The Dover Dove. In Christ s Love, Pastor Kube

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1 The Dover Dove October 2016 Newsletter of Dover Baptist Church Phone (804) Manakin Road P. O. Box 96 Manakin-Sabot, VA Dr. Todd Kube, Pastor Hello Church Grace and Peace to you in the Name that is above all names: Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Over the course of one s life, there are many areas that burden us that we lift up to God for counsel, peace and guidance. And at any one time in life, nothing seems more pressing than our burdens. But we also instinctively know that not all burdens are as big as life and death. The ever increasing need of a teenager to be socially accepted among piers is real and big at that point in their life. But, most, after getting through the teenage years, will probably not compare the burden of teenage years with getting married, raising children, and providing for a family stress city baby! There are burdens like infidelity and divorce. But wait, I haven t mentioned life threatening burdens like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or accidents that take away loved ones. And then there are times when one s focus may be on aging parents. There also comes a time when it s no longer the parent that is aging, but you and your spouse. Then perhaps, one may face the death of a spouse. And there are some who are burdened by their own mortality. Yes, the first sentence is accurate, over the course of one s life, there are many areas that burden us that we lift up to God for counsel, peace and guidance. But I also want to suggest that there are also things that God burdens us with. (Great, as if the first paragraph wasn t depressing enough.) These burdens may be on a wide-variety socio-economic issues. Perhaps God has placed a burden on you for the life of the unborn. Or perhaps it is people in a war-ravaged area of the world. I remember being heart-broken when Sally Struthers spoke about the starving children on T.V. commercials. God placed a burden on Paul s heart for the evangelism of the Gentile world thank you, God! And with these burdens, I also believe that God is not convicting us all in the same way. Furthermore, when life s burdens come our way in full force, it is often hard to hear the God burdens in our life. Thus, I understand if one person is not hearing God with the same clarity that another person is hearing God. Therefore, we need to be sensitive with others and their life s burdens. And, at the same time, we need to say what our God burdens are as well as learn to listen to others as they express their God burdens. For a while, I have been writing about the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, and life in America today. God has been burdening me with the state of affairs in America. And while I do not have any answers, I lift up to God those burdens HE has placed on my heart for counsel, peace and guidance. I do not believe that there is a natural way out of the predicament that America finds herself in now. It will take another Great Awakening. In the meantime, we spiral out of control in a variety of ways biblical morality, fiscal responsibility, social cohesion (especially the family). And while I do believe we will eventually crash, I also believe we can soften the blow. In God s providence, our founding fathers formed a system of government a constitutional republic that had a system of checks and balances. The founding fathers were well versed in the concept of tyranny (an all-powerful centralized government) which from a theological perspective is a result of sin. For example, we are familiar with the co-equal branches of government (currently weakened by a legislative judiciary and an executive branch acting on its own). But there were other systems of checks and balances. The states and states rights were to balance the power of the federal government (extremely weakened by the 17 th amendment). Freedom of the press was to be a watch dog against abusive governmental power (currently weakened by political biases). Religion was to serve as a protectorate in raising moral and ethical people with which to serve but it has all but been removed from the public square and replaced with a government form of religion called political correctness. I could go on, but the point is that the constitutional republic form of government is broken and the fear of the founding fathers of a tyrannical federal government has been actualized. But, the founding fathers, (again, I say, under divine guidance), foresaw this situation. Thus, that is why there is Article V of the Constitution. I am writing this newsletter article to throw my support behind A Convention of the States. I ask that you research it, and if you feel so led, to support it. You may find more information on it at conventionofstates.com. In Christ s Love, Pastor Kube

2 Nursing Home Worship and Bible Study Ministry God continues to bless our ministry at both Lexington Court Rehabilitation and Health Care and Ashland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. There has been a recent addition to the ministry at Lexington Court and we are already seeing fruit. So, rather than bumbling through a description on my own, I offer you the following testimony. Amanda writes Lexington Court has become a Thursday afternoon event for the children and me. After school, we venture over to the nursing home to visit with the residents that live in the long term care wing. As we arrive, we are greeted with smiles and waves as they finish up their game of bingo. We start out by walking around greeting residents and discover who won prizes. Many of them will disperse and head back to their rooms and we visit with those who linger behind for a bit. Afterwards, we stroll down the halls to visit with those sitting around the nurses station and in their rooms. Each week the residents are becoming more accustomed to our visits and opening up to us. They have come to love seeing Drake waltz into the room with his Superman cape and light up Spiderman tennis shoes. The next week, Drake may change from Superman to Captain America, Batman or some other hero. No matter who he is next week, the residents seem to enjoy his energy and enthusiasm for life. Leila, though quiet, has struck up a friendship with a particular resident who shares her love for art. They have discussed her art projects at school and the resident gave Leila a picture that she colored. Leila has even found the courage to play a little on the piano in front of those willing to listen, though she has just started taking lessons from Marsha Ann. I see the residents light up when the children speak to them and the smiles that come across their faces is priceless. We enjoy listening to the fond memories of their own children and grandchildren. I have noticed how my children seem less timid now than when we first started. Where they once were afraid to get close, a handshake is extended or even a hug. It had been on my heart to get involved in a ministry with my children. I wasn t sure where to start but God showed me repeatedly, through a movie and conversations with others, that we were to begin visiting a nursing home. When we set out to begin our ministry at Lexington Court, I was nervous about taking my children. Were they too young? Would Leila open up? Would Drake sit still long enough? A million questions ran through my head encouraging me to turn back. But then I remembered visiting several loved ones who had been alone in their last years. How they loved seeing younger children and the joy it brought them. I wanted to be able to share these same blessings of joy with the residents of Lexington court. My hope was that my children could be the source of that joy and, they, in turn, would learn to appreciate serving others. My hopes have been far exceeded! What s amazing is that is that we are being blessed as we minister to others! We have pictures up in our kitchen that residents have colored for us as well as offers of other gifts. The residents are offering what little they have to us as thank you! It warms our hearts to know that we are touching others. As we sit and talk with them, pray with them, and share the gospel, we have found such internal joy and encouragement from our Lord that we are in his will. I now have a better understanding of the scripture verse from Luke 6:39 which says, Give and it will be given to you, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. I have not found such joy and happiness as I have in serving others through this ministry. If anyone feels led to join us on a Thursday afternoon, we and the residents would love the additional company. I feel confident that you will leave feeling blessed, just as we have. Amanda B. Parker

3 Amanda, Leila and Drake ministering to the residents of Lexington Court Our October 2016 Schedule For Lexington Court is: Sunday Worship and Praise Service October 16, 2016 at 2:30pm Friday Bible Study October 14 & October 28, 2016 at 10:30 am Visit The Rooms At The End Of The Hall Amanda, Leila and Drake visit on Thursday Afternoons Otherwise Spontaneous visits on an as needed or as requested basis. No particular schedule Our October 2016 Schedule For Ashland Convalescent Center is: Worship and Praise Service Every Wednesday (Except the 2 nd Wednesday) at 10:00 am You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:32) In His Name, Bob

4 KID S STUFF By Donna Martin Youth & Children s Director Last month s outing was a lot of fun. We went roller skating and had a good group of kids and parents. I do believe the more the merrier. This month we will apple pick. We are headed to Carter's Mountain on Oct. 15th and will meet at church at 9am. We will pick apples for a few hours and then have a picnic lunch before heading back. Please text or call Donna with questions. There will be a big focus on the musical this month the kids are participating in. We are practicing music at 6:30pm on Wednesdays and practice speaking parts during Team Kids and Children Church. Your dedication to practice will assure a great performance. November 5th, there will be a Fall Festival Fundraiser. It will be modified from past Fall Festivals. We will have BBQ, stew and music in Heritage Hall. My sincerest regrets to our crafters for this change. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Please thoughtfully and prayerfully consider inviting your neighbors and friends. I hope to have some flyers you can mail or pass out. We will discuss the Fall Festival more during the business meeting on Oct. 23rd. WMU The WMU will meet on Tuesday, October 11th at 11:00 am in the church Library. All are welcome to attend. Come for an inspiring missions message, and bring a favorite covered dish to share for lunch. DEACONS MEETING There will be a Deacons Meeting following worship service on October 2nd in the church Library. DEACON OF THE MONTH ROBERT GEARHEART COMMUNION SERVERS Jennifer Napier Todd Vance Charles Burton Rob Martin # Chad Hammack *Margret Hill October 02 October 09 October 16 October 23 October 30 BELL RINGERS Katie Roberts Regan Davis Leila Parker Genna Hammack Lindsay Roberts We will be collecting note cards, greeting cards and stamps for our October project. These will be given to the Goochland Women s Correctional facility. While you are out shopping, please consider purchasing for Samaritan s Purse shoebox ministry. This ministry is so much more than a gift. Every shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism, transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the good news of Jesus! Children are also invited to enroll in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson program teaching them what it means to faithfully follow Christ and share their faith with others. ATTENTION LADIES! There will be a Women of Faith movie on Saturday, October 22nd at 10:00 am, followed by lunch. NURSERY WORKERS October 02 October 09 October 16 October 23 October 30 Pat Heffinger Tom Heffinger Gail Cochran Mishelle Lawler Joanie Collins Sara Rowe Jean Eyrolles Maye Higgs Virginia Parrish Amanda Team

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