Pastor Charles’ Reflections
I have always said, “I don’t want to Pastor a church that had no Senior Citizens.” They are the glue that keeps a church from falling apart. As they apply the wisdom from the “School of Hard Knocks” and life, they help guide the younger generation toward the things that are important to the life of the church, and of course, to God. At NewKirk, we have a wonderful group of Senior Adults that are often overlooked because they are quiet and unassuming. I am grateful for them and thankful that they assure me that I am in their prayers. I miss them when they are ill or feel they cannot get out in cold or rainy weather. Even then, I know they are home lifting the service and their church staff up to the Lord. This coming Sunday is Valentine’s Day. Why not take time to go and buy a greeting card, write them a little note, and express your appreciation for all they have done to make NewKirk what it is today. Many of you do a fantastic job of sending cards and Linda and I are delighted when we receive one of those cards.
Back in October of 2007, I received from someone an article entitled “Parent’s Wish” (Author unknown) It goes like this: To our dear child: On the day when you see us old, weak and weary...Have patience and try to understand us... If we get dirty from eating...If we can not dress ourselves on our own... Please bear with us and remember the times we spent feeding you and dressing you up. If, when we speak to you, we repeat the same things over and over again...do not interrupt us...listen to us. When you were small, we had to read to you the same story a thousand and one times until you went to sleep. When we do not want to have a shower, neither shame nor scold us...Remember when we had to chase you with your thousand excuses to get you to the shower? When we see our ignorance of new technologies...help us navigate our way through those worldwide webs. We taught you how to do so many things...to eat the right foods, to dress appropriately, to fight for your rights. When at some moments we lose the memory or the thread of our conversation...let us have the necessary time to remember...and if we cannot, do not become nervous...as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you listening to us... If ever we do not feel like eating, do not force us. We know well when we need to and when not to eat. (The jury may still be out on this one.) When our tired legs give way and do not allow us to walk without a cane, lend us your hand, the same way we did when you tried your first faltering steps. And when someday we say to you that we do not want to live any more that we want to die, do not get angry. Some day you will understand. Try to understand that our age is lived but survived. Some day you will realize that, despite our mistakes, we always wanted the best for you and we tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry nor ashamed for having us near. Instead, try to understand us and help us like we did you when you were young. Help us to walk...Help us to live the rest of our lives with love and dignity. We will pay you with a smile and by the immense love we have always had for you in our hearts. We love you, child. Mom and Dad.
I wish I could print the pictures that go along with this letter. If you would like to see them, go by the bulletin board and take a look. Forgive me for this personal note. I thank God for my Mom and Dad and wish I could go by and visit with them for a chat, a baloney sandwich, a Pepsi, or a glass of chocolate milk. One day, I will see them again when God calls me home and until then, I will just live on the memories of all they did to help prepare me for life. If your parents are living, pick up the phone and call them or if they live near by, visit with them. Remember you will be older one day and you may want you children to come back and check on you.
I will see you Sunday if Jesus tarries and the Lord is willing. In His Grip, Pastor Charles— who “are” a Senior Citizen and proud of it. (I know “is” the correct word, but I am getting old.)

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R.A.s, Remember the Lock-In on Friday February 19th.

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.

Opportunities for Service in the name of our Lord Jesus:
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.

Just For The Fun of It:
A man entered a box factory which claimed it could make boxes of any size. He told the manager he wanted a box, one inch by one inch by 50 feet long. He was assured it could be done. Returning later, the box was ready. The manager asked, “If you don’t mind, can I ask what this box is for?” The customer replied, “My dumb brother-in-law moved to Virginia and wants me to ship the garden hose he left behind.”

Do you know the Southern way to pronounce the new millennium? “Twenty-double-aught.”

(Caution - Animal lovers don’t read) Little Tim was filling a hole in the garden when the neighbor peered over the fence and asked Tim what he was doing. Tim replied tearfully, “I’m burying my gold fish.” Looking closer to the large hole, the neighbor said, “That is a large hole for a gold fish? Why so large?” Tim patted down the last shovel-full of dirt and said, “Because he’s inside your cat.”

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow. What a wonderful time we had on “Super,” “Souper,” Youth Sunday! We had a house almost full, and a worship experience led by our great Youth and Bryan Bogue, who we believe will become a Spirit led Pastor, Preacher, and Soul Winner who will finish strong. We thank all who had part in the service and are grateful you led us in worship. I will try to remember those who took part: Britney Inglefield led us in the responsive reading and Hayley Potter had our invocation. (She reminded the Lord that we appreciate the rain, but we would like to have some sunshine.) Austin Seay, Chipper Smith, Kellee Seay and Caroline ODell were our ushers. Caroline O’Dell led us in the morning prayer. Evan Bryant had the message in song. He is a classmate of Bryan and Allyson who were also present. Bryan led the music and brought an outstanding message. (I told him afterwards that he finished his sermon far too soon and would make me look bad next Sunday. Just kidding.) We received an offering for Samaritan’s Purse, earmarked for the folks in Haiti. Two of our Children on Mission, Ashley King and Drew Jackson, were at the door with their pots. Bryan’s Dad, brother Bobby, and Bobby’s girlfriend, Patty Ann Green, who is a graduate student at Wake Forest University surprised Bryan, by coming from Mississippi and Winston-Salem. Allyson’s parents and a flock of students from Winthrop were also present to support Bryan and to worship our Lord. Next Sunday we will have a lot to live up to.

Mama’s Rules for Livin’
“There is a great difference between putting your nose in other people’s business and putting your heart in other people’s problems.”
“God does not promise to leave us comfortable but He will never leave us comfortless.”

Inclement Weather Policy: Pastor Charles will lead our worship service on Sunday during inclement weather beginning at 11;00. For some reason, his sermons are shorter on those days. We will not have Sunday School. If you feel you can come to church 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. If you stay home, spend some time praying for the service and those who attend.

Deacon Candidates who may be nominated as of February 9, 2010 are: Michelle Goodman, Bill Gordon, Bucky King, and Denny Saverance. 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.

Basketball Schedule for Saturday, February 13
Boys at Shield of Faith Church at 9:00
Girls at Oakdale at 10:00

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.

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.

During our next church conference, we will vote on Renee King and Linda Tanner co-leaders for our Vacation Bible School.

Pastor Charles began teaching the Gospel of Mark at our Wednesday night Bible study. We will observe the beginning of Lent next Wednesday and resume our study on the 24th. Come and join us.

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.

A gift has been given to NewKirk Baptist Church in memory of Pastor Glen Self by Charlene Cunnup.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C.S. Lewis

The Basics of Prayer
Paul tells us that we should "pray without ceasing," yet in the modern world, it sometimes seems that prayer takes a back seat not only to our work but to entertainment. As a result, many of us have fallen out of the habit of daily prayer that characterized the lives of Christians in centuries past. Yet an active prayer life is essential to our growth in grace. We all need to learn more about prayer and about how to integrate prayer into every aspect of our daily life.

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, February 14, 2010
Children's Church: Donna Daniels & Helper
Infants’ Nursery — Roxie & Russ Trotter
Usher/Greeter Teams – Chipper Smith, Tim Seay, Austin Seay, Daniel McCallum
TELLER: February 15 — Bonnie Stafford

CHURCH CALENDAR
Feb. 14 — 9:45 — S.S., 10:45 - Worship, 5:00 — Youth
Feb. 16 — 7:00 — GROW “O”
Feb. 17 — 6:45 - RA’s, GA’s, Acteens, Mission Friends, Adult Bible Study, (Ash Wednesday), 7:30 - Adult Choir Practice
Feb. 19 — 7:00 — RA’s Lock-In