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RELIGION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016
Build up the one you love A
Pope in Mexico
few weeks ago, I was part of group conversation when one participant suddenly began to extol his wife — also present — for a recent accomplishment. For half a minute, the man piled on the compliments: She’d worked hard, done the research and caught the attention of her superiors. It was no surprise, he explained, given her past dedication to her craft. Then his adoration got downright gratuitous as he explained how she had beautifully balanced her home life and work life. He swung his arm around her shoulders; she blushed. Those of us listening began to sort of shift uncomfortably, most likely because this type of unmitigated praise is rarely displayed in public between established married couples unless one party is trying to get out of trouble with the other. This diatribe was unprovoked by that type of circumstance. He was proud of her, darn it, and he wasn’t afraid to tell others about it. Sheesh, I thought, get a room. One thing was abundantly clear: He loved her, and her response gave me reason to believe that the
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Tzotzil Indian woman prays during a Catholic Mass in honor of the Christ of Esquipulas in Chajtoj, Chiapas state, Mexico, in January. Pope Francis’ Feb. 15 visit to the Mexican state of Chiapas comes amid strong challenges to the church in the southern state, including huge inroads by evangelical Protestants and grinding poverty.
CHURCH NEWS Bethel AME Church, 1605 S.C. 261, Wedgefield, announces: * In honor of Black History month, each Sunday during the month of February a hero or heroine will be presented during the 10:15 a.m. service. The Black History month celebration will come to a close with a soul food dinner on Sunday, Feb. 28. * Sunday — Valentine’s Day celebration at 12:30 p.m. featuring door prizes, food and entertainment. The L.D. Clark Singers will provide music. Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1275 Oswego Highway, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 20 — Sunday school ministry’s music and talent service at 6 p.m. Church of Christ, 313 Mooneyham Road, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 27 — An appreciation program for the Palmetto Gospel Singers will be held at 5 p.m. On the program: St. Matthew B.C. Choir; Sumter Violinaires; The Hill Boys; and many others. Clarendon Ministerial Alliance, P.O. Box 811, Manning, announces: * Saturday — Meeting at 9 a.m. at The Zone, Manning. Elder Albert Thomas will speak. Call (803) 410-1726. Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 20 — Kevin Plott will provide music at 6 p.m. A love offering will be received. Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 105 Dinkins St., Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Black history program at 4 p.m. Curt Thomas will speak. Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Black history program with Afro-American tea immediately after services. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. followed by 11:30 a.m. worship. Fellowship Outreach Ministries, 1891 Florence Highway, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 28 — An appreciation service for Mrs. V. Jackson
THE SUMTER ITEM
will be held at 4 p.m. Prophetess Talitha Martin Harrison will speak. * Thursday, Friday and Sunday, March 3, 4 and 6 — Appreciation service for Apostle Virnetta J. Bennett as follows: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Speakers vary. Friendship AME Church, 6156 Furse Road, Summerton, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Family and friends day at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Albert Thompson will speak. High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road, Dalzell, announces: * Saturday-Sunday — “Go Red for Women Weekend” / “Defeat Heart Disease — Health Fair” as follows: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, various speakers from the community; and 10:15 a.m. Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Katie Roach will speak. * Sunday, Feb. 21 — YWA anniversary program during 10:15 a.m. worship service. Hopewell Baptist Church, 3825 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Black history program, sponsored by the YWA, at 4 p.m. The Rev. Reginald Floyd will speak. There will be special music and a skit. Kingdom Builder’s Outreach announces: * Every first and third Monday from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., praise / step team at North HOPE Center. * Saturday, April 2 — “So You Think You Can Praise” friendly competition event. Open to all solo artists, groups, ministry teams, mime, praise dance, and all other Christian talents. Registration ends March 1. Contact Minister Chenise MzChozen Williams at (803) 305-5255. Knitting Hearts Ministry, meets at Bethesda Church of God, 2730 Broad St., announces: * Saturday — Knitting Hearts Café will be held 10 a.m.-noon. Debbie Dyches of Fort Mill will speak. Light breakfast included. Nursery provided for children age 5 and under. A love offering will be received. www.knittingheartsministry.org
feeling was mutual. You boast in the things you are proud of, and she was worth boasting over. I can’t imagine that this behavwas borne Faith Matters ior from solid founJAMIE H. dation of trust WILSON and respect. Marriage is more than an obligation, more than legal binding. It is a love, ordained by God, that compounds when we invest in it. As we scramble to prepare for Valentine’s Day, there is no better lesson for married folks than to build each other up. I Thessalonians 5:11 tells us do just that; to encourage one another and to build one another up. We may read that as a general decree to all humankind, but it applies to our marriages as well. It’s easier sometimes to build up other aspects of our lives and let our marriages fall into disrepair. An extremely effective tool in relationship maintenance is showing that admiration. Admiration is poorly practiced in marriages today, which is the rea-
LaGree AME Church, 2920 Kolb Road, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Dedication service at 3 p.m. Presiding Elder Eddie Gaston will speak. Mount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 5918 S.C. 260, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Black history program will follow the 11:15 a.m. worship. Mount Glory Missionary Baptist Church, 841 N. Main St., announces: * Sunday — Pastoral anniversary celebration for the Rev. Dr. Mary Lowery Harvin and Brother Roosevelt Harvin. The Rev. Gerome Sumter will speak at 11 a.m. and the Rev. Dr. Sammie Simmons will speak at 3 p.m. Mount Pisgah AME Church, 217 W. Bartlette St., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Family and friends day at 4 p.m. Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert, announces: * Sunday — Morris College day will be observed. The Rev. James A. Jamison will speak. * Friday, Feb. 19 — Youth movie night at 6:30 p.m. featuring “In and Out.” * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Decoration and hospitality annual day will be observed. * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Black history program. Dr. Twianna Mayo will speak. Mount Zero Missionary Baptist Church, 7827 S.C. 261, Manning, announces: * Saturday — Valentine banquet at 5 p.m. at Manning Junior High School gymnasium, 1101 WL Hamilton Road, Manning. Tickets are $35 per couple or $20 per individual and can be purchased by calling (803) 348-2506 or (803) 506-2028. Dress is formal attire. The Rev. Aretha Gibson Johnson will speak. Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Fulton St., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Trustee Ministry anniversary program and black history celebration at 10:45 a.m. * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Golden Age Ministry anniversary program and black history celebration at 10:45 a.m.
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JIA
son that hearing the man praise his wife made me uncomfortable. Not that I was embarrassed or disgusted by his words, but because rarely do husbands and wives complement each other in public (or in private, for that matter). I didn’t know how to react. Sadly, it’s sometimes easier to join the conversation when someone is complaining about their spouse. We seems to always have a contribution to that conversation. Words about our spouses are powerful, and just as destructive words are detrimental to a relationship, encouraging words have the ability to strengthen it. We can’t build one another up if we are too busy tearing one another down. Valentine’s Day should remind us, as believers, that we are to love, cherish and honor our spouses the same way God loves His people. It’s an action that transcends the gender barrier; the only true unisex gift for Valentine’s Day. You can start on Valentine’s Day, but the best way is build that relationships by carving out a few minutes each day to show your wife or husband a bit of admiration. Email Jamie H. Wilson at faithmatterssumter@gmail.com.
New Fellowship Covenant Ministries, 316 W. Liberty St., announces: * Saturday — Clothes giveaway 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free snacks will also be given.
presented at 6 p.m. at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be purchased by calling Azalee Williams-Kinard at (803) 236-6451.
New Testament Lighthouse Church, 1114 Boulevard Road, announces: * Saturday, Feb. 20 — Gospel singing at 6 p.m. featuring One Touch and others.
St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, 1715 S. Guignard Drive, announces: * Sunday — Black history program during morning worship. The Rev. Dr. Gloria Lee will speak.
Providence Baptist Church, 2445 Old Manning Road, announces: * Monday, Feb. 15 — Widows luncheon at 11 a.m. * Thursday, Feb. 18 — Soup and cornbread supper at 6 p.m. * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Sweetheart banquet at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10.
Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., announces: * Sunday — Prayer service at 5 p.m. * Sunday, Feb. 28 — Black history worship at 10 a.m. Dr. Ezell Pittman will speak.
St. John Baptist Church, 3944 Brewer Road, Manning, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Pack-a-pew program at 4 p.m. The Rev. Ethel Lemon, of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Manning, will speak. * Sunday, March 6 — Pastor’s ninth anniversary celebration at 4 p.m. Pastor Jonathan Anderson will speak. St. Jude Catholic Church, 611 W. Oakland Ave., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Black history program at 3 p.m. featuring the Rev. John Kennedy, A cappella Group, High Hills Ensemble and St. Jude Gospel Choir. St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 7650 Summerton Highway, Silver community, Pinewood, announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Black history program at 3 p.m. Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, will speak. * Saturday, Feb. 27 — Boys to Men program at 2:30 p.m. * Saturday, March 12 — The play “A Long Way Home,” written, produced and directed by Deacon Anthony G.Q. Canty, will be
Triumph Ministries, 562 Pike Road, announces: * Friday and Sunday, Feb. 19 and 21 — Pastor appreciation for Prophetess Stephanie Mathis as follows: 7 p.m. Friday, Prophetess Rose Clark Summers of Greensboro, North Carolina, will speak; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Pastor Dorothy Maple will speak. These services will be held at Cross Road Christian Fellowship / St. Peter Baptist Church, 845 Webb St. Unity Baptist Church, 4000 U.S. 15 South, announces: * Friday-Sunday, Feb. 19-21 — Revival services as follows: 7 p.m. Friday, the Rev. Paul Goff will speak; 7 p.m. Saturday, the Rev. Jimmy Johnson will speak; 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the Rev. Ken Fetuao will speak and the Wallace Family will provide music; and 6 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. Terry Johnson will speak and Elizabeth Baptist Church Choir will provide music. Walker Avenue Church of God, 100 Walker Ave., announces: * Sunday, Feb. 21 — Youth day program. Tomeka Addison will speak.
SUNDAY SERVICES:
10:00
11:00am 6:30pm
Sunday School for all ages Worship Hour Worship Hour
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ROMANS 5:8
420 South Pike West Sumter, SC 29150
Ron Davis, Pastor (803) 773-8339
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