a special guest, Dr. Bill Knott, who has served as a pastor for many years and currently serves our church as the editor of the Adventist Review and Adventist World. It is a real privilege to be able to have him come and speak to our congregation. Because we will have a number of special guests we are going to have an additional potluck. Then on Sunday evening please remember that we are having a special, lay-led week of prayer in our church that begins each evening at 7 pm. I've had several young people who have said they are going to help out with young people so limited child care will be available if you would like to come. I also have one empty slot still open so if you are interested in speaking please let me know. On Friday evening we are going to conclude our week or prayer with an agape feast (light breads and fruit) combined with the celebration of the ordinances.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
This last weekend I had the privilege of having my father come out and visit us for the weekend. He bought tickets on Frontier Airlines, which used to fly into Grand Junction so when he rebooked them he booked the tickets into Durango. So I was relieved Friday morning that he didn't fly there because of the blizzard (after all the airport closed) and I thought for sure I was going to have to drive to Denver to get him (if I could even get over on I-70), but praise the Lord, an airline agent rebooked him on a flight directly into Montrose! So I had some extra time in my church office and I was able to save Dorothy from having to come in an extra morning to the church office while the locksmith rekeyed the church. Incidentally, I think everyone who is a church officer has gotten a key and so far I have only received one request. So, if you need a key or would like one, you need to let me know so we can get it voted by church board next week.
Last week I was also the volunteer hospital chaplain, and as always, I was able to visit with a wide variety of people from our community and elsewhere. I always enjoy being able to do hospital rounds. One person I walked into their room and they were about to go have exploratory surgery with the thought that they were dying. So I was praying for them, and then they took the person off to surgery. The next day I was able to visit with that person and their family and it meant the world to them that I was able to pray with them when I did. And, in addition, they asked what church I was from. My standard response, "Is that I am one of the pastors in town," but they pushed me further so I said, "I happen to pastor the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church although our chaplains pastor a variety of churches in our community." It left a very positive impression with them of our church.
On Sabbath afternoon, right after church, we had an elder's meeting and set up a regular schedule for elders meetings (the first Wednesday evening of each month). We are also setting up a regular schedule for worship and music committee, which will be either the third or fourth Thursday of every month. The goal is that some of these other committees tend to only meet when there is some problem and my goal, as the pastor, is for us to be very intentional for all of these groups to function as part of a healthy and thriving church. I am particular excited about our new worship service format because it has been highlighted as one of the greatest needs in our congregation. We need to first and foremost remember that worship is NOT about us--instead true worship is placing God as the audience and we uplift and adore Jesus Christ. The only criticism I have heard is from one family about a passage from theTestimonies (5T 491-500), but even in this passage it does not equate silence with reverence. In order to arrive at a "balanced" position on worship from Ellen White's writings we need to examine everything that she wrote on the topic including the passage immediately before this one, which talks about expressing love for one another and in our worship. In fact, I find such a stance to be counter to the very essence of what a Protestant worship service is all about--the principles of sola scriptura (the primacy of the Scriptures) and the priesthood of all believers, which Martin Luther wrote so passionately about. So, I would argue, that if someone wants a church service that is completely silent then that kind of worship service where believers should be completely passive and not even wish each other happy Sabbath, that such a service most closely resembles the Roman Catholic Mass. But, we as Seventh-day Adventists are Protestants and that means that we follow the New Testament church model for how we go about our worship services and go to Scripture to establish these biblical principles and NOT tradition. If you missed out on my sermon you can download it online from our church web site (www.montroseadventist.org) or pick up a CD by the sound booth.
I was reminded on Sunday of a sensitive situation in our own congregation where someone accosted me about something, but because of confidentiality I was not able to explain to them the entire situation as I understood it. The situation reminded me of what a close pastor friend told me about a situation that was happening right now in a congregation far away from here: the husband was an elder in church but was having an affair. The wife did not even know about the affair. The pastor and elders met with the elder and he was told he had to step down. The wife began to attack the pastor and elders because she felt her husband had been dealt with unfairly by having to step down from his position. In fact the elder himself, despite his precarious situation from having had an affair, began to attack the pastor, too. I find it very sad because of pastoral confidentiality the pastor had to eat all of this criticism even though it was very unfair. The reason I am telling you this story, which happens to be a true story, is that some times we make assumptions about church leaders that are not necessarily accurate because we have not walked in their shoes and do not know what they know, which is why they are making the decisions that they do. That is why God institute the church and it is one of our fundamental beliefs so a basis of church membership is upholding the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its leadership. We need to be more loving and tolerant of one another, and take the time to listen to one another in the same loving way. If we do not or baselessly make accusations without having all of the facts the danger is that we may be dishonoring Christ. I recently came across this beauitful quote by Ellen White: "I wish we had much more of the Spirit of Christ and a great deal less self, and less of human opinions. If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing" (Letter 16, 1887).
Last but not least, on Monday I was able to enjoy a day off with my father (Sundays and Mondays are our family days even though I seldom get to even take one day off a week for family time). So we went skiing together, and then yesterday I spent the day in Denver for Rocky Mountain Conference Executive Committee, and got back late last night. I am encouraged that God is at work across the Conference. He has called each one of us to work together in the spreading of the gospel commission here, right now. So instead of focusing on what other people may or may not be doing that is wrong, let us concern ourselves chiefly with what we are doing to advance the gospel since that is what He has tasked each of us with doing.
Last but not least, this morning I noticed that my cover article in the Adventist Review on the 1919 Bible Conference just came out. I think the whole episode of 1919 has some important lessons that our congregation can learn from today so if you get a chance you read it for free online at: www.adventistreview.org.
