The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 18

18 Kokemo (Ind.) Tribune Rev. Smith says Joy of Christianity brings hope to world overshadowed by gloom Rainbow '70)V i a Lori Hunter, Mason Cox, Kurt Herron and John Downs (L-R) are cast members for "Rainbow '79," the sixth annual musical program sponsored by MOD SQUAD, a non-denominational youth group meeting in Grace United Methodist Church. The show will be at 1 and 7:30 p.m. April 28 in the Tickets are $20. The theme for this year's program is "What I Did for Love," the story of a MOD SQUAD member who gave a kidney to save the life of his brother.

(Tribune staff photo) By Joseph Smith Associate pastor. Main Street United Methodist Church We live in a pessimistic age. We are surrounded by dark prophecies of doom that cast a pall over our present thoughts and future actions. We worry about double-digit inflation. We shiver at the possibility of reduced home heating oil and growl over the prospect of limited auto excursions.

Environmentalists warn us of ecological catastrophe and socialogists write of the demise of our central cities. Even religion is buffeted by gloomy winds of darkness. Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth" is playing to crowded theaters. The number of cults continues to proliferate. "Time" magazine warns us of the dangers of unbridled apocalypticism.

What our fearful, anthropocentric generation refuses to admit is the fact that there will be a future. We are forced to ask what type of future we want and what kind of attitude shall characterize our relationship to it. We either hope or fear the future. We cannot be indifferent to its claim upbn ourselves. The celebration of Easter the joyful affirmation that we worship a living Lord of history, provides the basis for Christian hope as we encounter the future.

For our God is the power of the future, the "One who makes all things new." God is an ever-present reality urging us on to greater creativity and deeper levels of spiritual awareness. The Scriptures frequently speak to us of faith, hope, trust and love. All of these qualities are incompatible with fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety inhibit love and fullness of life. Bertrand Russell rightly said, "To fear Jove is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead." Faith and anxiety both anticipate the future but they do so in different ways.

The faithful person is not distracted or immobilized by the normal worries of life, since that person has an attitude of trust in one who Is imperishable. The person with great anxiety about the future usually focuses primarily upon the acquisition of material things. If we are anxious about the things of this world we will often find our lives regulated and dominated by that which produces our greatest anxiety. Our thoughts and actions wiil be directed to a lessening of that anxiety. But we are never satisfied.

We merely exchange one anxiety for another. We are like Tantalus, who stood in a pool of water, yet was parched with thirst. Our lives become a treadmill, and the future is seen with tunnel vision. Only when we have the courage to accept in- suecurity and ambiguity even on questions of religion can we begin to live faithfully. It is in times of desperation, not triumph, that'the prophets dared to speak of hope.

It is through the darkest deed of man that resurectipn is accomplished by the mighty act of God. An openness to the future is what Jesus demanded when he insisted upon the necessity of faithfulness. Faith keeps us open to the new to- morrow.Only God is ultimately trustworthy, nurturing and sustaining when possessions rot away and our bodies decay and return to dust. Biblical creation is always creation out of chaos and darkness. Purpose and fullfillment rise from meaningless disorder, broken lives and shattered dreams.

The Easter story has its parallel in the opening chapters of Genesis. God creates a universe out of chaos and emptiness. God raises Christ from shame and death, offering hope to humanity when all seems lost. Indeed, we are resurrected to a living hope. Have courage to claim that hope for your life.

Allow God to work within you. Realize that who you are and what you accomplish matters everlastingly for God. The value of our lives and the effect of our actions are preserved within God and help contribute to the future God offers onto us. So dare to hope that the Easter event can become a present reality in your coming future. Author The Rev.

Joseph Smith is associate pastor of Main Street United Methodist Church. He holds bachelor and master of science degrees in health education from Indiana University and a master of divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where he graduated cum laude. Smith is a member of Theta Phi, international honorary for religious leaders, and a member of the board of directors of the Howard County Mental Health Association. Religious news briefs Children's rally set Six County Child Evangelism Fellowship will sponsor a children's rally from 2 to 4 p.m. today in Bon Air School, 2800 Apperson Way The program will include stories, songs and a puppet show.

The fellowship is seeking teachers and hosts for five-day clubs this summer. The clubs acquaint neighborhood children with the teachings of Jesus. Meetings are held in backyards, porches or garages of Christian families on five consecutive days. Christians who can sign the Child Evangelism Fellowship's Statement of Faith are eligible for teaching positions. High school and college-age young people are encouraged to participate.

Guest speakers named Dale and Judy Payne will be the guest speakers for a dinner meeting of the Kokomo Chapter, Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International at 6:30 p.m. April 28 in the banquet room of the YWCA. The price of the dinner is $3.50 and reservations may be made by calling 452-1891, 459-3595, 453-2731 or 452-8719 before noon Thursday. Dale Payne is an ordained Methodist minister and has been a pastor for 12 years. He is director of guidance at Rockville High School.

His wife, Judy, conducts a telephone ministry from their home. Mission meeting set Mission Services, an agency which provides assistance to mis- sionsaries and mission education for U.S. churches, will sponsor a mid-America missionary conference Tuesday through Thursday. Max Ward Randall, a missionary, researcher and educator, will teach sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

daily in Mission Services headquarters, 400N- 900 W. Ben Wilson, minister of Kokomo Church of Christ, will offer devotions. Additional sessions wiil be at 7 and 8 p.m. daily in Kokomo Church of Christ, 618 N. Main St.

Among the missionary speakers will be Robert Sigafoose, missionary to Indonesia; Steve Morse, a missionary in Thailand; and Robert Warrick, a missionary to Japan and Korea. Irfr Religion First Presbyterian, Grace Methodist choirs plan concert Grace Methodist The Westminster Chorale of First Presbyterian Church and the lip- worth Chorale of Grace United Methodist Church will present a musical program, "Bright New Wind's," at a.m. Sunday in Grace Church, 21!) W. Mulberry St. The program Is set in frontier America and tells of the transformation experiences of Jesus of Na- y.areth.

Performers include Monica Sheets us the explainer, Scott Moberly as John, Mary Beth Noel as Martha, Jay Davis as Laura Colvill us the sinful woman and Susan Burkley us the leper. It is tlio third time that groups from the two churches have combined for musical programs. The others were "Tell It Like It Is, I'he Creation" and "Celebrate Life." At (i p.m., Rosalind Huyl and Eleanor Farrur will speak on their trip to mainland China in a program sponsored by the Work Area on Missions and United Methodist Women. A carry-in dinner will be served. lluhu'l Faith Local members of the Buha'i Faith will discuss "The Joy of Discovering I lie Teachings of Bnhu'- u'lliih" and "Everything You Wanted to Ask About the Bnhu'i Faith But Were Afraid to Ask" at 7 p.m.

Thursday in Apt. B-118, 2307 Jefferson St. Southslde Assembly Sunday will be National Youth Day in Assembly of God Churches. In honor of the occasion, youth people of Southside Assembly of tiocl Church, 1803 K. Vaile will encluct the (i p.m.

service. Handy Bluhkenship anil Wendy Boyum will lead the group. "The Supreme Christ" will be the adult Sunday school lesson at 9:30 a.m. The Hov. Donald Gifford will speak on "The Wrong Spirit" at 10: III) a.m.

Special musk- will be provided by Carol Huumami ami Mr. and Mrs. Lee Boyum. Uussiuville Friends Uevelalion, a singing group from Munrif, will be in charge of the 7 p.m. service Sunday in Hussiuville Friends C'luireh, The Hev.

Hugh Spanieling will speak on "Follow Me" at 10:30 a.m. Stars of Light Hudy Johnson, missionary from Florida, will be the guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Stars of Light, 80!) S. St. Christian Science A lesson-sermon, "Doctrine of Atonement." will be given at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday in First Church of Christ, Scientist, 300 K. Mulberry St. Chariot to Sinkfield will sing "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled." Main Street Christian Kichard Bourne of Mission Services will be the guest speaker at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Main Street Christian Church, Hussiaville. Indian Heights Brethren "Biblical Stewardship" will be the title of a sermon by the Rev.

J. Ward Tressler at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Indian Heights Grace Brethren Church, Arrowhead Blvd. Calvary Baptist The Rev. Albert Neher will bring message, "The Angelic Command," at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday in Calvary Baptist Church, 311 W. Walnut St. Salvation Army A group of Salvation Army seminary students from Chicago will be in charge nf services at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday in the local citadel, 1101 S.

Wuugh St. Transportation may be obtained by culling 457-2112. Northsidc The Stienuckers of Winumac will sing at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Northside Church of the Nuza- rene, 1236 N. Wubush Ave.

Parr Methodist Renewal in Christ services will conclude Sunday in Parr United melhodist Church. John Louthain of Fulton will speak at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Ralph Myers will lead singing. A carry-in dinner will be served at noon.

Morning Star Morning Star House of the Lord Church of the United Brethren will be host to conference quiz teams in a district Bible quiz at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Luke J. Martin will speak on "The Sins of God's People" at 10:30 a.m.

and the Rev. Greg Heed will speak on "Because He Lives" at p.m. Chapel Hill Christian "How to Build Church" will be the theme of a sermon by the Hev. Dale Heffelfinger at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Chapel Hill Christian Church, W.

Alto Road. Mount Moriah Baptist Members of Mount Moriah Baptist Church will participate in services at 1 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday in Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Uussiaville Methodist "Blessed Are Those Who Have Faith" will be the sermon delivered by the Rev.

Jean Brindel for the 11:30 a.m. worship service Sunday in Hussiaville United Methodist Church. Boyleston Baptist The Rev. Albert Neher of Calvary Baptist Church in Kokomo, will be the guest speaker for a service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Boyleston Baptist Church, Michigantown R.R.

l. His topic will be "Signs of the Times." Highland Park "One in the Spirit" will be the theme of a Bible study lesson at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Highland Park Church, 516 W. Sycamore St. The Rev.

K.D. Miller will speak on "Being Honest to God" at 10:20 a.m. and the Rev. D.L. Patterson wiil deliver a sermon on "How a Crown of Thorns Became a Thorn." "A Walk in the Word" will be the theme of the midweek Bible study at 7 p.m.

Wednesday. Emmaus Methodist The Rev. Richard Girton will preach on "A Dangerous Idea" at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Emmaus United Methodist Church, 1709 Rue Royale S. Calvary Temple "Rally Day" will be observed Sunday in Calvary Temple Church, 701 E.

Taylor St. During the 11 a.m. service, the Sunshine Class will present a missionary skit, "Sacrifice." An egg hunt is planned for the children on the church grounds after the morning service. The Hev. Glenn Rich will speak on "The Strait Gate" at 6:30 p.m.

Transportation may be obtained by calling Grace Memorial Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ will observe its 37th anniversary during a service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The church was founded in by the late Rev. L.J. Hall.

Fairvicw Baptist Appreciation Day will be observed during the 10:45 a.m. worship service Sunday in Fairview Baptist Church, 2108 E. Vaile Ave. Workers in the church will be honored. After the service a dinner will be served in fellowship hall.

New Hope Friends The Singing Nicholsons of Greentown will perform for a revival which will continue through Sunday in New Hope Friends Church, Phlox. Services will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Rev. Lowell Nicholson will be the speaker for the Sunday morning service. St. Luke's Methodist The Hev. Harold E.

Williams will speak on "The Resurrected Life" at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday in St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 700 Southway Blvd. Dean Voder will present a special musical selection for the first service. Beamer Methodist Marvin Wolford, a missionary to Zaire, will speak at 7 p.m.

Sunday in Beamer United Methodist Church, 312 E. North St. Wolford is a Bible translator and pilot. "Heaven" will be the.topic of the Rev. Wesley M.

Bullis' message at 9:30 a.m. Bible Baptist "God's Victorious Power in Our Lives" will be the theme of worship Sunday in Bible Baptist Church, 404 W. Jefferson St. During the 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. services, the Rev.

Joseph M. Stowell will speak on "The Sting of Death" and the choir will sing "Glorious Things o'f Thee Are Spoken." Stowell will speak on "Living up to the Gospel Part 2" at 6 p.m. The teen choir will sing "We Are More Than Conquerors." Church of Brethren Dick Bellows, representing Manchester College, will be the speaker for an observance of Christian College Day at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Church of the Brethren, 311 W. Lincoln Road.

The choir will sing "The Lord Is My Shepherd." Mount Sinai Baptist The Rev. Herman E. Floyd and the congregation of 10th Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, will be special guests for the 11 a.m and 3:30 p.m. services Sunday in Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 501 N. McCann St.

The services Sunday will begin a weeklong observance of the Rev. Roosevelt Solomon's anniversary. Other speakers throughout the week will be the Rev. Paul Kay of Mount Moriah Baptist Church and the Rev. Tommy Glenn of Greater New Hope Church of God in Christ.

Second Baptist The senior usher board will celebrate its 43rd anniversary with a program at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Second Baptist Church, 819 Apperson Way N. The Rev. Albert H. Preston and choir of New Liberty Baptist Church in Indianapolis will be guests.

Mount Pisgah Baptist Baptism is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday in Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, 1599 E. Sycamore Kokomo Pentecostal Revival services will enter the second week beginning at 7 p.m. Monday in Kokomo Pentecostal Church, 1300 S. Ohio Ave.

During the 10 a.m. service Sunday, the children's choir will sing "I Just Want To Be a Sheep" and the Pentecostal Five will present "1 Am Drinking at the Fountain." The Rev. Stanley Purvis will speak on "Pertaining to Life and Godliness" at 6 p.m. The adult choir will sing "There Is Now a Revival in the Land." Bethel Friends Berlen Vogel will deliver a message, "What Defileth a Man" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Bethel Friends Church, 710W-400N.

Northview Christian The Rev. William H. Hass will preach on "Build My at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Northview Christian Church, 200N-100E. Macedonia Christian Clark Dickerson, representing Taking Christ to the Millions mission, will be the guest speaker at 7 p.m.

Sunday in Macedonia Christian Church, 500E-150S. During the JO: 30 a.m. service, the Rev. Darreli Stout will speak on "Keep Your Hands Off Our Hogs." Trinity Methodist The choir will sing "Because He Lives" for the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday in Trinity United Methodist Church, 1701 S.

Locke St. The Rev. David F. Schulz will preach on "Sheep Feeding." Loree Brethren The Gospels Speak, a group of four men and narrator, will present a program on gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John at 7 p.m Sunday in Loree Brethren Church, Bunker Hill R.R. 1.

The purpose of the program is to present the contribution of each gospel writer and how, when added to the accounts of the others, they give a complete story of the life of Christ. Judson Baptist The Rev. Arnold R. Maggard will speak on "Coming" at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Judson Baptist Church, 9703 W.

Judson Road. Bennetts Switch Methodist Rosemary Manifold will speak on missions in Africa at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Bennetts Switch United Methodist Church. A carry-in dinner will be served. Southside Pentecostal "The Power of an Endless Life" will be the theme of a sermon by the Rev.

Don E. Beatty at 10 a.m. Sunday in Southside Pentecostal Church, 1716 E. Firmin St. Brooksidc Methodist Revival services will end Sunday in Brookside Free Methodist Church, 400S-4E.

The Rev. Eldon Roddy of Bedford will be the evangelistic speaker at 6 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Falrfield Christian A gospel concert featuring the Sounds of Praise from St. Louis Christian College is planned for the 7 p.m. service Sunday in Fairfield Christian Church, Oakford. A film strip previewing vacation Bible school will be shown. During the 9:30 a.m.

service, the Rev. William Booth will preach on "Addicted to Christ." Alto Methodist The Rev. Clyde L. Byers will present a sermon, "And the Joy Goes On! 'at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Alto, United Methodist Church, 162W- A program on "What United Methodists Believe" will be presented at 7 p.m.

Union Street Friends Fleta Newlin will lead the children's worship with a serie.s of rhymes on "Listening" at It): 35 a.m. Sunday in Union Street Friends church, 507 N. Union St. Ann Carter and Ruth Anne Kerby will play a piano and organ duet "Redeemed." Whitney Young and Freda Russell will offer a clarinet duet "Nocturne in Flat." First Christian The Rev. Joan Williams, associate regional minister in Indiana, will be guest speaker for the 9:30 a.m.

service Sunday in First Christian Church, 102 N. Melfalfa Road. Her topic will be "I Believe." The sanctuary choir will sing "Good Christian Men, Rejoice." First Congregational The Rev. Robert Haskins of the Board of Homeland Ministries in New York City will be the speaker at 10 a.m. Sunday in First Congregational United Church of Christ, 505 W.

Mulberry St. Capital funds canvassers will be commissioned and the new girls' choir will sing "Love One Another." East Side Church of God Betty Violette of Indianapolis Teen Challenge and others will bring testimony to the 7 p.m. service Thursday in East Side Church of God, 3007 E. Carter St. First Presbyterian A musical, "Bright New Wings," by Buryl Red, Cynthia Clawson and Ragan Courtney wijl be presented at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday ir First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St. Choirs participating are Westminster Chorale from First Presbyterian and Epworth Chorale from Grace United Methodist Church. After the second service, the church will host a reception honoring Brian S. Johnson, organist- choirmaster, who is moving to Columbus, Ohio.

First Baptist The Gathering, a singing group from Franklin College, will present a program at 7 p.m. Sunday in First Baptist Church, 404 W. Taylor St. During the 9:30 a.m. service, the Rev.

Arthur J. Eddy will speak on "God's Answer to My Afflictions" and the anthem choir will sing "0 the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus." Faith Church of Christ A family life seminar is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday in Faith Church of Christ, Burlington. The Rev. Steve Cole will speak on "God in Our Disasters" at 9:30 a.m.

Burlington Brethren Ken Goss of Ashland Seminary in Ashland, Ohio, will preach at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Burlington Brethren Church. The Community Christian Choir of Flora will present "Greater Is He" at 7:30 p.m. Please see First, P-19.