October is Clergy Appreciation Month

Every Sabbath we gather and express our appreciation to God. Often at the beginning of the Sabbath School year we focus on the dedicated teachers. In the spring we may have "advancement" for our Sabbath School students as they move from one class to another. We celebrate with our youth as they graduate from high school and college. We all appreciate our pastors but sometimes forget to show our appreciation.

October has come to be known as Clergy (or Pastor) Appreciation Month. There are good resources which can be found on line. Also it is a great encouragement to a pastor to discover that their congregation cared enough to seek out a special date to remember; whether ordination or accreditation anniversary, wedding anniversary or milestone in service to this local congregation. Speaking of caring enough...Hallmark is in the business of making pastor appreciation cards.

Here is a link to help you think and plan http://www.parsonage.org/images/pdf/cam.pdf clergy appreciation planning guide from Focus on the Family. There is other material out there if you search the web.

If you want to know some of the milestones from your pastor's ministry life, contact me at com@sdbministry.org and I will try to get the information you would like.

Nicaraguan Christians Need Prayer and Aid

This message comes from the SDB Missionary Society:

Recently we received the following e-mail from Dr. Abraham Stevens who is from Nicaragua:

“Please, remember us in your prayers this weekend. Our people, Miskito Indians, including so many of my relatives, died with horrible hurricane Felix category 5, hit directly to the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua 3 days ago. Now estimated about 3,000 died or disappeared. Entire villages disappeared, including their domestic animals, farms, domestic fruit trees, dead animals, human dead body everywhere. Almost 90% villages with nothing to sleep, nor food, nor clothing. Severe critical health risk. Whatever amount of donation will be appreciated. The sorrow more than we can bear. Only Christ can comfort us and your prayers.

Very sincerely,

Dr. Abraham Stevens.”

Let us consider the plight of the Miskito Indians in Nicaragua as we hold our services this Sabbath. Also, remember them in prayer as they continue to try to get their lives back together. They could use funds for medicines, clothing, bedding, protection against the mosquitoes, and food. We can get the funds indirectly through Dr. Abraham. Thank you.

Kirk Looper

Card business taking off!

Okay, so we’re not in any money-making venture with greeting cards, but activity at our website’s E-Card link is on the increase.

Apparently, even with all the jokes and fun at this year’s Tract Council Conference presentation, delegates were listening to and retaining the information about this new resource. According to webmaster Linda Lawton, maybe seven E-cards per week (at the most) were being sent out before Conference. Since our sessions in Newberg, Oregon, between 25 and 35 cards come from our web source each week.

Got a birthday or anniversary coming up in your family? Click on “E-Cards” (just to the left) and let someone know you’re thinking of them! It’s free—all you need is the person’s e-mail address. Enjoy!

New pastor at Metro Atlanta

by Bettie Pearson

On Sabbath, August 11, 2007, members and friends of the Metro Atlanta Seventh Day Baptist Church welcomed their new pastor and his wife, John J. and Tabatha Pethtel, and their son, Xavier. The celebration was led by Luis D. Lovelace, the church’s former pastor.

Midway through the morning service here in Hiram, Ga., the Pethtels were invited to come forward for the installation. Church leaders placed their hands on the kneeling couple as retired pastor David C. Pearson offered a dedicatory prayer.

Pastor Luis gave the charge to Pastor John, and then to the church. He told us that we should look ahead in anticipation and confidence, expecting God to do great things among us as Pastor John leads us forward.

At the close of the meeting, we enjoyed a fellowship dinner.

The previous month, our congregation and visiting friends recognized Pastor Luis’ 18 years of ministry with us. That appreciation service was held on July 7.

After morning worship and dinner, Jeff Hargett presented a Powerpoint portrayal of Luis’ years among our congregation. Several members spoke words of appreciation, and one offered encouragement for Luis’ future service for the Lord. We then presented Pastor Luis with a plaque commemorating his ministry here.

Pastor Luis served us faithfully for many years. Now we are entering a new era, looking forward to what God has prepared for us in the future.

“Good things are in store for the Metro Atlanta Church,” Pastor John remarked, “as we encourage each other to participate more fully in the work of God’s Kingdom.”

Four churches added

At the 2007 Conference session, the following groups became member churches of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference, USA and Canada, Ltd.:

Southeast Atlanta SDB Church
Stockbridge, Ga.

Ahtanum Community Church
Yakima, Wash.

SDB Christian Church
Silver Spring, Md.

All Nations SDB Church
Grand Rapids, Mich.


Let’s praise God together for this growth and expanding witness.

Henry to head to Serbia

Pastor Rod Henry, from the SDB Church in Thornton, Colorado, was scheduled to leave today on a missions trip to Serbia. The week-long visit is to include seminars for the new Seventh Day Baptist work in Serbia that arose from his last visit there in 2003. Seminars are also scheduled for other Sabbathkeepers from Croatia and Bosnia on the weekend.

Pastor Henry's request for specific prayers: "Openness among the participants, and good health and strength for me."