Christmas Memories
Ioften think back to that night in Bethlehem, holding Jesus the very first time. How could I not? He was so small, so fragile, yet inside my heart, I knew He held the weight of the world’s future. That night is forever etched in my memory—the smell of the hay, the chill in the air, the soundofanimalsnearby,andofcourse,theradiantgloryof God shining all around.
It felt like a dream, but in many ways, it was a moment that had been long foretold. Even as we gazed at Jesus’ tiny hands and soft face, my thoughts stretched back to the ancient words of the prophets, those messages God had givenHispeoplesomanyyearsbefore.Wecouldn’thelpbut feelconnectedtotheminawaywe’dneverimaginedbefore. They gave us hope and clarity when we were overwhelmed.
Oneprophecy,inparticular,stoodoutfromtheprophet Isaiah. As a child, I’d heard them read in synagogue, but that night they truly echoed in my heart:
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
I couldn’t understand how a virgin could conceive. Yet, here I was, cradling the One that Isaiah had spoken of: Immanuel—God with us. In my arms was the very fulfillment of those ancient words. I remember thinking, Could this really be happening?
How could I, a young girl from Nazareth, be chosen to carry the Savior of the world?
wasn’t an easy journey. Nevertheless, God was fulfilling His plan.
We couldn’t know that, following a pagan ruler’s mandate, we were part of something much bigger. Bethlehem had always been part of God’s divine design, a small town destined for greatness. We were simply walking the path that had been set for us long before we even existed.JosephandItalkedaboutthatalot—themysteryof God’s timing, His intricate weaving of events that, at the time, seemed mundane or even difficult, but later became clear as part of His unfolding plan.
Josephlovedtoreflectontheprophecyaboutthelineage of Messiah. He was a direct descendant of King David, something we both marveled at as we considered what the Scriptures said about the One to come:
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your ownfleshandblood,andIwillestablishhiskingdom.Heis the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
Thechildlyinginthemangerwastheveryfulfillmentof that promise to David. He was the King whose kingdom would have no end. A baby wrapped in cloths, resting in a feeding trough, and yet, He was the heir to an eternal throne.
Yet, through the impossible, God was writing His story. HehadpromisedHispeopleaRedeemer,andthatnight,in the humblest of places, the promise became flesh. Every prophecy, every word spoken by God through His messengers, now fulfilled in our son—our Jesus. But He wasn’t just ours; He belonged to the world.
Josephoftenremindedmeofanotherprophecyfromthe prophet Micah:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
I’mstillamazedthatweendedupinBethlehem.Caesar’s decreehadforcedustoleaveNazareth,totravelallthatway for the census. It was frustratingly difficult, especially being so close to giving birth. I’m sure Joseph would agree—it
Evenasweponderedallthis,there was so much we didn’t understand. What did it mean—our son to be Messiah? What kind of life would He lead? We heard the words of the prophets but didn’t fully grasp the depth of their meaning.
Throughitall,wetrusted.Godhad been faithful to His promises for generations; He would continue to be faithful.Weheldontotheprophecies, not as distant words but as living truth unfolding around us. Those ancient promises had come to life in Jesus.
Looking back, those memories are bittersweet. There was joy in seeing the prophecies fulfilled, but also a deep realization that this child would grow to bear the weight of the world’s sin. We knew His path would not be easy, for us orforHim.WealsoknewHewasthehopeofallpeople,the One who would save us from our sins.
This Christmas, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, take time to reflect on the long-awaited fulfillment of God’s promises. Just as Joseph and I found comfort in the prophecies of old, you, too, can rest in the faithfulness of God’s Word. Every promise He has made, He has kept— and the greatest of these promises is Jesus, our Savior and King.
May the hope of His coming fill your hearts with peace and joy this Christmas season.
With love and faith, Mary and Joseph (as imagined by Pastor Eric)
PrayerMinistry: 10DaysofPrayer
by Lindsay Reynolds
prayer requests throughout the 10 days. Arden Church is typically a part of this, while Charlene says that the dates and themes are adapted to meet our specific church needs and requests. Arden’s 10 Days of Prayer is scheduled for January 1-10, 2025 this year and will be a powerful start to ourprayingfortheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit.Therewill be more information coming from Charlene soon, but if you’re curious and want to be inspired, check out www. tendaysofprayer.org.
Pentecost2025
S
everal years ago, Charlene Ingulfsen started a small prayer group after church each week, with the goal to pray for the young people of the church—for their faith in God to stay strong.It wasn’t long before Charlene was asked by the nominating committee to take on a more official role as director of Arden’s Prayer Ministry. As she accepted the position, Charlene envisioned growing the ministry and inspiring many more Arden members to spend daily time in prayer.
WhatDoesArden’sPrayerMinistrydo?
While initially Arden’s Prayer Ministry entailed mostly praying over the prayer cards from each Sabbath service, Charlene says that Pastor Eric gave her the vision to take Prayer Ministry much further.
1. Gathers prayer partners together 1-2 times weekly to pray over the prayer cards from Sabbath
2. Matches members with student names to pray for (and develop a mentoring relationship with) throughout the school year
3.Coordinateschurchmemberstoprayovernew church office holders at the end of each nominating committee session
4. Plans annual prayer weekends with special speakers on the topic of prayer
5. Leads intercessory prayer time after church each Sabbath in the music room
As if Charlene isn’t busy enough with her line up of Prayer Ministry responsibilities, she’s also planning a few more exciting projects in the next few months. Pentecost 2025 is a North American Division-sponsored initiative to guide evangelistic efforts and inspire members to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 2025. Charlene hopes to encourage members to pray powerfully in 2025 by developing a short Pentecost Bible study to share and by encouraging members to read Ellen White’s compilation book, Prayer
When DeWayne and Patti Butcher attended the ASI (Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries) conference this past August, they were inspired by the power of church members praying at and for the church every day of the year. Charlene caught the vision and is now coordinating Arden church members and volunteers to take turns praying for the Holy Spirit at our church every day in 2025. The hope is to include as many church ministries as possible (Bible School, Children’s Sabbath Schools, and the Great Controversy project) and to feed specific requests for volunteers to pray for and to follow-up when those prayers are answered. Volunteers of all ages will be able to sign up to come anytime during any given available day and pray inside or outside of the church for as long as they wish. A suggested prayer format will be provided for those who wish to use one.
6. Plans prayer suppers 1-2 times annually—which includes supper, sharing and testimonies, followed by prayer in small groups
7. Creates children’s prayer activities for the prayer suppers,sochildrencanknowthatprayingissomuchmore than feeling bored while adults talk for a seemingly long time
8. Organizes the North American Division-sponsored annual 10 days of prayer each January
9. Attends the Carolina Conference Prayer Weekend
10DaysofPrayer
In January of every year, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists schedules a global 10 Days of Prayerwithscheduleddevotionalthemesandworldchurch
Kicking off the start of Pentecost 2025 and 365 days of Arden church prayer, Charlene and her team are planningaspecialNewYear'sEveprayer supper.Whilemostprayersuppereventslastabout2hours, this one will be slightly longer, as we will include the ordinance of foot washing. This event will start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. You can sign up through a linke-mailedtoyouorbycontactingWhitneyBarronatthe church office at 828-684-6700.
HowCanWeSupportTheArdenPrayerMinistry?
Most importantly, please pray for Charlene and her team as they work tirelessly to keep prayer a foremost priority in our church. Participate in prayer suppers and other events planned by Arden’s Prayer Ministry. Commit to making Pentecost 2025 a success in our church byattendingtheNewYear’sEveprayersupper,participating inthe10Daysofprayer,andvolunteeringtoprayatandfor our church in 2025.
HolidayMemories
edited by Max Hammonds
The two holidays we most remember from our time at home as children are Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have asked several Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church members to share their fondest memories from one of these holidays. The following were their responses.
“MauiThanksgiving”–1986–NancyMcMillan
IthadonlybeenamonthsinceImovedtoMauiin1986. I was surprised how I missed my family and friends I had left behind and beloved Minnesota foods. I finally understood what the newly enlisted military “whined” about during boot camp! I could almost smell the luscious food being prepared in my mother’s kitchen, the sound of clanging pots and pans and the table being set with the “good china”, the kids running around and laughing. The only people I knew well on Maui were off to the mainland to celebrate. Annette, the “local” woman who was training me at my new job at the Sheraton Maui graciously invited me to her in-laws that lived “upcountry” for Thanksgiving dinner. I jumped at the chance not to be alone that day.
Driving “upcountry”, I wondered what a local Japanese Thanksgiving would be like. Obviously, rice was on the menu (like mashed potatoes for mainlanders). I wasn’t a fan of rice until I tasted “sticky rice” local style, but it was hard to envision turkey, dressing and rice. Time came to place the food on their table. A few new dishes, and the smell of the turkey was mouthwatering—and yes, a big rice cooker. I putonmyMs.Mannerssmileasthiswasanewexperience for me! We were just going to sit and Annette places a small, covered dish by my plate. This wonderful, kind woman had made me my own special dish of mashed potatoes!Annettewouldbemysenseiforthenext33years and a dear friendship that continues to this day!
“Snow, Stories, and S’mores” – 2020 – 14 year old
KarinaOsipova
About four years ago, when I was 10 years old, I was livinghereinAsheville.Iwentwithmyfamilytovisitsome family friends in Black Mountain. They had a cabin in the mountains that we had visited before.
Butthiswasinthewintertimewithsnowontheground.
Yet we were all outside around a fire pit trying to keep warm. About fifteen or twenty people were there, several families with kids and adults, all enjoying s’mores in the evening and telling stories.
ThestoriestheytoldwereaboutJesus.ItwasChristmas time and they were telling about His birth, about His miracles, about His life and death and resurrection. They were celebrating and enjoying the memory of His birth and why he came to this earth as an infant to help all of us.
We were all dressed warmly and we were all close to the fire. But I was being warmed even more by the wonderful wayGodwasworkingintheheartsofallthesepeoplethere astheythoughtaboutHisbirthandHisworkwhilehereon earth.
“A Lonely Freshman Christmas” – 1951 – Owen Spencer
Myfamilywaspoorwhenmymother,sister,andIlived inMinnesotawithmygrandparents.Iwouldnotbeableto attend Maplewood Academy unless I worked hard all the timetoearnmytuition,expenses,room,andboard.Iwent to the academy in June of 1951 at age 14 and lived in the dorm for four years, going home only on short holidays or weekends.
I enjoyed being at the academy where I had lots of friends to interact with. At home in my small town, I had my sister and two other girls to play with. But in the academy there were lots of kids and I loved it. I left the academy in 1955 with a credit on my account – which I gave to my sister’s account when she attended.
I worked hard that summer of 1951. The farm manager wanted farm kids to work for him. I was a city kid and he didn’t think I could do the work. He wanted to break me. So, he put me to work hoeing thistles in the corn rows. No other kid had this job; only me. What he didn’t know was that I had worked for my grandfather in his greenhouse since I was very young. I knew how to work.
About mid-summer the farm manager decided that I was going to work out. He trusted me to drive the tractor andhetaughtmehowtomilkcows.Iwastheyoungestone on the milking crew and I had the least seniority.
Then Christmas, 1951 came. Everyone one wanted to go home for Christmas to be withtheirfamilies.Iwantedto go home, too. But I was told that I would not be going home. I would be staying at the academy because someone had to milk the cows.
Very few kids stayed that Christmas in the dorm. In fact, it seemed like no one was in the dorm but me. All had gone home for the holidays. The teachers I knew, the principal, the business managers
– almost everyone had gone somewhere else for Christmas.
An older couple – the man was a supervisor in the furniture factory, not a teacher – invited me to be with them on Christmas Eve. (I think they were assigned to do this job.) Their house was not particularly decorated for Christmas.Itwasnothomeanditdidn’tfeellikeChristmas Eve.
IatebymyselfthateveningandImilkedthecows.Then I went to their house; there was nowhere else to go. I spent the evening there. I think we played a board game or something. It was very uncomfortable. They were old people and didn’t know how to relate to young people like me. Later in the evening, I returned to the dorm to sleep. And on Christmas morning I got up and milked the cows. It wasn’t Christmas.
(How very important are family traditions – even to 15 year-olds in academy needing the comfort and security of Christmas with family.)
“SurprisesinStore”–1991–CarisaBelanger
Growing up, I always remembered feeling lucky to live in the country and be able to run freely outside in nature. This next statement may sound funny since I'm not very old, but I grew up and lived in a very old falling down farmhouse in southwest Wisconsin. My parents worked hardtomakesurethatmysiblingsandIhadeverythingwe needed. Even if we didn't always have store bought food, we always had what had been saved from the garden. Wearing hand-me-down clothes and playing with old toys was the norm for us.Weneverwentwithout things that we needed, though we didn't always have the things that little kids my age would like to have had, like new dolls, games, or other kinds of new toys.
The Christmas story that sticks out in my memory was whenIwasprobably5or6yearsold,backin1990or1991. My parents told my siblings and I that we just wouldn't be able to have gifts or anything for Christmas that year since they could not afford them. You see, my mom had been trying to further her education, so she was going back to school to get a degree as an LPN. She was also only able to work part time since she was in school, so my parents' income was even less than it had been before.
Afterhearingaboutoursituation,mymom'sclassmates at school wanted to do something to help. The nursing instructor called her into the office after class one day. My mom said she thought maybe she was in trouble for something! Instead, they told her they wanted to help give our family gifts for Christmas! They wanted her to write downallourclothessizesandaskedaboutideasfortoyswe might like to have. My mom said she was so shocked that they wanted to help. She said it was very hard to accept the gifts, since my parents were used to trying to help others,
and it didn't feel right to now accept these gifts from her classmates.
I still remember how surprised I was to see strange people coming into our home that Christmas morning with a large cardboard box! It was filled with an outfit of clothes for all five of us children and card games and new toys and even a food voucher for the grocery store. I especiallyrememberthebabydolltheyhadpickedoutjust for me!
It was a precious moment that I will always remember and be grateful for. It was a reminder that the Lord always provides for His children. That was also one of the reasons whyIthinkit'simportanttolearntohelpotherswhoarein need. It is something that I will always remember how much of a positive impression it made on me as a little child."
“ChristmaswithMom”–1966–CarolynSullenberger
As a child, I loved O. Henry’s story, “The Gift of the Magi.” It is a beautiful description of what love is all about: sacrifice. I experienced that kind of love the Christmas I was 17, and it remains my favorite Christmas memory. My mother had accepted a teaching position at the Seventhday Adventist church school in the small town of Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Coudersport was a beautiful little town not too far from the New York State Line. I was asenioratUnionSpringsAcademythatschoolyear,which was a huge sacrifice of love on my mother’s part.
The school was far enough away that most of my weekends off were spent with my sister and her family. They lived about 35 miles from the school. But I wanted to spend Christmas at home with Mom. Mom warned me that expenses were very tight, and that I needed to understand there would be no gifts exchanged. I agreed.
However, I earned a little extra money babysitting, and bought Mom a pretty handkerchief, and a bottle of perfume I knew she liked. I could hardly wait to surprise her on Christmas morning! I expected nothing in return, but as Mom accepted my gifts, she handed me a package. Inside were stockings which were definitely appreciated. This was the era when girls still wore stockings to school, and I went through them fast. It was a simple Christmas, and yet it was the absolute best.
28 Fundamentals: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ #9
I
n the early morning hours, Mark descended the stairs of his mother’s house, avoiding the squeaky third step, and rounded the hallway corner into the kitchen. He halted whenhesawPawpaw(hisgrandfather,AlbertBroot)sitting at the table in the semidarkness, brewing tea at his elbow, fingers entwined under his chin.
“Come on in, Mark.” Pawpaw spoke softly, reached for his steaming cup. “Have a seat.”
“Didn’t know you were up already.” Mark proceeded to the teapot, touched it lightly. It was still hot. He took down his university mug and the decaf from the cupboard.
“Been up for a while.” Pawpaw sipped his tea carefully.
“Whatcha thinking?” Mark added creamer to his mug, straddled a chair, and sat opposite his Pawpaw.
“In my prayers, I was thinking, wondering really, about Jesus. Who Hewas.WhoHebecame.Andwhy.” Pawpaw drew in a sharp breath, exhaled slowly.
“That’s easy, Pawpaw. Before He became Jesus, Son of Man, He was God the Word, worshiped and adored by tens of thousands of angels. Why?” Mark slowly stirred the creamer into swirling circles.
“Yes, exactly. Why?” Pawpaw smiled knowingly.
“Yes, exactly. They needed a Goel who could pay the ransomdemanded,aransomlargeenoughtocoverthesins of the whole world.”
“And to whom is this ransom being paid? To God? It’s His law that Adam and Eve broke.”
“That’sthethingofit,Pawpaw.”Markraisedhishandsin frustration. “It’s the enemy who is twisting the Law. He deceived Adam and Eve into choosing to trust him instead of God – to separate themselves from God.
“Then he turned the natural consequence of separation from the God of Life – which is death – into looking as if God is demanding payment for doing so. It’s the enemy who is demanding that either a just God must permanently separate Himself from His own created loved ones – or else God will also have to forgive Satan and his angels. The enemy is demanding a ransom – the second death – as the payment for saving them. Either way God loses.”
“But God has a plan, doesn’t he?” Pawpaw leaned forward, earnestly interested in Mark’s explanation –unfolding in his mind and strengthening his faith.
“Of course, from the beginning. God revealed His plan in the Passover in Egypt and in the sanctuary with the substitutionary death of a man’s perfect lamb for his own life. God had His own Lamb. God the Word, laying aside His god-ness, embodied in and working with the weakness ofahuman–theSonofMan,JesustheMessiah,theChrist, as the Greeks would say.”
Pawpaw sat back thoughtfully, both hands warming on hissteamingcup.“Tobefair,tobejust:Wouldn’tthisLamb, thisMessiahhavetonecessarilyexperiencetheannihilation that the sinner would feel? Isn’t that dangerous – for God?”
“Oh, He has to feel it, Pawpaw. Not the annihilation, but the dread, the agony of eternal separation from His Father.” Mark paused. “The danger is not if He succeeds, Pawpaw, but if He fails – in his human weakness – to complete His mission. Then all humanity is lost.” Mark was quiet for a moment, then he smiled.
“He had a situation, Pawpaw, that only He could solve.” Mark carefully placed his spoon on the table. “The enemy had maneuvered His people into a corner.HeplacedthebarrierofSinbetweenthemandGod. He usurped their stewardship of the earth and captured them as his slaves. He used the ‘wages of sin is death’ to threaten them with death if they tried to escape.”
“ButGodputenmityintheirheartsagainsttheircaptor, didn’t he?” Pawpaw offered.
“That wasn’t enough, Pawpaw. They were deceived and stolen. They needed to be ransomed.”
Pawpaw sat forward. “You mean redeemed – like Boaz and Ruth?”
“But when He succeeded, as the Son of Man, He took back His rightful place asrulerofthisworld.”Markwasonaroll. “Then He could request that the Father send the Holy Spirit in full force – to empower His people to do what they were designed . . .” Mark stopped in midsentence. “Pawpaw. You were deliberately egging me on, weren’t you?”
“You have a Bible test tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Yes. I have to write about the meaning of the life and death of Jesus.”
“And resurrection.”
“Yes, and resurrection.”
“How do you think you’ll do?”
Mark’s eyes lit up and he laughed. “After this review session?” He nodded. “Alright, I think.”
Pawpaw laughed with him. “Good for you.”
XerxesandEsther: PartXII
Iaccompanied Esetare up to the threshold of Khshayarsha’s throne room but stopped there. She refused to place anyone’s life in danger except her own. Within moments all eyes turned to the queen. Then they swiveled back to the king.
A brief pause, then a smile spread across Khshayarsha’s features. He held out the gold scepter to Esetare, who touched it lightly as she returned his smile. I let out my breath: Esetare had endured the first challenge; now she must plead her case with the utmost finesse and care.
“Whatbringsyou,QueenEsetare?”askedKhshayarsha, a serious note in his voice. Surely only matters of great importance would make his queen enter this space with such uncertain reception: “I will give you anything within my power, even half my empire.”
“Not so extravagant, my King,” said Esetare. “I have prepared a banquet for you.Willyoucometodayandbringthe Hamana with you?”
The king raised his eyebrows. A banquet implied a celebration but also a time to give and receive honor, to pledge loyalty, to bestow favors, and to make diplomatic requests. The queen had succeeded in showing she wanted the Khshayarsha’s company, and— more importantly—she intrigued him.
At the end of the meal, as they sipped from their cups, KhshayarshaleanedforwardandsaidtoEsetare,“Youhave gone to a great deal of trouble, my Queen. I always enjoy your company, but tell me your purpose truthfully. What canIdoforyou?Don’tworry,youhavemyfavor.AsIsaid, I would split the empire just for you.”
Esetarebegan,usingthestandardformulaofasuppliant to the throne: “My petition and my request is this. . . .” But she hesitated; something stopped her.
“Yourmajesty,ifItrulyhaveyourfavorandyouwantto help me, please come again tomorrow, both you and the Hamana. I will prepare another banquet and I will tell you everything, just as you ask.”
NodoubtEsetarewasinspired,justasshelaterclaimed. Forthisdelayofasingledaysetinmotionachainofevents thatsignificantlyaidedhercause,madethekingremember how she and Marduka had saved his life once before, and led to the ultimate downfall of the Hamana, while saving the queen’s own life and people.
Afterthebanquet,theHamanaleftfullofjoyandagood heart, obviously elated at the tremendous honor of being the only requested guest to sup with Khshayarsha and Esetare. But at the Darius Gate, whom should he see but Marduka? Despite the deadly edict, Marduka still would not bow before him. In fact, he did not even rise at the Hamana’s “magnificent” presence, showing no trace of fear at his anger. All the Hamana’s joy was now shot through with rage.
“Iwillcome,myQueen.Eunuchs,oneofyougonowto inform the Hamana, that we may honor my promise and fulfill the request of Queen Esetare.” Immediately, Kharbonah, one of my colleagues amongst the King’s Eunuchs, slipped out to find “the Illustrious One” himself and bring him to meet Khshayarsha and Esetare.
Esetare withdrew from the king’s inner throne room. Afterreenteringtheharem,shefinallylookedatme.Briefly meetingeyes,Icouldseeadeeprelief.Fornow,shestillhad her life and the king’s favor. But only one part of our strategy was accomplished; now the dance of diplomacy began.
Intimate and elegantly understated, every detail of Esetare’s banquet was already planned. I welcomed the small entourage who attended Khshayarsha, including Kharbonah,whohadbroughttheHamanatodinewiththe two royals.
Back in his own home, the vain Hamanacalledforsupport.Heboasted to his admirers and to his wife Zeresh (daughter of Tatnai, a prince of the region beyond the river) about his wealth,hislargefamily,hispromotions within Shushen, and all the ways Khshayarsha had honored him.
“Even Esetare the Queen asked specifically for me to dine with her and the king today. No one else. And I am going again tomorrow! But even this is not enough for me, every time I see that Jew, Marduka, at the Gate of the King. Until he is gone, I cannot feel the honor that I deserve.”
Zeresh and all the Hamana’s supporters gave him this advice: “Clearly, Khshayarsha will give you anything you ask.Haveyourservantssetupagiganticpole.Firstthingin the morning, ask the king for Marduka’s body. Don’t wait fortherestoftheJews;stringupMardukatomorrowwhere everyone can see your victory, then you can go to Queen Esetare’s banquet without anything obstructing your merriment and high honor.”
The Hamana roared with pleasure. He completely gave himself over to the bloodlust against Marduka. What he hoped would be the symbol of his victory—the “tree” or pole where Marduka would be publicly impaled—was set up before he went to bed, where he slept that night with dreams of revenge.
“ICan’tRemember…”
Dr. Roberts opened the exam room door and joined two elderly people and their 45-year-old daughter. “Good afternoon, Tom. Lizbeth.” He nodded to each of them in turn. “What brings you here today?”
“We’re worried.” Tom and Lizbeth spoke almost simultaneously. Their daughter, Pat, silently nodded in agreement.
Dr. Roberts suppressed the urge to lightheartedly observe that they were both getting older. The anxiety on their lined faces suggested recent conversations of fear and worry.
He sat on the rolling stool and leaned his back against the wall. “What are you worried about?”
Lizbeth spoke first. “I can’t remember anything,” she burst out, her hands fluttering in frustration. “Names, places we’ve visited, things on the shopping list.”
Tom was quick to follow. “And I can’t do my crossword puzzles anymore. You know how I love to work on them.”
“Can’t do them at all?” Dr. Roberts tried to separate fact from fear.
Tom alternately shook, then nodded his head. “Well, I can do them, but not as easily as I used to.”
Dr. Roberts looked to Pat for clarification. “They’re worried they’re getting dementia,” she said,worriedlyshiftinghergaze to her parents.
Dr. Roberts took a deep breath. “First of all, dementia is a specific diagnosis. The word means progressive loss of thinking ability. It’s more than forgetting words or an item on the grocery list. It’s being unable to reason, being unable to figure out where the car is when it’s sitting in the driveway.
own. “What can we do to keep from getting dementia?”
Tom asked more calmly.
Dr.Robertsfoldedhishandsinhislap.“Despitethebest research, there’s no good medicine to prevent dementia. However, several good studies have shown certain activities to be quite effective to slow down or hold off mental decline.
“Yourcrosswordpuzzlesareoneway,Tom.”Tomlooked up in surprise. “Yes, puzzles, brain teasers, jigsaw puzzles. Very effective in stirring up the brain’s ability to think.
“Lizbeth, are you still attending that Bible-study group you liked so much?”
“Idon’tgetoutsomuchanymore.I’mfeelingalittletired these days.”
“Well, I recommend that you both get back to the social activities that you used to do.” Dr. Roberts’ head bobbed vigorously. “Socializing is the best way to stimulate the brain. Go to church. Go back to that Lion’s Club meeting, Tom. Get involved with people. Walk around the neighborhood and find out who has moved in and say ‘hello.’
“And by the way, physical exercise is the second most effective thing you can do to stimulate the brain. You don’t have to run a marathon, but you should walk as vigorously as you can for 20-30 minutes every day.” Dr. Roberts held up one finger. “But be careful. Walk on even ground. Don’t stumble. I don’t want you to hit your head or break something.”
Dr. Roberts reached for the prescription pad on the counter. “Lizbeth, are you still taking your blood pressure medicine?”
“Yes, when we test for dementia, we test your memory. But we’re more interested in your ability to work out problems in your head – like not just telling time but drawing a clock face and putting hands on the clock to show a particular time.
“The fact that you came here and were able to describe your problem suggests that your loss of some quick recall is a sign of aging, not dementia.”
Tom reached over and enclosed Lizbeth’s hand in his
“When I can remember.”
Dr. Roberts kept writing. “Pat, can you do something to make sure she gets her meds?’ Pat nodded. “Okay, you two don’t smoke. Or drink.”
“I heard that wine was good for the heart,” Tom admitted sheepishly.
Dr. Roberts shook his head and kept writing. “Wine is just grape juice with alcohol. Same thing’s in thegrapejuice,that’sinthewine.Don’tdrink.Badforyour brain.” He looked up. “I know you both see Dr. Anderson for your eyeglasses. But how do you hear?”
Silence. Then Pat spoke up. “Their TV is rather loud.”
“Okay.” Dr. Roberts wrote one more line on the pad. Tearing off the top sheet, he gave it to Tom. “My prescription,Tom,forbothofyou.Socialize.Exercise.Take your medicines that control diseases that make dementia worse. Ditch the wine. And my office will schedule a hearing test for both of you. If you can’t hear, you can’t socialize.”Helookedfromonetotheother.“We’lljusttone up your brains a little – and you’ll be okay. Okay?”
Tom looked at Lizabeth, touched her face, and said, “Okay.”
TheUmbrella Organization
by Tom Arany
teaching? And that’s not to mention the already taxed financing by the established Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church and conferences to underwrite sufficient approachestomeetthemanywaysofspreadingthegospel. Perhaps we should form such an organization to provide manpower and finances. And while we are at it, make it world-wide in scope. Well – let’s not reinvent the wheel. We already have such an organization! It is a vital part of God’s SDA Church, both in membership and funding. Their espoused aim and mission is to proclaim the everlasting gospel embraced in the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14 and to prepare the world for Jesus’ immanent appearing in the heavens to bring an end tosinandallitsdeleteriouseffectsonGod’soriginalperfect creation.
Have you identified this organization? Perhaps. Or do you need another hint? Their motto is: “Sharing Christ in the Marketplace.” Still uncertain? It is the AdventistLaymen’s Services & Industries organization.
Someofthechurchmembershipisverywellacquainted with this organization’s work – and many of those people are already members. But others have heard the acronym “ASI” and wondered just who they are and what they do and how they do it.
The organization has chapters in various parts of the world, but we are most familiar with the chapters in the North American Division (NAD) of the SDA Church. It is an established department of and housed in the NAD offices near Washington, D.C. They are active in training their extensive membership in personal evangelism, i.e., oneon-one witnessing.
They also raise funding for many of the outreach needs of the church that are beyond the ability of the established conferences to support. All of the ministries described in the above paragraphs are supported financially by offerings raised or pledges made at the yearly nationalconvention.Inthelasttenyears,these offerings have ranged from one to over two million dollars US. In that ten year span, the total is over $14.8 million. Most years that offering is spread over 25 or more projects, in some years as many as 45 projects. It is awarded to applicants who have requested consideration with two caveats: the project has been in existence and viable for at least three years and is a supporting ministry of the SDA Church.
Membership is designed both for individuals who are self-employed, be it a one-person company or a large business as a business membership. It is obtained by a member application submitted to the ASI National Office, 9705 Patusent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, USA. Furtherinformationontheactivities,costs,andbenefitsof membership are available on the extensive internet website: www.asiministries.org.
RightOnTime
by Hadassah Song (a pseudonym)
Butasforyou,Bethlehem...fromyouOnewillgoforth for Me to be ruler in Israel. (Micah 5:2)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth . . . to a virgin . . . ; and the virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1:26, 27) And everyone was...toregisterforthecensus,eachtohisowncity.Joseph also went up from Galilee . . . from Nazareth . . . to Bethlehem. (Luke 2:3, 4)
Hadassah looked at her watch for the umpteenth time. The flight from Orlando had been delayed by weather somewhere, she supposed. Standing behind at least 24 people in the narrow airplane aisle, she reviewed her schedule again: Orlando – to JFK – long flight to Qatar – then on to Katmandu, Nepal. The only flight on a tight schedule was to Katmandu. That flight flew only two or three times a week. She would be stuck in Qatar for severaldaysifshemissedit.Now it looked like the delay in Orlandowouldcausehertomiss the JFK . . .
She anxiously watched and waited as airplanes to various parts of the world appeared at the bottom of the screen, graduallycrawlingupward,chasingotherannouncedflights from the top of the board.
There was her flight to Qatar! Leaving on time. From another terminal! Now what to do? She swiveled right and left, searching for someone to help her navigate this very confusingplace.There,behindadeparturegateconsole.She rushed forward and spoke quickly, “How do I get transportation to the terminal . . . ?” What terminal did she need? She looked quickly back to the flight announcement passing off the top of the sign. There it was . . . and then it was gone! “The flight to Qatar,” she said loudly, to be heard abovealltheclatteroffeetandbaggageontheterrazzofloor. But the attendant seemed to know what flight she needed and gave her specific directions to terminal trains. “Thank you.”Shespokequickly,turnedandhurriedtofindthestairs tothetrainthatwouldtakehertotheinternationalterminal. God seemed to be helping her at every turn. “Thank you, Father,” she breathed as she headed down the stairs.
The train ran quickly underground to the international terminal. Hadassah moved up the stairs, walking as rapidly as her luggage allowed. Another security line into the internationalsection.Shewasnevergoingtomakeherflight.
Her thoughts were interrupted as people began moving forward. She stretched up to open the hatch as she approached the overhead bin sheltering her backpack and violin. A very tall man reached over her, retrieving both items–asifheknewwhatsheneeded.Shesmiledupathim and he smiled back.
Thelinemovedforwardslowly.Sheglancedatherwatch again,clumsilystrugglingwiththeviolincase.Theviolinwas an essential part of her missionary equipment. The music provided an inroad to the people when her infantile Nepalese language skills seemed inadequate. Music was the universal language which always elicited smiles.
Assheemergedfromthejetway,shelookedforoverhead signs directing her to her next connection. Nothing. She walked quickly along the corridor toward the center of the terminal and spotted an arrival/departure electronic sign.
TheTSAagentlookedatherpassportandherface–and paused. “Yes, I’m very late. I don’t think I’ll make my flight because of Orlando. And I will miss the flight to Katmandu.” The agent’s face still registered questions. “Yes, I’m returning to mymissionstation.AndI’llhave nowhere to stay in Qatar.” The face changed to compassion.
The agent quietly motioned for another agent to come replace her, then summoned Hadassah to follow her. A few words spoken to the agent working the x-ray machine and Hadassah was moved to the head of the line! The agent escortedhertoeverystation,everypassportcubicle.Aquick word and Hadassah was moved to the head of the line.
As the agent hurried her down the last long corridor, Hadassah heard the final call for boarding at her gate. Moving ahead of Hadassah, the agent went directly to the gateagentandspokeonelasttime.Thegateagentmotioned Hadassahforward,quicklyregisteredherboardingpass,and escorted her aboard as the last passenger. Looking back, Hadassah saw a smiling face and a wave as the door of the plane closed behind her.
Settling into her seat, Hadassah thought of the cultural hurdles awaiting her in Nepal and realized: God has His agents everywhere, helping her accomplish what she was sent to do – right on time.
(Follow Hadassah Song on the Adventist Frontier Missions website or in the AFM magazine)
Our family focus this month features new members Clint and Jessica McKoy and their children, Ada and Ethan. They joined the Arden Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in August of this year.
Clint and Jessica were both born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She has one older sister and one younger sister. Clint has one half-sister.
ClintfinishedpublichighschoolearlytoattendtheBlackHillsMissionCollegeof Evangelism, completing evangelism and pastoral training courses. Later he later got his Associates Degree in Web Development, graduating in 2009 from an online art school – Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, in Dublin, Ireland. Clint has been working in web development for fifteen years, currently working remotely for SecureSpace out of Los Angeles. Before that, he spent 8 years in full time Christian ministry.
Jessica attended public schools through high school in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 2003. As a Registered Nurse, Jessica has worked at AdventHealth Hospital since last year. Previously she worked as a nurse in Michigan, California, and South Carolina and for seven years was a traveling nurse.
Clint and Jessica have been married 20 years. When Clint was eighteen years old, he played in a band. A friend of his (Lauren Lucas – country music) in the band was friends with Jessica. Clint and Jessica were introduced to each other and the rest is history! They have one daughter, Ada, sixteen, and one son, Ethan, fourteen. Jessica home schools them both.
In 2015-2016, they traveled coast to coast and really enjoyed it. But with young children, they settled in Greenville, SC and found a home. However, Greenville was busier than they expected. Loving the mountains, they moved and built a home in Zirconia, North Carolina.
Jessica and Clint both enjoy snow skiing, traveling, hiking, and planning a yearly camping trip to Colorado. They have also traveled to Boston, Massachusetts; Washington state, and Oregon.
AsanewChristian,ClinthadstudiedtheBiblewhenhewasyoung.Histwouncles were Adventists. And at a certain point in his life, he had questions that he hoped his uncles could answer. He wanted to find a church that followed the Bible. Visiting a local Adventist church and studying with his uncles, he felt he had found what he sought and joined the SDA church.
JessicawasraisedintheLutheranChurch.WhenshemetClint,nowanAdventist, she learned about the Adventist message, began attending an evangelistic seminar with Clint, and decided to join the church.
Once they moved to the western North Carolina area, they visited several churches. When visiting the Arden SDA Church, they clicked right away with the people. After praying about it, they knew they had found their church home. They have really enjoyed the fellowship and making new friends at the Arden church.
Jessica’s hospital schedule includes two weekends on call, but she hopes in the future to be able to help with Arden Street Ministries. She and daughter Ada volunteered at the Mega Clinic in Greensboro in October. Clint has visited the SabbathSchoolledbyJoshBelangerandenjoysbeingabletosharehismusicministry at Arden.
We are so happy to have the McKoys as part of the Arden church family!
ArdenSeventh-dayAdventistChurch IsaSafePlacetoGrow.
Our Purpose is, by God’s Grace, to reflect His character in our community, to demonstrate a quality of life that will attract all to be reconciled to Jesus Christ, and to encourage people to become His loving, maturing disciples.
Grace Notes Editorial Staff:
Max Hammonds...............................................Editor
Chris Small.................................................Columnist
Jean Davey..................................................Columnist
Max Hammonds..................Reporter & Columnist
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Comments, suggestions and praises are always welcome. Please email or contact the church office.
Services each Saturday morning: Sabbath School Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.
Location: 35 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704 Located on Highway 280, (Airport Road), 1.5 miles east of I-26 exit 40, and a quarter mile west of Highway 25.
Church Office:
Office Manager: Whitney Barron Telephone: (828) 684-6700
Email: office@ardenadventist.org
Website: www.ardenadventist.org
Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arden Adventist Pastoral Staff: Senior Pastor: Eric Bates, D. Min. Email: ebates@carolinasda.org
Associate/Youth Pastor: Rich Maskelony, M .Div. Email: rmaskelony@carolinasda.org
GraceNotesis published monthly by the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church. Subscription is free by calling or emailing the office.†Doyou have questions about what Adventists believe? Would you like to become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Would you like to study the Bible? You are invited to attend a Pastor’s Bible Study Class. Please call for location and time. All are always welcome.
† Disclaimer—The contents of Grace Notes, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained in this magazine of the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the use of specific medical or Lifestyle Medicine interventions, or about questions you may haveregardingamedicalcondition.Neverdisregardprofessional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of information published in this magazine. Neither Grace Notes nor the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in published articles. Relianceonanyinformationprovidedissolelyatyourownrisk. If you have a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider or911immediately.
GRACE N TES
Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church 35 Airport Road Arden, North Carolina 28704
(828) 684-6700
WhatifallAdventistChurchesandSchoolsinNorthAmericastartedprayingtogetherfortheHolySpirit?
WhatifweallacknowledgedourneedforHim,askedGodtodowhatHesaidhewasgoingtodo,and equippedourmindstoreceivetheHolySpritduringthelaterrain?
THREE THOUSAND PROCLAMATION INITIATIVES
This is the essence of Pentecost 2025.
Joinusasweusherin Pentecost2025withourannual 10DaysofPrayerevent.
Where? ArdenSeventh-dayAdventistChurch CommunityLifeCenter
When? January1-10at7pm
How? Wewillfocusonhowtoprayaswelookat theLord’sPrayer.
What? Wewillalsoincludeamodifiedprayer walk,prayingforportionsofourchurch andministries.
“Since this is the means by which we are to receive the power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer petition to God.”
Acts of the Apostles p. 50