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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Children have an opportunity to talk with Santa as their parents shop at the EBA Toy Store.</p>
Eastern Baptist Association brings joy through toys
As in years past, the Eastern Baptist Association is attempting to meet the needs of over 700 children this Christmas. The Association provides a Toy Store where parents or guardians can go to “buy” toys for their children. They offer five sites where these purchases have and can be made. The first of the stores opened on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Rose Hill Baptist, Serenity Baptist and Immanuel Baptist churches. The second stores will be open th...
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Having confidence in our salvation
Often when asked if one would go to heaven if they died at that moment, the answer is something like, “I think so” or “I hope so”. Such answers betray a lack of confidence in the heart of the one answering. Two questions need to be answered concerning this confidence. First, is it possible to have absolute confidence, no doubt whatsoever, concerning eternal salvation? The answer to this question is a resounding, yes! How is it that we can h...
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<p>Photo by Lee Coleman</p><p>The ladies of Roseboro United Methodist Church took a break from the Christmas festivity planning to have a night out of fellowship. In all, approximately 24 were in attendance at Lakewood Plaza Restaurant.</p>
Roseboro Methodist women celebrate night out
Photo by Lee Coleman The ladies of Roseboro United Methodist Church took a break from the Christmas festivity planning to have a night out of fellowship. In all, approximately 24 were in attendance at Lakewood Plaza Restaurant.
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Outreach in our churches
All Together Ministries Will have Joy Night, Friday at 8 p.m. Speakers will be elder Reginald and Gail Lamb. Church located at 880 E Darden Road, Faison. FMI, call 910-564-2948. Baldwin Branch MBC wilSenior Citizens Day will be Sunday, Dec. 11, with the Rev. Rachel Mitchell, pastor of First Missionary Baptist; 13395 Twisted Hickory Road; Bladenboro as guest speaker. Musical ministry by the Baldwin Branch Male Chorus. Bearskin ...
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It’s all in how we handle the ‘locked out’ adventures
Have you ever been locked out? Writing about losing things and finding them brought a message to my heart about being locked out and how we handle it. Of course, how we handle anything in life is what matters, but being locked out is never lovely…or is it? Remembering the times you’ve had troubles being locked out, or in, stick with you forever. My family has difficulty keeping up with our keys, which contributes to the numerous ‘locked out...
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The need for morning devotion
In Psalm 5, David says “my voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and look up.” What’s on your mind when you wake up in the morning ? Is it Jesus and how he has kept you throughout the night? Or is it your daily agenda of phone calls, emails, meetings, all the many activities that we can take on sometimes? David makes it plain that when he wakes up God is on his mind first and all th...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>The Holiday Home Tour for Tim&#8217;s Gift will be Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2-5 p.m. Tickets are $ 10 in advance, $12 at the door at the beginning of the tour at the Arts Council. Pictured are Becky Spell, left, and Jean Hatch placing a wreath on the door of First Baptist Church, which is one of the tour spots.</p>
House tour for
Tim’s Gift Sunday
Courtesy photo The Holiday Home Tour for Tim’s Gift will be Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2-5 p.m. Tickets are $ 10 in advance, $12 at the door at the beginning of the tour at the Arts Council. Pictured are Becky Spell, left, and Jean Hatch placing a wreath on the door of First Baptist Church, which is one of the tour spots.
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Victory in spiritual warfare
Read Ephesians 6: 10-17 The Bible teaches that Satan has waged was against God and those who follow Him. This means that all Christians are on a spiritual battlefield. In any conflict, soldiers should be given the right equipment and training in how to use it. Otherwise, it would be foolish to expect success. In a similar way, we should follow God’s directions on how best to utilize the effective spiritual armor He has provided for us. ...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Pictured following the Mount Olive College dinner are Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, MOC president; Ricky Warren, dinner chairman; Sandra Hayes, chairwoman Haymount FWB Church; Stephen Prescott, pastor Shady Grove FWB Church; Carolyn Jernigan, joint-chairwoman Shady Grove FWB Church; Lee Morton Jernigan; joint-chairwoman Shady Grove FWB Church.</p>
FWB churches in Sampson, Harnett, and Cumberland
counties contribute to Mount Olive College
MOUNT OLIVE — Members representing Free Will Baptist churches in Sampson, Harnett, and Cumberland Counties generated $41,354 in gifts to Mount Olive College, the denomination’s private, Christian liberal arts institution. One hundred thirty-four people attended the Annual College Dinner at Robert’s Grove FWB Church in Sampson County. Churches presented their gifts to the College at the dinner. Of those giving, 153 were designated as Bridge ...
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‘But they made light of it’
Jesus did much of His teaching by the use of parables. In using parables, He laid out a physical, easy to understand illustration of things people were knowledgeable of, to teach a spiritual truth that they may well have been having trouble understanding. Matthew records one such parable (Matt. 22:1-14) which is often called the parable of the marriage feast. In the parable the certain king is God, the son is Jesus, the Christ, the servants w...
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Outreach in Our Churches
Autryville Church of God of Prophecy Will celebrate Homecoming 11 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, with specical singers, Cannanland and with fellowship meal to follow service. The church is located at 2922 South River Road. Bearskin M B Church Annual Christmas Program and celebration will be Friday, Dec 16 at 7 p.m. Beaver Dam Baptist On Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m., the Rev. Ray Bolton and Red Hill Baptist Church, Clinton, ...
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What does Christmas do to you?
What does Christmas do to you? Christmas sends me into joyful celebration mode from the moment turkey leftovers are finished until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. I love Christmas. Christmas does amazing things for us because Christ is everything to us. Choices we make during the holiday season (all seasons) determine what Christmas really does to us. When we allow busyness and burdens to extend us beyond our time and financia...
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<p>Billy Todd/Sampson Independent Apostle Perry Ashford stands in the new sound booth and looks over the sanctuary that still needing its final touches to be ready for services as New Vision Christian Church reopens its doors following the storms.</p>
New Vision prepares to return home Sunday
Sunday will mark a milestone in the life of New Vision Christian Church. For nearly seven and half months the congregation has had to meet away from home following devastating blows from the tornadoes in April and Hurricane Irene in August. The storms left the church’s roof damaged and flooded sanctuary and other areas of the building unusable.But that all ends Sunday at 4 p.m. when the church will be celebrating its dedication and reopening ...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>The Advent Wreath is a very important element of the celebrations of the Advent season. The candles &#8212; three purple and one pink &#8212; represent hope, peace, joy and love. The center candle is the Christ candle that is lit on Christmas Eve.</p>
Advent — a time of reflection,
waiting and expectancy
Seasons come and go as the year quickly spins its circle, but for Christians the season that begins this Sunday is one of the most important. The season of Advent begins Sunday, Nov. 27 and will be celebrated the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Traditions vary with denominations but the meaning of the season still focuses on the preparation of Christ’s arrival into the world nearly 2000 years ago and the anticipation of his return in the fut...
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Outreach in our churches
Beaver Dam Baptist On Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m., the Rev. Ray Bolton and Red Hill Baptist Church, Clinton, will bring the afternoon service in observance of the Pastor’s Aid Anniversary. Crusade for Christ Deliverance Center Is hosting a Gospel Harvest Celebration at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27. Just to list a few of those on the program: The Tucker Family, Evergreen Choir, Billy Ray and The Gospelaires and the Sensational Go...
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Should we welcome change or shun it?
It is not uncommon to hear people speak of a need for change. Most often, it is in the realm of politics and government. Needless to say, most would agree that there is need for change in that realm. However, just because one makes a change, in any realm, it does not mean it is for the good. Change can be to the good or to the bad. One must know the specifics of the changes planned before one can determine if it should be welcomed or shunned....
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Homer Marshall was recently give a volunteer service award by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where Marshall has been a volunteer since 1962.</p>
Service honored
Courtesy photo Homer Marshall was recently give a volunteer service award by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where Marshall has been a volunteer since 1962.
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Who’s shadow do you abide under?
Psalm 91:1 says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” There is a deep place in God that you and I can dwell in if we desire to go there. This place requires more than the weekly attendance at your church services, it requires more than you cooking for the church and shaking the preacher’s hand. This place is where God can reveal his “secrets” to you about his plan for your life...
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Make a list of those things
in which you are thankful
To help you achieve and maintain a new level of contentment in your life. I encourage you to make a list of everything you have to be thankful for. It should be a long list, one that includes little things as well as big things. Why should it be long? Because we all have a lot to be thankful for if we just look for it. Just the other day I was thinking about the muscle spasm in my back which has been causing me some discomfort lately (actua...
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You never lose when you stay true to Jesus
Do you ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? It seems that some people really get zapped with tough times. Recently, we were studying the book of Job at The Learning Station. Explaining how Job lost everything seemed effortless. How can we comprehend such loss, especially little children who view life with such innocence? Yet, we talked of Job losing it all while remaining faithful and firm in his love for the Lord as if we should...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Chloe Zeng participates in the offeratory ceremony during last Sunday&#8217;s groundbreaking ceremony.</p>
Immaculate Conception breaks ground for new activity center
On Sunday, Nov. 20, Immaculate Conception Parish in Clinton broke ground for a new activity center on land adjacent to the church. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge presided at the 11 a.m. Solemnity of Christ the King Mass prior to the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony. Concelebrants at the Mass, held outdoors to accommodate the parish community, were Father Mark J. Betti, Pastor of Immaculate Conception, and Father Robert P. Staley,...
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Do you bear God’s fruits?
In Matthew 7:20, Jesus says “ wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.” I would like to ask you a question this week — can people see your fruits and know that you are a TRUE Christian? Or should I ask — can people look at your lifestyle and see that you are a born-again, blood washed, believer in Jesus Christ? I am talking about producing fruits that please God and God alone. Many people are confessing to be Christians, but don’t b...
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‘Keep the Commandments – Which’
Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the account of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to “have eternal life” (Matt. 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23). Our title consists of both a command by the Lord and a question by the young man. In answer to the young man’s question the Lord told him to “keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17). This is certainly a good answer to the question, for it is only by obeying ...
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Outreach in our churches
Editor’s note: Thanksgiving holiday Outreach in our churches deadline: All church briefs will need to be in to The Sampson Independent by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 22 for Friday, Nov. 25 publication. Thank you. Clement Church of God of Prophecy Will hold a home cooked barbecue pork sale from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. today, Nov.18. Plates with all the trimmings will be $7. Barbecue will also be sold by the pound for $7 . Eat i...
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<p>Grant</p>
Revival of ‘Love Found Me’ to uplift audiences
Many times when we think of being a Christian, we imagine someone as being sad, quiet or even melancholy. This is certainly not true with the inspirational stage production of “Love Found Me.” The play was written by Vanessa Richardson and was performed this past January at Lakewood High School. The program is scheduled for a return performance on Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11 at the Lakwood auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. each night. Richardson,...
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