The Cutting Edge - March 6, 2020

Current news from across the KS-NE Conference

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The Cutting Edge

March 6, 2020

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

“Last Sabbath we were thrilled to witness Dylan’s baptism at Piedmont Park as he made his decision to follow Jesus,” shares Vanessa Schaecher. “Dylan began his Bible studies with Pastor Caleb White and finished with Pastor Michael after the Whites moved to Andrews last summer. Dylan is an active member of Piedmont’s Youth group, and we look forward to him being a part of our church family!”

"Last Sabbath at the Gordon, Nebraska Church, we had the high honor of ordaining Elwyn Garza as an elder." says Pastor Fred Grant.

"What better way to close a beautiful warm Sabbath day-than a wedding of two beautiful young people!" says Debbie Goff. "Jessi Whitson (she has worked the horseriding class at Broken Arrow for many years and is a teaching in Garden City) wed Eric

Bauder from Oklahoma at sunset in a country setting. Pastor Andrew performed their wedding with the handfasting (see Ecclesiastes 4:12). Don and Debbie gained a handsome son to their family while Eric’s parents gained a beautiful daughter! May God bless the newlyweds richly in their new life together as many family and friends from our district, out of town and state came together to help celebrate this beautiful, wondrous occasion!" says Debbie.

"Last Sabbath College View Academy led out in worship at the Lincoln Northside Church," says Pastor Deneil Clarke. "Our church had the opportunity to hear personal testimonies of God's

goodness from different students, join in singing with the student-led praise team, and listen to music shared by the academy choir. It was such a blessing to have the students leading out in the entire service, and to witness their passion for Jesus," says Pastor Deneil.

"Last Friday night the Chadron Church had a unique vespers," says Eden Marcoe. "The theme of the evening was Heroes of Faith, so everyone dressed up as one of history's heroes of faith. People personified anyone from Samson to a Waldensian family to Jessie Halliwell (an Adventist missionary nurse). After having a soup fellowship supper, everyone revealed who they were dressed as, and some people shared a little bit about that person. Then we had a devotional about the importance of living faith in our own lives and how that faith should be grounded in the Word of God rather than our feelings or current situation. Our Heroes of Faith vespers was fun for everyone, young or old, and it's something that each of us will remember fondly!" says Eden.

"As part of our prayer emphasis at the start of this new year, College View Church came together for an ‘All-Church Prayer Meeting’ last Friday night," says Pastor Kessia Reyne Bennett. "Dozens of youth and adults came for an unconventional prayer meeting, with 45-minutes devoted to personal prayer and a closing session of singing and prayer together. It was energizing to see our church family praying and being blessed!"

"For the past month, Wichita Adventist Christian Academy has been celebrating Black History Month," says Aubrey Asher. "Sister DJ started off the month by introducing us to some prominent African Americans in US history. The K-4 choir and the 7-10 band practiced hard so they could play their music for us. Our praise dance group presented a beautiful choreographed song that honored both God and black history heritage. 7th grader, Jonathan Harvey,

read Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Jonathan’s dad, Pastor Christopher Harvey, gave a great talk about black history throughout the Adventist church. Mr. Rob Simon finished the month of presentations with a great talk on African American inventors and their inventions. What a blessing the month of February has been for us here at WACA!" says Aubrey.

“Our Piedmont Park Thunderbirds Pathfinder Club helped us celebrate the ‘extra’ day of 2020 with a Leap Year Extravaganza” shares Vanessa Schaecher. “The event, which was a fundraiser for the club’s

expenses, included homemade pizza, slushies, board games, a cookie bake-off contest and a rousing game of ‘And the Church Said’ (like Family Feud). Everyone had a great time!”

"Midland Adventist Academy high school band and choir will be presenting the church service at New Haven tomorrow," says RIchard Young (principal). Join us at 11:00 a.m. for an incredible worship experience."

Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed on Saturday night. Spring forward....

"This past Sabbath the Hays Chapel was blessed to have Misty Collins and the young people lead worship," says Pastor Mitch Elrod. "The Spirit could be felt! Great job! They will be singing for our August VBS," says Pastor Mitch.

"Last Sabbath the Grand Island Church was blessed to have some of our young people leading out with praise music during the church service," says Cindy Kiefer. "It brings such a great energy to the service. We also are blessed to have some of the youth learning to help run the AV at church. This is their church and we want them to enjoy participating and leading out," says Cindy.

"The Blessed Hope church in Osawatomie hosted a singspiration event on last Sabbath," says Pastor Joe Beazley. "After an hour of singing hymns and presentation of special numbers, the group joined together for a fellowship meal. In addition to attendees from two other Adventist Churches, there were also

attendees from the Rantoul Presbyterian Church, the Osawatomie Wesleyen Church, the Lane Methodist Church, and some Nazarene members. This event was a spin-off of two of the Osawatomie members attending singspirations hosted by other churches. This was the first time our church was included in and hosted this event. There were 32 in attendance. Everyone said that they were blessed and they expressed a desire to continue meeting on a regular basis with the Seventh-day Adventists," says Pastor Joe.

"The Hays Maranatha kids and parents surprised their teacher with a birthday party," says Pastor Mitch Elrod. "Former students and current students sang, 'Happy Birthday!'. as everyone enjoyed.pizza, root beer floats, and cupcakes! We all were thrilled to see her surprised. Happy Birthday, Rita!" says Pastor Mitch.

The Kansas-Nebraska Revive Us Again Prayer Conference will feature a CHILDREN'S TRACK for kids 6-10 years old with greatly reduced pricing," says Virgil Covel (Prayer Ministries Director). "Space is limited and early bird registration ends on March 10 when prices return to normal. Click here for more information and to register," says Virgil,

"Last Friday evening Children’s Ministries leaders from around the Mid-America Union joined together for inspiration, fellowship and instruction on how to help our children say 'Yes' to Jesus!" says Sue Carlson (Children's Ministries Director). "Pastor Guadalupe Montour shared inspiring messages and NAD presenters shared practical helps during

breakouts. In visiting with all of those attending from our Conference there was unanimous appreciation for the helpful ideas and practical instruction they received in the various breakouts on prayer, 21^st century kids, team building, the Sabbath School Teacher, and much more," says Sue.

"What does a small church family do on a Leap Day? asks Tina Booton. "We have a Saran-Wrap game and popcorn party! Festivities started with a light snack of popcorn, fruit, and root beer floats followed by unwrapping 300 yards of saran-wrap filled with small prizes. Fun was had by all ages as the Holland, NE, Church socialized together on Leap Day," says Tina.

Midland Adventist Academy's K-4th graders have been studying music history and composition," says Steven Hutchison (music teacher). "Our 4th grade class just finished composing their own rondos and I harmonized and arranged them for instruments of the students' choice. Click here to listen to them," says Steven.

"Hmm...Looks like someone is camping in the basement of the Conference office!" says Sue Carlson (Children's Ministries Director). "Nope...just making preparations for the KIDS' CONNECTION PRAYER CONFERENCE at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska

City, April 10-12! Fun, games, stories, songs and great spiritual memories are waiting to be made at this special time for kids ages 6-10!" says Sue.

“Piedmont Park was blessed to have Norm & Jan Zimmerman with us for our Worship Service on a February Sabbath,” shares Vanessa Schaecher. “Jan shared a beautiful song with us, and Norm’s sermon was filled with stories and illustrations that helped us grasp hold of the true gift that Jesus’

sacrifice on the cross is for the forgiveness of our sins. Norm even started his sermon with a building project! He asked a couple young volunteers to come up onto the platform, and they helped him construct a cross that became an object lesson in his sermon! Such a great way to capture the attention of the younger (and older) folks in the congregation!”

Lincoln's New Creation congregation is using social media regularly to keep people informed about what's taking place. This is their "post" about this Sabbath's service.

"And just like that, third quarter is coming to an end at George Stone school!" says Jenienne Kriegelstein. "Student teachers, Miss Ivy and Miss Arthur, are wrapping up their multigrade experience. We will miss these great teachers! We participated in the Union College fundraiser for

school supplies for the Mid-America Union sister school in Chuuk, an island in Guam-Micronesia. Many thanks to families and friends with caring hearts that helped us raise over $600...from piggy banks and checking accounts," says Jenienne.

Our book of the month is $16.49…. a savings of $5.50," says Peggy Glass (ABC manager). How do I grow in my love, commitment and service to Jesus Christ? What does a spiritually mature person look like? Why does it seem so hard to achieve a higher level of spirituality? Will I ever really be any different? Will I ever be like Jesus.
Call our Adventist Book Center to order yours today. 402 488 3395

The offering this Sabbath is for your local church budget. This regular offering is vital to the health and growth of your congregation. Please be generous. "The university student riding the subway had to make a choice: Would he spend his last 50 dollars on discretionary spending or give it to God as an offering?" Click here.

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

Virgil Covel (Ministerial Director) will be preaching at the New Creation Church in Lincoln tomorrow.
John & Susan Sweigart (VP for Administration) will be in Holdrege, Nebraska where John will share a message in the morning and a seminar about Christian financial principles in the afternoon.
Tim Floyd (Youth/Young Adult Director) is in Minnesota this weekend leading out in a "Growing Young Adventists" seminar at Maplewood Academy.
Sue & I will be in Pittsburg, Kansas to share a message and music on Sabbath.

**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!