Philippians 1:3-5 (NRSV)

Transcription

1 FIRST BAPTIST MESSENGER Volume 7 issue 6 December 2017 From the Pastor s Pen With A Heart of Gratitude Philippians 1 : 3-5 (NRSV) Philippians 1:3-5 (NRSV) 3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. The apostle Paul was giving thanks to the church in Macedonia because of their steadfastness and their commitment to the spreading of the gospel. This text stands out to me when I think about how saints of First Baptist have been to God, to this Pastor s vision and to the new assignment that God has charged to my hands in this season. Over the past year many of the pillars of our faith community have taken their eternal rest. While the loss of these persons were a surprise to us, it was not surprising to God. While we all have a responsibility to carry out the work of God through His church, we must continue to live the legacy of our forefathers through faithfulness and commitment. As this year comes to a successful close, I think God for each of you and I pray daily for you. I also pray that this Christmas season will bring you all of the joy and blessings of Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas and a Prosperous Pastor Whit

2 A Word from our First Lady Family Family, we all have one; but do we all treasure them? As I reflect during this holiday season I am reminded that family is one of the special gifts God has blessed us with. Family, the ones who are there through all phases of our lives; the good, the bad and the ugly. Family, our greatest cheerleaders and biggest supporters. Family, the ones who know all of our imperfections and love us anyway. During this holiday season make sure you spend time with family. Take time to cherish the special moments and make memories that will last a life time. Spread love and not discord. Enjoy one another, treasure each other and remember family is a special gift from God. Thank you God for all of our blessings, especially the blessing of family! Be Blessed, Sis. Whit Page 2 Volume 7 issue 6

3 Announcements Christmas Program Our annual Christmas Program will be held December 17th at 3pm You don t want to miss it!!!! Watch Night Service Bring in the New Year with all of us at First Baptist Church East Martinsville. Enjoy a night of worship,fellowship, joyful sounds from our men s choir and a Meal!!!! Celebrations in honor of Rev. Charles R. Whitfield s 20th Anniversary as Pastor of First Baptist Church of East Martinsville: 3 Wednesday night Services in January, guest preachers each night Formal NCI on Saturday, February 3rd Sunday morning, February 4th guest preacher Rev. Kirby Whitfield ( See Shelia Williams or Donna Dillard for banquet information ) First Baptist messenger Page 3

4 Congratulations!!! Sis. Veronica Dancey has recently completed her book titled Roll Call. Sis. Dancey became interested in the history about the making of America. This inspired her to write about the people and places that she believes played a part in it. Sis. Dancey has participated in marches and demonstrations for the Civil Rights Movement and has seen first hand some of the injustices in these United States. She has had one book signing already and plans to do another in the upcoming months. You may purchase a copy online through Amazon.com, Xlibries.com or at Barnes and Noble Bookstore. We wish you great success on your new endeavor!! New Members Issac and Sharon Carter have decided that First Baptist is a church they would like to be a part of. After attending a funeral here they wanted to hear more from our pastor so they started visiting. They enjoyed the message as well as the warm welcome they received from the congregation and now are a part of the 1st B family! While Sharon is a native of New York where they moved to after college, Issac is a native of East Martinsville. Their oldest daughter Tajuana, is a student at VCU while their youngest is a junior at Martinsville High. After completing new members class Mr. and Mrs. Carter plan to see which ministry they would like to be a part of. Carleen Maxwell-Taylor, a native of New York, now resides in Martinsville with her husband, Kendall and their adorable son, Cardall. Carleen was invited to attend one of our worship services and has continued to come. She enjoyed participating in our Vacation Bible School and is interested in working with our Youth Ministry. Carleen said she is grateful for First Baptist warm, welcoming and inviting spirit. When she is not working as a Public Health Administrator, Carleen enjoys traveling. Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Page 4 Volume 7 issue 6

5 Birthdays!!! December 12/3-Larry Hodge 12/4-De jah Williams 12/9-Elexis Dandridge 12/9-Elson Price 12/9-Reginald Eldridge 12/12-Marla Eldridge 12/12-Renee Brown 12/21-Kenneth Devin 12/22-Jerome Pete Morton 12/24-Jannette Smith 12/26-Dorothea Kirby 12/26-Samya Williams 12/31-Ben Hairston January 01/2-Carrie Hairston 01/4-Blanche Scott 01/5-Brenda Hampton 01/8-Marquerite Wilson 01/8-Alfreda Brown 01/8-Rose Jackson 01/12-Chas Whitfield 01/12 Issac Carter 01/15-Morris Geter 01/15-Wayne Moore 01/18-George Brown 01/24-Gorrell Webster Grilling on the Hill with the Men s Ministry The Men s Ministry of Fist Baptist held their first Grilling on the Hill in October. According to Bro. Marcus Eldridge, who is the founder of the Men s Ministry, the idea for this came from 2 of it s members, Bro. Cecil France and Bro. Wayne Moore. It was a tailgate type event, where for a donation you could go to each tent and fill up on delicious ribs, fish, chicken, hotdogs, baked beans and more. This was a great success and was done simply for the fun and fellowship. Bro. Marcus vision for the ministry is to be an example to other men and to our youth and show them you can have fun and enjoy each others company in a good clean way. It is also a ministry that wants to empower men to live a Christ-like life and to be leaders in their communities as well as their home. Their first project was a fishing trip with the youth, which was a first for some and a great time for all. They hope to plan one more project before the end of the year. Any men interested in joining there will be an announcement on the next meeting. First Baptist messenger Page 5

6 Reflections Women s Day Weekend First Baptist celebrated its annual Women s Day event November 18-19, The theme Women of God Empowered to Serve, Equipped for Service, Proverbs3:14-18 was a very appropriate theme for the event. The weekend was spectacular, to God be the Glory! God blessed and moved within every aspect of the services. The speaker for the Saturday morning service was Ms. Neesey Payne from WDBJ7 news station in Roanoke, VA. Ms. Payne touched the hearts of everyone in attendance when she shared fond memories of her grandmother. We all left feeling as if we had walked those streets alongside her grandmother, with no shoes on. The Millner Sisters provided the music as they ministered a joyful noise unto the Lord. The words of Ms. Payne and the words from the songs from the Millner Sisters stirred the hearts and souls of everyone. Words could not describe the delicious breakfast the men of First B provided for the ladies. Sunday morning may have been the finale, and it ended with a heavenly bang. The Women s Day Choir rocked the house, as they sang melodious music and choral selections such as He Changed Me, and Strong Storm. Our very own Minister Leslie Brooks was a quiet storm in her own right. She gracefully shared what the Lord had given her to further equip the women of First Baptist to remember who God created us to be and to walk in our purpose. We are anxiously looking forward to next years Women s Day Weekend. Special thanks to Dr. E. T. Burton for blessing us with a wonderful message in our pastor s absence, Remember where you came from Dr. Burton is Pastor Emeritus of Sweet Union Baptist Church in Roanoke Va. Where he served for 50 years before retiring. Page 6 Volume 7 issue 6

7 Martinsville Health & Rehab Mr. Anthony Dillard Bro. William Dillard Bro. Elson Price Blue Ridge Sis. Leutisha Hairston Bro. Matthew Brim. Stanleytown Rehab Deacon Donald Kirby Bro. John Hairston Carrington Nursing Home Sis. Corrine Hairston Prayer Request Home Bishop Robert Moyer Sis. Beulah Brim Sis. Mildred France Sis. Marguerite Wilson Sis. Courtney Wade Sis. Nancy Mims Bro.. Carl Johnson Sis. Lena Millner Sis. Dorothy Martin Sis. Brenda Hampton And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15 Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Caption describing picture or graphic. Sunday School Incentive Awards As an incentive to our youth, First Baptist students that attend Sunday School 36 Sundays out of the year may be eligible for this award. They must also maintain an A/B average in academics and a B or above in citizenship. This years recipients are : Charity Whitfield, Evan Morton, Savannah Brown, Ethan Morton, Tyrese Perkins, Ashton Gravely, Chas Whitfield and Demari Holland. Also Pictured : Pastor Charles Whitfield and Sunday School Superintendent, Renee Brown The 5th Sunday ushers welcomed visitors in their First Baptist tee shirts. For Friends and Family Day. Below some of our ushers were blessed to attend the Virginia State Baptist Usher s Fellowship. This was Held November 3rd at Sweet Union Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va. First Baptist messenger Page 7

8 First Baptist Church East Martinsville 1043 East Church St. Martinsville, Va (276) (online) Newsletter Staff Maria Turner Kenya Gravely Carrie Hairston Chantea Moore Scharlean David Photographer Page 8 Volume 7 issue 6