Christmas @ Pelham 2008

Mike, Henry & Susie


Reading of Christmas story


Tom & Melinda Bratton getting ready to deliver Christmas dinner food to 30 families.


Children's Play

From The General Overseer

Once more let us say from the International Office we wish all of our ministry network a glorious Christmas celebration filled with Love, Joy, and Peace. This has been a great year of ministry around the world and among our people. Even in difficult times the gospel is not hindered. It is possible that many will give the gospel a hearing in hard times when they would ignored such things before. And though economies may be slowed and funds may be lower, I know the ministries around this church are stepping in to let the hurting know that Jesus is the Healer, the Helper, and the Hand of love they are looking for today. It is a joy to serve such a family of ministry as the Church of God of Prophecy.

Already my spirit and prayers are beginning to turn toward the exciting time of consecration and seeking coming as we anticipate the Fast For Awakening 2009. Even now in December my prayer times have been touched with a new sense of hunger. I know that this is the grace of God calling me, and all of us, to enter this New Year with a season of prayer, fasting and seeking for God's touch on our ministries and lives. His work cannot be done without Him. I invite you to keep returning to our web site where we will have reminders of the Fast For Awakening 2009, twenty-one days of seeking God spanning 130 nations and 12,000 preaching points. As we humble ourselves and pray the promise says that we will hear from heaven. Make plans to join us this January in the Fast For Awakening 2009.

On the first twenty-one days of January 2009 let the Church of God of Prophecy unite together in prayer. Jesus has told us, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

As God calls prayer warriors together across this body of ministry we will be activating this great promise of Christ. In addition to our unity in hunger to seek God together, we can unite in agreement on specific needs as well. Here we offer you one simple prayer focus for each day we unite on one simple need.

Saints know that God is going to hear us in our hunger and in our unity. Based on this knowledge I claim I John 5: 14-15 as our victory even before we pray our first prayer in this twenty-one days. "And if is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: An if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

My friends we are seeking God and we are united around His gospel. Who can stand against us? I John also affirms our faith saying, "whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." (5:4) Join me in believing God for great things as this New Year begins.

The International Office would be blessed greatly by the prayers of this church family. As we focus on our core values of Prayer, Harvest, and Leadership Development we pray that God will make us more and more effective in facilitating strong ministry throughout this network.

Prayer is the hidden secret behind the work of God. Let's ask God to send a call to prayer down over our ministries worldwide. God does not intend that the church do His work alone, but through prayer God wants to enter the church and accomplish His will.

Harvest is the call God has given this church and many others for this very day of opportunity. Pray that God will pour into us a fresh passion for souls much like Rachael wept for children. May we weep for the birth of new children into the Kingdom.

World Missions is a call to every local church in the Kingdom. Pray for new zeal and inspiration to give for the missions.

The Young Harvest is a call that is gripping hearts in this era. With such potential in the lives of youth, and such evil attacking them, now is the time to rescue the next generation for God's glory. Pray for success in evangelization of the young harvest.

Local Churches are the heart beat of God's growing Kingdom. There in the family of God gathered together all the operations of Kingdom transformation are applied. Pray for local churches to be filled with God's presence and power to be the life centers God intends them to be.

Developing Leaders is the key to completing all that God has placed before this worlds ministry to accomplish. As we pour into leaders we will tap the multiplying power of God to minister powerfully.

Pastors are the key. Pray for Pastors today. Pray for their ministries, their outreach, their strength, their vision, their families, their health, their protection, and their provision. The enemy is out to destroy these precious God called servants but we can pray a hedge of Divine protection around them and Divine help for them.

R E Howard, General Overseer

Pastor & Wife at Shamballa

Photobucket Album

Click on the picture to view all pictures in Album.

Matthew 11:28

"Come unto Me... and I will give you rest.
Dwight L. Moody was fond of pointing out that there are three kinds of faith in Jesus Christ: struggling faith, which is like a man floundering and fearful in deep water; clinging faith, which is like a man hanging to the side of a boat; and resting faith, which finds a man safe inside the boat--strong and secure enough to reach out his hand to help someone else.... Only one had discovered he could actually be in the boat-- where all he had to do was rest. This is the kind of faith God wants us to have--a faith that trust Him totally.

2008 Pastor Appreciation Day

Pastor's Honor Day

The church gave Sister Martin and I a wonderful Appreciation Day on Sunday, October 19. Everyone was so thoughtful and A large crowd gathered at the Pelham church to honor us as their Pastoral Team. There were various speakers and songs that gave honor to us in a very special way.

Another large Grocery Shower was give and also a nice offering. In addition to these things we were also given three (3) nights stay at the famous "Shamballa Point of Light Retreat Center." We have stayed there before and enjoyed it so much.

The people brought lunch and the Pastor's Committee had invited our family to come and have lunch with us at the church. What a surprise to us when we went down stairs to see our family.

Our thanks to Sister Melinda Bratton, Sister Becky Chance and Sister Annette Daniel for planning such a WONDERFUL day for us.

It is such an honor to be the Pastor at Pelham and God bless the church for everything they have done for us.

Staff Appreciation Day

Sunday October 5, 2008, the Staff was honored by Pastor and Sister Martin. The Staff at Pelham COGOP are doing a great job in leading the church to growth in the Lord.

He Can Do The Impossible

The kingdom of heaven. Its citizens are drunk on wonder.
Consider the case of Sarai. She is in her golden years, but God promises her a son. She gets excited. She visits the maternity shop and buys a few dresses. She plans her shower and remodels her tent ... but no son. She eats a few birthday cakes and blows out a lot of candles ... still no son. She goes through a decade of wall calendars ... still no son.

So Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. ("Maybe God needs me to take care of this one.")

She convinces Abram that time is running out. ("Face it, Abe, you ain't getting any younger, either.") She commands her maid, Hagar, to go into Abram's tent and see if he needs anything. ("And I mean 'anything'!") Hagar goes in a maid. She comes out a mom. And the problems begin.

Hagar is haughty. Sarai is jealous. Abram is dizzy from the dilemma. And God calls the baby boy a "wild donkey"--an appropriate name for one born out of stubbornness and destined to kick his way into history.

It isn't the cozy family Sarai expected. And it isn't a topic Abram and Sarai bring up very often at dinner.

Finally, fourteen years later, when Abram is pushing a century of years and Sarai ninety ... when Abram has stopped listening to Sarai's advice, and Sarai has stopped giving it ... when the wallpaper in the nursery is faded and the baby furniture is several seasons out of date ... when the topic of the promised child brings sighs and tears and long looks into a silent sky ... God pays them a visit and tells them they had better select a name for their new son.

Abram and Sarai have the same response: laughter. They laugh partly because it is too good to happen and partly because it might. They laugh because they have given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it is real.

They laugh at the lunacy of it all.

They laugh because that is what you do when someone says he can do the impossible. They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God--for God is laughing, too. Then, with the smile still on his face, he gets busy doing what he does best--the unbelievable.

He changes a few things--beginning with their names. Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a multitude. Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother.

But their names aren't the only things God changes. He changes their minds. He changes their faith. He changes the number of their tax deductions. He changes the way they define the word impossible.

From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado

Old Fashion Day Sept. 21, 2008

Old Fashion Day

This coming Sunday, September 21 will be Old Fashion Day at our Church. Everyone dress "OLD" Fashion, (meaning any era before 1900). You may dress like the Pilgrams or even before that era of time.
Nice Bibles are being given to the male and female that is the "most original" old fashion dressed.
Lunch will be served after our State Bishop, L. V. Jones delivers the morning message. All our ladies are fixing plenty because we will have extra guest.

Trusting God

The Bible has scores of references telling us how much it pleases God for us to trust Him for every need.... Jesus told His disciples, "Look at the birds...they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26). God values our trust in Him above every other character quality. And how do we develop trust? by spending time in God's presence, through prayer, worship, and reading His Word. We develop it also as we step out in faith, and discover He really can be trusted. Are you trusting Him for every need in your life?

Unlocking the Mystery

I heard recently about a man who filled his car with gas at a self-service gas station. After he had paid and driven away, he realized that he had left the gas cap on top of his car. He stopped and looked and, sure enough, it was lost.

He thought for a second and realized that other people must have done the same thing, and that it was worth going back to look by the side of the road since even if he couldn't find his own gas cap, he might be able to find another one that fit.

Sure enough, after only a short time of searching, he found a gas cap. He carefully wiped it off and slipped it into place with a satisfying click.

He told his wife as he climbed back into the car, "I may have lost my gas cap, but I found another one that fits and it's even a better cap than the one I had -- it locks!"

Give thanks to God for revealing the mystery!

Oops! A locking gas cap is a great idea -- but only if you have the key that opens it! Understanding the Bible is much the same way. Remember when Jesus first began speaking in parables -- his apostles came to him for an explanation. They wanted the "key," and Jesus gave it to them. Jesus said, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God" (Mark 4:11).

The book of Revelation is a difficult (some would say impossible) book for people to understand. It becomes a much easier task when you have the "key" explaining the symbolism of the numbers, colors and images found in the book.

Sometimes the ministry of Jesus is referred to as a "mystery." Paul wrote often about the "mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19), the "mystery of Christ" (Colossians 4:3), or simply "the mystery" (Ephesians 3:9). The word "mystery" means that it was something that was "hidden" for a while. All through the Old Testament, God was preparing for Jesus Christ to come to this earth, but no one fully understood what that would mean. The prophets foretold his coming, but they didn't fully understand (1 Peter 1:10-12). Even the angels didn't know what God had in mind. But we do. We understand the significance of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Give thanks to God for revealing the mystery:

[T]he mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:26-27 NKJV)

---------
(c) 2008 Alan Smith Used by permission.
This devotional was reprinted from Thought for the
Day

September 11

September 11 will be engraved on the memories of people everywhere for generations to come. On that terrible day when terrorists commandeered several passenger planes and killed thousands of innocent people in New York and Washington, we began to realize the true depths of evil in the human heart, and the uncertainty and fragility of life itself.
What lessons would God teach us from such an appalling tragedy? I confess I don't know the full answer..... Life has always been uncertain; September 11 only made it clearer.
Where will you turn for your security? Put your life in Christ's hands, for only He offers us "a kingdom which cannot be shaken" (Hebrews 12:28).

Follow Hezekiah's Formula

The Bible' account about Hezekiah gives us an idea for problem solving: "Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord" (2 Kinds 19:14-15).
Instead of turning to God as a first resource, we so often turn to Him as a last resort. Follow Hezekiah's formula. Turn to God first with your problems, for only He is capable of handling them in a way that will be in your best interest,and according to His perfect will.

Leadership Wisdom

The Challenge of Leadership is to be-
Strong, but not rude.
Kind, but not weak.
Bold, but not a bully.
Thoughtful, but not lazy.
Humble, but not timid.
Proud, but not arrogant.
Humorous, but without folly.
copied

Cherokee Seasons of Life

There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.

So he sent them each on a quest...in turn...to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the Winter,the second in the Spring,the third in Summer, and the youngest son in the Fall.When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said 'no' it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful. It was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you can not judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's Winter, you will miss the promise of your Spring, the beauty of your Summer, the fulfillment of your Fall.

Moral:Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Headed Home

We are waiting for God to finish making us his own children, which means our bodies will be made free. Romans 8:23

Aging is God's idea. It's one of the ways he keeps us headed homeward. We can't change the process, but we can change our attitude. Here is a thought. What if we looked at the aging body as we look at the growth of a tulip?
Do you ever see anyone mourning over the passing of the tulip bulb? Do gardeners weep as the bulb begins to weaken? Of course not. We don't purchase tulip girdles or petal wrinkle cream or consult plastic-leaf surgeons. We don't morn the passing of the bulb; we celebrate it. Tulip lovers rejoice the minute the bulb weakens. "Watch that one," they say. "It's about to blossom."
Could it be heaven does the same? The angels point to our bodies. The more frail we become the more excited they become. "Watch that lady in the hospital," they say. "She's about to blossom." "Keep an eye on the fellow with the bad heart. He'll be coming home soon."

Copied from Grace for the Moment, Vol 2 by Max Lucado

Children are a gift from God

Children are a gift from god; they are his reward. Psalm 127:3 (TLB)

What achievement in life is equal to a happy home and rearing successful children who grow up in praise of their parents? Every material goal, even if it is met, will pass away. But the heritage of children is timeless. Our primary responsibility is to be sure our children grow up in homes where God is honored and the love of Christ reigns. Do your children sense that Christ is at the center of your home?

95th General Assembly

The COGOP 95th International Assembly is now in the history books. What a great assembly it was. I believe the effects of it will be realized in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Our General Overseer, Bishop, Randy Howard, showed great strength and vision throughout the entire assembly. The "Cry" in this assembly was for us to "Awake" to our heritage, the Great Commission that Christ left us to go into all the world with the Gospel, and vision for getting the Gospel out to the world.

Let's continue praying for strength to do our part on God's timetable.

Minister in Top Ten Jobs with High Prestige

Results of the annual Harris Poll that measures the public's perceptions of 23 different professions and occupations indicates that the profession of clergy ranks in the top 10 most prestigious occupations.

Of the 1,010 U.S. adults who were interviewed in July of this year, 40 percent said that the role of Priest/Minister/Clergy had "very great prestige." The top ten occupations ranked by perception of very high prestige were:

* Firefighter: 57%
* Scientist: 56%
* Doctor: 53%
* Nurse: 52%
* Teacher: 52%
* Military Officer: 46%
* Police Officer: 46%
* Farmer: 41%
* Minister/Clergy: 40%
* Engineer: 40%

Of the 23 professions that were ranked, Banker, Stockbroker and Real Estate Agent took the bottom three spots, with only six percent of respondents saying that Real Estate Agent was an occupation with "very great prestige." It's also interesting to note that, according to the Harris Poll in 1977, the occupation of Clergy was seen as having "very great prestige" by 41 percent of those who were questioned. That number rose to 46 percent in 1998 and dropped to 32 percent in 2004.

Renewing of Wedding Vows

This is a group picture of some of the couples that renewed their wedding vows on July 27, 2008.














Another group of couples renewing their wedding vows on July 27, 2008.














Pictures of the couples holding hands renewing wedding vows on July 27, 2008

Revival

The revival for the district began today at the Dry Valley Church. The AM service was a great service. The Sunday Evening service was a combined service with the Dry Valley, Clanton, Calera and Pelham churches all coming together at Dry Valley. Each church was well represented and each Pastor was there in support of the revival. Bishop Mike Willingham preached an outstanding message that touched the hearts and spirits of everyone present. Someone said, "his message was right on target tonight." God moved and many came forward for prayer. One from the Pelham youth group reported being saved in this service. There were twenty-six from the Pelham church that were able to attend. The Pelham, Youth group, (3 DL), sang two songs and God anointed them for His glory. After the service everyone went to the fellowship hall and enjoyed a very good meal provided by the Dry Valley church.

God is moving in this district and our churches are working together for the Glory of God. We are looking forward to each night of this revival and waiting to see what God will do for those seeking Him.

God is in YOUR Corner

The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forget you - Deuteronomy 31:8

When I was seven years old, I ran away from home. I'd had enough of my father's rules and decided I could make it on my own, thank you very much. With my clothes in a paper bag, I stormed out the back gate and marched down the alley. [But] I didn't get far. I got to the end of the alley and remembered I was hungry, so I went back home.

Though the rebellion was brief, it was rebellion nonetheless. And had you stopped me on that prodigal path.... I might just have told you how I felt. I might have said, "I don't need a father. I'm too big for the rules of my family."

I didn't hear the rooster crow like Peter did. I didn't feel the fish belch like Jonah did. I didn't get a robe and a ring and sandals like the prodigal did. But I learned from my father on earth what those three learned from their Father in heaven. Our God is no fair-weather Father. He's not into this love-'em-and leave'em stuff. I can count on Him to be in my corner no matter how I perform. YOU CAN TOO!
By: Max Lacado in his book: The Great House of God

Clean Slate

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Did you ever have the experience in school of erasing an entire blackboard? When the slate has been wiped clean, it is as if nothing at all had ever been written on it. This is what God does for us when we come to Him, confessing our sin and trusting Christ as our Savior and Lord..... The slate is wiped clean! Only God can do that. We can't do it ourselves....
Resolve right now to allow God to wipe your slate clean by confessing your sins and letting Him give you a brand new start

I am so thankful God gives me a brand new start each time I fail and come to Him in repentance.

If you have not invited Christ into your heart.... why not do it right now. He will come in if invited!

Father's Day

Our program on Father's Day was a big success. Everyone was blessed and the Lord was exalted with our worship of Him as the "true" Father of all. Our newly formed "Youth Choir" blessed everyone with a song during the program. Sister Melinda Bratton directed this event and God anointed it with His blessing.

Thanks to all that were in attendance for this special Day

Taking Inventory

"Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's spirit lives in you?"
1st Corinthians 3:18

All believers have God in their heart. But not all believers have given their whole heart to God. Remember, the question is not, how I can have more of the Spirit? but rather, how can the Spirit have more of me? Take inventory. As you look around your life, do you see any resistant pockets?..... Go down the list.....
Your tongue. Do you tend to stretch the truth? Puff up your facts? Your language? Is your language a sewer of profanities and foul talk? And grudges? Do you keep resentments parked in your "garudge"? Are you unproductive and lazy?
Do you live off the system, assuming that the church or the country should take care of you?..... do your actions interrupt the flow of the Spirit in your life?

From - Grace for the Moment, page 178

Don't Give Up!

Our inability to finish what we start is seen in the smallest of things:
A partly mowed lawn.
A half-read book.
Or, it shows up in life's most painful areas:
An abandoned child.
A wrecked marriage.
Any chance I'm addressing someone who is considering giving up? If I am, I want to encourage you to remain. I want to encourage you to remember Jesus' determination on the cross.
Jesus didn't quit. but don't think for one minute that he wasn't tempted to. Did he ever want to quit? You bet.
That's why his words are so splendid.
"It is Finished" - John 19:30

Copied from, Grace For The Moment vol II page 177

Quote For Today

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Measure of Success

We strive to be successful on our jobs, in our communities and with our friends, but the real measure of success comes from the way your child describes you.
Think on this poem.

You can use most any measure
When you're speaking of success
You can measure it in fancy home
expensive car or dress;
But the measure of your real success
is one you cannot spend
It's the way your child describes you
when he's talking to a friend.

Four Phrases

A very wise minister once told a couple to try to live by four three-word phrases that they should say to each other everyday!

1. I LOVE YOU
2. I'M SORRY
3. PLEASE FORGIVE ME
4. LET'S TRY AGAIN

Say these everyday with a tender heart.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

Sunday, June 15th, (Father's Day), we will hold "Renewal of Wedding Vows" Day at the Pelham COGOP. Any married couple may renew their wedding vows on this day.

I believe one of the primary reasons for the breakdown in the home is that we have forgotten God's commands about marriage .... Jesus said, "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife..... Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:5-6).... Marriage is a symbol of the unity between Christ and His church-a unity that should never be torn..... If divorce has happened to you, God can forgive the past, heal the present, and give hope for the future. But if you are married, treasure your spouse as a "gift" from God, and yield your marriage to Christ.

Please let us know if you wish to renew your vows on Father's Day.

Olive Garden

Thanks to all the church for a dinner at "Olive Garden" last night. After a VERY ENJOYABLE and FUN visit to Sister Carolyn and her family Sister Martin and I enjoyed a nice dinner at the Olive Garden in Alabaster.

Bro. Martin

Bible Study on Peace of God

Bro. James Clanton of the Pinson Parkway Church was guest Bible Study Speaker at Pelham COGOP, Sunday June 1 at 5:00 PM. Bro. Clanton led us in a study of the Peace of God.
Everyone enjoyed this study very much. Bro. Clanton would be a blessing to any local church.

Gift Card Shower

The wonderful people of the Pelham COGOP keep surprising us each month. Due to the great grocery showers given us in April and May we ask the church to omit the June grocery shower. Well they did, but surprised us with a wonderful "Gift Card" Shower. We received $120.00 worth of Gift Cards to three of our favorite restaurants. We are honored to be the pastoral team at the Pelham Church of God of Prophecy.

Great Youth Service

Sister Kay Jones and the 3 DL Youth group again had a wonderful service tonight. Several Youth members sang and others did a skit. Sis. Kay had Carolyn Caulk and Sabrina Johnson assisting her with the program. After service everyone enjoyed refreshments and good fellowship.

Two Choices

"What should I do with Jesus, the one called Christ?" Matthew 17:11
Pilate is correct in his question. "What should I do with Jesus, the one called Christ?"
Perhaps you, like Pilate, are curious about this one called Jesus.
What do you do with a man who claimes to be God, yet hates religion? What do you do with a man who calls himself the Savior, yet condemns systems? What do you do with a man who knows the place and time of his death, yet goes there anyway? . . .
You have two choices.
You can reject him. That is an option.
You can, as have many, decide that the idea of God's becoming a carpenter is too bizarre -- and walk away.
Or you can accept him. You can journey with him. You can listen for his voice amid the hundreds of voices and follow him.
From Grace for the Moment, volume 2. by Max Lucado

Sister Martin B'day Party

The Pelham Church gave Sister Martin a "wonderful" birthday party at Lloyd's Rest. on H'way 280 on Saturday May 10. More than 30 friends and family turned out to help celebrate. Below are some pictures of the great event. We were honored to have Bishop L. V. Jones and wife Billie to join us for this celebration.

Sister Martin's Birthday Celebrated

Pelham congregation gives Sister Martin a "special" birthday love offering.

New Member for Pelham

Pastor Martin welcomes Cody Weaver into covenant membership of the Pelham Church

Cody & Mom (Melinda Weaver)


Cody & Grandfather (C. T. Daniel)

Ladies Ministry visits nursing home

Several ladies of the Ladies Ministry Dept. visited the South Haven Nursing Home on Saturday, May 3, 2008. One of the Pelham members, Myrtle Morgan, is in that home. The ladies took a basket of "goodies" and flowers