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Good morning and happy Sabbath. I hope you can take some time to “Shabat” and enjoy the blessings God has for you today if you give Him a chance. Here’s how we’ll help:

“The Well” @ 10:30 in the Young Adult room of the church. Join us for music and the Word.

IRR SS @ 10:40 in the Gear Room

“SHOCK”- check it out as an option for Sabbath School. It meets in the Ortner 2F Shawnee Porter Room @ 10:40 each Sabbath. Join Lydia and her friends for this time of fellowship and encouragement. Book of Hebrews is going to be study in this small group.

CVC 9:15 and Noon. This week our Power Pac speaker, Chuck Hagele, will be speaking

V2 @ 5 in Rees Hall Chapel with Areli sharing her story. I’ve had a bad time with times this week!! Last night at Family Worship I guess I said V2 was starting at 5:30—IT’S NOT!! It’s starting at five! Sorry I’m so confusing sometimes! Next week it starts at 5:30!!

Have a great Sabbath,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you.”

PS Karaoke and Blazerburger... Annual Karaoke Social TONIGHT from 6-9pm at CVC in the Heartland Hall. Come support the Pathfinders as they raise money for Osh Kosh International Camporee. Come enjoy a Blazerburger, Corndog, Hotdog, and Ice Cream. Then WOW us with your favorite song, There will be over 10,000 songs to choose from.

And my email of the week is excerpts from an article by a suicide survivor that I recently read. Some interesting things I found helpful as I look at my mental health and as I stay attentive to others who might be struggling with their mental health. Hope it’s helpful. #All lives matter!!

I could let go of some of the things in my life that were bringing me so much pain. I could live differently.

Waking up after my attempt and seeing how worried my kids were was certainly humbling. Overall, it was hope for a new future that saved me. My fear of being in that much pain and despair again keeps me motivated to live a healthy, well-balanced life.

When we start noticing symptoms is when we need to talk with our health care providers so that we don't have to ever experience a life-threatening crisis.

Having feelings of not wanting to wake up is a significant symptom, and I encourage you to seek help before it becomes a life-threatening crisis.

Actively listen. Don't act shocked. Don't minimize their feelings. And don't debate the value of life. You should try to focus on their reasons for living. A question you could ask: "What's kept you safe up to this point?"

I see my mental health as the same as someone else's diabetes or heart disease. If I do my part to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get help when my symptoms are minor, I can keep myself safe from life-threatening suicidal episodes.

Many individuals experiencing a suicidal crisis, including me, don't necessarily have a desire to die. The pain creates tunnel vision that makes it seem impossible to survive. Once the pain level subsides, even a little bit, the survival instinct usually takes back over and life finds a way. Any time you're having thoughts of suicide, it's a life-threatening situation and it must be taken seriously

Isolation raises the risk of suicide, and nearly half of Americans say they sometimes or always feel alone. Increasing smartphone use has been linked to suicidal thoughts

Feeling as if you're a burden to others and that you're disconnected are significant risk factors for suicide

We know that isolation is a risk factor for suicide, and feeling connected to other people protects against suicide. So on an interpersonal level, reaching out to people who you think may be struggling is important.

We humans do not heal in isolation. We heal in caring communities. When we do more in society to promote the healing of those who are struggling and to acknowledge their successes, it will become easier for those who are struggling to feel safe reaching out for help and sharing their pain.