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Thoughts On Christmas And Unity
Thoughts On Christmas And Unity 911 607 Ken Miller

“The Christmas Mission” During the Christmas season, I am on a mission to decorate the whole house, send Christmas cards, and prepare a gift list by the first Monday in December. I must admit that sometimes I fail because things don’t always go as planned. However, upon further reflection, all this preparation seems insignificant compared to God’s mission.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we recognize that Christmas is about God’s mission to save and redeem those who are lost. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

In the small town of Bethlehem, a special baby was born destined to save people from eternal death and loss. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Jesus, as he matured into adulthood, never wavered from the mission of saving everyone who believes. He was focused, determined, and committed to saving those who were lost. He was resolute in His mission to redeem humanity.

Jesus is our example! Just like Him, we should be as focused and enthusiastic about our mission. What is our mission? It is the one Jesus gave to the disciples before leaving earth—to go and make disciples. It’s that simple. We have the privilege of partnering with the Divine to connect women, men, girls, and boys to Jesus for life transformation and eternal salvation.

One of the beautiful aspects of this mission is how it unites all of us. Though we may come from different backgrounds or have diverse perspectives, we can be aligned by the mission, which is why our theme for this current quinquennium is “One Body, One Mission.”

As one church body, we can unite to carry out God’s purpose within the Northern California Conference territory of more than eight million people. We are commissioned to reach each one with the good news of hope and wholeness.

So, this Christmas, let’s be on a mission to reach our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s look for opportunities to share the love of Jesus. It may mean going out of our way or our comfort zone. Either way, it will reflect the same spirit Jesus had when He became flesh and dwelt among us. That is the Christmas mission.

Marc K. Woodson, President
Merry Christmas!

Featured in Northern Lights, December 22, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Kai Hodges Installed At The Market Street
Kai Hodges Installed At The Market Street 1200 707 Ken Miller

October 29- Kai Hodges was installed as the new associate pastor of the Market Street Adventist Church.

The service was moving and overflowing with deep emotions. Pastor Kai expressed gratitude to her family, her senior pastor Edwin Brown, and the congregation for the opportunity to serve God’s people.

According to Rudy Peters, coordinator of African American ministries, “I believe Market Street Church has found the right person at the right time for the assignment. It was heartwarming to see the youth conducting the entire service and pledge their support to God and their new youth pastor.”

Featured in Northern Lights, December 15, 2022

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No Props? No Problem
No Props? No Problem 1200 621 Ken Miller

December 9- After being shut down for two years because of the pandemic, the Santa Rosa church had its 23rd annual nativity program.

Traditionally cars would drive through the parking lot and see the live scenes with back drops setting the location and mood. However, time and the elements deteriorated the backdrop scenes over the years.

Not to be held back, the church decided to continue the event as a walk-through, keeping it alive and creating opportunities for a personal connection with their festive neighbors.

Attendees were escorted on foot in small groups through the church annexes and rooms where members dressed in costumes made up the manger, wise men, and other scenes from the story of Jesus.

According to one member, “When it was cars driving through, we rarely made personal contact, but I’ve been able to talk to many people tonight. It has been much more relational.”

Brad Gienger, pastor explained, “Conversations with attendees showed us that we (our church) have been part of neighborhood family Christmas traditions for years! Repeat customers! That realization showed us that it’s time to connect relationally with those friends.”

Gienger concluded by saying, “From what we experienced this year we are reviewing the entire event; from the quality of production, to reach and connection to the community.”

Featured in Northern Lights, December 15, 2022

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Back From The Ashes With A Win
Back From The Ashes With A Win 1200 675 Ken Miller

December 9- Redwood Academy celebrated the opening of its new gymnasium by hosting a basketball game. The former gym was burned along with the school during the Santa Rosa Tubbs fire in 2017.

According to Lisa Paulson, principal, “Redwood has so much to offer our community, excellent education, our food farm program, and now our gymnasium with events lined up one after another. We are so blessed and ecstatic to have it ready!”

Receiving their occupancy permit on December 6, they promptly had their first basketball practice on Wednesday in preparation for a game on Friday. And play they did! The 7th and 8th-grade boys battled back from a 12-point deficit to win their game against a local undefeated team.

According to Matthew Beehler, financial chair, and coach, “We were definitely the underdogs in this game, so winning 42 to 38 may have been sparked by being on our new home court.”

Paulson concluded, “It’s been an extraordinary week, the end of a long wait. Winning this game was a great way to inaugurate our shiny new home.”

<em>Featured in Northern Lights, December 15, 2022</em>

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Momanga New Pastor At Tracy
Momanga New Pastor At Tracy 1200 675 Ken Miller

November 5- Lizeth Momanga was installed as pastor at the Tracy church.

Before “Pastor Liz” settled in Tracy, she circled the world as a guest speaker in places like Venezuela, Kenya, and the Philippines. She planted a church of 25 in rural Alaska and produced daily live devotionals for the local radio station.

She says her passion is to “demonstrate God’s saving grace and love to the world through the living and preaching of the gospel.”

Lizeth earned her Master of Divinity in 2022 from Andrews University and shares her life with her husband, Richard.

Featured in Northern Lights December 8, 2022

Scotts Valley Cantata Thrills Community
Scotts Valley Cantata Thrills Community 1200 623 nccsadmin

December 4- The Scott Valley church performed a Christmas Cantata titled Christmas Presence.

Over 100 attendees crowded the rural chapel. Bob Mason, district pastor said, “I am so pleased with our church’s community engagement. The sanctuary was packed with members and community attending and participating!”

Some of those attending included several Greek Orthodox nuns from a local convent. Mason continued, “I would say at least 80% of attendees were from other denominations, and many smiles, expressions of joy, and appreciation were heard during the program and the following reception. One blessed attendee said, “I enjoyed the Christmas Cantata last night! It was neat to see so many churches under your roof to worship God!”

Featured in Northern Lights December 8, 2022

Intentional Opportunities in Anderson
Intentional Opportunities in Anderson 1200 626 nccsadmin

It has been a year of spiritual and relational growth for the Anderson church, and they are preparing for what comes next.

One intentional opportunity involved a lively and excited group of Adventurer Club members, their parents, friends, and other supporters from the Anderson church participating in the annual parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Anderson on a Sunday evening. This annual event has been the centerpiece of the holiday season in the city of Anderson for decades, and this year saw a near-record turnout.

The Adventurer Club children were featured on the main stage, where they beautifully and confidently sang several familiar Christmas carols. Perhaps the most exciting thing for the kids was riding in the parade on a beautiful light-covered float. The kids sang and waved as they rode the parade route along with many other floats and lighted cars. –More to come—

Featured in Northern Lights December 8, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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25 Countries In A Single Church
25 Countries In A Single Church 2000 1125 Ken Miller

Capitol City church did two community-relevant events in the span of two weeks:

First, they provided a cooling center for the community amidst a heatwave. Then on September 10, the church held its annual international day church service and potluck.

Members and guests representing twenty-five nations were dressed in colorful attire from their respective countries. The potluck dinner was akin to an international bizarre with ethnic foods from the Caribbean, Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

According to one attendee, “I was blown away by the friendliness of the staff and all the diverse clothing of their home countries. The food was phenomenal, and I can’t wait for next year.”

Carol Herbert, mission council leader said, “This year’s international day was one of our best celebrations. We received so many compliments on how great everything was, from the program and the set-up to the food. Praise God!”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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Oakland Ministries Gain New Building
Oakland Ministries Gain New Building 1911 993 Ken Miller

November 12- The C.O.R.E. (Community, Outreach, Resources, and Education) celebrated its grand opening at the Market Street church in Oakland.

The purpose of this facility is for ministry and service to the surrounding community.

At the opening ceremony Vanessa Russell, founder and executive director of Love Never Fails said, “I am looking forward to a continued partnership with the church through The C.O.R.E.” Adriana Preciado of Western Service Workers Association said, “I am excited about building more unity and solidarity amongst the people of Oakland.”

Other notable attendees included church members; Virgil Childs, Pacific Union Conference vice president for black ministries; and leaders of the Oakland community.

According to Theresa Patterson, director of The C.O.R.E at Market Street, “We are looking forward to working with our neighbors and agency partners to spread the love of Jesus Christ!”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

  • Ken Miller
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A Call To Sore Arms… And Backs
A Call To Sore Arms… And Backs 2000 1125 Ken Miller

November 14- was the conference office’s quarterly community service day.

Most of the office staff, directors, and leadership met at Mahany Park in Roseville to help revitalize and beautify the park. The day had three main jobs: painting two equipment sheds, planting approximately twenty-five shrubs and flowers, and spreading 130 cubic yards of forest mulch in the flower beds.

According to Ken Miller site director, and assistant to the director of communication and development, “A 130-yard pile of mulch is equivalent to a full-sized Greyhound bus!”

Workers shoveled the ground cover into two-wheeled garden carts and moved material to flower beds around the two-acre parking lot.

By 2:30 pm, all the flowers were in the ground, the painting was done, and the mulch was distributed. Marc Woodson, president exclaimed, “I am so proud of our conference staff and their hard work today. They exhibited our core values of passionate hard work and a servant’s heart, and I saw many acts of kindness. Many hands indeed make light work.”

Denise Brummund, accountant clerk said, “I was so amazed at how much fun we had with each other and the amount of work we accomplished.”

Brian Castelluccio, Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries Superintendent wrote, “Your team jumped right in and I was blown away by how efficient they were. Mahany Regional Park looks refreshed, and we are already receiving great compliments. You have a great group of people working there.”

Featured in Northern Lights November 17, 2022

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