The Cutting Edge - December 13, 2019

Current news from across the KS-NE Conference

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The Cutting Edge

December 13, 2019

Here's what's happening across our Conference, at least what I've heard about. Feel free to share this with anyone!

"I had the privilege last Sabbath of baptizing one of the young ladies in our church, Tanatswa Chivero," says Pastor Delmar Austin. "Tana asked to prepare for baptism while we were at the Oshkosh Camporee this summer. Her knowledge of the Bible and her love for Jesus were very evident in our study together," says Pastor Austin.

"This past Sabbath was a high day at our Hutchinson Church," says Pastor Trey Sharp. "Dr. Joseph Kidder, professor from the Theological Seminary at Andrews University, was our guest speaker for the weekend. Many other church members from the McPherson and Great Bend also came to Hutchinson to hear Dr. Kidder preach powerful messages of hope and trust in Jesus.

Friday evening began with Dr. Kidder giving a contagious message on how to grow your church through prayer. Sabbath morning for church service he then shared his life

testimony of how over 40 years ago God found him on the streets of Baghdad, Iraq and how he gave his life to Jesus even though he was beaten and disowned by his own family and losing his college scholarship by choosing not to go to school on the Sabbath. We have had this weekend planned for well over a year now and so we were very thankful to have had such wonderful attendance during all three meetings. God truly blessed in a mighty way and many people were inspired to grow in their own personal walk with Jesus. A huge thank you to all those who helped with promoting this event in the church and community as well as those who all helped with an incredible," says Pastor Trey.

Sharon Hohfeld sent me some photos from their lovely Christmas program at Wichita Cornerstone last Sabbath.

"The La Crosse church held a community wide Christmas concert last Saturday evening," says Pastor Mitch Elrod. "Many came from the community and surrounding areas. Vonda Beerman was the guest singer. Pastor

Norma, from the United Methodist Church, gave opening prayer. After the concert hot cider and homemade snacks were enjoyed. Everyone stayed and got to know one another. What a blessing the whole evening was," says Pastor Mitch.

"The Great Bend Women's Ministries adopted a young mother-to-be when her husband tragically was killed near the church in an industrial accident," says Doris Reile-Kneller. "Each month since August we have been sending her a little gift to comfort her and to provide something for the baby. Sunday we had a baby shower for her and her immediate

family. They were overwhelmed at the kindness and generosity. The warm friendship and acceptance was truly felt. At the end she was given a yearly devotional book. She said, 'I have never had one of these and am anxious to use it daily.' She promised to bring the baby back some Sabbath to show to the ladies," says Doris.

"Lynne’s and my woodworking shop is transformed into a makeshift Christmas party venue for one night every year in December," says Pastor Rod Scherencel. "Last Saturday night we hosted our annual Christmas party. This is a simple gesture to show appreciation for our incredible SE Kansas church members. It also provides a venue for fellowship with those members we infrequently see at church. And it gives us an opportunity to minister to neighbors and friends who are not regularly associated with our church group. All in all it is a night of

warm camaraderie and fun. We shared a potluck dinner, sang Christmas songs, played silly games and exchanged gifts in white elephant fashion. Santa arrived and brought gifts for the children and for one or two adult children at heart - all in good fun," says Pastor Rod.

One of our beloved traditions at Chapel Oaks is our Christmas cantata. This year The King will be presented on Friday, December 13 at 7 pm and Saturday, December 14 at 5 pm. Come witness through music and drama the story of how the King of the Universe came as a lowly babe to save our sinful world.

"The Piedmont Park youth babysat last Saturday night," says Pastor Katelyn Weyant. "We had a great time…so great, I forgot to take pictures until a few of us went out for ice cream afterwards. Oops! Thank you to all pictured and those not pictured for helping out! We were able to raise money to buy baby items for local single moms," says Pastor Katelyn.

"Last weekend we gathered in Garden City to celebrate our annual Small Group Festival," says Roberto Correa (Hispanic Coordinator). "We have seen the blessings of God on each small group who was meeting week after week during 2019. Powerful testimonies were shared along with great music and, of course, wonderful food..After the invitation, 25 Missionary Partners came forward with the commitment to give two Bible studies during 2020. It was a high Sabbath for everybody present," says Pastor Correa.

“Folk Mountain Gospel (Don & Donna Mohl) from Tennessee gave a vespers concert last Sabbath evening,” shares Vanessa Schaecher. “Don & Donna play many stringed instruments and share inspirational stories between their songs. It was a beautiful, peaceful hour that ushered us into the Christmas spirit.”

The 2020 Devotional Books are ready for you," says Peggy Glass (Adventist Book Center Manager). "You can get the adult, women's, young adult, youth, teen, junior, pre-school and evening devotional books. They can be ordered them through your local church, by clicking here, or call us at 402-488-3395. These make excellent Christmas gifts," says Peggy.

"We held a silent auction after our concert Sabbath evening in Hays," says Pastor Mitch Elrod. "Businesses and Chapfel members donated 13 trees and they brought $1,625.00. We delivered them and the money to each family. Friends of the Hays Chapel helped deliver the trees. Thank you to Bev Elrod and your delivery team as well as to all our donors!" says Pastor Mitch.

"A beautiful blessing was had by all who attended the Union College Fine Arts Christmas Concert last Friday night," says Pastor Rich Carlson. "What an amazing group of young adults using their gifts and talents to praise God and lead God's family in worship at this Christmas season."

“It was Pathfinder Sabbath at Piedmont Park last Sabbath,” shares Vanessa Schaecher. “The Pathfinders shared in many aspects of the service and Student Pastor Martin Gomez preached a sermon encouraging our members to continue pouring their

time and energy into our young people because they are the ones who will lead us into the future. As Proverbs 22:6 says, ‘Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.’”

"Our Hays Chapel had their first ever Christmas VBS and followed it with a graduation Christmas concert," says Pastor Mitch Elrod. "Opening night saw 18 kids and finished with 26. On graduation night 76 people filled the Chapel for the concert. Twelve decorated trees were silently auctioned and raised $1,500.00, plus. Money and trees were then taken to needy homes. The whole experience was overwhelming and very moving. We have planned it again for next year," says Pastor Mitch.

"Last week the Chapel Oaks Women’s Ministry team hosted a Christmas party for the ladies of the church," shares Reba Lucky. "We started with a short devotion followed by a delicious lunch of soups and salad. Everyone got to frost sugar cookies and decorate them with a

variety of colored sugars and sprinkles. In addition to the plate of cookies, each lady received a gift bag with candies and a jar of homemade strawberry jam to take home. Everyone had a lovely time of fun and fellowship," says Reba.

"Last Sunday the College View Church pastors invited the congregation to join them for 'Pancakes with the Pastors," says Pastor Guadalupe Montour. "It was a merry time with delicious pancakes whipped up by the pastors, sing-alongs, ornament decorating, a Christmas

story and a special visit by a wiseman! It appears we may have started a new family tradition here at CVC!" says Pastor Gua.

First Quarter’s Sabbath School Lesson is on Daniel

Many Christians feel overwhelmed at the thought of a deep dive into the Old Testament book of Daniel. The ancient past, distant future, cryptic symbols, and complex prophecies can easily become a tangled web of misunderstanding and confusion. One truth emerges loud and clear: Jesus wins! This companion Sabbath School lesson book, divided into thirteen chapters, starts by introducing issues related to understanding Daniel, such as literary structure and historical context. The subsequent chapters move through the narrative and prophetic sections, highlighting Daniel's application to our modern lives. Click here or call our ABC at 402-488-3395. ($14.99 Paperback)

"We had our Area Ministerial Association Christmas luncheon on Thursday in Hays," says Debbie Goff. "We missed the families that weren’t able to come. Good food, good fellowship. Merry Christmas!!!" says Debbie.

"Last Saturday night the Topeka Wanamaker Church had Vespers and 'Make Your Own Pizza' social," says Cheryl Barker. "We sang songs and listened to a church member share some personal family stories from the attack on Pearl Harbor and how God protected their family. Then we all went down to

the fellowship hall to make pizzas. There were some store-bought crust for those who didn't want to roll out homemade dough for their pizza and tons of yummy toppings to choose from. The kids really had fun rolling out their dough and making their own pizzas and some adults even experimented with a slight toss in the air of their pizza dough. Everyone had a good time visiting, making pizza and eating their creations!" says Cheryl.

The offering this Sabbath is for North American Division Community Services. This annual offering provides funding when natural disasters strike. You can help through this offering. "Jim Smith went to church one Sabbath morning. He heard the organist miss a note during the prelude and he winced" Read more...

Here's what some of us from the office are up to....

John Sweigart (VP for Administration) will be in Lawrence, Kansas this Sabbath where he'll be preaching in the morning and presenting an afternoon Stewardship Seminar.
Virgil Covel (Ministerial Director) will be preaching in Pittsburg, Kansas tomorrow for their district Christmas program.
I will be worshiping with the folk in Broken Bow, Nebraska tomorrow. I'll be sharing a message called, "Keep the Change!"

**If you know something that you think would be of interest to other Kansas-Nebraska Adventists, please let me know. I am trying to keep everyone on the "cutting edge" by sending this out each Friday.

Have a wonderful Sabbath!