Dear Church Family,

Perhaps you like me have found yourself asking yourself at times, should an Adventist Christian vote or not? I revisited this subject recently and thought I would share a concluding remark that was quoted by the White Estate that I also believe summarizes the matter well.

In summary we quote a portion of an editorial appearing in the Review and Herald of September 13, 1928. Elder F. M. Wilcox, longtime church leader and editor, wrote:

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church does not seek to dictate to its members as to how they shall vote or whether or not they should vote at all. It is left for each one to act on his own judgment in the fear of God. We have been told by the servant of the Lord that we should not link up with political parties, that we should not agitate political questions in our schools or institutions. On the other hand, we have been instructed by the same authority that when certain moral issues, such as prohibition, are involved, the ‘advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence by precept and example–by voice and pen and vote–in favor of . . . total abstinence.’ This instruction is not mandatory, it is still left for each one to determine for himself what he shall do.

“While an individual member of the church has a right, if he so likes, to cast his vote,the church as such should hold itself entirely aloof from politics. It is one thing for the individual members of the church to vote, and another thing for these same individuals in their church capacities to endeavor to influence political measures.” https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-voting-html/

This article from the Adventist Review is helpful in summarizing the matter.

In the news:

• This Sabbath we will continue “The Mystery Revealed” series in the Gospel of John with a look at chapter 2.
• Sabbath school will be available via zoom for those who can’t make it in person.
• If you would like to be involved in following up on interests over the telephone with the prospect of possible Bible studies, please join this free webinar this Sabbath afternoon at 3 p.m.  Here is last week’s exciting video filled with testimonies of what God is doing across our conference through Bible working volunteers. 

• https://greenevillegrapevine.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/parent-notification-of-new-covid-response-policy-11-20.pdfThe ABC Bookmobile will be here this Sunday from 10-11 a.m. in our church parking lot. 
• Our finance committee will meet this Monday evening at 6 p.m.  Masks are required.
• Our church board will meet this Monday evening at 7:15 p.m.  Masks are required.  There will be an online option available through ZOOM. 
• The nominating committee will meet again this Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. 
• Our mid-week Bible study on Romans will meet again this Wednesday.
• Liz Holt’s service will be Friday, November 20, at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 5151 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore MD 21229. The wake will be at 10:00 a.m. with virtual services following at 11:00 a.m.
• Please remember Mary Covil as she is scheduled to have surgery today to remove her colon cancer.
• Connie Fiedler is set to have her surgery this coming Wednesday. Please remember her in your prayers as well.
• GAA updated their COVID-19 policies this week.. You can read the explanation here and the policy here.
• Todd & Samantha Lewis’ son, JT will be having heart surgery this coming Tuesday. Please keep him in your prayers. The surgery will be at Vandnrebilt in Nashville.

Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath!

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy