2008

the devil’s trap

By Gary D. Grimes
T h e C h u rc h c o u r i e r
Who should be our
october

example for Christian

living? Here are some
potential examples: The retired
minister in our midst? NO! Let’s
make a list! Our Sabbath School
superintendent? NO! Surely our Head
Elder, NEGATIVE! What about our Head
Deacon? NO! Maybe our Head Deaconess? NO!
This guy is “a can’t miss”—our friendly Sabbath
morning greeter? NOPE! Finally, our best shot—our
Pastor? He’s a good man, but NO!

Continue on page 6

In this issue: He Cares

Book Review 3 What more can we ask

of the Saviour that to
Pixie Pin Ups 5 know we are never
alone. That His mercy
Getting to Know 8
and love are unfailing
Volume 9, issue 10

Church @ Work 10 and He makes all our

problems His own. 

Pumpkin people
How is being a Christian like being a pumpkin? God sees
us, picks us out of the dirt, cleans us off, takes the
yucky material out of us by forgiving us, puts a smile on
our faces and places a shining light within us for others
to see.

Jesus said: ―Let your light shine before others, so that

they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father in heaven‖ (Matthew 5:16, NRSV).
 The greatest act of humility occurred at the
Last Supper when Jesus stooped to wash
the feet of His disciples on the night
before the crucifixion. It was the low-
est slave that usually washed the feet
of invited guests. Foot washing was
necessary because of the dust, mud, and other filth a person
walked through as a pedestrian on dirt roads around ancient
Palestine. But at the occasion of the Last Supper, no such ser-
vant was present, and the disciples feet went unwashed; or
so it seemed.

Jesus, the Christ, the Eternal Son of God, who will come
someday in triumphant glory for His people----took the role of
the lowest servant and demonstrated a graphic lesson in hu-
mility and true holiness. And, in washing the feet of the
twelve, He was really washing our feet too!

We all need periodic cleansing from some type of sin that hin-
ders us: gossip, unkind thoughts, jealousy, pride, etc., etc.
And the foot washing service, done in the right attitude, can
bring that cleansing. That's why the foot washing service is of
such importance, and should be done reverently and in re-
spect of what it represents. ( And it's also true that some sins
and situations might require a rebaptism to show outwardly
the repentance necessary.) But, for the most part, foot wash-
ing and what it represents, can suffice for those "everyday"
sins we encounter in life. So, let's allow Jesus to wash us! But
remember, we will never be able to wash the feet of those
who have hurt us, until we allow Him, the One we have hurt,
to "wash" ours!

Yours for allowing Jesus to cleanse us to the uttermost,

Pastor and Sharon Webb

Page 2 The Church Courier

 by: Ann Holland

There are two outstanding books written by surviving family members to

help strengthen and encourage God's people in this end-time of his-
tory.

1. A Thousand Shall Fall, by Susi Mundy. Susi is one of the children of

this German family in this book. Susi is the Registrar at PUC in Cali-
fornia now. This book is an electrifying story of a soldier and his fam-
ily who dare to practice their faith at the time of Hitler's German
Army in World War II. It is so thrilling to read about their answers
to prayer over and over.

2. Though the Heavens Fall, by Mikhail Kulakov. It happens in Rus-

sia. Thousands of God's faithful men and women, prisoners of con-
science, who sacrificed their lives for the gospel of Christ in the
forced labor camps of the Soviet Union. Answer after answer to
prayer. All so thrilling and inspiring.

As I finished reading these two books, I felt such a heavy heart over all
they endured. The thought came to me - I know when Jesus comes, He
will take these beautiful people's hands in His and look so lovingly into
their faces and say, "Well done thy good and faithful servant." And their
response will be, "It was worth it all."

Our Church Library has an extensive collec-

tion of spiritual and theological books. In
order to make your search easier we are
making some changes. So if you visit our
library during the next few weeks please
note that we haven’t finished with this pro-
ject. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Church Librarians, Alex Ortiz and Omayra Rivera

Vol. 9, Issue 10 Page 3

 Youth Events
October 3-5 Pathfinder Camp Out at Crews Lake

Our youth are becoming

very active in our church,
daycare and school. The Youth
and Pathfinders from the
By David Hecht school grades 5-8 will be holding
story time at the daycare. They are
leading out in a worship ser-
vice each month at the school and hosting vespers at the
church every 2nd Sabbath.
The Pathfinders are gearing up to go to Oshkosh, WI in August
2009 to Camporee . They will be having several fundraisers to
raise the money to go. Please help with your prayers and dona-
tions. This will be a very rewarding experience for our Pathfind-
ers.
Also, our 8th graders, at the school, are going to St. Augustine FL.
for their graduation trip. This will be a very educational trip.
They also will be doing several fundraisers. Our Youth appreciate
all the support that our Church Family gives to them.
Do you know this Youth?
I am David Hecht, the one who does the Youth News. I was born In Jack-
sonville FL. I am 13 years old and I go to the Adventist Christian School.
My favorite sport is wrestling any kind
of wrestling (kickboxing, boxing, mix-
martial arts, and just old-fashioned wres-
tling). What I want to be when I grow
up is a doctor or a teacher, I haven’t de-
cided yet. My parents are Lynn and
Leann Hecht and my two brothers are
Jake and Daniel. I have a cute little
adorable dog named Molly.

Page 4 The Church Courier

 PIXIE PIN-UPS
DO YOU KNOW ME?
If you think you know this church member, submit
your guess to us, either by phone or email.

First 3 correct responses will receive a prize!

You can submit your baby pix by email or directly to

us. Photos can be black and white or color and will be He loves FL and the
outdoors.
promptly returned. For more information please con-
tact us.
September baby was: John Altmann (Clue: He enjoy riding his motorcycle.)
John has 5 motorcycles and 1 scooter.

Our winners were: Tara Rinkel and Arlene Learman

Thanks for participating!

Think about it…

 ―Forgiveness can remarkably

restore our relationships, renew
our spirits and revitalize our
lives.‖ —William Arthur Ward

 ―If you really believe the

Christian gospel — God behind
us, his cause committed to us,
his power available for us —
then proclaim it, live it, imple-
ment it, for humanity’s hope
depends upon it. It is, indeed, a
faith for tough times.‖
—Harry Emerson Fosdick

 ―Your temper will improve

the longer you keep it.‖

Vol. 9, Issue 10 Page 5

 Cont. from page 1 The devil’s trap. Getting us to
By Gary D. Grimes take our eyes off Jesus as our Ex-
ample and looking to some poor,
By now you know the answer. It
sinful fellow human for our ex-
is none other than Jesus Christ,
ample. Then Satan springs his
the Son of God.
trap when the weak human ex-
Jesus is our perfect example in ample falls. Many times we fall
our Christian behavior. He is with him.
sinless (II Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 2:
Brother and sisters, always do as
21,22; I John 3:5). He is the
the hymn tells us, “Turn your
One altogether lovely. Follow
eyes upon Jesus, look full in His
Him, not some weak sinful hu-
wonderful face, and the things of
man being. He is worthy of our
earth will grow strangely dim in
worship. Appropriate His right-
the light of His glory and grace.”
eousness by faith to clean up your
JESUS IS THE ONE! MAKE
past. Invite Him into your heart
HIM YOUR EXAMPLE
to live a victorious Christian life.
TODAY!

In this section you will see interesting facts

and figures. Got some? Send it to us.
s
man body hold
The average hu Approximately two-thirds of
kill all the flees on
enough; sulfur to a
a person’s body weight is
potassium to fire
an average dog, 0
water. Blood is 92% water.
on to make 90
toy cannon, carb ,
The brain is 75% water and
e 7 bars of soap
pencils, fat to mak
muscles are 75% water.
ake 2,200 match
phosphorus to m
ns of water!
heads, and 10 gallo
To make 2 pounds of honey, bees have to
visit 4 million flowers, traveling a distance
equal to 4 times around the earth.
Page 6 The Church Courier

Congratulations to Tara
Rinkel & Sean Fairbrother for
their wedding.
They got married here at our
church in a beautiful and inti-
mate ceremony on Septem-
ber 26th.
We wish them the best!
Vol. 9, Issue 10
Only Jesus
by: Lorraine Wilson—
NPR SDA Church Member
Jesus came to save us from our sins.
Only Jesus knows our thoughts within.
Judging others is not the thing to do,
There is only one Judge—Jesus.
If we can’t forgive someone,
And it’s hard for us to do,
Remember Jesus forgives us
For all the wrongs we do.
So look to Jesus, keep Him first in your
life. Only Jesus hears our prayers,
So follow Him each day.
Page 7
This month we will have the chance to get to know a
little better one of our newest members, Aracelis Gar-
cia. She was baptized recently in our church.
Aracelis Garcia
Q: Where were your born?
A: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I work for the Pasco County School System

Q: Kids? Ages.
A: Two kids. A girl that is 16 years old and a boy who is 12.

Q: Favorite food? Pets?

A: All kinds of food 
I have a dog named Buddy.

Q: Talents:
A: Friendship (Besides being friendly and caring, Aracelis, also joined our Church
Choir—Alto Section, using her voice to the glory of the Lord).

Q: Favorite bible verse or bible story?

A: 1 Corinthians 13

Q: Something that we haven’t asked that you want the church family to know?
A: I’m the only SDA out in my entire family. Also, I lived 2 years in Korea
and I can speak a little Korean.

Q: What do you like the best about the NPR SDA Church?
A: The Hispanic Community.

We are so happy Aracelis for your decision to follow Jesus. We love you and
thank you so much for letting us get to know you a little more. God bless you!

Page 8 The Church Courier

SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS – Please remember our ongoing fundraisers col-
lecting old cell phones, collecting used ink cartridges and the Sweetbay
“Earn School Dollars” fundraiser.

Vol. 9, Issue 10 Page 9

 DO YOU HAVE A SMALL GROUP?
If you don’t and want to be part of one, contact Martha for dates and
locations of the new Small Group Studies.

We have regularly scheduled Saturday eve-

ning Vesper programs. Lennie Schiefer and
Martha Getlinger are planning a variety of programs including concerts, bible
trivia, movies, etc., and all are sure to be spiritually uplifting evenings to close
out the Sabbath. Members are encouraged to come out for a blessing.

 October 4 at 6:30 pm is a concert by Ralph Henderson. He is a gifted

and talented pastor from Orlando who writes all his own music and
songs. He has been here in the past. Please come out and support our
out-of-town guest singer.

 October 11 at 6:30 pm (and every second Sabbath of the month) will

be the NPR SDA School children with Mr. Cruz in charge. We have
wonderful talent in our school. Each month will be something
different. Come support our children and plan to stay afterwards.
There will be a game night following all school Vespers. Please
bring a snack/game to share.

 October 18 at 6:45 pm will be the Pathfinder and Adventurer i n d u c -

tion program.

 October 25 at 6:00 pm will be a concert by Walden Thomas and

"Restoration". Walden used to be a member of the St. Petersburg
Church and sang for the Evangelism programs and other specials mu
sic services. "Restoration" will sing a couple of songs for the morning
Church service and then have a Vesper concert.

If you would like to be in charge of one evening Vespers program or have ideas
please call Lennie Schiefer 727-376-4362. An invitation is extended to our
members to be involved whether it be up front or in the pew, come out and be
blessed!

Page 10 The Church Courier

 From the editors
This newslet-
ter is pub- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
lished monthly of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
by the NPR Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Ps. 23:4).
SDA Church. I learned Psalm 23 when I was 8 years old, I remem-
If you have bered my stepmother teaching it to my brother and
any comments me.
to make about
As Christians we face so many situations and some-
the newslet-
times God allow some of our fears to come true and
ter, wish to
it’s in that moment that we discover that we will not
make a dona-
disintegrate. It is wonderful to know that if we trust
tion, or wish
in God everything will work for our best.
to submit an
article, please Trust in Him with all your heart because He said: I
send it to the know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you
church or to and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
us. future. Jeremiah 29:11
Omayra Rivera

Contact us

Alexander Ortiz Omayra Rivera

727– 365-2892 727– 372-0052

nprcourier07@gmail.com

NPR Seventh-day Adventist Church

6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653
727-848-4567

Visit us on the web: www.nprsda.org/newsletter

Vol. 9, Issue 10 Page 11
NPR Seventh–day Adventist Church
6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653