MBA Church Newsletter
June 04, 2003

********************************************************
Monterey Bay Academy Church Newsbreak - June 04, 2003
A Weekly Communication for the Church Family & Friends
http://www.mbachurch.org
********************************************************

Contents
1. Pastor Update
2. Summer Outreach
3. Friday Sundown & Sabbath Offering
4. Thanks to All Those Who Participated
5. Church Budget Update
6. Baptism Pictures
7. Jesus' Command: Love

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1. Pastor Update

Namaste!

These last few weeks at MBA have been characteristically hectic, yet spiritually alive! For me, preparing a few students for their baptisms has given an even more personal blessing.

But in the middle of preparing the students for baptism, I've had the opportunity of working with a "future" student of MBA: Kevin S. As you know Kevin was baptized last Sabbath in his favorite creek at the Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos.

Those of you who were there will understand when I say that it was one of the neatest baptisms I've ever been part of. Partly it was Kevin's eagerness. We hardly got in the water and he kept saying, "Let's do it…let's do it." I can't remember the last time I baptized an adult who was that eager. Partly it was his childlikeness. I asked to sing a song just before the baptism. When I asked Kevin for a favorite he said, "Father Abraham had many sons." What a song to remind us of the fact that through the simple act of baptism we are grafted in into the "seed" of Abraham. We become spiritual Israel: the chosen of God!

It was a uniquely spiritual time and I was very grateful to have been part of it.

The whole thing reminds me of Jesus' insight into, and command concerning, the spiritual life which is recorded in Luke 18:17 "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Let's eagerly and freely receive God's kingdom into our lives today!

Love

Samuel

* * * * * * * * * * *

2. Summer Outreach

As we wind down from the School year here at MBA, we are looking forward to some exciting things we want to do this summer with our church family in terms of outreach. So, if you're going to be around we would love to have you be part of the plans. We will be sending you more info soon.

* * * * * * * * * * *

3. Friday Sundown & Sabbath Offering

Sundown this Friday will be at 8:24 p.m., and the offering this Sabbath will be for the Local Church Budget.

* * * * * * * * * * *

4. Thanks to All Those Who Participated

A special thanks to all of you who participated in either the face-to-face church visioning session or the church visioning questionnaire. We appreciate you sharing your ideas, concerns, and visions for the church!

* * * * * * * * * * *

5. Church Budget Update

Please remember the local church budget this Sabbath! The church needs your faithful support. Thank you!

Offerings to Date & Goals
a. Church Budget Monthly Goal $ 4,004 To Date $ 2,699.71 (May)
Need $ 1,304.75
b. Computer & Projector Goal $10,000 To Date $ 8,081.79
Need $ 1,873.51

* * * * * * * * * * *

6. Baptism Pictures

Later this week pictures of both Brent T. and Kevin S.'s baptisms will be posted on the Scrapbook page.

* * * * * * * * * * *

7. Jesus' Command: Love

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12 NIV

"This is my command: Love each other." John 15:17 NIV

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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>.

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: newsletter-unsubscribe@mbachurch.org


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