I would be the first person to admit that the reason I am still able to breathe and exist this day is not because of my goodness to God, but because of his goodness to me. It is not because we are so righteous that we are here today but it is because God is righteous. It is not because we are better than any others who didn't make it over another year. Actually, only by the Grace of God we have been spared for another year. I just want to let you know that there is a purpose for God's amazing Grace. We want you to know that God has a plan. He has a reason for doing whatever He does in our body, soul and spirit. Everything is done according to His purpose and according to His will. One thing we need to realize is that the life we live this day is meant for us to be lived in the way God desires. In other words, we ought to be closer to God now than we were this time last year. We ought to be more mature and stronger in faith than we were last year this time. The things that used to wreck our nerves last year ought not to bother us so much this year. There should be some spiritual growth between then and now. As a friend said, one day in the prayer meeting, "let go of the old and aim for the gold." As the apostle Paul said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13.

In spite of all of the unresolved difficulties and issues that we have, many times we hear encouraging words that our God is faithful and is long-suffering toward us. God never fails us. He keeps us from the evil one by keeping us on the path of righteousness for His name's sake, by His own power, for His own glory. The fact that we are still here, is evidence that He is merciful, gracious and that He looks beyond our faults and sees our needs. We should keep our covenant with God, because God keeps His covenant with us. As a young servant of God, Joshua made it clear that the people of Israel had to decide to worship and serve the Lord God of Israel. If they wanted to worship and serve the Lord, then they would have to get rid of the false gods and the carnality. There could be no neutrality. They could not remain straddled on the fence. They could not live for God on the Sabbath and live for the world throughout the week. He knew that if they did not choose to serve Jehovah God that they would end up worshiping the false gods. The Bible says that "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24. 

Jesus pointed out that we could not serve both. We must realize that our God is a jealous God. To serve God means to fear Him, obey Him, and worship only Him. It means obeying Him because we desperately need Him and not because we have to. Worshiping Him because He's God and man has been created with a desire to worship Him. As David said: "My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:2. 

How many of us can say today "We will serve the Lord our God and obey Him"? Joshua 24:24. For we all know that it was the Lord God almighty that performed miracles on our behalf. It is the Lord God almighty that picks us up and turns us around when we fall. It is the Lord God almighty that puts joy in us. It is the Lord God almighty that speaks peace to our troubled soul for His presence. I just want to tell you this that whatever we plan to do for the Master, do it now. Do it while we still have time. We have been spared another year, and we are thankful for that. We are glad to continue in His service once again. While we are here we are going to serve and worship the Lord with gladness. We are going to come before His presence with thanksgiving. We are going to enter His courts with praise. We are going to witness while we have time and when we have a chance. Whatever the Lord has laid on our hearts to do this day, we'd better do it quickly. He is worthy to receive glory and honor. 

The Annual Meeting weekend at Bealeton, Virginia found our center with a packed house to worship and praise the Lord. Like His first Disciples we came together to worship Him and seek His vision for His Ministry. We were blessed with the presence of people from Minnesota, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. The Southern group from North Carolina found blessings and an increased desire to praise the Lord having truly experienced a miracle in their journey to Bealeton. Great delight was felt by all as we heralded the Lord in our thankfulness of being together with one another. The morning worship was filled with many examples of declarations of the Lord's word manifested in readings, visions with interpretations and prophesies. We were urged to step out, declare his glory and receive the year 2003 with His holy stamp placed upon it. The afternoon business meeting was punctuated with the secretary's report and treasurer's report presented respectively by Bill Martin and Bob Tribull. The secretary presented for everyone's perusal a copy of the newly amended Holy Way By-Laws and Guidelines For Fellowship which were prepared and reviewed during 2002. These documents will be reviewed by our attorney prior to formal adoption by the Board. The following Officers and Directors were then elected for the year 2003.

The Lord has blessed us this year. We have been taking in young people who are seeking the Lord and wish to be discipled. Some are brand new Christians who have received Christ and have given up drugs and alcohol. Some have been Christians for a while and wish to spend time apart to seek the Lord and be trained up in His ways. Others we have met through Ernest and Lohetta Griesel, who are lovingly referred to as Grandma and Grandpa. Homeless young Hippies go to what's called Rainbow Gathering. Grandma and Grandpa prepare food to feed them. (Yes, there are still Hippies today -- surprised us too!) This couple pour out the love of God on these people at the Rainbow Gatherings in hopes of pulling some out of the fiery net. We are taking in some of these young people also, who are seeking the Lord and wish to be discipled. It has been exciting to see all that God is doing. Michael has done many Baptisms this past summer and fall -- about 18. It has been wonderful to see young people come to the Lord and renounce things like Islam, witchcraft and the occult and go on to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. We also had a Spanish Holy Convocation at the end of July into August. It was a wonderful time in the Lord. People flew in from CA and NY for this. Bill and Sandy Martin came and were not only a big help, but a blessing to us also. We continue to meet in the morning at 9 am and the evening at 7pm for worship each day except for Sunday when we attend churches in the area. The Lord has shown us that He will be sending us more and more young people. We are excited about the things He has in store for us in the future. 

At 5:00 A.M. the skies are dark and clear. The North Star catches the eye and I easily find the Big Dipper. I spend a few more minutes gazing at the star-filled expanse above me. -- It is 6:00 o'clock before I know it. Dawn is approaching quickly. Cream colored clouds against a blue sky are being tinged with the softest pink as the sun kisses them Good Morning. 

Soon the Concert begins. Birds are chirping, passing ducks are quacking, dogs are barking, squirrels are chattering, and perhaps there will be a special performance by a flock of migrating geese or cooing doves. 

In the evening, again we are treated to the Ballet of the Birds. They fill a small section of the sky, these 50 or so winged dancers, moving as one. As they swirl in one direction then another, on some silent cue, occasionally the rays of the setting sun turn their wings to silver. 

I have been privileged to view the on-going ever-changing masterpiece of The Artist of Creation; to listen to The Symphony of Nature conducted by The Director of The Angelic Musicians and Choirs of Heaven, and to see The Corps De Ballet synchronized by He who synchronizes the movements of all Celestial Bodies throughout the Universe. 

There has been no admission charge to a museum or concert hall. All of these performances that I have enjoyed are free to each and every one of us, and all seats are "Front Row." 

Our educators strive to expose students to the arts. However, budget cuts make this exposure more difficult to realize. Perhaps our young people should be encouraged to seek out and find the art that surrounds them. 

The same sky covers the tenement, the suburban duplex and the country home. If one listens closely, there is a concert taking place whether one of nature or man-made music of highway traffic, at airports and even on water. 

Thank You Lord for the beauty that You have provided for one and all. Help us to take time to find it and appreciate it each day, wherever we may be. 

The above caption as expressed in the Bible, has always intrigued me, perhaps because it seems like a dichotomy. Some of the dictionary meanings for hide are: to conceal, to keep secret and to lie low among others. Yet in the scriptures we read words of Jesus: "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed." Luke 8:16 and "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20 or this statement by Paul to the Corinthian church: " Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." 2 Corinthian 3:12. 

The themes in these references don't seem to match the idea of a "hidden life." In fact, they would seem to be distinctly opposite. How then do we reconcile the two? What is the answer for you and for me? My answer is not that of a theologian, pastor or teacher. It is that of a great- grandmother still aiming to grow in the faith. 

Obviously, this concept is two-fold, consisting of an active-passive life. One might say that it is impossible to function in this manner, but let's take a look at some examples. Jesus Himself was very active in public ministry for those three short years before the Cross. He was always doing miracles, teaching, preaching to crowds, healing, and visiting homes. The key? He maintained an intimate relationship to His Father day by day, moment by moment. St. Paul the Apostle is another one whose life was hidden in Christ. He is our primary model for proclaiming the Gospel of The New Covenant in truth and boldness, from Rome and throughout what was then known as Asia Minor. Even in our own times, we have the testimony of Mother Theresa's life, a nun totally surrendered to God's will yet ministering the love and healing touch of Jesus to teeming millions in mostly poverty stricken nations across the whole earth. 

In thinking through a life "hidden in Christ," I find it to be the equivalent of the "abiding in the vine" syndrome in John 15. Actually the two concepts are interchangeable because they are intertwined. As we seek and find this place of intimate relationship with "Abba" Father by abiding with Him on a daily basis, we begin to do less striving, we come to know His presence and consequently our modus operandi flows with His peace despite the hassles of life. 

Speaking of hassles, because this advanced age of technology pummels us with gross demands, speed, noise, and myriad distractions, and due to cultural changes which have abandoned God's principles for living, what is the recourse for committed believers? That's right! A life "hid" in Christ Jesus! As Paul so eloquently puts it, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Col.3:2-4. 

Lolli Hart 
 

Herry,
Thank you for allowing us to worship with you and for lunch last Saturday. It is always a blessing to share the presence of God with you and your people. Keep praying for us and visit when you can.
In the Love of Christ,
Wes

Dear friends in Christ:
I am glad to receive your newsletter and enclosing a check to cover its cost. It is wonderful that we can have such confidence that those who loved the Lord Jesus in this life , like Fr. Ed, now have all heaven open before their eyes. What a legacy of faithfulness he left.I hope next year to make the Convocation. 
In Christ, 
H. D.

Rev. Stube,
I am very excited to participate in the Weekend Worship activities. It fills my spirit to be with God's children!!! I look forward to coming every month that it is possible. I hope you will welcome my attendance. I will also help with painting when you are ready. There are youth I can bring with me to help. My heart is one of a missionary and God has not shown me where I will be sent, but I know He will in His time. I am in a time of preparation. In worship this weekend, I received direction that I needed and I am thankful. I thank you for your vision and dedication to its' fulfillment. I will continue to pray for you and your family and the work that is set before you.
Blessings on your day,
LD
 

PRAY FOR HOLY CONVOCATION 2003.   We have been making preparations at Bealeton, hoping to hold Holy Convocation there in the summer of 2003. Please pray that this possibility will become reality! A final update will be announced in the  March-April 2003, issue of this newsletter.

MORAVIAN FALLS, NC.  On the first Saturday of every month, there is a 7:00 p.m. prayer meeting with the Chapmans and others at Moravian Falls, NC. If you wish to attend, please contact Linda or Mike. Also, a small team has been driving from Bealeton, VA to Moravian, Falls to attend this prayer meeting with the Chapmans. If you are interested in being part of this team, get in touch with Herry or Dolly to make the arrangements.

WEEKEND CONVOCATION. On the third weekend of every month a weekMini Holy Convocation is held in Bealeton VA. The convocation begins  Friday before dinner with Shabbat Shalom and ends Sunday after lunch. Please call Dolly or Herry so that they may plan the weekend.

PRAYERS FOR INDONESIA.  Please pray for the critical terrorist situation in Indonesian and for our brothers and sisters who labor to share The Good News of Jesus Christ.