23 Oct 2019, 08:35Darell J PhilipLondon
Chiswick’s PARL Emphasis Day
A highly informative and insightful PARL Emphasis Day took place at Chiswick SDA Church on Sabbath 19th October 2019.
In his presentation of the adult Sabbath School lesson study entitled 'God's Call,' Mike Smith addressed the Seventy week prophecy in Daniel 9 which foretold the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the coming of (Jesus) Christ. He said: Like Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, has God not also called us for such a time as this? We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, letting people know that Jesus is soon to come and that through His death and resurrection, an open invitation has been given to all mankind to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.” A special item on piano by Kieron Daniel was followed by a stirring rendition of the Gospel song - 'I Give Myself Away’ by Chiswick's Junior Choir.
The message was delivered by Dominique Joseph Clem, an Elder in Balham SDA Church. Elder Clem shared some of the current news related to issues of Religious Liberty. These included cases such as a group of South Koreans given the right to take their examinations on any day besides the Sabbath and a 74 year old woman with 40 years’ experience in nursing who was relieved of her school governor role after questioning why parents had not been consulted on the introduction of LGBT themed books in the classroom. In addressing such issues, Elder Clem said: “Every member of the church is called to be an ambassador of Christ. It is a high and privileged calling which comes with great responsibility but God equips whom He calls. When faced with opposition to our beliefs we are called to wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are to uphold the values while also demonstrating the compassion of Christ to all whom He desires to save.” Elder Clem spoke about inspirational ambassadors for Christ such as Timothy and his mentor – the Apostle Paul – who were able to overcome the challenges and opposition to their faith through their dependence upon Christ.
The afternoon service was a continuation of the message Elder Clem delivered so ably during Divine Service. He shared video presentations on a street preacher who was arrested for what officers claimed to be a ‘breach of the peace’ and a clip giving guidance to parents on how to keep their children safe when using the internet. This was followed by a deeply engaging Q&A session which addressed the concerns of members and visitors encountering such issues at home and in their place of work as well as in the church. Chiswick’s PARL Leader, Theo Guthrie, then thanked Elder Clem for the time and counsel he gave the church on such issues before encouraging the church, through prayer, to be constantly guided by the spirit concerning these issues and that God would give the courage and strength needed to be ambassadors for Him.
A highly informative and insightful PARL Emphasis Day took place at Chiswick SDA Church on Sabbath 19th October 2019.
In his presentation of the adult Sabbath School lesson study entitled 'God's Call,' Mike Smith addressed the Seventy week prophecy in Daniel 9 which foretold the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the coming of (Jesus) Christ. He said: Like Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, has God not also called us for such a time as this? We are to proclaim the good news of salvation, letting people know that Jesus is soon to come and that through His death and resurrection, an open invitation has been given to all mankind to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.” A special item on piano by Kieron Daniel was followed by a stirring rendition of the Gospel song - 'I Give Myself Away’ by Chiswick's Junior Choir.
The message was delivered by Dominique Joseph Clem, an Elder in Balham SDA Church. Elder Clem shared some of the current news related to issues of Religious Liberty. These included cases such as a group of South Koreans given the right to take their examinations on any day besides the Sabbath and a 74 year old woman with 40 years’ experience in nursing who was relieved of her school governor role after questioning why parents had not been consulted on the introduction of LGBT themed books in the classroom. In addressing such issues, Elder Clem said: “Every member of the church is called to be an ambassador of Christ. It is a high and privileged calling which comes with great responsibility but God equips whom He calls. When faced with opposition to our beliefs we are called to wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are to uphold the values while also demonstrating the compassion of Christ to all whom He desires to save.” Elder Clem spoke about inspirational ambassadors for Christ such as Timothy and his mentor – the Apostle Paul – who were able to overcome the challenges and opposition to their faith through their dependence upon Christ.
The afternoon service was a continuation of the message Elder Clem delivered so ably during Divine Service. He shared video presentations on a street preacher who was arrested for what officers claimed to be a ‘breach of the peace’ and a clip giving guidance to parents on how to keep their children safe when using the internet. This was followed by a deeply engaging Q&A session which addressed the concerns of members and visitors encountering such issues at home and in their place of work as well as in the church. Chiswick’s PARL Leader, Theo Guthrie, then thanked Elder Clem for the time and counsel he gave the church on such issues before encouraging the church, through prayer, to be constantly guided by the spirit concerning these issues and that God would give the courage and strength needed to be ambassadors for Him.
