Pastor Charles’ Reflections

“Why Go To Church?” As the Psalmist wrote, “Selah” pause and reflect on what you heard or read. A church goer wrote a letter to an editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. He wrote, “I’ve gone for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.” This started a real controversy, much to the delight of the editor of the paper. It went on for weeks and then this letter appeared. The man wrote: “ I’ve been married for 30 years and in that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single meal. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today.” “Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible!” I firmly believe God is up to something and He wants us to plug into His plans for our lives. He is not pleased when we put every side show that comes to town ahead of being faithful to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The writer of Hebrews 10:24-25, wrote in the Messenger version, “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day (of His return) approaching.”

Many thanks to Keith and Jonathan Trotter for clearing the ice and snow off of the sidewalk in the back of the church building. The sun does not shine in this area until late afternoon. It was great being able to walk on the sidewalk this past Sunday. Speaking of this past Sunday, we had worship at 11:00 with 30 present. We were grateful for the special effort put forth by those attending. Some, I am sure, may have thought that I was being a stubborn Pastor by saying that I would be here and if you felt safe in coming out, please do so. This will be the pattern we will use during inclement weather months. We will not have Sunday School, but we will have worship at 11;00, if the good Lord is willing. Some may say, how in the world do you come up with such a pattern of risking life and limb to come out in the snow/ice or both? Well, it goes back to many years ago when I was Pastor of Abbots Creek Baptist Church in High Point, N.C. We had a huge snow storm and we called the services off for the following Sunday. I was on my way to check out things at the church building which was next door to the parsonage. I noticed a car in the church parking lot. It was Mr.& Mrs. Brooks Motsinger who had driven some 10-13 miles to church, starting out on their road, at that time, an unpaved, muddy, one lane road. They were not upset over the service being cancelled, but something clicked in my mind that I would never call off another service as long as I could drive or walk to the church building. No, please don’t call me a hero, a stubborn, or hard headed pastor. (I am probably the latter two, for I firmly believe that a pastor has to be both to survive.) I have often wondered how closely related is stubbornness and a strong conviction. I would like to think I have a strong conviction that Sunday is God’s day and we need to worship. I am able to drive in the bad road conditions, so I have made a commitment to being at church, even if I am the only one. (Linda will be with me.) As we chipped, scrapped and shoveled the snow and ice, Keith gave one of the best reasons for coming to church. If we paused a minute moving the ice, it would freeze over again. He said, “If you wait very long, it will freeze again.” If we stay out of church, we will also freeze, become cold and indifferent toward the things of God, including, of course, the body of Christ, the church. So think about this, this coming Sunday, “Do I feel further away from God than I have in the past?” If so, it wasn’t God who moved. Selah! Think on this and your spiritual life. See you Sunday, if Jesus tarries, and is willing.

In His Grip, Pastor Charles

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Mark your calendars for these special events in connection with raising funds for our Youth’s Mission trip June 21-26 to North Greenville, S.C. A $50.00 deposit is due now to assure a youth a spot at North Greenville. 1) B. B. Q. Pork Day on Friday, March 26, 2010, and 2) Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 17th. We also need two chaperons (male and female) to go with our youth to North Greenville. If you are interested in helping our youth by being a chaperon, please let Bryan Bogue know of your interest. We will observe Youth Sunday on February 7th at 10:45.

Opportunities for Service in the name of our Lord Jesus:
Friday & Saturday , February 5 & 6—Light & Salt Conference at White Oak
Fri. 2:00 to 9:30
Sat. 8:00 to 4:30
Sunday, February 7th—10:45 Worship led by Youth
Sunday, February 7th—Youth Council at 4:15 P.M.
Monday, February 8th—New Facility Committee: Arlyn Dail, Travis Jackson, Bucky King, Jackie Massey, Lee Ann Seay, Roxie Trotter, Sherry Tucker, Jeff Vinson and Pastor Charles
Friday, February 19th—R.A.s Lock In
Sunday, February 21st—Final Deacon list nominees
Monday, February 22nd—Senior Adults at 6:30 PM.
Saturday, March 6th—Church Wide Clean Up Day at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday, March 7th— Election of Deacons. One for one year and two for three year term.
Friday, March 26th—B.B.Q Pork Day for our Youth’s Mission Trip.
Saturday, April 17th—Fund Raiser Tournament for our Youth Mission Trip-Tee time 1:00 at Pinetuck.

Basketball Schedule;
February 6th
Girls play @ 8:00 - at Oakdale
Boys play @ 10:00 - at Shield of Faith
February 13th
Girls play @ 10:00 at Oakdale
Boys play @ 9:00 at Shield of Faith
February 20th
Girls play @ 9:00 at Oakdale
Boys play @ 8:00 at Shield of Faith
February 27th
Girls play @ 9:00 at Oakdale
Boys play @ 10:00 at Shield of Faith

From the Choir Room: The adult choir is just beginning to working on our Easter Cantata. If you've been considering joining our choir, now is the time to join in order to sing with us at Easter. Rehearsal is each Wednesday evening beginning at 7:30. Please see Don next Sunday before or after the worship service.

Prayer Vigil: Our Prayer Vigil will be held on Sunday February 14th beginning at 4:00 P.M. This is the seventeenth anniversary of the birth of NewKirk Baptist Church in 1993. As has been strongly suggested, this is an excellent opportunity to re-dedicate this body of believers, asking God to continue to bless us and more especially give us the wisdom to follow His plan as we become a brighter light to this community for the glory of God. Please come and pray with us and privately as well.

Inclement Weather Policy: Pastor Charles will lead an 11:00 worship service on Sundays during inclement weather. We will not have Sunday School. If you feel you can come without falling or having an accident, please do so and if not, please stay at home. We do not wish for anyone to get hurt by falling or having an accident. Please spare me from being labeled hard head or stubborn on this issue. Just call me a Pastor who has passion plus to worship even on bad weather Sundays. If you stay home, spend some time praying for the service and those who attend.

The Children in Action are collecting for the Souper Bowl of Caring this Sunday! They feel very led to give to Samaritan's Purse this year, with contributions earmarked for Haiti Relief. Please give, so that others that are suffering may not perish, but have everlasting life!

Deacon Candidates who may be nominated as of February 2, 2010 are: Michelle Goodman, Bill Gordon, Travis Jackson, Laurie Odell, Denny Saverance, and Roxie Trotter. Remember the final list will be posted on the bulletin board and newsletter by Sunday February 21st. We will vote on three deacons on March 7th, following our morning worship. One deacon will be elected for one year and two for a three year term. After Jackie and Junior rotate off of our current Deacon Council the three remaining on the council will be Donna Daniels, Sherry Tucker and Neil Dove. Be much in prayer as we go through this process.

Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper: Donna Daniels and Sherry Tucker will prepare a meal for Wednesday night on February 24. The cost will be $4.50, with a maximum of $15.00 for a family living in the same house. Folks, in order to make a Wednesday night supper possible, we must have your cooperation in signing up on Wednesday night a week in advance. This will enable those preparing the meal to purchase the food on a Saturday and thus save money to keep the cost of the meal reasonable. We are asking those willing to sign up, come to the meal or pay for the meal if you do not attend by February 17, 2010. We thank Donna and Sherry for doing their part to reinstate the Wednesday night suppers. They will only do it this time, so we are asking others who can and will to call Sherry or Donna and volunteer to cook one of the meals on a Wednesday. It can be done if we want to do it. Let’s show we have heart and get our fellowship meals back on track.

We are proud of Donna Daniels’ niece, Victoria Easter who will be leaving soon to become an Exchange Student in Scotland. Pray for her travel to and during the time she is away from Mom and Dad., and of course, Aunt Donna.

Our Acteens latest project—The Acteens have tubs in the back hallway to collect new or used children’s books for The Children’s Attention Center and/or Pilgrim’s Inn. Thank you for your support.

Our Newsletter is being prepared on Feb. 2nd, which is GroundHog’s Day. Legend has it that if a groundhog emerging on Groundhog Day does not see its shadow, it will leave the burrow - a symbol that winter will soon end. However, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it will retreat into its burrow, meaning winter will continue for six more weeks. The holiday began in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore. Well, Punxsutawney Phil emerged today in Punxsutawney, Penn. and they say he saw his shadow. Woe is me!! Six more weeks of this!!! God must laugh at us trying to predict the weather through one of His little creatures!!

Gifts have been given to NewKirk Baptist Church in memory of Pastor Glen Self by the following:
Judith Pittman
Mr. & Mrs Jerry Raxter
Dr. Nancy Self—(Texas)

We express our Christian concern and prayers on behalf of Denny Saverance and the extended family upon the death of his Brother-In-Law Ted Hinson.

Our church staff evaluation has been re-scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2010.
4:00 Anne Roof; 4:30 Bryan Bogue; 5:00 Don Stafford; 5:30 Eleanor Self; 6:00 Pastor Charles.

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, February 7, 2010
Children's Church: Bucky & Renee King
Infants’ Nursery— Travis & Melissa Jackson
Usher/Greeter Teams– Kellee Seay, Dale Frump, Jonathan Trotter, Tim Seay
TELLER: February 8—Jerry Raxter

CHURCH CALENDAR
Feb. 5 & 6—Salt & Light Conf. @ White Oak
Feb. 7—9:00—Breakfast, 9:45– S.S., 10:45-Worship Led by Youth & Bryan Bogue, 4:15-Youth Council, 5:00-Youth
Feb. 8—7:00– New Facility Comm.
Feb. 9—7:00-GROW “R”
Feb. 10—6:45-RA’s, GA’s, Acteens & Mission Friends, Adult Bible Study, 7:30-Adult Choir Practice