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hftp://www.thecharlottepost.com tCfte Cftarinttc #ofit RELIGION THURSDAY, AUGUST 24. 2006 Life IB Witnessing for God 2 Corinthians When we think about wit nessing to someone, chances are that we do not initially think of givir^ as one of the vehides or methods to share Christ. Wtnessir^ is traditionally thought of by the sharing of Scriptures or a personal testi mony with another person- antidpating that God’s Word or some moving story of how God delivered us finm the promise of eternal separation from Him to eternal life through Jesus Christ. While tradition continues to serve a tremendous purpose in the above two examples, there is another way that we can show others that we are of God by imitating what our Father tau^t us; we can give generously to those in need. Givers and redpients alike should be overwhelmed by the magnitude of God’s gift to them. A question to consider is, how, should reflection on God’s gift motivate us as givers? LESSON BACKGROUND Paul had an in-depth knowledge of the Corinthians since he stayed over 18 months with them. He knew how sincerely and zealously they desired to give to those in need. He boasted to the Macedonian church about how eager the Corinthians were in thdr giving. The Macedonians were also encouraged to give by com pleting “the doing of’ what they had begun (2 Cor. 8:11 NKJV). The Macedonians were so eager to gi.ve that they begged Paid, to allow them to share what little they had with the believers in Jmisalem (2 Cor. 8:4). 'Ihe Macedonian church consid ered giving not an obligation, but an honor. Paul had tau^t them to imitate their Father. Christian giving is an out pouring of God’s grace through the believer or the giver. While the Corinthians had begun their collection over a year ago, it was Paul who pushed for them to finish the deed-as he was sending Titus and two other helpers to assist the Corinthians in what they had started. QUESTIONS: GIVING EAGERLY: 2 Corinthians 9:3-5 1. Who were the brethren Paul was sending to Corinth? (2 Cor. 9:3) The brethren who Paul mentions in verse 3 were Iltus-Paul’s helper in Christ, and two other unnamed brothers. These two were pre sumably coworkers of Paul and representatives of the participating churches (see 8:16-24). 2. Why might the Corinthians be “ashamed” (2 Cor. 9:4), or embarrassed? Paul was in Macedonia when he penned this letter (see 2 ,Cor. 2:13 and 7:5). When he departed for Corinth, there were Macedo- Please see WHY/6B Black churches pitching in to help Norfork State University Virginia congregations pledge $232,500 over next five years PHOTO/NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSrTY Five African American congregations in Virginia's Tidewater area have pigged financial support to Norfolk State University. The churches pledged a total of $232,500 to the pubiidy-funded university over the next five years, aiding in a $15 million capital campaign. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NORFOLK, Va. - Black church support was critical to Norfolk State University’s founding. Now the diiuches are pitching in again. Five black congregations in Portsmouth and Norfolk have pledged a, total of $232,500 to the publicly funded univm^ity over the next five years, aiding in a $15 nfil- lion capital campaign at the histori cally black university “We think their role is critical for the success of the campaign,” said PhiUip D, Adams, associate vice president for development at Nor folk State. The participating chmches in Norfolk are First Baptist Church on East Berkley Avenue and Second Calvary Baptist Church and First Baptist Church on East Bute Street. Third Baptist Chxuxh and Grove Baptist Church are in Portsmouth Local black pastors helped orga nize the school in 1935 as the Nor folk branch of Virginia Union Uni versity, a Richmond institution with Baptist connections. According to a school lore, black congregations raised scholarships Please see BLACK/6B Man mocks Islam outside U.S. lawmaker’s post THEASSOC/ATED PRESS BALTIMORE—A protester staked out the home of a Muslim candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, holding a sign and wearing a T-shirt that mocked Islam. Timothy Triiett sat in a folding chair Saturday on the street outside Saqib Ah’s home in suburban Gaithemburg with a sign reading “Islam sucks,” and a shirt with the slogan, “This mind is an Allah- fiee zone.” Montgomery County poHce sent a tres pass notification form to TVuett wamir^ that he would be subject to arrest on tres passing chatges if he steps onto Ah’s prop erty within the n^t year. Ttuett called his protest “an experi ment,” explaining; “I had heard that Mus lims were generally intolerant of views other than their own, and so I thov^t I would put it to the test.” Ah took several photographs of Iriiett but refused to speak to him, saying he did not get the impression that Ttuett want ed to start a constructive dialogue. ‘We don’t waste our time talking to peo ple who hate us,” Ah said Simday Thiett said he chd not think the sign or the T-shirt expressed a message of hate. Trade show’s target: Faith-based entrepreneurs By Cheris F. Hodges cheris.hodgesAfhechar(ofteposf.com Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is hopir^ to spur the spir it of entrepreneurialism with a business trade show. On September 9, the church will host The Fiiendship Business TVadeshow fiom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is ‘Empowering Biisi- ness to Create Entrepreneurial Excellence.” There will be work shops on how to obtain financing for business growth, marketir^ and networldi^. Dennis Kimbro, motivational speaker and author of “Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice” will be the keynote speaker. ‘We have many members in our congregation who are business owners or seeking to start their own business,” said the Rev. Clif- fordA. Jones, Sr., senior minister “So we saw a need to create a ministry to support them in a Christian environment.” Free enterprise and faith may seem like strange bedfellows, but PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON ^ recent years, Christian busi- Winans sticks with trendy gospel Vickie Wmans Woman To Woman: Songs Of Life Various producers Verity/Zomba Recordings Wckie VTnans abandoned traditional gospel some years ago to mixed results. Some hked the foray into trendy R&B religious music while others left in droves. But Winans has stuck to her guns and continues to buck traditional gospel. This two-CD set is certainly aimed at younger buyers. Even the cover has TOnans striking a Cover Girl pose. But it’s the music that will make or break this release. Believe me, the music, or more accurately the songs, do make fliis release. Yes, it’s still the radio-fiiendly stuff that Winans likes so much, but there is also a second disc, much of which was recorded live. It’s a bit more tradition al, but still in the R&B vein. Winans has incorporated nearly her whole family in. the project. Several songs were written by her sons, Mario and Marvin Jr, ex- husband Marvin Sr. and var ious other TOnans. Even her current husband, Joe McLemore, makes an appear ance. Winans has toned down her vocal theatrics a bit. She stretches on ‘Tfs Alright” but is mostly subdued- She’s one of the few older artists not trying to sing as if she was 25. She’s still formidable, just not as showy • Winans’ best performances are the old Walter Hawkins compositions “Try Christ” and ‘T Love You Lord.” Both songs are nearly two decades old but still carry a powerful ‘Tfs an opinion,” he said. ‘T don’t think there’s anything intrinsically hateful about it.” Ali, a Democrat, would become the first Muslim member of the House of Dele gates if elected, but has not made his reli gion a mqjor tenet of his campaign. He is considered a long-shot challenger to three incumbent Democrats, Charles Barkley Nancy King and Joan Stem. The district has three seats, and the top three vote-getters in the primaiy move on to the general election. Winans still can move an audience no matter what kind of music she sings. ' That’s worth the price of this CD alone. Friendship to host business showcase in September. Please see FRIENDSH1P/7B Church News The deadline for announcements in the calendar is noon on Fridays. Fax to (704) 342-2160 or e-mail cheris.hodges@thecharlolteposl.com. Please put "church news" in the subject line. August 25 Life Center Ministries of Greensboro pre sents a Celebration of Ministries at 7 p.m.and on Avgust 26 11 a.m. The event will be held at Life Center Ministries of Charlotte on 331 E. Sugar Creek Road. This event is the Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor George Montgomery, Sr. For more information please call 704-503- 1970 or 336-480-8227. August 26 Northside Church of Christ, 4435 E. W.T Harris Blvd., wfll host a Back to School Jam and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Back to School Jam is a one-day youth sport ing event dedicated to rejuvenating physical activity by promoting recreational and educa tional fun for youth throv^ a 3-on-3 basket ball tournament format. Church members have donated school supplies towards this event. The organization Men on a Mssion, a mentoring program, has committed to be onsite for tutorial sign-ups for those needing assistance during the 2006-07 school year. In addition, other organizations in the communi ty will be on-site disseminating information about their jrtxgrams. The basketball tourna ment win start around noon. Other activities, games, and food will be operating simultane ously There will be a dunk, 3-point, and fiee oo throw contest, and obstacle courses as wed. The event is fi:ee to the public. • Walls Memorial AME Zion Church, located at Bancroft St., will host a block party to kick off the school year. The event runs fiom 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. • New Shiloh Baptist Church will host the Big Gospel Singing Program, beginning at 7 p.m. The ev^t features Larry Maxwell and The Golden Voices, Pastor Annie Thomas and Please see BIBLE/8B
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