For Of Such Is The Kingdom Of Heaven

And a little child shall lead them.” Yes, exactly! Last weekend the future of our conference led out entirely. The Children’s Ministry Department, headed by it’s leader, Sis. Rowena Smith, orchestrated the plan pending for months to its annual Children’s Ministries weekend almost perfectly. With the exception of only a few churches, our children led out from conducting Sabbath School to collecting the tithes and offerings to forming the seated choir to presenting God’s word for the day. “His grace will lead us home” was a timely theme for today’s children. Each participating church certainly received a rich Sabbath’s blessing from the Throne room of grace.

      Sabbath afternoon was no exception. Children of all ages gathered on the ‘hilltop’ for an afternoon of spiritual entertainment, ‘kiddie style’. Children’s choirs, soloists and pantomimes were showcased in a special joint service. Festive worshippers relayed their excitement through rousing applause, affirming amens and smiles as wide as the ocean that surrounds our lovely archipelago. Proud parents and loved ones, along with church family members, all supported their respective participants with extraordinary vigor that prompted the children to shine through with their best.

      No weekend would be complete without an affair to remember. Over two hundred fifty children gathered at the H. D. Colburn Gymnasium for an afternoon filled with music, food, fun and laughter. Cars rolled in the parking lot carrying scores of lavishly dressed children; one would have thought the Queen was holding this banquet. The gym was recognizable from the outside, but upon stepping through the doors, one was transported to another place in time. Candy canes hung from the wall, Santa’s sleigh had even touched down and a Christmas tree was so beautiful all were amazed. Host and hostess for the affair, were the dynamic husband and wife team of Elgin and Monique Hepburn. They held the children’s attention with games, knock-knock jokes, skits and, of course, more games. The laughter that emanated from the gym was infectious as Children’s leaders from the respective churches were seen giggling along with their little ones. All in all, those who attended were happy to be there.

      Hats off to all who lent their assistance, whether in time, finances or donations. This weekend would have never been successful first without Almighty God and secondly without our audience. We now invite your prayers as a team from our Conference heads to Mandeville, Jamaica, for the Union’s First Annual Bible Bowl. Our Conference’s winners, Kenreah Brown and Daphne Adderley, along with the director Mrs. Rowena Smith, are prepared and rearing to go. Also traveling are Kevin Rolle, who will be our dynamic child preacher while in Mandeville, and Lashan Carey, our soul- stirring singer. No team would be complete without adoring fans and supporters, therefore Mrs. Jackie Brown and Ms. Desiree Brown will be there every step of the way to cheer our team on and provide us with familiar faces to smile at. The Bible Bowl will take place Dec. 8 – 11, 2001, at the Northern Caribbean University Campus.

 -Rowena Smith

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

      At seven o’clock on the dot, the chords were struck, the lights were lit and with the cool winter’s air of the Hillview S.D.A. Church caressing our faces, participants and audience took their places to begin an evening of what was to be a musical delight.

       Under the charming wit of our Emcee, the debonair Raymond Antonio, we were choreographed through the first half of the programme with bits and pieces of appetizing music. The congregation led out with a medley of carols under the theme “Let Heaven and Nature Sing”. As they sang the joy in their hearts was reflected because they know that their Saviour reigns. The audience was then feted with heavenly music as Lashan Carey, Allison Mason and Harmonious Praise transported us to the portals of heaven with their renditions.

       The moment that all had been waiting for with larger anticipation was the second half of the programme. The faculty and students of Bahamas Academy Secondary were ready with their annual choral celebration entitled “Heaven’s Child”.

       The lights were dimmed, and a procession, punctuated with candlelight, followed as teachers and students made their way to center stage. Without skipping a beat, choir and cast led us through the following sermon:

   A Child Was Born - Receive Him

   A Son Was Given - Proclalim Him

   A Saviour Has Come - Rejoice in Him

   The Lord is King - Exalt Him

A standing ovation to the Hallelujah Chorus climaxed the evening’s repestoire of majestic music. We were truly blessed.

A programme of this magnitude could not be presented without unity. Our theme for the 2001 - 2002 school year is “United To Reflect the Beauty Within” This was personified by all who contributed to the success of the night. So on behalf of the Principal, faculty, staff and students of Bahamas Academy Secondary, we thank all of you who participated inthe programme with your performance, attendance, financial support, and technical assistance. We look forward to seeing you next year.

       A blessed peace to all and a Happy New Year!-Marie Rolle, Public Relations Committee

 

Making the Wedding Ceremony Sacred Once More

Have we have forgotten that the wedding ceremony is a solemn worship service and not a concert of romanticized love songs and lewd or frivolous jokes. God and His love are the foundation of marriage. Since marriage is a sacred institution God created, His love should be focus of the wedding ceremony.  

              Non-religious music sung at many weddings, although oftentimes beautiful, does not place God as the foundation of the love relationship between the soon-to-be husband and wife. No wonder so many marriages are going down the drain. Instead of God’s love, it is some romanticized love that inevitably fades in time. God’s love is eternal. This is not to say that a husband and wife love for each other will not be tested during the life of the marriage. It is to say that marriage is sacred and holy, and it is God’s divine love that helps the couple to make it through the rough times not Kenny G. 

              It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find wedding ceremonies free of pre-recorded secular music. A bride and groom seem to select their music based on how nice it sounds and how it makes them feel. A few months ago, I was shocked as I watched a bride march down the aisle to one of Kenny G’s sensually loaded songs. We need to keep Kenny G out of the sacred wedding ceremony. When selecting music for weddings, it should be done with care and discrimination. "One should look for the texts that extol God’s love displayed through Christ, the foundation of marriage." Your Christian Wedding by Key Lewis. The music should express God’s blessing on marriage. "We should avoid any songs that promote romanticized or secular ideas about love. These detract from the worship of God."

              Instead of hearing "O perfect Love" at weddings or the simple "Bridal March," we are now hearing "From this moment,” “Can I have this dance," "Innocent," or "Tonight I Celebrate my Love." “From this moment” is a secular song that clearly does not put God at the center of marriage. It actually leaves God completely out of the picture. Songs like this should not be sung in churches.

              One of the reasons we have such problems with wedding music selection is that too many wedding coordinators know nothing about the

importance of this sacred ceremony and the role of music in it. For many, once the word love is used in the song, it seems to be the passport for church wedding acceptance. Many wedding coordinators actually scorn the use of simple traditional hymns saying they are "boring, dead, or old-fashioned."

              When was the last time you heard "Jesus Joy of Man Desiring," "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." or the "Trumpet Tune in D Major" by Purcell at a wedding? Oops! Did I say something wrong? There is a place for beautiful, well-written secular songs. It is at the wedding reception. However, these songs should also present the Christians views of love and marriage.

              Let’s put God back into our wedding. Let’s make the wedding ceremony once more a sacred worship service where hymns and tunes of joy and God’s love are sung. If you are a couple planning to get married soon, make sure your wedding ceremony is truly sacred, free of romanticized love songs, but full of songs that uplift God’s love, the foundation of marriage. Make sure that your dress is a celebration of God’s beauty and decency.

              What about dress? Why is it we have to wonder whether we are attending a non- Adventist party rather than a church wedding ceremony when we look at the clothing the bridal party is wearin. The dresses designed for the bridesmaids are becoming more and more revealing. Even in churches that were once known to be conservative, bridesmaids are walking down the aisle almost topless (a little exaggeration to emphasize the point). Deep neck cuts, spaghetti straps, thigh-high splits, and extremely low back lines, are common at weddings these days. Sometimes even the choice of colors and materials gives competition to Junkanoo.

              Why is it that the more formal the occasion, the less clothing women wear? Principles of modesty should always be maintained in wedding ceremonies. Women are doing themselves a dishonor and disservice when they expose so much of their bodies. They are only selling themselves as cheap sex objects. Even the color and design of the men’s suits must be influenced by Christian modesty and decency.

              Please, dear women, keep your body covered as you go to praise the Lord. Make the wedding ceremony a time of worship and celebration of God’s love in the marriage relationship. Isn’t it ironical that many of the women who refuse to expose their bodies when they go to work or prayer meeting, have no problem showing the world more of their skin when participating in a wedding ceremony that is intended to celebrate God’s love for us. Let’s put God back into the wedding ceremony.

Barrington H. Brennen

 

 

2002 Devotionals

    The 2002 Devotionals are expected to be in our Adventist Book Center shortly. Give us a call at 341-2429 or wait for further notice by way of the Logos..

 

Speaking Hands

     Speaking Hands, an international group that uses American sign language to interpret inspirational music, will be in concert Dec.15 at the Diplomat Center. They will also perform at several of our local churches.

 

Bahamas Academy Elementary

Presents A Christmas Program “Gettin’ Ready For The Miracle” Sunday, December 8, 2001at 7:00 p.m. H. D. Colburn Gymnatorium.

 Adults: $6.00 Children: $3.00

 

Diabetic Educators

   Persons interested in being trained as Lay Diabetic Educators may contact Monique Mitchell at 362-1258 or 326-2254 before December 15, 2001. At least fifteen person are needed to make up a class.-M. Mitchell, Health Educator

 

Around Our Union

     The Breath of Life Church on Marshall Road, South Beach, is conducting a programme at its edifice, known as “Around Our Union.” The programme calls for members and descendants from the Cayman Island Mission, Central Jamaica Conference, East Jamaica Conference, West Jamaica Conference, Turks and Caicos Mission and the Haitian Union, to be in charge of the total service, including the sermon, at the Breath of Life Church on their assigned Sabbaths. The participants are requested to take information regarding the geography of their area and commencement and development of Adventism, including uniqueness of the conference or mission. Proposed schedule: Sabbath, December 8, East Jamaica Conference; Sabbath December 15, West Jamaica Conference; Sabbath December 22, Cayman Island Mission. For further details, please contact Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe at 322-5110 or 341-4022.

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 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).

 

BSDAEA Trip

     The Bahamas Seventh-day Adventist Educators Association is sponsoring an Adventist Heritage trip to Battle Creek , Michigan, February 21 to 25, 2002.

 

Women’s Ministries Meeting

     All Women’s Ministries Leaders are asked to meet with The Conference Director, Sister A. Scavella on Monday evening, December 10, at seven o’clock at Continuing Education’s office, Bahamas Academy.

 

 

 

Children’s Ministries--Upcoming Event  

December 7-10 Children’s Bible Bowl, Mandeville, Jamaica -R. Smith, CM Director

 

Bachelor’s Degree Program                                                                

      Persons interested in making up a class to start the bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management or Business Administration Management through Nova University are invited to call 325-6173 after 6 p.m. to register

 

Cat Islanders SDA Advancement Society

     Persons planning to travel with the group to Cat Island are asked to contact Bro. Norman Seymour at 324-6744 or Bro. Cephas Ward at 361-7428.

 

Johnson Park & New Englerston Churches

The Pastor and Children’s Division leaders of the Johnson Park and New Englerston Churches, extend their gratitude and praise to the children, of these churches for their outstanding performance last Sabbath. Thanks also to the parents, guardian and friends for their support. Let us continue to train our leaders of tomorrow.

 

Philadelphia Church – Members in the Elizabeth Estates have sung their Ingathering victory song, 2001!! Pray for a super overflow! How sweet it is. Congrats! Please take note of the following up-coming events at Philadelphia.

December 14 - Musical Programme

December 15 - Youth Day

December 16 - Recognition of Youth Awards

 

Philadelphia & Maranatha Investiture - On Sunday, December 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Philadelphia, Elizabeth Estates.

Children’s Ministry last Sabbath at Philadelphia was a bumper blessing! Thank you parents, teachers, And children!! Indeed “a little child shall lead them”.

Sets today at 5:21 p.m. Sun Sets next Sabbath at 5:22 p.m.