Congregations around the nation marked the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3, which had the theme "One Nation, Under God" with the scripture "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12).

At 12:30 p.m., Eastern Time, participants prayed the following prayer written by evangelist Billy Graham.

Our Father and Our God,

We praise you for your goodness to our nation,

Giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve.

Yet we know all is not right with America.

We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face.

Convict us of sin.

Help us to turn to you in repentance and faith.

Set our feet on the path of your righteousness and peace.

We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it.

You have said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge you alone as our Savior and Lord.

This we pray in your holy name, Amen.

MADISON, Alabama—The 50th annual National Day of Prayer in Madison, Alabama, was organized by Larry and Deborah Ward, as they have done for the past five years.

Thirty-eight were in attendance at two sites. At 6:30 p.m., a prayer gathering took place with 52 in attendance. The worship team from Willowbrook West Worship Center provided praise music, and George McClellan of St. Andrews Episcopal Church led prayer for the nation.

Mayor Jan Wells signed a proclamation declaring May 3, 2001 as the National Day of Prayer in the City of Madison, Alabama.

"God has truly blessed our community with love and cooperation among the churches," Mrs. Ward said.

Howard and Jacqueline Shadoan

ATHENS, Georgia—Christian Family Fellowship, the Athens congregation, pastored by Howard Shadoan, began Sunday worship services Aug. 1 temporarily meeting at Shiloh High School.

"Attendance declined somewhat, as we expected," Mr. Shadoan said, "but it also enabled us to recognize an open door for evangelism."

Members invited relatives and friends. Several who had not attended for years rejoined the fellowship.

"Then as 2001 dawned, we realized that much more could be done," Mr. Shadoan said.

After much prayer they prepared a strategy to inform the surrounding community of their presence. On Saturday, March 10, seven volunteers knocked on every door in the three subdivisions closest to the school. They told them who they are and when they meet, that they are a Christ-centered, family oriented fellowship, and invited them to come and worship with them if they didn’t already attend another church.

"Those who were responsive were asked if they had anything they would like us to pray about, and where appropriate, we prayed with them right then and there," Mr. Shadoan said. Where no one was home, they left flyers.

One couple originally from Laos attends regularly and is a great asset to the congregation.

"We left our comfort zone and the experience was great," Mr. Shadoan said. They again went out into the community March 31. The average attendance is now about where it was before beginning Sunday worship services.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada—Elliot Ross, 23, works as a summer ministerial intern in the Edmonton congregation.

Elliot attended the last semester of Ambassador University in the spring of 1997. He followed with a year at the University of Regina before deciding to attend a Christian institution. He enrolled in King’s University College, Edmonton, in 1998 and switched to Northwest Bible College in 1999.

The internship program is one Northwest’s requirements for a bachelor of theology degree, which he hopes to complete in the spring of 2002.

Commenting on the schools he has attended, Elliot said: "Studying at Ambassador, King’s and now Northwest has certainly given me a feel for the different approaches to the Bible and church organization. King’s was a liberal arts college reflecting the Reformed traditions, while Northwest is affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada."

Elliot’s parents, Nat and Mary Ross, were introduced to the WCG by Elliot’s grandmother, Gladys Whyte, a deaconess in the Regina, Saskatchewan, congregation.

Elliot credits his parents with introducing him to Jesus Christ and making the Christian life understandable and attractive. "I was called to know Jesus Christ in this fellowship and I’m very comfortable here," Elliot concluded. Robert Millman.

DALLAS, Texas—On Palm Sunday, April 8, the Dallas Central church enjoyed a dramatic presentation by Joel Gehman, who coordinates the congregation’s drama ministry.

Mr. Gehman gave a monologue in which he played Barabbas, the criminal Pontius Pilate freed instead of Jesus. In the monologue, Barabbas marveled at his unexpected freedom, contemplated Jesus’ death on the cross in his place and pondered the profound meaning of Jesus’ empty tomb. The monologue showed how Barabbas’ situation was thus analogous to that of all humans.

Pastor Lynn Hebert gave a sermon explaining how we should confront the empty tomb. "We are saved by his life. We should have died on the cross instead of Jesus. Thank God we have a risen Lord."

On Easter Sunday, April 15, Chrissy Gordon, children’s church director, brought the children on stage and taught a lesson about how a pretzel can remind us of Jesus’ cross because the middle of the pretzel is shaped like a cross.

Mr. Gehman directed a play depicting the events leading up to Jesus’ death. Jesus, played by Daniel Sloan, was interrogated first by Caiaphas the high priest (Mike Read) and later by Pontius Pilate (Brian Holsenbeck). Volunteers in the audience loudly called for Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion.

A Roman soldier (Chris Cameron) compelled Jesus to carry his cross down the church’s center aisle. As the weakened Jesus collapsed, the soldier ordered an audience member to carry the cross.

As part of the play its author, Frank Lewandowski, read portions of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 while Margaret Smith played "Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs" on the piano. Debbie Hard and Susan Clopton each performed a vocal solo. The play ended with the resurrected Jesus appearing to some of his disciples.

Mr. Hebert explained how Jesus’ resurrection was an unnatural event that turns our world upside down and that confronting the empty tomb does not allow us to go on with business as usual.

"There is nothing too dead for God to resurrect—a relationship, a hope or a dream. Jesus is in the business of resurrection. He is in the business of life," Mr. Hebert said. Frank Lewandowski.

Randal Dick

MANILA, Philippines—Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, spoke to about 373 Metro Manila members during a combined worship service April 21. Mr. Dick encouraged members to become an expression of God in their lives.

After the service, Mr. Dick gave certificates to 15 Manila South members who completed the Condensed World Mission Course. They are Eric Absalon, Adela Argate, Avelina Beruega, Rogelio Cantoria, Digno Castillanes, Rudy Dellomas, Adriano Ducay Sr., Henson Fen Santos, Danilo Ganal, Romancito Guerrero, Ardel Magararu, Athos Parane, Zeny Quiray, Gemma Venus and Ernanie Yuson. Their instructors were Arlan Aquino, Tess Asuit, Cecil Bangay, Pete Melendez, Roman Saynes and Rey Taniajura.

April 22 to 24, Mr. Dick met with the regional office department managers, area coordinators and Metro Manila pastors to discuss various matters affecting the future of the church in the Philippines. Len Joson.

CEBU, Philippines—The following youths were baptized during the Summer Educational Program in Cebu April 5 to 15: Elmer Laureano of Davao, Daniel Gillana of Bacolod, Merlver Garcia of Dumaguete, Jonas Pelino of Tagbilaran, Janet Barangan and Edna Manto of Cebu and Irish Poran of Bukidnon. Audie Santibanez.

PASADENA—Church Administration announced the following ministerial ordinations.

Terry Cohron, Buford, Georgia; Antonio Gaspar, Cabanatuan City, Philippines; Tom Hanson, Pasadena NewLife Fellowship; Heinrich Human, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and Sergie Subiah, Empangeni, South Africa.

Keith Brittain

KANNAPOLIS, North Carolina—The Mid-Atlantic region has 650 Lighthouses of Prayer, according to Keith Brittain, district superintendent.

Lighthouses of Prayer are a project of Mission America. They are individuals or groups who agree to pray for and evangelize their neighbors.

The 650 Lighthouses of Prayer comprise 1,081 members (915 adults and 166 youths) in the region, Mr. Brittain said. Taking the normal attendance of the churches represented, the number of participants comes out to a 67 percent average per church.

Mr. Brittain said that these numbers represent an army of members willing to seek to influence in an intentional way (the prayer-care-share method), those around them.

"Our members are the front line when it comes to evangelism," Mr. Brittain said. "The future growth of each congregation will come from what our members do in their communities. All true evangelism begins with prayer."

Mr. Brittain said that when he went to an office supply store to have photocopies made of the manual, "How to Become a Lighthouse of Prayer," he left the original with an employee. When he returned, she said she read it while making the copies and then made a copy for herself.

For more information call Mission America at 1-952-912-0001.

BEND, Oregon—Pastor Robin Chester was part of a group from four churches who took part in a short-term mission trip to Arequipa, Peru, March 23 to April 2.

While there, they worked on the second story of a church and befriended children from an orphanage. They also visited WCG missionaries Jim and Sue Brannan.

"The Brannans have become fluent in Spanish and have made some good contacts with orphanages and churches," Mr. Chester said.

When it was time to go home, the group stopped at the orphanage to say good-bye.

"It was like leaving your own children," Mr. Chester said. "The tears were flowing pretty heavily. It was a moving time, and not one I’m likely to soon forget."

Another trip to Peru is planned for February. For more information about the trip please call Mr. Chester at 1-541-383-1660 or send e-mail to him at Robin_Chester@ wcg.org

MANILA, Philippines—June Taniajura, an instructor of Family Life in the Servant-Leadership Development Program of the Institute of Family, Leadership and Biblical Studies, was resource speaker in a lecture series of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, national capital region, March 30.

Mrs. Taniajura spoke on the Coping Mechanisms of Sexually Abused Children. Her lecture was based on her thesis for her master of arts degree in family psychology from Miriam College in Quezon City. The event was attended by social workers representing several non-governmental organizations in Metro Manila.

MANILA, Philippines—Len Joson, Church Support Services manager in the Philippine Office and senior pastor of the Manila South church, graduated with a diploma in biblical studies from the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) April 6.

Daphne Sidney

MANILA, Philippines—Daphne Sidney, wife of Philippine regional director Bill Sidney, was elected for a two-year term to the board of the National Coalition for Urban Transformation (NCUT) March 28.

The NCUT is a coalition of church and para-church organizations whose goal is to work for the physical and spiritual transformation of the city. The WCG has been an active member of the NCUT since its founding in 1997. Pastors Eugene Guzon and Rey Taniajura have also served in the NCUT in various capacities.

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee—The Holiday Inn Holidome will be the site for the third annual Middle Tennessee festival the weekend of Sept. 28 to 30. The Murfreesboro congregation will be host.

In addition to celebrating through blended worship music, a worship service will involve a number of area churches and ministry leaders who have become friends of the WCG and love our members.

The weekend will offer a variety of seminars by those gifted in areas such as evangelism, prayer, gifts, youth ministry and community service opportunities.

Reservations can be made by calling the Holiday Inn Holidome at 1-615-896-2420. Discounted room rates are $63, plus state and hotel taxes. Additional information about the festival is available by typing in "Murfreesboro" on the website at http:// churches.wcg.org/ or by contacting Richard A. Weber, 2433 Laurel Hill Ct., Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 37129, or by calling 1-615-848-1763.

BRANVILLE, France—French members will celebrate a festival in Branville, next to Deauville, on the Normandy coast Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 during school holidays.

Next to Deauville is the city of Caen and its peace memorial museum, which brings to memory the World War II D-day landings on Omaha Beach and other beaches close by.

Attendees will stay at the Garden Club, a family-type resort in the country. The site offers lodging in cottages with kitchen, television and phone. A restaurant is on the premises. Hotels are available on an individual basis in Deauville.

The costs range from 434 Euros to 670 Euros (and the registration fee is 61 Euros). One Euro equals 87 cents.

Tours will be organized to visit Paris and Rouen (the city where Joan of Arc was burned).

Simultaneous translation from French to English will be provided. Donat Picard is coordinator.

For more information contact Marie-Angelique Alcindor at the French Office. Telephone 011 33 1 43 22 60 84; fax 011 33 1 43 35 05 52; e-mail dpi@club-internet.fr

PASADENA—Ambassador Foundation, sponsor for 20 years of the Ambassador Performing Arts series at its main venue, Ambassador Auditorium, announced May 3 the donation of its performing arts archives to the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound.

Commenting on the donation, Michael A. Keller, Stanford University librarian, said: "Most musicians of any stature who appeared on the West Coast in the last 25 years appeared at one or more Ambassador Foundation events in the spectacular Auditorium on its Ambassador College campus in Pasadena. No history of performing arts in California would be complete without a consideration of this series. The Stanford University Libraries are proud to be entrusted with the documentation of these concerts for use by students, scholars and researchers for years to come."

According to Bernie Schnippert, the WCG’s director of Finance & Planning: "Although the Foundation carefully stored the materials in its own archives since the end of the performing arts series in May 1995, it really had few resources to make the archives available for public inspection and research. That is why we were thrilled to find such an outstanding facility as the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound to which we could donate the materials for monitored public inspection and scholarly research."

Dr. Schnippert continued: "Even though the Ambassador campus is being sold, the church and Foundation hope that Ambassador Auditorium’s contribution to the community is far from over. Part of the buyer’s plan for the site is to donate the Auditorium to the City of Pasadena and set up a foundation to provide for the costs of operating as a performing arts venue once again. The buyer is making the donation, and the church is getting the full value from the sale."

MADISON, Alabama—Ten members (five adults and five youths) of the Madison church of God participated in a communitywide church- sponsored Walk Against Hunger March 25.

For one month, the group collected canned food items, then joined with other churches for a three-hour walk.

"Our goal was one food item for each year of our age as a donation to food banks," said Deborah Ward.

Grace Presbyterian Church, whose building the Madison congregation uses for worship services, has organized this event for three years. The WCG and Grace contributed 1,179 items of the overall total.

WCG members who participated are Lisa Cumbie, Chuck and Betty Phillips, Mille, Destiny and Hollie Barnes, John Hughes, Jessica Hogan, and Deborah and Alyson Ward.

MADISON, Alabama—The Ward Family (Larry, Deborah, Alyson and Amy) participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Madison from 7 p.m., Friday, May 4, to 7 a.m., Saturday, May 5.

The Wards were part of a 13- member team called Charlotte’s Web of Friends in honor of Charlotte Rumore, a cancer survivor and co-worker of Mrs. Ward. With the help of family and friends, the Ward family raised $950 of the team total of $2,250.

The American Cancer Society sponsors this Relay for Life annually across the country. Teams are organized within businesses, churches and clubs and work to raise funds for cancer research. Larry and Deborah Ward.

NORFOLK, Virginia—The Norfolk congregation celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 17 at the Churchland Christian Fellowship Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The worship service began with prayer and praise and a selection titled "Let Us Sing to the Lord" by Corliss White.

Pastor Timothy Brassell honored Maude Shaw and Jerry Paul Mayfield, who attended the first service Feb. 11, 1971. Mr. Brassell read remarks from Keith Brittain, district superintendent; and two previous ministers, Curtis May and Fred Bailey.

The main message, The Battle Belongs to the Lord, was given by Edward Faulk, who formerly pastored the Norfolk church but now pastors the Cleveland, Ohio, East congregation. In attendance were about 150 people, including some former members and other guests.

After the service, dinner was served and the congregation was entertained by a drama group called the Let’s Get Spiritual Players from Newport News, Virginia, who performed a play titled Miracle at Open Church House. All the performers are recovering addicts. After the play a praise dance group from the Richmond, Virginia, congregation performed, and a dance followed. Waneece Jones.

Cape Girardeau church has exclusive use of facility

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri—For the first time in its 35-year history, the Cape Girardeau church has exclusive use of a meeting facility.

During the past few years the congregation has met in a university auditorium, a funeral home, a bingo playing room and a city recreation building, all at rental rates higher than could be afforded. Now their new home is across from the post office in what had been a convenience store.

The congregation began meeting there late in the summer of 2000 and adopted the name New Life Fellowship in February. Elder Ron Wright installed the new name on the window in early March. Haydn Fox.

NEW FACILITY—Sign on window of Cape Girardeau church. [Photo by Haydn Fox]

 

Mid-Atlantic young adults retreat 
set for North Carolina

FUQUAY-VARINA, North Carolina—The young adults of the Mid-Atlantic district invite people in their late teens, 20s and early 30s to attend a retreat focused on Living the Gospel, July 13 to 15, at the Agape retreat center in Fuquay-Varina.

For a cost of $75, participants can enjoy a weekend of worship, opportunities to grow in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ, and fun and fellowship in a Christian environment.

Events will focus on the theme of growing in knowledge of what the gospel means in your life, of learning to live a life shaped by Jesus’ message and example, and of sharing this life-changing message with others. Activities will include swimming, a ropes challenge course, volleyball and possibly a film.

The retreat is open to single and married young adults. Child care will be provided, and children 5 and younger can attend for free with their parents.

For more information, contact Micah Royal, 1601 Rogers Dr., Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303; telephone 1-910-850-0304; e-mail micah_royal@yahoo.com Make checks payable to LCAF.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001