Visiting other SDA churches

[ClubV12]

Feeling the need to "spread my wings" a bit every other Sabbath I attend a different Adventist church in my area. So yesterday, Sabbath, I was a little bit late because I wasn't sure where the church was. I walked in and the morning service was already under way.

A DVD of a sermon, playing on two large screen TV's mounted in the front of the church. I was confused to say the least... A very small church, maybe 30 people. I thought these poor folks don't even have anyone to lead out in Sabbath school. I wonder if they have anyone to give the sermon later? I thought, well, I could give a talk on my latest study, the four things that take our eyes off Jesus.

,,,and then when it dawned on me what was going on I felt like an idiot. They were having an Evangelistic Series, by DVD. And they were following it just like the speaker was really there. After a break, the "sermon" was part two of the presentation. We stood for the opening song, and followed along with the guy on the DVD. We bowed our heads for prayer, along with the guy on the DVD. There was an alter call at the end, given by the guy on the DVD. An Elder (no Pastor present) went forward to greet those answering the call, many came forward. Some who had started coming to church as a result of this evangelistic series.

God is taking care of his church, we have nothing to worry about. Large or small, He is there. I enjoyed a fine common meal after church with the folks and they were so nice. It was a real eye opener about how you can "do church" and a great blessing to me.

I need to get out more.... :)

[SivartM]

I think that was NET2011. Every few years they have a NET series (which stands for something probably?) and many churches show the live broadcasts. I went to a screening last night at my church. They've been going on all month.

[ClubV12]

Oh, a live broadcast in church? Interesting, thats a new one on me. This was a recorded "Prophecy Series" on DVD. It sounded very much like the "Revelation Series" I attended myself about a year ago (which was live and in a commercial building at the time).

I wonder how many Evangelistic series the church has and if they are all basically the same, with name changes and different brochures and such?

[nuff sed]

You can worship by internet at www.forestlakechurch.org every Sabbath live at any of the four services. Log on for the times of service. Log on early because they have limited bandwidth ...Nuff Sed...

[Guest]

Maria and I saw your daughter at church a couple Sabbaths back, Mr Sed.

[ClubV12]

I have spent a few Sabbaths at home and have found various web sites to worship with 'Sed. And I'm reminded of those who can't attend church for various reasons, health being a big one.

What a blessing to be able to gather in person with others, even if it's a DVD leading out. I hope I never take it for granted.

[SivartM]

Oh, a live broadcast in church? Interesting, thats a new one on me. This was a recorded "Prophecy Series" on DVD. It sounded very much like the "Revelation Series" I attended myself about a year ago (which was live and in a commercial building at the time).

I wonder how many Evangelistic series the church has and if they are all basically the same, with name changes and different brochures and such?

I don't want to argue but I think there is a strong chance that it was NET2011 and not a DVD, but if you're sure I guess I will just live in accepting confusion. The meetings seem to be a pretty standard evangelistic seminar. All of the ones I've been to or seen are quite similar in content, but not quite the same. The series they're using for NET is "Prophecies Decoded".

[ClubV12]

You might be right SivartM, someone at the church told me it was a DVD, but they may have been mistaken also!

At the Revelation Series I attended a year or so ago the entire series was available on DVD in a nice package which came with some literature. Or you buy individual discs. $175 or so for the set, not cheap!