First Baptist Church East Martinsville Making Discipleship Our Main Priority Matthew 28:18-20

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1 February 2012 First Baptist Church East Martinsville Making Discipleship Our Main Priority Matthew 28:18-20 F I R S T B A P T I S T From I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : 2 Announcements A Word from Lady Whitfield 3 Save the Date 4 Prayer Request/ 5 Student News 6 Tax Help 7 New Members 7 Health Tip 8- Reflections 9 MLK Day & FBC Youth 10 Word Search 10 FBC Clerks 11 the M E S S E N G E R Pastor s Pen Integrity: I Promise I Will! - Psalm 15:4 also interpersonal integrity, which is displayed in both how we relate to others and what we commit to others. We make promises all the time. I ll pray for you. I ll be there if you need me. I promise to do better next time. This won t hurt a bit! First of all, we must have integrity in the decision of what we commit to others. Psalm 15:4 says the man of Godly character swears. Now obviously, the Old Testament idea of swearing was to make a commitment and does not refer to taking God s name in vain. And the list could go on, but few, if any, of these promises are kept. We have been on both sides. Whether it was a baseball game that your dad promised to take you to or a vacation that you promised for your family, we are people of broken promises. When was the last time someone broke a commitment they had made to you and how did you feel? Pastor Whitfield prove. Are you a person who keeps your In today s vernacular, we word even when it's not may say something along convenient, no matter the lines of, I swear on my what? If you are not, dead mother s grave. then a major part of Sometimes our mother is God-defined integrity not even passed yet! What's is missing in your life the purpose, the idea of and you need to submit swearing that way? Well, the that area and allow Jeperson is simply saying, if sus to change it if you you can t count on my word, want to be a pleasing, at least you can count on obedient, and blessed heaven. This person is trydisciple. ing to strengthen their lack of integrity by He who promises more than he is swearing in conable to perform, Is false to himself nection with and he who does not perform what something else. he has promised, is a traitor to his Jesus hits this friend. George Shelley situation head on and shows the absolute worthlessness of it in Matthew 5. Be Blessed, Psalm 15 as a whole deals with the marks of a genuinely godly person, a true worshiper of God. In verse one David asks, God who are the genuine believers, the true citizens of heaven who worship you and truly know Which area of commitment you? The genuine believer not only possesses do you most struggle with? Commit that area to God personal integrity but and seek out ways to im- Pastor Whit

2 2 Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. Job 4:3-4 (NIV) F i r s t B a pt i st C h u r c h

3 V o l u m e A 2, I ss u e W O R D 1 F R O M F I R S T W H I T F I E L D The Greatest Valentine With Valentine s Day around the corner, Who will be my valentine, some may wonder. Who will send me flowers, candies and things, Who will it be that makes my heart sing Who will I share with this special day Where will we go and what will we say? All these questions one may ask, But finding a valentine is not that hard of a task. For the greatest lover we will ever know, Came to be our valentine over 2000 years ago. This valentine showed the greatest love, When He laid down his life and shed his blood. This gift He gave to you and me, No greater gift will there ever be. So if you re in search for valentine, Your search is over, no greater will you find, Than Jesus Christ, the greatest of all. Jesus Christ, a valentine for all Written by: Carmela Whitfield L A D Y 3

4 V o l u m e 2, I ss u e 1 4 February 2012 Sun Mon Wed Tue Thu Fri Sat Black History Pastor s Anniversary 11:00am & 3:00pm 12 Program 3:00pm Greater Saunders Grove M.B.C. in Hertferd, NC 3pm March 2012 Sun 4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Solid Thu Fri Sat Rock Chuch in Salem, VA 7pm Greater Lizzieboro B.C. in Macon, GA 11am 25 Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church in Bassett, VA 4pm FBC Dinner Play coming soon! Pre-Easter Service vapril 7:00 p.m. Sunrise Moral Hill MBC April 6:00 a.m.

5 5 F i r s t B a pt i st C h u r c h Bro. Anthony Dillard (VA Beach) Sis. Louise Martin (Home) Sis. Ressie Beamer (Blue Ridge) Bro. Jim Linthicum (Home) Sis. Leutisha Hairston (Blue Ridge) Bro. Ronnie Ramey (Golden Living) Bro. Jamarr Kirby (Home) Sis. Geneva Penn (Hospital) Rev. McArthur Clark (Stanleytown) Sis. Mattie Freeman (Hospital) Sis. Anita Hairston (Home) Sis. Willie Mae Geter (Home) Sis. Dorothy Scott (Home) Bro. Coy David King, Jr. ( Correctional facility) Blue Ridge Nursing Home 300 Blue Ridge Street Martinsville, VA Stanleytown Healthcare Center Nursing Home State Rte 682 & 57-A Stanleytown, VA Golden Living Center 1607 Spruce Street Ext. Martinsville, VA VA Beach Rehab Center 1801 Camelot Drive VA Beach, VA USP Florence-High (correctional facility) P.O. Box 7000 Florence, CO February Jackie Hairston 2/29 Brandon Dillard 2/3 March Margaret Devein 2/3 Georgia Ramey 2/3 Dale Martin 2/7 Anita Deshazo 3/5 Joe Dillard 3/5 Akilah Carter 3/8 Luecinnie Redd 2/10 Valerie King 2/11 Juanita Dodson 3/9 Jervell Walker 2/12 Jube Smith 3/9 Denise Orange 2/14 Charlie Martin 3/10 Betty Webster 2/14 Toni Geter 3/14 Eileen Ramey 2/14 Wesley Moore 2/15 Martha Hairston 2/20 Alexys Hodge 2/23 Bobbie Dillard 3/17 Rhami Worrell 3/21 Matthew Brown 3/26 Bejamin Ramey 2/23 Eugene David 3/29 Ashley Hairston 2/27 Savannah Brown 3/29 Nickolas Moyer

6 V o l u m e 2, I ss u e 1 6 Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom - Carter G. Woodson The Wilson Hairston Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded to four of our members for having a _._ average for the semester. The scholarship has been awarded since around 1980,but the name was changed in honor of Deacon Hairston for his work as the Chairman of the committee. First Baptist congratulates all of you! Ian Dillard majors in Politics at the University of Virginia. Branden Hampton majors in Music Media at Norfolk State University. Alexys Hodge majors in Psychology at Patrick Henry Community College. Leslie Simmons majors in Fashion Merchandising at Old Dominion University. The Sunday School Incentive Award is presented to students attending Sunday School for 36 Sundays beginning in June and ending in July of the following year. Students must maintain a B or above in each subject and a B or satisfactory in citizenship. The recipients will be awarded a $50.00 Savings Bond. For more information on the guidelines please see Sis Renee Brown or Sis Scharlean David. What? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Why? The FAFSA is necessary to receive ANY federal loans or grants from the federal government. Universities and colleges require that this application be completed to receive financial aid! When? January 1st! The FAFSA is available on January 1st of each year. For each year that a student is enrolled, a FAFSA must be completed! Complete your FAFSA A.S.A.P. in order to receive the maximum amount of financial aid available! Where? (Do not use NEVER pay anyone to complete the FAFSA!) How? High School students can meet with their College Advisors for further information and college students can visit their school s financial aid offices! Also, feel free to see Sis. India Dillard for further assistance!

7 7 F i r s t B a pt i st C h u r c h The United Way s Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) will be offered in six locations this year! Be sure to visit one of the sites listed below for free tax filing help! (The following site hours are for February, hours will change for March-April) Liberty Fair Mall ( walk-ins only) : Tuesdays-Thursdays 10 a.m. 8p.m.; Fridays Saturdays 10 a.m. 2 p.m. New College Institute (appointments only, call ) : Mondays Thursdays 10 a.m. 6 p.m. ; open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays Martinsville Commissioner of the Revenue (appointments only, call ) : Mondays Fridays 9a.m. 4p.m. Grace Network (appointments only; call ): Mondays 1p.m. 5p.m. Stanleytown United Methodist Church (appointment only; call ) Tuesdays and Thursdays 9a.m. noon Patrick Henry Community College : Mondays Thursdays 6p.m. 9p.m. ; Fridays Saturdays 9a.m. 9p.m. This is a self-preparation site. Assistance is available.

8 V o l u m e 2, I ss u e 1 8 We extend a warm welcome back to Jennifer Agee.Jennifer and her three children, Monty 18, Nachelle 14, and Monique 11 are familiar faces at First Baptist. While here she served as an usher and this time she has expressed an interest in the Praise Dance Ministry. Jennifer works as an executive assistant for a Roanoke company and as a Zumba Fitness instructor. If you haven t already dne so please give her a First Baptist welcome! February is American Heart Month! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Here are 7 smart foods to help reduce the risk of heart disease: Oatmeal has shown to decrease LDL ( bad ) cholesterol. 2. Salmon is high in heart-productive omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts, especially walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts, are great sources of good fats. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of heart disease Berries lower inflammation. Beans, if eaten four times a week, have proven to lower risk of heart disease by twenty-two percent. 7. Broccoli has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. (MHC Coalition for Health & Wellness)

9 9 F i r s t B a pt i st C h u r c h Our 2011 Christmas program, Emmanuel: A Celebration in Music was a great production by Sis. Valerie King. Everyone involved did a wonderful job using their God-given talents! We thank you for your dedication to making this a joyful evening. Watch Night service gave us all time to reflect on all the blessings the year 2011 brought us. We heard the word from Pastor Whitfield and songs of praise from the Male Chorus. We fellowshipped with our brothers and sisters in Christ and then enjoyed a delicious breakfast served by the Sunday School Activities Committee and their volunteers. On January 9th & 28th, 2012, First Baptist Church held leadership training. The topic was Spiritual Leadership, Discernment & Conflict Resolution. Subjects discussed were spiritual discernment, leader preparation, and conflict management. Job well done to all involved! ATTENTION F.B.C. COOKS: We would like to feature recipes in the upcoming editions of the First Baptist Messenger. If you have recipes that you would like to share, please them to fbc.newsletter@yahoo.com, leave in the newsletter box in the vestibule, or see Sis. Maria Turner or Sis. Cassandra Dandridge by March 15th!

10 1 0 F i r s t B a pt i st C h u r c h The Newsletter Staff interviewed several of our younger members. We asked what they learned during the MLK, Jr. Day Teach In held at St. Paul High Street Baptist Church on January 16, Here s what they had to say: Savannah Brown learned that Dr. King led marches to end segregation on buses. She really enjoyed the NSBE Step team. Brooklyn King learned that at one time black children could not use the same water fountain or bathroom as white children and they couldn t ride in the front of the bus. Charity Whitfield said she learned that Dr. Kings house was burned. She said she liked her teacher and enjoyed the day. Chas Whitfield said he did not know Dr. King was shot at a motel. Chas especially enjoyed the Boys and Girls Club steel drums. He also enjoyed playing with the MLK Mass Choir even though it was hard learning the songs in just a few days! Rhami Worrell learned that Dr. King had four children and that he was sometimes called M.L. Rhami enjoyed the steel drums and the night service.she said the choir was AWESOME!!

11 V o l u m e 1, I ss u e V o l u m e 2, I ss u e Sis. Leora Hampton has appointed by the church to the position of the church Clerk in Some of her duties include keeping church records and sending cards to the sick and shut in. In death occurs she is there for the families to assist with plans or arrangements if needed. She also prepares the resolutions for the church. Sister Hampton said she really enjoys working for the Lord. First Baptist Church appreciates her long years of service. Sis. Deborah Moore has been assistant clerk since 2005.She started as the assistant to the assistant clerk in Deborah types the programs for the church. She does the church announcements on Sunday and helps the clerk with various task when needed. Sis. Brenda Hampton has been the assistant to the assistant clerk since Brenda makes the copies of the church programs and does the church announcements on Sunday. She also helps the clerk with various task when needed.

12 F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H M E S S E N G E R F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H E A S T M A R T I N S V I L L E E A S T M A R T I N S V P H O N E : F A X : 2 F B C R E V. C H A R L E S C H U R C H I L L E, V A G M A I L R. W H I T F I E L D, S T R E E T C O M M. D I V ; D. D., We are partners with God in His Kingdom Ministries Deacon-Bro. James Hampton, Chairman One in the Spirit-Min T. Grogans, Min. L. Allen, Sis C. Whitfield Deaconess-Sis. Leora Hampton, President Senior Ushers-Sis. Katherine Hairston, President Senior Missionary-Sis. Virginia L. Hairston Junior Ushers-Sis. Sheila Williams, Advisor Junior Missionary-Sis. Marie Jones, President Sanctuary Choir-Sis. Scharlean David, President Willing Workers-Sis. Artis Law, President Youth Voices of Praise-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 P A S T O R