31 August 2024|Blegrade, Serbia [Catherine Anthony Boldeau with tedNEWS]
When the Adventist physician and dentist D.A.R Aufranc penned the early 20th-century hymn, ‘Far from all care we hail the Sabbath morning,’ conflict, secrecy, and imperfection were not in his thoughts.
Bible Study – Conflict
But the topic of conflict was explored during the Sabbath, 31 August, Bible study, facilitated by Adrian Peck and Julian Thompson, lecturers at Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE), and the ‘Secret Disciples and Other Imperfect Believers’ narrative sermon by Dr Kendra Havoliak Valentine, Professor of New Testament Studies at La Sierra University. For the 1,200 church workers from the 22 countries within the Trans-European Division’s (TED) territory and 800 members from the Serbia and Croatia region who worshipped together in the Belgrade Sava Centre, the topic occasionally created ‘uncomfortable spaces with the Holy Spirit’.
Using the Sabbath School study theme, ‘Jerusalem Controversies’, the study panel invited audience participation and began by asking questions centred around conflict styles before delving into the Gospel of Mark. Specifically, they explored the six controversies Jesus had with the religious leaders after he arrived in Jerusalem to prepare for his crucifixion..
Speaking of the enormity of the conflicts as detailed in Mark 11 and 12, Eike Mueller, Professor of New Testament Studies (NCHE), stated, ‘There is conflict when Jesus destroys nature (the fig tree), and there is more conflict when he cleanses the temple,’ to which Thompson responded, ‘So how can we know and choose which battles to fight?’Deliberating, Anne-May Muller, Family Ministries Director (Danish Union), replied that there are different types of conflict: some that Jesus engages in and some that he ignores. The application suggests ‘taking up the ones that God tells you to’.
In the concluding prayer, Peck recognised that “We live in a world where conflict is inevitable. Help us to give pastoral care wherever these conflicts exist.”
Sermon – Imperfect Believers
Nicodemus was the Bible character chosen as central to Valentine’s sermon, ‘Secret Disciples and Other Imperfect Believers’, a topic subject she expounded on with passion and in-depth knowledge. John 3:13, records the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus secretly at night. Haloviak Valentine described that visit as ‘Jesus trying to move him from physical birth to the idea of Life of the Ages, eternal life – a truly authentic existence’.
She continued by sharing that Nicodemus is mentioned two further times in scripture when there is a debate among the Jewish leaders (John 7:45-52) and at the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42).
Government Official – Your Calling
Nemanja Starović, Minister for Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, was introduced by fellow Serbian Pastor Dragan Grujičić as a ‘man of prayer’ with a ‘deep understanding of spirituality’.
Starović welcomed the delegation to Belgrade and recalled how his Adventist uncle had positively influenced his life. He also thanked the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the tremendous ‘humanitarian intervention’ during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) and for the hope they provided during the siege.
Speaking directly to the pastoral workers, he said, ‘Your calling… is very important… as we see conflicts and family crisis’. He ended with what could only be described as a pastoral charge, “Be even more faithful to study and teach the word of God, like Ezra,” and he ended by quoting Timothy, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (1 Timothy 4:3).
Worship – Engagement
Three elements of worship elevated the engagement of the participants, the special EPC offering, personal testimony, and praise.
Offering
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is part of the North American continent. Strangely enough, it is one of the TED unentered territories within the Danish Union. According to Anthony Wagner Smith, Director for Adventist Mission (TED), the special offering was designated to ‘support the work of a couple who will be moving to the region in a few months’.
Testimony
Contagious joy radiated on the face of pastor Markelian Frasheri as he narrated his mother’s journey to baptism, which he had the privilege to conduct. ‘I had a dream 12 years ago about Jesus coming. People around me were screaming, except one person’. In the dream, Frasheri touched Jesus, whom he recognised although he couldn’t see his face, and asked the Lord, ‘where is my Mum?’ Following that dream, he prayed for his mother more earnestly. Shortly after, she rang and told him that she was having Bible studies.
Frasheri took the opportunity to personally give her Bible studies prior to baptism while continuing to pray about this father for whom he had a similar dream. He hopes someday to baptise him too.
Praise
Music during Sabbath worship at EPC could be described as a foretaste of Heaven. With 2,000 melodious voices from many nationalities, all offering praise to Almighty God through congregational singing, it was a moving experience.
One song that brought tears to many eyes was ‘It Is Well with My Soul’, penned by Horatio Spafford. This hymn provided an opportunity for the audience to be part of the ‘embodiment of a metaphor of storms,’ said Kart Lazic, worship leader. The arrangement by English Adventist composer and arranger Peter Manners-Smith began with cadenced violins mimicking the sounds of billowing waves, introducing the full orchestra in stanza two, ‘Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come’. The solemnity of ‘My sin, oh the bliss of that glorious thought…’ was sung with minimal accompaniment, morphing into unison ‘When my faith shall be sight’ with the traditional flavour of the call-and-response on the last chorus..
Andjela Nestorovic and the Belgrade Church Choir delivered special musical renditions. Reflecting on the Sabbath service, one pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, said, ‘I was thrilled to participate in the interactive Bible study. I very much enjoyed the singing, and the sermon has given me much food for thought.’
[Photos: Tor Tjeransen and James Botha, Adventist Media Exchange CC BY 4.0]
Featured image: Kendra Havoliak Valentine preaching the Sabbath morning sermon at the European Pastor’s Council.
