Re:
Rev. Carter, opened devotion with hymn #329, ‘I Am Thine O Lord’ the
reading of Mark 16:11-20, prayer, and ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.’
Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference with the
call to order and welcoming the body to this week’s conference and business
session.
Dr.
Sid Kelly shared his favorite parable found in Matthew 20:1-14, the laborers in
the vineyard. Kelly tells how the parable is not a proverb for Jesus being a
living wage, it’s not about justice though some did feel they were treated
unjustly, it’s not about mercy though that was one of the essential themes of
Jesus’ message. But Kelly thinks it is a crafted parable with a hook. Kelly
says that we get hooked on it because we identify ourselves with those who are
all day workers.
Kelly asked the question, “How do you feel when you
hear this parable, what is the point?” Kelly then gives his interpretation:
Imagine you are the one who was hired first thing in the morning with your
brother waiting to work. You both need to work; you hired first then, later
that day, your brother. On the way home, your brother says he received the same
pay as you. “Do you rejoice with him?” Kelly asked.
Kelly says that when Jesus makes this point he
shows how much more we are economic competitors than in the family of God.
The April 3rd conference were read and accepted with proper corrections.
April 20, 2007
at 8am the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will occur.
The body was
reminded of the obligation at Griffith School.
Sick Report
(None)
Community
Presentation(s)
Walter Marshall informed the conference of the Forsyth County
Commissioners issue on prayer. Marshall believes energies and attention should
be given to pertinent issues like feeding the hungry, our school system and the
downtown health plaza. The body agreed to go on record supporting Marshall as a
human being and legislator.
Announcement(s):
Dr. Beal thanked ministers for participating at the ‘Seven Last Words of Jesus’ program at Zion Memorial.
Rev. Bass informed the conference that the Zimbabwe group would be with us on Tuesday, April 10. We will meet at the Winston Lake YMCA.
Rev. Squire informed the conference of the Minority Empowerment Conference to be held in Davie Co. at Greater Mt. Moriah Mocksville. The Minority Empowerment Conference is to put together an agenda in Davie Co. that will allow minority voices to be heard. The body agreed to endorse this conference. Itinerary for this conference was given to everyone present.
Rev. Sanders reminded the body that all funds for the Golf Tournament must be received by next week.
Dr. Eversley announced Dr. Simpson, of Brooklyn NY, to speak at the WSSU Billiard Auditorium Thursday at 9:45am.
Rev.
Sanders led hymn #286 ‘The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow.’ The preaching order
of the day was Rev. Ray Watlington, pastor.
Rev.
Watlington spoke from the subject, Why Are you on the Hill?, with
emphasis on II Samuel 21:6,9. Watlington told of how the severe famine problem
in Israel had gotten King David’s attention. David didn’t know what was
happening-the flocks and crops died, diseases were on up rise, and there was no
water from heaven. David went to the Lord and asked if it was something he had
done, or something the people had done. The Lord answered David telling him it
was all because of Saul and his bloody house…Saul establishing his own
righteousness.
To
make the matter right, David gave seven of Saul’s descendants to the
Gibeonites, by their request, who hanged them on the hill. All seven fell,
dying a horrible death. Rizpah, the concubine, went to where the seven had
fallen and refused to leave until heaven did something. Watlington asked: how
could Rizpah just sit there? The curse was lifted after the Gibeonites were
satisfied.
When answering the question why are you on the hill? Watlington says the seven descendants were there because the king summoned them; Gibeonites were on the hill for revenge-to get even with a dead man; Rizpah was on the hill because of a mother’s love and devotion. But Jesus, Watlington proclaimed, was on the hill for us…a hill of despair to a hill of redemption!
The
body rose to give Rev. Watlington a rousing vote of thanks for his message.
Attendance – 17 persons
Offering - $65.00
Membership
– $20.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.