Blessed

 

A Publication of the Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church Sunday School Department

Volume 2, Issue 4                                                                                                            December 2001

It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

A Message From Our Pastor

Rev. Johnnie M. Bethea

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Christmas lights are appearing on houses.  People are driving around with Christmas Trees in the bed of their trucks and in the trunks of their cars.  Cities and towns are decorating their streets.  Some people have placed thousands of lights in their yards.  In some yards you can see Santa and his reindeer.  You may see a star of Bethlehem or a manger scene at some houses.  All over the nation neighbors will compete for the best-decorated house in the sub-division.  It’s a beautiful time of year.  Duke Power and CP&L love this time of year.

      It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.  Almost all radio stations are playing Christmas music.  You hear classics like Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” or the Temptations’ rendition of “Silent Night.”  Even many secular singers and groups will release a Christmas CD.  The Salvation Army has begun to camp in front of stores ringing their bells and asking for donations.  Yes, it’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.

      Although there are beautiful lights and wonderful sounds, things are not as happy as they seem.  You see the Christmas lights that appear all over town is an external expression of what someone thinks Christmas should look like.  But if you depend on an external stimulus for happiness then when the Christmas lights and Christmas CD’s are packed away, so is your happiness.

      Make sure that your Christmas lights begin on the inside (Jesus said, “you are the light of the world”).  Make sure that the sounds of Christmas come from your mouth (the Psalmist wrote, “and His praises shall continually be in my mouth”).  When you see the glory of God rest upon His people and hear their praises unto the only wise God, then you can say, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

“And the Glory of the Lord shone round about them…and suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards all men.” Luke 2:9

"A Gift In Secret"

Submitted by: Evangelist Patricia A. Carrington

It has been said that in many Jewish synagogues there is a box for receiving anonymous contributions with an inscription in Hebrew saying, "A Gift in Secret".

When we as Christians, think of giving, we generally think of material or tangible items such as money, clothes or toys.  Something that can be seen or shown to others.  We have come to expect a reward for what we have given.  But, there is a greater gift that can be given with the only cost being time and commitment.  This gift is prayer in secret.

In Matthew 6:6 we read these words of our Lord, " But thou, when thou, prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. "

At our Prayer Breakfast, Rev Joanne Brown Jennings challenged the Henderson Grove Church Family to pray for one minute at 1:00 everyday for 30 days for one person in need of special prayer. 

Within your bosom there is a telephone.  Here are some helpful hints on telephoning God.

¨     Identify yourself whenever you place a call to God.

¨     Always allow a minute for God to answer. When receiving a call from God, answer as quickly as possible.  You don’t want God to hang up.

¨     Personalize the conversation by using God’s name from time to time.

¨     Speak distinctly and pronounce your words clearly, paying particular attention to word endings.

¨     Do not ask God to call back.

¨     When taking a message from God repeat the message to verify the information.

¨     The person-to-person call is always preferred when calling God.

Rev. Jennings gave one stipulation, and it was that you not let that person know you were praying for them.  This would truly be a Gift in Secret. Let this sweet minute of prayer in secret be your gift to someone this Christmas.

As Another Year Closes…

News from the Sunday School Department

Submitted by Superintendent: Bro. Joshua Bethea

As another year closes and we briefly look back, the Sunday School Staff can be pleased at our accomplishments. World class events and activities were sponsored and carried out to the Glory of God. The Easter Outing, Fun day, Vacation Bible School, The Worthy Is The Lamb trip, and this publication were all awesome each in their own right. Yet we still aspire to greater heights in the coming year.

The strength of the Sunday school staff lies with its members and what a faithful group this Church is blessed to have.  The work is long and hard with no pay and little appreciation, earthly that is, but there is the satisfaction of a job well done.

This is my opportunity to thank this Staff for their patience, unselfishness and dedicated work. We have come a long way and done much, but then again, we still have more to do.  However, this Staff knows that with our faith and the help of the Lord nothing is too tough to bear.

This auxiliary takes its commitment to teaching seriously. Yet it is also eager to learn, to grow, and to change to serve Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church better.  We want the input of the Church body to be able to do the job better.

Sunday School is not a separate entity from the Church. The Sunday Church Service starts at 9:45 a.m., not at 11:00 a.m.  The definition of auxiliary is helping or  assisting. There is nothing mentioned about being separate.  Do you have questions about something you read in the Bible or heard in the Sermon? What better place to bring your question than to Sunday School or Bible Study?

What goes on at Wednesday night Bible Study is another blessed time, at which many are missing out. But, that is a subject for another article. The year 2002 will be another exciting year to the glory of the Lord. Come and be part of it!

 

 

The Sunday School Officers for 2002:

Superintendent............................. Bro. Joshua Bethea

Assistant Superintendent.............. Bro. Randell Branch

Secretary......................................... Sis. Irma Ferrell

Assistant Secretary (Acting-Stand By).. Sis. Reval Branch

Teachers

Adult Class..................................... Bro. James Laws

Nursery/Primary Kindergarten......... Sis. Nellie Bullock

                                                  Sis Reval Lawrence

Junior/Intermediate Class................ Sis. Alberta Watts

Prayer Changes Things

News from the Senior Missionaries

Submitted by President: Sis. Naomi Allen

It is still taking lots of prayer and perseverance, but God is blessing our Missionary Department.  We are praising God for our spiritual growth.

      The Youth Mission is still hard at work.  They are working on their College Project where they are preparing Care Boxes for college students.  They remain focused on their missionary goal: Helping and Serving Others!

      The Young Adults are still working diligently.  This quarter they prepared and delivered soup to all the Senior Citizens and the Sick and Shut In.     

      The Senior Missionary Circle sponsored our Annual Prayer Breakfast which was held on Saturday, December 8th.  The Prayer Breakfast was well attended and all that came were richly blessed.

      We thank God for Rev. Jimmy Jones who was a spiritually uplifting Master of Ceremony.  We thank all the participants on the program.  Thanks to Bro. Joshua Bethea who read the scripture, Rev. Patricia Carrington for leading us to the throne of Grace, and our Pastor for his inspiring words and prayer.

      A special thanks to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Singles Ministry who so graciously rendered the music.  We were blessed with a “Walking Art Show by Personal Preference” presented by Sis. Tonya Skinner.  It was beautiful, uplifting artwork, and very fitting for the occasion.  Thanks to the Young Adult Mission and everyone else who stepped in and served as hostesses.

      Let’s not forget our Kitchen Committee who prepared a scrumptious breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, biscuits, pastries, fruit cup, coffee, juice and all the condiments.  It was very delicious.  Thanks so much for your dedication to Henderson Grove.

      To God Be the Glory for Rev. Joanne Brown Jennings who was such an inspirational speaker.  She asked us to consider giving the “Gift of Prayer” for someone who you know has not experienced God’s Salvation.  She also asked us to take one minute (60 seconds) at 1:00 p.m. each day to pray for one person for one month.  She asked us to pray for God to touch their heart and give them a hunger for Him. 

      Praise God that even though we ran pass     11:00 A.M. which was our stopping time, God was right on time, and the Holy Spirit filled the room.  It was a very spiritual and a very inspiring Prayer Breakfast.

      Prayer has and is changing things for the Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  To God Be The Glory for The Things He has done!

"TEACH THE CHILDREN"

(Circulated on the Internet author unknown)

Submitted by: Alberta Watts

 

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house.  I opened the door to the front room and, to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.   

 

He placed a finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.  "What are you doing?"  I started to ask.  The words choked up in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes.  His usual jolly manor was gone.  Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement, "TEACH THE CHILDREN" I was puzzled; what did he mean?  He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.  As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!  Teach them the meaning of Christmas.   The meaning that children now- a-day's have forgotten!"

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.  "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year around, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind.  All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.

    "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.  God promised a savior for the world, and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise."

He then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.  "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaced the darkness."

        Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love.  Real love never ceases.  Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF.  "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and goodwill we feel during the month of December."

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF.  "Teach the children that the holly plant

represents immortality.  It represents the Crown of Thorns worn by our Savior.  The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him."

        Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."  "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

        Teach the children that the Wise Men bowed before the Holy Babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  We should always give gifts in the same spirit as the Wise Men."

Santa reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.   "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock.  The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brothers keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the Angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth.  The angels sang Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace, and good will toward men."

        Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, from his bag he pulled out a BELL.  "Teach the children that the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should bring man to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

        Santa looked back at the tree and was pleased.  He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.  He said, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas, and to not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One That Is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

Let the Light From the Light House

…...SHINE!

Submitted by: Sis. Merion Bethea   

       Her footsteps were often slow as she made her way from the living quarters to the day room at the far end of Ellison’s Rest Home.  Her destination was always the same, an old wooden straight back chair, nestled against a wall of Golden Pathos flowers.  Several chairs dotted the room in various directions, but none of these seemed to hold her interest.

       I often wondered, as I entered the room, if that old straight back chair had not been touched by the hands of God, for all who sat in it were filled with an anointing that could only have come for Him and Him alone.

      Once her journey had ended, she sat comfortably and securely upon what might have been her throne.  The whole of the day room was transformed, from sick room to sanctuary, from dining hall to fellowship hall.  The marquee outside might have been changed at just that instance from Ellison’s Rest Home, to Ellison’s Missionary Baptist Church, for it was as if the doors of the church had been opened and the service had now begun.  Prayers would be offered, scriptures would be read, testimonies given, and then...slowly she would rise, pressing firmly on the arms of the old chair.  Pressing as if she were having to lift herself from the lap of the one who had kept her, and sustained her over the 91 years she had been given. 

      Her legs were swollen, yet she pressed upward. Her heart had grown weak, yet she stood boldly, for there was a message that had been placed down deep within her spirit, deep within her soul.  It gave her strength to make the journey. It gave her hope for all of her tomorrows. And so she stood.  And the song that had been birthed within her long ago came forth, as if it were a mighty rushing wind, as if it were a cloud floating across the depth of the sky.  It was her song...and it had to be sung, for there were saints who needed to hear its encouraging sound...It had to be sung, for there were sinners who needed to know they could not make it on their own...

      And so she sang...with the anointing from on HIGH….She sang...to the Glory of God...yes she sang...

“Shine on Me.

Shine on Me....

Let the Light from the Lighthouse

Shine on ME!”

 

“Shine on Me.

Shine on Me....

Let the Light  from the Lighthouse

Shine on ME!”

 

      You see, not every sermon is preached from behind an altar or Plexiglas pulpit, and not every Sunday School lesson is kept for Sunday morning. No indeed not, for Mother Hannah Cates preached a timely message month after month. Yes Mother Hannah Cates, in just the few words of this song, taught a lesson of faith, hope, and of a heavenly home.

      No, she will not be remembered as Mahalia Jackson for the quality of notes and tone, but she will be remembered for her faithfulness in pressing on...for Mother Cates knew what it was to have the Light from the Lighthouse as her very own.  It was this light that led her day by day. It was this light that transformed the cold, uninviting day room into a cathedral sanctuary at the rendering of her song...

      And so, as we remember her once more, we say...

Rest now Mother Cates, for the Light you shared has been firmly placed in the hearts of so many that have crossed your path along the way...Sleep on Mother Cates, for your Light from the Lighthouse will now lead us to your new home.

      “Lord, we thank you for giving us Mother Hannah Cates. Her 91 years seem now to be brief, yet we know you have called her on home. Help us Lord, to lean and depend, as she did, on your Light from the Lighthouse and your Light alone”.  Amen

In loving Memory of Ms. Hannah Cates;

Resident of the Ellison’s Rest Home

911

(Circulated on the Internet author unknown)

Submitted by Jamie Bethea

 

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down, We became one color.

As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building, We became one class.

As we lit candles of waiting and hope, We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno, We became one gender.

As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength, We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement, We spoke one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss, We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief and loss, We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes, We become one people.

We are:

One color, One class, One generation, One gender, One faith, One language, One body, One family, One soul, One people.

We are The Power of One.

We are United.

We are America.

This candle was lit on the 11th of September, 2001. Please pass it on to your friends & family so that it may shine all across America.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."

Young Adult Mission On The Move

Submitted by: Cynthia Ann Turner

      I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is truly an honor to work with the Young Adult mission.  We are small in number, but where two or three are gathered He shall be in the midst.

      I would like to take the time to thank each member of the Young Adult Missionary group for their hard work on November 16 and November 17.  We worked very well together and made soup for our senior citizens and the sick and shut in. 

      It feels real good when you reach out to help others, and let them know that you are thinking about them and you care. When we delivered the soup on Saturday morning, it touched our hearts to see the smiles on their faces.  I think the one that we can remember the most is Mrs. Eula Brooks.  When we came to her door, she peeped out to see who we were before she let us in.  Then she started thanking God and praising Him because she had been in the hospital, but was now at home.  She said it could have been worse than it was

      I would like to say to the young adult mission, “Keep your hands in Gods hands and he will see you through. Our senior citizens and elders of the church have been there for us and now it is time for us to stick by them and let them know that God Will Take Care Of You, When Nobody Else Will.”

 

Celebrating 48 Years

of Singing God’s Praises

Submitted by: Barbara Simmons

      The Gospel Chorus celebrated their 48^th Anniversary on Sunday, October 7th.  Many local choirs participated along with our own Henderson Grove Male Chorus.  Reverend Larry Turner was our Master of Ceremony.  Thank God for a Glorious celebration. 

   

Our Officers For 2002

President.................................. Barbara Simmons

Vice President................................ Nellie Bullock

Secretary.......................................... Irma Ferrell

Treasurer............................ Sherwood Turner, Sr.

Assistant Treasurer.............................. Luetta Pitt

Chairperson of Program Committee... Alice Turner

Chairperson of Sick Committee......... Mary Burton

Directress......................................... Irma Ferrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test Your Bible Knowledge

Submitted by: Rev. Patricia Ann Carrington

This puzzle was written by a lady in California in response to an offer from a gentleman in Philadelphla that he would pay anyone $1,000 who could write a puzzle he could not solve. He failed to do so and paid the $1,000.

The answer is one word, and appears only four times in the Bible.

 

Adam, God made out of dust

But thought it best to make me first.

So I was made before man

To answer God's most Holy plan.

A 1iving being I became

And Adam gave to me my name.

I from his presence then withdrew

And more of Adam never knew.

I did my Maker's law obey

Nor ever went from it astray.

Thousands of miles 1 go in fear

But seldom on earth appear.

For purposes wise which God did see

He put a living soul in me.

A soul from me God did claim

And took from me the soul again.

So when from me the soul had fled

I was the same as when first made.

And without hands, or feet, or soul,

I travel on from pole to pole.

I labor hard by day, and by night

To fallen man I give great light.

Thousands of people, young and old

Will by my death great light behold.

No right or wrong can I conceive

The scriptures I cannot believe.

Although my name therein is found

They are to me an empty sound.

No fear of death doth trouble me,

Real happiness I'll never see.

To Heaven I shall never go

Or to Hell below.

Now when these lines you slowly read,

Go search your Bible with all speed.

For that my name is written there

I do honestly to you declare.

 

Do you know the answer to this puzzle?

See if you can work it out.

 

 

 

Good News

Greetings from: Rev. Larry Turner, Associate Minister

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I would like to take this time to share with you the good news of being blessed.  God has delivered us from the Wages of Sin.  That blessing is a result of His promise.

As I look back over the year, God has brought us out of all kinds of struggles.  He has set our Church on the right road and headed us in the right direction.

We are blessed to have received a Pastor, who has great love for God, the Church, and his fellow man.  We are determined to fight the good fight, keep the course of faith night and day until our Lord comes and take us home.

Surely, God has blessed our Church.  I thank God for the endless efforts of our staff who work when all others have gone home.  The Trustees, the Deacons, Church Clerk, Sunday School Staff, Choir Members, Directors, Musicians, Finance Committee and many more have worked tirelessly to get the job done.

Christmas is close at hand, and the new year is just around the corner.  Be it known unto you, that our Lord Jesus Christ lives forever more.  He is in you and in Me.  Love always in the Lord!

 

 

Fun ‘n Games - Women of the Bible

Submitted by: Nellie Bullock

The names of 29 women of the Bible listed below are hidden in the puzzle.  They can be found spelling forward, backward, up down or diagonally.

The answer will be in next quarter’s issue.

 

L

Y

D

I

A

Y

H

A

H

T

R

A

M

E

O

S

A

L

O

M

E

N

R

A

N

A

B

R

T

A

S

N

A

O

M

I

B

N

R

E

E

A

S

R

A

C

H

E

L

E

A

Y

Z

H

L

M

W

A

R

A

G

A

H

O

M

E

T

J

R

A

I

H

J

H

O

S

J

A

J

S

Y

R

A

T

F

A

X

R

H

H

G

H

E

R

U

T

H

L

E

A

P

T

A

D

A

A

L

S

T

L

A

M

N

A

A

N

A

L

D

I

L

I

Z

C

B

A

H

B

N

L

I

O

L

S

I

H

A

R

N

I

D

A

E

L

H

U

L

H

A

H

E

H

A

R

H

N

E

R

E

V

E

E

M

A

R

Y

H

I

E

D

I

N

A

H

L

M

E

B

E

H

P

M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tis the Season for Good Reading

Submitted By: Barbara Simmons, Church Librarian

 

      We have added several new titles to the Church Library.  Stop by and select a good book to read during this Christmas Holiday.  We have something for everybody.

      You can help our library collection grow by donating a book, cassette tape, video cassette tape, or a monetary offering as a Christmas gift.

      I’d like to recommend a good book for those who love

                         Adventure,

Wisdom,

Self-help,

History,

and Poetry.

 

It’s called the Bible.

 

 

Be Thankful

A Thought From The Usher Board

Submitted By: Janet Lassiter Smith

        Should you find something on your dinner plate that doesn't appeal to you, don't complain. There are people who don't have anything on their plate.

      Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

      Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

      Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

      Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

      After reading all of the different situations about… WHAT DO WE HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT?  The Lord HAS and IS BLESSING US. We have lived to see another December and the closing of another year!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice”.

Philippians 4:4
The A.B.C's of

Praising God for Life

Submitted By: Cynthia Ann Turner

 

*  Although things are not perfect

*  Because of trial or pain

*  Continue in thanksgiving

*  Do not begin to blame

*  Even when the times are hard

*  Fierce winds are bound to blow

*  God is forever able

*  Hold on to what you know

*  Imagine life without His love

*  Joy would cease to be

*  Keep thanking Him for all the things

*  Love imparts to thee

*  Move out of "Camp Complaining"

*  No weapon that is known

*  On earth can yield the power

*  Praise can do alone

*  Quit looking at the future

*  Redeem the time at hand

*  Start every day with worship

*  To "thank" is a command

*  Until we see Him coming

*  Victorious in the sky

*  We'll run the race with gratitude

*  Xalting God most high

*  Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

*  Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

 

We are too blessed to be stressed!   The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.  Love and peace be with you forever.

 

 

 

Bible Word Search: The Great Flood

Answer to last Quarters’ Puzzle

Clue:  The mystery word below was found in Genesis 8:4

                               

                  A  R  A  R  A  T_

 

Altar                        Animals                   Ark

Balsam                    Bird                         Clouds

Covenant                 Creatures                 Days

Descendants            Destroy                   Door

Dove                       Female                     Float

Floodgates               Food                        Forty

Fruitful                    Genesis                   Ham

Heavens                  Japheth                   Judgment

Livestock                Mankind                 Mate

Mountains              Multiply                 Nephilim

Noah                       Olive                       Pairs

Pitch                        Rainbow                  Righteous

Roof                        Shem                       Sons

Violence                  Waters                     Wickedness

Wife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, December 16 – 6:00 P.M.

Annual Christmas Program

 

Monday, December 24 – 6:30 P.M.

Annual Candle Light Service

 

Tuesday, December 25

Christmas Day

 

Monday, December 31 – 10:30 P.M.

New Years Eve Celebration Service

Breakfast will be served following the service.

 

Friday, January 4, 2001

Church Conference

 

Sunday, February 10, 2001

Song Festival – Sponsored by Billy Turner