The Testament November 2013 Durham, NC Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church

One of the most inspiring and often

shared stories of inspiration is titled

“Acres of Diamonds” by Russell

Conwell. Essentially, it’s the story of

an African farmer who hears about

other farmers making millions of

dollars by discovering diamond

mines. Eager to cash in, the farmer

sold his farm and spent the rest of his

life searching for diamonds all over

the African continent. His search was

unsuccessful. Finally, after becoming

broke, discouraged and depressed, he

threw himself into a river and

drowned.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, the

new farmer noticed a stone in the

creek that ran across the back of the

farm. He picked up the stone and,

thinking nothing of it, put it on his

fireplace mantle. A few weeks later, a

visitor picked up the stone and

became excited. He told the farmer

that the stone was a diamond. The

farmer had trouble believing that and

casually stated that the creek was full

of similar stones. He was correct and

the farm turned out to be the most

productive diamond mine on the

entire continent.

If the first farmer had simply taken

the time to evaluate his own farm, he

would have realized that he was

sitting on “acres of diamonds” right in

his own back yard. Instead, he wasted

his life searching elsewhere in vain

for something that he already had.

How often do we make the same

mistake of overlooking the gifts and

resources that lay in our midst? In His

Word, our heavenly father has

promised to provide for us and desires

that we live an abundant life.

Within our Lincoln family, we

have countless resources to assist one

another with successfully navigating

through the challenges that appear

- by Deacon Dean Jernigan

along life’s highway. The

resource may not be

shiny and it may not

stand out, but it has value

nonetheless. Our job as

Christians is to identify,

develop and utilize these resources to

their fullest potential to glorify God

and to make a positive impact on the

growth of His kingdom.

Kingdom building is not an easy

task. It takes determination, planning

and lots of work. And, as illustrated

by the farmer above, it also requires

an understanding of and appreciation

for what we already have. Are we

tapping into the bounty of resources

that God has already placed within

our means here at Lincoln? Are we

sowing seeds of support within our

youth as preparation for the

continuum of leadership necessary to

sustain growth? Are we exercising

our faith in His Word that tells us that

all things work together for good to

those who love God? (Romans 8:28)

The Lord’s vineyard is ripe with

opportunity and the workers are in

high demand. In Matthew’s gospel,

we learned that as Jesus preached and

healed throughout his travels, he was

moved with compassion as he viewed

the multitudes eager to learn of the

Good News of His Father’s kingdom.

He said unto his disciples, “The

harvest truly is plenteous, but the

labourers are few; Pray ye therefore

the Lord of the harvest, that he will

send forth labourers into his

harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Led by our Pastor and guided by

faith, we are the laborers who will

harvest and cultivate the resources

that God has laid before us. Here at

Lincoln, there are undiscovered gems

sitting among us in plain view. Some

carry the glow of success, while

Acres Of Diamonds A Queen Is Crowned

Congratulations to Sis. Brittany

Salaam on being crowned as the

winner of the Miss Black and Gold

Scholarship Pageant for the Xi Eta

Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha

Fraternity, Inc. at Wake Forest

University. The purpose of the

Pageant is to raise money for the

“Go to High School, Go to College”

Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship is

given to students in Forsyth County

that have outstanding potential as

college students but desperately need

funds for college expenses.

The pageant spotlights the poise,

self-confidence, communication

skills, intelligence and beauty of the

participants. Overall, the Miss Black

and Gold Scholarship Pageant

encompasses true womanhood,

success and confidence.

Congratulations Brittany!

others may appear as less successful or

as setbacks. In reality, if viewed as the

diamonds that they truly are, then we’ll

see each of them as opportunities

through which the greatness of our

heavenly father can be revealed.

If you find yourself dreaming or

wishing for something shinier that what

you see, take a closer look at the people

and opportunities that God has placed in

your life. You may be surprised at

what’s already there.

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

Drinking From The Saucer

I've never made a fortune,

And I'll never make one now

But it really doesn't matter

'Cause I'm happy anyhow

As I go along my journey

I'm reaping better than I've sowed

I'm drinking from the saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed

I don't have a lot of riches,

And sometimes the going's tough

But with kin and friends to love me

I think I'm rich enough

I thank God for the blessings

That His mercy has bestowed

I'm drinking from the saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed

He gives me strength and courage

When the way grows steep and rough

I'll not ask for other blessings for

I'm already blessed enough

May we never be too busy

To help bear another's load

Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer

When our cups have overflowed

- by John Paul Moore

Member Spotlight

Sis. Grace McFadden

Sister Grace McFadden has been a member of the

Lincoln family for 5 years. She was born in Roxboro,

North Carolina and moved to Durham when she was 7

years old. Mother Grace attended Lyon Park Elementary

School and Hillside High School; she also attended

DeShazors Beauty College. Sister McFadden currently

serves with the Senior Missionary and the Women of

Faith. In her spare time Mother Grace enjoys bowling,

playing Pinochle and Pokeno. She also enjoys walking

at least 3 days a week for an hour. Sister McFadden was

married to George McFadden, better known as

“Smokey”, for 64 years. She is the mother of 5 children,

(4 sons and 1 daughter); three sons - Deryl, George, and

Larry are deceased. Daughter Patricia resides in New

York and son Perry resides in Florida. She has 7

grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great

grandchildren. Sister McFadden wanted the Lincoln

family to know that God has kept her here for 89 years,

He keeps blessing her, and that God is not through with

her yet!!

-by Sis. Marva Atkins

Food For Thought...

Happy Birthday to our

November Birthday Celebrities!

Larry Parker • Peyton Thorpe

Yolanda Wooten Parker • Tasheeria Hemingway

Layla Whitlock • Ebony Atkins

Archie Perry • Krystal Holman

Antoinette Daye • Nevaeh Hemingway

Cecil Sharrock • Stacy Bell • Janetta Atwater

Ozetta Symone Frazier • Santeda Hinton

Best Wishes For Many More!!

The Testament is produced monthly by our Newsletter

Committee. Please send articles, photos or other items

for publication to newsletter@mylmbc.org 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

SAVE THE DATE!! Wednesday, November 6th

7:00pm

Durham Public Schools

Common Core Presentation

Saturday-Sunday

November 16th-17th

Women’s Day Weekend

Women Of Faith Seven Steps to Answered Prayer

Step 1: Decide What You Want From God James 1:6-8 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For

let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Decide what you want from God. Be specific in stating your petitions.

Step 2: Read Scriptures That Promise the Answer You Need Joshua 1:8 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to

do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Read Scriptures that promise the answer you need. Search the Bible for Scriptures that apply to your need. Plant God’s Word

firmly in your heart so you will be prepared against Satan’s attacks.

Step 3: Ask God for the Things You Want Matthew 7:7,8 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh

receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Ask God for the things you want. Make your wants known to God. Even though He knows what we need, it is His divine plan that

we make our wants known to him.

Step 4: Believe That You Receive Mark 11:23,24 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and

shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he

saith.24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Believe that you receive. Develop a stubborn faith that refuses to look at circumstances – a faith that produces results.

Step 5: Refuse To Doubt James 4:7 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Remove every image, suggestion, feeling, or thought that does not contribute to your faith. Concentrate on things that contribute

to your confession for what you need from God.

Step 6: Meditate on the Promises Proverbs 4:20-22 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of

thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Meditate constantly on the promises on which you base your answer to prayer. See yourself in possession of what you have asked

from God, and make plans as if it already were a reality. God will make His Word good if you will act on it.

Step 7: Give God the Praise Philippians 4:6 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto

God.

Make every prayer concerning your need a statement of faith and praise, not a statement of unbelief. You can do this just as easily

as you can think thoughts of doubt and unbelief.

Thinking “faith thoughts” and speaking “faith words” lead the heart out of defeat into victory! Do not accept defeat. Do not be

denied. It is your family right – your redemption right - to have what God has promised. It is yours, and it will come. Accept it,

and it will become a reality.

- by Sis. Joan Lofton

Laymen’s League Psalms 133:1 says “how good and pleasant for brothers to dwell together in unity.” In my humble opinion, the actual

assembly of Christian brothers is one of the joys of this faith walk. Each and every third Saturday the actual

manifestation of this scripture occurs when the Laymen’s League comes together. Meetings consist of devotion,

business discussion, breakfast, and Bible Study, all within a two hour window. Grace be to God to all the men who

have remained faithful to this ministry since its inception in 2001; but to reference Matt. 9:37 where Jesus says “the

harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few”, the Laymen’s League ministry needs the involvement and support of all

men of LMBC. If you aren’t an active member of this ministry, consider joining us as we strive to become the men that

God desires while also embodying the words of the State Laymen’s League Motto: “Doing to do Better” (The State

Laymen’s League Handbook, 1994).

- by Deacon Carlos Best

Domestic Violence Awareness In an effort to bring an awareness to the issue of Domestic Violence, the Lincoln family participated in a series

of activities aimed at “Stopping the Silence to Domestic Violence”. Under the leadership of Sis. LaSheka

Wilks, various speakers, both male and female, provided personal stories and insight into the perils of

domestic violence. The events culminated with a candlelight vigil in memory of deceased victims of domestic

violence on the steps of the church. Following are photos highlighting the various speakers, presenters and

events.

“Stop The Silence To Domestic Violence”

Leading By Example

Congratulations to Sis. Adrienne Jernigan on her

recent election as President of the North Carolina

A&T State University chapter of the National

Association for Music Education (NAfME).

NAfME is among the world's largest professional

Arts Education organizations and is the only

association that addresses all aspects of music

education. The purpose of NAfME Collegiate

membership is to afford students an opportunity

for professional orientation and development while

still in school. This organization advocates at the

local, state, and national levels, provides resources

for teachers, parents, and administrators, hosts

professional development events, and offers a

variety of opportunities for students and teachers.

As president, Adrienne’s duties include making

sure that Music Education majors join the

organization as freshmen (as it is a requirement for

admission into the Teacher Education program and

graduation), attend the annual NAfME conference

in Winston-Salem, and are knowledgeable about

the resources through NAfME.

Congratulations Adrienne!

Around Lincoln...

Sis. Barbara Harrell leads the Dance Team

Ministry in performance during the “Break

Every Chain for Breast Cancer” observation

during morning worship service.

Fun at the Fair! Youth members Curtis Garrett,

Nevaeh Hemingway, Maranda Stephens (friend

of Apryl) and Apryl Jernigan are all smiles while

waiting to go on a ride at the NC State Fair.

The Campbell, Boone and Jay family members

pause for a moment of fellowship during a

recent retreat attended by members of the

Health and Wellness Ministry.

Youth members Nevaeh Hemmingway, Tamecia

Daye, Terri Nicholson, Bailee Davenport and

Saige Wooten enjoy the activities during an

outing at the North Carolina Zoo.

-submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock

Newsletter Photos by Bro. Reginald Davis, Deacon William Mayfield, Sis. LaSheka Wilks and Deacon Dean Jernigan

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

6:00pm

Praise Team

7:00pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

2

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

10:00am

Trustees

12:00Noon

Women of Faith

3

4

5

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Pastor’s Aide

Committee

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

6

6:00pm

Sounds of Joy

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Common Core

Presentation

7

8

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

9

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

10:00am

Deaconess

6:00pm

Couples Ministry

10

7:30am

Deacons

3:00pm

Youth Missionary

Mtg

11

6:00pm

Praise Team

7:00pm

Voices of Praise

12

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Health & Wellness Ministry

6:30pm Male Chorus

7:00pm Seventh Day

Adventist

13

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

14

6:00pm

Christian Board

15

6:00pm

Praise Team

7:00pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm

Seventh Day

16

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

9:00am

Laymen’s League

12Noon

Male Chorus

Rehearsal

17

Women’s Day

18

19

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

20

6:00pm

Music Ministry

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

21

7:00pm

Church

Conference

22

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

23

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

10:00am

Missionary Dept.

Meeting

24

1:00pm

Usher Board

25

6:00pm

Praise Team

7:00pm

Voices of Praise

26

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Computing &

Technology

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

27

6:00pm

Sounds of Joy

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study and

Dance Ministry

28

Thanksgiving

29

6:00pm

Praise Team

7:00pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

30

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

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 churchcalendar@mylmbc.org.

Please send articles, photos or information for The Testament to

newsletter@mylmbc.org by the 3rd Sunday of each month.

November 2013

“Building the Church in the Community and the Community in the Church”