News of February 2004
EDITORIAL: PUTTING LOVE AT STAKE
A young European man sold all his possessions to buy a huge pearl, then
he took a ship to America, to sell it and making fortune. In the Cruiser,
he was showing his jewel and playing carelessness with it, throwing it
to the air, watching as it bright with the sun and catching up again.
Many people called his attention about his attitude, but he always answered:
O, no, I have practiced for many time, I would never let if fall, don’t
worry about it.
One day, as he was playing next to the gunwale, the ship rolled and
the pearl was out of his hands. Desperately, he bended over the railing
to catch it, but e only could see it disappearing in the ocean, while
he screamed: I have lost everything that I had!
The valve of things seems to measure nowadays by the capacity of putting
at stake and entertaining. The philosophy is: “Bringing into play
fits everything”. Life is putting at stake in extreme sports; fortunes
are putting at stake at casinos; temperance is putting at stake at banquets,
feasts; love is putting at stake by cibersex, pornography, and the tolerance
of every sexual behavior.
Of the three theologal virtues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:3 faith,
hope and love, it is said that the greatest of these is love. Love is
not only defined in the word of God, but it is personified. God is love
(1 John 4:8). To put love at stake is to put God at stake, putting God
at stake is to risk the eternal life, the love, hope and faith. God took
a risk of his Son’s life to give us life, today you don’t
have to risk at stake neither your life nor love, nor God.
A LOOK INSIDE:
Workshop of Youth Leadership in Santa Clara
On February 29 was held in Santa Clara Church a workshop of Youth Leadership
from central Delegation, having the presence of leaders of Villa Clara
and Cienfuegos provinces.
Pastor Gilberto Moral, Youth Ministry of the Central Delegation, imparted
the seminaries: “Saving our youth from apostasy”, “Characteristics
of XXI-century leader” and “Organization of Youth Ministry”.
Pastor Samuel Díaz presented “Getting to know X Generation”.
It also was presented by Youth Ministry of Santa Clara a special program
leading by “Ebenezer”, a group formed by foreign Adventist
students, most of them from South Africa, who are members of this church.
They taught chorus in English, such as “Soon and very soon”,
with the one they ended the programming.
This Sabbath, at 6 pm a group of youth leading by Yosvel Águila
were joined to discuss about Friend-ship and Relationship. The emphasis
of debates pointed to the value of friendship in Christian life, in some
areas we’re got to grow to give a more friendly image to parish
and visitors. Testimonies were given by youths of how they were accepted
in their first coming to the church, also were discussed about how to
develop a perdurable friendship.
The evening concluded with a recreative activity for youth. All the
activities had the presence of Pastor Moral, his Secretary Dalgis Rivas
and respective relatives.
Prayer Meetings in the Branch of Mataguá
The branch of Mataguá, from Santa Clara Church, started in February
21 a prayer Meetings to reach the homes which surround the church.
This crusade finished on Sabbath 6, when were celebrating the Women’s
International Day of Prayer.
About the results reached by this branch of the Church, its leader Alberto
Luis Rodríguez as said: “Till this moment, the House Church
Maranatha has reached several youths, to the glory of God they are attending
to the services of the church. We are preparing a video-meetings for march
20, to present Pastor Alejandro Bullón in a Crusade held on Orlando,
1997. We have a group ready to baptism. That’s why we are giving
emphasis on preparing leaders to our church. Before long the elder Andres
Mesa Coello will offer a video seminary to help leadership.
Jesus Christ yesterday, now and forever
SIt was the title of the Evangelistic Crusade held on February 7 to 15
in Santa Clara Church, in charge of an American preacher Brian Delaney
from Georgia, he is top elder of Augusta Church in USA.
The summit moments of these meetings were the baptism held on February
14 and 15, where 14 precious souls accepted Jesus as Personal Savior and
became part of God’s people, such as the response to the appeal
for baptism of more than 50 people.
The attendants could enjoy topic as: “Heaven’s Angelic Conflict”,
“How to find Personal Peace”, “Facing Revelation’s
Judgment”, “A 6000 year of remedy for tension”, “How
to success fully bury the past” as well as the praising songs the
programming prepared by the different House-Churches, and presents given
to those who answer questions about previous meeting and daily assistance.
Respecting to these Crusade, Mr. Brian said: “I’ll bring
to my church the experience of how the Holy Spirit has been spread in
these meetings, and I will never forget the warmth I have received here.”
This Crusade has the support of visiting the houses of friends who were
meeting in the church every night. Pastor Samuel, the layman Alfredo,
Brian and the translator Ananay were visiting by “bicycle”,
a new experience to Brian Delaney. Speaking about it, he said: “I’ve
found that Santa Clara Church is a very warm church, it has been very
important to me being here and making all these visiting”.
“That we can be all united when Jesus return and the many blessing
of God rest upon this church.”, was the message of Brian to Santa
Clara Church.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Santa Clara
participates in the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope
FIn Sunday, February 8, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Santa Clara
was involved in the Terry Fox Run to support cancer research.
Our Church made a donation in the name of its institution, besides the
personal contribution of some members. We had a participation of more
than 60 parish: children, youth, adult, the ones who rose the flags of
Youth Ministry, Pathfinder Club, such as a poster with a supporting message
to a battle against cancer.
Santa Clara Church, in voice of its Pastor Samuel Díaz gave this
message in front of the crowded Leoncio Vidal Square: “We give a
message of love and hope to those who suffer from cancer and all the people
of Santa Clara, in the name of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, which,
according to the WHO ( World Health Organization) has the lowest rate
of cancer in the world. We have achieved this thanks to the lifestyle
we profess and teach.”
Terry Fox was a young Canadian who was diagnose with bone cancer that
resulted in the amputation of his right leg six inches above the knee.
Terry decided to do something to help cure this dreadful disease. He began
his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, running across Canada averaging
43 kilometers per day. On September last 1980 cancer spread to his lungs.
He passed away on June 28th, exactly one month of his 23rd birthday.
Every year, Canada makes this run to raise money for cancer research.
Mrs. Martine St-Onge, assistant of Canada Embassy of Havana, Cuba, was
present in this run and said this words to Central Impact: “Canada
Embassy prepares this run all over the world to make conscience on people
and to raise funds, Cuba is the second country in participation, after
Canada.”
At the present time, Terry Fox Run is organized in more tan 50 countries
of the world.
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