Update:
News of people,
places and events

Four new members
baptized in Tucson church

TUCSON, Arizona—The Grace of God Fellowship, the WCG congregation in Tucson, baptized four new members: Brian Mickens, Blanford Fuller, Michael Boulay and James Snyder, April 3 at the home of member Annette Nettles.

For the past three years, the Tucson church has been without a pastor and has been led by a pastoral team. Membership is about 40 people, with regular attendance around 30.

BAPTISMAL SERVICE—From left:
Michael Boulay, Bill Edwards, Brian
Mickens, Blanford Fuller, Todd Duncan,
JamAes Snyder, Ted Milhuff, Curtis May
and Selina Harding. [Photo by Annette Nettles]

Curtis May, district superintendent, performed the baptism, assisted by Todd Duncan and Bill Ed­wards. Zita Mickens, pastoral team facilitator, presented gifts to the new members. Mrs. Mickens presented her late husband Cal’s Bible to their son, Brian.

Dr. Fuller is part of a bowling team that includes Jim Perry, a deacon. Mr. Perry invited him to church, and Mrs. Mickens called him and asked if he would like to become a member of the WCG. Dr. Fuller said he was hoping someone would call him. Annette Nettles.

Prince George plunges for Habitat for Humanity

ICY PLUNGE—Lister Chen plunges into ice cold water [Photo by Chow Vuong]

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia, Canada—The Prince George congregation took the plunge again for Habitat for Humanity Jan. 1.

Habitat is an international Christian group that builds houses in partnership with low-income wage-earners.

Almost $650 was raised in sponsorship for someone in the congregation to take the lake plunge in sub-zero degree weather with the funds going to Habitat. Lister Chen.

New Hope musicians provide
Easter season music

EAGLE ROCK, California—The New Hope Singers, members of New Hope Christian Fellowship, the WCG congregation in Eagle Rock, sang for a Kiwanis breakfast meeting on Good Friday, April 9. 

This was the third consecutive year the musicians have been invited to perform. The choir, led by Celestine Olive and accompanied on the piano by Allen Andrews, sang a collection of songs portraying the sacrifice and triumphant resurrection of Christ.

At noon on Good Friday, Pastor Dennis Pelley spoke and also sang as a part of an ecumenical service presented by Pasadena area churches.

The New Hope Praise Team rose early Easter Sunday morning for a 5 a.m. setup and rehearsal in preparation for a sunrise service. The musicians had been asked to lead the music for a 6 a.m. service in Eagle Rock where six churches met outside to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. What a privilege it was to be a part of witnessing to the community during this Easter season and lifting praises through song to our great God!

We then returned to church for a final rehearsal before our own Easter service began. The New Hope Choir sang three selections for the service, concluding with the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

It was a busy week beginning with a Maundy Thursday service and ending with our Sunday worship service, but the musicians of New Hope Christian Fellowship were excited and inspired to be able to use their gift of music to praise and honor God during this special time. Lorraine Pelley.

Congregation has
fourth annual marriage retreat

COVINA, California—Forty-seven couples along with three singles gathered at the Covina Embassy Suites March 20 and 21 for New Hope Christian Fellowship’s (the WCG congregation in Eagle Rock, California) fourth annual marriage retreat.

Randy and Marli Brown

Our hosts for the weekend were Randy and Marli Brown from Waterford, Michigan. The theme for the weekend was Choosing to Survive and Thrive in Your Marriage.

Marriage experience varied greatly within the group, from Domenick Picinic and his fiancee, Heidi Lawrence, to John and Zora Houston, married 51 years. We had one extended family of couples— Matthew and Nancy Picinic along with their daughter Aileen and her husband, Brian Holder, and Domenick Picinic and Heidi Lawrence. Two couples from Stacey Meade’s Mothers of Pre­schoolers group attended as well.

The retreats enhance any relationship. It is a time to get away from everyday activities, relax with your spouse and focus on your relationship. It is a time to recommit yourselves to each other and to God.

MARRIAGE RETREAT ATTENDEES-- [Photos by Christine Leon]

Randy and Marli Brown sent in the following comments after spending the weekend with our group: “Dennis and Lorraine Pelley truly display servants’ hearts, and we are honored to consider them as friends. Their passion for Christ-centered marriages is to be commended. We hope that they continue their vision for these marriage seminars well into the future for the many marriages that so desperately need them.” Mat and Pam Morgan.

Tulsa congregation
begins to meet on Sunday

TULSA, Oklahoma—The Tulsa congregation met for a regular worship service on Sunday, April 4, for the first time, at the Shamrock Child Development Center in Tulsa.

The owner of the facility was initially amenable to the idea of a multiuse of her facility, in part, because she was ac­quainted with members in the Tulsa area.

After review of the proposed contract, she said she appreciated that the Worldwide Church of God headquarters legal staff was “looking out after her own interests!” The owner has personally invested in equipment that was needed for regular worship ser­vices by the church at this new location.

Jon Rummel

Elder Jon Rummel conducted the first service. Mr. Rummel gave the message and led the group in a dedication prayer during which several members asked God to use the time and the facility as tools to continue to reach out with his message to the Tulsa community.

At subsequent worship services, several former members and relatives of current members have attended. The Tulsa church is excited about moving forward in the path God seems to be leading.

Pikeville church plans
citywide youth event

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky—The Pikeville WCG congregation is the main thrust behind JULY JAM (Jesus Unconditionally Loves You, Just Ask Me), a youth outreach scheduled for this summer. Several churches are participating.

The outreach will take place in the city park every Friday night during July from 8 to 10 p.m. Each evening will feature area bands, a short message and a youth drama team. Pastor Tim Brassell will speak the third Friday. Cameron Mills, former University of Kentucky basketball player, will be the featured speaker for the final night.

Light refreshments will be available and free things given each Friday. The event is free.

JULY JAM will give church members an opportunity to share God’s love with the youths in our area. For more information, please call Mike Stewart at 1-606-639-6102, or send e-mail to him at mike.stewart@gci.org. Debby Bailey.

Ross Flynn speaks at
counseling convention

Ross Flynn

KANSAS CITY, Missouri—Ross Flynn, pastor of the Detroit, Michigan, East church, and a licensed marriage and family therapist, presented a session with two others on “Postmodern Counseling for Postmodern Re­lationships” at the annual convention of the American Counseling Association, which took place in Kansas City, March 31 to April 4.

The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.

Grace Family members go on
mission trip to Mexico

DALLAS, Texas—Two Grace Family members, Steve Kramer and Corrine Brunet, participated in a spring break mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, March 14 to 19.

The two members spoke about their trip at Grace Family’s April 4 service. Also on the trip were former Grace Family members Joe and Emily Shipman, who are now active in the Commerce, Texas, Christian community. Twenty-eight people visited Juarez, including members from the First United Methodist Church and the Wesleyan Center in Commerce and a United Methodist group from Greenville, Texas.

Participants built concrete block houses from the ground up. The houses were an improvement on the typical dwelling in the area, which is made of wooden pallets. The work involved the missionaries mixing their own concrete and mortar using wheelbarrows and shovels.

Miss Brunet said the group met each family before starting to build their house and discussed scriptures with them. Once each house was completed, the family came and the house was dedicated with a communion service and the residents speaking their wishes for the good things they expected to happen in the house. Frank Lewandowski.

Interdenominational
Maundy Thursday service in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Missouri—One hundred thirty-six Christians participated in a joint Maundy Thursday service in St. Louis, April 8.

Members of the New Creation in Christ and St. Louis South congregations of the WCG met with the Maryland Heights (which hosted the event) and John Calvin Presbyterian churches as they commemorated the Last Supper together.

Jeanne Zimmermann, Maryland Heights pastor, and Karl Reinagel, WCG pastor, began the service with a joint call to worship. Pam Harris, New Creation in Christ worship leader, led the congregation in three praise songs.

WCG members Cathy Brown, Tommie Clay and Gary Harris then presented a dramatic reading of John 13:1-17. Mr. Reinagel then led a footwashing service.

The combined St. Louis area choir then sang “Written in Red.” Pastor Jeanne then gave an interactive message titled “A Taste of Jesus.”

While Pat Libhart, a Maryland Heights member, played background hymns on the organ, Pastor Jeanne and Pastor Karl then jointly served communion. Then, Pastor Jeanne led the group in singing “We Are One in the Spirit” to conclude the service.

Grace Family conducts Easter services

DALLAS, Texas—Grace Family Church conducted a footwashing service April 8. The service included footwashing, communion and worship music led by Debbie Hard. She also sang a vocal solo, as did Cynthia Chizen.

On April 11, the congregation conducted an Easter service. The pre-service discipleship class, coordinated by Gabriel Ojih, ad­dressed the subject of the resurrection.

Debbie Hard and Susan Clopton led worship. They were backed up by the church choir, directed by Margaret Smith. The choir sang a special music number, “Were You There?” In addition, Barry Ford performed a saxophone solo, “In the Garden.”

Pastor Lynn Hebert spoke about how Jesus can set us free from our day-to-day problems and pressures. “Jesus is today saying that the power of the resurrection can be in your life,” Mr. Hebert said. “If you build your life on Jesus, you can handle anything.” Frank Lewan­dowski.

Pasadena Spanish and
NewLife celebrate Easter

Steve Ramos [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

PASADENA—Members from the Spanish congregation, NewLife Fellowship and guests met to celebrate Easter together, singing praise songs in English, Spanish and Tagalog (many NewLife members are from the Philippines).

Pastor Bermie Dizon of NewLife welcomed everyone by reading President George Bush’s Easter letter. Joy Gonzales, a NewLife Fellowship member, gave an emotional testimony on how the movie The Passion of the Christ has affected her and closed her testimony with a song.

Special worship music was offered by the NewLife Fellowship choral group and the

Singers from NewLife Fellowship

 Spanish children’s choir. Pastor Raul Ramos gave a message on Christ’s willingness to face the cross and all the pain and suffering that went with it. The message was translated into Spanish by Gustavo Aguilar.

After a potluck lunch, members from both congregations presented songs and dances. NewLife Fellowship members (a combination of adults, teens and children), led by choreographer Willie Jacinto, presented two dances: Tinikling (bamboo pole dance) and a Maori victory dance (using wooden sticks). 

Maria Sotoj with her children (from left) Carol, Brenda and Daisy.

The Spanish church had a pinata and presented two

Spanish church children’s choir

 songs. Then, members had a family dance.

Joe Jackson, a Los Angeles member, commented that “the celebration was special and unifying.”

Joann Pollard works as
‘angel’ for stillborn babies

CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee—Joann Pollard, a member of the Clarksville church, sews gowns to clothe stillborn infants or those who die shortly after birth at the Gateway Medical Center, according to an April 12 article by Lauren Howard in The Leaf-Chronicle.

“Maybe this makes it a little easier for the parents,” Mrs. Pollard said. She also crochets sweat­ers for needy children around the world. Sondra Peters.    

Congregations celebrate
Black History Month

HOUSTON, Texas—Community Christian Fellowship (CCF) ob­served Black History Month in February.

Pastor Mark Mounts introduced the month by proclaiming: “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

Worship leaders Sylvester Washington and John Mays led a mixture of traditional hymns mixed with contemporary music.

Throughout the month, special music included Negro spirituals. The CCF youth ensemble chorus, led by Bruce McNair, sang the original lyrics to “Amazing Grace.” Mr. McNair and Kalisa Taylor, 11, accompanied the ensemble on their guitars.

During the prayer service, Darnell Johnson referred to 2 Cor­inthians 5:15-16 as he reminded the congregation that Christ died for all, for every race and color. Be­cause of this, we should no longer look at ourselves as blacks, whites, Latinos or Asians. The fact that Christ died for all changes the ancestorship of all Christians.

Thelma Gabriel spoke on what it was like to be a slave in the South. Many families were separated by the selling of one or more siblings for economic reasons without regard for the sanctity of the family. Many of the Negro spirituals had words of liberty and of life in the kingdom of God.

Mr. Mounts’ sermons centered on the topic of the power of forgiveness. He said he could not imagine what a person of color has had to endure in our nation. Forgiveness is to decide that whatever or whoever caused us hurt will no longer influence any future acts in our relationships and interactions. Forgiveness takes a while because it is hard and, at times, may seem too hard.

John Flores addressed how Martin Luther King was a minister who answered his call to serve. Dr. King used to preach that the work of the church was not within the walls of the church building, but rather, our work is outside the walls. He explained how all Christians are ministers and must use what God has given us to serve others.

The observance of Black History Month was capped off with a soul food potluck on Feb. 28. Jesse Soto.

Black History Month in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Michigan—The Kalamazoo church observed Black History Month for the ninth time.

Pastor Roger Abels gave a sermon on happiness and how to attain it.

The first week was about black inventors over the years. The second week was on the contribution of blacks in both world wars. The third week was on Mordecai and his love for his people from the book of Esther. The fourth week was a musical journey with different types of gospel and spiritual music over the years.

A social and variety show included a self-composition of music by Leonard Raser. Black “firsts” was presented by Rosetta Andrews. Cleophus Sturdivant presented a medley of Negro spirituals. Cath­arine Sturdivant performed a dance to “I Never Saw His Face.” Authentic African foods were served. Catharine Sturdivant.

Muskegon church celebrates
Black History Month

MUSKEGON, Michigan—The first Sunday in February, Arlene Beckem gave a black history program. Thirteen of her family members came as guests and to help with the program.

Arlene’s sister, Sefronia Beckem-Hubbard, sang “Amazing Grace.” Arlene’s brother, Anthony Beckem, sang “Lord, Show Me How to Love.” Then, Arlene’s niece, Kela Hubbard, her nephew, Khari Beckem, and her sister, Sefronia Beckem-Hubbard, sang “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.”

Mrs. Beckem-Hubbard said that although she is not a WCG member, Muskegon church members have been there throughout the years for the entire Beckem family.

Pastor Sam Butler preached on unity.

On the second Sunday, the black gospel group “For Praise” visited the congregation and sang black gospel music and songs. Mr. Butler preached that although we have died to self, our old self keeps surfacing, and that we all need the church.

On the third and fourth Sundays, Mr. Butler continued his series on “Why the Church?” Arlene Beckem.

Baltimore children’s church
conducts communion service

BALTIMORE, Maryland—The Baltimore children’s church participated in its first communion service Jan. 11, conducted by Pastor Peter Whitting.

In preparation, the children had a lesson about communion. Charlotte Whitting, children’s church coordinator, led the children in preparing unleavened bread and grape juice.

Before the communion service, the children took up an offering, and then one child volunteered to give an offering prayer. Praying over the offering is something the children do every week during the regular children’s church service.

Afterward, Mr. Whitting asked if any children were ready to come to Jesus. Lamont and Ashley Ayers, Jonathan Fell, Jordan and Brandon Griffin, Alia Marra, Cayla Hardesty, Tyeshia Cherry, Jasmine White, Tiffany Faulkner and Bailey Andrews accepted Jesus.

Next, the children took part in a Books of the Bible contest. Months before, Mrs. Whitting decided that the children would benefit more from their Bible lessons if they knew the books of the Bible in order. The anticipated contest kept the children practicing every week.

Jonathan Fell, 10, won a DVD player for knowing the books of the Old and New Testaments. His sister, Janessa, 6, won a Children’s Songs of Praise CD for knowing the New Testament books. The surprise finale came when Alexis Thomas, 3, made a brave attempt to name all the books. Janet Fell.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2004