I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving week. All week was great for me being with family and friends. I was able to go and be with my mother and family. It is always a special time with family, but it seems to be even more special time at Thanksgiving. There were times when ballgames, hunting, and other things were on the agenda instead of a meal and family. The older I get, God’s blessings seem to be at the front. Children need to know that Thanksgiving is a time of faith and not just fun and food. When we research the meaning of Thanksgiving we see that praising God was at the beginning. People took time to thank the Lord for all He had done and all that He was doing. Without God we have nothing and are nothing. This is a time to call our nation to focus on God. America is so blessed and we are blessed. Just think back to all that you had this past Thanksgiving. The world as a whole doesn’t enjoy all that we have. America, God has shined his light upon her. Thank you Lord for loving me and giving me things that I don’t deserve; you truly are gracious.
Thank you Tim and Pam for heading up our Thanksgiving meal. We had plenty of food and the fellowship was wonderful. I don’t know when I enjoyed a better meal than this one. They say your last one is the most memorable and I would have to agree. This was my 21st Thanksgiving meal here at New Bethel and the one that will stay with me. Not to have a kitchen and water I think things went very well. The crowd was great too. This is a tradition that needs to be part of New Bethel ministry for years to come. There are some things that need to be done away with, but not this one. The Church is going through a lot of changes and a lot of changes are yet to come. The main thing is to find God’s will and follow it. You have great leadership: Listen and follow them. Miracles are still on the way for New Bethel Church. I am just glad that I have had a small part in it. Keep the Faith: God is still on the Throne.
Pastor Tommy
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Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Message - 11/20/11
November 20, 2011
Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving as a Church family. I am so thankful for the Leadership of our Church for having this special day even though we are not in the worship center and do not have a kitchen to cook in. Tim and Pam, thank you so much for your part in the planning, and Judy for the decorating. Some people would not be rejoicing because of having the meal and the service in the same room, but I am. There have been a lot of things we have had to adjust to in the last several weeks because of the fire. Don’t forget to thank the Lord for what we do have. We are a blessed people. Look around at the things we have here in this building: Friends, family, and faith. What more could we ask for? The worship center has been painted and that is a praise. We were told this week again that by Christmas day we should have a service in our updated worship center with new paint, new carpet, new pad pews, new ceiling, new sound equipment, and much much more. We are blessed!
My Big Praise is 20 years ago I became the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. I did not know what the journey would be and here we are 20 years later celebrating Thanksgiving together. As I am typing this article my mind goes through some wonderful memories which the Lord has allowed us to enjoy together. The fire reminded me just how quickly it all can be gone and it will be one day. I am proud of the things that the Lord has accomplished through my ministry here. I have failed to tell some of you what you have meant to me but each family has a special place in my heart. The births of all the babies, the marriages, the celebration of answered prayers, the outreach in the communities, the wonderful funerals where you just felt the presence and power of God, to hospital visits and so much more. I am thankful I was the one God chose to be part of this. Miracles after miracles have taken place here and we were a part of them. Church, let’s just Praise the Lord. Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without thanks. Thank you Lord and Thank you New Bethel Baptist Church.
Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving as a Church family. I am so thankful for the Leadership of our Church for having this special day even though we are not in the worship center and do not have a kitchen to cook in. Tim and Pam, thank you so much for your part in the planning, and Judy for the decorating. Some people would not be rejoicing because of having the meal and the service in the same room, but I am. There have been a lot of things we have had to adjust to in the last several weeks because of the fire. Don’t forget to thank the Lord for what we do have. We are a blessed people. Look around at the things we have here in this building: Friends, family, and faith. What more could we ask for? The worship center has been painted and that is a praise. We were told this week again that by Christmas day we should have a service in our updated worship center with new paint, new carpet, new pad pews, new ceiling, new sound equipment, and much much more. We are blessed!
My Big Praise is 20 years ago I became the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. I did not know what the journey would be and here we are 20 years later celebrating Thanksgiving together. As I am typing this article my mind goes through some wonderful memories which the Lord has allowed us to enjoy together. The fire reminded me just how quickly it all can be gone and it will be one day. I am proud of the things that the Lord has accomplished through my ministry here. I have failed to tell some of you what you have meant to me but each family has a special place in my heart. The births of all the babies, the marriages, the celebration of answered prayers, the outreach in the communities, the wonderful funerals where you just felt the presence and power of God, to hospital visits and so much more. I am thankful I was the one God chose to be part of this. Miracles after miracles have taken place here and we were a part of them. Church, let’s just Praise the Lord. Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without thanks. Thank you Lord and Thank you New Bethel Baptist Church.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Message - 11/13/11
November 13, 2011
We are seeing some progress on the Church buildings. The ceiling in the worship center is now removed. All the downstairs rooms are gutted. By that I mean all that’s left standing are the 2x4’s. The sheetrock, paneling, ceiling, wiring, and carpet have are all removed along with the contents. In the upstairs they have built back the floors which were burned. Brenda’s office and my office still lack a lot of work.
As most of you know by now the church voted to build a kitchen between the old fellowship building and the new fellowship building, which is on the side where we park the bus. It is going to cost somewhere around $10,000. Praise needs to be given here because someone came forward and offered to loan the church the money at no interest for the next two years plus pay the loan off at the bank, which was less than $10,000, and let us have that free of interest too.
God is so good to us. When I begin to see how he has worked though this fire I have to say Praise the Lord. Miracle after miracle has come through for us as a church. We now have classes for all the Sunday school classes and Wednesday night classes. We are almost back to doing things like they need to be done. We still have to have the Porta-Potties: Hope that will change soon.
Let me remind you that we are taking care of some families for Thanksgiving with a full meal and all the trimmings. A lot of you have already given food for this project, but there is more to do. If you don’t want to bring canned goods you can donate some money for this project. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we are going to have our Thanksgiving meal next Sunday with the deacons and myself fixing the meal and we want everyone to come. This is a way to thank the church and show you we love you. We may have to do something a little different, but we will make it work. This is always a special Sunday for our Church.
Pastor Tommy
We are seeing some progress on the Church buildings. The ceiling in the worship center is now removed. All the downstairs rooms are gutted. By that I mean all that’s left standing are the 2x4’s. The sheetrock, paneling, ceiling, wiring, and carpet have are all removed along with the contents. In the upstairs they have built back the floors which were burned. Brenda’s office and my office still lack a lot of work.
As most of you know by now the church voted to build a kitchen between the old fellowship building and the new fellowship building, which is on the side where we park the bus. It is going to cost somewhere around $10,000. Praise needs to be given here because someone came forward and offered to loan the church the money at no interest for the next two years plus pay the loan off at the bank, which was less than $10,000, and let us have that free of interest too.
God is so good to us. When I begin to see how he has worked though this fire I have to say Praise the Lord. Miracle after miracle has come through for us as a church. We now have classes for all the Sunday school classes and Wednesday night classes. We are almost back to doing things like they need to be done. We still have to have the Porta-Potties: Hope that will change soon.
Let me remind you that we are taking care of some families for Thanksgiving with a full meal and all the trimmings. A lot of you have already given food for this project, but there is more to do. If you don’t want to bring canned goods you can donate some money for this project. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we are going to have our Thanksgiving meal next Sunday with the deacons and myself fixing the meal and we want everyone to come. This is a way to thank the church and show you we love you. We may have to do something a little different, but we will make it work. This is always a special Sunday for our Church.
Pastor Tommy
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Message - 11/6/11
November 6, 2011
This past week one of the finest men that I have ever known went home to be with our Saviour. Charles Lee Fitzsimons was 82 years old. Charles lived across the road from our home where we were reared up. Growing up without a dad he was the one who we depended on for hundreds of things and became the father figure in my life. As a boy, he was the man that I wanted to be like when I became an adult. He was the most godly man that I have ever known. In my 59 plus years on this earth he stood head and shoulders above all others in my eyes.
Many years before I knew what a godly man was I could see that he was different than other men. He was a deacon in our home church and I later found out it was Charles who got us to go to Church. If any person fulfilled the call of a Deacon, Charles was the man. He took care of church duties which included the less fortunate and the poor. He was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He was always doing things at the church. Any work that was going on he was in the forefront. He never missed any services unless he was very sick.
He was the junior boys Sunday School teacher and the best I have ever seen. Every boy in his class could say the books of the Bible by the time they were out of his class. Today I still can recite them because of him. Charles had no boys of his own but had three girls. He took us as his boys. Charles bought me my first Coke and took me on my first camping trip. He made sure we always had something for Christmas. He got me my first job at US Pipe. He helped me get my first car loan. Anytime I needed help he was there.
When the Lord was calling me to preach, he was the one who prayed with me and counseled me. He was there when I preached my first sermon. I owe so much to him for the time and love that he put into me and my family. Any one of us boys could be writing this article today because he was the man. Everyone needs a man in their life like Charles. I thank God for allowing Charles into my life.
Pastor Tommy
This past week one of the finest men that I have ever known went home to be with our Saviour. Charles Lee Fitzsimons was 82 years old. Charles lived across the road from our home where we were reared up. Growing up without a dad he was the one who we depended on for hundreds of things and became the father figure in my life. As a boy, he was the man that I wanted to be like when I became an adult. He was the most godly man that I have ever known. In my 59 plus years on this earth he stood head and shoulders above all others in my eyes.
Many years before I knew what a godly man was I could see that he was different than other men. He was a deacon in our home church and I later found out it was Charles who got us to go to Church. If any person fulfilled the call of a Deacon, Charles was the man. He took care of church duties which included the less fortunate and the poor. He was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He was always doing things at the church. Any work that was going on he was in the forefront. He never missed any services unless he was very sick.
He was the junior boys Sunday School teacher and the best I have ever seen. Every boy in his class could say the books of the Bible by the time they were out of his class. Today I still can recite them because of him. Charles had no boys of his own but had three girls. He took us as his boys. Charles bought me my first Coke and took me on my first camping trip. He made sure we always had something for Christmas. He got me my first job at US Pipe. He helped me get my first car loan. Anytime I needed help he was there.
When the Lord was calling me to preach, he was the one who prayed with me and counseled me. He was there when I preached my first sermon. I owe so much to him for the time and love that he put into me and my family. Any one of us boys could be writing this article today because he was the man. Everyone needs a man in their life like Charles. I thank God for allowing Charles into my life.
Pastor Tommy
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