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Greetings church family,
The SHOFAR
Pastor Mark and I traveled to Israel in 2018. It will always be one of the most epic impactful trips of my life. Most of you know that I love music and musical instruments.
Israel has unique instruments that are spiritually and prophetically symbolic. It was with anticipation that I walked through one shop in the town of Bethlehem, searching for a unique instrument for purchase. Soon my eyes fell upon a long horn curled and curved in a unique way. The light hit it in such a way that I was captivated instantly. It was about three feet long. It was hollow inside. When you blow on it, depending on how you purse your lips more firmly or less firmly, you can produce a variety of tones from low to high. I knew instantly that this was the one I wanted to have.
This horn is called a Shofar. A Shofar is made from a ram’s horn or other kosher animal. It is used for Jewish religious purposes such as announcing the New Year, new moon, or to bring in the Sabbath. Shofars were also sounded at the start of a war, like when the walls of Jericho fell. It would also pronounce the anointing of a new King.
Probably, the most prominent spiritual reason for the use of the ram’s horn was when a ram was found that had its horns caught in a bush on Mount Moriah long ago. You know the story of Abraham and his obedience to offer his son as a sacrifice. According to Leo Rosten, a Jewish author, “The bend in the shofar is supposed to represent how a human heart, in true repentance, bends before the Lord. The ram’s horn serves to remind the pious how Abraham, offering his son Isaac in sacrifice, was reprieved when God decided that Abraham could sacrifice a ram instead.”
This last Sabbath, I felt like it would have been a great time to blow the horn of the shofar for the Sunnyside Church because we were able to meet again in person for the first time in a year since Covid-19 hit. We are now embarking on a new expanding way to share the good news about who God is which combines online and in-person ministry. The horn is blasting through zoom meetings, rising in pitch through live-stream services that have had an even greater reach than normal. Now we are beginning the privilege of our in-person meetings. Together we want to declare who the King truly is; this One who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. The shofar is also blown because the King is coming soon.
As we begin this new transitional season of being able to meet in person again think of your role in how you will share Jesus. May you be like a shofar that sounds out a call to wake up, live, and love to the fullest, like Jesus, in the way we treat others and love our God. Rise to the challenge to face whatever comes with courage because our King is coming soon. He is worthy of our worship to sound the trumpet and horn so the world will hear and be transformed by our loving God. So sound out the horn loudly this week.
Pastor Wendy Witas
News & Notes
THIS WEEKEND
Welcome back! Just a reminder, masks are required to cover the mouth and nose for the entire service and while you are in the building, 6′ distancing must be maintained, sit in the unmarked pews, and please no handshaking or hugging. If you have a medical condition or other reasons that will prevent you from wearing a mask properly, or feel you cannot maintain distancing, please take this opportunity to watch live-streaming from the comfort of your home.
This afternoon from 2:00-3:30 pm, there will be a North American Division Religious Liberty webinar titled “Christian Witness in an Era of Covid-19, Christian Nationalism, Racial Injustice and the Equality Act. Our own Andre Wang will be on the panel. View on the Liberty Magazine SDA YouTube channel.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our flower calendar is now posted in the hallway and online. (Go to our website, www.SunnysideAdventist.org, click on “Our Ministries.”) Please choose a date to share flowers with your Sunnyside family for worship services and place your name on it. As the date gets closer, we will contact you to see what you would like in the bulletin about the flowers.
Sabbath School quarterlies for April-June are now available. There is a stack on the ledge next to the office window where you may help yourself. If you need one mailed to you contact the office at 503-252-8080 or send an email, info@SunnysideAdvenetist.org. We’ll make sure you get what you need.
The March/April Children’s Sabbath Packets are available from the information desk in the church foyer. If you do not have a code to get into the church, contact Rosie at the church office,
503-252-8080. Packets contain lesson stories, memory verses, crafts, and activities for each Sabbath in January and February. We have packets for Beginners, Kindergarten/1st grade, Primary 4th/5th grades, and Junior High.
Praying for Your Grandchildren: The Why’s and How’s of Prayer as a Critical Component of Our Spiritual Legacies This is highly recommended for grandparents who want to help their grandkids stay healthy, happy, and pass on their faith in God to them. This is an incredible resource that will give you great tools when you don’t know what to do but love your grandkids and want to help. Parents will be blessed by registering and tuning in as well. https://us02web.zoom.us/…/WN_7CTH1sBxQAOcinI8vm8vqw…
Several of our classes are meeting during this challenging time via Zoom. We want to share these with you — if you see one that you would like to join, send your contact information to info@SunnysideAdventist.org or call 503-252-8080, and we will make sure you receive a Zoom invitation to join. Here is a list of Sabbath School classes: the Santiam class (Gingrich, Fenn, Hill, Martin & Westermeyer); the Reboot Bible study group (Glovatsky, Kielman, Dickerson, and Dragulin); Steffen Moller and his team of teachers, Jim’s Through-the-Bible study class, and a class led by Tom Stafford, Raymond Baker, and Dean Browning; the Faith Time group; and the Romanian group. On Wednesday morning there is Women’s FaithLift prayer ministry group; and a men’s Bible study group. Let us know if you would like to join in!
Directory Update — We are missing many photos! We would love to have your photo in our directory. If you haven’t given us one, please upload a photo through your Elexio app or send a snapshot to info@SunnysideAdventist.org. If you can’t email it, mail it, we’ll scan it, and return it to you. It does not have to be one that is professionally taken. We just want to be able to identify you with a photo! Thank you for your help with this.
During this difficult time, if you are in need of financial help for rent, utilities, or other needs, the Family Resource Network stands by to help. Or if you know of a fellow church member that may need help and is hesitant to ask, let us know. Call the church office at 503-252-8080 or send an email to info@SunnysideAdventist.org.
Adventist Education
Portland Adventist Elementary School
Portland Adventist Academy
ENROLLMENT/REENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR 2021-2022
Save $125 by enrolling online between now and March 31. To get started with online enrollment, current families can go to www.renweb.com and log into ParentsWeb. Contact Mary Sperl for assistance at 503-519-6868 or msperl@paasda.org. To apply for Financial Aid, please complete the 2021-2022 FACTS Financial Aid Application as soon as possible to get the most out of the available funds. Contact Darcie Hordofa for assistance at dhordofa@paasda.org or 971-351-9015.
ENTER TO WIN $1,000 TUITION!! Whether you are a new or returning student, if you complete your RenWeb registration for next school year, you will be entered into a drawing for $1,000 towards your 2021/2022 tuition. If you are also interested in a scholarship for next year, you will need to complete your FACTS Financial Aid Application as soon as possible. See the ENROLLMENT/REENROLLMENT section on the first page for a link to the FACTS application.
If you’re an Amazon shopper, you can add Portland Adventist Academy as your AmazonSmile charitable organization. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchases to PAA. You can feel good knowing that you’re helping our students receive a Christ-centered and character-driven education! Create your account at www.smile.amazon.com. Search charitable organizations for Portland Adventist Academy. Link: https://paasda.org/news/amazon-smiles-at-portland-adventist-academy/.
Walla Walla University
Walla Walla University is hiring both faculty and staff position right now! To see a list of available positions, job descriptions and to apply, please visit: jobs.wallawalla.edu.
Area Events and Announcements
PACS Food Pantry Drive-thru OPEN Mon-Fri from 9:00-11:00 am. We are still operating with social distancing and social responsibility. If you or someone you know needs food please tell them about us. If you cannot make it to PACS please send a note with someone and they can get you food. Any questions please call PACS at 503-252-8500 or email pacsfood2020@gmail.com. Located at 11020 NE Halsey St, Portland OR 97220
PACS Thrift Store is OPEN – we have temporary hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00 am-5:00 pm & Friday 9:00 am-2:30 pm.
Our donation drop-off center is open and we value your donations but due to a high volume of donations please call ahead to see if we are accepting, 503-252-8500. Located at 11020 NE Halsey St, Portland OR 97220.
PACS Thrift Store – At Home Shopping: www.facebook.com/groups/pacsthriftstore
Empty Egg Cartons? PACS Needs Them!
If you have any 12-count empty egg cartons we would love to take them off your hands to use in our food pantry! Please drop them off at our Office or Donation Receiving. Thank You In Advance!
Job Opportunity:
PACS is now hiring for Goods Processor, Receiver and Goods Pricer-part time for their thrift store. Contact laura.pascoe@pacsonline.org for information.
Sunnyside News 
