Church Newsletter

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 Michael Worthington, Newsletter Author

Message from Pastor Ken: Hello everyone! I pray that you are all doing well. I am retiring at the end of September from the Southeastern Public Service Authority! It has been an honor to work for them for over 30 years. Though I am excited, it is also bittersweet. I considered it part of the calling that God has placed on my life, and I have had the pleasure of leading some of my coworkers to faith in Christ. God has placed so many opportunities there to share His word, to pray with someone, and to speak words of comfort to the families of those that have passed away over the years. It has been my pleasure to serve the Lord at the workplace over the years! 

As I turn this corner, and this new chapter opens in my life, I am asking you to pray for me. Ask the Lord to help me hear His voice, as I continue to be the pastor at Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church. I am so looking forward to what God has in store for us, as we labor together for Christ. 

God Bless You All! Contact Pastor Ken Littleton at 757-424-5504 or poetkcl@aol.com 

Blessing of the Backpacks was held during the worship service on 8/25 for 14 students, and WMU “Christmas in August” school supplies were donated to the church’s school employees. Back-to-School Bash was held after the 8/25 service. It included a tractor and wagon ride, petting zoo, water slide, and pizza. 

The Youth Group (grades 6-12) will meet Tuesday September 3rd and Wednesday the 18th in the youth room upstairs in the gym. Mission Friends (ages 3-Kindergarten), GA's and RA's (girls/boys, grades 1-5) will meet 

Wednesday September 18th. All groups meet at 7:00pm. 

You are invited to Altar Prayers every third Wednesday (Sept 18th) at 7:00pm in the sanctuary. 

The adult choir resumes weekly practices on Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00pm. 

Harvest Day will be Sunday, October 6th after the worship service. The church will provide meats; please bring tea, desserts, or side dishes. Everyone is invited; bring guests. 

Chowan Baptist Association Training Day will be held Saturday, September 14th from 9am-1pm at Corinth. Free breakfast at 8:30. Choose from hour-long learning sessions. All are welcome. 

The church elected new officers and approved the budget for the upcoming year during annual business meeting on 8/11. New fiscal year begins 9/1. Thank you to all who volunteered to serve. 

Camp Cale hosted 590 campers; 107 accepted Jesus Christ; 136 rededicated their lives; 130 came on scholarships valued at $29,562; and over 11,800 meals were served during summer camp. Young Adults Class provided a scholarship for a young church member to attend summer camp 

The WMU Red Box Ministry gives about 2,000 gift boxes filled with various toiletry items to incarcerated women in NC each year. Our region’s contributions this year are 6 to 9 oz tubes of toothpaste. For many of the women, this will be their only Christmas gift. October 15th deadline. 

Fifth Sunday on September 29th. No Sunday School, Worship Service at 10:00am, casual dress, and the men will fill the choir.   

Please send cards to residents of retirement homes: 

Hilda Sawyer: EC Health & Rehab., 1075 US Highway 17 S., Elizabeth City, NC 27909 Glenda Crane: Brookdale, 401 Hastings Lane, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 

Sunday School at Home: 1 Corinthians 12:12 

1 Corinthians 12:12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body— whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (NIV) 

Every member of the church is part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and callings. Some have musical talents; others maintain the facilities; some place flowers and decorations; some keep records, handle finances and file forms; others teach classes; some serve as deacons; and others are called to be ministers. Each person is a part of the body of Christ with their own role, and breaking bread together strengthens the fellowship of the church body. 

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV) 

Personal Note 

I grew up in a small rural church which only held preaching on the second and fourth Sundays, but held Sunday School every week. And it was many miles from the nearest town where restaurants didn’t open until 2:00pm on Sunday anyway, so the custom was for families to take turns inviting the preacher home for dinner after the service. Often the host family would kill a chicken on Saturday to cook on Sunday, and the lady of the house would usually leave right after Sunday School to get the meal ready. 

When Fran and I began attending Ramoth-Gilead, several families welcomed us into the church by inviting us to share a meal in their homes. The hospitality was very much appreciated. And in turn, we started inviting visitors and fellow church members to join us at a restaurant after the worship service. But restaurants closed during the Covid shutdown, and we got out of the habit of inviting others to join us at a restaurant after church. 

But last year we were invited by friends to meet them at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University cafeteria at 701 N. Poindexter Street for brunch (breakfast food) after church services. A group from Towne South Church had started a custom of meeting there after church (although I don’t know if they have continued to do so). Patronizing the cafeteria helps the university, and it’s relatively inexpensive ($13 each but they only accept cash, self-service so no tip, park on street). They open at 11:30am and make-your-own-waffle is popular. It’s informal and not crowded. 

The Bible implores us to offer hospitality to each other. Accordingly, Ramoth-Gilead has a Church Picnic in August, Harvest Day in October, periodic Brotherhood Breakfasts, and occasional soup-and-sandwich fundraisers. Christian fellowship is as important as attending Sunday School or Worship Services, so it would be a good practice for church members to sometimes meet at restaurants after worship services. 

Scam Alert 

Messages pretending to be from a pastor ask people to buy gift cards for a needy person and send the card numbers to the sender. But Pastor Ken will never ask you to send him money or gift cards. Call Pastor Ken at the number shown on the contact page if you have any questions about a message.