MBA Church Newsletter
April 16, 2003

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Monterey Bay Academy Church Newsletter - April 16, 2003
A Weekly Communication for the Church Family & Friends
http://www.mbachurch.org
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Contents
1. Pastor Update
2. This Sabbath at MBA Church
3. Friday Sundown Time and Sabbath Offering
4. Church Budget Update
5. Prayer Walking, Part 3
6. Call for Announcements, Prayer Requests, etc.

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1. Pastor Update

Namaste!

I've always been fascinated by the words of Mahatma Gandhi onspirituality. They had an even more heightened meaning to me whenthey were concerning the Christian faith. Here was a man who was deeply rooted in the Hindu faith, yet with such admiration for the life and teachings of Christ. In fact, he often wrote more convincingly about Christ than he did about his own faith leaders.

Here's one I love concerning his thoughts on evangelism. Entitled "the gospel of the rose," this is taken from a conversation Gandhi had with a Western Christian missionary that was recorded in an Indian journal.

Christian missionary: We do not preach any theology. We simply talk of the life of Christ and what a comfort His life and teaching have been to us. He has been our guide, we say, and ask others also to accept Him as our guide.

Gandhi: Oh yes, do say that. But when you say I must accept Jesus in preference to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, you will have to go into deep waters. That is why I say let your life speak to us, even as the rose needs no speech but simply spreads its perfume. Even the blind who do not see the rose perceive its fragrance. That is the secret of the gospel of the rose. But the gospel that Jesus preached is more subtle and fragrant than the Gospel of the rose. IF the rose needs no agent, much less does the Gospel of Christ need any agent.

Let us think of the bulk of your people who preach the Gospel. Do they spread the perfume of their lives? That is to me the sole criterion. All I want them to do is to live Christian lives, not to annotate them. I have come to this view after laborious and prayerful search, and I am glad to say that there is a growing body of Christians who accept my view.

I appreciate Gandhi's thought that the power of the aroma of Christ in us is stronger than the power of our words in preaching Christ! Like St. Francis of Assisi, who is credited to have said, "Preach Christ always. Always. Use words if necessary."

Ellen White, Another great teacher of spiritual things, once wrote, "But Jesus did not bid the disciples, "Strive to make your light shine;" He said, "Let it shine." If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 41)

Let your light shine this week. You can do this - as one pastor put it - "by your good looks… Your long good looks at Jesus!"

Love,
Samuel

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2. This Sabbath at MBA Church

I will be in Oregon this weekend conducting the wedding of one of my cousins. I pray that you will have a great worship experience at church this Sabbath. I want to thank Sheldon Schultz for accepting my invitation to bring us the message this Sabbath here at MBAC. --Samuel

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3. Friday Sundown Time and Sabbath Offering

Sundown this Friday will be at 7:45 p.m., and this Sabbath's offering will be for our local church budget. Remember, if each full-time working adult gave $55 to the church budget each month, we would easily make our budget and be able to support and expand our MBA church ministries.

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4. Church Budget Update

Offerings to Date & Goals

Church Budget Monthly Goal $ 4,004 To Date $ 1,264.19
Computer & Projector Goal $10,000 To Date $ 7,254.99

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5. Prayer Walking, Part 3

Here is the last installment of the North American Division's Prayer Walking Brochure. Enjoy!

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6. Call for Announcements, Prayer Requests, etc.

If you know about an upcoming event that the MBA Church family should know about or if you have a prayer request, please send them all to Marilyn Eggers <marilyne@mbachurch.org> so they can be included in the MBA Church eNewsletter. Thank you!

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If you are not yet subscribed to this newsletter, please send a message to newsletter-subscribe@mbachurch.org or contact Marilyn Eggers <marilyne@mbachurch.org>.

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© 2003 Monterey Bay Academy Seventh-day Adventist Church. All rights reserved.