July 2009

Volume 10, Issue 7

Patriotic Cantata

Land of the Free,

that is the title of
our first Patriotic
Cantata.

Come and celebrate

God and country
throughout this beauty-
ful and very tradi-
tional hymns like America the Beautiful, God of our Fathers,
The Star-Spangled Banner, and others.

All are welcome to attend this free event which includes a re-
ception afterwards. Invite a friend!!

Sabbath, July 4th @ 6:00 PM

A Touch of Porcelain

In an event sponsored by the Women’s

Ministries Committee, the ladies of our
Church had the opportunity to fellowship
while enjoying an afternoon of tea and
pastries. Continue on page 12

In this Issue:

International Day············· 3
Pixie Pin-Ups ················· 5
Church @ Work ············ 10
 "Then Jesus came with
them to a place called Gethsemane and said
to the disciples: 'Sit here while I go and pray over
there.' And He took with Him Peter and two sons
of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and
deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My soul
is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here
and watch with Me.' " (Matt. 26:36-38).

The Bible is the story of two gardens: Eden and

Gethsemane. In the first, Adam took a fall. In
the second, Jesus took a stand. In the first, God
sought Adam. In the second, Jesus sought His
Father. In Eden Satan led Adam to a tree that led
to His death. From Gethsemane, Jesus went to a
tree that led to our life.

Satan was never invited to the Garden of Eden. If

he has "invaded" the garden of your life, then in-
vite Jesus to take it back. He will gladly enter and
do what is necessary to win you back! But you
must ask first! He never enters without an invita-
tion!

Yours for inviting Jesus to enter the "garden" of

our lives, Pastor and Sharon Webb

Page 2 The Church Courier

On April 25th, several of us had the opportunity to visit the
Tampa 1st Seventh-day Adventist Church for a musical vespers
(some of our members participated) followed by an Interna-
tional Food Fest celebrating the diversity of nations making up
their congregation. It was fabulous - entertaining and delicious!

It planted a seed in our minds that we could do a similar activity

in New Port Richey. We also have a rich diversity of nationali-
ties making up our membership of which we are very thankful
and proud. Just off the top of our heads, we could think of
members who come from India, Germany, Korea, the Philip-
pines, Brazil, Panama, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, Antigua,
Haiti, Cuba, Bermuda, and the United States. I am sure there
are more. Let me know, we don't want to leave anyone out.

A project like this takes much planning! What we would like to

do is have a Sabbath in Spring 2010 and have a full day as an
international theme with members bearing the flags of the na-
tions of their origin. In the evening, we would have a musical
vespers and at sunset in our Fellowship Hall, we would have the
food festival with samples of dishes from our home-
lands. These samples could be for sale to help offset the costs
incurred in the program.

I would like to do this as a Small Group meeting once a month,

possibly at my home, unless it gets too big. Our final objective
would be to enjoy the International Sabbath Day together in
evidence of how God can bring peoples together from all lands
who love Him and have like minds and kindred spirits to serve
Him.

Stay on the look up for more information. Martha Getlinger,

Church Office
Vol. 10, Issue 7 Page 3
 On March 19, 1938, a baby boy was born to Wilbur
and Grace Symmonds in Peoria, Illinois. His official
name was Charles but it soon became shortened to
Chuck. Chuck spent his childhood and youth in Peo-
1938—2009 ria. He attended Woodruff High School where a class-
Charles Symmonds mate, Janet Madison, caught his eye. After graduation
“Chuck” he enrolled in the engineering school of Bradley Uni-
versity and worked at the Caterpillar Factory to pay his
tuition and other college expenses while his high school sweetheart, Janet,
was studying to become an LPN. In 1960 when she had finished her nurs-
ing course and Chuck was in his senior year of college, they decided that
Spring Break was a good time to get married. They had two children, son
David, was born in 1963 and Deanna followed in 1966.

Chuck had a hobby of taking photos of people and events. This became
such a fascination that he made it into a business, with his son David, which
became known as C & D Studios. C&D Studios was well-known for its quality
work and the business flourished.

The Symmonds got baptized in 1986 by Pastor Gordon Rhoades.

In 1999, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease although he had been

suffering from the symptoms for some time before that. As the disease wors-
ened and he lost much of his mobility, nurse Jan provided the special care
he needed. He passed to his rest on May 19, 2009. He is survived by his wife
Jan, son David of New York City and daughter Deanna Kestory and her hus-
band, Dale of Richmond, Texas, two granddaughters, Katrina and Alexa. A
memorial is planned in the near future to celebrate his life. The family plans
to scatter his ashes from a boat on the Anclote River where the family spent
many happy hours swimming, snorkeling and picnicking. He will be greatly
missed by his immediate family and his church family.

Congratulations Justin Rivera for his

baptism. God bless you and guide you
always.

Page 4 The Church Courier

 PIXIE PIN-UPS
DO YOU KNOW ME?

If you think you know this church mem-

ber, submit your guess to us, either by
phone or email.

You can submit your baby pix by email

or directly to us. Photos can be black
and white or color and will be promptly
returned. For more information please
contact us.
Clue: “A deaconess.”
June baby was: Bob Powell
(Clue: “Remember Alfalfa?”)

Our winners were: Nobody guessed.

Think about it…

 “Freedom fails when peo-

ple decide that it is their right
to take and not to give.”
-Stanley Maxwell

 “The fruit of silence is

prayer. The fruit of prayer is
faith. The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.”
-Mother Teresa

 ”The faces of children are

proof enough of God.”

Vol. 10, Issue 7 Page 5

 I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO . . . .
By Gary D. Grimes

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and

to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, with lib-
erty and justice for all.” I am proud to be an American. I am proud
to put my hand over my heart when I pledge my allegiance to the
American flag. I still get excited when I sing our National Anthem
at a football game. My people fled the Communists in Russia to
find freedom here in the good old United States of America. Espe-
cially religious freedom is dear to my heart, but all the other free-
doms are just as important.

The Bible teaches us to defend the separation of church and state.

Matthew 22:15-22. Thomas Jefferson said we must erect a great
wall separating religion and political government. Government’s
only duty toward religion is to stay out of religion. This means no
state run church. No established church is to be permitted. Our
religion lives or dies by our devotion to it and witness for it.
Forced religion has no place in America. Big churches like the Ro-
man Catholic, the Baptist and Methodist are free to prosper. Little
churches like the Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day
Adventists are free to prosper without state interference. Oh, yes
and atheists and non-believers are free not to believe.

The Bible teaches us to be subject to governments that are estab-

lished by God. Romans 13:1-7. It even says we should pay our
taxes to Uncle Sam.

Seventh-day Adventists, believe in being loyal to the nation they

hold citizenship in. Here it is the United States of America. In Ger-
many it is Germany. In Brazil it is Brazil. And so on in every na-
tion. THERE IS ONE GIGANTIC EXCEPTION! That exception
is when the laws of a particular nation go contrary to God and His
supreme law. Then the higher Authority, God, always takes first
place. This is taught in the above Scripture Matthew 22:l5-22.

Page 6 The Church Courier

 This lovely lady has transferred to our church
from Wesley Chapel SDA Church.

Q: How did you knew about the 7th Day Ad- Eden Noel
ventist Church:
A: I am a Seventh Day Adventist from birth and was baptized at the age of
15.

Q: Tell us about your talents.

A: I sang in choirs in several churches. (She also brings some of the most
beautiful dishes to our activities)

Q: Do you have pets?

A: I had a small dog, hope to get another soon.

Q: What is your favorite color, hymn, food, and hobbies?

A: My favorite color is green, my favorite hymn is Because He lives, I love
fruit and vegetables, and my hobbies are listening to good music, visit-
ing the sick, cooking and baking, I love gardening and making flower
arrangements.

Q: What is your favorite Bible story?

A: Every bible story is precious to me. The crucifixion keeps me closer to
Jesus.

Q: Tell us something about you that you want your church family to know.
A: I am a registered nurse. Was married and divorced. Have two grown
children (boy and girl) they live in Houston Texas and we are in con-
stant contact daily.

Q: What do you like the most about our New Port Richey Church?
A: The Church is beautiful and well kept. I like the friendliness, and order
of services.

Thank you so much Ms. Eden for letting us get to know you
a little better, we are so happy to have you here.

Vol. 10, Issue 7 Page 7

 SOFTBALL
Softball season started, this year with new
colors: yellow, orange and plum.

Come and enjoy the games and great fel-

lowship under the shady trees. Also, bring some money so you can
buy goodies from the Pathfinders. Proceeds will be use for their
Camporee to Oshkosh.

Support your Church activities!

Games are every Sunday @ 6:30 PM at the School.

A Touch of Porcelain—Cont. from page 1

In the event, the ladies also had the op-
portunity to wear their hats and gloves
and donate a non perishable food item to
the benefit of our Community Services.
Testimonies, games, and stories were
also shared that evening.

Members of the WMC Special thanks

Liz, Martha & Tess with their
to the Leader of
hats and gloves.
Women’s Min-
istries in our Church, Liz Montanez and
all the members of the committee for
bringing to us this great event.

A similar activ-
ity is going to Natalie Sharpe (on right) did
a wonderful job decorating.
be planned for
this fall, so be on the look out!

For more pictures go to our webpage:

www.nprsda.org/TeaParty
Page 8 The Church Courier
 Our church is to be sold

Our church is to be sold! Yes, our church is to be sold!

No, we are not about to lose our building through
foreclosure or repudiated debt. However, our church
must be sold to the city and county. It has been
planted to wield an influence beyond its membership and walls.
Thus, we are presented with an enormous challenge.

Our church must be sold to the un churched! There are scores of

people in our community who would attend our church and join us
in the Lord’s service if we would bother to sell our church to them.

How much is our church worth to you? How much do you value its
ministry? How much do you value the Christ it proclaims? As a mem-
ber of this church, you are selling your church to others every day.
Are you selling it short? Has it helped you to the extent that you’re
willing to sell it to others? Will you be enthusiastic in talking about
your church? Will you share your
church with others who have no
idea what they’re missing?

Take our church seriously and

talk to people about what our
church has to offer them.

Did you know that you can

get our Church sermons and
music online? It’s true.
Go to the Church webpage
and download sermons or
the Sabbath music to your
MP3 player. Too cool!
www.nprsda.org/
SermonMusicLibrary

Vol. 10, Issue 7 Page 9

 Our Choir will
be on a break
until Septem-
ber. Thank you
If you have any so much to all our
Church Family Choir members and
news (praises, Stan Getlinger for their
commitment, and also
prayer petitions,
to our Directors John
achievements, or and Caroline Altmann
want to congratu- for a great season!
late someone),
please contact the Please keep in
church office or your prayers
us so we can get the group
it into the that is going
to the Mission
newsletter. trip to Mexico.

Our School is having 9th &

10th grades starting in August.
Due to the new grades we are
adding to our school, we are
changing our name to Adventist Chris-
tian Academy. We will offering VPK to
10th grade. We are growing, Praise God!

Remember School registration is:

Sunday, July 12 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM

School begins August 10

Page 10 The Church Courier

 From the Editors them in their
spiritual growth.
One of the happi- An encouraging
est days of my life word, a friendly
was the day that I call, or a helping
saw my son getting hand.
baptized. What a This newsletter
joy to see loved Contact those is published
ones accepting brothers and monthly by the
Christ as their Sav- sisters that you NPR SDA Church.
ior and what a big haven’t see in If you have any
comments to
responsibility I Church. You
will never know make about the
have in helping him
newsletter, wish
in his spiritual life. how much a to make a dona-
simple call, card
Are you aware or email can do. tion, or wish to
submit an arti-
that we have a lot
cle, please send
of “Christian ba- Omayra
it to the church
bies” in our con- or to us.
gregation? We
have an obligation
to look out for
them, and help

Contact Us
Alexander Ortiz Omayra Rivera
727-365-2892 727-372-0052

nprcourier07@gmail.com

NPR Seventh-day Adventist Church

6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653
727-848-4567
www.nprsda.org/newsletter
Vol. 10, Issue 7 Page 11
 New Port Richey
Seventh–day Adventist Church
6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653