Check out "Earth Hour"

How about giving your lights at home an hour off?

“Earth Hour” is taking place tomorrow night after Sabbath, March 29, from 8:00–9:00 p.m. Millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the world are expected to participate.

Created last year by the World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Australia, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement. More than 35 U.S. cities have signed on this year, including Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco.

The purpose of Earth Hour is to “heighten awareness about climate change and to inspire us to take practical actions to reduce our own carbon footprints.”

This is not an official endorsement of the WWF, or of Earth Hour, but simply an invitation for you to participate. I’m really curious as to how this 60-minutes of power reduction will translate into cost and energy savings. Plus, you can make it an “adventure” by (safely) using candlelight or lanterns to ‘survive’ during that hour.

More from the World Wildlife Fund website: Around the country, lights will be turned off at iconic buildings and national landmarks from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local businesses and restaurants will also be asked to turn off their lights. People at home can take advantage of the hour by replacing their standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

Care to join in?

Small-Town Conference

I get brochures and e-mails all the time for various seminars and teaching events. But this one caught my attention. At the end of April, I plan to attend a conference for pastors sponsored by the Rural Home Missionary Association. It’s called “Jesus: The Quintessential Rural Minister.”

Headlining the speakers is Joe Stowell, author and former president of Moody Bible Institute and newly-named president of Cornerstone University. The two-day, three-evening conference includes all of the materials, lunches and suppers, and costs only $95 if you register early. Travel and lodging are extra.

The April 28-30 conference will be in Morton, Illinois. For folks out East, there’s one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 19-21.

For many of our churches, the in-depth seminars look appropriate and helpful. They are led by small-town pastors with much experience.

Go to www.rhma.org and see if your pastor could benefit from this time away.

An Easter Prayer

An Easter season prayer from the American Bible Society:

Dear Lord, we come to You with grateful hearts overflowing appreciation for everything You have provided us. We are especially thankful for the precious gift of Your only begotten son, Jesus Christ. We ask that you look upon us, Oh Lord, and find us worthy. Just as the stone before Christ’s tomb was rolled away by Your command, we ask that You move all obstacles of sin and weakness from our path so that we may please you in all that we do. As we go from our homes this Easter, we pray that you are with us in our places of worship, as we give thanks and praises for Your eternal and abiding love.

These things we ask in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Baptist World Alliance Easter message

In a video message to Baptists around the world, Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam speaks of the meaning and efficacy of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Callam’s short Easter message can be viewed online, as well as downloaded for use in church services or other events.

Visit the BWA website here to view the Easter message video.

Bradenton Church on the Move

The Bradenton, Florida, SDB congregation has found a new place to worship.

As of March 22, the church will meet in the Braden River Presbyterian Church, located at 5150 Peridia Boulevard, Bradenton, FL 34203. The new facility holds about 150 worshipers, has a great kitchen, and a separate building with classrooms.

For directions on how to get there, go to www.bradentonsdb.org.

Radio reaches Jamaicans

The Western Circuit of SDB Churches in Jamaica is seeking funds to restart an evangelism outreach utilizing radio. The broadcasts include worship services, Bible studies, and information on Seventh Day Baptist history.

Sister Julieth Marie Robertson is president of the Western Circuit. Funds (money orders) for this project may be sent to:
Western Circuit of SDB Churches
Barrett Town District
Rose Hall P.O.
St. James
Jamaica, West Indies

Sister Robertson may be reached by phone at 876-680-0205, or by e-mail at julrob65@yahoo.com.

Historical Society Changes Date of 2008 Annual Meeting.

In order to accomodate changes in the schedules of several members of its Board of Directors, the Historical Society has changed the date of its annual meeting from what was reported in the Dateline of the March 2008 Sabbath Recorder. Rather than meeting on May 4th, 2008, as was previously publicized, the Annual Meeting will instead convene on May 11th, 2008 at the SDB Center in Janesville, at 2pm.

Historical Society members should expect to receive their proxy forms in early April.

If there are any questions regarding this change, please contact Nick Kersten at the Historical Society.

Full-color flip-flop

Several readers have told us that they really enjoyed the full-color artwork on the cover of the latest Sabbath Recorder. Featured were the winners of the latest youth art contest.

But when those readers got to the inside, they found a couple of the pages flip-flopped; that is, pages 10 and 19 were upside down. Thankfully, these readers know Leanne (author of the 'Reflections' column on page 19) and just figured that she was having fun with them. :)

We checked all of the extra copies sent from the printer, and the pages in question were okay. If you have a "flip-flopped" copy, please let us know so we can alert the printer (and maybe get some money back!). Thanks, and have a joyous Resurrection remembrance.

Prayer for Single Parents

Seventh Day Baptists are certainly not immune to having single parents (young and old) struggling to raise children on their own. We join the Circle of Prayer (part of the American Bible Society) in offering up this petition on behalf of those people in our church families:


Father God, may You give strength to all single parents struggling to live in the light of Your Word. We understand that the institution of marriage and family is sacred, and we pray that You will bless those parents and their children who are without the support of a spouse.

Whatever the affliction, we know that You are our protector. Whatever the need, we know You are our provider.

We pray these things in Your name and the name of Your only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, who sits on the right hand of judgment with You in Heaven. Glory!

Amen.