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Southwood Memorial Christian Church Non-Profit Org 1027 Highway 58 South US Postage Paid Kinston, NC 28504 Kinston, NC 28501 Permit #4
252-527-8780 www.southwoodmemorial.com January 2012 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
CMF News from Bruce Williamson, CMF President As we move into 2012, I want to take a quick look back at 2011. Our men are to be commended for their efforts in work projects both on and off campus, local mission/cleanup activities in the wake of Hurricane Irene, cooking for various occasions, successful fundraising events and most recently, the assembly of the new playground equipment. In James 2:14, we are told “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?” I am a strong believer that actions and deeds speak louder than words. There will be many opportunities in 2012 to witness to others through our “deeds”. Therefore, I challenge each man, young or mature, to make a resolution to become more active in the Christian Men’s Fellowship, CMF, at Southwood Memorial
Christian Church. I recently asked someone for their assistance in a project at the church. They not only said “yes”, they even “thanked me” for asking! In 2012, I will be “asking”. Since the beginning of the CMF at Southwood, the normal meeting time has been at 7 a.m. on the 4th Sunday of the month. However times have changed. Therefore, at the request of several men, the January meeting of the CMF will be at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center on Thursday, January 26. I am looking forward to a large turnout of men for this meeting of fellowship, food and fun. Also, on Sunday, January 29 beginning at 12 noon, the CMF will have a Grilled Pork Chop luncheon fundraiser in the FLC following the 11 o’clock service. The cost is $8 and you must reserve a plate by calling 252.559.3484 no later than Tuesday, January 24. The pork chops will be ordered based on the reservations received. In closing, thanks to everyone for their support of the CMF and remember the scripture from Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Bruce Williamson, CMF President, 252.559.3484
The Southwood
Chalice Sharing Christ’s Ministries & Missions
January 2012
A monthly publication of Southwood Memorial Christian Church
www.southwoodmemorial.com 1027 Hwy 58 South, Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 527-8780
Church Calendar Each Sunday 8:30 am Early Worship 9:02 am Contemporary Worship 9:45 am The Gathering 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 1st Monday of each month Board Meeting – 7:30 pm. Each Wednesday Adult Handbell Practice 6:45 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 7:30 p.m. Each Monday & Thursday Zumba (Dance Exercise) – will resume late January! CWF Groups Saturday Morning Circle - 2nd Saturday Dorcas Circle – 3rd Monday night Ray of Hope – 2nd Tuesday night Young At Heart – 4th Wednesday morning CMF BREAKFAST 4TH Sunday of each month
Special Events for January Southeastern District General & CMF Meeting @ Armenia – Saturday, January 7th, 12:00 p.m. CWF GENERAL MEETING – Monday, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Laity Sunday & CMF Fundraiser Luncheon - Sunday, January 29th.
PLAYGROUND Playground in progress! Installation began on December 17th. A huge THANK YOU goes out to all who came to help with the project. We had a great time of fellowship working together. January 7th has been scheduled to complete the installation, weather permitting. For safety reasons, please do not allow
the kids to play on the equipment until it is finished. We are still in need of funds for completion of the playground
project. If you would like to make a donation, please see Denny Spence, Lee Moore or Amy Moore. If you choose to put
a check in the offering plate, please make sure to write PLAYGROUND FUND in the memo. Also, if you have an idea for
a fundraiser, please contact Amy Moore (252-560-0431 or [email protected])
THANK YOU Dear Ms. (Brenda) Spence and Members of SMCC, This letter is to publicly thank you and the members for generously giving assistance to children at Pink Hill Elementary School who are in need this holiday season. It is so kind and thoughtful for you to think of our children and families. Our students are blessed to have so many people who care for them. Thank you again for the love and support you have shown for our students. These children will certainly have a wonderful Christmas because of your thoughtfulness. We wish you a very, Merry Christmas! Sincerely, Elaine S. Yarbrough, counselor Pink Hill Elementary School
CONGRATULATIONS! Gary Ipock - NC Highway Patrol Troop A (Lenoir & Jones Co.) District 7 Trooper of the Year Justin Stout – Lenoir County Young Professionals“Top 20 Under 40” Award Gary Ipock – Lenoir County “Top 20 Under 40” Award Madison Burkett – Honor Roll Student @ Southwood Elementary.
Notes from the Church Board Dixie Whaley, Chairman
Happy New Year from the church board and may this new year be a wonderful and Spirit filled year for you and your family. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 NIV. As we approach the new year, may all we do be done with a joyful spirit and a thankful heart for the Lord has given many blessings to Southwood Memorial Christian Church. At the December board meeting, it was agreed to change the meeting time of the board to 7:00 p.m. We will start each meeting for the remainder of the fiscal year at 7:00 p.m. The board also approved the recommendations from the committee to study the 9:02 Service and the Gathering. As of January 1, 2012, the 9:02 Service will begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at approximately 9:30 a.m. The Gathering will start at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday School will begin no later than 10:15 a.m. Of course, the 9:02 Service may end sooner or later than 9:30 a.m. depending on the message and the number of persons attending. The Gathering can begin as soon as the 9:02 Service is over but no later than 9:45, and Sunday School can begin as soon as the Gathering is finished. Sunday School is a special ministry in itself and serves as a starting point for our children to learn about the Lord Jesus and the Bible and its teachings. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Daniel Webster once asked Thomas Jefferson the patriotic question: ”What is to be the salvation of our nation?” After a pause, Jefferson replied: ”Our nation will be saved, if saved at all, by teaching the children to love the Savior.” Preaching the Word is not the same thing as teaching the Word. The preacher proclaims the truth; the teacher examines it with his students by questions and answer. Jesus Christ was a great teacher as well as preacher and in Matthew 28:19-20 we are given the Great Commission; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Where better to learn about this than through Sunday School. It is difficult to have different ministries taking place at the same time in the same space. The Gathering was initiated to allow people from both the 8:30 Service and Sunday School to socialize together and get to know one another. This has been going on in the Family Life Center for quite a while. Everyone has enjoyed the fellowship; from the kids, to the adults, to our senior citizens. The 9:02 Service began as a ministry to bring those who like contemporary music and a non-traditional worship service together to praise and worship our Lord. Sunday School, the Gathering, and the 9:02 Service are wonderful ministries, and while you might not attend one or the other, or you might not understand why we have either, you must remember that all three are ministries of our Lord and serve a special purpose for our congregational members. Let us all embrace each of these ministries with joy in our heart and a willingness to do our part to make sure we have ample time for all three. By the time you read this newsletter, the playground equipment should be installed. A special thanks to everyone who made this possible. Remember that we should be good stewards of what the Lord has given to us. Please keep the playground clean and make sure children have direct supervision when playing. Also, as good stewards, please remember that when cleaning the kitchen or Andrews Building after food has been prepared, you dispose of all food waste and garbage in a bag and place in the dumpster. Do not allow food waste to go down the sink drains and do not throw food waste in the ditch by the playground. Use a paper towel to clean out plates and the drain in the sink. Please take the time to help keep our church clean and sanitary. Our church still needs a Special Event’s Chairperson and a committee. If you feel like the Lord is speaking to you to serve our church in this capacity, please let Jim Cullen, Leslie Jones, Pastor Rick, Pastor Ryan or myself know. 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Darcie Bumgarner, Chairman
Words from Worship From the sermons delivered each Sunday, to the beautiful cantata presented by the choir, to the collected toys and donations received for our missions this year, Southwood Memorial Christian Church has joined the Advent Conspiracy and celebrated the Advent of our Lord in the true spirit of Christmas – giving and service. The joy of the children (and adults) who participated in giving gifts to help other people on the last night of Advent was so amazing and a pleasure for all who were present to see. To all of you who helped cook, led crafts, planned the special missions, presented the special devotions, set up or cleaned up, decorated the FLC and the Sanctuary, planned and participated in the children’s program, or were present for the activities, I cannot say thank you enough. Thanks to Pastor Rick and Pastor Ryan for reminding us each Sunday during Advent, how our priorities should line up: J-O-Y. (J esus, O thers, Y ou). As we begin the New Year, let’s try to keep this order of priorities foremost in our thoughts so that we may fully worship the Lord in all we do and always with joy in our hearts. On behalf of the Worship Committee and the congregation, I would like to thank Lori Murphey for the beautiful new Christmon tree she donated to the church this year in memory of her mother, Beverly Stroud, who was instrumental in starting this tradition at our church. Thanks to Lori and Jack, Lori’s son, who set the tree up and to all the children who helped to hang the decorations on the first Sunday of Advent. I would also like to give a special thank you to the members of the Worship Committee who helped in all the preparations before and during Advent. By the time the January newsletter comes out, we will have also had another Spirit-filled Christmas Eve Service and a Christmas day service that will surely be inspirational. Thanks in advance to all who helped to make preparation for these services. Our congregation will celebrate Epiphany Sunday on Jan. 8th and Laity Sunday on Jan. 29th . Epiphany means "vision of God", and falls on January 6th. It is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visitation of the Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. The laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. On Laity Sunday, the women of the church carry out all aspects of the 8:30am and 11am church services and usually have a lay speaker to deliver the messages that day. Southwood Memorial Christian Church continues to offer two traditional worship services at 8:30am and 11am, as well as the 902 contemporary service that will now start at 8:45am beginning in January. Any of the three of these services are ideal opportunities for members to build on their knowledge of God and develop a true relationship with the Father by hearing His word preached each Sunday. I urge everyone, if you are not currently attending church, try one of these services. To all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I wish you a very Blessed and Happy New Year! Darcie Bumgarner, Worship Chair
January 1 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29
Hostess
Louise Lima
Jessica Jones Emma Moore
Flowers
Epiphany
Communion
Joan Simpson & Zelma Davenport Emma Moore
Louise Lima
Lay Speaker Heather Kennedy Kirby Hardy Leslie Jones Susie Snyder Laity Sunday
Tots for Christ
Michelle & Kaci Hilll Angie Eubanks Kara Howard Kathy Dunham
Prayer Concerns
CHURCH FAMILY Alyssa Comer Ann Conner Betty Potter Bobby & Jackie Hill Brenda Grant Charles & Audrey Casey David Spence Dexter & Jeannette Wasson Dianne Baker Elwood T. Daughety Evelyn Lambert Pat & LaVerne Corrigan Lou Dudley Lyndsi Askew Murray & Grace Rouse Myrtle Rose Morris Roger Moore Russell & Christian Sykes Timmy Woolard & children Vic & Barb Paderick
Donald Tart – upcoming shoulder surgery
Kay Heath – LMH
Neal Flowers – January surgery
Sue Andrews
Ron Hagell – LMH
Jackie Hill – upcoming surgery
(Nursing Home, Assisted Living or Home-Bound)
Vernon & Peggy Kennedy
Polly Johnson (Magnolia Cottage Care) M.V. Rivenbark (daughter’s home) Jeannette Corcoran – Classic Country Care Swannie Mae Sykes – Harmony Hall Woodard Daughety – Harmony Hall Ron Hagell – Spring Arbor #109
FAMILY & FRIENDS Beth Pope (Tommy Boone’s daughter) Grace Neal (sister of Bonnie Killingsworth) Joyce Smith (sister of Susan Casey) Jean Herring (Betty Potter’s sister) Randy McGowan (son of June & David Dawson) Robbie Daughety Steven Pope
NEW THIS MONTH Fred Wade
Gwen Smith
Iris Burney
James Smith
Joe and Phyllis Nelson
John Noble
Leamon Carlyle (Mike Carlyle’s father)
Lorna Merritt
Louise Lowry Williams
Nancy Harrison
Peggy Case Family
Tom and Sandra Dean
Tom Moore
Sympathy family of Debbie Whitler family of Joy Barfield *family of Ricky Stroud
Military Family & Friends Brandon Mayfield (Afghanistan) ( Jason Rhodes (Afghanistan) Jason Thomas (Afghanistan) Jennifer Fisher (Afghanistan) Joe Esala,grandson in law of George & Peggy Fordham(Afghanistan) Kevin Hood (Afghanistan)
Happy New Year church family! I hope that 2012 will be a year that brings you closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and his many blessings! I would like to take just a moment to say THANK YOU to everyone who has assisted in anyway towards the new Children’s Playground. It will be a wonderful addition to our ever-growing children’s ministry. Thank you for the donations, prayers, setup, and support that have gone into this project. For many years to come our children will have a fun and safe place to play. Each of you are truly appreciated! I would also like to say THANK YOU to the church family for supporting our students trip to Winterfest 2011. We took 44 people to Winterfest this year. This was a 50% increase from last year!! AMAZING! Our student ministry continues to grow and evolve. Please continue to pray for all of our children and students. Finally, we have tons of events coming up in the future. I hope that you will encourage your child or student to join our awesome youth ministry. God has truly blessed us and has great things planned! Come and see what He’s going to do next!!! In Christ, Pastor Ryan (Email: [email protected])
WELCOME NEW DISCIPLE! Nohemy Flores (birthday 8/5) made her profession of faith and was baptized on Dec. 18
th by Pastor Ryan. Nohemy and her children
attend our 9:02 Service. We are so glad to have them as part of our church family! Please introduce yourselves and let the Flores family know how glad we are to have them!
Please add the following information to your church directory: Address: 2180 Holly Hock Ln. -Deep Run, NC 28525 - tele: 560-7983. children: Alicia Grady BD 7/6, Sawyer Stringfield BD 10/16, Isabella Stringfield BD 12/31
Birthdays
1/1 Robin Hodges, Anne Rivenbark 1/2 Novella Bland 1/3 Vann Cranford
1/4 LaVerne Corrigan 1/5 Alease Rouse, Carl Tyndall
1/6 Eddy Hill, Rose Wetherington 1/7 Jeannette Corcoran,
Jessica Adams 1/8 Clay King, Aubrey Stroud
1/9 Renee Grady, Jessica Watkins 1/11 Wil Twigg, Stephanie Rivenbark
1/12 Dickie Heath, Amy Taylor & Joseph Bumgarner
1/13 Danny Killingsworth 1/14 Melissa Sutton
1/16 Mindy Hill Brewer, Michelle Marker, Yvonne Daughety,
David Moody, Gwen Gibbs & Lauren Burkett
1/17 Charles Griffith & William Dillahunt
1/19 David Grimes 1/21 Jordan Eubanks
1/24 Roger Grimes, Louise Lima & Fred Simpson
1/25 Angie Eubanks 1/26 Jessica Jones 1/28 Kristy King,
Sue Montague & Jim Cullen
Anniversaries
1/1 Vic & Barb Paderick, Ryan & Amy Taylor
1/4 Bruce & Debbie Williamson 1/22 Murray & Grace Rouse 1/29 Mike & Nikki Carlyle
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary
listed, please contact: Kirby & Mary Hardy (522-4689)and share that
information with your church family!
CWF NEWS from Amy Moore, CWF President Wow, December was busy. . . again!!! Advent, Christmas Party, two fundraiser luncheons, and the list goes on. We have a great group of ladies that work, work, work. Thanks to everyone who helped to make each and every event a great success. There are way too many people making things happen that I could never name everyone individually without missing someone.
Pastor’s Article Resolutions With the beginning of every New Year we all consider “resolutions.” We often think that we can best stick to these resolutions on the first day of the New Year than any other time of the year. The truth is we can make resolutions ‘any’ time. There’s no “resolution date rule” (that I know of) that limits us to any specific date or time. Resolutions should be a daily practice and activity. Whether to eat healthier, exercise more, read the Bible daily or pray more often are resolutions that require daily consideration. When we look at Webster’s Dictionary for the meaning of the word resolution, we find many definitions. They range from “sound wave” resolution to “video or photographical” resolution. Mixed in with all the different definitions for the word “resolution” comes the one we use most often. Webster describes one of the definitions as; the act of ‘resolving or determining.’ We are “determined” to change something about our behavior or ourselves. Statistically we fail to follow through with that which we have ‘resolved or determined’ that we will do. Its best if we can learn to follow through on the things that make our lives healthier spiritually, emotionally and physically. I think in comes down to a better word than ‘resolution’. The better word is ‘balance.’ We need to balance our lives better between God, family, work and hobbies. I have discovered that in my own personal life that I lack healthy balance. Jane and I recently visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. We highly recommend you visit as soon as possible. We watched a video in which the interviewer asked Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, “Is there any thing in your life that you would have done differently?” Surprisingly his answer was (and I paraphrase from my memory); “Yes! I would have spent more time with my family, more time in prayer with God and Bible study. The interviewer then asked; “Would you have cut back on your crusade schedule?” Rev. Graham answered; “No.” I would have cut back on meetings and personal appearances.” Rev. Billy Graham, without saying it directly, indicated that he allowed his life to “get out of balance.”
How do we find ‘balance’ in our daily lives? I wish I could give you a wonderful and inspirational answer, but I can’t. We each have to find it for ourselves. There is one thing that I am sure of. We have allowed our lives to become too busy. We seem to be running from ourselves and away from God. I think the best place to start is by spending more time in prayer and asking God to guide our lives to a more balanced relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. We cannot expect to find balance until we renew and grow our relationship with our Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded us to, “Love the Lord your God with all our heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Until we learn how to live by Christ’s commandment, our lives will continue to be ‘out of balance.’ Let’s try to make a “daily resolution” to seek “first the kingdom of God” and to not allow ourselves to become so busy that we only give God what’s left over. God wants us to spend time with him. It is there and only there we will find “balance” that leads to “inner peace.” Go Make Disciples! Your servant in Christ, Pastor Rick Email: [email protected]
THANK YOU! Thank you to the entire congregation and Heather Kennedy along with our Missions and Benevolence Committee for your support of the “Advent Conspiracy.” Your generosity to the missions we are supporting is greatly appreciated. We really can change the world from Southwood Memorial Christian Church. Thank you to all who provided food, devotions, programs and nightly set up and clean up and all who cooked for our Sunday night Advent activities. Thank you to our young children for bringing us a wonderful Christmas program and to Jennifer Cole and her assistants who led and guided the kids through rehearsals and the presentation. Thank you Jane Vernon and choir for a wonderful and inspirational cantata. Once again you presented us an excellent sermon in song. Thank you to everyone who came out for the playground set up day under the leadership of Lee and Amy Moore and Bill Ellis. It was a very heartwarming to see all the men and women who came to participate in this wonderful vision for our church. Currently January 7th is the date set to bring the project close to completion. Thank you congregation for you generosity and support of this project. Thank you to Darcie Bumgarner and the Worship Committee for all your hard work and planning of the Advent season along with the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. It could not have been presented any better. Pastor Rick
