The Testament SAVE THE DATE!! Sunday, May 7th Senior Adult Appreciation Day Morning Worship Service

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1 The Testament May 2017 Age Out Loud is the theme for this year s Senior Adult Appreciation Month. It s a wonderful theme that conveys a simple message - rejoice as you age! Enjoy the blessings provided to us by our Heavenly Father as we live and work in His vineyard. Celebrate the passage of time with energy and vigor and don t shy away from the natural attributes that come with the aging process. Every year, birthdays, the occasional passing of a loved one, anniversaries, graduations and retirements remind us of the forward movement of time. Our bodies remind us as well. We move slower, our skin loses some of its tightness and our hair color slowly transitions to gray. While we can exercise to improve our movement, use oils to tighten our skin and mask the grayness of our hair with coloring aids, it is important to note that the aging process is part of God s plan for our lives. Accordingly, anything associated with God s plan is to be celebrated. Age Out Loud celebrates life, its purpose, its vibrancy and the splendor of the aging process. Therefore, we celebrate our senior adults and offer thanks to them for the many sacrifices that they have made in order to enhance the lives that we live today. Many were active participants in the marches and events that took place during the Civil Rights movement. There is no doubt that all were at one time or another subjected to unfair treatment based solely on the color of their skin. Our lives are enriched today because of their desire to Age Out Loud Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church - by Deacon Dean Jernigan make sure that their struggle would not be our struggle. Our prayer is that they embrace the theme and enjoy all that God has provided for them. We celebrate the forward thinking individuals who chartered a new course for their lives with the founding of Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church sixty-one years ago. Through struggle, perseverance and God s grace, Lincoln has weathered many storms in its life. But it stands today as a testament to faith of those who transformed it from a vision to a reality and to those of us who are determined to see it continue on its mission of being a vessel that God can use to grow His Kingdom. Of course, no celebration during the month of May touches us more than the joy and thanks that we give for the wonderful mothers and mother-like figures who have guided us along the pathways of life. These wonderful women taught us how to love through the examples of love that they showed to us and will forever hold a special and enduring place in our hearts. Along with celebrating our senior adults, let s pray that Lincoln will Age Out Loud in celebration of another year of working the works of God. Let s pray that all of our mothers and mother figures will Age Out Loud as time adds another year to their ledger. We pray that their inner beauty continues to bind them to us in the special way that only a mother s love can. Finally, as we all move in time s forward direction, let us all Age Durham, NC SAVE THE DATE!! Sunday, May 7th Senior Adult Appreciation Day Morning Worship Service Sunday, May 7th- Saturday, May 13 Evangelistic Campaign Sister Church - 6:00pm Nightly Sunday, May 14th Mother s Day! Thursday, May 18th Church Conference Sunday, May 21st Church Anniversary 3:00pm Please check the church bulletin each week for information on these and other church activities. Church Anniversary Let us celebrate a grand feast, From the greatest to the least, Let us rejoice, on this happy morn, The special day our church was born. God bless those who planted the seed, And those who gave to every need, And those who labored, with such care, To build this church, God's House of. May we follow their example bright, Generously live, do what's right, Like them, may we, give God our best, So our souls can find his rest. May all who come find peace and light, May God's presence and his might, Gently guard this holy place, May all find joy, abundant grace. Thank you, God, for what's been done, Here at this place, through your Son, May your work, keep on growing, Love and peace overflowing. Amen. Out Loud in appreciation of the beauty of God s holiness.

2 Around Lincoln... Sis. Bria Davenport and her mother, Sis. Myra Davenport, give reflections as part of the Graves Scholarship Day observance. Sis. Gianna Jackson poses with Victoria Morgan, author of Majesty in the Mirror at the Durham Public Library on her book activity day. When All You Can Do Is Pray No matter where we find ourselves, we can always pray. There are times in life when all we can do is pray. This was the case for my wife and me when our son, who lives far away, became very ill. Although he was getting medical care, his condition continued to worsen. My wife and I felt helpless due to the distance, but we soon realized that all we could do was pray, and it was more than enough. Sometimes we forget how important and powerful prayer is. As we prayed for our son s healing, we thought about the day he was born, we were told that he only had a 50% chance of survival. When he underwent his first surgery a few days after birth, we prayed. And we did again for surgery number two, three, four and five. It s the only thing you can do when your son s life is in the hands of the doctors. It was prayer that got him and us through it all. God knows no distance and neither does prayer. If we call upon God, our circumstances can change and, more importantly, we can too. Today, our son is doing much better thanks to the power of prayer. Our prayer life is shaped by our faith, personal experiences and relationship with God. At every turn in life, our prayer experience can wither, stagnate or grow due to our circumstances, but no matter where we find ourselves, we can always pray. Sometimes that is all we can do. Lord, when we are weak, tired and powerless, we can always pray, thank you. Above and below: Sis. Apryl Jernigan celebrates her Sweet 16 birthday with family and friends. Aging with Humor I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.

3 Black History Spotlight Mahalia Jackson Gospel Singer Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26, She started singing at 4 years old at Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Her birth name was Mahala, but she added an "i" to her first name when she started to sing professionally. After moving to Chicago as a teen with the aim of studying nursing, Mahalia joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church and soon became a member of the Johnson Gospel Singers. She performed with the group for a number of years. Later, she started working with Thomas A. Dorsey, a gospel composer. The two performed around the U.S., further cultivating an audience for Mahalia. She also took on a number of jobs, working as a laundress, beautician and flower shop owner before her musical career went into the stratosphere. While she made some recordings in the 1930s, Mahalia Jackson tasted major success with "Move On Up a Little Higher" in 1947, which sold millions of copies and became the highest selling gospel single in history. She became more in demand, making radio and television appearances and going on tour, eventually performing in Carnegie Hall on October 4, 1950 to a racially integrated audience. In 1956, Jackson made her debut on The Ed Sullivan Show and in 1958 appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, performing with Duke Ellington and his band. In 1959, Jackson appeared in the film Imitation of Life. By the end of the decade, she was an international figure, with a performance itinerary that included singing at President John F. Kennedy s inauguration. Jackson was also an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. She sang at the March on Washington at the request of her friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963, performing I Been Buked and I Been Scorned. In 1966, she published her autobiography Movin On Up. After King's death in 1968, Jackson sang at his funeral and then largely withdrew from public political activities. She died of a heart attack on January 27, Jackson is remembered and loved for her impassioned delivery, her deep commitment to spirituality and her lasting inspiration to listeners of all faiths. The Testament is produced monthly by our Newsletter Committee. Please send articles, photos or other items for publication to newsletter@mylmbc.org by the 3rd Sunday of each month. Newsletter Committee Reginald Davis Willee Murphy Joan Lofton Marva Atkins William Mayfield Earleen Sharrock, Editor Dean Jernigan, Chair Food For Thought. Mothers Mothers do things out of love Never imagining that what they do May become unforgettable memories In the hearts of their children. God made a wonderful mother; A mother who never grows old. He made her smile out of sunshine; And He molded her heart out of gold. In her eyes He placed bright shining stars. In her cheeks, fair roses, you see, God made a wonderful mother; And he gave that dear mother to me. Dreams I've dreamed many dreams that never came true, I've seen them vanish at dawn, But I've realized enough of my dreams thank the Lord, To make me want to dream on. I've prayed many prayers when no answer came, Though I've waited patient and long, But answers have come to enough of my prayers, To make me keep praying on. I've trusted many a friend that failed, And left me to weep alone, But I've found enough of my friends that are really true, That will make me keep trusting on. I've sown many seeds that have fallen by the way, For the birds to feed upon, But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hand, To make me keep sowing on. I've drunk from the cup of disappointment and pain, I've gone many days without song, But I've sipped enough nectar from the Roses of Life, To make me keep living on! Ron DeMarco & Friend Happy Birthday to our May Birthday Celebrities! Zykira Jackson Maranda Leverette Makiah Atwater Hazel Parker Heaven Williams Edith Thorpe Kenneth Holman Benjamin Boone Best Wishes For Many More!!

4 Zero Gravity Teen Lock-In With open minds and delightful spirits, members of our Zero Gravity Teen Ministry gathered for an evening of fellowship with a teen lock-in activity. Beginning on a Friday evening and stretching into the early hours of the following Saturday, our teen members and their friends participated in a talent show, watched movies and engaged in a number of events designed to make the evening memorable but also to engage them in meaningful dialogue. One such activity was the Breaking the Silence and Stress in Teens session led by Sis. Kathy Williams that focused on the pressures and environment that our teens encounter today and the various warning signs that are sometimes missed regarding their thoughts and behavior. Overall, both the session and the lock-in event were enjoyed by the participants. Thanks to the Lincoln family for supporting this event and to our Youth Activities Committee for assisting with organizing it.

5 Is My Daily Weapon Of Choice Recently, I ve had reason to refocus on that sometimes habitual thing that I do known as prayer. Be it morning prayer, evening at church or, on behalf of a friend or seeking guidance in and out of a difficult situation, I have come to realize my prayer life could and should be much better. I am reading an old fashioned good vs. evil novel, where the good is actually all about angels and the bad about demons. Their battle is all about controlling us for the victory where their allegiances lay, ultimately God or Satan. The revelation about my prayer life comes with an enlightenment of where our focus should be. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the world rulers of this present darkness (Ephesians 6:12.) Now this is not a doom and gloom column making a statement about today s politics. It is merely a commentary about the things I pray about. I usually don t pray about governments, world leaders, the coming of a new age and so forth. My prayer life tends to be a little more close to home and more about the people I love. To make my point, let me use the term prayer cover. In the book that I m reading, the angels are constantly asking each other if can they win the next battle and the answer is always not unless they get more prayer cover. They need more people praying in order to achieve victory. And the specifics of the needed prayer revolve around folks calling upon the name of Jesus. You see everything changes, the tide gets turned, and the odds get stacked up against the pro-christ gang. Now, I know for a fact that many a friend, family member, church acquaintance and others have provided me with plenty of prayer cover. I also know it was and has been my intent to provide cover for those closest to me. You just pray for people you love and all they are going through. We hear the phrase our thoughts and prayers go out to too many times these days for people caught up in nonsensical violence, terror, war and my favorite, man s inhumanity to man. And it doesn t appear to be slowing down at all. Now back to my prayer point. If I look at prayer as a weapon in the eternal life and death struggle, then I am arming myself and others who are caught up in the eternal challenges of the day. I am providing cover. It s a military term. Scripture says it s not always about flesh and blood, but things some of us don t pay too much attention to. Principalities, local, state, national and world leaders might need some prayer cover. Others just need prayer. The way I m thinking now is that prayer just might be my daily weapon of choice. It s kind of a new perspective to think your prayers are ammunition for the work God wants done by you. makes you stronger and the enemy weaker as a result. The interesting thing about the book is that it forces you to look at the enemy in a different way. The enemy is doubt, fear, crimes against your person, complacency, fear of success, spiritual poverty, and apprehension about the world and its direction. So, for me, tomorrow I m arming myself for the battles of the day and the days after with a good dose of prayer and will happily share a few bullets for you. The victory is ours and Jesus has already won this thing. He provided all the prayer cover we need. All He has ever asked you to do is take that knowledge with you and share it with the world. May God bless and keep you always. James Washington The Spirit Filled Church Today I walked in the church doors to find That, many would be there to welcome Him. Every face had a smile and a look of hope, Spreading joy, I saw Jesus in each of them. Perhaps, if you look, you will see the change. It is a precious sight, different in many ways; Righteousness flows from the member's hearts, And resounds with glorious songs of praise. Today is a day that our Lord has made. From the beginning of time he created love. It is with this love that His Son was sent, Crucified, buried, risen and ascended above. Love that is spread in the Spirit filled church, Emitting a glow that brings us a joyful heart, Brings us from the cares of this world of woe And fills us with joy, complete from the start. The Spirit filled church is the Lord's church And is always faithful to do the Lord's will. They heed the calling to a lost and dying world And spread God's word over mountain and hill. Judy Crowe Happy Anniversary to that Spirit Filled Church also known as Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church!

6 -submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock My mother s job is sometimes hard, and I have heard her say, The hours are long, and if I could, I d like to change the pay. Her profession has variety, and I will tell you now About the many hats she wears and why and when and how. 1. My mommy s a nurse who fixes and patches All of my hurts and my sores and my scratches. 2. My mother s a chef who fixes each dinner Fit for a king, a blue-ribbon winner! 3. My mom s a chauffeur who drives pretty slow But gets me to places where I need to go. 4. My mom s a detective, and no one is greater At getting the truth from me sooner or later. 5. My mommy s a gardener and works really hard, Planting and weeding and grooming our yard. 6. My mother s a maid, at least that s what she said, Cause she cleans up the house and makes every bed. 7. My mother s an angel, a queen in disguise! Who teaches the gospel with tears in her eyes. Today take these hats off, and please wear no other. Let me do your work, to show I LOVE YOU, MOTHER!

7 -submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock

8 7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Senior Adult Appreciation Day :00am Deacons Mother s Day 3:00pm Youth Missionaries Church Anniversary Mass Choir Sounds of Joy Music Committee Voices of Praise Durham County Ushers May 2017 One Heart, One Mind, One Dream In Noon Day 10 Noon Day 17 Noon Day 4 11 Mass Choir 6:00pm Christian Board 18 Sounds of Joy Church Conference (All Day) 10:00am Trustees Women of Faith 1:00pm Missionary Min. Evangelistic Campaign - Sister Church - 6:00pm Nightly - No LMBC Events In Sanctuary 24 Noon Day (All Day) 10:00am Deaconess 6:00pm Couples Ministry 20 (All Day) 9:00am Laymen s League 27 (All Day) 28 Ushers (After Morning Service) 29 YAC Health & Wellness 30 Male Chorus Computing & Technology Mass Choir 31 Noon Day Male Chorus To add an event to the church calendar, please contact Sis. Janice Campbell by calling the church at You may also reach her via at churchcalendar@mylmbc.org. Please send articles, photos or information for The Testament to newsletter@mylmbc.org by the 3rd Sunday of each month. Newsletter Photos by Sis. Kathy Williams and Deacon Dean Jernigan