the church courier, october 2009

8/14/2019 The Church Courier, October 2009

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In this Issue:

Parson to Person 2Think about it 5

Getting to Know 7

Church @ Work 10

Answers

Answers to prayersCome in various ways,Sometimes in minutes,

Sometimes in days.And some take years

To fully unfoldThe harvest of love

And blessings they hold.

Answers to prayersCome in various forms,Sometimes in sunlight,

Sometimes through storms.And some blossom late,

But each one will flower -

Have faith and wait!-Helen Inwood

in His Mysterious Ways

OCTOBER 2009

VOL 10 ISSUE 10


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Page 2 The Church Courier

Did you ever stop to think that

after His resurrection, Jesus

came to the disciples and said, "Don't beafraid, go and tell My brethren"?(Matt. 28:10) Just think of

it---while the mobs in Jerusalem were still filled with hate

and danger, He tells His closest companions not to be

afraid! They had every reason to be afraid---not only did

the people want Jesus' blood, but they wanted His follow-

ers' blood too! No wonder they were hiding out "forfear."

What about today? We live in a war-torn, dangerous so-

ciety, full of fear of what's ahead of us! You don't need to

be told how difficult it is for so many to just get

along. People's financial situations have caused them to

wonder what's next!

Jesus' words of so long ago are still relevant today---He

still says to all who love Him, "Don't be afraid." He comes

to you in the hospital room, or during a family tragedy.

He comes to us when we're having an unsuspected busi-ness crisis. He comes to us when we have a sudden physi-

cal problem that seems incurable. And still he says, "Don't

be afraid. I am alive. I am here to bring just the help you

need." Let's never forget that He still loves us and noth-

ing, no one can separate us from His love! After all, Hisdeath proves that love! With Him there is no fear! Yours

for loving Him all the more, Pastor and Sharon Webb


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Vol. 10 Issue 10 Page 3

My Comfort

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50

When WWII broke out in Europe, the French composer OlivierMessiaen (1908-1992) joined the army to defend his native land. He had

the misfortune of being captured in 1940 by the Germans while trying toescape on an old bicycle. Among his few possessions when he was sent toStalag 8A were scores of Bachs Brandenburg concertos and others by Bee-thoven, Ravel, Berg, and Stravinsky.

Messiaen endured two long years in the prison camp, fighting off dis-ease, starvation, and despair. His faith in God and his love of music gavehim hope, which he tried to share with the other prisoners. To bolster theirspirits, he arranged to have a short concert in the camp with the few instru-

ments they could find.

Desperate for a taste of culture, or anything to remind them of bettertimes, five thousand of the pathetic prisoners came to the makeshift stage.

There sat several of their own, a cellist who held a battered instrument hav-ing only 3 strings, a clarinetist, and a violinist. Next to them stood a dilapi-dated upright piano. They would soon hear that it was horribly out of tuneand many of the keys were broken.

Messiaen had composed the music for the event, and it bore theapocalyptic title Quartet for the End of Time, which has been called oneof the most important pieces of modern chamber pieces. For many in theaudience, this would be the last music they would ever hear. Fortunately,the composer was released the following year. But he never forgot that

performance, and Oliver Messiaen often asserted that his music had neverbeen listened to with such attention and understanding as on that cold dayin Stalag 8A.

Music has great power to comfort. Can you give a musical gift to someone

in need? Play, sing, or share a special recording

with someone who is lonely or ill?

Submitted by: Cathy Van Duinen


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Philip John Lopardo was born on July 20,1939 in Brooklyn, New York. The oldest of

two children.

At 12 years old, Philip realized his lifes pas-

sion: jazz music! After hearing Count Basieon the radio for the first time, he ran down to

Pitkin Avenue, bought his first Count Basie

album, got his first set of drums and birthed his

lifetime musical journey.

In 1963 Philip became ill and was hospitalized. While recovering, he

saw a beautiful young nurse pass by his room; he left his room to chase

after her. When he caught up to her, he asked for her number and toldher he would love to take her out. She looked at him like he was crazy

and then refused. For the next few days, he waited for this nurse to

come by his room, where he would persistently ask her out on a date.

After much convincing, Audrey agreed

Philip and Audrey were married in 1968 in Brooklyn, New York.They were blessed with three daughters, Jillian Tara, Jacqueline

Tamara, and, Jeanine Tonnell.

Philip was a devoted husband and a doting father. During the last

eight years of his life, Philip lived life to the fullest! Philip was a won-

derful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was a great

provider and protector for his family.

Philip is survived by his loving, devoted wife Audrey, his three daugh-

ters Jillian, Jacqueline, and Jeanine.

We know Philip is resting in Jesus, until that day when Christ willburst the clouds and well be reunited in eternity.

Philip John Lopardo

1939-2009


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PIXIE PIN-UPSDO YOU KNOW ME?

If you think you know this church member,submit your guess to us, either by phone or

email.

You can submit your baby pix by email or

directly to us. Photos can be black andwhite or color and will be promptly re-

turned. For more information please contact

us.

September baby was: Sandra BishopClue: This little girl came from the East

then the West.

Sandra was born in Pennsylvania; lived

there until she was 15, then moved toCalifornia until 2004.

Our winner was: Stan Getlinger

Thanks for participating!

Clue: With hair orwithout hair its goodcounting.

Think about it

Prayer is the placewhere burdens change

shoulders.

I cannot imagine howthe clockwork of theuniverse can existwithout a clockmaker.

Voltaire

Gods answers arew i s e r t h an o u rprayers.


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THE BIG ONE, THE BIG SIN! Part IIBy Gary D. Grimes

We are sinners two ways. We are sinners by birth and by choice. First,

we are born with a sinful nature. Psalms 51:5 says, Behold, I wasbrought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Second,we choose to live our lives apart from God. Lucifer chose to live his

life apart from God and became Satan. Isaiah 14:12-14. . . . I will be

like the Most High. The word like means be a false god living your

life apart from the true God of heaven. It does not mean living a God

like life in fellowship with the true God of heaven. Living your life

apart from, independent of and in rebellion against the true God of

heaven is the BIG SIN upon which all other manifestations of sin and

sins come from. Even our sinful natures are rooted in the Big Sin. Sa-

tan brought the Big Sin to earth and Adam and Eve fell for it. Genesis

3:1-8 says, . . . and you will be like God. . . It is uncanny how the

wording of Isaiah and Genesis are so similar.

So, if the root of all sin, the BIG ONE, is living your life apart from

Christ then the cure for the BIG ONE, the BIG SIN is living your life inand with Christ. Your broken fellowship with Jesus must be restored.

This restored fellowship or relationship with God is mentioned through-

out the Bible as walking together, eating together, being reconciled to-

gether and having peace together. Early on Genesis 5: 22, 24 says,

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.Enoch got so close to God that God caught him up to heaven early.

Want to go early? Than perfect your walk with God like Enoch did. The

last book of the Bible, Revelation says in 3:20 . . . I will come in tohim and dine with him, and he with Me. Enoch walked with God.

Jesus wants to eat with us. What better words to describe fellowshipand relationship than walk and eat.

As you can see weve now identified the BIG ONE, the BIG SIN as

living our lives apart from Christ and God. Im going to have to write a

Part III to describe in a practical way how God wants to restore fellow-

ship and a saving relationship with you and me. Stay tuned, the salva-tion saga continues on and gets better. GOD LOVES YOU!


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So many new faces in our congregation fill uswith happiness, but get to know them much more.Today you will have the change to meet one of thenew members of our Latino community.

Q: How did you get to know about the SDAChurch?

A: I used to be a SDA member at one time. I lost

my ways from the truth only to realize that Ineeded Christ back into my life. As a kid and young man, I did not knowthe meaning of being a SDA member, now I know.

Q: Talents that you would like to share with your church family.

A: God has giving me a lot of blessings and multiple talents but the mostimportant of all is to help anyone I can.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Reading, studying, preaching, missionary, teaching the word of God,networking, online radio talk shows also, TV on the web, making

articles, making movie documentary's, music projects, video projects,

music editing, video editing, those are my hobbies.

Q: Tell anything that you would like our church family to know about

you.

A: I used to walk in the ways of men without the Lord in my life withbig dreams and illusions, living mislaid to my own wisdom; I used to be

a hip-hop and R&B music producer until God woke me up to see even

close at the time and the events that are taking place at this very moment.

Q: What do you like the most about the NPR Church?

A: I very much enjoy coming to the NPR Church, very peaceful andorganized church.

Thanks Eliezer for letting us get to know you a little better,God guide you always!

Eliezer Ocasio


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Do you know me?

I would like to talk with you, forI am part of your church life.I may be a complete stranger to you, butI can help you be a better Christian.I like to go to worship on Sabbath, forI help you to be Christs partner.

I am very small, butI am the keystone of your church program.I am a weekly reminder of your daily blessings.I dare you to be as good to God as He has been to you.I am only paper, butI carry the full gift of a generous heart.I am the only pocketbook you need on Sabbath, andI promise not to be a burden.I am your chance to preach, forI am a silent sermon of your devotion.

I am your tithe envelope.


We want to welcome Art and

Margaret Berard and Wes and

Sheila Blevins, both couplescoming from Tampa 1st. SDA

Church.

Remember that now you can hear the sermons and

special music from each Sabbath on the church

webpage:www.nprsda.org/sermons

Spread the good news!


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Benefits of

worship

We go to church to bewith others who eitherknow God or wish toknow God. The churchis a place of accep-tance, friendship andfellowship. Its a place

to honor and worshipour loving Creator whoaccepts us as family.

In church we pray toGod, sing about God,hear Gods Word forus and find support

and direction forwhatever challengesface us. In church wefind comfort in oursorrow, encourage-ment in our strugglesand the Holy Spirits

assurance that allthings work togetherfor good for those wholove God (Romans8:28, NRSV).

Come and join us next

Saturday!

Explain this

A recent study of heart patientsrevealed that those patients who

were prayed for had fewer complica-

tions in recovery. The Mid AmericaHeart Institute of Kansas City studied

990 coronary patients in one year.

The first names of half the patientswere given to religious believers who

prayed for four weeks that they

would have a speedy recovery with

no complications. Amazingly, thosewho were prayed for had fewer com-

plications than the others. The studywas published in the American Medi-

cal Associations Archives of Internal

Medicine.

The study suggests that prayer does

indeed facilitate healing.Reported in Religion Today,

October 27, 1999


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If you can help with the

expenses related to our

fellowship meals,

please put your offeringin a tithe envelope and

mark it Fellowship Meals. This

will help to pay for kitchen supplies

(i.e. plates, utensils, cups, etc.)

Save theSave theSave thedate...WOMENSdate...WOMENSdate...WOMENS

MINISTRY, WomenMINISTRY, WomenMINISTRY, Women

of Spirit Dayof Spirit Dayof Spirit DayAprilAprilApril

17th, 201017th, 201017th, 2010at St. Pe-at St. Pe-at St. Pe-

tersburg SDA Church.tersburg SDA Church.tersburg SDA Church.

For more informationFor more informationFor more information

contact Liz Montanez.contact Liz Montanez.contact Liz Montanez.

WE NEED YOU!

We are looking for writers in our

Church that like to submit articles

and poems.

Also, we need baby pictures for thePixie Pin-Ups (page 5).

We also love ideas. Have any of

those? Contact Omayra or Alex.

Lifeline Screening

Our Church will once again be in-

volved in the LifeLine Screening

program for health. We have cho-

sen Wednesday, November 4 as

the date the Lifeline Screening

crew will come to our Fellowship Hall and offer five different

screenings that could save your life. Well have more to

share as the time draws closer.

Mark yourMark yourMark your

calendars:calendars:calendars:

InternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalInternationalSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbathSabbath

March 13, 2010March 13, 2010March 13, 2010


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From the Editors

I forgot! I forgotthat the other daywhen I was worryingabout a difficultsituation, I prayedand asked God totake care of theproblem, for me notto worry about itand I told Him that Itrust Him.

A few days later Ifound out that thesituation was re-solved but not thew a y t h a t Iwanted. I got frus-trated and angry. I

could not believethat happened and Iw a s d i s a p -pointed. Minuteslater I rememberedthat I prayed aboutit and God took care

of the situation.

Looking back at thewhole situation Ican see that God

actually worked itout the best waypossible even when Iwas thinking thatmy way was better.

All this made methink that we should

not only ask whenwe pray but we alsoneed to wait and beon the look-out forHis response. Whenwe pray, we askGod to answer ourprayers so it is up to

us to wait and listenfor His response.

May God make usbetter listeners!

Alex

This newsletter

is published

monthly by the

NPR SDA Church.

If you have any

comments to

make about the

newsletter, wish

to make a dona-

tion, or wish to

submit an arti-

cle, please sendit to the church

or to us.

Contact Us

Omayra Rivera727-372-0052

Alexander Ortiz727-365-2892

[email protected]

NPR Seventh-day Adventist Church6424 Trouble Creek Road

New Port Richey, FL 34653727-848-4567 www.nprsda.org/newsletter


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hurch

6424TroubleCreekRoa

d

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ortRichey,

FL346

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the church courier, october 2009

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