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- by Deacon Dean Jernigan
The Testament April 2014 Durham, NC Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church
Several decades ago, the R&B
group LTD scored big with their hit
single – “Holding On”. Although the
lyrics of the song spoke about the
dreaded woes and despair of staying
in relationships long after the embers
of love had flamed out, the upbeat
tempo made the song a staple at
dances in high school gyms and at
parties in the basements of college
dorms. Lost in the catchy tune and toe
tapping beat however was a powerful
underlying message – holding on can
sometimes do more harm than good.
Holding on can tend to hold us
back and keep us from moving
forward in our relationships. And it’s
not just relationships of a romantic
nature that are subject to this
damaging flaw in our personalities.
All of our interactions with other
beings have the potential to
degenerate into stale, empty and
meaningless relationships that exist
only as hollow shells if we don’t work
to keep them healthy and balanced.
None of us can afford to find
ourselves holding on in unproductive
situations. Life has too much to offer
to just stand still! But standing still is
where we are when we hold on to
things – relationships,
thoughts, positions,
possessions – that impede
our ability to move
forward in a productive
manner.
God’s Word is clear in letting us
know that His desire is for us to live an
abundant life. (John 10:10). In order to
live abundantly, we have to learn to let
go of the things that serve as stumbling
blocks to progress.
What are you holding on to? Are
you holding on in an unfavorable
relationship? Are you holding on to
unpleasant memories that occasionally
make their presence known at
unwanted times? Are you holding on to
feelings of being wronged by a friend,
family member, coworker or even an
employer? Are you holding on for an
opportunity to get even or to settle the
score?
I pray that nothing stated above
describes your circumstance, but how
do you move past it if it does? How do
you get to a healthy state of mind? The
answer lies in God’s Word. Turn to
God’s Word for strength and seek His
guidance to lead you from out of the
darkness of your situation into His
Holding On marvelous light. “Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.” (Psalm 119:105).
With God’s Word as our
foundation, we can let go of the
thoughts and impulses that hold us
back from giving life our best effort
each and every time out. Let go of the
hurt, the doubt, the disappointment and
the disgrace that occupies precious
space in your mind and keeps you
shackled to your current position. Let
go of insecurities that keep you from
putting one foot in front of the other to
take that first step in a new direction of
unchartered territory. Let go of the fear
of failure and rest on God’s Word that
He will never leave or forsake you.
(Deuteronomy 31:6). Let go of the
issues that you have been holding on to
that have held you back, and hold on to
God’s strong, steady and unchanging
hand as you seek to do His will. Know,
understand and appreciate that you are
fearfully and wonderfully made and
can do all things through Christ. (Psalm
139:14; Philippians 4:13).
We Still Do
On March 25th, 2014, Robert and LaTonya Brodie will be celebrating their
“Silver Anniversary” which marks 25 years of a beautiful, blessed, and
fruitful marriage. After bearing four children, and being blessed with one
grandchild, the couple is still living by their wedding vows and by God's
word. To celebrate this tremendous occasion, the couple will be renewing
their wedding vows on March 30th, 2014, following church service. All are
invited and welcome to join in this celebration as they look forward to the
next 25 years of love! Congratulations Mom and Dad, from your loving
children.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Habakkuk 2:2-3
“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the Vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he
may run that readeth it. For the Vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and
not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
1. A New Sanctuary
2. Burn the Present Mortgage within 4 Years
3. Let’s All Get Debt Free (in every sense)
4. Be Faithful Stewards (Time, Talent, & Treasure)
5. Every Member Operating in their Spiritual Gift(s)
6. Break Ground within 5 Years
7. Total Church Commitment to Bible Study and Prayer
Acts 4 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together;
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of
them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Let’s Build the Community in the Church
LMBC – Rev. Linzie B. Atkins, III June 27, 2012
Member Spotlight
Deaconess Emeritus
Gwen Perry
Deaconess Emeritus Gwen Perry has been a member of
the Lincoln family since 1987. Deaconess Perry served
on the Deaconess Board for 23 years and became
Deaconess Emeritus in 2012. She was born in Franklin
County and attended Franklin County Training School
and graduated in 1951. Sister Perry also attended
Durham Business School and graduated in 1954. In her
spare time Deaconess Perry enjoys shopping and
helping others. She was married for 24 years to the late
Deacon Lorenzo Perry. Deaconess Perry wanted her
Lincoln Family to know that she is not much of a talker;
she just tries to live her life and let her life speak for her.
-by Sis. Marva Atkins
The Testament is produced monthly by our Newsletter
Committee. Please send articles, photos or other items
for publication to [email protected] by the 3rd
Sunday of each month.
Newsletter Committee
Chanetta Evans • Gloria Manley
Reginald Davis • Willee Murphy
Joan Lofton • Marva Atkins
William Mayfield • Earleen Sharrock
Dean Jernigan, Chair
So Let My Light Shine
Dear lord, make me a lamp to shine,
And spread a gracious light;
Though I may be in spirit poor.
Let Heaven's lamp burn bright.
Oh, that this needy bowl unfilled
Might from Thy holy word
The oil of comfort freely draw
With love's absorbing cord.
Grant me a place my lamp to stand,
That shedding light around
I may inherit earth's blessed sphere
Where faith and love abound.
Grant most of all Thy holy fire
To set the lamp alight.
My hungry soul implores Thy grace
That I may burn aright.
Thus in great wisdom may I shine,
And bless in mercy they
Who sit in darkness 'midst the light,
Yet need to know Thy way.
Then shall I mercy, too, obtain,
Because undimmed I shine,
And with a pure heart manifest
That Thou, O God, art mine.
The gate of Heaven would I light
For those in ways of sin,
To show them where the Sons of God
In peace go safely in.
And if too brightly seems my light
To shine for weaker eyes,
Make them to bless who persecute,
And blindly criticize.
To claim Thy heavenly kingdom, Lord,
I would be wholly thine;
Rejoicing that Thy loving grace
Still lets my poor light shine.
That men may see in hearts aflame
How good works multiply,
And unto Thee give all the praise,
And ever glorify.
- Edwin Leibfreed
Happy Birthday to our
April Birthday Celebrities!
Braylen Hopson • Vera Hodge • Flora Faison
Apryl Jernigan • Barbara Leathers • Eric Melvin
Justin Bell • Stacy Shaw • Saige Wooten
Rosa Bass • Katie Williams • Everett Harrell
Rod Davis, Sr. • Tony Williams • Charles Bailey
Caleb Bell, Jr.
Best Wishes For Many More!!
Food For Thought...
Soaring With The Eagles!
Women Of Faith
Who Are the Women of Faith?
All women of Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church are members of the Women of Faith and we
meet every first Saturday at 12:00 noon in the new Fellowship Hall.
Our purpose is to encourage women of all ages, to come together for Christian fellowship and
bible teaching that will build stronger relationships with Christ and our sisters in Christ. This is
accomplished through fellowship meetings and special events. All female members of Lincoln
Memorial Baptist Church are automatically members of the Women’s Ministry. We desire to
equip the women to reach out to each other and be a witness to what the Lord has done in their
lives, thus sharing the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our Scripture
For we walk by faith, not by sight
(2 Corinthians 5:7)
Hats off to the Laymen’s League for their sponsorship of an enjoyable outing to a recent NCCU men’s
basketball game. The men’s team won the MEAC Conference Championship, the MEAC Conference
Tournament and played for the first time in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The game was exciting and the
Eagles won; but more importantly, a wonderful time was had by all who participated in the outing.
- by Sis. Joan Lofton
Family Fun Night! Good food and great fellowship was the order of business at our annual Family Fun Night activity. This year’s event
included an exciting game of “Heads Up”, a charades type game that kept participants guessing to figure out clues in
various categories. The highlight of the evening featured members of the Lincoln family displaying their vocal talents in
Gospel Karaoke. Congratulations to the Christian Board on organizing this wonderful event!
Around Lincoln...
The Lincoln family welcomes Sis. Robin Gillespie as
the Director of Music Ministries. Sis. Gillespie will
play for the Voices of Praise and oversee the music
and musicians for all choirs and the Praise Team.
Memory Lane
Flipping through the pages of a photo album recently,
Sis. Crystal Sanders came across this endearing photo
that captures both the innocence and essence of our
Youth Choir from days gone by. While the exact year is
unknown, the photo was taken prior to an anniversary
celebration for the choir many, many years ago. There
are several familiar faces in this photo and some that
may require a search of your memory banks. How many
faces do you recognize? Enjoy!
A Black History Moment
-submitted by Bro. Cecil Sharrock
Why do we celebrate Black History Month in
February?
No, it’s not because it’s the shortest month of
the year. Black History was initially observed
the second week of February. Carter G.
Woodson, the founder of what was then called
Negro History Week, first chose the week in
1926 because it marked the birthdays of
abolitionist Frederick Douglass (February 14,
1818) and Abraham Lincoln, the signer of the
Emancipation Proclamation (February 12,
1809).
It was natural to expand the second week in
February to the month that also contained the
birthday of the scholar and civil rights icon
W.E. B. DuBois (February 23, 1868), marked
the passage of the 15th Amendment granting
Blacks the right to vote (February 3, 1870),
represented the day that the first Black US
Senator, Hiram R. Revels of Mississippi, took
his oath of office (February 25, 1870) and the
day that the NAACP was founded (February
12, 1909). Additionally, the Greensboro, NC sit
-in movement began February 1, 1960 and
Malcolm X was slain February 21, 1965.
The Lincoln family welcomes Bro.
Thomas Vanhook as the musician
for the Male Chorus. Both Sis.
Gillespie and Bro. Vanhook bring
a wealth of experience and talent
to our Music Ministry. Welcome
aboard!
Save The Date!!
Senior Adult Appreciation Day
Saturday, May 3rd
Church Anniversary Observance
Sunday, May 18th
More details to be announced!
-submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock
Newsletter Photos by Bro. Reginald Davis, Sis. Chanetta Evans, Deacon William Mayfield and Deacon Dean Jernigan
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
12:00Noon
Noon Day Prayer
6:30pm Pastor’s Aide
7:00pm
Voices of Praise
7:00pm
Seventh Day Adventist
2
6:30pm
Intercessory
Prayer
7:00pm
Bible Study
3
6:00pm
Praise Team
7:00pm
Voices of Praise
4
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
5
Seventh Day
Adventist (All Day)
10:00am
Trustees
12:00Noon
Women of Faith
6
7
8
12:00Noon
Noon Day Prayer
6:00pm
Praise Team
7:00pm
Sounds of Joy
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
9
6:30pm
Intercessory
Prayer
7:00pm
Bible Study
10
6:00pm
Christian Board
6:00pm
Praise Team
7:00pm
Sounds of Joy
11
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
12
Seventh Day
Adventist (All Day)
10:00am
Deaconess
6:00pm
Couples Ministry
13
7:30am
Deacons
3:00pm
Youth Missionary
Mtg
14
15
12:00Noon
Noon Day Prayer
6:00pm
Praise Team
6:30pm
Newsletter
7:00pm
Voices of Praise
7:00pm
Seventh Day Adventist
16
6:30pm
Intercessory
Prayer
7:00pm
Bible Study
17
6:00pm
Praise Team
7:00pm
Voices of Praise
18
Good Friday
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
19
Seventh Day
Adventist (All Day)
9:00am
Laymen’s League
12Noon
Male Chorus
Rehearsal
20
Easter
7:30am
Son Rise Service
21
22
12:00Noon
Noon Day Prayer
6:00pm
Praise Team
6:30pm
Male Chorus
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
23
6:00pm
Music Ministry
6:30pm
Intercessory
Prayer
7:00pm
Bible Study
24
6:00pm
Neighborhood
PAC
6:00pm
Praise Team
6:30pm
YAC
6:30pm
Male Chorus
25
7:00pm
Seventh Day
Adventist
26
Seventh Day
Adventist (All Day)
10:00am
Missionary
Ministry
27
1:00pm
Usher Board
28
29
12:00Noon
Noon Day Prayer
6:00pm
Praise Team
6:30pm
Computing &
Technology
7:00pm
Voices of Praise
7:00pm
Seventh Day Adventist
30
6:30pm
Intercessory
Prayer
7:00pm
Bible Study
To add an event to the church calendar, please
contact Sis. Jocelyn Campbell by calling the church
at 688-1886. You may also reach her via email at
Please send articles, photos or information for The
Testament to [email protected] by the 3rd
Sunday of each month.
April 2014
“Building the Church in the Community and the Community in the Church”
