by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jan 11, 2024 | AYM, world Church
As we approach the Week of Prayer 2024, a powerful theme resonates: “Show Up: In the Cities.” It’s a rallying cry for the youth to actively engage and make a profound impact within our urban landscapes.
Youth Week of Prayer 2024 – March 16-23
Day 1: Does God Love Your City?
Day 2: Transforming Cities: Following the Example
of Jesus
Day 3:Facing Loneliness in Your City
Day 4: Facing Depression in Your City
Day 5: Facing Illness in Your City
Day 6: Facing Hopelessness in Your City
Day 7: Facing Fear in Your City
Day 8: Lifting the Fallen in Your City
Click to Download Material
This Week of Prayer is an opportunity for the youth to lead change. Engage with your community, celebrate diversity, and embrace the chance to make a difference.
Volunteer, advocate, and pray together, envisioning cities filled with compassion and equality
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jan 7, 2024 | world Church
Christian Home and Marriage Week will take place on February 10-17, 2024.
The Family Ministries Resource Book is an annual resource organized by the General Conference Adventist Family Ministries with input from the world field to provide Family Ministries leaders in divisions, unions, conferences, and local churches around the world with resources for the special family emphases weeks and Sabbaths.
Within this Resource Book you will find sermon ideas, seminars, children’s stories as well as leadership resources, reprinted articles, and book reviews to help facilitate these special days and other programs you may want to implement during the year. In Appendix A you will find useful information that will assist you in implementing family ministries in the local church
INTRODUCTION
Bread is a staple food prepared from flour dough—usually wheat—and water, commonly baked in an oven. Throughout recorded history around the world, bread has been an essential part of the diet of many cultures. Bread, to be sure, is one of the oldest human-made foods, having been of remarkable significance since the emergence of agriculture, playing an indispensable role in both religious rituals as well as secular culture.
Bread may be leavened by naturally occurring microorganisms, like in sourdough, chemicals like baking soda, industrially produced yeast, or high-pressure ventilation, creating gas bubbles fluffing up bread. In many countries, commercial bread often includes additives to improve flavor, texture, color, shelf life, nutrition, and ease of production.
We are gastronomes. We are commonly referred to as foodies in the United States of America, or food lovers—a more widely used phrase. One of the places where we enjoy eating is at The Cheesecake Factory, an American restaurant popular across the United States and also found in several countries around the world.
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jan 5, 2024 | Mission Story
This quarter we feature the Southern Asia Division, comprised of four countries: Bhutan, India, The Maldives, and Nepal. The region is home to 1.4 billion people, including 1.1 million Adventists. That’s a ratio of one Adventist for 1,246 people. Reaching 1.4 billion people is an enormous challenge that can only be accomplished with God’s help. As part of the effort, the
Southern Asia Division has chosen 10 projects in India to receive the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this quarter
Opportunities
The Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this quarter will support 10 projects in the
Southern Asia Division: Construct classrooms and labs at school, Palakkad, India
Construct English church, Lowry Adventist College, Bengaluru, India
Construct Central English Church, Bengaluru, India
Construct high school, Aurangabad, India
Construct girls’ dormitory, school, Thanjavur, India
Construct girls’ dormitory and children’s auditorium, school, Pasighat, India
Reconstruct church, conference center, and dining hall, youth training center, Manginapudi, India
Reconstruct school building, Anni, India
Construct classrooms at school, Namunaghar, Andaman Islands, India
Construct classrooms and administrative building at school, Nepal
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Jan 1, 2024 | Sabbath School
Sabbath School Lesson 2024, 1st quarter is titled Psalms.
The Psalms are prayers and hymns of the Bible par excellence. Uttered in praise, joy, sorrow, and despair; spoken or sung in private and in public by laypeople, kings, poets, and priests; coming from both the righteous and repentant sinners, the Psalms have served as the prayer book and the hymnbook to generations of believers.
The book of Psalms owes its distinct role to the fact that while most of the Bible speaks to us, the Psalms speak for us and with us. The Psalms are a source of blessing, hope, and revival, a guide for both self-reflection and reflection on God’s greatness, liberating when one cries out of the depths, and captivating for a renewed surrender to God. It is thus not surprising that many people find the Psalms resonating with their emotions and experiences and adopt them as their own prayers. Luther poignantly speaks of the Psalms: “Where can one find nobler words to express joy than in the Psalms of praise or gratitude? In them you can see into the hearts of all the saints as if you were looking at a lovely pleasure-garden, or were gazing into heaven. . . . Or where can one find more profound, more penitent, more sorrowful words in which to express grief than in the Psalms of lamentation? In these, you see into the hearts of all the saints as if you were looking at death or gazing into hell, so dark and obscure is the scene rendered by the changing shadows of the wrath of God. . . . It is therefore easy to understand why the book of Psalms is the favourite book of all the saints. For every man on every occasion can find in it Psalms which fit his needs, which he feels to be as appropriate as if they had been set there just for his sake.
In no other book can he find words to equal them, nor better words.”—Martin Luther, Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings, ed. John Dillenberger (New York: Anchor Books, 1962), pp. 39, 40.
Sabbath School Lesson 2024
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Lesson 7
Lesson 8
Lesson 9
Lesson 10
Lesson 11
Lesson 12
Sabbath School Lesson 2024
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 20, 2023 | world Church
Adventist Health Emphasis Day is a special day observed within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Protestant Christian denomination. The Seventh-day Adventist Church often designates specific days throughout the year to focus on various health-related themes and promote overall well-being.
Adventist Health Emphasis Day typically highlights the importance of health, wellness, and healthy living based on the principles outlined in the church’s teachings. It serves as an opportunity for members of the Seventh-day Adventist community to learn more about health-related topics, emphasize the connection between physical health and spirituality, and encourage healthy lifestyles.
During this day, congregations may organize events, seminars, workshops, health screenings, fitness activities, and discussions centered around health, nutrition, exercise, mental health, and other relevant topics. The emphasis is often on preventive health measures and lifestyle choices that align with the church’s teachings on holistic well-being.
Each year, the specific focus or theme of Adventist Health Emphasis Day may vary, but the overarching goal remains promoting a balanced and healthy lifestyle among church members and the wider community.
Here’s a suggested program outline for Adventist Health Emphasis Day within a Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Check out this Sermon: The Spiritual Practice of Silence and Stillness
Suggested Program
Title: Adventist Health Emphasis Day – “Nurturing Wholeness: Mind, Body, and Spirit”
Opening Session (Morning):
Welcome and Introduction
- Introduce the purpose and significance of the day.
- Emphasize the connection between health and spirituality.
Prayer for Wholeness
- A communal prayer focusing on health and wellness.
Keynote Address: “The Importance of Holistic Health”
- Invite a health professional or a knowledgeable speaker to discuss holistic health, emphasizing mind, body, and spirit.
Interactive Workshop Sessions:
- Break into smaller groups for workshops or seminars on various health-related topics:
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating Habits
- Stress Management and Mental Health
- Physical Fitness and Exercise Routines
- Importance of Rest and Sleep
Healthy Snack Break:
- Provide nutritious snacks and refreshments, promoting healthy eating choices.
Mid-Day Activities:
Health Fair or Exhibition:
- Set up booths or stations showcasing health-related information, screenings (if possible), and demonstrations.
- Topics could include blood pressure checks, BMI measurements, healthy cooking demos, etc.
Lunch Break:
- Offer a healthy lunch option or encourage attendees to bring nutritious meals to share.
Afternoon Session:
Music and Worship
- Incorporate music and hymns centered around health, healing, and gratitude.
Panel Discussion/Q&A Session: “Living a Wholesome Life”
- Invite a panel of health experts, pastors, and community members to discuss practical ways to implement healthier habits in daily life.
- Encourage audience participation through Q&A.
Closing Remarks and Commitment to Health
- Encourage attendees to make commitments to improve their health habits.
- Provide resources, handouts, or information about ongoing health programs or support groups within the church.
Closing Prayer and Benediction
Additional Suggestions:
- Consider involving health professionals from the community or within the congregation to lead workshops or discussions.
- Incorporate interactive elements such as group exercises, mindfulness activities, or healthy recipe sharing to engage participants.
- Promote a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, emphasizing that small lifestyle changes can make a significant impact on overall health.
Adapt this suggested program to suit the specific needs and resources of your congregation, aiming to create an informative, engaging, and inspirational Adventist Health Emphasis Day event.
