NEWSLETTER FRIENDSHIP YOUTH IN ACTION Volume 111, Issue 2 May 2006 A Newsletter for the Friendship Baptist Church Local Art Contest Winner Is One of Our Own-- Nigerian Woman Speaks At Friendship s Black History Program -- On March 6, 2006; Willie Cooks, III won first place in an Art contest sponsored by the South Mississippi Children's Center Safe Place Contest. Willie received a plaque, t-shirt, and other prizes. Mrs. Jose' Nwachuku, wife of Chief Chinonye Nwachuku of the Ibo tribe in Nigeria. She is a member of the St. James CME Church in Hattiesburg, MS. This published poet spoke to the Friendship Baptist Church family for their Black History Program. Mrs. Jose' also displayed artifacts from Africa. Friendship Youth In Action 1
"ENCOURAGE...AND BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER." 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 Encourage, don't criticize In 1490 two struggling artists, Albrecht Durer and Albert, his brother, agreed that one would work fulltime to support them while the other studied. So Albrecht studied while Albert worked, with the understanding that when Albrecht became successful, he'd return the favor. After attaining enormous success Albrecht went back to honor their agreement, only to discover the terrible price his brother Albert had paid. By engaging in hard manual labor his fingers had become stiff and twisted and he could no longer paint. But instead of becoming jealous and bitter, Albert encouraged Albrecht and prayed for his continued success. In fact, one day while Albert was praying Albrecht quietly sketched his brother's gnarled, misshapen hands. Today his masterpiece, "The Praying Hands," tell a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of encouragement! The Bible says, "Encourage...and build up one another." Think of the people who've cheered you on as you struggled to reach life's milestones. The teacher who encouraged you to believe in yourself. The coach who pushed you to your limit to get you over the finish line. The boss who gave you the extra responsibility that led you to your promotion. The parents and grandparents who were there every step of the way. The entire chorus of encouragers who sustained you on your journey. Go ahead, drop them a note, send them an e mail, surprise them with flowers. But don't stop there: show your appreciation by doing the same for those around you. Remember the praying hands? They were giving hands, working hands, loving hands! *Today's thought: "Every soul is worth saving, just because you won't find it in your heart to forgive someone, doesn't mean God won't." What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Have you ever wondered about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We all have been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How can we achieve more than 100%? Is it even possible? In life what equals 100%? Here s a mathematical formula that may answer these questions. If: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Is represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Then: K N O W L E D G E= 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96% H A R D W O R K = 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11=98% Pretty Close ugh. Look at what the next one takes you to A T T I T U D E= 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5=100% But, look how far the love of God will take you L O V E O F G O D= 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4=101% What can we conclude from this? Well, while HARDWORK AND KNOWLEDGE will get you close, and ATTITUDE will get you there, it is the LOVE OF GOD that will put you over the top! Let s show forth the love of God in all we say and do. I John 4:20 21 Friendship Youth In Action 2
Friendship Youth & After School Youth Participates in Black History Month Activities: MLK Parade in Purvis, Mississippi Children look as final instructions and finishing touches are added to the float. Ø Youth Summer Program June 5th thru June 16th Ø Youth Summer Trip July 13 15th PACE Head start Black Heritage Parade Despite the rain and cold weather our youth came out in high numbers to participate in the Black Heritage Parade. Victoria and Ray Moore lead the way with the youth center banner. ACKNOWLEDGMENT When you can look a thing dead in the eye, acknowledge that it exists, call it exactly what it is, and decide what role it will play in your life, then, my Beloved, you have taken the first step toward your freedom. THOUGHT FOR TODAY DO NOT ASK THE LORD TO GUIDE YOUR FOOTSTEPS, IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MOVE YOUR FEET! IF WE DO WHAT WE CAN, GOD WILL DO WHAT WE CANNOT! Friendship Youth In Action 3
Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center celebrates Read across America with a Month Long Reading Contest Dekarhi Mock and Tashara Chapman read for the contest Breauna Chapman, Sidea Cooks, and Willie Cooks III, read quietly at youth center Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center has girl s night to teach girls the basics of proper skin, hair, and nail care. Sidea Cooks, Trinidy Coleman, and Tashara Chapman listen as Mary Kay consultant LaToya McKenzie talks about proper skin care. Leola Thomas, Sidea Cooks, Jazlyn Dantzler, and Taylor Williams show off the new them after cleaning their faces, and painting their nails. EAGLES Empowered Atmosphere for Growing Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Students Friendship Youth In Action 4
Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center heads Children s Village at First Annual Mobile Street Renaissance Festival Volunteer workers at the main booth pose as they wait for more children to come to the children s village to jump on space jumps and play games. Delta volunteer looks on as children compete in the cup stacking game. Members of the sorority organization, the DELTA s pose as they take a break from volunteering at various games in the children s village. Bit of Humor: JUST CURIOUS. Little Johnny asked his grandma how old she was. Grandma answered, "39 and holding!" Johnny thought for a moment, and then said, "And how old would you be if you let go?" Friendship Youth In Action 5
W. I. A. of Friendship get involved to make the first annual MLK Day Of Unity Breakfast a Success: Thank you ladies, for your help proved that you are indeed W OM E N IN A C T I O N Mrs. Ruth Chapman mixes pancake mix, as Mrs. Rose Edwards turns the bacon and sausage. This event was a great success, we had media coverage from NEWS 7, and we served about 200 individuals. Above Mrs. Dot Chapman prepares sausage for plates for the elderly, while Ms. Aretha McCall gets the eggs ready to be scrambled. THE TITHING A little boy in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed around the offering plates. When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly, "Don't pay for me Daddy. I'm under five!" Friendship Youth In Action 6
A Different Approach to Fasting... Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus' healing touch. Here are suggestions you may want to consider. 1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family an extra dose of love each day. 2. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults. 3. Fast from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life. 4. Fast from complaining. When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you. 5. Fast from resentment or bitterness! Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you. 6. Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor. Wishing you all Peace, Love and Joy in the Holy Spirit. SMILE Jesus Loves You! Friendship Youth In Action 7
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