Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Feb. 12, 1987, edition 1 / Page 5
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Church God's people learn how to be a christian when dealing with others Sunday School Lesson ? 1 BEING CHRISTIAN IN RELATIONSHIPS (Cttwaiaas 3:5-23) j"If any man have a quarrel against afcy : even as Christ forgave you, so a^o do ye. (Col. 3:13) iC'olossae was a city located in Asia IV^inor, a hundred miles inland from tlfe city of Ephesus,. Whether Paul ever visited this city prior to writing tits letter we do not know for sure, bat he did have Christian friends ) thjere that he probably had become acquainted with in the church at K phes us pne was Philemon, to whom he wfote personally, when he sent his riai-a-way slave, Onesimus, back to hi}n. The church located at Colossae w|s plaqued with problems; doctori nal problems. That area of Asia Mi ner had become a sort of mixing gifxind for religions, including that warship of various Greek dieties, the mysticisms of the east, and a Ju diasm, which emphasized sacred seasons, fasts, etc. The Apostle Paul was a Christian purist. In the face of all of this, he insisted on the simplicity of g06pel ; a gospel not diluted, nor encumbered with, a mixture of other religions. Further, this melting pot of religions, so to speak, creeping into the church at Colossae, was causing dessention in the fellowship. Hard feelings between members, and enmity, caused by doctrinal dis putes, was taking it's toll on the church's main mission of preaching Christ's gospel. Paul's leter is an at tempt by the Apostle Paul to straighten out their problems and to get the church back on course. Some thing should be noted at this point. Whenever a church congregation becomes embroiled in internal strife, almost invariably it's primary pur pose in teh Kingdom's work becomes secondary until the strife is settled. Paul's apostolic power gave him the authority to order the infighting, and immorality, to cease. Yet he chose to instruct, to teach, thus raising their understanding of God's will for them personally and for the church, to higher level of righteousness. This, in effect, was a more permanent solu tion. PUT OFF EMNITIES (Colossians 3:5-11) In these verses Paul is telling those Collo6ian Christians, that were guilty of immorality to cease these prac tices. It involved their behavior, atti tude, speech and their divisive preju dice of a homogenious society. Space doesn't permit going into each of these "don'ts" spelled out by Paul, however, it is virtually a roll-call of evil and sin, reminescent of the latter days of Judah ad Israel before God brought judgement upon them. We should not miss the point that this, too, is happening in our world to day, indeed, in our own country. We Christians today view this strong march of our society towards sensual pleasure, immorality, and corruption in high places with sorrow and agony in our hearts. I am sure Paul must have had like feelings. In verse 6, he issued a strong warning, "For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobediance." PUT ON LOVE (Collossians 3:12-17) In the proceeding verses Paul spoke of the negatives involved in the church's problems. He now turns to the positive? the solution that will put the people and the church back on track for the Lord. He speaks of the humulity that heals ; a love that holds together; a peace that rules; a faith that sings and a commitment that controls. There are so many lessons in today's text that one can barely scratch the surface. In essence, what Paul said to them is this, "You are a citizen of God's Kingdom, and you are living in Sa tan's world. You have allowed your selves to be caught up in the world's priorities and values. Your solution is to re-evaluate where you are and to change. You must take on the values of a Kingdom citizen, and walk righ teously before God." Further, Paul said to the people of Colossae, "Put love into practice, and let it begin in your home, among the family members. (Vs. 18-23) and whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men." (Lesson based on the International Sunday School Lessons) United Methodist churches in area provide needed relief for farmers ftALEIGH, NC? Since early Feb ruary, $19,400 of monies received in a special offering in United Methodist Churches in the North Carolina Con ference has been given to farming in dividuals and families victimized by th? farm crisis. United Methodists have given over D $51,000 during November, December, anfi January in a special offering to aid individuals and families suffering from the farm crisis. the special offering was requested bytBishop C.P. Minnick, Jr. Offering furjds have been sent to the Confer ence Treasurer from churches for disbursement under the direction of Conference Task Force on the Farm Crisis. $ishop Minnick also requested that each United Methodist church in the conference observe a Day of Prayer for farm crisis victims which was held on Sunday, Feb. 8. Another day may be selected by a local church. Funds may be requested and rec ommended by local pastors for any pastors for any farming individual or family victimized by the farm crisis. There are 844 churches in the North Carolina Conference which encom passes 56 eastern North Carolina counties. Approximately 370 churches had sent in offering totaling $51,546 by late January. Requests from local pastors for as sistance to farm families in their areas are processed immediately. Over 30 farm families with critical situations have received assistance. Most of these families have lost their farms, had to declare bankruptcy, and-or had to sell everything. By early February .almost $19,500 had been disbursed under the direc tion of the Task Force. Other re quests are being received daily and are being processed to provide relief to farm families. Requests for assistance should be directed to a local United Methodist pastor. Recipients are not required to be United Methodists and assistance is granted without regard to race or sex. Donations from outside United Methodist churches are welcome. In dividuals and institutions wishing to contribute to the fund should make the check payable to the N.C. Confer ence of the United Methodist Church and send it to P.O. Box 10955. Ra leigh, N.C. A notation should be made on the check that it is for "farm cri sis." The Task Force is recommending and encouraging the establishment of county ecumenical farm crisis task forces. Bishop Minnick established the Task Force on the Farm Crisis in June at the annual meeting of the conference and appointed its mem bership, composed of farmers, pas tors, agricultural specialists and a representative of the conference. Serving as chairperson of the Task Force is Dr. J.E. Legates, former dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State Univer sity; vice chairperson is the Rever end Hugh Cameron, pastor of Cente nary United Methodist Church in Smithfield; and the secretary is Mrs. Margaret R. Saunders of Elizabeth City who is a farmer and conference president of The United Methodist Women. Other members are the Rev. Charles V. Bryant of the conference office in Raleigh, the Rev. Robert A. Fairley of Maxton, Bruce Flye of Battleboro, the Rev. David L. Harvin of Cedar Grove, and the Rev. James R. Huskins of Hurdle Mills. Also, Loring Mclntyre of Durham, Dr. Fate Thompson of Cary, the Rev,. M. Whit Warren, Jr. of New Bern, Leroy B. Whitfield of Hooker ton, Sherrill Willias of Newton Grove, and the Rev. Richard L. Stone of Lau rinburg. In the U.S.. by 1990. the over-65 population will exceed 30 million ? an increase of 20% in just 10 years. The 85-years and older age group will in crease 40% by 1990. Re tired persons are not only living longer, but are out living their financial re sources. This is a strong incentive for prefinancing of funeral arrangements. Respectfully, Farm save day set Fellowship to meet Farmers from all over the United States are invited to attend! ! ! Farm Save Day is simply a chance a, for American farmers and their fam ' ilies to get together to swap ideas, so lutions and encouragement. Any family that would like to at tend should contact the nearest Con tinental? Eastern Airline ticket of fice. The airline will arrange air fare at an 80 percent discount to Norfolk, Va. From there bus transportation will take them to the Elizabeth City area. Families in the Elizabeth City and surrounding areas will host as many visiting families as possible! Anyone who wishes to be placed with a host family Must call the toll free number for arrangements to be made!! All farm families, host families and F.F.A. members will attend an all day Bar-b-que in Elizabeth City on Feb. 14. Any city, county, state or na tionally elected officals that are in terested in trying to find some solu tions to the plight of the American farmer is also invited. Now is the time for all Americans and espe cially the American farmers, to stand together and present a united response to the wofld We Are Not Quitters? We Are Fighters!! The place to do it is Elizabeth City, N.C. on Feb 14 on the campus of Elizabeth City State University! Farmers of America, this is for you! Come and be counted! Come and be heard! Come and listen! Area church news First Baptist schedule The First Baptist Church Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. with Su perintendent R.B. Gibbs in charge. Morning worship starts at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor London preaching from the subject "Some People Never Learn" Genesis 20:2. The senior choir will be singing under the direc tion of Mrs. Barbara J. Shannon, or ganist. Prayer and Bible Study will be on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. church news cont'd under teHowshio to meet The Perquimans County Fellowship Union will be held with the St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, Hertford, corner of Dobbs St. and Edenton Road St., Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Melton Grove Baptist Church and pastor, Rev. J.W. Law, is in charge of the service. The Rev. Thomas Mcpherson, is the host pas tor and the Rev. J.H. London is presi dent. LET'S NOT FORGET! By Raymond C. Needham Hertford Baptist Church Hertford, N.C. His prayer went as follows: "Dear Lord, forgive us for being like the hogs which eat the acorns and never look up at the tree from which they came." These are the words of a fellow students with whom I knelt in prayer, for it expressed so vividly a tendency within mankind. We are given to drinking in God's blessings which are bestowed so freely, and then going on our way without thank ing Him. Aware of man's forgetfulness and ingratitude, God warned His people Israel before they entered into the promised land. "And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land . . . when thou shall have eaten and be full; then beware lest thou forget the Lord who brought three forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). The history of that nation reveals that they did indeed often forget their God, and invariably brought upon themselves trouble and sorrow. They felt that they were self-made and were sufficient within themselves. The apostle Paul was not speaking idle words when he said to the Athenians, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being. . (Acts 17:28). Do you have health? It is God who gives it. Have you been blessed with a home and family members? It is from God that you received them. Let us be thankful to God for what He has done for us. What do you have that daily adds comfort to your life? What is there that bring you happiness along the way? Don't for get to thank God for such blessings. Not only are we not to forget God in regard to the temporal gifts we receive from Him, but we must not forget Him regarding the whole of life. How tragic for one to go through his lifetime, having lived only to gratify his own selfish desires and ambitions, and yet to have forgotten God. The next step from this world is into eter nity. Now is the time to remember God, to come to know Him, to receive His gift of salvation in Christ Jesus, and to serve Him daily. If we remember Hirn now in these days and years of opportunity, we may be sure He will not forget us when we have come to the end of the way. The blessed life is the one that does not forget God. Likewise, the peaceful heart is the one that does not forget God. In Him is strength for our trials, peace for our sorrows, comfort for our distresses, and glorious hope for all eternity. Let's not forget God! . Finance your home through us. We're experts in the field of home financing, Perquimans County '* Only Newspaper For And About Perquimans People A 10% Discount On All Prescriptions For all Our Customers Age 60 Or Older. 426-5527
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Feb. 12, 1987, edition 1
5
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