PLUS

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)

2

In This Issue About Us

Editorial Staff Gudrun Jacobsen Melojames Blais

Donna Chan Christine Napoleon

Associate Editor

Pastor Andreas Mellas

Communication Secretary Gudrun Jacobsen

Media

Marilyn Mujikwa

Editorial Office The Beacon Newsletter

8520 132st Surrey BC

Canada V3W 4N7 Tel: 1-604-591-2922

Email: news@surreysda.com www.surreysda.com

A quarterly newsletter published

by the Surrey SDA Church

The deadline for submission for the next issue is January 1 2017

3. Pastor’s Corner 4. Sun Run vs Heaven Run 5. The “Radical” in the Rescue 6. Vegetarian Chicken 7. Work and the Sabbath 8. Women’s and Men’s Ministry

Editors’ Message

A world is to be saved. The work is advancing in a most marvelous manner in foreign lands;

and even within the shadows of our doors there are many, many opportunities for

communicating to others the saving truths of the third angel’s message. Publications are to be distributed like the leaves of autumn. [Ms

126, 1902],

10.Visitors’ Day 11. Cultural Social 12. A Gift of Gratitude 13. What Happens While We Sleep? 14. Youth Revival 15. Youth Day

Welcome to the Beacon! a quarterly newsletter of the Surrey SDA Church. A "beacon" is a light set upon a prominent place as a warning, a signal, or a celebration. As God's remnant church, we are to be all three on this earth - a beacon of light to the surrounding nations to warn and enlighten those who have not yet experienced God's truth, and a glorious beam of hope signaling The Lord's soon second coming!

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)

This newsletter's main purpose is to give glory to God. It is also designed to keep our members informed of church events, inspired to be more involved in church activities, and encouraged to walk closer with God.

Here are a few ways you can support our newsletter:

- Any church member can submit an article, testimony, photograph, vegan recipe, question, etc. to be considered for publishing. Submissions for the next edition must be received by Sisters Gudrun or Melo in person or by email to news@surreysda.com by January 1, 2017.

- One paper copy of our newsletter will be given to each church family (placed in the church mail slot) and handed to our visitors each Sabbath. In addition, an electronic copy will be posted on our website, and emailed to those on the church email list

- This newsletter is for everyone: members and visitors alike. When you have finished with your copy, please ask The Lord to show you whom to share it with

May this newsletter be a blessing to you, and give glory to God, Sisters Gudrun, Melo, Marilyn, Christine, and Donna

3

Publish Glad Tidings

By Pastor Andreas Mellas

“And the gospel must first be published

among all nations” (Mark 13:10). To publish means to make public or to “discover or make known to mankind or to people in general what before was private or unknown” (Webster’s). The disciples of Christ followed this divine directive of our Lord Jesus by preaching, praying, and writing divinely inspired Gospels and epistles which were added to the Canon of Holy Scripture and form part of the greatest published blessing the world has ever known, or will ever have, and know - The Holy Bible. Our Seventh-day Adventist pioneers also took the above Scripture very seriously. Their zeal and mission was to publish the truth God had graciously lavished upon them through preaching, teaching, and press publications.

The printing press became a great vehicle for the promulgation of Advent truth to such an extent that the editors and authors prayed and sacrificed skin on their fingers and meals on their plates to keep the papers and books spreading out like the “leaves of autumn.”

We at the Surrey Seventh-day Adventist Church have a God-given opportunity to continue this wonderful directive of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been given the opening of producing a newsletter which will be a vehicle of making public the present truth, and the people whom God is using to give it.

It is my prayer that this newsletter will be dedicated to the following Scriptural injunctions regarding publishing:

Let us publish:

• The Word of the Lord (Acts 13:49)- “And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Let the Holy Bible speak in this paper and throughout this region of Surrey that people will come to read the Word, love the Word and obey the Word of God.

• The Name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:3) – “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” Let the great, true, Biblical character of God be displayed in this newsletter in His love, grace, and holiness.

• The peace and salvation of the Lord (Isaiah 52:7) – “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation: That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Let all who read this newsletter see the good news of the perfect peace that only Christ can give and the salvation that is found in Christ alone. Let them be assured that God rules over all and that He is in control.

• The Standard of the Lord against false teaching and confusion (Jeremiah 50:2) - “Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.” Let the articles in this newsletter be doctrinally sound and filled with light and heat which will expose the darkness of false teaching and religious confusion.

• The great things Jesus has done for us (Mark 5:20) – “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” Let this newsletter share wonderful testimonies of changed lives, answered prayers, and miracles of God for His people that all who read may marvel at the lovely Jesus we serve.

Publish the truth and blaze it abroad! Is there not a cause? Is the Lord Jesus Christ not worthy of our passion? Is His Word not worthy? Is His truth not worthy?

We have a prayer, a promise and a song as we go forward in this wonderful endeavour.

A prayer: “O God, make these truths, which are of such vital importance, clear to the comprehension of the humblest minds! May the angels accompany these silent preachers and bless their influence, that souls may be saved by this humblest of means!” (Testimonies Vol. 1 pg. 592).

A promise: “A power will attend the truths published” (Ibid.)

A Song:

“O Zion haste, thy mission high fulfilling, To tell to all the world that God is light;

That He who made all nations is not willing One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

Publish glad tidings, Tidings of peace, Tidings of Jesus,

Redemptions and release.” Glory to God alone! Amen.

4

Sun Run Versus Heaven Run

by Alice Keyer April 23, 2006 dawned brightly as thousands of people made their way towards Vancouver for the annual Sun Run, sponsored by the Vancouver Sun newspaper and several big corporations. The Sky was clear, not a cloud to be seen. The sun shone brightly amidst the slightly, cool, refreshing breeze. What a glorious day it was for the Sun Run event, which includes both running and walking. Everybody looked strong within themselves and appeared to be happily talking and laughing among themselves. Psalms 19:5 “…as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.” As stated by the newspaper the next day, there were 5o thousand people registered to participate in this event. People of different sizes and shapes, representing different countries, seniors with spouses, or by themselves, one person with a cane on each hand, mothers and fathers with baby strollers, youngsters with either their dads or mothers, or with the whole family ready to start at the starting line. 1 Corintians 9:24 “Know Ye not that they which run in a race run all…so run, that ye may obtain it [your personal goal]” Each of them has their own goal to meet, to run or walk the 10K within their own pace, hence his/her own allotted or set time. Normal expected time for walking would be 80 or 90 minutes without stopping and 30 to 40 minutes for running.There was the 13-week in-training program during which time various speakers focused on the importance of healthy dietary habits, adequate hours of sleep, body and limbs and the muscles involved, and how to treat each of them with great care and respect before and after each walk or run. After the lectures, we would follow our leader as he led the walk/run exercise for another hour. Psalms 25:4,5 “…Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour [Great Leader]” The route at each training period would vary from a level street to an uphill road. With each change of the gradient of the road we implement methods of walking so as to stabilize the speed and minimize any sign of injury to our legs. Having received these instructions each person is responsible for implementing them to his/her daily exercise. Each person has by now made his/her goal, and in order to meet that goal, daily walking and running is warranted. Isaiah 40:31 “…they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,…they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.” In our spiritual walk, we are to implement the instructions from the Word in our daily life. Read His instructions from the Word in our daily life. Read His instructions for each uphill in our spiritual life. Pray for guidance to overcome any difficulty over that “uphill” situation which will slow down our walk towards that goal. Our strength will be energized and we will not get tired during the marathon.

There will be lots of distractions along the route, such as groups of musicians airing their vocal chords above the noisy accompaniments. Numerous water stations and portables for convenience lined the side roads, strollers and runners swishing past you. Galatians 5:7 [NIV] “…You were running a good race. Who cut on you and kept you from obeying the truth? [slows your walk/run]” We make a point to stay away from anything that will deter us from getting to the finish line on the set time—our own prize. What are the things that confront us on a daily basis that sidetracks us from spending more time pouring over the Book of all books. Yes, more power will be given to us to overcome any temptation to sin by reading God’s word. Hebrews 12:1 “Let us lay aside every weight, [and the sin which doth so easily beset us,] and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” To maximize our speed, we need to eliminate as many things from our body. We do not want to be weighted down which again will slow our run/walk. There are many things we do in our daily life that weaken us spiritually, thus makes us a good target for the evil forces. Verse 2 “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Jesus will help us overcome the evil forces if we ask Him to come into our hearts. He is waiting for our invitation to invite Him into our home, our life and heart. We are nearing the finish line, we can see it from afar. We run/walk faster, our hearts are filled with joy and gladness. All that hard walk across the city is behind us. The most difficult part of the route was walking up the steep Burrard Road. But we all made it up. Philippians 3:13-14 [NIV] “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward [Heaven run] in Christ Jesus.” I pray that you will join me in this Run towards Heaven where everyone will be given a prize.

5

The “Radical” in the Rescue by Brittany Malchuk

It must have been the clicking of dress shoes, the “buh-dump” of heartbeats, driving the swift pace of the volunteers across the fellowship hall. A hand clutched the black-point Sharpie against the yellow board. Names of the VBS attendees were penned across fine lines at the booth by the main entrance. A cardboard sign stuck half-heartedly with the block-lettered title, “Registration.” Yet, amidst the haste was an air of grace. Silently sorting paper cut-outs, the craft leaders sat. They cut and scored, eyes tracking the tables for just the right amount of supplies. Yet still—a whiteboard needed to be found, crafts were sure to be misplaced and time was destined to run short as usual—just a part of the daily grind! Yet today was noteworthy. A rush of butterflies flocked to my chest. Alas the nervous jitterbugs were normal, I suppose? The disorganization of last minute prep prompted a tinge of excitement, mingled with the frenzy. Red, blue and purple cloths swept around the entry door as little shoes and big shoes rattled against the floor. Friendly “hello’s” chirped here and there, while volunteers spun round the children like tops--clicking at the laptops and gluing paper. Today was the big day—the first day of the Radical Rescue VBS. Busily the volunteers scattered this way and that, preparing the final touches early that morning as the children arrived. In the kitchen, beading jewels pearled on Sister Trudy’s dear forehead. Among the steaming pots and rising goodies in the oven, her knife propelled. I imagine a crack of sunlight beamed against the apples of Sister Trudy’s cheeks. Outside, shrill giggles bubbled through a baby’s slobbery mouth. The sparkling eyes and sweet voices of the children were as twiddling birds at the break of dawn. They chased and squeezed each other in hugs, scampering along to their seats, unknowingly awaiting a gift from Jesus. In the back of the room, by the brown-lined windows, the pastor’s fingers carefully flipped pages. Eyes drowned out to one little spot in the room. While his focus grew blurry, thoughts were fixated above--pleading for final blessings before he was about to teach. There were words unuttered, silent prayers seen in heaven that awaited to be sprinkled down as fresh dew upon moist hearts. One soul who heard, not merely with ears, stroke a sweet chord in the Father’s heart. Were His little ones ready for this radical rescue? Meeting after meeting, the VBS volunteer team discussed, pondered, prayed and planned. After what must have been many long nights for the directors, the day had finally come. A message was about to be tipped out of a golden bowl in heaven. God’s hand was about to reach forth, extending muscle, to save the little ones from a demanding world. Two angels clasped their hands, ever so focused, over a cover of gold. An ark of the covenant beckoned in the midst of the hall, resembling the one from times long ago. Though it might have seemed to be a mere piece of art on Day One, the ark would open up to hold a world of treasures, as the children learned, by the end of the week.

Children fell into their seats beside their parents, and were ready for the morning announcements and song service. Some children hugged their arms close to their chests, while others flailed them round and round. Stuck in front of their chairs, the children’s squeaking throats lifted one song, “Let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them, I’ll be their God--I’ll be their God. ”Let them make me a Sanctuary. The last part struck me, in a way that was not merely words on an old projector screen. The song tells of God’s desire to live among His chosen people and to be to them their God. His precious lambs have been scattered from him because of the curse of sin. The children of Israel had settled into their own desires and dreams, thrusting Him to the wayside. Their hearts were drawn to other melodies. Even so, God knew their foolish notions and crooked paths. As the Word says, He would have gathered His children, who refused to be nursed, under his wings. Sadly, a pearl of water must have quaked the Father’s visage, as huffing to the left,

His children turned. Slowly drops rumbled down, as peering to the right, He squinted. Looking down in times to come, the Father searched every heart that would one day melt like snow by the fire of His matchless love. For them His sea-scattered eyes were stayed, at the lift of his brightening cheeks. To all He asked them, “Come.”

“Let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” Each day of the vacation bible school, the Holy Spirit worked among the hearts of the children. We saw it with our own eyes. Much of their noise and jittering ceased once it was time

to kneel and pray. Eyes glued firmly to the speaker each day. For those ten minutes, treasures of truth settled

like seeds into the soils of their hearts. Although when the lesson finished, all scrambled to the craft table open for the unseen attack of normality. While cutting and pasting, I noticed some of the children left their enlightened minds. One jumped up, roaring about a humorous song while some laughed about movies.

“How fast we fall when God pricks our hearts?” I thought. I

wondered how many of their children had instantly forgotten their convictions. I wondered if they were not so focused on entertainment, would the seeds sown sprout into trees. VBS has a mission to cultivate, but it needs tender attention afterward. The children still need to be watered, pruned, and energized with spiritual truths. The seeds need not be lost with those who care for their hearts the most.

“But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). This year’s VBS was worth waking up early in the morning for. Every day I came to the church with an excitement for the little ones to come and be a part of a great event lead by a prayerful team, who hosted a solid spiritual vacation bible school, for the children, with their salvation in mind. Many times God convicted even me, a volunteer, through the songs and bible stories. Blessing upon blessing streamed down as we saw our team’s prayers for such details as attentive minds and the Holy Spirit’s work in the children’s lives answered. I have volunteered at VBS once before last year, and I would have to say that there was something unique about this year. No doubt, God was moving in special ways. I am looking forward to next year, as to what more God has in store for His lambs. For it truly was a Radical Rescue.

6

Disease Redefined

Fever, boils, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer - most health professionals call these disorders "diseases" and treat them with prescription drugs, and more.

But God has given His people a different way of looking at and treating such disorders. According to His way, health problems are often mere "symptoms", and "disease" is "an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health." (MH 127)

This definition implies that there are laws we must follow to be healthy.

If you would like to learn about these health laws and what you can do to assist God's efforts in helping you to overcome disease, then please contact Donna at dmchan7@gmail.com. She and other church members who have been studying God's health message would be happy to meet with you (for free).

May The Lord bless you

Vegetarian Chicken adapted from a recipe by Mary Bernt of iloveveggies.info

Why try this meatless chicken recipe? Because it is healthy, delicious, economical, and does not require a life of a creature God created and cares for. "Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us." (CG 383.2)

This is a two-part recipe:

Part 1 - Chicken-Style Seasoning

2/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes 2 tbsp onion powder 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp succanant (a sugar made from raw cane juice) 2 tbsp Italian seasoning 2 tbsp dried parsley (set aside) (1) place all ingredients, except the parsley, into ablender and blend well; (2) stir in the dried parsley flakes, (3) store in a sealed container. This versatile flavouring/soup mix will keep for months.

Part 2 - Vegetarian Chicken 2x 350g pkgs of organic extra firm tofu (I use Soyganic brand) 1/4 cup chicken-style seasoning (recipe above) 2 cups water 1/4 cup olive oil (1) preheat oven to 350 degrees; (2) cut tofu into bite-size pieces, and spread evenly onto a 9" x 13" baking pan; (3) in a blender, add the water, olive oil, and chicken-style seasoning, then blend for 30 seconds; (4) pour liquid mixture over the tofu; (5) bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until tofu is firm and the moisture has been absorbed - do not overcook. Leftovers can be frozen, or refrigerated for up to 4 days.

7

A friend has asked you to help them move on Saturday ...

Your nursing shifts fall on weekends next month ...

It is 4 pm Friday and you have a final exam and two research papers due Monday morning ...

You have been invited to attend your niece's graduation ceremony this Friday evening ...

Q - When is it acceptable to work on The Sabbath?

A - Circumstances will not justify anyone in working upon the Sabbath for the sake of worldly profit. (Counsels for the Church, 270.1)

"Worldly profit" includes financial gain, scholastic achievement, and any social advantage.

Q - God understands my situation. Is He not merciful?

A - If God excuses one man, He may excuse all. (Counsels for the Church, 270.1)

God is merciful, and just. If God could excuse sin, our Lord Jesus would not have had to die on the cross as our sin bearer. God knows every person's situation; and He will never allow His children to be tempted above that they are able to bear.

Q - As a nurse, I help the sick. Are we not told to do good on The Sabbath?

A - As most nurses in the Lower Mainland are not convicted of Sabbath-keeping, there should be no reason to work on The Sabbath if best efforts are made to not be scheduled during this sanctified day. Sister White was inspired to write the following principle which, although is directed to physicians, can be broadly interpreted to include nurses:

Physicians need to cultivate a spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. It may be necessary to devote even the hours of the holy Sabbath to the relief of suffering humanity. But the fee for such labor should be put into the treasury of the Lord, to be used for the worthy poor, who need medical skill but cannot afford to pay for it. (Health, Philanthropic, and Medical Missionary Work, 42)

The Religious Liberty department of the Surrey SDA church is here to help our members resolve conflicts with their school and/or employer concerning our Christian duty and Charter right to keep The Sabbath holy. If you have questions, or would like assistance, please contact Donna Chan or Elder Robert Blais. May The Lord Bless You.

Work and the Sabbath

Health Note

But I wish to say that when the time comes that it is no longer safe to use milk, cream, butter, and eggs, God will reveal this. (CD 206.4)

8

Please join us for prayer and fasting on December 2 and 3. Friday, December 2 at 2:00 pm - commence the fast Entire abstinence from food is not required; however abstain from food you usually enjoy and partake of plain, simple food. Also during this time, maintain a spirit of meekness and humility, and be often in earnest prayer. [see Lt5 (November 1883) par. 4]

Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall We will break the fast together in the fellowship hall. Please bring your own lunch.

The focus of our prayer and fasting will be: What does it mean to be a Seventh-Day Adventist? Are we just another Christian denomination? What is our purpose? Why do we exist? As we explore the answer to these questions, we will look at the sanctuary as the key to understanding our purpose as God's remnant church during the closing scenes of earth's history. We will also look at the investigative judgment, and its significance for us, as God's people, today.

Friday, December 2 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Sanctuary 6:30pm - 7:00pm - opening prayer and hymns 7:00pm - 7:30pm - devotion by Elder Mujikwa 7:30pm - 8:00pm - small group prayer session 8:00pm - closing prayer by Elder Mujikwa

Saturday, December 3 from 12:45pm to 1:45pm in the Sanctuary (after service) - Opening prayer - Devotion by Elder Mujikwa - Small group prayer session - Closing prayer by Elder Mujikwa

The Women's Ministries Committee would like to extend a warm invitation to all members and visitors to our Women’s Ministries' Heritage Sabbath on November 11 and 12. We will be examining the Biblical pattern of a godly and Christ-like character in women, which is valued “far above rubies.” We will also look at the lives of some pioneer Seventh-day Adventist women, and see how their lives and works harmonized with the Biblical pattern of womanhood. This will teach us as women, how to follow Christ and labour for His cause in our day and age of "feminism". On Friday evening, different presenters will talk about selected pioneer Christian women, and seek to draw out practical spiritual lessons from their lives and works. On Saturday, the Pastor will summarize the important role women have as followers of Christ. Please share the blessing, and invite others to join us this special weekend.

Women's Ministries Heritage Sabbath“Above Rubies” Prov 31:10

"The results of the circulation of ... [The Great Controversy] are not to be judged by what now appears. By reading it, some souls will ... unite themselves at once with those who keep the commandments of God. But a much larger number who read it will not take their position until they see the very events taking place that are foretold in it." [PM356.4] The Men's Ministry Department is aiming to distribute 10,000 copies of The Great Controversy by the end of 2017. If you know someone who would like a copy, and/or if you would like to support this project, please contact Charles Mujikwa.

Mens’ Ministries Great Controversy Project

Surrey SDA Church Concert

Our concert on Nov. 26 (6:30pm) will focus on the fact that "we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14). Our seasonal concert, “Behold the Saviour”, offers songs and readings centering on Jesus and who He is and why He was sent to earth. While Christmas will most likely be on the minds of our visitors, they will, God-willing, be moved and inspired by the message that no one but our Saviour offers everlasting peace. Please bring friends, family, and neighbours. There will be refreshments to follow and a free will offering will be collected.

9

Question: How do I know that God is leading me toward a particular decision? How can I be certain that the Holy Spirit is the One guiding me and not my own inclination? The first thing to understand is that we are to seek God’s counsel in all our decisions whether the decision is a big or small one. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”. We often get ourselves in trouble when we try to solve problems on our own or when we commit certain decisions to the Lord but choose our own counsel with what we call small decisions. But what we need to realize is that our own judgment is impaired if we choose to go at it alone. In order to understand whether or not God is leading you toward a particular decision, there are certain elements that need to be in place. 1. Prayer – It is vital that whatever decision that needs to be made is committed to God in prayer and it is useless to expect God to lead one in their decision making process without prayer. We are told in the book, "Steps to Christ" that “prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse” (94.2). As you commit the decision to prayer you should also ask yourself how the decision that you want an answer to will glorify God. If you fail to answer that question then your prayer has just been answered. It is here that a lot of what we are seeking an answer to, fail or pass and it is also at this step that we know if we are following our own inclinations or not. James 4:3 says, “you ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures”. Whatever it is that we are praying for should have a primary function of glorifying God and prospering His kingdom. 2. What is God’s will – It is very true that God has given His children numerous promises that we can claim. All of His promises have conditions and you need to search your heart and make sure the conditions are met before you can claim the promise. As we pray for direction, we need to be searching the scriptures not only for promises but also to make sure our requests are in harmony with God’s will. If my request is not in harmony with God’s will in His word then I’m praying for the wrong thing. What is also equally important is to make sure that I am living my life in harmony with God’s will because Psalms 66:18 makes it clear that I cannot expect God to answer my prayer if I am practicing known or cherished sins. 3. Be willing to accept the answer – I always try and make it a point that as I present my petitions to God, I have no will of my own in the matter. Most of the time we ask God to bless the decisions that we have already made without consulting Him and we want Him to answer our prayers according to what we want not according to His will, and when He answers in a way we do not agree with, we find occasion to doubt or reject the answer as coming from God. If we have no will of our own in the matter then we can, without reservations, say “thy will be done” and we would also be in a better position to accept what His answer may be. 4. Make the decision – If all the above elements are in place then I can be certain that the Holy Spirit is leading me and it is now time to make the decision. A lot of the time many people do not end up making the decision because they stay on the fence for too long. Here is a quote from the spirit of prophecy, “Indecision soon becomes a decision in the wrong direction” (4T, 343.2) Trust that the Lord is leading you because the promises are there, the conditions have been met and “the petition has been made known to God”.

By Elder Charles Mujikwa

Straight answers to your tough questions? Q&A

Psalms 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

10

Visitors’ Day By Ray Vedamani

ThemuchanticipatedVisitors’DaytookplaceonSeptember10,2016.ThisspecialdaywaspartofourSabbathSchoolinitiative“EachOneBringOne”thatstrivestoreachouttoourcommunityandintroducesotherstoChrist.

TheVisitors’Daybeganwiththelessonstudythatleadintoaspirit-filledpraiseandworshipservice.PastorAndreasMellasdeliveredasermonthatspirituallyfedallinattendance.AftertheBreadofLife,wewerephysicallynourishedwithadeliciouspotlucklunch.Here,wehadtheopportunitytofellowshipwithnewandfamiliarfaces.

Whilewedonothaveanexactcountofthevisitors,itwasevidentthatourpewsweremorefullthanusual.Wearethankfulforthevisitorswhocamethroughourdoorsmaybeforthefirsttimeorafteralongtime,andforthememberswhoencouragedotherstoattend.WewereblessedtobeabletomeeteachotherandshareintheGoodNews.

Church,pleaserememberthatwedonothavetowaitforaspecialdayorinitiativetoinvitepeopletochurch.DonothesitatetobringthosewhohaveyettoexperiencethefullgraceofGodthroughourdoorssothatwecanministertotheirneeds.Letusalsocontinuetoprayforourvisitorsandchurchmemberswhoareministeringtothoseintheircommunities.MayGodcontinueHisworkthroughusaswecontinueoureffortstobringotherstoHim.

What is the importance of discipline in the family?

Emphasis on shaping the child's behavior has been the focus of much that has been done in parent education through the years. Too often this behavior-driven focus has been narrow, neglecting to perceive the child as a complex person with spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social and physical needs. The Biblical view of persons is a holistic one which recognizes the dynamic connection between the outward behavior and the inner life of the person. The greater objective of correction relates to the growth of the whole person, not just to changing behavior.

Our mission is to help our children become responsible adults, knowing our Savior, and fully capable of choosing to love and serve the One who can save them by His grace. We hope our children will fully embrace Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. But it is helpful to remember that this act of receiving Christ is their personal choice. Our responsibility is to lead themto Jesus and to invite them to follow Him. Jesus instructed His followers to "go into all the world and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19).

Whatever work God calls us to do, helping our children become His disciples is our first responsibility. As followers of Christ, our work begins with those nearest, and begins in our own home. There is no more important missionary field than this. (Child Guidance, p. 476)

Since discipline is vital to families, the Family Ministry department would like to invite you to learn more about this important topic by attending a special message that will be presented by our pastor, Andreas Mellas, on Sabbath, November 5. Please invite other families to be blessed as well.

(adapted from CORRECTION WITH GRACE by Karen & Ron Flowers)

Family Ministry’s Corner

11

Cultural Social Surrey SDA Church by Dean Kerr

Our first cultural social event took place on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Around 25 different cultures were represented. As the Gospel continues to go forth to all nations, peoples, and tongues, this number may increase as others join our fold.

Countries represented include Paraguay, Uruguay, India, Lithuania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Philippines, Vietnam, Holland, Indonesia, and Jamaica. Can you guess which couple is from Paraguay? There was a poster in the hall that read “Africa is not a country”. Indeed, Africa is a continent with over 50 countries!

Many of us went from table to table sampling the different foods. Although everything was vegetarian, the flavours were diverse.

There are three regions that produce marvelous fabrics: India, the Philippines, and Africa. Some or our Filipino members wore beautiful outfits made from fibres of the pineapple plant. Sister Amara brought some very colorful fabric from Nigeria and dressed some of the ladies in head wraps and skirts. Many photos were captured on cellphones. One such photos to see is of Auntie Flo!

Each table represented a different country and shared the unique features of the people and region. Highlights included learning the Gospel's introduction in each country and region. I learned that even though our church is located in Surrey, none of our members speak Punjabi. Here is an opportunity.

Many persons came by throughout the day, quite a number of whom were visitors, thanks to those who invited others. And thanks to our dear Brother Robert, we had a special table full of evangelism materials, which were shared with all who were willing to receive them. Above all, thanks be to God.

The fellowship was good, and we were able to have a conversation with everyone who came. Let us continue the dialogue and reach others for Christ.

12

Have you ever tried searching for a gift for someone who seemingly has all one may ever desire? It requires a lot of creativity. Have you ever thought what gift you would lay on your altar of gratitude before our God? After all, isn’t He the One who said: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool”? (Isaiah 66:1) However, He tells us in His Word that we may still offer a multitude of gifts pleasant to Him, some of which no other beings in the universe can. Is not that an inspiring thought?

One of those pleasant gifts of gratitude is sharing our knowledge of Him with others. He declared, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation“ (Isaiah 52:7). When we partake in this work, we do so in fulfilment of the prophecy declaring:

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.“ (Habakkuk 2:14).

On one of September’s Sabbath afternoons, we set out to visit a nearby neighbourhood in search of those who would be open to receive that knowledge described above. I had the privilege of having on my team the most senior and the youngest participants of the activity. We knocked on several doors offering books, magazines, flyers, and advertising our church programmes.

On that day we had a sunny afternoon and many residents were not home. It triggered a thought in my mind: not all blessings, as we see them, are always working in our favour, and there are many true blessings in disguise. Had it rained, we would have had a better chance of meeting more people. However, living in Greater Vancouver, we fret not about lacking the liquid blessing down the road.

One blessing that worked in our favour was the access to the book, “Steps to Christ” in Punjabi, the third-most spoken native language in Canada. According to statistics from 2011, over 21% of the population of Surrey (or nearly 100,000 people at that time) claim the language as their mother tongue. In times past, we would often hear the words “no English”. We were excited that no longer would the people uttering those words be left out. In fact, we were able to leave one copy of “Steps to Christ” in Punjabi with a man saying just that.

Not many days later, it happened that I was in a parking lot in a secluded place. Just as I was finishing my breakfast and a short devotion, a car pulled up. A driver in his mid-twenties got off and started making ready his hiking gear. I thought it had to be a God-given appointment. I approached him, introduced myself, and inquired whether he was interested in summiting the mountain together, to which he consented. On the way down from the peak, I was able to talk to him a tad about creation pointing to a loving Being behind it. When we were back to our cars, I handed him a copy of “The Desire of Ages”, which he accepted saying, “it will be a good read”.

From one of the greatest missionaries this world has known, may we learn from the apostle Paul to be "ready in season and out of season". If we are willing to be co-labourers together with God, he will open ways in our common walks of life, which may extend our church-organized evangelistic efforts to a far greater degree.

By God’s grace, may we continue our efforts to hand out literatures and hope that one day, they will help change many lives for the better.

A Gift of Gratitude by Mateusz Sobczak

Children’s Corner Cooking class

The Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program is an eight-week series designed to help you learn effective ways to overcome depression and anxiety. If you or someone you know would be interested in attending this program in the new year, please contact Donna at dmchan7@gmail.com.

Depression - The Way Out

13

Jesus said: “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the

seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.” (Mark 4:26-27) During Jesus’ time on earth, many of His teachings were given in parables. He would often use the creation of God to explain heavenly principles. By this, the mind of the people were drawn heavenward as they spent time in nature. One of the most common themes used by our Lord was that of the growing seed. Christ explained that like a seed, which must be planted in the soil to grow and bring forth fruits, so must the Word of Truth be placed in the heart of man for him to grow into a heavenly citizen. Amazingly enough, within this tiny seed that God has engineered are contained all the necessary components for it to become a mighty fruit-bearing tree. In the same vein, within the Scripture are found all the necessary principles to transform a sinner into a saint. But the workings of the Word is mysterious, for like the seed that springs up, a man also grows up but the one who planted the seed “knoweth not how” it grows. So it was that while many would “sleep, and rise night and day,” that the implanted seed of truth was working. The truth that had been buried in the soil of the heart was absorbing the heavenly minerals, preparing its growth for when it is ready to burst out of the fallow ground into a wonderful plant filled with heavenly fruits. During the third quarter of this year, four new precious souls, in whom, by God’s providences, the seeds of truth were planted, gave their lives to their loving Saviour in baptism. First, Mia Alberastine and her daughter Kelsey Geotina went under the cleansing flood on August 13, 2016 after spending a little over a year in weekly Bible studies. A month later, on September 17, 2016, Rene Malchuk and her daughter Brittany Malchuk also chose to follow their Redeemer’s example in baptism, them too after studying the Bible, weekly, for about a year. The Church rejoiced greatly at these two events. Here, we witnessed the magnificent work of cooperation between God and man in the salvation of souls. For only by this can a soul truly come to repentance and look up to the altogether lovely, Jesus. “The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that God Himself has implanted; yet if left to itself the seed would have no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the growth of the grain. He must prepare and enrich the soil and cast in the seed. He must till the fields. But there is a point beyond which he can accomplish nothing. No strength or wisdom of man can bring forth from the seed the living plant. Let man put forth his efforts to the utmost limit, he must still depend upon One who has connected the sowing and the reaping by wonderful links of His own omnipotent power.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 63.1) We can confidently labour in Jesus’ field and work with all our God-given strength for we know that “Christ does not sleep over His charge, but watches it day and night. He is not ignorant of how the seed grows.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 62.3)

What Happens While We Sleep? by Elder Robert Blais

Rene and daughter Brittany Mia Alberastine and daughter Kelsey

14

Youth Day By Maranatha Odong

Youth serving the Seniors

The Lord calls for volunteers who will take their stand firmly on His side, and will pledge themselves to unite with Jesus of Nazareth in doing the very work that needs to be done now, just now (Fundamentals of Christian Education, Pg. 488). Youth are always seen as the future of tomorrow; even though, at times, they are hidden under the shadow of older generations. Thus the phrase “you are not helping out” is often meted out to the youth. They may also be asked why they are wasting their God given talent. When the youth feel left out, their desire to participate tends to die out. However, what happens when the youth are given the chance to share God from their perspective and be the stewards they are call to be? One early Sabbath morning, the rain poured heavily as if to wash away the earth, and the coldness penetrated through the bones. That did not, however, stop any of the youth from showing up at the church; for it was a Youth Day. While many would have preferred to have stayed in bed, I was quite surprised to see the youth ready to serve God, and others as they gave God the glory and honor at such an early hour. However, the youth had committed themselves to come and use their God given talent for His glory and honour. The day started out with the Sabbath School session and there were testimonies given about the outreach as many youths had decided to place the blessed hope in the heart of people as they went around the neighbourhoods. The youth were excited to share of themselves and their experiences. One can testify that these youths are determined and have the desire to spend time sharing God’s word. The service got better as the hours went by; A sister in Christ sang a beautiful song. This was followed by the message based on the concept of achieving new life in Christ through total surrender of one’s self. It is the new beginning that one earns after being transformed from the past life to a new life. This can only be done through Jesus Christ because He is the author of our Faith and the Pillar of our life. After the complete transformation, even those around us who once saw the wretched way of life we used to live, can now see an impossible change that can only be possible though Christ.

Speaking of the new life, later in the day, two beautiful women decided to make Jesus the foundation of their life by giving their life to Him after month and months of studying the scripture. They found that Jesus tastes as sweet as honey and that He is always ready to receive those who want to sup with Him. These beautiful souls have allowed Christ to be their family member as long as He gives them breath to live each day to accomplish His purpose. The two women not only left that day transformed into new beginning with Christ but they also left printed testimonies in the hearts of people. Both also encouraged the audience to give their lives to God as well. You see, it only takes one person for others to follow Christ because as Christians, we are taught from the Bible that we should live by examples. Many such as Paul, Abraham even Enoch lived in times where things weren’t that easy, but they decided to stand firm in the truth. Others decided to follow the God they serve because they witnessed their life style and how it reflected God’s standard for His people. The youth today continue to take a stand for God and abide by His example when they contribute to the church services and plan various church outreaches. It also shows that they did not allow anyone to despise their age because although they are young, they have Christ in them. This has given the youth enough courage to share their testimonies and also lead out the service in order to bless others and to praise God’s name. Participating in the church enables them to grow richer in the grace of God, as they develop their talents and skills for the betterment of God’s work here on earth. When the youth are put in the spotlight, they will shine and continue to shine through the opportunities given to them. Even those who believe that God did not bestow any gifts upon them should not worry Even some prophets in the Bible were not able to speak because they assumed they were either too young or not eloquent enough to do God’s work. What did God do in these situations? He promised to put the words in their mouth so that they could speak There are many other accounts of people who at a young age hold higher positions because they put their trust in God and did with His work. He blessed them with much more than they had at first. I do believe that God has bestowed upon us every single talent for a purpose to be used for His glory. When we feel inadequate, we can always inquire of Him who gives good gifts to His children. Therefore, as we continue to serve God, He will continue to bless the work of our hand as we continue to collaborate with Him in the work of salvation.

15

Youth Revival by Rebecca Rodenbush

This past spring, the Surrey Church welcomed Danielle Harrison to speak to the youth about Total Purity. Danielle started off with a powerful personal testimony of her path from spiritual darkness to a new life in Christ, and throughout the week, she spoke on a number of issues that are very relevant to today’s youth. This was the first church event that I had attended in quite a while, and at first, I was unsure if I should go, and whether it would be worth my time given my hectic school schedule. However, I am so glad that I did decide to attend; the program truly was a blessing, and it really encouraged and inspired me in my walk with God. One was that Danielle was so humble and brave to share her own personal experience with us. Seeing how God called her when she was so far from the path that God wanted her to be on is so inspiring, and I think it helped us all to relate to her better and see how we can apply the information given to our own lives. It also meant a lot to me and the other youth that Danielle was willing to break norms. Many of the topics that she spoke about –sexuality, romance, popular media, and tattoos – are ones that other speakers seem afraid to tackle. Nevertheless, they are the areas where we, as youth and also as adults, have some of the most pressing questions. It is incredibly important for people to speak about these topics; otherwise, we only hear the side of the world. More than anything else, I am especially appreciative of the fact that Danielle went into such detail on practical matters. She did not stop at teaching us doctrines and telling us the importance of certain aspects of our lives as Christians. She went further and gave us what we really needed – practical and detailed advice on what we can do to stay away from the evils of the world and to strengthen our walk with God. Each night of the Youth Revival Week was filled with incredible insights into the many different aspects that make up a completely pure life. There were so many points that revealed an alternative way of thinking about issues, and Danielle explained concepts in ways that can be applied practically. Here I would like to touch on a few that really spoke to me. Tuesday’s seminar was really powerful to me, and was something that other speakers tend to shy away from. The topic was on God’s plan for our sexual and romantic relationships. Listening to this talk was actually encouraging to me and it solidified concepts that were somewhat vague in my mind. It also gave me new evidence that makes me more confident in what I believe. The dating game that modern society holds up as the standard for romantic relationships is so damaging to people, especially young people. Our minds and hearts are corrupt, so why should or would we base our decisions off of our feelings? What we need instead is to know people’s characters and use that as our basis of love. More importantly, it is so important to not even entertain the idea of a romantic relationship until we have a deep love relationship with God; otherwise, we will not be able to know who to enter into a relationship with, or how to love them properly.

Danielle brought up the concept of reliance on God at multiple points during the week, and dedicated the two Sabbath presentations to it. She talked about practical ways to overcome habitual sins, and the power that is found in the prayer of reception. Another thing that particularly stood out to me as well as many others that attended was how we can choose how we view the commandments. Most people look at them as hard rules from a strict God that are impossible to live up to; instead we can see them as promises that if we commit ourselves to God, he will give us power and we shall not do the things that only hurt us. The fact that God allows us to come to Him with our troubles at any time is amazing! And not only has He promised to hear us, He also gives us promises that we can hold onto so we can know that He will answer our prayers in the best way possible. One thing that Danielle mentioned that stuck with me was how she is attempting to live up to the demand to pray without ceasing. Instead of talking to herself inside of her mind, she is endeavoring to talk to God. This is something that would be so beneficial to all of us as well. Other topics throughout the week included the influence media has on our minds, how we can share our faith with those who seem unreachable, and how we can find object lessons in tattoos. Apart from the formal presentations, it was so great to be able to spend time with Danielle in social settings on two occasions. It gave us an opportunity to ask her more questions in an atmosphere with less pressure and interact with Danielle on a personal level. It can be hard to relate to a person when they are just a speaker at an event, but being able to interact with Danielle personally made her seem more like us and made her message even more powerful. Overall the week inspired me to go back to the Bible and input holy concepts into my mind, search for God’s promises and commit them to memory, get a stronger grounding in the doctrines the Bible teaches, and to revitalise my prayer life. It truly was a revival for me, and I hope that the other youth who attended had the same experience.

16

Many expect that God will keep them from sickness merely because they ask him to do so. But the prayers of those who do not regard the laws of life, God cannot answer, because their faith is not made perfect by works. (CTBH 108)

Here are some tips, based on God's health laws, that can help you to stay healthy this cold and flu season:

1. Wash your hands often. practice careful handwashing throughout the day, especially after taking the bus, touching door handles, using the bathroom, and before eating.

2. Eat more fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, and avoid animal products. Eating meat and dairy products causes your body to release stress hormones which suppress the immune system. Plant-based foods contain phytonutrients, which improve immune health.

3. Take a brisk walk outdoors at least five days a week. Those who exercise at least five days per week reduce their likelihood of developing cold and flu symptoms by half (compared to those who exercise less than twice a week). But do not overdo it - excessive exercise weakens the immune system. Fresh air sustains health, and sun exposure helps our bodies to make vitamin D, which is essential for immune health.

4. Practice temperance. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and sugar - these are all immune-suppressing substances.

5. Go to bed early on a regular basis. Try to be in bed by 9pm; "sleep is worth far more before than after midnight. Two hours’ good sleep before twelve o’clock is worth more than four hours after twelve o’clock." (7MR 224.3)

6. Cleanse with water. Keeping your body clean inside and out by drinking plenty of water and taking a daily bath or shower helps to minimize the number of germs your immune system needs to destroy.

7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. "Religion tends to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings." (CE 68.1)

If you do happen to get sick, please avoid spreading germs to others by covering your nose and mouth with a clean tissue each time you cough or sneeze, and by staying home from public places until you are feeling better. May The Lord Bless You with Good Health

By the grace of God, VBS 2016 was able to reach out to about 50 lovely children, 18 of whom are either from non-adventist homes or attending other churches. These precious gems gladly learned about the Sanctuary message and God's plan of salvation during the entire VBS week. The blessings continued to pour out even after VBS, as many of the attendees, with their parents' consent, decided to learn more about Jesus by joining group Bible studies for children; some chose to be part of the Pathfinders' Club and Sabbath School classes, and others delighted themselves in health activities by participating in the children's cooking class. To all the hardworking VBS staff headed by Sister Trudy Teichrieb, our kind volunteers, dedicated and loving parents, and prayerful Surrey SDA Church family, may God bless you for your commitment to help instill seeds of Truth in the hearts of all the children who participated. Above all, we ascribe all the glory to God for His guidance, leading, and wisdom throughout this outreach endeavour. May God be praised!

Staring in our next newsletter, Adventist church members who own their own business may advertise their goods and/or services for free. Please send your advertisement (40-word maximum) to news@surreysda.com on or before January 1, 2017. Blessings. Disclaimer: Surrey SDA Church does not endorse any products/services posted in this section. Miscellaneous Staring in our next newsletter, we will be allowing Surrey SDA Church members toplace a free advertisement for items they wish to give away or for items they are looking for. Please submit your request (40-word limit) to news@surreysda.com by January 1, 2017. Blessings.

Children’s Corner Continued…

Nov 5 - Family Life Day Nov 11-12 Women’s Day

Nov 26 – Seasonal Concert Dec 2-3 - Prayer and Fasting

CHURCH EVENTS - FOURTH QUARTER

How to Avoid Colds and Flus Naturally

After Sabbath Reading: Goods and Services