U.E.C. ANNIVERSARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 11

U.E.C. ANNIVERSARY

The eighteenth anniversary ot the United Lvungeltcal •Church was heiu on Sunday, May 4, when Pastor J. W. Buchanan occupied the pulpit in the morning, and Mr R. Story, returned missionary lroui Amazonia, in the evening. TTie pastor took as his subject Paul's decision to be a specialist in Christ and Him crucifieu. Mr Story spoke oil the work oi the mission held, and stressed the need lor workers, especially trom the ranks of the young people of the Church. The anniversary was continued on the following Wednesday when the tea and annual meeting were held. Pastor Buchanan presided over a very happy company. lie took the Scripture reading from Isaiah, chap. 52, and his address was based on tlte 12th verse, “Ihe Lord will go belore you.” lie said: A year passed in church life did not only, imply successes, but also failures, hut failures need not be repeated. The blessings of rue past were lor guidance and not to rest upon. God had a plan for every individual; we can thwart it if we wished, or we could bo used to bring that plan to fruition. Everyone was equally important in this Divine plan; if we failed Him then God’s plan failed in as far as we were concerned. He stressed the need lor vision, and that vision must be received upon our knees belore God. God never disappointed. We were to go out into the darkness of the future with our hands placed in His, and He would lead us on to victory. The secretary of the church read the snnual report, which showed the various departments to be in a very satisfactory condition. The membership had shown an increase during the year, the Sunday school section being most encouraging. The report intimated the spirit of goodwill wnich existed in the church, and with the advent of the pastor and liis wife into their midst tliev were looking forward to a yo ar of blessing and aggressive work. The financial report, given by the treasurer (Mr N. I. Nielsen) showed the finances to be in a very healthy, state, and all moneys raised were by freewill offering. During the evening several items were rendered by the choir and the names of the office-bearers for the ensuing year were notified. A successful anniversary concluded with the usual votes of thanks, prayer, and Benediction.