THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. 5 May 2024
In the early 1980’s a wave of terror swept over the residents of King County in the state of Washington. Young women began disappearing. Then bodies began to show up in the Green River, in the woods. Autopsies showed that the women were molested and then murdered. Other women disappeared without a trace.
As the toll continued to mount, the police poured all their resources into tracking down and apprehending the serial murderer, whom they dubbed the Green River killer. Several leads connected victims with a young man who worked painting cars and trucks. But when the police searched his home, they found nothing to link him to any of the deaths.
As suddenly as it began, the surge of killings ceased. The investigation grew cold; the task force was cut in size until only one detective remained on the case, and at last he too went onto other duties. Nearly twenty years passed by.
But those years brought dramatic advances in forensic science, in particular, the use of DNA to identify individuals. The Green River killer case was reopened, with powerful results. DNA tests matched three of the victims with the car painter whom police had suspected. Microscopic examination of spray paint particles linked him to four other murders. Arrested and faced with the evidence of his guilt, the painter confessed.
At length his day in court arrived. As the judge read the list, name by name, he pleaded guilty to someone had been special to a parent, sibling, or friend, and special to God. On and on he read, until the list stopped at the numbing figure of forty-eight.
Throughout, the killer sat expressionless, showing no emotion, no remorse or regret. Nothing, it seemed, could touch him. Then came the moment the judge gave time for relatives of the victims to express themselves. A gentleman with a white beard arose and told the killer he forgave him. He said that his Lord had taught us to
forgive, regardless of how large the matter, and so, hard as it was, he forgave him.
The killer, seemingly made of stone, broke down and wept.
Forgiveness melts ice. Forgiveness shatters stones. Which is what Jesus did with our cold, hard hearts.
Paul writes, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13).
May you not only experience God’s forgiveness but by His grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit may you forgive others as He has forgiven you. May God richly bless you every day.
Pastor Dan
May’s fellowship luncheons will be on May 4 th and May 18. Lalita shares that the theme will be Mexican food in celebration of Cinco de Mayo on Sabbath the 4 th . Bring your favorite mexican-themed entrée, vege, salad or side dish. DON’T STAY AWAY!! If you are not up to cooking something.Please come anyway. If you want to
bring something you can always bring some bread or a can of olives or a canned vegetable. Something you don’t have to prepare. The most important thing is that you are there.
Spring fever has hit us hard as suddenly the sunshine is out and we are counting down our last month of school.
The students have learned so much this school
year with our first graders reading and doing their sums and our 8 th graders looking ahead to high school.
We had a wonderful week of prayer in April with several homeschoolers joining FJA. Our theme was Made to Follow Jesus and we learned about several Bible characters and how their stories can help us grow a more intimate relationship with our Savior. Thanks so much to Pastor, Jolene, Amy and others who helped us with this special week.
We met our sister school in Crescent City for a field trip to Ocean World on April 25 th and Craig Heinrich met us with pizza and a fun video about Leoni Meadows.
Our Rummage Sale will be May 16, 17, and 19 and Tim really needs all hands-on deck to get it prepared. Please, come on down on Tuesdays and give us a hand with it. We will also be looking for a crew to set up tables on May 5 th . Can’t do it on the 12 th due to Mother’s Day.
Graduation will be at the church at 6pm on May 30 th followed by a reception at the Community Services Center. We are honoring 2 graduates this year, Mauricio Geronimo and Abigail Ruoff.
Please continue to pray for just the right person to be our teacher/principal for the next school year. We are trusting God to carry out His plan for FJA.
Valerie Wikander And
The Staff and Students
Of Fortuna Jr. Academy
The dates for the school rummage sale are May 16, 17 and 19. We will need help setting up the tables and bringing the merchandise to the gym from the shop. We need some strong backs and muscles on May 5 th from 10-2. We can’t do it the following Sunday as that is Mother’s day. We will also need crews on the sale days to man the check out, meals, and other needs as they arise. Give Tim a call.
Pathfinder Sabbath will be the Second Sabbath of June, I believe that is June 8 th . We may have some items for display to share on that day. We will be starting Sign Language and Wood-Working. Coming up the 2 nd weekend in May will be our work-a-thon at Ruth Lake. Be prepared for a phone call from a Pathinder to sponsor them. We are gearing up and saving up for our trip to the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette Wyoming.
MAY 04 Local Budget MAY 11 Disas./Famine
MAY 18 Local Budget MAY 25 NCC Advance
As you know, we are working to raise funds for the drainage issue at the school. As Amy shared last Sabbath, our school is stuggling financially. Any donation helps just to meet the monthly bills and expenses. It is an old building in need of continuing, unexpected repairs. We just thank you so much for your individual donations and for helping us meet budget if necessary.
Merek Sears -May 9 th . Graduating with a degree in economics from University of Houston.
Mauricio Geronimo -May 30 th graduating from 8 th grade at FJA .
Abigail Ruoff.-May 30 th graduating from 8 th grade at FJA.
Let us know any other graduates.
We just never know where or how God will use us in the course of our day, our jobs, our lives. When we lay our day before Him asking to be used for His plans, He will use us. Here are a couple recent stories from two of our ministries.
You may not be aware of this, but a couple days a week, Kevin Barnhart hosts a “coffee time” at the center. For those clients needing food, showers etc. he offers them a warm room and a chair to rest on while awaiting services at the center. A hot, beverage, and his presence and compassion. No judgment, no accusations, just 1:1 acceptance and love. By doing this, he is earning their trust. Some have asked him about “that church over there.” They’ve opened up and shared some of their heartache, shame and story. Everyone is carrying a heavy load. These folks can come into the Fireside room and lay theirs down for a while. Please pray for this ministry. For Kevin and those he serves.
The next share is about Tabitha’s ministry. We’ve repeatedly shared about the great relationships that Sherry, Larry and their staff have made with the “regulars”. The thrift store is only part of their ministry. Listening, laughing, sharing, meeting needs……..these are the real ministries. Recently, they had a female customer come in and she was visibly upset. She asked to talk privately, and she blurted out that she wanted to kill herself right then and knew someone at Tabitha’s would help her. They
were able to share resources, reach out to the appropriate connections to steer her where she needed to be.
What if she’d never been to Tabitha’s. What if she had never met the staff? What if they had never been compassionate? What if she hadn’t seen Jesus in them.
We Are His Hands And Feet And Voice Wherever He Places Us Every Minute Of The Day.
APR. 27 COMMUNION
PASSOVER SABBATH
MAY 02 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
MAY 04 OUR YOUTH PRESENT SERVICE
CHURCH POTLUCK-Mexican Theme
MAY 05 RUMMAGE SET-UP 10-2
MAY 06 NATIONAL NURSES DAY
MAY 10-12 PATHFINDER WORK-A-THON
MAY 11 JOSH RAYBURN SPEAKING
MAY 11 POSTAL FOOD DRIVE
MAY 12 MOTHER’S DAY
MAY 18 POTLUCK
MAY 25 AFTER CHURCH PRAYER
MAY 26-27 WORK BEE AT RAC
MAY 27 MEMORIAL DAY
MAY 30 FJA GRADUATION
JUNE 01 PENTECOST SABBATH
JUNE 08 PATHFINDER SABBATH
JUNE 22 CAMP GROUND SABBATH
01 bethany unruh 18 sandra rhoads
02 dale harris 19 jo Mazzone
04 kevin barnhart jen mazzone
07 connie bertholf 20 dale rene
10 tim Elwell 23 rosie hoover
11 nathaniel rayburn 24 steve jorgenson
MAY 16 JUDAH & KARINA O’SHAUGHNESSY
MAY 26 MICHAEL & AMY NORTON
MAY 31 MERLIN & ANITA ANDERSON
THE FOCUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE FORTUNA SDA CHURCH
2301Rohnerville Rd. Fortuna Ca 95540 fsdaoffice@yahoo.com
Vol. 91 No. April 2024
The Preacher Who Can’t Say Jesus
FROM PASTOR DAN
ELDER’S MEETING
Tuesday, April 2nd, at 6:00 Pastor’s Office
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEONS
Valerie Wikander And
The Staff and Students
Of Fortuna Jr. Academy
FJA
RUMMAGE SALE
PATHFINDERS
April OFFERINGS
April 6 Local Budget
April 13 Hope Channel
April 20 Local Budget
April 27 NCC Advance
100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
MAR. 31 EASTER SUNDAY
APR. 1-2 NO SCHOOL-INSERVICE
APR. 06 HEALTH NUGGET
POTLUCK
GARY KLEMP’S SERVICE
APR. 4-7 MINDFIT
APR. 08 HIS WAY OF HOPE BEGINS
APR. 11 SCHOOL BOARD 4:00
APR. 13 PASTOR IN PETROLIA
APR. 15-19 FJA WEEK OF PRAYER
APR. 18 CHURCH BOARD 6:30
APR. 27 COMMUNION
PASSOVER SABBATH
MAY 02 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
MAY 10-12 PATHFINDER WORK-A-THON
MAY 12 MOTHER’S DAY
MAY 26-27 WORK BEE AT RAC
MAY 30 FJA GRADUATION
LABELS MAKE CENT$
From Anita:
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
APRIL 3RD – HAYSTACKS
APRIL 10TH - BURGERS & FRIES
APRIL 17TH – BAKED POTATOES
APRIL 24TH - LASAGNA
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
APRIL BIRTHDAYs