May 2010 The Latest Word

Which female Bible character is your

favorite? Women who come to my mind are Mary the mother of Jesus, Queen Esther who saved the Jewish captives in Babylon and what about Hannah the mother of Samuel? As I look over the list of women who came to my mind, it is clear the woman were com-mitted to God. In addition, they demonstrated boldness in their personalities while influencing their cultures for good.

On the other hand, there is a whole group of less renowned Bible moms who quietly influenced their children to serve the Lord faithfully. What distinguishes these Bible moms is their love for God expressed through their “everyday” faithfulness. In place of a high profile per-sonality, many Bible moms shunned the spotlight for an active, behind the screens, life of supporting their families.

For example, there’s the Bible mom who encouraged

her son to attend the gather-ing where a famous Rabbi named Jesus was speak-ing. She packed a lunch and encouraged him to sit up toward the front of the crowd to hear every word the Rabbi said. Then she asked God’s blessing on her son and sent him off to one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He was chosen to share his lunch with Jesus and 5,000 others.

On Mother’s Day, May 8, we’ll celebrate the moms who avoid notoriety yet

continued on page 2

Behind the Scenes Momby Pastor Mitch

Body and Soul

A physically strong woman exercises her body regu-larly. A spiritually strong woman prays throughout the day as she works or serves or sits quietly in the presence of God. Some women keep both body and soul in the best shape possible. This behavior sets an example for every-one.

INSIDEThe Next Big Thing on page 3

Who Is He? My Salvation! is on page 4

Ginny’s Kitchen on page 5

What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9

FQs for Kids is on page 7

Our Church Family page 10

Kid’s Page on page 11

For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church

SGA Chorale

The San Gabriel Academy Chorale will be leading worship in

song on May 22. Music is an important part of worship. The Bible talks exten-sively about the need to praise and express ourselves through music. Inivite your friends and family to come and expe-rience this unique service.

After the service we will be hosting a luncheon for the students and their fami-

lies. Everyone is invited to stay and join us. The luncheon will be haystacks. We need lots of people to sign up to help bring enough food for all our guests. Watch for sign ups in the foyer. =

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embrace their faith in everyday interactions with their families. The ser-mon title is the Behind the Scenes Mom. We’ll open our Bibles to study the life of a woman named Mary. Our Mary is not the mother of Jesus but a mom whose son is well known even though she is not. Make plans to invite your mom or some-one’s mom to this uplifting service.

On May 1, Bill Aumack’s message is called Do You have a Song? The Bible is pretty clear about the importance of music and singing. But why is it so important? Why should we sing? And the most important ques-tion, does the fact that I

have a horrible voice mean it’s ok for me not to sing? Join us on that day to see what the Bible has to say

about how and why we should sing.

The message on May 15 is entitled Making Priorities Stick. Jesus had his life’s priorities clearly defined. In preserving those priorities he said “no” to those things that might conflict. The pri-orities common with all Christians is Bible reading,

prayer and the like. Have you ever made plans with yourself to read your Bible only to be interrupted by

a friend’s telephone call? What did you do? Jesus faced interruptions from time to time as he traveled from place to place. However, when it came to his spiritual pri-orities, Jesus used a simple word to keep

himself on track. Bring your Bible and learn the “simple” word Jesus used to maintain his life’s pri-orities.

On May 22, San Gabriel Academy’s choir will offer a musical wor-ship. The Book of Psalms is really a “book of songs” that have been sung throughout the ages. Most of us have felt the thrill of music in our hearts and how it helps us express our love for God. Bring a friend to hear the message of redemption sung by the San Gabriel Academy choir. Also, a fellowship luncheon is planned. The food theme is haystacks. We need everyone’s help to bring food items to share with our guest. A sign-up sheet will be avail-able in the foyer.

On May 29 the title of the message is No Barriers. The Bible is clear why we ought to con-sider the outcome of our trials with joy: “because

you know that the test-ing of your faith develops perseverance,” (James 1:3). When the Bible uses the words “you know” in this verse it is referring to “experimental knowledge” or the knowledge we gain by experiencing something first hand. This knowl-edge cannot be learned from books, TV, or the Internet. It’s a doing kind of understanding. We’re living in extraordinarily difficult economic times. This message is one of pure encouragement and trust in God who has a plan for each of us.

See you when the church gathers. =

WE DID IT

The Latest Word V 22 N 05

BILL AUMACKresponsible for this

LINDA AUMACKproof reading

LETTY DURANpaper distribution

MITCH WILLIAMSpastor

address mail to: Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church9820 Lakewood Blvd.Downey, CA 90240office: 562.869.6013fax: 562.622.1691 [email protected]

distributed monthlyissue date: May 2010 copyright 1992-2010

What distinguishes these Bible moms is their

love for God expressed through their “everyday”

faithfulness.

“

”

Behind the Scenes Mom (cont. from page 1)

April 2010

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Webster says “enlight-ened” means “freed

from ignorance and mis-information . . . based on full comprehension of the problems involved” (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).

God’s word says, , “I pray also that the

eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV).

I found an article in Reader’s Digest this month. It’s called “Next Big Things – 25 Ideas, Inventions, and Gadgets That Will Improve Your Life.” There’s something, I think, that would appeal to all of us. Some of the items listed:

• A 4-day work week and a 3-day weekend. (Yea!)

•No-drill dental work—supposedly available in the US this year

• Safer motor-cycle helmets that include a covering called Super Skin, made to stretch like the skin which covers our skulls

• A high-tech guitar with a touchpad and no strings. (Bye-bye cal-loused fingers!)

• Needle-free vaccines—inoculations which are deposited via a skin patch

• Do-it-yourself glasses, the lenses of which are filled with silicone oil and encased in hard plastic with a plastic

dial on each lens to change the shape of the lens which, in turn, changes one’s vision

• Hope for heart patients

in the form of a turbine engine the size of a D battery implanted into patients’ abdo-mens.

[There are more. For a complete list and descrip-tion, see Reader’s Digest (May 2010)]

Some of the items listed seem like they should be well into the future, you know, like something out of a science fiction movie. Rather, however, they are things that are already used in certain parts of the world or they are right

around the corner.

I read that article before falling asleep last night, and was surprised to find myself thinking about it when I woke up. This is what came to mind. It’s exciting to think about all of the technological advances approaching us, but I was reminded that there is at least one NEXT BIG THING that the article does not include. One grand event approach-ing us, the next big thing we are looking for, is the return of Jesus Christ. That one event will free us

from all need for technol-ogy to improve our lives. We won’t need dental work, with or without a drill. No need for vac-cinations

or a safer motorcycle hel-met. In that one approach-ing event, there is relief for a world full of sickness, violence and fear. Simply put, hope for every heart. =

May 1 Bill Aumack

Do You have a Song?

May 8Mitch Williams

Behind the Scenes Mom Mother’s Day

May 15Mitch Williams

Making Priorities Stick

May 22San Gabriel Chorale

May 29Mitch Williams

No Barriers

Worship Schedule

God, Webster & You

by Linda Bewley The Next Big Thing

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Before the Father

by Linda FernandezWho is He? My Salvation!

In Isaiah 12:2, 3 as well as Psalm 18:47 and 25:5

we find the names of God, El Yeshuati or Elohay Yishi. These names refer to his role as God of my Salvation. Descriptions of these names include salvation, deliverance and victory. I try to make it a point daily to be thankful for the gift of salvation and I pray for deliverance and protection during my day as well as victory over my tendency toward sin.

It is Easter break from school and the past two weeks I have had the joy of spending time with grandchildren and great-nieces and neph-ews of various ages. We do the typical stuff, arts and crafts, visit museums and parks, get together with family. Doing so usually requires a great deal of driving since everyone is so spread out. I have found that during this down time between the “are we there yets” and the “can I change the radio stations” are great opportunities for catching up with these rap-idly growing and maturing young ones.

One 6 year old seems fascinated by my habit of praying every time we head out in the car or stop to eat. She now finds something to pray about

every 5 or 10 minutes! While on one adventure to a museum in a part of town we were not used to, we stopped to eat at a popular fast food place. A couple of things took us by surprise: we were com-pletely thrown off guard as we encountered floor to ceiling bullet proof

glass surrounding the service people behind the counter! It was lunch time yet we were the only ones in the establishment. When we left, we realized that someone had left one of the car’s back doors ajar with all our belongings in full view. We immediately sensed that this was not an area where this would be advisable, but nothing had been touched. God had provided an instantly beau-tiful example to those little ones of my feeble attempt to explain why I often pray

for God to go before us and prepare our path and keep us safe as one child remarked, almost to her-self, “It’s a good thing we prayed”.

Salvation is a difficult topic to share with children (and perhaps adults) with limited childhood expo-sure to spiritual things. During our Easter service at church, Pastor Mitch had each of us personally drive a nail into a life-size cross. The nail represent-ed our fears, failures and anything we had not yet

surrendered to the Lord. I was able to share this pow-erful message with one of my teenagers. Seeing God actively involved as in the fast food inci-dent helps them accept the deeper ideas I try to convey in our short time

together.

Father: Thank you for allowing your interaction to be seen so clearly in the minds of those with whom I share my faith. May they continue to be amazed at Almighty God reaching down to love them, to pro-tect them and to offer them salvation. =

“Surely God is my salvation…”

Isaiah 12:2a

She now finds something to pray about every 5 or 10 minutes!

April 2010

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Fresh Asparagus Coconut Soup

From Ginny’s Kitchen

½ cup diced celery ½ cup diced white onions 1 lb. fresh asparagus, washed & snapped into pieces 1 cup water ¾ cup canned coconut milk (not low fat) ½ cup soy milk or cow’s milk 1 t. salt 1 t. white pepper

Suggested topping to serve: Plain yogurt, Parmesans cheese, fresh herbs (like, basil or rosemary or tarragon)

In a small pot, simmer asparagus with celery, onions in the water for approx. 20 minutes. In a blender, puree asparagus mixture until completely smooth. Add the ¾ cup of coconut milk and blend. Add ½ cup soy milk

or cow’s milk and blend.

Return to pot, add salt and pep-per. Bring to medium/hot tem-perature, cook and stir often. Careful not to boil or burn.

Add one of the toppings and serve. =

Make me a wise moth-er, O Lord. Keep me

calm and give me patience to bear the small, irritating things in the daily routine of life. Give me toler-ance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children.

Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruises. Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with them but never at them. Let me refrain from preaching with words.

Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me. Make me humble. Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles may separate us. And let your light so shine upon me that they, too, will perceive your glory. Amen. =

-St. Philip Episcopal Church, Rochester, Minnesota

A Mother’s Prayer

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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2 4 6 7 8

10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

7:41 pm sunset

7:46 pm sunset

7:52 pm sunset

9:30 AM S.S.

9:30 AM S.S.

9:30 AM S.S.10:50 AM Worship Mitch Williams

9:30 AM S.S.10:50 AM Worship SGA Chorale12:30 Luncheon

Visit www.downeychurch.orgC.S. - Community Service

S.S. - Sabbath School

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10:50 AM Worship Bill Aumack

10:50 AM Worship Mitch WilliamsMother’s Day

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10 AM C.S.

6:30 pm Band Practice

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Downey Adventist Church

7 pm Women’s Prayer Group





7 pm Board Meeting

7:56 pm sunset


9:30 AM S.S.10:50 AM Worship Mitch Williams


30 31

April 2010

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When I was a teen-ager, the educators

of my day believed that your IQ, or your Intelligent Quotient, was the best measurement of not only your learning aptitude, but also how suc-cessful you might be in life.

Consequently, if you did not do extremely well in either English or Mathematics, you tested very poorly on your IQ test; which could also mean you might be one of life’s failures. Today, we know the IQ assessment measurers only about 20 percent of who you are as a person. The EQ, or Emotional Quotient, is an improved measurement of your potential maturity and how, in adulthood, you might relate to life and your fellow human beings.

Besides your IQ and EQ, I believe there is another “Q” that may be equally important. That is your “FQ” or Finance Quota. This FQ is not based on your tempera-ment, genetics or smarts, but concerns the money management principles your parents taught you as you were growing up. Consider the fact that par-ents spend an inordinate

amount of money mak-ing sure their children get

the best education. They send them to the finest Christian schools and summer

camps. They pay for music lessons and special tutor-ing. They may even dole out more ‘green backs’ for driver’s education, and yet fail to provide a learner’s permit for basic finances.

I particularly like what Mary Hunt, in her book, Debt-Proof Your Kids contends; “It seems to me that if we could teach our children not to touch a hot stove, we could train them not to get burned by the lure of credit-card debt. If we could train them to look both ways before crossing the street, we could teach them to carefully read the fine print. If we could instill in them the value of delay-ing gratification, it could become a lifetime behav-ior.”1

Having extolled the importance and value of exposing and teach-ing your children money management, this will not, however, guarantee your offspring a flawless financial future. It will, nevertheless, give them

the best start in holding their own in an adult-economic world. To help parents reading this bul-letin, I have outlined three areas that are a must for early childhood financial development. I like to call these the three big “S’s” of money management.

SharingWe all are aware that

we live in a very greedy and selfish society. In these last few years we have seen CEO’s and company executives of financial institutions accept tremendous salaries and bonuses. Recently, I read where top CEO’s

are earning more than 230 times the income of the average employee. However, the principle of shar-

ing is a universal and time-less concept. God’s uni-versal love theme has been one of a generous giver. “For God so loved the world that He gave. . . .” We need to teach our chil-dren the value of compas-sion in sharing by simply showing them the needs of others and the blessings that come from unselfishly giving back. Kids are usu-ally anxious to please, so it should not be difficult to teach them how to share a portion of their money-

FQs for KidsStewpot

by Gordon Botting, DrPH, CHES

continued on page 8

“Nothing loosens a person’s grip like giving things away. It purifies motives and lightens the heart.”

— John Maxwell

What Is A Money- Management Allowance?

Children should never be given a money-management allowance as a reward for making their bed, taking out the trash or any other chore. The allowance is given as a tool, used to instruct your child on the basics of good financial management. As the child matures, the funds and their responsibility, should be increased.

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management allowance.

Your Kids’ Sharing Values Should Include:

1. Sharing is always first; before spending or sav-

ing. It develops an attitude of gratitude and thankful-ness.

2. Sharing 10 percent is a good start, and is also

part of God’s plan for our lives.

3. Encourage your chil-dren to give to causes

they can see are helping others. For example, they might sponsor, with their parents, an orphan in an under privileged country.

SavingBegin by encouraging

your children to take from their money-management allowance a portion to save for a future need or want. Take them regularly to the local bank and have them place in a savings

account a second 10 per-cent of their money-man-agement allowance.

This is the best way to help them save for a larger item; such as a bike, an unusual science kit, or computer game. Saving a portion of their money-management allowance will become a lifetime habit and will, as an adult, help them plan for those “rainy-day emergencies” as well as their “sunny retirement.”

Your Kids’ Saving Values Should Include:

1. Saving money is an essential habit that

results in never going broke.

2. Saving your money teaches you the joy

of delayed gratification, instead of instant gratifica-tion.

3. Regularly putting money aside establishes

the habit of saving and initiates the concept that money, over time, can grow and earn interest.

SpendingKids, at a very young

age, learn very quickly the concept of spend-ing. Just stand behind a toddler at a supermarket checkout stand and listen to the whining and plead-ing for candy. The most important lesson for chil-dren concerning spending is the difference between their “needs” and their “wants.” A simple defini-tion is, “needs” are the necessities of life; such as food, clothes and shel-ter. Whereas, “wants” are things that bring delight and pleasure to our lives, but that we can live with-out; such as games and special trips to theme parks.

As soon as a child can read and write, they should have a notebook-tracking-system of their spending.

Each month, when they receive their money-man-agement allowance, they should record their income on the first line of a new page. Then, they can cata-log below their deductions; beginning with sharing, then savings and then all the other spending items.

Your Kids’ Spending Values Should Include:

1. Needs are indis-pensable, but wants are optional.

2. Remind them that a spending plan is the most important building block of the three “S’s.”

3. Keeping a record of their spending is cru-cial. A monthly spending notebook must include both income money-man-agement allowance and expenses. = 1. Mary Hunt, Debt-Proof Your Kids, DPL Press, 2006, page 2.

FQs for Kids (cont. from page 7)

There have been a few changes in the Adventurer pro-gram. Here are the dates and the topics for the remainder of this year.

May 15 - Sunbeam CurriculumJune 19 - Awards CeremonyAlso, the Adventurer club will do the curriculum as part of Sabbath School. Please be sure to be present during Sabbath School to meet all the requirements so you can get an award.

Adventurer Schedule

April 2010

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May Birthdays

Chris Martin – 1 Dudley Meade – 1 Victor Zamora – 4 Linda Aumack – 6 Michael Fernandez – 6 Kaye Navarro – 10 Byron Molina Jr. – 11 Vanity Duarte – 12 Justine Amezaga – 13 Bill Aumack – 17 Ray Munguia – 18 Frank Duran – 23 Alex Aumack – 28

If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in.

Upcoming Events2nd Sunday - 10 a.m. Community Service3rd Saturday - Adventurer ClubThursdays - 7 p.m. Women’s Prayer GroupFridays - 6:30 p.m. Band Practice

May 8 - Mother’s Day ServiceMay 9 - Mother’s DayMay 20 - Board Meeting, 7pmMay 22 - SGA Chorale & LuncheonMay 31 - Memorial Day

The Latest Word deadline is the 5th of the month.

Coming Soon

June 12 - Kids in Discipleship Sabbath

June 26 - Parking Lot Party (date change)

July 19-23 - VBS

this month

If you are looking for a new, fun way to read The Latest Word online, be sure to check out the newest format at http://issuu.com/downeychurch. Same great content in a richer environment. Be sure to check out all the reading modes. As usual, you can still get read it at our website at www.downeychurch.org.

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The Latest About

Our Church FamilyWe need graduates!

If you know someone who is graduating this year, please contact either Letty or Bill and let them know. Thanks.

Octavio and Mariana were married in our sanctuary by Pastor Mitch on April 9. Look for this new cou-ple in our Sabbath service sometime in May.

Vacation Bible School is coming soon. If you

are willing to help, please contact Bill as soon as you can. We need help in the

classrooms, the kitchen and lots of other areas. Thanks for helping us teach the children about Jesus.

Congratulations to Elora Chavez and Kevin Torres who made 3rd Quarter Honor Roll at

AUS. Keep up the good work!

If you have any Church Family news, please contact the church office so we can get it into the newsletter. =

Thank you to every-one who has been saving Campbell Soup Labels for education and Box Tops for Education. That is greatly appreci-ated.

On the Campbell Soup labels, all that is really needed is the UPC (the bar code). You don’t have to save the entire label, just the UPC bar code.

For the Box Tops for Education, please save the Box Tops coupon.

Please give your labels to Linda Aumack. Thank you for your sup-port! =

Remember the words Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of

the national cemetery on the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania:

“It is rather for us to be here dedi-cated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ....” =

On Memorial DayKeys to a Successful Marriage

Husbands and wives focus often on God, who holds

them together. When two become one in a Christian marriage, they vow to remain one until death parts them. Oneness takes thoughtfulness, constant communication and daily deeds of kindness.

Words are extremely important to sustain a mar-riage. Words hotly spoken can kill love, while words tenderly spoken can enhance love. Husbands and wives need constant assurance by hearing words of love and by deeds done to show love in action.

Remember that the bonds of matrimony are a good investment only when the interest is paid daily. =

April 2010

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April 2010

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Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA 90240

Return Service Requested

DATED MATERIAL

Ponder This...

= “In the time of your life, live — so that in that won-drous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it.”—William Saroyan

= “Mothers write on the hearts of their children what the world’s rough hand cannot erase.”—Author unknown

= “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.”—General Omar Bradley

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May 2010 The Latest Word