College
from payr BJ
Church and participates in the FWBC Teens of Purpose
college preparatory ministry.
*Antonia Hicks, who will graduate from R. J.
Reynolds High School and attend Winston-Salem State
University to major in nursing. She is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Antonio Hicks.
?Kenerria Jones, who is a graduate of the Early
College of Forsyth Technical Community College with an
associate's degree, will attend East Carolina University
and major in biology. She is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs.
Haywood Hanna.
?Olivia Wilkes, who will graduate from R. J. Reynolds
High School with plans to attend North Carolina Central
University and major in physical therapy. She is the
daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Philemon Wilkes.
Dr. Felecia Piggott-Long, an English teacher at Carver
High School as well as an actress, playwright, journalist,
author and youth minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church,
delivered the morning message.
Drawing from the biblical account of brothers Esau
and Jacob, Piggott-Long spoke on the subject "Resist
Being a Sell Out Because Your Birthright Could Be Your
Way Out." As she peppered her presentation With rhymes
from hip hop and classic African-American poetry, she
called the graduates a special generation and charged them
to continue to rise up and work for the cause of making the
world better for everyone.
Piggott-Long told the congregation that it is important
to know where you came from and to use the talents and
skills available to you to continue to rise. Faith, she said,
is your greatest inheritance. ?
A photo display shows the pastors who have graced the pulpit of St. Paul United Methodist Church through
out the years.
Members enjoying hamburgers, hotdogs, fried chicken and more during the cookout following anniversary
service at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
The congregation of St. Paul United Methodist
Church views the history of the church through
photos and artifacts.
{From left to right:)
Marian Winbush,
Mildred Thomas, and
Hugh Smith Jr. sit on
a panel and discuss
history of St. Paul
United Methodist
Church on Saturday
May, 21.
Church
from fagt B5 " "
church and newspaper articles of the church. The display
also showed the location of the church at the comer of
Seventh and Chestnut streets before moving to its current
location on Dellabrook Road. Lead Pastor Donald Jenkins
also explained how African-Americans were in a segre
gated part of the Methodist Church until 1968.
Jenkins has been pastor of St. Paul for over 20 years
and said they are a changing church and has changed a lot
over the past 20 years and it has been for the better. He ?
said he is most proud of the community work the church
is involved with and how it's increased since he first
arrived in 1993.
"I remember the encouragement I received from the
older mothers in the church was important to me," said
panelist Marian Winbush. "We have established a vision
and are seeking to follow that vision at all times through
our ministries and community outreach. We are moving
with following that vision, which is making disciples of
Jesus Christ, starting with the children."
Fellow panelist Mildred Thomas said she is most
proud of the numbers of young people in the church and
is excited about the future and forward direction of the
church.
During Sunday's worship service, most everyone
showed a sign of unity by wearing a Carolina blue colored
shirt that read "United for God's Glory, Committed to
God's Word, Empowered by God's Spirit and Involved in
God's Work."
A special dance selection by church dance ministry
Radical Reverence, upbeat choir singing, and a sermon by
Jenkins highlighted the service. Jenkins touched on the
history of the church and how the church is a congregation
that transforms lives. He also spoke on the purpose every
one has in their lives and how they should enjoy the jour
ney to the goal.
Following the service, the church held a ministry fair
for members as well as a cookout style meal for them to
enjoy.
Lesson
from page S3
let's say, "the icing on the
cake" for the tax collector.
Jesus knew about this rich
man and his heart just as he
knew about the rich man
who inquired after eternal
life. And this is an example
of God doing what is
impossible for man;
remember the eye of a nee
dle and the camel?
Zacchaeus is also a prime
example of a sincere desire
to be in the presence of
God and how that sincerity
pays off in ways we don't
expect or imagine. Jesus
r
said, "Zacchaeus, make
haste, and come down: for
today I must abide at thy
house" (Luke 19:5). Don't
mess around ... do it now!
It was necessary for others,
the onlookers, to know that
all people - even a loathed
tax collector such as
Zacchaeus - needed to hear
the good news of the king
dom. Jesus offers redemp
tion to people guilty of sin
and seeking an avenue to
forgiveness. In the eyes of
the people, Zacchaeus had
violated the Mosaic Law
and so was unworthy to be
in Jesus' presence and
could, in their eyes, make
t
Him unclean by associa
tion. But Jesus came to
save the lost (Matt. 18:11).
Because the idea of grace
was new and not fully
comprehended, the people
could not see that God had
prepared Zacchaeus' heart
to receive Jesus. We are to
understand that, during the
course of the evening and
Jesus' conversation with
Zacchaeus, his eyes were
opened to his sinftil behav
ior and apparent greed.
Jesus has given Zacchaeus
the word and his response
to Jesus is his testimony in
front of witnesses was
Lord, the half of my goods
I give to the poor, and if I
have taken any thing from
any man by false accusa
tion, I restore him four
fold" (Luke 19:8). Note
here that Zacchaeus goes
beyond what is required by
Old Testament law. God
had prepared his heart and
his actions are evidence of
the change of heart he
experienced due to faith in
Christ. Ending the lesson,
Jesus puts His stamp of
approval when He says,
"litis day is salvation
come to this house ..."
(Luke 19:9). He goes on to
say this is exactly, precise
ly and directly what He
w
came for, "to seek and to
save that which was lost."
(Luke 19:10).
For Your Consideration:
Why is changed behavior a
good indicator of a genuine
profession of faith? What
motivates you to be a com
mitted follower of Jesus?
Life's Application: All
of us need to hear the
Gospel. We also need to
know that only through our
faith in Jesus can we be
saved. Our mission is to
cany this truth to the lost.
A commitment to carry the
C
good news will result in
real joy in serving the Lord
and enhanced effectiveness
in witnessing for Him.
Zacchaeus demonstrated
repentance and commit
ment to Jesus commands.
We, too, are called to fol
low Him in obedience and
faithful service. We must
remember also that Jesus
said, "I come that they
might have life, and that
they might have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10).
(David C. Cook, Bible
Lesson Commentary,
2015-16.)
f