Volume 1, Issue 1 January / February 2013 Edifying the Saved to Evangelize the Lost

The Edifier
EDITOR/PRODUCTION CATHY D. STEVERSON FEATURE WRITERS JOYCE DAVIDSON BEVERLY THOMPSON CONTRIBUTORS CYNTHIA DANIELS CHRISTAL DAWSON GORDON GIBSON TIFFANY POWELL LOREE RICHARDSON CHENEQUA ROGERS BETTY L. SCOTT CRYSTAL SHELLS CECELIA TALTOAN PASTOR JULIUS T. DAVIS, JR. THE EDIFIER, FBCS NEW CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WILL RELY ON YOUR INPUT, YOUR TESTIMONIES, YOUR STORIES, YOUR IDEAS, YOUR PARTICIPATION.. BECAUSE THE EDIFIER IS FOR YOU.. WE LOVE YOU WITH THE LOVE OF THE LORD.. THE EDITORIAL STAFF
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Live Out Loud For Christ Ministry Highlights Whats In Your History? Presidential Facts FBC Business Directory Crossword Puzzles Educational News Where Will You Be? Trust In God Birthdays, Anniversaries, Praise Reports 2 3

A Word From The Pastor

Although we are beginning a new year and many are in the process of making resolutions, there are some old traditions we need to hold onto. Note this verse from Jeremiah 6:16, Thus says the LORD: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk in it. Then look at these verses from Proverbs. Prov. 22:28 Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set. Prov. 23:10 Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless. Let us continue to read and study the word of God and profit from it. (Continued on pg. 8)

Julius T. Davis, Jr., Pastor

From The Editors Desk

PRAISE THE LORD FRIENDSHIP!

How good and pleasant it is when Gods people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

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Welcome to the first issue of The Edifier; our own Christian Community Newsletter. Our prayer is that The Edifier will inform, edify, encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge you to use your God given gifts, here at Friendship and in the world. We want to keep you informed on church news & views. Also, we hope to unify and strengthen our church member relationships by highlighting activities and ministries of interest to our church family. As you flip through the pages of this issue, youll see weve taken the name The Edifier to heart. It is, indeed, a place of edification and glorification to Godalbeit in print. Members from different ministries have contributed their best ideas and most interesting views on the pages that follow.

Well definitely need more solid material for future issues, so please consider submitting your best ideas, stories, praise reports, events, etc. Our submission forms are located at the rear of the sanctuary in the hanging wall basket. Or, just send an email to: thenewsletter.fbc@gmail.com. Wed love to know what you think of our new Christian Community Newsletter, The Edifier. Please take a moment to e-mail your feedback! Peace and Blessings to you all,

Cathy D. Steverson
Editor/Production

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THE EDIFIER

Running On Empty
Live Out Loud For Christ

by Beverly Thompson

About 28 years ago, my husband, our baby and I were taking a road trip about 2 1/2 hours from our home. Prior to getting on the road, we stopped at a gas station and had the attendant fill up the tank. Yes, there were full service stations at that time. An hour or so passed and the car started to stall, my husband restarted the car and we drove for a few more miles when it stalled again. The car began to sputter. Then, nothing. We were stopped, completely, on the highway. My husband

called for roadside assistance. They arrived after about thirty minutes and looked under the hood. One of the men got in the car to attempt to start it, and noticed the gas gauge read empty. He told my husband who said that he noticed that but paid it no attention since we had just filled the tank. He assumed it must have been broken. The man then checked the gas tank, and, lo and behold, it was empty. The gas attendant did not fill it up at all. Well, we paid for more gas and were on our way once again. The car showed signs of being empty of gas; my husband ignored the signs and we were running on empty. Isnt that like so

many Christians? Trying to do the work of God without being filled with the Spirit of God. All the signs are there that show they need a refilling, but they ignore the signs. Yes, upon salvation we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; like putting gas in a car. But we need a daily filling in order to accomplish what God would have us to do. One reason so many Christians seem to be burnt-out is because they are running on empty. If you find yourself complaining at everything you have to do in the various ministries in which you work or boasting about how well youre doing, receiving glory instead of giving God the glory; or

when you find you must be recognized or that going to church or working a ministry is a chore instead of a joy you may be running on empty. So how do you get filled with the Spirit? Take time daily to read, study and meditate on the Word of God. Praise God daily. Live a lifestyle of prayer, worship and obedience to God. Surrender your will to His and let the Word of God govern you in all mattersdaily. By doing these things, you are sure to always have a full tank. You will become sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and your own spirit will reflect the Spirit of God. Be sure to avoid running on empty.

Ministry Highlights
What is the Multimedia Department all about?

FBCs Multi-Media Ministry

tions for worship services and/or special projects; providing audio of sermons as requested; providing written information and audio sermons to post on FBC Facebook. To be a member of the Multimedia Ministry team one must be saved, baptized and an active member of FBC for at least one year. Good communications skills, creativity, basic computer and MS Office software skills are preferred. The FBC Media Team needs you! Use your gifts in the following roles; sound board operator, camera operator, graphic artist, web master, audio/video editor or photographer. If you have an event that requires media support, or would like to be a part of this ministry, contact Bro. Gordon Gibson. Give at least 2 weeks advance notice for event support.

FBCs Multimedia Ministry is dedicated to enhancing the churchs worship service and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ using graphic, audio and video technology.

The FBC Multimedia Ministry team includes the department head, Brother Gordon Gibson along with Anita Benson, Aaron Washington, Christal Dawson and Lavell Turnage, Jr. The departments mission is to support all church activities by providing services that enhance the worship experience. These services include providing soundsystem during all services; providing visual presenta-

Friendship Baptist Church of Girard DRAMA MINISTRY

The Drama Ministry of Friendship Baptist Church of Girard is lead by Sister Cynthia Daniels. Cynthia has the ability to look at various life situations and circumstances and create skits and plays to reflect the spiritual messages within them. The plays show how the lessons can be applied to life on a daily basis. The purpose of the Drama Ministry is to minister the message of the gospel; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and to make the Word of God come alive so that all may understand the biblical principles and life lessons within it. The Drama Ministry is based upon two main scriptures; Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. Also, Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Cynthia emphasizes that the Drama Ministry really seeks to drive home how active Christ is in the world today and that the Word of God is applicable in all situations. Continued on page 7

Cynthia Daniels
Februarythe month of LOVE Four skits will be presented. One each week on The Object of Your Love

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Whats In Your History? by Joyce Davidson

Recently the Davidson brothers, Fletcher and Benjamin reminisced about family with their cousin Leo from New Jersey. Fletchers curiosity about a cousin who built a hospital in the segregated South led me to do an internet search for more information. In just a few minutes, I found the book, Under the Knife by Hugh Pearson, Jr. Fletcher and Ben had remembered correctly. Their cousin, Joseph built the Griffin Hospital and Clinic in Bainbridge, Georgia. Their fathers mother, Mary Etta Griffin Davidson and Josephs father were brother and sister. On the inner flap of his book, Pearson states his parents believed he could look to his great-uncle, Dr. Joseph Griffin for inspiration. Although Hugh Pearsons father was a doctor, they left the deep South. Joseph, however, stayed and prospered. He became the first Negro surgeon in South Georgia, donating millions of dollars to Afro-American institutions and building the largest private hospital for AfroAmericans in the state. (Pearson, 2000). When Pearsons book came out, Abraham Verghese from the Chicago Tribune wrote: Griffin was a wealthy man, building Griffin Hospital in 1950, pledging $250,000 worth of Coca-Cola stock in 1970 to his alma mater, Meharry Medical College in Nashville. (Verghese, 2000). Griffin graduated from Meharry in 1915. He eventually set up practice in Bainbridge, and most of his patients were black. When those patients needed hospitalization, he would drive them 40 miles to the Florida A&M College Hospital in Tallahassee, the nearest hospital that would admit blacks. Pearson writes, In the first year of his practice, hed drive his patients along the dusty road to Tallahassee for serious operations only. If the operation was not so serious hed perform it at the patients home. Griffin was a skilled surgeon and a hard worker. According to a biography of Griffin, written by Pearsons aunt, Griffin had a reputation for being generous and selfless. (Verghese, 2000). Pearson also explores the controversial areas of his great uncle, the millionaire who generously gave and as Pearson discovered, did not hesitate to have his patients pledge property as collateral for his services. The other part of this interesting story relates to my connection to Hugh Pearson, Jr. When I saw the name Pearson, I thought, could this Pearson be from my side of the family? Sure enough, my paternal grandmother, Annie and his paternal grandfather, Nathan were brother and sister. Often our histories include people who inspired family and community, as did Dr. Joseph Griffin, whom the community of Bainbridge honored in 2007 during a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observation. Whats in your history?

President Obama is CNN's Most Intriguing Person of 2012

A year ago, President Barack Obama was under fire. Today, he is being feted. In just 12 months, the 51-year-old lawyer and former U.S. senator raised by a single mother went from a beleaguered candidate for re-election -- his record and signature health care law under daily attack by Republican rivals -- to being the first Democrat to win more than 50% of a presidential vote twice since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Now the nation's first African-American president is CNN's Most Intriguing Person of 2012, as voted on by readers of CNN.com, five days after being named TIME's Person of the Year. (By Tom Cohen, CNNupdated 10:41 PM EST, Mon December 24, 2012) Barack Obama, a Senator from Illinois and 44th President of the United States; born in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 4, 1961; obtained early education in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Hawaii; continued education in Occidental College, Los Angeles, Calif.; received a B.A. in 1983 from Columbia University, New York City; worked as a community organizer in Chicago, Ill.; Michelle and Barack Obama studied law at Harvard University, where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review, and President and First Lady of the United States received J.D. in 1991; lecturer on constitutional law, University of Chicago; member, Illinois State Senate 1997-2004; elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 2004, and served from January 3, 2005, to November 6, 2008, when he resigned from office, having been elected president; elected as the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and was inaugurated on January 20, 2009. The President will be inaugurated for his second term in January 2013.

Friendship Baptist Church Member Business Directory

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

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THE EDIFIER

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Alternative Pathway to Graduation

In order to graduate from high school in the State of Ohio, students must fulfill the curricular requirements and pass all five of the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGTs). For those high school students who have yet to pass all five of the tests, do not be discouraged. Many times, there is only one test that the student has yet to pass; in those cases, the State of Ohio has designed an

submitted by Loree Richardson The student has a grade point average of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 in the subject area of the failed OGT. The student has taken advantage of any intervention programs provided by the school district or school in the subject area of the failed OGT, and has a 97% attendance rate, excluding any excused absences, in any of those programs that are provided at times beyond the normal school day. The student can receive credit for attending comparable intervention services such as Sylvan, tutoring, etc. 6. The student has a letter recommending graduation from the persons high school principal. 7. The student has met all of the high school curriculum requirements in the subject area. Please see the schools guidance counselor immediately to get further information. If a student does not meet the 2.5 grade point average in the subject area of the failed OGT, consult with the counselor immediately to inquire about taking credit recovery courses. THERE IS HOPE !

Alternative Pathway which 4. could possibly allow students to graduate. There is special criteria that is set in order that a student be eligible to 5. graduate without passing all five tests. 1. On the one OGT that the student has not passed; the person must have missed passing the test by 10 points or less. 2. The student has to have at least a 97% attendance rate for each of the last four school years. 3. The student has not been expelled from school in any of the last four school years.

Junior Civic League Scholarship

submitted by Betty L. Scott

The eligibility criteria for the Junior Civic League Scholarship are: Students must have at least one parent of African American origin; student must be a graduating senior at a public or private high school in the Mahoning Valley; student seeks an associates or bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, or enroll in a school of nursing that is affiliated with a university, and; must be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of no less than a 2.50 on a 4.0 grading scale.

Scholarships are $1,500 each and non-renewable. The scholarship is divided into increments paid upon proof of enrollment and grades each semester or quarter during the freshman year. The required documents to submit are:

Junior Civic League Members

An application; an official high school transcript; a personal essay; three letters of recommendation; proof of household income (copy of parents or graduates 2012 IRS tax return or copy of all 2012 W2 forms).

To get a Junior Civic League Scholarship application go to www.juniorcivicleague.org , or contact Sister Betty L. Scott. Deadline for application is April 2013.

Looking for a way to pay for your childs college education? Eligible 2012 high school graduates from Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull Counties can receive free tuition with Eastern Gateway Community Colleges Gateway Grant. Eligible graduates must attend Eastern Gateway full

time, preferably beginning with the fall semester. The grant is not competitive or need based, and credits do transfer to other state institutions. To learn more, call EGCC at (330) 744-8967 Option 1 for Admissions.

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THE EDIFIER

Where Will You Be In 100 Years?

There are many reasons why a person thinks they Your soul will be living forever .. But where? are going to heaven. I just know I am . HEAVEN . OR HELL The only reason youll be in Heaven. You are saved What is your reason by grace through faith in for believing this? Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8) Assurance of life in Heaven What if you are This means: You love Jesus bewrong cause He first loved You know who God is Im a good person. you according to the Bible No one is good, not You know you are a You know Jesus died even one new creation (your on the cross for your (Rom. 3:12) priorities in life have sins All sinned and fall changed) short of the glory of You have repented of Your goal in life is to your sins God (Rom. 3:23) please the Lord Jesus You have received I belong to a Church. Repentance is part of Jesus as the Lord and Satan was in Heavyour daily life Savior of your life en before he was (I John 1:9) You know your good kicked out Jesus reigns over and works cant earn you Not everyone who is the center of your a place in heaven says to Me Lord, life. (Eph. 2:9) Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven You know grace is a free, unearned gift Submitted by (Matt.7:21) from God I believe Jesus existed Christal Dawson and died on the cross.

So does the devil and he trembles (James 2:19)

Trust in God by Norman Macleod

Courage, Brother, do not stumble, Though your path be dark as night; Theres a star to guide the humble, Trust in God and do the right. Let the road be rough and dreary, And its end far out of sight, Foot it bravely, strong or weary; Trust in God and do the right. Perish policy and cunning, Perish all that fears the light; Whether losing, whether winning, Trust in God and do the right. Trust no party, sect or faction, Trust no leaders in the fight; But in every word and action, Trust in God and do the right. Simple rule and safest guiding, Inward peace and inward might, Star upon our path abiding; Trust in God and do the right. Some will hate you, some will love you, Some will flatter, some will slight; Cease from man, and look above you, Trust in God and do the right. submitted by Crystal Shells

Please.. Save the Date No more Christian Nice Girl Saturday, February 23, 2013 The Georgetown 5945 South Avenue Boardman, OH 44512 Pilgrim Baptist Church Sister To-Sister Luncheon

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January 2013 Birthdays & Anniversaries

Sister Cecelia Taltoan, an Usher at FBC shared this testimony. ..

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Stacey Shells Beverly Thompson Jason & Sherria Duncan 9 Terri Ewell 10 Jasmine Williams Tom & Dianne Simmons 11 Cynthia Daniels & Sylvia Williams 12 Karen Carter & Delores Dawson 16 Olivia Duncan 17 Gwen Poole 20 Thais Davidson 27 Ashley Peace 29 Britney Curd 30 Melanie Johnson February 2013 Birthdays & Anniversaries 1 Jalessa Moore & Lewis Daniels 3 Faye White 6 Brandon Carter 9 Alexa Moore & Noelle Lytle 11 Doll Peace 12 Cassie Mitchell Jones & Gordon Gibson 13 Jason Davis 14 Gloria & Larry Spires 16 Bill & Judy Beck 20 Ann Clark 21 Link & Tanya McNeely 22 Thelma Vines 23 Vanito Adams 25 Seth Powell DID YOU KNOW? The Ohio Department of Commerce announced that Ohios minimum wage would increase on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. The increase is from $7.70 to $7.85 per hour for non-tipped employees. For employees who receive tips, it will increase from $3.85 to $3.93 per hour. The increase will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $288,000. Also, Ohio Attorney General, Mike DeWine is encouraging Ohioans to sign up for the do-not-call registry and report violators to his office. To join, visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888382-1222. To report unwanted calls, visit www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or call 1-800282-0515.

I am happy and glad to give God the glory for restoring and keeping me from drugs and alcohol on January 4th; 25 years ago. I know on my own I could have not done so. Only God has kept me clean and free. When I think about those drug days and what He has done for me, Victory! I Cor. 15:57

Mahoning Shenango Valley Sunday School Association FREE SKATE PARTY Sunday January 13, 2013 5:30 - 8:30 PM Free Skating Admission Skate Rental $3.50 All Other Activities $3.25 SKATE ZONE Fun Center 5420 Mahoning Ave. Austintown, OH 44515 (330)-270-4386 Fun for all ages Lavance Turnage, FBC member and Ursuline High graduate is a triple threat athletically at Waynesburg University, playing football and basketball and running track. Off the field, Turnage is a business management major minoring in marketing finance.

FBC Drama Ministry

In order to become a part of the Drama Ministry, salvation is a must; also regular attendance at Sunday School / Bible Study is required. Each member of the ministry should be receiving doctrinally sound teaching consistently in order to be an effective participant in this evangelical endeavor of minister-

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ing. Not only to the born again believer, but also as a witness to the unsaved person, to encourage them to begin a relationship with Christ through salvation. Cynthia has stated, we (ministry members), may be the only scripture that some people may ever read.

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A Word From The Pastor continued from page 1

There are serious reasons to believe that much bible reading and bible study of the last 50 years has been of very little spiritual profit to those engaged in it. Arthur W. Pink, Profiting From the Word copyright

The Scriptures and Sin

How a person is to profit from the Word of God is clearly answered by scripture text 2 Tim. 3:16-17. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. It is profitable for doctrineWhat is doctrine? Teaching, training For reproofconviction Correction Instruction in righteousness The resultperfection or reaching the desired goal. The idea in the words perfection or perfect is more than just maturity, it is goal reaching, as in pressing toward the mark in Phil. 3 and when that which is perfect is come in I Cor. 13-10. The desired goalfully equipped for all good works. The word good means profitable, advantageous, beneficial, useful, etc., not just constitutionally good (made right). The same idea is seen in the phrase, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10 We profit from the Word of God when: 1. The Word convicts us of sin. See Isa. 6woe is me, for I am undone; Luke 5depart from me for I am a sinful man; Rom. 7:18for I know that in me dwells no good thing; Psalm 51:5shaped in iniquity and in sin did my mother; Rom. 7:13that sin might become exceedingly sinful. 2. When the Word makes us sorrow over sin. See 2 Cor. 7:8-10Godly sorrow produces repentance; Rom. 7:23O wretched person that I am; Jer. 31:19I was ashamed and also humiliated. When the Word leads to confession of sin. See Prov. 28-13he who covers his sin shall not prosper, but who confesses and forsakes them shall prosper; Psalm 32:3-5silence, heaviness, then acknowledgement; 1John 1:8-2:2confession, advocate, propitiation. 4. 5. When the Word produces in us a deeper hatred of sin. See Psalm 97:10you who love the Lord, hate evil; Psalm 119:104, 128I hate every false way; Prov. 8:13the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. When the Word causes a forsaking of sin. See again Prov. 28.13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1separate from and separate to; 2 Tim. 2:19 depart from iniquity; 2 Peter 1:3-4we have become partakers of the divine nature so escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. 6. 7. When the Word fortifies against sin. See Psalm 119:11thy word have I hidden in my heart; Psalm 37:11the law of his God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide; Gen. 39:9how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God. When the Word causes us to practice the opposite of sin. See James 1:22be you doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves; Heb. 3:12-13we encourage each other; Jer. 17:9-10we let God search our hearts; 1 John 3:18let us love in deed and truth. The Edifier Newsletter Mission / Purpose Our mission is three-fold: To share the gospel of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and to glorify God the Father. To inform, edify, encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge believers in Christ at FBC to a higher standard of Christian living in the world, through the distribution of printed Christcentered materials. To unify and strengthen the relationships between the FBC ministries and members, as well as with other churches in our communities by sharing information and news about our church, ministries and Christian businesses. Faith Statement We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that personal salvation and the forgiveness of sin are only available through Him, by Grace. We believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Bible is Gods Word to His Church and that it is complete and fully trustworthy. (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, John 4:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Matt. 28:19, II Tim. 3:16)

The Banner of Truth Trust

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

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111 Water Street Girard, OH 44420 (330) 545-2821 fbcgirard.org http://sermon.net/fbcgirard thenewsletter.fbc@gmail.com