FROM THE PASTOR

The Certainty or  Uncertainty!

"Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
         Nor are there any works like Your works.     

                          (Psalm 86:8, NKJV)

The spiritual symbolism of the number eight is a “new beginning.” I believe this very much applied in 2008 for our church family. In addition to new family members (46), there were new projects and new programs that have resulted in the enhancement of all areas for our church.

But what will 2009 hold from the New Piney Grove family? Only God knows. Like every new year, there are many uncertainties we must face. We have new leadership in our nation, with new ideas. Will they be able to cure the ills of the economy? Will the stock market rebound? Will unemployment increase or decrease?

There are many questions and concerns. And the only thing we can really be certain of is there will always be uncertainties. Yet, while there are many uncertainties, as Born-again believers in Christ Jesus, we can be certain of a few things.

Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow and promised not to leave us comfortless. In the midst of this changing world, our Lord told us that He does not change! This gives us assurance that waves of change does not affect the promises of God.

We can be certain that the devil will attack, but we may be uncertain of the who, how or when. So be certain of this:

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. . .declares the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17, NASB95)

As we get older, we can be certain that our bodies will deteriorate; we are uncertain just as to how quickly it will take place. Nonetheless, we can be certain of this:

“. . . to be absent from the body, (is) ... to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV)”

Yes, we have a new president, but his term in office is mandated for no more that eight years, then there will be another new beginning that will bring about more uncertainties. So we need to be certain that Jesus promised to come back and set up His Kingdom. We may be uncertain as to when, but we need to be certain that He is coming. Be also certain of this—it could happen tomorrow.

New Member’s Training Class

Willie E. Butler

Youth Orientation Development

Pastor’s Class January 4th-9:15 AM

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16th Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday

January 18, 2009

7:45 AM  & 11:00 AM

Morning Worship

Services  

&  4:30 PM

NPG Church Family Fellowship Banquet 

Sunday, January 18th, has been set aside as Pastor’s Appreciation Day. This will be a time to give honor and tribute to God for our great leader and to our great leader for allowing God to use him to guide, teach and lead us. This day is a time of appreciation and is the one we, NPG Church Family, can come together, fellowship, worship our Lord & Savior AND tell our Pastor thanks for all his labor of love. 

  The speaker at 7:45 AM is Larrinecia “Treccie” Parker, wife of Pastor Teddy Parker, Jr. of Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church; 11:00 AM Speaker is Rev. Treyon Woolfolk of New Fellowship Baptist Church  and 4:30 PM service will be at the Lepiada, 4295 Interstate Drive, Macon, GA with Pastor Teddy Parker, Jr. as speaker. Attire: dressy church wear or semi-formal. Questions see Mary Edith Fuller or Harry Taylor, Sr.

BUILDING FUND REPORT

Goal………..…..……………..$250,000.00

Current Balance………...….$220,747.14

December Contributions...…….…..$1,068.00

Movin Forward 

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

                                               Philippians 3:14

JAN-CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY

Activities

January 1st

New Year Day

January 2nd

6:30 PM

WWW Weigh In

January 3rd

8:30 AM

GBC Class

9:00 AM

Deacons Meet

9:00 AM

Women’s Prison Ministry

10:00 AM

AFCs Meet

11:00 AM

Men Ministry

January 10th

9:00 AM

Women Enrichment

11:00 AM

Senior Saints Ministry

January 18th

Pastor Appreciation Day

7:45 AM; 11:00 AM

& 4:30 PM

January 31st

9:00 AM

Deacons Meet

10:00 AM

AFCs Meet

11:00 AM

Men Ministry

February 7th

8:30 AM

Georgia Bible College

February 8th

Old Fashioned Day

February 25th

Ash Wednesday

March 8th

Daylight Saving Time

Begins

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Monthly Theme

Christian Accountability

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January Birthdays

Amber Wilcoxson, 2nd             Brenda Sherman, 4th        

    Otis Farrar, Jr., 6th                      Cynthia Simmons, 6th

Phillip Brown, 7th                        Zalika Sullivan, 9th 

Samantha Moreland, 11th        Katherine Jones, 10th

Sandy Montford, III, 11th          Phina Chatman, 11th

Dorothy Fuller, 13th                    Willie Jackson, 13th

Cleveland Merriweather, 13th  Carrie Simmons, 14th           

Crystal Hutchieson, 19th          Bobbie Farrar, 21st

Stevie McNeil, 24th             Tinisha Scott, 25th   

Brooke Wilcoxson, 26th          JaQuan Durham, 29th 

Darius Bentley, 30th        

January Anniversaries

NONE

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 THREE STEPS TO RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells
disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke .

Now doctors say a bystander can
recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1.  Ask the individual to SMILE.
2.   Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A
SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)  (i.e. It is sunny out today)
3.  Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

Remember Call 911 immediately.

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Jesus Loves Me 

(Senior Version-white hair or no hair) 

Verses

Jesus loves me, this I know,             

Though my hair is white as snow.

Though my sight is growing dim, 

Still He bids me trust in Him.

Though my steps are oh, so slow, 

With my hand in His I'll go.

On through life, let come what may,    

He'll be there to lead the way.

Though I am no longer young, 

I have much which He's begun.

Let me serve Christ with a smile,        

Go with others the extra mile.

When the nights are dark and long,     

In my heart He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,        

"Have no fear, for I am near."

When my work on earth is done,       

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,            

Then I'll understand His love

I love Jesus, does He know?        

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say, 

That I love Him every day.