Crescent City SDA Church

October 31, 2025
Dear Friend,
Twenty-six years ago, on a Monday morning, a father named Tom felt a stirring in
his spirit—a quiet but urgent impression that he must stay home from teaching and
be with his family. His son Travis, just 18, was scheduled for a platelet transfusion
at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Travis was battling acute lymphocytic leukemia,
and his condition was fragile.
Knowing how awful the rush hour freeway traffic would be, Tom and his wife
prayed before leaving, asking Christ to attend them. What followed was not just a
journey through traffic, but a journey into mystery, mercy, and unmistakable
presence.
Just as they merged onto Highway 18, Travis said he needed to use the restroom.
The closest stop was at the intersection of Highway 18 and I-5—a Denny’s
Restaurant and a commercial truck stop. Tom told Travis to hold on just a few
more minutes.
In the restroom stall at Denny’s, Travis whispered,
“Dad, I think I’m dying. Get Mom for me.”
And then—from the stall next to him—came a soft voice:
“Travis, it’s OK. I AM here.”
The stall had been empty when Tom and his son entered, but someone was now
there... and knew Travis by name.
Travis’s mother, a nurse, quickly entered the stall and saw that her son was in
significant respiratory distress, drifting in and out of consciousness. She said
urgently,
“Tom, call for medical assistance. Travis is in real trouble.”
Again, the stranger spoke:
“Travis, it’s OK. I AM here.”
Tom glanced beneath the next stall and noticed the stranger’s pants—made of fine,
shiny fabric, like silk.
He rushed to the main counter and told the waitress they had a medical emergency
in the men’s restroom. Within seconds, first responders arrived and began

assessing Travis. His mother stood at his right side, Tom at his feet, and the
stranger remained at his left, speaking gently to him.
A technician asked the stranger if he was the father. He replied,
“No, I AM only a friend.”
Tom was indignant. Who was this man, and why was he at his son’s side at such a
critical moment?
Travis’s pulse was barely detectable. A helicopter was called to transport him
immediately to Seattle Children’s Hospital.
As they exited the restaurant, they watched Travis being loaded onto the
helicopter. The crew instructed them to get on I-5 right away. Tom and his wife
raced ahead in their vehicle to meet the flight crew. Despite it being the height of
morning rush hour, the HOV lane was miraculously clear. Every light turned green
as they exited and drove toward the hospital.
They parked in front of the Emergency Department and ran inside—only to be met
with astonishment. The staff exclaimed,
“You beat the helicopter!”
Moments later, they heard the rotor blades as it landed.
Travis was ushered into an exam room. The medical team worked quickly, but
soon emerged with heartbreaking news:
“We are so very sorry. Travis didn’t make it.”
It was exactly 10:00 a.m.
What does one do next?
Tom and his wife found themselves alone in the room, weeping uncontrollably. A
flash of lightning and thunder struck outside. The flight crew ran back into the ER,
grateful they hadn’t attempted departure in the storm. A nurse, who had often cared
for Travis, gently placed her hands beneath his back and said,
“Father, into Thy hands we commend his spirit.”
The funeral home was called. Travis was placed in one of those awful black
zippered bags. A Catholic priest arrived and said,
“I am not of your faith, but may I pray with you?”

His prayer was deep and tender, and he spoke of the resurrection.
Tom and his wife should not have driven themselves home, but they couldn’t bear
to speak to anyone. The weight of grief was overwhelming.
As they turned off I-5 to merge onto Highway 18, Denny’s Restaurant came into
view. Together, they exclaimed:
Who was that man?
They could not recall his face—only that he was well-dressed, knew Travis’s
name, and brought comfort.
Tom later contacted the EMS and fire station for records. Their only note?
“A well-dressed gentleman was assessing the patient.”
No name. No ethnicity. No one could describe him. Only this:
He knew Travis, and Travis knew him.
In our darkest hours, God does not send explanations—He sends Himself. The “I
AM” who spoke to Moses, who walked with the disciples, who wept at Lazarus’s
tomb, still walks with us.
Sometimes He comes through Scripture. Sometimes through a stranger. Sometimes
through a still, small voice in a restroom stall.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe in the literal return of Christ, the
resurrection of the dead, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. But we also believe in
Emmanuel—God with us—now.
Travis’s story reminds us that we are never alone. Not in grief. Not in fear. Not in
death.
We may not always recognize Him. We may not remember His face. But we will
know His voice:
“It’s OK. I AM here.”
May God be near YOU,
Verlyn

______________________________

Our Sabbath School and the Worship services are live and viewable via Zoom. Two
Adult Sabbath School classes are presented each week. One of them is viewable
via Zoom. The Junior/Earliteen Sabbath School class meets in the Pathfinder
Room. Cradle Roll and Kindergarten classes are available for younger children. If
you are unsure where the rooms or classes are being held, please don’t hesitate to
ask one of the greeters for directions.
The Worship service is in the Sanctuary and via Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID#
and Password are listed below.
Zoom access for Crescent City SDA Church meetings:
Meeting ID #: 993 5770 413
Password: 4642738
You can join by going to Zoom.us, click on join a meeting, and then enter the
Meeting ID # and password; or by dialing 1 669 900 9128, entering the meeting
ID# and password as prompted; or accessing through the Zoom app.
October 31, 2025 – November 7, 2025
Friday 31st Sunset 6:12 pm
Sabbath 1st Church Worship Leader, Ginger Finley 11:00 – 12:00 pm

Sermon, Verlyn Benson

There will be a Fellowship Luncheon today! 12:30 PM
Sunset 6:11 pm

Sunday Daylight Savings Time
Tuesday Bible Study on Exodus 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Wednesday Community Services 1:00 – 3:00 pm Dorcas
Prayer Group 5:00 – 6:00 pm Church
Bible Study "Focus on Prophecy” 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Attendance via Zoom is welcomed by request.

Thursday LLL Ladies Group (Learn, Laugh, Love) 4:00 pm
Friday 7th Sunset 5:05 pm

CALENDAR:
November 1, 2025 – The Bible Lab will not meet today due to potluck
November 8, 2025 – Worship Leader, Courtney Bliss; Sermon, Randy Steffens
November 15, 2025 – Worship Leader, Wilmer Hechanova; Sermon, Eddie Henrich
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Church Pictorial Directories are here! If you haven’t received one yet,
please see Aimee. A family member will need to sign for receipt of the
directory (one per family).
The November Church Board meeting will be held on November 3.
Fellowship Luncheons are usually on the first Sabbath of the month, but
because of special Sabbath events, please note the weekly updates for any
changes.
Tithes and offerings are being collected during the 11:00 AM Worship service each
Sabbath. Other options include the locked offering box on the rear wall of the
Sanctuary, the link to Adventist Giving on our church website:
https://crescentcityca.adventistchurch.org or you can download the Adventist
Giving app. Tithes and offerings may also be mailed to Crescent City SDA
Church, P.O. Box 1905, Crescent City, CA 95531. Please designate where the
funds are to be deposited: tithe, church budget, Little Red School House
(School), special projects, etc.
Thank you for taking the time to be part of our church family, in person or via
media. Please reply to this email (or ccadventistchurch@gmail.com) if you have
specific prayer requests. The Prayer Ministry team is active and cares about your
needs—let us know!

Verlyn