Ephesus by Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church

EPHESUS Preview Issue [April 2013]

In This Issue Looking Back, Reaching Forward

Tiffiney Miles

Church Anniversary Celebration: What did YOU think? 12 Healthy Congregations: Check-Ups

Responsible Fatherhood

DaRon Barfield

Tri-State Youth Convocation Tiffiney Miles

Charles and Brenda Bruce: Engine 2 Diet Let’s support our women running in the Divas Half-Marathon: Gwen Preston Olive Sease Sonja Johnson N’Zisa Barnes Shelley-Ann Bowen Teisha Hunter Patty Thomas

Sunday, 4/28/13 2

Sabbath School lessons for all ages!

“The Minor Prophets together have a powerful message, one that comes through again and again, which is about God’s grace toward undeserving sinners.” Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide 3

Looking Back, Reaching Forward Ephesus Celebrates 102 Years by Tiffiney Miles Photos by Jessica Mayers

Right: Pastor John Pooler from the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church started the 102nd Church Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, March 13th. He uses the analogy of football to show how we need to be prepared to receive the blessings that God throws at us. 4

Left Page: Friday, March 15th, was the Memorial Adventist Church in Atlanta, GA spoke about “R. person, and we have a lot of young people in our Above: The Ephesus Mass Choir sings “I Go to th

“It’s tempting to think tha will remind you that if you there lo 6

l Service in which those who had passed away within the year were remembered. Pastor Victor Bartley from the West End Seventh-day .S.V.P.”: accepting the invitation of eternal life and preparing for eternal life with Jesus Christ. “I chose Victor [to speak] because he’s a young audience. And he’s also from the [Ephesus] church,” says Shirley Mayers, 2013 Church Anniversary leader. he Rock” for Sabbath’s Anniversary service.

at God needs my help at times in order for His goodness to be unending. But I u take a look through the Scriptures, as soon as man got into trouble, God was ooking for us. He’s able to keep us.”—Pastor Victor Bartley 7

Above: Pastor Calvin Preston from the West End Seventh-Day Adventist Church expounds on the Sermon on the Mount during Sabbath service on March 16th. “Calvin is from my time at Ephesus in Henderson Street, so there are a lot of people in that audience that could identify with us that’s been on Henderson Street.” Shirley Mayers states.

“I’m not sure whether I want God to clean up the church. ‘Why you say that, C sinners. So what does that mean? That means that tomorrow morning, let’s pu sunset, the church will be emp 8

The Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its 102nd anniversary on March 13, 15, and 16 2013. The theme for the Anniversary Celebration was “Looking Back, Reaching Forward.” Shirley Mayers, this year’s Church Anniversary leader, talks about the mission behind this year’s homecoming: “Our goal this year was bringing everybody forward and out of the past because God wants us to live for today and not tomorrow.” The speakers for the event were Pastor Pooler from the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbia, SC; Pastor Victor Bartley and Pastor Calvin Preston, both from the West End Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlanta, GA. For 2014, the Anniversary Committee has decided to let the youth take over “because it’s their time to shine,” says Shirley. The 2014 Anniversary Committee leader will be Leslie O’Neal. Commenting on whether the Anniversary celebration was a success, Shirley Mayers says, “I think everyone went away with a full heart and a Christ-like spirit.” Above: Shirley Mayers, the 2013 Anniversary Committee leader. Next Page: Ephesus church members take a group picture at the close of the Anniversary Celebration weekend.

Calvin?’ Because God is fair...if God cleans up the church, He’s getting rid of all ut Ephesus up for sale! Because by sunset, if God is cleaning up the church, by pty!”—Pastor Calvin Prestion 9

“I thought that there were a lot of great and inspiring messages, especially on Wednesday. It was a great reminder form the Bible about not to be held on by our past, but to keep looking forward to the goal, which is heaven, ahead of us. That really encouraged me. Then today’s message on Sabbath by Pastor Preston, I was really challenged to remember that I am always building, and I want to be sure that I’m building wisely and that I’m building a building that’s going to help me withstand the storms of life.” —Nina Nelson

2013 Church Anniversary Celebration

What did YOU think?

“It was truly a blessing. From the sermon, to the praise team, to the music, to the testimonies, to everything. From beginning to end. From Wednesday night when we started it off , to Friday night with Victor speaking. Even the concert. It was amazing! —Brook Williams 12

Reposted from the South Atlantic Conference

Responsible Fatherhood A workshop was presented by Tracy Rogers that looked at the challenges men are facing in the world as they seek to parent their kids, and the vital role fatherhood plays in the success of the next generation. By DaRon Barfield

The favorable or prospe rous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals is the definition given for success. On March 9th success was shown in the Responsible Fatherhood afternoon program hosted by Ephesus’ Men’s and Family Life Ministries. Problems and issues regarding men and family life, were exposed and discussed. Men and women were challenged to break through the issues discussed and reach workable resolutions. Mr. Tracy Rogers, from the Department of Social Services (DSS) of South Carolina, gave necessary information on the Responsible Father Registry. In most cases we talk

about fathers being forced to take responsibility by means of court-ordered child support or some other means that states the father is not being responsible based on his own merit. The Responsible Father Registry was created to aid fathers that want to be a part of their child/children’s lives, but may not be given that chance due to conflict between the mother and the father that may lead to adoption or other legal measures without the father’s knowing. This registry requires that the father receives notification of adoption proceedings. This notification gives him an opportunity to maintain custody of his child. Certainly to sign this registry states that the father 14

is on the road to being responsible and being an active part of his child’s life. For more information on this registry, go to https:// dss.sc.gov/content/ customers/fr/index.aspx for frequently asked questions. For actual registration to the Responsible Fatherhood Registry, go to https:// ssl.sc.gov/ DSSFatherRegistry/ FatherReg/RegIndex.aspx. The Responsible Father Registry: A voice for putative fathers! Not only was the door open for new information on being responsible men, but the initiative to becoming responsible fathers and men came through personal testimonies. Andrew Singleton,

open up about his former gang life and reckless attitude toward life. His choices as teenager led him to prison where thankfully he met God and his love for Jesus Christ and the truth changed his life.

father left him and mother at a young age and how it took years for the anger to be resolved and for there relationship to be restored. He shared how his experience spilled over into his relationship with his children.

Kelvin Barnes, father of three, shared insights of his relationship with his father and the life lesson of “RCC” Responsibility . Choices . Consequences.

Dominique, youngest to speak, shared his struggles growing up with a father that left him and his mother.

DaRon, relayed how his

Each of these men, even though may not have always had the easiest walk

have dedicated themselves to be a positive standard in society and more importantly, to be soldiers of God. Kevin Cox, Ephesus Men’s Ministries Assistant, gave us the importance of the theme “Preparing For The Return Of The King” and it’s two-fold meaning based on the verse Mark 9:24. We as men must believe that we are who God says we should be!

Continued on page 20

Above (from left to right): Pastor John Pooler, DaRon Barfield (Men’s Ministry Leader), Samuel & Rachel Paschal (Family Life Leaders), guest speaker Tracy Rogers, Deacon Kelvin Paxton 15

Youth Convocation Brings Three States Together by Tiffiney Miles The South Atlantic Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a Tri-State Youth Convocation in Orangeburg, South Carolina. From Friday, March 22nd through Saturday, March 23rd, Seventh-Day Adventist youth and young adults from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina came together to worship and learn more about God. Pastor Patrick Carter, the Youth and Young Adult Director for the South Atlantic Conference, talks more about the purpose of a youth convocation. He says that it is â&#x20AC;&#x153;an opportunity for our youth and young adults to come together to worship God, to fellowship, to meet new friends, to learn ideas, to learn Below: The three Youth Federation Presidents of the South Atlantic Conference (from left to right): Georgia President Lavar Hickerson, North Carolina President Tye Vaught, South Carolina President Karen Thrower.

different ways of expressing themselves through song, through dance, and most importantly, through the word of God. “ Pastor Carter also expresses the importance of why a youth convocation is needed. “It is an opportunity where our churches from all three states...can come together and put our young people on display.”

Below: TyQuan Reed introduces the main speaker for Saturday’s worship service, Pastor Helvis Moody. Right: Pastor Helvis Moody uses an expensive purse to illustrate how society puts value on material items and how we are priceless in the eyes of God.

The theme for the convocation was “Priceless: Jesus Paid it All,” and there were plenty of opportunities for youth and young adults to learn more about how priceless they were through sermons, workshops, and by displaying their talents through performances. The goal of

the youth convocation was to help youth and young adults to grow leadership skills in order to become better men and women in church, but also in other aspects of their lives. Pastor Carter uses one word to describe the future of the upcom-

ing youth convocations. “Excitement!” He says, “Excitement about the potential to come up with new concepts and ideas that will continue to meet the growing, diverse needs of the world that we live in...The purpose and the future of the convocations are to be proactive, and they will be proactive in helping our young folk and our young adults, as well as our church in general, to meet the various things that are happening in the world, and to meet the tricks of the Devil, so that we can be prepared to meet Jesus and to spread the Gospel.” Left page: The South Georgia Hispanic Pathfinder Club from Atlanta, GA posting colors for the Youth Convocation. Above: Pastor Patrick Carter hosts a workshop called “Don’t Compromise to be Recognized!” Below: The group Chosen sings “Jesus, He Will Fix It” during Saturday’s talent night. Group members (from left to right): Kelvin Moore, Kaleb Paxton, Andrew Davis, Antonio Bermudez, CJ Wells, Dominique Goudy

Brenda and Charles Bruce participated in the Engine 2 28-day Challenge, sponsored by Whole Foods Market. The winner with the most improved BMI received a $200 voucher from Whole Foods Market. Charles and Brenda did not win, but at the end of the challenge, they lost a combined total of 27 pounds! Continued from page 15

We must lead in the manner that God has shown for us to lead. We must reinstitute the kingship of men, of African American men, in the home, community and church as the charge was given by Christ. Most importantly, we must believe God is who He said He is and that His son, Jesus

Christ, is coming again â&#x20AC;Ś SOON!!! Are we prepared? Let us be, for great is the reward of those that live and depend on Jesus Christ to forgive, cleanse, and save us from our sins. Our Heavenly Father was responsible and loving enough to send His Son to give us a chance to be with Him eternally. What chances are we giving those we have fathered? 20

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Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church 7709 Wilson Boulevard Columbia, SC 29203 803.786.2800 Pastor John Pooler, III Service Times Sabbath Morning Praise and Worship Sabbath School Divine Worship Service AYS Wednesday Night Prayer and Bible Connection

8:00am 9:15am 11:00am One hour before sunset 7:00pm

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