January 2017 East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church

2017: Making Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions

Every January, millions of people begin their year with New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight, getting organized, exercising more, eating healthier, and managing finances better are some of the most com-mon resolutions. But what about making spiritual New Year’s resolu-tions?

We make commitments and tell our friends and family on January 1st, only to give it all up by January 3rd. But as humans, our struggle for consistency goes way beyond resolutions. Making commitments we can’t keep runs all through society, back to Biblical times. In the Bible, James spoke of some people who can teach us a valuable lesson about great intentions that aren’t aligned with God’s will.

Listen carefully, those of us who make our plans and say, “We are traveling to this city in the next few days. We’ll stay there for one year while our business explodes and revenue is up.” The reality is we have no idea where our life will take us tomorrow. We are like a mist that appears one moment and then vanishes another. It would be best to say, “If it is the Lord’s will and we live long enough, we hope to do this project or pursue that dream.” But our cur-rent speech indicates an arrogance that does not acknowledge the One who controls the universe, and this kind of big talking is the epitome of evil. So if we know the right way to live and ignore it, it is sin - plain and simple. ~James 4:13-17

Better Resolutions Our plans may or may not be God’s plans. If we want to be successful with any New Year’s resolution, we must seek God’s will. By his strength we might lose weight, eat better, or become better stewards of our finances. What does God want for our lives? When he convicts, he also equips us to follow through with the plan. When we know we are follow-ing God’s plan, then we have more strength to stick to it,

allowing him to work well beyond our normal January 3rd quitting date.

Would the Lord be honored if our bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit) were in better shape? Would he be blessed if our financial affairs were in order? Is it possible that he would use us mightily if we serve in a ministry, or shared our faith? The answer to each of these questions is the same. Certainly the Lord can be in these things. However, committing to lose weight does not mean sitting on the couch with a bag of chips watching the Biggest Loser.

But, why is it that we only make resolutions about weight, exercise, and money?

God would be honored if we made spiritual resolutions. Read the Bible, get involved in ministry at church, share our faith with friends, make a step of faith that is so big that only God can make it happen. Resolve to represent him no matter what the cost.

Best Resolutions Here are a few possible resolutions we might consider..

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new. Do not throw me far away from Your presence, and do not remove Your Holy Spirit from me.” ~Psalm 51:10-11

Let’s resolve to give our attitudes to the Lord. Commit to making a difference at home, in the workplace, the market-place, on the roads, and even at church.

You could make this passage your resolution:

“But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together. Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful.” ~Colossians 3:14-15

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ~Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Life is not always easy. Following through on simple com-mitments can even be difficult when bombarded by every day affairs. In addition, the attacks of the evil one will chal-lenge us at every turn. Because of this, this prayer is offered to you.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ~Acts 20:32 (NIV)

Your Turn What spiritual New Year’s resolutions will you make this year?

In this Issue

Member Birthdays

Page 2

Kidz Corner

Page 4

Church & Community News

Page 6

Calendar of Events

Page 8

Birthdays for January

Miriam Ealey 5 Edye Simpson 5 Robert Scott 6 J.Catherine Granger 8 Alicia Jones 8 Loraine Smith 8 Judy Davenport 9 Erin Gore 9 Kayllin Lewis 12 Yvonne Robinson 13 Jerry Underwood 15 Gladys Jackson 18 Kristen Carter 20 Jabari Stuckey 22 Stephanie Maddox 24 Princess Barlay 25 Sylvia Cobb 25 Janelle Brown 28 Jeremy Wilson 29 Taylor Haygood 29 J.P. Laster 29 J.D.Allen 29 Gladys Alston 30 Andrea Mercer 30 Zykira Wilson 31 Ijeoma Uzochukwu 31

2

Barbara C. Brown 2 Joyce McDonald 2 Bryson Mitchell 4 Carla Brown 5 Jon Dabney 6 Andrea Miles-Barlay 6 Jonathan Scott 12 Mark Thomas 13 Alfreda Rawls 14 Alison Gore 16 Chase Gore 16 Briya Simpson 16 Xavier Stodghill 18 Devyn Robinson 19 Taft McCoy 21 Mary C. Ford 24 Timia Barnes 24 David Gibson 27 Bambi House 27 Danisha Allen 28

Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.

We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us - but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year. In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love. In the midst of life’s inevitable disappoint-ments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need. In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost. And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the an-cient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).

We pray for our nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to our dangerous and troubled world. We pray especially for Your protection on all those who serve in our armed forces, and we thank You for their commitment to defend our free-doms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them. Bring our divided nation together, and give us a greater vision of what You would have us to be. Your Word reminds us that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us - far beyond what we have deserved. May we never take for granted Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commit-ment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year. And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come.

Amen

Birthdays for February

New Year’s Prayer

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Are you ready to serve God? Accepting a Leadership Position

In John C. Maxwell's book, Developing the Leader Within

You, he explains that the majority of people believe being a leader is a position or title. Most often we strive for a title or status and believe that once we achieve the particular sta-tus, we become leaders. He goes on to challenge readers by asking them what type of leaders are they?

Being a new leader can be extremely difficult task. One must learn the ministry, learn their role in the ministry and work hard to become the leader that God wants us to be. The road traveled in developing leadership skills can be fraught with uncertainty and dismay. Assuming the role can be exciting with great challenges, however it’s not about being in “Charge”. It's about serving God and living the role he has taught each of us to be as his children. Assuming a leadership position in the church is initially thrilling. God calls us into ministry to serve his purpose. However, so many times, when we obtain these roles we believe we have "arrived." However, the arrival that we anticipated does not equip us with the high school-like, drama-filled atmosphere that defined much of the leadership functioning in the ministry.

In the church, we see hundreds of hurting people, and many among them are those we are supposed to be serv-ing. Witnessing the pain and need around us, we have no idea why we have been asked to lead in such a large role. Nevertheless, we can understand it more when we are properly trained to serve. So many times, we have brought good intentions and willingness to serve in the ministry, but little else in the way of training.

Unfortunately, such experiences represent normal proce-dures in a lot of churches. Any ministry is marginalized and viewed as a social function rather than a vehicle to reach out to the congregation and the communities and to train future leaders. During the first year in ministry leadership, we spent a lot of time in planning meetings and not once is salvation brought up. We never discussed who accepted the Lord each month. We never discussed who followed up of the missions or goals set to learn who did accept Je-sus and how the activity affected the lives of others. We never discussed how to implement more activities to thrive toward a new journey with Christ. We did, however, dis-

cussed how we could add more programs. We did discuss who was not acting in a loving way toward others inside the body. We never prayed for the individuals who we "judged" as not being loving; we simply criticized them. In retrospect, the process was much like some of our high school pep club experiences. We quickly dismissed substantive topics to move on to the "juicier topics" that involved gossip, judg-

ment, and criticism.

Becoming an effective leader requires more than good in-tentions and the willingness to serve; it requires proper training and preparation. We owe it to God, ourselves, our communities, and those hurting in our churches to be well-trained for kingdom work.

It is important that we are serious about our leadership roles. It is very easy to get caught up in popularity, and when that happens we lose complete focus on God and what he has called us to do. Additionally, to be effective in ministry, it is necessary to understand that everyone in the congregation and the community is of the ministries con-cern. We are not simply to be relegated to roles as ushers, hostesses for teas, and sponsors for congregational social gatherings. Instead, as we serve in these areas, we should understand that we are a vital part of the church body and we need to be grounded and informed in the tenets of our faith and committed to actions and behaviors that lead us to our Lord and Savior.

We know that God moves us when there is total and com-plete unity inside the body of the church. Preparation and training gives us unity of purpose and a common direction. Training and proper leadership in the ministry equips us to use newly acquired skills to heal, deliver, treat people with dignity and respect, and to save souls. When we recognize that our answer to God's call is in the proper preparation and training necessary to do his work leads us to success.

If successful, we can do just as Jesus told his disciples: "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptiz-ing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the com-mands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you.”

Happy New Year to all! As we move forward into 2017, let’s allow “Jesus take the wheel” enabling us to truly be the church God has called us to be. I truly believe God is going to bless us and take us to higher heights. Let us, on one accord, agree to lovingly work together for the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Thompson, Jr.

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Kidz Corner 4

Dear God, You have brought me to the beginning of a

new year. I ask to renew my heart with strength and

purpose. Forgive my errors of yesterday and help me

to walk closer in your way today. Shine through me so that every person I meet may feel your presence in my soul.

Take my hand for I cannot make it myself. I am nothing without you.

Amen

For some, it is the Macy’s Christmas

Tree at Lenox Mall. Others start it with the Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Concert. But for a group of 39 young at heart members and friends of the church, the Christmas season starts with a trip.

This year, the group ventured to Birmingham, Memphis and Tunica December 1 – 3, 2016. A combination of lei-sure and learning, the trip made stops at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, where Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Carol Denise McNair were murdered dur-ing Sunday School, and had a delightful and delicious lunch at Sweet Tea’s , a local soul food restaurant before heading to Memphis for the evening.

“The history was informative. To see the Lorraine Motel [The National Civil Rights Museum] and the Slave Muse-um was like history coming off the pages of a book,” said Alfreda Harris, a first time participant. Harris is definitely looking forward to next year’s trip.

Mary Davis said, “to see the history of the struggles of Blacks to achieve equality was amazing. I was over-

whelmed with the opportunity to stand in what is believed to be a part of the Underground Railroad.”

In addition to those stops, the group toured the shotgun home of W. C. Handy, Mason’s Temple, the National Headquarters of the Church of God in Christ, and Stax Museum.

“I was amazed at seeing the beginnings of the careers of Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, the Bar Kay's and Otis Redding,” said Don Sumlin. “Seeing some of the original equipment used to record the records and the early elec-tronics was fascinating.”

Stax stirred the music lovers so much that a few drifted to Beale Street to listen to the down home Blues while snacking and sipping on libations. Another group made their way to Tunica for some shopping and sinning.

In its 6th year, the trip seeks to provide an opportunity for members and friends to get away. Initially it was orga-nized by the Finance Committee, but now it is a ministry of the Older Adults. Plans are in the works for the 2017 trip. Look for details about next year’s trip in the future editions of the Crosstalk. Hint, it may be a Capital Affair or a Low-Country Celebration.

Prime Timers

Trip Kickoffs Christmas Season

10 Essential Characteristics of

Church Leadership

by Patricia Lotich

A leader is someone who unites people and guides them

toward a shared goal. They help to set the target, the pace and the culture within an organization. In a church, leaders are crucial to a ministry’s ability to achieve its mission.

When selecting leaders within your church, ask these ques-tions to determine if they are the right fit to help lead your church mission:

1. Are they committed to the mission of the church?

Anyone in a church leadership position should be able to demonstrate his or her commitment to the church by con-sistent attendance, volunteering and supporting every as-pect of the ministry. For instance, does this person partici-pate in church events, activities and discipleship opportuni-ties?

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

2. Do they demonstrate Godly character in every area of their lives?

Church leaders need to be Godly people who set the exam-ple for desired behaviors. They need to demonstrate biblical principles of communicating, decision-making and ethical behaviors in every area of their lives. Leaders need to have a high level of integrity and adhere to honesty, moral and ethical principles. These behaviors should be the same regardless of the situation they are in or the people they are with.

“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above re-proach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lov-er of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” 1 Timothy 3:1-13

3. Do they communicate effectively?

Churches rely on its leadership team to help share infor-mation and communicate with members, volunteers and staff. This leadership communication represents the church and should be fittingly delivered and in a Godly manner.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

4. Do they have a teachable heart?

We are all on a journey and need to be comfortable with the fact that we are life learners. Church leaders should have a teachable heart and be open to learning new things.

“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength.” Ecclesiastes 10:10

5. Are they flexible?

The mere nature of a church requires flexibility. Leaders should be flexible with what the church expects of them and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

6. Are they team oriented?

It takes an army and a team of volunteers to make church happen. A church leader needs to have great team skills and the ability to take a group of random people and trans-form them into a committed workforce that supports the church mission. These leaders operate out of a win-win philosophy and help others come to agreement and encour-age collaboration in tasks.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

7. Do they lead by example?

Leadership abilities can be demonstrated by anyone. Con-sequently, if you have an active volunteer, or church mem-ber, who takes initiative and leads by example they are probably a good candidate for your leadership team.

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

8. Are they accountable?

It does not matter how committed, teachable or flexible someone is if they cannot get the job done. Accountability is imperative to getting things accomplished and is demon-strated by successful completion of assigned responsibili-ties.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

9. Do they have influence within the membership?

Leaders are responsible for influencing others by demon-strating a path forward. Someone in a leadership position should have relationships within the church community and have earned the respect of others.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Prov-erbs 27:17

10. Do they have a heart to serve?

Church leadership is about serving, and people appointed to positions of authority need to have a servant’s heart and commitment to be part of the team that gets things done.

All thanks to Ms. Jackie DeWitt or submitting this article.

Church & Community News 6

January 1, 2017

School Supply Give Away Today

All children are asked to assemble in the Library immedi-

ately following the worship service to receive school sup-

plies for the new school year!

Atlanta College Park District

Leadership Training

January 7, 2017

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Hoosier Memorial UMC

2545 Benjamin E. Mays Drive SW

Atlanta, GA 30311 All church leaders and members are encouraged to attend

this training. The registration fee is $10.00 and the regis-

tration deadline is Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Please

contact the church office for a registration form.

SAVE THE DATE

Prime Timers Annual Valentine Luncheon

Friday, February 10, 2017

Look for additional information (time, loca-

tion, cost) in upcoming communications.

Beginning January 11, 2017

in the Conference Room.

With the holidays quickly

approaching, the first United

Methodist Special Sunday of

2017 will be here before we

know it.

Human Relations Day is

January 15, 2017, a day to

support the ministry of Christ

among those on the margins. Thousands of United Meth-

odist communities will come together to receive a special

offering that nurtures at-risk youth, strengthens communi-

ties’ self-improvement efforts and advocates for the

oppressed.

Over the years, on Human Relations Day, we have collect-

ed thousands of dollars that have gone toward making a

real difference in communities across the United States.

We are looking forward to this first Special Sunday of

2017 as we live out Jesus’ words by extending a hand to

“the least of these.”

Evangelism Ministry

Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine but a

crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

The Evangelism Ministry will kick-off its

“Annual Happy Hour of Praise” Campaign

during month of January. The theme for the

first quarter is “Smile”. A smile has special

powers. It can calm fear, insecurity, hurt and

anxiety not only in yourself, but in those who are experi-

encing those feelings. So the next time someone is feeling

sad, scared, nervous, whatever it may be, smile with them

and see how this makes them feel!

The Evangelism Ministry is led by Willeen Bowen and

Sharon Ponder under the direction of the Outreach Minis-

try.

Stay tune for more details in upcoming publications.

The United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women

would like to “Thank" all of the East

Point First Mallalieu members and

friends who donated to our Warm &

Wooly Tree. The Warm & Wooly

Tree has been used as a means to

collect items for women and children

for many years and visitors to our

church during the holiday season

were quite impressed with the tree.

Over 209 items were collected and included women and

girls socks, head bands, trouser stockings, jackets, rain

coat, sweaters, scarves, hat sets; ladies gloves and leg-

gings; children and youth gloves, bedroom slippers;

hats for women, children and youth; a large quantity of

items for infants and toddlers; socks for men and boys.

Prior to Christmas, the items were delivered to the

Atlanta Day Shelter for women and children and Calva-

ry Refuge Center. Your donations were highly appreci-

ated. Thanks again for your support of our holiday pro-

ject.

Ernestine Sumlin, President

What’s Happening In January? 7

Epiphany Day

January 6, 2017

Epiphany Day is a Christian holiday that marks the day that the Three Kings visited Jesus, having followed a star to reach him. They followed a bright star that foretold the birth of a new king, and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12). This holiday is celebrated in Western Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.

It is also known as the 12th Day of Christmas, as it falls twelve days after Christmas Day. Epiphany is the last day in the Christian season of Christmas.

Human Trafficking Awareness

January 11, 2017

Human Trafficking Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Today, there are between 21-30 million people enslaved in the world, more than at any time in human history. Every day, modern slavery can be recognized: children become soldiers, young women are forced into prostitution and migrant workers exploited in the workforce. Human Trafficking Awareness Day seeks to end this slavery, return rights to individuals and make the world a safer place for all inhabit-ants.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day started in 2007, when the U.S. Senate designated this in the hopes of raising awareness to combat human trafficking. It began as a U.S. initiative, and the United Nations has started to highlight this topic and work towards global aware-ness with days such as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 16, 2017

Martin Luther King Day celebrates the life and accomplishment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK promoted Civil Rights through nonviolent civil disobedience. He is perhaps best known for his 'I Have A Dream' speech in 1963. He was assassinated in 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. day became a federally recognized holiday in 1983. The first year this holi-day was observed was 1986, and not by all states. In 2000, it became a nationally observed holiday in all states. Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday of January each year

On behalf of the East Point First Mallalieu Unity Choir, under the direction of Musical Director Nathaniel Fisher, we would like to thank our EPFM church family and friends for their support of our 7th Annual Christmas Con-cert. “Yuletide Christmas” was a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without you. We ask for your contin-ued prayers and support in the upcoming year. Be blessed!

Stephanie McMichael, President

From Rev. Fleming Thompson, Jr.

and all the ministry leaders of the church.

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