🎓 Celebrating a Milestone: Congratulations to Benjamin Pakpahan!
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Our hearts are overflowing with joy and pride as we share some wonderful news! Please join us in extending our warmest congratulations to Benjamin Pakpahan, who is graduating from La Sierra University during Commencement Weekend, June 12–14, 2026.
Benjamin has successfully completed his journey to earn a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.
An M.Div. is a rigorous milestone that requires immense dedication, deep spiritual reflection, and countless hours of study. This achievement is a beautiful testament to Benjamin’s unwavering commitment to his calling, his faith, and his passion for serving God and the community.
Let’s Celebrate Together:
As he walks across the stage this graduation weekend, let’s lift him up in our prayers and shower him with appreciation.
- Leave a Message: Feel free to drop your words of encouragement, favorite memories, or blessings in the comments below!
- Keep Him in Prayer: Let’s pray for God’s continuous guidance, wisdom, and strength as Benjamin steps into this exciting next chapter of ministry.
Benjamin, we are incredibly proud of your hard work and cannot wait to see how the Lord uses your gifts to impact lives and share His love. May He bless you abundantly on your graduation and in all your future endeavors!
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” — 1 Timothy 1:12
#🎉 #LaSierraUniversity #Graduation2026 #MasterOfDivinity #Congratulations #MinistryJourney
Special Announcement: Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day 2026
Date: Sabbath, June 13, 2026
Service Times: Sabbath School at [10:40 AM] | Divine Worship at [9:00 AM]
Location: Main Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
📖 This Year’s Theme: “Hineni: Here Am I!”
Join us this Sabbath as we celebrate Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day, a special day designated on the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church calendar. This annual event provides an opportunity to recognize, appreciate, and lift up the essential spiritual and practical leadership that women provide to our church family and the surrounding community.
This year’s global theme, “Hineni: Here Am I!”, focuses on developing a heart of total availability to God. In both quiet moments and public spaces, women serve as the hands and feet of Jesus—living out His love through mentorship, Bible studies, community care, and leadership. This Sabbath, we explore what it means to tune out the noise of the world and respond completely to His call.
“Women as well as men can engage in the work of hiding the truth where it can work out and be made manifest. They can take their place in the work at this crisis, and the lord will work through them… They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach.”
— Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 128
We look forward to a blessed, uplifting day of fellowship, worship, and spiritual renewal. Come prepared to worship and be inspired!
Toxic Faith with Dr. Winsley Benjamin Hector
Are you or someone you know trapped in a cycle of intensive religious rituals, driven by a compulsion to earn love or righteousness? While faith brings healing to many, it can sometimes cross the line into something destructive.
Join us for a powerful, eye-opening, and deeply timely presentation that explores the intersection of spirituality and mental health.
🗓️ Event Details
Topic: Presentation: Toxic Faith
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 200pm
Location: Hesperia SDA, our sister Church in Hesperia, CA
Speaker: Winsley Benjamin Hector, Ph.D.
What is “Toxic Faith”?
As defined by Dr. Hector, toxic faith—or obsessive-compulsive faith—is a destructive, toxic relationship with faith. It is often characterized by intense rituals and a driving compulsion to earn love or righteousness, which frequently masks deep-seated anxieties or past trauma. While many find health in faith, others use it to “alter their mood,” with obsessive worship acting as a fix similar to substance use.
Are you addicted to faith? This presentation will help you discover freedom, healing, and a healthier relationship with your spirituality.
About the Speaker
Winsley Benjamin Hector, Ph.D. is a dynamic public speaker, author, and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the department of Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente.
With a unique blend of psychological theory and spiritual insight, Dr. Hector’s presentations inspire, enrich, and challenge audiences worldwide. He holds a Ph.D. from Claremont School of Theology, multiple Master’s degrees (including Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master’s in Religion from Newbold College), and has served as an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University. He is also the author of *Racial Reconciliation and Privilege* (2019).
Discover freedom, healing, and a healthier relationship with faith. Don’t miss this opportunity for transformation. Mark your calendars and join us for this impactful event!
🛠️ Many Hands Make Light Work: Church Work bee!
Hello Lucerne Valley Church Family and Friends,
It’s that time again! Our church building and grounds are a blessing to all of us, and it takes a village to keep them looking beautiful, safe, and welcoming. We are hosting a Church Workbee on Sunday, June 28th, and we would love for you to join us!
Whether you are a master handyman, a gardening enthusiast, or just someone who is great at organizing and cleaning, there is a job for everyone.
The Details:
- When: Sunday, June 28, 2026
- Time: Starting at 8:00 AM (Come for an hour or stay for the whole day!)
- Where: Lucerne Valley SDA Church Grounds
What We’ll Be Tackling:
- Outdoor Landscaping: Weeding, trimming bushes, and tidying up the property.
- Deep Cleaning: Giving our indoor fellowship and sanctuary spaces some extra shine.
- Minor Repairs: Touching up paint and handling small maintenance tasks.
What to Bring:
If you have them handy, please consider bringing your favorite yard and cleaning tools labeled with your name, such as:
- Gloves, rakes, and hoes
- Pruners or hedge trimmers
- Cleaning rags and buckets
Bonus: We will have refreshing drinks and snacks on hand to keep everyone fueled and hydrated while we work!
Grab your work gloves, bring your family, and let’s enjoy some great fellowship while taking care of God’s house. We can’t wait to see you there!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” — Colossians 3:23