Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church

Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church Sunnyside exists to inspire a community of people to a life transformed by Jesus.

Hi Sunnyside Family,Elynn and I just returned from Melbourne and are still shaking off the jet lag! I had the privilege ...
06/13/2026

Hi Sunnyside Family,

Elynn and I just returned from Melbourne and are still shaking off the jet lag! I had the privilege of speaking at their inaugural creative evangelism conference, designed to inspire and equip churches to share God's love in innovative ways within their communities. I also spoke at chapel for the Nunawading Christian College, a K–12 Adventist school where nearly 60% of students are non-Adventist. It was a joy to connect with so many people doing meaningful work for God across Australia, including Hannah and Aunty Andrykanus, Pastor Rose's sister and mother.

Last Sabbath, I had the privilege for speaking for the Portland Adventist Academy’s Consecration of the Class of 2026 where I shared three ingredients for a meaningful life in a confusing world from the world of tea: Character, Curiosity, and Courage, held together by Christ). Earlier that day, we celebrated our Sunnyside high school graduates with a special Senior Sabbath School Brunch. I had the honor of affirming each of them publicly, followed by prayer from parents and our youth. Together, we reflected on the importance of Christian community in navigating an increasingly complex world.
This week, I want to leave you with the meditation I shared with our Sunnyside graduates:
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied:

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
This passage points to three foundational questions I believe every person must wrestle with throughout life - questions whose answers shape how we live, work, and relate:

What do you think about yourself? What is your honest perception of who you are? What do you see when you look in the mirror, and what is your relationship with the story you've been living?
What do you think about "the other"? How do you relate to those who look, live, love, vote, worship, or believe differently than you do? Who is your “neighbor?”
What do you think about God? When you consider the divine, what comes to mind? What is your relationship with God? and with the unknown?

Clarity on these three questions, even partial clarity, can provide the self-awareness needed to understand where you are, so you can discern where you're meant to go.

Coming Up: Next weekend I'll be preaching at one of my best friend’s church in Bolingbrook, Illinois, then attending the Lightbearers Convention in Jasper with Ty Gibson, David Asscherick, and Jeffrey Rosario in June 25-28. I’m told that registration is still open! It’s a great opportunity for a rich community and relevant Adventist theology. Also gearing up for Young Adult Oregon Camp Meeting at the Holden Center in mid-July.

Looking forward to worshiping with you today!

Cheers,

Pastor Kevin

Hi Sunnysiders,Have you ever had a disorienting moment in life that completely shifts your immediate perspective? A time...
06/06/2026

Hi Sunnysiders,

Have you ever had a disorienting moment in life that completely shifts your immediate perspective? A time when the things that seemed so urgent on your to-do list suddenly fade into the background, and you're reminded of what truly matters? It's been one of those weeks for me…

My mother, who is a widow that lives alone, had a tumble down some stairs back in Australia. My sister, who lives over an hour away, had to adjust her schedule late on a Wednesday to attend to my mum after she fell and was unable to move her shoulder. When I woke up randomly at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning and checked my phone (I never do this), I saw my sister had left several voicemail messages detailing the situation.

I immediately video-called my mom and, thankfully, was able to reach her. The ambulance had already been and assessed her. She was in a lot of pain, and they suspect she may have torn a ligament. Our neighbor, Vicki, stayed with her and provided support until my sister arrived. My mom is seeing the doctor today (Wednesday) and is hoping to have some scans done so we can get a clearer diagnosis.

It’s rough being on the opposite side of the world from family, particularly when there’s a family emergency.

My mom is one of the most faithful women I know. And times like these remind us that faith does not make us immune to pain and suffering. It does, however, open us up to receive the inner resources, the perspective, and the hope we need have in and through Jesus Christ.

Jesus was near through the neighbor who was there in the moments immediately after my mom’s fall. He was near through the countless prayers, messages, and check-ins that Hannah and I received from friends both near and far. He was near through my sister, who, despite several intense weeks at work, had the strength and willingness to come home and care for our mom. Jesus was near when I was > 13,000 km away....

I don’t know what you’re facing right now, what you’ve recently been through, or what may lie ahead. But may you be reminded today that Jesus is with you in the midst of your suffering.

Before Moses delivered Israel out of Egypt, He told him, "I have seen the affliction of my people, I have heard their cry and I know their suffering." Exodus 3:7. God is a living being with the ability to take your pain personally. When we say that God sees you, we mean more than just His ability to have sight. When we say that God hears you, we mean more than just His ability to recognize sound. He is not an idol and He is not deaf; He can move, He can think, He can speak. He can respond and move towards you, and be actively engaged in everything that’s happening to you. This does not mean that circumstances will be easy; but He’s active and present, and in it with you.

Whatever challenges you face in the days, weeks, years to come, may His presence go with you. While your strength may rise and fall, He is faithfully shielding and sustaining you until the day when you fully receive what has already been secured for you through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Rose

Hi Sunnyside Church Family!We all live within the tension between what we desire, what we are capable of, and the myster...
05/30/2026

Hi Sunnyside Church Family!

We all live within the tension between what we desire, what we are capable of, and the mystery of divine providence. Sometimes God’s leading aligns with our inner longings, and at other times it redirects or challenges our sense of control. Life can feel a bit like bowling with guide rails — we still use our own strength and intention, yet within circumstances we cannot fully control.

It is an ongoing dance: learning to be fully ourselves while surrendering to the flow of life with Christ. I appreciate that, as we grow more attuned to God, our desires and sense of timing often begin to align more deeply with what God is doing in our lives.

On one hand, this invites honesty and courage — not being afraid to name what our hearts truly long for. On the other hand, it creates a sense of safety. Our desires are held within the caring hands of the One who promises to guide both our steps and our hearts.

This does not remove disappointment or pain, but even those experiences become part of our honest journey through a broken world.

As we live between our abilities and our limitations, we slowly learn the language of divine providence. And somewhere in that intersection, life takes on deeper meaning.
May this Sabbath day help us slow down and discern what God is doing within that space as we worship, fellowship, and reflect together.

Pastor Violeta

⏪️ Last Sabbath, the Oregon Adventist Men’s Chorus blessed us with special music during the service, and Pastor Seth con...
05/27/2026

⏪️ Last Sabbath, the Oregon Adventist Men’s Chorus blessed us with special music during the service, and Pastor Seth continued the “The Powers That Be” series from Ephesians with a message titled “The Mystery of Power.”

⏩️ This coming Sabbath, Pastor Seth will conclude our Ephesians series, “The Powers That Be,” with a message titled “The Power of His Might.”

👋 We look forward to seeing you at Sunnyside this week! Invite a friend or two 😁

👉 10:00 a.m. – Sabbath School classes
👉 11:15 a.m. – Worship service (also live-streamed)

📸 Ben Dalusong Jr.

05/23/2026

May 23, 2026 Worship Service
Speaker: Pastor Seth Pierce
Ministry of Music: Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus
Organist: Karl Helton

Hello Church Family, There is too much going on. Whether it's "wars and rumors of wars," lethal disease outbreaks, or th...
05/23/2026

Hello Church Family,

There is too much going on.

Whether it's "wars and rumors of wars," lethal disease outbreaks, or the rising price of gas, many of us feel overwhelmed by the constant bad news. What is comforting in the midst of the chaos, is Matthew 24 where Jesus describes tealoities like these and says, "But anyone who endures to the end will be saved" (vs 13).

First, the fact Jesus says something about these realities means that even when we are surprised by the news, He is not. As wild as the world can be, it's not outside of what He hasn't seen or what He plans to do. Second, the encouragement to hold on to hope isn't all on us white knuckling our way through history. Jesus also promises to be with us to the end (Matthew 28:20). Keep hangin on to Jesus!

This week we continue our series with Ephesians 5 and our faithful nominating committee is working hard to fill several more positions. Thank you to all who have said yes (and who WILL say yes when asked to serve!). I have also shared the data from our church wide survey with the team that will prayerfully decide what initiative we will look at in the next couple years to continue to help our church grow. I will share more data results with everyone as we move forward through the summer.

Continue to pray and encourage each other and we will see you Sabbath!

Pastor Seth

⏪️ Last Sabbath, our Adventurers celebrated their Investiture and played a huge role in sharing their theme for the year...
05/20/2026

⏪️ Last Sabbath, our Adventurers celebrated their Investiture and played a huge role in sharing their theme for the year, “From Eden to Eden,” during the church service. A huge thank you to our Adventurer leaders, teachers, parents, and extra helpers for all the work you put in behind the scenes in preparation for the service. We are grateful for our kids and for their courage and confidence in sharing as well.

⏩️ This coming Sabbath, Pastor Seth will continue the series from Ephesians, sharing a message titled “The Powers That Be: Power Walk.”

👋 We look forward to seeing you at Sunnyside this Sabbath!

👉 10:00 a.m. – Sabbath School classes
👉 11:15 a.m. – Worship service (also live-streamed)

05/16/2026

May 16, 2026 Worship Service
Speaker: Pastor Rose Andrykanus

Hi Sunnyside Family!Last week, we hosted Sophomore nursing students from Walla Walla university for a vespers at Sunnysi...
05/16/2026

Hi Sunnyside Family!

Last week, we hosted Sophomore nursing students from Walla Walla university for a vespers at Sunnyside. That Sabbath, we had an interactive sabbath school with our highschoolers and Walla Walla collegiates where our students got to ask questions about post-high school life. Intergenerational connections are so vital and important for all of us!

I also enjoyed learning from the different faith leaders in our Portland metro area at the annual interfaith community event hosted by Adventist Health. All of us spoke to the chaplain team about how our respective faith traditions engage with the spiritual health of patients.

Please keep me in prayer as I try not to pull my hamstrings again this weekend at my local Pickleall league playoff game. I hope to represent Sunnyside well by not only playing, but winning Gold (i.e the only respectable outcome). Please keep Elynn and I in prayer as we will be traveling to Melbourne Australia on May 23 to speak at the Creative Evangelism conference the last weekend of May.

Looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend!

Cheers

Pastor Kevin

05/09/2026

May 9, 2026 Worship Service
Speaker: Pastor Seth Pierce
Ministry of Music: Sunnyside Bell Choir
Organist: Debbie Messinger
French Horn: Roylan Messinger

Address

10501 SE Market Street
Portland, OR
97216

Telephone

+15032528080

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