QUARTERLY JOURNAL
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The Maid Servant of the Lord

It has been written that when Gabriel appeared to Mary of Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38), she was perhaps no more than 15 years old. His starting announcement – that she would soon bear the very Son of the Highest – meant the end of a normal life. Mary’s name would forever be on the lips of gossips and rumor-mongers. Joseph, her husband-to-be, could decide to end their betrothal through a public, humiliating divorce. Betrothal (Luke 1:27) was a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage (De. 20:7; Jer. 2:2). Not to be entirely equated with the modern concept of engagement, betrothal followed the selection of brined by the prospective husband. The contract was negotiated by a friend or agent representing the bridegroom, and by the parents representing the bride. In Hebrew custom, betrothal was actually part of the marriage process.

Even if he “put her away secretly” (Matt 1:19), she would still have to return in shame to her father’s home or else survive on her own by whatever means she could. Faced with these ruinous prospects that she had neither caused or sought., Mary would have had plenty of reason to balk at Gabriel’s message. Instead she accepted her assignment: “Let it be to me according to word” (Luke 1:38). Her response was submissive obedience to the clearly revealed will of God. After Gabriel’s departure, Mary took practical action by visiting her relative, Elizabeth, during the third trimester before John’s birth (Luke 1:39-56). Mary’s journey into the Judean hill country was no leisurely stroll. Her support network, Elizabeth and family was probably very valuable to her. The route was an area fit for fugitives, rebels and hermits – but certainly not for a pregnant woman. But the maidservant of the Lord honored the Lord in her obedience to Him for the benefit of us all. 

 

Submitted Deaconess Irene Gardon



Clergy Appreciation – A Word of Gratitude to Pastor Washington & Ministerial Staff

As we celebrate and partake in Clergy Appreciation festivities, in the month of October, we wish to express these words of gratitude to our Pastor, Ministries, and Ministerial Staff. Ministry is a full-time service, and job. The hours are not so clearly defined as our life’s work, and much of what is done goes unseen, unrewarded, and sometimes unappreciated, and we recognize that it’s not just the Pastor’s job to visit the sick, pray for the needs of the people, and to encourage the down-trodden, or to be a light in a dark world. It is the duty of all who seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks, and says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16.

Our Clergy and Pulpit ministry, spiritually-led by Pastor Washington, is ably assisted by Rev. Dr. Kelvin Redmond, Bro. Vincent Golston, Bro Julius Jones, and Marshall A. Washington. Together with Pastor Washington, they all serve us in so many ways. Following a call to serve the Lord, as a pastor is a wonderful testament of your faith. God bless you richly as you serve Him in the years ahead. Our Administrative staff performs many tasks on our behalf, on duty during the week, taking care of the business of the church, in the person of Sis. Lee Quinones, Sis. Martha Everette, Deacon Craig Mitchell, and Bro. Marlon Washington. Whether it’s answering the phone, or cleaning the building, they have provided a place where we can come in and go out with great pride. Our Worship & Arts Ministry sets the atmosphere right whenever we gather. Whether it’s a Hymn of the Month, or just fresh, raw worship, the praise is always high, and reaches outside of our walls into the streets for all surrounding us to hear. Together with Sis. Carol D. Antrom, and Professor David James, Sis. Mercedes Golston, and Sis. Eniola Armoogan, our Choir’s, our Praise team, our Praise Dance Ministry, and our Drama Ministry gives definition to our praise, and we are always taken to higher heights, and deeper depths when you minister. This multi-faceted ministry is not just song, drama and dance, it’s the heartbeat of us all coming together in an unspoken language to Almighty God, expressing itself in movement of a heart that longs worship. Our Stewardship, Ministry of Trustees also serve us well, under the leadership of Trustee James Eason, and his team. They are diligent to make sure that our resources through our tithes, offerings and sacrificial funds are used for the upkeep and maintenance of our building, and for the edifying of the body of Christ here and outwardly. We hold them accountable and they are doing a great work in our behalf.                                                                                  

Our Serving Ministry in the person of our Deacons, led by Deacon Victor Lee Holder, Jr., and Deaconess, led by Deaconess Verlene Holder, his wife, are the armor-bearers for our Pastor and all who serve here at Shiloh. Subject to much scrutiny, you could not find a more willing group of people who want to serve the Lord, and the people of God. Not unlike the first bunch of “fishermen” chosen by God, coming from all backgrounds, having varied personal flaws, you follow our leadership with a commitment to serve. Our Door-Keepers, under the leadership of Sis. Altia White, Ushers, and Sis. Johnnie Parlor, Nurses, are always on post. Few in number, and limited in ability, you are not short on commitment either. Thank you for your watchful eyes in our sanctuary, and your spirit of true expression of hospitality to us and to all who come into our doors. Our Prayer Ministry is vigilant in prayers for us all; our sick and shut-in, our bereaved, our pastor, his family, and those who are going through life. We know that men ought always to pray, and it is comforting to know that they are praying for us even when we don’t know it. A prayerless church is a church without power. And where would we be without our Transportation Ministry. Comprised of committed drivers, who pick us up and drop us at our doorstep; who transports us on our missions, whether it be a trip to the doctor, or a fellowship at another church. Deacon Earl Armoogan, Deacon Dwayne Edwards, and their team of faithful, able, safe-drivers get us to where we need to go, and without complaining. How blessed we are! To everyone who serves, certainly to Pastor Washington, all of you have been such a joy and blessing to our congregation. The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is it also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 2 Cor. 9:12-13. Thank you for your Christ-like witness. We have seen Christ’s love and compassion through you. Thank you for all you have done to make the fellowship and family-ship of our church so special.
 
 
Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon


Fighting the Battle from a Place of Victory!

1 Peter 1:1-9 | Galatians 5:16
 
Satan takes us very seriously because he fears the One who lives inside us. Satan wants to keep us from interacting and having an intimate relationship with God. Satan has no problems with religion or tradition but he has a major problem with our relationship with Jesus Christ. He does not want us to have an active relationship with Jesus which is ignited by our prayers. Prayer creates an atmosphere that deepens our relationship with God. Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:1-9 about Salvation, Suffering and Satan. Peter explains that even though we suffer, we don’t suffer without hope. Peter begins explaining about suffering by talking about the Godhead first because before we even get to the suffering in our lives, God has already done the work to give us victory over suffering and our enemy, Satan. God’s work for us is so effective that no amount of suffering will ever separate us from Him.
 
One of the most powerful statements in the Holy Bible is found in 1 Peter 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”. Apostle Peter tells us that God’s election of us is rooted in His foreknowledge. Foreknowledge means that ‘God knows before’. Election means that God chose us. Therefore, God’s choice is rooted in what He knew before. God is omniscience. God knows everything and if He knows everything then that means that God knew us and knew what suffering we would experience before it actually happened. Although God knew beforehand what we would do in our lives, God still chose us to make sure that we would be under His protection. God demonstrated His love for us before we were even born on earth. While the Father was doing His work, the Holy Ghost was doing His part by making sure that we were set apart in the midst of our suffering through sanctification of the Spirit. Some say that Apostle Peter also implies by this passage that the way that we came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is because the Holy Ghost was at work on our behalf even before we were saved. The Holy Ghost preserved us and kept us even when we had no knowledge about God.
 
The obvious question then is if the Lord took care of us when we were not believers then how much will He do for us after adopting us as His children and as a result of our faith in Him? Apostle Peter went on to explain the contribution that Jesus makes to our victory in this battle. While God the Father chooses us, God the Holy Ghost preserves and protects us, God the son saves us by performing the act of salvation, “…and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ”, 1 Peter 1:2. Peter also tells us that this life is not all there is for us. Even if we have suffered loss in this life, the loss we have suffered cannot compare to the inheritance we have waiting for us in eternity, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”, 1 Peter 1:4. God has specific things in heaven for us and it has our name on it. God also uses our circumstances as evidence of His keeping power. God keeps us sane through the midst of confusion.  People look at us and wonder, how in the world are we surviving all that we go through? They don’t understand how we are making it in this wicked world. The reason why they don’t understand how we succeed while others fail is because they are not being kept by the power of God. God wants us to tell people the truth about our victory, “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”, 1 Peter 3:15.
 
God allows us to suffer in order to use us as examples to demonstrate His power. There’s no way we can overcome our sufferings and defeat Satan without Him. God allows our suffering to be public so that the world can see His power in action. It is by God’s grace that we have victory over our sufferings and victory over our circumstances.  As a result, we are fighting our battles from a place of victory!
“Remember, there is nothing too hard for God!!!”
 
 
Submitted By Trustee Stanley Ridley