SPRINGDALE, Arkansas--The Fayetteville, Arkansas, church helped Immanuel and Vineyard churches feed more than 100 needy families as part of a combined monthly Food Outreach Project.
Neighbors of various ethnic backgrounds were given bags of free groceries and greetings from members of the three congregations.
The Fayetteville church rents the Immanuel church building on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Immanuel, an independent Baptist fellowship, meets Sunday mornings, and the Vineyard Fellowship meets in the same building Sunday evenings.
Though each church has doctrinal distinctives, all three pastors are committed to evangelizing the community in Jesus' name.
By sharing the same church building and combining evangelistic efforts, we have reduced expenses for all three fellowships. We are also achieving a unified front on certain outreach projects that we otherwise could not afford. All of this is being accomplished without compromising the distinctiveness of each group.
An Italian social enabled the three congregations to raise funds to train pastors in the Colombian jungle as part of a Youth With a Mission outreach.
Plans call for a three-day neighborhood revival titled "Bring Back the Glory." It will feature a professional musical presentation on the history of revivals in the United States.
The event will be sponsored by the Immanuel church with personnel and promotional support from our Fayetteville congregation and the Vineyard fellowship.
It is a wonderful experience to see brothers and sisters in Christ of
different denominations, working together in harmony to further the gospel.
The pastors meet regularly to pray, encourage one another
and plan projects.
Terry Warren, pastor, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky--The Bowling Green church conducted its first
Sunday service April 19.
Because of difficulties with meeting facilities at Western Kentucky
University on Saturdays, "I discussed the matter with the congregation April
11," said pastor Bob Persky.
Mr. Persky offered to establish a house church for the four people who did not want to
meet on Sunday.
The first Sunday service had above average attendance, according to Mr. Persky. A number came back who are working on Saturdays.
"Many were talking about how different it felt breaking away from tradition," he said. "Many went out to eat together and joined the many hundreds of other Christians from other churches eating lunch."
Mr. Persky gave a sermon on the power of the resurrection in our lives. At the end of services he had everyone come forward to recommit themselves and the whole congregation to the will of God.
"Many were in tears," Mr. Persky said. "It was a wonderful day of renewal. People are expressing their desire to invite their friends and neighbors to join them in worship."
FARGO, North Dakota--Fargo singles invite other singles to their July 4 Festival of Fellowship.
The event begins Friday evening, July 3, with registration at Red River Inn. Saturday's activities are a worship service; lunch provided by the Fargo congregation; and a country dinner-dance in the evening.
Sunday's activities are a picnic lunch and softball and volleyball tournaments.
The cost for the weekend is $80, which includes two nights at the Red River Inn.
Please send registrations (including name, address and telephone number) to one of the following: Terry Oesterle, 4220 17th Ave. SW No. 5, Fargo, North Dakota, 58103, telephone 1-701-281-0797; or to Becky Houglum, 1320 Third Ave. N, Moorhead, Minnesota, 56560, telephone 1-218-233-3775. Deadline for reservations is June 12.
QUEENS, New York--John Clarke, 26, and his brother, Matthew, 27, are medical doctors on the staff at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Jamaica, New York.
John produced a video using rap music to teach teens and others about asthma. The New York Daily News included John in its March 30 edition, when the paper printed a series of articles when the Health Department and Board of Education launched a campaign against an asthma epidemic.
John was interviewed on WWRL's Night Talk, which enabled listeners to ask questions. A Canadian talk show host heard the program, and John was interviewed by telephone by Canadian Broadcasting.
John and Matthew are members in Queens. Leonard B. Spruce.
CINCINNATI, Ohio--About 400 people from the four Cincinnati area churches combined for the Lord's Supper April 9. According to Gene Nouhan, pastor of the Cincinnati West and Erlanger, Kentucky, churches: "The service was upbeat, with joyful music and an inspirational message by guest speaker, Mr. Albrecht.
The celebrations continued throughout the weekend at a retreat facility in Indiana. On Saturday, other area churches joined them for worship services, bringing attendance to 640. The theme for the service was Because Christ Lives!
After-dinner entertainment was provided by a Christian illusionist who weaves humor and Christian values into his presentation.
Later that evening, Mr. Albrecht conducted a question and answer session, the teens had a barn dance and the younger children played games in the youth lodge.
The evening ended with Dan Partin and Marion Merriweather serving as worship leaders for a praise service that included a praise band from Columbus, Ohio.
During a resurrection service Sunday morning, pastors laid hands on and prayed for Jeanne Hoover, who suffers from breast cancer.
Mr. Albrecht then exalted the risen Lord in a sermon titled "Do You Believe."
Mr. Albrecht said, "This visit was pure joy, with lots of hugs, lots of shared beliefs and convictions." Gene Nouhan and George Hart.
LOS ANGELES, California--Jay Bradley Reed received a doctor of
physical therapy degree from the University of Southern California May 8.
This was the first graduating class from the university's doctor of physical therapy
program.
Dr. Reed has previously received degrees from Ambassador University in theology, and from California State University, Northridge in health science.
Brad and his wife, Marlene, attend the Pasadena P.M. congregation.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee--La Petite day care center dedicated its building to Ann Jones, who has worked for the facility for 20 years.
When Mrs. Jones walked into the day care center 20 years ago, the director said, "The Lord sent you here today."
Mrs. Jones attends the Memphis church. Mrs. Melvin Winberry.
ORR, Minnesota--Because of a lack of response, the proposed SEP singles week Aug. 3-8 has been canceled. All applicants will receive notification and a tuition down-payment refund by June 13. Call 1-903-636-2373 if you have questions.
BUFFALO, New York--The women's ministry of Buffalo is sponsoring "Celebrating God's Love," a women's conference and retreat June 19-21 at a country location near Buffalo.
Plans include speeches by our guest speakers from Women's Ministry Support Services in Pasadena, Sheila Graham and Susie Dick. Also scheduled are workshops, worship opportunities, prayer time and relaxing times of fellowship.
For more information, contact Becky Lasch at 1-716-834-3048 or e-mail at eblasch@juno.com; or Debbie Hussak at 1-716-741-3536 or e-mail at 102013.2240@compuserve.com
LINCOLN, Nebraska--Women from the Lincoln congregation were hosts to women from the neighboring Omaha congregation, other friends and family for an afternoon of praising God in songs, hymns and fellowship March 14.
The theme for the event was: "What Has Jesus Done for You?" Guest speaker was Sue Lawson, wife of Don Lawson, regional pastor, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
A number of the women and guests shared what Jesus has done for them and what they could see Jesus doing in friends and family through changes occurring in the Worldwide Church of God. Duane L. and Alberta L. Marquis.
LONG ISLAND, New York--The Long Island church will conduct its annual singles activity, Fun in the Sun Weekend, Aug. 1-2.
Plans are for a workshop and worship services; a dinner dance with a disc jockey playing music from the '50s to the '90s; and an all-day beach party and barbecue.
Singles from other fellowships will also be invited.
For more information please contact Joseph Radosti, 118 Granada Parkway, Lindenhurst, New York, 11757; telephone 1-516-957-3248; e-mail: raddo@erols.com
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998