F I R S T B A P T I S T M E S S E N G E R

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1 Volume 3, Issue 2 First Baptist Church East Martinsville Doing Ministry As A (T.E.A.M) Ephesians 4:12 F I R S T B A P T I S T M E S S E N G E R Dysfunctional Christian Families SUBMITTED BY:PASTOR CHARLES R. WHITFIELD April 2013 F r o m t h e P a s t o r s P e n John 10:10 says, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. This is a profound but simple scripture. When we as Christian believers truly understand it as it relates to the Kingdom of God, we will be more intentional about recognizing dysfunction, and avoiding its devious and divisive hand. As you have heard during our preaching series entitled: LORD HELP MY FAMILY: HOW TO DEAL WITH FAMILY DYSFUNCTION, we have learned that all families experience some type of dysfunction. Children and teenagers are very susceptible to being influenced and manipulated by what they both see and hear around them. They want to fit in and "be cool" with their peers, and many of them listen to how TV and movies are encouraging them to behave. They pattern themselves after, or model the behavior of, what they regularly see and experience. The old motto applies here: garbage in, garbage out. As the music, television, movies and other media attack our society from the inside out with programming and an agenda designed to influence improper behavior, we also have many other external forces competing for the attention and the control of our people. While dysfunction begins during those years of adolescence, dysfunctional children turn in to adults. If the dysfunction is not dealt with at an early age, it follows them into adulthood. We Need To Make A Change: Satan (The thief) wants us to live in dysfunction. While we can't always change everything and everyone around us, that doesn't mean that we can't exercise a positive influence on those things and people. We can start with ourselves, with God's help, to make changes to get rid of all our own dysfunctional behavior. We can then seek God's direction as to how to deal with dysfunctional relationships with others. It will likely be a step by step, gradual process, but soon we will be have much more freedom, and bad things won't have the level of control they once did over us anymore. The Christian life is all about becoming an overcomer through Christ over everything that exalts itself against God. Trust God, and hold fast to His promises contained in His Word. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.

2 UPCOMING SERVICES ONE IN SPIRIT April 10:00 am Unity, Sisterhood, Love and Sharing - This is what our One in the Spirit Women's Ministry represents. Come join us as we gather every other month to come together and share spiritual quality time with God and our sisters in Christ! Give OIS a chance, and experience the moment where Women and Wisdom meet... We hope to see you there. One in the Spirit Coordinators Minister Tamika W. Hairston Minister Laura Allen Sister Carmela Whitfield April 14, 2013 at 3:00 The sanctuary choir will host a musical program featuring several local choirs. Please come out and be blessed through music from Mt. Valley Male Chorus, Parkway Summit Community Choir, Beulah Baptist Male Chorus, Wellsprings Fellowship Choir and the Soul Winners Ministries Praise Team.

3 V o l u m e 3, I s s u e 2 P a g e 3 Firsthand Faith Growing up in the country had its benefits as well as its downfalls. It was great to live within yelling distance of all of your relatives, fun to be able to play with your cousins and blessed to be able to experience the village raising the child. However, it also had its downfalls, getting whipped by auntie for doing wrong and getting another whipping by momma when you got home; but one of the biggest downfalls I remember is hand me downs. Growing up we always wore secondhand clothes. It would start with one of the older cousins and pass all the way down the youngest one. Rarely did we receive new or firsthand clothes. As I pondered about the secondhand clothes many things came to mind, but one thing in particular stands out; how many of us, like secondhand clothes have secondhand faith? The secondhand clothes fit me ok, but not as well as clothes that would have been purchased personally for me. Sometimes they were too long, or too worn or too big in the waist, but I still wore them. They were never the perfect fit for me, but I made do with what I had. Secondhand faith is much like secondhand clothes; we have a faith that was passed down to us from grandma or momma. This faith works for us for a while, we make do with it, but when troubles come our way and storms arise, we realize that this secondhand faith isn t exactly what we need. In times like these we realize that we can no longer cling to our parents faith, we have to choose to make this faith our faith. We must make it firsthand faith! Job 42:5 (MSG) says, I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand. It s good to hear from others what the Lord has done but it is awesome to be able to bear witness of His power for yourself! Many of us confuse having a close relationship with our parents, who have a close relationship with God, with actually being close to God ourselves. What we really need to do is study the word for ourselves, worship and praise the Lord for ourselves, build a personal relationship with God for ourselves. And when we do this we will experience an incredible, awe-inspiring, fulfilling, overwhelming, and exhilarating journey of firsthand faith! How many are ready to exchange your secondhand faith in for FIRSTHAND FAITH? Try firsthand faith on, it will fit you perfectly! Be Blessed, Sis. Whit

4 P a g e 4 N e w s l e t t e r T i t l e APRIL Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 Sanctuary Choir Service 21 3:00 Shiloh Baptist,Fieldale :00 RevivalNew Light Baptist, Ridgeway :00 Revival Camp Grove Baptist 24 7:00 Revival Camp Grove Baptist 18 7:00 Revival New Light Baptist, Ridgeway 25 7:00 Revival Camp Grove Baptist 19 7:00 RevivalNew Light Baptist, Ridgeway :00 Divine Faith Fayette St MAY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Silver Creek Baptist,Danville :00 Revival Vance St Baptist,Danville Va 9 7:00 Revival Vance St Baptist,Danville Va 10 7:00 Revival Vance St Baptist,Danville Va. State Convention Chesapeake 14 Va. State Convention Chesapeake 15 Va. State Convention Chesapeake 16 Va. State Convention Chesapeake 17 Va. State Convention Chesapeake am Senior Citizen Service 20 7:30 Spring Revival 21 7:30 Spring Revival 22 7:30 Spring Revival

5 V o l u m e 3, I s s u e 2 P a g e 5 Bro. Anthony Dillard (VA Beach) Sis. Ressie Beamer (Blue Ridge) Sis. Leutisha Hairston (Blue Ridge) Sis. Anita Hairston (Home) Sis. Dorothy Scott (Home) Rev. Harry Pilson (Home) Sis. Mattie Freeman (Hospital) Bro. Coy David King, Jr # (use correctional facility address below) Felicia Webster (Greensboro NC) Bro. Ronnie Ramey (Golden Living) Sis. Geneva Penn (Hospital) Bro. Bobbie Dillard (Stanleytown) Blue Ridge Nursing Home 300 Blue Ridge Street Martinsville, VA Golden Living Center 105 Landmark Drive Stuart, VA Golden Living Center 1607 Spruce Street Ext. Martinsville, VA Stanleytown Healthcare Center Nursing Home State Rte 682 & 57-A Stanleytown, VA Powhatan Reception and Classification Ctr 3600 Woods Way State Farm, VA April Roderick Anglin 2 James Hairston 4 Maurice Jeffries 7 Dorothy Still 8 Branden Hampton 9 Nick Character 10 James Martin 11 Leon Moore 12 Brenda Kirby 13 Scharlean David 22 Leutisha Hairston 23 Ida Anglin 24 Napoleon Poindexter 25 Blair Hairston 28 Yolanda Morton 30 VA Beach Rehab Center 1801 Camelot Drive VA Beach, VA May Annie Noel 6 Rena Dandridge 7 Veola Dones 8 James Millner 11 Donna Dillard 14 Ardys Winslow 16 Christopher Dandridge 23 Carrie Younger 24 Ashton Gravely 25 Marie Jones 25 Jordan Redd 29 Ian Dillard 29 Artis Law 29 Lena Millner 30

6 P a g e 6 F i r s t B a p t i s t M e s s e n g e r The Morton family,jerron, Yolanda and their oldest son Elijah has united with First Baptist with Christian experience. Yolanda and Jerron have been married for 15 years. They also have two younger sons, Evan who is 6 years old and Ethan who is 4. They were led to us because of the atmosphere in the church and the teachings of Pastor Whitfield. Jerron or Pete as he is commonly called works at Goodyear Tire and he also sings in the Quartet Psalms 108. Yolanda works as a Physical Therapist Director at Golden Living Healthcare. Outside of work she spends her time attending her sons various activities. Elijah, 13 is an eight grade student at Tunstall Middle School. He is the lead drummer in his school band. Elijah also plays basketball at school as well as on an AAU team. The Family that Prays Together Stay Together Patrick and Latonya Grizzle have joined with First Baptist, both with Christian experience. The Grizzles are the proud parents of five children and nine grandchildren. Patrick is studying Ministry and has a contracting business. Latonya is majoring in Human Resource Specialization with a minor in Ministry Counseling. She serves as business manger in their contracting business and is also a Licensed Pharmacy Technician. Both enjoy working with the youth and doing community services.

7 V o l u m e 3, I s s u e 2 P a g e 7 RECALL NOTICE The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This iscaused by a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been identified as "Sub sequential Internal Non-morality," more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R...Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus,into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B..L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention! ~~~~G O D~~~ P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'! SUBMITTED BY: Margaret Via

8 P a g e 8 F i r s t B a p t i s t M e s s e n g e r We celebrated Pastor and First Lady Whitfield s 15th anniversary February 3, Our morning speaker was Rev. Kirby Whitfield Sr. of Morningside Baptist Church. Rev. Jesie Morris, Pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church ministered to us at the afternoon service. Special thanks go out to the anniversary and the kitchen committee for working so diligently to make this a special event. To My 1st B family, Thank you so much for your overwhelming support as I and YVOP ministered at the Galilean House of Worship on March 6th. I am humbled and honored to be a part of such a loving, caring and praying church family! I love you, God bless each of you and from my heart to yours...thank YOU! Lovingly, Min. Tamika Whitfield Hairston

9 V o l u m e 3, I s s u e 2 P a g e 9 In celebration of Black History Month, Wal-Mart honored our heritage by portraying the art of gospel music and praise dancing using local churches to fill hourly slots every Saturday during the month of February. Our very own Youth Voices of Praise and 1st B Praise Dance Ministry was blessed to participate. Our church family came out in great numbers to render love and support on this day. It was a great experience for our young people and adults alike and we were elated to play a small part of such a grand celebration. We salute you, young people, for rising to the occasion! The people were blessed and it is our prayer that God was pleased! Black History Program The Black History Program was held on Sunday Feb. 17th at 3p.m. The music ministry was provided by The R.C. Carter Singers, The Walton Ladies, Gods Anointed and The Law Family. There was a skit about the cotton picking days of the past by Minister Jack. We were all blessed with a wonderful evening of reflection of African American History. God showed up and reminded us of how good he has been to all of us, and how far he has brought us as African Americans. This inspirational program was sponsored by the Sunday School.

10 P a g e 1 0 First Baptist Messenger The First Baptist Summer Youth Academy and Teen Center has opened registration for its 3rd year. The academy will be open from May 28 until July 26. The age groups are 4years to 6th grade and for the Teen Center 7th thru 10th grade. Cost: Chapel Registration fee $25.00 advanced tuition $ weekly payment $75.00 TRANPORTATION AVAILABLE movie day swimming games tutoring crafts For updates or additional information please call or log on to our website at: Come travel with the Just Because Ministry to see the play NOAH. Where: Sight & Sound Theatre Lancaster Pa. When: September Cost: per person (double occupancy) Deposit of $55.00 due April 15 Price includes: Transportation Play ticket 1 night hotel stay Free hotel breakfast For more info or questions call Dorothy or

11 V o l u m e 3, I s s u e 2 F i r s t B a p t i s t M e s s e n g e r Help Wanted!! The First Baptist Messenger is looking for new staff members. We need someone with a good knowledge of MS Word, MS Power point and MS Publishing. We also need someone with good people skills to serve as a reporter. Both must be responsible, creative and enjoy writing. Anyone interested or in need of more information please contact Maria Ministries Deacon-Bro. James Hampton, Chairman One in the Spirit-Min T. Hairston, Min. L. Allen, Sis C. Whitfield Deaconess-Sis. Frances Draper, President Senior Ushers-Sis. Derinka Dandridge, President Senior Missionary-Sis. Helen Dillard Junior Ushers-Sis. Kemya Menefee, Pres. Sis Sheila Williams, Advisor Junior Missionary-Sis. Marie Jones, President Sanctuary Choir-Sis. Scharlean David, President Willing Workers-Sis. Hiawatha Polly Jefferson, President Youth Voices of Praise-Chantae Moore, Pres. Min. Tamika Grogan, Director Youth-Sis. Ardys Winslow, Sis. Tiffany Neamo, Co Directors Male Chorus-Bro. James Hampton, President Transportation-Bro. James Hampton, President Praise Dance Sis. India Dillard, Sis. Ardaith Winslow Sunday School Renee Brown, Superintendent

12 N e w s l e t t e r G u i d e l i n e M i s s i o n S t a t e m e n t : T o i n f o r m o u r c h u r c h f a m i l y a n d c o m m u n i t y o f u p c o m i n g e v e n t s w i t h i n o u r c h u r c h a n d c o m m u n i t y T o a c k n o w l e d g e F. B. C. M e m b e r s a n d t h e i r a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s Newsletter Staff TiaShauna Carter ~ India Brown ~ Ashley Hairston ~ Maria Turner Cassandra Dandridge ~ Scharlean David Photographer