If you hurry, you can still enjoy the Spring Concert at Glendale Adventist Academy tonight (Thurs., May 17) at 7:00 p.m. (700 Kimlin Drive) and the annual Spring Concert at San Fernando Valley Academy (17601 Lassen St., Northridge) tomorrow night (Fri., May 18)! See details below. Music lovers will also enjoy hearing violinist Jaime Jorge in concert at the Living Stones Adventist Church, 6235 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta.

If you haven't signed up yet for the Reversing Diabetes, Obesity & Heart Disease Seminar but know that you need the help it can offer, you can call up until Friday noon at the number below. It starts Fri. May 18 at 5 p.m.

If you are from the South L. A. area and are wondering what's been happening in your church since you last visited, you might want to drop in at the re:connect Day celebration at the 54th Street Church (1973 W. 54th St.) on Saturday, May 19. You'll make new friends and renew old friendships, enjoy a great message and, of course, one of the potlucks that Adventist churches are famous for!

And there's still time to enjoy the final week of free online training in medical mission work. Here's how:
Now - May 31 – Free Online Medical Missionary School. M-F 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PST. To register, email:  jamesluke66@yahoo.com  To listen only, call 712-432-0075 pin 624255. Sponsored by Women’s Ministry of the Central Filipino Church in conjunction with Healing through the Loss of Health. Info: 323-255-7718

May 17 − Music Department Spring Concert at Glendale Adventist Academy, featuring the Band, Jazz Band, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir and Chorale. 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Info: 818-244-8671

May 18 − San Fernando Valley Academy annual Spring Concert, featuring the 25th anniversary performance of Michael Spencer's cantata, Children of the City. The work was commissioned by SCC for the Junior High Choir Festival in 1987 and has been revived several times, including a special performance for a General Conference morning worship. Performance will feature students from all grade levels, in music focused on Christ's second coming.  All are invited to attend, especially those who sang in the premiere performance! 7:00 p.m. Info: 818-349-1373

May 18 – Violinist Jaime Jorge in Concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Living Stones Church. Info: 818-249-2492

May 18-20 – Reversing Diabetes, Obesity & Heart Disease Seminar, at the Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel at Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 West Temple Ave #76 • Pomona 91768 5:00 p.m. Fri., May 18 – 4 p.m. Sun., May 20.  Board-certified physicians Lorayne Barton MD; Daniel Choo MD; Michael Orlich MD; Doug Plata, MD. Registration fee of $330/double occupancy ($290 for spouses), per person includes lodging, six heart-healthy, plant-based meals, exercise, lectures, cooking instruction and syllabus. $50 discount. Visa, Master Card accepted. Details, flyer available at http://scchealthmin.adventistfaith.org or http://www.reversediabetesnaturally.com. Info: call or text, 818-516-6508; email, bcooney818@sbcglobal.net

May 19 − re:connect, a special day to reconnect with former members.  All day, including morning message and at 5:00 p.m. Vespers, at the 54^th St. Church. Abraham Jules, DMin, pastor of the Mt. Vernon Church in New York, will be the featured speaker. Info: 323-292-2762

Happy Mother's Day, all! This weekend in SCC promises to be a great occasion for mothers, mothers-in-law, the women who may not have had children but who love and mentor young people, and the children who honor them, with lots of sunshine and the joy of family get-togethers. In addition to the traditional sharing of carnations and other flowers during many church services, three congregations hurches have scheduled special events to complement Mothers' Day celebrations:

May 11-12 – The Family I Have Always Wanted, a Family Ministries seminar (in English, with Spanish translation). 7:00 p.m., May 11; a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (lunch will be served), May 12. What type of family would you like to have? Is it possible to have successful families today? Speakers: James Kyle II, MD; MDiv; Hector Ramal, MDiv; Edelweiss Ramal, PhD; Pastor Kazar Ackerman, Campus Hill Adventist Church, Loma Linda CA. At the Tamarind Avenue Church. Musical guests: Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Tenor; Canaan Quartet, from the Carson Spanish Adventist Church. Info: Pastor Marcos Castro, 310-400-2510.

May 12 − WCTU Intercollegiate Oratorical Contest, featuring contestants from Glendale Community College, Los Angeles City College, Fullerton College, Barstow College and Southern Adventist University. 2:00 p.m. at Vallejo Drive Youth Chapel. Info: 818-548-5030

May 12 − The Second Saturday Concert Series will feature organist Namhee Han, a widely acclaimed artist. 4:00 p.m. at the Glendale City Church.  A reception follows. Info: 818-244-7241

Happy Mother's Day, all! This weekend in SCC promises to be a great occasion for mothers, mothers-in-law, the women who may not have had children but who love and mentor young people, and the children who honor them, with lots of sunshine and the joy of family get-togethers. In addition to the traditional sharing of carnations and other flowers during many church services, three congregations have scheduled special events to complement Mothers' Day celebrations:

May 11-12 – The Family I Have Always Wanted, a Family Ministries seminar (in English, with Spanish translation). 7:00 p.m., May 11; a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (lunch will be served), May 12. What type of family would you like to have? Is it possible to have successful families today? Speakers: James Kyle II, MD; MDiv; Hector Ramal, MDiv; Edelweiss Ramal, PhD; Pastor Kazar Ackerman, Campus Hill Adventist Church, Loma Linda CA. At the Tamarind Avenue Church. Musical guests: Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Tenor; Canaan Quartet, from the Carson Spanish Adventist Church. Info: Pastor Marcos Castro, 310-400-2510.

May 12 − WCTU Intercollegiate Oratorical Contest, featuring contestants from Glendale Community College, Los Angeles City College, Fullerton College, Barstow College and Southern Adventist University. 2:00 p.m. at Vallejo Drive Youth Chapel. Info: 818-548-5030

May 12 − The Second Saturday Concert Series will feature organist Namhee Han, a widely acclaimed artist. 4:00 p.m. at the Glendale City Church.  A reception follows. Info: 818-244-7241

May 3 through May 6, exciting activities are scheduled in Southern California Conference, so May is starting with a joyful bang!

On May 3, a free Forks Over Knives screening and CHIP Information Session will be held 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Alhambra Adventist Church. Info: 818-949-8357; email, AlhambraCHIP@gmail.com; www.LAchiphealth.org

Mayo 4-6 − (La registración se cerró, el cupo está lleno.) Sanando al Mundo un Cuerpo a la Vez, Retiro de Salud Hispano presentando el Seminario Reversión y Prevención de la Diabetes, Obesidad y Enfermedades Coronarias, Naturalmente. Presentadores: Hildemar Dos Santos, MD, PhD, Escuela de Salud Pública, Loma Linda; Eddie Ramírez Díaz, MD; Vasthi Silva, MD, Medicina Interna, Glendale. Orador invitado, Pastor Ramón Canals, Unión Pacífico Norte. En Camp Cedar Falls, Angelus Oaks.  

Calling all Glendale Adventist Academy Alumni: It's Alumni Weekend at GAA! May 5 events include breakfast at 9:00 a.m. and church following. Lunch will be in the cafeteria, catered by Shomari Boulin, a 2001 alumnus and a Cordon Bleu chef. Honor classes include: ‘02, ‘92, ‘87, ‘82, ‘72, ‘62, ‘52, and ‘42. On campus at 700 Kimlin Drive. Info: 818-244-8671; http://www.glendaleacademy.org. On May 6, GAA's annual May Festival will feature showcases, food booths, games and musical performances. 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., also on the Glendale Adventist Academy campus, 700 Kimlin Drive. Info: 818-244-8671; http://www.glendaleacademy.org/ 

May 6 − 14th Annual Ladies’ Tea. 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Temple City Adventist Church, 9664 Broadway.  Guest speaker, Dorothy Means, Loved, Blessed and Grateful, Pacific Union Conference Women’s Ministry Director. Silent auction at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds go for $500 scholarships for young ladies attending Adventist colleges; for Baby Moses/ Mosette baskets (for baby dedications) and widows’ events. $15 donation; $7.50 students. Vegan food on request. Info: 626-286-5437

May 6 - June 10 – CHIP Program (Coronary Health Improvement Project), designed to substantially lower high levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, heartburn, angina and to lessen depression. Facilitates the reversal of narrowed arteries. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Alhambra Adventist Church, 220 S. Chapel Ave. (Graduation, Sun., June 24.) Info: 818-949-8357; email, AlhambraCHIP@gmail.com; www.LAchiphealth.org

April is ending with a varied menu of activities in Southern California area Adventist churches and schools, offering plenty of opportunities to connect, network, learn and grow. Take time to check out the listings and enjoy!

Calling all alumni of La Sierra Academy (951-351-1445, ext. 244; lsaalumni@lsak12.com) and Adventist Union School-Bellflower Elementary School (Info: 562-867-0718)! Both schools are hosting reunions Apr. 27 - 29 on their campuses, so don't miss out on an opportunity to reconnect with other alumni! Details at scc.adventist.org on the Calendar.

Glendale Adventist Academy will present Grease, the Musical, on Apr. 26 and 28 in the school auditorium - at 7:00 p.m. on Apr. 26; and 8:00 p.m. on Apr. 28. Tickets, $12/adults; $7/students; senior citizens and children under 5, free. Info: 818-244-8671

Apr. 26-29, Reflecting Christ is the theme of the 2012 Pacific Union ASI Convention. Main speaker, John Bradshaw, speaker, It Is Written; morning devotionals, Louis Torres, president, Guam-Micronesia Mission; seminar presenter, Fred Bischoff MD, president of the Adventist Pioneer Library. Starts Thurs., Apr. 26, at 5:30 p.m., ends Apr. 29 at 11:30 a.m. It will be held at the Loma Linda University Wong Kerlee International Convention Center. Other details at scc.adventist.org on the Calendar.

Another kind of convention will be held Apr. 27-28: Committed Like Never Before, the Literature Evangelism Summit. Presenters will include Pastor Wilmar Hirle, assoc director, General Conference Publishing Dept.; Heidi Bryant, director, SCC Student Literature Ministries. Apr. 27, 7:00 p.m.; Apr. 28, 11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Adventist Church. Info: 253-347-2047

A new seminar on the nature of faith and its impact on our lives today, called Foundations for Faith, starts Apr. 27 and will continue through May 19. Developed by Pastor Jim Ayars, the seminar will explore the verifiable historical evidence for the reality of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, and what we learn from Him in His teachings. Topics are especially designed for people coming from a background of minimal to no knowledge of Jesus; however, anyone who attends will be enriched as the basic tenets of our faith are reaffirmed in the light of the real historical Jesus of Nazareth. Starts at 7:00 p.m., Apr. 27, at the Ventura Adventist Church and continuing for five nights per week (Fri., Sat. Sun., Tues. and Wed.) to May 19. Info: 805 642-5387.

On Apr. 29 and May 3, Forks Over Knives Screenings and CHIP Information Sessions will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Alhambra Adventist Church. The screenings and the information sessions are free. Check the website for other free screenings and Information Sessions. Info: 818-949-8357; email, AlhambraCHIP@gmail.com; www.LAchiphealth.org

On Apr. 28, A Celebration of Life will be held, to help release grief.  2:30 p.m. at the All Nations Adventist Church in Monrovia. Chaplain Elias Molina, Glendale Adventist Med. Ctr., will be the speaker. Info/Pre-Regis: http://www.eventbrite.com/ event/3347758235

The word is Fellowship again this weekend, for many Adventists living in or coming to  Southern California Conference. A San Fernando Valley Academy Alumni Reunion for 1961 – 1979 graduates, along with the classes of ‘82, ‘87, ‘92, ‘97,’02, ‘07 and ’10 will have plenty of opportunities for fellowship that will flow throughout the Sabbath and spill over into Sunday. See the details in the Calendar listing on this website!

Bonding, Binding, Building, the annual Greater Los Angeles Convocation, will be held at the White Memorial Church this Sabbath. In addition to lots of warm fellowship, this year's Convocation has a focus of Outreach, Inreach and Professional Development, with a resulting Total Health emphasis. Morning speakers will include Youth Speaker, Pastor Courtney Ray, Tamarind Avenue Church; and Leslie Pollard, DMin, PhD, MBA, president, Oakwood University, in the sanctuary. The afternoon program at 4:00 will feature the ordination of Pastor Morris Barnes, associate pastor, Valley Crossroads Church. The ordination will be followed by a concert interspersed with several baptisms. (And any youngsters attending in the morning should definitely not miss the Noah's Ark feature on the church patio, with live creatures to help tell Noah's story!)

Another fellowship event will be at the Glendale City Church. Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum Magazine, will speak at the Los Angeles Adventist Forum. The topic, Finding Peace in the Midst of the Adventist Cultural Wars. Amen to that!

An Understanding Grief Seminar, for those sad times when fellowship is broken, will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the All Nations Church in Monrovia. Chaplain Elias Molina, Glendale Adventist Med. Ctr., will be the presenter. 

Ten baptisms in one day, Sabbath, Apr. 14, at the White Memorial Church! Pastor Ben Del Pozo reports that ths is the first time so many baptisms have occurred in one day at the church. Pastor James Dok will officiate, during the 11 o'clock service, which will also feature a sermon and music by Schubert and Yolanda Palmer. Talk about a high day!

In many parts of SCC on Apr. 14, a "high day" will be enjoyed: at the Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley, the final day of the SONscreen Film Festival will be held, featuring the film products and thoughts of many young adults in Adventist colleges and elsewhere.

Two outstanding concerts are scheduled for April 14: Rejoice in the Lamb Second Saturday Concert at the Glendale City Church at 4 p.m., will feature the Glendale City Sanctuary Choir with works by Britten, Parry and Rutter; and Vernal Evensong, celebrating the glory of new birth and of music at the Ventura Church, will be presented at 5:00 p.m. by the Ventura Adventist Chorale and chamber musicians, with two musical settings of The Magnificat, and Johann Michael Haydn's Mass for St. Leopold.

Tonight is the last opportunity to attend a Wisdom Keys to Lost Civilizations: In Search of Solomon’s Treasures presentation, which has been held Saturday evenings for several weeks. 7:00 p.m. at the Van Nuys Church, by Pastor John Aitken, who produced the unique, multimedia series.

Many other special events are occurring in Greater Los Angeles Seventh-day Adventist churches. We invite you to visit the one nearest you for a special experience.

(Find church locations for these and other events in the Churches section on this site.)

The joy of this weekend on which Christians especially remember Jesus' death and resurrection - for us! -
is so contagious that even some non-Christians are affected. I had a Jewish friend some time ago whose children
sometimes played with ours. I still remember Karen telling me how much she enjoyed the sight of her boys
participating in a Christian play one Easter time. The boys were attending a Christian school in her area at the time because
their mother felt it was the best school nearby. Somehow, the sight of their sons singing Christian songs about
the Easter story just made her smile. I'm sure the irony of two Jewish boys' involvement was what caused her smile, but I
know, too, that the family not only celebrated Passover and Chanukah--but Christmas and Easter as well! Joy is that contagious!

You will be blessed this weekend by whatever church you visit in Southern California Conference - most will have special
services and events focused on Jesus' death on the cross and on His resurrection. You will find a number of these listed
in the Calendar on this website, but there are many more. Two that are planning full programs of family-friendly celebrations are
The Place, in Newbury Park, and the South Bay Church, in Redondo Beach. Visit their websites on this site also; click on Churches
and scroll to their listings.

Wherever you decide to worship this weekend, joy is certain to be part of your experience.

March 31 is a jackpot of sorts, in Southern California Conference churches, with probably the most eclectic and extensive variety of events to choose from in a long time (check the calendar on this website for details):

● Even Song Vespers, featuring 99-year-old, former VOP and Pacific Union Conference Evangelist Elder Byron Spears, Sr. at the Breath of Life Worship Center in Inglewood. ● "Raise the Roof" Benefit Concert at the Eagle Rock Church. Sacred and inspirational music concert, featuring outstanding artists. ● Wisdom Keys to Lost Civilizations: In Search of Solomon’s Treasures at Van Nuys Church continues tomorrow night.

● A mini-spring camp meeting - the Central Filipino Church's Preparation for the Final Crisis with an emphasis on prayer ministry. ● The collegiates are at Camp Cedar Falls for the Jesus Is The Main Thing C3 Retreat for Adventist Collegiates. ● “Islam and Christianity in Bible Prophecy", at the Norwalk Church, meeting nightly through Apr. 8. ● Religious Liberty training 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sabbath afternoon at the SCC office. ● VBS leader training at the same location, also in the afternoon.

Enjoy - and bring a friend!

Knees First - Sometimes we may forget how blessed we are, in this country, in Southern California and in our churches. This evening I had an opportunity to read a newsletter from the North American Religious Liberty Association. It was a wakeup call and a call to prayer. "As we write these words," the opening message reads, "a young Christian pastor sits in a prison in Iran awaiting his fate. He knows that at any moment he will be taken away to be executed by hanging. He knows that he will leave behind his wife, his two young sons and a congregation that will mourn the death of their beloved pastor. And he knows that he didn't have to face this ordeal. At any time during his two-year legal nightmare he could have simply walked away. How? By recanting his faith in Jesus Christ."

There are no words to describe the gulf that exists between what this young pastor faces and whatever may trouble each of us here at this time. Please keep this young pastor and his family in your prayers. You can read more about him at www.religiousliberty.info and also at www.amnesty.org/.

The Brain - This weekend, at the Vallejo Drive Adventist Church (300 Vallejo Drive, Glendale 91206) presenter Arlene R. Taylor, PhD is conducting a seminar on brain function. Taylor specializes in simplifying the complex topic of brain function, with the goal of helping individuals learn to thrive by design. Sabbath, Mar. 25, beginning at 11:00 a.m., she will present Seven Secrets of Communication–a Biblical Perspective; 4:00–6:00 p.m.: Use Your Brain for Success, and How to Alter Old Behaviors. 7:00-8:00 p.m., The Brain and Laughter –Laugh and Last. Sun., 9:00 a.m. -12 Noon, Brunch and lectures: Two Sections of Gender Differences: Which ones really matter? Differences in Vision Style and Hearing. C.E. Credit is available for RNs (CA BRN Provider # 08580) and MFTS/LCSWs (Provider # PCE 37).

The Heart - The Second re:connect Training Seminar will share principles of reaching out to those who no longer worship with us. Examining the many factors related to members becoming disconnected from our churches, including church friendliness, worship styles, the ability to deal with changes in our society and many more will be discussed. We encourage anyone from our churches who did not attend the training sessions in Sept., 2011 who would like to be a part of this type of caring outreach to plan to attend. Sabbath, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Lunch served on both days. Fee: $10 total. Register online at www.reconnectme.org; click on Leader, enter password, scc1844. On Leader page, click on Registration and fill in required information then Submit and Confirm Registration Detail. At the White Memorial Adventist Church (401 No. State St., Los Angeles 90033). Info: 818-546-8437