ALABAMA CHURCH OF GOD NEWS &

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1 ALABAMA CHURCH OF GOD NEWS & March/April 2013 VOLUME 54 ISSUE 2 ALABAMA STATE CAMPMEETING Update... Plans are progressing for the kick-off of State Camp meeting 2013 on Friday, August 2, with camp meeting ending Wednesday, August 7. Youth emphasis is the plan for Saturday. On Sunday, come with an appetite for a great meal! Also, Sunday evening we'll be revisiting "Joseph's Coat Offering," so plan big! More later...as plans come into focus!! Please pray with us, and when you think you've prayed enough, pray more!! Alabama State Church of God Association Homecoming Camp-meeting 2013 July 7-14, 2013 Clanton, Alabama Dr Robert Culp - Guest Teacher and Preacher (Contact Mel Jacobs for more information) CALENDAR OF EVENTS June Senior High Camp June Junior High Camp June Junior Camp June Middler Camp June Global Gathering (Anderson Convention) June 26 - General Assembly in Anderson July Alabama State Church of God Association Camp Meeting August Alabama State Camp Meeting September CWC Fall Retreat 1

2 A Note From the General Assembly Chair We live in a world that is filled with problems and struggles. They invade our homes, our schools, and our places of work and recreation. They even make their way into our churches and our state and area organizations. When they come our way we tend to look at those around us, and place the blame on them for the problems. In some cases we even try to be biblical, and attempt to straighten out those folks by getting the speck out of their eye, while ignoring the beam in our own eye. It is hard to accept our own responsibility, and yet that is what God would have us do. Consider two passages of scripture that will help us through these difficult times. First, look at the words of the Psalmist: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24, NKJV) David makes it clear that our first responsibility is to be sure that our own life, (words, thoughts, attitudes, and actions) are in harmony with God s desire and will for us. If we do that we will solve many of our problems, and others will escape our judgmental attitudes. Then, consider these words from the Apostle Paul: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Paul nails it. Our battles on earth are not with other people. The battle is a spiritual one, against Satan and his forces in the spiritual realm. Once we learn that lesson, and apply it to ourselves and our situations, our energies and efforts can be focused on the real enemy, and we can live in greater unity and harmony. Two conclusions are fitting. That great cartoon character and theologian, Pogo, said it well, We have seen the enemy, and he is us. So examine yourself before criticizing others. And next, remember that our battle is not of the flesh, but in the spiritual realm. Let s place the emphasis where it belongs. And let s live in greater unity in every area of life as we correct our focus. May each of our churches, as well as our state organizations, find great victories in our ministries, and bring glory to our God. Mel Jacobs 2

3 Albertville Worship Church of God Albertville Worship Church of God WCG,met Saturday March 16 at the home of Sister Grace Light. Grace has been an active participant in the WCG local and state. Even though she is confined to a wheel chair, her love of the church is reflected in the praise she has for Jesus Christ. She is an encouragement to all who know her. The ladies had a wonderful meeting and of course great food. Albertville Worship Center organized a Ladies group in 2006 and because of their faithfulness several missionaries have been supported as well as local missions outreached. We encourage all of our Ladies to set their sights on the great commissions and be faithful. In the picture are some of our active ladies. Betty Deaton, Rubie McBrayer, Grace Light, Donna McBrayer. Standing from left to right are Syble Gallaway, behind her, hiding is Wanda Tudhope, Kimberly Green, Bonnie Wilbanks, Diana Frye, Jo Weeks and Imogene Austin. 3

4 OPELIKA, AIRVIEW Very exciting things are going on in Opelika. We had two Sundays in a row with a Baptismal Service (using the portable baptistery from the Lanett Church). An anonymous donor paid for a baptismal unit for the sanctuary and it has been installed. We are planning another baptism service for the near future. March 17th we celebrated 48 years of ministry to this area including ministry to Auburn University Students. We had 75 people in Service, Bro. Wayne Anderson Preaching, followed by a Great Fellowship Dinner. Some former Auburn University Students also participated. God is really blessing as we move forward with Him. We are praying that we will soon be back up to a place where we can call a pastor. Please pray with us for the will of God in this matter. As God's Word is ministered, "it will not return void". Jesus said, "Without Me, You Can Do Nothing". ********************************************************************************************************** * Brother Clarence P. Rutherford * On March 19, 1913 Clarence P. Rutherford was born on Stony Ridge in Graham Virginia. Events surrounding the birth of this bouncy baby boy are lost in history and time. Clarence, the oldest of five children is the lone survivor. His first memories were somewhere around age three. He states, I began to know things. He remembers the soldiers going off to war, waving from a train. He was 5 and the year was The war was WW1. At age 5 his mother told him about Jesus. He was introduced to, The Church of God, (Anderson Indiana). He started as a child to that church and now 100 years later he is a faithful part of Albertville Worship Center Church of God family. Along the way he has found God and friends in the Methodist, Baptist and many other houses of worship. The bottom line, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. 4

5 Continued.. Clarence graduated from Graham High School in Bluefield Virginia. Brother Clarence was 21 years old when he went to Washington D.C. leaving the hills of S.W. Virginia. There he made his living remodeling buildings. This led into a lifelong trade of building houses. In 1942 He went into the US Army where he stayed 3 ½ years. His stance on the military was one of consciousness objector He loved his country and did not refuse the military; he just did not want to shoot someone. So the army obliged and sent him deep into Alaska when Alaska was still a territory. His army job was being a barber. He saved his money and sent it back to his Mom in Virginia. When he got out of the Army she had not spent a penny. Brother Clarence cut his own hair until age 98. Once home, Clarence worked with his father for 75 cents an hour. Later he took a job with another man for 1.65 hour. He saved 50,000 dollars and went on to own his own business. He built 27 houses. The last house he planned and constructed was in Albertville. He was 80. He helped to build and roof the church he attends on North Cahill St. He worked at Camp Chula Vista to build the CRC building. And at the age of 97 he climbed on his house to patch a leaky roof. Oh yes, he has fallen off a time or two. Brother Clarence first married, Helen Smith from Canada. She passed away early in the marriage. Later he married Wynelle, a lovely woman he met in Biloxi Mississippi in He acquired a beautiful wife and two daughters. Wynelle died in He speaks loving of her throughout the conversation. In 2011 Brother Clarence went to live in Branchwater Assistant Living. Up until that time he drove, lived alone and kept his own house and cooked his own meals. He admits that he is where he needs to be. He adjusted extremely well to his new life and is pleased with his wonderful new family and friends at Branchwater. Rev. Faye Asbury came to Albertville Worship Center in 2006 as Pastor. The relationship with this new Pastor took a strange turn. Pastor Faye was from his area of S. W. Virginia, knew the same people he knew and shared the heritage of the church. When Faye went home to Virginia, she would take Brother Clarence where he visited with nephews there. Brother Clarence always said he prayed to live to be 100 because no one in his family had lived that long. Now he says, I may live to be 101. He attributes his long life to eating correctly, working hard and living for Christ. Happy 100 th Birthday Brother Clarence. 5

6 CAMP CORNER The Camp Coordinators, as well as the Board of CE, are asking each of our churches to have their congregation to do 4 things for us: 1. Be PRAYING for our camps (Directors, Counselors & Students and Staff) 2. Promote Summer Camp to your youth at your church. See Chad Skelton for your packet Make sure your students have a way to PAY for camp ( fundraisers, sponsorships etc) 4. Take up a special offering just for Camp Ministry. (see Nancy Vinson or Chad Skelton) We want this year to be the best ever, and we need your help and support. Please use a bulletin insert to help promote summer camp at Camp Chula Vista. Nancy Vinson Camp Coordinator Chad Skelton Asst. Camp Coordinator Board of CE Chairman Here are a few letters from our Camp Supporters: Camp means the world to me. In the summer of 2008 I received my call to ministry. Camp is where I have built relationships that will go on FOREVER! Camp is a place where my faith is increased. When I was a wrangler, this place became a second home to me. There is no place I'd rather be... EVER. Josh Bruce - 6th Ave. COG I love Camp Chula Vista for many reasons. I first came to camp when I was 11 in That week changed my life, and from then on out I was confident in my walk with God. I became a true Christian. Camp Chula Vista is my home. It is the one place where I feel the closest to God. Every year I come back is better than the last. I've met so many great people her, and continue to meet many more. Every time I come, God reveals something new to me, and I can carry it back home. Lauren Bass - Riverchase Community Church These are just two of many letters that were written about what Camp Chula Vista means to the counselors and students who have grown up at Camp Chula Vista. If you were to read them all, you would here things like - a second home to me, closer to God here than anywhere, became a Christian at CCV, my life was changed at CCV, lifelong relationships built at CCV, and on and on. Come find out for yourself what CCV is all about. Nancy Vinson - Camp Coordinator Chad Skelton - Asst. Camp Coordinator 6

7 Mark 9:23 everything is possible for him who believes. The Camp Chula Vista Dining Hall Well, it is almost time. Time for what? Camp, Camp and more Camp! For the past several years, campers have hiked over to the CRC for meals. This year will start a new era, back to eating at the camp side dining hall. Much construction has been in progress to open the dining hall this year. The Camp Chula Vista board members, (Harold Lott and Wilburn Williams as chairpersons) have sacrificed a lot of time and work to see that the dining hall would be open for Summer Camp It still a work in progress, so please continue to pray for our Dining Hall Project as it nears completion. i believe would like to thank each and every person that purchased a shirt, lanyard, bought concessions from the Snack Shack and those that donated time and money toward the The Dining Hall Project. Lanyards $3 T-shirts are $15 7

8 Publication Editor.Judy Mason Assistant Editor Christa Lott Little ... National Offices..Anderson, IN Website Address.. ****If you or your church and any of its groups, would be interested in adopting a CRC room, please call CHULA VISTA! CRC rooms can be restored, decorated and painted for as little as $250 a room. **** Churches seeking pastors: Daphne - Austin Road Community Church Fairhope - South River Park Church of God Vinemont - Longview Church of God Contact Kim Westerfield Brittainfor more information. ************************************************************************* CHANGES IN OUR STATE NEWSLETTER The Alabama News will be sent out primarily by . Each church will be sent a hard copy that may be copied at the church for distribution. Due to the rising cost of printing and mailing out the newsletter, the state council has decided to use this method for now. If you have a prayer request or an event in your church and want to share please contact me. Also if you know of someone who would like to receive the newsletter by or still needs to have a hard copy sent to them in the mail, please contact Judy Mason, judy.mason@att.net. 8