Dear Church Family,

We have in our ranks too many who are restless, talkative, self-commending, and who take the liberty to put themselves forward, having no reverence for age, experience, or office. The church is suffering today for help of an opposite character—modest, quiet, God-fearing men, who will bear disagreeable burdens when laid upon them, not for the name, but to render service to their Master, who died for them. Persons of this character do not think it detracts from their dignity to rise up before the ancient and to treat gray hairs with respect. Our churches need weeding out. Too much self-exaltation and self-sufficiency exists among the members.

Testimonies for the Church. (1855). (Vol. 4, p. 340). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

In the news:

1. The GAA Christmas concert that had been scheduled for this evening has been cancelled due to COVID risk. In fact, as an act of caution, school closed this past Tuesday due to increased COVID exposure and risk.
2. This Sabbath Ava Kennedy will be sharing the morning message for the worship hour. Other youth will also be leading out in the service this Sabbath.
3. Our Christmas Offering that has been designated to go for the construction of a Pavilion behind the church has collected $5,846 so far. The projected cost of the project is between $25,000 and $30,000. The pavilion will be able to seat over 200 when erected and should prove a real asset to the church when having gatherings in the warmer months.
4. The Youth Social that was scheduled for tomorrow has been CANCELLED due to COVID-19 concerns.
5. Our mid-week study on Romans will not be meeting over the holidays but will resume our study with a look at Romans 15 on Wednesday, January 6 via ZOOM.
6. We will have an Evangelism Council meeting on Thursday, January 7 at 7 P.M.
7. We will have an Elder’s Meeting via ZOOM on Sunday, Janaury 10 at 7 P.M.
8. Please note that the AYA Christmas concert that was planned for Sabbath, December 26 has been cancelled due to COVID concerns. Please disregard the announcement in the bulletin.
9. Cradle Roll will not be having classes for the next three weeks due to COVID.
10. We need to pray for those in our church family who have COVID right now. Jesse Felan, Carol Haney, Dr. Hoppe, Brad & Angela Emde, and Randy Nomura are the ones I am aware of who currently have it. Also, I got this request from Shawn Dietrich this week: A young man who works with Jonathan in the Desert Tree Ministry Printshop seriously injured his foot.  It is a very bad injury and will take a long time to heal.  Please pray that it not get infected, that it heal, and that he be able to walk again.  His name is Promise.
11. As you know, COVID is extremely rampant right now across the state, and as mentiond above, has begun to infect some in our congregation. The church board met via ZOOM Wednesday evening to re-evaluate the situation and after much discussion voted to keep our current policy. As a reminder, our current policy is that all (9 years and above) are required to wear masks when entering the church. Everyone is to maintain social distancing and sit in the designated seating in the sanctuary. Please note that if there is a large family that needs more space in a pew, please help us accomodate them by moving if necessary that they may be able to still sit together. This will likely be the situation during this holiday season. Also, while sitting in the pews, our policy does allow for masks to be removed if able to social distance while listening but when talking to others, masks are required. After the service, it is asked that all make their way outside for fellowship and conversation to avoid congesting the foyer and hallways.
12. I might add a gentle reminder that as a church family, we want to out of love for each other and in the spirit of Romans 14 do all we can to ensure the safety and well being of our church family. Thank you for cooperating with the masks even if you don’t believe they are affective. If nothing else, by wearing these coverings, we help to convey to our brothers and sisters that we care for their well being.
13. Here is a concise resource put together by Dr. Castro for how to build the immune system and how to respond if you get the virus.
14. Note that we will be having a Dinner with the Doctor program on January 12 with Walt Cross & Dr. Kanna. The theme will be on building the immune system.
15. Medcram is a resource that was founded by an Adventist physician and which has become one of the leading sources of solid information regarding COVID. Here are two videos I recently listened to which I found very helpful. The first video (thank you to Dr. Nelson for bringing this to my attention) speaks about the knew vaccine from Pfizer and is helpful in combatting some of the conspiracy theories floating around regarding the vaccine. The second video speaks of the importance of vitamin D in building the immune system.

Blessings as you prepare for the coming Sabbath and stay well!

In His Service,

Pastor Jeremy