7th Day Adventist

Seventh-Day Adventist emerged from the "Millerite movement," which centered on the belief that Jesus would return on October 22, 1844. This day came and went without the return of Christ and led many followers to leave the movement en masse in what is now termed "The Great Disappointment." The Seventh-day Adventist denomination was founded by those who left and has two main distinctions: Sabbath observance on the seventh day (Saturday) and living a life with the expectation of the awaited return of Jesus.

Adventists hold 28 fundamental beliefs including holding the Sabbath on Saturday and treating their body with divine respect, including not consuming some or all meats or intoxicants. Seventh-day Adventists only practice communion four times a year. The communion is open to members and non-members and includes - Foot washing, which symbolizes the commitment to love others as Jesus loves us, and the partaking of Bread and Wine or grape juice. 


Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."
                                                                           Genesis 1:29

I visited Albuquerque Heights Seventh-day Adventist at their 11 am Saturday service. 

♥SOMEWHERE SOMEBODY NEEDS YOUR LOVE TODAY♥

They started out with prayers and their covenant. They had a children's story. I think it is wonderful when churches do that, always reminds me of Jesus and the children in the bible. (Mark 10) Pastor David Merling had everyone in the congregation greet each other and he referred to them as family. It was a large group but most everyone greeted and hugged each other. The greeting they use is, "Happy Sabbath." Pastor Merling offered to pray for people and about a third of the congregation went up front for prayers.  

The Sermon was called "Why Does Jesus Sleep While We Drown" and based on Matthew 8. 

Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"                                                            ~ Matthew 8:26-27

Pastor Merling spoke about how sometimes we think Jesus is asleep and not there for us, but in reality, he is waiting for us to call him so he can carry us. He told us to cast off the "weights of the world so that we do not drown." He shared that we cannot depend on anything of the world, but we can count on Jesus. 

After services the pastor and members spoke to me and welcomed me to visit again. I found the people to be very personable and I loved that the group was wonderfully diverse. 

THANK YOU Heights Seventh-day Adventist church for welcoming me into your family.

Charismatic Church

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥,  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥The Charismatic movement -- which includes the traditions of Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Third Wave -- is now an established part of the world's faith.  The Charismatic Movement was birthed from the Pentecostal faith and came about with the hope of integrating, "Spirit baptism and gifts into the practices of mainline Protestant denominations" and even spread to some Catholic Churches. Many churches have branched out from underneath the Pentecostal denomination and are called independent Charismatic churches, Oasis Family Church is an independent church. Charismatic churches tend to be more progressive and inclusive than Pentecostals. 

I attended the Oasis Family Church for their 5pm Saturday evening service. 

"GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GOOD"

Worshiping God in song was first up on the agenda. The band led the congregation in numerous songs of praise. This was an energetic crowd - people were clapping, raising their hands to the Lord, and even jumping up and down. Their excitement and love filled up the room and was completely contagious. 

The senior pastors are Terry and Angel Mathews. Pastor Mathews was leading the service tonight, he was very lively in his love of God. Many times throughout the evening - the pastor instructed us to reach out and greet the people around us - share the word of God with them.  The sermon was rich in Biblical support. He shared with us that through Jesus we are all invited into the Kingdom of God and spoke of the redeeming value of the blood of Christ. We can remove the stains of sin by washing them away with the blood of Christ. 

"He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."                    ~ Colossians 1:22

I BELIEVE 

I RECEIVE 

For communion the ushers passed around "communion kits" - a sealed cup of juice with a sealed wafer on top. The Pastor then led the congregation in a prayer and communion was received all together - I rather liked that.

I have to say, I went to the service after a 10 hour workday. I was very tired but after I left this service - I felt very rejuvenated. 

They are transitioning to a new building, another church is in the process of moving in and Oasis Family Church moving out. So if you decide to visit - they may be in a new and better location for them. 

THANK YOU Oasis Family Church for helping the Spirit of God move me

Faith Lutheran Church

The Lutheran church was founded rather unintentionally in 1517 by the German Monk, Martin Luther. In an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, he published 95 Theses in protest to the practice of indulgences. Instead of serving as an inspiration for reform in the church, it led to his excommunication. Despite threats to his life, he continued his studies and teachings which turned into Lutheranism. 

One of the largest and oldest denominations of Protestant Christianity. Lutherans number over 70 million worldwide, According to the Lutheran World Federation.

I did not realize this but there are actually many different types of Lutheran churches. There are Evangelical ELCA, Missouri Synoid LCMS, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ  LCMC, and possibly even more. LCMC is a very small denomination of the Lutheran Faith with only 820 congregations worldwide. 


I attended Faith Lutheran's 5pm Saturday service. Their sanctuary is very spectacular and bright with expansive high windows that allow the Sandias to watch over during service. 

Faith Lutheran is a member of the LCMC and teaches the Lutheran themes of "grace alone, faith alone, word alone and Christ alone." 

Holy Communion is only conducted on the first Sunday of each month but is done so as an "open table" - all Christians who truly repent of their sins are welcome to join in receiving the Lord's Supper.

The service started with a prayer and then greetings - I have to say I love when churches have members greet each other during the service - adds a great warmth to the whole situation. 

SHINE their performance youth group performed a skit that illustrated how modern trappings such as hobbies or gaming can put a distance between you and Jesus. They did a fabulous job and showed great talent and pride in their faith. 

The sermon was based on Romans 12. Associate Pastor Jerry Watts spoke to the congregation of being mindful of that which truly rules your life. Are we allowing ourselves to be distracted by the modern conveniences and amusements of daily life? Rather than allowing external influences to guide our lives we should allow the Eternal to transform our lives ~ He encouraged us to let the Glory of God be brought out into our lives and shape our passions. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind

~ Romans 12:2

Saved by grace through faith - Pastor Watts

Note: Because of the gorgeous sanctuary and view - it also seems to be a popular place for weddings. 

THANK YOU Faith Lutheran for sharing your worship service with me. 

The Mars Hill Experience

Mars Hill is a nondenominational franchised church with its flagship church in Seattle Washington. There are 15 churches most of which are on the West coast. The church's basic principles are:

• Teaching about Jesus through studying the Bible

• Making Disciples who love God and love others

• Plant churches so that more disciples can be made

Christianity is the Life of God lived through Us - Mark Driscoll

I attended the 5pm service this Sunday at the Mars Hill Church in Albuquerque. Like many churches, they require their members to commit to a moral covenant. They are a hip and happening congregation without a doubt. Young people are prevalent in the congregation and the music is lively, modern Christian rock. 

Each church has a lead male Pastor who runs the services but the weekend sermons are video broadcasts from the founder, Pastor Mark Driscoll. The sermons are very meaty and Biblically rich. This week's sermon was one in a continuing series from the book of James:

Temptation ≠ Sin 

Jesus was tempted, but was without sin. Pastor Driscoll spoke of why we are tempted. It is not God's doing, yet it serves as an opportunity for God to teach us different lessons in life. 

 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone                   ~ James 1:13

He preached that having temptations is not sin and does not mean you have lost the war. You can still win - do not be discouraged, hold steadfast because God's grace always allows a path for success. 

Be Honest, Humble and Aware           -  Pastor Driscoll

Knowing your temptations will help you know which "Bait" to avoid because, when there is Bait there is always a Hook. He assured us that God would not send us more temptation than we could handle and overcome. 

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.              ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

After the sermon, children joined their parents in the service. I really liked their communion. People are asked to pray and contemplate the sermon and as they are ready, go up to receive communion. 

THANK YOU Mars Hill of Albuquerque for showing me how you love and worship Jesus. 

Note: Mars Hill in The Bible is the site of one of Paul's most famous sermons in Athens, Greece.