OCTOBER 23, 2024 VOL.5 NO.41
YG FRIENDSGIVING // NOV 23, 7:00PM // UNDERGROUND
Join YG as we celebrate Thanksgiving! YG will be hosting a friendsgiving in the UG room, November 23rd at 7:00 pm. Food will be potluck style, you can click the icon above to find the link for food sign up. We will also be having DWELL worship throughout the evening! We are looking forward to a time of fellowship, praise and thanksgiving. Hope to see you there!
FAITH & FAMILY NIGHTS: MAVERICKS VS. GRIZZLIES // DEC 3, 7:30PM, $20 // AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER
Join YG for a fun evening of NBA Basketball. To reserve a discounted $20 ticket click the icon above, the QR code, or go to https://tiny.one/MavsGame
For more information or should you want to help organize these fun outings, contact Gary Livingston.
BETTER TOGETHER: CHOSEN COMMUNITY // OCT 26, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
Rest On Us, Made For More, Trust In God, Wait On You #WorshipSet #Oct26 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
YG SPEAKER: CHAPLAIN KENT RUFO
Pastor Kent Rufo is the chaplain at Southwestern Adventist University. He is originally from northwest Ohio; He is a Cleveland-everything fan. Kent grew up going to public schools, but transferred to an Adventist university and gave his life to Jesus. He has served a couple years as an overseas missionary, been a lead pastor, pastored a church plant, been a youth pastor and been a chaplain at the academy and university level. Kent just completed his 20th year of pastoral ministry, seven of those years of ministry were spent at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church as youth pastor.
Chaplain Rufo and his wife, Anna have been married for nearly two decades. They have two children: Madison (15) and Jadon (12), both attending Burton Adventist Academy.
PYG CHAT GROUP // SATURDAYS, 11:30AM // ROOM 5
Right after Younger Generation Church [Post YG], join us in Room 5 for conversations around the sermon and related issues to community and church life. Enjoy community and open discussion. All are welcome.
YOUNG WOMEN'S LIFEGROUP // SATURDAYS, 5:00PM // NEW LOCATION
Young women (ages 18-35) are invited to enjoy fellowship, prayer, and snacks on Saturday at 5pm. In the comfort of a home, we will have an interactive group discussion (with a video and lesson study) over the Gospel of John. Contact Taye for more details.
BURTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY FALL FAIR // OCT 27, 1:00-4:00PM // BAA CAMPUS
Bring the family, friends and neighbors for this annual tradition! Tons of food, games, activities and vendors!
SABBATH VESPERS: STUDY OF RUTH // BEGINS NOV 1, 7PM // FAMILY HOMES
Starting Friday, November 1 at 7PM, we are excited to launch the Fall edition of Bible Study & Sabbath Vespers!! This time, we will be diving into the powerful story of the Book of Ruth. Join us for every Friday evening listed above for a refreshing time of food, fun, fellowship, and deep meaningful conversations about God’s Word. This is a great opportunity to connect with others, grow spiritually, and build community. Want to know more? Please contact Jasmin Rodriguez at 682-521-0590 for details, information and location. We can’t wait to see you there!
Click the above icon to email Jasmin for more information.
WANTED: ALL COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY AND TRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS
We want to connect with you, please click the above icon and register your contact info with @ygchurch.
COMING EVENTS
Contact Pastor Allan if you are interested in attending.
CARTER BLOODCARE BLOOD DRIVE // NOV 9, 9AM-1PM //
Set your calendars to Save Lives with your precious blood donation! Texas hospitals need your help in making sure that there is a supply of life-saving blood for emergencies! Carter BloodCare will be in the REVIVE Community Center, Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9am to 1pm! Click icon above to make an appointment and save a life!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE // THROUGH NOV 09
Make the holidays bright for a family in need! Pick up the following items and place them in the REVIVE bins located in the church foyer on Sabbath or during church office hours! All donations must be in by November 9, as these items will be distributed during REVIVE’S Thanksgiving Food Pantry! We estimate that we will serve over 400 families so every donation matters! Thank you in advance for partnering with REVIVE to share a bit of joy this season!
Click HERE for a complete Thanksgiving shopping list.
SAVE THE DATE: FOOT WASHING & COMMUNION // NOV 9, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
All Christ-followers are invited and welcome to our open communion service as we remember the redeeming sacrifice of our Lord and Savior.
THANKSGIVING DINNER // NOV 16 1:00PM // FELLOWSHIP HALL
We are excited to invite you to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 16, 2024, following the Mosaic service. Join us for an afternoon of fellowship, gratitude, and delicious food as we celebrate this special season together! Due to limited space, reservations are required. Please RSVP by November 9 to ensure your spot. We look forward to sharing this joyous occasion with you!
Click the above icon to register.
FAITH & FAMILY NIGHTS: MAVERICKS VS. KINGS // FEB 10 // SAVE THE DATE
More details to come. If you want to help lead in these type of outings contact Gary Livingston.
PURSUE GOD
BETTER TOGETHER: CHOSEN APPEAL // OCT 19, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
Reign Above It All, Good Plans, Forever YHWH, I Believe #WorshipSet #Oct19 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
BETTER TOGETHER: TOGETHER ON MISSION // OCT 05, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
Glorious Day, Raise A Hallelujah, Reckless Love, Great Are You Lord #WorshipSet #Oct5 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
AYP DEVOTIONAL: EMBRACING COMMUNITY
Finding Joy and Purpose in Shared Faith
There’s a profound truth in the saying, “happiness is not real unless it is shared.” This principle touches on something deeply ingrained in our human experience: the need for connection. Whether we’re navigating life’s highs or lows, the joy of sharing those moments with others amplifies their impact and significance. This sentiment is not only reflected in our everyday interactions but is also deeply rooted in our spiritual journey.
In Genesis 1:26, we read, “Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This passage highlights a divine plurality within God’s nature. Just as God exists in a perfect relationship of unity and diversity, we, created in His image, are also designed to thrive in communal settings. This inherent need for connection is not just a social preference but a reflection of our very nature as beings made in the image of a relational God.
The Value of Community in Faith
When we consider our involvement in a faith community, it’s worth reflecting on the benefits it offers. A faith community provides more than just a place to worship; it creates a network of support, encouragement, and shared values. Being part of a church or faith group can offer a deep sense of belonging and purpose.
For many, being an active participant in a faith community is more than a ritual; it’s a source of profound joy and fulfillment. Jesus spoke about the power of community when He said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). This promise underscores the special presence of Christ when believers come together in His name.
Aligning with Christ’s Call for Unity
Christ’s call for unity is central to our understanding of community in the faith. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed that “all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” This call for unity is not just about being in the same physical space but about sharing a common vision, purpose, and commitment to Christ.
In various Christian traditions, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, there is a focus on core principles such as the Sabbath and holistic living. These practices reflect a commitment to living out one’s faith in a way that aligns with Biblical teachings. This alignment helps believers find a sense of purpose and connection within their faith community.
Navigating Denominational Affinity
In a world with numerous Christian denominations, it’s natural to question the role and value of being part of a specific faith community. Yet, this question invites us to explore what truly makes a faith community meaningful. For many, the choice to remain engaged with a particular church or faith group can be seen as a commitment to a community that nurtures their spiritual growth and aligns with their values.
For example, a church that emphasizes holistic living, education, and social justice reflects a comprehensive approach to faith. This approach can provide a rich context for personal and collective growth, as well as opportunities for service and outreach that align with the teachings of Christ.
Practical Ways to Engage and Benefit
Being an active participant in a faith community offers practical benefits that can enhance one’s spiritual and personal life. Here are a few ways to engage meaningfully:
Join Small Groups: Small groups within the church provide intimate settings for deeper connections and personal growth. They offer opportunities for prayer, study, and mutual support.
Volunteer: Engaging in volunteer work through the church allows you to put your faith into action. Whether it’s serving the community or participating in church events, volunteering helps build a sense of purpose and connection.
Attend Services Regularly: Regular attendance at church services helps reinforce your faith and provides consistent spiritual nourishment. It also strengthens your ties to the community.
Build Relationships: Take the time to get to know others in the church. Building genuine relationships can create a support network that helps you navigate life’s challenges.
Balancing Faith and Personal Growth
It’s important to remember that being part of a faith community doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers or conform perfectly to every aspect of its teachings. Instead, it’s about growing together, supporting one another, and pursuing a shared journey of faith.
As children of God, embracing a faith community can offer significant benefits in terms of connection, support, and spiritual growth. As we reflect on Christ’s call for unity and the role of community in our lives, may we find joy in our shared experiences and purpose in our collective journey of faith.
--Tim Kosaka, AYP President & Kayla Goodman, AYP Chaplain
BETTER TOGETHER: TOGETHER WITH THE CHURCH // SEP 28, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
Made For More, Egypt, Holy Spirit, Good Plans #WorshipSet #Sep28 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their new series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
YG SPEAKER: PASTOR APRIL CHISHOLM SNYDER, MPH
April Chisholm Snyder Is the Pastor for Community Engagement at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church. She’s a seminary student and a recent Master of Public Health graduate from Andrews University. Her and her husband Blake both attended Arlington Adventist Church as children, and are passionate about ministry and growing deeper in their relationship with Christ.
BETTER TOGETHER: INTERNATIONAL DAY 2024
Believe For It, So Will I, Worthy, How Great is Our God/How Great Thou Art #WorshipSet #Sep21 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity #TheseAreThey #InternationalDay2024
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their new series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
DEAR CHURCH: VOICES OF ADVENTIST YOUNG ADULTS
Every day, young adults are deciding whether or not to leave the Church. Rather than simply asking, "Why?" we wanted to ask another question: "Can you tell us your story?" Dear Church is a ten-part series that narratively tells the stories of young adults in the Seventh-day Adventist community. Each episode concludes with the guest sharing a personal letter they’ve written to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
"If you could say anything to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, what would you say?" This is the question Pastor Aren Rennacker had for young adults in the Seventh-day Adventist community. The answers he began to receive led him to a deeper journey than he expected.
In this first episode of ten, listen as Pastor Aren speaks with various young adults, as well as one of the leading voices for young adult involvement in the Adventist Church. Click the above icon or here to listen to episode one on Spotify.
BETTER TOGETHER: TOGETHER WITH CHRIST // SEP 14, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
Take You At Your Word, Firm Foundation, Trust In God #WorshipSet #Sep14 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their new series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
ADVENT NEXT: GROWING YOUNG NEXT GENERATION CHURCH
[Premiered April 30, 2020] Advent Next is a theological podcast curated for curious faith discussions. Our guest is Dr. A. Allan Martin, the teaching pastor at Younger Generation Church. In our current era of quarantine and isolation, I’m sure the question on many minds is how will the church create community in the days ahead? One thing I’m sure we’ve learned, by being deprived of it, is that community IS deeply important. Community is vitally connected to what it means to be human. So this episdoe, we have Dr. Martin, a former professor at Andrews University and research facilitator for one of Barna Group’s studies called Adventist Millennial Research exploring what are the key components for growing vibrant communities of faith.
BETTER TOGETHER: BELONG TOGETHER // SEP 7, 10:15AM CT // YOUNGER GENERATION CHURCH
The Father's House, Who You Say I Am, Good Grace, Build My Life #WorshipSet #Sep7 10:15AM CT https://tinyurl.com/YGlivestream #ygchurch #BetterTogether #CreatedForCommunity
19 And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. 20 You are being built on a solid foundation: the message of the prophets and the voices of God’s chosen emissaries with Jesus, the Anointed Himself, the precious cornerstone. 21 The building is joined together stone by stone—all of us chosen and sealed in Him, rising up to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are being built together, creating a sacred dwelling place among you where God can live in the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:19-22 [Voice]
We were created for community. Join Younger Generation Church in their new series, "Better Together: Built For Community," Saturdays, 10:15AM Central. We would love to see you in person at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427.
YG MEDIA ARCHIVES: THOUSANDS OF SERMONS & SERVICES ON DEMAND
For inspiration and/or discipleship, on your own or with a group, take advantage of this vast collection of worship experiences and sermons from Younger Generation Church. Click the above icon to gain access to the YG Video Vault.
EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY
Text “join” to 817-754-4474 to connect with @ygchurch
ATTENTION YOUNG WOMEN! // BETTER TOGETHER
There's a new exciting program Women's Ministries is doing called Better Together. We want to build connections with ladies of all ages. Ladies, if you want to maybe learn something new, have fun while making better connections with each other, pray for each other, click the icon above, or scan the QR code to learn more and sign up.
GROWING TOGETHER: WARM COMMUNITY
In the Spring of 2020, Pastor Martin presented in Australia as part of the Growing Together initiative being held down under. This presentation gives focus to the Growing Young commitment of Warm Community. Click the above icon or here to watch the presentation on YouTube.
Looking to put some spring in your step and your conversations? When you join an AYP Group, you can connect with other young professionals and have meaningful discussions that are sure to encourage you. Check out AYP.me/Groups to learn more and join a group today!
RIGHTNOW MEDIA VIRTUAL LIBRARY
As a YGer you have access to RightNow Media—the world’s largest streaming library of video Bible study resources. This extensive library has more than 20,000 videos from leaders like Francis Chan, Jennie Allen, Matt Chandler, Dr. Tony Evans, and many more. These Bible study videos can be used as part of a group study or for personal devotions, and many series include free discussion guides and handouts.
RightNow Media has videos for everyone in your family on a variety of topics like marriage, parenting, personal finances, mental health, and more. There’s even a library just for kids with over 2,000 safe, entertaining videos. Click the above icon or click here to gain access to our digital library!
INSPIRE HOPE // SHARE GRACE
CHOSEN: A LOOK BACK
As we prepare once again to partner with World Vision, click the above icon to reflect on our church's past participation with Chosen.
REVIVE COMMUNITY CARE: WE ARE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER
Inspire those around you with the hope of grace by volunteering with Revive Community Care! Participate and refer those in need, revivecommunitycare.com
YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES @YGCHURCH GROW, GLOW, & GO
We invite you to support @ygchurch financially. As you bless YG, our young adults overflow that blessing into our community and into the world. Your tax-deductible donation helps YG grow, glow, and go. Thank you. Click the above icon or here for ways to give.
How does your support overflow into the world? Click here for @ygchurch stories of overflow.
GRATITUDE
THANKS Y’ALL
Over 1200 folks came out for Shindig 2024! Thanks for spending a wild and wonderful Texas evening with us!
THANK YOU PASTOR ODDIE AND MADELINE OLAZARAN
Deep gratitude to you both for representing our church at the CHOSEN selection party in Zambia, Africa!
HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY ADVENTIST YOUNG PROFESSIONALS!
This month is especially exciting because October 20 marks our 5th anniversary as a ministry. Over these past 5 years, we have been blessed to serve 10,000+ young adults from across the globe. As AYP celebrates 5 years of ministry, founder and president, Tim Kosaka, recently shared his reflections on this ministry milestone. We look forward to how God will use AYP over the next quinquennium.
PRAYERS APPRECIATED
Please keep Pastor Allan in your prayers as he teaches at a Pastors’ Conference in Brazil.
Younger Generation Church is the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church. YG's mission is to deepen our devotion to Christ Jesus through:
• Pursuing INTIMACY with God
• Experiencing COMMUNITY with each other
• Inspiring those around us with the hope of GRACE