New Community Church of Seventh-day Adventists

As we remember those tragic events in the history not only of our country but of humanity. I thought these words would be helpful to us today as well:

During the past several weeks, we as a nation have found ourselves in the midst of pain, suffering and grief.  As we think of the people who lost their lives during the tragic events of Tuesday, Sept. 11, and as we think of their families, friends and loved ones who are grieving, we realize that in a way, we are all grieving. We are grieving our loss of peace, security and freedom.

Many of the things we took for granted before are no longer taken for granted today. On Monday, the day before the attacks, we told jokes.  On Tuesday, the day of the terrorist deeds, we did not.  On Monday, we thought we were secure.  On Tuesday we learned better.

On Monday, we were talking about our heroes as being athletes.  On Tuesday, we realized who our true heroes were.  On Monday, we were irritated that our tax rebate checks had not arrived.  On Tuesday, we gave money away to people we never met.

On Monday, there were people opposed to praying in schools.  On Tuesday, you were hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying.  On Monday, parents argued with their kids to pick up their rooms.  On Tuesday, the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their children.

On Monday, some people were upset they had to wait six minutes in a fast food drive-through line.  On Tuesday, people didn’t mind waiting up to six hours to donate blood for the victims.

On Monday, there were people trying to separate each other by race, sex, color or creed.  On Tuesday, they were all holding hands. On Monday, politicians were arguing about budget surpluses.  On Tuesday – grief stricken – they sang “God Bless America.”

On Monday, our President traveled to Florida to teach children the importance of reading.  On Tuesday, he returned to Washington to protect our children.  On Monday, we had families.  On Tuesday, we had orphans.  On Monday, people went to work as usual. On Tuesday, they died.

Sadly, it sometimes takes a horrific event to happen before we put things in perspective – the Sept. 11 events have.  How many things prior to Sept. 11 were taken for granted by many of us, including each day of our lives.  Only when each moment is gone do we realized its importance.  How often do we fail to recognized that life is made of moments that only come once in a lifetime.  Samuel F. Pugh wrote a prayer that I believe should be part of our daily routine:

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it, or use it for good, but what I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, leaving behind in its place something that I have traded for it.  I want it to be a gain and not a loss, good and not evil, success and not failure, in order that I shall not regret the price that I have paid for it.”

May we never again take for granted the things that you and I have, may we never take for grated God’s daily gift of life, and may those things that in the past have been overlooked or forgotten now be treasured and never be forgotten.

This article was written during the following weeks after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This article appeared in several publications including the Los Angeles Times, Glendale News press, The Honolulu Advertiser, and The Adventist Review.

by, Dr. Roy Gaton, DMin.

I’ll stand in the gap for my (_________) daughter/son.
I’ll stand ‘till the victory is won.
This one thing I know
That you love him/her so.
And your work with my child is not done.

 I’ll stand in the gap every day,
And there I will fervently pray;
And, Lord, just one favor,
Don’t let me waver
If things get rough, which they may.

I’ll never give up on that girl/boy.
Nor will you, for you promised her/him joy.
For I know it was true
When she/he said, “Yes” to you,
“Though the enemy seeks to destroy.

I’ll not quit as I intercede,
For you are her/his Savior, indeed!
Though it may take years,
I give you my fears,
As I trust every moment I plead.

And so in the gap I will stand
Heeding your every command,
With help from above,
I unconditionally love,
And one day she/he will reach for your hand.

AUTHOR | Shirley Pope Waite

“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children.” Lamentations 2:19

by Elder Mary, New Community Prayer Ministry 

In the News – Warm belated congratulations to Pastor Roy Gaton, the spiritual leader of New Community Church

The Miami Herald >  News >  Miami-Dade
Posted on Monday, 10.17.11
Miami-Dade

Columnist
By Bea L. Hines
bea.hines@gmail.com

Warm belated congratulations to Pastor Roy Gaton, the spiritual leader of New Community Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Gaton’s congregation honored him on Oct. 15, with a Pastor’s Appreciation Day Luncheon at the church’s meeting place, 14920 SW 67th Ave. in the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Church clerk Iris Hernandez said Gaton and his family were honored “for the hard work, dedication and blessings” they have provided to the congregation. 

“Pastor Gaton has served our members and represented our congregation well,” Hernandez said. “He welcomes the church family, friends and guests with heartfelt enthusiasm, hugs the children, offers a smile and a warm embrace and a strong shake to all.” 

She said Gaton’s services encourages many who know him. She said his leadership stretches from worship messages to hospital visits and counseling sessions; from social activities to community outreach, and from baptisms and church board meetings to academy meetings.”

A Neighbors in Religion salute to you, Pastor Gaton.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/17/2458642/miami-gardens-church-celebrates.html

I often ask myself what is the meaning of prayer.  Is it to ask God for something, or to ask him to take something from us? As I have ponder this question more and more I have come to a personal understanding that prayer has to do more that asking God for something it has to do with relationship, our relationship with him. Jesus provides us a perfect formula to establish and build our relationship with him.

It is common to refer to the prayer found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 as the Lord’s Prayer.  The reality is that if you want to read a prayer prayed by Jesus you find it in John 17.  However, in the prayer found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 we find a prayer given by Jesus to us as a model on how to pray.

In this prayer, we have an example of a perfect petition.  How simple, yet how comprehensive and profound it is! This prayer should be taught to both children and adults as a perfect way to pray to God.  Let us carefully analyze the principles contained in it.

Our Father

Praise Him for His relationship to me and the family of God. He is indeed our Father. The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:21-24)

Which Art In Heaven

Praise Him whose throne is in heaven and yet lives in my heart. (Isaiah 57:15; Acts 7:49)

Hallowed Be Your Name

Praise Him for who He is, His name and character.  His name is the expression of His Being (Exodus 34:5-7).  To praise His name is to worship him.

Your Kingdom Come 

Pray that I may have part in the hastening of His Kingdom (Revelations 11:15). Through my example, gifts, and Witnessing.

Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Pray that the will of God be done in my life, my families, friends, and Church.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Pray for that which will sustain me for temporal and spiritual needs (money, a job, healing, strength, love, companionship, wisdom, and guidance (Philippians 4:19). Interceding for others.

Forgive Us Our Sins

Confess my sins in prayer and ask forgiveness.  By the blood of Christ, I am forgiven (1 John 1:9; Revelations 1:5)

As We Forgive Those Who Have Sinned Against Us

Confess and ask forgiveness when I have held grudges against others (Hebrews 12:15)

The ultimate sin is our unwillingness to forgive someone who has sinned against us.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

Pray for victory and praise for His promises. (James 4:7,8; John 4:4; Philippians 4:13)

For Yours Is the Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory- Forever 

Praise God for His certainty. (Revelations 5:9-14)

Amen!

Prayer is a tremendous foundation for an intimate and personal relationship with God

Thank you God for the beautiful Sanctuary and surrounding landscape when all we asked for was a place to gather in your name.

Thank you for the Fellowship Luncheons, when all we asked for was to eat.

Thank you God for the inspiring Worsh…ip Music, when all we asked for was to hear.

Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful Memories, when all we asked for was to see.

Thank you for the multitude of Family and Friends, when all we asked for was love.

Thank you for all the blessings NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH has received and most of all, that we know we are never alone, for You are always beside us.

Thank you God for the gift of Your Son!