Pastor Charles Reflections

“Daddy, would you play with me just a little bit?” John looked down at his little girl whom he loved more than anything in the world. He loved to hold her in his lap with her head cuddled beneath his chin and her soft frizzly hair tickling his nose. He loved to hear her laugh because it meant she was happy. He loved her morning freshness as he tucked the covers around her and listened to her soft breathing in the stillness. He loved to hold her tiny body close to him and feel her tiny arms squeezing him in a child’s hug. “Daddy, would you play with me just a little bit?” “Can’t tonight, sweetheart. Daddy hasn’t got time.” “But last night you said you would.” “Well, I thought I could last night, sweetheart; but something’s come up since then. Daddy will be sure to play with you tomorrow night.” The little girl watched her daddy leave her room, looked down at her toys for a moment, then picked up Chauncey Chimp by his rubber hand and walked to her room. “Daddy will be sure to play with us tomorrow night, Chauncy.”
Yes, honey, Daddy will be sure to play with you tomorrow—so easy to say, so hard to do. Isn’t this the way it is so often in our service to God? We say we love Him, we believe we love Him, yet —when it comes to giving Him some of our time—or our money—we don’t seem to have it just now, maybe tomorrow. Some day John will find he no longer has a little girl. Those years, those precious years of happiness will be gone, passed by. Only memories will remain. Some day those precious years of service to God will be gone, when only regret remains, regret and memories of what could have been. What a helpless, hopeless feeling to look back and retrace the years that slipped by so quickly. Now - today, not tomorrow - is the time for love and service. If you have not yet made your pledge to NewKirk, God’s storehouse, please do so now. “Daddy will be sure to play with us tomorrow, Chauncey.” No, sweetheart, your daddy won’t play with you tomorrow night. There won’t be time. “Only one life to live, Will soon be passed only what’s done for Christ will last.” See you Sunday if Jesus tarries.
In Jesus Grip, Pastor Charles

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Question?? How much does it cost to smile and speak to the person in the hall, classroom, sanctuary, coming in or out of our church? Several years ago, I worked with the Baptist Children’s Homes of N.C. (BCH). I loved the people with whom I worked and those I called on in behalf of BCH. There was a lovely lady working in the office who could walk past others in the office and never speak, smile, nod or grunt. It pops my corn for people not to speak to me, especially when I speak to them. I decided one day not to speak to Blondie (Not her real name) and see what would happen. Several days later, the office manager, laughing as I entered her office, said to me, “Blondie said you were not speaking to her when you pass in the hall.” So, I resumed speaking to her. Question? How would you feel if you visited another church and no one spoke, smiled, acknowledged that you were even present, or willing to carry on a conversation with you because you were involved in conversation with your “already” friend? I hope that never happens at NewKirk, but if it has or does, we are the only one who can correct this spirit of unfriendliness. I preached at a church one Sunday near Winston-Salem. Going with me that morning was Linda, Chase and his wife Nancy Crump. Following the service we got into the car to leave and almost in concert, all four of us said, “That is the coldest church I have ever been in.” A total of four people spoke to us. Folks, if NewKirk is going to continue to grow, we must be known as a friendly, warm church and for the most part we are. But when we let our guard down because we don’t feel like speaking or whatever, it hurts the image of our church. Please, for heaven sake speak to one another and especially to our guests. One evening just before the great Broadway musical star, Mary Martin, was to go on stage in South Pacific, a note was handed to her. It was from Oscar Hammerstein, who at that moment was on his deathbed. The short note simply said: “Dear Mary, A bell’s not a bell till you ring it. A song’s not a song till you sing it. Love in your heart is not put there to stay. Love isn’t love till you give it away.” May I add: A face is not a face until you smile. A voice is not a voice until you greet someone and a church is not friendly unless you are. We must keep reaching out to people...After all, that is what love and friendship is all about. Selah!

Baccalaureate Ceremony to be held at NewKirk on Sunday, May 23, 2010 beginning at 10:45. Graduates, please wear your cap and gowns.

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.

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.

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. See Michelle Goodman or Christie Adams if interested.

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.

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

Attention Senior Adults: We will tour the Billy Graham Library on Saturday, May 29, 2010. We will leave the church at 9:00, tour the library, eat lunch and return to Rock Hill around 4:00 to 4:30, if not sooner. Anyone wishing to go with the Seniors is welcome. Please note: the Library has been closed for sometime for some reconstruction and one of the main new items is seating in each area for those of us who cannot stand for very long at the time. There will not be a meeting on the 24th.
A NOTE FROM OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE
Regarding the letter dated May 5, 2010 from the Committee requesting a goal of $80.00 per week from our family units. Please be clear—if you are already tithing to God and NewKirk and this amount is more than $80.00 per week, OR, is the tenth of what God is providing for you, then know you are where God wants you to be in your financial giving. Some of us may have to take a sincere look at where we are in our talent and tithing area of our Christian walk and may need to make adjustments. If you will notice in Pastor Charles’ column last week, he said, “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.” Please, if there are any questions regarding this matter, get in touch with Neil Dove, Bill Gordon, Travis Jackson, Jackie Massey or Jeff Vinson. That is what they are here for.

Yours, Mine and Ours—How exciting that we have so many wonderful programs at NewKirk! Seniors, Youth, and Children each organizing and planning a variety of activities. Please be mindful when using the paper products in the sanctuary closet that some are clearly marked for an event. Therefore, please refrain from using them,. If, by chance, you do not see the markings, please replace the products or tell someone so the paper products can be replaced. Thank you so much for your help in this matter.

Attention Youth and Parents of Youth—The Youth Council would like to meet with you (youth and parents) this Sunday, May 23rd. At 5:00 P.M.

OTHER MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY, May 23, 2010
Children's Church: Michelle & Ray Goodman
Infants’ Nursery— Jennifer & Daniel McCallum
Usher/Greeter Teams– Russ Trotter, Travis Jackson, Jeff Vinson, Hayley Potter
TELLER: May 24—Bill Gordon

CHURCH CALENDAR
May 23– 9:45-S.S., 10:45-Worship w/Baccalaureate Service, 5:00-Youth Council/Parents & Youth, 5:00-Men on Mission
May 25– 7:00-GROW “W”
May 26—6:45-RA’s, GA’s, Acteens, Mission Friends, Adult Bible Study, 7:30-Choir Practice
May 29—9:00-Seniors visit Billy Graham Library