Prayer, Power and Praise! Acts 3:1-8 The Voice of Goldsboro-Raleigh The 2015 General Assembly 5.12.2015-5.16.2015 Presiding Prelate Bishop Chester L. Aycock General Board of Missions: begins Tuesday evening, May 12 at 7:00pm and continues on Wednesday, May 13. The General Assembly 25th Biennial: begins on Thursday, May 14. Theme: The Disciples More Excellent Way Sub-theme: Re-examining and Polishing the Badge Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:31 To be held at The Double Tree By Hilton in Williamsburg, Virginia Registration: $60.00 on or before April 30 $65.00 after April 30 or on-site 25th Biennial Gala Celebration Banquet Friday, May 15 Ticket cost is $50.00 Vice-Bishop Richard W. Johnson Please visit www.cocdocintl.org for complete registration packet Continue to support God s Army of 1000 Online contributions are continuously being accepted. 1
Please visit www.goldsboro-raleigh.org for complete Sunday School Convention packet. July 17-18, 2015 2
2015 DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES September 3-6, 2015 United Foundation Fellowship Assembly Bishop Anthony Terrell, Presiding Prelate Plymouth, NC September 16-20, 2015 Northeastern District Assembly Bishop Andrew Boomer, Presiding Prelate Mt. Carmel Church of Christ Newburgh, NY October 1-4, 2015 United Fellowship Assembly Bishop Eugene Lee, Presiding Prelate Emmanuel Church of Christ Newark, NJ October 7-11, 2015 Washington-Norfolk District Assembly Bishop Johnson Hazel, Presiding Prelate Jamesville, NC October 15-18, 2015 Union District Assembly Bishop Marcus Louis, Presiding Prelate Goldsboro, NC October 19-25, 2015 Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly Bishop Chester L. Aycock, Presiding Prelate Goldsboro, NC November 4-8, 2015 Southern District Assembly Bishop Robert Jones, Presiding Prelate Grainger, NC November 19-22, 2015 Southeastern District Assembly Bishop Edward Pollock, Presiding Prelate Grifton, NC Goldsboro-Raleigh Missionary Convention One Day Leadership Training June 6, 2015 Howell s Chapel Church, Selma Pre-Registration: $15 Onsite Registration: $20 Visit goldsboro-raleigh.org for registration form Apex School of Theology Learning Center Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly Registration for Fall 2015 New Application deadline - July 9, 2015 Classes start - Monday, August 10, 2015 For More Information contact Deacon Tarrick C. Cox at 252-717-8106 or Elder Dianna Peppers at 252-286-1089. Training Church Leaders for the 21st Century 3
St. Stephens Church of Christ CHURCH EVENTS New Greenleaf Church of Christ Please come out and help the St. Stephens Church of Christ Disciples of Christ church family and friends celebrate the 2 nd Pastors' Anniversary of Pastor Joseph Warren, Jr. on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 11:00am. The speaker will be Rev. Tonney Williams, Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Princeton, choir and congregation. Dinner will be served. Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. For more details contact Sister Tina ray at 919-437-4496. St. James Church of Christ Celebrating the 3rd year Pastor's Anniversary for Elder Ernest Watson Sr. & Lady Sadie Watson at St. James Church of Christ, 514 S. Breazeale Ave. Mt. Olive on April 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. 301 West Hooks River Road Goldsboro, NC 27530 919 (734-3532) Dr. Dorothy Heath, Pastor Spring Revival May 13-15, 2015 @ 7:30p each night Revival Preachers Pastor & Ministry Team of Last Day Outreach Ministry - Rosehill, NC Wednesday: Minister John Newkirk Thursday: Evangelist Michelle Newkirk Friday: Pastor Carolyn Newkirk Praise & Worship begins @ 7:00pm Guest Preacher: Dr. Donald Wells of St. James Church of Christ, Vanceboro, N.C. Music by: Women On The Move +1 Hickory Grove Church of Christ Hickory Grove will be celebrating our Annual "It's Not Over" Women's Day service on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Elder Carmen Mitchell-Cherry, of Kinston, NC will be our morning preacher and combined Community Women's Choir. The colors will be pink and white. You don't want to miss this lifechanging worship experience. St. James Church of Christ, LaGrange Pastor John E. Ruffin and the St James LaGrange church family will be celebrating our 100 th year church anniversary on July 26, 2015 at 3:00 pm. There will be a three night service featuring Bishop Ronnie Hood, Elder Nico Hood & Dr. Robert Hood leading up to this grand occasion. Everyone is encouraged to attend. We do have a Souvenir Journal as well that we would like for you to purchase ads for. For more information please contact Trustees Eula Conyers @ 919-344-9903 or Larry Morgan @ 252-286-9888. The Department of Evangelism is proud to announce the birthing of a New Ministry: The Vineyard Workers St. Luke 10:2 - The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Elder Michael White assigned to Star of Bethlehem COC, DOC, Wallace (Pastor Ray Anthony) Elder Kenneth Freeman assigned to St. James COC, DOC, Durham (Pastor Cynthia Crumel) Elder William and Minister Millicent Rogers assigned to Clifton Chapel COC, DOC, Spring Hope (Pastor Thomas Raynor) District Elder(s) Brenda Wilson and Dedra Houston are assigned to Anointed Remnant to assist (Pastor Henry Williams) For further information please feel free to contact: Dr. Evelena Oliver, GRDA District Evangelist (910) 305-8713 Dr. Dianna Peppers, GRDA Assistant District Evangelist (252) 286-1089 4
highlighting our very own... New Kinston East District Elder Appointed Elder Dedra Gooding-Houston Greetings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and from the churches of the Kinston East District: St. John and Alum Spring, Dover NC, Hickory Grove, St. Peter, King s Chapel and Vine Swamp, Kinston, NC. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I m Elder Dedra Gooding-Houston and reside in the south side of Lenoir County. I am married to Antony Houston and we share six children and seven grandchildren. I ve studied at Lenoir Community College, the Bible Church of Christ, Kinston, Goldsboro -Raleigh Institute, Goldsboro and the North Carolina College of Theology, Wilmington. I m also a graduate of the Goldsboro- Raleigh Youth Summer Conference Class of 1985 and was under the Leadership of Bishop A. L. Matthews. I m a member of Vine Swamp Church of Christ Disciples of Christ Kinston where the Pastor is Elder Kenneth Moore Jr. and I have been appointed as the District Elder for the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly Kinston East District. I love the Lord MY GOD with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind. I love to study the word of God and my biggest investment is in the lives of other people. The District Elder is the official Liaison for the Goldsboro- Raleigh District Assembly. He/she will be able to represent the assembly at local churches in his/her District. I am an ambassador promoting God s functional plan (vision) given to the Presiding Bishop of and for the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly. I am responsible for communicating Assembly Calendar changes, upcoming events and various new/uprising programs within the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly. It is my job to endorse the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly at all times and to build relationships while also boosting morale within the local churches of the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly, Inc. I look forward with anticipation to see how God will take the Church of Christ to another level. Submitted by: Elder Marilyn Johnson U.S. Sen. Richard Burr gets a tour of the facilities at ECVC by operations manager, James Newsome. Congratulations! to Elder Dianna Peppers who will be receiving a Doctorate in Divinity from Apex School of Theology on May 16, 2015 at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. 5
highlighting our very own... Vine Swamp Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ s 8 th Pastor s Appreciation Celebration honoring Pastor Kenneth Moore, Jr. and First Lady Valerie Moore began with services on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm with guest Preacher, Pastor Vernon Collins and the St. Luke Church of Christ, DOC, Church family from Washington, NC. On Friday, April 3 at 7:30 pm guest Preacher was Rev. Colon James and Praise Temple Worship Center Church family from Edenton, NC. On Sunday, April 12 th at 11:00 a.m. guest Preacher was Pastor Donnie McLean and the Antioch Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ Church family from Hookerton, NC (the brick building with the pretty blue roof). Bishop Anthony R. Terrell and the Promise Land Church of Christ, DOC, Church family from Jamesville, NC closed out the celebration at 4:00 p.m. Family and friends from as near as Greenville and as far as California, Albany and New York came and joined the church family in this special celebration. It was such a joyous occasion and full of surprises! As it turned out, it was also Mother Edvita Moore s birthday! She was completely surprised when called to the front of the church by her son Pastor Moore and Lady Valerie and given a beautiful bouquet of flowers as the church sang Happy Birthday to her! But the fun didn t stop there! Pastor Moore shared a throwback photo of his father and mother. As we all see, Mr. Kenneth Moore had to do a close up inspection of the photo. The bond of love and unity, fellowship and fun, the show of appreciation but most importantly the presence and flowing of the Holy Spirit sealed the services as if God was saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17) As the Word of God reads in Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. To God be all the glory as we embark upon A New Beginning! Submitted by: Elder Marilyn Johnson Naming contest! Congratulations! Marilyn Johnson was the winner of a naming contest held by her employer Bijur Delimon International. The purpose of the contest was to create a name for the company s newsletter. Whoever submitted the winning name would receive a cash prize and be featured in the newsletters throughout the company to include Japan, Ireland, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Spain, India and China. President and CEO of the company Peggi Tremble personally shared the news stating, Thank you for the many submissions! We had plenty of good suggestions which made the choice very difficult. Finally, I can announce with joy that Marilyn Johnson from BDI USA hit the mark with her suggestion BDI GLOBAL CONNECTION. Says Marilyn: We are an international company with different offices around the globe. This newsletter is the connection to each facility that will enable us to be informed on activities, updates, celebrations and other news within the BDI companies. Congratulations Marilyn! Pastor Kenneth Moore, Jr., Lady Valerie Moore and the Vine Swamp Church family would also like to say congratulations Elder Marilyn Johnson! Submitted by: Elder Marilyn Johnson 6
highlighting our very own... Mr. Fayetteville State University 2015-2016 I am Sister Constance Coram; I am the proud mother of William James Mobley. Thirteen years ago our family relocated here from Buffalo, New York. We immediately joined St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, under the leadership of General Bishop Alton Smith. We are grateful for the leadership that we received. We thank the Deacons, who have been such an asset as well as the St. Mark Family as a whole. It does take a village to raise a child. William joined the St. Mark Choir, the Youth Department, he found that singing may not be for him so later he joined the Youth Usher Board. William has been an active participate of the GRDA Sunday School Convention, he is a graduate of the GRDA Summer Youth Program under the direction of Bishop CL Aycock, and we have been active members of this Assembly for the past twelve years. When William is on school break, he still participates in the St. Mark Mime Ministry. While attending high school he served as ROTC Captain, he had the distinct opportunity of serving as a Page for the House of Representatives; he has also served as a member of the Goldsboro Mayor s Youth Council. He was an active volunteer on the jury for Teen Court and in addition he has represented as a member of the House of the Knights of Pythagoras (Masons). While in college he is currently plays on FSU s school s Celebrity Basketball Team. He is also involved in the Bronco MILE (Male Initiative for Leadership and Excelling), and he is a member of the SAC (Student Activities Council). William is a volunteer for Gear UP with helping high school students with their homework. Last year he won 2 nd place as Mr. 1922 in Delta Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. s and he was the first time ever Mr.RHOmeo pageant winner. He continues to maintain a 3.4 GPA. William s has recently achieved the accomplishment of becoming Mr. Fayetteville State 2015-2016 during last week s 13 th Mr. Fayetteville State University Competition. William represented ministering to a segment from a sermon of Bishop TD Jakes. It s In the Mind. I get the credit that I have done a great job raising my children, but this time I get to state, I have become more encouraged because of my son and because of his faith and determined accomplishments. He is an inspiration not only me, but to his younger brother Arron as well as his niece Ta niah. As I repeat William s favorite quote: Look at God! Heaven only knows what more may be in-store for this young man. His father William, his family and I are extremely proud of him. It is our prayer that God continues to guide your path son. I love you much and again I say congratulations. Keep up your great works Submitted by Sister Constance Coram 7
General Assembly Consecration 2015 Highlights Women s Conference 2015 Highlights 8
The Missionary Convention in action 9
ENCOURAGEMENT That Quiet Place Scripture Reference: John 15:15 and Psalm 23:1-6 Part I There comes a time when the Holy Spirit gives us an unction that should bring us to a place of quickening to be still and be quiet before the Lord. This is the Lord drawing us to that quiet place. We have that special someone: spouse, parent, sibling or just a dear friend that when they call, we will stop what we are doing to see what they need. We will go to them if they call us to meet them, or answer their call, and we give them our undivided attention. Then we say the famous words that when they call it must be something important because they do not just call for nothing. This is what the Holy Spirit is trying to do when He unctions us. It is important, urgent for us to go to the quiet place. I have always told my daughter that she is a talker--who was about age 10 at the time. There are times when she will be talking up something. Then she will say, Mom, you are not saying anything. I will tell her first of all that I cannot get a word in, and number two you cannot talk and listen at the same time. She was a child at the time but we as adults can be just as guilty. In order to hear what He has to say, He draws us to that quiet place. First Thessalonians 4:11 lets us know to study to be quiet. James 1:19 further encourages us to let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Then my mind goes to Revelation 2:7 when John relays the message that this is the time for us with an ear to hear what this Spirit is saying to the church. Most of us have been to a place at one time or another that if we ever heard these words girl what are you doing? Are you busy? Are you sitting down? "Cuz," you got to hear this! We all know what follows--this is a juicy piece of gossip. There was nothing that would keep us from hearing it. We should be the same way when the Holy Spirit is drawing us to that quiet place. What He desires to share with us can be a matter of life and death for our brothers, sisters, ourselves or our immediate family. There are times when the unction of the Holy Spirit is drawing us to pray or to just sit and listen. There are times that He desires just to give us a refill. Unfortunately, we do not always recognize the gauge that lets us know when we are spiritually empty like the gas needle in our cars. Yes, there are times when we are a little short with people when we would usually have patience. Yes, there are times when we feel a little out-of-character. This is why it is so important for us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His calling us to that quiet place so that we can be refilled. Submitted By Sister Melba Cox-Miller New Greenleaf Church of Christ, DOC Goldsboro, NC 10
ENCOURAGEMENT That Quiet Place Scripture Reference: John 15:15 and Psalm 23:1-6 Part II Getting to that quiet place The Word lets us know in John 15:5 that if we abide in Him that He will abide in us. So when we feel empty, this is His drawing us to that quiet place for a refill. In Philippians 4:6-7 we find that we are to be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be known unto God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. When we feel anxious and lack peace in our hearts and minds this is Him drawing us to that quite place. In Isaiah 59:19 when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. When we are being pursued by the enemy, run to that quiet place--he will give us guidance--not run from the enemy but run to that quiet place in the Lord. We cannot begin to imagine what we miss out on by not meeting Him in that quiet place. The Lord said in John 15:15, Henceforth I call you not servant; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Friends will share things among themselves that they will not tell any and everybody. This is what the Lord desires to give us: revelation in the things of our Father and all of this can be found by meeting Him in the quiet place. Is this a particular physical place? Perhaps this is so for some. This place is when we give ourselves and our undivided attention to the Lord and where we may be at the time does not really matter. Whether we may be in the car, at the kitchen sink doing dishes, or at the drive-through at McDonalds does not matter one bit. It s just putting our focus on God. I like to share with people that in some areas of all our lives we have a routine: Getting up in the mornings, preparing meals, laundry whatever the case may be. In our routines we have come to be productive. We also should have a developed routine that we take time out for the Lord each day, which is productive in our spiritual walk. It builds us up when we make time in our busy schedules just for the Lord. Then I also know that there are those times when the Lord is calling us sometimes in the middle of chores, in the car where He may say for us to turn off the radio, do not answer your phone, or it may be at 3a.m. right in the middle of your deep sleep from a tough day. Whenever it may be or whatever we may be doing at the time, it is our Dear Friend saying, hey I need to tell you this. In doing this He takes priority, Lordship, top importance, and this also allows us to become sensitive to His call, sensitive to His unction, and sensitive to His presence to the point that when He desires our undivided attention that we say if the Lord is calling, it is something mighty important because if it was not He would not be calling. Our prayer must be Lord, take me to that place that we commune together, and Lord, I desire to be sensitive to come to that place when You call and to know Your call to that quiet place in You whenever You call. That will be the times when we submit ourselves to go to the quiet place knowing that the Lord will show up. Submitted By Sister Melba Cox-Miller New Greenleaf Church of Christ, DOC 11
ENCOURAGEMENT Don t Worry--Be Happy! In the early 80 s, there was a very popular song entitled, Don t Worry, Be Happy. The Bible uses different words for worry. Words like anxiety, burden, trouble or fear. What do they mean? Anxiety is distress of mind, uneasiness, while a burden is anything difficult to bear. Trouble is to vex, to distress, or agitation of the mind. Fear is alarm, dread, apprehension, or to be afraid. Are any of these types of worry familiar to you? The (AMA) American Medical Association manual clearly states that worry can have a negative effect on our health and body--making us tired, stressed and may speed up our aging process. Our bodies respond to worry and anxiety the same way it would react to physical danger. What worry does to the body is astounding. Some side effects of worry include the following: increased heart rate, heavy breathing, tense muscles, headaches, back pain, etc. Stress and worry affects every area of the body. Listen to what the Bible has to say about worry. Matthew 6:25-34 clearly tells us to take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body--what ye shall put on. God refers to the fowls of the air, for they sow not neither do they reap, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they? God is concerned about our needs. God is able to take care of whatever is causing us distress. God tells us to Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Excessive worry disturbs our peace of mind. Isaiah 26:3 encourages us that God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. How--because of trusting in the Lord. In 1 Peter 5:7 we are advised to Cast all our cares upon the Lord, for he cares for us. Worry is the temptation that takes our focus off God. When we focus on our worries, we block out the promises of God. Worrisome thoughts keep us from remembering God s promises. Worry brings torment. What to do when worry tries to come in and steal our peace. Prioritize! 1. We must seek God s face. 2. Stay in His presence. 3. Remember the promises of God. 4. We must pray. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4: 6) 5. Start giving thanks and praise God for the answer. 6. Stay in the Word of God--meditate upon God s Word day and night. So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing where I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) Keep the faith. Don t give up on God. He will never forsake us or leave us. Thank Him in advance for the answers to your petitions God honors His Word. The Word will work! So, don t worry--be happy! Submitted By Trustee Brenda H. Lane New Greenleaf Church of Christ, DOC 12
HEALTH TIP: Sugar Substitutes In our country, many people blame the rise in overweight and obesity on sugar. Our sugar intake has increased, but so has our intake of artificial sweeteners. We are born with a preference for sweets. Too much can lead to problems such as dental cavities, tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, heart problems, and many more. Forms of sugar We need to limit our intake of major sweets such as cookies, cake, candy, fruit drinks, and nondiet sodas. When reading food labels, look for sugar that may be listed as: Brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, and syrup. These are all forms of SUGAR. Sugar substitutes are chemical or natural substances that sweeten food or drinks without adding sugar. They taste sweeter than sugar so less is required. Some sweeteners are low in calories and some have no calories. This is very helpful for people that have diabetes. Remember that just eliminating sugar from your diet is not a perfect solution to weight control--focus on healthy food choices such as, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. The following substitute sweeteners are common in the United States: Aspartame (the blue stuff): Equal, NutraSweet; Saccharin (the pink stuff): Sweet-n-low, Sweet Twin; Sucralose (the yellow stuff): Splenda; Stevia (a natural substitute): Pruevia, Truvia, Sweetleaf sweetener; Acesulfame K: Sunett, Sweetone; Sugar alcohols: Sorbitol, Xylitol, Maltitol. The use of the substitute Sorbitol can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and excessive weight loss. Do they cause cancer? According to the National Cancer Institute, there is NO PROOF that sugar substitutes cause cancer. Many research studies have shown the sweeteners are safe when used in moderation. One exception of sugar substitute is for people who have Phenylketonuria (PKU). These people cannot have aspartame because their body cannot metabolize it. Although sugar substitutes have fewer calories than sugar, it s best to focus on healthy food choices. That is the best nutrition for your body. Submitted By Sister Shonnette Grantham Carraway, BSN, RN New Greenleaf Church of Christ, DOC POEM: Here I Am I Fall. I Rise. Make mistakes. I live. I learned. I`ve been hurt but I`m alive I`m human. I`m not perfect but I`m thankful I`m so worth It. That s why I push and I strive Tell Me Please Do Tell Me Why I see cloudy days; see so much rain Cry so many tears from heartache and pain Here I am. Why is it that you can only see the worst in me? Deep down I can truly say that it s hurting me I lay in my bed head held in my hands Looking at the ceiling asking God why no one knows my situation Trials and tribulations; the hurt I`ve faced; tears I`ve shed; Blood I`ve bled Who are you to judge? We all have faults. I just made mistakes. And I`m truly not ashamed to say I`m A beautiful black African American, Who has purpose in life And not ashamed to say yes, I`ve been burned but I called it a lesson learned Say what you want; Do what you please But MALEIYAH RENEE SYKES will succeed--be something in life Because purpose, God and faith will and would not let me die. Here I am so take me as I am.. Written and Submitted By: Maleiyah Renee Sykes (age 15) New Greenleaf Church of Christ, Goldsboro, NC 13
GDI Graduation ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, June 20 6:00pm GRDA Email Address: info@goldsboro-raleigh.org The Voice... April 2015 POSTAGE 14