- Children --Our Church’s Greatest
Resource
- On this special Children's Sabbath, we highlight the "little
jewels" in our midst and lovingly affirm their gifts and their
priceless contributions to our church's mission. Jesus, Friend of little
children, has given each child special gifts that can be used to share
God's Love with others. Through such avenues as preaching, storytelling,
drawing, singing and acting, children enthusiastically express what is in
their hearts. By involving them in the services and activities of the
church, children are given the opportunity to practice using their talents
while they are young. While some may say that children are the church of
tomorrow, Jesus welcomes and uses them now. He doesn't wait until they
become adults. Likewise, so should we as we give them a chance to be part
of and involved in the church. By so doing, we will be acknowledging our
divine responsibility to train children now to be witnesses and disciples
for Christ.
Among the many roles that we as leaders and parents fulfill
for our children is the role of disciple maker, a role that is often overlooked.
Christ said in Matthew 28:19 to "make disciples of all the nations."
In making disciples, we should ensure that our children are our number one
responsibility. Dennis and Barbara Rainey offer four ideas on basic discipleship
training of children.
1. Establish a clear goal. What kind of relationship with God
are you seeking for your child?
2. Create a plan and strategy. How do you expect to
accomplish your spiritual goals for each child?
3. Effective training requires repetition. Don't expect a
child to get it on the first try -- or even the fiftieth. Continue to exhort and
encourage your child in the disciplines of staying in the center of God's will.
4. Include standards and accountability. Disciple making
includes consistent and appropriate discipline. Practical suggestions for
effective disciple training of our children include:
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Have daily devotions and/or weekly family nights.
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Go on a short-term mission trip with your older
children. This is a great way to teach them how to look at the world through the
eyes of Jesus Christ and refine their values. But you don't have to travel far
to model the love of Jesus. You can create a meaningful missionary experience
for your children right here at home.
Lead by example. By observing our own witnessing efforts,
they learn by example how to spread God's love to others. Our words and actions
are observed, evaluated, and stored by the little ones God has placed in our
care.
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Enroll them in the Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs.
As we celebrate the church's greatest resource -- our
children-- let us continue to teach them to fear and love God with all their
heart, and encourage them to be involved in accomplishing the great commission.
We need to realize that we are in a spiritual relay and, as adults, we have run
our lap and must now place the baton into our children's hands. The type of
handoff we make will determine in part how the next generation follows Jesus
Christ. What an honour! What a responsibility!
Children's Ministries Weekend Calendar Our
children will be featured in our churches today, Sabbath, November 22. Support
them as they share how, with hearts full of Jesus' love, they have served our
community in a variety of ways. Other exciting events during this weekend: Children's
Concert this Sabbath afternoon at 3:30 at Hillview Church. You don't want to
miss this! An offering will be taken to assist the CM departments. Fun Day --All
children (aged 5-13) must not miss "Let's Play", a fabulous fun day
for children to be held on Bahamas Academy school grounds from 10:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23. Please see your Children's Ministries leader
for ticket information. -Cheryl Rolle -C M Director
Dedication of Steven’s SDA Church The Steven’s SDA Church in
Long Island will be dedicated tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003. Our union and
conference officers, accompanied by other pastors and interested members will
travel to Long Island for this special service.
Bahamasair Charter Cancelled Owing to the unrest at Bahamasair the
charter service with Bahamasair has been cancelled. We have chartered a smaller
aircraft operated by B & H Travel, which will leave Nassau on Sunday, Nov.
23 at 8:00 o’clock and return from Dead’sman Cay at 5:00 p.m.
1003 in 2003 "So close and yet so far", someone has said. We
are so close to witnessing the power God baptize 1003 souls in 2003 within our
Conference. The reports indicate that so far over 900 souls have entered the
watery grave of baptism and risen to the newness of life this year. There has
been a pursuit for the elusive 1000 souls in one year within our field for
years. This is the year, now is the time! We are so close that it would be a
disappointment to Jesus and His commission of Matthew 28: 19-20 to not reach
this goal. Heaven is soon to be repopulated; let us do our part to cause a
celestial repopulation and celebration. Why not give your pastor souls for
baptism on the Day of the Pastor (next Sabbath Nov. 29)?
Ellen White says, "God created man for His own glory, that after test
and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was
God's purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family, if they would show
themselves obedient to His every word…. His kingdom will not come until the
good tidings of His grace have been carried to all the earth. Hence, as we give
ourselves to God, and win other souls to Him, we hasten the coming of His
Kingdom." (See God's Amazing Grace, pp. 344-348.)
We ask you to support the various pastors and other laity that are in
evangelistic campaigns at this time. If each one in our churches wins one for
the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit, your efforts would not
be in vain. God has promised that His Word would not return to Him void (see
Isaiah 55: 11).
"We may have a vision of the future, the blessedness of heaven…. There
the redeemed greet those who led them to the Saviour, and all unite in praising
Him who died that human beings might have the life that measures with the life
of God" (ibid., p. 349). -Ministerial Department
Family Ministries Certification Pastors and departmental personnel from
Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, North Bahamas Mission and Bahamas Conference
attended a very informative and exciting Family Ministries training programme on
Monday and Tuesday, November 17 and 18. Under the guidance of Pastor Gordon and
Mrs. Weaveny Martinborough from the Inter-American Division, those in attendance
were exposed to some concepts that will improve the quality of family life in
our homes and churches. Early next year, or sooner, the pastors will share these
life changing concepts with the church members.
Education Corner (This weekly column is sponsored by Bahamas Academy of
S.D.A.
Learning to read is probably one of the most important skills your child will
need in order to be successful in life. Therefore, it is vital that he/she
develops a love for the written word from a very young age. Here are some tips
to help you integrate reading in everyday life:
1. Keep Books in Reach. Make sure there are plenty of books where your child
can easily see and reach them so he can pick one up whenever he wants. Put a
bookshelf/bookcase in your child's room and fill it with your child's favourite
books. Check with the ABC for children's books, like "Uncle Arthur's
Bedtime Stories" or "The Bible Story" (10-volume set). Purchase a
child's Bible with lots of pictures and read from it when studying the Sabbath
School lesson with your child. Encourage Drawing. Build up your child's ability
to hold writing instruments and control her use of line just by letting her draw
and color. Don't insist that lines be drawn straight and that crayons be kept
within the lines; this will happen as the child matures.
3. Write a Story Together. Have your child draw a picture and ask him what's
happening within it or what he would title his drawing. Write down the story or
title at the bottom. Encourage him to draw a series of pictures and develop his
sense of story. You'll also empower him with the idea that he can create stories
himself.
4. Stop, Look, and Ask While Your Child Listens. Make sure to pause and point
things out to your child while you're reading. Ask questions about stories as
you read them and discuss plots and characters after you're done to develop
reading comprehension skills.
5. Make Your Own Books on Tape. Record you or child reading books so she can
listen whenever she wants--at bedtime, while playing, or in the car.
6. Label Everything. Putting signs or stickers on things around the house is
a great way to connect language with concrete objects. It lets your child know
that everything has a name and a word attached to it.
7. How Was Your Day? Expand your child's sense of narrative (story telling)
by giving simple explanations of what happened to you during an ordinary day.
Tell him of happenings and how they affected later events. Ask him to tell you
about his day, too.
8. Rhyme Time. Challenge your child to come up with simple rhymes for words
like "cat" and "ball". It's a fun game you can play anywhere
and builds phonemic awareness.
Bahamas Academy Calendar of Events:
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Nov. 24 and 25: No school (marking days for teachers)
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November 26: Classes resume at 8:50 a.m.
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December 7: Christmas Program (Elementary) - H. D. Colburn
Gymnatorium
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December 14: Christmas Program (Secondary) - Hillview Church
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December 17: Report Card Day (Grades K2 - 11); school closes. -Lynn
C. Smith, Principal
Parkgate SDA Church You are invited to a cloth fair and health screening
at the Parkgate SDA Church on Parkgate Road off Kemp Road, on Sunday, Nov. 23,
beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Grant’s Town Crusaders All former Grant’s Town Crusaders are invited
to attend a Reunion Church service at the Church on December 6, 2003. All former
members of the church are also invited.
Publishing Ministry All literature evangelists and those who would like
to become literature evangelists are requested to attend a meeting on Thursday,
November 25, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia SDA Church, Elizabeth Estates.
Cat Island Crusade Needs Volunteers A special campaign is being conducted
in Cat Island between Nov. 21 and December 7, 2003. Volunteers are needed to
assist in Cat island for a week or a week-end. Housing is being provided. If
interested, please call Pastor or Sis. Duncombe at 322-5510 or 341-4021.
"Come over into Cat Island and Help us." - Pastor J. Duncombe
Breath of Life Church Dedication The Breath of Life Church dedication
will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. You are cordially
invited to join us in this special service to the glory of God. Pastor Ducnombe,
the officers and members solicit your prayers and support.
Lay Crusade Continues at Grant’s Town Church Lay preachers Elvardo
Perpall and Tyrone Paul invite you to attend a lay evangelistic effort,
"Path to Life" crusade, at the Grant’s Town Church that began Nov.
15 at 7:15 p.m. and continues. No meetings will be held on Monday and Thursday
nights.
Youth Corner
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Attention, Youth! Come take a sip of dis, The Living
Water Series "Obey Your Thirst . . . For Christ," at the New
Providence Church that began Nov. 9, 2003, at 7:15 p.m. Don’t miss the final
week of this series. No meetings will be held Thursday and Saturday. Come,
experience the gospel through drama and exciting music. Parents are invited to
attend and hear at firsthand some of the challenges that youth face today.
Volleyball Games tonight: Men – Bethany vs Living
Faith; Maranatha vs Bahamas Academy.; Bethany vs Maranatha. Women–
Maranatha vs Living Faith; Breath of Life vs; Hillview; Bahamas Academy vs
Maranatha Church and Bahamas Academy vs Hillview.
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Masterguide Training Classes begin this Sunday,
November 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will be held at the Living Faith and
Hillview Churches for the Eastern and Western Regions respectively.
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Empowering Our Youth Through Knowledge Bible Bowl
will be held on Sabbath, December 6th at 4:00 p.m. at the Berea S.D.A. Church.
Categories will include church heritage/history, church doctrines and Bible
prophecies.
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Each church is asked to submit the name of one young
person urgently to the Youth Department or Sister Preatta Gibbs (coordinator -
324-3041)
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International Faith on Fire Pathfinder Camporee in
Osh-kosh August 10th - 14th, 2004. Pathfinders and other persons interested are
asked to register with the Youth Department URGENTLY. First installment of $60
is due NOW at the Conference. - Pastor Andrew Burrows, Youth Director
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Masterguides training classes: All persons
interested in training as Masterguides are asked to register at the Youth
department right away. Classes begin on Sunday, Nov. 23rd. Classes in
the Eastern region will be held at Living Faith Church. Classes in the Western
region will be held at the Hillview Church.
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Pathfinders Talent Extravaganza will be held
Nov. 29th, at the Centre for the Performing Arts, Shirley Street.
Plan to be there. You can’t afford to miss it. For further details, contact
Lester Stuart @362-2334.
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Pathfinders Honours Fair II will be held
tomorrow at the Hillview Church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Pathfinders/Materguides
conference-wide have another opportunity to earn as many honours as they can
within three hours.
Hour of Music at Mary Ingraham Home Senior citizens are reminded that a
weekly hour of gospel music is available at the Mary Ingraham Home in Emerald
Gardens every Sabbath afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30. The Maranatha SDA Church
choir will be our special guests. Next Sabbath’s guest choir will be from the
New Englerston SDA Church.- J. Admiral Forbes, Coordinator
Philadelphia to Host Rally The Philadelphia SDA Church is planning a big
RALLY and concert for Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the
Church in Elizabeth Estates. Come and bring a generous offering.
SUPPORT THE VBA program, and help to build our conference
Ollie’s Opportunity Hunt
"OOH" is lending a hand. Job placement for domestic
help. Register now at 393-2693
Sun sets today at 5:20 p.m. Sun sets next Sabbath 5:20
at p.m.
