Sabbath highlights
Type in your Sabbath highlights. Friendship dinner
Friendship Dinner: Our church was in the habit of having a Fellowship dinner once a month. A few folks liked to stay and have a study in the afternoon. At first some just brought lunch. More recently it has 'evolved' into what we now call Friendship Dinner (on the weeks when we don't have Fellowship Dinner). We at times have even had more at the Friendship Dinners, but it fluctuates. Not everyone stays every week but I do feel that it does help us to get to know each other better from week to week.
Entered DibbleO@aol.com March 31, 1999
Four points
Hi, I am Pastor Paul and we just ended a very happy Sabbath. Already our congregation is looking forward to next Sabbath, and my sermon topic was "How to Be Spirit-filled!" I gave 4 points........ I started the sermon by telling the story when HMS Richards was a teenager at Campion Academy in Colorado. Anyway a large meeting was planned since a special speaker was coming to town. It was figured that the church was too small so an auditorium was rented which seated 1500 people. Anyway, at the meeting where HMS Richards Sr attended some songs were sung and then the special speaker came walking down the center isle! The speaker was Ellen White accompanied by her son Willie. After Ellen had talked for an hour. Willie said that his mother had talked long enough! She was in the 80s and had been ill. Ellen agreed but wanted to pray before she sat down. EGW prayed a powerful prayer. The Holy spirit filled the room and people stayed on their knees asking for God's power in their lives. A revival happened in that little town and lasted for a long time. People began to repent of their sins -- wrongs were made right. The 4 points are as follows:
1. Repent Acts 2:38,39
2. We must be baptized with the Holy Spirit -- every day!
3. Prayer. Without Prayer nothing happens. Luke 11:13-19 I briefly told the story of Peter and his conversion -- lost his self sufficiency and was a changed person. I gave the example of Peter and John going into the temple and healing the man unable to walk. This was the clincher..... "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. God bless, Pastor Paul Pastor Glen Burnie, Maryland SDA church, USA Paul
Entered Paul Gates of paulgates@worldnet.att.net March 31, 1999

Healthy Churches
Less ritualized church services were essential to the healthy survival of the SDA church, the preacher at my church (Coolum Beach, Australia) told us on Sabbath.  Research by Brad Strahan, a former Avondale College (Australia) lecturer in psychology, shows that a highly rigid approach to religion correlates with a tendency to be intolerant to groups such as ethnic minorities and single parents.  Churches and families with a more flexible approach to religion tended to have healthier interpersonal relationships.  Perhaps he was preaching to the converted a little, as my church certainly couldn't be described as dogmatic.  However, members were encouraged to learn that their efforts to establish a church based on the biblical principles of worship as outlined in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33a had such important benefits.  A desire was also expressed to extend these recently rediscovered ideas to other churches throughout the region and the world.

Entered by John Reid, johnlreid@yahoo.com.au, Jan 17, 1999


Tips on prayer
Couldn't help bragging a little. Our granddaughter (25 yr.. old) was asked by pastor to speak at 11 o'clock service this past Sabbath. No, she has not been to seminary (perhaps that's why it was so refreshing!). She is mid-way through doctoral program in forensic psychology (which is beside the point - see first sentence above) and received a great many compliments from those in audience. Her topic was Prayer, and she handed out a 12 point suggestion for personal prayer:


Entered from an email by Elaine Nelson, ageis@ix.netcom.com, Nov 20, 1998

Thankful for refreshing time
Today we enjoyed the "sermon" presented by "His Song", a musical group from Grants Pass, Oregon. The music was most inspiring. What I found really neat, was that the participants were all couples, so they travel together when they perform. After our church Potluck, they went and sang at the local nursing home, and to shut ins. We weren't aware of the Sabbath program because we had been away from home the last two weekends, but we enjoyed lunch with new friends joining us at home, and then a peaceful walk in nature before the sun went down. I'm so thankful for a time to refresh after a busy week. God sure knew what He was doing when He provided the Sabbath rest for us each week!
Entered by "The Williams," chuckw@snowcrest.net, Nov 17, 1998
Blessed in turn
Last summer my family and I were vacationing in New England, USA. One Sabbath was spent in a small church where there were only a few members. Since it was camp meeting Sabbath only a few were in attendance. It turned out that my family provided all the music for church that day. My family was happy to share to that small church our talent. We were blessed in turn by the fellowship luncheon that the members of the church provide each Sabbath. The food was great and so was the fellowship.
Entered by Danny Cuizon, danny102@gte.net Nov 13, 1998
Aromas of Sabbath
One of the highlights of our Sabbath begins with Friday night chilli and sweet rolls. My husband, Howard, makes the chilli and one of the children (kids are all grown) brings sweet rolls. This tradition is a carry over from Adelphian Academy and Andrews University. We had three children and then added two children as our girls married and now we have adopted another two along with their two children. Plus we are the proud grandparents of two wonderful grandchildren. We eat, share about our week and then we head for the family room where we sing and share some more. We have little people who like to sing so try to sing the action songs that they love. As a child I remember vividly certain aspects of growing up in the Adventist Church. Sabbath dinner at Aunt Mabel's with the aromas that are associated with vegetarian cooking. Then the afternoon MV (Missionary Volunteer) meetings where we would sing and sing. I remember feeling like the church was my family. I want the same for my children and grandchildren. -- Maris Bliesath-Hodges,
Entered by Phil Ward: philward@beachaccess.com.au -- Nov 10, 1998
Church lunch every week
One of the greatest blessings I have found on Sabbath in recent times is holding an every week church lunch. In our small church, most church members bring along some food to contribute to the lunch. Sharing the food works far better than at a nearby church where each family eats their own meal. (That produces isolation of the various church families.) We have held the lunch every week for more than a year. On most weeks it is held in our home and most members and visitors attend every week. The fellowship involved has made some people feel that after midday, our church provides a greater blessing than before midday.
Entered by Phil Ward: philward@beachaccess.com.au -- Oct 15, 1998
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Entered by Phil Ward -- Sept 13, 1998