 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
Newsletter
I MARCH 2002
A SOLITARY GRAIN
In April, the Sunday school teacher asked all eight children in her class to hide within an empty container a small object that represented new life in the springtime. Not wanting to embarrass eight-year-old Stephen, whose mental retardation was becoming more manifest, the teacher suggested that the children place their unlabeled containers on her desk. Since she feared that Stephen might not have caught on, she decided that she should open them. The first had a tiny flower. "What a lovely sign of new life!" "I brought that one!" the donor exclaimed. Next came a rock. "That must be Stephen's," the teacher thought, since rocks do not symbolize new life. But Billy shouted that his rock had moss on it, and moss was new life. The teacher agreed. A butterfly flew from the third container, and another child bragged that her choice was best of all. The fourth container was empty. "That has to be Stephen's," thought the teacher, quickly reaching for the fifth. "Please don't skip mine!" Stephen interjected. "But it's empty." "That's right," said Stephen. "The tomb was empty, and that is new life for everyone." Later that summer, Stephen's condition grew worse, and he died. On his casket at the funeral, mourners found eight containers. They were ALL EMPTY!
--Treasury of Bible Illustrations
LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT
Many of you are familiar with this saying and it may prove to be true this year. "If March comes in like a lion it will go out like like a lamb." Literally that means that if there is windy or snowy weather at the beginning of the month, we may have some very mild weather at the end of the month. Unfortunately none of us can see that far in advance so we will have to be patient and hope our somewhat milder weather will return to stay. Actually this has been a rather mild winter so many of us have already had a taste of spring. This year, Spring begins on March 20th and it is my favorite time of the year. I have found that many agree with me. The springtime always seems to bring a sense of hope with it. Also this year we celebrate Easter Sunday on March 31st.
Some of you tea-lovers will find this very interesting. Until the 19th century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia. Did you realize that the first letter of every continent's name is the same as the last: AmericA, AntarcticA, EuropE, AsiA, AustraliA, AfricA. The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key, is ranked the most difficult national anthem on the earth to sing. The Great Wall of China is the largest construction project ever undertaken by man, and its stones could build an 8-foot high wall around the world at the equator. Astronaut John Glenn ate the first meal in space when he ate pureed applesauce, which he squeezed from a tube aboard Friendship 7 in 1962.
Our special Easter ISF Gathering will be on Friday, March 22nd, 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs.
At this gathering, we will be having a special chalk artist, Mrs. Joyce Gahagen, who will draw a special Easter presentation. Mrs. Gahagen utilizes fluorescent chalk and will draw utilizing both colored lights and the black light to highlight the features. You won't want to miss this gathering.
Of course there will also be a full course dinner, good music, special children's activities in the Kurtzman Room, but especially good International fellowship. It's all free, so do plan to come and invite your friends.
Hope to see you on March 22nd!
--Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant
HOW DO I KNOW HE LIVES
How do I know that Christ has risen?
What proof have I to give?
He touched my life one blessed day,
And I began to live.
How do I know he left the tomb
That morning long ago?
I met him just this morning
And my heart is still aglow.
How do I know that endless life
He gained for me that day?
His life within is proof enough
Of immortality.
How do I know that Christ still lives,
Rich blessings to impart?
He walks with me along the way
And lives within my heart.
--Treasury of Bible Illustrations
|
FABRUARY ISF GATHERING
.
MESSAGE OF THE EMPTY TOMB
The Empty Tomb had a message for the disciples as it has for us:
- It says to science and philosophy, "Explain this event."
- It says to history, "Repeat this event."
- It says to time, "Blot out this event."
- It
says to faith, "Believe this event."
--Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations
|