Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church

May 7, 2022 ”We’ll Always Have Grace” - Pastor Mike Leno

On this Mother’s Day weekend, Pastor Mike Leno, our worship and adult education pastor, reflects on important lessons he learned from his grandmother. Listen in... 

April 30, 2022 ”Ezra, pt. 2 - Starting Over: The Struggle” - Pastor Tara VinCross

It’s not always possible to go back to the way things were. There are events in our life that change us. Sometimes you can’t restore, you must rebuild, setting out on a new path. Is it possible to move forward into new territory without fear? Certainly, the people of God faced immense challenges. This Sabbath, we continue in our new sermon series Re[Build]: God's Promises, A Sure Foundation. In this series, we will journey through the Book of Ezra as the exiled people of God find their way.

On Sabbath, April 30, Pastor Tara VinCross shared the message, “The Struggle with Starting Over.” You are invited to pray and reflect on Ezra 3 in preparation for the message. Come and go deeper together in the word of God and what this means for our lives today.

April 23, 2022 ”Ezra, pt. 1 - We’re Back! What happens now?” - Pastor Tara VinCross

The people of God in exile. We are probably divided on our experience of this word – exile. For some of us, we don’t really know what that word means. I mean we know what it means, but we don’t know what it really means...to be an exile. And for others of us, we know right away what it is to be on the outside. To have lost our sense of place, of belonging. Some of us have never known what it means to really belong. Have you ever felt like an exile?

This Sabbath, we begin a new sermon series Re[Build]: God's Promises, A Sure Foundation. In this series, we will journey through the Book of Ezra as the exiled people of God finding their way.

On Sabbath, April 23, Pastor Tara VinCross kicked-off this series with a message, “We’re Here, Now What?” You're invited to pray and reflect on Ezra 1 and 2 in preparation for the message. Come and dig deeper together in the word of God and find out what this means for our lives today.

April 16, 2022 ”On the Road to Emmaus” (Full Easter Service)

What did Jesus talk about the afternoon of his resurrection? We know he had a conversation with two depressed disciples as they walked the 7 miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Why is that conversation important? And what is our part in that conversation? Join us as we relive that dramatic story told in words and music.

April 9, 2022 ”Waiting for the Lord” - Pastor Tara VinCross

How do you deal with delay? What’s your reaction to waiting? Sure, it’s hard to wait for something you want to have happen or a thing you want to get. But what about something so significant as the coming of Jesus. How are we to live as we wait for the soon coming of our Savior?

On Sabbath, April 9, Pastor Tara VinCross will preach a message, “Waiting for the Lord.” This week you are invited to pray and reflect on Matthew 24:1-14 and 2 Peter 3:8-15 in preparation for the message. Come and dig deeper together in the word of God and what this means for our lives today.

April 2, 2022 ”Overcomer pt. 8” - Pastor Mike Leno

According to 1 Peter, we don’t need to lose faith because of the harsh realities of life. Our future is secure. We will share in the glory of the Chief Shepherd. Because of that, we want to look after God's flock by being an example of faith, even during hard times. If we feel weighed down with responsibilities, suffering, and uncertainty, we can remember that we are secure in Christ. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Listen in... 

March 26, 2022 ”Overcomer pt. 7” - Pastor Tara VinCross

On Sabbath, March 26, we will be celebrating communion together, as Pastor Tara VinCross shares part 7 in our sermon series called, “Overcomer.” How are we to make it through hard times? Revelation 12:11 declares, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” - our experience of salvation and sharing our story. By looking to Jesus and sharing our story we are strengthened to make it through whatever we are facing. We are journeying deeper together through a letter written by the disciple Peter to a group of exiled believers. 

This week we turn to 1 Peter 4:12-19. Here, Peter tells us not to be surprised by trials that come upon us. That judgment is actually good news. That somehow suffering can allow us to more closely identify with Jesus. You are invited to reflect on this section of Scripture and join us as we dig deeper together.

March 19, 2022 - ”I Am” Statements of Jesus - Pastoral Team

On Sabbath, March 19, the Azure Hills Pastoral Team will be sharing reflections on the I Am Statements of Jesus. Psalm 1:1-6 invites us to meditate on the Word of God, and we know that it is this very word that leads us to the Living Word, Jesus Christ. You are invited to take time in meditation on these scriptures and come Sabbath to experience more deeply who our Jesus is for each one of us. He says to you, for all that you need now or will ever desire, “I am.”

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) - Pastor Gatra Suhari
“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) - Pastor Starla Stephan Leno

“I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) - Pastor Linda Biswas
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) - Pastor Steve McHan 
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) - Pastor Michael Leno
“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) - Pastor Tara VinCross

March 12, 2022 Adventurer & Pathfinder Sabbath - Compilation of Sermonettes

Today was our Adventurer and Pathfinder Sabbath! Our children led the entire worship service, including our sermons. Here’s a compilation of the sermonettes from today in the following order:

 

Adventurers

Isabella Repelin, Helping Hands 

Rao Perez, Helping Hands 

Asher Daniels, Sunbeam

Pathfinders

Ezekiel Sacdalan 

Jocelyn Sanchez

Jared Mc Comb 

Khloey Montalvo

March 5, 2022 “Overcomer, pt. 6” - Pastor Tara VinCross

On Sabbath, March 5, Pastor Tara VinCross shares part 6 in our sermon series called, “Overcomer.” How are we to make it through hard times? Revelation 12:11 declares, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” - our experience of salvation and sharing our story. By looking to Jesus and sharing our story we are strengthened to make it through whatever we are facing. We are journeying deeper together through a letter written by the disciple Peter to a group of exiled believers. 

This week we turn to 1 Peter 4:1-11. Peter says the end of all things is near. It certainly feels like that in the world we live in today. Pain and suffering are around us in our community and in the world as a whole. In light of this, Peter goes on to call us to prayer, to deep connection with people, and to doing our part in the world to share grace, all with one aim: to the praise and glory of God! This weeks’ message spurs us on in the race we are running, knowing together we can be overcomers!