Volume 5 Pittsburgh Number 11 Seventh-day Adventist Church November 2020 Wrong and Glad of It ave you ever been wrong about something and been glad you were? I have! In fact, I had H that experience just this week. That may seem like quite an admission coming from your pastor, but I am very happy to admit it. Because as COVID came on us, our Fall evangelism plans were scuttled and we were encouraged (strongly) to do some kind of online event. Well, I wasn’t the least bit interested because this seemed destined to be a total waste of time and money. But, because, like most pastors, I was scrambling to figure out ways to continue to spread the good news we have as a church, I reluctantly committed to do one. Reluctantly might be a generous word. Perhaps resignedly or matter-of-factly would be a better descrip- tion. I felt pressured. I sensed zero excitement. I searched for some way we could find any hope of having personal contact with the one or two people who might happen to attend our on-line program. In that search I discovered a company called SermonView that seemed to offer some hope that contact could be made with the viewers. Our churches contracted out with them in the smallest way possible because I wanted to fulfill what I felt pressured to do, but I didn’t want to waste the church’s money on something I believed didn’t stand much chance of success. Turns out, I was wrong. Very wrong! In fact, at the time of writing this, we are well over halfway into the series and we are still having more than 30 people view it every night. I know, from the portal SermonView provides that many of those people are not members of our church. They are asking questions. Our own members are being blessed as well and they are asking questions. The message is going out in ways it never would have, and to people it never could have, if COVID hadn’t reared its ugly head. I am so glad I was wrong. I would hate to think that all of this time, effort, and money would be poured into putting on an on-line Midnight Cry series and there would be no result. But because God has a way of winning even against the best the devil can throw at us, I was wrong and I am glad of it. Truth is marching on. —Pastor Stewart Pepper The church carpet needs to be replaced. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the funds in hand to put this need behind us? We are more than 3/4 of the way to our goal. We only need $8,750 more! Let’s Make This Happen By the End of 2020! Coming Events Thought you missed this year’s rummage sale? You are in luck. The Rummage Sale, part 2 will be held on Sunday, Novem- ber 1, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come one, come all. So much was donated, there’s still plenty to chose from! Tell a friend! Bring a friend! Remember the Midnight Cry Online Prophecy Seminar continues through Monday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Attention all Pathfinders, Adventurers, and Staff: The annual Pathfinder Induction Service will be held on Sabbath, Novem- ber 7 and practice will be held the evening before (Friday, November 6) beginning at 6 p.m. Please see the Pathfinder page for more details pertaining to this special service. Calling all men: Don’t miss Men’s Ministry Sabbath with speaker Pastor John Kent on November 14. See the back page for RSVP information. Pastor Pepper and family will be on vacation from November 26-28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! Get Inspired with Jackie Oduogo his month’s article is from an interview with Jackie Oduogo, a member from our church who has 2 teenagers, and has been able to lose 24 pounds this year! By adopting small changes, she’s been able to experience fantastic results! It’s cer- tainly not for everyone, but increasing your intake of Example Daily Menu T fruits and vegetables, drinking 2 liters of water every day, adopt- Breakfast Smoothie ing a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, and spending time Papaya, pineapple, and hibiscus tea with Jesus is a prescription for success. blended ES What steps have you taken to lose weight, and what was Mid-Morning ultimately effective? Grapefruit juice, freshly made JO In 2017, I joined a gym, and was going for 2 hours each day, but I only lost 10 pounds in the 3 years I was going to the Lunch Smoothie gym. In June of this year, I realized I needed to make additional Prunes, Figs, Kiwi, and Orange Juice blended lifestyle changes. This is how I was able to meet my goals: Being CONSISTENT with my exercise. Even when I felt too Mid-Afternoon lazy to wake up in the morning, I pushed myself. Tea of licorice, green aniseed, and Being DISCIPLINED with what I ate. I had to resist my craving. ginger Reduced bread and sugar from my meals. In fact I do not put sugar in my tea. Dinner ES What was your reason for making these lifestyle changes? Chia Water JO My main reason when I started walking was to keep fit, but when my sister challenged me Chia seeds and lemon juice in water to lose 10 pounds in a month I accepted the challenge. I started with running a total of 10 minutes a day and walking 1 hour, I kept increasing my running time/speed and reducing my walking time and soon I was running 3 miles and went up to 15 miles. During this time I was drinking fat burning homemade juices (green apples, pineapple, cucumber, grapefruit, celery) and adding fat burning spices (turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon) to the drinks. I was also dieting (plant-based, rich with fruits, vegetables, and nuts, but light on calories). ES You mentioned you’re not eating meat or drinking cow’s milk at home. Was it hard to move away from animal-based products? JO I have not been a big fan of meat and milk. I use almond or soy milk for my smoothie. I don't cook meat and I don't use lots of eggs in my house. In fact a tray of 12 eggs can last more than a month in my house and, if I use eggs, I boil 2 only. I got rid of deep- fried foods; instead I bake. When cooking, I use 1 teaspoon of oil for a meal for 8 people. ES What is a typical day like for you? JO I wake up at 6 AM. I begin with reading a scripture and praying for God to protect me from COVID, since I am running out- doors. I drink a glass of water (20 oz.) with a sliced or squeezed lemon early in the morning. Next I go outside and walk/run for a minimum of 1 hour and maximum of 2 hours depending on the energy level. While exercising, ackie’s Favorite Verse 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confi- I have been able to listen to Desire of Ages, New Testament books, and The Great Controver- dence we have in approaching sy. Then I drink water (20 oz.) upon returning, stretch for 10 minutes, and then shower. Three J God: that if we ask anything days a week for 2 months, I just had smoothies, juices, and teas. The rest of the 4other 4 days I according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ate normal food but in small portions. At night (7 PM) I drink hibiscus tea which is a fat burn- ask—we know that we have what we ing herbal tea and add cinnamon or turmeric in it. Then I go to bed and sleep for a minimum of asked of him. 7 hours and maximum of 8 hours. (continued on p. 5) The Bridge and The New Brighton Spot are monthly publications of the Pittsburgh and New Brighton Seventh-day Adventist churches. Pastor—Stewart Pepper. Editor—Kathy Pepper. If you have questions, comments, or news items, you may contact Kathy at 304-992-5920/[email protected]. Let’s get to know our A while back, Cliff Lockley and I were talking and we began to realize we know our church family, but all of us have stories that we would love to Family share and others would love to hear, so this month we continue with Family and Friends. This column includes stories about our church fam- ily—things that will help us get to know one another a little bit better. Each month as space permits we will meet at least one or two new peo- Friends ple/families. —Kathy Pepper The Seigfrieds — Dan, Ayo, Levi, and Micah Daniel (“God is my judge”) and Ayo (“joy”) Seigfried (German origin, “victory and freedom”) met while Ayo was visiting Oberlin College. She was lost, which she says is a common theme in her life. She had already asked someone for directions, but when she stopped and asked another random guy (as Dan says), he walked her to the professor's office. When she went back to Oberlin, she did not remember him, but he remembered her and four years after that first meeting he asked her to marry him.