I ASKED GOD

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own!, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.

I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as HE loves me.

God said…Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Dr. Lloyd L. Watkins, Sr., Pastor

A Message from the Sunday School Staff

     The Sunday School staff invites all families and individuals to come to Sunday School.  Please join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. for Bible Study, learning, Christian growth, and fellowship.  We are friendly, loving, and caring staff members.  We open on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.   Don’t knock just come in.

SUNDAY CLASSES AND STAFF

Faydene Hatch, General Superintendent

Conyers Rosemond, Assistant Superintendent

Toddlers/Beginners (2-4)          Kitty Graham

Primary I (5-6)                         Carrie Rogers

Primary II (708)                       Evelyn Slappy

Juniors (9-11)                           Deborah Bullock

Children’s Division

Sunday School cont’d

Youth Class                                        Pamela Banks

Meeting Place:  Rooms #5 & #6

Young Adults I (18-224)                    Pamella Mack

Meeting Place:  Room #7

Young Adults II (25-35 & Up)         Nicole Hamm

                                                           Zelma Hamm

Meeting Place:  Old Computer Lab

Relationship Class (mixed ages)         Elijah Henry

                                                            Mary McGee

Meeting Place:  The Educational Building

E. J. McCoy                                     Ceola Edwards

                                                           Bettie Melvin

Meeting Place:  Multi-Purpose Room

H. E. Murray                                  Josephine Harris

                                                              Clent Davis

Meeting Place:  Sanctuary

Knock, Knock

     A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners.  At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.  Therefore, he took out a card and wrote “Revelation 3:20 on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

     When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned.  Added to it was this cryptic message, “Genesis 3:10 .”  Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

     Revelation 3:20 begins “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”  Genesis 3:10 reads “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.”

Remember when the funniest jokes were the clean ones?  They still are!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine”

Pro. 17:22a

SENIOR CITIZENS MINISTRY

     Sister Gisele Bounsell Bell gave an interesting and an informative presentation on Diabetes at our September 8^th meeting.  She is a Social Worker at Durham Dialysis Center, Inc.

     The quiz prize winners were:  Sisters Lucille Williams and Mamie Alston.

     A cordial invitation is extended to all Senior Citizens to attend our October 13^th meeting at

1:15 p.m. in our Multipurpose Room.

Rev. Willie B. McLeod, Director

Sis. Ceola Edwards, President

Sis. Mamie Alston, Reporter

     The Men’s Ministry sends greetings to all on this new conference year.  The Men’s Ministry is excited about this new conference year, and ask that you pray for us in our endeavours this year, as we uplift Jesus.  We are excited about our Special Days which are:  (1) Veteran’s Day Recognition in November (Contact Bro. Clent Davis); (2) Souper Bowl Mixer in February 2005 (Contact Bro. Donald Bailey); and (3) Men’s Conference in March 2005 (Contact Bro. Wilmon Rogers, Jr.).

     Dates for the Special Days will be announced.  All Special Days will have various committees.  See contact person for more information.  Let’s get busy men!  Lifting up the name of Jesus!

Submitted by Bro. Donald Bailey, President

Men’s Ministry

National Grandparents Day Observance

September 12, 2004

   Russell Memorial CME Church observed National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at the 10:00 A.M. Worship Service.  A special reading, “Christian Grandparents” was read by Sis. Kandace Harrell.  The reading which highlighted the role of grandparents was based on the 78^th Psalm.  Pastor Watkins presented a beautiful laminated bookmark with a lovely tribute to all grandparents.  The observance was an inspiration to all grandparents.

Sis. Faydene Hatch, Superintendent

Sunday School

“We have not, because we ask not”….

James 4:2d

     The Praise Dancers have expressed an interest in having uniforms.  However, as we ALL know, deciding upon a uniform involves more than just selecting.  Finances play a much greater role in the process; and this is where you come in.  We are soliciting your help in t his endeavour.  You may sponsor a praise dancer or give a donation towards the total cost of the uniforms.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Masharell Smith 957-0477. 

     We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

     A Welcome Back Dinner Reception was held for Dr. & Mrs. Lloyd Watkins and Family, Sunday, September 26^th following the 10:00 A.M. Worship Service.

     Sister Iola Eason, President of the Pastor’s Aid Board, presided and gave Welcoming Remarks.  Russell’s Praise Dancers rendered a beautiful dance tribute.  Sister Joyce Taylor presented a “Pounding Basket” of food items to Pastor and Mrs. Watkins.  Other program participants were:  Sisters Cora Burchette and Mamie Alston.

     The hostesses, members of the Pastor’s Aid Board served a delicious dinner which was enjoyed by everyone.

     Following the dinner, Remarks and Benediction were given by Pastor Watkins.

 Sis. Mamie Alston, Secretary

 Pastor’s Aid Board

     Boy Scout Pack and Troop 144, Scout Leaders, Parents and other family members had a very enjoyable trip to the Carter Finley  Stadium, Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, September 25^th to attend the 2004 Occoneechee Council’s, CUB-O-REE.

     A section in the parking lot at the Stadium was marked off as the Cub-O-Ree Main Street USA.  Each pack had attractive and interesting exhibits of their scenic attractions, famous persons, food and events of their selected state.  Our exhibit was on the state of Delaware .

     Scouts and adults enjoyed the fun activities.  Thanks to Scoutmaster Wilmon Rogers for transportation services.

Sis. Mamie Alston, Secretary

NURSING AWARDS CEREMONY

      Sister Cheryl Elaine Harris was among the employees honored at the Lincoln Community Health Center at an Awards Ceremony, Friday, September 24, 2004 .  She was presented a certificate and gift in recognition of her twenty years of outstanding service and dedication to the Department of Nursing and the goals and mission of Lincoln Community Health Center .

     Congratulations Sister Cheryl Elaine Harris!

The celebration climaxed with a Breakfast for everyone.

Sis. Mamie Alston

CONGRATULATIONS

2004 Mayor’s Award

     Congratulations to Sis. Ebony Lee receiving the 2004 Mayor’s Award at “Tomorrows Community Leaders Recognition Banquet” held on September 27, 2004 at the Page Auditorium.

     Sis. Ebony volunteered this summer 129 hours at Durham Regional Hospital and received excellent evaluation from the volunteer supervisor.  She was one of the 140 High School volunteers receiving a framed certificate signed by Mayor Bell.

    This volunteer experience has given her training in basic job skills.   Congratulations to Sis. Ebony Lee!

                                                  Sis. Fannie Lee

Please support the following fund raisers:

(1)    Popcorn – Sponsored by Pack And Boy Scout

       Troop 144;

(2)    Candy Sale and Trip to Lancaster ,              

       Pennsylvania , November 27-28, 2004     

       sponsored by the Pastor’s Aid Board.

YOUTH & YOUNG CONFERENCE 2004

What I Learned at the Conference

     We discussed John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that who so ever believes in him will not perish, but shall have eternal life’.  This explains to us how much God loved us and how He showed his love to us.  How can we show our love to God?

We should:       -Read the Bible

-Establish a relationship with God  

  and pray

-Keep God’s commandments

-Attend church

     As we read the Bible more, we learn how to be more Christian like in our behavior and not allow Satan to tell us what to do.  Our lessons helped us to understand that we are one body in Christ, the foundation of the church.  Being in the body of Christ identifies you as a believer.  Being a part of the church provides us with:

                        -Spiritual and emotional support

                        -Encourages your walk with the Lord

Conference Highlights cont’d                       

-A spiritual family

                        -Spiritual leadership

                        -Teaches us about God’s word

Kandace Harrell

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Empowerment Session

Rev. Roderick Glover “The Motivator”

Relationships – skit on pre-marital sex and consequences; pregnancy.  The choices we make can determine our destination.  The skit was presented with two endings:  (1) The teenage couple engaged in pre-marital sex and the young lady did become pregnant.  (2)  The couple abstained from sex and made a pact not to engage in pre-marital sex.  They continued to be friend as they attended college and launched their careers.

Lessons learned:

-Look out for traps of the devil when you 

  set your goals.

-Parents should set the right examples for 

  their children.

            -Honor God with your body.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Evening Worship – 7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Mrs. Roslyn Brock, NAACP Vice Chair

Of National Board of Directors

Scripture:  John 7:37

Subject:  Do You Need A Drink?

     History Statement – February 1, 1960 , four students from North Carolina A&T State University demonstrated with a sit-in at the lunch counter at the Woolworth Store.  They were thirsty for justice.  There is an educational thirst in the United States with re-segregation issues.  There is spiritual thirst in the church if we are not drinking from the living waters through Christ.  We need to drink from the living water when the pressures of life cause us to be thirsty.  Only the living water we receive through Jesus can sustain us in any situation we are presented with in live.

Calendar of Events

October 4, 2004 - Quarterly Conference at

6:30 p.m.

October 9, 2004 - Jr. Ushers Car Wash from

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

October 10, 2004 - Lay Day Observance at

10:00 a.m.

October 17, 2004 - Deadline for Church Anniversary Ads

October 17, 2004 - F. Howard Alston Scholarship Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

October 20-22, 2004 - Fall Revival nightly at 7:00 p.m.  

October 24, 2004 - Meet the Candidates Day at 10:00 a.m.

October 29, 2004 - Hallelujah Festival at

6:30 p.m.

October 30, 2004 - Officers Workshop, St. Joseph CME Church at 10:00 a.m.

October 31, 2004 - Status of Women (Missionary) at 10:00 am .

November 7, 2004 – Men’s Ministry Veteran’s Day Recognition Sunday

November 13, 2004 – Evangelism Workshop at 10:00 a.m.

November 14, 2004 – Ushers Ministry Workshop at 4:00 p.m.

November 21, 2004 – 102^nd Church Anniversary Celebration at 10:00 a.m.

Calendar of Events cont’d

November 23, 2004 – Missionary Society

Pre-Thanksgiving Service at 6:30 p.m.

November 26-28, 2004 – Pastor’s Aid Board trip to Dutch Country, PA

Sophia Cook                            October 1

Christine Farrar                        October 2

Bobby Lawrence                      October 3

Mamie Alston                           October 5

Freda Channelle                       October 5

Donald Bailey                           October 6

Conyers Rosemond                  October 7

Rev. John Durden                     October 7

Andrew Rosemond                   October 16

Margratha Chambers                October 16

Paulette Bailey              October 19

Deborah Bullock                      October 19

Mary Carmichael                      October 24

John Joyner                              October 24

Sharese Green                          October 25

Florence Shaw                         October 26

Evelyn McLeod                        October 28

Jeffrey & Beverly Johnson        October 5

Joseph & Jean Dixon                October 8

Antuane & Angela Simmons     October 11

Adrian & Shaneice Jordan         October 18

Eli & Elizabeth Florence            October 21

Thornie & Bettie Melvin            October 22

JOIN THE PASTOR’S AID BOARD

RUSSELL MEMORIAL CME CHURCH

ON A TRIP TO LANCASTER , PENNSYLVANIA

See “The Miracle of Christmas” at the

Sight and Sound Theatre and Do Some Christmas Shopping at Rockvale Outlets

Departure Time: Saturday, November 27, 7am

Returning: Sunday, November 28, 9pm

( Russell Memorial Church parking lot, 703 S. Alston Avenue )

Lodging for one night at the

Holiday Inn Lancaster Visitors Center

Single-$285 Ž Double-$235 Ž Triple-$225

Quad-$215

½ Deposit due 10/23/04

Rooming list due 11/1/04

Balance due 11/16/04

For further information, please contact Mrs. Iola Eason at 688-7868; she will also be available at the church on Saturday, October 23^rd and November 13^th, 10am-noon

You can also call Mrs. Mamie Alston at

688-7772 or the church office at 682-2523.

The package includes:

Motorcoach Transportation(Holiday Tours), taxes, baggage, one breakfast, one dinner, admission to “Miracle of Christmas,” and transportation to and from Rockvale Outlets.

Please see Sign-up Sheet on Hall Bulletin Board

Please remember to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday, October 31, 2004