Member shot to death in bank parking lot

SAN DIEGO, California--Gilberto Sandoval, 48, a member of the Tijuana, Mexico, church, was robbed and shot to death after he left a San Diego bank Nov. 4.

Mr. Sandoval is survived by his wife, Emilia, and children, Gilberto Jr., 14, Carolina, 12, Daniel, 10, and Samuel, 2.

Pasadena church performs In Bethlehem Inn

The Pasadena contemporary congregation sponsored a performance Dec. 14 of In Bethlehem Inn, a dinner-theater comedy set in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.

Since the dinner and performance were sold out, there was no more room at the inn, and the travelers from Nazareth ended up staying in the stable.

After servants reported an unusual star, and shepherds recounted a message from angels, the audience went to the stable to investigate what had happened.

Producer Janet Morrison selected the play from a commercial source, created many of the costumes and coordinated the catering. Director Shellie Clauson and assistant Katherine Carter coached the cast.

Fred Stevens played the innkeeper, which was the lead part. The 10 other speaking parts included servants, shepherds and Joseph. There were also 12 nonspeaking parts. Many others assisted with setup, lighting and sound.

Pastor Eric Shaw, one of the servants, commented: "As the first social activity of this new congregation, In Bethlehem Inn was a wonderful success, both for the staff and for the audience. Social activities like this help draw us closer together, and we are especially happy that we were able to commemorate the birth of our Savior in such a memorable way."

Church has interdenominational service

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas--The Fayetteville church conducted an interdenominational Thanksgiving service Nov. 22.

Guest speakers were pastor Gary White of the First Church of the Nazarene, Cotton Presley, an officer in the Salvation Army, and pastor Michael Halliday of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Pastor White, our first speaker, spoke about what a miracle it was for a Nazarene minister to speak in a Baptist church (where the WCG congregation meets) to a Worldwide Church of God audience.

He thanked us for the courage we demonstrated in accepting the fullness of the new covenant and God's grace.

His soloist sang Ray Boltz's song "Thank You" in honor of WCG members.

Mr. Presley of the Salvation Army followed with a message about how thankful we should be for the freedom of the new covenant.

Pastor Halliday concluded by encouraging us to share our gratitude with one another. He reminded us as we become one in Christ, spiritual blessings will abound.

The services were followed by a Thanksgiving social honoring the three pastors.

Several young missionaries in training from Youth With a Mission also attended the social. They will be sent to Bulgaria on mission work in 1998.

We praise God for breaking down the barriers and making us one in Jesus Christ. Terry Warren, pastor, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Tkach, McKenna attend church council

NEW YORK, New York--Joseph Tkach, president of the Worldwide Church of God, and John McKenna, senior editor of denominational publications, attended the 68th National Church Advisory Council in New York, Dec. 2 and 3.

The conference was designed to help the American Bible Society revitalize its ministry of distributing Bibles throughout the world.

The society has begun to look to new technologies to conceive new products to better serve the church and its mission today, Dr. McKenna said.

New high-tech communication systems were shown to be an economical way for churches to bring the gospel message to the world in a way undreamed of a few years ago, Dr. McKenna said.

Salem women plan prayer jubilee

SALEM, Oregon--The Salem women's ministry will sponsor its second prayer jubilee for women May 16. The event will include praise and worship, sharing answered prayers, prayer group workshops and hearing from guest speaker Carn Catherwood.

The Salem women's ministry wants to hear about God's loving answers to prayers in the last few years. They can be contacted at SalemWM@yahoo.com or Susie Dionne, 7745 Sunnyside Rd. SE, Salem, Oregon, 97306.

Member to appear on television show

BAKERSFIELD, California--Freida Nielsen, who has lost 250 pounds in a year and a half, will appear for the second time on the Maury Povich show Jan. 7.

Freida is a member in Bakersfield.

When she was on the show last year, Freida weighed 750 pounds. Now she weighs less than 500 pounds and is off most of her medication. She no longer has diabetes or high blood pressure, and is walking a few miles a day on her incline treadmill.

Praise God for the prayer groups praying on her behalf. Leona Forste.

Canceled camp-out packed with spiritual presence

BIG SANDY--A camp-out scheduled for Nov. 8 was canceled for lack of interest, but 130 people showed up any way.

Teens, parents and youth workers converged on the former Ambassador University campus here and took part in a weekend of camping and various other activities including a dance with Christian disc jockeys.

Sunday, Nov. 9, Debbie Townsend, a Big Sandy youth ministry worker, led a praise and worship service for parents and teens, who sang, clapped hands and danced for Jesus. Pam Brown.

Mr. Tkach thanks security volunteers

Joseph Tkach, WCG president, honored auxiliary security volunteers at a picnic at church headquarters Nov. 9. Receiving plaques for 25 years of service were Charles Buschmann, Joe Cavallo, Stephen Gilbreath, John Lyons, Stuart Meier, Bernell Michel, Larry Miller, Don Patrick, Bernard Sparks and Dennis Warkentin.

AZUSA, California--Three Worldwide Church of God members graduated with masters' degrees from Azusa Pacific University's Haggard School of Theology, Dec. 12. They are Michael Morrison, supervisor of publications, master of divinity; Ralph Orr, director of in-service education in Pastoral Development, master of arts in religion; and Sheila Graham, Women's Ministry Support coordinator, master of arts in religion.

Group plans women's 1972 Ambassador reunion

Did you begin Ambassador College in the 1968-1969 school year? Do you want to reconnect with old friends and share your life, joys, triumphs and disappointments with us?

Then join us at the Women's Class Reunion of 1972 at Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City, Florida, June 19-21.

Please call or send your name, address and phone number to one of the following classmates:

Lynn Parker Barnes, 5215 Wendwood Road SW, Conyers, Georgia, 30094; 1-770-860-1211.

Trisha Newcomb Svehla, 4808 Oakwood Drive, Downers Grove, Illinois, 60515; 1-630-968-6153.

Kay Jantzen Schreiber, 20855 Ames Lane, Reno, Nevada, 89511; 1-702-849-1779.

Charlotte Cordell Whitting, 8119 Runnymeade Dr., Frederick, Maryland, 21702; 1-301-695-9487.

Lawton members serve in United Way's Day of Caring

LAWTON, Oklahoma--Members here participated in the Day of Caring sponsored by the United Way Sept. 19.

Pastor Doug Johannsen and his wife, Betty, were involved with a project with the Boy Scouts.

Farrel Dockstetter assisted at a hospice; Dean and Arla Berggren helped at the YMCA; Dana Johannsen helped clean vans for a halfway house.

The Lawton Constitution said: "They came from all walks of life to help those a little less fortunate or those who don't have enough hours in the day to complete certain tasks."

Lester Pretlow earns doctor of philosophy degree

NORFOLK, Virginia--Lester G. Pretlow earned a doctor of philosophy degree in biomedical science from Old Dominion University here.

Dr. Pretlow has been a WCG member for eight years. He lives in Norfolk with his wife, Alice, and daughters Crystal and Gabrielle.

He has been a songleader in the congregation and helped start the congregation's first gospel choir.

While earning his doctorate, Dr. Pretlow managed his family's 80-year-old business, Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Dr. Pretlow has been commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Command and will be stationed at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Command in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, beginning in February. He will be responsible for directing the medical facility's clinical laboratory operations.

Gail Singleton Taylor awarded fellowship

NORFOLK, Virginia--Gail Singleton Taylor, an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at Old Dominion University, was awarded a fellowship in India through the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program.

The seminar, which was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, took place July 8 to Aug. 15. Dr. Taylor was part of a group of 16 professors and teachers who were selected to learn about the culture and history of this ancient nation in its 50th year of independence.

The program began with an academic phase of lectures in New Delhi. After a week in Delhi, the fellows traveled to other cities in India.

Highlights included the National Museum and Gandhi House, the Taj Mahal and the River Ganges and meeting Mother Teresa.

Dr. Taylor attends the Norfolk church with her husband, Andrew, and son, James.

Dec. 23, 1997, WN, page 16

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God,1997