• HOW TO LISTEN TO SABBATH SCHOOL AND CHURCH ON YOUR PHONE If you (or a senior you know) have limited or no internet access but want to listen to Sabbath School (9:30am) and church (11am) on your phone, you can call 1 (312) 626-6799 (*long distance charges may apply) and enter Meeting ID 974 0616 4323. When prompted, please also add the password: 4909.
• HOW TO WATCH SABBATH SCHOOL AND CHURCH Search "Streaming Channels" in Roku enabled SmartTV's for "Toledo First SDA Church" OR tune in to the church Facebook page OR tune in to the church website.
• IGLESIA ADVENTISTA DE TOLEDO CONTINUES @ 10:30am - 12:45pm in church fellowship hall. Tenemos servicio en español en la sala del comedor todos los sábados de 10:30am - 12:45pm.
• TOLEDO FIRST IS LOOKING FOR A NEW OFFICE MANAGER If you believe you would be a good fit, or you know of another member who might be a good fit, please contact the church office. A job description can be found on the table in the foyer. When letting us know of your interest, please also include a current resume.
• EIGHT WAS ENOUGH! After graduating five students this year, we have been praying for Toledo Junior Academy's enrollment next year. The school board has been praying for eight new students next year and just this week our prayers were answered! In addition to the two that joined mid-year, we're up to ten "new" students for next year PTL! Big thanks and WTG for your prayers! God knows if there are more students who would benefit from the caring Adventist Christian environment our excellent teachers provide.
• WHAT ABOUT FIFTEEN? Previously this year we welcomed Sheryl, Sara, and Joseph into our church family by baptism / profession of faith. Wouldn't it be a God thing to pray for 12 more? (The most we've ever welcomed in one year since I've been pastor at Toledo First is 15...) 
• NEW THREE ANGELS MESSAGES BOOKLET The day is rapidly approaching when changes underway in our world will make it restrictive to share this gospel. The time is now! Join us in getting this message of the saving grace of Christ to the world. Pick up the new Three Angels Messages booklet on the table in church to share with your family, friends, and neighbors.
• MEN'S FELLOWSHIP will begin meeting the last Sunday / month starting JUN 27 at church from 4-6pm. Join us for smoothies and burgers and devotional. Huddle up!
• SACK LUNCH SABBATH JUN 5 This week is an opportunity for individuals to bring their own food to eat lunch together in the fellowship hall after Spanish church concludes or outside on our picnic tables (weather permitting).
• SUMMER S.O.A.P (Scripture / Observation / Application / Prayer) GROUPS Will be meeting @ 2pm after Sack Lunch Sabbaths / Friendship Dinners on JUN 5, JUN 19, JUL 10, and JUL 24 so save the dates! Join us as we learn to Pray / Read / Share for a relationship with Jesus!
• MIKE'S FORTUNE COOKIES I’m creating sixty second devotionals. You can watch the latest one "This New Earth" here if you wish.
• DAD JOKE OF THE WEEK The first time I held a universal remote in my hand I thought..."Well, this changes everything..."
• INVERSE is a new TV Show on Hope Channel (Directv 368). It uses a panel of people to discuss and apply the adult Sabbath School lesson with humor, practicality, simplicity, and authenticity. Also available as a Inverse Podcast!
• DAVE'S SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES Am so proud of Toledo First member DaveB. When he first started making smoothies in 2012 he had two main goals in mind…to feel better, and to get some good healthy healing nutrients into his body. Forty pounds later, a much healthier and happier Dave is seeing his business picking up wherever he parks his supplies. Please post and share about Dave's Superfood Smoothies! And check his website for the latest locations (weather permitting) to snag a smoothie for you too!
• FRIENDSHIP DINNER JUN 19 Our next Friendship Dinners will be June 19. Friendship Dinners are meals prepared by a team of volunteers and served to you. They are not a potluck where individuals bring food from home to share and help themselves.
• CELEBRATING GRADUATES JUN 19 Are you graduating this year, or do you have a child/ grandchild who is? We will be honoring graduates on June 19 during the Friendship Dinner. Please let the office know so we can recognize them at that time! office@toledofirstadventist.org, 419-882-6200
• MASK UPDATE Toledo First has voted to allow individuals to wear masks or not as they see fit at church but to continue social distancing with ropes on pews.
• COMMITTEE TO STUDY GYM CONSTRUCTION CREATED Toledo First has voted the creation of a committee to explore expanding the school to include a gym and to present options to the church at our next business meeting in September.
• CLEANING Toledo First is looking for someone to clean the church for 3 weeks in June while Efrain is out of town. If you are willing to help with this please contact the office asap so we can make sure we have it covered! 419-882-6200
• CAMP MOHAVEN VIDEO They have a new promotional video showing you what Camp Mohaven is like. Check it out!
• 50 / 50 DEAL FOR CAMP MOHAVEN Special scholarships for Toledo First members are available. See the church office for more information asap!
• 40 DAY DASH HAS BEGUN The 40-Day Dash is a challenge to walk or run at least one mile each and every day from May 26th - July 4th. You can also choose to bike 3 miles a day or swim 0.25 miles as an alternative. The dash is all about getting outside and active to start the summer. An intentional mile is where you go out with the purpose of walking or running, it is not the steps that you get at work, at home, or elsewhere doing daily tasks. You can do this!
• WELCOME SABBATH SINGALONG Jackie and I welcome Sabbath with Sandra Entermann and friends from Australia. She started streaming her Friday evening family vespers. And she's still going strong attracting viewers from around the world. You can find her on Facebook and YouTube. Happy Sabbath!
• FOOD PANTRY is again accepting donations. Recently, we fed 27 people PTL. They do NOT need any pasta or green beans, but all other donations would be very helpful and appreciated!
• OFFICE HOURS Pastor Mike is available evenings by appointment TUE - SAT. And also welcomes walk-in visits TUE and WED during business hours in church office.
• MISS A MESSAGE? Did you know you can read the sermon notes via Google Docs by clicking this link for Pastor Mike's Sermons?
• 2021-2022 BOARDING ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS The Ohio Conference has once again opened up the application process for academy age students to receive a $5,000 scholarship to attend any Adventist academy in the country. Deadlines are firm (June 15th) and scholarships are ‘first come, first serve,’ so get your application filled out and submitted as soon as possible. Applications are on the table in the foyer and you may submit them to the office via paper or email.
• MEMBER SURVEY Do you have a prayer request? Bible question? Would you like a visit? Phone call or video chat? Would you like to get involved in some ministry at Toledo First? Would you like to receive automated church updates via phone or text message? A member survey where you can submit this info is now avail on our website.
• CHILDREN'S SABBATH SCHOOLS Cradle Roll (0-2) and Kindergarten (3-6) meets in the school. Primary (7-9) meets in the church library. Juniors (10-12) will meet in their usual classroom at the same time in the daycare area and Youth (13+) will continue meeting in the Youth room. Singspiration for all ages remains in sanctuary and begins at 9:30am.
• TEXT EM ALL The company that allows us to record and send periodic 30 to 60 second voice updates from church also provides texts now. Soon everyone who has previously received calls will also receive a message via text (unless you opt out or provided or landline number).
• AMAZON SMILE Simply by starting your Amazon shopping at smile.amazon.com and selecting Toledo Junior Academy as your charity of choice, a percentage of your purchase will go to TJA.
• RITE AID will give TJA a portion of every dollar you spend on prescriptions and purchases made at Rite Aid. Follow the link above to register with RXfundraising. You will need to provide your phone number to sign up for a Wellness+ Rewards Number (it’s free!) if you don’t have one already. Once you have filled in your information, you will be taken to a page with steps to follow if you 1. Already have a Wellness+ Rewards Number or 2. Need a Wellness+ Rewards number. If you need a Wellness+ Rewards number, please make sure you click “Sign In” (top right corner) when you are taken to the Rite Aid website. From the drop down, click “Sign Up Now.” Once signed up, you simply use your wellness+ rewards number any time you shop at Rite Aid stores or online. Thank you again for your continued support of TJA!
• SECOND QUARTER, 2021, BIBLE STUDY GUIDES (QUARTERLIES) are now in the church foyer cabinets as well as the yellow ‘Signs’ box under the east church canopy entrance. The lessons are entitled The Promise: God’s Everlasting Covenant. It will look more closely at what God’s covenant is, what it offers, and how it is motivated by love. You can also download the Bible Study Guides here. Or search in your app store (search for the blue and white "Sabbath School" logo in the category Education) and study in your app as well.
• FORECASTING HOPE MOVES TO YOUTUBE Previously published links for Forecasting Hope expired NOV 15, 2020. But the good news is the entire Forecasting Hope Series is now avail on DVD (see church office) and on YouTube (click previous link).
• PREPARING FOR ADOLESCENCE We listened and discussed all the topics in this book / audiobook with both our son and daughter before they became teens. Topics include avoiding feelings of inferiority, handling peer pressure, drug abuse, puberty, sexual development, menstruation, masturbation, romantic love, overcoming discouragement, sound decision-making, and handling independence. Please do not be too shy to discuss these things. Highly recommend Preparing for Adolescence.
• SAVE THOUSANDS ON TUITION TO ADVENTIST COLLEGE Did you know students can clep out of many college courses saving thousands of tuition dollars and maximizing their time at Adventist college by studying Saylor Academy's free online courses at their own pace, paying to take a comprehensive exam, and transfering credits to participating universities? Go to Saylor for more info!
• TRUTHLINK Our world is filled with dark rumors and misinformation about God that has many people either running from Him in horror or trying to serve Him like slaves. TruthLink is a unique Bible study experience that achieves a high level of doctrinal clarity while showing the centrality of God’s love to every biblical truth. All you have to do is log in and get started. With the completion of each lesson, you have access to the next topic. [truth]LINK is easy to take with you on your phone or tablet, as well, so you can pick up at any time, anywhere, right where you left off in the series. I highly recommend them for friends and family.
• TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE SINAI? The ten commandments precede Sinai. We know this is true because references to the ten commandments exist in some form or fashion prior to Sinai. And God could not hold those breaking them accountable if there was no law (Romans 4:15).
  • Genesis 35:1 (No other Gods)
  • Genesis 35:2 (No graven images)
  • Genesis 24:3 (No taking God's name in vain)
  • Genesis 2:3 / Exodus 16:28-29 (Remember the seventh day Sabbath)
  • Genesis 27:41 (Honor your father and mother)
  • Genesis 4:7-9 (No murder)
  • Genesis 39:6-9 (No adultery)
  • Genesis 44:5 (No stealing)
  • Genesis 39:10-12,16-17 (No false witness)
  • Genesis 12:18 (No coveting)
• TEN COMMANDMENTS AFTER SINAI AND THE CROSS? The ten commandments remain. We know this is true because references to the ten commandments exist in some form or fashion after Sinai and the Cross. And God could not hold those breaking them accountable if there was no law (Romans 4:15).
  • Colossians 3:4 ("Don't be greedy...worshiping the things of this world" - no other Gods)
  • Colossians 3:5 ("For a greedy person is an idolater" - no graven images)
  • Colossians 3:8 ("Now is the time to get rid of...dirty language" - no taking God's name in vain)
  • Matthew 24:20 / Hebrews 4:9 / Revelation 14:6-7 ("There is a seventh day Sabbath that remains" - remember the seventh day Sabbath)
  • Ephesians 6:1-3 ("Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord" - honor your father and mother)
  • Colossians 3:8 / 1 John 3:5 ("But now is the time to get rid of anger" - no murder)
  • Colossians 3:5 ("Have nothing to do with sexual immorality" - no adultery)
  • Ephesians 2:8 ("Quit stealing" - no stealing)
  • Colossians 3:9 ("Don't lie" - no false witness)
  • Colossians 3:5 NKJV ("Put to death covetousness" - no coveting)
• WANNA N.E.W. S.T.A.R.T? Try focusing on better:
  • Nutrition. Protein comes from plants too!
  • Get more Exercise. Walk an intentional mile every day
  • Drink more Water. I like the Kroger carbonated kind
  • Take vitamin D3 supplements and try to get some daily Sunshine
  • Temperance means abstaining from that which is harmful and moderation in that which is good
  • Fresh Air especially at night if possible through open windows; implement and practice daily deep breathing exercises
  • Rest. Not just on Sabbath but shutting off screens earlier to get 8 hours of sleep too
  • Time with God. Not just on Sabbath but at the beginning and end of every day
• CHILD PROTECTION SCREENING PROCESS Now would be a good time to get recertified. The new web-based platform features a training and screening system for both employees and volunteers across all conferences in the division. All volunteers and employees may register by going to Sterling Volunteers.
• ELLEN WHITE WEBSITE The internet is a blessing and a curse. One blessing comes in the form of a new website sharing balanced Seventh-day Adventist explanations of Ellen White and the 25 million words, 100k pages, and 49 books she wrote with a third grade education during her lifetime. The curse comes from the myriad of sites sharing inaccurate or intentionally misleading conclusions regarding her ministry. Whether others find her writings helpful or not, shouldn't one make that decision on reputable sources? One of my favorite quotes from her pen is: "Truth can afford to be fair."
• DO YOU KNOW HOW YOUR TITHE DOLLARS ARE DISTRIBUTED? By far the largest portion of tithes in the North American Division (NAD) stays locally. For example, this is how a $100 portion of tithes are distributed in the NAD (based on 2018 figures). $66 stays in the local conference (Ohio for us); $10 goes to Defined Benefit Retirement; $9 goes to the Union Conference (Columbia Union Conference for us); $9.15 goes to the NAD; $5.85 goes to the General Conference. This information is taken from the Follow the Funds article on page 11 of the May 2020 issue of Adventist Journey.
• TOP THIRTEEN LIST OF JESUS BOOKS FOR NEW ADVENTISTS I'm giving each of my children a box of my fave books. We often give away Tyner's and Vendon's books as graduation gifts. Make sure you, your kids and grandkids have read these! Try adventistbookcenter.com before Amazon.
  • As Light Lingers by Nina Atcheson
  • Searching for the God of Grace by Stuart Tyner
  • Salvation by Faith and Your Will by Morris Vendon
  • Surprised by Love by Elizabeth Talbot
  • I Used to Be Perfect by George Knight
  • It’s All About Him by Lee Vendon
  • Knowing God in the Real World by Jon Paulien
  • Why Didn’t They Tell Me? by Morris Vendon
  • Beyond Common Ground: Why Liberals and Conservatives Need Each Other by Alden Thompson
  • The Eleventh Commandment by Dwight Nelson
  • The Faith I Highly Recommend by John McLarty
  • One Miracle After Miracle: The Pavel Goia Story by Greg Budd
  • A Thousand Shall Fall by Susi Hasel Mundy
• TOP THIRTEEN LIST OF ADVENTIST RESOURCE BOOKS I'm giving each of my children another box of my fave Adventist resource books to help them. Maybe they will help you too?
  • 52 Sabbath Activities for Teen Groups by Don Pate
  • Pause for Peace by Clifford Goldstein
  • Light Bearers to the Remnant by R.W. Schwarz
  • Questions on Doctrine edited by George Knight
  • Joyful Noise by Ed Christian
  • Daniel: Wisdom to the Wise by Zdravko Stefanovic
  • Revelation of Jesus Christ by Ranko Stefanovic
  • In Granite or Ingrained? by Skip MacCarty
  • Graffiti in the Holy of Holies by Clifford Goldstein
  • Ellen White Under Fire by Jud Lake
  • God’s Character and the Last Generation edited by Jiri Moskala
  • Homosexuality, Marriage, and the Church edited by Roy Gane
  • The Heavenly Trio by Ty Gibson
• THE ADVENTIST GIVING APP We want to continue to give Toledo First the opportunity to participate in the worship of giving. While you can always do so via the church website (tfsda.org), you could also download The Adventist Giving App available in both iOS Appstore and Android’s Google Play store. Just search using the keyword “AdventistGiving” to download the App to your phone or tablet and thank you for continuing to support your local church!
• CHERRY STREET MEALS Volunteers are always needed to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner especially on Sundays and Thanksgiving. You can call Community Relations Manager Susan Graalman at 419-214-3357 or 419-214-3419. You can also email her at volunteer@cherrystreetmission.org.
• BEST ADVENTIST RECIPE SWAP If you're looking for a favorite vegetarian or vegan recipe from academy, church, or some Adventist friend made for you, it's probably here! Search Facebook for Best Adventist Recipe Swap. Enjoy!
• JESUS MOVIES The Game Changers, My Octopus Teacher, I Still Believe, Ray of Hope, The Chosen (Season 1: Episodes 1-8); A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Harriet, Just Mercy, The Apostle, The Pilgrim's Progress, Luther, Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey, Faith, Hope & Love, Christmas Grace; The Nativity Story; The Star; The Conscientious Objector (2004); The Ultimate Gift; Shadowlands; The Shack; Cutback; Soul Surfer; Grace UnPlugged; End of the Spear; The Mission; Beautifully Broken; Running for Grace; Steve McQueen: American Icon; The Resurrection of Gavin Stone; Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed; Is Genesis History?; God's Not Dead; Fireproof; War Room; The Case for Christ; The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry; Amazing Grace; Once I Was a Beehive; I Can Only Imagine.
• GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE If you've never heard of the Geoscience Research Institute, here's their website https://www.grisda.org. Established in 1958, this organization is sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a mission to discover and share an understanding of nature and its relationship with the Biblical revelation of the Creator God. It has all kinds of resources and articles related to intelligent design and evolution and dinosaurs and many other interesting subjects. I enjoy reading their quarterly email update. You can subscribe by clicking here and filling out the form asking to be included in their quarterly e-newsletter.
• NEW SERMONS Please see church Facebook page  or church website for sermon archives and more info.
  • JUN 5 - Jesus Is The Heart Of It All - The Victory Has Been Won (Pastor Mike preaching)
  • JUN 12 - Jesus Is The Heart Of It All - Comforter and Friend (Pastor Mike preaching)
  • JUN 19 Jesus Is The Heart Of It All - Surviving a Revival Seminar (Pastor Mike preaching)
  • JUN 26 Jesus Is The Heart Of It All - Homecoming (Cavin preaching)

Love ye,