Have you noticed that being a Christian in

today’s world is becoming more and more difficult? We are living in an increas-ingly secular society that seems to mock many of our beliefs. Today’s culture is constantly belittling and discrediting the Christian faith with the media is a driving force in influencing a negative view on those that subscribe to God. The reality is that we are feel-ing the effects of a world-view where the Christian

has become the minority. However, praise God that most of us are not being physically persecuted for our beliefs as of yet.

All that being said, this isn’t the time to hide your experience and relation-ship with Jesus. Think of the passion that Paul had in sharing his faith. Paul seemingly had no inhibi-tions as he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone

who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). The world-view during Paul’s time was much more hostile to the Christian faith than what we are experiencing today. It seems to me that the more distant society is from God the more passion-ate the Christian becomes.

Again, Paul said that he wasn’t ashamed because of the power of the Gospel. Being in a so-called Christian culture for

continued on page 2

Be Not Ashamed by Cary Fisher

Of Greatest Worth Give!

Not what I get, but what I give, this be the gauge by which I live. Not merely joys that come my way, but the help I give to those astray. Not the rewards of money and fame, but the loads I lift in mankind’s name. This be the pay at the end of the day, not what I keep, but what I give away.

INSIDE

Easter Pics page 3

The Last Word page 4

Taste & Inspiration on page 5

What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9

Our Church Family page 7

Kid’s Page on page 9

For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church

La Sierra’s Roots

Sabbath, May 21st, the La Sierra University Roots will be lead-

ing out in our worship service. The Roots is a student led traveling ministry team. Their mission is to share the gospel with churches and school in the Pacific Union.

Make plans to be with us on this Sabbath and bring some young people with you. =

THE LAST WORD

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such a length of time, we have been lulled to sleep in thinking that every-one around us relatively believes the same as us. Our senses to wit-ness to our neighbors have become dead-ened. However, we are living in a time of opportunity. An opportunity to wit-ness the power of God as we share our faith with others that have never heard or never truly understood what Jesus had done for them.

Although, we do need to change our approach. We don’t have the influ-ence that we once had when we were in a posi-tion of power because of our majority status. We

also don’t do our faith any favors when we pressure people on morality which is often done when we mix our faith with politics.

To be effective wit-nesses for Christ in today’s climate takes caring for others through our humil-ity, love and service. As we become personable with listening ears, we will have opportunities to show people the power that comes from God as He brings them salvation even

in this secular world that we live in today.

May MessagesMay 7 - A

Mother’s Love - The closest com-parison of God’s love for us may be compared to a moth-er’s love for her child. The prophet Isaiah writes, “as one whom his mother comforts, so

I will comfort you (Isaiah 66:13). For this Sabbath, we will honor our mothers who have shown us what it means to be loved and to be cared for throughout our lives.

May 14 - All the Time God is Great - It is easier to be a Christian when we are in church, but what about in our workplaces or schools? This message will reflect on how to not only let God into every aspect of our lives, it will teach us on how your life can prevail when you let your faith be known where ever you are?

May 21 - LSU Roots - La Sierra University’s student-led ministry called Roots will be providing the message for us. This should be an inspirational Sabbath as collegiate youth share with us their love for Jesus.

May 28 - What is Important? - During this

Memorial Day weekend, we remember all those that sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free. We can often forget what truly matters until something or someone is taken away from us. As we show our gratitude to all those that died for our freedom, let us live in a way that also honors their death.

See you when the church gathers. =

WE

D

ID

IT

The Latest Word V 28 N 05

BILL AUMACKresponsible for this

LINDA AUMACKcopy editor

ALEX AUMACKpaper distribution

CARY FISHERpastor

address mail to: Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church9820 Lakewood Blvd.Downey, CA 90240office: 562.869.6013fax: 562.622.1691 downeychurch@gmail.comwww.downeychurch.com

distributed monthlyissue date: May 2016 copyright 1992-2015

To be effective wit-nesses for Christ in

today’s climate takes caring for others through

our humility, love and service

“

”

Be Not Ashamed ... (cont. from page 1)

January 2016

3

May 7Cary FisherA Mother’s Love

May 14

Cary FisherAll the Time God is

Great

May 21Cary Fisher

LSU Roots

May 28Cary Fisher

What is Important?

Worship Schedule

Easter Pics

THE LAST WORD

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In the early 1980’s the first newsletter of the

church was started. It was called the Downey Data. It was published on a semi-monthly basis for several years. In 1985 Bill Aumack transferred to Downey Church and short-ly there after began help-ing with the Downey Data. In 1988 the Downey Data went to a monthly format. Since that time a church news-letter has been published every single month. In 1990 the title was changed to the The Latest Word.

There have been a lot of changes over the years. There have been different formats and lay-outs of the newsletter. As computers have improved, we moved from produc-ing the Downey Data on a typewriter to the comput-er. And in August of 2003 the first color edition of the The Latest Word was produced.

Many people have contributed over the years. But three stand out over all others. Linda Fernandez started her pop-ular Before the Father arti-cles in 1994. Apparently this inspired Linda Bewley who started the Webster, God and You series a year later. Both of these series

have been reader favorites through the years. Also Linda Aumack has been helping with and proofing the newsletter as long as Bill has been working on it.

The Latest Word used to have a fairly diverse readership. Not only was it mailed to church members and friends of the church,

but also to the other pas-tors in our community, the Conference leadership and it was also posted on the website. You never know where you might find The Latest Word. Annie Mendez reported meeting an individual at the Downey Library who had photocopied part of The Latest Word and was handing it out. Several soldiers have reported that newsletter helped lift their spirits and that they often shared it with their fellow soldiers. You never know who might find an article interesting or helpful in finding their way back to God.

However, society changes and things do not remain the same. You probably have noticed that print media is rapidly declining. Newspapers are going out of business. Magazines are shrinking and disappearing. People just don’t read like they used to. Despite printing the newsletter, putting it online on the website and

on Issuu, emailing everyone that it is available, provid-ing it in a mobile friendly format and in our app, reader-ship is at an all time low. So that brings us to where we are today, the very last issue of The Latest Word or The Last

Word.

Looking forward, there will be a monthly hand-out to pickup at church with the highlights for the month. Be sure to pick yours up starting in June. Also a few of our articles will continue in the Wednesday email. Pastor’s article will be sent in the first Wednesday of the month. Phillip’s recipe will be sent in the second Wed. email of the month. And we may add a few others. So make sure you are checking for the Wed. email.

The Last Wordby Bill Aumack

In 1988 the Downey Data went to a monthly for-mat. Since that time a church newsletter has been published every single month.

Looking for-ward, there will be a monthly handout to pickup at church with the highlights for the month.

Good-bye, Downey

continued on page 5

January 2016

5

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Dry Ingredients3 cups all purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients20 oz washed, stemmed & mashed fresh strawberries 1 cup Canola oil 4 large eggs beaten

ProcedureLightly coat with short-

ening or oil 2 8x4x2 inch loaf pans then coat that with flour. In a large bowl combine & mix dry ingre-dients. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients.

Make a well in the cen-ter of the dry ingredients bowl and add wet ingre-dients. Mix well. Pour mixture into prepared loaf pans and bake for an hour or until an inserted tooth-pick comes out clean.

This recipe was submit-ted as a special request

by Ginny from a charter member of the Downey Seventh-day Adventist Church, Clarice Murray. Clarice passed away

recently. Clarice & John Murray were a lovely couple that touched many hearts and we all look forward to the Second Coming and seeing them again.

Enjoy! =

Strawberry Bread

Taste & Inspiration

Pilar & Phillip

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been working on the newsletter for our church for about 30 years and now it’s over. I hope the news-letter has been useful and have helped you in some way. It’s been a lot of work, but it has been fun too. If you have ideas on how we can improve our communications moving forward, I’d love to hear them. =

The Last Word (continued) Memorial Day emerged

from the grim shad-ows of the American Civil War. Before the close of

the war, women began decorating the graves of soldiers who had died

in that war. The practice quickly spread, and a few years later May 30, 1868, was designated as

Decoration Day — a day for plac-ing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate sol-diers throughout the United States.

In 1882, Decoration Day became known as

Memorial Day, and sol-diers who died in other wars were also honored. Over the years, it has

become a day when all loved ones who have died — in war and otherwise — are remembered. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed annually on the last Monday in May.

On this Memorial Day, remember those who gave their lives for our country. But also pray for those who continue serving to keep America free, espe-cially those who are in harm’s way. =

Memorial Day

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7

8 10 12 13 14

16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

7:45 pm sunset

7:50 pm sunset

7:55 pm sunset

8:00 am Breakfast

9:30 am S.S.

9:30 am S.S.10:50 am Worship LSU Roots

2 pm Pathfinders

9:30 am S.S.10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

Visit www.downeychurch.orgS.S. – Sabbath School

1

11

10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

2 pm Pathfinders

10:50 am Worship Pastor Cary

9

7 pm Band Practice

15

Downey Adventist Church

7 pm Wed. Fellowship

7 pm Band Practice

7:40 pm sunset

7 pm Wed. Fellowship

7 pm Band Practice

7 pm Wed. Fellowship

7 pm Band Practice

7 pm Wed. Fellowship

7 pm Church Board

9:30 am S.S.

January 2016

7

May Birthdays Chris Martin – 1 Dudley Meade – 1 Victor Zamora – 4 Linda Aumack – 6 Michael Fernandez – 6 Grace Huinquez – 10 Byron Molina Jr. – 11 Bill Aumack – 17 Ray Munguia – 18 Frank Duran – 23 Mimi Gonzalez – 26 Michael Parras – 27 Alex Aumack – 28 Phillip Mondragon - 28

If your birthday is left out in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church office so we can put it in.

Upcoming EventsWednesday - 7 p.m. Wed. FellowshipFriday - 7:00 p.m. Band Practice

May 7 - Mother’s Day Breakfast 8amMay 7 - Pathfinders @ 2pmMay 8 - NO Pathfinders May 8 - Mother’s DayMay 19 - Church Board @ 7pmMay 21 - LSU Roots leads WorshipMay 21 - Pathfinders @ 2pmMay 30 - Memorial Day

Coming Soon

June 18 - Father’s Day SabbathJune 25 - Pathfinder InvestitureJune 25 - Parking Lot Movie NightJuly 18-22 - VBS

Be sure to keep up with the latest news by signing up for the Wednesday email. You can sign up here www.downey-church.org/Signups.html or send us an email at DowneyChurch at gmail dot com and we’ll add you.

THE LAST WORD

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The Latest About

Our Church Family Graduates needed! If

you have a family member who is graduating from Kindergarten, 8th grade, high school or col-lege, please let us know. We would like to honor their achievement and celebrate with them. Email the office and let us know the graduate, the grade level and the school. Thanks.

VBS is coming! This year it is July 18-22. Please contact Bill

Aumack if you would like to help out. Thanks!

If you have any Church Family news, please contact the

church office so we can share it. =

A Mother’s Example

Thank you to everyone who has been saving Box Tops for Education. That is greatly appreciated.

For the Box Tops for Education, please save the Box Tops coupon.

Please give your labels to Linda Aumack. Thank you for your support! =

When I think of my mom, especially on

Mother’s Day, I recall a scene I witnessed many times during my child-hood.

Late at night, just before bedtime, my mother would sit in a rocking chair in the darkness with her head bowed in prayer. When it was nippy, the glow from the space heater revealed a lovely scene that fascinated me.

My bed wasn’t far away, and just before I

fell asleep I often saw my mother praying. Her face was beautiful and aglow. She radiated holiness and serenity, and I was deeply affected.

I never once talked to my mom about her prayer life. I was only 17 when she died. As traumatic as it was for me, I wonder if it weren’t a rather easy tran-sition for her. After all, she seemed to live with one foot in heaven.

—Charles Ferrell

Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings of

my children. Help me rely on you for guidance, patience and even-tem-peredness throughout my days.

I want my children to love you, worship you and serve you as best they can. Grant me the wisdom to know how to influence them to live godly lives.

Prevent me from provok-ing my children to anger and from manipulating or nagging them.

Fill our household with abiding love and respect, and help us all be united in purpose to do your will. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

=

A Mother’s Prayer

January 2016

9

January 2016

10

Downey-Florence Seventh-day Adventist Church9820 Lakewood Blvd., Downey CA 90240

Return Service Requested

DATED MATERIAL

Ponder This...

= “Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to com-mit into the hands of the Lord.” —A.W. Pink

= “A mother knows what her child’s gone through, even if she didn’t see it herself.” —Pramoedya Ananta Toer

= “We are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful.” —Mother Teresa