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Let's move beyond our differences Lesson Scripture: Eph esians 2:11-21 Lesson aims: to understand that the divisions between believers is nonexistent, to appreciate Jesus' sacrifice, and to be an instrument of peace and unity. Background: Acts 19 ^recorded the history of the Christian Church at Ephesus. Paul, its founder, was on his third missionary journey. Most of the Jewish community rejected the apostle, so he taught at the lecture hall of Tyrannus for a little more than two years. Paul wrote this epistle "almost five years later" (N1V Standard Lesson Commentary) while imprisoned in Rome (A.D. 62-63). This letter is also believed to be a "circular one meaning that it was read in Ephesus and circulated to other churches in the region" (Bible Expositor and Illuminator). The major theme of the epistle is "the living church." Paul wanted the believers, both Jew and Gentile, to understand Mildred Peppers Sunday School Lesson that the church is an organism, not a piece of property or an institution. Somewhat imper sonal compared with last week's text, Paul wrote to help them understand that they are more alike than unalike. He pointed out their divisions and then the factor that brought them together. Lesson: There has been ongoing strife through the ages between the Jews and the Gen tiles. When God made the covenant between Him and Abraham, the sign that sealed the agreement was circumci sion (Genesis 17). The Jews, as they were eventually called, began to look down on people who were different. They received the Law and the promise of God. Century after century reinforced their "spe cial place" in God's heart. The Gentiles, on the other hand, were the outcasts. They didn't know God for the most part and were unfamiliar with the prophets. By the first century A.D. (in the year of our Lord), peo ple fell into two .categories - circumcised and uncircum cised. If this division has exist ed for centuries, it isn't diffi cult to understand how the idea keeps coming up after Christ. When Jesus makes the supreme sacrifice (His blood), all become one because salva tion is offered for everybody. Paul points out that at one time they were very far from one another. Jesus comes to fill the gap and makes them OQe. In other words. He reconciles them to each other. Jesus mod els unity for them. His preach ing. teaching and miracles were extended to all. For Him there is a difference between Jews and Gentiles. Because of Christ, both groups now have access to the Father. Keeping the Law didn't work and neither did worship ping the idols. It is only through Jesus that God's treas ure (humanity) can return to the Almighty. He brings peace and a new perspective on rela tionships. Enemies, foreigners and aliens no more - Jesus' sacrifice makes them one, fel low citizens with the saints (saved sinners). There is no division now and early believers must recog nize that and govern them selves accordingly! This new relationship is built on the fact that they are one family with God as the head. Because of Jesus, they move from hostility to harmony. Application: On this Thanksgiving Day, is it possi ble for us to change our per spective on things? An impen etrable wall exists, thanks to culture, politics, race and plain old meanness. Did Jesus break these walls down a long time ago? Of course He did! Jesus comes to reconcile humanity to God. We couldn't do it our selves. When Jesus dies on the cross and resurrects from the dead all walls are destroyed. As believers, aren't we led by the Spirit to view things dif ferently? If we are to "repre sent" the love of God. it is imperative to move beyond our differences and embrace one another as one. I do recognize that it may take us more than a day or two to accomplish this feat. We are the church (indi viduals, not a building), and our lives should Ai?r change. Like an organism under the microscope, believers are always in the process of "becoming." As * we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, may we ever be about harmony, not hostility; unity, not division; and love, not hate. Beulah Baptist will honor first lady SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Beulah Baptist Church will honor its first lady, Tanya Hairston Ford, on aunaay, inov. 28. The 1 1 a.m. speaker will be Minister Mary Davis of Beu lah Baptist Church. The 4 p.m. speaker will be Prophetess Dirah Martin of True Faith Taberna cle. Ford was born in Winston-Salem Lady Tanya Ford to George Jr. and Shirley Winchester Hairston. She is married to Rev. L. Bruce Ford, and they have two sons, Brandon Winchester and Braxton Denard. I .?K, io o r ,^A..nt?k nf i-uu; ? viu ia a giuuuaa vm East Forsyth High School, attended N.C. State University and received an associate's degree with honors in radio logic technology from Forsyth Tech nical College. She also received, with honors, a bachelor of science degree in computer science from Winston-Salem State University. She is employed at Wachovia Bank of North Carolina as a systems development team leader and holds the title of assistant vice president. She is a past mem ber of the Urban Financial Services Coalition of North Carolina Triad and the Wachovia Winston-Salem Diversity Leadership Team. She is a licensed N.C. real estate salesperson and a licensed radiology technolo gist. Lady and Pastor Ford own and operate a home-decor and gift-giving business, B and B Treasured Gifts. Lady Ford is chairperson of the Capital Campaign, church financial secretary and co-editor of the Beulah Trum pet newsletter. She is a mem ber of the leaders ministry and overseer of the Women of Virtue women's ministry. She conducts a "Steward ship - Time, Talent and Resources" workshop for new members. She has conducted leadership training titled "Teamwork for Church Lead ers," in conjunction with Pas tor Ford's teaching on servant hood. Lady Ford was a major contributor to the start-up "<jf the Beulahland Child Devel opment Center and the Beu lahland Summer Camp pro gram. She has conducted work shops pn "How to Hear from God" and "Tell Me About My Credit." She was instrumental in the design, development and construction phases of the building of Beulah's church sanctuary and educational facility. Usher Board celebrates anniversary SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE On Saturday, Nov. 6, the Forsyth County United Usher Board celebrated its 82nd anniversary by hosting a ban quet at New Jerusalem Baptist Church. The speaker for this occa sion was Rev. Patrick Che ston, pastor of Zion Baptist Church of Reidsville. His message was titled "There is Something About This Place," with reference to Psalm 1 22: 1 . He emphasized the power, hope, encouragement, strength and status that are found in the house of the Lord. The program was well attended and enjoyed by* all present. Music was provided by Sandra Todd. Mount Olive Baptist Church, and Deacon Cary McMillan. Morning Star Baptist Church; Scripture, by Rosa Rice. New Bethel Bap tist Church; and prayer, by Peggy Hale, Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church. The master of ceremonies was Richard Smith, vice president of the Forsyth County United Usher Board, and Ihe program chair person was Barbara Smith, New Bethel Baptist Church. President Rodney E. McCormick made closing remarks. He thanked God and all those who had worked to make this banquet a glorious and wonderful event. The Forsyth County Unit ed Usher Board recently spon sored an oratorical and poetry contest for youth ushers. The winner of the oratorical con test was Michael Curtis, a youth usher at New Bethel Baptist Church. He is 10 years old and attends Kernersville Elementary School (fifth grade). The title of his essay was "But My Friends Do It: Youth Ushers Don't Follow the Crowd." The winner of the poetry contest, with a poem titled "Committed," is Isaac Capers, a youth usher at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He is a sev enth grader and attends Hill Middle School. The Forsyth County Unit ed Usher Board is a family of doorkeepers, serving man and glorifying God. House of Faith Outreach Ministries will hold revival SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Bishop Rozetta Hughes Hairston will be the guest speaker at House of Faith Out reach Ministries Inc. The revival will be held Nov. 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. The church is at 1384 W. Sedgefield Drive. Hairston is the pastor of God's Glory Pentecostal Holi ness Church of God in Jesus Christ Assemblies Inc., 1014 Ivy Ave. Hairston gave her life to God more than 39 years ago and has been licensed in the ministry for 18 years. She is married to Deacon elect Lee Roy Hairston. They have two sons. Bishop Hairston is one of 26 children born to the late Milton Wilson Hughes and Alice Ruth Hughes. Stephan A. Jordan is sen ior pastor at House of Faith Outreach Ministries Inc. Union Baptist Church o announces activities SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Union Baptist Church has announced the following activi ties arc scheduled: The A H. McDaniel Amazing Grace Choir will not rehearse Thursday. Nov. 25. due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The choir will sing Sunday. Nov. 28. Attire will be black. ? The adult and youth drama ministries need new members. ? The Helping Hands Ministry is looking for a seamstress to help make gowns and robes for senior citizens in rest homes for Christ mas. For more information, see Bridgett Reaves. An AIDS workshop will be held Saturday. Dec. 4. at II a.m. in room 204. All persons working with the AIDS ministry are required to attend this workshop. ? Union Baptist Church will worship with Pilgrim Baptist Church on Sunday. Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. in Roanoke. Va. The Mass Choir will sing. Attire will be black. Union Baptist Church is at 1 200 N. Trade Street. NCANW District meeting will convene at Kimberly Park Holiness Church SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE The N.C. Area of the North western District fourth quarter meeting for 2004 will convene at Kimberly Park Holiness Church, 1640 S.M. Caesar Drive. The ses sion will begin Tuesday, Nov. 30. and conclude Sunday, Dec. 5. The theme is "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45). Weeknight services will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday night. Elder Robert R. Edmond Jr. of Kimberly Park Holiness Church will deliver the message; on Wednesday night. Overseer Roy C. Alston of Miracle Temple Holiness Church of High Point; on Thursday night Ruling Elder Wardlow Frazier of Mount Cal vary Holiness Church; on Friday night. Bishop James Ijames. pas tor of Mount Zion Holiness Church of Mocksville. On Saturday, Dee. 4, a Bible discussion and business meeting will start 4 p.m. All members of the NCANW District are request ed to attend. Sunday's service will begin at 4 p.m., with the message by Over seer Eugene Kirby Jr. of Bethle hem Holiness Church. Kirby is the presiding official, and Elder Robert Redmond Jr. is the host pastor. The Chronicle The Choice for African American News and Information Lift Your Voice In The Chronicle Phone: 722-8624 True Temple Holiness Church of God \panllr Wallarr (iitilhrr Paslor and t uundrr (o-Pulur: CinplM Shirt? (.mihct Invites you to come worship with us at our new temporary location: Shilohian St. Peters Center 1125 N. Highland Ave. Same anointing ? Same Word (St. John X:32) Same motto: To he True in eveything we Jo Sunday School 9:45 Morning Worship 1 1 :(H) Macedonia Holiness Church Of Cod Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. Bishop R.L. Wise. Sr. D.D.; S.T.D. ? Pastor Sunday Services Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Morning. Worship 1 1:00 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 " (slnifecl Progressive ISapfist Church PASTOR LEWIS E. DEV LIN Home Tel: (336) 767-7825 Office Tel: (336) 724-1266 Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. Thursday (> rand parents Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. At E. 12th & Jackson Avenue 1122 Quincy Caldwell Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Pastor Lewis K. Devlin and 1st l ady Mar) E. Devlin Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. ?'/'/ MKOSTM LH.HTHOI SI \\l> .\tl. C \K\t hi A /V7. ? XVORk TOGETHER " Schedule of Worship Services Sunday Early Morning Service - 7:57 am Sunday Church School - 9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 am Itasday Evening Girl Scouts - 6:00 pm Wednesday Morning Bible Study - 11:00 am Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 7:00 pm Thursday Evening Woman's Fellowship - 7:00 pm Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. 3230 Heitman Drive * Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Church: 336-784-7802 'Facsimile: 336-771-0101 Web-site: www.mtcarmel-ws.org ?Email: dr.grifTey@mtcarmel-ws.org Dr. A.T. Griffey, III Senior PaMor And 1st Lad; Dee CirlfT> 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. Ptney Grove Baptist Church Dr. James F. I jnville. Pastor 4715 Indiana Ave. ? Winston-Salem. NC 27106 ? <3J6) 767-4044 ? Early Morning Worship 8:00 a.m. ? Sunday School 9:30 a.m. ? Morning Worship 1 1 :(X) a.m. ? Evening Services 4:00 p.m. ? Bible Study Every Wednesday 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Mission Statenient:"A Saving Station lor Lost Souls and Enrichment Center for Christians" K-mail: ppbc2005(" htllsouth.mt MOTIVATIONAL MOMENTS with Nigel Alston Make an appointment with Motivational Moments on WSNC-FM 90.5, sponsored by The Chronicle, The Choice for African American News and Information. It's inspirational, informative and motivational1! Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 10:20 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. 10:20 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. www.motivationalmoments.com
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Nov. 25, 2004, edition 1
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