servant. But he that is greatest among you shall be your NEW BETHEL Missionary Baptist Church A Sincere and Steadfast Servant Matthew 23:11

Transcription

1 A Sincere and Steadfast Servant But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 NEW BETHEL Missionary Baptist Church 7786 Poplar Pike Germantown, TN Church Office (901)

2 To the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, my family and friends. Peace and love be with you. I want to thank each of you for your support and encouragement as we have labored in the ministry of doing the work of God, serving as the Pastor for the past twenty-three years. I especially would like to thank my wife who has stood by my side over these years as she has sacrificed giving of her time, especially this last year as she s had some physical challenges in her life. Twenty-three years...as I reflect back over these years, I am reminded of one psalms, Psalms 23. It is said next to John 3:16, Psalms 23 is the best-known and probably most-beloved passage in all the Word of God. This psalms along with other scriptures, has been my guide as I have tried to be the Pastor God has called me to be at this Great New Bethel M. B. Church. Notice how this 23rd of Psalms opens, it says: Psalms 23:1; 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd. A shepherd is a protector, but a shepherd is also a leader that guides the sheep in the direction they should travel. He leads them to food, water and a safe place to rest. And over these twenty-three years, it has been and still is my goal to allow the Lord to be my shepherd. For Jesus did say in John 10:14: 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. And I know I am one of Jesus many sheep. Jesus also said in John 10:27: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: in the sheep hear my voice? I have tried to be led by the voice of Jesus as I have tried to render to you the service that God has assigned me to give to you. I don t know how much longer God will keep me in this position but, however long, I am thankful to Him and will continue to give God the best of my service. Yes, He has continued to cause souls to be saved through this ministry and this is the joy that I glory in the most. Yes, I am very thankful and excited over the many other accomplishments that God has allowed us at this New Bethel M.B. Church to accomplish, one is the building and paying off the mortgage of the present sanctuary. So, let us continue to be as one and serve God to accomplish the mission He has given to this church. Again, I thank God for being able to serve you for twenty-three years. Yours in Christ, Donald R. Ester, Sr. Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr.

3 Wow New Bethel family! What a year. It seems as though this year whizzed by. We have made great strides and received a lot of blessings and for that I am eternally grateful. I think about our congregation and what we ve been through individually and the blessings that have been poured into our lives and all I can say is Thank You Lord. As you all know this has been a year I ve seen quite a bit of illnesses and I m grateful the Lord saw me through it all. New Bethel Family I want you to know how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Your prayers helped to sustain me as I was in and out of the hospital. First Lady Carolyn D. Ester Your visits were especially special. You took the time out of your busy lives to visit me and decorate my home for Christmas. Thank you for your giving spirit. Your cards brought happiness in what could have otherwise been bleak days. I looked forward to the mail each day to read your beautiful cards and handwritten messages. I will treasure them forever. Your thoughtfulness did not stop there. I was blessed financially and with gifts beyond anything I could have expected. New Bethel Family, I felt your outpouring of prayers and love. I don t have enough words to explain how special you make me feel. I have never felt this way before and thinking back on the experience brings tears (happy tears) to my eyes. New Bethel Family, thank you for being the best church family in the world. Love you all, Sister Carolyn Ester

4 7:50 a.m....call to Worship Reverend Charles Hodges, Sr., Pulpit Manager Selection Devotion Deacon Board Selection ~PRAYER, TITHES, and OFFERINGS~ Announcements Altar Call/Healing Prayer Hymn of the Morning... Amazing Grace SERMON. REVEREND U.S. BEASLEY TEXT: TITLE: NOTES from the SERMON: Invitation to Discipleship Selection.. Congregation Closing Remarks...Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr. Benediction...Reverend U.S. Beasley

5 9:00 a.m...sunday School Sister Wanda Wicks, Superintendent 10:15 a.m. Call to Worship Reverend Johnny Brooks, Pulpit Manager Selection. New Bethel Mass Choir ENTRANCE OF HONOREES Pastor Dr. Donald R. and First Lady Carolyn D. Ester ESCORTED BY Brother James and Sister Tracie Montgomery MISSION STATEMENT Associate Minister Devotion....Deacon Board Selections (2)... New Bethel Mass Choir ~PRAYER, TITHES, and OFFERINGS~ Pastor as a Leader...Children s Ministry...Brother Jeremiah Greer Pastor as a Teacher...Youth Ministry....Sister Kalen Ingram Altar Call/Healing Prayer Hymn of the Morning.. Amazing Grace SERMON REVEREND SAMUEL RANDOLPH TEXT: TITLE: NOTES from the SERMON: Invitation to Discipleship Selection New Bethel Mass Choir Announcements/Recognition of Visitors Narrator Closing Remarks...Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr. Benediction.Reverend Samuel Randolph Congregation Stand PLEASE Do Not Walk

6 FAITH And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13, 14) PRAYER Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18) LOVE/ONE ACCORD Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. (Romans 12:9, 10) each the unsaved and hurting. eveal Christ the Savior, the Word to them. eceive the saints as brethren.

7 The Prayer Room is open EVERY SUNDAY after each Worship Service for individuals requesting PRAYER. MARCH is Pastor and Wife Love Month. Theme: A Sincere and Steadfast Servant Matthew 23:11. Assessment is $100 Colors are Crème and Red LOVE DAY CELEBRATION will take place on TODAY at 2:30 p.m. Lake Grove M.B. Church and Morning Grove M.B. Church will be our special guests. CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR The position of CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR is available, please see the Church Secretary for the requirements. The deadline to submit resumes is March 31, MARCH is National Month Sunday, March 25, 2018 Children s Church is CLOSED on today. 2:30 p.m. Pastor and Wife Love Day Celebration. Sister Elsie Taylor, Pastor s Aide Ministry President Monday, March 26, :30 p.m. Dance Ministry Practice (Church Sanctuary) 6:30 p.m. Tai Chi (Small Building) and the Exercise Room will be open every Monday from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, :00 p.m. Priase Team Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Mass Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 29, :45 p.m. Prison Ministry Meeting 7:00 p.m. BIBLE STUDY. This week s discussion will be focused on PASSION WEEK. We will focus on several scriptures answering the question: What is Passion Week? Members and friends are encouraged to attend. Friday, March 30, 2018 GOOD FRIDAY Health Ministry Boot Camp Individuals interested in an eight week boot camp are asked to contact Sis. Teris Webb at (901) Classes began on March 3 rd at an estimated cost of $10/class. WELCOME VISITORS AND FRIENDS!!!

8 PASSION WEEK: HOLY WEEK WORSHIP and LUNCH Worship (Noon 12:30 p.m.) and Lite Lunch (12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.) Monday, March 26: Germantown United Methodist Church Tuesday, March 27: Kingsway Christian Church Wednesday, March 28: Germantown Presbyterian Church Maundy Thursday, March 29: New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Good Friday, March 30: St. George s Episcopal Church Saturday, March 31, Noon Children s Ministry Easter Pageant Rehearsal, all children are welcome to participate. 12 Noon QUARTERLY CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING (Family Life Center: Banquet Hall) all members are asked to be in attendance. Sunday, April 1, 2018 The Youth Ministry has planned a trip May 26 28, 2018, to Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA to tour several civil rights historical sites and spend a day at Six Flags. Space is available on a first come, first served basis and chaperones are needed. Anyone interested in serving as a chaperone should contact Rev. Randolph, Sis. Sara Flowers-Dent or Sis. Latrena Ingram. The cost of the trip will be $190 for New Bethel Youth Ministry members and $235 for all others. SPRING REVIVAL Tuesday, April 24 th through Thursday, April 26 th, :45 p.m. Nightly 7:00 a.m. EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE 10:15 a.m. OBSERVANCE of the LORD S SUPPER and BAPTISM, and Children s Ministry Easter Pageant Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the 10:15 a.m. Worship Service ALONZO BARBER INSTITUTE of the ZION DISTRICT, INC. The Pre-Opening will take place on Sunday, April 1, 2018, Classes will be held April 2 6, 2018, beginning at 6:45 p.m. nightly. Contact the C.E.D. Directiors for inquiries. New Bethel will have nine instructors this year. Please support them by attending one the Christian education classes being offered. Sunday, April 8, 2018 Quarterly Birthdays and New Members Fellowship recognizing the months of January, February and March Saturday, April 21, 2018 Men s Prayer Breakfast, all MEN are welcome to attend RITES OF PASSAGE ATTENTION New Bethel GRADUATES pre school through college, please complete an information form AND submit a picture for the Rites of Passage program scheduled to take place in June 2018 no later than Sunday, May 6, 2018, to Sis. Helen Moody, Sis. LeTre sa Moody, Sis. Nicole Moody or the church secretaries. Information forms are located in the church foyer, the New Bethel Neshoba Family Life Center and online at L.I.F.E. Ministry The L.I.F.E. Ministry needs your support. Please donate adult diapers (sizes Large/X Large), bed pads and new blankets (sizes twin and full). Contact Sis. Paula Young for more info.

9 2:30 P.M....CALL TO WORSHIP Reverend Evelyn Jones, Pulpt Manager Selection.. New Bethel Mass Choir ENTRANCE OF HONOREES Pastor Dr. Donald R. and First Lady Carolyn D. Ester ESCORTED BY Brother Derrick and Sister Margaret Greer Devotion......New Bethel and Visiting Deacons Introduction of Worship Leader WORSHIP LEADER PASTOR BRIAN BARTLETT Lake Grove M.B. Church Welcome Sister Marcie Smith Acceptance...Lake Grove M.B. Church Selection.Exchange of Choirs...New Bethel Mass Choir Praise through Dance Angelic Dancers of Faith and Praise in Motion *TRIBUTE TO PASTOR AND FIRST LADY ESTER* Pastor as a Teacher Brother Douglas Malone, Jr. Pastor as a Leader...Deacon Ronald Wilson, Sr. A & B Selection.... Lake Grove M.B. Church

10 ~PRAYER and OFFERINGS~ Exchange of Choirs Deacon Robert Sullivan and Deacon John Wicks Finance Committee Introduction of Speaker Selection...Morning Grove M.B. Church SPEAKER PASTOR DONNIE JONES Morning Grove M.B. Church TEXT: TITLE: NOTES FROM THE SPEAKER: Invitation to Discipleship Selection..Morning Grove M.B. Church *TRIBUTE AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS* New Bethel Praise Team and the Young Adult Ministry EXPRESSIONS First Lady Carolyn D. Ester Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr. Words of Gratitude Sister Elsie Taylor and Mother Maxine Randolph Closing Remarks and Benediction...Pastor Donnie Jones

11 Pastor Dr. Donald R. Ester, Sr. As we reflect on the memories for 23 years, Lord, guard his mouth, his mind. Remove every tale of sin and pride. Keep him in the hour of temptation. Remove all fears and doubt. By your spirit, be in his mouth so that he will speak a word that is due and bring your people close to you. God bless you Pastor Ester and Sister Ester. With love, honor and appreciation. ~From the Pen of Laura Rembert Sunday, March 18, 2018 Brother Roy Webb Christian Experience

12 BEREAVEMENT Sister Delois Jackson in the Loss of Two Family Members The Family of the Late Sister Jean B. Moody (Mother of Sister June Moody Reed) The Saines Family in the Loss of a Relative The Family of the Late Brother Joe Patrick (Cousin of Sister Della Banner) Sister Alverna Crutcher Sister Josephine Richardson Brother Wilson Wright, Jr. Sister Josephine James SICK AND SHUT-IN Brother Ozell Person Mother Roxie Barber Sister Martha Bady Brother Robert Flye PRAYER REQUESTS Mother Mary Hill Reverend Charles Campbell Brother Herman Perry Reverend Kenneth Greenidge Mother Gwen Watkins Mother Annie Saines The New Bethel Church Family Sister Liza Lee Deacon Robert Sullivan Sister Gloria Williams Brother Robert Thompson Brother Henry Harris The Mother of Sister Tracie Montgomery Brother Henderson Days Sister Peaches Crawford Brother Jeremy Tate Brother Dustin Pampley The Praise Team and All Choirs of New Bethel Brother Fred and Sister Matilda Banner Sister Jamie Jones Terry and Family Sister Jeanne White Brother James Winters Brother Grady Jamison Sister Lula McClain Brother James Moody Sister Antoinette Richardson The Shotwell Family