Be sure to tell your friends here in the community and in other parts of the country.

What a wonderful week of worship and celebration our church family has enjoyed. On Sunday, April 15th, Pastor Alvin T. Armstead, Jr. was charged with the duties of Pastor and Shepard of First Union Baptist Church. Cheers and shouts of joy filled the sanctuary at Fifth Street Baptist Church, where the Installation Service took place.

Most notable were the remarks of Trustee Audrey Swann as she described the significance of the keys to First Union and how they represented, not only Pastor Armstead’s new home, but also the church family’s opening the chambers of their hearts and their minds to follow his teachings of the Word, and to give him full respect.

This was in keeping with the Installation message presented by Rev. Dwight S. Riddick, Sr., who ordained Rev. Armstead and has mentored him through the years. Rev. Riddick taught from the text 1Samuel 17:38-40. He compared our youthful pastor to David facing off Goliath, not with Saul’s armor, but with tools he knew how to handle. He quoted the fact that we must “think differently about ministry in order to minister differently.” We can no longer expect old methods or equipment to function effectively in modern days. Pastor must be prepared to feed and fight.

That brings us back to the overriding theme of the week: “…equipping the saints…” It also pertains to the value of family. Pastor will strengthen the First Union household of faith, so that he will not need to fight alone. Strong and united, we can all remain standing in victory.

Scripture readings from the Service were — Isaiah 6:1-8 and Ephesians 4:7-13

Then on Tuesday the 10th, we begin celebrating the Installation of our new Pastor, the Reverend Alvin T. Armstead, Jr., “God’s servant for the equipping of the saints” (Ephesians 4:7-13). All activities are listed in the Calendar, but here they are again for quick reference:

Tuesday April 10th
Congregational Love Feast

Prayer Service, Communion, and  Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday April 11th
PreInstallation Worship Service  at 7:00 p.m.

Guest Preacher is  Rev. Dwight Shawrod Riddick
from First Baptist Church, Franklin Virginia

Thursday April 12th
Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.

Guest Teacher is  Rev. Dr. Angelo Chatmon
from Pilgrims Journey Baptist Church, Richmond

Saturday April 14th
Installation Banquet

Jepson Center, University of Richmond at 6:00 p.m.

Guest Preacher is  Rev. Dr. Steven G. Blount
from First Baptist, Mahan Street, Suffolk, Virginia

Sunday April 15th

Installation Worship Service
FUBC Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.

Guest Preacher is  Rev. Carlos Perkins
from Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church, Bowie, Maryland

Installation Service
Fifth Street Baptist Church at 4:00 p.m.

Guest Preacher is  Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick
of  Gethsemane Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia

NOTE: You can also check us out from your mobile phone at http://firstunionbc.org/m/

According to Wikipedia:

When he was about 16, he was captured from Wales by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Roman Catholic Church, he returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island, but little is known about the places where he worked. By the seventh century, he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.

It is likely that Patrick was descended from Jewish Christians who fled persecution. He became known for performing many miracles during his ministry. This prayer links him to the breastplate, a piece of warfare armor [Ephesians 6:14]. His lorica is a prayer recited for protection:

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

*

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

*

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

*

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

*

I arise today

Through God’s strength to pilot me:

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s shield to protect me,

God’s host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

*

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

*

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

*

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

*

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

* * *

Wikipedia

This prayer for safe journey is far sturdier for Christians than the Blarney stone and four-leaf clovers. It is prayer that keeps us plugged in to the God who preserves and keeps us safe.

So let’s look at February now as Black History month. The contributions of the African-Americans to this country are acknowledged at various events. Naturally, it is the names of those who have risen to newsworthy and popular heights that receive the widest attention. But many people have sacrificed to make the gains possible that we now take for granted.

After emancipation, Northern churches founded by free blacks, as well as those of predominantly white denominations, sent missions to the South to minister to newly freed slaves, including to teach them to read and write.

At the same time, black Baptist churches, well-established before the Civil War, continued to grow and add new congregations. With the rapid growth of black Baptist churches in the South, in 1895 church officials organized a new Baptist association, the National Baptist Convention. This was the unification of three national black conventions, organized in 1880 and the 1890s. It brought together the areas of mission, education and overall cooperation. Despite founding of new black conventions in the early and later 20th century, this is still the largest black religious organization in the United States. These churches blended elements from underground churches with elements from freely established black churches.

Black preachers provided leadership, encouraged education and economic growth, …

Source: Wikipedia

Historically, the Black Church has been a pivotal influence, especially as the social focus of family orientation. It produced one of the martyrs of the 20th century, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose official day of recognition is in January. Many of the leaders and people of influence were associated with the Black Church during the Civil Rights Movement.

But also, as the movie The Help points out, there are many stories that remain untold. So let’s pause and give thanks for those who have sacrificed for some worthy cause whose names we may never know. Let’s take time from our overly-busy activities and say a prayer of gratitude for them. Let’s ask the Lord to bless their sacrifices for us and for the loved ones they left behind. Let’s give thanks for those who have prayed for us before we learned how to pray, and for those who have extended help in some tangible way.

And while we’re praying, let’s also thank the Lord for his Sacrifice too, and for a deeper understanding of John 15:13-17 that closes with the command for us to love one another.

]]> http://firstunionbc.org/articles/the-spirit-of-sacrifice-part-2/feed/ 0 http://firstunionbc.org/articles/the-spirit-of-sacrifice-part-1/ http://firstunionbc.org/articles/the-spirit-of-sacrifice-part-1/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:58:11 +0000 FUBC2 http://firstunionbc.org/?p=422 There are several things associated with the month of February. First, there is Valentine’s Day. Then, there is Presidents’ Day. And the entire month is set aside to highlight Black History.

The common thread between these events is the spirit of sacrifice.

Valentine’s Day was not always the frivolous, gift-giving, and card-exchanging occasion that it is today. In fact, there was more than one historical Valentine. According to Wikipedia:

Saint Valentine (in Latin, Valentinus) is the name of several (14 in all) martyred saints of ancient Rome. The name “Valentine”, derived from valens (worthy, strong, powerful), was popular in Late Antiquity. Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried on the Via Flaminia north of Rome on February 14, he was born on April 16. It is even uncertain whether the feast of that day celebrates only one saint or more saints of the same name. For this reason this liturgical commemoration was not kept in the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969. But “Martyr Valentinus the Presbyter and those with him at Rome” remains in the list of saints proposed for veneration by all Catholics.

The Presidents, Washington and Lincoln, who are venerated with a legal holiday in February, gave much to shape the character of the United States and the righteous principles it professes to stand for as a government. They were reverent men who regarded a providential God. However, this holiday also is now widely observed as a sales day and simply, time off from work, depending on the state in which you live.

Washington was an outspoken leader in calling for religious liberty and tolerance, and used his prestige as general and president to promote good will among Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. He sought to create a national ethos that would enable every American to, in his paraphrase of the Book of Micah,  “sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.” In private and in public he strongly rejected any sign of intolerance, prejudice, and “every species of religious persecution”, while hoping that “bigotry and superstition” would be overcome by “truth and reason” in the United States.

Scholars have extensively written on topics concerning Lincoln’s beliefs and philosophy; e.g. whether Lincoln’s frequent use of religious imagery and language reflected his own personal beliefs or was a device to appeal to his audiences, who were mostly evangelical Protestants. Though he never joined a church, Lincoln was familiar with the Bible, quoted it and praised it.

Source: Wikipedia

Lincoln’s signing of The Emancipation Proclamation was a turning point in the lives of Black people in America.

…to be continued.

Speaker: Rev. Alvin T. Armstead, Jr., Pastor-Elect

Text: Mark 2:1-12

Thoughts to Remember:

• Although the theme of the morning was "The Lion of Judah Has Triumphed," it was the message that rang a clarion call to those who heard. The strength that Christ imparts to us [Philippians 4:13] is not for us alone, but we must use our heads, hearts and hands to do His work in the world and serve others.

• Immanuel is God with US; not just for me, myself, and I.

• The oppressed are those who are shut out by the "crowd", who have lost hope, lost strength; those who are afflicted, downtrodden, or dominated by something…

• ACTIVATE your FAITH on behalf of someone else:

1. Carry those who have been paralyzed; lift them up and away; raise their perspective.
2. Help someone to overcome the crowd; go to the mountain tops for them.
3. Use all available avenues; show them how to "use what you've got to get what you want."

• Share your testimony!

Christian Worship – Are You Aware of the Purposes and Parts?

By Robert Baines

Christian worship is a reference to a Christian expressing admiration for and allegiance to God. It is a key element of Christian growth. There seems to be so much "people focused" entertainment and performance, in what we call worship services. The following are insights about the purposes and parts of corporate expressions of admiration of God:

Purposes. There are three purposes in Christian worship. The first is to glorify God. That is, we strive to express to God that we have a sense of His greatness, and we are committed to living according to His will. We do this by saying things that make biblical sense and then strive to live by what we say.

A second purpose of worship is to edify believers. What I say and do should help you be a stronger Christian, at least not offend you. And what you do and say should help me be a stronger Christian, at least not offend me. I Corinthians 14 is a marvelous text on this subject. Attitudes are contagious. When we leave worship, we should feel as if we left a pep rally for Jesus.

A third purpose of worship is to evangelize non-believers. Non-believers may not understand all that is said and surely not agree with all that is said. However, the energy of the worshipers should be contagious and the Gospel should prick the heart of non-believers who are sensitive to the call of God. Notice that performing or showing off for one's own ego is not one of the purposes. Notice further that entertaining the pew is not a purpose. Those who make no effort to obey God's Word should feel more conviction than joy from Christian worship.

Parts. Every since the first century church, prayer, singing, preaching, giving, and interacting have been key components of Christian worship. In prayer, we praise God for His greatness and thank Him for using His greatness for our benefit. We confess our sins. We ask God to bless others and bless us. Prayer is a believer initiated communication with God.

In singing, the lyrics may be directed towards God, which would make it a singing prayer. Sometimes the lyrics are focused on the listeners. The song may urge Christian living, hope, or the remembering of how God has kept His people. As important as music is, the lyrics are more important. It is the lyrics that communicate the message. Sound without substance misses the aim of communicating admiration and allegiance to God. That is why choir rehearsal should always include teaching both how to sing the song and the message of the song. In preaching, the Word of God is explained and applied to the lives of those who listen.

The aim of Christian preaching is to persuade the listeners, including the preacher, to obey the Word of God. No wonder, it is so important to pay attention and take notes. In giving, we show that our hearts are really into what we are singing, praying, and preaching about. Matthew 6:21 teaches that where our treasurers are is also where our hearts are. In other words,

if you sing, pray, and preach but keep God's money (i.e., tithes and offerings) in your pocket, the genuineness of your worship is suspect. In interacting with one another, we demonstrate that we are really striving to obey God's will. Jesus taught that the greatest evidence of really being in tuned with Him is to love one another (see Jn. 13:34-35).

Our worship is off, when we sing, pray, preach, and even give but do not demonstrate love towards one another and, worst, act ugly towards one another. In summary, every believer should be aware of the three purposes and five parts of Christian worship. Such awareness keeps us from wasting our time with vain religious entertainment or boring routine. Make sure you read the article on Christian Worship: Are You Prepared, Participating, and Practicing?

Dr. Robert E. Baines, Jr. uses his doctorate of ministry degree and twenty years of pastoral experience to provide quality and helpful Christian living information to 1,000's of visitors a month. Make sure you secure your free copy of his ebooklet, "How to Encourage Yourself: 21 Practical Tips," and sign up for his newsletter that features great articles, helpful devotionals, and Bible based teaching notes at http://www.RobertBaines.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Baines

Why is Sunday School Attendance and Bible Study Attendance So Important?

By Robert Baines

Sunday School attendance, as used here, is a reference to not only being faithful in the Sunday morning Bible study but any Bible study that is regularly offered at your church. Sunday School and Bible study attendance are extremely important for the following five reasons:

1. Attending Sunday School helps you develop pleasing faith in God. Without faith it is impossible to please God (see Heb. 11:6). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (see Rom. 10:17). And faith without works is dead (see Jm. 2:17). Sunday School and Bible Study are ways for you to hear the Word of God, so you can be encouraged to obey it.

2. It help you meet others who are serious about pleasing God. Unfortunately, there are many who go to church for reasons other than being pleasing to God. All of those who go to Sunday School and Wednesday Bible Study are not serious about pleasing God; however, the odds are better. The percentage of those in these type of sessions who are serious about pleasing God tends to be greater than simply those who come to church on Sunday.

3. Attending Sunday School often equips you to minister to others. It leads to the development of the knowledge and confidence needed to help others grow in the Lord. Great Sunday School and Bible Study ministries review the plan of salvation and essentials of discipleship enough that regular students become confident in sharing the information with others.

4. Your attendance encourages others to attend. When the attendance is down, it gives the impression that the sessions are not important. But when the attendance is up, it gives the impression that the sessions are important. Just by being present, you can encourage others to attend the sessions and grow in the Lord as well.

5. These sessions help make the church stronger. The stronger the members of the church are, the stronger the church will be. When you attend these sessions, grow in the Lord, and help others do the same, you are a part of the helping the church to grow stronger.

In summary, Sunday School attendance (and Bible Study attendance) helps you develop your faith, helps you meet others who are working on their faith, helps to equip you to help others, encourages others to attend, and helps to strengthen the church.

Make sure you read the full article on how to get the most out of Sunday School and Bible Study.

Dr. Robert E. Baines, Jr. uses his doctorate of ministry degree and twenty years of pastoral experience to provide quality and helpful Christian living information to 1,000′s of visitors a month.

Make sure you secure your free copy of his ebooklet, “How to Encourage Yourself: 21 Practical Tips,” and sign up for his newsletter that features great articles, helpful devotionals, and Bible based teaching notes at http://www.RobertBaines.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Baines

Who Should Sit in Communion Chairs in a Baptist Church?

By Amy Nutt

The Baptist church practices the communion as one of its two acts of faith-obedience. Much of the time, this is called an “ordinance” rather than a “sacrament.” In other words, you cannot receive salvation or grace through communion. Instead, these are purely symbolic acts that were commanded of Christ's followers by Christ Himself. This is actually the second ordinance in the Baptist church and it is patterned after the Last Supper, which was recorded in the Gospels wherein Jesus says to "do this in remembrance of me." With this in mind, participants in communion break and eat bread and drink a small “shot of wine.” These items are symbolic of the body and the blood of Jesus, respectively.

Traditionally, Baptists serve communion to participants wherever they are seated. However, it is up to each individual church how communion is arranged, because the arrangement itself has no theological significance. More important than seating or arrangement is the communion itself. For instance, the bread used is unleavened, as it is believed that this is the type of bread the would have been served at the Last Supper. As such, bread cubes, wafers or small crackers are passed around on plates to those who wish to participate in communion. Of course, it is also acceptable to do the "breaking of bread" from loaves, as well.

The cup is filled with unfermented grape juice. However, the Gospel passages only mention the "fruit of the vine." It is never called wine therein. Usually small individual cups are used to represent the "cup." A "common cup" that the entire congregation drinks from can be used, but it is usually reserved for small gatherings for practical reasons.

Most of the time, both the bread and the wine are served by the pastor to the deacons. The deacons then serve the congregation, followed by the pastor. In bigger churches, the pastors may often serve one another, allowing the deacons to focus on serving the congregation. Once the entire congregation has been served, everyone takes the elements at the same time. This symbolizes unity.

Communion can be held as frequently as the church [http://www.millbrookindustries.com/church-chairs] desires. However, most of the time communion takes place during a regular worship service. It is important to note that communion is only taken by those who have undergone a believer's baptism, though this does vary from congregation to congregation as well. As such, there are three types of communion:

1. Open communion allows anyone who professes to be a Christian to take communion.

2. Close communion occurs whenever only members of a Baptist church can take communion.

3. Closed communion takes place when only members of that local congregation can participate.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt