Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 109, Number 42, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 12 March 1986 — Page 5

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Joint . service

Pastors meditation... Faithfulness vs. betrayal

Please read Matthew 26:17-30. It was necessary to purchase and prepare what was needed for the passover meal. It was also necessary to find a place in crowded Jerusalem where the feast could be held. Jesus sent Peter and John (Luke 22:8) to make these important preparations. They were to follow a man who was carrying a pitcher of water, and he would show them a large upper room. It would be most

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Pastor Earl Lightfoot unusual for a man to be carrying water, for this was usually done by women. Peter and John would have to secure bread, bitter herbs, and wine for the feast. A perfect lamb would have to be slain in the court of the temple, and the blood put on the altar. The lamb would be roasted whole, then the feast would be ready. “When evening had come, He was reclining at a table with the 12 disciples. And as they were eating, He said, ‘Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me.' And being deeply grieved, they each one began tosaytoHim, ‘Surely not 1, Lord?’” Up to the very end, the disciples did not realize that one of their own number, Judas, was a traitor. They saw no difference in the way Jesus treated Judas, which is a remarkable testimony to our Lord's patience and love. During the Passover feast, as they were eating, Jesus announced the presence of a traitor. The disciples looked at one another, wondering who the traitor might be. Then they asked Jesus, “It is not I, is it?” The construction of the question indicates they expected “No” as the answer. ' Verse 23, “And He answered and said, ‘He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.”’ It was an act of friendship to eat bread together, especially bread that had been dipped into the dish of herbs. It was also an honor to be given a morsel of bread by your host. Jesus gave a morsel to Judas and Judas accepted it, knowing that he was betraying his Lord. For Jesus, giving the bread was a gracious act of hospitality; for Judas, accepting the bread was an evil act of treachery. “The Son of man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been bom.” This verse presents both the human and the divine side of this event. From the divine point of view, Judas’ treachery was predicted in scripture and was part of God’s plan. But from the human point of view, Judas was guilty of a base crime and was completely responsible for what he did. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are not in conflict, even though you and I may not be completely able to understand how the two may work together to fulfill God’s will. After Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Instead of being bom from above, Judas was bom from below. He then

The Nappanee United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church are combining once again to present a Joint Maundy Thursday-Tenebrae Service. The service will be held at 7:30p.m., March 27, at the Presbyterian Church, with the public invited to attend. Communion will be served. Planning the special service, from left, are Dr. Russ Bolyard, Chairman of Christian Unity, United Methodist; Shelia Melnert, Worship Leader at Presbyterian; Jay Morris, Pastor at Methodist; Palmer Trice, interim pastor at Presbyterian, and Peg Hoffer, Worship Chairperson at Methodist. (AN photo by Sheri Bradway)

went out to keep his promise to the religious leaders and deliver Jesus into their hands After Judas had left the room, Jesus instituted something new, the Lord’s Supper. He took two elements from the Passover feast, the unleavened bread and the cup, and He used these to picture His own death. The broken bread pictures His body, given for the sins of the world. The “fruit of the vine”, pictures His blood, shed for the remission of sins. There is no indication in the text that anything special happened to these two elements. They remained bread and wine, but they conveyed a deeper meaning: the body and the blood of Jesus Christ. Both the Passover and the Lord’s Supper look back to an accomplished victory. Passover was a memorial to Israel's deliverance from Egypt. The Lord’s Supper is "a memorial to the finished work of Christ (His finished work of redemption at Calvary). We do not observe the Lord’s Supper in order to remember our sins, but in order to remember Christ and what He has done for us. But the Lord’s Supper has an added dimension: It reminds us to look ahead for Christ’s return. We are to observe this supper “until He comes" (I Cor. 11:26). The Passover pointed ahead to “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The Lord’s Supper announces that this great work has been accomplished. What a blessing to ponder this truth! Verse 29 reads, "1 say to you, I will

Obituaries... James D. Arnott Sept. 6,1897- Mar. 10,1986 James D. Arnott, 88, 506 N. Clark St., Nappanee, died Monday, March 10, at his home, after an illness of several months. Mr. Arnott was bom September 6, 1897, in Flora, the son of James R. and Maude (Moore) Arnott. He married Lydia D. Zentz on September 14, 1916, in Nappanee, and she survives. He was retired from the Elkhart County Highway Department, and attended the First Brethren Church in Nappanee. Surviving with Mrs. Arnott are three sons: Donovan Arnott, Jr., Jackson, Alabama; Robert Arnott, Nappanee; and Richard Arnott, Nappanee; three daughters: Mrs. Dorothy Sechrist, Gilbert, Arkansas, and Mrs. Bill (Verna Lou) Hostetter and Mrs. Levi (Mary) Tobias, both of Nappanee; a sister, Mrs. Lawrence (Gale) Stuckman, Mesa, Arizona; 18 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Friends may call at the Thompson & Yoder Funeral Home, Wednesday (today) from 2-4p.m. and 7-9p.m.. The Rev. Alvin Shifflett will conduct services Thursday at 1:30p.m., at the funeral home, with burial at Union Center Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Cancer Services of Elkhart County: Spell to lead special meetings The Bible Way Apostolic Church, US6 East, Nappanee, will host a series of special services, March 14, 15 and 16, featuring the Rev. Timothy Spell, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana Rev. Spell will combine his preaching and singing into the services, planned for 7:30p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10a.m. and 7p.m. on Sunday. J L. Wyant, pastor, and the congregation, invite the public to attend these special services.

not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom ” Here, Jesus added a note of future glory in the kingdom. He did eat broiled fish after His resurrection (Luke 24:41-43), but there is no record that He drank from the fruit of the vine Even as He faced rejection by His nation, and suffering on the cross, He was looking ahead to the kingdom that would be established because of His sacrifice. Traditionally, four cups were drunk at the Passover feast, each one relating to one of the four pjomises in Exodus 6:6-7. The third cup-“I will redeem you”~was the one Jesus used for the Lord’s Supper, a picture of the redemption He would accomplish. The fourth cup will not be fulfilled until the kingdom is established. The hymn that Jesus and His disciples sang before they left this Upper Room (Matt.26:3o) was part of the traditional Hallel, Psalms 113-118. Read those psalms in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection, and see how they take on new meaning. Imagine our Lord being able to sing praises to God in the face of rejection, suffering and death! In conclusion, I ask a very pointed question: Are you trusting the blood of Jesus Christ and the completed work of redemption on Calvary’s cross for the salvation of your soul? The song writer said, “What can wash away my sin?" Then he gave a biblical-founded answer, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus! ”

Abortion issue featured in film

A film showing of “Assignment: Life” will take place Sunday, March 16, at 7p.m., at the Wakarusa Missionary Church, 202 W. Waterford St. ' The film is a devastating true story of a reporter who was assigned the task of covering the abortion issue, and whose life was turned upside down by what she discovered. The investigation she covers shows both sides of the issue, dnd the proponents of each, including interviews with such figures as Dr.

SYMPATHY i when you need it most reaved family, we work efficiently to coordinate all funeral and burial arrangements without creating additional anxiety. Thompson S. Yoder Funeral Home “Personalized Service for You and Your Family 950 N. Main St. Nappanee 773-3173

New officers installed The Women of the First Church of God met Monday, March 3, marking the end of another year for their organization. Varied responses to the roll call, “A Task I don’t Like to do”, were shared The Spiritual Life Director, Nanita Morin, examined the beauty ’of life for devotions, and remembered the various prayer requests. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were given and accepted, with new and old business being recorded. Marialyce Moore installed the new officers, with all the ladies spelling out “We are His Witnesses”, using scripture, and reminded everyone that, by all blending together, the goal can be kept alive. Officers installed were as follows: president, Kay Yoder; vicepresident, Glee McDonald; secretary, Diane Tuholski; treasurer, Janet Homan; spiritual life director, Ruth Fields; finance, Anita Sheets; Stewardship, Florence Slabaugh; missionary education director, Willodean Yoder; publications, Vondel Ritchie; parliamentarian, Kathy Cormican; historian, Karen Meister. Willodean Yoder reported on the Native American Indian sisters and brothers, tneir beliefs, fears and prejudices, noting the walls still exist for many persons. The meeting was closed with prayer, and refreshments were served by hostesses Irene Lemler and Jeanne Waters. Services... The Nappanee Church of God, 607 S. Madison St., will hold revival services March 13-16, with services scheduled for 7p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 6p.m. on Sunday. The guest speaker will be Pete Peterson, from Illinois. The public is invited to attend these special services. “Hillbilly” hot dogs will be served beginning at sp.m. on Saturday, prior to the service. Birthday party March 16 The Nappanee United Methodist Church will host a congregational birthday party, Sunday, March 16, at 7p.m., in the church fellowship hall. If you have a birthday in 1986, and are 1-100 years old, this fun-packed evening is for you. There will be games, favors, fun, fellowship and birthday cake and ice cream for everyone. You are invited to share In the celebration. SUNDAY

James Dobson, host of “Focus on the Family”, Dr. Jack Wilke, the head of Right to Life U.S.A., and Bernard Nathanson, former head of the world’s largest abortion clinic. A time for questions will follow the showing, with Russ Shaw representing the Elkhart Countv Right to Life. Due to the explicitness of the film, another film especially for children through grade six, will be shown in the church chapel while adults are viewing “Assignment: Life”. The public is invited to attend.

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday. March 12.1986 ]

Gardners in concert on Palm Sunday

The First Church of God, comer CR7 & 54. Nappanee, has announced that Steve and Maria Gardner will be in concert at the church. Palm Sunday. March 23, in the 10:30a.m. worship service. The Gardners are seasoned professionals who have toured for the past 13 years throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in the Middle East, Scandinavia, and South America The duo has made many appearances during the past six years It is hoped that those who share in their musical ministry will feel the presence of God’s spirit at work in their lives and overflowing to reach the audience's hearts The public is invited to attend the concert.

Missionary Conference at Livng Gospel

“Our Field is the World” is the theme for the Fourteenth Annual Missionary Conference, to be held March 21-23, at the Living Gospel Church of Nappanee. Services will ba held nightly at

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Harry Lee To Lead Services 7:30, with Harry Lee as the main speaker. Mr. Lee is a mission representative-at-large for OMS International. Born and raised in China, he became a Christian through the ministry of OMS. After WWII, he worked for 10 years as an accountant in a company which was eventually taken over by the Communist government. In 1957, he resigned his position to enter full-time Christian service. For 10 years he was denied a visa to go to Hong Kong to attend seminary. Later he was held in prison for

Lenten services continue

The March 16 Lenten service, being sponsored by area Churches of the Brethren, will take place at Maple Grove, with Wayne Lawson speaking on “What the Army Officer Said”. Turkey Creek and Bethel congregations will provide the special music. The final service in the series will be held March 23, at Union Center, with Pastor Roy Stern of the Nappanee Church speaking on “What the Condemned Criminals Said.” Services begin at 7p.m., and are followed by fellowship and refreshments. Members of the congregation are asked to mark their calendars and plan to attend the April 13 Congrega-

Church Chuckles by CARTWRIGH T | (,85 LI ©CKAs.oarww’&tTr “The letter of transfer from his other church just says, "Whew, thank goodness he's yours now!"

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STEVE k MARIA GARDNER In concert March 23

seven years and then forced to work on a prison farm for four more years In 1981, he was finally granted a student visa to attend Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon He graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree. He has been given political asylum by the United States, as it is inadvisable for him to return to China. He now seeks to lead others to Chrigt. and to the mission field. A ladies' luncheon will b<e held Friday, March 21, at 11:30a.m., at the Milford Community Building. Rachel Steffen, serving in the Phillipines with New Tribes Mission, will be the speaker. , A men’s prayer breakfast is planned for Saturday, March 22. at 7:00. It will be held at Come & Dine in Wakarusa. Gus Parris, director of Ft. Wayne Rescue Mission, will be the speaker. Also scheduled for Saturday, March 22, is the children’s hour at 10:30a.m., and the youth fellowship banquet at sp.m. Both events will take place at the Living Gospel Church. The children's hour speaker will be Dale Archer, director of Camp Ray Bird, South Bend. Karen Neff and Phil Heebner, both serving as missionaries with OMS International, will be the speakers for the youth banquet. The public is cordially invited to attend. Living Gospel Church is located at the comer of Elm and Centennial Streets in Nappanee. For meal reservations, please call 831-4978.

tional Meeting. This will be preceded by a potluck dinner. The meeting will include election of persons to commissions, and presentation of proposed changes to the church plan of organization. The Women’s Fellowship of the church has planned a guest and games night for Tuesday, March 25, beginning at 7p.m. The District Women’s Fellowship Spring Rally will take place April 15, at Blue River, and the annual mother and daughter banquet is set for April 22. A special committee is working on an Easter Sunrise Service, to begin at 6:30a. m„ March 30. The Easter worship service will begin at 10:30a.m.

See you in church Sunday Your friends at CHRISTNER OIL COMPANY S. Jackson, Nappanee

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