Quarterly Journals - Shiloh Baptist Church

QUARTERLY JOURNAL

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Clergy Appreciation Month 2021

Posted on Nov 7, 2021 in Quarterly Journal | 00

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Acts 20:28 NIV

We are grateful to have this opportunity once again to express our love and gratitude to our Pastor, Reverend Herman Washington, and to the supporting pulpit ministry of our church. This is Clergy Appreciation Month. In Pastor Washington, we have a preacher-man committed to his calling. We have a Shepherd who takes watching over his flock seriously. Thank You Pastor Washington.

We all watched, over the last many months, as the world changed with the advent of Covid Pandemic 2020. Its impact caused a shift in everything we know to be true. Shaking and scattering the church. Forced to lock-down. Unable to come into worship. Unable to assemble ourselves together, in the way that we’re used to. Separated. Isolated. Not knowing how to keep one another safe. Unable to pray corporately. Unable to sing, or dance together, even wondering at times if our faith still works.

But our God is faithful. Through it all, Shiloh, we’re still here. Our doors are open again, and we are gradually making our way back to the House of God. Because Pastor Washington has remained faithful, and because he is our example, we now know for sure, if not ever before, that the church is not the just the building. It’s you and me. It’s us together. Thank You Pastor Washington.

As we reflect on all that has happened, personally, and corporately in the world, we recognize that Pastor Washington never lost sight of his God-given vision for Shiloh. To this day he keeps on going in spite of the challenges. Many Sunday mornings when we were sleeping in Pastor Washington was in the pulpit preaching and teaching the Word of God, and encouraging those of us who dared to fear. With prayer, and help from the best Media & Communications Ministry (MAC Team) in the world, we are now live and streaming, and the Word of God is going forth. Pastor is still teaching and preaching, and one by one, we’re making our way back to God.

This year we witnessed the licensing services of Ministers Marshall A. Washington, Vincent Golston, and Julius Jones, who have committed themselves to the great work of this ministry. Pastor Washington knew that this work would require those who have been called and prepared to serve in times like these. In addition to Rev. Dr. Kelvin Redmond, Marshall, Vincent and Julius are a testament to God’s faithfulness, and Pastor Washington’s obedience. We thank God for the wisdom that only he can give.

Pastor we want to take this time to thank you for praying for us, and for the sacrifices that you make. It is our prayer that you will have renewed strength. It is our prayer that wherever the gospel is preached it will take root. Where we have failed to be encouraging, we pray for change. Redefining our mission means getting on board with what God is doing. It means following the guidance of The Holy Spirit. It means taking our stewardship over what God has given us seriously. It means each one teaching one; and each one reaching one. I believe we have been able to endure hard times because you have borne our burdens with us. We know that you have petitioned God on our behalf and we have done likewise.

We recognize that pastoral ministry is a business like none other. And I think often times we forget that the Man of God is a man just like us. Pastor, for you and all who serve in our pulpit ministry, we pray that God will grant each of you humility and the wisdom to know that when you get weary and in need of rest, you can depend on Him. Finally, we will not cease to pray for you and the family. We will pray earnestly and with power. We pray for your health and protection. We pray that your soul be refreshed with the love of Christ. We pray that we will have faith for the future. Thank you for being our pastor, our brother and our friend.

~In recognition of Clergy Appreciation 2021 on behalf of Shiloh Church Family~

Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon

Aug '21

A Time of Refreshing: Green Pastures, Quiet Waters & Paths of Righteousness

Posted on Aug 3, 2021 in Quarterly Journal | 00

Aug '21

“He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3

Tradition in our Church has been that August on our church calendar is a time of Refreshing. Each month of the year has a different prayer theme and focus, and August has been designated as such; the 8^th month of the year, the time after winter, Spring & Summer, and just before fall. Our Pastor is a visionary, and it was his vision that we as a church body would unite in prayer around the monthly focus during our calendar year. He knew the time would come when we would need to gather together to pray for strength, and for one another. How fitting it is that we have that time right now!

In the Old Testament Jews believed that when the awaited Messiah came there would be times of physical rest and refreshing. They anticipated the times of the gospel as a period when they would have rest from their enemies, and respite from the evil oppression of war.

Well, Messiah has come and He has promised us rest for our souls. Surely after all these many months since Covid, and dealing with the fallout of this deadly disease, we could all use a vacation. But this year refreshment may not look like what we are used to. Certainly after one year and several months of dealing with the evils of Covid 19, and all that we have had to endure individually, and otherwise, we are just ripe for a time of refreshing. We may still not be unable to openly visit with one another without our masks, or staying six feet apart. We may still not be unable to book a flight or to go on a cruise because the threat of Delta is making itself known, and we must be careful and prayerful.

Yet we have so much to be thankful for, in spite of all that we’ve been through. We have had consistent preaching and teaching of God’s Word. We have had consistent prayer and fellowship time. We’ve had funerals, and endured the loss of friends and loved ones, but we have celebrated new births, new babies, new marriages, and new engagements. We’ve had retirements and new entrepreneurships. We have had each other. God has not forgotten us. He has been with us from the beginning, and He is with us now.

If nothing else Covid 19, has taught us that though life is full of hardship it is also full of beauty; if we have eyes to see. Pastor has been preaching about “Seeing God Clearly,” and the messages have forced us to look at the way we view our life with God. After experiencing all the world had to offer in terms of opulent luxuries and worldly pleasures, Solomon writes, in Ecclesiastes that true joy can be found in life through gratitude for God’s gifts. We’re grateful for Solomon’s wisdom. It is an example for us.

We go after many things in life, and they come after us. We exhaust ourselves with the cares of this life and don’t think we’ll ever have enough until we’re spiritually bankrupt. But we have found out that whether you have enough money or not, there is no happiness or peace or refreshing apart from God Himself. Life is a gift, and we were created to worship Him.

If we are going to come out from under the burden of the past many months, and get some rest, we must do what Jesus said; “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Green pastures, quiet waters, and paths of righteousness. Rest for your soul. I’ll meet you there.

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon

Jun '21

Why Baptism?

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 in Baptism, Baptism, Quarterly Journal | 00

Jun '21

Healthy families have family pride; members are not ashamed to be recognized as part of the family. Sadly, some church members never publicly identify themselves with God’s family by being baptized. Baptism is not some optional ritual to be delayed or postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God’s family. Baptism declares your faith, shares Christ’s burial and resurrection symbolizes your death to your old life and announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your inclusion in God’s family.

Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into His family. Baptism does not make you a member of God’s family; only faith in Christ does that, but it is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart. The Bible says faith is something we do; not just what we feel. The only biblical condition is that you believe. If you haven’t been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so!

“It’s judgment time for Christians. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s message.”

1 Peter 4:17-19 TMB

Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon