THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. August 2024
SHEEP, GOATS & GRACE
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives the parable of the sheep and goats. At first read, it seems disarmingly simple. A shepherd sorts out sheep from the goats, putting the sheep to his right and goats to his left. And that, says Jesus, is the way it will be at the end, in the day of final dispositions.
Jesus identifies Himself as the one who will do the final sorting. “The Son of Man will take His place on His glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before Him, and He will sort the people out.” (Matthew 25:31-32). It is surely reassuring thought that He who came to save us, giving His life for us on Calvary, is the one who sits as our judge.
But what about the sorting? On what basis are sheep and goats separated?
The criteria surprises us; first, because we don’t find any specification of faith in Jesus as the only hope and Savior. Second, because the separation seems to be wholly on the basis of works – what has been done, or what has not been done.
What happened to the gospel? Where is grace?
Look a little closer. Sometimes the obvious is so close we look
Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. He doesn’t declare some to be sheep and goats; they are already what they are. The judgment simply reveals their identity. And the works, or the lack thereof? Did you catch the note of surprise? The “sheep” are happily surprised to be commended for what they have done. Their lives have reflected the transforming power of grace, but they didn’t realize it. They didn’t do good to earn salvation, but because they were already saved. No salvation by works, but also, none apart from works.
The story is told of two shepherd boys who were out in the fields with their flocks. A terrible
storm quickly came upon them and their sheep. Both boys ran as fast as they could to the same cave. While the winds blew, the rains poured, the thunder roared and the lightning flashed, all were safe and secure in the cave. After the storm passed and the boys were brave enough to go outside again, they realized that all their sheep were mixed together and were not sure what to do. Finally, both boys left the cave, and the sheep followed them – each went with their own shepherd. Not one was missing.
Today, take time to know your Shepherd. Only by His grace are you saved and only by His grace will your lives become more like His. May God richly bless today and every day!
Pastor Dan
FJA
Some of you were not able to attend the July 9th, church business meeting. The decision of the constituency delegates voted, with 5 opposed, to put FJA on “hold” for the 2024-2025 school year. This was a difficult decision to make. The hope is to take this time, to catch our breath, pay current bills and concentrate on the best way to re-open the school in the future with a strong budget, and a teacher and staff in place. The conference representative says this is happening across the conference and state. It is a challenge to keep a school open in small areas. Costs are going up; enrollment is down, and we are not graduating teachers at a fast enough rate. Please pray for our school and continue to financially support them during this “breathing” time. Please watch for meetings and attend them. Everyone’s input matters.
PATHFINDERS
Don’t Forget To Support our Pathinders out at the cafeteria and burger bar through Saturday the 27th.
Shortly after Camp Meeting ends, they will be leaving for the International Camporee in Gillette Wyoming. We had special prayer over them on Sabbath. They will be traveling by car a very long distance. Along the way they are going to stop in Salt Lake City, and at Yellowstone National Park for 3 days and then on to Gillette. Remember them in your prayers. We look forward to hearing about their trip when they return. And a schedule of what will be going on in the 2024-2025 Pathfinder season. Remember to share with families with kids Pathfinder
OUTDOOR FELLOWSHIP
We are still looking for folks to host outdoor picnic lunches for September and October. Please let us know if you are interested In hosting.
JULY 21-27 CAMP MEETING
JULY 27 NO CHURCH SERVICE HERE
Janet’s Celebration of Life
AUG. 03 HEALTH NUGGET DR. BAIRD
AUG 10 PASTOR IN MIRANDA
AUG 17 POTLUCK AT DON & COLLEEN’S
AUG 25 MICHELLE MASON – Celebration of life
SEPT 02 LABOR DAY
SEPT 08 GRANDPARENTS DAY
SEPT 10 CHURCH BOARD @6:30
SEPT 21 FJA 100 YEAR CELEBRATION
SEPT.27-29 WOMEN’S EVENT (see article)
OCTOBER GRIEF RECOVERY PRESENTATION
AUGUST OFFERINGS
AUG 3 Local Budget AUG 10 NAD
AUG 17 Local Budget AUG 24 NCC
AUG 31 Local Budget
AUGUST Birthdays
AUG. 04 BECKY CHAPMAN
AUG. 07 TERRY CHRISTENSEN
AUG. 08 KERRY FREEDMAN
JEREMY SALVINI KIMBERLEE WIKANDER
PETER MAZZONE
AUG. 11 SANDRA WEEKS
AUG. 12 TERESA BURGARA
AUG. 14 MARIE ALDINGER
AUG. 16 ANNA RODRIGUEZ
AUG. 17 MICHELLE PEDRONI
AUG. 22 AMELIA GARCIA
AUG. 23 ABI UNRUH
AUG. 24 SHARLA FORWOOD
AUG. 25 CHRIS MILLER
LORI MCCRIGLER
AUG. 26 ZOILA VAZQUEZ
ISABEL BRINCKHAUS
AUG. 27 DWANE JOHNSTON
AUG. 28 ANN PARKER
AUG. 29 JOSH VAZQUEZ
AUG. 30 NANCY GODDEN
AUG. 31 ARIA BRINCKHAUS
AUGUST Anniversaries
AUGUST 24 Timothy And Coralee Whitchurch
AUGUST 30 Dwane And June Johnston
Dale And Kimberlee Unruh
The weekend of September 27-29 the women’s ministry will be hosting a special weekend at the FCSC. Gleny Cherian, a Christian teacher in Psychology at Weimar, will be our guest speaker. There will be Friday night and sabbath afternoon workshops (& possibly Sunday morning ) for women at the center. Sabbath she will be our speaker during the church service with a potluck following at the center. More info on times and topics soon. Invite women you know to join us.
age! They re-start usually in September!
THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. 7 July 2024
A GIFT OF LIFE
The late William Johnson, retired editor of the Adventist Review, wrote about the story of Geri Kennedy and her brother. Craig was in a desperate condition with acute renal failure. He needed someone to donate a kidney. Geri wrestled with what she might do to help him. If the tests came out positive, would she be healthy enough to give one of her kidneys? How would her husband, daughters, and her parents relate to her doing this for someone who drank alcohol and smoked? And would Craig forever feel an obligation?
After much prayer and discussion, Geri decided to go forward. Craig begged her not to do it. She told him that she believed that God would lead and that it was all in His control. The feelings of love, awe, and tears are beyond my skills to put into words, she remembers. His question was, “What will I ever do to repay you?” She answered with a grin, “Don’t worry, I’ll have a list.” Then she added, “This kidney of mine doesn’t drink or smoke, and it goes to church every Sabbath; so please, do not try to change its lifestyle.”
In the operating room the staff put Geri’s and Craig’s gurneys side by side. They looked at each other and held hands. The Craig asked seriously, “Where is it?
“Where’s what?”
With tears flowing down his face, he said, “The list.” No4w Geri’s tears were flowing also. “Craig, there is no list – this is a gift. I love you, and God loves you. He will see us through.”
A thousand words could not describe the look on Craig’s face, Geri recalls. All he could do was squeeze her hand even harder, smile through his tears, and shake his head. After the surgery there were many more tears of happiness as the rest of
the family learned that Geri and Craig were doing fine. During the following days, two times Craig’s body started to reject Geri’s kidney, but each time God heard their pleas for his complete recovery.
In John’s epistle he writes, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16, NIV). Jesus did more than give us a kidney. He took our place on the cross.
The beatings, bruising and blood which He shed is what we deserved for our sins – He took it all upon Himself. He died for all our sins. Now through His resurrection we can be forgiven and have a new life. What will you do with the perfect life He gives you?
Because of the love Geri has given to her brother Craig, he has recommitted his life to Christ.
Today, we can do the same thing. Because we have experienced God’s love and grace, may we become loving and show grace to those around us. May God richly bless you!
Pastor Dan
PATHFINDERS
Don’t forget during camp meeting, the Pathfinders will be hosting the Burger Bar and the cafeteria. They appreciate your support.
Also, please remember to pray for our Pathfinders. Right after Camp Meeting, they will be leaving for the International Camporee in Gillette Wyoming. They will be traveling by car a very long distance. Along the way they are going to stop in Salt Lake City, and at Yellowstone National Park for 3 days and then on to Gillette. Please pray for them, for safe travels, for great experiences, and to meet and make new friends in Christ.
We want to thank you for all the years of faithful support of our Pathfinders. They would not be able to do the things they do and go where they go without your support. The support financially is important. But, even more it is the physical support and fellowship that is the most important. We are blessed by you and we thank you!
Tuesday, the 9th of July. There will be a business meeting you will want to make sure and attend. We will give you an update regarding the future of FJA. It will be at 6:00 in the blue room.
We are still looking for folks to host outdoor picnic lunches for September and October. Please let us know if you are interested. Here are the ones we have scheduled so far
July 20th – Dumitrescu’s
August-17th Don and Colleen’s
Adapted from Lindsey Carlson’s book A Better Encouragement: Trading Self-Help for True Hope
JULY 04 INDEPENDENCE DAY
JULY 06 POTLUCK
JULY 09 BUSINESS MEETING 6:00
JULY 12 HEALTH NUGGET
JULY 13 PASTOR IN PETROLIA
JULY 20 POTLUCK AT DUMITRESCU’S
JULY 21-27 CAMP MEETING
JULY 27 NO CHURCH SERVICE HERE
AUG. 03 HEALTH NUGGET DR. BAIRD
AUG. 10 PASTOR IN MIRANDA
AUG. 17 POTLUCK AT DON & COLLEEN’S
SEPT.27-29 WOMEN’S EVENT (see article)
OCTOBER GRIEF RECOVERY PRESENTATION
JULY 1 Local Budget JULY 8 GC sessioon
JULY 15 Local Budget JULY 27 NCC
Remember that the 3rd Sabbath of every month is the mission spotlight at 10:45. If it is still playing when downstairs gets out, please remain in the lobby until it and the class are over. Thank you!
Wednesday nights at 6:00pm there is a study of the book of Patriots and prophets. On Saturday nights we are watching season 4 of “The Chosen”. In September there will be a women’s ministry retreat here at the church. In October, Steve and Karen Nicola will be hosting a series on grief recovery. Many of us have lost loved ones and struggle with grief. Friends and families as well. Please spread the word when we get more information on the specifics.
THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 27-29 THE WOMEN’S MINISTRY WILL BE HOSTING A SPECIAL WEEKEND AT THE FCSC. GLENY CHERIAN, A CHRISTIAN TEACHER IN PSYCOLOGY AT WEIMAR WILL BE OUR GUEST SPEAKER. THERE WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT AND SABBATH AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (& POSSIBLY SUNDAY MORNING ) FOR WOMEN AT THE CENTER. SABBATH SHE WILL BE OUR SPEAKER DURING THE CHURCH SERVICE WITH A POTLUCK FOLLOWING AT THE CENTER. MORE INFO ON TIMES AND TOPICS BY AUG. FIRST. INVITE WOMEN YOU KNOW TO JOIN US.
July 2024
Birthdays & Anniversaries
JULY 02 REINA PINEDO
JULY 06 DAVE PERRY
JULY 06 KATHRYN MATHISON
JULY15 PAM BADZIK
JULY 17 DANIEL ALEJANDRO
JULY 18 MIA MAZZONE
JULY 19 BILL MASON
JULY 22 MICHAEL NORTON
JULY 24 ARIELA RAYBURN
SANDRA WEEKS
JULY 25 MICHAEL CHAPMAN
JULY 27 CHAROLETTE WAREHAM
LORRAINE SCHUELER
JULY 28 JONAH MAZZONE
JULY 31 NORMA BARNHART
ANNIVERSARIES
JULY 6TH RUBEN & LALITA BRINCKHAUS
JULY 12TH NATE & VALERIE WIKANDER