A publication of the New Hope Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry. February 2011

Transcription

1 The Primetimer A publication of the New Hope Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry February 2011 Everyone has a God story and you should share it with the rest of the church family! If you need some assistance putting your God story on paper, please contact Rosa Maddox at or at MTMREM@bellsouth.net. My name is Ken Maynard and at the age of 10 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, at the evening service I walked the isle and gave my life to Christ. Rev. W. B. Underwood had preached a message on how we were all sinners because we are born in sin by our fathers sin. He went on to say that God could not tolerate sin; therefore all sinners would be put to death. My first thought was that if everyone was a sinner, maybe I wasn t too bad, I went to church every time the door was open (my parents took me). But when he said all sinners would die, I stopped being so smug. He continued to say we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who was here in the beginning and had always been here. He was the Son of God. He was perfect, without blemish and without a sin nature. He came and lived on this earth to provide a way for us to be healed from our sin, He showed us His power, His love, His desires for our life and then He allowed the solders to nail Him to the cross and allowed them to pierce His side so that His blood and fluids would drain from His body. He died on that cross. His death paid for my sins, for all believers sins. He came back three days later to show His power over death, and asked us to follow His footsteps. I think I ran down that isle and put my hand into Brother Underwood s hand and asked God to come into my life. I have never doubted my salvation from that day on, but I have not lived a perfect life. Not even a great life as a follower of Christ. After the service in the Army I married the most beautiful girl I ever saw. Perfect in looks, perfect in kindness, perfect as someone who shows love. I did not deserve her in anyway. God is good. We bought a home, went to church, got involved in church; I became a deacon, deacon chairman, Sunday School Director, Training Union Director (night Sunday School kinda), went visiting on Tuesday evening, all the stuff that you can do. My job was going good, making lots of money, and I drifted away from doing God s will

2 We moved to Fayetteville and joined New Hope, (no north or south then) and got involved again in Sunday School. Worked again in visiting for class. Still not what I wanted my life to be. A few years later, God spoke to me and wanted to know if I was going to continue to be half-hearted. Like a song I heard... is that all there is... Anita and I are at the South campus now and have been for the entire time that it has been New Hope. I am still involved in visiting. For 40 years of our 50 years of marriage I have devoted my service to doing God s will as much as possible. I don t say any of this to make out like I am bragging and some ladies might say... you re not all that... I have been a part of our pastor s Who Me class; twice I took the class, and I am a table leader for the third time in the class. The class is to help us determine what our best Spiritual Gifts are so that we can work for God in the best position for which we are suited. It is also a way to work on some where we may not be so gifted. The real reason for me writing this is that last night when the Spiritual Gifts were counted, I was the only one who had the gift of evangelism. It hit me that night at home. God said in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. I could not find anywhere it said, Go if you have the spiritual gifts... or Go if you feel like it... or Go when you feel the urge... or Go if it is your thing. As far as I can see He just says GO. Maybe we don t understand what evangelism is. If you have ever prayed with your children, grandchildren, friend who is sick...you are an evangelist. Have you ever helped a friend with a problem, helped with building something, helped baby sit for their children? Ever said a prayer in public, prayed with your family in a restaurant, you are an evangelist. Have you done these or other things for others with a loving spirit, ever welcomed a visitor in church, have you sent a note to someone letting them know you are praying for a special need they have, have you done anything with love for God to be of service for someone who could not pay back you...you are an evangelist. What is an evangelist...? There are two kinds. One who loves God and shows it by their actions...and one who DOES NOT SHOW ANY OF GODS LOVE. WHICH ARE YOU? At the Musical we had Sunday Night, I was approached by a well dressed young black man as I was greeting those entering the service. He spoke to me and Ray Gardner; his words were a little unnerving at first. He said, this brother came to this church, and on special occasions he would invite him (not all white people treat those who aren t just like them as well as they should so I wasn t sure where this conversation was headed). Then he said he never came to a service at this church that he wasn t made to feel loved and welcomed. He also said we had a great church. I don t know who he had spoken with, it must have been many, but I felt so very proud of my church, of the evangelist that came out of their shell and gave a warm welcome to that young man. God Bless You New Hope. Let s all come out of our shell and realize that we as Believers: Are All evangelists...be a good one. Put aside your fears if you are doing God s work in your life you don t need all the answers, you may not even know the questions. JUST LET GOD DO IT but be available for HIM

3 SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON Our January luncheon was delayed due to the weather, but was worth the wait. It featured speaker Wendell Banks who brought a message from John 10:27-30 on the eternal security of the believer. We also enjoyed singing hymns led by Dennis Woodcock. Our next Senior Adult Luncheon is Thursday, February 10 at 11:00 A.M. The church will furnish the meal. Linda plans to prepare beef stroganoff as the main dish and red velvet cake for desert. Our theme will be on love since it s Valentine s month. See you then. Ministry to the Homebound We have over 30 known members who are homebound (not able to attend our services). We are grateful for those of you who have stepped forward and said I want to help. There s room for more. If you would like to be involved in this ministry, please contact Wendell Banks at mwbanks@aol.com or call Melody Weaver at UPCOMING EVENTS February 13 Valentines Banquet 6:00 to 8:00 PM at South Campus February 27 John Waller Album Premier 6:00 PM at South Campus February 28 Men s Steak Dinner 7:00 PM at South Campus Here s some advice from my friend, Harry Ivey. I thought you would want to know about this virus. Even the most advanced programs from Norton or McAfee cannot take care of this one. It appears to affect those who were born prior to Symptoms: 1. Causes you to send the same twice. Done that! 2. Causes you to send a blank ! That too! 3. Causes you to send to the wrong person...yep! 4. Causes you to send it back to the person who sent it to you. Aha! 5. Causes you to forget to attach the attachment. Well darn! 6. Causes you to hit "SEND" before you've finished. Oh, no not again! 7. Causes you to hit "DELETE" instead of "SEND..." And I just hate that! 8. Causes you to hit "SEND" when you should "DELETE." Oh No! IT IS CALLED THE "C-NILE VIRUS. Hmmm...Have I already sent this to you, or did you send it to me? - 3 -

4 Published Monday, December 13, 2010 in the Close-Up section of Times-Herald.com Volunteers key to delivery of quality hospice care By Nichole Golden The Times-Herald When volunteers Lois and Jack Ryerson go to visit hospice patients they take along a three-pound bundle of love -- their dog, Snowball. A Maltese, Snowball goes to homes and assisted living facilities to help the Ryersons show care for patients who are at the end of their lives, as well as their families. "His disposition is perfect for this," said Jack Ryerson, a retired minister. "He likes to snuggle." The Ryersons moved to Coweta from Tucson, Ariz., about three years ago. They donate their time to United Hospice, which is currently in need of more volunteers. The Ryersons also make visits to Christian City, an assisted living facility in Union City. In addition, they visit patients in Newnan receiving hospice care at home. The Ryersons are comfortable with visiting patients as it was part of Jack's ministry in years past. Connie Hall, volunteer coordinator for United Hospice, says volunteers are needed for both non-patient contact roles, and for working with patients. "They go through nine hours of training," she said. Volunteers come from "every walk of life," said Hall. Ways volunteers can serve include helping office staff, delivering gifts at holidays, or visiting like the Ryersons and Snowball. "The Ryersons are a Godsend," said Hall. For the Christmas season, Snowball is sporting a red and green ribbon. He enjoys sitting on the laps of patients. "He does make a difference," said Jack Ryerson. Lois Ryerson said she will often read Psalm 23, or sing "Jesus Loves You" -- anything to help change a patient's mind even if it's just for 15 or 20 minutes. Each patient has a hospice team including a director of medical care, a chaplain, a social worker, and certified nursing assistant or nurse. The volunteers help support all these team members as well as the patients themselves. For more information on becoming a hospice volunteer, call Hall at The Ryersons could be spending their retirement by traveling or relaxing. So why do they spend so many hours of the day serving hospice patients? "I read somewhere that is more blessed to give than to receive," said Jack Ryerson with a smile. Editor s note: Jack and Lois are members of the King/Sexton Sunday School Class at New Hope. If you would like help to get involved in this or any other type of ministry, send an to aaronpatsy@bellsouth.net or call

5 New Hope Senior Adult Trip to Nashville, TN April 7 10, 2011 Trip Includes: Tour Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Historic RCA Studio B Recording Studio Tour The Nashville Palace Dinner Theater Fontanel Tour (Log Home formerly owned by Barbara Mandrell & Family) The Hermitage Tour (Home of President Andrew Jackson) Visit Legendary Ryman Auditorium (Past home of Grand Ole Opry) Attending Saturday Night Broadcast of WSM Radio s Grand Ole Opry Guided Tour of Major Sights in and around Nashville (Music Row, Bicentennial Park, Centennial Park, Honky Tonk Row, Parthenon, State Capitol and much more) Lodging at Club-Hotel Nashville (most rooms with 2 double beds or king bed handicap rooms available upon request) Price Includes All Meals, Tours, Shows, Transportation, Lodging & Gratuities $ per person (with 4 per room) $458 per person (with 3 per room) $495 per person (with 2 per room) $606 for one person in a room Leave New Hope 8 AM April 7 and return around 5 PM April 10. Please contact Nick or Diane (Nick) (Diane) or (Home) if you are interested in going on this trip. After 2 weeks we will open up the trip to other church groups, etc. So, we need to know as soon as possible if you plan to go on this trip. 40 people will need to sign up for this trip to be affordable at the prices listed above. We can accommodate up to 52 persons. Deadlines: 25 % deposit needed by February 17 th (non-refundable unless trip is cancelled) Remainder needed by March 17 th (non-refundable unless trip is cancelled) - 5 -

6 Become a PrimeTime Associate We need someone in your Sunday School class to be our contact point. If you are interested in helping us spread the news about upcoming events, please contact one of the following PrimeTime Team members: Wendell Banks Nick Nichols Charles Kennedy Diane Nichols Quinton King Faye Russell Rosa Maddox Aaron Sexton Ken Maynard