May 2012 Volume 7 #5 Volume 7 #5

Wading River Baptist Church

P.O. Box 438, 1635 Wading River-Manor Road, Wading River, NY 11792 (631) 929-3512; 929-6022 www.wrbc.us office@wrbc.us

A Passion for Purity

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
major problem for us Christians. We are drowning in spiritual filth, and we are constantly frustrated in our efforts to escape it. We sin too often, and many of our churches and pastors never address this problem in any substantive way. What would our community be like if the Lord Jesus Christ could write over the door of Wading River Baptist Church, greeting all who enter, the same words found on the water bottle: Pure Quality? What could the Lord do with a congregation committed corporately and individually to moral, mental, and spiritual purity? The Lord Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with a series of beatitudes (pronouncements of blessing), describing the kinds of attitudes that those who represent Him must demonstrate to the world if that world is to listen and respond to them. Among them is the blessing attached to purity: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt 5:8). It goes without saying that an infinitely holy God cannot be represented by consistently unholy people. Thus, the Lord Jesus commends purity to His followers, and attaches a promise that their reward for purity will be to see God. This same point is made by the writer of Hebrews who exhorts the believers to pursue . . . the sanctification [separation, holiness, or purity] without which no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14). What exactly is our Lord saying here? Remember that in the Jewish culture, the heart was a mans faculty of thoughtin other words, the mind. That was the way the word was usually used in the Old Testament (just trace the word heart in Proverbs to see that this is true). The word blessed can be (and has been) translated, happy. So the Lord Jesus is declaring that the disciple whose mind is clean is truly happy in this life. Thus, one reason for the unhappiness of so many peopleprofessing believers and unbelievers alikeis the polluted condition of their minds. The problem we face, of course, is the sinful condition of our minds; we cant even grasp the extent of our impurity (Jer 17:9). In Pauls words, For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh (Rom 7:18); which reminds us of Solomons rhetorical question: Who can say, I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin? (Prov 20:9). Answer? No one. Given the difficulty of staying pure in an impure world, what can we Christians do to maximize moral, mental, and spiritual cleanness in our lives? The following six biblical instructions are basic. 1. Strive for the transformation of your mind. This is something we can do, and are exhorted to do: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2); and be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Eph 4:23). We must change the way we think. Whether the problem is lying, deceit or fraud; illicit sexual lust; sinful material desires; dishonesty and lack of integrity; whatever it iswe must come to a point where we think differently about our sin than we did before. What is the secret of this transformation? 2. Memorize Gods Word. This is a discipline overlooked and ignored by many Christians today. We must not forget, however, that David asked, How shall a young man keep his way pure? His answer? By keeping it according to your word (Psa 119:9). Purity results from obedience to the Word of God, but the Word will not be effective if it is not known. Thus, David adds, Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You (Psa 119:11). To treasure Gods Word in our minds means constantly to read Scripture, but it also requires committing it to memory so that it is ready for our use at any moment.

In our home, we usually drink bottled water, hoping to avoid some of the chemicals inevitably contained in the municipal water supply. The other day I was looking at the label of my bottle, and noticed in small letters above the words Poland Spring these two words: Pure Quality. That got me thinking. Throughout our environmentally sensitive culture today, there is a passion for purity. We even have an agency of the federal government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that monitors, controls, and in many cases dictates standards of cleanliness for the air we breathe, for our water supply, for our rivers and lakes, and for the chemicals we use in our daily lives. Thats because there are many diseases, some life-threatening, which are transmitted through polluted air, dirty water, and hazardous substances like asbestos, lead paint, and chemical solvents. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is charged with making our workplace environments safe. Our schools teach their students to be environmentally aware, and each year the entire nation observes Earth Day. But what about spiritual purity? Very little attention is given to that in our culture today. In fact, most of the tools we once had to protect us from the mind pollution of a sinful world have been removed by legislative or judicial mandate, most of them being ruled unconstitutional as constituting censorship. So our generation has been left virtually unprotected from the contamination of our souls, and few people seem to careor even notice. Whether we realize it or not, this is a

3. Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. Paul specifically names the deeds of the flesh, which he says are evidentthey dont need to be spelled out because we naturally engage in them (Gal 5:19-21). All of these sins can be described as manifestations of impurity. By way of contrast, Christians are to be gardens in which the Holy Spirit produces His fruit, including the important element of self-control (Gal 5:2223). Paul then adds this comment: If we live by the Spirit [that is, if we have received spiritual life by the Spirits regenerating power], let us also walk [in other words, conduct our lives] by the Spirit (v. 25). 4. Cultivate intimacy with God. Walking in the Spirit leads to a deepening relationship with God. Asaph testifies, But as for me, the nearness of God is my good (Psa 73:28). James agrees, urging believers to draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (Jas 4:8). We are responsible to cultivate this intimacy with God, a process that demands a change of mind along with a corresponding change of allegiance.

5. Pray. Later in His Sermon on the Mount, our Lord gives His disciples a model prayer, and contained in it is this request: And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Mt 6:13). Particularly as regarding those sins which so easily entangle us (Heb 12:1), destroying our purity, we should daily pray that the Lord will shield us from Satans temptation; and when it pleases the Lord to allow us to be tested, that we will be delivered from the hands of the Evil One. And then . . . 6. Resist sin. This is not easy, but it requires us, as those who know the will of God with regard to our sin, actually to do the will of God when tempted. James points out that this requires an attitude of submission to God which leads to the strength to resist our adversary, Satan himself: Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jas 4:7). Peter reminds us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith (1 Pet 5:8-9). We must come to a point when we no longer see ourselves as helpless victims of the enemy, too weak to resist sin. In fact we can and must resist sin. Too often, however, we lack the will to resist.

Our greatest example in pursuing purity is the Lord Jesus himself. When confronted by Satan in the wilderness, He overcame him in just this way. His mind was saturated with the Word of God and throughout His forty days of fasting, He was alone with His Father, experiencing intimacy beyond anything we can imagine. He was led by the Spirit to the place of testing, was empowered by the Spirit to use the Word of God to resist the devil (Mt 4:1-11), and was therefore delivered from Satans grasp. Let the Lord Jesus be our supreme model in overcoming sin. Our Lord promises that those who do cultivate spiritual purity shall see God. They will know Him now through the eye of faith as He is revealed in Scripture; but they will be prepared to meet Him face-to-face, to see Him just as He is (1 Jn 3:2). In fact, says John, everyone who entertains the hope of meeting God purifies himself, just as He is pure (v. 3). So read the label of your heart today. Does it say, pure quality? If not, take decisive action to cultivate a passion for purity by pursuing holiness. It is the secret of happiness today and confidence in the presence of God someday. Pastor Ron Glass

Getting Acquainted with Alfredo Hofmann

Alfredo Hofmann, one of our newest members of WRBC, has surely come the greatest distance in his journey of life to be with us at the WRBC. Alfredo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the capital of and largest city in Argentina, which is approximately 5,289 miles from New York City; it would take 11 hours to fly the distance. Being that Alfredo Hofmann was born in Buenos Aires on October 25, 1947, Alfredos journey to WRBC has been the longest, with a few interesting stops along the wayas we shall see. Alfredo lived in Argentina for only two years of his life with his father, Lothar Hofmann, a banker, and his mother, Elisabeth Loeffler, a housewife. By 1949, they had moved 143 miles across the Rio de La Plata (River Plate) to Montevideo, Uruguay, where Alfredos younger sister, Magdalena Rabinovich, was born. It was there in Montevideo that most of his childhood memories are from as he attended the local schools and a Lutheran Church in which the family became acquainted with the pastor of the church. The strength of the familys relationship with this Lutheran pastor resulted in the pastor becoming Alfredos godfather. But due to a problem with asthma that developed when he was a child, his parents sent him to a better environment, a climate more suitable for an asthma patient, near Stuttgart, in southern Germany. At 14 years of age, he stayed in a boarding school for a period of two years. When Alfredo was 16 years old, he returned to his home in Montevideo, with lingering memories of his years away from his family. There he continued his education, ending up at the University of Montevideo with his focus on engineering. As time progressed, a buddy of Alfredos shared a similar interest in photography; in spending time with his buddy, he by chance met his buddys cousin, Rosie, and took an instant liking to her. They became fast friends and were married on April 2, 1976. At this time of his life, Alfredos spiritual life began to grow. He was saved in April of 1978. Alfredo began assisting in the evangelistic preaching at an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, and as his knowledge of Gods Word became more comprehensive his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ became more intimate. Alfredo was in business for himself, supplying the market with electrical components for installation; but once Uruguay turned to military rule, the economy took a turn for the worse. This economic downturn encouraged him to move his family back to his parents native country of Germany. Alfredo and Rosie relocated to Rutesheim, Germany, in 1979. It was there that he began working for Festo LLC and some 27 years later is still working for them as the Head of Distribution Latin America for Festo, a company that is a leading worldwide supplier of automation technology and the performance leader in industrial training and education programs. It was in Germany that his only daughter, Silvia, was born on September 5, 1991. Since his job took him on the road so much of the time, his wife, Rosie, resigned from her job as Business Administrative Officer to be with Silvia full time. He so missed being with his family; but when he was home, he was a good Christian father, keeping a very protective, close watch on his beautiful daughter. You might want to say that he was strict but it was in such a wonderful, loving way. By June of 2004, Festo transferred him to the United States to work at the Festo LLC office in Hauppauge, NY. Alfredo still works there as Head of Distribution Latin America and lives close by in Manorville, NY. By 2010, Alfredo became a fullfledged United States citizen. By the grace of God, Alfredo found the WRBC with a search on the Internet. Although the family had been attending another church for a time, the church had some discrepancies with which they were not comfortable, encouraging them to search for another church. In their search for a church with a more truthful application of Gods Word, the Hofmanns began their visits to WRBC in July 2011. A

combination of Pastors expository preaching and the formation of new relationships in Christ resulted in the Hofmanns remaining at WRBC; they all have become a most beloved addition to the church family. One of the relationships that developed as the Hofmanns deepened their fellowshipping with WRBC was Peter Albrechts growing friendship with the Hofmann family. Alfredo had raised his daughter with a deep appreciation of Gods will in choosing a lifelong partner; Peter, in searching for a prospective bride, also sought to discern the Lords will through His Word. It was not long before Peter approached Alfredo and asked him for Silvias hand in marriage, doing it under such endearing biblical terms. The entire church body was overjoyed, bringing to WRBC one of the most beautiful and spiritually driven weddings as everyone shared in the joy at the receptionall a keeper for the memory books. A question that was asked of Alfredo for this profile was What is your history at the WRBC? His answer was Too new! Alfredo might be new at the church, but he is already old in the impact he has had in less than a year. First of all, he brought his family to WRBC, which provided a bride for Peter and a wedding shortly after. This special event served as one of several motivating factors for

the extensive renovations of the fellowship hall which were carried out by Reeva Bellard, Sarah Chapman, and several other faithful, diligent servants of the church. After which Alfredo, Rosie, and Alfredos sister, Magdalena, did a magnificent job of transforming our freshly cleaned, organized, and renovated Fellowship Hall into an elegant reception hall beyond all expectations. Alfredo is also quick to volunteer behind the scenes as the need arises. Following Hurricane Irene of August 2011, Alfredo was one of the first on the scene to clean up the debris from the front yard of the parsonage. Also, as the renovations continued around the church, Alfredo would volunteer as his intense business travel schedule would allow. As a family man, loving and protecting his family most tenaciously, he provides a strong example for his family in his Christian walk in attending Sunday School, the worship service, Bible study, prayer meeting, and fellowshipping events. Just recently, he joined the church after being at WRBC for not even one year. When he is fortunate enough to be at home, he likes to build remote-control model airplanes or read. Lately he has been studying Scriptures with Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, helping to quench his thirst for scriptural understanding. His musical

skills extend to playing the clarinet and the saxophone, although the instruments seem to be retired at this time of his life. He is quite the handyman around the house as Peter and Silvia can attest to, giving examples of Alfredos work at their apartment. For instance, he installed a frame on which to attach a light-blocking curtain for the bedroom window. Alfredo also quickly and expertly repaired the sliding closet door mechanism in the bedroom. His most recent projectconstructing a patio behind his homeis just beginning to be appreciated now that the summer months are closing in. The family dog, an Airedale Terrier named Jerry, is especially fond of Alfredo, particularly when Alfredo sneaks pieces of steak from the dinner table to Jerry. Alfredo has traveled the world over, lived on three different continents, visited Israel many times, and speaks four languages (Spanish, German, French, and English). No matter where Alfredo has lived or traveled the message was the same for him taken from his favorite Bible verse, Malachi 3:6aFor I am the LORD, I change not. Joan Tyska

Mark and Charitys Update on China

be able to continue these visits during the summer months in the years ahead. Their dedication and commitment was strongly felt by some 25 members of WRBC which listened intently to their successes and struggles in China, reporting with a PowerPoint presentation on how they are able to share the message. Marks business in China, IRC (Intellectual Resources & Consulting), allows him a special freedom of sharing and counseling to those in need of hearing the truth. Their greatest desire in China is to supply the Chinese church with resources and training that will raise up Chinese brothers as pastors, teachers, and trainers (2 Tim 2:2). Chinas Internet population (as of July 2011) is well over 485 million (the worlds largest), which means that more than a third of Chinas 1.3 billion people are online. This clearly reveals to them a great platform to reach the people as they continue to develop their Internet-based Chinese Sermon Prep. They continue to maximize this resource, adding commentaries and tools for working in the original Greek and Hebrew languages. One of 2012s goals is to have the NT commentaries translated and made available online by the end of the year. Being that translation and editing is a tedious and expensive process, Mark and Charity are asking for prayer and support. Many other issues continue to arise as they go forward with this resource that require us to be faithful in prayer. Most amazing is the publishing resources they have through a good friend and advocate, Joseph. The have already translated and published books as additional resources but now are in the process of translating and publishing the MacArthur Study Bible. So many good things are happening so we need to be alert in constant prayer.

What a joy it was to share an evening with Mark and Charity and three of their daughters (Anna, Lydia, and 16-month-old Faith) on April 22, 2012. A most needed drenching rain did not interfere with their visit as they traveled to Wading River from New Jersey. They were able to spend just a few hours with the Bible study group on Sunday evening before heading back out into the rain storm with the destination of Bozeman, Montana, in order to visit their two oldest daughters, Grace and Elizabeth, who are attending Montana Bible College. Mark and Charity returned to the United States in December of 2011 with an itinerary of visits to supportive churches; it had been two years since they had been back in the U.S. Now that their two oldest daughters are in college in Montana, their itinerary includes visiting their daughters. Hopefully, they will

Mark & Charity are so positive in their attitudes and strong in their desire to make a difference that you are so easily drawn to them. They have chosen a way to serve that deserves a lot of attention in prayer for reasons of security; but yet they do it with a joy of serving, most cautiously but without hesitation or fear. They so deserve our support. Joan Tyska

A Month in Review at Wading River Baptist Church

History will show that the beginning of April 2012 had record-breaking warm temperatures with an abundance of sunny days; very little rain activating the red alerts for the danger of fire; and gas prices soaring to a new high. April will also be remembered for the 2012 Brush Fire in Ridge/Manorville on April 9th and 10th that put some of the members of WRBC in harms way. We praise the Lord for answered prayers, keeping everyone safe. Within the WRBC there was also history being made that might not stand up to the magnitude of what the history books will record; but for WRBC, it was a very special month of events. As Christians, April is a month of sacredness as we acknowledge our Christ Jesus and Holy Week for all that it represents for those that know and serve the Lord. April 1, 2012 was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and a Sunday to remember Christs triumphal entrance into Jerusalem when palm branches were placed in His path. April 1st began not only a new month but Holy Week, one of the most beloved weeks for a Christian. Pastor Glass continued his Teaching of the Word describing the incredible sufferings of Christ Jesus. Carl Chapman sang from the heart, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart, as George Ehmann accompanied him in praise of our Lord. Most special was the reception of the new members, Terri Ashmore, Silvia Albrecht, Alfredo Hofmann, Debbie Bristoll, and Ruth Kerr. Hallstrom, Doug Heuzey, and Peter Albrecht as they assisted Pastor Glass in the invocation and the readings of the Scripture. Music is always a point of sensitivity in expressing ones feelings and Victor Bellard, Kevin Kenter, Marie Caputo, George Ehmann, Reeva Bellard, and the WRBC Choral Ensemble certainly knew how to bring a full emotional strength to many of the most favorite of hymns for a Good Friday service. April 8, 2012, Resurrection Sunday, is always a special day at the WRBC, by far one of the most special days of the year when hymns are sung of the Risen Lord. Tradition is that Resurrection Lords Day begins with a fellowship breakfast before the service. A buffet of breakfast items prepared by volunteers of the church and organized by the deaconesses led by Sarah Chapman brings not only members of the church but visiting family members and friends for the special time of fellowshipping, as exemplified below by Helen Bryan and Vic Perez. A surprise announcement was made by Peter & Silvia Albrecht as they shared with the group of their wonderful news that they are expecting the arrival of their first child; Silvias due date is November 30th. Among those congratulating Peter & Silvia were Rob & Sarah Shanley as they were preparing for the arrival of their third child, just days away. April 18, 2012 was the WRBC Annual Congregational Business Meeting as Pastor Glass presided; Vicki Valentine read and recorded the minutes; and Chris Hallstrom presented the financial budget with recommendations. With a slate of proposed officers to be voted on, a quorum was met and all issues were settled by ballot. As always, the meeting provided another time of fellowshipping and being together with like-minded people. April 20-21, 2012 Pastor & Maureen Glass along with Pastor Chris & Sheila Pandolfi of the Calvary Baptist Church in Medford traveled together to Columbia, Maryland, a small town about a hour away from Washington, DC, for a pastors conference sponsored by Grace Advance, a ministry of Grace Community Church. The conference was entitled, Preachers and Preaching: A Conversation. It was a two-day conference held at the Hope Bible Church where men in fulltime pastoral ministry gathered together to focus upon expository preaching. In preparing for this excursion, the attending pastors were encouraged to send ahead appropriate questions that could be addressed by speakers John MacArthur and Steve Lawson. Because the sessions were restricted to just the pastors, Maureen and Sheila were shown around most graciously by members of the church to a full schedule of fellowship. It is comforting to know that our Pastor is always looking for ways to grow in his expository preaching, and for this we are truly grateful.

April 2, 2012 was a very special day for Rosie Hofmann and her daughter, Silvia Albrecht. Both of them became documented United States citizens. The WRBC extends the warmest congratulations to both of them. April 6, 2012 Not only was the Good Friday Service an occasion to solemnly meditate upon the Lords substitutionary death through the hearing of the preached Word, but also through the music of the many talented musicians of the church. The service was one that reminded us that our spiritual liberty came at a high pricethe precious blood of Christ shed on the Cross. The entire service was devoted to deepening our hearts in regard to this concept. How sweet it was to have the participation of Bill Mallman, Chris

Anticipating the Joy was Pastor Glasss Resurrection Lords Day sermon as he preached from Hebrews 12:2, connecting with the Risen Savior. Reeva Bellard, singing Beautiful Empty Grave, and Denise Tolf, singing Was it a Morning Like This?, brought musical quality to the service as we are so accustomed to at WRBC. April 11, 2012 - Rob & Sarah Stanley are to be congratulated on their baby boy, Jacob Michael, arriving a few days early with the baby weighing in at 9 lbs. The baby was put in NICU for a couple of days to be monitored for pneumonia. Jacob Michael was taken home after these two days of special care to meet his siblings, Zachary and Breanna. As Rob & Sarah continue his loving care, Jacob is growing and gaining strength. Jacob Michael is a very special bundle from God.

April 22, 2012 was a welcomed night of a drenching rain storm after weeks of a declared drought on Long Island. It was also the night that Mark & Charity Borisuk and their three youngest daughters committed to attend the regular Bible study at WRBC meeting at 7 pm. The Borisuks were in NJ on the morning of April 22nd visiting another church, putting them in the middle of the storm for the trip to Wading River. Their willingness to drive the distance to share with the WRBC a presentation of their work in China was definitely impressive and appreciated by the 25 attending members. The sharing of hero sandwiches and other donated side dishes and snacks brought families together with a

time of sharing and once again the fellowshipping that is so precious at WRBC.

Diane is always open to have dinner guests and even overnight guests to accommodate visiting missionaries, or to bring together friends for fellowshipping. It almost seems as if Diane has been revitalized putting all her health issues (and there were many) in the past and focusing on serving in the best way that she can. What a great example of serving the Lord.

April 28, 2012 The world just celebrated earth day on April 22nd, butwith no apologiesthat does not work for me. The earth is Gods creation and what better way to celebrate but to come together in a work day to keep Gods natural landscape of WRBC beautiful. Not only did this happen on April 28th but it was on a day that God blessed the working team with a beautiful sunny, cool daya perfect day for gardening. Fourteen workers showed up to clean up the flower beds (Peter & Silvia Albrecht, Pastor Glass, Rosie Hofmann, Janice Manges, Jim & Janet Perry, Dave & Kerrie Prato, and Joan Tyska); patch loose curbing in the parking lot (Dennis Tyska), and resolve the leak in the lawn sprinkling system (John Piraino, Chris Hallstrom, and Carl Chapman). Peter Albrecht acquired the title of Litter Patrol Captain as he scoured the area and came up with buckets of litter along both sides of the road in front of the church. It was a good time of working together with the benefit of getting our daily dose of vitamin D and some fresh air.

Appreciation of a Saint: It is such a blessing to have individuals within the church who continue to grow and serve the Lord in spite of hardships to overcome. Equally a blessing is acknowledging this person, Diane Pandolfini. She has learned to serve the Lord in spite of her Parkinsons. It has not been easy for her to overcome the disease; but just recently, the doctor gave her a very positive report on her improvement. With reason, it is safe to say that her positive outlook has grown out of her ability to serve. Behind the scenes, Diane is constantly busy; we will name just a few of the things that keep her busy. First, Diane is quite the seamstress; she is able to sew clothes and then she donates them to the homeless. Second, Diane has taken an active part in the cooking of meals for WRBCs food bank. Third, every week Diane has selected a few recipients to send greeting cards to, bringing a bright spot to their day. Fourth, now that she is on the Missions Committee, she and her husband have become very active not only in speaking with our missionaries but in visiting with them. Fifth, Diane is faithful to prayer, holding the womens prayer group meeting in her home every Thursday morning. Sixth, witnessing to her neighbors is a daily activity. And seventh,

WRBCs Food Reserve - A new ministry has developed at the WRBC and has grown beyond all expectations. Because of the willingness of many in the church, the church is now able to assist those in need of a meal. Whether it is because of health reasons, financial reasons, or mobility reasons, take out meals are available for anyone in need. Thanks to people like Judy Ehmann, Martie Best (WRBCs soup lady), Rosie Hofmann, Diane Pandolfini, and the many others that have prepared dishes for church socials with permission to use their leftovers for the food reserve. Also giving to WRBCs stockpile of food is a gentleman, an acquaintance of a church member, that has connections in obtaining cases of canned goods for food pantries and has offered to donate to our causegiving us a broader base to help those in need. A most blessed Mothers Day on May 13th to all the mothers, especially those at WRBC raising their children to love the Lord. Joan Tyska

A Digest of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, by Eric Metaxas (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010)
In only five days, Hitlers men would come for a visit. Judge Advocate, Manfried Roeder, and a Gestapo official named Sonderegger escorted him to their black Mercedes and took him away. Soon Dietrich found himself in Tegel prison, surrounded by felons and condemned prisoners. Hans von Dohnanyi and Joseph Muller were taken to Wermacht; Bonhoeffers sister, Christel, and Mullers wife were taken to a prison for women in Charlottenberg. The first twelve days in prison would prove to be the worst. One prisoner cried all night and made sleep impossible for Dietrich, while the constant sound of interrogations extended throughout the day. The kind of life that he had chosen to live helped to temper some of the shock of Tegel prison. He had lived for three months at Etthal in a monks cell, he had traveled a lot lately and was forced to cut back on luxuries, and, more importantly, he was able to practice the same regimen that he had practiced faithfully for over a decade. Each morning, he would meditate on a verse of Scripture for at least a half hour. He interceded for his friends, relatives, and brothers in the Confessing Church. By November, he had read through the Old Testament two and a half times. He also prayed through the Psalms. At this time, the Gestapo had no idea that a conspiracy even existed. Bonhoeffer was arrested for two relatively minor offenses. He had been involved in what was called Operation Seven. The Gestapo thought that this was a money laundering scheme. The purpose of the operation was to find safety for seven Jews in Switzerland. The Swiss, not wishing to compromise their position of neutrality, demanded that a large sum of foreign currency be provided for them to live on. The second reason for their arrest was related to Abwehrs attempts to secure military exemptions for pastors of the Confessing Church. Life became easier for Dietrich when word got around that the military commandant of Berlin was his uncle, Paul Von Hase. On one occasion when he was visited by his parents, his fiance Maria, and Bethge, he was so elated that when they left he found himself repeating over and over againthat was greatthat was great! Meanwhile he would cling to the hope that the conspiracy would succeed and he would be free. The very thing that he put his hope in (the con-

Part 3: Imprisonment and Death

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

spiracy) would be the very thing that would bring about his death. On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg was able to place a bomb under an oak table only six feet from Adolf Hitler. The powerful blast killed several men, brought down the ceiling, and shattered the oak table; Hitler was left tattered, but sound. A very large table support deflected the blast. Hitler was more convinced than ever that Providence protected him. He said, This proves Im on the right track. I feel that this is the confirmation of all my work. Hitler gave a speech in which he spoke of the conspirators as an extremely small band of criminal elements who are now being mercilessly exterminated. One by one every one that was remotely involved with the conspiracy was arrested and interrogated. Some killed themselves preemptively, rather than reveal the guilt of others while being tortured. On September 20, 1944, the Zossen files were discovered. This led to many more arrests, and public trials took place. At these trials, many brave men made statements that didnt serve well as propaganda. Hitler immediately halted the reporting of the trials. Bonhoeffer and many others were sent to the Gestapo prison. He was threatened with torture and told that the fate of his family hinged on his confession. Dohnanyi suffered the most. Suddenly, in the early afternoon of February 7, 1945, Bonhoeffer and nineteen others were loaded into two vans and taken to concentration camps in Buchenwald and Flossenberg. As the Allies continued to advance onto German territory, prisoners were being relocated all over Germany. The time had come for Bonhoeffer to be moved out of Buchenwald. Bonhoeffer and fifteen other prisoners were crammed into a van that was propelled by a wood-burning engine, and had a top speed of fifteen miles per hour. Every hour they would stop, clean the flues, and restock the engine with wood. Each time they stopped, the van would fill up with smoke until they started again. They traveled through the night without any notion of where they were going. The first time the van filled up with smoke, their first reaction was that they were being purposely asphyxiated. In some cases prisoners were killed in this manner on the way to a crematorium, where their bodies were immediately disposed of. Rascher, who was a fellow prisoner, had once helped design these euthanasia vans. At first, they were used to kill people with mental disabilities; later, they were used on Jews. Best noticed some light coming through what appeared to be a vent. When this was pointed out to Rascher, he assured them that if they were being killed, it was not by design. Their two women prisoners, along with Rabenau, had passed out. As time went by the guards became more sympathetic to their needs and they were allowed to stop at various locations along the way. At one point, they stopped at a State Prison, which turned out to be a reunion of sorts. Many of the families of men who had been executed were there. Dietrich was able to fill some of them in on how their loved ones spent their last days.

After setting out once more in their dilapidated van, it finally lurched to a stop. The guards asked a man on a bicycle to notify the police of their predicament, which he did; but when they sent someone out, he stopped short of their location and reported that no one was there. They were forced to spend another cold, rainy night in the van. The next day a man with a motorcycle was stopped and one of the guards hitched a ride to the police station where he secured a large bus to take them on the remainder of their journey. The next few days would prove to the last days of Bonhoeffers life. Hugh Falconer wrote to Gerhard Leibholz that fall, Bonhoeffer was very happy during the whole time I knew him and did a great deal to keep some of the weaker brethren from depression and anxiety. He spent a good deal of time with Wasily Wasiliew Kokorin, Molotovs nephew, who was a delightful young man although an atheist. I think your brother-in-law divided his time with him between instilling the foundations of Christianity and learning Russian. The next day, April 8, was the first Sunday after Easter. Dr. Punder asked Bonhoeffer to hold a service for them. Since Punder and a number of others were Catholic and Kokorin was an atheist, he hesitated. Kokorin himself insisted that Bonhoeffer do it. In the Shoenberg schoolroom, which served as their cell, he prayed and read the verses for that day: Isaiah 53:5 (with His stripes we are healed) and 1 Peter 1:3 (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; By His great mercy, we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.). Then he explained these verses to everyone. Best recalled, Bonhoeffer spoke to us in a manner which reached the hearts of all, finding just the right words to express the spirit of our imprisonment and the thoughts and resolutions which it had brought. The other prisoners wanted him to hold a service for them as well, but just as he finished his last prayer, two evil-looking men said, Prisoner Bonhoeffer. Get ready, come with us. Bonhoeffer said, This is the endfor me it is the beginning. Six years later, Best said in a letter to the Bonhoeffer family, He was without exception the finest, most lovable man I have ever met. After leaving the schoolhouse, Dietrich traveled about a hundred miles northwest to Flossenberg. He arrived on Sunday afternoon, and his execution would take place between 5:00 and 6:00 the next morning. When Canariss diary was found, with its incriminating evidence, Hitler gave orders to Rattenhuber, the S.S. commander, to destroy the conspirators. To give the illusion of a lawful society, they could receive a summary court martial, with Thorbeck acting as chairman and Huppenkothen as prosecutor. Canaris, Oster, Strunck, Gehre, and Bonhoeffer would climb the scaffold. The camp doctor, H. Fischer-Hullstrung, gave an account of Bonhoeffers last moments. Most of what he said is as follows. Through the half-open door in one room of the huts, I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that

God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God. Two weeks later, the Allies marched into Flossenberg; a week later, Hitler committed suicide. It wasnt until May 31, 1945, that the Bonhoeffer family received a call from Pastor Rieger, who arranged to see them and inform them of the death of Dietrich and Klaus. He then pulled out his New Testament and read from Matthew 10. He then reminded them that Dietrich had given so particularly beautiful an exposition of these verses in The Cost of Discipleship. As a pastor in London, Bonhoeffer preached the following words. No one has yet believed in God; no one has yet heard about the realm of the resurrected; and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from bodily existence. Who was Bonhoeffer? I think it would be appropriate to allow him to have the last word. He wrote the following poem while being confined in Tegel prison.
WHO AM I? Who am I? They often tell me I stepped from my cells confinement Calmly, cheerfully, firmly, Like a squire from his country-house. Who am I? They often tell me I used to speak to my warders Freely and friendly and clearly, As though it were mine to command. Who am I? They also tell me I bore the days of misfortune Equally, smilingly, proudly, Like one accustomed to win. Am I then really all that which other men tell of? Or am I only what I myself know of myself? Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage, Struggling for breath, as though bands were compressing my throat, Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds, Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness, Tossing in expectation of great events, Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance, Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making, Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all? Who am I? This or the other? Am I one person today and tomorrow another? Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others, And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling? Or is something within me still like a beaten army, Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved? Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine!

Bill Mallman

May Bible Quiz Questions

1) What was King Zedekiahs name before it was changed, and who changed it? 2) Who was chosen to take part in the apostleship from which Judas Iscariot fell? 3) To whom did Jesus declare, Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God? 4) Who asked, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? 5) Who was Maher-shalal-hash-baz, and what is the meaning of his name? Bonus: According to the New Testament, what surpasses all comprehension (passeth all understanding KJV)? Felix Acerra

April Bible Quiz Answers

1) Herodias (Matthew 14:6-8; Mark 6:22-25). 2) Joses (KJV) / Joseph (NASB) (Acts 4:36). 3) Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2). 4) Terah (Genesis 11:26-27, 31; 1 Chronicles 1:26-27; Joshua 24:2). 5) Rehoboam, Solomons son (1 Kings 11:43; 12:23). Bonus: Deborah (Judges 4:4).
Congratulations to Mike Pandolfini, Dennis Tyska, and Virginia Sylvester (sister of Joan Tyska) for submitting all five correct answers plus the bonus to the April Bible Quiz!

The Birthday Corner

The Anniversary Corner
May 2nd Doug & Bonnie Heuzey May 4th George & Judy Ehmann May 23rd Bill & Mary Mallman May 26th Bob & Marlene Drummond May 30th Dan & Alicia Otton May 2nd Doug Heuzey May 8th Garrett Valentine May 9th Vicki Valentine May 13th Cheryl Sunderland May 14th Joan Tyska May 15th Alicia Otton May 18th Jacob Chapman

May 2012
Wednesday 2 1 3 8:30 AM Ladies Prayer
7:00 PM Prayer Meeting on National Day of Prayer

Sunday

Monday Tuesday

Thursday Friday 4

Saturday 5

9:45 AM Sunday School Babylon, City of Man (Dr. Vic Bellard) 11:00 AM Worship 6:00 PM Bible Study at Hallstroms (886-1334)

8 7:00 PM Board of Deacons Meeting 15

7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 107

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8:30 AM Ladies Prayer Joan Tyska (727-5998)

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9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard) 11:00 AM Worship 6:00 PM Bible Study

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 108

17 8:30 AM Ladies Prayer 24

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1:00 PM Senior Saints Luncheon Sowing Seed

20 9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard)

11:00 AM Worship 6:00 PM Bible Study

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 109

8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

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27 9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard)

11:00 AM Worship 6:00 PM Bible Study

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 110

31 8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

PO Box 438 Wading River, NY 11792

Wading River Baptist Church

Our Purpose
1. To glorify God through sharing the good news of salvation by Gods sovereign grace through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To nurture believers through a strong program of Christian education, youth ministries, and expository Biblical preaching. 3. To provide an opportunity for Biblical worship, service, and fellowship. 4. To extend our ministry throughout America and around the world through participation in home and foreign missions. WRBC is affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association of America and the Conservative Baptist Mission to the Northeast.

For the Exaltation of God in All Things For the Proclamation of Faith in Christ For the Transformation of Gods People