Seeking April 2013

A More

Excellent Way THE LIVING SHALL PRAISE THEE

We

Have You Considered My Servant

Yearly Visit

The Garden

Quick Laugh

Interference

The Reverent Church With The Relevant Ministry

Editor: K. Anderson

The mission of the First Missionary Baptist Church is to exalt our Savior by

worshipping, working, and witnessing under the Holy Spirit’s direction. We

have been assigned to edify saints through Bible based teaching ministries

while giving attention to the needs of the total human experience.

We are far from perfect but the Lord has blessed us with a warm and loving

atmosphere that provides an excellent opportunity for development. As Jesus

said in St. Luke 10:2, “….the harvest is truly great but the laborers are few….”

There is so much work to be done and so many souls to be won.

152 Years of striving to be both reverent and relevant

Weekly Services Sunday

Sunday Worship Service 7:45 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

6:00 P.M.

New Members Orientation 9:00 A.M.

Adult Sunday School 9:00 A.M.

Christian Growth & 9:00 A.M.

Development (Church Training Class)

Sunday School 9:45 A.M.

Wednesday

Midday Bible Study 11:30 A.M.

Prayer Meeting 6:00 P.M.

Bible Study 6:30 P.M

First Missionary Baptist Church of Handsboro

1100 East Pass Road

Gulfport, MS 39507

Tel: 228-896-1299

Fax: 228-xxx-xxxx

www.fmbchandsboro.org

First Missionary Baptist Church

Of Handsboro 1100 East Pass Road

Gulfport, MS 39507 (228)896-1299

APRIL 2012

From The Pastor’s Heart…………………………………..3

Have You Considered My Servant………………………..4

Yearly Visit………………………………………………..5

The Garden………………………………………………...7

A Quick Laugh…………………………………………....10

Interference……………………………………………….11

Just A Little Fun……………………………………...…..12

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

May you rejoice in the written word. The scriptures can come alive for you if you just read

daily. Discover the acts of God while traveling with his disciples along the pathway of love,

honor and service. Yes, celebrate the written word. It’s boldness will carry you through

the good and bad days while giving you the knowledge to be a living witness for Him.

Read it. Study it. Live by it. Share it. For the power and strength of daily living is in his

almighty word. K. Anderson

Trouble is universal. No one can escape it. But what

do we do about it?

We can worry, panic, be fearful and feel sorry for

ourselves or we can commit our trouble to the Lord,

trusting him to take us through it.

-Millie Statmm

What’s In the News

April 2013

From The Pastor’s Heart

My Church Family,

It’s that time of year that draws us closer to the beauty of May

flowers. But in order to get there we must endure April showers.

Wow!

April showers, rain, is nothing more than trials and tribulations we

go through in our worldly life. Some showers are strong and hard

and cause flooding. Others may be light and some may be just

sprinkles. But no matter how they appear, it’s still rain.

I want you to understand something though. In order for us to

survive, we must allow the rain to cultivate and nurture us. We must

allow it to give us what we need to grow strong which in turn will

make us appreciate the blossoming of May flowers.

So instead of griping about the showers be thankful for it and the

one who created it because without out it, there is no life. There are

no May flowers.

May God continue to Bless You!

S.V. Adolph

Have You Considered My Servant (Continued)

The negativity is over. Let’s talk about the mothers of the church. These are the

elderly women who’d been members for many years. Each Sunday they’d sit on the

front pew in the middle section of the church. If you wanted to hear a true testimony,

talk to one. You had to have some time on your hands though.

Mother Perkins was the oldest member of Freedom Hill. Every Sunday morning she

wore a bold but beautiful hat that stood out from all the rest. Her daughter was the

Vice-President of the largest bank in the city and kept her mother in style. Mother

Perkins did not care about all of that though. All she wanted to do was give praises

to God. She often testified about how God brought her through.

Pastor Jones had the up most respect for his mothers. He never stood in their way

when giving honor to God. It didn’t even matter how long it prolonged the services.

He often had to remind the congregation there was no set program when it came to

God’s program.

Freedom Hill’s music ministry was on point. The church was truly blessed with

faithful, talented servants. The first Sunday the Senior Choir lifted their voices. It

consisted of thirty older men and woman who just like singing for God. All the

rocking and clapping they did not do. And who really cared what key they sung in

just as long as they rendered God’s songs of old. They kept the church going with

songs of Zion that the younger generation heard simply because the Senior Choir

sang them. You could say this choir kept it real.

On the second Sunday of the month the Inspirational Choir led the musical selections.

Fifty smiling faces filled the choir stand ready to jam. Not only did they have a

pianist, organist and drummer but electric guitarist. Hopefully it was not for show.

You can best believe they turned the services out every second Sunday.

One choir that always seemed to prepare the sanctuary for the morning message was

the male chorus. It’s just something about their voices that brought a sweet spirit of

praise in the air. Their musical selections filled the sanctuary with harmony. The

twenty five member choir had a hard time organizing a rehearsal but when they sang

together on that third Sunday their voices blended like never before.

The younger generation was plenty. They had the largest choir. The fourth Sunday

was their time to shine. When the seventy member choir filled the choir stand it

made the church proud to see that many youngsters involved in the works of the

Lord. When they rendered their selections their voices rang out so harmonious it had

the entire church in tears and shouting for joy. Most important was the fact that they

lifted their voices unto God.

The choirs were extremely active throughout the city. Even the state. They were

fortunate to record a live CD. Each choir sang three selections. It was a hot seller all

around. The proceeds went to aid numerous projects the church funded in an effort to

help the community.

3

Yearly Visit I have known April Showers all of my life. She visits me every year. When we were young,

even though we couldn’t go outside, her visits were still sort of fun. We’d always find something

relatively fun to do. But years have passed and I am now an adult. The fun has quickly

diminished. Over the course of time, I have lost a job, been evicted, had my vehicle stolen (with

no insurance) and even lost my mother all during her visit.

During our kiddy years our favorite game was hide and seek. I usually found her hiding in the

same spot but it took her some time to find me. She always looked in eleven different places but

on the twelfth try she managed to find me. Call it strange but as adults we still play the game

but now things have reversed. The fun is no longer there. No matter where I hide she finds me

within the blink of an eye.

I consider myself to be a friendly host. Of all the depression, stress and grief she causes me I

still allow her to visit every year. It’s not that I want to see her but that she will not stop visiting

no matter what I say or do. So I have learned to accept it. And every year she takes total

control during her stay. But the most severe tarnish is that I allow her to control my thought

process.

During her visit, I still go to work but I can’t seem to focus on my job because I know she is

waiting for me. For the past few years she started going to church with me. Because she is not

a religious person, every time we’d go I allowed her to grasp my attention and place it on her

wondering what stunt was going to pull next. So now we just don’t go.

Every year, like clock work, the day after April leaves my friend May Flowers visits. During

May’s visit, she enlightens me. She shows me how I allow April to take my joy away but she

will not tolerate it one bit.

May is a God fearing woman and doesn’t really like to play hide and seek. She doesn’t like to

play games but if she had to pick one it would be show and tell. She takes her time and shows

me all of the stunts April pulled during her visit. She even goes back and shows me stunts she

pulled before her visit. And every year May tells me how to handle her. You would think she

gets tire to telling me the same thing over and over but for some strange reason she doesn’t.

She has confidence that I will soon take heed.

Since there is no way to avoid April’s visit she gives me the advice I need to deal with her but

acting upon it is entirely up to me. She explains about a book, the Bible, to read while April is

not here so it will make me strong while she is. She explains that if I read that book at least

once a day, even during her visit, and follow the instructions, I will soon learn how to deal with

April’s visit while patiently waiting for hers.

One year I took heed to her words and tried it. Low and behold, it worked! Now when April

Showers visits we don’t play hide and seek because I know she is going to find me. Now during

her visit we read, study and wait patiently not letting her still my joy knowing May Flowers is

(To be continued in next month’s newsletter)

4

5

sure to follow. Following the instructions in the book and believing makes each one’s visit

special in their own way.

……………………………………………………….………………………………………

“I enjoy capturing moments in time and creating lasting memories”

Brian Pearse Photographer

Turning Memories Into Keepsakes Portraits˜ Eventsˆ Weddings

228/ 326-3833 Email: brianpearseimages@gmail.com

Brian Pearse Photography

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THE GARDEN

Come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses…

Imagine how life would be if you would plant a simple

Garden for Your Daily

Living

Think of the impact on the world if you just made peace in your own living.

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:

1. Peas of mind

2. Peas of heart

3. Peas of soul

Being careful of what you say and how you act sure would change the world.

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

1. Squash gossip

2. Squash indifference

3. Squash grumbling

4. Squash selfishness

6

Considering our own actions would make living just a bit easier.

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

1. Lettuce be faithful

2. Lettuce be kind

3. Lettuce be patient

4. Lettuce really love one another

Committing ourselves to God would bring sunshine on cloudy days.

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:

1. Turnip for meetings

2. Turnip for service

3. Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE THE GARDEN WE MUST HAVE

THYME:

1. Thyme for each other

2. Thyme for family

3. Thyme for friends

Even with no gardening skills, this can be the most

flourishing phases of your life.

YOU MUST WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND

CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH GROWTH TO

OBSERVE BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

THE GARDEN

7

Walker’s Florist 828 Pass Road Ste A

Gulfport, MS 39501 Cross Streets: Between 5

th Ave and 6

th Ave

(228) 865-0990

Owner: Clifton Walker

Lisa Walker

Get your flowers ordered and

delivered smoothly.

Fashion Touch Boutique & Accessories

Fashion Touch Boutique &

Accessories sells fine clothing for

men and women in the Gulfport,

MS area. We offer several quality

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and other designer goods. Fashion

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quality clothes.

Fashion Touch Boutique & Accessories Sells:

Men's Clothing - including suits, dress shirts, casual wear and

more

Women's Clothing - we offer specialty bras, ladies' suits,

sportswear and more

Women's Hats - offering a wide variety of hats and

ornamental head pieces for various occasions

We Also Accommodate Church Special Orders:

Choir uniforms Gloves Usher clothes

Business professionals can come and choose from a large selection

of men's and ladies' suits. We offer men's jackets up to size 60, so

come and find something that fits you well today! Contact Fashion Touch Boutique & Accessories today at 228-896-9222 to

hear about our current specials

___

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8

ROBERT E. SIMMONS

President

The Simmons Network Consulting Services

692 Mulberry Drive P.O. Box 1775

Biloxi, MS 39532 Gulfport, MS 39502-1775

Phone: (228) 388-7540 Fax: (228) 388-3856

Cell: (228) 503-4871

Email: simmonsnetwork@cableone.net

A QUICK LAUGH

A Sunday School teacher asked the

children just before she

dismissed to go to church, “And why is it necessary to

be quiet in church?” Annie

replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

One day at the entrance to heaven, St. Peter saw a New York street gang walk up to the Pearly Gates. This being a first, St. Peter ran to God and said, “God, there are some evil, thieving New Yorkers at the Pearly Gates. What do I do?”

God replied, “Just do what you normally do with that type. Re-direct them down to hell.”

St. Peter went back to carry out the order and all of a sudden he comes running back yelling “God, God, God, they’re gone, they’re gone!”

“Who? The New Yorkers?” “No! The Pearly Gates.”

A Minister was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age. The group had surrounded a dog. Concerned the boys were hurting the dog; he went over and asked “What are you doing with that dog?” One of the boys replied, “This dog is just and old neighborhood stray. We all want him but only one of us can take him home. So we’ve decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog.” Of course, the reverend was taken back. “You boys shouldn’t have a contest telling lies!” He exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning, “Don’t you boys know it is a sin to lie,” and ending with, “Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie.” There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the reverend was beginning to think he’d gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, “All right, give him the dog.”

A little boy was overheard praying “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry

about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.”

Dear God, Thank you for my baby brother but what I prayed for

was a puppy.

Dear God, I bet it’s very hard for

you to love all the people in the world. There are only four

people in our family and I can never do it.

Interference

Things were going smoothly. It had been a long time but my life was then what I called “perfect.” Now I am

no baby Christian and I know there is no such word but for me at that time in my life, that’s what I chose to

call it. Perfect.

My sister, Jackie, could not say the same. After many years of hard work, she now had a label stuck to her

that she was having a hard time peeling off. She was unemployed. She searched but could not find a job to

utilize her skills let alone her educational status.

Being a single mother with three children tightened her financial woes even more. Now her mortgage

payment was three months behind and her car started giving her all types of expensive mechanical problems.

Her household was in complete turmoil.

Every day was a day of praise for me but a day of stress for her. Each day I prayed and thanked God for

blessing my “perfect” home and prayed for him to bless her shambled one. She was a good person and it

didn’t seem as though she deserved all of the mess. She was kind, compassionate and considerate but that

was not what was being shown to her at that time.

My sister and I were raised on a solid foundation. Our parent’s house was built by their own personal

contractor by the name God. During the week we went to school but were also active in a lot of church

auxiliaries. On Sunday mornings my parents did not play. We were at church even when they didn’t feel

like going. We were very active and actually loved every minute of it.

We were fairly close growing up but became even closer as we aged. One would think I spent more time

hanging out with my sister than I did my husband. Well, maybe no one else noticed it but you can best

believe he fussed about it from time to time.

Being taught the word, we knew to expect turmoil in our lives. But like anybody else how to handle it was

easier said than done. It wasn’t really the turmoil but the harshness that confused us. We both believed in

the word and did our best to pave our own personal road to heaven but now there was a damper on my

sister’s spirit and neither one of us could comprehend it but we still held on to faith.

My sister stopped by my house one day. As she walked thru the door she had a glowing smile on her face.

Gratefulness beamed through her eyes while tears ran down her cheeks. But the tone in her voice told it all.

She’d found a job which put the smile on her face and she was thankful. But what gave her the powerful

praise and worship was that the pay was greater and the benefits were even better than the job she’d had

before.

That weekend was filled with joy, fun, laughter and thankfulness. That Monday, her first day of work, even

held the same joy. Around 4:00 that afternoon, when it was time for the work day to end, things suddenly

changed.

Each day, I prayed for my sister’s blessing while thanking God it wasn’t me so I could not understand what

had actually happen so quickly. Now, it was me. My perfect house was in turmoil. The storm had now

stopped at my house but stronger. The winds were fierce and the rain caused flooding while thunder and

lightening knocked the power out. The celebration we had one day turned into pain and tears the very next

day.

I did all I could to remain focused on the fact that the storm shall pass but it wasn’t easy. The Sunday

morning worship filled my spirit while the message strengthened my faith but once I walked through the

doors of my stressed home, by the evening my hope faded away.

Time passed and the storm began to subside. Things were returning to normal and the sun shined brighter.

The grass was greener and the flowers bloomed radiant colors I’d never seen before. Like my sister, my life

was better than it was before the storm.

I was so excited. I had a testimony to share with others on how to survive a major storm. Yes I strayed from

time to time but my faith helped me to survive. Because I leaned on God I knew he would pull me through

but I had to clasp to my faith with a strong grip and be patient.

More importantly, I learned a lesson. One that I want to share with you but you have to promise me you will

share it with others. Not knowing anything about my situation because I wasn’t one to pour out my troubles

to anyone but my sister. God sent a message to me through one of our associate pastors. Pay close attention

to his one sentence.

“The devil has looked into your future and sees the blessing God is about to bestow on you and is

running interference so you will let go of your faith and miss your blessing.”

10

11

No other words were spoken. He gave me a hug and walked away.

JUST A LITTLE FUN

How Well Do You Know Your Bible?

Answer the questions to solve the puzzle below. (Answers found on page 14. No cheating.)

1. The second letter of the book that deals with the affliction of the righteous.

2. The last letter of the book that tells the story of the beginning of the era of Kings over

Israel.

3. The first letter of the fifth book of the Old Testament.

4. The last letter of the book that gives a vivid picture of the Jews in exile.

5. The second letter in the book that covers a period of time from the death of Joshua to the

birth of Samuel.

6. The first letter of the book that signifies origin.

7. The third or fourth letter of the book that challenges the people the noble task of

rebuilding the House of God.

8. The fourth letter of the third book in the New Testament.

9. The fourth letter of the book of the bible whose name means “going out or departure.”

10. The fifth letter of the last book of the Old Testament.

11. The first letter of the prophetical book of the bible.

12. The first letter of the shortest of the prophetic books.

13. The last letter of the sixth book of the New Testament.

14. The last letter of the “Book of Praise”.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

12

BIBLE TRIVIA The Anointed Ones

1. Who anointed a stone and dedicated it to God?

2. What holy man was anointed by an immoral woman?

3. What substance was usually used for anointing in Israel?

4. Who, according to James, should anoint the sick believers

with oil?

5. Whom did Moses anoint with the blood of a ram?

(Answers found on page 14)

(Answers on page )

Can you find all ten

chapters in less than 3

minutes?

1. Acts 18

2. Jeremiah 29

3. Lamentations 3

4. Joshua 1

5. Ezra 6

6. Micah 6

7. Daniel 12

8. Joel 3

9. I Thessalonians 5

10. Galatians 5

13

How many

books

of the

New

Testament

can you

find? (Hint: 20 books to be found,)

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

SOMEONE WAITS FOR ME

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

LIES MY DESTINY

WHERE THE MOUNTAINS

LIE IN DEEP TRANQUILLITY

THERE I’LL FIND THE TREASURE

OF LOVE ETERNALLY

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

WAITS SOMEONE SO FAIR

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

ALL ALONE THEY WAIT THERE

THEIR HAIR IS GOLDEN

THE COLOUR OF THE SAND

THEIR EYES SPARKLE IN THE NIGHT

LIKE DIAMONDS IN YOUR HAND

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

LIES A HOME FOR ME

WHERE THE WORLD IS PEACEFUL

LIKE A PARADISE SHOULD BE

JUST BEYOND THE SUNSET

SOMEDAY IS WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME

David Harris 1966

Answers: How Well Do You Know Your Bible: 1. Job 2. Samuel 3. Deuteronomy 4. Ester 5. Judges 6. Genesis 7. Haggai 8. Luke 9. Exodus

10. Malachi 11. Revelations 12. Obadiah 13. Romans 14. Psalms Old Rugged Cross The Anointed One ( This is where answer can be found but no actual answer given.) 1.Genesis 28:18 2.Luke 7:38 3.Olive Oil 4.James 5:14

5..Leviticus 8:23

Sheepfold Ministry Each Sheepfold is led by a Shepherd. Even though the Shepherd sits at the gate to guard his sheep from harm, temptation still provides other openings which allow one to stray away from their fold. The Porter or leader of each ministry, is there to open the gate for only the Shepherd which allows God’s voice to be heard through him. Every member at FMBC is a member of the Sheepfold Ministry. Your birthday month determines your sheepfold.

Do you know what sheepfold you are a member of? Do you know the Porter of your sheepfold?

JANUARY

MIN. GARY WALLACE

(H) 228-388-3026

(C) 228-547-9515

FEBRUARY

SIS. HILDA HANTLEY

(C) 228-383-0065

MARCH

DEA. PRUVIS MCBRIDE

(H) 228-896-1772

(C) 228-265-4851

APRIL

SIS. KARLA JONES

(C) 228-343-7398

MAY

SIS. DOT WELLS

(C) 228-437-1521

JUNE

SIS. WANDA BROWN

SIS. PATRICIA BUTLER

(C) 228-324-5523

(C) 228-324-7661

(C) 228-731-0214

(C) 228-669-0241

JULY

SIS. ROSETTA RICHARD

SIS. ETHEL SHAW

(H) 228-396-1864

(C) 228-860-2864

(H) 228-896-6316

(C) 228-365-4718

AUGUST

DEA. LARRY STEWART

(H) 228-875-5075

(C) 228-223-0692

SEPTEMBER

SIS. JOANN GILLUM

(H) 228-731-3383

(C) 228-861-7712

OCTOBER

DEA. WILLIAM REASOR

(H) 228-831-8837

(C) 228-324-5189

NOVEMBER

SIS. YOLANDA WALLACE

(H) 228-388-3026

(C) 228-547-9515

DECEMBER

MIN. CLIFTON WALKER

(C) 228-596-0415

14