Heart to Heart
by Pastor Richard Wright
Many of us have dreaded the long hard winter that we have experienced
this year. We didn’t think that spring would ever come. I am hopeful now as I
write this because the sun has been out for a few days and the snow is melting
fast. I can now see the top of my mail box from my living room window and that’s
a very good sign. I have seen the robins this past week. They must know when it
is safe to come back north. I was down in Rockport, Massachusetts last week
where I saw flowers growing and no snow. I’m feeling better already, spring is
finally here.
We as Adventists have been looking for Christ to come for over 150 years and He’s not here yet. The Christian world has been looking for some 2000 years and Christ has not yet come. We have always believed that His coming is soon and we preach and teach that. We’re tired of this sin sick world and all the heartaches and sorrows that go with it. Twice in the last chapter of Revelation Christ says "Behold, I come quickly". In vs. 7, 12 and 20 He says, "Surely I come quickly". But where is He? All of a sudden spring is here. Could it be that when Jesus comes, He will come quickly? Whether that be this year or five years from now. As we keep looking and hoping for spring to come bringing new life, so we must keep looking and hoping and praying for Christ's’ soon return, for then we will have new life.
| Blast From The Past | |
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For about four years the town of Woodstock hired SDA teachers. All the students came from SDA homes. Those teachers included, Eva Simpkins, Edith Simpkins, Christine Pye, Maybelle Applebee (Thurlow). Students front row (L to R): Maurice Benson, Arthur Thurlow, Everall Wilson, Everad Harlow, 2nd row: Gladys Thurlow (Haskell), Evelyn Benson (Appleby), Eda Wilson (Waterhouse), Shirly Wilson, Raymond Wilson, Leland Wilson, 3rd row: Mary Hendrickson (Fleming)- Simpkins, Jenny Silvan (Cox), Elsie Wilson (Wilson), Back row: Simpkins, Edith Silva (Herrick), Myrtle Hendrickson (Thurlow), Myra Wilson (Harlow) The Perkins School used to be between Walter Appleby III’s driveway and the Perkins brook. It was taken down and used to build an addition onto the Union School. P.S. If anyone has access to any more bit of history. We’d love for you to share. |
8th Grade Class Trip to Washington D.C.
by Barb Glover
On Sunday April 15 at 7:00 AM the 8th Grade Class of Forestdale
School headed for Washington D.C.. Eleven and a half hours later they pulled
into Burnt Mills SDA Church in Silver Springs, MD. The group was raring to go
and eager to get into the city.
Since we left 3 feet of snow in Maine the group was looking forward to sunny southern weather. However, Monday morning met us with cold temperatures and rain. The itinerary was shuffled around and we headed out for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. We were able to find parking under the Ronald Reagan Building, umbrellas and rain gear were donned, and off we headed on foot. Since we are "country folk", the walking didn't bother us.
The week was very full and the weather began to cooperate. The rain stopped and we were just left with cold temperatures which got warmer with each passing day. The sights that were seen were many. Among them were Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Ford's theater including the State Box where President Lincoln was shot, the Peterson House, a tour of the White House, a tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a VIP tour of the Capital, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, the Changing of the Guard, the Kennedy site with the Eternal Flame, the National Zoo, and the Memorials at night.
A big thank you goes out to the Burnt Mills SDA Church for letting us camp out there for the week. Not only was our lodging and meal expense cut back, but they even provided the evening recreation for the class since they had a gymnasium attached to their church.
All in all the 8th Grade Class Trip was a fantastic experience that will be remembered for a long time. If you want to find out more details to each of our excursions just ask an 8th Grader. I'm sure they'd love to tell their stories!
Poem
Author unknown
Poem submitted by Gen Soloninka
Each morning when I wake I say
I place my hand in God’s today.
I know He’ll walk close by my side,
My every wandering step to guide.
He leads me with the gentlest care
When paths are dark and I despair.
No need for me to understand,
If I but hold fast to His hand.
My hand in His, no surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love and comforted
When at days end I seek my rest;
And realize how much I am blessed.
My thanks pour out to Him and then,
I place my hand in God’s again.
Note
Women's Ministry on May 23 will be at Tricia Johnson's at 6pm. As always it will
be a pot luck. We will be having a craft night---our host will be Nancy Turmenne.
Come and enjoy a spirit filled blessing and a lot of fun.
Louville Farwell’s Favorite Scripture and Why
1st Peter 1:5-7 "God’s power protects you
through your faith, and keeps you safe until your salvation comes. That
salvation is ready to be given to you at the end of time. This makes you very
happy. But now for a short time different kinds of troubles may make you sad.
These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is
worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin.
But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when
Jesus Christ comes again.
"Does 1st Peter 1:5-7 show where the path of faith leads?
Will we never reach a point where we have it made? Does this mean we will
constantly have to improve ourselves? Absolutely! That's what spares us from
death. For plateaus are boring. Nothing is as dull as yesterday's race when it
is over! Who cares to look at the bumper stickers of last year's political
campaign? We must always be living in today –and tomorrow! It is exciting to
know that the real stimulation of life never needs to diminish with age. It
comes as you make constant commitments to new projects that hold creative
challenges. You can continue to feel young as long as you live, because a
youthful attitude is basically a commitment to progress. You can have that no
matter how old you are! The walk of faith calls you to improve yourself
constantly, consistently, and continually! Choose one of the qualities described
in 2 Peter 1:5-7, and concentrate on improving yourself. Your goal may be
increased: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness,
kindness, or love. With any of these as your focus, your life will remain
fruitful no matter how old you are! Thank God for this glorious promise."I
like this Scripture because it shows how you can continually improve your daily
living if you add onto what you already have."
Answer To Last Month’s Logic Puzzle
Apphia
= Gray, Singing
Archippus
= Brown, Praying
Onesimus
= Scarlet, Reading Paul’s letters
Paul
= Purple, Reading Old Testament
Philemon
= White, Reading the Gospels
WHO AM I?
1. I joined this church as a teenager.
2. I worked for an insurance adjustment agency.
3. I enjoy corresponding with friends.
Answer to last month’s "Who am I?"was Richard Fleming
Note
This is a plea regarding help needed before, during and after fellowship
dinners (potluck), the 3rd Sabbath of every month. There has been a
sheet available at church for people to sign up. It has been discussed that if
there is not enough help to have the food and everything ready by
the time church is over, that we will have to cancel fellowship dinner for that
particular month. It is just too much work for one or even two people to do
alone. We appreciate the help when we arrive at Thurlow Hall, but it is really
necessary to know ahead of time, whether the help will always be available.
Thank you for your help regarding this ministry of the church. If you have any
questions, please contact one of the leaders of the women's ministry committee;
and don't forget to sign your name on the sheet.
| Matching Puzzle Which child belonged to which parent? |
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Women's Ministry Retreat
Theme: Friendships
Who: Every young lady/women from 12 to
100
When: Sabbath-June 9 (9am--5pm)
Where: A special "inside"
place about an hour from Woodstock
What to Bring: Bibles; Guitars or other
instruments; your own lunch, (pies are welcomed to be shared); snacks; a chair;
casual dress; a BIG SMILE!!!!
Meeting place: Ames parking lot at 9am
If you have any other questions, please contact one of the women's ministry leaders.
Forestdale News
Forestdale Staff Writer
Linda Wiggin
Oh, it will be so great to see the playground! Because winter has
stretched into the last months of school the students and staff are having a
difficult time finding a play area to participate in outdoor activities. There
is a tiny bit of green grass and a few spring flowers popping up by Mrs. Wiggin’s
deck. The children are anxiously waiting for a full field of green to play in.
The last few months of school go very fast and there are a lot of culminating
activities.
Many of Forestdale’s students recently participated in the Northern New England Music Clinic that was held at Pine Tree Academy in Freeport, Maine. Representatives from our school took part in the band, choir, orchestra, and piano. Our young people worked very hard to prepare for their performances and were a fine example. What a wonderful job they did representing the Woodstock Church and Forestdale School. Many thanks go out to the sponsors and parents who used their time and money to make this a possibility. The students came back with positive reports of the fun they had, friends they made, and things they learned. Anyone that was able to attend any of the performances can testify that the music was wonderful.
The yearly Academic Fair will be taking place Sunday, April 29, 2001. This is an event that everybody should attend. It is a wonderful experience! There will be projects displayed that show hours of hard work. The students explored the lives of famous people that have made a positive contribution. Forestdale is the place to be on that Sunday morning!!! Come and meet some historic and famous people!
Watch for further announcements of upcoming spring activities. The end of the year can be a busy and fun time. We ask that the church family keep us in their thoughts and prayers as these young people grow each day in knowledge and faith
Seen This Bumper Sticker Lately?
Be ye fishers of men.
You catch them and
He will clean them.
It’s Spring Cleaning Time
Does your house and attic need to be cleaned out? I, Isabel Brown am
having another one of my well known yard sales and I need your unused and
unneeded items again this year.
CONTACT ME AT:
Isabel Brown
22 Sleepy Hollow Road
Bryant Pond, ME 04219
207-674-2663
E-mail: grammieb@megalink.net
Note
Forestdale School
Annual Garage Sale
May 25, 27 & 28
Community Services Report
On April 15, 2001, Isabel Brown and Maude Alice Hadley attended the
Northern New England Conference Annual Community Services Federation meeting at
the Auburn Church. The meeting was chaired by Elder Harry Sabnani. President of
the Federation, Gordon McLaren, spoke to the group about the importance of the
Community Service in the local church areas. He and his wife Ruby are from the
Harrison Church and have a active center in that area. He also stressed the need
of preparedness in case of natural disasters. Available help from other
organizations was mentioned and how we can take advantage of this help.
Fourteen community service workers from around the state and one from New Hampshire were present for the opening prayer. Following the roll call and the reports from each church leader in attendance, Elder Sabnini gave us handouts stating the understanding between the Adventist community Services and the American Red Cross on how to coordinate our efforts in time of natural disasters. The same statement has been made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After the meeting was adjourned we were given a very tasty lunch.
Bonney Wilson and her daughter run the Community Service Center in Auburn. They have a very well organized center for clothing and a food pantry. We admire them for their dedication and talent in this important service of the SDA Church. It is good to see what other church groups are doing. We enjoyed our fellowship with them.
The Woodstock Community Services is alive and struggling to be prepared to help in an emergency. We have a food pantry and access to the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Lewiston. There is always a need for food on our shelves. We can buy, at a minimal cost charged by weight, from the food bank. We would like donations of canned foods and juices. They are the most expensive at the bank because of their weight. We won’t refuse any donation. The box is in the foyer of the church to receive your donations.
We keep a supply of bedding and blankets for fire victims. Towels and other house hold linens are in very short supply right now. Our donation box can receive these things as well.
We keep a small supply of good, clean clothes, and share our overstock with the Auburn Center. Clean, whole clothes in the current fashion, will be accepted. Elder Sabnini said that the warehouses are over stocked at the present time. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Ernestine Riley, Isabel Brown, Maude Alice Hadley
In My Humble Opinion
by Christie Hodson, Lamplighter Editor
While visiting music clinic this past month I was personally blessed by
the talents and gifts displayed by so many many young kids. Music has always
held a special place in my heart, especially patriotic favorites such as "Star
Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America." I couldn’t
help but get the chills listening to my country’s national anthem and feeling
a sense of pride. I’ve been so incredibly privileged in my young life to have
grown up in peaceful times. The Persian Gulf Crisis experience paled in
comparison to World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam so my perception
of war has never felt very realistic. If one were to ask someone from
"my" generation, what Patriotism means to them, their answer would
probably be much different than their parents and grandparents. Has the price we’ve
paid for growing up in peace time been, the cost of never truly understanding
patriotism? I fear the answer is yes. Veteran's day is an afterthought to so
many "Gen-Xer’s". Rather it’s a "day off", a longer
weekend, a nice parade (which are disappearing too). If we were to parallel news
reels of our parents/grandparents on the battlefield against home videos of our
leisure activities, I hope we would be instantly humbled and ultimately
grateful.
Why would these men and women risk so much for me? To create "a land of the free, home of the brave"? These were people that looked beyond their daily lives and toward a goal set before them by those they chose to trust. So many in biblical past gave their lives for God’s cause, and they’d never seen the "general". They trusted in the outcome, they trusted in their leader. We can learn a great deal from this exhibit of earthly and heavenly loyalty. Maybe you are patriotic. Maybe every veteran you see, you thank. Maybe your observance of Veteran's day activities is respectful. Maybe you still put your hand on their heart and remove your hat for the "Star Spangled Banner." That respect is the least we can do for our veterans who have laid aside their families, careers, and for many their lives. I feel many times I appreciate my freedom, but would I have appreciated it enough to give my life to get and keep that freedom? I fear not.
A Son was sent from Heaven to fulfill a mission and although the way was tough, Jesus, did not fail His father. He gave His life on the cross to fulfill the gospel. His death on the cross meant life for me. My freedom on earth pales next to the freedom bought with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. From one man’s death and LIFE, I was offered eternal freedom if I choose it. What an incredible gift! Yet how can we appreciate that eternal freedom when even our earthly freedom is unappreciated? How can we be grateful for one mans death, Christ’s, when we ignore the many who fought and died for our earthly freedom? One could say that it’s really the eternal freedom that matters most and they would be right. Yet somehow it’s hard to imagine not appreciating what others have fought for: my freedom to be here and make that choice, a freedom to vote and a freedom of worship. Aside from how the government appears and how there is always the possibility of corruption, we were originally founded as "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". I pray I’m grateful for my earthy freedom fighters and yet be even more grateful for the eternal freedom bought with Jesus' death on the cross. As Pastor Bill Knott said, while preaching to those attending music clinic this past weekend, "We’ve left the cross out of our lives all too often". May we remember that its only because of that "death" on "the cross" that I will have life eternal. May I always pledge allegiance to my country and flag and most importantly proclaim allegiance to my true Saviour, the ultimate freedom fighter and my true redeemer.
I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb
by Ray Boltz
I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrant’s throne
They were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring
CHORUS:
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
Now the years have come and the years have gone
And the cause of Jesus still goes on
Now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the Cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say
CHORUS
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place who wore my shame
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
Note
Lamplighter on the web
www.hodsonhome.com/woodstocksda
The Dash by Linda Ellis
Removed at the request of the author.
This great poem by Linda Ellis can be read on her website
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