Weekly Bulletin
Updated: April 11, 2024
April 13, 2024
THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. April 2024
The Preacher Who Can’t Say Jesus
FROM PASTOR DAN
By any measure David Ring is a successful minister of the gospel. This nondenominational evangelist has spoken in more than 6,000 churches and on national television. Every year he receives some 400 invitations from congregations who have heard of the inspiration his messages bring.
Yet this preacher says of himself, “I can’t even say ‘Jesus’ properly.” His words are slurred, and he walks with a limp. When he eats, his hand shakes violently. David developed cerebral palsy when his brain was cut off from oxygen for 18 minutes at birth. He grew up feeling rejected, enduring the taunts of other kids about his funny speech and funny walk.
But he knew one person loved him. With one person he could always find a place of acceptance and security. With her, his mother, he was safe.
Then tragedy struck. His mother contracted cancer and died. Fourteen-year-old David Ring wanted to die too. Life seemed too hard to endure. He was an orphan (his father died earlier) and desperately alone in a world that rejected him for who he was. But God sent a beam of grace into this sad, lonely life. One day David went to church and discovered Jesus. Previously he was sure God didn’t love him, because he was born with cerebral palsy. Now he learned how precious he was to Jesus, just as he was.
His attitude changed; his life changed. From that point he went on to do a series of impossible things: finish college, get married, and father children (four of them). And, perhaps the most remarkable of all, fulfill the divine calling to be a minister of the gospel.
“Look at me,” he says. “I have cerebral palsy.” What’s your problem?” He challenges people to quit whining and start sharing, to count their blessings and let the Lord lead them to new and deeper levels of service.
He likes to quote Paul’s words about being content: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11 NKJV). He likes to add, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). As he says, every one of us limps into the kingdom, but when we get inside, we will run!
David Ring’s life reminds me of the incredible power of God’s grace. His mercy is a river that flows from heaven to every human being to bring healing, hope and salvation.
May God richly bless you and may you experience His grace every day of your life.
Pastor Dan
ELDER’S MEETING
Tuesday, April 2nd, at 6:00 Pastor’s Office
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEONS
The fellowship potlucks for April will be on April 6th and april 20th. If we do not advertise anything different, there is no theme and it is a regular potluck.
Debbie and Lalita want to remind you that If you find it physically challenging to make a dish for the potluck we understand. DON’T STAY AWAY!! Please come anyway. If you want to bring something you can always bring some bread or a can of olives or a canned vegetable. Something you don’t have to prepare. The most important thing is that you are there.
If you want to purchase supplies, call Debbie Miller first. Some supplies we have tons of and then there are some things we are running low on. You can always make a donation to either the potluck or funeral dinner fund.
FJA
We just began our 4th quarter, with only 43 school days left, only 3 field trips scheduled, only 1 more holiday, a Week of Prayer, and graduation. We are already making summer plans and plans for the next school year. Graduation will be May 30th. Pre-registration for next school year will be happening soon. If you know anyone with school aged children that would like a quality Christian education point them our way.
The 7th and 8th graders all just completed making beautiful mirrors with Lane Thomsen down in our wood shop. Lane is always willing to give you a tour and show you all the fun projects he has worked on with the students. Make sure when you're on campus to stop by and talk to him.
Miss Higgins has done a wonderful job this year with the students. The kids are all thriving, and it has been a blessing to watch them learn and grow. It brings to mind Luke 2:52 that talks about Jesus growing in wisdom and in stature. I pray that through our school we will be able to continue to draw our youth to the Savior, and like Him, they will grow in wisdom and stature, ever reflecting God’s character to the world.
Valerie Wikander And
The Staff and Students
Of Fortuna Jr. Academy
FJA
RUMMAGE SALE
The dates for the school rummage sale are May 16, 17 and 19. However, in order to have a successful sale we have ssssoooooo much stuff that needs sorted and priced. Tim Whitchurch needs help with this huge project. He has set aside Tuesday afternoons, 1-4pm, to be at the garage working. Please touch base with him to make sure that he will be there and come and help. This is Tim’s last year hosting the rummage sale. Let’s come and show him are appreciation for the many, many years he has dedicated to raising funds for FJA.
PATHFINDERS
First of all, thank you to everyone who loaned us your sewing machines and yourself to help us in our quilting honor. The quilting part should be underway soon, if it hasn’t started already. Our coming up honors may include Sign Language and Wood-Working. Coming up the 2nd weekend in May will be our work-a-thon at Ruth Lake. Be prepared for a phone call from a Pathfinder! As always, if you would like to volunteer, contact Chris Miller.The first Monday of April is dress uniform. The 8th, 15th and 22nd are field uniform and the 29th is a staff meeting.
April OFFERINGS
April 6 Local Budget
April 13 Hope Channel
April 20 Local Budget
April 27 NCC Advance
100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
As you may know, 2024 marks 100 years of Adventist Education in Humboldt County. FJA will once again be hosting a celebration for alumni at FJA. The celebration will be on September 21st and 22nd. It was a huge undertaking for our 95th. We will need a committee to help pull everything together. Please call Valerie Wikander at 707-725-2988, If you want to help. We need set-up, decorating, food, Sabbath School and church teachers. Speakers, special music, AV, deacons and on and on. We also need you to spread the word to your friends and family that are Alumni. Many people have changed addresses since our last mailing, and we anticipate some invitations coming back. That is where we need you. Spread the word. Start now. We will be creating a 100th yr. Anniversary Facebook page like last time and old pictures will be posted.
Evangelism & Personal Ministries: March 27th was our last night of “Upheaval”. We have two more upcoming series planned. Beginning April 4th for four nights, Kevin and Pastor will be facilitating “Mindfit”. There tends to be a stigma around mental health in Christianity. If we were “good enough” Christians we wouldn’t have mental health issues. We would never say this about cancer or diabetes. But somehow mental health is taboo. This four-night series teaches us biblical guidelines for hope and healing in the areas of grief, anxiety and depression. This is a free event. Each night there will be a video, study-guide, discussion and an issue of “Vibrant Life” magazine. If you or someone you know is struggling or if you want to learn how to spread this message of hope, plan to attend April 4th – 7th at 6:00 pm at the church. Invitation postcards are in the lobby for you to take and pass out.
This is a bridge-event leading up to our next series from “His Way Of Hope” which will begin Monday April 8th. This series will be every M/W/F evening at the church, through May 27th. More information to follow.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
MAR. 31 EASTER SUNDAY
APR. 1-2 NO SCHOOL-INSERVICE
APR. 06 HEALTH NUGGET
POTLUCK
GARY KLEMP’S SERVICE
APR. 4-7 MINDFIT
APR. 08 HIS WAY OF HOPE BEGINS
APR. 11 SCHOOL BOARD 4:00
APR. 13 PASTOR IN PETROLIA
APR. 15-19 FJA WEEK OF PRAYER
APR. 18 CHURCH BOARD 6:30
APR. 27 COMMUNION
PASSOVER SABBATH
MAY 02 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
MAY 10-12 PATHFINDER WORK-A-THON
MAY 12 MOTHER’S DAY
MAY 26-27 WORK BEE AT RAC
MAY 30 FJA GRADUATION
LABELS MAKE CENT$
From Anita:
Anita Anderson is willing to come to the church on a regular basis to collect the labels and send them where they need to go. She wants to remind us of some info about this program. Only LOMA Linda (Canned food) participates in this program. Manufactured by Atlantic National Foods, LLC in Nashville, NC. (Yes, there is still a tiny Worthington logo on the cans). Only UPC/Labels that begin with 45561 or 28989 are eligible. Each eligible UPC (bar code)/label will be reimbursed at 25 cents per label. Atlantic National Foods reimburses the NCC who then reimburses each church according to the total amount of eligible labels. Then our Fortuna SDA Church receives the money for Sabbath School. Put your labels in an envelope and leave them in the missionary room with Anita’s name on the envelope & she will come and collect them. Thank you!
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
APRIL 3RD – HAYSTACKS
APRIL 10TH - BURGERS & FRIES
APRIL 17TH – BAKED POTATOES
APRIL 24TH - LASAGNA
Graduation 2024
Tis the graduation season again. Please let us know any of your family members that are graduating this year. We want to recognize them. We know that Merek Sears is graduating May 9th from University of Houston with a degree in economics. Congratulations Merek.
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
APRIL 7 ADRIAN & JOLENE DUMITRESCU
APRIL BIRTHDAYs
03 JAMIE BURZO
05 JESSE RENE
09 Noe Vazquez jr
11 Rose Hoaas
12 Ed Sutsch - Gary gutermuth
14 Dale Unruh
19 Don Baird
22 Adrian Dumitrescu
23 Ken Eastburn
28 Rita Spier
THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. 3 March 2024
Wedding In the Sky
FROM PASTOR DAN
Every now and then the media carries stories of people getting married in exotic places, such as underwater. But no wedding that I have heard of was more surprising than the one that took place on Monday, May 30, 2005, up on top of Mt. Everest.
At 29,035 feet (8,850 meters), Everest is the highest point on planet earth. Even in the summer the thin air is bitingly cold, and fierce winds rake the summit. The mountain is a killer; hundreds have lost their lives trying to conquer it. But two young Nepalese climbers conquered Mount Everest; Moni Mulepati, 24, and her fiancé, Pem Dorjee, 23. With the weather turning treacherous, they briefly took off their oxygen masks and donned plastic garlands as they exchanged vows.
No organ, no procession, no attendants for this wedding. Only a white carpet of snow and a breathtaking view. But there were guests – some friends who climbed with them and took pictures. Because of the perilous conditions, the ceremony was kept brief, only ten minutes. Then the newlyweds and their friends headed down the mountain and back to Kathmandu, surprising their parents with the news.
The wedding was unconventional, and not just for its locale. The bride is from the Newar community, and the groom is a Sherpa; an unusual pairing in a country where most marriages are arranged by parents and people tend to stick to their castes. “With our interracial marriage we also wanted to give the message that caste and race have no barriers when it comes to marriage,” said Dorjee, the groom.
What a wedding! What a couple. What courage – not only to climb Mt. Everest (can you imagine the incredible breathtaking views they saw?) but to cut across what their culture expected.
In Revelation 19:7 (NKJV) we read, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
There will be another wedding – a wedding in the sky. It will take place at the most desired place in the universe. No dangers there, no need for a quick ceremony and a hasty retreat.
Soon and very soon Jesus will take His bride, His beautiful bride. She will wear white, pure white, the fine linen of His righteousness. (Revelation 19:8, NKJV) What a day that will be! Let’s plan to be there and we all can be there through the power of God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. May God richly bless you!
Pastor Dan
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEONS
The fellowship lunches for the month of MARCH will be on Sabbath, March the 2nd and Sabbath, March 16th . Watch for more details about the type of meal we will be having. The potluck on the 2nd is ASIAN themed. Remember to bring enough food for your family and at least four more. If you see someone visiting on a potluck Sabbath, be sure and let them know and invite them over!!
FJA
Hello Church Family,
The rain has been keeping us all cooped up this past month and our students are full of energy. We had a field trip to the Marine Biology Lab in Trinidad and a birthday party for Dr. Seuss’s 120th birthday in February. We are excited about a Field Trip to Dick Taylor Chocolates the middle of March and then Spring Break at the end of the month. We currently have friends from the Crescent City Church staying on our campus and are happy to have them helping watch over things while they are down here for work.
Home and School are busy collecting donations for our next rummage sale which we hope to have in April or May. If you have nice, clean things that you would like to donate please contact Tim Whitchurch. We really appreciate all the hours that he and his volunteers put into this fundraiser.
We are currently looking for a new Home and School leader for next year. If you have any interest please contact Pastor Dan, Tim, or any of the school staff.
Also, we are currently searching for a compatible teacher/principal for our school next year. Miss Celia has been a blessing to us this year, but her commitment is over at the end of the year. Please pray for the Lord to help us find someone that will fit in with our school, its students, staff and mission.statement. If you know anyone that you think may be interested point them our way. Thank you for continuing to support our students.
The Staff and Students
Of Fortuna Jr. Academy
PRAYER SABBATH
Remember the 4th Sabbath of the month is our time of unified prayer after church in Pastor’s office. This month it will be on Sabbath, March 23rd. Please join us. If you can’t join us but have prayer requests, please share them with someone who is going, and we will include them.
PATHFINDERS
Our Pathfinders and our pathfinder leaders want to thank eveyone who came out and supported them at their Enchilada dinner. They appreciate the love, support and fellowship of their church family . The kids continue to work on their quilting honor and gearing up for their big trip to Wyoming!!
MARCH OFFERING
Mar.02 Local Budget Mar.09 Adv. World Radio
Mar.16 Local Budget Mar.23 Local Conference
Mar.30 Local Budget
ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL CLASSES
There are three adult study classes for you to attend each Sabbath. There is a class in the front, on the left side of the church. A class downstairs in the room marked “blue room”. Also, a class in the Pastor’s office. The studies begin at 10:00. You are invited to attend any or all!!
Ministries
he series “Upheaval” is currently on Wednesday nights at 6:00. The first evening they met, there were approximately 23 people attending! The last Wednesday of this series is March 27th.
Kevin Barnhart will be facilitating a four day presentation entitled “Mindfit”. Looking at ways to minister to others and learning ways to help our mental and emotional health through the gospel. Ways to handle stress, loss, grief. Things all of us are familiar with in today’s world. Talk to Kevin or Pastor Dan for more information. Fourn nights, April 4-7 at 6:00pm in the sanctuary.
After the completion of this series, we will begin another series on Monday, April 8th. This series is entitled “Share Him”. The meetings will be M/W/F each week. We will soon have more information regarding this series. We will be doing mass invitations again. There are quite a few meetings but we hope you can attend some or all and bring someone with you. Please pray for all involved, all who attend and for the Holy Spirit to lead.
REACH OUT,
YOU ARE LOVED.
If you are personally experiencing a need for individual, compassionate, intercessory prayer and support, we now have a dedicated TEXT number that someone from the church will respond to. They will contact you and see how they can minister to you. These folks have a heart to reach out and be there for their fellow members.
The number to TEXT is 1-833-255-027
MAR. 02 HEALTH NUGGET/ AND POTLUCK/ASIAN THEME
MAR. 09 PASTOR- MIRANDA
MAR. 10 BARBARA KANEN’S CELEBRATION
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
MAR. 14 SCHOOL BOARD
MAR. 16 POTLUCK
MAR. 17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY
MAR. 23 UNIFIED PRAYER SABBATH
MAR. 27 UPHEAVAL ENDS
MAR. 28 CHURCH BOARD
MAR. 30 COMMUNION ? ?
MAR. 31 EASTER SUNDAY
APR.4-7 MINDFIT
APR. 08 SHARE HIM BEGINS
May 02 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
*Wednesday nights 6-7 Upheaval
*Saturday nights 6-7 The Chosen
*Share Him. M/W/F at 6:00 starting APRIL 8TH
WHEN ONE MEMBER SUFFERS
KARRIE HAHN
When we are reeling with the immediate pain of an acute injury, our bodies instinctively reach to protect the injured area. If we stub our toe, we reach down and grab it quickly and apply gentle pressure. This instinctive response of our physical bodies gives us a glimpse of what life in the body of Christ should look like. When one member of the body of Christ experiences suffering and pain, other members should instinctively and immediately come to their aid with loving care, compassion, and support. The church is repeatedly called the Body of Christ in the bible. If one member suffers and the other members ignore or fail to come to the aid of the member in need, then severe dysfunction is present in that church body. To be sure, some of us have experienced the pain that comes when the Body of Christ does not respond to our suffering. Perhaps our wounds were even inflicted within the church itself. As much as we strive to obey the Lord’s will for the church, it will never function perfectly in this world. Our hope, therefore, is not in a perfect church but rather in the perfect Lord of the church who sees our struggles, hears our cries and is faithful and merciful to us in our distress. Christians have the perfect opportunity to visibly and tangibly display the glory of a relational, healing God when we minister to members of our own church body. And as we grow in this love through the power of the Holy Spirit, may the world increasingly look and say of us, “See how they love one another!”
Karrie Hahn is an editor for Christian publications and a certified biblical counselor.
March Birthdays & Anniversaries
01 KEILANI GOODRICH
02 VAL MAZZONE
04 BETTY MASON
05 ANDREW RHOADS
06 LYDELL ANDERSON
10 BECKY FARFAN
KEGAN INGALLINA
12 EMILY MAZZONE-CLEMENTI
MAURICIO J. JERONIMO
13 LLOYD AND MARLA BURPEE
24 CHRIS AND DEBBIE MILLER
14 HARRY SALVINI
16 CINDY GILMORE
CHRISTIAN ALEJANDRO- MATIAS
20 JEANETTE COOPER
24 ADELA YANEZ
26 ANNEE WILSON
MARILOU YANEZ