BLESSED

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

Volume 9, Issue 1 September 2008

S. E. E. D. S. Sown in Good Soil

By: Rev. Patricia A. Carrington

The Single’s Ministry, S. E. E. D. S. (Support, Educate and Enhance the Development of Singles) continues to labor in the vineyard for the Lord. We endeavor to give of ourselves and our time to the work of the ministry. We offer service and worship unto the Lord. In 2008 we continue to sponsor continental breakfasts on the fifth Sundays. The Ministry purchased first aid kits for the church bus, the church van, and the church finance room.

Earlier this year the Ministry donated a $120.00 gift card from Staples to the Central Children’s Home in Oxford, NC, after receiving a wish list from their director, Michael Alston. Sister Mary Coleman delivered the gift card personally to the home.

The Ministry participated in the church building fund program by selecting Psalm 88 as our donation.

The Singles’ Conference will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 in the church fellowship hall at 10:00 am. We will have a financial workshop. Joe Paradise from Family Counseling in Raleigh will be the facilitator.

We are in need of recipes. The Singles’ Ministry is putting together a cookbook. We need your recipes and the stories behind them. This call goes out to men, women, boys and girls. We appreciate your support.

We ask that you continue to pray or this ministry that we continue to bear fruit.

The Officers for 2008:

President/Treasurer Sis. Sandy Avens

Vice President Sis. Mary Coleman

Secretary Bro. Kevin Linen

Advisor Rev. Patricia Carrington

Somehow I Made It

By: Senila Allen

On June 7-10, I had a Freshman orientation for Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School. I was so excited about being in high school. As weeks went by, my first day of high school was a week away. It was finally the first day of school, and the work was as easy as I thought. A couple of months past and I began to realize that the work was getting harder and harder and it was loading up on me quicker than I had wanted it to.

I soon realized that my grade in Algebra was not satisfactory, and I began to stress over it. I wanted to pull my grade up, so I focused on that particular class. As I focused on that class more my other class grades began to fall. I started to stress over everything, and I wanted to give up as soon as I noticed it. I went to my family and friends and asked for their advice, but of course they didn’t want me to give up so I tried even more to pull it together.

My mom decided to ground me until I had gotten at least a C in my classes. I say I had to be grounded for about 3 or 4 weeks. It worked because by the end of the year I had above all C's on my report card.  I was so happy. God helped me through so much and somehow I made it.

Children of Today are our

Hope for Tomorrow

By: Tasha Allen

So much goes on in this world that we live in that we don't take the time out to appreciate what makes the world so special.   Our children are the very heart. The children of today are what make the world of tomorrow. 

Many of our adults really do not take the time to educate, spend time, and love our youth.  You don't have to have a PH.D or some kind of license to be there for a child.  I'm pretty sure that everyone remembers the saying "It takes a village to raise a child," but what happened to that? The adults of today can't do it without turning up their noses, or talking about the child. Why do that?  Stop downing our youth and compliment them, not complain. 

We want to have a Gang Free World, but half of our youth are in the gang all because no one wants to take the time out to be a mentor, Big Brother, or Big Sister to these gang members. 

Kids in gangs think they have a future in money and cars, but what about the future of life. Kids join gangs because they think the gang members will provide them a future and treat them as family.  But, they don't understand that their future in a gang could end in death. The real question is what can we do as parents?

It starts off as a toddler.  We need more parents to take responsibility for their children. Remember they did not ask to be here.  It is time for parents to stop saying it was a mistake, nothing is a mistake. God knows what you do before you do. God didn't make a mistake when he made us! So from now on the mistake excuse IT’S OLD!

Love and nurture your child. Show them the way to go and teach them to always put GOD in their life. Leadership by example, your children imitate everything you do.

Never turn your child(ren) away listen to what they have to say because if you don't they will listen to others.

It does not hurt to hug your child. Love goes a very long way so instead of belittling the child do things with them. Put something creative in their minds.

  Always remember in your heart that “The children of today are our hope for tomorrow”.

Senior Mission Highlights

By: Alberta Watts

Several of our members were participants at the One Day District Conference hosted by the Durham County Missionary Union on April 26 at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Our Rest Home Ministry is doing great. We have very good participation and very spiritual services.

Our Women’s Day was held on Sunday, June 9. The message was delivered by Rev. Kay Scurlock Ferguson, coming from Ephesians 6:10-19. The topic was our theme for the year “Women of Faith Putting on the Whole Armor of God”.  In the message we were reminded of just how powerful we can be when we put on the whole armor of God.    No matter how many times you read this word you must come to the conclusion that many of the struggles in our lives come because we have not put on the whole armor of God.

Our Ladies Avila Retreat will be held this year on October 10-11.

Our last event of the year will be our Annual Prayer Breakfast which will be held on Saturday, November 8^th at 9:00 AM.

A Visual Biblical Journey

By: Joyce Bingham

On Thursday, August 21st I had the opportunity along with Sister Mary Burton to travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania with Bell Yeager Freewill Baptist Church to see the play “Abraham and Sarah” at Living Water theater and “In the Beginning” at the Millennium theater at Sight and Sound.

I must admit that I slept through almost the entire first half of “Abraham and Sarah”; I awoke in time to see Lot’s wife get turned into a pillar of salt.

This was the perfect time to experience both of these plays since we have been studying Genesis in Bible Study. I thought it would be interesting to see how closely the plays followed the scripture. I must say they did a very good job of this.

In Abraham and Sarah in the scene where Abraham takes Isaac up for sacrifice, he is just a little boy, but I think when we discussed this in Bible Study, we concluded he was probably a young man. Also, when Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away we wondered in our discussion why Abraham did not speak up for Ishmael since this was his son also. But, in the play he does address this and tells Sarah that Ishmael is his son and that he does love him, but Sarah remains adamant and insists they must leave since she would never allow Ishmael to share in the inheritance of her son.

The only other difference I saw was at Sarah’s death, the play has Isaac as a young child when his mother died, but in our discussion at Bible study we had concluded that Abraham had already sent for a wife for Isaac and Rebekah was already his wife when Sarah died.

Now for the play “In the Beginning”, it was amazing. As many times as I have heard and read the story of creation and the Garden of Eden, I could never imagine it as beautiful as the way it was depicted in the play. It was as if they had taken all of the most beautiful places of the earth and set them in one place.

When Creation was being formed, it was as if you could hear all three voices of the “Trinity” speaking at once, but when God decided to create man, you could see one person of the “Trinity” come down to earth and form man from the soil and breathed life into man.

In the Garden God walked with man and there were all kinds of animals from dinosaurs to Mastodon’s, to small animals running around. The theater did a great job of creating these mechanical animals for use with real live animals.

When Adam questions God about why he has no one like him as the animals do, God created Eve from Adam’s rib, and the first wedding takes place in the Garden of Eden. It was very beautiful with Angels as part of the wedding party.

Now Satan has become very jealous of Adam and Eve, for he thinks that God should have put him in charge of the Garden and should have made him the ruler over Adam and Eve for he thought he was higher than man. So he rallied some of the other angels to follow him and rebel, thus they were put out of heaven.

Life in the Garden was beautiful for Adam and Eve, but Satan decided to tempt Eve to eat of the tree of life and when she did, she convinced Adam to do the same.

A Visual Biblical Journey - continued on page 7

A Visual Biblical Journey - continued from page 6

God knew what they did and as judgment, they were evicted from the Garden, but the whole time God was putting them out of the Garden, he was continually telling them how much he loved them, but they had to be punished for their disobedience.

Act II begins with Adam and Eve wandering in the wilderness and Eve is about to give birth to Cain; a storm is brewing and all of a sudden there is a bolt of lighting which lights a bunch of turgs at the mouth of a cave. This is to show that God was still providing for the needs of Adam and Eve with shelter, heat, and a safe place to give birth.

I must say the play answered at least one question for me although I can’t be certain it’s the correct answer; but I have always wanted to know where the Land of Nod came from and who were the people of Nod. Now in the play, Adam and Eve had 12 children at one point, and one of the children was named Nod. Now Nod became rebellious toward Adam because he did not believe in the Garden of Eden as Adam had told his children the story of the Garden. He decided that it wasn’t true and convinced some of his brothers and sisters to join him and they left Adam’s homestead and he vowed that any one that did not follow him he would hurt if he ever crossed their path again. This just goes to show that even in the beginning sibling rivalry was a problem with mankind.

Now when Cain slew Abel and God punished him by sending him away, he showed Cain mercy by putting the mark on him so that if anyone tried to kill him they would be punished. This was to protect him from his brothers and sisters that had established the land of Nod.

Now Adam was old, over 100 years old when he had his son Seth who was the son given to Adam and Eve to replace Abel.

After the death of Adam, the Angel Gabriel gives comfort to Eve and the Garden of Eden is restored.

A Good Report

By: Rev. Patricia Carrington

Women in Prayer of the Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church continues to offer a prayer covering for our Pastor and his family, the church family and friends as well as the community, the city, the state, the nation and the world. On the third Saturday morning of each month at 10:00 we believe that the corporate prayers offered by these women go from their lips to God’s ears. These women know that God is still in the prayer answering business and that He is faithful. We see the results of their labors in the testimonies that come forth of God’s blessings.

I am reminded of a song that I heard some time ago titled, “I Know That Prayer Will Change Things. Prayer will change things, situations and circumstances. Prayer is an effective weapon in this battle we fight. Becoming more effective prayer warriors is the goal we work towards achieving. The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avail much.

We will not get weary in well doing nor will we get weary in praying. We ask that you pray for us and we invite you to pray with us for the needs of the people of God. Jehovah Jireh.

Where ever you send me Lord,

I will go.

Rest Home Message delivered

By: Deborah Reneé Waterman

Bible reference:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, “ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 3:12-14( KJV)

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

God is trying to get our attention, to move forward to the next level in our Christian walk. But, we become so comfortable in our present lifestyle and situations, and we are even lazy at times, that we are fearful to move forward to the next level. We are afraid of the change. He promises to be everything we need him to be. Certainly he hasn’t brought us this far to leave us now. He promised that he would never leave us nor forsake us. If we would just stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, we would have a clear understanding of what he has planned for our future, the path that he wants us to take; and how to achieve it. He doesn’t want us to become stagnant in our Christian walk.

We must do our very best to reach the ones who need to be saved, who would otherwise be lost. Our job is to win souls for Christ. Yet the scary thing is we are so reluctant to do God’s will, but we are ready willing and able to do whatever the devil wants us to do simply because it’s familiar to us; its what we are accustomed to.

Every time we don’t trust God, doubt his word or do the things we know is contrary to his will, he is not pleased. And guess what, right before you do something wrong, you always get a weird or funny feeling, but you ignore it and still continue to do the wrong things. Just because we have to live in this world, doesn’t mean we have to be of the world.

Why are we so stubborn to accept change? I must do it my way, or no way at all, it’s my way or the highway; God I hear you, but I don’t feel like doing what you are telling me right now. I’m just not ready. Can you give me a little more time? Maybe next week I’ll be ready.

God is not pleased, who are we to question him? He wants us to move right then and there when he asks us to. But we tend to think that our timing is right. I know what you want me to do. I hear you loud and clear, Wherever you send me Lord, I will go, if you let me have some more time to prepare. I have things I want to take care of first.

Don’t you know the GOD we serve is mighty, powerful and awesome? Fear is not of God it is of the devil. God wants us to be fully committed to him. We should put all of our trust and hope in him, and rely ONLY on him not ourselves or other people. We are all human, just flesh and blood. People don’t intentionally try to hurt you or let you down, but at times they will.

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued on page 8

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued from page 7

We ask God “are you sure this is what you want me to do”. Give me a sign, then you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at you, but you still hesitate. You might be missing or blocking your blessings.

If we were in a fire, the first thing we would do is STOP, DROP, and ROLL to keep out of harms way. That’s the same way we should be every time the devil prompts us to do anything that is out of God’s will.

Don’t you realize that God created us, and he knows everything about us from start to finish? Don’t try to test or fool God. He knows what we think, what we will do next, and how we will do it. God wants people who are obedient, willing, and not ashamed of him. He wants people that will stand firm and are un-moveable like Mount Zion, ready to share and tell of his goodness.

We say Wherever you send me Lord, I will go, but you are at the grocery store, library, school, work, etc. and you come in contact with someone who desperately needs an encouraging word. This is the perfect opportunity to tell someone about the goodness of the Lord. I know I’m a Christian and I’m saved by your grace and mercy, but I just didn’t feel it was the right time to tell them, maybe next time. Guess what there might not be a next time, tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

God has already tested the hearts and minds of man. He wants to know if you are sincere. “Do you say what you mean? And mean what you say”. Don’t get caught pretending. You can’t deceive or fool God. He wants us to praise and bless his Holy name. He is worthy of all the praise, honor, and glory due his precious and Holy name.

If we do our part, God will do his. He wants a closer relationship with each one of us. We are quick to say I love the Lord, and I know that Jesus died for our sins, and we are now free, for God I live and for God I’ll die, yet we won’t acknowledge him, or show him any signs of respect or worship him like we should. People should be able to see the Jesus in “(us)”.

I want to be more and more like Jesus, I want to be more and more like him. We sing this song. If you mean it, then prove it. Show it by the way you treat each other. We are commanded to love one another as Jesus loves us. Yet you’re at church and you don’t speak to each other. You barely want to sit next to each other. If someone bumps into you by mistake, you look at them like they are crazy, and if someone asks you why you don’t like a particular person, I guarantee you that you don’t have a valid reason. You might say “I don’t know, it’s just something about them, they just rub me the wrong way, or just because”. That doesn’t make any sense. You might even say I just don’t care for them. Sometimes we are just following the crowd, but have your own mind. God doesn’t want Chameleon’s that change or adapt to their surroundings.

If you’re at church, you praise the Lord, Hallelujah, Glory to your name Jesus and Amen, to that. Then about ten to fifteen minutes later, you’re up the street and you almost get in a car accident, because someone switched lanes and you are ready to cuss that person out for getting in your way because you’re in a rush. Excuse me Lord, I didn’t mean to say that have mercy Lord.

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued on page 9

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued from page 8

In the movie Dr. Do Little, the daughter had a pet Chameleon that kept telling her “I’m blending in, I’m blending in” he was trying to match the color of the things in her room and he thought she couldn’t see him. But, guess what God wants us to be different; he doesn’t want us to blend into our surroundings. He wants us to separate ourselves. “Not to be unequally yoked”. If you had 1 rotten apple and put it in a dish of fresh apples eventually all the apples would become rotten. That’s why we can’t live in the past and the present at the same time. When we get saved we are all new creatures in Christ and the old things are past away.

It’s not about how well you sing, or how many songs you can lead, how much money you have in the bank, or the car you drive, the clothes you wear, how popular you are, how good you look; none of that is important at all. My grandmother use to say “Pretty is as pretty does, and beauty is only skin deep”. God looks at the contents of your heart, not your outward appearance.

Don’t become preoccupied in blending in, dare to be different. Exercise your faith, read your Bible more, seek and meditate daily on God’s word, Seek and Keep him first. It’s not about quoting scriptures. Anyone can quote scriptures. The devil knows them also. Do we live by these scriptures? We must study to show ourselves approved. He wants us to seek him while he can yet be found. To acknowledge him in all ways and he will direct your path. He is worthy of all the praise and honor. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.”

The Lord is coming back in the twinkling of an eye. Wow! That’s quickly. Please don’t procrastinate and wait until the last minute to get yourself together. It might be too late.

I challenge all of us today, that if there is anyone who you are still angry with, maybe you have not forgiven them, whatever it is go and make peace with them. Correct the situation; and then forgive yourself also.

We can’t bury our past, it will seek you out. We have to ask God to restore us and forgive us for anything in our past, from our parents, siblings, old friends or any past hurts. These all need to be forgiven and forgotten. You can run but you certainly can’t hide. In the end unless it is covered by the blood of Jesus it will eventually be exposed.

We need to STOP, DROP and ROLL.

A.) STOP - all the things that are displeasing to God, that are keeping you from achieving the next level of what he has prepared for your life.

B.) DROP - Anything that hinders and keeps you in your old routines. This stunts your spiritual growth and

C.) ROLL - full speed ahead. Stay on the straight and narrow path, by acknowledging and keeping God first in everything you do, God will be well pleased.

I am blessed and I thank God daily for saving me. When I think about all he has done for me, the transformation he has done in my life is just amazing! I get overwhelmed, when I just reflect on the old me, I could never have imagined that I would ever be able to stand up here and tell you the goodness of the Lord, but here I am thanks be to God who didn’t give up on stubborn little ole me.

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued on page 10

Wherever You Send Me Lord-continued from page 9

I made sure that my children attended church, I grew up in church and I knew what God required for my life, but when I was at my lowest point, I realized that I didn’t trust God fully. I hadn’t fully surrendered my heart, body mind and soul to God, the way I should have, but, I do now. It’s not because I didn’t love or trust him then, but, I took my eye off the prize (God) and was caught up in the cares of the world.

I made many, many mistakes trying to do it my way by being too busy for God. Sure I read the bible, and every now and then I would come to church for the sake of my children, and hear the word. I felt it was the least I could do, to show my respect to the Lord. But, do you know that it was God’s plan all along to get me back to where he wanted me to be, and no matter how many times I failed, he never gave up on me. God got tired of me making excuses and I’m truly thankful, because look at me now. It’s by his grace and mercy that’s why I am where I’m at today, not by my doings. To God be the Glory.

How could I tell my children about the goodness of the Lord by just saying the words without action? Faith without works is dead. I had to show them because action speaks louder than words. I made valid excuses like I don’t have anything to wear, my clothes are dirty, my hair isn’t done, maybe next time, I don’t have time, I feel tired, I have just worked two jobs, Sunday is my day of rest, even God rested on Sunday; just send up a prayer for your mother. But, guess what, leadership is by example. How could I tell my children to do something that I myself was not willing to do?

We all have to be saved, and have our own personal relationship with God for ourselves. God will get your attention one way or another that’s why we should encourage, help, and love each other, and don’t point out each others flaws or imperfections. We need to build each other up.

Can you even imagine where I would be today, if my children had given up on me and said well, that’s too bad, that’s your problem Mom, I’ll just keep Jesus to myself. Most of all God didn’t give up on me. He used my children to help me get myself together. At first I came back to church to support them in whatever they were doing, and also to shut them up, because they were getting on my last nerve and wouldn’t leave me alone. “But momma you promised us you would, you said next time, etc.” I told them never to say something they didn’t mean, because I hated liars. So guess what, I had to practice what I preached. But now I’m extremely happy that I listened and did what God wanted me to do in the first place.

God is God all by himself, he just wants us to worship him in spirit and in truth, to serve him with a sincere heart, and praise him in and out of season. My soul is blessed and I’m thankful that Jesus shed his blood for me and paid the price for me, that’s why I can boldly say without a shadow of doubt, Where ever you send me Lord, I will go.

“On The Battle Field

For The Lord”

By: Rashae’ Evans

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.

Psalm 100:2

The Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir, and the Youth Praise Team have had the pleasure of ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ this summer. We have sung at many programs since the start of summer. We’ve realized that through our singing people were being touched right before our eyes. We truly saw the spirit of God work in and through us, as we witnessed the spirit fall on us, and we saw our choir members praise the Lord confidently.

In August, we had the privilege of opening up for Gospel Recording Artist, Rev. Luther Barnes, at a Gospel Music Workshop Concert hosted by Ebenezer Baptist Church, here in Durham, NC. Rev. Barnes was blessed by our ministry, and has invited us to sing at his Annual Musicians Conference in Rocky Mount, NC in October. We are excited about the opportunities and responsibilities that God has presented to us. We know that we don’t sing just to sing, but we sing with a divine purpose. As President of the Youth Choir, I would just like to say thanks to all the members for giving up so much of your time and weekends this summer to do what God has called us to do; to our supportive Pastor for allowing us to represent the church; to First Lady Bethea, thanks for always providing us with reliable transportation, and to our musicians and advisors thanks so much for all you do, and for taking the time to fulfill this mission that God has given us.

Bible Study News:

Artwork by Jamesha Lindsey

Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

HG Youth Study the

Book of Genesis

Our Henderson Grove Church family has enjoyed the study of the Book of Genesis this summer. Whether tots, teens, or adults, we have been encouraged by our studies.

Life Long Friendships

By: Monique Lawson

The end of the school year came quickly, and the weeks that followed began to fly by. I patiently awaited the arrival of one specific date, June 23. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew a new adventure awaited, as I prepared to leave for a summer position with Upward Bound, a college preparatory program sponsored by Renaissance Educational Group. I would be leaving home for 6 whole weeks, and would only be allowed to come home on the weekends. June 23^rd finally arrived, and I was off on a new journey. Students from Durham and Edgecombe counties were selected to participate in the program. I was one of 15 students from Southern High School in Durham who participated in the program.

As the weeks went by, I grew more and more comfortable with my new Upward Bound family. We did a lot! We stayed on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC in dorms and attended classes each week. The classes helped us get ahead in our studies for the next academic year. We improved our social skills by going on outings every Wednesday (I hated to miss Bible study, but enjoyed the activities.)

At the end of our stay in Raleigh, we had an etiquette dinner and a banquet. We spent our final week in the program by touring several colleges in Charleston, and in Orangeburg, South Carolina. We learned so many new things and we just enjoyed it all.

Just as in the beginning, there was also great anticipation as the day of our departure arrived. The day proved to be very emotional for all of us. In just six short weeks, we had become a family, and we returned to Durham knowing that we had built life long friendships. I can't wait to see my friends again. I look forward to experience the new things we'll do and the new people we'll meet at Upward Bound next year.

Health Tip!

Cut the Sodium!

Submitted by: Alberta Watts

Did you know that roughly 80 percent of our daily sodium (salt) intake comes from processed and restaurant foods? The average American consumes about 4,000 mg of sodium a day. This is much higher than the recommended 2,300 mg for most healthy adults. Minimizing your intake of processed and packaged foods is one of the best ways to cut the sodium in your diet. Almost all frozen dinners, canned foods, processed meats, savory snacks, bottled sauces and dressings, and condiments are high in sodium.

Moving Right Along

by Meshi Parrish

Just a year and a couple of months ago, my family and I moved from our old neighborhood on Piedmont St. in Durham, NC, where we had stayed since I was born. It was a good place to stay, but over the years, it became worse and worse.

My mom began to look at houses in the newspaper, and we even started riding around looking for a house in another neighborhood. One day my grandfather called mom and said “I have something for you”, and he took her to a house and said “I thought you might like this one”. She talked to the owner of the house and a couple of weeks later the owner called her and said “You've got the house”! We started moving the next couple of days, and I said “my wish has finally come true”. My family and I are moving right along.

Yes I Can

By: Rashae Evans

Study to show thyself approved unto God

2 Timothy 2:15

It’s back to school again and I have finally gained enough courage to sign up for classes at Durham Technical Community College.

As most of you know I am one test short of my GED. I ask myself, why I allowed the devil to get in my head and make me doubt first my God and then myself; in believing that I was not capable of passing the test.

I have had a rough summer as far as finding a job and the thought of school only made me feel worst so I kept putting it off and putting it off. But, I’m thinking that maybe God was speaking through Sister Merion because the same things I asked God she answered them in our conversation. She was telling me that I’m a bright person and most of all I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. She not only told me, but she helped me in the process of getting back into school.

This summer has really taught me to trust in the Lord and to just lean on him. We all go through these periods that are dark and lonely and we start to feel helpless and we want to throw in the towel. God says in his word that “I will never leave you nor forsake you Joshua 14:5, 6 so that means when we are going through these periods we are not alone, I am learning to put my trust in the Lord and I know that with him on my side I will pass this test. If you know somebody that’s having a hard time don’t judge them or make them ashamed, just let them know that your praying for them and just reassure them that you love them but God loves them more and the soon there troubles will be over.

Youth on a Mission

The Youth Missionary Circle hosted a Yard Sale on August 9^th, at the home of Pastor and Mrs. Bethea.

We'd like to say THANKS to all who donated goods, all who came to help and those who stopped by to shop. We had great weather and great fellowship, that day.

A. S. P. I. R. E.

The Youth Mission has adopted a new theme for the 2008 school year: Aspire Greatness!

A – Aim

S – Seek

P – Prepare

I – Invest

R – Reach

E – Evaluate

B
y: D’Marcus Steele

Congratulations !

Denetta Monique Lawson

Southern High School Scholar

Due to her outstanding academic achievements, Monique Lawson, has been nominated to serve as a Global Scholar representing the US, the State of North Carolina, and Southern High School at the Global Young Leaders Conference, which will commence in China, Europe, and the United States next summer 2009. Monique is the daughter of Sterling and Pamela Lawson. Congratulations Monique. Your labors have not been in vain in the Lord!

Family Reunion

By: Rev Patricia Carrington

This time of year is when many families gather to have a family reunion. Family members from all parts of this United States come together to enjoy good food, good fun and fellowship with relatives and friends that they have not seen for a long time or have never seen. There is usually lots of hugging, kissing, laughing and talking; just catching up and getting to know one another better.

Gifts are usually given to the oldest and youngest relatives in the family, to the person who traveled the farthest, and to the graduates. Recognition is given of accomplishments, marriages, birth and a fitting memorial for the deceased family members since the family last gathered.

The planning of this event is a great undertaking and is usually done with great patience and love. It may take months or even years to make the right preparations for this event.

All of this is just practice for when we gather that final time with our Father for that last family reunion. One songwriter put it in these words “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” There will be a great family reunion one day. All of God’s family from all parts of the world will come together in one place. When we look at the planning for this great gathering, we see that God indeed had a plan. All preparation will be completed, leaving nothing undone. God’s divine patience and agape love for his family are without limits. Some members we thought wouldn’t make it will be there. Some members we thought couldn’t go the distance will show up. This gathering of the saints will be a time of celebration. See you at the reunion. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Atlanta Trip '08

By: Merion Bethea

From June 24^th to June 27^th , the Henderson Grove Church family traveled to Atlanta Georgia for some much needed R&R (Rest and Relaxation). Several youth traveled with us, and we all enjoyed a week of fun, fellowship, and worship.

On Wednesday, we toured the city of Atlanta and made stops at the CNN Tower, Coca Cola Museum, and the Atlanta Aquarium.

O
n Wednesday night, we worshiped with the Elizabeth Baptist Church family in Atlanta Georgia..

On Thursday , we had a day of fun filled day at Six Flags Over Georgia.

W
e concluded our travels on Friday with a moment of reflection at the burial tombs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and a tour of the MLK Museum and Memorial Gardens.

We even joined a Freedom March at MLK Museum.

Inspired by the work of Dr. King and the Apostle Paul, the Youth of Henderson Grove are continuing to press towards the mark... We are confident that “We shall overcome some day!”

Welcome New Members

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47 (KJV)

Charles Barnes

Kimberly Brooks

Marrquel Cannady

Cheryl Hemmingway

Kevin Judd

Jonathan Keys

Eliomar Dias Pilon

D’Marcus Steele

Coming Events

October 5, 2008 – 3:00 PM

Gospel Chorus Anniversary

October 10-11, 2008

Women’s Avila Retreat

Friday, October 17, 2008

Church Conference

Sunday, October 28, 2008 – 11:00 AM

Homecoming & Church Anniversary

Lunch Served

Afternoon Service – 3:00 PM

Friday, October 31, 2008 – 6:30 PM

Fall Festival

Saturday, November 1 – 10:00 AM

S.E.E.D.S Conference

Saturday, November 8, 2008 – 9:00 AM

Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

Sunday, November 30, 2008 – 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

Sunday, December 21, 2008 – 6:00 PM

Christmas Program

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 – 6:30 PM

Candle Light Service

December 25, 2008

Christmas Day

December 31, 2008 –10:30 PM

New Years Eve Celebration Service