THE OLIVE BRANCH A PUBLICATION OF OLIVE BRANCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Volume 5, Issue 1 August/September 2007 write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run that reads it. Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV This indeed has been a short but blessed summer. The OB is up and running for a short edition. We will be up and running in full force in October. Continue to pray for the newsletter staff as we try to do our very best. This article on forgiveness was sent to me by Pastor Linda Smith who just recently founded New Covenant Fellowship Church in Virginia Beach. We wish her God s blessings because I am sure pastoring is not an easy task, but never the less I know she counts it all joy. This article is something I know we as Christians will have to deal with at one time or another and forgiveness is not always an easy thing. Never the less, read and take heed. Pastor Linda, again I thank you. Ann The value of forgiveness Forgiveness can indeed be difficult. Yet in the long run, it is far easier to forgive than to live with resentment or continuing retribution. Through forgiveness, you can move away from the pains of the past. With forgiveness, you can achieve real freedom. There are always opportunities to benefit from the value of forgiveness. You can forgive yourself, you can forgive others, and you can forgive even when you don t know exactly who to forgive. Because forgiveness is not about who is to blame or who is at fault. Forgiveness is mostly about letting go, completely and permanently, within yourself. Bishop McBath s television sermon was You Make Me Sick and it dealt with the unsightly and powerful side effects of unforgiveness. It is one thing to say you forgive someone for things they did or said to you to hurt you or offend you however, it is truly another thing to walk in forgiveness. As Bishop pointed out, we don t forgive because it feels good but to the contrary we forgive because it is the right thing to do. And your feelings will usually follow your actions. So, all of us need to take regular inventory to see if we have any unforgiveness and ask God to help us to release it. It is ONLY then that we can get our prayers through and receive the blessings that God has in store for us. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Forgiveness is recognizing the reality that what has happened has happened, and that there is no point in allowing it to dominate your life. Forgiveness refreshingly clears the slate and enables you to move positively forward. Carrying around a load of resentment can be an enormous and unnecessary burden. Forgive early and often, and you ll considerably lighten your load. THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 1
Showing love on Father s Day THE OLIVE BRANCH A publication of the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church s Media Ministry Kelvin E. McDonald, Sr. Senior Pastor Editor Ann Cassell Production Assistants Brenda McDonald Jennifer Glenn All articles for the newsletter must be copy ready submitted to the Editor by the 1 st Sunday of the month. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space. Email address: Cassie1155@cox.net Mcdonald97@cox.net socialite149@yahoo.com Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church 510 Brooks Avenue Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909 Church: (252) 338-1241 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the King James Version Summer is over! Time to put your mind on academics! Study to show yourself approved! THE OLIVE BRANCH provides its readers with relevant and current information pertinent to the Christian walk and lifestyle. THE OLIVE BRANCH staff will make every effort to provide material which is educational, entertaining, encouraging and inspiring. All of this is done in an effort to assist OLIVE BRANCH readers in developing a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 2
Bro. O Neal Pullie - August Sis. Jean Sims - September THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 3
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERY ONE CELEBRATING IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 4
The Men s Roundup!!! THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 5
FOOD DIARY SHEDS LIGHT ON EATING HABITS It is human nature to forget what we eat in a day, so it comes as a big surprise when we step on the scales and see the pounds increasing. Excessive calories and fat, large portions and between-meal snacks can have a big effect on the waistline. For children who struggle with weight and parents who want to improve their children s health, a simple daily food diary can help. It s a good way to see what habits are contributing to weight gain and loss of energy. And it provides a good starting place to learn how to evaluate food for its nutrition and health. A food diary should record everything the child eats and drinks in a day including the amount. You can help your child set up a food diary and encourage careful logging of each time she eats or drinks. If you write down everything for a week including meals and snacks you will see the pattern of eating that contribute to problems and make changes based on habits your child doesn t even realize he or she has. The Healthy You weight management program at CHKD recommends the following notations be made on each daily food diary sheet: - Type/amount of food or drink (such as: 2 slices of toast with butter, orange juice) - Time it was eaten (7 a.m.) - Ate alone or with somebody (Mom) - Activity before/after eating (reading, watching TV) - Your feeling/mood (bored/tired) If you also write down all activity each day such as cleaned room, walked to friend s house, rode bike, watched TV you can discover how activity and exercise influence how you feel. Now is a good time to begin this activity. Children who have weight problems can find they are on a new path to weight loss and better health before school starts. Dr. Dominique Barkley, MD, who practices with CHKD Health System s Chesapeake Pediatrics, contributed to this article THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 6
Family and Friends Day 2007 Rev. James Collins and Church Family THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 7
Pastor Mac s 5 th Anniversary Rev. Michael Tolliver and congregation of First Baptist South Hill, Chesapeake, VA THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 8
THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 9
2007 Vacation Bible School THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 10
HAVING FUN ON A HOT SUMMER DAY!!! OCEAN BREEZE WATER PARK THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 11
Kedrick Whidbee, a rising Senior at Northeastern High School and Keele Mercer a rising sophomore at Northestern High School attended the Upward Bound educational summer program on the campus of Elizabeth City State University. Kedrick presided over the closing ceremony. Both received recognition and plaques for participation. Kedrick received a trophy for Best Academic Achievement in science and science lab and most improved in composition and literature. Congratulations to Kedrick and Keele. Elijah Burch-Brothers has been selected to attend a National Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, DC October 18 & 19. Congratulations Elijah!!!! Several activities were hosted to help defray the cost to Elijah and his family. Kids of the Kingdom are collecting school supplies for all children. All donations should be given to Sis. Iris Gallop or Bro. O Neal Pullie. It is a desire, once again, to make this an on-going project for the children. As school opens, let us remember to keep our children as well as all children in constant prayer that they may have a safe and successful school year. THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 12
WEEK AT A GLANCE SUNDAY 8:00 AM Early Morning Worship 9: 30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Praise & Worship 11:00 AM Morning Service 11:00 AM Children s Church 1:00 PM Guardian Care Visitation (3 rd Sunday) MONDAY 6:00 PM Praise Exercise 6:00 PM Sunday School Ministry (3 rd Monday) TUESDAY 6:30 PM KEM Community Voices WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM Cub Scouts 6:00 PM Trustee (3 rd Wednesday) 6:00 PM Youth Ministry (4 th Wednesday) 6:30 PM Praise Team (before 1 st & 3 rd Sumday) 7:30 PM Mass Choir (before 2 nd Sunday) 7:00 PM Mass Choir (before 4 th Sunday) THURSDAY 2:00 6:00 PM Pastor s Office Hours 5:30 PM Missionary Ministry (3rd Thursday) 6:00 PM Senior Usher Ministry (4 th Thursday) 7:00 PM School of the Word Bible Study Bro Joyner and Dea Rivers hard at work in the kitchen preparing for the Men s Day Breakfast SATURDAY 10:00 AM Usher/Hostess Ministry (before 2 nd Sunday) 11:00 AM Praise Dancers 11:30 AM Youth Ministry (before 3 rd Sunday) 1:00 PM Deaconess (before 1 st Sunday) 1:00 PM Women s Fellowship (3 rd Saturday) Let s be prayerful for our revival here at OB which starts September 17 th with a prayer visual. Our revivalist for the week will be Rev. Joseph Cooke from Aiken, South Carolina. Preaching will begin nightly starting Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Theme for the week is Where are you with Jesus. THE OLIVE BRANCH SEP 13