Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." 1 John 1:1 Margaret Philbrick, author of Back to the Manger, shares that seeing Christmas through the eyes of her children opened her eyes to the wonder and fullness of God. She writes, “I’m learning that the key to experiencing Advent with the wonder of a child is found in seeing Jesus.” Our Pastors will share what Christmas is in the Bible and through the lens of our own experience. Christmas is… Peace, Compassion, Generosity, Love, Fulfillment, and Immanuel. From our hearts to yours, together let us focus on the Word of Life, our Immanuel. Let’s recapture the wonder found in seeing and worshipping our God.

God can reconcile us to each other! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross! 

Jesus is not a king who reigns with iron power, but One who reigns by compassion and mercy. He is the King of kings! A different kind of King than the world had ever seen. We turn our attention to King Jesus, the Light of the World -- a God who is truly with us.

How we show up in love is the most important. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 We can relate to the people of God at the time of Isaiah the prophet: oppression and darkness seem to rule the day. For them, and for us, a light dawns. Hope rises because of Jesus. Pastor Tara VinCross will turn our attention to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

You matter to Jesus! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross! 

Brené Brown said, “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” Every year, we pause as a community for gratitude, in our annual Gratitude and Missions Sabbath. We recognize that we give because we have received from the lavish love of God (1 John 3). Paul says in Ephesians 5:20 to "Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We take the time to hear stories, see pictures, and reflect on our own lives, rejoicing in the goodness of God. For “every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17).

Our words and actions have the power to make a difference in someone’s life! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!

It’s irrational to buy a lottery ticket. Yet millions do, even more when the prize gets huge. According to Seth Godin, the odds of winning the $1.6 billion MegaMillions lottery are minuscule. You’re 400 times more likely to be hit by lightening. He points out that for some people, paying for the ticket is a bargain because it offers them something important than winning: hope. It’s true, we all need hope to survive. Where can true hope be found? Pastor Tara VinCross will speak from the apostle Paul’s own lived experience about Hope in Christ, a hope that is lasting and does not depend on circumstances.    

What are you grateful for? We are invited to remember. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!

Lieutenant Commander Tom Smith, Chaplain, US Navy (retired) will be our speaker this Veterans Day Sabbath. Chaplain Smith has been in pastoral ministry for 45+ years; 12 as a pastor, 20 as a Navy Chaplain and 15 years serving as the Chief of Chaplains at the Loma Linda VA. He is the husband of Sue Smith, the father of four children and five grandchildren and also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Veterans Day is one of two federal holidays set aside to honor men and women who have at some point served in the Armed Forces of the United States. There are over 18,000,000 alive representing 7% of our population who fall into this category. Service to ones country is a reminder of a greater service on behalf of a greater kingdom ... the kingdom of Heaven. We who embrace the gift of God’s love are called to follow in the steps of the One who came NOT to be served but to serve. "The greatest among us are the ones who serve.” This is our privilege and our calling.

We hold on to the hope that there will be a grand reunion one day. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross.

Lawrence Kutner said, "Children learn and remember at least as much from the context of the classroom as from the content of the coursework.” This holds true for the letter written to the church in Laodicea. The context matters just as much as the content of the message. Pastor Tara VinCross concludes our sermon series in the Book of Revelation, taking us deeper into the most talked about church, the letter to the church in Laodicea. How does Jesus come to the people in Laodicea? What does Jesus see in the people? What does Jesus promise them? As you read this letter in Revelation 3:14-22, we see a striking image of Christ knocking at a closed door, asking to come inside. How will we respond?

God will reveal to us what we don't know on our own. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross! 

What does it mean to be rich? You might immediately point to the things that we possess. What we own and the stuff we manage. Yet, being rich is about so much more. A rich life is about opportunities… open doors… real connection. These are the unshakable things that hold in the chaotic earthquakes and eruptions of life. Pastor Tara VinCross continues in our sermon series in the Book of Revelation, taking us deeper into the letter to the church in Philadelphia.

Is there some work of your hands that the Lord is inviting you to celebrate? Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!

How many of the things that you do really matter? The message to the church in Sardis is not an easy one. As we dig into the history of this city, we hear God’s wake up call for believers then and now to pay attention to what will last. Are you alive or dead? God’s invitation is to freedom, purity, and victory. What a beautiful invitation it is! What will we answer?

The feel of someone's hand in yours, a back rub from your spouse, a warm hug from an old friend, a high-five from a teammate, a reassuring touch from a member of your small group--in whatever form it takes, a welcome touch feels good and often brings us healing. But why? This Sabbath, discover how giving and receiving meaningful touch can increase your overall health and well-being, and remind you what it means to be like Jesus.

We use words to encourage and affirm. We use words to criticize and diminish. We use words to communicate approval or disapproval, delight or disappointment. We use words to express heartfelt appreciation. Each one of our relationships--personal or professional--hinges on the words we say. Join us this Sabbath morning as we listen to and learn from a very wise man who has a lot to say about what we say and how we say it. Words really do matter.

Our God shows us the way! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!