2020 offertory readings · through sacrificial giving. in 1913, the 13th sabbath overflow amounted...

2020

OffertoryReadings

Ourmissionasachurchis“toreachtheNorthAmericanDivisionterritorywiththedistinctive,Christ-centeredSeventh-dayAdventistmessageofHopeandWholeness.”StewardshipMinistriesisdedicatedtohelpingmemberscatchthisvision.

Systematicgivingispartofbeingafaithfulsteward.Whenwereturntithe,wearerecognizingthatGodownseverything.GivingofferingsexpressesourgratitudeforwhatGodhasdoneforus.Godlovesacheerfulgiver,andHehaschosenthismethodtosupportthosewhopreachthegospelastheyreachtheworldwithHismessage.

Youwillfindanextensiveselectionofvideosemphasizingvariousofferingsbyvisitingourwebsiteatwww.nadstewardship.org/videos.Youcanusetheminconjunctionwiththeofferingappealsorinplaceofthem.Theyaveragebetweena-minute-and-a-halfandtwominutesinlength.

Faithfulstewardshipisamatteroftheheart.Wedon’tgivetoreceiveloveandblessingsfromGod.WegivebecausewehavealreadyreceivedGod’sloveandblessings.WegivebecauseourheartsandlivesarefullofthejoyoftheLord.WegivebecausewewanttoliveoutGod’scharacterofabundantgenerosity—especiallyasexhibitedthroughthegivingoftheUltimategift:thelifeofHisSon.GivingisanaturalresponseforrecipientsofGod’sgoodness.

God’sblessingstoyouasyouhelpothersexperiencethejoyoffaithfulstewardship.

BonitaJ.ShieldsDirector

AbouttheAuthor

AndrewRadulyisaSeventh-dayAdventistministerwhostartedhisministry20yearsagoinMinnesota.HecontinuedontoserveinCanada,Montana,andVirginia.HeishappilymarriedtoJudit,andtogethertheyhavefive-year-oldrambunctioustriplets.

OriginallyfromHungary,Andrewisapolyglot,speakingseverallanguages.Heisanavidreader,mostrecentlyintheareasofonhistory,finance,futurism,artificialintelligence,singularity,andquantumphysics.Heenjoysphotographyandtraveling.HistravelshaveextendedtoSwitzerland,theEUcountries,Africa,andSouthAmerica.Healsoenjoysrunningandhascompletednumerousmarathonsaroundtheworld.AndrewisthefounderofthreeFMradiostationsintheMidwestthatserveamarketofmorethan100,000peopleonadailybasis.

In2018,AndrewcompletedhisdoctoratedegreeinorganizationalleadershipfromAndrewsUniversity.Hisdissertationfocusedonfinancialliteracy.Thethesisofhisworkprobedthehypothesisthatcognitiveabilityandfinancialinformationalonewillnotproduceamarkedlylargedifferenceinfinancialliteracylevels.Othervariablessuchaspolicydecisions,politicalwill,economicbackground,family,culturalaffinity,geography,andpersonalmotivationalfactorsalsocontributetoanoverallpositivefinancialliteracyhealth.

Andrewiscurrentlyworkingonhisfirstbookduetobepublishedin2022onthetopicofwealthinequalityanditscorrosiveeffectondemocracyandspirituality.

AbouttheReadings

Thismaterialcanbetranslated,printed,orphotocopiedbySeventh-dayAdventistentitieswithoutsecuringfurtherpermission.Republisheddocumentsshouldincludethecreditline:NorthAmericanDivisionStewardshipMinistries.

NKJV:Unlessotherwiseindicated,allBibletextsarefromtheNewKingJamesVersion.Copyright©1979,1980,1982byThomasNelson,Inc.,Publishers.

NIV:Scripturequotationsmarked(NIV)aretakenfromtheHolyBible,NewInternationalVersion®,NIV®.Copyright©1973,1978,1984,2011byBiblica,Inc.™UsedbypermissionofZondervan.Allrightsreservedworldwide.www.zondervan.com

The“NIV”and“NewInternationalVersion”aretrademarksregisteredintheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfficebyBiblica,Inc.™

ScripturequotationsmarkedNLTaretakenfromtheHolyBible,NewLivingTranslation,copyright©1996,2004,2007byTyndaleHouseFoundation.UsedbypermissionofTyndaleHousePublishers,Inc.,CarolStream,Illinois60188.Allrightsreserved.

AboutMyPersonalGivingPlan

TheNorthAmericanDivisionencouragestheuseofthe“MyPersonalGivingPlan.”Thisplanwasdevelopedasaguidelinetoassistmembersinsystematicgiving.Theplansuggeststhat,inadditiontoreturning10percentofamember’spersonalincomeastithe,certainpercentagesmaybededicatedasofferingstothreemaincategories:

•LocalChurchBudget:3-5percent•ConferenceAdvance:1-2percent(Education,evangelism,VBS,summercamps,andunionmagazines)•WorldBudget:1-3percent

*Visithttps://www.personalgivingplan.comtoseeamoreextensivebreakdownforeachcategory.

TheMyPersonalGivingPlanencourageseachofustorenewourcommitmenttotheprinciplesofChristianstewardship.Whileitblessesthechurchasawhole,itsrealimpactisonusasindividualsinourfaith-basedcovenantwithGod.

EverythinginGod’screationisorderlyandpurposeful.ThesamecanbesaidofMyPersonalGivingPlan.Likeallplans,itrequiresthoughtandconsideration.Nogreatworkcanbebuiltuponemotionalorsporadicgiving.

WhereDoMyOfferingsGo?

13thSabbathOffering

You'veheardhoweveryoneinanAmishcommunitycomestogetherforabarnraising.Well,Seventh-dayAdventistsalsohaveprojectswhereweallpitchintoaccomplishagoal.Thatisthepurposeofthe13thSabbathoffering.Every13thSabbath,thechurchfocusesononeofitsworlddivisionstoaccomplishamissiongoal.Often,theofferinggoestowardconstructingabuildingthatwillbeusedforeducation,evangelism,ormediaoutreach.Thirteenth-SabbathofferingshavebeenusedtoestablishschoolssuchasCentralPhilippineAdventistCollege.ArecentofferingmadeayouthcamppossibleinBelize.Allthechurchmembersaroundtheworldjoinhandsontheseprojectsthroughsacrificialgiving.In1913,the13thSabbathoverflowamountedto474dollars.Now,itexceedsaquarter-milliondollars.Wecallitanoverflowofferingbecauseitencouragesextragivingbeyondtheusualmissionoffering.Inpractice,25percentofthe13thSabbathofferingisconsideredoverflow.Therestismorebroadlydistributedtocontinuemissionworkaroundtheglobe.Also,youcangivea13thSabbathofferinganytimebymarkingitonyourtitheenvelope.Doyouwanttobepartofsomethingbig?You'llbepartofaworldwidecommunityexpandingAdventistmissionworkwhenyougivetothe13thSabbathoffering.Remember:Ourgivingfundsthemissiontofinishthework.

2020Thirteenth-SabbathOfferings

FirstQuarter: Inter-EuropeanDivision

SecondQuarter: Trans-EuropeanDivision

ThirdQuarter: West-CentralAfricaDivision

FourthQuarter: SouthernAsiaDivision

BirthdayThankOffering

Usuallyonyourbirthday,yougetapresent.Butinchurchmanypeoplegiveagiftontheirspecialday.ItiscalledaBirthdayThankOffering.Haveyouevergivensomeoneathank-yougift?Maybetheywatchedyourcatforaweekendorsangasongatyourwedding,andyoujustwantedtoshowhowgratefulyoufelt.Well,churchmemberssometimesofferagiftofpuregratitudetoGod.Itmightbeontheoccasionofabirthday,thankingGodfortheblessingsofthepastyear.OrmaybetothankHimforoneblessinginparticular,suchasapromotionatwork.Oranewgrandbaby.TheymarkitontheirtitheenvelopeasaBirthdayThankOffering.

So,whathappenstotheBirthdayThankOffering?ThisgiftisdirectedtochurchdivisionsoutsideNorthAmericatodomissionwork.Muchofitisusedinevangelisticactivities.Butsomealsogoestoclinics,hospitals,andeducationalinstitutions.AportionofyourgiftgoestoadministertheGeneralConferencemissionprogram,helpingtomovemissionariesintonewfieldsandadvancetheAdventistmessage.So,yourgiftofgratitudegoestomissionariesandchurchinstitutionsaroundtheworldwhointurnwillacceptitwithgratitude.Itshowsthatbeingthankfulcanbecontagious,doesn’tit?

MissionInvestmentOffering

TheMissionInvestmentOfferingisapartnershipbetweenyouandGod.YoupickaprojectanddedicatetheincometotheMissionInvestmentOffering.

Here’sanexampleinvolvingchickens!WhenKellyRoseBishopwasateenager,shedecidedtocommit10percentofhereggbusinesstoinvestment.Shesoldtoregularcustomersandtopeoplewhojuststoppedbyherhouse.Aftertwomonthsshenoticedthathersaleshadgoneupby50%.That’showthepartnershipworked.Shepromisedtogive10%ofherincome—thatwasherpart—butshebelievesthatGodblessedherlittlebusinessbecausethe10percentgrewduetoanewlargerincome—thatwasGod’spart.

ThereareallkindsofwaystoenterintopartnershipwithGod.Forexample,youmightdedicatethemoneyyousaveusingcouponsatthegrocerystore,oryoucandedicatethemoneyyousavebyskippingdessertwheneatingout.Onepersonpickedupaluminumcansthatshefoundonhermorningrunandgavetheproceedstoinvestment.EverydollaryouraisegoestoadvanceAdventistmissionsoverseas.Comeupwithyourownmissioninvestmentideatoday.

LocalChurchBudget

PerhapsthemostobviousneedaddressedinthePersonalGivingPlanisthelocalchurch.Likeeveryfamily,thelocalchurchfamilyhasfinancialobligationstomeet.Someareeasytoseelikepowerandheat,butmanyarenotsoobvious:children’smagazines,SabbathSchoolBiblestudyguides,teachingsupplies,staffsalaries,cleaningservices,churchschooloperatingexpenses,propertyinsurance,worthystudentfund,andcommunityoutreach.Thesearebutafewofthecoststhatmustbemetmonthaftermonthasthelocalchurchseekstobealightinthecommunity.Becausetheseexpensesareconstant,MyPersonalGivingPlanrecommendsthat3-5percentofone’sincomebesetasideforthelocalchurchbudget.Thissystematicgivingensuresthatallsharebothintheblessingsandtheresponsibilitiesofthelocalcongregation.

ConferenceAdvance

Yourlocalconferenceisasisterhoodoflocalchurchesthathelpseachcongregationwithinitsboundariestoaccomplishimportantobjectivesthatarebeyondthereachofanyonechurch.AConferenceAdvanceofferingaddressesthesespecificneedsaswellasavarietyofspecialprojects.OneofthelargestportionsgoestofundChristianeducation.AnothersubstantialpartoftheConferenceAdvanceofferingissetasideforevangelisminthelocalcommunity.Itisalsousedtofinanceprogramsandadvertisingthatmostlocalchurchescannotshoulderalone.Childevangelism,inner-cityevangelism,VacationBibleSchool,summercamps,andyouthevangelism

arealsoareassupportedbytheConferenceAdvanceoffering.AnotherbenefitoftheConferenceAdvanceofferingisthepopularunionpapersandmagazinesthatareshippedfreeofchargetochurchmembers.Theseinformativepublicationshelptounitebelieversoveralargeareaandcreateasenseofcommunity.Alloftheseeducationalandlife-changingprogramsarepossiblebecauseindividualmemberschoosetocontributeasuggestedamountof1-2percentoftheirincometotheConferenceAdvance.

UCCAdvanceDistribution: Percentage ChurchandSchoolDevelopment 36.00 ElementarySchools 27.00 Evangelism 24.00 WorthyStudent 07.00 LEEvangelism 03.00 Youth 03.002020NorthAmericanDivisionSabbathSchoolMissionInvestmentProjects

SOUTHWESTERNUNION

MULTIPLYCAMERONCOUNTY:CameronCounty(Brownsville,Harlingen,SanBenito),averypoorareaatthesoutherntipofTexasandtheMexicoborder,hasarapidlygrowingpopulation(approaching½million)yettheAdventistworkhasbeendecliningoverthelastfewdecades.TheAdventistworkinneighboringcountieshasexperiencedrapidgrowththroughsoulwinning,churchplantingandastrongAdventisteducationalpresence.ThisprojectwillusethemethodsproveninneighboringcountiestotaketheAdventistmessagetoeveryoneinCameronCounty,Texasinahealthy,wholisticway.

TheobjectivesofMultiplyCameronCountyareto:

1. Plantsixnewchurches/CentersofInfluence(English,Spanish,Bilingual).

2. StartonenewAdventistschool.

3. Ineachchurch(current&new)start,strengthenandmultiply…

a. Clubministries(Adventurers,Pathfinders,MasterGuides)

b. MinistryGroups&Events(Health,Family,Finance,Prophecy,Tutoring,ESL,etc.)

c. SabbathSchoolgroupsd. Reapingmeetings

4. AreaLayTrainingEventsTwiceaYear

Thisisthefourth“Multiply”two-yearinitiativefromtheTexasConference.Theothereventswere:“Multiply”SanAntonio2014-2015;Austin2016-2017;andTarrantCounty2018-2019.Theseinitiativesresultedinmanynewchurchesplantedandrapidgrowthinbaptismsandmembershipintheseareas.

SEVENTH-DAYADVENTISTCHURCHINCANADA

MASKWACISOUTREACHCHURCH&COMMUNITYCENTRE:ThebuildingwillserveasabaseforthereservecongregationtohelphealMaskwacisresidentsspirituallyaswellasphysically.Itwillbeasafe,accessible,permanentplaceontheReservewhereAdventistprinciplescanbemodeled,experienced,learned,andincorporatedintothelivesofindividualsandtheCreecommunity.

TheobjectivesofMaskwacisOutreachChurch&CommunityCentreareto:

1. IncreaseattendanceatSabbathservicesandprayermeetingsby10percenteachyear;

2. Offerpracticalassistancefordailylivingthroughseminarsonhealth-relatedtopics,whichhaveprovenofgreatinterestwhenoffered—especiallythoseaddressingmentalhealth;and

3. IncreaselocalchurchleadershipfromwithintheReservecommunity.

Itistimetotransitionfromanoff-reserveofferingofassistanceandservicestoaReserve-basedprogram.Thiswillmovethegroupfromthe“outside”tothehubofReservelife.AsFirstNationsAdventistsareseenregularlyparticipatingatthechurch-communitycentre,itisanticipatedthattherewillbegreateracceptanceoftheChurchaspartoftheReservecommunity.

SQUAMISHCHURCHPLANT:TheSeatoSkiCorridornorthofVancouverinBritishColumbia,includingthetownsofSquamish,Whistler,andPemberton,isanareawithlittleAdventistpresence.OnlyoneactiveAdventistmemberlivesfull-timeinPembertonandoneactivefamilylivespart-timeinWhistler.Presently,noAdventistsliveinSquamish.OuraimistoplantachurchinSquamishandestablishsmallgroupsinWhistlerandPemberton.Squamishisafast-growingcitywithaworking-classpopulation.ItattractspeoplewholiketheoutdoorsandwanttoliveclosetotheskiresortatWhistlerforworkandplay.PembertonisabedroomcommunitythatmostlysupportsWhistler.PembertonalsohasasizeableFirstNationscommunity.Whistlerhasaworldclassskiresortthatattractsclientelefromthroughouttheworld.

TheobjectivesofSquamishChurchPlantareto:

1. PlaceapastoralfamilyinSquamishinJanuaryof2020.RobertFolkenbergIIIisuniquelyqualifiedtoreachtheSeatoSkiCorridor.Heisyoung,anexperiencedoutdoorenthusiast,andhasahearttoreachthearea.

2. Makecontactsthroughsocializingindifferentcommunities,throughoutdooradventures,throughsocializingwithneighbors,andthroughliteratureevangelism.

3. Beginsmallgroupmeetingsandinvitecontactstojointhem.

4. FollowupontheknowninactiveAdventistslivinginthearea.

5. WorkwithSummerMegabookworkersandfollowupontheinterestgenerated.

Thisisadarkarea.AdonorhasaburdenforthepeopleinthegrowingtownofSquamishandiswillingtofundpartoftheexpensesoverafour-yearperiod.Thisproject’ssuccesswillbemeasuredbythesustainabilitylevelofthechurchinfouryears(January,2024).BritishColumbiaConferenceAdComwillassessthisincoordinationwiththeMinisterialDirector.

SabbathSchoolMissionOffering

WhentheSabbathSchoolMissionOfferingenvelopecomesaround,itiseasytoslipinadollarortwo.Butwhenyoufindoutwhereitgoes,youmightwanttogivemore!

ThemissionofferingtravelstochurchdivisionsoutsideNorthAmericawheretheneedsaregreat.Muchofitisusedinevangelisticactivities,butsomealsogoestoaidclinics,hospitals,andeducationalinstitutions.AdventistWorldRadiogetshelpfromthisoffering.AndaportionofyourgiftgoestoadministertheGeneralConference’smissionprogram,whichhelpstotrainandmovemissionariesintonewfieldstoadvancetheAdventistmessage.TheofferingthatyougiveinyourSabbathSchoolroomliterallygoesalongwayasitaidsmissionworkaroundtheglobe.

WorldBudgetOffering

TheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchisaworldwidechurch.Andtheworldbudgetisourcontributiontothisglobalmission.

FromtheearliestdaysoftheAdventistChurch,menandwomenhaverespondedtoChrist’sGreatCommissionbylookingbeyondtheirownshores.Today,Seventh-dayAdventistsmakeuponeofthefastestgrowingChristianchurchesintheworld—withmorethan3,000peoplebeingbaptizedeveryday!Inmorethan200countriesandinmorethan600languages,themessageofJesus’ssoonreturncanbeheard.

Historically,ithasbeentheprivilegeanddutyofthemateriallyblessedmembersindevelopednationstoplantseedsofgrowthinpoorerregionsoftheworld.Newevangelisticstrategiesthat

addressever-changingglobalrealitiesareconstantlybeingdeveloped,andourofferingsgivelifetothesenewprograms.

MyPersonalGivingPlanrecommendsthatonetothreepercentofourincomebesetasideforthisglobaloutreach.Workingtogether,wecanmakesuretheAdventistmessagecontinuestogrowworldwide.

WorldBudgetDistribution:

GeneralConference Percentage WeeklySabbathSchool 57.00 ThirteenthSabbath 16.00 BirthdayThank 4.00 AnnualSacrificeforGlobalMission 4.00 Disaster&FamineRelief** 1.75 FallMissionAppeal 1.00 SpringMissionAppeal 0.75 AdventistWorldRadio 0.375 HopeChannelInternational 0.375 AndrewsUniversity 0.375 LomaLindaUniversity 0.375NorthAmericanDivision AdventistTelevisionMinistries 3.00 VoiceofProphecy 3.00 OakwoodUniversity .75 AdventistCommunityServices .75 ChristianRecordServicefortheblind .75 MultilingualMinistries .375 AdventistChaplaincyMinistries .375UnionConferences LocalCollege(WWU) 5.00Total 100.00

DearPresenter,

Thankyouforyourwillingnesstosharetheofferingappealswithyourlocalcongregation.Itisawonderfulandgratifyingresponsibility.Howyoupresentthesereadingswilldeterminehoweffectivetheyare.Herearesomesuggestionstoconsiderbeforeyoushare:

Pray:PrayforthepoweroftheHolySpirit.PraythatGodwilluseyourwordstospeaktotheheartsinthecongregation.

Practice:Readovertheappealatleastthreetimestofamiliarizeyourselfwithit.Readslowlyandclearly.Underlineorhighlightkeywordstobeemphasizedduringthereading.Strivetosharethesereadingswithexcellence.

Prepare:Sometimesmaterialsforspecialdaysaresenttoyourlocalchurchtodistributeorpresentalongwiththeappeal.Determinehowtheycanbeusedmosteffectively.

Personalize:Ifyouhaveapersonalexperiencethatyouthinkwilladdstrengthtotheappeal,pleaseshareit.Peopleconnectwithothersthroughstories.

PresentwithPassion:Apresentationcanhavealltheaboveelements,butwithoutpassionitmaynotstirtheheartsofthehearers.AskGodtofillyourheartwithHisSpiritsothatyoucanpresenttheappealwithspiritandtruth.

MayGodrichlyblessyouandspeakthroughyouaswetakethisjourneytogetherin2020.

Author:AndrewRaduly

Editor:BonitaJoynerShields

CoverandLayout:KateWolfer

NorthAmericanDivisionStewardshipMinistries©2020

January4,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Whenweserve,miracleshappen.ForninedecadesOseolaMcCartylivedanunassuming,humblelife.Awasherwomanlikehergrandmother,shelearnedearlytobefrugal.Shestartedsavingat8yearsold.Whenshediedattheageof91,herbankaccountstoodat$280,000,ofwhichshedonated$150,000.TheMcCartyscholarshiphelpsneedystudents.HerexampleinspiredTedTurnertodonateonebilliondollarstocharity.

PresidentClintonawardedherthePresidentialCitizensMedal.HarvardUniversitygaveheranhonorarydoctorate.TheUnitedNationsdistinguishedMs.McCartywiththeAvicennaMedalforherselflesscommitmenttoeducation.

Whenweserveothers,miracleshappen.LetuscommittosupportingourlocalchurchbudgetwithazestworthyofourLord.Ourlocalchurchbudgetsponsorsprogramsthataffectourcommunitiesandneighbors.

WhenaskedwhyshechosetheUniversityofSouthernMississippiasarecipientofherdonation,Ms.McCartyresponded:“Becauseit’shere.”Ourlocalchurchbudgetsarehere,inneedofoursupport.Letuspledgeoursystematic,long-termsupportthisentireyeartoourlocalchurchbudget.

January11,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

RecognizeHomerandLangleyCollyer?TwounmarriedbrotherswholivedtogetherintheirlargeHarlembrownstone.Overtheyears,itfilledwithallkindsof“treasures.”Thoughatonetimethey’devenregularlytaughtSundaySchool,asupscaleHarlemlostitslusterfollowingtheGreatDepressiontheybecamefearfulandreclusive,venturingoutlessandless.

Fear,andHomer’stragiclossofeyesight,ledtonearlycompleteisolation.Finally,theirutilitiesshutoff,theylivedinaslowlydeteriorating,junk-filledhouse,thoughrumorsswirledaboutfabulouswealth.Lastly,only“nests”ofspaceremained,connectedbybooby-trappedtunnels.Ultimately,Langleyfellvictimtoatrapdesignedtosmotherintruders,andHomerdiedshortlythereafter.

Fire-fightersaroundNewYorkstillrefertoa“Collyer'sMansion”asahoarder’sdwellingthatisadangertooccupantsandemergencyresponders.Jesustoowasconcernedabouta“Collyer’sMansion”ofsorts,remindingHishearersofeitheropportunityortragedythatresideswithinwhatisentrustedtous:opportunitythatchangeshearts,lives,andeternityortragedyshouldweholdsotightlytoourresourcesthattheyonedaysqueezethelifeoutofus.

Today’sofferingfocusesonopportunities--foryoungpeople,evangelisticoutreach,andbuildingprojectswithinourConference.

~AndrewMcCrary,UCCTrustDepartmentDirector

January18,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Acoupleremainsfinanciallyfaithful.Theunexpectednewswasraw:“Youhavecancer!”Thetreatmentwasverycostlyandtheinsurancecompanydeclinedcoverage.Thechoiceswerestark:emptytheretirementfundsorchallengetheinsurancecompanyforpayment.Theexpensesincreasedwithamajorunexpectedhomerepairwhichwasalsodeclinedbyanunrelatedinsurancecompany.Theamountsowedbytheseinstitutionswereverysimilar.Thehusbandandwifeprayedfordivinecounsel.Priortoreceivingthebadnews,thecouplehadmadecommitmentstoinvestsignificantlyinGod’sChurchanditsrelatedlocalministries.Thesemajorfinancialblowswereperceivedas“Satan’sjustlyexcuses”todishonorthecommitmentsmadeearlier.

Aftercarefulconsideration,thecoupledecidedtoremainfaithfultotheirpledgestotheLord.Severalmonthslater,withinfiveminutesofeachother,bothinsurancecompaniescalledandsaidtheywouldpay.Thiscoupleremainedfaithfuldespiteverydifficultcircumstances.Theydidnotwaver.Thebestnews:thereisnomorecancer!

Today,weremainfaithfulbysupportingourlocalchurchbudget.

January25,2020

ReligiousLiberty

ThussaiththeLord!Recently,IreadthefollowingquotefromacherishedbookcalledbyEllenG.White:“MenwillexaltandrigidlyenforcelawsthatareindirectoppositiontothelawofGod.Thoughzealousinenforcingtheirowncommandments,theywillturnawayfromaplain‘ThussaiththeLord’”(Testimoniesvol.9,p.229).

Thisbeautifulquoteremindedmethataroundtheworldtherearepeople,systems,andpowerfuldecision-makingbodiesthatenforceaviewofChristianitythatisdiametricallyopposedtoScripturaltruth.

TheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchinNorthAmericaadvocatesforreligioustoleranceandmutualrespecttowardotherreligioustraditionsthroughitsmagazine,Liberty,anditseffortsinthepublicsphere.Libertyissentfreeofchargetomanylawmakersandpublicfigures.OurchurchlikewiseadvocatesanddefendsthereligiousrightsinemploymentdisputesforourSeventh-dayAdventistChurchmembers.

OurgenerousofferingtodaywillprovidecontinuedresourcestoexpandthisindispensableworkindefendingreligiouslibertyacrosstheNorthAmericanDivision.

February1,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Help,attherighttime.Aphysicianandhiswifewalkedintoastoreandmetafellowchurchmember.Thememberwasfrequentlyabsentfromchurchmeetings.Whenaskedwhy,thereplywas:“wehadsomehardtimes,andneededtogotothelocalfoodbankopenonSaturdays.”ThephysicianandhiswifefeltimpressedbytheHolySpirittopurchaseagiftcardfromalocalgrocerystore.TheyquotedabeautifulBibleverseonthecardandsetitinthechurchmailboxforthismember.

Severalweekslater,thememberwalkeduptothecoupleandgavethemahug.Shesaid:“Iknowthisgiftcardwassittingforawhileinmymailbox,butitcamejustattherighttime.Thankyou.”Thephysicianandhiswifewereoverwhelmedwithgratitude.Tearswelledupintheireyes.Godhadusedthemtohelpanotherpersoninneedjustattherighttime.

Today’sofferingisforourlocalchurchbudget.Wehaveworthycausesthatministertoourlocalcommunities“justattherighttime”forthosewhoneeditthemost.Letusbegenerouswithourcontributions.LetusbepartofGod’splandescribedinthebookofMatthew:“forIwashungryandyougaveMefood;IwasthirstyandyougaveMedrink;IwasastrangerandyoutookMein”(Matthew25:35).

February8,2020

WorldBudget

3%ofWorldBudgetofferingssupportAdventistTelevisionMinistries.

“Whoisthatnewperson?”Thepastorleanedovertotheelderandasked:“Whoisthatnewpersonsittinginthebackpew?”Elder:“Heisavisitorwhoalsocamelastweek.”Pastor:“Howdidhehearaboutus?”Elder:“HewaschannelflippingandfoundHopeTV.”Pastor:“Thatisexcellent.”Elder:“Yes.Hesaidthatthe‘preacher’wastalkingabouttheSabbathonTVanditwasveryinteresting.”Pastor:“Didyoutalkwithhim?”Elder:“Yes,Ididlastweekwhenyouwereattheotherchurch.”Pastor:“Didheenjoyhisfirstvisitlastweek?”Elder:“Itlookslikeit,sincehecamebackthisweekagain.Ithinkhewantstomeetyou,pastor.”

Thisconversationtakesplacemoreandmoreofteninchurchesaroundtheworld.OurSeventh-dayAdventisttelevisionministrieshereathomeandacrosstheworldaremakingahugeimpactinpromotingtheGospeltomillionsofviewers.Withyourhelp,commitment,andsacrificialgiving,wecancontinuetoprovidethesemodern-ageservices.Let’scommitaportionofourincometotheseministries.

February15,2020

LocalChurchBudget

TheangelrecordedeveryofferingmadetoGod.InTestimoniestotheChurch(vol.2,p.518),EllenWhitenotesthefollowingstatement:“IwasshownthattherecordingangelmakesafaithfulrecordofeveryofferingdedicatedtoGodandputintothetreasury.”Shecontinuesonpage520withthefollowingwords:“DutiesinthisdirectionarebindinguponallwhoprofesstobefollowersofChrist.God’slawspecifiestheirdutytotheirfellowmen:‘Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself.’”

InFebruarywecelebrateloveinsecularsociety.Butfromaspiritualperspective,Godalsocelebratestheimportanceoflovetowardourfellowhumanbeings.Mrs.Whiteisveryexplicitinstatingthatlovingourneighborisa“duty”forallofuswhoprofesstobe“followersofChrist.”Suchanimperativeisinescapable.Goddesiresthatweserve,inlove,thoseclosesttoourspheresofinfluence.Thesecouldbeourneighbors,coworkers,oranyonewecomeintocontactwithregularly.

Thisweekourofferingisdedicatedtothelocalchurchbudget.Ourlocalchurcheshaveministriesthatreachoutcorporatelytoourlocalcommunitiesandour“neighbors.”Letusbegenerouswithourtithesandofferingssothatouroutreachmaybeasubstantialblessingforthosewhoreceiveit.

February22,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

HaveIplayedmypartwell?ThiswasthelastquestionofAugustusOctavius,oneofthemostcelebratedemperorsofRome.HewasalsoacontemporaryofJesusChrist.Yet,thetwocouldnothavebeenmoredifferent.AugustusboastedthathefoundRomeinbrickandleftitinmarble.JesusleftthecenteroftheuniverseasGodtosavehumanitybyembracinghumanfrailty.Augustuswasamanofwarcommandinglegions,whileJesuswasamanofpeacehealingbrokenlives.

Whendeathwasnear,Augustusaskedthoseclosetohimifhislifehadanymeaning.Hefamouslyasked:“HaveIplayedmypartwellinthiscomedycalledlife?Ifso,pleaseapplaudasIexit.”Augustusknewthatthereismoretolifethanconquest,riches,orglory.Jesusalsoknewthatthegreatestgiftinlifeisoneofservicelivedforthebenefitofothers.WeseeJesusintheBiblehealing,feeding,andrevivingpeople.

LetusdoasJesusdidandserveourcommunitieswithourtime,talents,andfinancialcontributions.Today,ourofferingsservethevariousministriesoftheUpperColumbiaConference.Let’sgivegenerously.JesusremindsustoseekGod’skingdomfirstandallotherthingswillalsobegiventous(Matthew6:33).

February29,2020

NADEvangelism

Alegacytoremember.CharlesMarshallKinnywasthefirstAfrican-AmericanordainedministerintheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.KinnyorganizedthefirstAfrican-AmericanAdventistchurchesintheUnitedStates.HewasbornaslaveinVirginiaandaftertheCivilWarendedKinnyacceptedtheAdventmessageandbecameaSeventh-dayAdventistin1878.

Heworkedasapastor,evangelist,andlecturerinseveralstates.Hisworkwasveryfruitfulandheisconsideredbymanytobethe“founderofBlackAdventism.”TheGeneralConferenceleadershipturnedtoKinnymanytimesforadviceonhowtoreachAfrican-AmericanbrothersandsistersforJesusChrist.

FebruaryisBlackHistorymonth.Wecelebratetheachievementsofourbrothersandsistersinfaith.ThisSabbathourofferingsgotosupportnewchurchplantsacrosstheNorthAmericanDivision.Letuscherishthelegacyofourspiritualforefathers,suchasCharlesMarshallKinny,andgivegenerously.

(CharlesMarshallKinnyinformationwasretrievedfrom:http://www.blacksdahistory.org/charles-kinny.html)

March7,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Faithfulinsmallthings.Theuniversitystudentridingthesubwayhadtomakeachoice:Wouldhespendhislast$50ondiscretionaryspendingorgiveittoGodasanoffering?Aversecameintohismind:“ButseekfirstthekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness,andallthesethingsshallbeaddedtoyou”(Matthew6:33).AsanewAdventist,heunderstoodthatmiracleshappenwhenthepeopleofGodstayfaithfultotheideasandvaluesthatliftusclosertoheaven.Hisoffering,heargued,wouldhelpthelocalchurchreachothersjustlikehim.

ThereasonhebecameanAdventistChristianwasduetoalocalSeventh-dayAdventistchurchsponsoringateacherwhointurngaveBiblestudiestostudents.HewasoneofthosestudentswhoacceptedJesusChristandchosetobebaptized.ThestudentdecidedtostayfaithfultohispledgedpromiseandgiveanofferingtoGodinthelocalchurch.

Thelocalchurchhasanarrayofministryopportunitiesthatreachouttostudents,singleparents,economicallydisadvantagedpeople,thesick,andtheimprisoned.Ourfaithfulandgeneroussupportoftheseministrieswillhaveatremendousdividendforeternity.Letusbeliberalandmagnanimousinsupportingourlocalchurchbudget.ThissupportwillservepeopleinneedandintroducethemtoJesus.

March14,2020

WorldBudget

0.75%ofWorldBudgetofferingssupportAdventistWorldRadioandtheHopeChannel

Mariahadhitrockbottom.Afterescapinganabusivemarriage,sheeventuallyfoundloveagainwithakindpoliceman.Butthentheunthinkablehappenedandsheandherhusbandwereambushedduringadrive-byshooting.Herhusbandshieldedherwithhisbody.Shesurvived;hedidn’t.Heranguishbecameunbearable.Shesuccumbedtodepressionandeventurnedtoséances.

Oneday,hersisterforwardedheranAWR360°cellphonesermonaboutthestateofthedead.ShebecameconvictedabouttheBibletruthandprayedforforgiveness.ThatSabbath,shewalkedintoanAdventistchurchwithherchildren,andhasattendedeversince.

ButtheLordwasn’tdonewithher.ShewantedtoreachotherswiththeThreeAngels’Messages.Incredibly,sheforgavebothherabusivefirsthusbandandhersecondhusband’skillers,andstartedsendingthemcellphonesermons.Theynowlisteneveryweek.

Thisisjustthetipoftheiceberg.HundredsofthousandsofpeopleareregularlylisteningtoAWR360°cellphonesermons,andthatnumbercontinuestogrowworldwide.

TheofferingtodayhelpstosupportAdventistWorldRadioandHopeChannelMinistries.Botharetransforminglivesforeternity.

March21,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Godopensdoorswecan’timagine.Asmallchurchandschooldecidedtostartabuildingproject.Theycontractedalocalarchitecttodesigntheproject.Thearchitectpricedtheconstructioncostat$75,000.Thequotedpricewaswithinthelocalchurch’ssavedbudget.Theprojectcommenced,buttheexcavationcostofthebuildingsitewashigherthanexpected.Thechurchrealizedthattheprojectwassignificantlyunderestimatedandthattheylackedsufficientfunds.

Thecontractorabandonedtheprojectandthearchitectleftthearea.“Whatarewegoingtodonow?”askedthechurchmembers.Theydecidedtopray.Therewasnomiraculousdescentofdollarbillsfromthesky.Yet,somethinghappened.Achurchmemberstartedafundraiserfortheneededfunds.Thechurchmemberssawthatsheneededhelpandofferedtoworkwithher.Thisbroughtthechurchtogether.Herprojectsucceededinprovidingmorethan$36,000ayearandsparkedagrowthinunity,faith,andtrust.Tithesandofferingsincreased.Thechurchgrew.Withinafewyears,thechurchcompletedamillion-dollarprojectandsawwhatGodcanandwilldowhenpeopleunite,humblethemselves,andpray.

Today’sofferingisforthelocalchurchbudget.Letusunite,pray,andaskGodtoshowusamiracle.LetusbecomeaccessoriestothismiraclebyreturningfaithfullyHistithesandofferings.

March28,2020

K.E.E.P./CampMiVodenDevelopment

“StreamsofLight”

TheMissionofMiVoden.WhenacamperstepsontoMiVodenproperty,theystepintoasafeandlovingspace.Astheyspendtheirweekatcamp,theircounselorsandthestaffmembersseekoutopportunitiestoministertothem;theylookforopportunitiestoshowtheloveofJesustothem.Bytheseactsofkindness,campersdecidetoadoptthesebehaviorsandbegintheirwalkwithGod.

1/3oftoday’sofferingbenefitsCampMiVoden.

~AbbyAlcantara,UCCYouthDepartmentTaskForce

Education=Evangelism

Isiteffective?Eachyearforthepast10years,therehavebeenatleast30,000,andinsomeyearsmorethan50,000,studentsinAdventistschoolsworldwidebaptizedduringtheschoolyear,primarilyinculminatingeventssuchasaWeekofPrayer.Thetotalforthe2006-2015periodwas427,313baptisms.Tolookatitanotherway,thisisequivalenttoatypical-sizeconferencebeingestablishedeachyearthroughtheevangelisticministryofAdventisteducation.JournalofAdventistEducationApril-June2017

YourcontributionassistsusinourcorneroftheworldtocontinuethisvitalKingdomexpansionbybringinginonemoreforHim!

2/3oftoday’sofferingbenefitstheKidsEducationalEndowmentProgram.

~BrianHarris,UCCVicePresidentofEducation

April4,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Whenweserve,wecreateabetterfuture.Shellieandhertwochildrenwalkedintoalocallibrary.Shestruckupaconversationwithanothermotherwhoalsohadtwochildrenofsimilarage.Afriendshipensued.AfewmonthswentbyandShellielearnedthatherfriendstruggledfinancially,livingpaychecktopaycheck.

TheLordimpressedShellie,anurse,tohelp.Shetalkedwithherhusbandandtheydecidedtopurchaseafewboxesofdiapersandclothes,andsendthemtoherfriendanonymously.Theylearnedthatthestrugglingmotherdidnothaveanymeanstopurchasethemuch-neededdiapers.Thegiftscouldnothavecomeatabettertime.

Despitedesiringtoremainanonymous,Shellieandhusbandwerediscoveredandwerethankedfortheirkindness.Suchactsofkindnessareexamplesofhowwecanserveand,intheprocess,createmiraclesinotherpeople’slives.

Today,single-parenthouseholdsareoneofthefastestgrowingdemographics.Singleparentsliveinourlocalcommunities;working,shopping,andeating.

Somechurcheshaveministriesthataddresssomeoftheneedsofsingle-parenthouseholds.Whatisourlocalchurchdoingtoimpactourlocalcommunity?Beactiveinourlocalministriesandgivegenerouslytodaytoourlocalchurchbudget.

April11,2020

ChristianRecordServicesOffering

Howmuchisyoursightworth?Afewyearsago,ClaudiawastalkingwithRoger,arecentlybaptizedAdventistteenager,aboutdisabilities.RogerwasinaweofhowClaudiawasabletogetaround,read,andfunctionwithaseveredisabilitythatdrasticallyreducedhersight.Claudiahadlosthereyesight10tenyearspriorandwastotallyblind.ShewasstudyingtobecomeaSeventh-dayAdventistChristianandwasreadingseveralpublicationsthatwereprovidedbyChristianRecordServices.

AfterRogerleftClaudia’shome,hedecidedtoputabandanaonhiseyesandtrytofunctionwithouthiseyesightforanentireday.Hetriedmemorizingtheplacementoffurniture,dishes,andotheressentialsinhisroom.Heonlylastedforonehour.Rogerkeptbumpingintothingsinhishouse,couldnotfindanything,andfeltfrustrated.Hetookoffhisbandanaandunderstoodhowimportantitistohaveeyesightandbeabletofunction.

ChristianRecordServicesisanorganizationthatprovidesmaterialsandservicesforthevisuallyimpaired.Italsoprovidescampsforchildrenwhoareblindandcannotaffordtoattendthem.

OurmonetarygiftsonbehalfofChristianRecordServicesbringusclosertoJesusandalsofulfillthecommissiondescribedinMatthew28:18-20.

April18,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Canwemakeadifference?Withfewerthan40peopleinattendance,theRoundupandLewistownSeventh-dayAdventistchurchesinruralMontanaaskedaveryimportantquestion:“Howcanweimpactourlocalcommunitieswithsuchsmallcongregations?”Its“graying”constituencyfeltinadequateandhadmobility,health,andageissues.Manyarguedthatthemoderntechnologywas“wayoverourhead.”Weprayed,andthen…Godhadasenseofhumor.

In2014,amannamedRichardcalledasking:“Wouldyoulikearadiostation?Iwillpayformostexpensesandhelpsetitup.Pleasetellme,Pastor,howmanyradiostationswouldyouliketohave?”Richarddidnotlistentothepastor’sarguments,andtherestishistory!

In2014,threeFMradiostationswerefoundedinthecommunitiesofLewistown,Roundup,andBillings,Montana.Inthefirsttwochurches,themembersrunthesestations:Producingweeklycontentfortheirentirecity,runningcomputers,settingupmicrophones,broadcastingonsocialmedia.

Whetherit’srunningradiostationsorsupportingourlocalchurchbudget,togetherwecanmakeadifference!

April25,2020

OutreachCoordinatorsfortheLocalChurch

“SharetheLife”

If It’s What the Bible Says, We Want to Follow It. A young couple started attending the Spokane Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church about a year ago. They had been life-long members of the Baptist church, who, through their own study, realized that the Bible Sabbath was Saturday. After a bit more study, they decided to observe the Seventh-day Sabbath. This led them to look for others who kept the Sabbath as well. In their search they found the Spokane Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church where they were later married and welcomed as members.

After getting married, they wanted to study deeper to understand the differences between Adventist and Baptist beliefs. The local Bible instructor studied with them, and they were amazed to find that other than the Sabbath, there were quite a few other differences. Though some of the new truths they learned were challenging, they determined to remain faithful to God’s Word. “If it’s what the Bible says, we want to follow it,” they said.

When you give to support Outreach Coordinators in the Upper Columbia Conference, you are directly supporting Bible work in the conference territory. There is a ripe harvest of souls, and through this ministry our Bible instructors are enabled to gather them in.

~Petra Dotson, Administrative Assistant, UCC Church Ministries & Discipleship

May2,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Doweknowourneighbor?EllenG.Whiteoncenoted:“Whereverachurchisestablished,allthemembersshouldengageactivelyinmissionarywork.Theyshouldvisiteveryfamilyintheneighborhoodandknowtheirspiritualcondition”(Testimonies,vol.6,296).

Toapostmodern,ultra-busy,perenniallydistractedWesternmind(suchasaNorthAmericanSeventh-dayAdventistChristian),suchcounselseemssurrealoroutofthisage.Didshereallysaythatweshouldknowourneighbor’s“spiritualcondition”?Wouldn’tthatbeabitnosy?Perhapsoffensivetoourneighbor?Didshemeanweshoulddothatpersonally?Orcorporatelyasachurch?

Hercounselseemstobeclear:“whereverachurchisestablished,allthemembersshouldengageactively”inministrythatwilldenoteempathy,care,andgenuineservice.ThiswasthemodelthatJesusChristalsofollowed.OurSaviorcaredforthepeoplewhomHeservedinthelocalcommunities.

Wearecalledtoserveourlocalcommunitiespersonallyandalsocorporatelyasalocalchurch.LetusbefaithfulandsupporttheministryofourfaithcommunityandthushastenthecomingofourLordJesusChrist.

May9,2020

WorldBudget

1.75%ofWorldBudgetofferingssupportAdventistCommunityServices(ACS)andAdventistDevelopmentRelief

Agency(ADRA).

AdventistCommunityServices.InasmalltownnearBaltimore,Maryland,floodingdestroyedhomesandbusinesseswithinatwo-hourtimeframe.

AdventistCommunityServicesDisasterResponse(ACSDR)volunteersorganizeda“MuckOut”fortheaffectedhomesinthecommunity.Eachhometheyvisitedwasclosetoawaterwaythathadproducedriver-likewaterflowoutinthestreets.Manyboxesandfurniturehadheldwaterformorethantwoweeks.Additionally,someofthehomesdevelopedmold.

Onefamilywhosebasementwasfloodedwithmorethan24inchesofwaterappreciatedthehelp.Volunteersworkedontheirhomeremovingfurniture,carpet,drywall,andtheremainingdebris.TheACSDRteamswerealsoabletoprovideotherneeds,suchasfood,water,andbasicitems.

ACSDRworksthroughouttheNorthAmericanDivisionservingcommunitiesintimesofcrisis.Today,yourofferingwillbegratefullyreceivedtosupporttheNorthAmericanDivisionAdventistCommunityServicesandtheAdventistDevelopmentandReliefAgency(ADRA)internationallytoassistbefore,during,andafterdisastersandtraumaticevents.

~WynelleStevens,AssistantDirectorofNADAdventistCommunityServices.

May16,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Yes,wecan.Yes,weshould!Acoupleofyearsago,TheCompassMagazinehadaninterestingarticleabouttitheandofferings.Thearticlenotedthatin2017,closeto1.02billiondollarsweregivenintitheintheNAD.Therewasmoreinterestingstatisticaldata:onethirdof“active”Adventistmembersdidnotreturnatithe.Youngpeopleandoldalike“neglected”tobefaithfulinreturningatithetotheLord.Whydidn’ttheygive?Thereasonwasnottheological.Itwasnotpastor-related(whethertheylikedordislikedthepastoralservice).Believeitornot,itwassimplyacaseofforgetfulness.Peoplejustplainforgottopaytheirtithe.

Anothersubsetofthesamedemographicnotedthat“theyneededtotithemoreregularly.”TheBibleconcurs.Wecan,andweshould,remembertopayanhonesttithetoourGod.ItisestimatedthatifmostactiveAdventistswouldreturnanhonesttithe,ourannualincomewouldeasilydoubleto$2billion.

LetusmakeanewcovenantwithourLordtobefaithfulandreturnafaithfultithetoHim.Yes,wecan,andyes,weshould!

Articlesourcedandretrievedfrom:https://thecompassmagazine.com/blog/the-tithe-conundrum-what-percent-of-adventists-actually-tithe#_edn2

May23,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

Acalltoaction.Revelation22:12states:“Andbehold,Iamcomingquickly,andMyrewardiswithMe,togiveeveryoneaccordingtohiswork.”Thisstatementcallsustoaction.ItremindsusthatoursalvationhasalreadybeendecidedandwillbegrantedwhenourSaviorJesusChristreturnsthesecondtime.WhichbringsustoasecondScripturepassage.Matthew28:18-20callsustobewitnessestotheworldbyteaching,baptizing,andobservingeternaltruthsspokenbyJesusChrist.

Thequestionis,“Howdowedothis?”Inpart,weachievethisthroughourpersonalexample,lifestyle,faith,anddedicationinourservicetoourlocalcommunities.WefulfilltheGreatCommissionthroughourlocalconferencefields.

TheUpperColumbiaConferenceequipsandempowersministriestoreachourlocalcommunitieswiththeChrist-centeredmessageofhopeandwholeness.Itsponsorsevangelisticoutreach,investsinyouthprograms,contributestoeducationalscholarships,buildsandremodelschurchandschoolfacilities,managescampsforretreats,andorganizesneed-basedservices.Throughtoday’sofferingyouaredirectlyandeffectivelyservingtheneedsofourlocalregion.

Let’scontinuetofulfilltheGreatCommissionbyactivelyfundingourlocalConferenceAdvanceministries.Byfaithfullyandgenerouslygiving,weserveandintroducepeopletoJesusforeternity.

May30,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Lunchmoney.InthecommunistregimeofRomania,ateacherfeltcalledbyGodtoteachinagovernment-runschool.Theall-boysboardingacademywasnopicnicforher.SheoftentriedtalkingtothestudentsaboutJesus,butwasunsuccessful.

TheteacherdecidedtoprayforavenueinwhichGodwouldusehertobeawitness.Shenoticedthatthestudents’state-providedschoolluncheswereabitonthelightside.Thisobservationimpressedhertosavealittlemoneyeverymonthandputitinaspecialjar.Whenshewouldhearofahungrystudent,thejarwouldbeemptied,foodwouldbepurchased,andthestudentwouldbefilled.

Soon,newsgotaroundinthestudentbodyabouttheteacherandherlunchprovisions.Theteacherrentedasmallhousenexttotheschoolbuilding.Thestudentsoftenwalkedtoherhouseforfoodduringrecess.Thisideaoffeedinghungrystudentsbecameaministryforherwithgreatsuccess.

ThreeofthestudentsstartedlisteningtoherstoriesaboutJesus.TheystartedreadingtheBibleandengaginginBiblestudies.Twowerebaptized.

WhatministryisGodcallingyoutoengageinandwitnesswithinyourlocalchurch?DoyouhaveatalentandadesiretobeusedbyGod?Godcanuseyouandyourtalentstowitnesstoothers.

June6,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Churchmoney.MaxwasjustayoungboylivinginruralVirginiawithhisparentsandhissister.Onesummerevening,theywentforashortdrivetotherivertoeattheirpicnicsupper.

Soonitwastimeforthefamilytopackupandgohome.Whentheyarrivedhome,theyfoundthebackdoorbrokenandwideopen.Someonehadbrokenintotheirhomeandstolenmanyoftheirbelongings.

LaterthatnightwhileMaxwaslyinginhisbedtryingtogotosleep,herememberedsomethingveryimportant.Herantohisparents’roomexcitedlyaskingiftherobberhadfoundtheir“churchmoney.”Hisparentsgotupandtheyallwenttothekitchen.Sureenough,thejarfullofmoneywasstillthere.

ThefamilyhadbeensavingtheirextracoinsandanoccasionaldollartogiveasanofferingonthecomingSabbath.Theyweresothankfulthatthegiftsforthechurchweresafe.WiththankfulheartstheycarriedthejartochurchthefollowingSabbathandhappilyplacedthemoney,jarandall,intheofferingplate.

Let’sbethankfultodayfortheblessingswehaveandthemonieswecangenerouslyshareaswegivetosupportthelocalbudgetneedsforourchurchtoday.

~CarolDoudikenisalocalelderinthePotomacConference,andthisstoryisaboutheruncle.

June13,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Wecannotletthispass.In1982,asmallnine-studentchurchschoolendedtheschoolyearwitha$4,000deficit.Theconferenceaskedthelocalchurchtohonorthedebtortheschoolwouldbeshutdown.

ThenewpastorarrivedinSeptember.Whenmadeawareofthesituation,heaskedthetreasurerandheadelder“Whatplansareinplacetoretirethedebt?”Theyresponded:“Wedon’thavethemoney;wedon’tknowwhattodo.”Withonlytwomonthstoraisethefunds,thelocalpastorremindedthecongregationoftheirneedtofulfilltheirpromiseandclearthedebt.

Ananonymousdonorannouncedthathewaswillingtodonatetwomonths’worthofhissalary(halftheoutstandingdebt)ifthechurchwouldmatchtherest.ThenextSabbaththetreasurerpassionatelypled:“Thisisawonderfulopportunitywecannotletpass.Folks,weneedtomatchthisgenerousgift!”Herenthusiasmjoltedthelocalchurchintoaction.Donationspouredinandthedebtwasretired.Today,thatschoolisathrivingK-12institution.

Ourlocalchurchdependsonoursacrificialandsystematicsupport.LetusbefaithfulandsupporttheLord’sworkinourlocalchurchwithourgenerousfinancialcontributions.

June20,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Appreciatingourearthlyandheavenlyfathers.SonoraSmartDoddwas16whenshelosthermotherinchildbirth.Herfather,aCivilWarveteran,single-handedlyraisedsixchildren,includinganewborn.TheylivedinSpokane,Washingtonwherelifewasnotalwayseasy.Yearslater,asSonorasatinchurchlisteningtoaMother’sDaysermon,shefeltadeepdesiretohonorherfather,WilliamJacksonSmart.ShestartedapetitioninhertowntodesignateJune5,herfather’sbirthday,asaholiday.SpokanesupportedhervisionandcelebratedthefirstFather’sDayonJune19,1910.

In1972,PresidentRichardNixonelevatedthelocalstatutetofederallevelandproclaimedFather’sDayanationalholiday.Theaffectionofagratefuldaughterledtofathersacrosstheworldbeingrecognizedandappreciated.

EverySabbath,whenwegatherinchurchesacrossthecountry,wecelebrateacloseandintrinsicrelationshipwithourheavenlyFather.Letuscherishnotonlyournaturalearthlyfathers,butalsoourHeavenlyone.

Aswecollectourlocalofferingsandtithe,letusbegratefultoourFatherforourlives,health,andfamilies.

June27,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

In2004,AshleyRevell,age32,wageredeverythingheownedonasinglewhirloftheroulettewheel.Win—doublehismoney.Lose—andhewon’tevenowntherentedtuxedoonhisback.

Revell,aprofessionalgambler,decidedtoswingbigwhileyoung.Thedecisiononblackorredwouldbemadeonthespot.Inhisownwords,"Oneofthemisgoingtobetherightthingtosayandoneisgoingtobethewrongthing."Thatcouldbedescribedasabitofanunderstatement?!

Ayoungmaninhisthirtiesofferedoutrageous-soundingodds2,000yearsago.Hestatedthat“whosoeverwillsavehislifeshallloseit:andwhosoeverwilllosehislifeformysakeshallfindit.”(Mat16:25KJV)

Today’sofferinggoestoUpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance,whichisallaboutsharingChristwiththosewhodon’tknowHe’stheRockinaworldofturmoil.Itspecificallyinvestsinouryoungpeople,evangelisticoutreach,andbuilding,purchasing,andremodelingfacilitiesformoreeffectiveministry.

EverymonthasIcontributetithesandofferings,I’mremindedthatChrististheonlysafethingtobeteverythingon.Matthew6:20counselsustostockpileheavenlytreasuresforourselvesthatcannotbestolenandwillneverrust,decay,orlosetheirvalue.

~AndrewMcCrary,UCCTrustDepartmentDirector

July4,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Ourcitizenshipisheaven.Eversincethefifthgrade,AndrewdesiredtomovetotheUnitedStatesandbeoneofitscitizens.ThisincrediblehonormaterializedwhenAndrewarrivedinNewYorkCityin1999.Fromthebeginning,Andrewwasspellbound.Theskyscrapers,thehustleandbustleofthecity,andthekindnessandgenerosityofitspeoplewereelectrifying.

EverywhereAndrewtraveled,peoplefromallbackgrounds,colors,andcultureswelcomedhimasoneoftheirown.AndrewcouldbarelyspeakEnglish,butthathardlymattered.America’speopledisplayedadecencyanddesiretohelpevenwhencommunicationwasdifficult.

AndrewfellinlovewithAmerica:itszestforlife,itsoptimism,anditsbeliefinthecollectivepotentialforabetterworld.Andrewbecameacitizenandforthepast20yearshasmadetheUnitedStateshistemporaryhome.Hehasstudied,married,andwelcomedchildreninitsland.Hecallsitatemporaryhomebecauseasmuchasheloveshiscountry,helooksforwardtoapermanenteternitywithourGod.

WithaneyetowardsacountrypromisedbyourSavior,letusbefaithfulinreturningourtithesandofferingstohastenitscoming.

July11,2020

Women’sMinistries

Wedon’tknowalloftheirnames.WomeninvestedinJesus’scausefromthebeginning.WhenJesustraveled,theTwelvewentwithhim,alongwithMaryMagdalene,Joanna,Susanna,“andmanyotherswhoprovidedforHimfromtheirsubstance”(Luke8:1-3).Lydia,abusinesswoman,becamethefirstfollowerofJesusinEurope.Priscillaandherhusband,Aquila,hostedPaulinCorinth,Ephesus,andRome.

Women’sinvestmentgoesbeyondfinancial.JesusmetaSamaritanwomanwhobecamethefirstevangelistinJohn’sgospel.MaryMagdalenewasthefirstwitnessofJesus’sresurrection.Tabitha,orDorcas,sharedthegospelthroughactsofservice.Phoebe,adeacon,traveledhundredsofmilestodeliverPaul’slettertoRome.Junia,anapostle,wenttoprisonforJesus’scause.

Ourmothers,sisters,anddaughtersstillfaceuniquechallengesasweserveChristtogether.Women’sMinistriesprovidesopportunitiesandresourcesforwomentoexperiencespiritualgrowth,freedomfromabuse,mentoring,networking,andgreaterserviceathome,church,andinthecommunity.

Youmaynotknowalloftheirnames,butyourinvestmenttodaywillimpactthelivesofwomenacrossthisdivision,forJesus’scause.

~RaewynOrlichisapastorinVictorville,California.

July18,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Godnevertakesabreak.Julyisasummermonthperfectforvacations.Someofusaregettingreadytospendsomeleisuretimeatthelake,inthemountains,oreveninaforeigncountry.Wedisconnect,leavingbehindourwork,hecticschedules,andtheminutiaofthedailygrind.Hopefully,wereturnrefreshedandreadyforanewcycleofwork,family,androutine.

ManyknowJohn3:16byheart.ItscoremessageisthatGodloveshumanityandcametosaveit.FromthemomenthumanitychosesinintheGardenofEden,GodneverhadadayofffromHis“work.”Everyday,theCreatoroftheuniverse“showsupforwork”byhealing,protecting,advising(viatheHolySpirit),admonishing,hoping(forwisechoices),crying,andsmiling.

Canyouimaginethe9-to-5grindinGod’sschedule?ThesheermagnitudeofGod’spresenceinouruniverseatalltimesandbeingofservicetoafallenhumanityisoverwhelming—yetencouraging.Heisthereforus—wecancountonHim.Atalltimes.

LetusrememberGodinthemidstofourvacationpreparations.Godnevertakesadayoff,orabreak.Heisservinghumanity24hoursaday,everyday,untilHisSonreturnsagain.

July25,2020

K.E.E.P.Endowment/CampMiVodenDevelopment

“StreamsofLight”

OnemorefortheKingdom!Twothirdsoftoday’sofferinghelpsfundtheKid’sEducationEndowmentProgram(KEEP).ManyofourfamiliesacrosstheUpperColumbiaConferencerelyonfinancialsupportfromourchurches,schools,conferenceandthegenerosityofmemberslikeyourselftokeeptheirstudentsinAdventisteducation.TheKEEPendowmentstewardsyourgenerouscontributionstopartnerwiththesefamiliestomakethisareality.ThankyouforconsideringgivingtodaytohelpbringonemoreintotheKingdom!

2/3oftoday’sofferingbenefitstheKidsEducationalEndowmentProgram.

~BrianHarris,UCCVicePresidentofEducation

MaintainingMiVoden.TakeastrollaroundCampMiVodenandyouwillseethebeautifulroofs,decks,andrailingsondormbuildingsinadditiontoasmallertwo-storyhouseforstaffhousingallremodeledthroughCampDevelopmentofferings.Themuch-useddocksthatwerefallingapartatthelake’sedgewerealsorebuiltforfuturefunandfrolicking.CampMiVodenisoneofthemosteffectevangelismtoolswithinourConferenceresultinginnumerousdecisionsforbaptismeachsummer.ThroughyourgenerousofferingsyoucanhelpmaintainanddevelopCampMiVodenandkeepitaplacetoconnectcamperstoChrist.

1/3oftoday’sofferingbenefitsCampMiVoden.

~AbbyAlcantara,UCCYouthDepartmentTaskForce

August1,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Alifesavingserum.In1925,amajordiphtheriaepidemicwasjustabouttosweepNome,Alaska.TheharshandexcessivelycoldAlaskanenvironmenthinderedthetransportationofalifesavingserumthatwouldstopthespreadoftheepidemic.Itwassocoldthattheengineofthesoleaircraftthatcouldhavepotentiallydeliveredthemedicinedidnotturnon.

Dogswereemployedwithsledstotransportthemedication.Itwasanarduousjourneywithlimitedvisibility,highwinds,andtemperaturesofminus31degreesCelsius.Balto,aSiberianhusky,reliedsolelyonhissensestokeepGunnarKaasenontherighttrackandleadhimintoNome.Theirdeliveryavertedtheepidemic.

GodalsostavedoffamajorcatastrophebysendingHisonlySonJesusChristtodeliveralifesavingsacrificeonthecross.Jesusenduredridicule,mockery,abuse,andviolenceforthesalvationofhumanity.Isaiah53tellsusthatJesuswasledasalambtoaslaughterhouseanddidnotobject.ItwasHischoicetofinishthejourneyandprovidealifesavingoption.

ThelocalchurchisabodyofbelieversthatreachesoutonaregularbasistopeoplewhodonotknowJesusChrist.Ourtitheandofferingsareanintegralpartinthisoutreach.LetusbefaithfulinreturningthatwhichisGod’s.

August8,2020

WorldBudget

Aportionoftoday’sofferingdirectlyhelpsOakwood/Andrews/LomaLindaUniversities.

Findyourplace–faith,friends,future.Servingmorethan9,500studentscombined,Andrews,LomaLinda,andOakwoodUniversitiesarespeciallytaskedwithpreparingfuturechurchleadersforthemissionfieldsofhealthcareandpastoralwork.

YoucantangiblyhelpastudentlikeVanessa,whochosetoattendLomaLindaUniversitybecauseofitsholisticapproachtohealth.Toher,healthwentbeyondphysicalhealing.Itincludedthesocial,emotional,intellectual,environmental,andspiritualhealthofherpatients.

OryoucanhelpastudentlikeChristian,whowasraisedRomanCatholicinEcuadoranddecidedtoleaveacareerintechnologytobecomeapastorandattendtheSeminaryatAndrewsUniversity.Hisfriends,family,sponsors,andmentorsatAndrewshelpedhim“rekindlethesparkthatignitesacommitmenttowardatruerevolutionofthoughtandaction.”Andhenowwantsto“wholeheartedlychangethisworldwithChristandforChrist!”

PleasegivegenerouslytohelpmakeadifferenceforstudentslikeVanessaandChristian.Yourdonationswillbehelpingtodevelopthefutureleadersofourchurchesandcommunities.

~MarcA.GrundyisDirectorofMarketingfortheAssociationofAdventistCollegesandUniversities

August15,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Isitreallytoomuch?Afterherbaptism,Luziamadeaplantoreturnherofferingasapercentageofherincome.Shedidnotwantto“forget”tobegratefultoGod.WhilelivinginBrazil,Luziagotawell-payingjob,andwritingchecksforthetithesandofferingsbecamepainful.Shealwaysunderstoodthattithesdon’tbelongtousandwereturnthemtoGod.Butshewasn’tsosureaboutofferingsanymore.

LuziaprayedandfinallyunderstoodthatofferingsareawaytoshowGodourgratitudefortheblessingsreceived,andtheonlywaytoreducetheamountwasifGodreducedherblessings.Lookingback,shecanseethatafterreturningtitheandgivingofferingsshealwayshadenoughtopayherbills,buyallsheneeded,andevenmaketripsaroundtheworld.

ShesaysthebestthinghappenedwhensheandherhusbandmovedtotheUnitedStates.TheysoldtheircondoinBrazilandwiththatmoneyboughtahouseforcashintheStates.DailyshethanksGodforthisblessingandmiracle,becausebyhercalculations,itshouldneverhavebeenpossible.

Goddoesn’tneedourmoney.HeonlywantsustolearntotrustHimandHisplansforourlife.LuziaencouragesyoutotryandseeGod’sgenerosity!

~LuziaRaleighisalocalelderintheRoanoke,VirginiaSeventh-dayAdventistChurch

August22,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

“Beginbyhelpingyourneighbors.”“Everychurchmembershouldfeelithisspecialdutytolaborforthoselivinginhisneighborhood.Studyhowyoucanbesthelpthosewhotakenointerestinreligiousthings.Asyouvisityourfriendsandneighborsshowaninterestintheirspiritualaswellasintheirtemporalwelfare.PresentChristasasin-pardoningSavior.Inviteyourneighborstoyourhome,andreadwiththemfromthepreciousBibleandfrombooksthatexplainitstruths.”

ThiswonderfulcounselcanbefoundinthebookWelfareMinistry,page190,writtenbyEllenG.White.Twowordsstandoutasveryimportant.Thefirstis“study”howyoucanbesthelp.Suchaworddenotespremeditatedinterestforthoseinourimmediatesphereofinfluence.Thesecondwordis“invite.”Thiswordtakesusoutofourcomfortzone.ItremindsusthatbuildingrelationshipswithpeoplewhomaynotknowChristrequirestime,patience,and,mostofall,proximity.

Whenweinviteaneighbortoourhouse,ourmostintimatespace,weinspiretrustandopenness.SuchbehaviorsoftenlowerbarriersandwithtimewillofferopportunitiesforconversationsaboutChrist.

Whenpossible,letusseeksuchopportunitiestointroducepeopletoChrist.

August29,2020

ArcticMissionAdventure

Willyouhelpmakeadifference?PeopleinAlaskaNativevillagesfaceenormouschallengeslikefoodinsecurity,sexualabuse,substanceabuseandsuicideratesthattopthenation.ArcticMissionsisworkingtochangethenarrativeinthesecommunities.

LetmetellyouaboutTim.HeknocksontheparsonagedoorandasIstepbacktolethimin,Iseehisangerandpainandamthankfulhecametotalk.Iquicklypray,“Godplease,weneedyourhelphere.”Howdoyoureachsomeonewhohasbuiltwallsaroundthemselves?Growingupinahomewithparentsondrugsandalcohol,hedoesn’thaveasupportsystemandfeelsalone.Hewantstobebetter.Hetries,butthensomethinghappens,andhe’sdrawnbackintooldhabits.Howmuchcanayoungteentakeandnotbreak?Myheartcriesout,“Lord,YouseehimcryingoutforYou,pleasereachhim.”TogetherwereadJoshua1:9andIsharewithTimthatGodwantstolighthispathandguidehimjustlikeHedidforJoshua.Wepraytogether,andIknowGodhastouchedhisheart.

FastforwardtothelastteennightwhenIsawTimcomeinandpullaBibleofftheshelf.Hechosetositaloneinthebackofthechurchthoughweencouragedhimtojointhegroup.Whenwesang“JesusistheOneWhoLightsMyWay”,helooksmeintheeyeandnods.Yes,God’slightisreachinghim.

Throughitsministryoutreach,AMAisbringinghopeandwholenesstoyouthlikeTimwholiveinremoteAlaska.Weaskyoutoprayerfullybeapartofthis100%donor-sponsoredministrythroughyourgiftstoday.

September5,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Timeisshort.“MaytheLordgivenorest,daynornight,tothosewhoarenowcarelessandindolentinthecauseandworkofGod.Theendisnear.ThisisthatwhichJesuswouldhaveuskeepeverbeforeus—theshortnessoftime.”ThesesolemnwordswereutteredbyEllenG.Whiteinaletterwrittenin1886(Letter97,1886).ShedefinitelybelievedthaturgencywasneededwhenthepeopleofGodwereaskedtopartakeinthespreadingoftheGospel.

Muchliketoday,thepeopleofhertimewerepreoccupiedwithmundanetasksandwith“makingaliving.”Thereisnothingwrongwithmakingaliving.Yet,theScriptureswarnusthatprioritiesneedtobekeptintheirproperperspective.TheapostleMatthewisveryfrankwhenhedrawsaparallelbetweenthetimeofNoahandthetimeoftheend(Matthew24:38).TheBibledescribesthelastgenerationassuccumbingtoworldlycaresandGodbecomingalesserpriority.

Isthisreallywhatwewant?Would80yearsonthisplanetbeit?JesuspromisedaneternitywithGod.Whywouldwebecarelessandtradeinfinityforatemporarylife?

Today’sofferingisforourlocalchurchbudget.Inremainingfaithfulandgivinggenerously,weenableourlocalchurchtoreachouttopeoplewhomaynotknowJesusyet.Timeisshort.

September12,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Startwhereyouare.ChrisGardner’sfascinatingstoryisportrayedinthemovie,ThePursuitofHappyness.Asasingleparentwithayoungboyintow,Gardner’scharacter,playedbyWillSmith,hadahardtimemakingit.Hestruggledtofindadequatehousing,ashehadoddjobsandpoortransportation.Thestorywasemotional,raw,anduncomfortableattimes.Intheend,Gardner’sexasperatedpursuitofhappinesswassuccessful.

Inreallife,ChrisGardnerbecomesveryprosperous.Inhis#1NewYorkTimesbestseller,StartWhereYouAre,hedescribesaroadmapthatinviteshissuccesstobereplicated.Oneofthemostimportantpointsareadertakesawayreadingthisbookisthatforanyonetosucceedtheyneedtostartwheretheyare.

“CometoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest”(Matthew11:28).Aroundtheworldatiredhumanityisdesperatelysearchingforasubstitutethatwilltakeawayburdensandgivepeace.Yet,GodremindsusthatwecancometoHimasweare.

Today,aswegivetoourlocalchurchbudget,rememberthatourpresenceinthiscommunityallowsustoreachpeoplewheretheyare.

September19,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Trainupachild.Parentsoftenfeelguiltyfornotdoingenoughfortheirchildren.Infact,attimes,someofusparentsgooverboardandindulgeourchildren.Desiresaresatisfied,toyspileupintheguestbedroom,high-pricedelectronicsarepurchased.Soonaftersomeofthesearticlesareacquired,interestinthemsubsidesandtheyarerelegatedtoobscurity.Isthisstoryfamiliar?

TheBibleteachesusthatweshould“trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo,andwhenheisoldhewillnotdepartfromit”(Proverbs22:6).Teachingchildrenabouttithesandofferingsisbestintheirearlieryears.Theycanbetaughttocountoutthetithefrommoniestheyearned.Theycanalsoparticipateindonatingtoworthycauses.

Thekeyinthistrainingistheselectionofpropertiming,attitude,andbenevolence.Thechildshouldnotfeelcompelled.Ifproperlyexplained,mostchildrendesiretoparticipateinaprojectthathelpsotherpeople.

Recently,alocalpastorlearnedwithdelightthatayoungboywasreturninghistithefaithfullybecause“that’swhatGoddesired.”

LetusteachourchildrentobefaithfulstewardsandreturntoGodwhatisrightfullyHis.Thistrainingwillreapextraordinarydividendsinthefuture.

September26,2020

OutreachCoordinatorsfortheLocalChurch

“SharetheLife”

Wanting to hear. While passing out holiday GLOW tract gift bags, one of our Bible instructors met Daphne who shared that she appreciated the tracts that she had received. The Bible instructor seized the opportunity and offered her Bible studies. A Bible study lesson was dropped off every two weeks for Daphne to complete on her own. The lesson about the Sabbath was a surprise to her. She questioned her pastor why they worshipped on Sunday when the Bible identifies the seventh day as the Sabbath. He explained the history on how the day was changed but added that it wasn’t convenient to worship on Saturday. She was shocked that he knew the truth but wasn’t following it.

Daphne accepted the Bible instructor’s invitation to have one-on-one Bible studies but conceded to pressure from her husband and canceled the appointment. Shortly after this, the Bible instructor lost contact with Daphne.

Through a divine appointment, they met again five years later when Daphne thanked the Bible instructor for sharing the Sabbath truth with her. She stated “I’ve been told so many lies from the pulpit that I just want to hear God’s truth!”

Romans 10:14 NLT asks, “And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?” Today’s offering enables door to door Bible work in many areas around our Conference. Bible instructors are sent to share the Word so they can hear about and come to know Jesus. ~Petra Dotson, Administrative Assistant, UCC Church Ministries & Discipleship

October3,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Financialinfidelity.Thisatermthatdescribesamyriadofactions,activitiesandattitudesaboutmoneyhiddenfromaparticularpartner.Dr.BonnieEakerWeilnotesinherbookFinancialInfidelitythatsuchphenomenonisthenumberonedestroyerofrelationships.Manycouplesfeelbetrayedbytheoffendingpartner’sactionsdoneinsecret.Thesurprisingrevelationinreadingthebookisthatmanypeopledonotseethemselvesfinanciallyunfaithfultotheirpartners.

ThesamepervasiveattitudeispresentintheChristiancontext.InapreviouswriteupwenotedthatonethirdofactiveSeventh-dayAdventistmembersdonotreturnafaithfultithe.Oneofthemaincausesforsuchunfaithfulnesswasduetoplainforgetfulness.

IntheBibletheLordtellsusthatnotreturningHistitheandofferingislikerobbingGod(Malachi3:8).Suchastrongstatementmaybeunpalatable.Nevertheless,ScripturemakesaverystrongpointthatsomeofusarefinanciallyunfaithfultoGod.

Suchfinancialinfidelitymayhavedeeperrootsthanasimplecaseofforgetfulness.BeingfaithfulfinanciallytoourLordisapredictorofourlong-termrelationshipwithHim.LetusremainfaithfultoHim.

October10,2020

WorldBudget

3%ofWorldBudgetofferingshelptosupportVoiceofProphecy/LaVozdelaEsperanza

“EquippingtheWorldforChristtoCome.”TheVoiceofProphecyexiststoproclaimtheeverlastinggospelofChrist—leadingpeopletoacceptJesusastheirpersonalSaviorandnurturingtheminpreparationforHissoonreturn.

Aleaderinreligiousbroadcasting,theVoiceofProphecyfocusesonGod’sloveandheraldsthesoonreturnofChrist—providinghopetobrokenpeopleandguidancefordailyliving.Foundedin1929byH.M.S.Richards,theministrycontinuestodayundertheleadershipofSpeaker/DirectorShawnBoonstraandAssociateSpeakerJeanBoonstra.In1942,LaVozdelaEsperanzabeganbroadcastingtobringthegospeltotheSpanish-speakingworld.

TheVoiceofProphecycanbeheardinnearlythreedozenlanguages,andBiblelessonsareavailableinmorethan70languages.LocalDiscoverBibleSchoolshavebeenestablishedinmorethan2,000churchesacrossNorthAmerica,withhundredsmorearoundtheworld.LaVozdelaEsperanzaalsohasaBibleSchoolwithfourcollectionsoflessons.

AstheVoiceofProphecyandLaVozdelaEsperanzalooktothefuture,theywillcontinuetofocusonsharingtheloveofChristwithahurtingworld.

LetussupportthisChrist-centeredministrywithourresourcesonthisWorldBudgetSabbath.

October17,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Thegoldenrule.Luke6:31introducesustothegoldstandardofbehaviortowardothers.Itstatesthatwhateveryouwouldlikefrompeople,youshoulddothesameforthemfirst.Thisisverysoundadvice.Yet,Matthewaskstheverypoignantquestion:“ifyoulovethosewholoveyou,whatrewardhaveyou?”(Matthew5:46).Inotherwords,ifweonlyofferatransactionalloveanddesiresomethinginreturn,thatloveismeaningless.

InmanyinstancesintheGospels,JesusteachesHisfollowerstolove,give,andhelpunconditionally.

AsaSeventh-dayAdventistnonprofitinstitution,wearecalledtolookforopportunitiesofservicetoourlocalcommunities.Aparishioneroncerelatedastorytohispastoraboutachurch.ThisAdventistchurchbecamesovitaltothelifebloodofthelocalcommunitythat,ifitweretoberelocatedwithoutawarning,thelocalcommunitywouldgreatlysuffer.

Havewebecomesuchindispensableextensionsofourlocalcommunities?Areweservingthemunconditionally,withoutanyulteriormotives?Thegoldenrulestatesthatwearetoloveaswewanttobeloved.JesusgoesonestepfurtherwhenHeasksustoloveunconditionally.

October24,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

Somethingtogive.Whenconstructingthewildernesstabernacle,theIsraeliteshadpreciousresourcestodonatetothebuildingprojectbecausetheHolySpirithadmovedtheheartsoftheEgyptianstopaythemliberallyastheysetoutontheirjourneyintothedesert.YearslaterafterKingDavidandtheHebrewnoblesandfamilyleadersgenerouslycontributedfortheconstructionofthetemplethatSolomonwouldbuild,DavidacknowledgedGodinhisprayerbysaying,“EverythingwehavehascomefromYou,andwegiveYouonlywhatYoufirstgaveus!”1Chronicles29:14.WewouldhavenothingtogiveeitherifGodhadnotfirstblessedus.GodhasinvitedustocooperatewithHiminthesavingofsoulsandifallwouldpartnerwithGodthroughtitheandofferingstherewouldbenolackofmeanstoaccomplishtheworkneedingtobedone.

Today,theofferingisdesignatedforadvancingtheGospelworkinourlocalconference.24%oftheUpperColumbiaConferenceAdvancebudgetfundsevangelisticendeavorsbychurchesthroughoutourConference.Byjoiningwithotherchurchesinthisoffering,wecanhelpprovidethefundsneededtosharetheTruththroughoutourregion.

KingDavidchallengeseachofusin1Chronicles29:5,“Nowthen,whowillfollowmyexampleandgiveofferingstotheLordtoday?”

~LindaEastman,UCCTreasuryDepartmentAccountant

October31,2020

WallaWallaUniversity

DevelopingDreams.Thisyear,1,864studentsareenrolledatWallaWallaUniversityandattendingclassesononeoftheuniversity’sfivecampuseslocatedinCollegePlace,Portland,RosarioBeach,Billings,andMissoula.Whenstudentsarriveoncampus,eachonebringshopesanddreamsforthefutureandadesiretofollowtherightpaththatwillleadthemtoahappyandproductivelife.

Collegeisatimeoftransitionfromadolescencetoadulthood,fromrelianceonparentstoaplaceofmoreautonomy.Duringthatprocessofgrowth,WallaWallaUniversityseekstoprovideacommunityoffaithaswellasacademicandprofessionalsupportservicesthatnurturethebalanceddevelopmentofeachstudent.Theseresourcesincludeworld-classhighereducation,careercounselingandinternshipplacementservices,opportunitiestostudyabroad,organizedsocialactivities,andcommunityserviceopportunities—justtonameafew!

LastJune,449studentsgraduatedfromWWU.Today,someofthosegraduatesmaybemembersofyourlocalchurchcongregation.Thankyouforwelcomingthemintoyourcommunityandforsupportingthemastheysettleintonewcareersandlivesofservice.ThankyoualsoforyourfinancialsupportandprayersforWallaWallaUniversitythroughoutthisyearaswelooktogethertowardtheblessedhope.

November7,2020

LocalChurchBudget

IsourfaithfulnesstoGodfirst?EllenG.Whitenotedthefollowing:“WearenottoconsecratetoHimwhatremainsofourincomeafterallourrealorimaginarywantsaresatisfied;butbeforeanyportionisconsumed,weshouldsetapartthatwhichGodhasspecifiedasHis.Manypersonswillmeetallinferiordemandsanddues,andleavetoGodonlythelastgleanings,iftherebeany.Ifnot,Hiscausemustwaittillamoreconvenientseason”(R&H.,May16,1882).

Whenweareunfaithfulwithourtithesandofferings,wearesendingamessage.WesendamessagewhenwechoosetoputGodandthespreadingoftheGospelasasecondaryortertiarypriority.WesendamessagethatHiscausemustwait.

TheplanofsalvationwasactivatedandJesusvolunteeredtodieforhumanityonthecross.ButwhatifHewouldhavesaid:“Idon’treallyknowaboutthis.”Or,“Whydon’twewaitabitandseehowthiswholethingwillplayout?”CouldyouimagineifJesuswouldhavechosentorelegatehumanityanditssalvationasnon-important?

Godplacedthesalvationofhumanityasafirstpriorityfromthe“foundationoftheworld”accordingtoEphesians1:4.LetusremainfaithfulandplaceGodfirstaswellbyreturningHistithesandofferings.

November14,2020

WorldBudget

4%ofWorldBudgetofferingsaredesignatedtosupportAnnualSacrifice-GlobalMissions

Let’ssacrifice.PremreceivedmedicaltrainingandthenchosetoliveonasmallstipendinaremotetowninIndiaasaGlobalMissionpioneer.BeforePremarrived,therewerenoAdventistsintheregion.Thenearesthospitalisseveralhoursaway,sopioneerPremusesthetalentsGodhasgivenhimtoservethetown’ssick.Hetransformedhislivingroomintoaclinicwherehelovinglyteachesthelocalshowtoadoptawholisticlifestyleandtreatstheirillnesses.ThenhepraysfortheHeavenlyPhysiciantohealandblessthem.

ThroughPrem’scompassionatewordsandactions,manyofhisformerpatientsnowcomeeachSabbathtothelocalchurchbuilding.

GlobalMissionpioneerssacrificemuchtotakeJesustotheunreachedcities,towns,andvillagesaroundtheworldandtoputHismethodofoutreachintoaction.Thequestionis,“Whatareyouwillingtosacrificetohelpsupportthem?”

TheNovember14AnnualSacrificeOfferingisagreattimetomakeaspecialgifttosupporttheworkofGlobalMissionpioneers.IfyouwanttohelpshareJesuswithunreachedpeople,write“AnnualSacrificeOffering”onyourtitheenvelope.

November21,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Let’sgivefortherightreasons.In1939,U.S.presidentFranklinD.Roosevelt,atthebehestoftheretaillobby,decidedtochangetheAmericanThanksgivingDayfromitstraditionaldatetooneweekearlier.Theretailcommunitywasworriedthattheshortshoppingseasonwouldhaveanegativeeffectonthestillfragileeconomy,andthepresidentwastryingtohelpstimulateit.SeveralstatescelebratedtheoriginalThanksgivingDay.Abouthalfofthestatesdecidedtokeepthenew,earlierversionoftheholiday.Disruption,confusion,andacrimonyledCongresstopassalawthatcementedThanksgivingDaytoitsoriginalfourthThursdayofNovember.

InthespiritofThanksgivingDay,letusrecountalloftheblessingsthatwehavereceivedfromGodinthispastyear.Andwhenwesitdownandplanoursystematicgivingtoourlocalchurch,letusremembertogivefortherightreasons.Letusgivewithagratefulheart.ScripturetellsusthatGod“lovesacheerfulgiver”(2Corinthians9:7).

Todayourofferinggoestothelocalchurchbudget.Whenwegivefortherightreasons,cheerfully,withalove-filledheart,Godwillblessusabundantly.

November28,2020

K.E.E.P./CampMiVodenDevelopment

“StreamsofLight”

Like-mindedPeople.EachsummerCampMiVodenisinhabitedbyanewgroupofyoungadultswithacommongoalofconnectingyoungcamperstoChrist.Thisyoungtaskforcecomesfromdifferentschools,differentfamilyexperiencesandsometimesevendifferentcountries.YettheygivetheirGod-givenenergiesandtalentstohelpingcampersexperienceJesusincreativewaysthattheyhaven’texperiencedbefore.

1/3ofyourgiftsgiventhroughtoday’sofferingwillenableCampMiVodentocontinuetraining,encouragingandmentoringyouthandyoungadultstospreadthegospelofJesusChrist.

IsAdventistEducationImportanttoourChurch?AstudyconductedintheSouthernUnionConferenceoftheNorthAmericanDivisionanalyzed844childrenandyouthfromAdventistfamiliesin1990.Morethan40%ofthosewhohadnoAdventisteducationwereneverbaptized.Thatpercentagedroppedtoonly15.4%forthosewhohadoneormoreyearsofAdventisteducation.Ifanindividualhad11ormoreyearsofAdventisteducationonly3.1%neverchosetobebaptized.Obviously,Adventisteducationisevangelismandmakesaneternaldifference.ConsiderthecostofAdventisteducationaninvestmentinthekingdomofheaven.

2/3oftoday’sofferingbenefitstheKidsEducationalEndowmentProgram.

December5,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Consumerismorservice?Decemberisaccompaniedbyholidayshoppinganxietyforsomeofus.Theholidayseasonimpliesspendingandkeepingupwith“standards”thatareself-imposedorcopiedfromtheproverbialJoneses.InNovember2018,theAmericanResearchGroup,Inc.,notedthattheaverageAmericanwouldspend$992onholidaygifts.Thisnumberwasupfromthepreviousyear($983in2017).Single-itempurchasesarebecomingmoreexpensiveandlarger.

Butsomethingischanging.Consumersaregettingfatiguedwiththeconstantdrumbeatofspend,spend,spend.Movementsarespringinguparoundtheideaofconsuminglessandlivingmoreaffordably.Fromtinyhousestoskippinggiftingentirely,oursocietyisshiftingpriorities.Moreandmorepeoplearetreasuringexperiences,family,andopportunitiestoserveinsteadofpurchasingobjectswithanarbitrarilyinflatedvalue.

TheBibleremindsusthat“whereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso”(Matthew6:21).Beforetheholidayseasonbegins,letusresolvetofocusonpeople,needs,andopportunitiestoserve.LetusseekthoseinneedinourlocalcommunitiesandcherishtheopportunitiesGodputsinourway.Wehaveachoice:Wecancontinuetobeconsumers,orwecanbeprovidersofvitalservicesforthosevulnerableandinneed.

December12,2020

AdventistCommunityServices

Youmeetthemostwonderfulpeople.JasonMorganandhiswiferetiredfromtheAirForceafter27yearsofservice.Jasonservedasbodyguardtofour-stargeneralsandwasalsoinvolvedinothersensitivemilitarytasksallaroundtheworld.TheyrecentlymovedintothesameneighborhoodasPattyMarsh,UpperColumbiaConferenceDirectorofACS,AdventistCommunityServices.

Pattyandherhusband,Larry,metthemwhileontheirwalkasthecouplewasmovingin.SomewhereintheconversationJasonmentionedthathelovedtoknitwintercaps.PattycameupwithawonderfulideaofutilizinghiscreativeskillstoknitwintercapsforthekidsatSTEAMAheadandtheSpokaneBetterLivingCenterFoodPantryinWashington.

JasonwassogratefulforthisopportunityandthankedPattyforprovidingplacesforhimtosharehishandiwork.Pattystated,“Youmeetthemostwonderfulpeopleasyougiveyourbesttoblessothers.”

BysupportingACS,youcanmakealastingimpactinyourcommunity,whetherit’sbyvolunteeringyourtimeordonatinggoodsandfinancialcontributions.

~WynelleStevensisAssistantDirectoratAdventistCommunityServices.

December19,2020

LocalChurchBudget

Accessorytoamiracle.OnDecember22,Laurenheardthatherfatherneededemergencyopen-heartsurgery.HelivedinEurope,butLaurenwasintheStates.ToflytoEuropeonshortnoticewasprohibitivelyexpensive.Anexpiredpassportwasalsoaconcern.Herdesirewastotakeheryoungdaughter,Sabine,onthistrip.Theleastexpensiveticketswere$1,200.Sheneededtwo.Laurenprayed.

OnSabbath,Laurenandherfamilycontinuedtopray.Churchmembersformedacircleofprayer.Andthemiraclescame.

First,thepassportwasrenewedinjustafewdays.Second,asisterinthelocalchurchfeltimpressedtosendacheckfor$1,000toLauren.(ItwasmailedbeforetheSabbathonwhichthefamilyprayedforamiracle.)Third,Laurendiscoveredthatshehadenoughrewardpointstopurchaseaticket.Fourth,Deltawasinformedofthestorybehindtheshortnoticetripanddiscountedthesecondticketto$731.

Laurenbrokedownwithtearsinhereyesandrelatedthestoryofthesemiraclestoherfather.HealsowastouchedbyGod’skindness.ThefollowingSabbathhemadeamendswithGodandtookpartincommunion.

Thismiraclewaspossiblebecauseordinarypeopledecidedtoserveothers.Whenwegivetothelocalchurchbudget,wetoobecomeaccessoriestomiracles.

December26,2020

UpperColumbiaConferenceAdvance

Investinginourfuture.DesmondDosswasanunassumingarmymedicoftenridiculedforhisstanceonnon-violentapproachestomilitaryservice.Hisarmycolleaguesoftenthrewbootsathimwhenhekneeledforprayer.Hewascalledacowardandothernamesforhisfirmstanceasanoncombatantconscientiousobjector.Yet,in1945,attheBattleofOkinawa,DesmondDosssavedthelivesof75men.Hebravedenemyfire,snipers,andaninhospitableterraintosavelives.

Forsuchvalorandcourage,hereceivedsomeofthehighestmilitaryhonors.PresidentHarryS.TrumanawardedDosstheMedalofHonoronOctober12,1945.

Thisservicecameataprice.Dosswaswoundedandevacuatedfrombattle.Seventeenpiecesofshrapnelwerepresentafterhisgallantrescuemissions.Forthenextfive-and-a-halfyears,Dossunderwentmedicaltreatmentsthateventuallyculminatedinhimlosinghishearing.

Suchanamazinglifestoryremindsusthatservicecomesataprice.JesusChristHimselfofferedHislifeforthesalvationofhumanity.Whatabeautifulexampletofollowandlegacytoremember.

BygivingtotheUpperColumbiaConferenceAdvancewearesupportingprogramsandinitiativesthataregreatlyappreciatedinourlocalcommunities.