Reflections:
The story is told of an unusual tree which grew just outside the gates of a desert city in the Middle East. It was an old tree, a landmark. But more than that, it seemed to have been touched by the finger of God, for it bore fruit perpetually. Despite its old age, its limbs were constantly laden with fruit. Although hundreds of passersby refreshed, and nourished themselves from the tree, it never failed to give freely to a tired, dusty, hungry traveler. Then one day a greedy merchant purchased the property on which the tree grew. Once he observed hundreds of travelers “robbing” his tree, he built a high fence around it. Stunned, the travelers asked, “Share with us.” The greedy merchant growled in return, “This is My tree, My fruit, bought with My money. Then one morning as the first of the travelers passed the old tree, they were shocked to find that, after all its years of helping others, the old tree had suddenly died. What happened? Well, the law of giving is as predictable as the law of gravity, and had expressed its immutable principle. When the old tree stopped giving, it stopped bearing. When it stopped bearing, it died. This law, God’s universal law of giving, is as much a part of our lives as the physical laws that guide our steps day after day. It’s the law of give-and-receive. And when I think how much I take from God’s world, even though Linda and I tithe our income, I bow in guilt at how little I give to His work. God, according to my understanding of His Word, owns everything. We are trustees of that which He entrusts to us. He has said, “Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat (food) in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10. Just before this verse, Malachi poses the question, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, How have we robbed God? In tithes and offering.” In making your financial pledge, the Finance Committee is not asking you to give anything you don’t have, but to give according to the way God is blessing you. That’s all. Someone said in light of the $80.00 a week challenge from our finance committee, what if those already giving more than that decides to cut their giving back to $80.00. The only reply one could give is, “That is between them and the God who blesses”. Let us assure you that your pledge will be treated confidentially and will be seen only by our secretary who records our giving weekly. She will record the amount pledged, without a name and pass the information to the finance committee. Thank you for being a good steward. See you Sunday, if Jesus tarries.
In His Grip, Pastor Charles

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Baccalaureate Ceremony to be held at NewKirk on Sunday, May 23, 2010 beginning at 10:45. So far we have heard from the following graduates who will be in attendance for the service and lunch. Russ Trotter (4); Caroline Odell (6); Hannah Gordon (4); Jamey McWaters (3). We need and would love to hear from Hayley Smith, Hope Marten and Sydney Heaton.

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.

We encourage those who have joined NewKirk in recent months and those anticipating to join to attend the New Members Class to be taught by Pastor Charles from 9:45-10:20 on Sunday. The dates for the class are May 16, 23, 30th and June 6 and 13th. We will meet in the corner room near the front entrance on the left as you enter the front door.

Congratulations to Debby Reburn and Ken Colin Beaver upon their marriage this past Saturday, May 8, 2010. We wish them well.

Baptismal Service June 6, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. We have four to be baptized.

Pastor Charles had a funeral at The Episcopal Church of The Ascension of Fork near Winston-Salem, N.C. on Wednesday, May 12. Mrs. Dora Jones is the Grandmother of our Isabel Harrelson.

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, 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. If you are unable to shop yourself, please feel free to donate money to the Food Fund.
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.

We are delighted to report that Lakewood Baptist Church and Ebenezer ARP Church have agreed to allow our volunteers to lodge in their building during the week of July 10-16th. We thank Nadine Riddle for getting the ball rolling for the use of the Ebenezer ARP facility. We have also secured a 40' X 60' tent from the S.C. Baptist State Convention agent for $600.00. Both of these are answered prayers. Thank you for your prayers in behalf of our new building. Please continue to pray for all to work out according to the Will of God.

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.

THE OLD PATHS
I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay; Hard work did; And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave. Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; And children looked decent.
People loved the truth, And hated a lie; They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful; Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.
The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house. To be called an American was worth dying for; To be called a Christian was worth living for; To be called a traitor was a shame!
Preachers preached because they had a message;
And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY! Preachers preached from the Bible; Singers sang from the heart; And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life; Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God; Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord; Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus; And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible; Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
God was worshiped; Christ was exalted; And the Holy Spirit was respected. Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's day, rather than in the garden, on the creek bank, on the golf course, Or being entertained somewhere else. I still like the old paths the best!
Written by a retired pastor who lives in Tennessee

Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits. ~ Thomas Edison

Address for PFC Hunter, Franklin
1222nd ENG Co, 105th EN BN
APO AE 09355

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, May 16, 2010
Children's Church: Roxie & Russ Trotter
Infants’ Nursery— Christy & Brittany Adams
Usher/Greeter Teams– Chipper Smith, Tim Seay, Austin Seay, Daniel McCallum
TELLER: May 17 - Jerry Raxter

CHURCH CALENDAR
May 16—9:45-S.S., 10:45-Worship, 5:00-Youth, 5:15-YWOM
May 17—7:00-Church Council
May 18—7:00-GROW “O”
May 19—6:45-RA’s, GA’s, Acteens & Mission Friends, 6:45-Adult Bible Study, 7:30-Choir Practice