THE OUTREACH Mt. Sinai Baptist Church November 2013 Thanksgiving Each year in November we all gather with our families and eat turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, and plenty of other traditional foods. But, why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? The common idea is that Thanksgiving originated with the Pilgrims. Most Americans have this idea that when the Pilgrims landed in America and settled themselves they wanted to give thanks and appreciation for making it through the long journey. Also, they ended up sharing their feast with the Native Americans. Or did they? The fact is that the first Thanksgiving was shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians in 1621. The celebration was more of a harvest festival with sports, games, food, dancing, singing, and revelry (noisy festivities). When it comes to the food they ate the menu wasn t much like todays. Instead, it consisted of venison, fowl, and other foods prepared by the pilgrims. The first Thanksgiving did not create a yearly tradition among the pilgrims, partly because the following year was a poor one and because many new settlers had arrived. Thanksgiving became a celebration that was only observed occasionally over the following centuries. However, thanks to the Revolutionary War all of America celebrated Thanksgiving together in 1777. But, that still didn t get the tradition going like it is today. It wasn t until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November Thanksgiving that the tradition really became part of America s culture. The only other change was when Franklin Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in 1939. Inspiration There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there. -Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain Submitted by Logan Turner Now, the holiday of Thanksgiving is celebrated by families all over the world. Memories are created along with the festivities of good food. Thelaboroflove.com Submitted by Keiwann Willams In This Issue Thanksgiving Poll Elections Quotes Wrong Address Upcoming Events and more!
LIVING FOR JESUS The History of APRONS I don t think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma s apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that served so many purposes. REMEMBER: Grandma use to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. Pastor s Circle Jesus says in Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Is your flash light on? Many times during our walk with God, we work very hard in the church building and our light shines very bright. Yet our work on the outside goes unnoticed because the flash light of Christ in our life is off. To keep our light burning for Christ, we must walk in the spirit of God at all times. Our work will be rewarded as we stand before God, but our light for Christ Jesus must shine in every situation and circumstance so that all of God s people see your good work and give him glory. In other words the light of Christ is not to be taken as a candle which can be blown out by a strong wind of life, but a light that shines each and every day. For we know all things work together for them that love God. Is your flash light on? Pastor W.L. Moody They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don t think I ever caught anything from an apron but love Submitted by Helen A. Ross
Poll Elections Nov 5 On November 5 th let s all remember to go and exercise our right to vote. Most people forget about the secondary elections for governors and other elected officials because they are not aware of the importance of having a voice within the House of Representatives or the Senate. If we analyze what is going on right now in our government, we have a constant battle between the democrats and republicans which is affecting all of the citizens due to the lack of cooperation. As Christians, we have to stand up for what we believe so at the end of the day God gets all the glory. I could not think of a better way to speak out than voting. While voting, we have to remember that when we exercise our faith in anything that God will have the final say and that he always has a master plan to anything that happens. I urge you to VOTE, VOTE, and VOTE and to just meditate on Matthew 19:26 which states, But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. This will keep us strong even if the election does not favor our elected official. Governor Terry McAuliffe - Democrat Ken Cuccinelli - Republican Robert Sarvis - Libertarian Ballots: Lieutenant Governor Ralph S. Northam - Democrat E.W. Jackson - Republican Attorney General Mark R. Herring - Democrat Mark D. Obenshain - Republican Submitted by Dre mon Miller
Promises For Life... A Bright Future Your future is as bright as the promises of God. A. Judson No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT What we feel, think, and do this moment influences both our present and the future in ways we may never know. Begin. Start right where you are. Consider your possibilities and find inspiration...to add more meaning and zest to your life. Alexandra Stoddard Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV The future lies before you like a field of driven snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show. Unknown The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Proverbs 16:17 NLT God has designs on our future...and He has designed us for the future. He has given us something to do in the future that no one else can do. Ruth Senter For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV Submitted by Ebony Clarke
Tomorrow s A Brand New Day. By Carrie Naturale Sometimes in life it s hard to accept the many disappointments in life we face But we have to believe there s some reason and hold onto the Lord s Grace. For what seems to be so unfair and so difficult for us to understand Is just a small piece of the puzzle of our life that God has planned. And as each door will close they say a window will open its eyes and life will bring about changes and with each new day a surprise! So believe in all of God s love and know that it surround s you every day with courage and strength you will make it thru for tomorrow s a Brand New Day! Submitted by Jasmine White All We Need is Love This month, Ahmya Clarke-Johnson was a featured artist from Southampton Elementary School. There were 150 entries of artwork entered by the first grade classes, but only 12 were selected. Ahmya s artwork was one of the 12 and her painting will be displayed at the 7-Eleven on Forest Hill Avenue for 1 month. The church family is very proud of you! Congratulations We would like to say Congratulations to Atiesha Miller and Evangelist Moody for making the President s List last semester at Virginia College. Atiesha s GPA 3.75. Evangelist Moody s GPA 4.0.
November Birthdays 2nd: William Smith III 4th: Clyde Middleton 6th: Bettie C. Harris 9th: Pastor Moody Deaconess Michelle Neblett 10th: Ty Anna Fleming 11th: Debra Jenkins 14th: Deacon Louise Jasper 16th: Kevin Miller 17th: Evangelist Susan Moody 18th: Barbara Briggs Tahron Brown Jacob Miller 21st: Kerrie Clarke 22nd: Evangelist Laverne Henley 23rd: George Foultz 26th: Donald Jenkins 27th: Jean Cooke 29th: Dexter Middleton On the Lighter side. Wrong Address A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the e-mail. Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a Baptist minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read: To: My Loving Wife Subject: I've Arrived Date: March 21, 2012 I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I've seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was. P. S. Sure is hot down here!!! Submitted by Deacon Greta Trent
Upcoming Events Sunday School Union Teachers Workshop: Sharing the Good News via Social Networks on Saturday, November 2 nd 8:30 a.m. at Mt. Sinai. Friday Night Fire Service: Friday, November 15 th 7 p.m. Our own Minister Tiffanie Foster along with Pastor Gregory Beechum and Little Zion Baptist Church. Women s Ministry Big Sister/Little Sister Luncheon: Saturday, November16 th - 12 noon. Join us as we share and fellowship together. CCHASM Thanksgiving Program 2013: Food and monetary donations are needed to help provide a Thanksgiving Meal Gift Package and $15.00 Gift Card (for turkey) to families for Thanksgiving. The program will be held at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds Exhibition Center. Please give all donations to Deacon Bea Miller by Sunday, November 17 th. Contact Us Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 200 Old Hundred Road Midlothian, VA 23114 Office: 804-794-5624 Email: mtsinaibaptischurch@aol.com Rev. W. L. Moody, Senior Pastor Mt. Sinai s Media Ministry Antoinette Brown Ebony Clarke Kenise Ford Kenneth Ford Minister Terrell Glenn Atiesha Miller Dre mon Miller Khadijah Morris Logan Turner Taylor Turner Jasmine White Keiwann Williams Lisa Ross, Advisor If you would like to submit an article to our newsletter, please contact us: Kenise Ford, Editor Phone: 804-617-9902 Email: Kenise _ford15@yahoo.com Dre mon Miller, Assistant Editor Phone: 804-263-7829 Email: dremonmiller@gmail.com Community Thanksgiving Eve Service with Mt. Sinai, Bethel Baptist Church and New Life United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 27 th - 7 p.m. at New Life United Methodist Church.