February 2, 1987
Recorder
13
two hours and cried. I opened my heart
to Jesus and let Him come in. I felt a
strong sense of reassurance, and peace
settled quietly over me. I will never
forget that feeling.’
So what is ahead for you?
New years often bring thoughts of
renewal, and remind us that our work
at reflecting the renewed gift of Christ's
love in our lives is not yet finished.
Others need that special insight that
Christians have about their life and God's
interest in it. Here is a challenging
statement from another student that points
up the task ahead of us this new year.
Perhaps you know someone who feels
like this.
‘I cannot relate to this renewal con-
cept at all. I am still searching—then
maybe I'll have some sort of conversion
which I can understand—I just got bap-
tized because I thought was just the
People need to see in
us the significance of
following God.
thing to do at the time, especially since
my uncle was the pastor and was the
one who gave me Bible studies. It
wasn’t any real thing, and for ever
feeling close to God, I am not too sure
that [ have ever had that feeling.”
One thing to remember in setting
goals and reflecting on new beginnings
is to realize that there are people around
us who do not know or experience
God as we do. These people need to
see in us the significance of following
God as we do. In what way do we
reflect a difference? How are we show-
ing what a new beginning 1s all about?
Are we illustrating through our lives
the meaning of the new birth? How
are we coping with problems, trials
and disappointments? Have we clearly
shown others where we are headed and
what goals are important for us? Are
we so committed to anything so signif-
icant that someone would give up all
that they had in order to find what
we claim to have?
New years give us a chance to begin
again, to set new goals, to try once
more to move on and beyond. They
give us a new start to grow toward
God. They give us a chance through
Christ to be all new again.
Project youth
North Hollywood vouth spread
jov at Christmas
by Marilyn Thomsen
It all began when a large toy dis-
tributor withdrew its commitment for
Christmas toys. Nilda Fricke, coordinator
for the North Hollywood Health Center's
Christmas Party, appealed to the North
Hollywood church for help. Al Martuc-
ci, the youth leader, presented the ap-
peal to the church, and the youth and
Earliteens accepted the challenge.
Through Al's personal contacts, the
Burbank Studios and their paint depart-
ment contributed both toys and funds
to assist in the project.
On Sunday, December 21, the young
people sorted and wrapped the gifts.
On Monday, some of them helped to
deliver the gifts to the Center. Then
on Tuesday they arrived early with cam-
eras and plenty of enthusiasm to record
the reactions ‘of the children and to
assist in giving out the gifts.
Marilyn Thomsen is director of
public relations for the Southern
California Conference.
The Center provided helpers who
assisted in lining up the several hundred
children and their parents, giving them
some tasty refreshments. The local fire
department provided a ‘‘Santa’” who
arrived on a fire truck complete with
sirens screaming. The Studios also pro-
vided a special chair for Santa. Inmates
in prison made Raggedy Ann dolls for
the girls and wooden toys for the boys.
One little boy provided a special chal-
lenge because he was blind. Finally
he was presented with a lovely doll.
As his fingers began to feel the features
of the doll, his face broke out in a big
smile. To those who saw the joy and
happiness that these gifts brought to
the boys and girls, the true meaning
of sharing and caring was very real.
The Channel 7 evening news in-
cluded coverage of the party, and some
of the church youth were included in
their program. For all the youth and
Earliteens who had a part in this pro-
ject, there was a new understanding
of the words of Jesus who said, "It
is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Tracy Friesen (center), a member of the North Hollywood church, helps
““Santa’’ (a local fireman) distribute gifts to children at the North Hollywood
Health Center.