Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

of work, especially the worshipat Kasumigaoka, Higashi Suma,yaku. Note also more specificion about the respective churchesack of the calendar. * NOTE:langes in leadership of theaoka Church:)Spear—in charge March-August.Boyle — in charge from Sep-1971.'ennington — presently travelingation work in the U.S.Faris — scheduled to return tothe spring.Problems in connection with theand Witness of our three Japaneseis true at home, many noninquirerswon't come to theservices and Bible studies of the, due to self-satisfaction or ineto spiritual things. Those fewwho do come, and have beenor a long time, hold back at thepersonal commitment to Christtification with the Church ase of the members are still veryimmature, requiring constant•ouragement, and counseling."s, and other leaders, are tooheavy burden of work. Inlack of workers also hindersnew outreach.the problem of sermonin Japanese for ordainedand pastors. If thoroughf an English sermon requires20 hours of study, how muchermon preparation require inthe busy, missionary-pastor.le that we are all languager in fact, none of us are).ath Day is often a day ofork, and many school activitiesies, parents, children, andvluch of the business and schools required of employees andthus preventing many who ared in Christianity from attendingservices and fellowship meetingshurch.e Prayer Requests in connection; Worship and Witness of our: Churches:ay for a renewed interest in thef God that would attract more5. including English Bible class, and parents of Sabbath School, to attend worship services andidies in Japanese.ay for the prayer meetings andeetings as a more effective meansthening the faith of believers, andg inquirers into the fellowship ofthe respective churches. (All threechurches have Japanese Bible study onSabbath day, in addition to the worshipservices. All three churches have prayermeetings. Higashi Suma Church has anactive, and well-attended home meetingeach month in the home of a member.)3. Pray that God would call more toprepare for the work of the ministry, aspastors, elders, deacons, Sabbath Schoolteachers, and other positions of leadershipand responsibility in each church. ThankGod for those whom He has called, andwho have responded, and are faithfullyserving Him in each church.4. Thank God for the return and activeand faithful participation of delinquentmembers, especially at Tarumi.5. Pray for additional grace andstrength for the few laborers in Japan, andespecially for Miss Faris who has recentlyreturned to the field.6. Pray for Mr. Pennington as hetravels across the Church on deputationministry in behalf of Japan until the end ofMay. Pray for needed strength, safe travel,and an effective ministry.Consider the missionary task of theChurch in the light of Luke 10, especiallyvv. 17,18. Here, the devil's "falling fromheaven" is associated with the missionaryactivity of the seventy sent out by Jesus.Also, in Revelation 20, especially vv. 1-3,the "binding of Satan" is definitelyassociated with the work of missions andthe extension of the Church as a witnessingforce among the nations. In other words,the power of Satan to deceive the nationshas been restrained during this presentGospel Age, so that he is unable to preventthe church from carrying on an active andeffective missionary program. Though weare very slow to see it, indeed, theprophecy of Psalm 72 is now in the processof fulfillment, as a result of the missionaryactivity of the Church. Satan cannotdestroy the Church as a mighty missionaryorganization, proclaiming the Gospel to allnations. Let's claims this promise andprovision of our Sovereign Lord and goforward with the work of missions throughour fervent prayer support and faithful,sacrificial giving. And as we pray and giveof our means, we must always be ready togive "our own selves as well," "so thatGod's way most holy on earth may soon beknown; and unto EVERY people HisSAVING GRACE be shown." We must beever ready to respond to God's call, "Lord,here am I. send me."LET THE RECORD SPEAKIn the six states with the largest percentageof population living in dry countiesthe per-capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages in 1968 averaged 12.14 gallons.In the six states which have no dryterritory, and which have the highestcomposite rate, based on(1) Number of outlets(2) Per capita consumption(3) Cirrhosis of the liver(4) Alcoholismthe per capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages averaged 23.61 gallons — nearlydouble the rate of the six states with drycounties.This would certainly seem to say thatwhere alcoholic beverages are lessavailable, due to local option, the percapita consumption is far less than wherealcohol is sold with minimal restriction.The six states with 30 percent or morecounties dry are: Georgia, Kentucky,Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama andMississippi. The six wet states with theheavy drinking record are: Nevada, NewJersey, New York, Connecticut, Californiaand Illinois.Let the record speak!The American IssueEAST PITTSBURGH NEW WORKOn the first Sabbath of each monthwe carry sack lunches and get to knoweach other better as we share food andconversation after the worship service. Ourlargest attendance was on February seven,when thirty-eight persons met for worship,discussion, and lunch.We have had visitors from as farnorth as Alaska, and as close as next-doorto the Seminary. Ruth Long, whose homeis in Anchorage, is a student at GenevaCollege. Another visitor, Mr. TiborLorincz, is a Hungarian refugee, nowstudying theology in this country. OnFebruary 28, Elder Woody Woods sharedGod's blessing on the Chicago Fellowship.A regular participant in the fellowship isNatasha Martinov, a Yugoslavian citizenwho is teaching at the Wilkinsburg Schoolfor the Deaf.There are people involved in at leastseven different Bible studies. Please prayfor those who study that they may bebuilded up in Christ.LAWRENCE FELLOWSHIP(Rev. M. L. McFarland, Pastor)February 27 marked a very importantevent in the Fellowship. Mr. Harold L.Milligan was ordained and installed as thefirst elder. The provisional session, consistingof Dale Curry. Darrell Parnell. andWilbur Copeland. will continue to workwith Mr. Milligan until another elder ischosen by the Fellowship. The Fellowshiprejoices in this step forward in the work.I 24, 1971 13