Matthews
     Church of God
                 Monthly
                       Messenger
March 2018 - In This Issue:
  SPRINGTIME SOWING

A farmer's son was complaining about all the work on the farm and his father told him, that's o.k. from now on you only have to work half a day; and it doesn't matter to me which 12 hours you choose!

Farmers know that if they don't put the seed in the ground it will never spring up out of the ground.  Jesus explained that the "sower" is one who sows the "Word of God"; t he "seed" is the Gospel.
  • A seed is alive; it contains life
  • A seed does nothing until it's planted
  • A seed is powerful
  • A seed takes time to produce
In the parable of the sower, some of the "seed" produced fruit and some did not, 
but the problem was not in the "seed".  All the seed in the parable was good "seed"; each one had the potential to produce fruit.  The problem was not the "seed" but the "soil".

Dewitt Talmadge said, 
"Poor preaching is God's curse on a prayerless congregation"

Jeremiah 4:3

3 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

 

The ground needs to be prepared to receive the seed of God's Word.

The "soil" represents the heart of man.  Everyone who hears the Gospel hears it in a different way.  Some revile it, some reject it and some receive it.

The sower was throwing seed everywhere: on the road, among the rocks and the weeds. The sower was not reluctant to sow and we must not be either; sow in season and out of season but SOW!  It is the job of the sower to SOW the Word; the rest is the work of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:6

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

The results are not up to us but God!  God can cause seed to grow regardless of circumstances.  He can do the impossible.  Our job is to sow!

We must have the attitude of the farmer; g et out and sow; start scattering seed and it will not return void!





MEMBER IN SPOTLIGHT

Abigail Brackett Salsedo is our member in spotlight for the month of March.

Abby attended Appalachian State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She also has a background in music and is able to play both the clarinet and piano. She enjoys reading, sports, and listening to music as her hobbies. 

Abby is excited about what God is doing in the church and she is especially thrilled to see the children's department growing where she serves as children's pastor. It is her desire to see more and more children get involved in the exciting programs of the church. She is convinced that all children will be benefited by attending
"Kidz Church" each Sunday morning. The music, puppets, bible stories and games are a wonderful way to help build a stable foundation for our youth of tomorrow.

Abby has had several years of experience in working with children; she is a 1st Grade teacher at Rocky River Elementary School in Monroe, N.C.  She  has an exceptional gift in working with children, especially ones that seem to be difficult and challenging. Recently she was commended by her principal because of a letter sent in by a mother regarding her. The following is an excerpt from that letter:

"I have never felt such relief from a phone call from school before. My child is flourishing. He is excited to go to school. He is bounding out the door when he has club day. He is growing as a whole child, not just a number. His reading level went from being behind to being above where he needs to be because his teacher is growing the WHOLE child. She is not focused on his negative behavior, his attitude, or his actions from the past. She takes those into account on how she handles him to teach him how to grow as a person. I am so lucky to have my son go to a school where he has a teacher like Mrs. Salsedo.
When I chose to send my son to his neighborhood school, I had no idea I would fall in love with the culture and the teacher my son has."

Abby is married to Troy Salsedo and they have three children: Logan, Skylar and Luke.



ANNUAL VALENTINE WIDOWS BRUNCH

The widows held their annual Valentine Brunch and a great time was had by all. There was plenty of food, fun and fellowship.

This doesn't look like  "pin the tail on the donkey".

A wonderful group of ladies enjoying fellowship.



Always, plenty of delicious food.
BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION

We were delighted to have a joint service with High Praise Ministries Intl. Church of God, in celebration of Black History Month. Bishop Charles & 1st Lady Veronica McIntosh, along with their congregation, were a blessing to our church.










SUNDAY MARCH 11, 2018

Matthews Church of God
517 E John St.
Matthews, NC  28105
704-847-5625




"A Church with open arms, a smiling face and a loving heart for all people."  
COME WORSHIP WITH US!