News from a Light in the Valley
Newsletter from the San Jose Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God
Spring, 2001 Vol. 5 No. 2

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From the Editors Desk…

We got some very favorable comments about our last newsletter. Many really liked our new name and new look.
Along with our usual articles, in this issue we have one about our new web site by Brad Mann. Some “Experiencing God” graduates have a ceremony. Nancy Roberts, long time Watsonville member, shares some thoughts about a “Pot of Gold” and Edrie shares some special memories in “My Friend, Blanka.” Maybe you have someone or something you’d like to write about and share with our readers.
We would love to hear from YOU! And be sure to read the lovely poem submitted by Karen Johnson.
We also have an insert in this issue that lists the names and addresses of those who don’t get to come to church, so we can stay in touch with them. There is probably no better way we can be a Light in the Valley!

San Jose Women’s Ministry
By Myrna Paulino
In January, February, and March the San Jose Women’s Ministry had three fun and interesting meetings. Each meeting included an interactive Bible study facilitated by Barbara Dahlgren and a topics session on things to live by, with Betty Shamus. Betty couldn’t make it to the last meeting so Carol Ackerman took her place. Our refreshment
co-ordinator, Georgia Masiewicz, did a great job keeping us fed.
This year we learned to celebrate the past, present and future. This helps us to understand what true happiness is and to be happy even when circumstances are less than desirable. In addition, we learned different ways to save money (spend less) in this yuppie Silicon Valley.
You missed the fun? Well, there is a chance. This group of women enjoyed it so much that they decided to party. Come join us for an exciting, fun-filled evening. Women’s Ministry will be sponsoring a get together and dinner very soon. Watch for the announcement in our bulletin and/or see Betty or me.

A Poem from Karen
A very special Friend of mine
Who told me He would come and dine -
And even pause and sup with me,
Has promised me that here He’d be.

So, like a child, I said, “Oh boy!”
I cleaned my house with growing joy.
I took a bath and brushed my hair,
And fixed my home with special care.

And, sure enough! He kept His word -
The neatest thing I ever heard.
I like His peace and comfort best -
My special Friend and honored guest.

PS. You may think of me as a shut-in but, believe me, I’m not alone.
Rev. 3:20 and John 14:21
By A. Karen Johnson
Transcribed by Mary E. Duke

Shut In But Not Shut Out
By Barbara Dahlgren
In this edition of our newsletter we have included an insert with the names and addresses of those who do not get to attend church. They would like to come but due to health issues or care giving for loved ones, they just aren’t able to attend. We sometimes refer to these people as “shut-ins.” I’m not sure if they like being labeled this way or not. I do know that these people are not looking for our pity but could use our love, support, and prayers. God has not forgotten these people and neither should we. Dropping a line, sending a card, saying a prayer, sending a picture, or sharing your thoughts with this part of our flock can help assure that just because they may be “shut-in” they aren’t
“shut-out!”

Personal from the Pastor
by Mel Dahlgren
A Miracle from God
I am often asked, “Is it frustrating being a minister?” I must answer that at times it is very frustrating. But often this calling is very satisfying especially when someone comes to understand what God is up to. When this someone says, “I finally get it!” a feeling of wonderment and joy overcomes me and makes this job of being a minister fulfilling beyond description.
You see, we are brought up in a culture that embraces the notion of the individual’s ability. This idea even reaches into Christianity with the feeling that we can merit salvation. We are taught so often that if a person can become good enough, or if a person can keep certain commandments just right enough, then God will give salvation. This is bogus thinking. There is absolutely NOTHING we can do to earn salvation. Yet many struggle thinking that there are activities humans can perform to merit the saving graces of God.
Then a miracle from God happens to some people. They suddenly realize that this whole process is not about what man can do. They see that it is not about human performance, that it is not about understanding the past or seeing into the future, that it is not about giving to get, that it is not about how well the songs are sung, how great the preaching is, or how big the building is, and that it is not about saving the self. It is ALL about Jesus Christ and Him crucified. They come to see that without this Savior ALIVE in their lives there is no real grace, mercy, or faith. And when they finally see this, they say with joy, “I finally get it!”
Then it is so wonderful to see the relief that comes into the minds of those who finally get it. Their concerns about how they are going to be justified, sanctified, and just generally live a righteous life all fade away. They understand that the living Jesus carries the day:
1 Cor. 1:30-31 states that it is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
This is truly a miracle, and what a joy it is to see it be so. To comprehend that it is all God and no longer man takes the burdens away and makes this sometimes bitter life all worthwhile. This is what I rejoice in seeing and what makes the life of a minister fulfilling indeed.

Personal from the Pastor’s Wife
By Barbara Dahlgren
Be Ready Always to Give an Answer
Imagine Joanne Moses’ surprise the day I
announced from the pulpit that she would give
the scripture reading for the day. You see, I
was a wee bit nervous the first time I worship led and had announced the wrong name. Oops!
Lately, Joanne Moses has gone through several hip, hand, and foot operations. For convenience, she sits near the back of the hall. When she heard her name called, her heart pounded and her head spun. She was just ready to hobble down that long aisle to the stage when she saw Joanne Burnsides go to the podium. Boy was she relieved! She told me later that the only scripture she could think to share with the congregation at the time was 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Now here’s the point: Joanne Moses was willing to give an answer for the hope that lies within her. (1 Peter 3:15) In spite of the fact that she was in shock from hearing her name called, she was willing to get to the stage and read a scripture. I can’t tell you how much I admire that. If my name had been called by mistake, I’m sure I would have said, “What a minute! You’ve made a terrible mistake! Not me! I’m not the one! Are you kidding?”
Let’s face it, we aren’t a fellowship that is used to actively participating in church services. We are content to have others lead, read, and speak. We have a cushioned comfort zone and we have no intention of leaving it. But the fact is that we are to come to church to worship God. Worship requires action on our part. We aren’t at church to only receive but to give and share with others. It’s true that we can control how we give and share. We like to be in control, don’t we? But how much better off would we be to ask God to guide how we give and share? He may take us out of our comfort zone but He will give us His comfort in the process.
I know you won’t believe this but I spent a lot of years at church mastering the art of hiding and blending. I was like a “closet Christian.” In fact, I was so far back in the closet that I couldn’t even share God with a fellowship of believers who loved and cared for me. And then this realization hit me: If I can’t “stand up, stand up for Jesus” at church, how will I ever be able to stand up for Him with unbelievers?
So in spite of my nervousness, I’m trying to participate more. Now here’s my question for you. What will you do next time I call out your name by mistake to do the scripture reading at church? I would never do this intentionally. But I do get nervous and I’m not good with names and I do make mistakes. Are you ready to stand up for Jesus and give an answer for the hope that lies within you?

From Our Sister Church to the South
by Mary Webb
Watsonville Update
Every week our family of believers in Watsonville looks forward with anticipation to the Sabbath service. These services are stimulating, inspiring, and keep us going for another week of worldly trials. Before services some of the members get together for a lively Bible Study facilitated by Bill Mason. At this time, we’re going through Exodus in the “Experiencing the Word” series.
Every Thursday a group of us meet for an enlightening cell group meeting to learn how to disciple new believers. Gary Clark facilitates it. We’re now in our fourth booklet, “The Arrival Kit.” This series is produced by the Touch Outreach Ministries in Houston, Texas.
Another interesting activity we’ve been involved in is our card ministry handled by Inez Haro. Each week we provide cards for someone who is sick or needs encouragement. Recipients we hear are really delighted at receiving cards from people they don’t even know. One person on our list remarked that she didn’t know there were still so many good people in the world.
Church Life is exciting for us because we see how God is working miracles in members’ lives. We were blessed by God healing Isabel Merriner of Bell’s Palsy within a few weeks. Inez Haro, who suffered from a severe skin problem, also is recovering. There is no end to God’s blessings.
Recently Carolyn Parker, one of our newest members, gave a significant Church Life. She works at the Monterey Peninsula Hospital and was doing well covering three positions. One day she was called in to her supervisor’s office because of unsubstantiated complaints by some disgruntled employees. This resulted in her being placed in a lesser level of work. Carolyn was devastated. However, in her new position the hospital suggested she take a special improvement course. This is something she had wanted to do but couldn’t afford the time or money. Since she had worked for the hospital for more than a year she was entitled to have it paid for by the hospital. Also her hours of work were changed so her stress level was reduced. Carolyn was very grateful to God for placing her in this predicament to greatly improve her situation. God truly works in mysterious ways!

Major Web Site Update
By Brad Mann
Our newly-revised San Jose congregation's web site was launched in April. The most significant changes are the new navigational features, new content, and our own domain name-wcgsouthbay.org.

Our new site features a simplified navigation menu, which includes a new section of information specifically for visitors to our site and to our congregation. A new quick access menu provides one click access to key excerpts from our Statement of Beliefs. By providing visitor information in prominent locations on the site we can provide user-friendly access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our presence on the web makes the Gospel available to visitors from all over the world, even though we are focusing on reaching the people of the South Bay. A new weekly devotional from Barbara Dahlgren entitled "Walking in the Valley," will be a key feature designed specifically to minister to residents of the hectic Silicon Valley and South Bay. Although our web site is still primarily a tool for our Information Ministry, we have expanded it to become an even more effective tool for evangelism.

Our own domain name now makes it possible for people to find our site more easily than ever before. Simply entering wcgsouthbay.org in most browsers will take visitors directly to our site. We have also registered wcgsouthbay.com and wcgsouthbay.net, so that they will all point to our congregations' home page.

In addition to making the site easier for first-time visitors to find and navigate, we are making it easier for everyone in the congregation to find information for members. Just follow the menu to the new Congregation Resources page. This page will the have directions to services, our bulletin, calendar, etc., but we will soon be adding more resources for worship music, Bible software, etc.

This major update to our already successful site was possible because of input from many volunteers and advisors. Please help us in our continued quest to enhance the site by visiting it frequently and submitting your suggestions for new features and improvements.

Teen Scene
by Aaron Burnsides
The youth have been up to quite a bit the last few months. The youth went on our annual ski trip this February. We went up to the Sacramento/Tahoe area Friday and returned Sunday. Everyone had an awesome time and there were no injuries except scrapes and bruises so it went really well.

We also had the opportunity to host a youth day a few weeks ago during church in San Jose. Remy Zebrowski was worship leader and the teens all sang on stage with her. We also performed two skits, the first was about the Lord’s Prayer and the second was about Jonah.

Several of the teens also went to a two-day Acquire the Fire rally in San Francisco. There were skits, presentations, and music, directed to teens. In the words of one of the teens that went, “It was awesome!”

Coming up we have the Summer Educational Program in Orr, Minnesota. This year there are three sessions that are for the age groups 12-20, 16-20, and 20-40 respectively. If you would like more info or an application please contact Aaron Burnsides or visit www.Sepcamp.com

Church Happenings
By Alicia Carrillo
January 2001
Secret Pal Program
The month of January was set aside as “Secret Pal” month. Abby and Nain Hulog sponsored the activity and had each of us draw names and have a secret pal for the month. Each week we were to put a little note or gift on the Secret Pal table. The notes were to tell what God was doing in our lives. On January 27 we had a special potluck and game social where we revealed who our secret pal was. It was a wonderful success.
The food was delicious and the games were fun. Plus, everyone felt very bonded to a
new friend. If you have an idea for an activity that can enhance our fellowship and draw
us closer to God, let our Fellowship Ministry co-ordinator, Luanna Leisure know.

February 2001
Guest Speaker & County Wide Worship
On February 24, we had a guest speaker, Pastor Tom Smith, from Pennsylvania speak to our congregation. Pastor Tom was in California to attend a Lighthouses of Prayer Conference in Mount Hermon. He was able to come a day early so he could speak to our fellowship. His timely message exhorted us to stay close to God.

On February 25, many of our worship team was able to attend a County Wide Worship evening in the Aptos area. It was an evening of singing and praising God. Each of the worship leaders and musicians came from a different church in the area. It was a unifying experience for all churches.

March- 2001
Church Conference Special Birthday, & Children’s Blessing
The Shamus’ and Dahlgren’s were able to attend a Worldwide Church Conference in Beaumont, CA the third week in March. In the past, only the ministry was invited to these conferences but now anyone in the congregation who would like to, is welcome to come. Dan Rogers spoke on Discipleship and Stewardship. Carn Catherwood spoke on Reconciliation. Ron Kelly shared our financial situation and let us know that soon tithes and offering will be taken up locally. Pastor General, Joe Tkach, spoke about our church and where it stands today. There will be another of these conferences in Portland, Oregon in June. Please see our church bulletin or contact Linda Smith for details.

Jo Merwin turned 90 years old in March. She was honored in church with a bouquet of
flowers. Then everyone went to the fellowship hall to help her celebrate with sandwiches, cake, and banana splits!

We also had a special blessing on all our little children. Several parents brought their babies forward for the elders to lay hands on them and pray a special blessing for them. (Matt. 19:13,14) Our little blessings are:
Ariella McNally, Brandon Poluakon, Melissa Voss and Zachary Voss.

April 2001
Lord’s Supper
April 17, our church held a foot washing and Lord’s Supper service commemorating the death of Jesus Christ. John Jester conducted the service. Edrie Felts shared what a “foot washing” attitude means and Joanne Burnsides spoke about what Jesus thought about while He was on the cross. We partook of the bread and wine symbolizing the body and blood of Christ. Our local fellowship takes the communion service three times a year: the first week in January, during the spring at Passover time, and in the fall of the year. We only do the foot washing in the spring.

What’s Been Happening in Y.E.S.
By Danielle Orr
Danielle is our 10-year-old reporter. Y.E.S. stands for Youth Educational Services, which is the department that takes care of our Children’s Church each week.

We have been writing, producing and directing a play. We have also been coming up with some songs. Sometime soon we will be
performing the play and the songs for you during church services. We are currently hard at work practicing for our up coming performance. Please watch and listen for our announcement about the day it will be performed. We hope you will come and watch us, and that you will enjoy our performance.

More Experiencing God!
By Anthony & Sandy Garside
On Sunday April 1, three more members of our congregation received their graduation certificates from Pastor Mel Dahlgren after completing the twelve-week “Experiencing God” workshop with Sandy Garside. Graduates Kathryn Sherrod, Candace Shore, and Martha Voss all talked about the seven realities of experiencing God personally that were helped along by this course. They recounted with enthusiasm how they have encountered first hand the love of God in their lives as He has revealed Himself to them.
Also present were their families who enjoyed first hand the other name for this small group, “Experiencing Food!” The small group had become well known for its superb lunch refreshments! The afternoon concluded with a sing-along accompanied by Daniel and Candace Shore on guitar and flute.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the “Experiencing God” workshop please see Steve Orr or Sandy Garside.

Experiencing God - The Seven Realities

1. God is always at work around you

2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal

3. God invites YOU to become involved with Him in His work

4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, fasting, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways

5. God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action

6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing

7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you

From Our Sister Churches to the North
by Jim Roberts
SEP Loaves and Fishes Multiplied
Little did we know that our efforts would multiply ten times over! San Francisco hosted San Leandro on February 10 at their 34th Anniversary Celebration. After services, they held a fund-raising dinner and dance to
generate monies for some youth they wanted to sponsor for our Summer Educational Program (SEP) camp at Orr, MN this summer. These were children or grandchildren of members who would be unable to afford their own tuition and travel money. It was a success. We raised just over $400 through generous meal donations from our members. That would only be 2/3 of the amount needed for the tuition of one of the 6 or 7 youths who wanted to go to SEP.
But during desert, an envelope was slipped into my hand. I am purposely leaving the parties involved anonymous at their request. But I can say that the envelope contained a check from a corporation that a member’s sister works for. Through that employee the company was informed about our efforts to raise these funds for the young people. Impressed, it decided to make a donation. I was aghast at the amount of the check. $4,000! Now we will be able to finance the opportunity for all the kids!
God taught us a few things. He reminded us that Jesus said to “let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.” He showed us that when our attitudes are focused on the spiritual welfare of our youth that He will multiply our loaves and fishes to bless our small part. He affirmed us, and showed His interest in these teens. Sounds like God plans to make a real impact on these lives and lead our kids in His time to His Son.
By the way, a generous member in San Leandro had already donated $1,000 to provide for the applicants there. As I write, I hear on the CD player lines of a song that say “God is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever do.” Next I heard “He makes all things beautiful in His time.” We are grateful that God has done more than we could ever do, and has chosen this time to beautify these precious youngsters. Praise the Lord!

Did You Know?
By Anthony Garside
Did you know that one day a member of our congregation was at her wit’s end? Her household had an empty refrigerator but not because they were moving or because they were cleaning house! No it was because her husband was temporarily and involuntarily a representative of U.S. unemployment statistics. She had prayed for the things she needed to keep the family going for the coming week.
This was when God stepped in to show how much His love moves the minds of others, how He moves “in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.” And this was when He stepped in to show how He also notices the contents or lack of contents of our refrigerators and the real cost of things at the local grocery store.
Along comes our old friend Dave Conrad, that quiet
benefactor of many a fellow Christian who hit on hard times. He willingly and without anyone else noticing gives our struggling homemaker $40. How thankful she was that God had provided through the generosity and living faith of her Christian brother.
But how she still recognized, and was almost embarrassed because this $40 was not enough! Had she been too shy in what she requested of God? Should she have been more specific? Well God knows our intimate thoughts and anticipated the second half of her prayer. Later as she walked to her car to buy groceries she told God how thankful she was for the $40 but it just wasn’t enough to get through the week’s needs and that twice that amount was really required. No sooner had she expressed these thoughts to our Lord, then, just a few steps later she almost tripped on the neatly rolled up $40 that was to complete her needs. A miracle? Yes on both counts! God does provide through other people and He also provides “manna from heaven.” Ask Kathryn Sherrod about how God provided for her family in this personal way.
Is it any wonder that the God who knows the precise and latest results of a census of the hairs of our head would be interested in providing for our needs as we ask Him and beyond what we ask Him? Jesus told us that the poor would always be amongst us. It’s our job to watch out for them. Jesus pictures Himself as one who is hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, in prison or sick and needing our help. We’d better not overlook the needy! Those who overlook the needy are headed for the goatherd of Matthew 25.
Did you know that God still performs mighty miracles in our lives today? Yes, right here in the San Jose congregation of the Worldwide Church of God. Let’s keep watching Him work and make sure we serve Him always.
As Deuteronomy 32:3 says, “When I call aloud the name of the Lord, you shall respond. Great is our God, the creator whose work is perfect and all His ways are just, a faithful God who does no wrong, righteous and true is He.”

The Pot of Gold
by Nancy Roberts
Many years ago I had a lovely aunt. She was lovely in many ways. Her laughter and extremely happy countenance never showed any anger. What really amazed me was her reaction one day when she looked at the windowsill to see how much her husband left her for the day’s
groceries. He left her a whole fifty cents! Can you imagine that? She would laugh though I knew she was disturbed. She would state, “Someday I am going to find that ‘Pot of Gold.’ Then I won’t have to depend on his fifty cents!” My aunt would say this laughingly, but in her heart she had hope.
As I study God’s word in the Bible (by the way my favorite, very favorite moments), I think of what my aunt would say. Soon I find myself meditating. Sometimes God floods me with many, many thoughts.
I feel as Christians, we have found that “Pot of Gold,” but not as my aunt imagined it. I would have liked to tell her that the knowledge of God supersedes her “Pot of Gold.” Seeking God with our whole heart and soul is our whole existence. I am a sinful human being, but God brings me joy and peace. Spending our life honoring our great God helps us find the real “Pot of Gold!”

My Friend, Blanka
By Edrie Felts
Blanka Zirbs and I met twenty years ago in her home at a Grab Bag Luncheon she and her husband, Willie were hosting. She always remembers that day with fondness when my three-year-old daughter, Aimee, got into her fishpond with her church clothes and shoes on. Shortly after our meeting, Willie had a serious stroke. Our family visited him at the hospital and invited Blanka to come to our home. Aimee endeared herself to this wonderful lady by telling her that she would pray for her and for her husband. We have adopted Blanka into our family ever since and she has done the same for us.
Many don’t know that Blanka was raised in Vienna, Austria. Her father was a wise man who could see that his children needed to be able to work with their hands at something with which they could support themselves. Because she had shown an early interest in sewing (she cut off the sleeve of his silk shirt to make a doll dress and the center back of her mother’s fur coat to make a stole for the same doll) he sent her to France to learn to sew and design from Christian Dior. She also has a certificate from a Viennese cooking school and on Willie’s 50th birthday, surprised him with a party for 50 of his friends for which she had cooked 50 different dishes.
After Willie succumbed to the effects of the stroke and passed on, life changed drastically for Blanka. Willie had been a self-employed jeweler and now there was no breadwinner or helper to take care of the yard. I noticed that the fishpond had become smaller. The fish had been given away and Blanka mixed up a batch of cement and filled in most of the pond. She had learned to do cement work like a pro during the war. On another occasion, I arrived to find her finishing up a sprinkler system for her yard. She made all of Willie’s suits and her own beautiful clothes, could cook like a Viennese chef, was adept at working with pipe and cement and had learned to make jewelry from Willie. I asked if there was anything she could not do?
God has allowed some serious health problems to afflict my dear friend lately. She has heart problems and had to have a pacemaker implanted, which has brought some relief from the fibrillation, she suffered almost a year ago. She suffers pain from osteoporosis and arthritis. The doctors recently discovered that she has both Parkinson’s and cancer. She is taking chemo pills and though the short-term effects are difficult to deal with, she is hopeful that the cancer will be eradicated. She is at home physically but is worshipping God in spirit with us each week.
I thank God for the friendship He has allowed me to have with Blanka. She’s my friend and I love her very much.

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