Many of us at Metropolitan come from a West Indian background. As such, the scenario I'm about to describe is probably very familiar to you (this is probably familiar across many cultures, so include yourself if you can relate).
So I was cleaning up my email inbox, while listening to Pr. B's sermon, and came across this gem. It is a direct pull from this site but I was impressed by the Spirit to share it. I can relate to Philippians 4:6-7 the most. How about you?
Read this week's announcements here.
On Saturday, August 18, at 6:00 p.m., we take Lifted to the park. Come enjoy God's great outdoors as we have an open discussion with Pastor Quis. We'll provide water and bug spray. Bring a friend, and your blankets and/or comfy chairs. Otherwise, you'll be enjoying the green grass.
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Our video announcements are on a "summer break" of sorts - don't worry, they'll be back soon! In the mean time, you can read this week's announcements here.
For years, Metropolitan has run a food distribution program - every other Wednesday, needy families are served by Myrtle Nora and her Community Services team. Other members of our church have run and done their own personal community outreach as well. The Adventurers collect and distribute blankets every year to homeless shelters. We continue this tradition of service on August 19 when we host our second voters registration drive of the year and hold a clothing give-away for the community.
It is indeed a rarity that human sexuality is a topic in the quarterly Bible Study Guide. Even though in this week’s study the topic is couched under the heading of “Living Holy Lives,” one, nevertheless, appreciates the fact that the church recognizes that this matter should no longer
be closeted but must be addressed in plenary sessions to help the church members, especially the youth, realize the dangers of the counterfeit teachings on human sexuality that are being foisted upon society today.
On the first night of VBS we had about 50 kids attend. By the second night that number had grown to about 65! Each night the kids and the counselors would gather with Valrie Applewhite, Jasmin Crossfield, Latéy Bradford and little Jordan Sam as they led us all in the theme song and taught new songs. The theme song was a hit as the chorus of the song has each group run around in a circle!
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The church of God can be compared to that of an army. The life of every soldier is one of hardship, toil, and danger. Everywhere are vigilant foes, led by the prince of darkness, who never sleep nor slumber. Every Christian must be on guard against these forces of darkness lest he/she fall. Peter knew that when he warned us to be “sober and vigilant for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, 1:13, 4:7)
Don’t judge me, but I'd been salivating over the latest, greatest smartphone since it was first rumored a few months ago. TV commercials began to run. I salivated. I pored over glowing reviews in the tech blogs, and salivated some more. I consulted my trusted gang of smartphone addicts/users, many of whom come to Metro Church (the church is a hospital, right?), and, well, they rendered a lukewarm verdict. But it wasn’t enough to tide the salivation.
The more I saw the TV commercials, read the blog posts, and cursed my current phone--which I’ve already run into the ground--the harder the wait became. Three days before the launch date, I broke down and went to the cell phone manufacturer's website--you know, just to do a little bit more research. Those schemers knew I was coming! Prominently displayed on their front page was the following: Get up to $300 for your phone when you upgrade to our new smartphone. Find out how much your phone is worth.
Of course, the trade-in calculator told me that my current phone was worth $65, not $300. But that was good enough incentive. Now, my dream phone would only set me back just $135. I could resist no longer. I clicked the PREORDER button and proceeded to select the color I wanted and the features and accessories. Then just before hit ORDER, a voice inside my head said, “Run this purchase by your wife.”
It was the last voice I wanted to hear--I mean the voice inside my head, and frankly, my wife’s, too. She doesn’t get it: Her phone is like that 10-year-old luxury sedan with only 50 000 miles on it; after one year, my sports car already has 100 000 miles on it, and is running on fumes. But I knew what she was going to say: “It’s not in the budget.”
Since we’ve began attending Financial Peace University (FPU) at Metro--it began in early May and concluded in July--we’ve been faithful to our budget--that “thing” that lets us tell our money where to go. We’ve been having a great time being good stewards, but on one this one purchase, I was sorely lacking in patience. And self-control.
AirBorn has come to an end, but oh - what a week it was! 28 precious souls decided to commit to Jesus all the way and were baptized as a result of the series.
Kisha Johnson knew she wanted to win something at AirBorn. She came reallly close on opening night - the giveaway went to the person whose birthday was closest to that date - July 28. "Kish" - as she's affectionately called by family and friends - stood up excitedly. Her birthday had been July 21. The presenter was about to give Kisha the prize, when the audience pointed out another guy she (the presenter) hadn't seen. Turned out his birthday was July 27 and he got the prize.
The place: the ancient city of Babylon
Here are the announcements for Sabbath, July 21. Looking for the church bulletin? Find it here.
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Another big event in science—more momentous than the Venus transit last month - occurred on this Fouth of July. Particle physicists held a much-anticipated press conference in Australia confirming that they had discovered the Higgs boson, aka the God particle.
So what is the Higgs boson, and why do some call it the God particle? If I were to tell you I had a simple answer to the first question, I’d be lying. So here’s my understanding, in a nutshell:
In the book of Acts, we are told that Paul preached in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths. That must have been some preaching! In such a short time, Paul converted so many Thessalonians to Christianity that the Jews became enraged and sought Paul’s arrest. However, Paul’s friends were able to smuggle him to Athens before the Jews were able to lay a hand on him. In less than a month, Paul was able to plant the seed of Christianity so pervasively among the people of Thessalonica that the Jews felt threatened by this burgeoning tide of believers. However, because he had to leave Thessalonica so suddenly, Paul became concerned about the spiritual well being of his flock. So concerned about them was he that he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to assess the state of the new movement: thus began a conscious and determined effort to preserve the relationship with the new believers – an effort that, for all intents and purposes, has become an evangelistic template for the retention and well being of new believers everywhere.
Here are the announcements for Sabbath, July 14. Looking for the church bulletin? Find it here.
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Sometimes the gratification of what you strive to do overtakes the discomfort and challenge that it takes you to get there.
It was one hot Sunday morning that stretched into an even hotter Sunday afternoon. Even the sticks of frozen sugar water beaded with sweat as they watched the sun beat down on those hard-headed Metro folk. No amount of 106-degree heat index weather was going to deter these warm-blooded human beings from casting a shadow on a community that sometimes just needs shade from the heat that the world places on them. It was a simple 
act, but one that spoke volumes of the intentional desire of this church to serve. They served, not for the benefits of money, or the esteem of accomplishment, but served “just because”. Why not serve those that are closest to you…sounds simple enough, right?
A couple of weeks ago, a furious storm ripped through our state with a vengeance. Within a matter of seconds thousands like me were plunged into darkness and forced to endure for several days what I would describe as a “miniature taste of hell itself.” (Darkness + unbearable heat = HELL). I was without electricity for six days, but during that time was blessed to learn several important spiritual lessons. I’d like to share a few with you.
Every year our Adventurers and Pathfinders participate in the annual Allegheny East Camp Meeting Pathfinder/Adventurer parade. The parade generally features all of the clubs from the Conference, and is one of the highlight's of each club's yearly events. We'd like to thank Myron Ottley for sharing these photographs with us.