Mid-Week Minute – August 10, 2022
We are so glad you are here.
We are looking forward to getting to know you better!
MID-WEEK DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Greetings, Church Friends and Family!! Just a quick thought...
“18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.” Proverbs 4:18-19 (NLT)
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.” Proverbs 4:18-19 (NLT)
If you've ever laid in the dark, tossing and turning, you'll know that few things are as welcome as the breaking of the morning light through your window. It's as if one gets new courage for the day, for the road ahead. Because light says: There is hope. There's a new beginning. There is a chance to look at things fresh because the darkness is behind you. There are new opportunities for doing something, building relationships, finding answers, growth... for life.
But the soft light that follows a dark night also says so much more: It once again confirms the Father's watch-over-us, his will-bless-you-goodness, the greatness of his creation, the extent of his sphere of grace and his unwavering promises. Because as the day draws closer, we become aware of the expectant chirping of the birds, which in a way says that they know they will be taken care of there, as yesterday, today too.
Today is a new day of grace, opportunity, and growth. Embrace the rays of God's goodness and simply celebrate your humanity again. And the fact that the Light itself is within you.
Lord, I choose to live within your sphere of grace today.
WHAT’S NEW
Starting September 5th, Karate classes covering self-defense and kenpō will be offered right here in our fellowship hall (Monday’s and Thursdays) – Consider joining Pr. Eugene (Sensei) as he works on getting into better shape and a healthier, stronger body. For more information, please visit www.gojukan.org or on social media @kaizengojukan – Special rates are offered for our church and school families. Veterans, LEO’s and First Responders (see website for specials just for you.) Quarterly 1-day self-defense classes will also be offered for all who want a “refresher”. These classes are open to everyone in the community.
Young Adult Weekend
If you're a college/career young adult that's needing to recharge and reignite your passion for God and His church with like-minded peers while exploring your identity, belonging and purpose in Christ - this weekend is for you. Pastor Don Keele Jr., the young adult director for Georgia-Cumberland Conference is our speaker for the weekend and we know that we'll be blessed by both his presence with us and his messages for us. Register while the rate is at $50/person for the entire weekend & spread the word to your friends and colleagues. tinyurl.com/yaweekend
Calendar
August
- Aug. 11 - Mid-Week Prayer/Discussion 7 pm (ft. a gathering of those you know from church) - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894-6039-2525, - Password: 842752)
- Aug. 14 – KSCS School Board - @4 pm - Zoom/In-person status to be confirmed.
- Aug. 14 - ACLC Church Board - @6 pm - Zoom/In-person status to be confirmed.
- Aug. 17 – Nominating Committee @ 6:30 pm via Zoom (Check email or calendar for zoom link)
- Aug. 17 - Prayer Connect Group 7 pm (ft. a gathering of those you may know & don’t know) - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 834 9176 7821, - Password: 1844)
- Aug. 17 - L.I.F.E. Connect Group 7:30 pm (ft. a gathering of those you may know & don’t know) - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 819-578-29436, - Password: 1471)
- Aug. 18 - Mid-Week Prayer/Discussion 7 pm (ft. a gathering of those you know from church) - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894-6039-2525, - Password: 842752)
- Aug. 23 – Café Connections 10:30 am –Virtual Visit/Coffee Chat with Pr. Eugene - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 803 122 3894)
ANOTHER REMINDER...
Just a reminder of some items previously mentioned
Full Life Conference
August 13, 2022, and plan to attend the Full Life Conference with our keynote speaker, Dr. René Drumm. This year our focus is on whole family health. We hope this special Sabbath equips you with strategies for mental health resilience, well-adjusted coping, and effective parenting during times of high stress.
Unique content will be presented in all three services with afternoon breakout sessions after a free lunch. Plan to stay and take advantage of the entire experience.
Jesus came in order that we may have life to the full. Sometimes, though, the challenges of life and the pressures of family and relationships make that difficult to experience. The Full Life Conference is designed to assist Christians in realizing how full life can be for followers of Christ.
As an FYI, Michele Kitney will serve on the morning Discussion Panel.
FULL LIFE CONFERENCE FEATURED SPEAKER: RENE DRUM, PHD, MSW Dr. René Drumm has recently retired from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a Professor of Social Work. She has worked in Adventist higher education for more than 25 years. Her positions included serving as the dean of the school of social work at Southern Adventist University, MSW clinical program director at Andrews University, and BSW program director at Southwestern Adventist University.
Dr. Drumm holds a PhD degree in sociology with an emphasis in family studies from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University.
Having a keen interest in the intersection of religion and social issues, Dr. Drumm has studied domestic violence in the Adventist church, faith-based residential treatment, and sexual identity formation. Believing that research is a vehicle to social change, she is committed to facilitating positive conversations with religious institutions to address social injustice. She has authored and co-authored numerous academic articles and book chapters.
René is married to Stanley Stevenson and has two married identical twin daughters and five beautiful grandchildren. René enjoys walking, sun and sand, and anything related to chocolate.
Church Directory
We have renewed our contract with Instantchurchdirectory.com - Our church directory is available to view on your computer or on your mobile device! Instant Church Directory - the program we use to build our church directory - has a member website and a free app for church members to download on their Apple and Android devices.
Right now, we have 29 Family units represented, and only 15 of these have provided photos. We are building from scratch. So please help us. You can email all your information to Pr. Eugene or you can fill out the Google form to populate your/your family’s information and even upload a family photo - https://forms.gle/GVJErmzBYyWTssJB8
For more information on the app/website, go to https://members.instantchurchdirectory.com/
To download the app to your Apple device, click here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instant-church-directory/id589542221?ls=1&mt=8 - To download the app to your Android device, click here:
You will be asked to enter your email address as it's listed in our directory. If your email address isn't listed in the directory, let Pr. Eugene, know so it can be added. Once you enter your email address, follow the directions on-screen to complete the create log-in process. After you sign in, you'll see the most up-to-date directory for our church. Any time updates are made, they will show on the Online Members' Website, too.
For more information about the members' website, go here: https://help.instantchurchdirectory.com/article/638-navigating-the-online-member-directory or www.InstantChurchDirectory.com/app .
Café Connections
The next one will be August 23, 2022 at 10:30 am.
Pr. Eugene is inviting you to grab your favorite beverage and to join him for a brief virtual chat/visit on Zoom. This is NOT a prayer meeting alternative. This will serve to connect, visit, chat, and get to know each other, ask questions, share, and maybe even pray together (after the chat and visit).
There are also options for those who may want to meet one-on-one. Reserve/Book your spot here:
- Café Connections Visit/Chat Reservation form - https://forms.gle/TGsxGSFeUxZppdYw9
Join Zoom Meeting @ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8031223894
- Meeting ID: 803 122 3894
WEEKEND AT-A-GLANCE
Sermon
The Sermon streaming this week will be presented by Dr. René Drumm, as part of the Full Life Conference Sabbath. More information will be posted on our social media feed as it is made available.
No Potluck
this week (1st and 3rd Saturday of every month) – Please remember to plan and bring your favorite dish, side dish, or dessert to share, and let's enjoy great food and fellowship NEXT WEEK.
GIVING MOMENT
One of the most tangible ways we demonstrate our faith in Christ is by giving. The Bible says that everything we possess comes directly from God, including our body, talents, and possessions. In response to God's gifts to us, the Bible commands us to return a tithe (10%) of our income back to the Lord. The Bible also asks us to give an offering as our heart so moves us.
Your faithfulness and generosity enable us to fulfill God's mission here in Lewisville & surrounding areas. Your willingness to faithfully give a portion of what you have is more important than how much you actually give, as Jesus illustrated with the poor widow. God promises to reward those who faithfully return to Him, His portion. Thank you for your gifts.
Let’s pray for God's spirit to move within us as we prepare our offering. If you would like to make your contribution online, right here: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANWFQ8/envelope/start - You can search for “Lewisville Seventh-day Adventist Church” if it doesn’t automatically redirect.
Yes, we have several prayer groups that meet during the week, but some have expressed the need to be able to communicate prayer requests to bring before the Lord during our worship service, and they either do not attend in person at present or do not feel comfortable presenting their requests in person. This may also help us cut sometime during our service if we have the requests ready to go.
Please submit your prayer requests that you want to be prayed over during church service, to Pastor Eugene, 1. Via email (eugene@arlingtonadventist.com) or 2. Via Text Message or WhatsApp. (512.708.0600)
FROM OUR MAIN CAMPUS AT THE
Below, just a couple of quick updates for us locally, and some from the main campus at Arlington for your attention and consideration.
Arlington Pastoral Team’s Blog
The pastoral staff will be posting regular blogs on our website that will be sort of a companion strand to our planned sermonic calendar. To navigate directly to that page, click here or on the image above. The content and scripture passages will be different from the regular sermon series, but these short devotional pieces will be conceptually aligned with the themes. Each post will be somewhat different in style, some humorous, some educational, others more thought-provoking, or healing. Ideally, there will be something for everyone. We hope you will find this new project to be of benefit as a part of your own spiritual practice.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Churches of Refuge: 1 Corinthians - Join us for Wednesday morning Bible study as Pastor Kevin guides us through Paul's first letter to the church of Corinth, looking at how we can offer hope and healing to those around us. - https://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonSDA
Subscribe:
Consider the following options
For more from our Main Campus, consider subscribing to the email newsletter "Arlington Life Online" CLICK HERE that is distributed every Thursday. So, subscribe now, and get it in your inbox later this week.
You can also view the latest version here
For our Younger Generation, consider checking out YG Life’s newsletter - https://arlingtonadventist.com/yglife
Current Edition is linked here, or you can click here for easy access.
CLOSING REMARKS & HOUSEKEEPING
I know, realize and appreciate that every one of us has careers and responsibilities outside of our church fellowship. I do understand how overwhelming these responsibilities could be. That being said, I would love to kindly ask, that if you’ve agreed to serve in any capacity whatsoever, and life’s responsibilities and or challenges come knocking, please reach out, and try to find someone to cover your responsibilities for the affected time frame (preferably 48 hours or more ahead of time).
Should you wish to include anything in the Mid-week minute newsletter, please ensure to send the information to Pr. Eugene by Wednesday at Noon. The Mid-week Minute will be distributed with what has been received by that time to ensure an on-time publication.