September 17, 1998
Religion
The Perquimans Weekly Page 5
God’s commandments add to life’s enjoyment
By T.P. ALEXANDER
Central Newspaper Services
God’s expectations made
plain
(Deuteronomy 5:6-21)
“I am the Lord thy God,
which brought thee out of the
Land of Egypt, from the house
of bondage. Thou shalt have no
other gods before Me.”
Deuteronomy 5:6-1)
The people of Israel had
been slaves in Eg3T)t for gener
ations. They had no experi
ence with government and no
Understanding of how to form
d'hation.
Then, suddenly they were
free. Their bondage was
behind them, but so were their
homes and their means of
making a living.
Imagine how hard it would
be to mould some two of three
million such people into a
nation. But the people of Israel
had one great advantage: they
were God’s people.
If they followed God in faith,
trust and obedience they
would encounter no apprecia
ble difficulties. But isn’t that a
universal truism for devout
Christian followers?
Christ did not promise
Christian people a “rose gar
den” existence - He did, how
ever, promise us His blessings,
to those who in obedience fol
low Him in faith.
The Lord and you
(Deuteronomy 5:6-11)
"Thou shalt have no other
gods before Me. ” (Verse 7)
Before revealing the con-
Services
tents of His law, God revealed
Himself and reminded the
Israelites who He was. He was
the Lord their God. He is the
only God who really exists.
First, the people were
reminded of God’s power.
Their release from Egypt had
been accomplished by a series
of mighty powerful acts from
God, or miracles.
Secondly, the people were
reminded of God’s goodness to
them. He had liberated them
from generations of cruel slav
ery. This alone, in simple grat
itude, should have moved the
Israelites to receive God’s law
and obey it gladly.
"I am the Lord thy
God...thou shalt have no gods
before Me. ”
Jesus gave us other warn
ings concerning worshipping
idols. In Matthew’s gospel He
said, "Ye cannot serve God and
mammon. To the Collosian
Christians Paul added "that
covetousness is idolatry."
We are to flee from idolatry
in any form.
"Thou shalt not make thee
any graven images - and fur
ther, thou shalt not bow down
thyself unto them, nor serve
them. ”
God is to be revered as
being the only true God - His
name shall not be taken in
vain.
Sometimes when I am out in
public places on business, I
hear men, and sometimes
women, repeatedly using
God’s name in swear words. It
produces a chilling effect on
me and I get away as soon as
possible.
In my mind I wonder if they
know what they are doing, and
how serious a matter it is.
❖ Hertford United Methodist
"^Hertford United Methodist Church offers small group min-
isfries. A small group is defined as 6-15 people meeting in some-
6he’s hoime or a church to pray, study, discuss and get to know
one another. They meet for no more than 90 minutes each week
for a minimum of 13 weeks.
The following small groups will be meeting on Sunday
evenings in the church at 7:15 beginning Sept. 20: I and H
Timothy—Learning to Thrive in a Hostile World; Curing
AfHuenza—a video-based discussion group using a series by
Tony Compolo. The video segment will be shown during
“Sunday Night Live” at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Two small groups will meet during the day. They are:
Genesis for Today on Wednesdays, 10-11:30 p.m. in the church
library with Myrtle Virginia Thompson.
- - I and II Timothy—Learning' to Thrive in a Hostile World,
beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the church library
. with Vern and Joyce Hammons.
.; Free child care is provided on Sunday evenings for children 4
^ and under.
.For information, call the church office at 426-5467.
❖ Poole’s Grove Baptist
'• Revival services will at Poole’s Grove Baptist Church on
Sunday with the Rev. John Shannon and New Haven Baptist
^ (Shurch in charge. Speaker for Monday-Friday services will be
‘ Rfev. George Munden, pastor of Galatia Baptist Church. Music
‘■’will be rendered by area choirs each night.
- r - ;
Woodland United Methodist
If r '4 Woodland United Methodist Church will hold a bazaar on Oct.
3,11 a.m.-l p.m., featuring a country store, crafts and a chicken
c. galad cold plate for $5. For lunch tickets, eat-in or take-out, call
Paige Eure at 264-2427 (work) or 264-2243 (home).
lur
United Methodist Women
r— The United Methodist Women of the Elizabeth City District
will hold thier annual District Day Apart on Saturday, Sept. 26
at United Methodist Church, Kitty Hawk. Registration begins at
9:30 a.m. and the program at 10 o’clock. Lunch and a nursery for
pre-school children will be provided. Guest speaker will be the
Hev. Jon Strother, Hertford United Methodist Church.
Children need help
of guardians ad litem
The Sabbath and you
(Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
"Keep the Sabbath day to
sanctify it, as the Lord thy God
hath commanded. Six days
thou shalt labor, and do thy
work...but the seventh day is
the Sabbath day of the Lord thy
God. ’’ (Verses 13-14)
As we look out upon the
American scene we see a
warped interpretation of this
commandment.
Why did God set aside one
day out of the week when we
were to give that day over to
rest and worship?
I grew up under the tutelage
of a mom and dad who prac
ticed this commandment
MATTRESS OUTLET
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whole heartedly. The only
work permitted on Sunday
was feeding the livestock.
Afterwards, we got cleaned
up to go to Sunday School and
church. My wife was raised in
the same manner as I, there
fore it became normal for us to
raise our children the same
way.
The word “honor” comes
into play here. When we keep
His commands it is an act of
honoring God’s precepts, and
harkening to those things He
commands us to do.
Here is a thought to remem
ber - God’s commandments are
designed to add to, not take
away our enjoyment of life.
(Lesson based on the
International Sunday School
Lessons)
• REMODELING
• NEW HOME
-ORGANIZING
1927 NIXONTON RD
ELIZABETH CITY, NC
tS/ 330-2707
At the hospital a newborn
baby girl is withdrawing from
cocaine. Her homeless mother
has given birth to two other
cocaine-addicted babies. Both
were removed from the moth
er’s care because they became
severely malnourished.
A 10-year-old girl came
home from school with a mate
requesting that she be treated
for lice. The child’s mother
brutally cut the shoulder-
length hair to the scalp, gash
ing the girl’s head. The girl
returned to school in tears
with bruises all over her body.
Each year thousands of chil
dren in North Carolina are
thrust into the court system
through no fault of their own.
Some are victims of violence,
psychological torment or sexu
al abuse. Others have been
neglected or even abandoned
by their own parents. Most of
them are frightened and con
fused.
These children need volun
teers to serve as guardians ad
litem. A guardian ad litem is a
trained volunteer appointed
by the juvenile court to repre
sent the best interest of an
abused, neglected or depen
dent child. The GAL is paired
with an attorney advocate to
represent and be a voice for
the child in court.
There is a need for volun
teers in this district, especially
in Gates County.
The next guardian ad litem
training for Camden, Chowan,
Gates, Perquimans and
Pasquotank counties begins
this month. Please call the
GAL office at 331-4755 for addi
tional information and an
application.
Honument ffiompattg
426-7311
509 Dobb St.
Hertford
Perry awarded scholarship
Kamani Perry of
Perquimans County was
awarded a scholarship from
the North Carolina Division of
Veterans Affairs. Perry was
among 11 Albemarle area stu
dents to receive scholarships
available to children of certain
disabled, deceased or
POW/MIA veterans.
Church news notices
Written notices for the ser
vices column are due on
Friday at 5 p.m. Please make
sure the release contains the
date and time of the service(s)
or activity.
Notices may be mailed.
faxed or brought to the office
by the deadline.
We would like to thank
everyone who said a prayer, sent a card, sent
food, visited, called or sent a gift while Diana
was at Duke Hospital & since returning home.
We are so thankful to be part of such a caring
community.
Ciaudia & (Diana
Open Letter
..^Dear Friends,
When you attend the funeral, you help the
„ ^ bereaved. Just by being there you let them
know you care; that even though there has
„, been a death, friends like you remain, After
the funeral your bereaved friends still need to know you
^ are there to listen and to care. Telephone, visit, drop by
with food, assure them you have not forgotten them.
^ ^Respectfully,
7111 ’
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foir the: Week
From My Heart
S. Keith Vaughan, Pastor
The Hertford Baptist Church
I recently read that psychologists estimate that the average individual has as
many as 700 occasions to speak to someone each day. In the course of those
conversations a talkative person uses 12,000 sentences and about 100,000 words.
Think about it —100,000 words in one day!
That little story reminded me of a passage of Scripture written by James. In
the third chapter, James says, “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a
perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. ” The apostle also warns that
“the tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts
the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire
by hell. ”
What destruction can by wrought in a single day by just one person with his
100,000 words! But also, what a blessing! It all depends on how they’re used,
It’s true that damaging consequences can result from the tongue’s misuse, but
it’s also true that much good can be accomplished if it is used properly. The
important question is, how will your tongue be used today? To speak words that
bless the Lord, encourage others, and witness for Christ? Or will it be involved in gossiping, judging, and
criticizing? If during a 24-hour period everything we said we recorded and then played back for us to hear,
I’m afraid it would be rather shocking and embarrassing.
So watch what you say. Whether you’re a talkative person who uses 100,000 words a day, or the silent
type who gets by with only 10,000 , be sure you make them count for good. Why not use your words this
week to be an encouragement you give may be just the ingredient the Holy Spirit needs to speak to the heart
of a family member or friend.
Worship in the church of your choice this week with your family. Your life will be richly blessed.
The Weekly Message is brought to you by the following merchants:
Smith’s
Jewelry
& Fine Gifts
139 N. Church Street _
at! Hertford
Dozier’s Florist
426-5721
Be-Lo Shopping Center
Hertford
Member FTD
HOLLOWELL OIL CO.
SUPPLIERS OF
PROPANE GAS SOIL PRODUCTS
PHONE: 426-5745
WOODARD'S
PHARMACY
For All Your Pharmaceutical Needs
Third Party Insurance
426-5527 Hertford
Charles Ward, Inc
Ace Hardware Dixie Auto Parts
Wards Shopping Ctr.
Hertford
496-5716
Michelle's Family Hair Care
•Michelle Brown - Owner/Stylist
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426-5312 Hertford
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Alexander Electrical
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Office 482-2400 Highway 17 N. Near the 5 mile Y
Chowan
Hospital
482-8451