Nevada-Utah Conference

RIGHT: Fallon Adventist Christian School Ukulele Choir accompanies the Fallon church’s worship service. From left to right, back row: Ian Hamilton, Jaszmin Hernandez, Daisy Otto, Sammy Northrop, and Jaden Drinkut. Front row: Nathan Montgomery, Elijah Mott, Isaiah Mott, Rozaida Reedy, and Abby Northrup. FAR RIGHT: Rozaida Reedy shares “Go Tell It on the Mountain” with delighted listeners during the Fallon Adventist Christian School Christmas program.

No Room in the Inn

The Christmas season is the best! It is the time when families gather, schools and churches host a myriad of Christmas parties, and communities present various delightful programs ranging from plays to hayride caroling to the majestic Handel’s Messiah. However, Christmas of 2020 was different. Although lighting displays seemed more spectacular than ever, the absence of community gatherings left an emptiness that was felt by many.

A mid-December Sabbath was a highlight for the members of the Fallon church. As the smell of hand sanitizer surrounded the masked congregation, the entire student body of the Fallon Adventist Christian School (FACS) delighted the audience with a unique and wonderful program.

Beginning with congregational singing accompanied by the FACS ukulele choir, both traditional and contemporary songs lifted the spirits of the congregants. Some of the school’s piano students— Jaszimin Hernandez, Rozaida Reedy, Jaden Drinkut, and Abby Northrup—then serenaded the attendees, playing their favorite Christmas songs.

The story of our Savior’s birth was read by students, with kindergartener Daisy Otto amazing the listeners by reciting from memory the lengthy closing verses.

The scene then changed to appear like a court room, with Judge Jody, played by Abby Northrop, presiding. Ian Hamilton portrayed Sam, the prosecuting attorney, bringing charges of “lack of compassion for wayward travelers” against the innkeeper, played by Jaden Drinkut. Immediately, there were a number of witnesses in defense of the innkeeper. Heehaw A. Donkey (Sammy Northrop), employed as a part-time tour guide, and Malachi Mutton (Jaszmin Hernandez), owner of a carpet cleaning service, both testified in defense of the innkeeper. After hearing the testimony of the innkeeper, who was moved to compassion for the travelers, and the fact that a warm, comfortable stable was provided for them, the jurors (Daisy Otto, Elijah Mott, Nathan Montgomery, Isaiah Mott, and Rozaida Reedy) unanimously voted in favor of the innkeeper, and the prosecutor dropped the charges. Judge Jody then victoriously announced, “Not guilty!”

It was made clear that we often make decisions without all of the facts but, more importantly, God offered to us the greatest gift of all time in His Son. No matter the difficulty of the journey, the gift of Jesus at the end will be worth any hardships we might endure along the way. God with us—Emmanuel!

____________________ By Michelle Ward

Heehaw A. Donkey (Sammy Northrop) and Malachi Mutton (Jaszmin Hernandez) prepare to testify in defense of the innkeeper (Jaden Drinkut) as prosecuting attorney Sam (Ian Hamilton) states the charges.

Vernal Church Welcomes New Members

Vernal, Utah, is one of the most isolated cities in the Nevada-Utah Conference. Situated in the northeast corner of the state, about 175 miles east of Salt Lake City, it is known for its expansive array of dinosaur fossils, footprints, petroglyphs, and pictographs, along with other historic sites. It is also home to the Vernal Seventh-day Adventist Church, a small, rural congregation actively sharing God in their community.

Celebrating a baptism is one of the most beautiful and exciting things that a small church family can experience. What could possibly be better? Well, since you asked, that would be a double baptism. What could be even better than that? How about celebrating a wedding blessing on the same day?

When Jose and Jasmin Solorzano moved from California to Utah, a friend they had known in California invited them to church. After attending a little while, they began Bible studies. They have grown into fellowship with the little church family, and through the prayerful and tireless efforts of Ray Carter, assistant lay pastor, they have grown in their love for Jesus and their knowledge of spiritual things.

This couple has been together for years. Courageously responding to conviction, Jose and Jasmin made the decision to become married. In light of the current pandemic complications, they were not able to invite family and friends to attend as they had hoped. However, after their earlier civil marriage ceremony, this past December the little band of believers that had become their church family had the distinct pleasure of acknowledging the blessing of their marriage during Sabbath services.

The sacred matrimonial blessing was followed by an appropriately socially distanced fellowship lunch. Then came the climax of the day, as the church TOP: Jasmin Solorzano is baptized by Pastor Nathan James and Assistant Lay Pastor Ray Carter. BOTTOM: Pastor Nathan James is joined by Assistant Lay Pastor Ray Carter in the baptism of Jose Solorzano.

family met together to celebrate the Solorzano’s public statement of love and service to Jesus through baptism, which was conducted jointly by Pastor Nathan James and Ray Carter. Jose and Jasmin’s children Joab, Matthew, Emmanuel, and Samantha bring a special joy to their new church family. Although stories of baptisms and marriages are common in our churches, this story shows that no obstacles can stop the work of God in His church—not a longdistance move, not a decision to marry, not a remote location, not even a pandemic. God is still actively turning hearts to Him.

____________________ By Nathan James

The Solorzano family is flanked by Pastor Nathan James (left) and Assistant Lay Pastor Ray Carter (right) following the blessing of their marriage and baptism.