Welcome to the December Issue of the Regional Newsletter |
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Advent Christian. Our name is significant since it defines what we believe and who we are as a people. Our name gives us a distinct advantage over many other denominations. For example, how do the titles of these denominations, the Christian Missionary Alliance, the Assemblies of God, or the Church of the Nazarene help to define what they believe and who they are? Also, the mainline denominations such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran give no indication as to what they believe and who they are, but for us, our name indicates two significant beliefs that define us as a people. First and foremost we define ourselves as Christians. We believe that salvation is only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ through grace by faith. We believe that there is only one name by which we are able to be saved. We believe in life only in Christ.
We also believe in the Advent of Christ. We believe in the first Advent of Christ; who being fully God became man and dwelt among us. We believe that Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. Of course, we also believe in the Second Advent of Christ. Since our inception as a people, we have always believed in the eminent return of Christ. We have always believed in the gift of immortality that will be conferred on all those who believe in Jesus Christ, both those who have fallen asleep in Jesus Christ, at which time our mortal bodies will be clothed with immortality. Our name Advent Christian should never be something for which we apologize, but rather it is a name that we should carry with honor and thanksgiving since we as a people display in our name these vitally important doctrines of our faith.
These truths are not only what we believe and define us as a people, but they also have a very practical side to our faith in Christ. As I write this column, Laura and I are returning home from the funeral service for Laura's mother. Laura's mother epitomized what it means to be an Advent Christian, for over 95 years she was an Advent Christian. At an early age she came to faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior, from the earliest days of her life she was in attendance in an Advent Christian church. It was my privilege to lead both the funeral and graveside services. As part of the funeral service I read some of the great passages in the New Testament that speak to our Hope in Jesus Christ and the power of His second coming when all of us who believe in Him are raised to immortality and He shall dwell with us and reign eternally. These passages include John 14:1-3, Titus 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Revelation 21:1-5. Then at the graveside service we closed with two hymns that stirred our souls to give praise, honor, and glory to the Lord as we sang Jesus Is Coming Again and the The King is Coming.
Advent Christian. This is what we believe and who we are as a people.
Rev. George Karl
President
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Highland Cliff AC Church in Windham, ME welcomes new members |
5 new members were welcomed at Highland Cliff AC church |
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What's happening at your church? Send info and pictures to secretary@aceasternregion.org. |
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Scholarship Opportunities
Dubois Scholarship - Sponsored by the Maine State Conference, amount awarded depends on number of applicants and funds available; This scholarship is given in loving memory of Rev. Wendell DuBois, Tammy DuBois and Virgene Hughes. It is designed to assist those seeking a call to vocational ministry in achieving their academic goals. The application needs to be postmarked by August 31 to be considered. The scholarship monies will be disbursed during the 2nd semester of the academic year.
Berkshire Christian College Scholarship Fund - Scholarship amount varies depending on the program of study. The purpose and description of the scholarship is:
- Seminary education in partnership with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at four campuses - two in Mass., one in Fla., one in NC. (www.gordonconwell.edu) Advent Christian students receive up to a 50% tuition reduction. (Additional scholarship assistance may also be available.)
- Theological formation through the Ministry Training Institute (MTI). Students enrolled in MTI are eligible for scholarships through Berkshire Christian.
Castle Hill Scholarship Fund - The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church closed its doors in December of 2019 due to declining numbers and the difficulty of finding pastoral leadership. Through a generous donation, a Ministry Scholarship will be established in their name. It is their desire that this ministry scholarship be established to help fund individuals who are seeking vocational ministry training either from a ministry training program within the Advent Christian constituency, or if a person chooses to seek to prepare for vocational ministry outside of the Advent Christian constituency, the Christian institution must be accredited.
Applicants are required to fill out the application and have all of the required information turned in to the Superintendent’s Office by September 15th in order to be considered by the Eastern Regional Board of Directors. The Board will present scholarships to qualified applicants by dividing $2000 dollars among them per year. If only one applicant applies, the cap for an individual scholarship is $1000 dollars made out to the school of their choosing.
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Advent Christian ministry partnerships now exist in more than 20 countries. Indian pastors, Filipino missionaries, African pastors, children’s homes, a Bible college, discipleship groups, feeding ministries, training events and new church plants are all strengthened by money raised through Penny Crusade. |
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Can you guess which church this is? The first person to email the office (secretary@aceasternregion.org) with the correct answer will receive a small prize. If this is your home church, we ask that you refrain from answering.
The November Church was the Margaretville AC Church in Margaretville, NY. There were no correct guesses.
Send an outside picture of your church, without the sign/name, to secretary@aceasternregion.org
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Monthly Devotional Thought |
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The Glory of Jesus in the Gospel
Merry Christmas to all of you. This will be my final article for the year. The theme for this year has been, "the gospel and its glory." What an apt way to end the year with the glory of Jesus in the gospel. Read carefully what Luke's gospel says, "...Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
You know the story well. The shepherds heard, saw, and proclaimed this glory of the gospel. The angel of the Lord comes to the shepherds, the most despised and rejected people of society of that time. They were outcasts and nobodies. Stein (1992) said, "In general, shepherds were dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law. They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came." Yet, God reaches out to the rejects, the losers, the despised, the outcasts. Didn't he reach out to Abraham, Moses, and David who were shepherds?
An angel comes to announce the glory of the gospel: good news of great joy! They heard the gospel that day. Jesus the Savior was born. He was Christ the Lord. The Messiah, the long awaited promised one, had finally come. And he appears to the shepherds. After the announcement, multitudes of heavenly beings began to say, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (14).
Now the shepherds heard and saw the glory of the gospel. Luke 2:15-18 says, “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” In haste, they came to see the child Jesus, the Christ, the Savior, the Lord. And after they left, they made known what the Angels had said: Good news of Great joy was meant to be shared. They had heard the gospel. Now, they saw the gospel in incarnate deity. They now proclaimed the gospel in all of its glory.
This joy carried them to proclaim the message of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they went. I believe that’s why the Lord sent the angels to the shepherds. He knew they would obey. Their lives were changed that day by the glory of the gospel of Jesus in the person of Jesus. Their lives were never to be the same anymore.
Jesus not only transforms and changes our lives, but he bids us to go into our world and announce the good news of great joy to those who are in darkness and despair. Many feel alone, depressed, and living in despair like the outcasts of that day. At Christmas time, people are open to the gospel. When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? Let’s share this good news of great joy, which is the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior and Messiah. God bless. Merry Christmas to all.
Rev. Dr. Jim Caron ~ Faith Bible Church, Plainville, CT
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Meetinghouse Village reminds active and retired AC pastors that they may stay free of charge on Sunday and Monday overnights at our Tower Memorial Suite. Other nights are available at the reduced rate of $25 per night. Availability is dependent on prior bookings and certain Covid-19 protocols. To inquire about a reservation, email info@meetinghousevillage.org.
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Click on Willie's picture to visit his website for upcoming events. |
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ACGC Triennial Convention 2023 |
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Previous copies of the monthly newsletter are on our website. |
Have a mobile phone? You can now give to the Region through Venmo!
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Online Prayer Meeting Tuesdays from 9-10 AM |
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ERA Board of Directors
Rev. George Karl, President - sumkarl@yahoo.com
Rev. Dwight Dean, Vice President - fsufandsd@gmail.com
Rev. Allen Latimore, Clerk - aclatimore@netzero.net
Mr. John Jones, Treasurer - pastorjoj@gmail.com
Rev. Doug Tourgee, Heritage Conf. President - dougin401@aol.com
Rev. Alan Chamberlin, Maine Conf. Vice President - polarpastor@roadrunner.com
Rev. Josh Rice, Maranatha Conf. President - jrice@emmanuelacc.net
Rev. Derek Irvine, New Life Conf. President - drick1221@gmail.com
Mr. Adam Facteau, New York Conf. President - afacteau@twcny.rr.com
Rev. Ken Perkins, Nova Scotia Conf. President - Ken.perkins@EastLink.ca
Mrs. Deb Reed, ERA Representative to ACGC - deborahjoreed@yahoo.com
Rev. Steve Lawson, ACGC Executive Director - slawson@acgc.us
The Eastern Regional Association Newsletter is published as a ministry of the Eastern Regional Association of the Advent Christian General Conference.
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Don McDaniels Prayer Ministry |
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Russell Giasson Property & Deeds |
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Ethan Twitchell
Summer Ministry
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Randy Mills Regional Missions |
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Lisa Godard Regional Bookkeeper |
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Eastern Regional Association
32 Four Rod Road, Rochester, NH 03867
Phone: 603-332-1412 / Fax: 603-332-1648
www.aceasternregion.org
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