Today is a very special day for the Northern California Conference as members from around the field come together in Sacramento for a full day of worship, fellowship, and great music. In the afternoon there will be a magnificent musical presentation featuring a 500 voice choir (including several of our own members) and the Sacramento Symphony all under the direction of Ralph Carmichael. If you are somehow sitting in Napa and wondering why it seems just a bit empty then you’ve been missing too many announcements, but I would encourage you to come up to the Sacramento Convention Center for the concert which begins at 3:00. The Convention Center is located at 1400 J St. Meanwhile, I know you will be equally blessed with the message that Pr. John has for you today.
You know, I am finding it really difficult returning to the mundane life that we find here at home. (Hang with me now...) It is so unrewarding to crawl into our own comfortable bed in our totally wonderful home. I am forced once again to look about our back yard at the roses and other flowering shrubs that we have planted there. I sit down more times than I need to yet another table laden with delicious food prepared by my wife and mother-in-law. And that brings up another concern. Here I am stuck in the midst of this family of mine. I have three grown children and each of them now have happy solid Christian homes of their own. And how long must I endure these five delightful grandchildren that I must so often be forced to play with? Woe is me!
I have more friends than I know what to do with and they are scattered, literally, all over the world so that wherever I go I seem to be doomed to continue the blessings of their friendship. I sleep too well and have more means of entertainment and recreation than I could ever deserve. My health is good and so is that of my family.
On top of all of these horrors I am unable to escape this church! For nearly eight years now I have been forced to endure constant love and affirmation. I seem to be stuck with a group that not only puts up with my sermons and off the wall sense of humor, but they pretend to enjoy it. Week after week I am besieged with hugs and laughter and now some of them are even getting up off their pews and doing the work that normally is left for me to do. I just don’t know how long I can continue to put up with all of this.
Are you still with me?
I have more blessings than I could even begin to list. I am simply a blessed man and I thank God for every day that He gives me. My family, my home, and my church are gifts that I cherish. You, yes you who is reading this right now, are a big part of God’s blessing that fills my life. Thank you for being part of it.
It will be with great sadness that we remember Clara Anderson tomorrow at 1:30 as we host a memorial service for her here at the church. Clara served as our church clerk for many years and served in many other ways as well. All are welcome to share this service with us.
On Sept. 29 we will be having a special service of ordination for several of our deacons and elders. I appreciate so much those who are willing to take on these responsibilities and be a part of the ministry of our church.
I hope that those of you who responded to the appeal and came forward with a sense of God’s calling for whatever ministry He has for you are not ceasing to pray for His guiding hand. I met last Monday morning with four ladies who are on fire for God and for what they can do. This is the pinnacle of ministry, when I have groups or individuals coming to me to seek guidance for what they feel God is calling them to do. That is what will move this church forward.
We have your contact information and we will continue to contact you, but we ask that you prayerfully seek God’s leading and that you contact us with what is happening in your heart.
I can announce to you that the conference now has a new Administrative Secretary to replace Mark Blue who lost his battle with cancer last May. The new Secretary is Marc Woodson. Marc Woodson obtained an associate degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in theology from Oakwood College, a Master of Divinity from Andrews University, and a doctorate in ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served as an associate campus chaplain at La Sierra University, youth pastor at the Kansas Avenue Adventist church, pastor at the Thirty-First Street Adventist church in San Diego, and senior pastor at the Mt. Rubidoux Adventist church in Riverside. Most recently Woodson ministered as the Southeastern California Conference associate youth director, where he supervised local church youth pastors and leaders, trained youth and young adult leaders, and planned youth and young adult events.
We welcome Marc to our conference leadership team and I look forward to having him come and share with us in Napa sometime soon. I am not sure what his actual start date is yet, but it won’t be too long.
Ralph Robertson, Conference Ministerial Secretary, has also accepted a call to return to pastoring in the Arizona Conference. Ralph has served here in Northern for many years and he will be missed.
Once again, thank you for your love and faithfulness. You are the best.
