NORFOLK,
Virginia--After the sermon Aug. 7, pastor Timothy Brassell invited the congregation to
come forward for individual prayer.
NORFOLK,
Virginia--After the sermon Aug. 7, pastor Timothy Brassell invited the congregation to
come forward for individual prayer.
Many in the congregation formed a line and relayed their prayer requests to Mr. Brassell, and he anointed them with oil and prayed for their specific requests.
Then elders Jerry Hall and Calvin Sledge anointed Mr. Brassell and prayed for him.
On Aug. 21, instead of having a prayer meeting after the worship service, the congregation used the sermon time for a prayer meeting. The Norfolk congregation has a vision and hope of reaching out to serve their diverse community. They petitioned God to achieve the vision to reach out to the community. Waneece Jones.
In July, the congregation collected sheets and blankets to send to Voice of Martyrs, which sponsors a hospital in southern Sudan. The hospital provides basic health services for more than 100,000 people who have been displaced by years of war and famine.
Members wrote scriptures and messages of encouragement on many of the sheets. "To the Christians in southern Sudan, the cross of Christ remains their heritage and salvation, which inspires hope," said member Ann Busto. "Our gifts also inspire hope, which lets them know they are not forgotten."
On Oct. 17 the congregation took part in a community praise and worship service at the Church of the Living Word in Norview, the community that houses the church the congregation uses for its weekly services. Participants represented several ethnic groups and religious persuasions.
Host pastor Brian Forester gave opening remarks. Then Jerry Johnson, who heads a nursing home ministry, introduced the various pastors. Then the participants divided into groups and prayed for the Norview churches to be salt and light; for the revival and salvation of the community; and for Christians of all denominations and ethnic groups to be in unity.
They then found new groups and prayed for area schools, crime and families in the Norview area. In the last session of prayer the participants prayed for whatever was laid on their hearts.
Larry Bateman, who brought the diverse group together, ended the evening in prayer. Ann Stewart.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri--Retired pastor Arthur Docken and his wife, Marie, received a plaque of appreciation Sept. 12 from district superintendent Bob Taylor and his wife, Jan.
Mr. Docken studied at Ambassador College from 1959 to 1962. He married Marie Coverdell, a registered nurse, Nov. 23, 1960. He was ordained a deacon in 1961 and an elder in 1965. That year they were sent to the Philippines, and he directed the church's work there for five years. From 1971 to 1973 he worked in the Australian Office in Sydney.
From 1975 until his retirement in 1996, they pastored several congregations in the United States, including Omaha, Nebraska; Lafayette, Indiana; and Palm Springs, Santa Rosa and Fairfield, California. He was also a contributor to our magazines.
The Dockens live in Jackson, Missouri, and attend the Cape Girardeau congregation, where their daughter, Abby, is the wife of pastor Jeff Williams. Haydn Fox.
HICKORY, North Carolina--Nineteen members of the Hickory congregation, along with people from other area churches, participated in Harvest Crusade '99 Oct. 1 to 3 with Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California.
An estimated 35,000 people attended the crusade. About 2,350 people either accepted Christ for the first time or rededicated their lives to him. The WCG members served in ushering, secretarial duties and counseling with the new believers and those who rededicated their lives to Christ.
The crusade featured musical guests including Jennifer Knapp, Audio Adrenaline, Crystal Lewis, Big Tent Revival, the Harvest Crusade Band, Dennis Agajanian and Paul Overstreet.
"It was a great experience," said member Shelly Miller. "I was so moved emotionally. I was thrilled to be a part of the crusade." Carolyn L. Tedder.
BOISE, Idaho--The
Boise and Ontario, Oregon, congregations combined Oct. 9 to say good-bye to Fred Davis,
former pastor of the two congregations and the congregation in Baker City, Oregon, his
wife, Beverly, and their family as they move to Grande Island, Nebraska.
Mr. Davis gave the sermon on Paul's letter to the Colossians.
Afterward, the congregation gathered in a circle and holding hands, they sang, Bind Us Together. Noel Sorenson, a deacon in Ontario, sang for the Davises, Always Be Friends, a song he wrote for the occasion.
The congregation laid hands on the Davises and prayed. Then, photo albums, cards and money were given to them. After a potluck, the Davises traveled to Baker City for a farewell service there.
BATON ROUGE,
Louisiana--Pastor Anthony Rice was the honored guest at a reception during Pastors
Appreciation Month Oct. 16.
The Baton Rouge congregation was host for the occasion. After a sermon by Mr. Rice's father, Richard, a men's group serenaded him by singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Refreshments were finger sandwiches, punch and cake. Marguerite Burrell.
DALLAS,
Texas--Murdock "Doc" Gibbs, an elder in the Dallas North congregation, is
co-star of a television show called "Nana Puddin."
The show teaches children values and life-building concepts through puppet characters, music, sketches and comedy with a host of kid-friendly entertainers.
"As kids laugh and listen, they learn lessons in living," said Mr. Gibbs, a songwriter and cast member for the show.
Nana Puddin' also produces a religious version of the show to point children to faith in God and the teachings of Jesus.
Nana Puddin' also presents live shows for schools, church camps and community events.
LAUREL HILLS STATE PARK, Pennsylvania--Twenty-eight youths along with adult staff spent July 31 to Aug. 3 at a youth camp. Activities included swimming, hiking, camp fires, volleyball and tag football.
Along with instruction in Christian living, the campers were challenged to learn the Apostles Creed. J.C. Burkett and Cliodhna Graven were honored for memorizing the creed. Jon Kurnik.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--During the weekend of July 10-11, 44 people found a treasure in Jesus Christ at the Cedar Rapids congregation's second vacation Bible camp, which took place at the farm of directors Todd and Jane Wardenburg.
This year's theme, "Treasure Hunt Bible Adventure," taught the children that the Bible is the map, and Jesus is the treasure.
The children participated in two days of praise and worship, Bible teaching, missions work and footwashing. The camp ended with a service during which pastor John Bailey showed the children that once Jesus is inside them, no one can take him away.
The complete curriculum is available at Christian book stores or on the Group Publishing website at www.grouppublishing.com Loretta Bushlack.
SPOKANE,
Washington--Pastor Glen Weber spoke at the farewell service for pastor Dennis Sunderland
of First Assembly of God, Oct. 24. The two pastors had become close friends while planning
community church services.
The Sunderlands are Canadians who became naturalized U.S. citizens, and the Webers are U.S. citizens who became naturalized Canadians while pastoring in Canada for 21 years.
Mr. Sunderland asked Mr. Weber and four others to speak during the service. Others speaking were the president of the ministerial association, the executive director of the ministerial association and the mayor of Spokane. The Sunderlands are moving to assume duties at Trinity Church in Sacramento, California.
REDDING, California--In the early morning hours of Oct. 16 what is believed to have started as a smoldering camp fire north of Bella Vista, an eastern suburb of Redding, erupted into a wind-driven inferno that consumed more than 26,000 acres of residential, farm and ranch lands in what became known as the Jones Valley Fire.
Several members of the Redding congregation live in the affected area and were ordered to evacuate their homes during the afternoon and evening hours. While more than 100 homes were destroyed, God spared all of our members' homes, according to pastor Larry Van Landuyt.
Most seriously affected were Bob and Linda Hoffman, who live in Bella Vista. Although the fire burned quickly through their property, destroying two sheds full of winter wood and an unused chicken coop, their home and equipment building and vehicles were untouched, except by smoke.
Others who were evacuated from southeastern Redding and Anderson were Diane and Katie Tomich, and George and Gail Watkins.
The Redding congregation, which meets in the Community Church of God a few miles west of the fire's path, prayed during the Oct. 16 worship service for God's protection for all living in the fire's path.
"Many prayers of thanks were offered as our evacuated members were allowed to return to their homes and found them still standing," Mr. Van Landuyt said.
HOHOE, Ghana--Missionaries Francis and Margaret Ablordeppey were sent by the Ghana church to Hohoe to evangelize and to strenghten the WCG's existing congregations there, and they were asked by their landlady to pastor a group of 50 student seamstresses.
Two of the seamstresses, Ruth Amedzro and Rejoice Akoto, attended the festival in Kutunse, outside the capital city of Accra.
Ruth explained how she and the others have benefited from their connection with the WCG: "It is good for us. The church is strong in teaching us the Bible. It is what we need in our society. The most enjoyable parts of the convention have been the sermons. They point us to Jesus, and help us be his disciples."
CINCINNATI, Ohio--The Cincinnati Central congregation helped two charities with their fund raisers: Church World Service's Crop Walk, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's MS-150.
Bill Miller worked with the Northern Hills Ecumenical Council to get
the WCG involved in the Crop Walk, a 10 kilometer walk to raise money to feed the hungry.
Several area churches were involved.
This group of 20 walkers, including some from the Cincinnati East congregation, raised $1,692. This money will be used to help Church World Service feed the hungry in more than 70 countries, including Kosovo.
Bill Davidson has been involved with the MS Society's MS-150 since 1993. The MS-150 is a two day, 150-mile bike ride to raise money to fight multiple sclerosis (MS). This year Mr. Davidson recruited two other members of the Central congregation, Dave Butz and Russell Taylor, to join in the MS-150. They raised more than $2,200.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri--Members in Cape Girardeau occasionally drop their loose change or dollar bills into a mite bottle before and after services.
The money is donated to the Haiti office of Child Evangelism Fellowship, a worldwide Christian faith organization headquartered in Warrenton, Missouri. Its purpose is to evangelize boys and girls, disciple them in the Word of God, and establish them in a local church. Haydn A. Fox Sr.
PENSACOLA, Florida--The Pensacola-Milton congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary Aug. 14.
The anniversary celebration began with a worship service that included a history of the 25 years of the Pensacola church.
Pensacola's history is quite diverse, according to pastor John Young. Throughout the years, members have attended services in various areas across the Florida panhandle.
After the worship service, refreshments were served, and three individuals were recognized. Van Hall, Willie Latham and Michael Ingram have attended the Pensacola congregation since the beginning.
Former and current members were invited to celebrate the event. The anniversary celebration concluded with a family dance and fellowship.
LINCOLN, Nebraska--The Lincoln congregation will celebrate its 20th anniversary Jan. 29.
The worship service will be at 10, followed by a potluck. Pictures, church history and reminiscing are planned.
To attend, please contact Duane Marquis at 6405 W. Davey Rd., Raymond, Nebraska, 68428-4007; telephone 1-402-783-5115; or by e-mail at duane_marquis@wcg.org
EL PASO, Texas--Inspired by a WCG video, members in El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico, collected several boxes of personal toiletry items, placed them in gift boxes and donated them to low income families near the Sparks Community Center in east El Paso.
Members from both congregations assembled 72 gift boxes Oct. 17. Rand Holm, district superintendent, and his wife, Beth, were visiting the area and helped pack the boxes.
Sylvia Sanchez, community center director, invited the congregation to participate in the center's Make a Difference Day open house Oct. 23. The members gave away copies of the New Testament, mostly in Spanish. Many commented on how they had been wanting a Bible for a long time. Gloria Soto.
EXETER, Rhode Island--The Providence congregation was host for 63 single Christians from 13 states at a three-day retreat--Single Servants of God--at a Christian conference center in Exeter, Sept. 4 to 6.
Guest speakers and discussion leaders were John Halford, European regional director; Ron Stoddart, pastor of the Concord, New Hampshire; and Portland, Maine; congregations; John Adams, pastor of the Union and Brick, New Jersey, congregations; and host pastor Dennis Pelley and his wife, Lorraine.
The retreat included praise and worship, small and large group discussions and prayer groups. Social activities included canoeing, swimming, dancing and table games.
Mr. Pelley opened the retreat by apologizing on behalf of the ministry for past comments about the single state as somehow being incomplete or inferior.
Mr. Halford encouraged the singles to attain the fullness of Jesus, who was single. Lynn Blackman and Ann Williams.
PASADENA--The WCG entered into an agreement Sept. 16 with City Spaces Inc. to provide services relative to the relocation of headquarters, according to Dale Trow, facilities director.
City Spaces is a Pasadena-based company, which in 13 years has risen to become one of Los Angeles' top commercial interior design and space panning firms.
"City Spaces will bring efficiency to our project through its diverse staff of architects, designers and graphic artists," Mr. Trow said. "Our relationship with City Spaces will allow a single source for all aspects of our project.
"There was a time when we had our own architects, engineers, designers and purchasers. Now, we have to contract out and coordinate these services to prepare a new location."
City Spaces will be the church's one main contact, and will oversee the steps necessary to relocate, such as space planning and design development.
KALAMAZOO, Michigan--The Paw Paw, Michigan, small group, a part of the Kalamazoo congregation pastored by Wilhelm Mandel, donated two dozen board puzzles to the Kalamazoo Correctional Center, a halfway house for nightly and weekend incarceration as prisoners are reintroduced to society.
Daniel Erickson, small group facilitator, told the group about the needs of the inmates, and group member Harold Morrison, a flea-market and estate worker, collected the puzzles for donation.
Susan Frary, chief correctional officer at the center, said that some prisoners enjoyed passing time by doing board puzzles, and that puzzles also played a role in the aesthetical education of those returning to the work place and society.
PITTSBURGH,
Pennsylvania--Theresa Annette (Yoha) Starta, a 1991 Ambassador graduate, was elected to
the La Roche College board of regents.
The college seeks individuals for the board of regents who have positions of influence in the greater Pittsburgh community, an interest in La Roche College and a willingness to participate in the accomplishments of the college's mission.
Theresa is the director of marketing and business development for DQEnergy Partners, an energy company in Pittsburgh.
STEPHENS CITY, Virginia--Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) proclaimed Sept. 25 as the organization's National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
The Shenandoah Valley chapter is led by Betty Loy, a deaconess in the Strasburg, Virginia, congregation, and her daughter, Stephanie Strosnider, co-leader. Stephanie's two daughters, Jessica Lynn, 3, and Brittany Loy, 2, were murdered by their father in 1991.
According to Jean Lewis, POMC's national president: "For survivors of homicide victims, having their loved ones remembered is vital. Though survivors may individually and formally remember them on their own anniversary dates or on other special occasions, it was felt that it would be appropriate and beneficial for all survivors to have a special day to remember together."
Sept. 25 was chosen in honor of Lisa Hullinger, daughter of Robert and Charlotte Hullinger, POMC founders.
On Sept. 24 Mrs. Loy spoke at a women's weekend at the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Winchester, Virginia. Not only did she tell them about POMC, she told them of her journey of 31 years in the WCG.
At their Sunday service, Mrs. Loy told how the WCG had been brought out of legalism to the cross of Jesus Christ. Members and visiting ministers stood up, praising God for what he has done.
DOCKENS HONORED--From left: Jan and
Bob Taylor, and Marie and Arthur Docken.
YOUTH CAMP--Pennsylvania and West Virginia youths at
camp in Pennsylvania. [Photo by Debbie Burkett]
BIBLE CAMP--Some participants in the Cedar Rapids
Vacation Bible Camp.
CROP WALK--Bill Miller (left)
with Jordan Hosmer, 12, of the
Northminster Presbyterian Church.
Jordan finished first in the walk.
REACHING OUT--El Paso members make a
difference in their community.
Sixty women from Reno, Nevada, and Redding, Chico, Fairfield, Modesto, San Jose and Sacramento, California, attended Sacramento's third annual women's retreat Aug. 27 to 29.
Sandy Swagerty directed the retreat at the Sierra Pines Baptist Camp 7,000 feet high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The event began Friday evening with a praise and worship service led by Nina Wendt. Then the women broke into small groups for prayer.
Debby Miller led off Saturday's program with a presentation titled "Conversing With God." Sharie Meyer then spoke about "I'm Wonderful, Aren't I?" Marsha Nelson followed with "Contentment in Christ--Through Trials," and Teddi Deppner concluded with "It Is Well With My Soul."
Before the retreat Karon Smith had written out scriptures on pieces of paper, and in between presentations, she had volunteers pick one at random and then say whatever came to mind.
That evening, Kelly Howard was host for a bunco game.
Sunday concluded with Sheila Miller doing a sacred dance to "Go Light Your World," which was followed by a communion service and everyone singing "Go Light Your World," while holding lighted candles. Nancy Curtis.
BLOWING ROCK, North Carolina--A youth discovery retreat will take place at Blowing Rock Assembly Grounds Dec. 21 to 23.
Scheduled events include:
Tuesday, Dec. 21
4 to 6 p.m.: arrival and assignments to dorms
6 to 7: Dinner and orientation
7:30 to 8:30: praise and worship; opening message
Wednesday, Dec. 22
8:15 to 9: skit preparation
9 to 10:30: coed volleyball
1 to 2: skit presentations
Option 1
2 to 10: snow skiing
Option 2
2 to 10: pool party, movie night, open gym
10 to 11: Christmas carols and refreshments
Thursday, Dec. 23
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.: Baptismal counseling
9 to 10: SEP introduction
10 to 11: Praise and worship; final message; camper testimonials.
11 to 12: Pack and depart
The cost is $90 for campers who ski, $60 for campers who don't ski and $50 for adult drivers who stay over.
Contact Paul David Kurts before Dec. 7 at 6063 Rocky Mount Rd., Granite Falls, North Carolina, 28630, phone 1-828-313-2311 or e-mail paul_david_kurts@wcg.org
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999