Grants Pass Special Meetings

January 16-18, 2009

by Barbara & Gordon Sletmoe

The Apostolic Faith Church in Grants Pass, Oregon, held special meetings the weekend of January 16-18. The theme was “The Shortness of Time,” emphasized by several large clocks and three attractive hour-glasses displayed in the sanctuary. A number of visitors came from as far north as Chehalis, Washington, and as far south as Richmond, California, to support the meetings.

Musical presentations on Friday evening included a young men’s quartet from Portland, a young ladies’ trio from Roseburg, and a solo by Cynthia Lewis from Dallas. Jim and Cheri White from Eureka, California, both shared their testimonies, and said that it was twenty-seven years ago that very day—in that very building—that they were married. In Jim’s own words, it has been twenty-seven years of bliss. Reverend Wayne Butler, the pastor of our church in Woodlake, California, and guest speaker for the weekend, began his sermon by inverting one of the hour glasses and hiding it inside a bag, which he placed in full view. As the message unfolded, the congregation was aware that the sands of time were slipping away—only they could not be sure of the exact moment when the time would be up. Using Luke 12:37-40 as his text, Reverend Butler emphasized that if a householder knew the time when robbers would break into his house, he would be prepared for them. He then brought out that verse 40 gives a warning, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” After the altar service, a Mexican-style feast and time of fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Following a scrumptious brunch on Saturday morning, several groups of young people assembled in vans for a special assignment—to identify and photograph scenes that portrayed Biblical passages having to do with “time.” In each case, a group of young people would appear in the photo, pantomiming the appropriate thought. The resulting photos were presented Saturday evening in a PowerPoint presentation prepared and narrated by Peter Sletmoe. The singspiration was arranged and emceed by Dave Luka, and included a combination of congregational singing, interspersed with special musical selections from the represented branch churches. Andy Chasteen, from Roseburg, tied it all together with several choruses and a short devotional, concluding with an invitation to pray.

During the Sunday morning service, Lorena Heintz, from Dallas, played the violin, and Krystal Jordan, from Medford, sang a solo. Before the sermon, the Portland young men’s quartet sang “I’ve Read the Back of the Book and We Win.” Reverend Butler took his text from the back of the Bible, Revelation 1:1-3. He asked the congregation to close their eyes and picture Jesus in their minds, and questioned whether the picture was how they assumed Jesus appeared during his thirty-three years on earth. However, in the “back of the Book,” Jesus is not the suffering Savior, but rather the King of kings and Lord of lords! The Book of Revelation reveals a picture of Christ as He will be when He returns, and Reverend Butler admonished all to be ready for His soon return.

The Sunday night service was the cap sheaf of a great weekend. Luke Copko, from Portland, thrilled the audience with a beautiful cello solo, and Carol O’Hare, from Medford, sang a lovely vocal solo. Andy Chasteen led the congregational singing, and then was joined by his brother and daughter in a vocal trio. A combined ladies’ choir also sang, and before the sermon, Andy Chasteen sang “The Savior Is Waiting.” Reverend Butler used Revelation 19:6-9 for his text, which includes the words, “…the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” He recounted the events leading up to his and his wife’s engagement and subsequent marriage. Even though he had to take the initiative to propose to her—which he fittingly did while they were fishing—most of the preparation for the wedding fell on Lisa. The grand culmination was when he stood at the front of the church in anticipation on their wedding day. Then, with a great fanfare of music, in walked the beautiful bride! Her garments were white, unwrinkled, and spotless! This is a picture of how Christians need to be in the Lord’s eyes.

The special meetings in Grants Pass were an inspiration to all who attended, and those who received special blessings around the altar will remember this weekend as a time of spiritual growth and encouragement.