- by Deacon Dean Jernigan

The Testament March 2016 Durham, NC Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church

In a scene from Coming To

America, one of my all time

favorite movies, African Prince

Akeem (played by Eddie Murphy)

rejoices with glee after going on a

date with Lisa, a woman who he

has fallen madly in love with

during his brief visit to America.

On his walk home after the date,

he sings a few verses from Jackie

Wilson’s classic song, To Be

Loved.

Akeem is a fictional character

but his actions reflect the real life

joy that many people feel when

budding seeds of romance start to

blossom into petals of love and

affection. Becoming attracted and

eventually falling for someone is a

natural part of the circle of life.

Extending love to someone

exposes our innermost feelings and

sets us up for a hard fall if that

love is not received. Being on the

receiving end of love from the

person that you have extended it to

is when the real joy arrives. That’s

the joy that comes across as

Akeem sings To Be Loved and why

the song tugs at your heart just

hearing it by itself. “Oh what a

feeling to be loved!”

As Christians, we’re extremely

fortunate when it comes to love.

Love is at the core of everything

that we believe in and it resides in

the center of our faith. Love is

what wakes us up each day and

guides us in thought, word and

deed. Love teaches us, corrects us

and rewards us. Love prepares our

daily bread, protects us from our

enemies, comforts us in our time

of need and provides

shelter from the storms

of life. Love leads us

and provides spiritual

nourishment for our

soul. Love is everything that our

Heavenly Father provides for us.

Unlike the love associated with

romance experienced by Akeem,

God’s love for us is unconditional.

There are no limits on His love and

He gives it freely. In His greatest

act of love, He gave his only son to

die for our sins and to serve as a

bridge to salvation and eternal life.

(John 3:16) All that He asks from

us is that we love Him in return.

In this season of Lent,

prayerfully reflect on God’s love

and the manifestation of that love

through the many blessings that He

sends our way. Reflect also on the

love that you give to others. Unlock

the door to your heart and extend

love to those around you, those in

distant places and even those who

have hurt you. Don’t worry if the

love is not returned. Comfort

yourself in knowing that your

actions line up with God’s Word

which state that it is better to give

than to receive. (Acts 30:25)

On Easter/Resurrection Sunday,

before the first prayer is prayed and

before the sermon is preached, take

a moment to soak in the love that

still flows down from Calvary’s

mountain. Bask in the glory of

God’s warmth and the peace that

surpasses all understanding. Feel

the love extended to you from a

risen Savior and enjoy what it feels

like to be loved!

To Be Loved

No Other Way

Life for a life; His Blood was shed -

There was no other way;

As sacrifice Jesus was led

To Golgotha that Day.

Crimson flowed from feet and hands;

Thorned crown upon His head,

Yet there are few who understand

Why our Savior bled.

Their eyes are closed; they cannot see

That nothing else will do -

Only His Blood can set men free;

Make broken lives brand new.

Lord Jesus, You have paid the price

For each and every sin;

Your Blood will without fail suffice

To cleanse us from within.

-by Belinda van Rensburg

HE LIVES!!

I am the resurrection and the

life. He who believes in Me,

though he may die, he shall live.

John 11:25

Resurrection Sunday March 27, 2016

SonRise Service

6:30am

For God so loved the world, that

he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish, but have

everlasting life. John 3:16

Habakkuk 2:2-3

“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the Vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he

may run that readeth it. For the Vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and

not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

1. A New Sanctuary

2. Burn the Present Mortgage within 4 Years

3. Let’s All Get Debt Free (in every sense)

4. Be Faithful Stewards (Time, Talent, & Treasure)

5. Every Member Operating in their Spiritual Gift(s)

6. Break Ground within 5 Years

7. Total Church Commitment to Bible Study and Prayer

Acts 4 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together;

and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of

them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Let’s Build the Community in the Church

LMBC – Rev. Linzie B. Atkins, III June 27, 2012

The Testament is produced monthly by our Newsletter

Committee. Please send articles, photos or other items for

publication to newsletter@mylmbc.org by the 3rd Sunday

of each month.

Newsletter Committee

Reginald Davis • Willee Murphy

Joan Lofton • Marva Atkins • William Mayfield

Earleen Sharrock • Dean Jernigan, Chair

Lift Every Voice and Sing Lift ev'ry voice and sing,

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the list'ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chast'ning rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat,

Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past,

Till now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,

God of our silent tears,

Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast by Thy might,

Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;

Shadowed beneath Thy hand,

May we forever stand,

True to our God,

True to our native land.

- by James Weldon Johnson

Black History Corner

- by Bro. Cecil Sharrock

Happy Birthday to our

March Birthday Celebrities!

Nina Chandler • Trevor Williams

Michael Wilson • Roberto Figueroa

Arlette Woodward • Justin Bailey

Daniel Campbell • Ronald Jones

Domonique Hodge • Willie Wilks

Best Wishes For Many More!!

The Black History Committee would like to

thank LMBC family for sharing their Time,

Talents and Treasures to ensure that the Black

History Month moments and events of 2016

were successful. Black History happens 365 days

and we intend to enlighten you on Black History

facts on a monthly basis and through presenters

Quarterly. Our first request is that everyone

strives to learn the words to the “Negro National

Anthem.” We are encouraging you to teach it to

your children and anyone that wants to learn it.

One year from now we will stand “Proudly,

Boldly and with Conviction” sing, “Our Song”

written by us for us without having to look at

paper. We ask you to make this one act, our

renewed commitment to our past and our passing

on its Legacy in song to our people!!! This year,

let us truly “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND

SING.”

Up Calvary's Mountain

Up Calvary's mountain one dreary morn,

Trudged Christ our Savior weary and worn.

They came to the mount, the place of the skull.

It was there Jesus paid our debt in full.

As He hung on the cross and died a cruel death,

He said, "Father, forgive them," and with a fleeting breath,

It was finished and as Jesus gave up His ghost

A victor's song was sung by a heavenly host.

Jesus was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb

But the grave couldn't hold Him, there was no room.

He arose, He arose, let's praise His sweet name.

He loves us so; we're the reason He came.

Salvation is free, it is a gift from above.

God gave us His son because of His love

He bought us, redeemed us and set us all free.

As He gave His life there on Calvary.

- by Sara McGinty

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from

whence cometh my help. My help cometh

from the Lord, which made heaven and

earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Importance Of Christian Education

ICE

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be

in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto

thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in

thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when

thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh

knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2: 6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto

thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge

him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

To educate the whole person.

To protect us from error.

Profitable for Doctrine (what is right), Reproof (what

is not right, Correction (how to get right) and

Instruction (how to stay right).

Transforms and changes us.

Biblical truth which is absolute, timeless and

changeless.

To teach the principles of God’s Word.

To cultivate hearts for God.

To filter our thinking through the Word of God and

build our lives on the solid, unchanging principles of

God’s Word.

To bring people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

To train us in a life of discipleship and to equip us for

Christian service in the world today.

To develop in believers, a biblical worldview that will

assist in making significant decisions from a Christian

perspective.

-submitted by Sis. Kathy Williams, Chair

Christian Education Ministry

Love Day In its ongoing display of love and appreciation

for our Pastor and First Lady, the Lincoln

family observed its annual Love Day

celebration. Offering gifts of love and words of

support, the family gathered for food and

fellowship on Valentine’s Day to spend time

with Rev. Linzie and First Lady Marva Atkins.

Around Lincoln...

Rev. Atkins and members of the Youth Activities

Committee salute some of our youth during

Student Recognition.

The Sounds of Joy step out front as they

render music during morning worship

service.

Super Bowl

Fellowship

Our annual Super Bowl Fellowship is always a

joyous and festive event. Whether it’s watching

the game, enjoying the food or just hanging out

with friends, this event is sure to put a smile on

the face of everyone who attends.

The event also provides a forum for recognition

of the participants in the LMBC Fantasy Football

League. Congratulations to Bro. Bobby Ham, this

year’s league champion.

Bro. Bryce Davenport raises the bar for

fashion at the Super Bowl Fellowship.

And the peace of God, which

surpasses all understanding, will

guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

-submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare

works of art. They had everything in their

collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would

often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went

to war. He was very courageous and died in battle

while rescuing another soldier. The father was

notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there

was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the

door with a large package in his hands. He said,

"Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for

whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives

that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a

bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.

He often talked about you, and your love for art.

The young man held out his package. "I know this

isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think

your son would have wanted you to have this." The

father opened the package. It was a portrait of his

son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at

the way the soldier had captured the personality of

his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to

the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He

thanked the young man and offered to pay him for

the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what

your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every

time visitors came to his home he took them to see

the portrait of his son before he showed them any

of the other great works he had collected. The man

died a few months later.

There was to be a great auction of his paintings.

Many influential people gathered, excited over

seeing the great paintings and having an

opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On

the platform sat the painting of the son. The

auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the

bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid

for this picture?"

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the

room shouted. "We want to see the famous

paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer

persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting?

Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another

voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this

painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the

Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still

the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son!

Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the

room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and

his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a

poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10,

who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10

is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was

becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of

the son. They wanted the more worthy investments

for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the

gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now

let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid

down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I

was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a

secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to

reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the

painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever

bought that painting would inherit the entire estate,

including the paintings. The man who took the son

gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel

cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today

is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets

everything.

WHO'LL TAKE THE SON? (Author Unknown)

-submitted by Sis. Earleen Sharrock

Newsletter Photos by Deacon William Mayfield

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:00pm

Pastor’s Aide

6:30pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

2

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

3

6:30pm

Voices of Praise

4

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

5

Seventh Day

Adventist

(All Day)

10:00am

Trustees

12:00Noon

Women of Faith

1:00pm

Missionary Min.

6

7

7:00pm

Music Ministry

8

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Sounds of Joy

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

9

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

10

6:00pm

Christian Board

6:30pm

Sounds of Joy

11

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

12

Seventh Day

Adventist

(All Day)

10:00am

Deaconess

6:00pm

Couples Ministry

13

7:30am

Deacons

3:00pm

Youth

Missionaries

14

15

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

16

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

17

7:00pm

Church

Conference

18

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

19

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

9:00am

Laymen’s

League

20

21

6:30pm

Health & Wellness

22

12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm

Male Chorus

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

23

6:30pm

Intercessory

Prayer

7:00pm

Bible Study

24

6:30pm

Male Chorus

25

Good Friday

7:00pm

Seventh Day

Adventist

26

Seventh Day

Adventist (All Day)

27

Easter

6:30am

SonRise Service

1:00pm

Ushers Ministry

28

29 12:00Noon

Noon Day Prayer

6:30pm Computing &

Technology

6:30pm

Voices of Praise

7:00pm Seventh Day

Adventist

30

31

6:30pm

Voices of Praise

March 2016

“Building the Church in the Community and the Community in the Church”

To add an event to the church

calendar, please contact Sis.

Janice Campbell by calling the

church at 919-688-1886. You may

also reach her via email at

churchcalendar@mylmbc.org.