2Mission to MySpace. Simple � ps for sharing God’s word with those around you.

A PUBLICATION OF THE TAMPA FIRST SDA CHURCH JULY/AUG. 2010

PROCLAIMING GOD’S GRACEThousands a� end 59th General Conference Session; plan mission for the next fi ve years.

Th e 59th General Conference Session of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church was held in downtown Atlanta at the Georgia downtown Atlanta at the Georgia Dome and World Congress Center from June 23 – July 3. Approximately 70,000 Seventh-Day Adventists from all over the world fi lled the Dome to attend this year’s session.

Th e theme song for the session written by J. Bruce Ashton and entitled “Proclaim His Grace” was electrifying when thousands of God’s children raised their voice to sing about His grace. Ashton who grew up as an Adventist in Ohio said that his desire was to use adjectives about God’s grace that would increase in power as the song is sung, everything is grace. “Proclaim His Grace”

corresponded with the theme of the 59th session: “Proclaiming God’s Grace.” Ashton God’s Grace.” Ashton believes and states that “grace is a basic underlying attitude of God towards us.”

Elder Jan Paulsen resigned and Elder Ted Wilson was elected as our 20th president. In his acceptance speech, Wilson urged the 16.3 million member church to “Go Forward” with the message to the world. Th e strategic plan that has guided the mission of the church during the past fi ve years will continue to steer it. “Tell the World” is the church’s outreach plan and is designed to coordinate the church’s eff orts to spread its

message of hope. Dan Jackson was elected president of the North American Division by the delegates of the world church in the business session.

Th e delegates and members attending were dazzled by over 200 exhibits covering 200,000 square feet that refl ected diff erent

4 7 VBS: KGCN. See all the excitement our children and youth had during VBS.

Spiritual Gi� s Classes. The DeForests share their experience in Pastor Ric’s class.

continued on p. 3

by Beth Sylvester

6 Beth’s Dijon Asparagus Salad. A tasty and healthy side dish or main course.

3 Did You Know? Find out what members of your church family are up to.

MISSION TO MYSPACE: Witnessing Where You AreWalk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5. We are counseled to make the most of our time to share Jesus with others, knowing time is short. So do we all quit our jobs and hit the streets witnessing and preaching? Maybe, but maybe not. God can use you right where you are. Here are just a few brief tips on how to be wise with your time and opportunities to share Jesus.

1. Let your Facebook friends know you love Jesus. Post encouraging, not preachy, Bible texts and inspirational passages. I have done this and several times people tell me what I posted is exactly what

by William Earnhardt

they needed to hear. Also use Facebook to invite friends to church socials and activities. Just today I posted on my Facebook that I was giving a Bible study and one of my friends on FB commented and asked for studies too!

2. Have literature handy at all times. I recently visited a lady in the hospital who was handing out Steps to Christ to all the healthcare workers who came to her bedside. I walked into a sandwich shop the other night and saw a man studying the Bible while eating his sandwich at a table. I handed him a Bible Readings for the Home book I had on hand. Opportunities abound with literature on hand.

3. While listening to a friend talk about their problems don’t hesitate to off er to pray with them on the spot. Th is shows that you are more than just hearing them, but you really do care. It also brings Jesus into their everyday life. I just got off the phone with a friend who told me that three months ago he ran into a friend in Wal-Mart. His friend had a daughter who was into drugs. My friend prayed with that parent right there in the middle of Wal-Mart. Just this week it was verifi ed that this girl has been drug free three months, dating back to when my friend prayed with her parent during a “by chance” encounter at Wal-Mart.

F I R S T

Communica� ons DirectorKarmin Rempfer

communica� ons@tampaadven� st.net

EditorDeena Kemp-Pople

news@tampaadven� st.net

ContributorsBarbara Benne� ,

Jim Deforest, Plessie DeforestWilliam Earnhardt, Daniele Fonseca

Mike Rempfer, Beth Sylvester

Lead PastorDan Francisco

leadpastor@tampaadven� st.net

Associate/Youth PastorClaude� e Aleman

assoc-ythpastor@tampaadven� st.net

Bible Instructor/Lay PastorWilliam Earnhardt

laypastor@tampaadven� st.net

Offi ce ManagerDorine McKinnon

offi cemanager@tampaadven� st.net

Tampa First Seventh-Day Adven� st Church

822 West Linebaugh Ave.Tampa, FL 33612

p. 813.933.7505f. 813.933.7506

www.tampaadven� st.net

Early Service: 9 - 10:20 amEmphasizes the classical elements of a

more tradi� onal service

Sabbath School: 10:30 - 11:20 amEmphasizes learning from the

Scripture and each other.

Second Service: 11:30 am - 1 pmEmphasizes the classical elements of a

more tradi� onal service

The mission of the Seventh-day Adven� st Church is to proclaim to all peoples the everlas� ng gospel in the

context of the three angel’s messages of Revela� on 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and to

unite with His church, and nurtur-ing them in prepara� on for His soon

return.

UPCOMING EVENTSAug. 21TAA Sabbath at our church in honor of school starting on Aug. 11.

Aug. 28Abuse Prevention Sabbath. You won’t want to miss it.

Oct. 31Our Fall Festival will be the highlight of your season.

God is so big He can cover the entire world with His love and so small He can curl up inside your heart. - Anonymous

outreaches of our church. Th ere were exhibits from Southern Adventist University, Oakwood University, ADRA, 3ABN, Hope Channel, It is Written, Amazing Facts to name a few, plus a mock building of a “One Day School” that Maranatha is building, with matching funds from ASI.

An inspiring painting entitled “Th e Second Coming” painted by Nathan Greene was presented at the session. Th e 8 ½ ft. by 5 ½ ft. painting will be on display at the Hope Channel’s new building in Silver Springs, MD and can also be viewed online. Mark Finley asked Greene to paint a depiction of the second coming, stressing that it should be culturally diverse, so people all over the world can recognize and identify with it. Greene’s painting, though fairly traditional, captured this beautifully.

Th e session closed at the “Parade of Nations” with 13 world region members parading their countries fl ags as we celebrated our uniqueness. Th e cheers as each nation paraded by would have rivaled any Atlanta Falcons game in the Dome. Elder Ted Wilson closed the session.

All of the business and other information concerning the session are available online to view at Washingtonconference.org/newstext.

59th General Conference Sessioncontinued from cover

Did You Know?The Milliner’s Daughter

Emily is going to serve

as a missionary in the

Marshall Islands. Please

con� nue to watch your

bulle� n for ways to help

her take supplies to a

country that needs them.

If you want to be a short

term missionary, please

see Pastor Claude� e for an

upcoming mission trip to

Mexico.

Also, some sad news,

some dear members of our

church have le� or will be

leaving us for con� nuing

educa� on or family issues.

We send best wishes to

Kevin and Bonnie Craig,

Richard and Yonique

McNeil, and Vincent and

Vesta Whitmore. You will

be missed.

Are you doing something

you’d like your church

family to know about?

Send your news to us at

news@tampadaadven� st.net

Saturday night, July 10 was an awesome night. With person to person advertising in our community and participation from other local churches, we had approximately 150 people of all ages attend our 1st Movie Night.

We aired the movie To Save A Life. What a great movie to reach out in ministry to those of all ages! Even though space was limited no one seemed to not mind. Stay tuned for when we plan our next Movie Night. You won’t want to miss it!

MOVIE NIGHT by Karmin Rempfer

3

VBS 2010: Kids and God’s Communica� on NetworkThis summer, our VBS theme was KGCN—Kids and God’s Communication Network. Vacation Bible School started July 12 and ended July 16. We had so much fun and learned a lot about God too.

Day 3 was “God Writes.” We learned how God wrote down the 10 commandments with his own fi nger.

Day 4 was ‘God Cares’ and we learned how much God cares for us through forgiveness.

Day 1 was “God Calls.” We followed Adam and Eve as they answered God’s calls in the Garden of Eden.

Day 2 was “God Shows,” and we learned about the children of Israel as they saw God leading them with a pillar of fi re.

VBS 2010: Kids and God’s Communica� on NetworkOn Day 5, the last day, we learned how God comforts us with his love in the Holy Spirit.

We had learned all this through different stations. Snack Attack was where we had a snack based on what that day’s theme was. History Mystery was where we solved

by Daniele Fonseca

mysteries with the Bible’s help. Play-by-Play was where we played really fun games. Builder’s Square was where we made crafts based on that day’s theme.

My favorite parts of VBS were the Snack Attack and the Play-by-Play. I keep coming back to VBS every year because it is a time to learn about God with our closest friends.

What VBS means to me is a time where all of us get to together and learn about God through fun and different ways. Hopefully, next year will be as fun as KGCN!! See you next summer!!

Ingredients:

Linguine, broken in half (1/4 a box)

½ lb. asparagus, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces (1 ¾ cups)

9 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/3 c. prepared poppy seed or 2 T. coleslaw dressing

¼ tsp. salt

¼ c. toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

2 T. chopped white onions

Dijon-style mustard

¼ tsp. black pepper

Directions

In large saucepan, cook linguine in lightly salted boiling

water for 5 minutes. Add asparagus; cook 3-4 minutes

more or until linguine is tender but slightly firm and

asparagus to crisp-tender; drain well. Transfer to bowl.

Add tomatoes and onion. In a small bowl, combine salad

dressing, mustard, salt and pepper.

Add to pasta mixture; toss

gently to coat. Cover;

chill for 2 hrs. or

overnight. Before

serving, toss gently

and add nuts.

Beth’s Dijon Asparagus Salad (serves 4 - 6)

R E C I P E B O X

On June 14th our church hosted the HOPE celebration and Investment kick-off meeting. Th e meeting began with live music from some of the members and a food buff et. Once called to order the members discussed the accomplishments of the group. Th e HOPE Action has been responsible for many changes in the community over the past years such as increasing bus service for workers, after school programs

and assisting homeless people with the ability to get identifi cation. Th e group was excited about the possibilities they can achieve by working together for a higher goal. Th ey receive direction from their discussions and perform Nehemiah actions to convince those with power that the issue needs addressing. Our very own Earl Inniss reported the work performed on their corporate drive.In order to fund this very important Justice ministry, they call on

their members for fi nancial assistance. Th ey depend on these donations and thereby asked for commitments from the member churches and organizations. If you know of anyone who may want to make a tax deductible donation or would like to participate in this valuable work,

6

please contact one of the pastoral staff .

T���� F���� H���� HOPE by Mike Rempfer

Elder Earl Inniss addresses par� cipants at the HOPE kickoff .

Recently, we attended a series of meetings with Pastor Ric Pleasants. Pastor Ric is a very outgoing, positive and energetic fellow. Before each meeting, we visited some and got to know each other a little better. Pastor Ric enjoys all sports, especially football, and loves spending time with his granddaughters.

Following prayer at each meeting, Pastor Ric presented the lesson. Th ere were fi ve meetings altogether, and well worth the time. At the very fi rst lesson, we were given a test! Th is was an easy test, but we were asked to be completely honest with our answers in order to fi nd out more about ourselves. Th is test, when completed was very helpful in fi nding out our specifi c personality-types. Knowing your personality-type will help you to know where you will be most comfortable in your work for God.

As we progressed from week to week, we learned more about our spiritual gifts and how we might, with God’s leading, be better equipped to serve. We are praying to become more dedicated in our service to Him. We highly recommend this valuable class, and hope you will make time in your schedule to participate. You will not be disappointed.

W��� ��� “D���������� Y��� S�������� G����” ������� ��� ��� �����.

by Jim and Plessie DeForest

About 15 to 20 leaders of your church participated in a fi ve-week Leadership Vision Journey with Pastor Dan Francisco using a compilation of materials developed by Pastor Tim Nichols. It was a journey of learning to hear God’s purpose, preparation and calling in our lives and our role in the church. If we have a clear picture of what the church could be at its best, and a clear understanding of ourselves, we can all work together to bring about the fulfi llment of our dream and mission. A clear vision of God’s plan for the church “Go and make disciples….” Matthew 28:19 and how the church will look as it moves towards that goal. Today the Holy Spirit is ready to speak to our hearts and our lives as well as when he guided Paul and Barnabas.

Th e Leadership Vision Journey workbook is intended for individuals to use within the support of a trusted community of believers. Personal refl ection with the affi rmation and encouragement of others will bring a new level of awareness of God’s values, vision and calling in our lives. Lived well, your personal values will become your personal virtues. Your vision and calling lived out become your passion and your legacy for God’s glory. Your gifts and talents become energized into joyful service for others.

Th e leaders set out to discover their personal core values, vision, calling by experience, calling by giftedness

and their personal ministry passion. Th rough personal refl ection and group sharing, participants discerned their values and vision for God’s church. Th e Leadership Vision Journey ended with Pastor Tim Nichols coming to Tampa First Church and spending a weekend with the pastors and leaders bringing all of the participants together to gather the learning and discern the shared values and

vision God has been speaking to His church, the members.

On June 18 and 19, Elder Ken Burrill, Pastor Tim Nichols and Pastor Able Paulin continued the leadership vision of the church with a discussion on “Creating a Culture of Mission” and encouraged all members to focus on Christ and our mission in all we do for God’s church.

T�� L��������� V����� J������ by Beth Sylvester

7

We highly recommend this valuable class...You will not be disappointed.

Recently our church has been blessed by several baptisms: Bryan Barr, Tim Barr, Christopher Gonzalez, Angelique Hyde, Oscar Palenzuela, Giovanni Perez, Natasha Perez, Eli Rosado, Eliezer Rosario, Mikayla Shelton, Ginger Stevens and Priscila Vargas. In addition, Luz Aponte, June Crooks, Lenora Reynolds, and Lauren Shields joined us by profession of faith. Please keep our new members in your prayers.

The Marlers and the Hobbs have welcomed bundles of joy that they have to dedicated to the Lord. Please keep them in your prayers and support them in raising their children to love the Lord.

B������� ��� D����������

have welcomed bundles of joy that they have to dedicated to

B������� ��� D����������

the Lord. Please keep them

prayers and

Noah Inabinett 1Taryn NeSmith 2James Sullivan 2Steve Padgett 3Jane Peoples 3Nora Watts 3Michael Adelson 5Alfred Bennett 5Caron Sobers 6Hannajo Welzel 7Chad Daly 8James Muncey 8Kierron Connor 9Tim Merryman 10Nena Osnorio 10Joseph Martin 13Miciana Gay 14Lewis Bush 15Alicia Mejias 15Aaron Barthle 16Ben Sanchez 17Lauren Sauder 17Alexys Anderson 18Patricia Belliamy 18Carol Genee Scott 22Damaris Cornett 24Ivy Moore 24JanJay Conteh-Morgan 25

Elaine Anderson 26Ana Fuentes 26Evan Fonseca 27Cristina Llaneras 27Kasey NeSmith 27Lori Benitz 28Eric Prado 28Virginia Puckett 28Stanley Adelson 29Markel Kleckly 30Courtney Veazey 31

AugustAnthony Belliamy 1Judith Haines 1Subhakar Medidi 1Dan Francisco 3Judith HainesAlejandro Valladares 4Jim DeForest 5Randy Haesche 5Alexis Beattie 6Daniele Fonseca 7Michael Tschickardt 7Virginia Valladares 7Leondra Peoples 9Brian Pollett 9Manley Ramoutar 9

Michelle Erica Taylor 9Candace Bodden 10Winfred Cox 10Shellie Freeman 10Susanna Marcellin 11Lois Pierce 11Joel Velasquez 11Raphael Adelson Jr 12Sarai Shelton 12Wathson Adelson 13Darla Nolan 13Kristine Odaiyar 13Donna Mays 14Mary Waller 14Alisa Cintron 15JaNett Davis 15Charles English 15Diane Inniss 15Briana Kearse 15Robert Shelton 15David Anderson 16Lorenzo Connor 17Michael McKinnon 17Charles Riley Sr 17Adam Rosario 17Keith Ferrera 18N’Talia Matthews 19N’Talia Matthews 19Dennis Lee Muncey 19Dennis Lee Muncey 19

Rosie Pope 19Edward Prado 19Frank, III Durr 20Helene DeCors 21Brian Farrell 22Angela Henehan 23Breanne Vazquez 23Patrick Newton 24Amy Abernathy 25Patricia Aguilera 26Adam Barthle 27Sue Hall Lyons 27Damion Nelson 27Diane Loweke 28Erin Henehan 29Adam Rowe 29

JULY & AUGUST BIRTHDAYS