OUR MISSION: To Seek & Save the Lost
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Good Afternoon, Everyone!
I pray that this message finds you and your family well and filled with peace.
This Sabbath, I will be continuing our series The Dream Team with Part 2 on the topic of Biblical Community. It promises to be a powerful session as we dive deeper into how we can build a stronger, more supportive community grounded in faith.
Additionally, at 2:30 PM, I will be presenting Session #1 of our Small Group Leadership Training. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP so I can ensure there are enough handouts prepared for everyone.
Please join me in lifting up the upcoming talks in prayer, as we continue to seek God's guidance and wisdom.
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As we witness the ongoing challenges around the world—from the fires in California to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine & Russia—let us hold on to the hope we have in Christ. Remember the words of Luke 21:28:
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
For those who feel moved to assist those affected by the fires, please visit the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Facebook Page for ways to help. Here's the link:
Southern California Conference
Let us continue to support and uplift one another in prayer during these trying times.
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Stay connected and stay blessed!
If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.
David Kokiong
Pastor, Stone Tower SDA Church
Cell: 503-567-9315
Email: pastor@stonetowersda.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS
(Generally about a two-week snapshot)
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Sabbath School
Lesson Study
(Click on the image and select the lesson for this week.)
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Worship Service Information | |
Click the image on the right to join our 11 AM church service livestream. | |
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Stone Tower Church Announcements & Activities | |
Sabbath, January 18
11:00 am: Pastor David, Speaker
1:15 pm: Sabbath Fellowship Group: Join us in the ABC Room for sharing testimonies, prayer & discussing Prescott’s book, The Promise of the Spirit.
2:30 pm: Small Group Leadership Training
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John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Session 1: Designing Effective Small Group Systems
Session 2: Small Group Leadership Techniques and Strategy
Session 3: Small Group Formation and Focus
Session 4: Recruiting, Empowering and Leading Small Groups
Session 5: Case Study
David Kokiong is a former introvert whose life was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Struggling with shyness, he boldly asked for God's help to overcome it—and he was forever changed.
During his seminary years, David stepped out of his comfort zone by requesting small group leadership as his practicum. With guidance from the Small Groups Pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church, he successfully launched and led four diverse small groups: iYouth, which focused on Friday Vespers for the local Indonesian community; The Closer Christian Fellowship, designed to reach non-Christians at Lake Michigan College; Insights into Islam, aimed at training people to work with Muslims; and Overcoming Shyness, a group dedicated to helping people step out of their comfort zones.
David is passionate about empowering others to lead and grow effective small groups. He’ll be sharing his insights in a series of five sessions on Sabbath afternoons at 2:30 PM, from January 18 to February 15, at Stone Tower SDA Church.
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Bible study training: Those who missed the previous training & are interested, see Elder Brad. He will schedule another opportunity to discuss the simple plan that almost anyone can do.
The Ten Days of Prayer were amazing! Those who attended will share their stories of renewal on Testimony Sabbath, February 8.
Big Lake 2025: Now is the time to plan for summer camp at Big Lake. Registration opens February 2. Those needing financial assistance need to apply by January 18th. See Melissa Brownell for more information.
VBS 2025: Those interested in supporting and leading out roles for VBS this summer, please sign the sign-up sheet in the ERC window by January 18th.
Frank Brenckle's ministry: There are times when the Holy Spirit moves on our hearts the need to express our spiritual journey and testimony to ourselves and others. If this has been your desire, I’d like to invite you to collaborate with me in telling your story on camera. Similar to a documentary/ interview style, this platform will allow your story to be told as a keepsake for yourself and others, detailing your walk with Jesus.
Contact Frank Brenckle for further information.
Tarlene will be waiting to begin the Stone Tower Book Club until after Pastor David's Small Group Leadership Training ends February 15. We'll keep you posted on the details.
January 21, 6:00 pm: Finance Committee
January 21, 7:00 pm: Church Board Meeting
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Sabbath, January 25
11:00 am: Dr. Harold Lee, NEWSTART
1:15 pm Sabbath Fellowship Group: Bring a sack lunch & join us for sharing testimonies, prayer & discussing Prescott’s book, The Promise of the Spirit.
2:30 pm: Small Group Leadership Training
5:00 pm: Church Social
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Plan to join in the Church Social on January 25th at 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall, featuring table tennis and other games. Bring a favorite snack to share and enjoy an evening of fun!
Plan ahead: Gym Night at Portland Adventist Elementary School February 15th, 5:30-9:30 PM.
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Prayer Ministry at Stone Tower | |
Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 6:30pm every Wednesday downstairs in the ABC classroom. Please ring the doorbell or knock hard at the downstairs door.
We invite you to join us for a powerful time of prayer and study as we explore Acts of the Apostles.
Contact: Judy Duncan or Kenny Smith for details.
We look forward to praying and growing together as a community. Don’t miss this opportunity to be uplifted and strengthened in faith!
ST Prayer Ministry Group on the Signal App: Connect with Stone Tower members to share your praises and prayer requests and to pray for your fellow members. Click on the QR code to the right or take a picture of it to become a member (includes a link to download Signal). The group asks that messages are limited to praise and prayer requests only.
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9:30 am Sabbath: Come a little early on Sabbath morning and gather with us for a special Prayer Time at the left front of the sanctuary. It has a rolling start, so simply find a seat in the pews as prayer begins, and feel free to join in whenever there's a pause. We'll wrap up before the 10:00am Sabbath School start time.
International Prayer Group every evening, 7:00 pm PDT. Join the North America Prayer Group through zoom by clicking this link:
Meeting passcode: 247247
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A LITTLE COLOR
We're in dire need of a spot o' color on these gray days. Melissa Brownell sent in just what the doctor ordered. Feast your eyes!
(Remember, you, too, can send a few favorite photos to the secretary email address below, and I'll do my best to fit them in whenever I can.)
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THIS WEEK'S CHILDREN'S SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON:
Click on the picture for a video corresponding with My Bible First Kindergarten and Primary lessons
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WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS | |
January 19 NW Veg potluck & guest speaker in the Fellowship hall. Bring plates, utensils and a completely plant-based dish (including no honey) with a card listing its ingredients. Bring enough to serve 4-6 and increase the amount 4 servings for each additional person in your party.
People who are interested in our dietary lifestyle are coming directly to us -- help us welcome them!
The potlucks also include a presentation. Click on this link for more information.
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Sunday, February 9, Gladstone Park Church, 1:00 pm: If you’re a woman who is widowed, divorced, single, lonely, hurting or know someone who is, please join us for our annual Valentine Luncheon (ONE STEP AT A TIME) hosted by Take Heart Ministries.
We are meeting at Gladstone Church, 8378 Cason Road. In addition to a lovely catered lunch, there will be a program designed just for you. Check-in begins at 12:30 pm. To register scan the QR code below.
For more information or questions, contact Tawny Sportsman at 541.401.2521.
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Don't miss the latest Conference & Northwest news here.
The links are updated weekly.
NOTE:
- Check OR Conference news for a video, Meet Dr. John McVay
- NW Adventists gives us an update on the California fires.
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Job descriptions and necessary qualifications can be found in the Hiring Info link above. | | |
Communication Card
We want to hear from you! If you have questions or concerns you would like to voice, or if you would like a personal visit, phone call or another service offered by our church leadership, click the button below. If you need to speak to an elder or would like Bible studies or to be baptized or if you’d like to transfer to Stone Tower from another church, all of this can happen through our one point of contact below. Your message will be forwarded to the appropriate ministry leader for consideration.
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Things to send to the Secretary email at the bottom of the newsletter:
- Event stories, reports & photos
- Vegetarian or vegan recipes you'd like to share
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Sabbath begins at 4:55pm today |
A big Thank You to Bradley Nunn for contributing this beautiful photo from August of 2016. He said he took it from his deck at sunrise.
What a glorious sight!
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