Pastor Charles Reflections:

Can a single flame light up the darkness? It was a warm summer night and the glare of the lights spotlighted the huge stadium and the million bugs in flight. Every seat was filled and every eye riveted to the giant spectacle below. A war display had come to town - promoting the sale of War Bonds and 40,000 people had turned out to see it. It was 1944. Suddenly, an anti-aircraft gun boomed, shattering the still night like glass. Hearts leaped. Then a machine gun, a tank, more anti-aircraft guns. Then the quick cracks of a hundred rifles. The ground rumbled; the stands shook. A facsimile of a full scale war was taking place before 40,000 hypnotized people. Then, just as suddenly, the noise stopped. The silence was like death. No one moved. Smoke did strange twists up through the powerful stadium lights. No one seemed to remember that this was a drive to sell War Bonds. But the folks staging the spectacle knew what they were doing. They knew human nature. They knew, too, that a man making $37.50 a week couldn’t buy many bonds and may not buy any at all. Their job was to convince this man - and thousands like him - that his contribution, whatever it was, was essential to winning the war. So they turned out all of the lights. Every single one of those giant flood lights. The sudden contrast made the pitch black night even blacker. A moment before you could see 40,000 faces and now nothing. Only thoughts of what is happening or the thoughts of a son or daughter on a battle field in Europe or the Pacific Theater. Then the announcer made a strange request. He asked everyone to light a match and hold it aloft. Just as suddenly as the darkness swallowed the light, the light pushed aside the darkness as the stadium came ablaze with 40,000 tiny flames. You could see the faces of 40,000 people again. A giant candle illuminated the darkness. Had only a few people lighted matches, the tiny individual flames would have made only a twinkle. But 40,000 together - that made a difference. The darkness melted. That is the way it is with NewKirk Baptist Church. What one person cannot do alone 65 families can do together. When we look at $500,000 for a Family Life Center and the modification of our current meeting place into a lovely sanctuary, it overwhelms us when we think solo, but when we think of 65 families plus and the power of God behind our efforts, it is achievable - together. No, it won’t be easy, but it is possible. Chuck Swindoll said that Americans have increased their recreational budget in the past several years by 12% and at the same time allowed their giving to God through the church to remain the same. This must change for all churches to survive in a hostile and secular world. I believe when we as believers in Christ Jesus renew our focus on eternity, we see that only that which is done for Christ will last. We can do anything through Him who gives us the resources and strength. Members should soon receive a letter, with a pledge card from the Finance Committee explaining the need we have of meeting our current budget, as well as having the resources to make our monthly payment on our mortgage with South Carolina Bank and Trust. We have the opportunity and challenge to keep our current budget up-to-date, as well as meet our new obligation. Can we do it? ABSOLUTELY! Please pray about the pledge your family will make. When every active family of NewKirk does their part, then we will go over the top in our giving to the cause of Christ. He gave His all, can we do less. See you Sunday if the Lord tarries.

In His Grip, Pastor Charles.

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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.

Faith, Family and Freedom Celebration with Steven Curtis Chapman, Superchick and Newworldson will be held on Saturday, June 26th at 6:00 P.M. at the Z MAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Parkway, South in Concord. Michelle Goodman said this was an outstanding experience in Charlotte. This will be a time of great music, great family fun and great fireworks! The tickets are $10.00 for all seats. There is a $5.00 per car parking fee at the zMAX Dragway. Tailgate party begins at 4:00 and doors open at 5:00 P.M. No food from the tailgate party will be allowed in the concert. See Michelle Goodman or Christie Adams if interested.

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 (817-1818), 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 817-1818.

The York Baptist Association Semi Annual Men’s Ministry Steak Dinner will be held on May 20th at the YBA office on Museum Road from 6:30-8:20 P.M. All Pastors, Men’s Ministry Directors and Deacon Chairmen are invited and encouraged to participate in this great time of fellowship and Men’s Missions info while enjoying a thick steak, baked potato. Etc. RSVP no later than May 17th by calling 327-6144 or emailing robyn@yorkbaptists.ord.

April has been remembered as Child Abuse Awareness Month. In reality, every month should be Child Abuse Awareness Month. In South Carolina, thousands of children are hiding a horrible secret. Child Abuse, Neglect and Abandonment is a major problem in South Carolina. In 2008, S.C had 9,170 Child Protective Services cases. In 2009, that total rose to 12,316...an increase of 26%. We have the power to help...Get involved...Care! In Rock Hill, we have Children’s Attention Home and our Acteens are currently collecting children’s books for the children served by this ministry. Under the umbrella of the Baptist State Convention of South Carolina, we have the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood. I hope we can become more involved in this, our children’s home in the near future. The Blue Sunday Prayer & Challenge. “ Lord, thank You for our children, For them we kneel and prayer. Help us teach them of Your kindness, Of Your mercy and Your way. Help us show them of Your love, Your strength and safety, too. Help us show them who You are, Help us treat them like You do.” Let’s pray, educate ourselves, and volunteer for the children of our nation until black and blue are just colors in their crayon box.

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." Matt. 9:37-38 Are you willing to serve? 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.

Frank Hunter’s Address in Afghanistan
PFC Hunter, Franklin,
1222nd ENG Co, 105th EN BN
APO AE 09355

“...and the Lord added to our church fellowship and family,” Ms. Gladys Nichols and her daughter, Mrs. Ashley Williams by baptism. Welcome and we praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Up-Date of our Deacon Council - Our deacons are Donna Daniels, Chairperson; Michelle Goodman, Secretary; Bill Gordon, Travis Jackson, Bucky King, Sherry Tucker. Michelle will complete the 2 year term of Neil Dove who resigned for health reasons, and Bill Gordon will serve for 1 year. Pray for our Deacon Council as they serve as spiritual leaders of our church along with our pastor.

Congratulations to Grandparents Don and Bonnie Stafford upon the birth of Caleb Thomas Nance on Monday, April 26 around 8:12 A.M. He weighed in ay 7 lb. And is 19 3/4 in. long. Devin and Daddy are doing fine. Best wishes to them upon the arrival of their new baby boy.

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, May 2, 2010
Children's Church: Sherry & Erica Tucker
Infants’ Nursery— Gaylyn & Kristen Massey
Usher/Greeter Teams– Keith Trotter, Arlyn Dail, Mark Tucker, Jack Tucker
TELLER: May 3, - Arlyn Dail

CHURCH CALENDAR
May 2—9:00-Breakfast, 9:45-S.S., 10:45-Worship, 4:15-Youth Council, 5:00-Youth, 7:00-New Facility Comm.
May 4– 7:00-GROW “G”
May 5– 6:45– RAs, GAs, Acteens, Mission Friends, & Adult Bible Study, 7:30-Choir Practice