By Renna Hight

Preparation: Prepare a footprint with the suggested poem copied for each officer. You may also write the words of I Corrinthians 12:14-18 on the other side of the footprint.

Make a display using a picture of a church and a cloud with the letters "Whither Bound" placed on the cloud.

Make enough footprints of brown construction paper for all officers and for the names of the Bible characters, Moses, Joshua, Hur, David, Miriam, Paul, Timothy, Peter, James, and John. Print each of these names on a footprint.

Cut the cloud from poster board of paper to be covered with cotton. You may use cotton balls by pulling and stretching them or you may use quilt batting. Smooth a thin layer of glue on the paper, then cover the glue with the cotton. Cut letters from black construction paper or felt and glue them across the cloud.

You may have some offices that are different from those listed. Adjust this narration to your needs.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we are reminded that we are moving into the future. We may ask ourselves the question that was asked of an Old Testament woman, "Whence camest thou? And whither wilt thou go?" (Gen. 16:8) In our language, we may be asking, Where did you come from, and where are you going? Now is the time to take account of where we are going from here.

Each year past has brought changes. New laws are being written and old ones are being changed day by day. Some things like styles in clothing change much too often. I may seem overwhelming, but, let's not panic.

As church members and Christian workers, we, too, are seeing changes. The outreach of our churches doesn't function in the same manner that it did in our parents' and grandparents' time. Church ministries are different; they seem to be constantly changing. Churches now build activities buildings instead of fellowship halls. In the name of progress, we make adjustments to our plans and programs or get left behind.

However, some things are not meant to change. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therin, and ye shall find rest for your souls' (Jer. 6:16). The principles of the Bible do not change> In adjusting to progress we may change our plans or our programs, but never our principles. When a biblical principle is involved, we must not change. Our methods may vary, but we must stand firm for the principles we have been taught from God's Word.

The picture sometimes appears dark. Issues of abortion, homosexuality, religious rights, creation, prayer in schools, and many others, cause much unrest in our times. Hunger is al about us and wars are too frequent; yet we must ask where we came from and where we are going? What are we doing with our lives?

We must remember the words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33). We must stand firm, step out, and speak up for Christian principles, moral values, and virtues.

Even when our world looks dark, we, as the children of God, have a bright future. We are moving toward a heavenly home. However, there is much to do while we wait for that home. We must ask ourselves the question at the beginning of this new year, "Where did we come from, and where are we going?"

Leaders play an important role. Throughout the Bible, leaders have been important. Under the direction of God they provided both physical and spiritual leadership for God's people.

As officers, you are called upon to be leaders in ways similar to those mentioned in God's Word. I want to give each of you a Bible character as an example to follow throughout the year as you serve in your office.

(Ask the officers to come forward as you call the name of each office. You may allow them to be seated when their group is finished or remain on the stage until all of the officers have been given their challenge. Give each officer a footprint with the suggested poem and I Cor. 12: 16-18)

President: Your Bible character is Moses. (You may read Exodus 3:10-12) Moses' task was not an easy one. His path was filled with obstacles and challenges. God did not leave Moses alone. Just as God spoke to Joshua after Moses' death, He speaks to you, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Joshua 1:5). God will be with you and guide you just as He did Moses

Vice Presidents: Your Bible characters are Joshua and Hur. Joshua was Moses' assistant and later followed him as leader. His primary responsibility was to help Moses in carrying out God's plans for God's people. Scripture tells us that "Joshua did as Moses had said to him" (Ex. 17:10).

Hur also helped Moses by holding up his hands when he needed strength for victory in battle. I encourage you to hold up our president in prayer as she leads us.

Joshua not only helped with physical things, but he also assisted in providing for the spiritual needs of the people. Your responsibility and great privilege is to provide for the spiritual needs of our district. As you prepare programs and seek literature that will inspire, instruct, and inform GMA members, remember Joshua and Hur.

Secretaries, historian, and their assistants: Your Bible character is Solomon. First Kings 4:32 records that Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs. Today we are still studying and practicing those words of instruction and wisdom. Solomon must have spent a lot of time writing. Much of your time will be spent writing--keeping records and sending letters of promotion, comfort, and information. Your responsibilities are very important, especially since they remind us where we came from and where we are going. Without previous records, we will not know what steps of progress we have already made.

Musicians and assistants: David and Miriam are your Bible characters. David was a musician. Scripture speaks often of David making music. His talent for playing the harp brought comfort to King Saul. David's music had a soothing effect on those who heard it. Miriam was one of Israel's song leaders. She lead songs of praise and worship.

Music sets the mood for our services. Many kinds can be used--those of joy, praise, enthusiasm, and worship. With proper planning, your music will help us all to enjoy the meetings.

Advisory Council: Your bible character is Paul because he called young Timothy his son in the ministry. He gave him much instruction. Your responsibility is to lead in teaching and training girls for future work for the Lord. You may vary your plans and programs, but never your principles that are based on God's Word.

Challenge to all officers: I challenge each of you to do your best to fulfill the duties of your office. Let the words of Paul remind you that God has given you this place of service for the coming year: "The body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the smelling? But now hath god set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him" (I Corr. 12:14-18).

Do you have a ready answer to the question, "Where have you come from, and where are you going?" You can make a difference. You must carry on the work god has given you to do. Remember the words of David, "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom…Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it" (Ps. 90: 12, 17).