M SI *«*;{•) INI fclfl
GABBING *
ABOUT TOWN
JY ANNIE H. THORPE
TELFPVjON®- 832-3029
A SURE WAY TO A HAPPY
DAY
Happiness is something
We create in our mind,
' It’s not something you search for
1 And so seldom find—
It’s just waking up and
Beginning.the day,
By counting your blessings
And kneeling to pray,
It’s giving up thoughts
That breed discontent
And accepting what comes
As a gift Heaven-sent,
It’s giving up wishing
For thingB we have not,
And making the best
Of whatever we’ve got.
It’s knowing that life
Is determined for us,
And pursuing our task
Without fret, fume or fuss,
For it’s by completing what God
Gave us to do,
That we find real contentment
And happinen, too.
—H«l*n Stainer Rice
CONGRATULATIONS ON
4SRD ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations and well wishes
are extended to Mr. and Mrs.
Douglas L. Sanders, Sr. of 744
Quarry St., who will be celebrating
their 43rd wedding anniversary on
Wednesday, Jan. 22. May you con
tinue to love and cherish each other
for 43 more years (smile). Happy
anniversary.
MISSIONARY PROGRAM
TO BE HELD
The Buds and Y Missionary Soci
ety will celebrate Victoria
Richardson Day and the Marie L.
Clinton Day at Rush Metropolitan
AME Zion Church on Surtday, Jan.
26, at 4 p.m. A special program has
been planned. The public is invited
to attend.
/•
,
BHO. JAMES THOMAS’
GOSPEL
RLD
The missionaries of Liberty
Chapel United Church of Christ in
Moncure will sponsor a program
Sunday at 7 p.m. Rev. B.P. Whitlock
will be the speaker.
The Music Committee of Good
Hope Baptist Church in Knightdale
is now in the process of accepting
applications for a minister of music/
musician. For information, call 833
5024.
The Men’s Community Fellow
ship League will sponsor a fellow
ship breakfast Sunday from 7 to 9
a.m. at Good Samaritan Baptist
Churchon White Oak Road in Gar
ner.
Johnston Piney Grove will be in
concert at New Bethel Christian
Church in Johnston County Sunday
at 3 p.m.
Prayer service is held each Mon
day at 7:30 p.m. Bible class meets
each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Commun
ion and foot-washing service will be
held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Miracle
Temple Church. A building fund
program will take place Friday at
7:30 p.m. Sunday School begins at
10 a.ih., with Sunday morning wor
ship at 11:30 aim. at the same loca
tion. , ;
Sunday School is held at 9:45 a.m.
with Sunday worship services at 11
a.m. at Ebenezer Holiness Church.
Pastor is Overseer R. Turner.
Pine Grove AME Church will hold
its Family Life Center seminar
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the
church, 4813 Pleasant Valley Road.
Ms. Jennifer Robinson will be the
speaker.
The Melvin Davis Memorial Sing
ers will celebrate their 12th anni
versary Saturday at 7 a.m. and
Sunday at 3 p.m. at Tupper Memo
rial Church, 501 S. Blount St.
St. Mary AME Church on South
Salem and Lynch streets in Apex
will observe its annual Family
Night Sunday at 5 p.m.
The Male Chorus of Apex First
Baptist Church will celebrate its
30th singing anniversary Saturday
at 7 p.m. and Sunday-at 2:30 p.m.
Pastor Howard V. Winston and
congregation.will present the Youth
Department’s first concert Sunday
at 3 p.m. by Mt Calvary Church,
Jonesville. Pastor is Willie John.
A musical building fund program
will be offered Sunday at 4 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church of Wake
forest, featuring the Carolina Won
ders df Raleigh, the Carolina Sky
ways of Wake Forest, the Alston
Family of Louisburg and others.
The Pastor’s Aid Circle of First
Baptist Church in Franklinton will
observe its .fifth anniversary Sun
day at'll a.m. Dr. Coolidge McCoy
will be thS'Bpeaker, with music by
the Gospel -Chorus.
The Ethel Wilson Singers will
celebrate their sixth anniversary
Sunday at 3 p.m. at New Bethel
United Church of Christ on the Old
Poole Road.
Compassionate Tabernacle of
Faith Baptist Church will celebrate
its fourth church anniversary Sun
day at 11 a.m. pkFbe Elementary
School Annex, 4(W Peyton St Rev.
T.B. JUes is pastor.
Mm *jnaibi«.-4u*w.• & *
St. Paul AME Church Art* Soci
ety will embark on a new venture, a
Visiting Artists Program, Saturday.
For information, call 832-2709.
Rev. Willie B. McKoy will render
service Sunday atll a.m. at Mission
Temple Freewill Baptist Church,
five miles south of Fuquay-Varina.
Prayer will be held each Monday
at 7:30 p.m. Bible study is held each
Wednesday at 7:45 pan. Services
will be held Friday at 7:45 p.m. at St.
James Holiness Church on Bart
Street. Sunday School begins at 10
a.m. with Sunday morning worship
at 11:30 a.m. at the same location.
The Youth Department will spon
sor a building fund musical program
Sunday at 3 p.m. at St Paul No. 2
Church of Christ, Zebulon, near the
Emit community.
Rev. Lonnie Allen of St. Mary
Church in Apex will render service
Sunday at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove
Baptist Church on Holly Springs
Road.
Deliverance Cathedral of Love’s
third annual Holy Convocation is
now in progress nightly at the
church, with different speakers
nightly. Pastor James P. Perkins
will be the speaker Saturday night.
Bishop M.S. Nesbitt will be the
speaker Sunday morning. Pastor
Arnell Dunn will be the speaker
Sunday night at the same location.
For information, call 834-6012.
The McNeil, Farrar and Powell
scholarship program will be held
Sunday at 6 p.m. at Holland Chapel
Church in Apex. Ms. Hazel Bynum
will be the speaker.
Elder Aaron Jordan will be in
charge of services Sunday at 11 a.m.
at; St. Joseph Freewill Baptist
Church in Willow Springs. Elder
Martha Thorpe will be the speaker
Sunday at 6 p.m. at the same loca
tion. a
Sis. Murphy and Sis. Stallings
will sponsor a program for the
Forestville Road Sick Committee
near Wake Forest Sunday at 4 p.m.
Rev. Toney Harris of Olive Branch
Baptist Church will be the speaker.
Home Affordability
Reaches Poor In South
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP>—Horn*
ownership remains out of reach for
the poor who live in the South’s
larger cities, a study shows.
Declining mortgage rates have
made it easier for poor people in the
Southeast to afford a home in the
region’s small- and medium-site
cities, but not in the larger metro
politan areas, the Federal Home
Loan Bank of Atlanta said.in a study
released last week- '*
“Larger urban areas, including
Atlanta, Birmingham, Norfolk and
Washington, tend to be less afford
able,” said Richard Fritz, the bank’s
senior economist.
The Federal Home l,onn Bank
helps provide credit to low-income
people.
Fritz said the bank looked at vari
„ous factors in assessing the cities.
But he aaid lower mortgage rates,
brought about since the Federal
Reserve Board began dropping
lending rates last year, have con
tributed to improved affordability.
the bank defined low-income
families in the study as those earn
ing 80 percent or less of each area’s
median household income. Each
area was rated on a system in which)
an index lower than 100 meant
homes available to low-income
people would cost more than they
could afford.
Those receiving the best rating*
include Mobile, Ala., 127; Columbia,
S.C., 123; Pensacola, F a. 1 22 ami
Daytona Beach, F!a., 120.
Cities recei vi ng the lowest ratings
included Greensboro, 82; Atlanta,
83; Augusta, Ga., 88, Raleigh, 90;
and Norfolk, Va., 92.
UNITED CHURCH
FOR ALL PEOPLE
Call to worship was extended by
Rev. Carter while Bro. Chavis was
on the organ. The opening hymn,
“Yield Not to Temptation,” was fol
lowed by the invocation-by Rev.
Carter. The eecond hymn, "How
Great Thou Art,’ was followed by
scripture read from Luke 2:18-21
and Mattew 2:2-3. The Gloria Patri
was followed by announcements by
Bro. Massenburg.
Prayer around the altar was led
by Bro. Perry. A special selection, “It
Is Well With My Soul," was offered
by Ms. Carter.
The subject of the sermon' was
“There Are Still Wise Men, But
What Is A Wise Man?" We celebrate
Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday
because he was a wise man. Adam
Clayton Powell, George Washing
ton Carver were wise men. Some
times we feel that we know every
thing about the Bible, all 66 books,
but if you don’t know God and have
Him in your heart, the books are no
good to you and you are lost and
need to be saved. We need to be wise
enough to know that He is great and
He is good, He is the same today,
tomorrow and always.
The closing hymn was “Yes, Godis
Real.” Visitors were Wendy P. Hin
ton and John Fairley.
On the sick list were Cornelius
Allen, Wake Medical Center; Rosa
Doves, Sadie and Clint Copeland,
Cora McAliley, Robert Chambers,
and Alex Hughes.
Choir rehearsal will be held Sat
urday at 1 p.m.
Church reporter is Hallowees
Saunders.
BRIGHT HOPE DIVINE
HOLT CHURCH OF GOD, INC.
Sunday School began Jan. 19 at
10 a.m. with the euperintendent,
Olive Turner, in charge. The title of
the lesson was “A Song of Love,”
taken from Song of Solomon 2:8-17.
Morning service began at 11 a.m.
with El dress Annie Blackmon and
Sister Regeland Jones in charge of
devotion. The Mary 8. Batchelor
Chair rendered music. Elder Char
les Atkinson presided over the serv
ice. Scripture was read by Junior
Pastor Deborah Gordon. Elder
Charles Atkinson led the congrega
tion in prayer.
Announcements were given by
Sister Kathy Mclver. The offerings
were lifted by the ushers and trus
tees. Eldress Annie Blackmon intro
duced the speaker for the service.
Assistant Pastor Mary White was
the morning speaker. The message
was delivered from Matthew
25:1-12, on the subject, “Unpre
pared.”
Plans for special events require
months of preparation. These plans
sometimes involve many people
from different walks of life. Some
marriage preparations take months
but the marriage may be over before
the wedding pictures return. We're
unprepared to lay aside every
weight in order to run the race set
before us. Now is the accepted time
to prepare yourself for a rock-solid
foundation. It’s not enough to be a
saint on Sunday in church and be a
devil as soon as you leave the
church. Persona] hygiene should be
preferred every day and the whole
armor of God needs to be worn every
day. Let's fast and pray for a spiri
tual umbrella and raincoat that we
may be prepared in these final days
to meet Jesus.
Benediction ended the service.
Sister Minnie Wilson gave her
initial sermon at 7 p.m. The mes
sage was titled “The Ward,” taken
from John 1:1-7.
Church reporter is R. LaSane.
RUSH METROPOLITAN AME
ZION
It was the third Sunday, and tha
Youth wars in charge of the services
partly. Church School began at the
regular hour of 9:30 a.m., with Jun
ior Superintendent Diase Allen in
charge. He conducted the regular
devotions, opening selection was
‘'Jesus, Keep Me Near the cross.’'
The responsive rendiQg and scrip
ture followed, along with prayer.
The second verse of the same song
was sung. After a tew remarks by
the superintended: i i.mses moved
to their pluces for lessor; study for 20
minutes.
Returning to the sanctuary after
the study period, they listened to a
review of the lesson given by Jamie
Hawkins, a junior youth. Remarks
were then made by the general
superintendent. Class reports, min
utes. the singing of “Blest Be the Tie
That Binds”and the repeating of the
Church School mizpah ended this
phase of worship.
At 10:55 a.m., the preludes came
from the organ and piano with JMs.
Ethel Jeffreys on the organ and Ms.
Hazel Reece at the piano. Then
came the processional by members
of the Junior Choir and Spiritual
Chorus, singing “We Are Soldiers in
the Army.” As they paused around
the altar, the call to worship, scrip
ture and song of praise followed.
After the invocation and choral re
sponse, the first hymn of prepara
tion, “I Am Thine, O Lord,” was
sung.
The responsive reading for the
third Sunday morning was road, led
by a youth, Ms. Javetta Cannady.
The Gloria Patri followed. Scripture
lesson was also read by a youth,
Cereae McCoy, from Isaiah 12. The
pastoral prayer was offered by Rev.
Vann McClain. The second hymn of
Praia* was "Biassed Assurance.'
The members then reaffirmed
their faith in the Apostles’ Creed.
The announcements and ministry of
kindnsss followed as the Spiritual
Chorus sang "Just Another Day,”
fallowed by "Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
During the altar call, many came to
the altar, knelt and offered many
prayers for sick and shut-ins.
The next phase of the service at
this time was the baptism of an
infant. The older sister of the infant
sang a solo, “You’ll Never Walk
Alone,” and dedicated it to the in
fant.
On the strength of the singing of
“Heaven is a Beautiful Place,” the
pastor, Rev. C.E. Willie, delivered a
message, having chosen his dis
course from Galatians 5:5, on the
subject, "Vices that Keep Us From
Being Free.” Some vices are the
byproducts. When God comes in He
will give you vices. We are not free,
because we have wrong desires and
are sinful at heart. Vices will keep
God’s children from praising Him.
God is a way maker, a comforter.
As an added special feature of the
service, and a tribute to Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., a beautiful copy of
his speech, “I Have a Dream,” was
read and dedicated by Javetta Can
nady, a youth. The offering and rec
ognition ofvisitors were given by the
pastor. When the invitation to
Christian discipleship was ex
tended, many came and joined the
church.
Many songs were sung through
out the service, such as "What Did
He Do,' "Bound for Mt Zion,” and
"Abide.” As the service adjourned,
the members sang "We Shall Over
come,” dedicated and attributed to
the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Church reporter is Ms. Annie H.
Thorpe.
OAK CITY BAPTIST
"Protecting the Helpess* was dis
Voice Of
Liberation
BY REV. G. WESLEY RANEY
TEXT:"... wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out ot my
sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the
oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
(Isaiah 1:16-17).
People throughout America and beyond are celebrating the anniver
sary of the birth of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this
period, the memorable wards and deeds of this great servant of God are
being lifted up in pulpits, civic arenas, school auditoriums, living rooms,
and street corners.
Let us not forget that Dr. King was a dedicated servant of God. As an
ordained minister of the gospel he was a faithftil pastor and shepherd of the
flock in Montgomery, Ala. and Atlanta, Ga. He was, indeed, a man of God.
As a preacher, Martin’s task was that of a watchman. He sounded the alarm
against sin, unrighteousness and injustice. Living in a less than perfect
world, Martin looked around and saw that justice did not roll down like
waters and rightsousness was not like a mighty stream. He looked around
and concluded that men did not do justice, they did not love mercy, and they
did not walk humbly with God.
In certain respects, society has not changed much since Martin walked
among us. Freedom is still illusive for many; injustice is still rampant;
oppression is still the order of the day; millions are still the hapless victims
of exploitation. The rich are richer, and the poor are poorer.
The words of tho prophet Isaiah, recorded in the first chapter of his
book, are particularly relevant to those who would celebrate the memory of
Martin Luther King, Jr. Isaiah 1:2 says, "Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth!
For the Lord has spoksn...” Besides everything else that made Martin
Luther King, Jr. a great person, he was great because he listened to God.
Like Isaiah, Martin had a visioh of what God wanted him to do. Like Isaiah,
Martin saw the Lord high and lifted up, and he heard the voice of the Lord
say: "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Martin responded, “Lord,
here am I, send me!” Martin was receptive to God’s messages.
Dr. King was not a consensus leader. He didn’t commission the Gallup
or Harris polls to see what was socially or politically popular before
committing himself to a certain course of action. Martin decided early in his
civil rights career that it was better to obey God rather than men. When Dr.
King spoke out publicly against the War in Vietnam, many of those who had
supported him withdrew their suppport. But in spite of this Dr. King
declared, “Those ofus who love peace must organize as effectively as the war
hawks. As they spread the propaganda of war, we must spread the
propaganda of peace. We must combine the fervor of the civil rights
movement with the peace movement. We must demonstrate, teach and
preach, until the very foundations of our nation are shaken. We must work
unceasingly to lift this nation that we love to a higher destiny, to a new
plateau of compassion, to a more noble expression of humanness.” Dr. King
could stand up against his critics and detractors because his ears were
pinned to the wisdom post of Almighty God.
All across America, Dr. King preached the same message: “Stop doing
wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the
cause of the fatherless, plead the cnee of the widow.” Martin called on
Americans of all colors to reason together.
The struggle that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life for continues
• ■ may. The struggle goes on. We have not overcome yet. There’s a resurgence
■ >f’old time racism.” Old man Jim Crow has been revived from hiscoma. W«
are still the last hired and the first fired Our children are still being
miseducated. There are still wan) homeless persons in America.
In the words of Mnrtin. “Let us speed up that day when all God’s
children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and
Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of that old Negri
spiritual, Tree at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are tree a*
last’”
cussed by the various Sunday
School classes. The main idea of this
lesson is that children are a creation
of God and He expects us to cars for
and protect them. Superintendent
Michael Douglas is encouraging all
to attend Sunday School.
During the morning worship,
Douglas presented James McFad
den with a plaque for serving the
Sunday School for 30 years as super
intendent.
Ms. Cynthia Sanders began the
morning worship service with an
organ prelude. Music was rendered
by the Male Chorus, with Ms. Lor
raine Davenport at the piano. Re
sponsive reading was led by
Stefanie Newkirk. Announcements
and recognition of visitors weii
made by Cedric Hoyt. Offertory
prayer was by Art Threatt. Deacon
Pitts prayed the morning prayer.
The Children’s Hour was con
ducted by Gertrude Pope. Her sub
ject was "Living the Dream.” She
related the accomplishments of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. What is
being done today and what we can
do in the future to carry out the
dream of Dr. King were related. The
congregation was urged to attend
the various activities honoring Dr.
King.
Pastor William T. Newkirk read
the scripture from Acts 16:14-26.
His subject was "Midnight: Prayer
Time.” He related the actions of the
Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul
and Silas when they were in prison.
At midnight, God sent a quake. Ho
had heard the prayers of Silas and
Paul and had answered them. There
will be midnights in our lives. We
should fall on our knees and pray.
God will hear us. We should thank
God for the midnights in our lives.
At 3 p.m., the pastor, congrega
tion and Youth Choir rendered eerv
ice at Barrel] Creek Church. Pastor
Newkirk’s sermon was "Jesus
Makes a Difference.” The churchL
enjoyed the fellowship for the Dea
cons’ and Deaconesses’ anniversary.
ANNOUNCEMENT
BTU will be held at 4 p.m. on
Saturday, Feb. 1.
Installation of officers will be held
Sunday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m.
SHONL. BURCH
Burch Makes
Dean9s List,
On Move Student
Working hard haa paid otT in eev
eral ways for Shan Litsta Burch.
Shon mads ths Dsan’a List for tha
past two samastara at N.C.' AST
Stata University. She ia a Junior,
majoring in teacher education and
biology, and aha is taking graduate
level courses this semester. Shon
plans to attend graduate school in
education and medical research.
Not only does Shon work hard in
academics, but she drives home (to
Raleigh) every weekend to work as a
cashier at PACE Store in Cary,
where she was named "Cashier of
the Month” for December 1961.
Shon is a 1989 graduate of Enloe
High School. She is a member of ths
Aggie Club, a support group for AfcT
alumni, and she is a member ofFirst
Cosmopolitan Baptist Church.
She is the daughter of Barbara V.
Akins and George Burch.
THERE'S ALWAYS HOF^j „
When life or circumstances are
the darkest and bitterest, if we can
look hard enough there will be that
same kind of ray of hope. Through
storms may come again that hope,
i hat faith from that mere glimpee. It
> will never let life be as hard to bear
again. >
Layman Committee