The Key West Citizen Newspaper, October 16, 1954, Page 4

| oa 4 THE KEY WEST ciTizEN Saturday, October 16, 1954 Tdherat Chureh Membership Nearing 7,000,000 Mark Word was received by the Pa; tor of Grace Lutheran Church that Autheran Churches in America “ neared the seven-million mark in total membership during 1953, According to the annual statisti. cal summary compiled by the Di. vision of Public Relations of the National Lutheran Council, Luther. an Churches in the United States and Canada reported 6,869,066 members in 1953, an increase of 195,121 or 2.9 per cent over the pre. vious year. This has been the aver- age gain during the past five ears. % Comprising the third largest Pro- _ testant denominational grouping in America, the Lutheran Churches are exceeded in members only the Baptists and Methodists. Of the to- tal Lutherans, 6,666,181 are located in the United States and 202,885 in Canada. The latter are affiliated with church bodies in the U. S, ‘The Council’s summary is based ‘on statistics supplied by sixteen Lutheran bodies, plus the Negro Missions conducted by four groups » associated in the Synodical Con- ference. Of dh sixteen a ten recorded gains in membership in oo ekg six showed no change as figures were taken from statistics compiled in previous . A slight loss was reported Negro Missions. Baptisms Increase The increase in. baptized mem- bership of 195,121 for 1953, distri- buted among the 17,006 congrega- tions, represents an average in- membership increased by 106,835 ‘p grand total of 4,658,- 715 a gain of 2.3 per cent. This would indicate an average 6.3 adult members per in 1953, compared to 4 in 1951, 5.7 in 1950, 8 in 1949. For the ninth consecutive year, the highest numerical increase was made by the Lutheran Church — Missour Synod, with a gain of 69, 226 baptized members or 3.7 per cent over 1952, With a membership of 1,916,510, the Missouri Synod is the second largest Lutheran body in America. 4 past nine years, the synod has added 477,139 members, an average of 53,015 annually. Grace Zutheran Church, Flagler Avenue and 10th Street is a mem- ber of this ‘body,’ the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Greatest Percentage Among the major bodies, the American Lutheran Church showed the greatest advance on a percent- age basis, its 33,546 additions re- presenting a gain of 4.2 per cent. The A.L.C., with 834,535 members, is the fourth largest Lutheran body. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, which up to 1953 showed the greatest gain on a percentage . basis for seven successive years, reported an increase of 12,716 thembers or 1.4 per cent in 1953. ‘The* United Lutheran ‘Church in America, largest of the bodies, re- ported an increase of 55,427 mem- bers or 2.7 per cent to a total mem- bership of 2,143,372. Negro Mission, conducted by the Missouri Synod, Wisconsin Synod, Fleming Street | Sermon Subject! Is Announced “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean”, a text from Mark, is the subject of the Reverend J. E. Statham’s Sunday morning address at the Fleming Street Church. These are the words of a man who because of his contagious dis- ease has been banished from the town. to live as best he could. It seemed to him that no man cared and that every one was fear- ful to come close and speak to him. With his body in pain and his mind confused in doubt, he often wondered, does God even care for me? Sufferer healed One day he heard of Christ, the 8reat Physician, One that could heal the body and speak peace to the soul. ° He came to Christ hesitant, fear- ful and doubtful, yet desperate, with this pathetic prayer, “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” Now care and cure go hand in hand and Christ touched him and made him clean and whole again. “The Heavens are Telling” byj Beethoven, is to be sung by the choir, and Mrs. Claude Salis, or- ganist will close with the Prelude, “Marche Religieuse’” by Chauvet. Laymen participate At the evening service beginning at 7:30, Mrs. Salis will open the worship hour with Bach’s “The Foresis Are At Rest,” and Mr. Statham will speak on “The Lay- men, God’s Labourers”. Laymen of the church will also take part. The life of the church depends upon the work of the consecrated laymen. Men who through dedica- tion and fervor, give of their time to the building of the church in the kingdom of God. The choir will sing Wagner’s “When Night Involves the Sky”, Bible Word for Today PSALM 76:10—"'Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee.”” (RSV) - ul than a chaos of warring have banded together fo appear to cancel out in meaninglessness. And today brute force chills so strangle all that is best, if not actually put an end to history in a blaze o But the Biblical thinkers entertained no such pessimism. They lived menacing, than ours; the their : faith in a constant experience of danger, even ruin, when all about was despair. Yet they remain the most optimistic figures of all the ages. For them—and for us, if sights—God is supreme, fat above man’s pomp and blindness. History has meaning in His pur- poses! It is moving onward toward fulfillment of His will. Man’s badness not defeat the coming of makes the wrath of man to Dr. William A. Irwin Perkins School of Theology Southern Methodist University * For many in our time, history seems no mote motives of human desire, better and worse, men 8 * forces; driven by all the x ends that in the total the heart with its threat f annihilation. through times. far more 'y grounded and matured we can rise to their in- may obstruct, but it cane His day of triumph. He praise Him, Grotto Of Redemption Will Be Completed By Priest’s Helper and Mrs. Salis’ postlude will be “Postlude” by Cramer. Generosity Is Topic At Ist Methodist Ch. The minister of the First Metho- dist Church, J. Paul Touchton, has. announced that on Sunday morning the topic of the sermon will be “Joyous Generosity.” This topic Mr. Touchton has an- nounced as another in the study of Stewardship of Possessions which is the major emphasis for the Methodist Church in Florida during this month. Mr. Touchton insists that there is | real joy in giving because one loves God and wishes that the rightous purposes of God shall prevail. God’s Plan Norwegian Synod and . Slovak Church, reported a decrease of 17 members or 0.2 per cent to 8,109. Parish Education In the field of parish education, the Churches enrolled a record to- tal of 2,996,923 pupils, 91,311 more than in 1952, They were taught by 288,550 teachers, a gain of 56,269, in 29,466 schools, a gain of 1,679. A breakdown of figures for this branch of church activity revealed 16111 Sunday schools: with 2,101,- 975 pupils and 236,602 teachers; 1,- 662 release - time schools with 94,-| ly. 622 pupils and 5,012 teachers; 9,- 846 vacation Bible schools with 667,038 pupils and 42,526 teachers; and 1,526 parochial schools with 136,288 pupils and 4,410 teachers, Most of the parochial or Chris- tian Day schools were. conducted by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, with 1,155, the Joint Synod of Wisconsin, with 198, and the American Lutheran Church, with 69. The number of ordained minis- ters rose to 15,613, an increase of 324 over 1952. Of these, 11,947, or 393 more than the previous year, were serving pastorates in 1953. 122 New Churches A total of 122 churches was or- ganized, 20 more than in 1952, to raise the number of congregations to 17,006, white the total of preach- ing stations showed an increase for the first time in a decade, ris- ing by 55 to a total of 530. Property valuation passed the billion - dollar mark for the second straight year with an increase of $94,705,938 or 9.2 per cent to a re- cord high of $1,115,677,076. At the same time, indebtedness increased by $18,786,625 or 16.2 per cent to a total of $134,212,431, also a re. cord figure. In 1945 church debts amounted to $14,656,131, but the trend has been sharply upward every year since then. In congregational finances, ex. penditures by the churches for lo- eal expenses increased hv $24.32 217 to $196,550,259. Contributions to church work at large, however, de creased by $4,964,573 to $47,985621, This drop is accounted for by the dect that several church bodies “It is God’s plan,” Mr. Touchton said, “to bring*to all men and to each man a‘rich full life in every way. Nor does God rest so long as 80 many of His children suffer, but He does not force His will on any of His Children. “Indeed He seeks our co-opera- tion with Him as He goes out to achieve those ends. He has given to everyone of us a large measure of freedom to help or to hurt. And because so many have chosen to hurt our world today suffers great- “One of the joys of giving is shown in the happiness that comes from seeing release from fear and failure come from the lives of those who trust God in Christ for Personal salvation and for power to serve God through service to fel- lowman,” To Continue Study In the evening Mr. Touchton will continue to study with the people the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus reminded his hearers that there was a law of old which forbade them kill another but said it is bis to be angry with your bro- er, Tf you come to the altar to pre- sent your gift and remember that your brother has something against you, you should leave your gift and &@ and be reconciled to your bro- ther, 4 The choir, under the direction of | Mrs. Ruie Roberts will sing in the | morning worship service, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” — Wil- | liams. At the evening worship ser- | vice the choir will sing, ‘They that trust in the Lord” — Myers. Conducted special financial cam- Peigns in 1952 and raised large ex- tra sums in that year. Total ex- Penditures amounted to $244535,- $80, and increase of $19,357,644 over 1952. Let’s All Go To | Szerensce, 56, the priest’s help- FAMED GROTTO—which will be finished by a layman. WEST BEND, Iowa — The job of finishing the world - famed Grot- to of the Redemption that the Rev. P. M. Dobberstein started near Sts. Peter and Paul Church here 42 years ago falls to his long - time parishioner and helper, Mathew Szerensce. Father Dobberstein, 81, a Rom- an Catholic Priest, died last sum- mer. er since the first stone was laid in 1912, knows more than anyone else about the million of pieces of material from all parts of the world that have gone into the grotto. | He helped Father Dobberstein sort out the pieces and build it into an amazing layout of gateways, and pathsways to scenes of reli- gious significance. The priest, apparently with a pre- monition of his death, asked Szer- ensce to finish the grotto. Szerens- ce will not guess when it can be| finished. “We need petrified wood, white | quartz and flint rock,” he said. “Those are costly items.” Contributions from parishioners and visitors provide revenue for materials in the ‘grotto. AP Newfeatures. B’nai Zion Congregation To | Celebrate Holidays This Week The congregation of B'nai Zion will observe the last two days of Succoth, the tabernacles holiday, with services starting Monday evening, October 18 at 7:30 follow- ed by a service Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock. The memorial prayer in honor of departed loved ones, Yiskor Mas- kir Nashamos, takes place some time during the morning service Tuesday. Tuesday evening the Simchas Torah celebration begins with serv- ices at 7 o'clock. At the conclusion of this service the marching a- round the Holy Scrolls takes place. In the Jewish religion this a joyful | occasion, meaning that the people | have accepted and believe in the| Torah, the five books of Moses in| the Bible. This celebration is usually end-! ed with a party given by the ladies | of the auxiliary of the congrega- tion. No festival brings the Jewish) people in so close range with the/| miracles of God as does Succoth, the feast of the Lord. Rabbi Abraham Schwartz, spiri- tual leader of the local congrega- tion, says, “The booths which we put up in our yards are special for this holiday. During the eight days | of the holiday, the natural decora- | tion of the booth formed by the! fruits and vegetables hanging in it impresses on man the duty of be-| ing thankful for all the gifts of the! Lord to mankind. It also teaches | us a lesson that only a great pow- | er that is above and beyond can give mankind this for his benefit.” | Many more things are connected | with the Succoth observance, such Church This Sunday as the wandering of the Children} of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years and the booths or tabernac- | les in which they dwedgie eammieas |: one appreciative of the great strid-| es of civilization since that time} back in the dawn of history. Also the holiday recalls the giv- ing of the Commandments ta Moses during this era, and other occur- | Tences in the foundation of the He- brew faith much of which has been copied by people throughout the world, | Rabbi Schwartz hopes that in connection with the festival, all! people will pray together for peace and the continuation of our democ- racy and that all mankind will live many more happy years to enjoy | the Succoth holiday. | | NOTICE! NOTICE! | SUNDAY SCHOOL EESSO By RALPH ROGERS The Way of Wisdom. Prov. 3: 1-6; 4:10-15, 18-19 Naturally we would all like to have a long, happy and prosper- ous life. Job, the poor persecuted fellow we have been studying the past two Sundays, finally had all these blessings. Me gave the cre- dit to his wisdom of trusting. God implicity. Job is considered one of the three books of wisdom, Eccle- siastes being another, and also Proverbs which we will study to- day and the next four Sundays. No one likes to take advice. Even if we do from our parents or friends whose wisdom we respect, we may question the results. That .|doubt should not arise in the case of God. Solomon asked for wisdom and “an understanding heart to judge thy people.” (I Kgs.3:9). Be- cause he had the good judgment to ask for others and nothing for him- self, God saw fit to lengthen his days and give him riches and hon- or. One can read and follow the Book of Proverbs and. he'll not go far wrong. Lord Chesterfield has divided people into three classes. He says “the first learn from their own experience — these are wise; the second learn from experience of others — these are the happy; the third neither learn from experi- ence nor the experience of others — these are fools.” It seems that the wise man is he who learns from the experience of others since it would save him the sorrow, frus- trations and misery of failure. How To Live The wisdom of these older men who have observed and learned the hard way is here given to ‘my son.” Really the basic factors in the building of character are faith- fulness and loyalty to the law of God. Not only will the observance of the law develop character, but will tend. to long life, happiness and peace of mind. Often men labor under the illu- sion that life consists of social po- pularity, wealth, power or position. No one was more popular than the Prodigal Son so long as his money lasted. His cheap friends toasted him to the skies. He finally came to himself and went home to learn more about the ‘law’ which he ap- parently had forgotten. Wealth is perhaps the cheapest of personal ambitions even though the most sought after. There is lit- tle doubt but that anyone who seeks wealth at the expense of his character and conscience could succeed. One of the most gorgeous funerals ever had was that given to Al Capone. He had been wealthy and it is doubted if any other cof- fin cost more and the flowers and service were the best that could be had. Yet there is no youngster but that knows he got his ill-gotten gain by. ignoring both the law of God and'man. It is doubtful if he had a happy life but one rather of fear and trepidation. It may be desirable to be in a position of power. While the kings of old had the power of life and death over their subjects, none of them exercised power over more people than did Hitler or Stalin. None were more cruel and despo- tic than the late dictators. Yet these men found that life was not so happy since an attempt was made on Hitler’s life, and all dic- tators like gangsters keep a heavy body-guard to protect them. Solomon spught an understand- ing heart first, then was added wealth, honor and long life which SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 1007 THOMAS STREET 0. E. Gunn, Local Elder Saturday Services Sabbath School, 9:20 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP, 11:00 A.M. Young People’s Society, 5 P.M. SUNDAY NIGHT, 8:00 P.M. Subject: “God's Earthly Storehouse” Wednesday, 8:00 P.M., Prayer Meeting Friday, 8:00 P.M., Sermon on the Screen Registration for SUNDAY SCHOOL at the | B‘nai Zion Synagogue, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, | 10 A.M, to 12 NOON | CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY 327 ELIZABETH STREET Sunday School, 11:00 A.M, Nursery for Pre-Sunday School Age Sunday Morning Service at 11:00 o’Clock Wednesday Evening Meetings at 8 o’Clock Reading Room in the Church Building is open on Tuesday and Friday from 3 - 5 P.M, Kingdom Hall ‘ of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES 2308 HARRIS AVENUE Watchtower Study, Sundays at 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Bible Study Friday, Service Meeting, 7:30 P.M. Theocratic Ministry School, 8:30 ——NO COLLECTION x comes from peace of mind. The portion of Proverbs in the 3rd chapter speaks of length of days, Peace, good understanding and fa- vor in the sight of God and man to those who keep the command- ments. That is the way of wisdom and the satisfying life. Key Qualities The wise author of Proverbs seems to think of just two quali- ties of chracter essential to the good life, that is — kindness and truth. e We thing of the first as being the product of culture and refine- ment. The Torah, which is the ac- cumulated wisdom of the Jew’s experience, has been a safe guide | | as much as the law of Moses. One does not have to live long or read much, to learn from experience that kindness pays. ‘Then if one really wants to have trouble, to be in a strain and stress even in a civilized country, all he need do is to be cruel, abusive and harsh He’ll soon be reaping his own me- dicine. The author emphasizes the im- portance of truth. It seems that there is a group of people who believe that force is the all-impor- tant thing in life and have set as their objective world dominion. They have discarded all Christian principles and so twist the truth when it fits their own selfish ends that only the foolish believe them. Since the truth will make you free, it is certain that Communism will never realize its objective. The sad part of the story is that far too many of our own people are falling into the practice of misre- presentation, prevarication and falselbood. Human weaknesses may account for our tribulations but these can all be avoided if we exercise wis- dom. The human qualities which stand for strength and righteous- ness should be tied about the neck and written on the heart. Judah gave Tamar his signet as a pledge of his word. (Gen 38:18). Pharoah gave his ring to Joseph as-a sing of royal favor (Gen. 41:: and both truth and kindliness engrav- ed on the heart of man is evidenced of divine favor. Dangers Ahead The fourth chapter of Proverbs picture a father giving a bit of bio- graphy and telling his children how | his father brought him up. Of course there are just two ways, the right way and the wrong way. In the case where the parent neglects the training of the child — that is the wrong way. Parents are res- ponsible for the child and what it becomes later in life depends on the instruction of early childhood. It was a wise old Cardinal who once said, “Give me the child un- til it is seven, and I do not care wa! BAHAT WORLD FAITH For Information Regarding DISCUSSION GROUP and FREE LITERATURE Please Call Mrs. Ethel Crane Secretary TELEPHONE 2.2716 CHRIST 7:45 TONIGHT Frank M. Detaeiler EVANGELIST —— Located at 1304 Truman Avenue ——— 9:45 A.M.—SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:50 A.M—MORNING WORSHIP 7:30 P.M.—EVENING WORSHIP GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH PLAGLER AVENUE and TENTH STREET On “Poinciana—Navy, City Hospital” Bus Line Sunday School and Adult Bible Class, 9:45 A.M. Services of Worship: 8:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Carl A. Sammetinger, Pastor GRACE LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN (JR. & SR.)}—GRADES 1 - 2 - 3 3 Mr. Donald Sagehorn, Principal 1006 Fleming Street . Listen to the Lutheran Hour, Sunday, 1:30 P.M., Station WKWF who has him after that.” The writer of Proverbs, speak- ing from experience, says that (Continued from Page Four) “the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” It is difficult to learn, to absorb the truth of these words. The farther one travels one this path of righteousness, the more convinced he is that there is light, understanding and peace along the way. Then the reverse is true. “The All that a man does outwardly is but the expression and comple- tion of his inward thought. —William Ellery Channing. INDE! ENT PRESBYTERIAN” CHURCH OF THE ROCK: “On This ROCK I Will Build My Church” ~ TEMPORARY QUARTERS: 535 FRANCIS STREET, (Corner Southard and Francis Streets) a RALPH ROGERS, Minister Mrs, Mary Tichenor, Pianist” SUNDAY SCHOOL, 10:00 A.M. Ralph D. Noble, Superintendent: MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 A.M., ISLANDER DRIVE-IN THEATRE 11:00 A.M., 535 FRANCIS STREET Subject: “THE SCANNING SCIENTIST” Youth Fellowship, 6:30 P.M. VISITORS WILL FIND A CORDIAL WELCOME CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Of Latter Day Saints SUNDAY SCHOOL, 10:00 A.M. SACRAMENT MEETING, 7:00 P.M. 1100 VARELA STREET Latin-American BAPTIST CHURCH 1328 White Street Sunday Schoo! at 9:45 A.M. PREACHING SERVICE (SUNDAY) In English 10:45 A.M. In Spanish 7:30 P.M. MID-WEEK PRAYER SERVICE |] {In English _ Wednesday. 7:30 In Spanish — Thursday, 7:30 CHOIR PRACTICE In English, Wednesday, 7 P.M. In Spanish, Thurs., 8:30 P.M. Dr. Ismael Negrin—in charge of O’Briant in charge of services ... C. E. Baker, S. S. Supt. The Friendly Church for All Whe Wish te Worship the Lord First Congregational Church 527 WILLIAM STREET Mr. Gerald Saunders Organists: Mrs. W. R. Dean and Mrs. Paul Archer 9:45 A.M. CHURCH SCHOOL, With Classes for All Ages Sunday School Superintendent, Paul Albury 11:00 A.M.—Morning Worship Guest Speaker: REV. ROBERT T. WOODRUFF, JR. Subject: “THE WINDS BLEW, AND THE FLOODS CAME” 6:30 P.M., Pilgrim Fellowship 7:30 P.M.—Evening Worship Guest Speaker: REV. ROBERT T. WOODRUFF, JR. Subject: “JESUS, THE SAVIOR” Visitors to Key West, Service Men and Their Families Will Find A Cordial Welcome At All Services Chorister: A FRIENDLY CHURCH A Warm-Hearted Fellowship The First Baptist Church EATON and BAHAMA STREETS HAROLD H. LINK, Pastor Morning Worship 10:50 o’Clock TRAINING UNION, 6:15 P.M. Evening Worship ____m6§| 7:30 o’Clock Fellowship Hour. 8:30 P.M. PRAYER MEETING. WEDNESDAY, 7:30 P.M. Three Nurseries Are Maintained At All Services A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU HERE