It has been argued by some that
Alfred Lord Tennyson was the
greatest British poet of the nine-
teenth century. When he pub-
lished his first book in 1933, it
was severely criticized.
Tennyson was so hurt by the
adverse criticism that it was ten
years before he published anoth-
er. When he finally overcame his
fear of criticism and found the
courage to publish again,
Tennyson started down a path
that would ultimately lead him
to national fame and to the posi-
tion of Poet Laureate of England
for over forty years.
WORSHIP
ml
To do the work of God in the
world also takes great courage.
This was especially true in the
day of Nehemiah, whom God
charged with the responsibility
of rebuilding the walls of the city
of Jerusalem after the people's
return from their exile in
Babylon. In the biblical book
that carries his name, we discov-
er that Nehemiah’s effort to
accomplish God's plan was met
with ridicule, threats of physical
violence and internal conflict,
but Nehemiah didn’t give up.
In the face of ridicule,
Nehemiah rolled up his sleeves
Si
‘SOCIAL BRIEFS
and built up the city
walls so that everyone
could see their
strength. He respond-
ed to the threats of vio-
lence by creating a
strategic plan of self-
defense for the city,
and he responded to
the internal conflict by
chastising = his col-
leagues for their self- ws
serving, calloused treatment of
each other and by providing a
model of the sort of self-less, sac-
rificial lifestyle that enables us to
serve God with faithfulness.
7
CHURC
Responding to God’s call
Jeff Hensley
Meditation
i BRIEFS
The Kings Mountain Herald
Courage of the sort
that Nehemiah
expressed demands that
we color outside of the
lines of our comfort
zone. This was the kind
of courage that was
expressed by a Christian
named Francis of Assisi.
Francis was the son of a
wealthy cloth merchant
## and he lived during the
twelfth century. Though Francis’
early life was filled with revelry,
he eventually repented and
turned to faith in Jesus Christ.
Then, renouncing his father’s
July 26, 2007
Ce
takes courage
wealth, as well as his former
lifestyle, and falling in love with
what he called “lady poverty,”
Francis decided to spend the rest
of his life in service to the poor.
From the beginning, however,
Francis had a terrible aversion to
the disease of leprosy, and he
could hardly bring himself to
look on a person who was afflict-
ed with it. In fact, he did every-
thing he could to avoid someone
who was suffering from that
dreaded disease. But one day, as
he was riding along, a leper
jumped in front of him and
called for his help. Francis’ first
reaction was to keep on riding,
but with a courage that was
greater than his own he dis-
mounted and took the person in
his arms. As he did, he got his
first glimpse of the person’s face
and saw what he believed was
the face of Christ himself.
Responding to God's call
requires divine courage, but if
we are willing to step outside of
our comfort zone then we can do
great things in the name of God.
Dr. Jeff Hensley is pastor of
Kings Mountain Baptist
Church.
Mauney Memorial Library Youth Advisory Council is sponsor-
ing a Summer Reading Store Thursday, July 26 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
at the library, and Friday, July 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Central
United Methodist Church. Items may be purchased for cash or
Summer Reading Program participants may redeem “library bucks.”
Items available are canvas tote bags, water bottles, baby bibs and
assorted novelty toys. For more information call 704-739-2371.
Hospice & Palliative Care 101 - Answering Your Questions on
the differences between hospice care and palliative care - will be held
Thursday, Aug. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Cleveland Regional Medical
Center Auditorium (Grover Building, second floor) and Thursday,
Aug. 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Kings Mountain Hospital
Community Room. To reserve a spot or for more information call
704-487-0800 ext. 130.
The 110th Old Furnace Picnic will be held Saturday, July 28 at
the Old Furnace Picnic Grounds between Kings Mountain and
Bessemer City. All Ormands, their relatives and guests are invited to
attend. For more information call Betty Thornburg at 704-629-6096 or
Email Ormand 223@peoplepc.com.
Kings Mountain High School Class of 1952 will celebrate its 55th
class reunion Saturday, Sept. 15 at Central United Methodist
Church. There will be Hors D’oeuvre at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
All classmates are also invited to celebrate breakfast together on
Saturday morning, Sept. 15 at 8 a.m. at Grace United Methodist
Church, Cleveland Avenue. Mayor Rick Murphrey will provide the
welcome at dinner and a shadow-box of the 1952 Class’ 50th Golden
Reunion will be presented to the Kings Mountain History Museum.
The West Lincoln High School Class of 1987 will have its 20th
reunion on Nov. 3. Day events for the whole family and a dinner for
alumni and guests is planned. To learn more, contact Nicole Thomas
Warren at 704-732-4919 or nicoletwarren@yahoo.com.
The Pregnancy Resource Center of Cleveland County will hold
its annual Walk for Life Sat., Aug. 18 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the
Shelby High School track. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Persons inter-
ested in walking or sponsoring a walker should call 704-487-4357.
The Pregnancy Resource Center is a non-profit ministry that pro-
vides pregnancy care and peer counseling for women and their fam-
ilies with unplanned pregnancies. The Walk for Life is the organiza-
tion's primary fund raising event for the year.
Gaston County Museum will hold Coffee with the Curator
August 1 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Curator Aimee Russell will identify
objects and provide preservation assistance on pieces taken to the
museum by visitors. If pieces are too large, take photographs. The
program is free and open to the public. There is a three-item limit per
person. For more information call Jeff Pruett at 704-922-7681 ext. 105.
A dutch treat lunch with Republican Gubernatorial candidate
Bill Graham will be held August 9 at Cleveland County Club, 1360
E. Marion St., Shelby. Lunch will be $11.50 per person, dutch treat.
RSVP to Graham for Governor by calling 919-833-0562 or
malay@graham?2008.com.
Hospice & Palliative Care of Cleveland County will hold a 12-
hour course on services provided on Saturdays, Aug. 11 and 18 at 3
p-m. at Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church, 318 W. Ballard St.,
Cherryville. To get credit for the entire course, you must attend both
classes. There is no charge and no obligation to volunteer. H&PC
offers a number of volunteer opportunities, including direct contact
with patients and families, assisting in the office, or working at the
Wendover inpatient/residential facility in Shelby. For more informa-
tion call Krista Haynes at 704-487-0800 ext. 129.
Linda Daves, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party,
will be the guest speaker at the August 13 meeting of the Cleveland
County Republican Party at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland County
Administration Building, 311 E. Marion St., Shelby. The meeting is
open to the public.
Missionary — Baptist
Mt. Pisgah to celebrate centennial
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 273
Tryon School Loop Road,
Bessemer City, will hold its cen-
tennial year celebration August
11-15.
A Family Day is planned for
August 11 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
There will be fun and games and
a re-connection to the church’s
past.
The homecoming worship
service will be held at 3 p.m.
Speaker will be Rev. Clinton A.
Feemster, D.Min., of Mt. Zion
Baptist Church, Kings Mountain.
Revival will be held August
13-15. On Monday, the speaker
will be Bishop Ellazor Campbell,
D.D., Ph.D, pastor Galilean
Deliverance Church, Charlotte.
On Tuesday, the speaker will be
Rev. Ray Lockhart Jr, pastor of
Ellis Chapel Baptist Church,
Shelby. On Wednesday, the
speaker will be Rev. Ryan
McCain of Macedonia
Waco.
All revival services are at 7
p.m. The public is invited. For
more information call the church
at 704-435-9967.
Sunrise Baptist Church, 208
Mail Road, Kings Mountain,
will host Grateful Hearts in con-
cert Saturday, July 28 at 6 p.m.
Refreshments will be served fol-
lowing the singing. The public is
invited.
Cherokee Street Baptist
Church, 423 Cherokee St., Kings
Mountain, will host “Master’s
Singers” in concert Saturday,
July 28 at 7 p.m. The public is
invited.
Westover Baptist Church, 114
Westover Drive, Kings
Mountain, will host The
Songsters in concert July 29 at 6
p-m. Alove offering will be
received and refreshments will
be served following the service.
Rev. Dale Angel, pastor, invites
the public.
The Kings Lighthouse
Worship Center, 420 Branch St.,
Kings Mountain, will hold
S ALINVEI CONCERT Z2ERIES
Chill out after five in Patriots Park in Downtown lings
Mountain with the 5 Nlive Concert Series. Concerts start
at 6:00pm and go until 9pm. Pizza. barbeque. ice aecam.
and other delights will be available during the concerts!
The Bushy Valicy Boys
Church, \
Vacation Bible School July 30-
August 3 from 6-8:30 p.m. There
will be classes for ages five
through 19. The church is located
across from the Kings Mountain
Walking Track, where new con-
struction is underway.
Grace Baptist Church,
Gastonia, will have a youth
reunion September 29. People
that were in the youth depart-
ment between 1980-1989 are
asked to call 704-824-1242 or 704-
865-6957 by July 14.
Patterson Grove Baptist
Church, Kings Mountain, is reg-
istering players for Upward
Soccer. Players ages four years
through sixth grade are eligible.
Deadline for registering is July
31. Evaluation dates are
Wednesday, July 18, from 6-7:30,
Saturday, July 21 from 10-12 and
Tuesday, July 24 from 6-7:30. All
players-must attend an-evalua-
tion. The cost for registration is
$45 and there is a $10 late regis-
(TRH ® ITT} Pr
tration fee after July 24. Practice
begins August 27 and games
begin September 8. For more
information call the church office
at (704) 739-5826 or Mike Harris
at (704) 853-1174 day and (704)
739-6023 evening.
South Mountain Baptist
Camp, located in Burke County,
will be celebrating its 50th year
Saturday, August 18. Former
staff members, speakers,
campers, camp committee mem-
bers and others who have con-
tributed to the work at SMBC are
asked to contact Norma D.
Moose at 704-739-5600 or
bnal4@earthlink.net.
Family Worship Center, 1818
Shelby Road, Kings Mountain,
will host the Kevin White Camp
Meeting July 29-August 3.
Services are at 6 p.m. on July 29
and 7 p.m. July 30-Aug. 3.
Special musical" guests: sinclude-
‘Church of Cross Worship Team
of Reykjavik, Iceland, Sanctuary
to all who are weary
to all who mourn a
to all who sin and
and to whomsoeve
Choir of Dilworth Church of
God, Dilworth, AL and the River
Church Choir of Guntersville,
AL. For more information call
739-7206.
8th Street Church of God,
Bessemer City, will have a yard
sale Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7 a.m.
Food will be sold beginning at 11
a.m. There will be a cake walk,
dunking booth, face painting
and games for children. There
will be a cookout at 5 p.m. and a
gospel singing at 6 p.m. All pro-
ceeds and donations will go to
the building fund. For more
information call 704-435-8256 or
704-629-9202.
CHURCH BRIEFS DEADLINE
Deadline for church briefs is 12
noon Monday. Bring them by
The Herald at 824-1 East King
St., call 739-7496, fax 739-0611 or
Email gstewart@kingsmountain-
herald.com. When space is limit-
ed, only the events coming up
during the ‘current week will be
published.
COME SEE WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
e Dynamic Ministry and Programs—Everyone can
find a place at Central United Methodist Church.
e Contemporary Service 8:45 AM
e Traditional Service 10:50 AM
» Special Wednesday Night Family Service
e Full-Time Youth Minister
* Boy Scout Program
10 TONIGHT!
Thursday. July 20th
oe Community Kitchen - (Mon) Lunch, (Thurs) Dinner
* Numerous Bible Studies (Day & Evening Hours)
113 S. Piedmont Ave.
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Next Month: Tater (Thursday. Nugust 25rd)
A —04-739-2471