Pastor Charles Reflections:

Dear NewKirk Church Family,
He was a good man...Honest, truthful on his income tax, faithful to his wife, loved his family and gave them his best.
He treated people with respect, went to church regularly, helped out whenever called upon. He was a family man, a religious man-without a doubt, a good man. But there was one thing...
During a stewardship emphasis, someone read: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s.” And the good man rationalized: “Old Testament scripture. No application today.”
And then someone read: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him.”
He pondered this verse from the New Testament. And as he thought about it, he looked back on the many excuses he had offered for not supporting the Lord’s church. And he was ashamed. He recalled the good years behind him, his lovely family, the countless things for which he was thankful. Guilty, he bowed his head, “God has been good to me and I have neglected Him.”
Then, remembering the Great Promise, he felt lifted and happy... “Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saidth the Lord of hosts., if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
And what a promise it was - a pact with God. NewKirk, God has been good to us over the past years through the good times and not so good times. You have been able to withstand friends leaving the church over various and sundry reasons and yet you have been faithful to the church and God has been good to you, and you and you, and yes all of us. He has blessed in countless ways. Little ways and big ways. Personal ways and yes, we have so much for which to be thankful.
As we enter into this exciting period in the life of NewKirk during which time we will build a Family Life Center and improve our place of worship, please remember the pact God has made with you and be faithful in attendance, as you have been so great in the past several months, and in your tithes and offerings.
Yes, he really was a good man, and because he loved his heavenly Father, he returned to Him that which was His from the beginning - God’s tithes and his offering. Selah! Think on these things. See you Sunday, if Jesus tarries.
In His Grip, Pastor Charles

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What a beautiful ceremony Sunday as we ordained Michelle Goodman and Travis Jackson as deacons. The attendance was great, the Spirit of the Lord was present and I believe we were able to worship our God in Spirit and in Truth. As we laid our hands on the heads of Michelle and Travis - and so many did - we promised to pray for them as they give their best as spiritual leaders of NewKirk and become the best Deacons found anywhere, bringing honor to the office of Deacon. Congratulations to both of you and to the church family.

Baccalaureate Ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010. Graduates, we need to hear from you. Our known graduates are Russ Trotter, Caroline Odell, Bryan Bogue, Allyson Kelly, Jamey McWaters, Hayley Smith, Hannah Gordon, Hope Marten, and Sydney Heaton. Chad Smith will participate at St. John’s Church. Please let me know your plans to attend or not to attend. This will help with food preparation for the family of the graduate.

Results of the Church Conference this past Sunday. The church voted 100% to authorize the New Facility Committee to proceed with the plans of building our Family Life Center and improve our worship center. Thank you church family for your trust in our Family Life Center Committee.

Health Clinic this coming Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the HarborChase of Rock Hill, 1611 Constitution Blvd, from 9:00 A.M. -1:00 P.M. Free refreshments and meeting with a variety of healthcare professionals.

A gift has been given to the NewKirk Building Fund by the Travis and Melissa Jackson family in memory of Rev. Glen Self.

Mama’s Rules for Livin’
“When you become a parent, remember; Children are sent through us, not to us.” “It isn’t the load that weights you down, it is the way you carry it.”

From The Food Committee for our building project.
As you are aware, we are responsible for feeding the 250 volunteers coming in to build our new facility for eight days and a group of 50 who will arrive early for three days. Many of you will be asked to donate your time during July 8-17 to help us prepare these meals. If you are available, please contact Linda Tanner (325-2002), Bill Gordon or Ann Gordon (329-2657), the Food Committee for this project.
The items we would like you to start donating now are as follows: Salt, pepper, sugar, napkins, gallon jars of mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, gallon cans of powered lemonade, gallon cans of Bushes baked beans, gallon cans of peaches and pears. Other items will be needed later.
We have cleared out a room to store these and other items in the class room located near the Janitor’s closet at the front of the church building. Please let Linda Tanner know of any donations being brought so she can inventory them and keep you posted on our need list. If you have questions concerning donations, please call her at 325-2002.

Chauvez/ Cromer Bridal Shower
All ladies are invited to attend a bridal drop-in hosted by YWOM on Sunday April 25th for Miss Kallie Chauvez. Kallie and Trent will be united in marriage this June in her Michigan hometown. We are so blessed to have her and Trent in our church family. Please come share in this joyous event as we wish her many years of wedded bliss. Her drop in will be held from 3 pm-5 pm in the Homebuilder’s Sunday School classroom. She is registered at Kohl’s, Target, and at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Food for Thought:
“The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.” ~ Julia Child
“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do what you want done because he wants to do it.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Always do right. This will surprise some people and astonish the rest.” ~ Mark Twain
“When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Just For The Fun Of It - Really?
From “For Better Or For Worse” Cartoon . Dad observes Michael tossing litter out of the back window of their car as he drives down the highway. He says to him, “Michael, you are NOT to throw trash on the highway. We are going to turn around - and you’ll pick that up.” Screech, as they turn around. They stop the car and Michelle says, “But, Daddy!” as they look at a pile of trash on the side of the road. Dad is thinking, “Sometimes you wonder if a point is worth making.” Please don’t litter. Take pride in your community and your country. Remember your litter and cigarette butts eventually is carried into the Catawba River and that is where we get our drinking water. Ouch!
From Our Music Director: Just as Newkirk is about to undertake a long-awaited building project, my company is also about to start a new project, although mine is software instead of a building. I learned of this last December.... and struggled for weeks trying to figure out how I can manage this project, plus my duties at church. It soon became apparent that both would just not work. So I notified the personnel committee of my intent to step-down at the end of April. So this coming Sunday, the 25th will be my last Sunday at Newkirk. And I begin my training almost immediately, as I will be in Canada the most of this last week of April. Serving at Newkirk has been a pleasure these past two years. We will certainly miss every one.
God bless..… Don & Bonnie Stafford

Evangelism Team
During our building project in July, a team from First Baptist Barnwell will be partnering with a team from NewKirk to go into Rock Hill neighborhoods to spread the message of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to begin to prepare the hearts of those we will contact and give the right words to the workers who will be taking that message to the doors. This is Kingdom work so please be much in prayer, as the enemy wants to hold onto as many souls as possible. We will also be providing information about our church and invite those who do not have a church home, to worship with us here at NewKirk.
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 Are you someone who is willing to answer God’s call by saying “Send Me”? We need members from our church to partner with the Barnwell folks going out into our neighborhoods_ we know the area, they don’t. Please pray for God to give you clear direction about serving in this function. There are thousands in Rock Hill who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Make no mistake_ this IS a mission field. Thank you for the two who have already felt the call to join this endeavor. Please let Roxie know if you are willing to serve also.

Attention NewKirk Seniors: Our next meeting is to be April 26, at 6:30. You are asked to please bring your favorite salad, (chicken, fruit, tossed, etc.).

The Children’s Attention Home is having a fund raiser at Northside Baptist Church here in Rock Hill on Friday, April 30th. It is a lunch of chicken bog (chicken, rice & sausage) green beans, and slaw for $6.00—eat in or take out.

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kelly And Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bogue Invite you to join them at the marriage of their children ALLISON AND BRYAN Saturday, June 5, 2010 Two o’clock in the afternoon Westminster Presbyterian Church 1300 Indian Hook Road Rock Hill, South Carolina

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, April 25, 2010
Children's Church: Roxie & Russ Trotter
Infants’ Nursery— Tara and Hayley Potter
Usher/Greeter Teams– Ray Goodman, Josh Goodman, Trent Cromer, Bucky King
TELLER: April 26—Judy Redman

CHURCH CALENDAR
Apr. 24—10:00 to 4:00—Beth Moore at Ft. Mill First Baptist
Apr. 25—9:45—S.S., 10:45-Worship, 3:00 to 5:00-Chauvez-Cromer Shower, 5:00-Youth, 7:00-New Facility Comm.
Apr. 26—6:30-Senior Citizens
Apr. 27—7:00-GROW “W”
Apr. 28—6:45-RAs, GAs, Acteens, Mission Friends, & Adult Bible Study, 7:30—Choir Practice