n his ssue your spiritual gifts - l.b5z.netl.b5z.net/i/u/10105609/f/newsletter/march2012.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 2012 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
the Corinthian church, “Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Cor. 12:1). In the same chapter, Paul takes the discussion further by introducing the church as the Body of Christ, and individual believers as members of that Body (1 Cor. 12:27). He continues to say that through the Spirit each person has a vital contribu-tion to make to the entire body. In 1 Cor. 12, Paul calls the catalysts of these contributions “spiritual gifts” (v.1), “gifts” (v. 3) and “manifestations of the Spirit” (v. 7).
IN THIS ISSUE
Your Spiritual Gifts .............. 1
Pastor’s Corner .................... 2
Young at Heart .................... 3
Your Voice ............................ 5
Family Matters ..................... 6
Upcoming Events ................. 8
your gifts best fit. Still asking ques-tions? Let’s explore…
What are Spiritual Gifts?
At the moment that you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, several things happened. Instantly, you were declared righteous before God because the blood of Jesus covered the cost of your sin. You were set free from the penalty of sin and the control of Satan. The Holy Spirit came to live in you and perfect you so that you could begin to act more like Christ. And, you were given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit to use for strengthening the Body of Christ. Every single believer has one spiritual gift, if not more (1 Cor.7, 11; Eph.4:7). The Apostle Paul stressed the importance of understanding the nature of spiritual gifts. He wrote to
(cont. on page 5)
Your Spiritual Gifts
Discover, Understand & Use
Do you know what your God-given spiritual gift is? Do you know why God has given it to you? Are you eager to find out what and how your gifting is to be used here at Clifton Park Baptist Church (CPBC)? This month the Communications Ministry is partnering with the Nominating Committee to help you learn which gift(s) God has given you and where He wants to see you serve in the Body of CPBC. In February, the Nominating Committee began distributing the Wagner-Modified Houts Question-naire. By rating how strongly you identify with the questions, members of the Nominating Committee will be able to evaluate your responses and identify your gifting, meeting with you by appointment. Through your assessment you will have a good idea about where God would have you serve and discover a ministry where
by Pat Dunnavant
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
I Corinthians 12:4 (NIV)
2 The Clifton Parker
On January 24, 2012 the President of the United States stood before a joint session of Congress and delivered a 65 minute address in which he said what so many presidents before him have said: that “the state of our union is strong.” I was reminded of those words when on the very next day I stood at our January business meeting to share a similar sentiment about our church. Over these last few years, I have had the pleasure of watching the Lord work in amazing ways through the ministry. I have seen Him add 250 new members to our ministry. I have seen Him change and shape individuals into more faithful and committed disciples. Over that time, I have seen the church recommit itself to the sur-rounding community of Silver Spring and exhibit this commit-ment through the establishment of efforts like the Clifton Park Baptist Church Christian Academy and Project Neighbor Care. Recently, we formalized a partnership with Iglesia Bautista Cristo Vive, to lead Spanish-speaking Bible studies and worship services to reach the growing Latino community around the church. Within our body, a whole host of ministries have been developed to serve our congregation, including the Health Care Ministry, Women’s and Young Adult’s Ministries. Clifton Park Baptist Church is on an up-ward trajectory. Very good things are happening here. And we understand that none of these blessings means that we are a perfect church, far from it. Each of us could, perhaps, tell our own individual story about a circumstance or situation we’ve encountered as a member of this body that was less than perfect. Maybe it was an unpleasant encounter with another brother or sister in the ministry or
perhaps it related to a personal frustration over something we witnessed. But I want to suggest that the strength of our church does not lie in the complete absence of unpleasant encounters or the total elimination of all frustrations. Instead, the strength of our church lies in what one can perceive as a growing desire to elevate, under the power of the Holy Spirit, the standards and expectations of the ministry. More and more of us are committing to be part of making this church better; to be part of the group that will move this ministry to the next level, to the glory of God. That is what makes the state of our church strong. To that end, the church is committed to assisting each of us to become an even greater part of the movement happening in our ministry. We recognize that within our body are many talented and gifted people, looking for opportunities to serve. At the same time, we know that it can be difficult to find one’s place in any large organiza-tion. The church is not immune from losing talented people simply because it failed to identify them. And so, on March 25, 2012, we will be hosting a ministry fair immediately after service. This will be an excellent chance for every member of the church to get involved. Leaders of each committee and ministry will set up a station, where they will provide materials and information to assist us in finding our perfect place to serve. And if the Lord lays an innovative idea on your heart that you do not see, let’s discuss it and see whether it’s time to begin something new. The state of our church is strong and if we are going to continue to be strong, it will take the efforts of each of us. There is much more to accomplish in service to Christ. I pray that we will all look forward to March 25th and lending our talents and abilities to what is happening here at Clifton Park. I am convinced that if we do that, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Pastor’s Corner Pastor Essentino A. Lewis, Jr.
Communications Ministry:
Joanne Bellamy Robin Bellamy Pat Dunnavant Nana Gyabaah
Selina Hunt Adrienne Thorpe
Photography Credits:
Nana Gyabaah Joanne Bellamy
Les Harrell
Have an idea for the Clifton Parker? Would you like to have your ministry, event, achievement
or topic to be highlighted in the next issue? The Clifton Parker newsletter is published quarterly
through the Communications Ministry. If you would like to submit content for the next issue,
contact Robin Bellamy at (240) 533-6270 or [email protected] . You may also
submit your article content using the online form “Newsletter Articles” located on the church
website at www.cpbc.net on the Member Central page.
Upcoming Publication Dates
June 2012
September 2012
December 2012
The Clifton Parker 3
Young at Heart by Joanne Bellamy
Sis. Jacqueline Emile grew up in Haiti, and has been in the Maryland area for more than 30 years. She has one daughter and three grand-kids who keep her quite busy. Sis. Emile is retired and during her free time she enjoys taking care of the home and working in the
garden. Sis. Emile says the people of CPBC are what makes it such an inviting place to worship. She joined as a member more than a year ago and loves when we get to sing "Because He Lives" because the words bring her much joy. Another native of North Carolina is Bro. Robert Littlejohn. Although he’s not certain on how long he’s been a member, he feels safe in saying it was before 1986. While being retired from years of service at John Hopkins and the PG County School System, Bro. Robert says that when he is able, he still en-joys one of his favorite past-times which is visiting muse-ums. He has always been a history enthusiast, and his health tip for the day: keep a positive outlook and eat his favorite foods—mustard and turnip greens!
This write up wouldn’t be complete with-out Sis. Lillie Shepherd, Chairperson of the Senior’s Ministry, teacher for the Senior Adults bible study class, and member of the Bereavement Committee. What motivates her to work so tirelessly in ministry? Jesus Christ. She needs no other reason. Originally from Augusta GA, Sis. Lillie is a mother of three, has nine grandkids, and ten great grandkids. To the kids of CPBC, she echoes the advice of others in this article, “keep your focus on Jesus, and if you don’t know him – try him for yourself. You can’t go wrong”. Sis. Lillie extends an open invitation to all men and women 55+ to attend her class, and to participate in the upcoming fellowship events (one is currently scheduled for May).
Sis. Phyllis Basden has been a member since 1991. She is not yet retired, but enjoys traveling and wants to complete her goal of visiting as many states across the U.S as she can, and to also do some international traveling. Sis. Basden loves CPBC and the warm, and welcoming sentiments of the people here. A mother of two, and grand-parent to five, Sis. Basden tells the CPBC children and youth “not to give in to peer pressure, and stick to what you know is right”.
Our Sis. Vernon Jackson hails from VA but has been residing in MD since 1961. She’s been involved in a number of ministries over the course of 26 years at Clifton Park - nursery, Diaconate, trustees, choir (her favor-ite hymn is Blessed Assurance), and is cur-
rently active on the Bereavement Committee. Sis. Vernon says, “as you get older don’t just sit around, keep yourself busy. Get out and do things and stay active like visiting friends”. She encourages the younger generation to stay active in the church, and follow God with your whole heart.
I caught up with Bro. James Bell, who has been a member for more than 20 years. He is originally from North Carolina and moved to this area in 1964. Bro. James has served on the Usher Board, Trustees, and currently serves on the Security Team. James shared that in his
early days as a member he sang in the choir but says he leaves that to the younger folks now. His advice to our youth: “don’t hang with the wrong crowd; its real easy to get into trouble, but hard to get out of it.”
The senior adults at CPBC are a living example of the joy and fulfillment that commitment to Christ can bring. I had the opportunity to speak with a few of them and each one shared some of their life experiences, words of wisdom, and
secrets to staying young at heart. While each has traveled different roads, one common thread they share, besides being in the 55+ age group, is that they all have an overwhelming love for God. In May, the church will honor all of our
seniors on Senior Appreciation Sunday.
Those listed above are just a small number of the many seniors at Clifton Park. Take the time to get to know all of
our seniors, celebrate them, learn from them, and most of
all, thank God for them.
Sis. Lillie Shepherd (far right) leading Bible Study session.
4 The Clifton Parker
The Communications Ministry and
Nominating Committee are inviting you to join us on Sunday, March 25 after the
worship service for the CPBC Ministry Fair.
This fun and informative fair will give you the
chance to speak with representatives of all the committees and ministries to learn more
about what they do within the church and the community. God wants to do some
great things in our community through the body of believers here at CPBC and we
need you to help us. Come to the fair and let us help you connect with your place in
ministry!
Clifton Park Baptist Church wil l host the NAACP’s Maryland Senatorial Debate. Candidates campaigning to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate wil l be here to answer questions from the community.
Please save the date:
Thursday, March 22, 2012 7:30 – 9:30 P.M.
4th Anniversary Celebration
Special 10:00 A.M. Service with
Guest Speaker
Rev. Cynthia Turner Dayspring Community Church
Lanham, MD
Light Refreshments
Immediately following the service.
Clifton Park Baptist Church
8818 Piney Branch Road
Silver Spring, MD 20903
301-434-2456
Clifton Park Baptist Church Honors
Pastor Essentino A. Lewis, Jr.
Sunday, March 18
The Clifton Parker 5
(continued from page 1) Your Spiritual Gifts
As a member of Clifton Park, I have used my gifts in several ministries – Fellowship Ministry, Faith Team Leader, AWANA Leader/Secretary, Connection Point Faith Foundation Coach, Church Council At-Large Member, a volunteer with Project Neighbor Care, and the Prison Ministry, where I accompany the group four times a year to Boyds, Clarksburg where we have vestry services there with the men and women who are incarcerated. One area of ministry that I have not yet served but perhaps at some point in the future if it is where the Lord leads me would be the Nominating Committee. I never find it difficult to be committed to the ministries in which I choose to serve because the Lord keeps me faithful. Serving in ministry has really been rewarding and it keeps me grounded in His word, and His service. I truly consider it a joy to serve. We sometimes hear that there are too few laborers to help do the work of the church. I think that might be because perhaps there are some who truly believe that coming to church on Sunday mornings is all it takes to be a Christian. If that is the case, as a church we need to help everyone understand that as Christians we are called and instructed by Christ to serve. My advice to anyone who is not currently involved in ministry and using their spiritual gifts would be to say ”that they are missing out on a blessing.” Jesus Himself said He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:28, Mark 10:45).
Your
Voice
Your Voice
Carmen Gray, a long time member of 18 years at CPBC shares her voice on serving in ministry.
The Greek word for “gift” is charisma, which means “gift of grace.” Today, people often speak of charisma as a certain charm, magnetism, personality or just having “it”, but the New Testament gives the word a deeper significance. A spiritual gift has been described as a special qualification granted by the Holy Spirit to every believer to empower him or her to serve within the framework of the Body of Christ. Someone called a spiritual gift, a divinely ordained spiritual ability through which Christ enables His church to execute its task on earth. Spiritual gifts are also defined as “extraordinary endowments be-stowed by the Holy Spirit sovereignly and undeservedly on believers as instruments for Christian service and church edification.” These definitions point up certain facts about gifts, including their:
Source – the special grace of the Holy Spirit; Nature – spiritual ability,
endowment, power; Purpose – service, or ministry, to
edify saints.
What Spiritual Gifts
Are Not!
Spiritual gifts are not talents. We know from Matthew 5:45 that God allows some blessings to be given universally to people whether they are Christians or not. Talents have a natural source (genetic from birth or learned over time), and can be possessed by anyone. Spiritual gifts have a super-natural source, and can be possessed by only Christians from the moment of their salvation experience. Both talents and spiritual gifts can benefit mankind, but spiritual gifts are designed especially to edify the Body of Christ. Both talents and gifts must be recognized, developed, and exercised to be useful. Spiritual gifts are not fruit. John 15:16, Rom. 7:4, I Cor. 13:8, Gal. 5:22-25, and Eph. 4:8 help us understand some of the distinctions. Spiritual gifts are given to believers from the outside (God) to equip them for service here on earth. They are what a person has, and no one person has all the Gifts. Fruit, on the other hand,
Using the gift of Service: Transportation Coordinator Robert Ntim provides ride home for Sis. Pat Mason
comes from the inside and have to do with a believer’s character. Fruit exemplifies what a person is, and every believer should have evidence of fruit. Gifts are a means to an end; fruit is the end (spiritual maturity). The most important thing to remember about Spiritual Gifting is: God through the Holy Spirit has given us these gifts for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” (Eph. 4:12-13).
The writer would like to credit
Pastor Essentino A. Lewis, Jr. for
providing material for this article.
6 The Clifton Parker
APRIL MAY 3 Lorna Hogan
Brianna Mitchell
Aaron Smith
4 Reginald Gardiner
5 Charmaine Russell
8 John Abakah
9 Joanne Bellamy
10 Marcel Toto
13 Debra Height
14 Joy Thomas
Natasha Thorne
15 Hampton Edwards
Clayton Johnson
16 Lester Baker
Lady Chinco Williams
17 Tameka Jenkins
Irene Neequaye
19 Naada Boulandi
Janet Kargbo
Dalton Salmon
20 Louise Peltier
Prisliza Sawo
21 Carolyn Pettus
Hyacinth Warmington
22 Sinmi Akinbulumo
Amelia Marie Nayreau
23 Denise Green
Rhonda Jackson
Kathy Williams
24 Amma Forkkio
25 Sierra Applewhite
26 Olorina Sawo
Denzie Taylor
30 James Basham
Darnell Gordon
1 Sonia Betts
Yvette Okole
3 Robert Littlejohn
Kiyana Panton
Bryan Young
4 Justine Agbossou
Shanika Warren
5 Blossom Johnson
Cameron Scott
6 Isatta Mansaray
Kaibeh Rogers
7 Marjorie Johnson
Jakwain Jones
Lola Olakanye
10 Juanita Palmer
11 Janet Awokoya
Brandon Harrell
Patience Yeboah
12 James Bells, Sr.
Mavis Henry
14 Gbemi Acholonu
Jordan Staggs
16 Donald Hicks
Alexa Poston
18 Arunsi Chuku
Paulette Shelton
20 Jesse Boulandi
21 Cynthia Acholonu-Grant
22 Merissa Addison
Tracie Francique
Earnest Johnson
23 Catherine Ellong
Takyiwa Forkkio
24 Betty Hill
Arlette Philogene
Helen White
26 Alex Acholonu, Jr.
Gabriella Charlouis
Carletta Lundy
Mary Mantzouris
Kasey Thorpe
27 Sheila Davis
Tempie Johnson
28 Jami Davis
Brenda Hobson
29 Janice Basham
Kelvin Jeter
30 Yaw Asumeng
Francis Wangendo
FAMILY MATTERS
BIRTHDAYS!! MARCH
1 Evelyn Crentsil
3 Cynthia Davies
Andrew Mahabeer
5 Frances Ellis
Kieran Prospere
Moses Tappeh
6 Hattie Hicks
Brandon Joseph Dalrymple
Hezron Wilson
8 Trey Nickelson
9 Lisa Gray Brown
12 Joseph Jallah
Adrienne Thorpe
13 Curtis Johnson
14 Celine Ndifon
16 Nana Gyabaah
Sasha McGee
Charlotte Fatme Toto
19 Glenn Scott
Shaina Watson-Reeves
21 Ogbadu Samuel Opaluwa
22 Sofie King
23 Deloris King
24 James Arnold
25 Robert Goodwin
Barbara Gordon
Aisha Taylor
26 Leeland Rowe
27 Ayodele Oladipo
28 Deborah Wilson
The Clifton Parker 7
MAY
3 James & Mary Brown
6 James & Kaibeh Rogers
Kingsley & Wendy McLean
12 James & Cynthia Bell, Sr.
15 Ayodele & Olateju Oladipo
19 Lester & Jan Baird–Adams
25 Leslie & Pamela Cross
29 Jay & Monique Coleman Taylor
MARCH
10 Dalton & Sonia Salmon
18 Earnest and Theodora Johnson
19 Lenward & Kathy Williams
28 Ansel & Yvette White
30 Gilbert & Denyse Jeter-Williams
APRIL
1 Edward & Valeria Johnson
Hamid & Cynthia Davies
Neville & Maureen Barrett
22 DaShawn & Colette LaCroix
Ogbadu Samuel & Esther Opaluwa
23 Russell & Nancy Walker
25 Harry & Alicia Guy
30 Herbert & Ernestine Kule-Thomas
Anniversaries
Body & Soul!
FAMILY MATTERS
Body & Soul brings food to nourish the soul, and delicious recipes shared from our church family to nourish the body. Enjoy!
Banana Snack Cake submitted by Sis. Cheryl Callahan
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour OR substitute with 1 cup soy flour and 1/2 cup rice flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup Vanilla Yogurt 1/2 cup rice syrup 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 4 small organic bananas) 2 tablespoons canola oil (or substitute with light sesame oil) 2 free range (or organic) eggs (you can substitute eggs with 1cup of water, adding little by little until mixture of dry and wet ingredients are smooth) 1 teaspoon vanilla pure extract Confectioners' sugar for garnish (optional)
Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray or oil an 11 X 7-inch glass baking pan with canola oil or spray. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside. Combine all wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour the yogurt mixture over the dry ingredient mixture and stir gently until just blended (do not over-mix). Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes. Loosen the sides of the cake with a spatula and turn it out onto a rack. Invert the cake right side up and cool completely. Transfer it to a serving plate. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar (optional).
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good.
Kgasi Pot Roast submitted by Linda Kgasi Before I got married I seldom ate red meat and certainly had never cooked a roast, but go figure I married a meat eater……so this is a recipe that I came up with and I’ve been cooking it upon request for the last 17 years . I also cook a mean steak once or twice a year. Ingredients 3.5 to 4 lb Chuck or Rump roast with some marbling Ground Ginger Cayenne Pepper Fresh ground black pepper 4 cloves of garlic (cut in half length wise) 2 cans diced tomatoes drained (roasted garlic or desired flavor) Directions Place roast in Dutch Oven Pierce roast in 8 places wide and deep enough to fit garlic pieces. Insert the garlic pieces deep into the roast. Season roast with ground ginger and cayenne pepper to taste. Pour drained diced tomatoes over roast. You may add to the roasting pan carrots, white or sweet potatoes . Cover and bake at 350°F for 3.5 hours. Remove cover and continue baking for 30 to 45 minutes
8 The Clifton Parker
Listed below are events in which Pastor
Lewis will be participating as guest
preacher. Anyone desiring to attend in
support of our Pastor is highly encour-
aged to do so.
Wednesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. @Nottingham-Myers United Methodist 15601 Brooks Church Road Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 Rev. Daryl L. Williams, Pastor (third night of “March Madness Re-vival.” The CPBC Praise Team will be accompanying) Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. @Bethel World Outreach Church 8242 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson, Pastor (opening night of 26th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration) Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. @Reid Temple AME 12101 Tech Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 Rev. Matthew Watley, Pastor (7 Last Words; Good Friday service) Wednesday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. @Takoma Park Baptist Church 635 Aspen St., N.W. Washington, DC 20012 Rev. Ernest Trice, Sr., Pastor (opening night-revival)
DCBC Events & Opportunities Upcoming Events The White Cross Conference. Chris Marziale from American Baptist International Ministries provides information and “hands-on” practice in how churches can provide practical help to American Baptist mis-sionaries — including rolling bandages, sewing and medical supplies, assembling health kits and school kits, and much more. Saturday March 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 1628 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 Contact Gail Lacy at 202.265.1526, ext. 213 or [email protected] Two Trainings Coming in March for Member Churches Saturday, March 17, there will be training for trustees: “The Work of the Church Trustee.” Saturday, March 24, there will be training for ushers. Both sessions will take place from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Contact Gail Lacy at 202.265.1526, ext. 213 or [email protected]. DCBC Offers Tax Return Preparation Service/Opportunity
The D.C. Baptist Convention has partnered with the IRS Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax return
preparation for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals. Tax help
will be provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – noon and
1-3 p.m. through April 17. To obtain service or volunteer contact
Lashanor Doolittle at 202.265.1526, ext. 203 or by email at
[email protected]. Training will be provided for
volunteers.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. (ET) you have the opportunity to join with other brothers and sisters in Christ for a special time of devotion and prayer. Wherever you are in preparing for the day, you can join by way of telephone. That's right. Pastor Lewis delivers a 15-minute devotional by way of audio conference. To date, more than 40 persons have come together at the same time to hear an inspirational message, words of encouragement, and prayer as we begin to start our day. This devotional is not limited to just you and me. We encourage you to share the dial-in number and information with your family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers – anyone who you think would benefit from starting their day off with a word from the Lord regardless of where they live: DC, MD, VA, NY, FL, OH, PA (you get the idea). Technology makes it possible for anyone to be part of this global community of believers. A word from this 15-minute devotional could make all the difference in some-one’s day, or life!
For access to the devotional dial: (712) 432-0900
When prompted use access code number: 118661#
If you have a question or specific topic that you would like the Pastor to address email it to: [email protected]
Did You Know
March 11 Daylight Savings Time 18 Pastor’s 4th Anniversary Celebration 24 Men’s Ministry Annual Spring Breakfast 25 CPBC Ministry Fair
April 1 Palm Sunday 5 Maundy Thursday Service 6 7 Last Words Service (Reid Temple A.M.E.) 7 Easter Egg Hunt 8 Easter Sunday 21 Rainbow Tea & Talk 28 Health and Wellness Fair
May 13 Mother’s Day 14 Stewardship & Finance Banking Seminar 20 Senior’s Appreciation Sunday
Refer to your Monthly Bulletin Supplement for a complete listing of events.