Pastor's Blog

Life @ Montrose, Oct. 27, 2010 (The last edition)

2010-10-27T16:11:01Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (9 AM) and Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching his farewell message entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus."

ELDER'S MEETING TONIGHT--PRAYER MEETING CANCELLED
Due to the fact that our elders have very busy and disparate schedules, and Pastor Campbell would like to meet with them one more time before he leaves, we are going to cancel prayer meeting for this evening (Wednesday, Oct. 27).

ADVENTURERS AND PATHFINDERS
Adventurers and Pathfinders will continue with their regularly scheduled meetings. Adventurers will be meeting at the church; Pathfinders are meeting at the school.

PASTORAL SEARCH PROCESS
There is going to be a district wide meeting for all churches in the Montrose district with Elder Eric Nelson at 2 pm on Sabbath afternoon, Nov. 6, at the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church. All members are strongly encouraged to be there to give input and feedback to Elder Nelson about qualities that you would like to see in a new pastor for this pastoral district.

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 8, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.

PATHFINDERS NEED YOUR HELP!
The Montrose Mountain Lions are building a shed and getting their carpentry honor, all at the same time. The club plans to use this shed for a place to keep their camping gear among other things. But they need your help! In the bulletin this Sabbath there is a list of supplies that are needed. If you can help please contact Wayne Oldham (970) 249-3023 or Tavia Wilson (970) 417-4886.

ABC BOOKMOBILE COMES OUR WAY ON OCT. 31
The next time our ABC Bookmobile is coming our way is on Sunday, October 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. The last day to order books will be Wednesday, October 13. To order something call (800) 765-6955.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
"What's past is prologue," is a famous quote by Shakespeare about how history repeats itself. I had the privilege over the weekend of taking 51 students and staff from Southern Adventist University on a New England Adventist Heritage Tour. We spent time reflecting on our Adventist past--how God has led. It reminds me of Ellen White's famous quote: "we have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his past teaching, in our past" (LS 196). The reason I love out Adventist past is because I am constantly reminded about how they passionately loved Jesus Christ and were so excited to want to see Him again. That same spirit of passion as well as their sacrifice and commitment challenge me to want to be ready to see Jesus when He comes again. And I could tell that this impacted the hearts of students as they shared on Friday evening when we had a "testimony meeting" and then later at the William Miller Farm when we had communion and recommitted our lives to finishing the work the pioneers began. Now that we are back I've had several students e-mail me to tell me that this tour was the highlight of their year and that they were led closer to Jesus. So although I'm in the midst of a transition I want to thank my church family for being so gracious about sharing me with these students for several days.

Our hearts are heavy as we pack boxes. Our home is now listed for sale (please pray that the Lord will help us to sell our house). Someone this morning sent me a nice note for pastoral appreciation month--something that means more than any gifts, just to know that as a church family that there are at least some of you who pray for me and it means so much when someone just takes the time to say "thank you." I'm going around this week to try to make final pastoral visits to many of our shut-ins so we can say good bye and let them know that although we are leaving that our hearts are with you.

At the moment it looks like either on Monday, Nov. 8 or on Tuesday, Nov. 9 (or maybe both days!) the moving truck will be here in Montrose to pick up our stuff. If you have an opportunity, since so many of you have asked me if you could come and help us with moving boxes, I just wanted to let you know. We'll probably leave for Wichita on that Wednesday and then unload on Thursday or Friday. Our first Sabbath in Wichita will be on Nov. 13.

Although we are going to move to a new line of work please know that we have grown to love so many of you and that each of you will always have a special place in our hearts. If you ever find yourselves out in the Wichita area, please feel free to stop by the Wichita South SDA Church. And let us know in advance so we can have you over for Sabbath lunch!

Life @ Montrose, Oct. 14, 2010

2010-10-14T16:29:12Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Montrose: Pastor Campbell is preaching on "Sacred Rhythms: Giving."
Gunnison (11 AM): Freddy Patino is speaking.

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!

Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:

For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study with Revelations chapter 4.
For children in grades 5-8 there is Pathfinders.
For children in grades 1-4 there is Adventurers.

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES

On Monday, Nov. 8, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.

PATHFINDERS NEED YOUR HELP!

The Montrose Mountain Lions are building a shed and getting their carpentry honor, all at the same time. The club plans to use this shed for a place to keep their camping gear among other things. But they need your help! In the bulletin this Sabbath there is a list of supplies that are needed. If you can help please contact Wayne Oldham (970) 249-3023 or Tavia Wilson (970) 417-4886.

We have lots of mixed emotions. Saying good bye is always hard. Last week I had chapel and told our young people that we are leaving. The same thing holds true for some of our young people and those of you who we are able to visit with personally. I wish we could have called each one of you individually, but within the short amount of time (and as news travels quickly) that just was not feasible. Please know that although we are looking forward to new opportunities that we are going to miss our church families here in Montrose and Gunnison so much. You have truly invested in us and thus made us better persons as well as deepened our walk with the Lord, and for that we are thankful.

We had a modest turnout for our Sabbath afternoon seminar with Gordon Reichard, but that isn't because of lack of interest. I've had many people express an interest in the small groups that the elders of the church are starting. If you aren't signed up already please do so right away. This Sabbath there is going to be a small group sheet passed out at church, and we would love to see as many people as possible involved in this important ministry.

At this point the plan is to have Elder Eric Nelson out here to preach and listen to all of you on the first Sabbath of November. I was going to do a pulpit exchange, and we have a special Heritage Sabbath (with a special emphasis on the Spirit of Prophecy) planned for his district on that same day so I will still be here through the first week of November even though I will not be preaching that Sabbath. Our plan is to move the next week if we can make the rest of the logistics involved with finding a new place to live all work out. So please keep us in your prayers during this time of transition.

I've begun to step down from a number of community activities: this is my last week, for example, volunteering as a hospital chaplain. Later today I will be attending our monthly Association of Montrose Clergy meeting, and they bumped up by a week next month's meeting when I will be hosting it here at the church so that I can have an opportunity to say good bye to many of my ministerial colleagues here. Next Monday evening I am also going to be meeting with the elders of the church to go over pastoral responsibilities, which the most important things (i.e. pastoral visitation, making sure the pulpit is filled, etc.) will be divided up between them to try to prepare for this transition.

Life @ Montrose, Sept. 30, 2010

2010-09-30T17:31:25Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 AM): Michelle Crawford is preaching.
Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is leading the Communion Service with a message entitled "Sacred Rhythms: Communion."

AGAPE FEAST IN GUNNISON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
All Gunnison members are invited for a special Agape Feast at the Gunnison Church with a Communion Service at 6 pm this Friday evening. This will be a special time so please plan to come!

YOUTH CAMPING TRIPS THIS WEEKEND
By now all of our parents who have children in either Adventurers or Pathfinders are aware that this weekend there are two camping trips going on for each of our respective clubs for our young people. If you have any questions please contact Staci Nelson or Tavia Wilson. I was really impressed to see both clubs organizing all of their gear last night at the church.

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.

LIFE DISCOVERY GROUPS
Two weeks ago our elders discussed a new initiative for our congregation that a general expectation that everyone in our church should be involved in either some kind of ministry or small group for Bible study. On Sabbath, Oct. 9, our church service will be all about small groups for Bible Study--what is being dubbed "Discovery Groups" to examine current and relevant topic through the lens of focused Bible study. Immediately after church that day will be a forum led by Gordon Reichard about how this will work. Within two weeks of this launch our goal is to have at least three new Discovery groups. A sign-up sheet is available at church.

HELP KEEP SPRING CREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL CLEAN!
This past Friday and Sunday Emma and I worked together to do our part in cleaning the school. If Emma can do it, so can you! We're looking for volunteers to help clean the school each week through the end of the school year. As you know our budget is tight so we're trying to do everything we can to cut back, which for this year the school board said we needed to ask for parents of our young people and church members to help out. It didn't take that long either. Our kids do a really great job at maintaining our school facility, too. Altogether we spent about two hours cleaning and we had fun doing it. Would you consider helping? Please contact Michelle Caviness for more information (michellecaviness@gmail.com).

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.

This Sabbath was just an absolute delight as our Gunnison church family had a church retreat up in the Gunnison Mountain Park. We went for a nice nature hike and as always there was lots of food, and even better, warm fellowship. The fall colors were right at their peak so we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate the Sabbath as a church family!

On Sunday night we had a lot of fun with some of our Campion kids (at least for those who were around and able to join us). We ended up having Mari, Kiev, and Kaileybeth. We also discovered the horrible reality of bad traffic on I-70 on a Sunday afternoon so we ended up picking up some pizza and ice-cream and just had some fun with them for about 90 minutes before their study halls started. We game them the care packages from our collective church families, which I could tell they were so excited to get! What wonderful young people we have at Campion. I'm told the school is having a great year with some 170 students who are enrolled.

Monday was an interesting day as our family was able to do some fun things in the Denver area that amazingly enough are both free: first we took a tour courtesy of my good friend Dr. Jonathan Vigh who is a research scientist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which is a leading place for understanding the weather basically. Dr. Vigh's specialty is the formation of the hurricane eye. Emma learned how to stop a real miniature tornado. At first, when we asked her what a tornado is, she though we were saying "tomato" so she said it was something that she ate. So now she knows. And at least for a miniature one you just put your hand through the middle and it is gone! On a more serious note we learned all of the thousands and even millions of variables that makes the prediction of weather so very difficult. I now have a much better appreciation for the hard work that atmospheric scientists have in trying to understand and predict the weather. In the afternoon we had a lovely time at the Denver Mint. Did you know it costs 1.5 cents to produce a penny? Amazingly enough on some of the larger coins the Mint makes a "mint" so they turn a profit overall on making money.

On Tuesday we had conference committee, and then got home very late Tuesday night. I was really proud that I finally actually made a resolution on conference committee for a youth director position and that such a position be given priority (and that it passed!). I just wanted to make sure that you knew that sharing your pastor by allowing him to travel out to Denver for this meeting every two months does make a difference! So I am hopeful that we will have a new youth leader some time next year. I think that we can't do enough to support our young people both here on the western slope and across our vast conference. To have such a person to coordinate such efforts is vital to the health of our overall conference. At the same time funds are tight so we can help to do our part by continuing to faithfully give our tithes and offerings to help support the work of not only our local church, but also our collective efforts across this conference in helping to share the Lord with others. I also really appreciated Elder Thurber's vision that he outlined for the future of our conference, which I am sure that you will be hearing more about in the near future.

Life @ Montrose, Sept. 22, 2010

2010-09-22T14:52:46Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (All Day): Pastor Campbell will be leading out in an outdoor church service/retreat (see announcement below).

Montrose: Pastor Don Andnerson is preaching a message entitled "The First Step to the Cross."

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.

LIFE DISCOVERY GROUPS

Last week our elders discussed a new initiative for our congregation that a general expectation that everyone in our church should be involved in either some kind of ministry or small group for Bible study. On Sabbath, Oct. 9, our church service will be all about small groups for Bible Study--what is being dubbed "Discovery Groups" to examine current and relevant topic through the lens of focused Bible study. Immediately after church that day will be a forum led by Gordon Reichard about how this will work. Within two weeks of this launch our goal is to have at least three new Discovery groups. A sign-up sheet is available at church.

GUNNISON OUTDOOR CHURCH ON SEPT. 25/AGAPE FEAST ON OCT. 1ST

On Sabbath, Sept. 25, the Gunnison Church is having an outdoor church service. Sean Sowers and the Bishops are planning the venue, but please plan to come for a fun day of worship in the out-of-doors. Then on Friday evening, 6 pm, Oct. 1st we are going to have an Agape Feast at the church, too. Please take note of both upcoming activities for Gunnison church members.

CARE PACKAGES FOR CAMPION STUDENTS

The week coming Sunday I will be going a day early for Conference Committee in Denver so that Heidi and I can take out our Campion students that evening (it's a surprise to don't ruin it!) for pizza and to do something fun with them. I'd like to bring a care package for each of our four students. So, if you would like to help, please bring a goody to church this Sabbath and put in the box in the foyer marked "Campion Students." Thank you for showing your support to our young people who are away from home!

HELP KEEP SPRING CREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL CLEAN!

This past Friday and Sunday Emma and I worked together to do our part in cleaning the school. If Emma can do it, so can you! We're looking for volunteers to help clean the school each week through the end of the school year. As you know our budget is tight so we're trying to do everything we can to cut back, which for this year the school board said we needed to ask for parents of our young people and church members to help out. It didn't take that long either. Our kids do a really great job at maintaining our school facility, too. Altogether we spent about two hours cleaning and we had fun doing it. Would you consider helping? Please contact Michelle Caviness for more information (michellecaviness@gmail.com).

MONTROSE FALL CLEANING BEE

On Sunday, Sept. 26, there will be a church work bee in the morning. One of the major projects is to paint the trim of the church. Contact Lance Daniel, W. D. Hess, or Alice Carpenter for more information. Please come and help beautify our church facility!

ABC BOOKMOBILE COMES OUR WAY ON OCT. 31

The next time our ABC Bookmobile is coming our way is on Sunday, October 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. The last day to order books will be Wednesday, October 13. To order something call (800) 765-6955.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Over the next two weeks we've got two baptisms, this coming Sabbath by Ben Robuck. Ben is a young person who comes frequently with his grandmother, Sandy, and who is related to Pastor Don Anderson (Sandy's brother). So we're delighted and grateful that Pastor Don can join us for worship in Montrose this Sabbath. As I studied with Ben he was so excited about being baptized that he just said he couldn't wait (and he has waited over a year!), but I could tell he really loves his uncle so I'm so thankful that Pastor Don could travel down here for this special occasion and bless us with the breaking of the Word. Next Sabbath we also have another baptism. Roberta Blackburn is someone who started coming back to church over the past 3-4 months and who I've also been studying with. She was raised an Adventist but left the church for most of her life and through a series of providential experiences (I'll let her share them with you when she is baptized) made a decision to be re-baptized. So I praise the Lord for His working in our congregation. Over the next two Sabbaths you will see a special Bible promise book circulating around at church for you to sign with notes of encouragement, a favorite Bible promise, or just to sign it. Would you please sign it when it comes by your way and encourage others to do the same?

This last weekend was appreciate my wife more weekend! She was gone with our youth leaders and teen leaders to Glacier View Ranch. Thank you *so much* for a number of you who watched our children during church at both services. Emma was particularly delighted to discover that Kate was at church in Gunnison--she commented: "Daddy, did you know that my baby sitter now goes to church in Gunnison?!!" She was so happy to know that she was going to church. :) As it turned out, being "Mr. Mom" is a lot of work and it helps me to appreciate just how hard Heidi works to keep everything going at home. So, for you Dads out there, buy your wife some flowers this week and tell her just how special she is to you. I suspect we can all do a little better (myself included) in showing those around us, who some times we take for granted, just how much we appreciate them.

Another important event in the life of our Montrose Church is nominating committee. This group does most of its work in the fall each year, but is a standing committee of the church for helping people find ways that they can serve. Our first meeting was last Thursday evening, and in the two hours that we met there was a warm and cordial spirit. I was particularly delighted that we made it through the five page list of positions in two hours. So, over the next week or two there will be a lot of phone calls made. I especially pray that you will carefully consider each request. It may not be that it will be a "fit" every time, but would you prayerfully consider the request? The nominating committee will meet again this Thursday evening. I really appreciate how our church presses together to share the load of labor. As a quick example, when deacons and deaconesses were discussed, we needed at least a dozen of each and as we looked at people who have served and who would like to serve we ended up with at least 15 people to serve in those roles (of course maybe not everyone may say "yes," but it indicates to me how so many hard working people in our congregation who are willing to work to make things happen).

This coming Sunday is the church work bee. I'll be able to join you for the first couple of hours in the morning, but I need to leave with my family by mid-morning so we can make the 350-mile drive to Campion so we can take our four young people out for the evening. Our young people are so important and we can't do enough to give them support and to help them. It also gives us a chance to go a day early for some family time on Monday (our usual day off each week) followed by Conference Committee on Tuesday. I realize this is a "kink" in my usual schedule but I will still be available by cell phone should you need to reach me. Some of you know that I love to collect coins so on Sunday I'm finally doing something that we have wanted to do all my life: we're going for a tour of the Denver Mint and then in the evening going to a Rockies game.

This week it appears that the fall colors are going to be reaching their peak. I love it! The aspen are just so spectacular. I hope you will remember how as the seasons change that God is the one who created all of this beauty for us to enjoy. He is also the one who turns our green and ordinary lives into something beautiful. It is the Master's touch. I hope and pray that He will touch your life in a special way today.

Life @ Montrose, Sept. 15, 2010

2010-09-15T17:14:30Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (9 AM) & Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is continuing his series with "Sacred Rhythms: Service"

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.

LIFE DISCOVERY GROUPS
Last night our elders discussed a new initiative for our congregation that a general expectation that everyone in our church should be involved in either some kind of ministry or small group for Bible study. On Sabbath, Oct. 9, our church service will be all about small groups for Bible Study--what is being dubbed "Discovery Groups" to examine current and relevant topic through the lens of focused Bible study. Immediately after church that day will be a forum led by Gordon Reichard about how this will work. Within two weeks of this launch our goal is to have at least three new Discovery groups. A sign-up sheet is available at church.

TOWN HALL THIS SATURDAY EVENING
Please come to the church this Saturday evening at 7 pm for a town hall meeting on the church mission statement and core values as we conclude the Sabbath with a vesper's service and discussion about the direction of our church.

GUNNISON OUTDOOR CHURCH ON SEPT. 25/AGAPE FEAST ON OCT. 1ST
On Sabbath, Sept. 25, the Gunnison Church is having an outdoor church service. Sean Sowers and the Bishops are planning the venue, but please plan to come for a fun day of worship in the out-of-doors. Then on Friday evening, 6 pm, Oct. 1st we are going to have an Agape Feast at the church, too. Please take note of both upcoming activities for Gunnison church members.

CARE PACKAGES FOR CAMPION STUDENTS
The week after next I will be going to Denver for Conference Committee, and as part of the trip (this is a surprise so please keep it a secret!) I plan to stop by Campion Academy and bring our four students from the western slope care packages. Please bring any goodies for our young people to church on Sabbath, Sept. 25, and I will make sure that they get some yummy treats from back home! Thank you for caring!

MEN'S RETREAT THIS WEEKEND
This weekend is the annual men's retreat. More information is available on the bulletin board, but if you would like to go and carpool please contact Lloyd Wenzel or Neal Kelley.

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.

MONTROSE FALL CLEANING BEE
On Sunday, Sept. 26, there will be a church work bee in the morning. One of the major projects is to paint the trim of the church. Contact Lance Daniel, W. D. Hess, or Alice Carpenter for more information. Please come and help beautify our church facility!

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
The other day I was driving through the mountains and noticed the Aspen have begun to turn their brilliant hues of yellow and gold. How beautiful! Even as the seasons begin to change, and we discover some frost outside our back door, we see the beautiful hand of the Creator all around us. I'm so thankful that as the seasons change that we know the Lord continues to be right there by our side.

Over the past day our family has been claiming the promise of Psalm 37:3-8, which reads according to the NASB: "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desire of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing."

I thought this passage of Scripture was especially signifcant because we live in an uncertain world: the economy is challenging all of us, but it doesn't do much good to always look at all of the challenges, but we are reminded to "trust in the Lord." How is your walk with the Lord today? If all we ever do is worry it gets us into trouble!

I'm so thankful for the steady confidence of someone like Georgia Freeman, our dear friend who we buried this past Monday, who even though she knew she was going to die that she trusted in the Lord. Her desire was that her service be a testimony of her walk with the Lord and an invitation for others to trust Him, too. The service was very well attended by people in our community whose life she impacted. We had people share stories from when she was a child in school--one person shared about how they learned to drive here at the Montrose High School in driver's ed. Another person shared stories about how life was hard during World War II. So we think we've got it tough now? He reminded me that there have been other tough times, too.

What I am most excited about is the new initiative to encourage small group Bible study, what one of our elders has suggested that we call "Discovery" groups. We will have a launch of this new program on the second Sabbath in October (Oct. 9) and we are going to begin passing around sign-up sheets. My vision for this church is to have every member involved in some ministry or small group. In order for each of us to grow spiritually we have to behold Him day by day--and there is no better way to do that than as a group to open the Word of God and study together. By beholding we become changed (2 Cor. 3:18). As we become more "loving and lovable" Christians we become contagious about our Christianity--other people want what we have!

I've been challenged to re-evaluate my own life this past week as I've read a new biography on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (a really great book by the way if you would like something to read). Life is complex. Most of the Christian church in Germany caved in to Hitler's Nazi regime, but not everyone did. I'm thankful for people who authentically lived their lives and who made a difference. That is the kind of Christian I want to become like day by day, and I hope and pray as a church community we can authentically show our community that is what we are about, too.

Life @ Montrose, Sept. 8, 2010

2010-09-08T16:41:01Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison: Gordon Reichard is preaching.
Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking about "Sacred Rhythms: Family Worship."

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!

Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:

For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.

SCHOOL BOARD THIS THURSDAY, SEPT. 9

School board will be at the church at 6:30 pm. Please plan accordingly!

NEW PROPOSED NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR 2011

This Sabbath we have the second reading for the new, proposed nominating committee that our church family elected two Sabbaths ago. I was pleased that we had so many individuals cast ballots. The proposed nominating committee is as follows: Pastor Campbell, ex officio; Alice Carpenter, Joyce Corley; Lance Daniel; Jenny Enoch; Norman Graham; Dan Pierce; Debbie Short; Tom Watson; and Steve Wilson.

GUNNISON CHURCH MEETING NOW ON SEPT. 12
Our next church business meeting for Gunnison is scheduled for Sept. 12, 7 pm complete with pizza and afterward some games and other fun activities. Please plan to come!

GEORGIA FREEMAN FUNERAL SEPT. 13

A dear member of our church family, Georgia Freeman, passed away last week. Services will be at the Montrose SDA Church on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, at 1 pm with Pastor Campbell presiding.

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES

On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES RETREAT

Judy Kelley and Jerilyn Pester are planning a women's ministries retreat for our local church the weekend of Sept. 10-11 at the Kelley cabin. If you are interested in participating please contact either Judy (596-8512) or Jerilyn (209-5101).

HOPE CHANNEL BOOKS SALE

This next week, on Sept. 12, there will be a special book sale through Hope Channel and your local ABC.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

This past week I've been doing a lot of studying and reading up on small groups. I've also consulted with a few people such as Don James as NADEI (the North American Division Evangelism Institute at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University) about ideas for starting and effectively implementing small groups. Next week we will have an elder's meeting as we pray together to discuss how to best start small groups in our local church. We don't want to just talk about how important they are, we want to do them! So I know that I am committed to being a part of one of these small groups. Would you like to join a group? Please let me know because we will start with one or two groups initially and we want to know who is really committed to being a part of such a group.

This past Sabbath we had a lot of people away traveling. Church attendance was down in Montrose (98 people who were there) but attendance was up in Gunnison with 21 people, including several visitors. Over the weekend we were blessed to have some friends visit us, and we really enjoyed being able to take them to some of our favorite places in southwestern Colorado: the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. What a beautiful place we live in to be able to enjoy so much beauty! I learned something new about the ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde: most of them died not from falling off a cliff (archeologists have found few skeletons with broken bones) but instead the average life span was into their 30s, and of those they have studied because of grinding the corn with the sandstone it wore down there teeth. So most of them died from tooth infections. What a terrible way to go! Despite that I am always amazed at what an amazing culture and the many things we can learn from this ancient people.

One of the interesting things that I have been following is the debate over religion in American public life. I read an editorial in this week's issue of Time about how many Americans mistakenly believe that Obama is a muslim. I find this very surprising, especially the high percentage among Republicans. The debate centers around whether a mosque should be built near the Sept. 11 towers. I find this especially interesting because my own family was affected directly on Sept. 11 as I've shared with most of you before: my Mom was on an American Airlines flight that morning and my father's office was destroyed although he fortunately escaped. I find it interesting that some Americans are so intensely anti-Muslim that they are against a mosque that is aimed at combatting radical Islam and promoting tolerance and peace while at the same time the same persons do not oppose all of the strip clubs that are along the same street! Some things just do not make sense. I also have to wonder why it is so important to make the president of the United States into our own image: that he has to be an Evangelical Christian. We've had a variety of US presidents with different religious convictions and backgrounds. The important thing is that we maintain a clear demarkation between church and state. And we need to get real and not pass around false e-mails that suggest that Obama is a muslim because it lessons our credibility and witness with others who know better and who then may think that we are gullible.

This past week was sad because on Thursday we lost a dear church member, Georgia Freeman. Please continue to pray for her family. Also, over the weekend I received the news that former Montrose SDA Church pastor, Jim Snell, passed away. An address is posted on the church bulletin board for those of you who would like to send a note of condolence.

Last but not least, it is the time of year for canning. We were so appreciative of a box of peaches recently, and we've been thoroughly enjoying as many as we have been able to eat. We also "put up" the rest for the winter. Yesterday for supper we had a meal made up almost entirely of various foods from our garden. I wish I could show you a picture of the monster potato that we dug up this past week. I think the one potato could feed our entire family. So, as we enjoy our own harvests from our gardens let us not forget that we are serving in the Lord's garden (or "vineyard") as we wait for the Lord of the harvest to come again. And what a day that will be when we can celebrate with the Lord in heaven all together as a church family.

Life @ Montrose, Sept. 1, 2010

2010-09-01T21:46:04Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison: Pastor Ted Williams will be preaching about "Passoniate Patience."
Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking about "Sacred Rhythms: Prayer."

DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!

Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:

For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.

MONTROSE CHURCH BOARD ON SEPT. 2

For those on church board the next church board meeting is this Thursday evening, 7 pm, at the church. If you have agenda items please contact our church board chair, Dr. Wes Cooper (249-5823).

NEW PROPOSED NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR 2011

Beginning this Sabbath we have the first reading for the new, proposed nominating committee that our church family elected this past Sabbath. I was pleased that we had so many individuals cast ballots. The proposed nominating committee is as follows: Pastor Campbell, ex officio; Alice Carpenter, Joyce Corley; Lance Daniel; Jenny Enoch; Norman Graham; Dan Pierce; Debbie Short; Tom Watson; and Steve Wilson.

GUNNISON CHURCH MEETING NOW ON SEPT. 12
After a fun day of paintball this last Sunday we've pushed back our evening church business meeting on Sept. 12, 7 pm for pizza and afterward some games and other fun activities. Please plan to save the date!

LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES RETREAT

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

We were so pleased this past week to have some family come through Montrose. Heidi's aunt and uncle, Ronnie and Kermit Netteburg, were on their way back from Loma Linda University Medical Center where he just finished proton treatment for cancer. I'm so thankful to see him looking well and that he has been able to have such fine care. We listened in particular as he shared with me about providential opportunities he had to witness to other patients while they were going through the program together. I truly believe the Lord, if we listen to His voice, sends us Divine appointments. I know that Pastor Steve Gillham, from Cortez, also completed the same program. I'm so thankful for such a fine medical witness that we have through LLUMC and for the prayers of our church family for these two pastors.

I've talked with a number of church members who are eager to see small groups begin as we start the new school year. I think that this is one of the most important things that we can do as a church is to encourage people to study God's Word. There is power, as I preached last Sabbath, in the Word. Recently I came across some prayer journals that use a method called SOAP: S stands for Scripture; O for observation; A for application; and P for a specific prayer request. If you're looking for a great way to get into the Word I recommend that you try a Life Journal. If you want one you can order it online at: http://www.lifejournal.cc/ Also, by the way, several of you asked what was the name of the computer software for studying the Bible that I recommended this past Sabbath. It is "Bibleworks" and you can find out more about it athttp://www.bibleworks.com/.

Over the next two weekends (Sept. 11 and 18) I am going to host two forums at our church to review our church mission statement. The church board has spent time crafting this document, which reflects the direction of our church. If you would like to contribute and be a part of this process this is your chance! The more feedback we have from as many people as possible will help to make this the very best thing that we can for giving overall guidance as to what our priorities are as a church family.

I should also mention that Sunday was a busy day: we had a fun time with our Gunnison church family playing paintball. Everyone played very nicely, and a fun time was had by all. For those who didn't want to play we had a barbeque so that everyone could enjoy some fellowship. Then later on I was able to catch the tail end of the school corn roast. I've heard so much good feedback about how well things are going at the school. I'm so thankful that our school has had such a great start to the new school year. Let's please continue to pray for our young people, and especially, our teachers: Michelle Caviness and Allison Duncan.

Last but not least, please pray for Georgia Freeman, whose health is failing fast and is not expected to live long. I know that when I visited with her last that she solicited your prayers, and I ask that you please keep her and her family in your prayers during this time.

Life @ Montrose, Aug. 25, 2010

2010-08-25T16:50:26Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Gunnison: Pastor Norman Graham is preaching.

Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking about "Sacred Rhythms: Bible Study"

SCHOOL CORN ROAST

You won't want to miss out on the annual school corn roast on Sunday, Aug. 29, starting at 4 pm. For more information contact Judy Kelley with home and school.

YARD SALE REPORT

Thanks to a lot of hard work I'm pleased to report from Jerilyn Pester that Home & School has raised $1,731.35 from the yard sale on Sunday! A special thank you to Judy and Jerilyn who are leading out with home and school and for the many volunteers who helped to make this possible!

GUNNISON CHURCH MEETING

This Sunday we are having a church social in Gunnison beginning with paintball in the afternoon for those who are interested (Pastor Seth will be joining us) and a church business meeting in the evening. Please plan to be at the church for the usual pizza as we discuss church matters.

PATHFINDER SNOWSHOEING HONOR APPROVED

I want to congratulate our Pathfinders in our Pathfinder club. Yesterday I receive the very good news that our club's snowshoeing honor was officially approved with all of the requirements. A special thanks to everyone who helped make this possible (especially to Eleazar who drew up the honor patch). Details are listed on the church bulletin board.

CROPWALK REPORT

I received the following report from Jennifer McPhail thanking quite a number of our church members who were involved in this year's first annual Cropwalk event. I especially want to share my appreciation with our church family for being involved in our community:

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you all for the time and effort that was put in by each of you to make this CROP Walk successful! I am currently working on thank you letters to each congregation that participated. I will send them to each of you and perhaps you could share them during announcement time.

Thank you all again so very much! As soon as we have some final numbers for money raised I will forward that information to you so that you can share with your congregations. I believe number wise – including all supporters and walkers we hit around 55 participants – GREAT for a first year.

Be Well! --Jennifer

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
I'm so grateful for some rest from last week with a few extra days off for family time. We all need some "down time" once in a while and this was a window of opportunity for our family to do just that.

On Sunday and Monday I had my annual board meeting with Adventist Heritage Ministry, a group that works to preserve Adventist heritage sites. Some important decisions were made that will help to only preserve the physical sites and to create more awareness about them, but I believe that the sole purpose for doing this is to provide opportunities for what I call "heritage evangelism"--nurturing faith in those who visit and create a desire to learn more about what Adventists believe. For example, at the Bates home (the site committee which I chair) we look for opportunity to share with visitors how the discovery of the seventh-day Sabbath by Bates is a beautiful truth that tells us about a loving, Creator-God who cares so much for us and wants us to spend time with Him.

I always find it interesting when I travel the people who I meet. No sooner had I sat down on the airplane on my way out then the lady next me wanted to talk. This time I was tired so I would have preferred, I have to confess, to be able to sleep, but it was clear she wanted to talk. When I told her I was a pastor we had a lengthy conversation about her own spiritual journey which resulted in me giving her a copy of "Steps to Christ" to both her as well as for the teenager from France who was traveling home on the other side of me, too. On my journey home I was charging up my laptop by the gate. The pilot walked up to me and asked if he could plug in his iPhone. I told him "sure" after which he asked me if I was an Adventist pastor. I told him "yes," and we discovered that his older brother was a classmate of mine at Southern Adventist University back in the late 90s. Once on the plane I got paged by the stewardess that the captain wanted to see me, and so he invited me to sit up in the cockpit with him and we were able to talk some more about his own spiritual journey. Although he was raised an Adventist, he left the church in his early 20s. It was quite a lengthy story, but he shared with me that he would like to come back to the Adventist Church (he is now attending a non-denominational church), but that he would like to find an Adventist congregation where he could worship safely and not be judged. When he found such a congregation he would come back to the Adventist church in a heartbeat. I believe that circumstances like these are providential appointments where God brings people into our lives.

A personal highlight for me was being able to cross over the board on Monday afternoon into Ontario, Canada, to visit Upper Canada Village--a site that I've wanted to see for many years now. Jim Nix, director of the White Estate, has told me this is the single best living history museum anywhere in the world. We had a good visit, got ideas for Historic Adventist Village in Battle Creek, Michigan, and learned so much more about what it was like to live in the 19th-century. A personal favorite was going to an exhibit that featured how to make cheese back then. I can better understand why Ellen White cautioned against eating the substance at a time when there was very poor sanitation. It all makes so much more sense when you understand the historical context.

Last but not least, we're launching our new fall sermon series starting this past Sabbath entitled "Sacred Rhythms"--aspects of the Christian life. We began with the Sabbath and I'm looking forward to this week's message on "Bible Study" because I will be sharing some practical tips on how to make your reading of Scripture more meaningful in your Christian walk with the Lord.

Life @ Montrose, Aug. 19, 2010

2010-08-22T16:18:58Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Gunnison: Michelle Crawford is speaking

Montrose: Pastor Campbell is preaching about "Sacred Rhythms: Sabbath" (from Ezekiel 20:12)

SCHOOL CORN ROAST

You won't want to miss out on the annual school corn roast on Sunday, Aug. 29, starting at 4 pm. For more information contact Judy Kelley with home and school.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
This week's note will be short since I'm taking a few days of extra vacation time that I am going to lose if I don't use it! As the end of the summer draws to a close it is my prayer that the Lord will bless each of you. I know many of our students at school our quite eager to start the new school year.

I was grateful for the creativity of our school and church board chairs who did a combined church and school board meeting last week, which was very efficient. We've got lots going on. Some notable things you should be aware of:

School this year will be a 4-day school week.
Adventurers and Pathfinders are gearing up for the new year. Make sure you get your children signed up!
Prayer meeting will start back up on Wednesday evening, 7 pm, Sept. 1
Pathfinders will now be using the Sabbath School rooms in the hallway adjacent to Pastor Campbell's office.

This week we start a new sermon series entitled "Sacred Rhythms" which will look at a variety of aspects of the Christian walk. We will be incorporating a number of speakers from our own congregation, as well as messages that I will continue to preach, as a part of the series. Stay tuned for more details.

Life @ Montrose, Aug. 4, 2010

2010-08-05T15:56:05Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 AM): Norman Graham is the featured speaker.
Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching on "Learning to Listen from Lamentations."

NEW SCHOOL WEB SITE
A special thank you to Staci Nelson who thanks to her hard work our church school is blessed with a new web site: www.springcreekadventist.org. The web site looks up to date and classy! For those of you online I would strongly encourage you to stop by for a virtual visit.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Yesterday I sat in our local Rotary club meeting for a state-of-the-school report for the Montrose County School District. It was interesting to learn that public education is the number one expense for our local tax dollars, and that for every dollar we spend we get two dollars of federal funding. It also takes 750 contracted employees to educate the 6,311 students over the 1,121 square miles that make up our county. The total cost? A $63,000,000 school budget. Amazing. This year through attrition due to budget costs they are letting go of some 40 school employees which translates to more students per teacher in the classroom. I know that for our church family that times have been tight, and it is nice to know that we aren't the only ones who have had to cut back to make ends meet. It also tells me that our community cares for our kids. What is even more important is that I know because of the sacrifice of our church members that our church cares for our students at Spring Creek Adventist School! Although over the past couple of years we've had to do some cutting back I am encouraged that we have all the students and a waiting list for our church school, which starts here in just a few weeks. Plus with new leadership on our board and staff I believe our school is going to grow and blossom.

Speaking of which I was so encouraged to see the significant facelift that has occurred at our facility. The trim around the building looks neat and sharp. Yesterday I caught Dan Carpenter working with Mike to start the new staircase at the entrance. They are going to pour the cement on Friday. And, to top it all off, there is a new sign by the road that looks really sharp. Now I don't have to worry about driving past the school anymore! I know that it has been a lot of our church members who have worked together to make this all happen. Praise the Lord!

This week I've done a lot of reflection on the life and ministry of Elisha. God's call to him, which took him by surprise. Yet he chose to leave family behind and humbly served Elijah. In Patriarchs and Prophets one of my favorite authors comments on this experience: "success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not hte possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service, but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, and unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others." That is the kind of leader that I want to be more like, how about you? As a church we can strive to truly be servant leaders like Elisha by taking the time genuinely show that we care for other people. Perhaps this might be a phone call to a church member who hasn't come to church in a while, or it might be to someone who the Lord impresses you to stop by their home for a visit just to encourage them. I know the Lord will impress you with how you can serve Him.

Life @ Montrose, July 28, 2010

2010-08-05T15:55:19Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is going to be preaching a message from the book of Lamentations entitled "Learning to Listen: A Challenge of Compassion."
Montrose (11 AM): Please come for a sacred musical concert for our worship service led by "Simply His"--a musical group led by Don Mohl.

GUNNISON CHURCH SOCIAL THIS SABBATH
Rebecca Grice wanted me to let everyone know that if you're up in Gunnison this Sabbath that you're invited over to their cabin for Sabbath afternoon. Please bring your own portable chair, and in the evening there will be a hot dog roast. They will provide a nice camp fire and condiments--you just need to bring the veggie burgers or hot dogs to go between the buns! A fun time will be had by all so please plan to come for this fun church activity.

NEW SCHOOL WEB SITE
A special thank you to Staci Nelson who thanks to her hard work our church school is blessed with a new web site: www.springcreekadventist.org. The web site looks up to date and classy! For those of you online I would strongly encourage you to stop by for a virtual visit.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
This week I've been blessed to be able to minister to the church members in Hope, British, Columbia, who have gathered here for their camp meeting. It certainly has to be one of the most beautiful camp meeting sites in North America (rivaling the Redwoods campground for those church members living in northern California). I've never had the privilege of being here before so I'm so thankful for the invitation to be here to share. They've been working me hard. In addition to a daily two-hour seminar on Ellen White I've also done one of the early morning worker's meetings, and this morning I filled in at the Junior tent with a devotional message for the kids there, too. It's such a blessing to be able to be here.

On a personal note I was able to visit with my great-aunt and great-uncle, who love near Penticton, on the eastern side of British Columbia. They are church members. It was only after my grandparents passed away some years ago that are family discovered that we have a whole wing of Adventist relatives who are a part of this wonderful Advent movement! Last night we went out for supper, learned new stories about her family, and on the way back stopped by to visit some additional relatives who I didn't know I even had. They had a family tree that filled in some gaps for me as I learned about our family's past. We've had a very colorful history with great villains as well as other people who have made significant contributions (I'll try to focus on the more positive angle though!). I was proud to learn that some of my family were famous in Russia for their ability to ride horses.

Genealogy is important--it reminds us of who we are and where we have come from. I'm thinking that must be why the Bible has long lists of genealogies. They appear at first to be rather mundane and boring, but I think that really they tell us stories that our Savior, in particular, was a real person just like us. He had some "shady characters" in the closet as well as some notable individuals such as King David (who even his career wasn't exactly untarnished you might say), eh? (I couldn't resist throwing that in there!).

I'm thankful for those of you who were able to help out at the school (while I was flying to camp meeting) this past Sunday. Although we changed the date for school registration we still had at least 11 young people register for school this year, which is a great start. If you weren't able to get your child registered you will want to make sure that you call Michelle Caviness at the school (249-5500). Also, right now is the time to register your child for either Adventurers (call Staci at 275-3705) or Pathfinders (call Tavia at 417-4886).

Life @ Montrose, July 21, 2010

2010-07-21T21:10:45Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (9 AM) & Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching on "Finding Faith from Old Faithful"

SCHOOL/ADVENTURER/PATHFINDER REGISTRATION

This coming Sunday (July 25) from noon until 4 pm there is school, Adventurer, and Pathfinder registration for this coming school year. I would like to strongly encourage you if you have a young person to contact our new principal, Michelle Caviness, to make sure that your young person is able to get an Adventist education. It looks like more than likely we will have to have a waiting list so sign up today!

NEW SCHOOL WEB SITE

A special thank you to Staci Nelson who thanks to her hard work our church school is blessed with a new web site: www.springcreekadventist.org. The web site looks up to date and classy! For those of you online I would strongly encourage you to stop by for a virtual visit.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
I'm so thankful for the refreshing rain that we've been experiencing last night and today. It reminds me of the showers of blessing that we experience as we receive blessings from the Lord. The Lord has so many blessings that He wants to pour out on us. It was so nice to be able to turn off the sprinklers in our yard and just let nature water our lawn and garden (and give us a break on our water bill, too!).

This morning, some of the blessings I am thankful for are our new teacher, Michelle Caviness, along with her children: Kaelibeth, Grant, Caleb, and Luke. While I was over at the school I was amazed at how much work is going on over there: the outside metal surrounding the roof was off, the tiles are coming up, and the room downstairs was completely redone. There is also a new sign for the school that is getting ready to be put out in front of the school. Clearly our school is right in the midst of receiving a facelift! I'm really excited and looking forward to an exciting new school year.

The last few weeks have been sort of a "breather" for our family. Although attending GC Session was really a work trip for me--it was a really intense schedule--the trip was really rewarding and it was nice to have a different kind of things to do such as writing articles and learning more about how our world church works. I really loved the discussions (believe it or not!) about the Church Manual. The whole things just makes more sense when you see how it is put together and voted on. I also really enjoyed getting to meet lots of new people as well as see old friends. For example, a good buddy of mine, I discovered from school days is now the president of the Botswana Conference and invited me to come speak for their camp meeting.

The other really important thing about GC Session is that it shows that I am a part of something bigger than just myself, my local church, or even my local conference. It is only in a place like GC Session that you truly sense the pulse of the worldwide church as God's church--a collective entity committed to spreading the Three Angel's Messages to the world. Although the church is feeble and defective, as the Lord's messenger says, He will bring His church safely into port. Our job is to do our best in our look part of the world to faithfully proclaim His truth. When I was younger I thought that such big meetings were just a waste of money, but now after having attending one I see that there is a real reason and purpose to it, and that the investment, time, and travel are all worth it in the spiritual good and unity that it brings about.

Last but not least, we were home for a week, and then gone last week for a camping trip. We were thankful for some "R&R" as we had some family time in nature. God was really good and we were able to see lots of wildlife, too. None of us are invincable. And for me, I am able to gain renewed strength and courage by spending time with God in nature (and in His Word). To have both of His books, to spend time in prayer, is such a wonderful blessing. If you haven't taken some time for a spiritual retreat with the Lord I would strongly encourage you to do so.

Life @ Montrose, June 16, 2010

2010-06-18T20:20:34Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Gunnison (9 AM) & Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching on "What does it mean to be a Seventh-day Adventist?"

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School is "On the Sea with Jesus" that will take place at the Montrose Adventist Church from July 5-9. For more information please contact Allison Duncan at 209-5336.

PRAYER MEETING

Prayer meeting will resume again in August.

CHURCH RETREAT AT RIDGWAY STATE PARK, JULY 9-10
Dr. George R. Knight, professor emeritus of church history from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, is our featured speaker for our church retreat at Ridgway State Park. We have rented both sides of the pavilion so you are welcome to bring your friends and family for this exciting weekend. We will begin with a Friday (July 9) evening hotdog roast/bonfire followed by a vespers program with Dr. Knight. We will continue with church service at the Pavilion the next morning (July 10), some time for afternoon fun and hiking after a potluck lunch, and then another evening vespers with Dr. Knight. This promises to be a fun weekend where we will learn from one of the best-known writers and speakers in the denomination. Please plan to make sure you are there and if you have friends from out-of-town be sure to invite them to come visit!

PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT
"Our mission as the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church is to lovingly lead people to become disciples of Jesus Christ."

"We seek to accomplish this through:
Inspiring worship services
Quality Adventist education
Contagious evangelism and outreach
Selfless community service
Family activities that appeal to all ages
Fellowship and small groups"

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Since last week our church has received some good news: the school will receive $5,000 in insurance money from the damage it sustained. Praise the Lord! I know at our school board meeting I was really happy to hear about all of the projects that Carlton is planning to give the school a face life. I'm also thankful for three of our school board members who are just finishing up their two-year terms (W. D. Hess, John Short, and Tom Watson) along with new board members (Celia Georgia, Wes Cooper, and Lance Daniel)--subject to a church vote this Sabbath. We're so thankful for their service and all that they do for our church family.

I was thankful that when a family this week called I was able to refer them quickly to our very able community service's director, Tavia Wilson, who by the way is looking for someone to pick up the reins of leadership as she transitions to Pathfinders. The family was very appreciative of a food basket from our church family. The task--other than for requests that arise from time to time--is chiefly focused on a few major community events such as the cropwalk in August and Sharefest in September. If you are interested in helping out with community services please feel free to give Tavia a call or feel free to contact me.

This morning I listened to a presentation at Heidi's Deli by the founder of Samaritan Aviation. What a neat group! I was invited by a friend who gets together community leaders to discuss topics of interest. I was so glad to hear of this great ministry. And it was all started only about ten years ago by a college student, and I was amazed to hear how God has blessed them.

I was happy to meet a lady last week who came to church on Sabbath: she is looking for a safe place to be able to come back to church. I was so delighted to see so many different people welcome her and include her as a part of our church familiy. She wants to start coming back to church. As our church fulfills its commitment to make our church a safe place I believe we will see our church grow. It is a part and parcel of the Great Commission: our job is to point others to Jesus Christ!

Yesterday we had a phone conference call to work on plans for next year. I'm really delighted that we've firmed up the dates for camp meeting, June 16-18, 2011, and the location for the entire time will be the Montrose Pavillion. By the end of the summer we hope to have our speakers lined up. I'm especially appreciative of several of our church members who shared ideas for speakers and themes, which I was able to share yesterday, with the rest of the group. We're moving ahead and we are planning to have another terrific camp meeting so please plan to save the date.

It is my prayer that we will be sensitive and alert to the Holy Spirit speaking to each of us in our lives. Let's continue to press together to advance the work of Jesus Christ.

Life @ Montrose, June 9, 2010

2010-06-10T05:34:12Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Gunnison: TBA

Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School is "On the Sea with Jesus" that will take place at the Montrose Adventist Church from July 5-9. For more information please contact Allison Duncan at 209-5336.

HERITAGE CLASS/PRAYER MEETING

We're wrapping things up for this year with two more classes left--next Tuesday evening by special request I am doing a lecture on the history of Shepherd's Rod and the Branch Davidians (postponed from last week). If you would like to learn more about this divergent group in Adventist history please come and we'll have a fun time learning together.

PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT
"Our mission as the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church is to lovingly lead people to become disciples of Jesus Christ."

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

I've heard nothing but overwhelmingly positive feedback about our 2010 Western Slope Camp Meeting. A few people have even suggested that they don't think we can do better than we did this year, but I believe with the Lord's help we can continue to keep this up. From my perspective camp meetings aren't about information--they are about transformation! Also, if you have positive suggestions about how to improve camp meeting for next year please let me know. I let one thing slip and that was getting a survey passed out on Saturday night about ideas and suggestions for next year. So I'm doing this through this e-mail. If you have a speaker you would like to see come, a topic discussed, or some logistical aspect that you would like to have the camp meeting planning consider (basically all of the western slope pastors in conjunction with our conference leaders) please let me know and I will be happy to share your idea(s).

This week I am the hospital chaplain. I always find my visits with various individuals so meaningful. Yesterday I listened to a lady talk about her life--she eventually broke down and cried. "I didn't think anyone cared anymore," she said. We then had a season of prayer. Today when I went back the person was sleeping so being at the hospital gives me an opportunity to share Jesus with others, and some times people even ask what church I'm from so I get to tell them and it leaves them with a positive (I hope by God's grace!) impression of Adventism.

I was especially appreciative of Lloyd Wenzel and Ted Dickerson taking me as their guest to the weekly Rotary club meeting. While there I heard an update from Sue Montgomery who manages The Dolphin House (www.dolphinhousecolorado.com). For those of you who may not be aware it is a place where victims of sexual abuse can go to be interviewed by law enforcement and other agencies. It is intended to be a safe place. She said that statistically this year that they believe they will have a record yet (how sad!) of victims at their center--over 200 for our community at the rate things are going for this year. They are looking for 200 people to make a commitment of $25 a month for a year to help support this agency. The $25 per month over the course of the year covers the approximate cost that it takes to interview and take care of one child who comes in. I was also surprised at several other people who I've gotten to know in town who are members of Rotary.

We're especially appreciative of LD Mechanical, which this month is installing a new heating system at church. Several people have asked what is going on so if you see pipes or noises during the week there is a good chance that these men are working at the church so please be careful not to trip over anything!

I had to cancel prayer meeting last night because of several emergencies: among them was the fact that Eulah Hawk's younger sister committed suicide earlier this week. Please pray for her and Sam and the rest of their family (per their request). We have other families in our church who continue to need our prayers as well.

Last but not least I received a letter from the conference auditors who checked our church books, and we can thank Dick Walters once again for all of his hard work! We're really blessed with some talented individuals and being treasurer is one of those thankless jobs that we don't take the time to always say "thank you" so if you get a chance give him a phone call or drop him a card to express your appreciation.

Life @ Montrose, Camp Meeting Special Edition (June 2, 2010)

2010-06-02T17:46:18Z

WORSHIP THIS SABBATH

Gunnison & Montrose: Church services will be held in conjunction with the Western Slope Camp Meeting. Please check the program schedule for specific details.

Potluck lunch: We will have a potluck lunch for those who are interested in the River Bottom (Baldridge) Park. There is a large shelter that we've reserved for all day on Friday and Sabbath for those who would like a quiet place to have lunch (with lots of extra picnic tables and shady spots in the trees). For members of Gunnison & Montrose please plan on a potluck lunch at the park and please bring a comfortable lawn chair.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

HERITAGE CLASS/PRAYER MEETING

We're wrapping things up for this year with two more classes left--next Tuesday evening by special request I am doing a lecture on the history of Shepherd's Rod and the Branch Davidians. If you would like to learn more about this divergent group in Adventist history please come and we'll have a fun time learning together.

CHURCH BOARD ON SUNDAY

Due to a scheduling conflict this is just to remind those of you on church board that church board will not be this Thursday evening--because camp meeting starts that same night--and instead it will be on Sunday evening at 7 pm. See you there!

PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT
"Our mission as the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church is to lovingly lead people to become disciples of Jesus Christ."

"We see to accomplish this through:
Inspiring worship services
Quality Adventist education
Contagious evangelism and outreach
Selfless community service
Family activities that appeal to all ages
Fellowship and small groups"

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

I'm so thankful for the large number of church members who showed up to show love and support to the Watson family after the passing of Ann last week. I really appreciate our church family. The same Sabbath I was up at Gunnison and we had 30 people show up for church. The church felt rather full with twice the number of people who are usually there! Last week we had family here so on Thursday afternoon and Friday I was finally able to squeeze some time off to do some fun things with my in-laws while they were still here. We decided to take them down to Mesa Verde National Park. What a neat place to visit and to see and learn about an ancient people from here in the southwest.

Most of my time this week has been abosrbed into two things: last minute things that come up related to camp meeting and I am beginning to teach my class for Southern Adventist University. I have 35 students--usually they cap out the class at 25--but so many teachers need to work on their denominational certification that SAU expanded the class for more people to take it. Already it has been a lot of fun as students discuss various facets of Adventist history. I've got a wide range of students--everybody from an automechanic student, several business and nursing majors, to about half the class which is made up of teachers who are either working on their denominational teaching credentials or trying to keep them up-to-date. It is a lot of fun for me. Last night until I woke up this morning there were 86 posts on the online class discussion bulletin board.

I'm really pleased at how well things are coming together for camp meeting. We've had so many people come and pitch in. It is a wonder to me that we never went with the Pavilion to begin with--it is costing us about $1,100 to use the facility and we have a budget of about $3,000. So we are stretching every dollar, but if this year goes really well and we receive a generous enough offering (to expand camp meeting we need to receive at least $2,000 in offering this Sabbath in addition to the $2,000 we receive from Rocky Mountain Conference). If we receive that amount we should be able to expand camp meeting so that we can have all of the children's programs at the Pavillion next year. We've already tentatively reserved the dates, June 16-18, 2011. If you have ideas for a theme and speakers for 2011 please let me know because we'll be getting the pastors who are here together some time this weekend to lay out plans for a year from now. I'm especially grateful how everyone has really pitched in from a variety of churches to put together the music for this weekend.

I've got to head out the door to make it to our bi-monthly hospital chaplain's meeting. My next week as the hospital chaplain is next week and it is always good to rub shoulders with my colleagues in ministry. Speaking of the hospital, that reminds me that Steve Wilson fell off a ladder as he was working on a treehouse for his kids on Monday. Please keep him in your prayers as he is pretty bruised up and they are doing tests on him today to make sure that he is OK. Last but definitely not least: we extend congratulations to Jacque and Jason Adragna who gave birth to Jamison on Monday evening (8:53 pm). He weighed in at a wopping 9 pounds, 11.7 ounces and measured 21 3/4 inches. We congratulate Jacque and Jason for taking seriously their part in helping to literally grow our church family! Congratulations!!