Online Logos August 7,  2004

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Vacation Bible School: An Important Ministry

Since it was introduced in 1898 by one Mrs. Hawes in New York, Vacation Bible School has become an important ministry of Christian churches. It is certainly a very important ministry of Adventist churches around the world. Here in the Bahamas Conference, the children in the local church and the wider community look forward to Vacation Bible School each year. To them, summer is a time for fun in Vacation Bible School.  (See Photos)

Vacation Bible School is not just fun time for children. It is also designed to meet the educational and spiritual needs of the children in the community. Parents who don’t usually attend church themselves are more likely to send their children to Vacation Bible School that provides meaningful activities for the children in a wholesome environment. This is especially important for parents who are concerned about the welfare of their children. So Vacation Bible School is a good opportunity for the local church to become acquainted with and serve the families in the community.

Most of our churches recognize the potentials of Vacation Bible School for community relations and evangelism. Therefore, they have involved the entire membership of the church in promoting the VBS programme in the community. Some churches have organized the Pathfinders into visiting teams and sent them into the community around their church to invite parents to send their children to VBS. Through the Vacation Bible School, parents and children become acquainted with the church and recognize it as a partner in building the community. Therefore, when they are invited to participate in Bible studies or evangelistic crusades, they are more likely to accept the invitation.

A significant number of the churches in our Conference conducted or are conducting VBS this summer. It was gratifying to see the interest and enthusiasm displayed by the children as they participated in the various activities planned for them. As they worked on their projects, their faces reflected a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. The teachers and other volunteers showed similar interest in and attention to the children under their supervision. More adult members and children need to have a VBS experience. It is not too early to plan to participate in the next VBS at your church.

While some churches have used their own materials for their Vacation Bible School, others have used prepared materials based on a selected theme. This year’s VBS materials were prepared around the theme, "Lava Lava Island, Where Jesus’ Love Flows." The setting is a tropical island with an active volcano. The programme is fun, flexible, requires fewer teachers than other programmes, and leaders need minimum time to prepare materials for their station.

The programme requires the children to be organized into groups of 5 called an Island Crew. Each Island Crew (group) has an adult or teenage Crew Leader. Each day, the Crews rotate through stations and explore the same Bible thought in a new way at each station. This programme makes Bible lessons fun for the children and enhances their interest in the Bible.

Everyone who volunteered to help in Vacation Bible School this year must be commended for taking time to cater to our little ones. God has a special blessing for you.

Festival of the Laity Countdown  During the period August 18 to 21, over sixty lay persons from the Bahamas Conference will travel to Montego Bay, Jamaica, to attend the Festival of the Laity. The theme for the conference will be "Fan the Flame, Rekindle the Passion, Share the Joy." Presentations will include:

!Prayer Ministry conducted by Pastor Samuel Telemaque of the Caribbean Union Conference.

!Small Group Ministries by Pastor David Cox of the British Union Conference.

!Leading God’s Church by Pastor Keith Albury, president of the North Bahamas Mission.

!Successful Lay Preaching by Dr. Enell Hall, School of Religion and Theology of Northern Caribbean University.

!Conducting Successful Community Services Outreach by Mrs. Joan Wint, Principal-Denbigh High School, Jamaica.

!Youth Evangelism by Pastor Baraka Muganda, World Youth Leader of the Adventist Church.

!Stable Family Life In A Chaotic World by Pastor Gordon Martinborough, Inter-American Division.

!Evangeliving - Living the Gospel by Pastors Carlyle Bayne and Bernardo Rodriguez, Inter-American Division.

!Restorative Justice-Promoting Healing in Broken Communities by Mrs. Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Jamaica.

!Prision Ministry-Unlocking The Bars Of The Heart Behind Prison Bars by Richard Bland, North American Division.

!Combating The Devastation Of HIV/AIDS-Caring For The Wounded by Dr. Mutel Kerr, British Union Conference.

!Retaining God’s Harvest by Pastor Basil Reid, Personal Ministries Director of the West Indies Union Conference.

There will be a meeting for all persons traveling to the Festival of The Laity, tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Centreville Church. -Pastor T. Basil Sturrup, Personal Ministries Director

 

It’s a Boy!  We are pleased to announce the arrival of a six pound baby boy that was born to Curtis and Kimberly Bryan at the Princess Margaret Hospital around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2004. Both mother and baby Curtis K’nobry Chazaq are doing well. Kim is an accountant at the Conference Office. The administration and staff of Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists say, "Congratulations Dad Curtis and Mom Kim!"

 

Congratulations Dr. Keith D. Albury!  On Thursday, July 29, 2004, Pastor Keith D. Albury, president of the North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, successfully defended his dissertation on "An Analysis of Factors of Pastoral Leadership and Growth within the Bahamas Conference and North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventists." This means that Pastor Albury has qualified himself to receive the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. Therefore, the administration, staff and workers of Bahamas Conference of SDA congratulate Pastor Albury on his academic achievement. We know that he will use the knowledge and skills gained during his studies to enhance his service in the work of the Lord.

Recognition Service and Banquet For Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Olga Roach During the weekend of September 3 to 5, 2004, Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Roach will be recognized for giving 50 years of service in education and the gospel ministry. The schedule for the weekend will be as follows:

Friday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. Joint service at the Hillview SDA Church, Harrold Road

Sabbath, September 4, at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Special services at Maranatha. Friends from the community are invited to attend.

Sunday, September 5, at 6:30 p.m. Formal Banquet at the Radisson Cable Beach Hotel

Tickets for the Banquet are now available. The deadline for submitting ads is July 31. Please contact one of the following persons to get your tickets and/or to place an ad in the Commemorative Booklet.

Listing of point persons in the churches:

• Adelaide Bro. Eric Bain
• Berea Bro. Nelson Moncur 
• Bethany Sis .Allison Mason
• Bethel Pastor Edward St. Fleur
• Breath of Life Sis. Sharon Robinson
• Centreville Sis. Betty Tinker
• Ebenezer Pastor Edward St. Fleur
• Francophone Pastor Edward St. Fleur
• Gambier Pastor Gary King
• Good News Bro. Peter Scavella
• Grant’s Town Sis. Christine Brown
• Hillview Sis. Donnalee Bowe
• Johnson Park Bro. Barry Saunders
• Living Faith Sis. Andria Musgrove
• Maranatha Sis. Katrina Mitchell
• Message of Hope Sis. Marva Farquharson
• New Englerston Sis. Rose Sands
• New Providence Bro. Vernal Rolle
• Parkgate Sis. Cheryl Forbes
• Philadelphia Sis. Annette Dorsette
• Real Harvest Bro. Preston Johnson

Youth Announcements

!West Indies Union/Inter American Division Bible Bowl.

West Indies Union/Inter American Division will be conducting a Bible Bowl for young persons between the ages of 15 - 30. The questions will be taken from the book of Daniel.

!A Pathfinder Council Meeting for all Pathfinder directors and deputy directors will be held on Monday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnson Park Church. Please ensure that your church is represented.

!Pathfinder’s Supplies Available. Churches that ordered Pathfinders/Adventurers A.Y. flags, Law and Pledge banners from the Conference are asked to collect them. Full payment is expected.

 

S.D.A. Educators’ Association Activities Please remember the following up-coming events: September 12: Prayer Breakfast/Seminar  November. 6: Boat Cruise -Mrs. Elmore Jacques, Public Relations

 

Cafeteria Matron Needed Cafeteria Matron needed for September, 2004. Interested persons should call 341-4162 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

National Women’s Retreat Persons interested in attending the upcoming "Women United In Spirit and Purpose Through Prayer " Retreat are reminded that the deposit is now due.

 

Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre invites you to come by and shop for all your health food needs. A full-time colporteur is now available to come to your home or office. Should you need this service please call 341-2429. Additionally, delicious, hot vegetarian lunches are available daily. Just another service we provide to meet your needs. - Ask about the Gold Card. -Kenny V.A. Deveaux, ABC Manager

V.B.A On The Move Andrew Hanna led a team of volunteers to Bluff, Eleuthera a week ago to work on the Fellowship Hall at the Bluff Church. Dennis Dean, Wellington Burrows and Marvin Taylor assisted Brother Hanna in tiling the bathroom and installing kitchen cabinets. The group also participated in the Sabbath services and encouraged the members of the church to remain faithful to the Lord.

! Carpenters, masons and helpers are needed at the Early Learning Centre. Come at 8 a.m. tomorrow and help us finish the roof and plaster the walls.

Track and Field Summer Camp The First Annual Dianne M. Woodside Track and Field Camp will be held from August 9 to 13, 2004 during the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Registration will take place at the Stadium from August 3 - 6 from 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. and during the morning of August 9. Contact Dianne Woodside at 341-5034 or diannewoodsidetrackcamp@yahoo.com for more information.

Living Faith Women’s Ministry Department  Living Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church Women’s Ministry Department Cordially invites you to "A celebration of Sisterhood" Sunday, August 8, 2004, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, Gulfstream Room Nassau Beach Hotel, Cable Beach. Tickets are available from the Women’s Ministry Director at your church or from Vesta Williams (393-0027 or 502-9539) at Living Faith.

Ghana, Africa Trip Lay Evangelist, David Williams, will be in Ghana, Africa, August 23 - September 11, 2004. Please pray for his success as he travels.

Business Logos The Communication department is looking into the possibility of printing a Business edition of the Logos to accommodate the many "secular" announcements and ads. We are trying to eliminate the more "secular materials from the Sabbath edition. Let us have your views on the need for the Business Logos.

 

Centreville to Host Gospel Concert The Centreville SDA Youth Society is hosting a grand concert on Sabbath, August 7,at 6:00 p.m. to climax its youth day celebrations. You are most cordially invited to attend. -Jorjette Ritichie, A.Y. Leader

 

Teacher’s Assistant Needed A Teacher’s assistant is needed for September 2004. For information please call 341-4162, Tuesdays and Thursdays (8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

 

An Hour of Gospel Music at Mary Ingraham Home The ministry of music plays a pivotal role on Sabbath evenings at the Mary Ingraham Home in ministering to the seniors and neighbours in the area. Continuing today from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the Centreville SDA Choir. The ministry features next Saturday evening the Ebenezer Church. All persons scheduled are requested to please contact Mr. Admiral Forbes at the home at 341-0094/5 in advance if they are unable to keep their appointments. - J. Admiral Forbes, Co-ordinator

Adventist Men’s Ministry Do you have a skill or trade that you would like to exchange with others? Then register that talent or trade today with the Adventist Men’s Ministry coordinator no later than August 15, 2004.

!Adventist Men’s Ministry Weekend will be held December 9 to 12 at the Nassau Beach Hotel. Two exciting concerts will be conducted by the Men’s Choir at Government House and at one of our churches to be announced. Further details are forth coming about our speakers.

!The Adventist Men will be traveling to the Island of Inagua to participate in the erection of the church building. All persons planning on traveling with the group are asked to make a $50 deposit at the Conference Office. We anticipate your cooperation.

 

Be Healthy, Be Happy Club members and interested persons are asked to meet at R. M. Bailey Park tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock for our weekly walk. -Pastor P. A. Scavella, Health Ministries Director

 

Sun sets today at 7:52 p.m.  Sun sets next Sabbath at 7:45 p.m.