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M At times, we must stand in the gap for others Lesson Scripture: Esther 3:2-3,5-6a; 4:7-16 Lesson aims: to recognize God's hand in human affairs, to understand that at times we must staridjin the gap for oth ers and tp always honor God in what we dp Background: Esther is the last of th(t historical books in the Old Testament. Dated around tie Sth century B.C. it records 'events during the Babylonian Captivity. The Persians have been in control for son* time. Actually, "the first wive of Jewish exiles returned home about SO years before (his book begins" (NIV Standard Lesson Commen tary). Thpre are 10 chapters in the book with no direct men tion of God.' The author is unknown but generally people accejtt Mordecai as the writer. The theme is "God's providen tial Jare." Ahasuerus - the Greeks call him Xerxes - is king of the large empire that stretches from India to Cush. No records to date have validated Esther's story; how ever, the detailed description of Persian culture is accurate for that period. To appreciate the idea of providence, keep in mind the following three points. "First, Mildred Peppers Sunday School Lesson nothing happens merely by chance or fate. Secondly, God works in our lives without tak ing away our freedom of choice, and finally, God works within the framework of histo ry" (Richards' Complete Bible. Handbook). To make this live, think for a few moments about the Civil Rights Movement. . God moved within history," allowing everyone to choose his or her side. When He moved nothing and no one could stop the changes. I would like to approach this lesson from that perspective. Lesson: Esther (Hadas sah), an orphaned Jev^h girl living with her uncle, Morde cai, is in Susa (Shashan). The Persian Kingl Ahasuerus is having a series of banquets that are designed to display his wealth and power. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary suggests that the banquets are strategic planning sessions for an attack on Greece. The first one lasts for 180 days. The second one comes on the heels of the first and lasts for seven days. It is during this one that the drama heightens. Ahasuerus summons Queen Vashti to show her off to his guests. She is also giv ing a banquet and refuses the audience. A decree is issued that she is never to appear before the king again. Later he is persuaded to choose a replacement. Several years later, the king chooses Esther as his queen. She is told by her uncle not to disclose her iden tity. Mordecai, a minor official in the king's court, overhears a plot to assassinate the king. Immediately, he informs Queen Esther. Of course she tells her husband. The matter is investigated and the culprits are executed. A third character is introduced, Haman. Hon ored by the king, everyone is expected to bow. Mordecai refuses and Haman hears about it. Considered a sign of disre spect. the official plots to kill him. Haman comes up with a date to not only kill Mordecai but all Jews as well. The king sanctions the decree. Mordecai and many other Jews go in mourning (sackcloth and ashes). Esther sends a eunuch to find out what's going on. Her uncle explains through the eunuch and appeals for her interven tion. She knows the customs and is fealEsl for her life. Mordecai sends a message to her that states silence is not the answer but if she will not someone else will. He tells her that her position could very well be for a time such as this. Upon hearing his reply, she requests that all Jews in Susa fast along with her for three days. After that, she will approach the king. Application: Ezekiel 22:30 asks, "Who will stand in the gap...?" Today thai ques tion resonates throughout soci ety. Who will stand in the gap for the many faceless and nameless people who are cheated, mistreated, plotted against and ignored? Many of us are in positions to change things or at least bring them to the forefront. It's uncomfort able and may jeopardize that job, but God will get the glory. You didn't get that position solely on your own anyway. Could you be there for such a time as this? Yes we are like Esther but there is a voice that shakes us to the core. Are we honoring God in whatever we do? There are a number of us that put on blinders once we arrived. We turned our backs on our peo ple. God acting in our history, once again sends someone to remind us. Now what? Macedonia Holiness Church Of God Of The Apostolic Faith. Inc. Bishop K.L. Wist. Sr. DJ).; S.T.D. ? Pastor Sunday Services Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. M.Y.P.U 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Services Prayer & Bible Study 7:30 p.m. 4111 Whitfield Drive Phone: 336-767-3700 Fax: 336-767-7006 United Progressive baptist (Ihurch PASTOR LEWIS E. DEVLIN Home Tel: (336) 767-7825 Office Tel: (336) 724-1266 Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 1 1 :00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. Thursday (Grandparents Bible Study - 7:(M) p.m. At E. 12th & Jackson Avenue U22Quincy Caldwell Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Pastor Lewis E. Devlin and 1st Lady Mary E. Devlin Goler Memorial offers dynamic community sermon series , SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Pastor and Mrs. Seth O. Lartey and the entire Goler Memorial AME Zion Church family invite you and your friends, relatives, associates, neighbors and prayer partners to share in an exciting worship experience, beginning Feb. 22 and continuing through April 4. The services will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The sermon theme is "Living With Purpose to Possess God's Promises for Your Life." At the end of the series, guests, seekers, friends of Goler Memorial, members and the dis ciples of Jesus Christ will live a purpose-pursuing life in the fol lowing areas: ? In spiritual matters: what makes Jesus superior to all other prophets. ? In self-care: how to be excellent in all areas of your life. ? In kingdom building: turn ing the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of God. ? In financial matters: going from poverty to prosperity. ? In relational matters: how to live at peace with all persons. ? In parenting: the roles of the father, the mother and the children. ? In community develop ment: how to rebuild the com munity one block at a time. The following members of Goler's Worship Celebration Team will be present to wel come you and assist you in any way: ? The ministerial staff - Ministers Pamela D. Phillips, Virmell Johnson, Inez Hairston, Patricia Landingham, Donna Maree, William Ross and Rev. Henry Hill; trustee - Virginia Hardesty; deaconess - Ben/ena Purvis; steward - Robert Jarrett; usher - Marion Henderson; Lay Council - Lynette Geralds. ? Board of Christian Educa tion - Betty Bowman; mission aries - Jacqueline Lartey, Dorothy Williams, Claudette Gethers-Boyd; class leader - Claudette Jarrett; music depart ment - Ricky McKinney; drama ministry - Jackie Nunn; stew ardess - Mose Belton-Perry; preacher's stewards - Frank Stowe and Dr. Everette Wither spoon; evangelism - Minister Pamela Phillips; hospitality - Doris Christian and Eamestine Cornelius. ? Parking - Robert Leak and Robert Kimber; visitation - Robin Witherspoon; new mem bers - Marian Anderson-Book er; children's church - Cassaun dra Petty; college ministry - Benny Patterson Jr.; men's min istry - Fred Phifer; women's ministry - Jamie Transou; sin gles ministry - Sherry Springs and Carman Lockhart; youth ministry - Shirley Kindle. The public is invited to attend any and all services. If you need transportation or more information, call the office at 724-9411. The church is at 630 N. Patterson Ave. Piney Grove Church of Winston-Salem, Inc. Early Sunday Morning Worship Service 8:00 a.m. Join us for a Blessed Time in the Lord. Piney Grove Baptist Church Dr. James F. Linville, Pastor 4715 Indiana Art*. ? Winston-Salem. NC 27106 ? 1336) 767-4044 ? Evening Services 4:00 p.m. ? Bible Study Every Wednesday 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Mission Statement:"A Saving Station for Lost Souls and Enrichment Center for Christians" Website: vra w.pioevgrovebcinc.orii E-mail: ? Early Morning Worship. ? Sunday School ? Morning Worship 8:00 a.m. ... 9:30 a.m. .11:00 a.m UNION BAPTIST CHURCH I)r. Sir Waller Mack, Jr. lloM Pastor ^ Cefefiratum of (P&storaf Service* Sunday , February 22, 2004 5:00 pm Dr. \\ ilium \..loiU"> (iiH'st Preacher Paiior Edwin VI I mi AabuuMhtn Tr mptr C'kurrh PaMur J.D. Ballard I niU'il Mr I input i I an BaptiH ( hurth Pastor Driuii*. Iiisliu|i Baptist ( lumli Pastor IhImiiiii' llmil Kalcish'1) Croi?rwiik ( fitted Melhutlist C Intuit PaKlur J. Rii> Ruilt-r I iiiitMi < ?raenlunr ( inn ill Pastor Srivnuo ( hum Mi. /ion ?? i ( Iiiii ill Pa?i(*r Samuel ( onirliui New Jcrus^ifni li.i |if i > I ( turn It Pasloi Jrm Di.nimi Nf? Bethel lt;i|iii n( (hurt It r P??ior Mows tilwanh ' i^icsuv Sr\rnlh Da* Advrttli^l ( 'Inn-ill r^ssrn Pailor William lldfr Miikflcfttrk C lni>n;iii Pasioi ( .irl inn f't*r?lr? Dfll.llHIttlk Pivslnlci-iiiii ( limvli Willi. mi Kill I > (iiralrr Fin?i I iiiU'tl Bapiitt t liurvh I Pasior JiiiiH's KuIwihhI St. Mark B.qrtisC Chiirrti I'aslur \N .ill.ni- (>.4i I lit- 1 I'nir lini|Jv Holiness < Inn ill Pnlw ( li.ii l? ?? ( ,i .i> Ml. Otiw ( Iiii nil P&cfvr Wahlo lUusri ft.l |>? i <? I ( tiimti I Kriiivili Pastor John Jwl^on (.fMKhuli Unl B.i|Hi C hurch Pastor s.l). Johnson Mtfcvilonitt TYPII ( hurch I*a*lur Josr|ili Junes /ion \l* ni'tri.il B.iplisf < hurt it I\?n|hi lulhrr Joiu ? Ktliirtl Pii?lor( haiir* U ak Siiliil Kink Bit|ilisl ( tiimh Pikslar (ivmliiar} Unkr SiitkrsiLtlr < htirrit of (.ml Pat I or \V(>. MtColloufli Knt U llill Mitotonan li.4|H i v t ( h tilth (Artirrd) !'.??> IMI M.tlk Mi< "IIIH'I Pilgrim Rest Baptist ( li tilth I I 1 Pastor R. I- MKiowtn*. Sr. (?iililrr <(i ( h tire It L.IOI- Benjamin \lili*n% Sr. Kvtiitr Olik BajHisI < hurch Ika<<lur John MvOtk*/ I'iniiuiiiii'l fliiptitf < tiiiriii ' P?sim Rjt>Orl<l Mr ileal f ( NIK ( hu rili Pastor Hull. i nl Miller lluh Iriitif) lull fiovpcl H.i|>hsl( hu nil Pastor I aitv N*nct IVrkirl AMI! /ion < huivlt Potior F.I). PMt#r*?n \nih;i?.sailni> ( aiht-tlrui Pat* MT fllClliirt Hie* Nlrtt) Seal flul? ( fin i ill PilHiur C rilric Rudnc* SI. f*Hili|* M?r;iM?n ( liunti Kt-iiivtl ? ? I-J Paslor J. RySiimiieh St. Str|>hcii fU|Xisl C hiurh I'atioi l*V. Sifflni< C liriMMii ( MiKflim < enter PaoturSimttd SJcwn^wi ( tDKf Prr s Iw iv ri nn < Ii ii rih PuMrr Donald Siimr NctmuM id van < lllHlll Pa*lor S.ll I ? ml^ll Inrndsliip R;t|Mi-i ( hurvh I\*N|UI Ri|\ ( liHsii.ui fountain ( hut'ih PjHHM* I.iiim > \\< b?h i li.^i lta|Hisi O.ik ' Kitfct-( hurih I\t*inr Miiti.u-I K. UilliMW ITir Mc^iiih'v Gtiease join us as we Honor the (e^acy of these *: Men of Qod "who Have sentd the community for over 20 years! Union Baptist Church "A Church Determined To Live For Christ" 1200 North Trade Street ? Winston-Salem, NC 271 01 336.724.9305 www.unionbaptistwsnc.org
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Feb. 19, 2004, edition 1
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