Chapter 23 / Your Identity is the Most Beautiful Thing There Is

Imagine living your life with a false identity. That’s what happened to Francisco Madariaga Quintela.[1] Just over 30 years ago his mother Sylvia was kidnapped by Argentine security forces. Her husband Abel last saw his pregnant wife being pushed into a Ford Falcon by army officers dressed as civilians as she walked to catch a train on January 17, 1977.

Sylvia was placed in one of the most notorious torture centers near Buenos Aires—Campo del Mayo. Surviving prisoners later revealed that the baby was taken away after birth and Sylvia disappeared in a short time. The baby was taken by a military intelligence officer and adopted as Alejandro Ramiro Gallo. The adoptive father was eventually put in prison for murder. When he was older, Alejandro’s adoptive mother told him the truth about himself.

In the meantime his real father Abel had joined a group called The Grandmothers of the Plaza del Mayo—a group formed to help return children who had disappeared during the late ‘70’s to their parents. One day Alejandro went to the group. After DNA testing a match was found and a meeting with his father—Abel—was arranged.

Alejandro, after learning his real name was Francisco Madariaga Quintela, said, “For the first time, I know who I was. Who I am. . . . Never again will I use this name. . . . To have your identity is the most beautiful thing there is.”

Maybe you need to know your identity today. A strong sense of identity can take you through the toughest tests. It did for Jesus. Just after his baptism where his lineage was stamped with these words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” Jesus endured tests in the wilderness. Satan attacked his identity three times with the phrase, “If you are the Son of God . . .” Jesus knew who he was and he changed the world so that you can know who you are and have your world changed by your faith in him.

During a news conference where Abel Madariaga told his story, we are told “his chest heaved” as he presented his own son to the world. Like a proud papa, God has presented his one and only Son to the world. He wants you to believe in him so that he can, with “chest heaving full of joy,” present you as his child too. When Satan attacks you can stand firm. And when you need it most, you will feel his hug in a spectacular way and know that you are home.

“To have your identity is the most beautiful thing there is.”

Sunday, March 8, 2015

TODAY: NEXT SUNDAY:

NURSERY:Pamela Fedders, Lindsey BroekCinda Faber, Paige Fedders

Leah Schoonhoven, Kortnie BonnemaJan Fedders, Mikaela Broek

USHERS: Don Van Sloten, Benjy Weida, Ryan ZomermaandBrad Dekkers, Daryl Byker, Brent Davelaar

GREETERS & COFFEE SERVERS:

Dick & Harriet Bonnema(4 doz cookies) Justin & Raelle Dekkers

Tim & Lori Bonnema(4 doz cookies) Doug & Audrey Broek

ORGANIST / PIANIST: A.M. Celia Ten NapelCelia Ten Napel

P.M. Cherie Van BeekCelia Ten Napel

PRAISE TEAM: Pastor, Angela, Carmen, JillYouth Group

LIBRARIAN: AM Wanetta Vander PlasJan Fedders

OFFERING:AMFamily Crisis CenterChristian Education

PMHope Haven (Combined Prayer Service)Cadets – Local (Combined Worship Service)

PRAYER FOR:

  • Prayers for Patsy Bootsma who is dealing with some painful complications after her surgery. Last Tuesday drainage tube was pulled out, appointment with her liver doctor this Thursday in Sioux Falls. Pray for strength, healing and patience. I ask, "Why?" God says, "Trust Me!"
  • Betty Juffer, Sadie DeVries and Gert Mulder who are under Hospice Care—and their families.
  • Please pray for Gilbert and Mildred De Weerd, Jason, Earl, Tim and Sylvia, Dick, Kory, Megan, Joanne, Deb and all the elderly.

THANK YOU to all who made it to the HILLCREST on Monday!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

--COUNCIL MEETING will be Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm. Kelly - Lunch and Devotions

--BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:Please put any bulletin announcements in Pam De Wit’s Church mailbox or via email () by NOON on Thursday, March 12.Thank You.

--YOUNG ADULT CHRISTIAN SINGLES EVENT - All single young adults who enjoy studying the Bible, participating in planned and spur of the moment events, are invited and welcomed at the next Young Adult Christian Singles event. Fellowship, food and fun begins at 7:00 -- Saturday, March 14 at Northwestern Bank, Orange City. Contact Dave and Renae Vander Schaaf for more information at 712/737-8313 or

ADVANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

--SUNDAY SCHOOL / CATECHISM - There will not be any Sunday School/Catechism for 3 yr old thru 8th grade Sunday, March 15. The kids, 3yr old thru 4th grade will be singing Palm Sunday, am service, March 29.

--CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SERVICE AUCTIONis set for Thursday, March 19 at 7 pm at the Christian School. Please join us for a night of food, fun, and fellowship! If you have not turned in your slips yet, please do so soon! Please put them in Ryan and Angie Zomermaand's mailbox or you can email your donation to

--UNITY CHRISTIAN WILL PRESENT THEIR SPRING PLAY"Anne of Green Gables" on March 19, 20 and 21at 7:30 a.m. in the Unity Christian Knight Center. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for Pre-K through college. Since we now have numbered seats in the Knight Center, it is very important when you call for tickets that you are sure about the number of tickets you need. There will be plenty of seats for each night and all the seats are excellent for sight and sound. You can call for reserved tickets beginning Monday, March 9 at 8:00 a.m. by calling Unity (737-4114) or stopping by the UCHS office.

--ICS PRESENTS THE 17TH ANNUAL BLUEGRASS GOSPEL CONCERT on Saturday,March 28. Featuring The Harper Family and The Garms Family. Show times: 2:30pm & 7:00pm B.J. Haan Auditorium. Tickets are $15 or $17 at the door. Tickets available at: A Touch of Class in Sioux Center, In-Weave in Hawarden, Iowa State Bank or Ireton Christian School in Ireton.

--PRAYER BREAKFAST at St Pauls Lutheran Church—Tuesday, March 31 at 6:00am.

--SUNDAY MORNING DRIVERS WANTED - Check the back table –If you signup—please call Chris on Saturday night. THANKS! To everyone who has helped already!!

COMMUNION SCHEDULE 2015

April 3 (Good Friday), May 17 or 24 Pentecost, (Memorial Day), July 12

Sept 13, Oct 25 (Reformation Day PM), Nov 1 (Advent)

WORSHIP SERVICES CALENDAR AND ACTIVITIES:

Mar 8 6:00 PM Ireton CRC hosting the Community Prayer Service

Mar 15 6:00 PM Combined Service at Ireton CRC – Cadet Service

Apr 3 7:00pm Good Friday Service

Apr 5 TBDEaster

THE STORY:

8Mar Chp 23 Jesus’ Ministry Begins; Matthew 3-4; 11; Mark 1-3; Luke 8; John 1-

15MarChp 24 No Ordinary Man: Matthew 5-7; 9; 14; Mark 4-6; Luke 10; 15; John 6

22Mar Chp 25Jesus, the Son of God: Matthew 17; 21; Mark 8-12; 14; Luke 9;22; John 7-8; 11-12

29Mar Chp 26The Hour of Darkness: Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 13-14; 16-19

PRAISE TEAMS FOR FEBRUARY and MARCH

Please note the change from the schedule handed out

Mar 8PastorAngela, Carmen, Jill

Mar15 CherieYouth Group

Mar 22Pastor Kaitlyn, Pam DW, Cinda

Mar 29VerlaDon VS, Ryan Z, Jorja, Sydney

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, Mar 89:30 AMWorship Service

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Sunday School/Catechism all ages 3yr to Highschool

10:45 AM – 11:45 AMAdult Sunday School – “The Story “ – Chapter 23

6:00 PMWorship Service

Monday, Mar 97:00 PMCouncil Meeting

Wednesday, Mar 117:00 – 8:15 PMAdult Study “The Story” Bible Study – Chapter 23

[1]Argentine stolen at birth, now 32, learns identityby MICHAEL WARREN, Associated Press Writer Michael Warren, Associated Press Writer – TueFeb23, 7:34pmET at