October 2012

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We Are Called Children Of GodSee what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (nIV) As John thought of the love of Christ, he was led to exclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” People think it a privilege to see a royal personage, and thousands go great distances to see one. How much greater privilege it is to be sons and daughters of the Most High. What greater privilege could be conferred on us than to be given entrance into the royal family? In order to become the sons and daughters of God, we must separate from the world. “Come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord... And,” I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 CorInthIans 6:17 (NIV) There is a heaven before us, a crown of life to win. But to the overcomer only is the reward given. He who gains heaven must be clothed with the robe of righteousness. “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 (NIV) In the character of Christ there was no discord of any kind. And this must be our experience. Our lives must be controlled by the principles that controlled His life. Through the perfection of the sacrifice given for the guilty race, those who believe in Christ, coming unto Him, may be saved from eternal ruin. . . . Let no one be so deluded by the enemy as to think that it is a condescen-sion for any man, however talented or learned or honored, to accept Christ. Every human being should look to heaven with reverence and gratitude, and exclaim with amazement, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”From Devotional: our Father Cares, p. 15.

LET’S NOT PRETEND

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Last year, my young niece would often tell my son and other childrenof the family to “pretend we’re in school!” She would then approximatewhat she thought a teacher might do, usually scolding and punishing her“students,” waving around a pointer, leading children though the hallwaysin the house and saying vague things about numbers and the alphabet,When others didn’t play according to her plan, perhaps standing up andwalking around, she would exclaim, “you’re s’posed ta be sitting!’ There is often a large gap between the perception of an outsider and that of someone who is experiencing a situation. ( The game of golf ap-pears simple until you attempt to tee off, get the ball to the green, then putt it into the cup in five strokes or less.) In the last year, having been a student teacher, I can list a number of differences between the play activities of my niece and the real teacher with whom I worked. My niece realized them, as well, when she began attending pre-school. She doesn’t like being there and she has since stopped “playing school.” Sometimes, I think, we “play” church: We dress up, we show up andwe say vague things about God, Jesus and the Bible. We inquire, “how ya’doin’?” without really wanting a real response and we are uncomfortable when someone else shares too much of their experience. We smile and say that we’ve been blessed, that God speaks to us, that the Holy Spirit guides us and that we want to be like Christ but we ostracize others and are often focused only on ourselves. Are our services conformed to Jesus, as the Bible says they should be, orare they conformed to what we think some other denomination is doing?Do we pray for what the Spirit tells us that we need or do we give Goda “to do” list or pray the showy prayers of the Pharisees? Recently, I worked in a classroom in which students used dried clay.The clay got on the floor and an apparently thoughtful young man beganto sweep the clay into a dustpan. When he was done, I noticed that he’dmissed a lot of clay and I began to sweep up more thoroughly. The boy

Elder Rick Cooper

Whoever speaks is to do as one who is speaking the utterances of God: whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen 1 Peter 4:11 (NASB)

came to me and said, “I already swept it!” I told him that I noticed there was some clayremaining and wanted to ensure that no one got it on the bottoms of his or her shoes andtracked it home. Still, the boy was indigent that I’d done “his job.” Often we are likethis in the church. We do a meager job for the Lord, using a tiny bit of our talents. Whensomeone who the Lord has blessed with the ability to do a great job comes along, our prideshouts, “I’ve already done that!” Instead of thanking them or asking how we can help.

Here are some things the bible indicates are good for a good church:

• Meet together and encourage one another. (Heb. 10:25) • Do things for the glory of God and not to draw attention to you. (Matt. 6:1) • Do things because they are good for others regardless of how it affects you.(Phil. 2:4)

And, of course, we’re told to praise and worship God at all times.

Here are some things I can’t find precedent for in the Bible which may seem to consideran integral part of “church”

• We must appear aloof and rigid when attending a church service. • Music must be played at a larghetto tempo or slower. • A presentation must be made by someone to an uninvolved audience.

We often tell our children to “act” like good Christian boys and girls. I prefer, however,to tell our young people to do the proper thing. Rather than acting, or performing forothers, I’d like to see a church full of people excited for the Lord whose behaviors aren’t aproduct of pretending but are generated by true love for God The early Christian church and the early Adventist church ( who met in homes or smallgathering places rather than temples) were families. They were in daily contact with oneperson’s needs. They encouraged one another and helped one another with problems.They solved personality difficulties with love rather than bitterness. I leave you to decide ifyou know of a church today that is similar. Join me in thinking about what you wanted for yourself and trying to give that to others and then pray for the Holy Spirit to make us better people who are even better than we pretend that we are.

Ruth Wyrick was born in Bland County, Virginia and lived in NoBusiness, an area named, so it was said, because a man who had gotten lost therein told people that he had “no business being there.” Ruth moved to Bluefield, West Virginia in the early 1940s and went to business school there. A year later, she began working for Bluefield Hardware. In 1943, she married Gleason Wyrick while he was on leave for a day from the military. Ruth had to have a judge waive the three-day waiting period for marriage while her husband was getting the license. They were married in a pastor’s home. When Gleason was transferred to Ft. Benning, Georgia for 13 months, Ruth went with him. Then, the couple moved to Fort Mead, Maryland for Gleason’s training for the European Theater, where he would be for 18 months. Ruth started a secretarial job with Dun & Bradstreet, where she continued to work for 23 years. Most of Gleason’s outfit was killed at St. Lowe but his life was spared. His letter to Ruth about being wounded arrived before the War Department’s letter to her. When the war ended, Gleason began worked in the grocery business, retiring in 1973 from nights at Safeway while Ruth continued to work for D&B. Their son, Ralph, was born in the late 1940s. They lived near the 14th Street corridor in the Washington, DC area at the time. This was a time of civil unrest in the area and as Ruth rode the bus to work, she would

The church chronicles

sit in the midst of fighting. Soon, Ruth and Gleason felt it was time to move away and they made their weekend place in Mechanicsville, MD home and remained there for 35 years. Ruth also left Dun & Bradstreet and was a secretary for a disabled workshop. She also worked for the Maryland Department of Health and retired in 1995. They often attended Washington Senators baseball games but usually left in the 7th

inning so Gleason could get to work. When Ruth got to Maryland in 1967, a neighbor took her to a Seventh-Day Adventist tent revival, held by Kenneth Cox. She began going to the Pawtuxent SDA Church and was baptized there by Joe Crews in 1968. Ruth did just about every job in the Pawtuxent church. Ruth lost Gleason in 1990 and Ralph in

1997. Ralph had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma the same year she retired and Ruth was able to take care of him for those two brief years. While in her 60s, Ruth went to college in La Plata, MD. She received over 30 credits. She did that so that she could keep learning, something she loves to do to this day. Ruth likes to watch cooking shows and Baltimore Orioles baseball games. She also enjoys crocheting. She has fond memories of when Gleason and she would let their vacation times from work accrue so they could travel together. They visited many places, often going to the coast of California. Ruth is very close to her niece, Maryann, and Maryann’s husband, Leslie. Ruth’s neice, Eleanor, and Eleanor’s husband, Alfred, take great care of Ruth. In 2001, Ruth moved to Friendship Manor in Roanoke and has lived in that area and been a member of the North Valley Church ever since. All who know her say that she is one of our friendliest, kindest and most welcoming members.

The Prayer Team would like to remind every one that there is an opportunity for prayer every Sabbath at 9:00 am at the front of the sanctuary. This is a time to prepare your heart for the Sabbath and lay the week that is behind you to rest.

there were no reports from Women’s Ministries, Personal Ministries, or Worship Committee.

There is also an opportunity for group intercessory prayer every Sabbath evening to close the Sabbath. We are currently meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Saturday. We also sing hymns, praise the Lord in prayer and have a scripture reading. Any and all prayer warriors are welcome and needed. This is truly a blessing

Social Committee is hosting “thunder Valley Day” on Sunday, October 14th from 3-6. Pizza and drinks will be provided; games are up to the participants.

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{ {“the Bible and the Bible alone, is our creed, the sole bond of union; all who bow to this holy Word will be in harmony . . . Man is fal-lible, but god’s Word is infallible. ellen g. White

“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.” Matt. 25:40

at NOrth Valley

All items can be purchased at a dollar store.

Please place your donations for Hollins Manor in the basket at the doors of the foyer.

Thank you for your help! Community Service Team

Please help our friends at hollins Manor! Items needed:

• Body Wash• Nail polish• Emery boards• Shaving Lotion• Combs and brushes• Cotton balls• African American Hair Conditioner

• Body Lotion• Polish Remover• Nail Clippers• Single Edge Disposable Razors• Shampoo and Conditioner• Deodorant for men & women• Pajamas, New Or Gently Used, For Men & Women M-XL

Hollins ManorHollins Manor is an assisted Living Facility that has about 90+ residents all of whom are mentally disabled.

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In The RecIpe Box

Bean souP wiTh Greens &winTer squash

1 Tbs Butter 1/4 tsp Salt6 c. Vegetable Broth2 Carrots, chopped1 lime, cut into wedges4 Cloves garlic minced

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic, carrots and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add broth and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add squash, tomato, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the squash is very soft and almost breaking apart, about 20 minutes.2. Transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in beans and spinach and cook over medium heat until the beans are heated through and the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Serve with lime wedges. Makes 8 1-1/2 cups servings

To Make squash Bowls:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F . Slice about an inch off the top of each buttercup squash. Scoop out seeds and loose flesh. Pour 1/2 inch water into a glass baking dish (or two) large enough to hold the squash. Place squash cut-side down in the water. Bake until the flesh is tender when gently poked with a knife and the squash still holds its shape, about 30 minutes.

SuBMitteD By aNgela NOrDBerg

1 Plum tomato, chopped1 Medium Onion, chopped1/4 tsp Crushed red Pepper1/8 tsp Freshly ground pepper2-15 oz can Pinto Beans, rinsed3 lbs. Butternut Squash peeled & diced10 oz Spinach, coarsely chopped & steamed

DirecTions:

inGreDienTs:

ELDER, ROMAN, VISIT, MEEK, FIVE, SMITE; Deliver me from mine enemies (Ps.59:1) KJV

Dad, how come the waitress gets 15% and God only gets 10%?

Double

Puzzle2B Joyful

OCtOBer BirthDayS

Levy RameroHaven HenryCarl Criss Derek Bacchus Joseph Bailey Fedly ProphetteAnnabell Pack April Schneider Jeremy Cultice Nadine Prophette Erin Smith Marthenise Joseph Olga Martinez Brittany Whitaker John McGraw Linda Criss Laura Welch Kim Burkepile Autumn PateDana Dunbar Karen Crush

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September’S SunSet Schedule

10-5 6:58 p.m.

10-12 6:48 p.m.

10-19 6:38 p.m.

10-26 6:29 p.m.

FriDaY saTurDaY

10-6 6:56 p.m.

10-13 6:46 p.m.

10-20 6:37 p.m.

10-27 6:28 p.m.

Speaker Schedule for octoberOct. 20 - The Bacchus Family

Oct. 27 - Janis Goad

Oct. 6 - TBD

Oct. 13 - Pr. Ramos

FRom The edIToREveryone is welcome share comments and suggestions, birthday information or corrections,stories, quotes, recipes, puzzles, or jokesPlease send to: nvsdanews@gmail.com

THE DEADLINE FOR NOvEMBER’S NEWSLETTER IS TuESDAy, OCTOBER 23RD.

Also you can find a copy of the newsletter on our church website at: www.northvalleysdachurch.com