Battle Creek Tabernacle

 

 
 Mother's Title
 
A few months ago when I was picking up the children at school, another mother I know rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with indignation.
"Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I could answer, and I didn't really have one handy, she blurted out the reason for her question. It seemed she had just entered the clerk's office to renew her driver's license. Asked by the woman recorder to state her "occupation, "Emily hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean," explained the recorder, "is, do you have a job or are you just a . ." "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a MOTHER."
The recorder smiled indulgently. Then she wrote: "Occupation: Housewife." "Oh, now," protested Emily. "I'd rather be listed as a mother."
"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation. 'Housewife' covers it," the recorder said.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time in our town hall. The clerk was obviously a CAREER woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high‑sounding title: "Officiating Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"And what is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it, I do not know. The words just simply popped out. "I am a  research associate in the field of child development and human relations."
The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in mid‑air, and looking up, as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pompous announcement was written in bold  black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with a new interest, "just what do you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself say, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't?) in the laboratory and in the field (normally, I would have said indoors and out). I am working for my Masters (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding of the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work a 14‑hour day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most of the run‑of‑the‑mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than in money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by "lab assistants," ages 13, 7, and 3. And upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (six months). I felt triumphant. I had scored a beat on bureaucracy. And I had gone down on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just a mother."
Home, what a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door! How rewarding to know, "Next to God. the mother's power for good is the strongest known on earth."  “Adventist Home”, page 240.                              
                                           Author Unknown     
 
 
Our New Associate Pastor
Bayani and Antigoni (Goni) Pastrana and their family will be officially joining our Tabernacle staff as of the first of May.  We are really happy to welcome them and will introduce you to them during the church service on May 5.
 
The Pastranas have pastored in Michigan for almost 12 years and come to us from the Hillsdale, Prattville and Adrian district which is about an hour South of Battle Creek.  They will be commuting for a while as they work out arrangements for housing.
 
Goni works as a Registered Nurse and three of their four children will be attending Battle Creek Academy next year in the fall term.  They have a house in Hillsdale that needs to be sold, so add that to your prayer list as the Pastranas make the transition to Battle Creek.

              
Bayani III, Melissa, Pastor Bayani & Goni, Samuel, Josephine
 
 
Are You in the Midst of a Storm?
Do you see yourself in the midst of a storm and don’t know where or how to get out of it?  Many of us today find ourselves in that predicament and don’t understand how we got there.  Do you have fear like the disciples when they went in the boat with Jesus and the great tempest arose on the sea, and the boat was covered with waves?  They cried out to Jesus saying, “Lord save us! We are perishing!” Jesus said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”   (Matt. 8:25, 26)
 
What storms are you caught in?  Do you feel like you’re caught in a net of debt or bad health and can’t get out?  Are you fishing for more than you can handle or just too fearful to release it?  Jesus wants to take your life and help you change it.  Are you willing to leave that stormy net and what’s in it to release it completely to Jesus?
 
“My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (Psalm 25:15) AMEN
 
 
          From Vicki Skinner, Bible Worker
 
Yo Youth from David Tenold
The Bible states that we are saved by grace through faith.  Because we’re saved by grace, does that mean we can do whatever we want?  And can we wear whatever we want?  Not in the least.  For those who appreciate the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made and comprehend what it cost Him to forgive sin, they will be compelled, by redeeming love, to conform their lives to the will of God as outlined in His Word.  As some of you know, there’s much confusion in our church today regarding jewelry.  More and more people are beginning to believe there are no prohibitions in the Bible regarding the wearing of jewelry.  As I have prayerfully studied this subject, I have learned that there are passages in the Old Testament where people wore jewelry as adornment, but it was never God’s plan.  Remember, they also practiced polygamy, a major deviation from God’s original plan.  There is overwhelming evidence that during periods of deep religious consecration, God’s people stripped themselves of their jewelry.  For example, after worshipping the golden calf, God commanded Israel to remove all their jewelry.  (See Exodus 33:3-6.)  When Jacob dedicated his family to the Lord, he asked them to get rid of their foreign gods and remove their jewelry.  (See Genesis 35:1-5.)
 
On the Day of Atonement—considered the day of judgment by God’s covenant people—the high priest removed his breast plate of judgment, which was covered with 12 beautiful stones, and he removed the onyx stones that rested on his shoulders.  He wore no jewelry during that solemn time.  And God’s covenant people were also commanded to remove their jewelry.  “The Lord takes His place in court; He rises to judge the people.”  (Isaiah 3:13).  Following this verse, the prophet Isaiah gives a list of all the jewelry God wanted His people to remove.  (See Isaiah 3:16-20.)  So what time period are we living in?  According to Revelation 14:7, we are living in the time period of the judgment.  And the glorious event following the pre-advent judgment is the second coming of our precious Savior!  (See Revelation 14:14-16.)  The dress standard that applied to ancient Israel during a time period of judgment and deep spiritual consecration applies to those who eagerly await the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
 
 
 
Pastor Sergei Kovtun of the Briysk church in Russia shared the story of how three years ago his church began to pray for specific names of friends, relatives and work associates.  Members covenanted to pray specifically for approximately 50 names they had compiled on their prayer list.  As they continued to pray, one by one these precious souls began to show an interest in God.  More than half the individuals on their prayer list were baptized.
 
Inspiration tells us, "Select another and still another soul, daily seeking guidance from God, laying every thing before Him in earnest prayer, and working in divine wisdom. As you do this, God will give you the Holy Spirit to convict and convert the soul."  (6T 80)
 
Spring Cleaning for Your Finances From daveramsey.com on 20 March 2012,
Submitted by Chris VanderWaal
This year while you are cleaning the garage, shampooing the carpet, and organizing the closets, we suggest that you do a little spring cleaning in another area of your life—your money.  You've got to stay organized to win with money.  So what exactly does a financial spring cleaning look like? We have some suggestions:
Clean out file drawers.  You need to keep old bills, bank statements, tax documents, and other important papers for varying lengths of time. But utility bills, sales receipts for minor purchases, and ATM and bank deposit slips can be shredded after a few months.
Prune unnecessary expenses:  Are you really getting your money's worth with that gym membership? Do you really need 250 cable channels? Is it necessary to have a landline and a cell phone? Take an in-depth look at your finances and see where you can cut back costs.
Update important documents:  When was the last time you checked your car insurance? Your home insurance? Tax withholdings? Your will, 401(k) or Roth IRA? If it's been awhile, then now is the time to make sure you have all the coverages and investments you need.
Spring is a great time to get re-energized and refocused on your financial situation before summer and all its distractions get here. The small amount of time you spend now getting your financial house in order will pay off for you in the long run.
 
Forks over Knives – Documentary Tuesday, May 15th at 6:30 p.m.
The major storyline traces the personal journeys of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a nutritional scientist from Cornell University, and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., a former top surgeon at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic.  Inspired by remarkable discoveries in their young careers, their separate research led them to the same startling conclusion; degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented–and in many cases reversed–by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet.
(http://www.forksoverknives.com/about/synopsis/)
 
INFO:  $5 film alone, $15 film plus three-part education program including 200+ page Forks over Knives book with 125 recipes.  The film will be shown May 15^th and the education program will be held May 22, 29 and June 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the seminar room, RSVP 269-962-1132 or jrachor@juno.com.
 
Congratulations Corner
Congratulations Jessica Eberhard!  You achieved a high school diploma from B.C. Academy (May 2009) and graduated with a degree in Medical Arts from Kettering College (December 2011).  Jessica is presently working at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo as a registered nurse on a general surgical unit.   
 
A new grandbaby was born April 15th at 10:40 p.m. She was 20", weighed 8 pounds and 6 ounces, and is named Cheyenne Johannah.  She is Derek and Stephanie Metzger’s fourth child and we are proud grandparents again—Gayla and Ron.
 
Congratulations ANDREW ASHDON and BRITTANY (Gatewood)!  They had a country-western style wedding in the Ashdon barn on April 22, officiated by Pastor David Tenold. 
 
Leasing Parking Spaces
Back in mid-February, a leasing specialist from Chicago called to ask us if we had seen the advertisement they had posted asking for bids from organizations interested in leasing 85 parking spaces to the Federal Center for their use in parking during the week?
 
We had not seen the listing, but after considerable evaluation and discussion we decided to submit a bid.  As we go to press with this newsletter we have just received word that we have been awarded the contract and as of May 1 they will have the use of 85 parking spaces located north of the Korean Church for Federal Center Employee Parking from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Fridays during the week.  They will not be  using this parking on evenings or weekends and it should not affect us greatly as we have 203 spaces available in our lot.  We will share more details at the Church Business meeting on May 14 
 
Annual Church Business Meeting
Our annual Church Business Meeting this spring will be held in the seminar room at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14.  The primary item will be the discussion and approval of our Church Budget for 2012-2013.  If you have ever wondered about where your local offerings go or how they are used, this is the time to come and get answers to those questions.  Every member is encouraged to be present.
 
News and Reports
 
BCA Constituency Meeting—You are needed!  Make an effort to come and meet with us for our spring constituency meeting in the academy chapel, Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.  For the first time in years, we have had back-to-back constituency meetings without reaching the number of attendees necessary to reach our quorum.   That means that we are unable to take any official actions and this also limits our ability to share much needed information.  The BCA constituency meeting is for all members of any of the constituent churches, so you are invited and strongly urged to come whether you have students in school or not.  If you have students attending Battle Creek Academy, it is even more important to see you there!
 
INVESTITURE PROGRAM: Our Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs will hold their annual award recognition investiture vespers service on Sabbath, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.  Come praise and worship with them.
 
UPCOMING GRADUATES:  We are going to publish a list of those who will be graduating (college, high school, university, etc.) in next month’s Tab-A-Letter.  We want to hear from you—your school, degree, and date of service.
 
HISTORIC ADVENTIST VILLAGE will be holding Vacation Bible School program this summer in the village on Tuesdays from 10:00 to noon (July through August).  They will be using the Youth 4 Truth materials.  Helpers are needed—call Betty Scherencel at the Village.
 
RETIREMENT PARTY:  Mike & Shirley Gammon are graduates of Battle Creek Academy and are retiring after concluding their teaching careers that included 24 years of service at Great Lakes Adventist Academy.  You are invited to attend a reception in their honor in the cafeteria at GLAA May 14, at 6:30 p.m. or to send cards/notes of memories and thanks to Cindy Peterson, P.O. Box 68,Cedar Lake, MI, 48812, by May 7 for a memory book that is planned. Questions? Call Cindy at (989) 807-0295.
 
Y.M.C.O. will be September 14-16 at Camp AuSable.  We have invited Pastor Ben Orian from the Paw Paw Church to be our guest speaker.  There is limited space, so reserve your spot early.  You can call Brenda Baker or Naghielly Agy for additional information.
 
Camp AuSable WORK WEEK will be May 27‑31.  The camp is in great need of some volunteers to come help clean up from our recent snow storm.  We need people with chain saw experience, stick gatherers, and all the others that make this crew effective.  We have new food menus, sleeping facilities (please bring your own linens), and fun and games for the evening.  Please call or email the camp to let us know you are coming: 989‑348‑5491,  CAS@misda.org
 
THANK YOU to all who helped with the winter sacred concert series, church work-bee, Dick Stenbakken characters of the Bible, and B.C.A. alumni weekend.  Your ministry was a blessing and much appreciated.