Briefing Document: Spring Meadows Church Service and Operations (September 20, 2025)

Summary

This document synthesizes key insights from the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church worship service and associated bulletin from September 20, 2025. The service prominently celebrated World Pathfinder Day and the 75th anniversary of the Pathfinders organization. The central theme of the service, titled “On Purpose,” was delivered through two sermons by young Pathfinder members, Leilani Alvarena (15) and Jomar Francis (13). Alvarena’s message, drawing from the prophet Jeremiah, focused on God’s preordained purpose for individuals regardless of their youth. Francis’s sermon, using Moses as a key example, underscored the idea that God can achieve great things through people despite their personal doubts.

Other significant service elements included a special baby dedication for Adeline Dream Callwood, who was born with sickle cell disease, and a children’s story that used the analogy of tools to reinforce the theme of divine purpose. The accompanying church bulletin provides extensive operational details, including a full schedule of upcoming community events, a directory of church leadership, and a summary of the church’s financial standing, revealing a significant year-to-date budget shortfall alongside a recent monthly surplus.

World Pathfinder Day Service Analysis

The service was structured to highlight the leadership and involvement of the church’s youth in recognition of World Pathfinder Day. Pastor Jonathan Osorio noted that the Pathfinder organization is one of the largest co-ed Christian youth organizations in the world, with approximately 2 million members across 180 countries. The day’s theme was “Pathfinders on purpose.”

Sermon by Leilani Alvarena (Age 15)

• Core Message: God has a distinct purpose for every individual, and feelings of being too young, small, or inexperienced are not barriers to fulfilling that purpose.
• Key Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5-8. Alvarena emphasized God’s words: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” She highlighted Jeremiah’s initial response, “Oh sovereign Lord I can’t speak for you i’m too young,” and God’s powerful reassurance: “Don’t say I’m too young for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you… don’t be afraid of the people for I will be with you.”
• Supporting Anecdote: Alvarena recounted her experience at the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. After a terrifying night of heavy rain flooding the tents, the Pathfinders witnessed a “most beautiful sunrise,” which she interpreted as a message from God: “even though we had endured that horrible night that that sunrise was what we got to wake up to… that sunrise’s purpose was God telling us that he was with us.”
• Call to Action: She challenged the congregation to actively choose God in return for being chosen by Him. “I challenge you church family to become a pathfinder choose God… Be a servant of God be a friend to a friend to man. Don’t say ‘I’m too young… I’m too tired… I’m too busy’… Just remember God chose you. Will you choose God?”

Sermon by Jomar Francis (Age 13)

• Core Message: Doubts are a universal human experience, but God can work powerfully through individuals even in the midst of their uncertainty.
• Key Scripture: Exodus 3:11, 4:1, 6:12, and 9:16. Francis pointed to Moses’s repeated expressions of doubt: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?”, “suppose they will not believe me,” and “why would Pharaoh listen to me since I speak with faltering lips?” He contrasted this with God’s declaration of purpose for Moses in Exodus 9:16: “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up that I may show you my power in you and that my name may be declared in all the earth.”
• Supporting Anecdote: Francis described a backpacking trip in Montana where he fell approximately 15 feet from a tree, sustaining a significant cut. He experienced doubt about his ability to complete the remaining 6-7 miles of the hike but persevered and reached his destination. He viewed this as a “great reminder that God is always with me no matter where I am or what I’m doing.”
• Central Quote: He led the congregation in repeating his core message: “even in our doubts God can do great things through us.”

Key Segments of the Worship Service

Baby Dedication: Adeline Dream Callwood

Officiated by Pastor Alex Harter, the dedication centered on the infant daughter of Stephen and Ruth Callwood.

• Medical Context: The family wore red ribbons to raise awareness for sickle cell disease, which Adeline was diagnosed with after birth. This context framed the dedication as a profound act of entrusting the child to God’s care.
• Theological Interpretation of Name: The name “Adeline” was connected to biblical roots meaning “adorned” and a Hebrew origin for “nobility.” The prayer was for Adeline to be “adorned in the nobility of who Jesus is” and for her name to be a constant reminder that she is a “child of the king.”
• Prayer Focus: The prayer asked for strength for the family and emphasized the role of the church community in providing love, support, prayers, and “many quilts” from the quilting ministry.

Children’s Story: “On Purpose for a Purpose”

Led by Arlyn Ramirez, this segment directly supported the day’s theme.

• Methodology: Common tools—a hammer, sandpaper, and pliers—were used as props. Ramirez humorously attempted to use them for incorrect purposes (combing hair with a hammer, exfoliating skin with sandpaper), demonstrating that tools are designed for a specific function.
• Central Analogy: This served as an analogy for human life: “We’re all made on purpose for a purpose by God.”
• Scriptural Foundation: The story concluded with a reading of Jeremiah 1:5, directly linking the children’s message to the sermon presented by the youth.

Pathfinder Ceremonial Elements

The service was formally structured with traditional Pathfinder rites, led by the youth. These included:

• Presentation of the Colors
• Pledge to the American Flag
• Pledge to the Christian Flag
• The Pathfinder Pledge: “By the grace of God I will be pure kind and true i will keep the path under law i will be a servant of God and a friend to man.”
• Recitation of the Pathfinder Law
• Singing of the Pathfinder Song

Church Operations and Community Engagement

The church bulletin provides a detailed overview of the church’s administrative structure and a robust calendar of activities.

Church Leadership and Administration

• Church Office Contact: (407) 327-1190 / office@springmeadows.org
• Office Hours: Tues/Thurs: 9 A.M. – 3 P.M.; Wed/Fri: 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Schedule of Events and Ministries

Financial Status (July 2024 – June 2025)

The bulletin reports the following financial figures as of the pre-closing period of September 1–18, 2025.

Pastor Oso

Other Sermons In This Series

Rooted in the Word – Pastor Alex Harter

January 04, 2025

The Body and Blood of Christ Provide Eternal Life – Pastor Shane Davis

January 11, 2025

Beginnings Matter – Pastor Jonathan Osorio

January 18, 2025