"Click here to read Pastor's Update May 2nd, 2012"
"Foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD… these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:6-7
Several weeks ago, my wife and I needed to go to the DMV to be able to convert our cars/licenses to California standing. It was not something I was looking forward to – I knew it would include a lot of waiting, filling out forms, and paying money! Between registering 2 cars, changing our licenses, re-taking written tests, and fulfilling smog-check requirements, it ended up taking most of the day. But by the end of the day, we were legal to drive in California. What a treat!
During my (long) period of waiting, I observed the people that were there. You get a thorough mixture of people at the DMV: old/young, male/female, wealthy/poor, a mix of all races, and all for one purpose: everybody needs to drive! It is one place where all are equal, no matter what!
Scripture informs us that we have more than a driving need in common: we have a universal need for Jesus: for forgiveness of sin, redemption, and ultimately salvation. Our Lord longs to give this freely to all of us.
I’ve read the statistic, and I heard it reiterated this morning as I listened to NPR, that Sunday morning is the time of the week where America is most segregated. For Adventists, it’s Sabbath morning (sad but true). While we as a society have succeeded in integrating schools, offices, public services, and shopping experiences, we tend to still separate out when we worship: old with old, young with young, wealthy with wealthy, poor with poor, culture with culture.
Why is this? Maybe because it’s the one time in the week where we voluntarily go where we want to. Many of us can’t choose our co-workers or our classmates, or whether or not we go to the DMV!
The truth is, we are most comfortable around people who are similar to us. And when we choose our own surroundings, time and time again, we will choose to be people similar to ourselves in the various demographics.
But God does not want us to be separated. He wants us to be integrated! And I celebrate in the fact that when I look out over our congregation on Sabbath morning, I see a wonderfully healthy mix of faces. I love seeing the different types of dress, the various languages spoken, and the variety of skin and hair colors. When we assemble together, we are really a foretaste of the Heavenly Kingdom!
Please don’t think my main purpose in reflecting on this is to knock other congregations. I just pray that we would realize what a special thing we have in our diversity at El Centro SDA. Sure, we have differences in age, appearance, and culture, but that which unites us is so much stronger than that which differentiates us! And I pray we’d be conscious of that, and glorify God for it.
The Bible verse above is the one Jesus famously quoted in rage while he was clearing out the temple with a whip. He said it in the context of selling and profiteering at church. Thankfully, that’s not an issue for us at El Centro. I pray that, if Jesus were to literally walk into our congregation on Sabbath, he’d say it with a lot more happiness in his tone; with a warm smile and outstretched hands. “A house of prayer for all nations!”
Let’s never forget the precious benefits we have at church. So much more than at the DMV! And, unlike how we often think when going to the DMV “I have to go”, let us all say to ourselves as we wake-up each Sabbath morning, “I get to go!”
It is a wonderful opportunity to live out God’s Kingdom here on earth while we anticipate the heavenly one very soon. If you know anyone who may be longing for some of the fulfilling beauty that we have at our church, don’t hesitate to invite them. They may exclaim, as someone mentioned to me a few weeks ago “there’s a bit of everything here!” That was the first time I realized it, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.
“A bit of everything here” means that everyone can be fed. Everybody can relate somehow. And everyone can be made to feel welcome. As the saying goes “There is room for all at the foot of the cross”! For God’s glory. Amen.
Worship Schedule Change
Sabbath School will start at 10:00 AM-
Worship Service will Start at 11:15 AM
Office Hours: Pastor Mark is planning to be in the office Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. Hours are 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. If you would like to see Pastor Mark, but these times are not available to you, please call, and we can set up a visit or special appointment: (760) 335-6588.
Church Calendar: our Church Board has been making exciting plans for the future of our church, and our calendar is looking quite full with exciting activities! You may see the church calendar on our website, at http://elc.adventistfaith.org/calendar-google-doc, and look through the next few months to see what activities we have coming ahead. We hope you plan on attending some of these exciting activities!
610 South 10th Street, El Centro, CA - (760) 352-3545
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