The Lofty Standards for Deacons
i^evMrti "scripture: Acts 6 I
6.&-15
Lesson Aims: To under
stand why and how the first dea
cons were chosen, to recognise
and appreciate the standards for
selection of leaders (deacons),
and to be ready to serve having
the right criteria.
Background: In last week's
lesson, a number of places were
mentioned where many Jews in
Jerusalem for Passover and
Pentecost came from. After
hearing Peter preach, many con
verted carried the message back
to their homes. The number of
converts continued to grow. For
the most part, the early converts
came from the Jewish faith
(Judaism). Those Jews living
outside of Judah (Judea or
Palestine) spoke the languages
(also last week) of that area.
However. Jews that lived in
Judah felt that they were just a
little bit better than the others.
You see. from their perspective,
they didn't have any outside
influence, therefore they were
the traditional ones! That men
tality continued to thrive, even
though some otjjjem converted.
The lesson opens sometime
after the Day of Pentecost.
Lesson: An early practice in
the Christian Church (the new
community) is caring for the
needy (widows). This caring
includes their physical and spir
itual needs. Remember that a
woman not connected to a man
was in dire straits. Apparently,
while the Apostles are out
preaching the Word, those left in
the neighborhoods are expected
to make sure that their needs are
met. Rapid growth is good
(blessings) but it bnngs unfore
seen problems (stress). Chapter
6 opens with the first internal
challenge - discrimination. This
conflict can disrupt the ministry ,
cause petiple to fall away, and
/or ignite ether areas of discord.
This is another challenge facing
the first century commuflity.
The Apostles hear the grum
bling and call all of the disciples
(followers) together. They pres
ent the issue: they must preach
;ind teach the Word while others
should "oversee the benevo
lence" (Echoes Adult Teacher
Commentary). The word serve
in verse two comes from the
Greek "diakonein" which trans
lates to deacon The first priori
ty of the Apostles is the Word.
The Apostles don't take for
granted any area of ministry.
Should we ? They are told to
choose seven men among them
who are full of the Holy Spirit,
displaying honesty and wisdom.
Notice how they take a poten
tially explosive situation and
handle it with loving care.
Mildred
Peppers
Sunday
School Lesson
Leaders, do you follow this pat
tern? the Apostles' proposal
pleases them (both groups) and
ajso gives the disciples some
responsibility The followers
choose seven All of the names
are Greek. The first two,
Stephen and Philip will enlarge
their ministries by the aid of the
Spirit. Both become preachers
(a little later). When all seven
are presented to the Apostles
they laid hands on the seven,
signifying the transfer of the
benevolent ministry to them.
Stephen's ministry expands
beginning in verse eight. As he
ministers, God gives him more
grace and power. He is doing
wonders and miracles.
Evidently. Stephen goes to the
Synagogue of the Freedmen
(former slaves) proclaiming
teachings that undermined the
Mosaic Law. Some of the men
there begin to disagree with his
teachings to no avail. They con
spire with the elders and teach
ers of the law to get rid of him
Upon seizing Stephen, he is
taken before the Sanhedrin
where false witnesses are
brought before him. As they lis
ten to the testimony," they
observe that Stephen's face is
like that of an angel Having the
face of an angel implies that
"pod's presence gives him
courage and confidence in the
face of death" (Echoes). Read
chapter 7 to find out what hap
pens.
Application: Doing any
task for God is an honor and a
privilege. It should be
approached with humility
When called to lead (we're all
called) whether we hold an
office or not, do we make a sell
check? The criteria for leader
ship and fellowship in this fold
(community) is spirit-filled,
faithful and fearless. God will
use you far beyond your imagi
nation! Believe me, I know this
to be factual !! As the communi
ty grows, you will be asked to
serve. Do you have the goods?
SF?Ssld
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICI.F.
Galilee Missionary Baptist
Church will observe its annual
Fall Revival, Oct. 14 - 16,
with services each night at
7:30 p.m.
Dr. Stephen J.
Thurston will be the
guest evangelist,
while the
Community Praise
Team and
Renaissance will be
the musical guest.
A lecture series,
. "Engaging the
Enemy," will take
place before servic
oo it #\*in n rti \i/ith
t.-* ai u.^u p. in, vriiii
guest lecturers Dr. Tobias
Lagrone, Pastor Herbert Miller
and Pastor Tejado Hanchell.
Separate sessions for youth
will also be held each evening
at 6:30.
Thurston is pastor of
Chicago's New Covenant
Missionary Baptist Church.
On Easter Sunday in 1971. he
preached his initial sermon
after having acknowledged his
calling by God. On Easter
Sunday in 1974. he was
ordained and appointed as
assistant pastor of New
Covenant. On Easter Sunday
in 1975. he was appointed co
pastor. Upon the death of his
father in 1979, he became
Pastor of the New Covenant
Missionary Baptist Church.
In 2003, he was elected as
the 14th President
of the National
Baptist Convention
of America. Prior to
being elected presi
dent. Rev. Thurston
served as 3rd Vice
President of the
National Baptist
Convention of
America; Inc.;
Dr. Thurston
President of the
111: : i
milium iNdiiuiidi
Baptist State Convention;
Chairman of Finance for the
Chicago Baptist Institute; and
a member of the Broadcast
Ministers Alliance of Chicago
and Vicinity.
Dr. Nathan E. Scovens is
the pastor of Galilee, which is
located at 575 Martin Luther
King Jr. Drive.
For additional informa
tion. contact the Church
Administrative Office at 336
724-3857. .
Calendar
from page BIO
fry on Oct. 18 from 4-7 p.m.
Tickets are $8. Eat in or take
out. Proceeds will benefit First
Christian Church. The church
is at 2320 Country Club Road.
Starting Oct. 19
Holy Day of Atonement
An event celebrating the
13th Annual Commemoration
of The Million Man March
(The Holy Day of Atonement
2008) will be held Sunday.
Oct. 19 at Muhammad Mosque
#92 . 1320 Glen wood Ave., in
Greensboro. Doors will open
at 2 p.m., and the event sill
start at 3 p.m. sharp. The
keynote address will be deliv
ered via satellite from Chicago
by The Honorable Minister
Louis Farrakhan. The event is
free and open to the public.
Epps at First Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. William S.
Epps, pastor of Second Baptist
Church of Los Angeles, will be
the guest preacher during
revival services (Oct. 19-21) at
First Baptist Church East.
Epps will preach at the 11 a.m.
service on Sunday, Oct. 19,
and at the 7 p.m. service on
Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
The church is located at
700 North Highland Avenue.
Oct. 26
Men 's. Women 's Day
United Progressive Baptist
Chufrth will have Men's and
Women's Day Celebration on
Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Sunday morning the
women will be in charge of
services and Rev. Annie Duck
will deliver the morning mes
sage. The men are in charge of
the 3 p.m. service and Rev.
Leonard Lewis will be the
guest speaker.
Macedonia Holiness Church Of God
Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc.
Biskj Rl.Wist.Sr.
DD;S,TJ).*P?tof
Sunday Services
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
M.Y.P.U 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Services
(Frayer & Bible Study 7:30 p.m.
4111 Whitfield Drive
Phone: 336-767-3700
Fax: 336-767-7006
WOTILC
U urd of 1 ruth Ini'l Life ( eater
tMOb < uiiiniunit) Kd.
. Wteklua-Sakm. NC 27197
November I
6-8
RESTORING THE FAMILY
CONFERENCE 2008
SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOP FACILITA TORS
HOST
RASTORS PAM & RON PHILLIPS
EXECUTIVE HOST
ASSOCIATE PASTOR CHERYL / EFFUES
SPECIAL GUEST
PASTOR RICK & LADY ANGELA MCLEOD
TOTAL RESTORATION . THOMASVILLE. NC
WOTILC MINISTERIAL TEAM
MINISTER MICHELLE BOONE
MINISTER LATASHIA COLE
MINISTER DENISE SCOTT
MINISTER RA YCHEL SMALL
MINISTER BRIAN WOMBLt
MINISTER VERA WONSLEY
MINISTER LEROY WONSLEY
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Workshops
Thursday -Friday
6:00. 6:45
Worship Service
7:30 PM 4
Saturday Workshops
9:00, 9:50, 10:40, 11:30 M
Break
Evening Worship
FOR MORE INF0RMA TtON
CONTACT: LATASHiA COLE
ADMINIS TRA T7VE ASSISTANT
(336)789-0448
Week of 10/08/08 thru 10/14/08
J BUTCHER'S im
casacsa
Value Pack
93% Lean
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*27?
Without MVP Card Regular Retail
16-26.3 Ounce - Select Varieties
Ragu Pasta Sauce
3?
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MW Card 3/S6.I9
Boneless Chicken
Breast Fillets and
Tenders
lOOK
^Natural.
MVP
*1
99
lb.
Without MVP Card S4.99
Without MVP Card SI 99
16 Ounce
41-50 Count
Food Lion
Peel & Eat
Cooked Shrimp
Umrt 2 Free BUY ONE, GET ONE
Mvp.
FREE
0 ftl I ttf D&
Smithfield*
Roast Beef
99
lb.
Without MVP Card S8 2*
Without MVP Card S9 49 Each
X The Oti
Grtat Lakes
Provokmt ChiiN
?ifc
*4?
MVP Card
$6.29
?J
34.5-39 Ounce Cans
(Oecif Not Included)
Maxwell
House Coffee
$6"
Without MVP Card S10 45
.... ^
8 Rolls or 6 Big Rolls
Brawny Paper
Towels
Or 9 Mega or 12 Double Rolls
Quilted Northern
Bath Tissue
Without MVP Card S8.86 ? $8 99
17.6 Lb.
Alpo
Dog Food
?UY ONE, GET ONE
FREE
Limit 2 fttt
Without MVP Card Regular Retail
10.75 Ounce
Campbell's
Tomato or
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S6 Ouncc limit 2 f-nt
muS Srnirr
Premium ^ L l? L L
IceCream ? ? ?? ?
?MacinscQzsnxcBizgii^H I
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M Li'?t 2 FfW
w? owe, get owe
FREE
BBBBBHI ?
(ih; \\\ W
Oct. 1st - Nov. 25th
? Shop 6 of 8 week*
' Present your Free Turkey Giveaway Card,"
personal Mff Card and spend l45 per visit
' CoBect 6 different weekly ticket*
? Redeem yow 6 tickets for a
'20 Food Lion Coupon
Vi iiffk ial mb n stotofficr for (tails.
pFRKh
jjl'urkcx
TilM w\ vi
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fuu ' J- ' ?
Oct. 1"
Nov. 25*
' UN Niorf ?< fOMBl
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? Mm fww 6 Urten Int i
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Wt to lurttqutntlfeimi comet tffomeHul mi iftolognphx ?rr?v AtcnchtduunwuUMi of 4oM mi totaeeonwlum AISoiwAta*
B
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Good neighbors. Great prices.