A hot welcome for 2015 was felt by all at Schofields on the 3rd January. Br Szabi Szoke led out in the study of our Sabbath Bible Review Lesson ‘God is Calling You!’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14. We all then separated into various classes for the study of our new yearly lesson on the life of Joseph – ‘Joseph the Dreamer’. “God designed that [Joseph] should obtain an experience by temptations, adversity, and hardships, to prepare him to fill an exalted position.” The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1097. “The Lord works in His own way and according to His own devising. Let men pray that they may be divested of self, and may be in harmony with heaven.” The Review and Herald, May 5, 1896.
For the divine service, over 100 people were present, and it was encouraging to see many friends and family from Wentworthville, India, America, Queensland, Melbourne, Adelaide, Coleambally, and Perth. It was also beautiful to see, after many years, Br and Sr Zulic senior, Anna, Julia and husband, and John Zulic. It was also lovely to have Sr Suzanna Bende Vukovich visiting and with us still. Br Paul Chapman shared many interesting thoughts on what we are feeding our minds on. Is it Star Wars and its characters? This and many other worldly attractions are amongst many of the million dollar businesses corrupting the minds of our children. If we allow these things to cloud our children’s minds, they will be lost and swept away in today’s immoral tidal waves. “By beholding we become changed.” The Adventist Home, p. 330. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13. Time is short. We need to store our minds with the beautiful gems of heaven. God is searching not our outward appearance, but our inward… our hearts. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10. We need to live our lives for Him, not for ourselves, and we need to focus on Him who has called us.
We all enjoyed a delicious vegan lunch and were able to socialise with all the visitors.
Following lunch, we had a combined Missionary Meeting which was held by Br Domenic and Br Abraham. ‘Value of A Soul’ was the theme of the afternoon. Why does Jesus value a soul? He sees all the possibilities and spiritual advantages that have been granted. God has His name on every soul.
During the afternoon we were presented with a children’s item, showing and telling us what was created and when during creation, and they sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. We also had an instrumental item, a group singing item, and a special Spanish surprise item by the youth about how can we repay such a price… His life for us. Throughout the afternoon we had a few missionary experiences, firstly by Br Dumaguit, who related in an experience from Vietnam and the registration of the church. As long as they can hold 10 members, for 10 years, they can register the church. This was approved by the government in two weeks. Foreigners can not actually preach as yet in Vietnam, but can be in the congregation. Praise God for His leading. He also encouraged the young people with how there are 38 young people doing colporteur work in the Philippines. Br Chapman followed with some news regarding the detox program they held in Queensland, ‘Detox from Yourselves to Your Souls’. This was held from Friday-Sunday, and twenty-five people from the general public attended this outreach in Nundah; and one precious soul named Jordan wanted to give his heart to the Lord after this outreach. Br Domenic also related a short experience regarding a lady who attended the Wentworthville cooking demonstrations and had lost 30 kilos by introducing recipes from the cooking demonstrations into her life. Originally she was 120 kilos, and she went down to 90. The Dumaguit family favoured us with an item entitled ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. Br Cunningham and Lachlan also sang a duet, which Br Cunningham wrote ‘With Jesus in my Heart’. In closing, the leaders shared a few extra valuable points regarding the value of a soul and the importance of us as individual precious souls. “We have then the genuine ring in our faith, for it is a working faith. It works by love. Speak it from your heart: ‘Lord, I believe Thou hast died to redeem my soul. If Thou hast placed such a value upon the soul as to give Thy life for mine, I will respond. I give my life and all its possibilities, in all my weakness, into Thy keeping.’” Faith and Works p, 16.
~ Reported by Veronica Hake
