Mid-Week Minute – Nov. 02, 2022
We are so glad you are here.
We are looking forward to getting to know you better!
MID-WEEK DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
“7 “Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. 8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, 9 at the scent of water, it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling.” (Job 14:7-9, NLT)
Greetings, Church Friends and Family!!
The moment I decided I wanted to look at people with greater compassion, with ‘softer eyes,’ I realized how great my own inability was. (Allow me to explain ‘softer eyes,’ as defined by Anderson Cooper, being interviewed by Karen May, a VP for Google. Cooper defines seeing with soft eyes as “not allowing your eyes to be hardened by what they see, and viewing everything as nonjudgmentally as possible.” Isn’t that what we as Christians ought to do?) Yes, I then realized how great my own inability was. How I've become conditioned over the years to see people's weak points. And even though I sometimes manage to live with greater compassion, I often find myself sitting on my proverbial ‘throne’ without my Heavenly Father and, therefore, cannot live as He does.
My dear friend, do not be discouraged. Know that the Spirit starts over with us every day, anew, day after day. Eradicating yesterday & allowing us to renew again, each morning, giving us a fresh start. This will give us the desire to once again wanting to learn and experience the greatness of love, God’s love, again. Yes, remember: That's why Jesus came. To show us the way, demonstrating how we can live through Him. To teach us over and over to become less "us" and more Him.
One day. One day we will be there. Until then, we can only try to live by treating others with the gentleness of our Savior every day.
WHAT'S NEW?!
Pastor Appreciation: A Note from Pr. Eugene
A quick but VERY BIG “Thank You” to everyone who in some way contributed to the very thoughtful and full of surprises basket given to me during the Fall Festival for Pastor Appreciation day!
Thank you also to those who gave earlier. I truly felt loved and appreciated by your generosity. It was a huge surprise. I'm so looking forward to getting to know you all better, working together more, and growing our congregation and God's kingdom in the process. Continue to pray for me as I pray for you.
Pr. Eugene, Michele & Lauren
RE: Fall Festival Y'All
WOW that was FUN Y’all!!
It was sooooo much fun! A HUGE Thank you to Kiana for voluntarily spearheading this year’s Fall Festival. She worked long and hard and had to put up with all of us (joke), and with the help of her awesome team of volunteers, she put together a Fall Festival that will go down in our congregation's History books as one of the most fun events ever.
Still working on collecting photos from everyone (nudge-nudge wink-wink – if you have any photos you’d like to share for our Social Media photo album, please send them to Pr. Eugene 1. Via email (eugene@arlingtonadventist.com) or 2. Via Text Message or WhatsApp. (512.708.0600))
Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to make this the huge success that it was. Y’all Rock!
(PICTURE ABOVE: Most of the Crew who helped during the Festival)
Calendar
November:
- Nov. 03 - Karate with Pr. Eugene - Visit gojukan.org for more information
- Nov. 07 - Karate with Pr. Eugene - Visit gojukan.org for more information
- Nov. 08 - Café Connections 10:30 am – Virtual Visit/Coffee Chat with Pr. Eugene - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 803 122 3894)
- Nov. 08 - KSCS School Board - 6 pm Zoom/In-person status to be confirmed.
- Nov. 09 - 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)
- Nov. 10 - Karate with Pr. Eugene - Visit gojukan.org for more information
- Nov. 13 - Church Board - 6 pm In-person. All Members are to be present for this meeting, please.
- Nov. 14 - Karate with Pr. Eugene - Visit gojukan.org for more information
- Nov. 15 – TX Conf. Constituency Town Hall Meeting - Our area meeting will be held at the Richardson Church.
- Nov. 15 - Mid-Week Prayer/Discussion 7 pm (ft. a gathering of those you know from church) - Via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894-6039-2525, - Password: 842752)
- Nov. 16 - 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)
- Nov. 17 - Karate with Pr. Eugene - Visit gojukan.org for more information
- Nov. 19 – 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Brunch Information will be forthcoming – plan to be here now. Seating will be limited due to the sheer nature of the program.
ANOTHER REMINDER...
Just a reminder of some items previously mentioned
DFW Area Adventist Events Facebook Group
I’d like to introduce the “DFW Area Adventist Events Facebook Group”. After pitching this to a few area pastors, I’ve decided to go ahead and at least get it started. This group is for ALL the Adventist Churches in the DFW area to list special programs going on at their respective churches, i.e. Special Guest Speakers, Concerts, Ministry Events, Game Nights, Food Festivals, etc. This is a way to let people know what's happening in the DFW, where members are welcome and where there is a safe environment to invite friends and family out to.
This is NOT a Bible Study/Doctrine study forum; Not a place to prove a theological point or make sociopolitical/theological statements; all such posts will be deleted without explanation. This is a forum to post/advertise your events.
So please invite all DFW Adventist Facebook friends to join, and populate the page with area events that will benefit all of us, especially events for our children and youngsters.
New Officers and volunteers for the 2022-2024 term of office.
Why a Background Check?
“Church should be a safe place to bring our children. Everyone involved in work with children who are minors must meet all Church and legal standards and requirements” (Church Manual, Edition 18, pp. 168-169).
Who Has to do It?
As part of this effort, those over 18 who are voted to serve within our churches or organizations, and those who are employed by the church and working with children and youth, are asked to complete a criminal background check (FB 20) and child protection training through Sterling Volunteers. This should be completed every three years.
100% Compliance Expected.
LINKS:
Texas Conference Volunteer Ministries Landing Page: https://texasadventist.org/departments/volunteer-ministries/
Thank you to those who have jumped on getting this done this past week. We ask that you, please complete the training and submit to the background check ASAP. It is our hope for all to complete the training and be current and cleared, as we finish officer transition this month. We appreciate your support and timely action.
2022 TX Conference Constituency Town Hall
This will be a good opportunity for all of us constituents to attend a session in our area to celebrate with Texas Conference administrators God's goodness and faithfulness for the Texas Conference. It is suggested that our area meeting will be held at the Richardson Church, on November 15th
There will be time to ask questions. If preferred, questions can be emailed to questions@txsda.org.
Save the Date
Save the date now, Nov. 19, 2022, (during the divine service time slot; 11:30 am) to ensure you don’t miss out on a repeat and even bigger event than last year’s very successful and enjoyable First Annual Thanksgiving Brunch and Service.
Info from the Insert for this week’s Worship Guide (Advanced Edition)
We will have a Thanksgiving Potluck Brunch on Saturday, November 19th, held during the regular church time (11:30 am), to celebrate the harvest of blessings as a Church family.
As the seasons are changing, may we count the many blessings we have: a warm home to go to, dinner to comfort us, and a church community to grow in life.
Let’s continue to reflect on these things as we make preparations for Thanksgiving. It’s easy to become busy with the list of tasks to be done, but let’s strive to do it all with a heart full of gratitude because of the love Christ has first shown us.
As a family-style potluck, we’d like your help with setting up Saturday morning before Sabbath School (as our Renters will use the fellowship hall on Friday evening). We’d also like your help with food setup, clean up, and restoring the fellowship hall. We look forward to this time we can partake in this very special Thanksgiving meal together as a church family!
Please consider bringing your favorite vegetable dish, casserole, bread, stuffing, fruit, dessert, beverage, etc. to share with at least 10 people, according to your last name (AND anything else “kosher” you’d like to bring additionally):
- A-K - Scrambled Eggs/Tofu, Tater tots, vegetable dish/casserole.
- L-N - Bagels and cream cheese, Pastries/Donuts, Bread, Rolls, or stuffing.
- O-T - Fruits, Nuts, Cheeses, Crackers also vegetable dish/casserole.
- U-Z - Beverage and a Dessert or Pie & toppings.
“But don’t feel limited by the above list! If you have a favorite family dish, feel free to bring it, regardless of your last name!”
Examples of Suggested Foods to Bring:
- Tofurky/Casseroles –
- Cranberries – sauce, chutney
- Yams – baked, mashed, casserole
- Potatoes – mashed, casserole
- Salad – lettuce, spinach, veggie, fruit
- Fruit – sliced, cut up in jello etc
- Rolls and Butter – nice bread, dinner rolls
- Dressing or Stuffing – baked separately to go with tofurky or other main dishes
- Cooked Vegetables – green beans, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, veggie casserole
- Pie and Topping – apple, pumpkin, pecan, or cherry with whipped cream or ice-cream
- Pastries / Donuts
Some Important Links/Documents
This is a work in progress and will eventually be a page on our church website. For now, this will be a space to find available documents or links to such. It will be updated weekly.
PDF Documents:
- Church Officers List 2022-2024 - https://tinyurl.com/4b2d2vye (PDF)
Google Forms:
- Membership Information Form (to Join)- https://forms.gle/dGEPKXYftWGHpFXn6
- Church Directory Contact Information Submission - https://forms.gle/Ya1hoxBk77iTVehYA
Google Sheets (Spreadsheet)
- Church Worship Schedule (List of participants) - https://tinyurl.com/88cnvdv3 (Currently only available for Departmental Leaders.)
More coming shortly.
Karate & Self-defense Classes
We are up and running. Karate classes covering self-defense and kenpō are being offered right here in our fellowship hall (Mondays and Thursdays) – Consider joining Pr. Eugene (Sensei) as he works on getting into better shape and a healthier, stronger body. For more information, please 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.
You can fill out the paperwork online: https://www.gojukan.org/pdf/extra/KGF-AW2a-2022Fill.pdf
See YOU there!!
Church Directory
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 Nov. 08, 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 Pr. Kevin Wells, and will be a continuation of his sermon series, “The Day of the Lord” looking at prophecy. This week’s sermon is entitled “The Future” - More information will be posted on our social media feed as it is made available.
Potluck!!! (You Coming?)
We will have our regular potluck (1st and 3rd Sabbaths of the month) after the service. Please consider joining us. If possible, please bring a dish to share.
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.
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 which 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.