North Carolina Newspapers

Page 4A The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.net November 14, 2012 hh I, MEDITATION 6:47-51 there is a story that is.com- forting to me. Itisa story that be- gins with a storm. The term has sometimes been translated “ad- verse wind,” or in the Old Testa- ment it has been known as “chaos.” The storm is a crushing, irresistible force that seems as if it is going to sweep over the lonely disciples. Such storms are many in our lives. They appear through a medical diagnosis, a broken relationship, a financial hardship, and in countless other forms, but they always bring anx- iety and fear. The text also says two other things. First, it tells us the disci- ples “strained” against the wind. They were attempting to make it on their own, but they couldn’t because the wind and Dr. Jeff Hensley Pastor Kings Mountain Baptist Church Fellowship & Faith Church Service pectry | KINGS MOUNTAIN . Long Creek Presbyterian Church 701 Long Creek Road 704-629-4406 ~ Love Valley Baptist Church 2032 Bethlehem Road ; 704-730-0075 Macedonia Baptist Church 1101 S. Battleground Avenue 704-739-6811 Midview Baptist Church 703 Margrace Road 704-739-6711 Mount Zion Missionary Bap- tist Church 220 N. Watterson Street 704-739-8354 - Mountain View Agape Church 506 Sparrow Springs Road 704-739-0160 Mt. Olive Baptist Church Compact School Road 704-739-4516 Mt. Zion Baptist Church 220 N. Watterson Street 704-739-8354 New Beginnings Church of Jesus Christ 541 Crocker Road 704-730-9507 New Bynum Chapel Zion Church N. Cansler Street 704-739-2606 New Camp Creek Bapiist Church 863 New Camp Creek Ch. Road 704-487-7128 the waves seemed to be winning. Perhaps it is in their nature to be too strong for us to control, and this is made even more signifi- cant by the second thing we are told: that He was not there — that Jesus was not with them. He was not far away, but as he walked on the water, he appeared to them as if he was a ghost. The amazing thing is that they did not call out for him in the midst of their need. They just looked up and there he was, but they didn’t recognize him. It is as if time seems to stand still in the story, for Jesus is there with them, but nothing happens... at least not until he speaks. Every- thing depends on his word, and that is as true today as it was long ago. All he says is: “Itis1.” He doesn’t need to say his name, for they know it. This didn’t think to summon him, but they know him when he says, “It is I.” Jesus’ declaration of his pres- ence through that one, small ut- terance is the unmistakable solution to the storm. The disci- ples didn’t fully realize it then, New Life Family Worship Center 428 Oak Grove Road 704-739-9371 ‘New Way Missionary Baptist Church 105 Waco Road 704-724-0414 Oak Grove Baptist Church 1022 Oak Grove Road 704-739-4833 Oak View Baptist Church 1517 York Road 704-739-7831 Pathway Baptist Church 3100 Parkdale Circle 704-734-0852 Patterson Grove Baptist Church 301 Oak Grove Road 704-739-5826 Peoples Baptist Church + 1010 Groves Street 704-739-0398 Proclaiming the Word Ministries 7011 Cleveland Avenue Progressive Church of Our Lord 1001 Cleveland Avenue 704-734-1070 Resurrection Lutheran Church 600 Crescent Circle 704-739-5580 Royal Praise Ministries 2055 Shelby Rd. Only Jesus can n calm the storm but Jesus was God in their midst — the Creator of heaven and earth with skin on — and the storm was no threat to him, so it was no threat to his followers. This is why Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid... take heart.” The disci- ples had lost heart. They were bewildered, anxious and afraid, and all of us know times like that in our own lives. In verse 50 the disciples were with Jesus, but the storm didn’t end until verse 51. Why is that? A careful reading of the passage seems to suggest that the reason is because Jesus expected some- thing from the disciples. In that little space between verses 50 and 51 Jesus was giving them an invitation and they had to re- spond. It was as if he was say- ing, “Yes, there is a storm. ButI ° am here. Listen to me. Look at me.” It was an invitation to faith — an invitation God gives to all of us — and only when we accept the invitation does Jesus climb into the boat so that the storm ceases. Open Heart Ministries dedicates new church Open Heart Ministries will dedi- cate their new house of worship Sun- day morning at 10 a.m. at 306 N. Piedmont Ave., across from the old Kings Mountain Depot. “We are so excited,” said Pastor Shane Reese, who said a group of 56 worshipers have been meeting for 10 months as a Bible study group. Mike Heath rented the group of buildings on the corner of N. Piedmont to the church for future expansion. Rev. Robert Eng, pastor of New Life Worship Center, will lead the dedication service to which the pub- lic is invited. Associate Pastors Stan Brucker and Craig Pittman and ministers Jim and Sue Thurman and Bill and Millie Mayes will also assist in the program along with worship leader, Tonya Parker; women’s leader Dee Reese; and men’s leader Craig Pittman. Reese served for 11 years on the staff of Faith Ablaze in Kings Moun- tain and was senior pastor at Restor- ing Hope in Chester, SC. Son of Jack and Dee Reese of Belmont, he grad- uated from East Gaston High School and Grace Covenant School of Min- ‘Service| employed by U Haul | Center. He is married | to Tracy | McAllister Reese and they have three chil- dion Chie Shane Reese tian, 13; Caleb, 11; and Jeremy, 19 months. Reese said the church is targeting areas where people are in need and are partnering with local pharmacists to help seniors with prescription needs. “We preach and teach about God’s Glory and we give all the Praise to God,” said the pastor. He said that God changed his life as he worked with Faith Ablaze and was called to the ministry. “See what God can do,” he said, inviting visitors. Family training is held at the church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. F eatured Church of the Week: Resurrection Lutheran Church Saint Matthew’s True Gospel Holiness Church Lutheran Church 1608 Shelby Road : 201 N. Piedmont Avenue 704-739-6764 TOR785 70 Unity AME Zion Church Second Baptist Church 948 Unity Church Road 120 Linwood Road 704-228-0328 jos-7s9.416 Vestibule AME Zion Church Shady Grove Baptist Church 2175 Vestibule Church Road 339 Shady Grove Road 704-739-7961 704-739-8920 St. Paul United Methodist Westover Baptist Church Church 114 Westover Drive N. Cansler Street 704-739-1256 GASTONIA : Bethesda United Methodist Sunrise Baptist Church Church 208 Mail Road 3714 S. New Hope Rd 704-692-3007 : Grace Community Advent Temple Baptist Church Christian Church 612 N. Cansler Street 206 West 3rd Avenue 704-739-4716 704-739-9230 The Favor Center Church 602 Slater Street GROVER Bethany Baptist Church 423 Cleveland Avenue 704-937-3010 Carolina Praise and Worship Center - 201 N. Main Street 704-937-7541 First Apostolic Church of Blacksburg : . 205 E. Cherokee St. “Blacksburg, SC704-937- 7390864-839-1873 WACO New Testament Missionary Baptist Church Quick Fix Alterations 24 Hour Service ‘Cheaper than Most’ 704.739.2769 Notice: wn order to accommodate the number of churches in our communi- ties, we will print two alternating lists of churches each week. If you don't see the church you're looking for, be sure to check next week. The Staff of HARRIS HOME Kings Mountain FUNERAL 108 S. Piedmont Ave., 704-739-2591 Dilling Heating Co. | PREMIER DEALER ™ LENNOX) HOME COMFORT SYSTEMS Innovation never fet 60 good. ’ NC lic oq 109350 1250 Linwood Rd. * Kings Mountain 704-739-3446 Mobile: 704-297-0397 Amity Finance (704) 739-1311 YOUNG RV SALES : Hwy 74 @ Oak Grove Rd. Kings Mountain, North Carolina 704-734-0595 Broke, Busted or Disgusted? Want to make $100 per day? We're Hiring - Direct Selling! 704.739.2769 For Sale! 8 Acres - Prime Lot Perfect for'a convenience store! Formerly WKMT Radio Station 704.739.2769 Kenny Spangler President 704-482-9896 2408 Kings Road Shelby, NC www.shelbyalarm.com Specialists for 32 Years Locally Owned and Operated Security & Surveillance Systems CGA Christian G, Anderson, MD, PA Board Certified in Internal Medicine * Internal Medicine and Primary Care 502 West King Street Suite 100 Kings Mountain, NC 28086 Phone: 704-734-0576 Fax: 704-730-1712 E-Mail: ANDERSONCG@AOL.COM Kerns You Call We Haul Trucking, Inc, 704-739-4747 AN CHEROKEE STREET Join us on Sundays for our $7-% SoutHERN Lunes SPECIALS! Choose from 2 meats - served w/southern sides, fatback & a biscuit 104.739.1292 - Open daily at 11 138 Cherokee St., Kings Mountain Griffin Drug Center “Serving Kings Mountain Since 1819" Friendly Hometown Service “Free City-Wide Delivery* 704-739-4721 129 Mountain St. Kings Mountain TN SERVICES, INC. ® Incoming Planning Strategies Keith Bradley, Owner 704.739.4182 bradleyinsurance @att.net BRADLEY INSURANCE Asset Preservation ® Wealth Management ® Life Insurance ® Long Term Care ® Annuities ® Disability Income 219 S. Battleground Ave., Kings Mountain We support our local churches. Compliments of NOLD’S po a R74 Gatlny og PALIN arnoldsjewelry.com . Washington St., Shelby Cooling, LLC Sales ~ Service Installation NC License #9507 704-739-1043 TRANE Hi Hare 1 Sp A Tron” e C&C Heating & Bobby Childers - Owner 502 York Rd., Kings Mtn. Laughlin Furniture For All Furniture Needs 400 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, North Carolina 704-484-3204 227 S. Cherokee St. Kings Mountain 704-739-0193