THE LOGOS A Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Weekly Publication Volume 7, Number 08, February 23, 2002 |
Law Enforcement Officers Attend Annual Thanksgiving ServiceAt the annual service of thanksgiving for Adventists who are Civil Servants and Law Enforcement Officers, church members, officers, friends and dignitaries of various branches of government converged at the Living Faith SDA Church on Old Trail Road on Saturday, February 16, at 4 p.m.
Mr. Frank Watson, Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, and Cabinet Minister responsible for Security and Defence, addressed the gathering. Mr. Watson, who expressed pleasure for the opportunity to be at the service once again, applauded the Adventist Church for organizing and hosting such a service to recognize the contributions of civil servants and law enforcement officers, and for seeking God’s guidance upon them. He pointed out that the security forces of our country have been severely challenged since the events of September 11, 2001. He also called for a greater sense of cooperation between the public and the police in the overall attempt to eradicating crime for “the police would be the first to tell us that they cannot do it alone.” Hence, the Deputy Prime Minister advocated that “a coordinated strategy is needed”. “The church,” said Mr. Watson, “must come to the support of families by assisting in resolving conflicts”. The occasion was also used to applaud the Adventist Faith for its contribution to education and its youth work, especially the Pathfinders, which he referred to as “a national asset”.
Representing the Commissioner of Police was Mr. Reginald Ferguson, assistant Commissioner of Police, with responsibility for crime. He too applauded the efforts of the Adventist community for conducting an annual service.
The spiritual charge came from Dr, Leonard A. Johnson, Executive Secretary of Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Following musical selections from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Choir, The Pathfinder Sitting Band and the Living Faith SDA Church Choir, Dr. Johnson explained that Civil Servants and Law Enforcement Officers are human beings with normal feelings, temptations and needs. He implored these officers and civil servants as well as the entire audience to trust in God. Using a passage from the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 6:25-34, Dr. Johnson proffered 5 reasons for Civil Servants and Law Enforcement Officers to shun worry or anxiety as they face the issues of security for themselves, inadequate supplies, the question of promotion, criticism, stress, extended work hours etc.
Dr. Johnson argued that “it is (1) inconsistent, (2) irrational, (3) ineffective, (4) illogical and (5) irreligious to think that God would create persons in His image and leave them to fend for themselves.” Furthermore, Dr. Johnson explained that if God cares for the birds of the air by providing for their needs for they spin not nor gather into barns –then it stands to reason that certainly God must care for His people of greater worth and value. “This fact of God’s care should discourage and dissuade God’s followers from yielding to the temptation to compromise, to cheat and engage in questionable practices,” said Pastor Johnson.
Following the sermon, a prayer of consecration was offered by Pastor Leo Rolle, Field Secretary and Ministerial Director of Bahamas Conference of SDA.
Finally, a special thank you is extended to Elder Norman Seymour and members of the organizing committee for planning a successful and effective service. Kudos
Families Restored in Grand Bahama
“Families Lost, Families Restored” was the theme for the family emphasis weekend in Grand Bahama this past weekend (February 13-17, 2002). Barrington H. Brennen, director of Adventist Counseling Services, and his wife, Annick, traveled to Grand Bahama to conduct the seminar. It was designed to provide healing, education, encouragement and counseling for the Adventist Church in Grand Bahama. Hundreds of Adventists, including a few visitors, came together at the Freeport Church on Wednesday evening to listen to the 2-hour presentation on “Principles of Family Living.” General guidelines for healthy family relationships were presented. Many more joined on Tuesday evening to hear the subject “Am I Irresistible? – Keeping the Fires alive in marriage.” Couples were given spicy ingredients and principles for healthy marital relationships.
On Friday evening the entire family was counseled on how to handle conflict in relationships. The subject was “Honey, you are talking so loud I cannot hear you.” On Sabbath morning the Freeport Church was filled for the Divine Service as Pastor Brennen preached on the three parables found in Like chapter 15. He applied the basic characteristics and principles of the parables (the lost, sheep, son, and coin) to family and marital relationships.
On Sabbath afternoon, young people joined in for the exciting presentation entitled “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” During this meeting young people were reminded of the principle of peer bonding, selecting a mate, sexuality and dating. On Sunday morning the seminar ended with the showing of the movie “Broken Vows.” The weekend was certainly one of restoration and healing. Pastor Brennen takes the “Families Lost, Families Restored Seminar” to Living Faith Church this weekend and to Exuma next weekend (March 7-9). -B. Brennen
The Triple ‘C’ Family Plan
This afternoon at 4 o'clock we will officially launch the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan of the Bahamas Conference at the Hillview SDA Church. It is our hope that the questions and answers featured over the past two weeks were helpful as you studied them through the week. We will begin with a service of consecration and then all members here in Nassau who are ready to sign up in this program may then do so. Church treasurers and assistants, stewardship personnel and assistants are asked to be at Hillview to register those persons from their respective churches who are prepared to sign up in the program. Thereafter the registering and collecting of funds, etc. from persons will be done at the respective churches.
Remember fundamentally this is a spiritual Family Plan whose main objectives are:
1. To foster and encourage a greater sense of unity and well-being within the church family.
2. To model the Early Church, just after Pentecost, as a community befitting our highest emulation (Acts 2 - 4)
3. To provide practical answers to three fundamental questions that we must face in the family of believers, namely:
a. What happens when a member dies?
b. What happens when a member is jobless?
c. What happens when a member has a need?
Section 3 will be implemented immediately. We expect that 3b and 3c will come on stream later in the year.
Triple C oncern -- Solicitous Regard; Affect
C are -- Serious Attention; Affection
C omfort -- Relief in Affliction; Consolation
The acceptance and implementation of the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan are projected to bring untold blessings to the church family (already positive testimonies are coming in from our sister Conferences in West Indies Union) and to the spread of the gospel. This program will result in the following:
a. It will mean financial empowerment of our members.
b. It will provide a greater sense of belonging and well-being for our members.
c. It will increase the potential for tithes and offerings.
d. It will ease the pressure on the local church budget and allow the church to better finance its outreach programs.
e. It will make Stewardship education more meaningful.
f. It will provide a ready pool of prospects for our evangelistic units.
g. It will give the church new impetus for the reclamation of missing and delinquent members.
h. It could provide the catalyst for an unprecedented revival among Seventh-day Adventists.
Let us continue to pray for and sign up in the Triple "C' Family Plan. Remember we need a minimum of 1,000 persons throughout the entire Conference to sign up in order for the program to be fully implemented. Pastor M. A. Smith, Stewardship Director
Path to Truth Crusade Countdown
Rally at Centreville today at 3 o’clock.
***Choir rehearsal will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Members of the Johnson Park, Ephesus, New Englerston, and Living Faith Churches are especially invited to attend.-A. Tinker, Crusade Choir Director
***On Sunday, skilled men/women of the above listed churches are asked to meet at the New Ephesus Church site on Parkgate Road at 7 o’clock to continue with the preparation of the tent. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers throughout the SDA community are invited to lend a helping hand so that we could be ready to launch on March 3rd.-L. C. Rolle, Associate Evangelist
Adventist Hour on Cable Bahamas The Law Enforcement and Civil Servants service can be seen on Cable Channel 12 on Saturday from 9 p.m.
Bahamas Conference Executive Committee to Meet All members of the Bahamas Conference Executive Committee are reminded that their regular sitting has been postpone to Thursday, February 28, 2002, at 10 a.m. at the Conference office.-Administration
Communications Department The Communications Department is pleased to inform you that video tapes of the Ordination, Law Enforcement Services, Grand Bahama Convention, and Marriage Seminar are available for $15 each. Please call Elizabeth Moses to place your request.
New Providence Voice of Hope Crusade The New Providence Church will launch its crusade on Sunday, Feb. 24, at the church, beginning at 7:15 p.m.
Attention, Persons With Chronic Pains or Illnesses The First Share and Care Support Group begins for persons with chronic pains and long-term illnesses on March 2 at Bethany Church. If you have a painful long-term illness or life-threatening disease such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, etc., and are in need of motivation, education, encouragement and support, then this Share and Care Support Group is for you. Dr. Stephanie Hutechson, Adventist Clinical Psychologist, will be there. This group will meet every week for six weeks. Interested persons, please call Dr. Hutcheson at 356 7177 or Barrington Brennen at 361 6355, 393 1818.
SDA Educators Association Members of the SDA Educators Association have traveled to Battle Creek, Michigan. They have requested your prayers for a safe trip -P. Hamilton-Brown
Breath of Life Women’s Ministry The Breath of Life Women’s Ministry department will be traveling to South Andros February 22 to 25, 2002. Ladies interested in traveling may contact Patricia Brown at 362-1470 or M. Bonaby 394-3432/393-8507.
SDA Van Ministry You ought to be a part of this missionary venture that impacts the community through blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar screening. Everyone and anyone can help. Interested? Call Ida Hanna at 323-5475 or Marlene at 364-0085-M. McKinney
SDA Art Club Members of the SDA Art Club are reminded that art classes resume tomorrow , Feb. 24, at BA Secondary School from 3 to 5 p.m. A. Mason/Ian Antonio
VIDEO PRESENTATION TONIGHT All roads lead to Living Faith Church tonight at 7:45 for the video presentation “Not In My Church.” This will be the fourth video presentation in a series by Adventist Counseling Services. This video is especially for all couples, church and community leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, etc. The movie is a true story of a man and a woman dealing with sexual abuse in their church. The final video in the series will be at the New Providence Church next week Saturday night at 7:45, it is entitled “Broken Vows” a look at family violence
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Softball League to begin Soon Deadline for signing up is in two weeks. Easter Sunday and Monday is the softball jamboree. All persons (male/female) are encouraged to sign up for the first ever Conference coed softball league. Remember to Be a Player and Not a Spectator! -Tyrrell Miller, President of Softball League
Youth Ministries Masterguides Training
***All Masterguides and persons interested are invited to a 10-Hour Masterguides Training Session Sunday morning, Feb 24, at Bahamas Academy Gym from 7 to 9 o’clock Other dates for additional classes will be announced.
**Youth Forum is held every Friday at 7 p.m. at the Grant’s Town church.
******Pastor Braham, Youth Director of West Indies Union, will be in the Bahamas from February 21 to 25, 2002. (During this period Pastor Clarke will be in Atlanta at the Leaders of Honor Youth Congress). On Friday, Feb. 22, Pastor Braham will meet with the Youth Council, all Pathfinder Directors, A. Y. Leaders, Adventurer Leaders and Federation Officers at the Hillview Church at 7:00 p.m. Sabbath he will preach at the Grant’s Town Church.
****On Sunday, Feb. 24, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. he will participate in the 10-Hour Training Course for the Masterguides. From 10 a.m. to noon he will visit and inspect Pathfinder Clubs. At 7 p.m. he will preach at Hillview Church in a Joint Youth Service.
****On Monday, Feb. 25, at the Conference office Pastor Braham will meet with all pastors from 9a.m. to noon.
****May 10 to 12, 2002, Youth Leaders meeting will be held in Jamaica. Youth Leaders are asked to register to attend.
Youth Week of Prayer The Breath of Life, Berea and Good News Churches will unite for a Youth Week of Prayer March 11 to 15 at the Breath of Life Church, Marshall Road. All are invited to attend. Contact Anthon Miller at Berea, Latisha Clarke at Good News and Karen Scavella at Breath of Life.
SDA Eleuthera Association A meeting of the Eleuthera SDA Association will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Grant’s Town Church at 5 p.m. The Association will host a gospel concert April 14th, venue to be announced
Elders’ Notice Elders’ Certification Course 102 continues on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at 8 a.m. at BAS - Pastor L. C. Rolle, Ministerial Director
Seraphic Sounds Concert Postponed Under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Leon L. Higgs, President of the College of the Bahamas, Seraphic Sounds presents . . . “Lift Every Voice. . .” featuring Charles B. Zonicle, Anthony Burnside, Nikita Thompson-Wells and the College of the Bahamas Choir, has been postponed. Tickets sold will be honored on the new date to be announced.-Allison Mason
BA Continuing Education Programme Through a convenient evening programme, Bahamas Academy Continuing Education Division is helping many working adults achieve their educational goals. The BACE programme can help you move from where you are to where you would like to go. Centrally located, BACE provides residents of New Providence with the opportunity to receive individual attention in a friendly learning environment For further details regarding fees and registration, please call 393-9362, or stop by the office at Bahamas Academy on Wulff Road (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday).
Bahamas Academy Elementary Bahamas Academy Elementary is accepting new student applications for all grade levels -K2 to 6- for the school year 2002 to 2003. Application forms are available at the school on Penny Bank Lane from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.
The first entrance exam is scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2002, at the school from 9 a.m. to noon for those entering grades 1 to 6.
For further information, please contact the school at 393-8898.
Bahamas Academy Secondary
Bahamas Academy Secondary is accepting new applications for all grade levels for the school year 2002 to 2003. Application forms are available at the school on Wulff Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to collect application forms before February 16, 2001.
The first entrance exam is scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2002.
****Bahamas Academy Secondary School is looking for a Social Studies teacher and a Bible teacher for Grades 7 to 9 to begin in September, 2002. Each applicant should have a Bachelor’s degree and a Teacher’s certificate. Interested persons should pick up job applications from the school during normal working hours.
For further information, please contact the school at 393-8898.
Women’s Ministries Prayer Meeting The Women’s Ministries Planning Committee invites all to attend its Prayer Meeting at the Berea Church on March 2nd from 6 to 7 a.m. in preparation for its outreach program April 7 to 20, 2002. -Carolyn Hanna
Long Islanders Association to Hold Election All Long Islanders and friends with vested interest are invited to attend a meeting at Living Faith Church, Sunday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. Election of officers, up-date on building project and voting on a date to hold monthly meetings will make up the agenda for this meeting.