Volume 1, Issue 1

Newsletter Date

MT. LEVEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

From the pastor’s desk

On the level

From the Pastor’s Desk 1

Ask the Church 2

Why we Serve 3

On the Road 4

News from Rwanda 7

Boy Scout Troop 403 8

Kids Korner 9

Inside this issue:

Waiting That Renews

Let me consider for a bit how God works in waiting. See it, if you dare, in deliverance from bondage, and the moments in which God acted decisively.

The waiting of God created the moment for the placement of Moses in a basket made of bulrushes, where he could be found on the banks of the Nile and raised by the daughter of Pharaoh. On the backside of Horeb, the waiting of God yielded fire in a bush that burned, but was not consumed. In the dream of Jacob, a ladder descended from heaven, in the tussle at the ford of Jabbok. There Jacob’s name was changed. The waiting of God in

the vision to Isaiah was not just any time, but in the year King Uzziah died. What seems to us as waiting is nothing less than a divine appointment.

The double mystery in the waiting of God, and waiting on God can be likened to an expecting mother coming to full term. One is transported by such an image to what is perhaps the deepest point of waiting. Sometimes named as travail, more often known as labor, it discloses the nature of weariness. The weariness is a moment requiring inner strength that defies explanation. It can pass over into either utter loss, known here as fainting, or great triumph, known here as the renewal of strength.

(Continued on page 6)

P A G E 2

O N T H E L E V E L

Ask the Church

Greetings Mt Level! "Ask the church" is an informational conduit between church members, organizations and church officials. The entire purpose of this article is to simplistically address questions concerning practices and policies of our church. Please know that Pastor Turner and all concerned officials welcome your questions and respond as soon as possible so that I can post the responses and we are all bet-ter informed. So fire away......

Question 1: How are people selected for the nominating committee? Answer: The members of this committee are appointed by our Pastor and deacon board.

Question 2: How do bereaved members learn of the Butner-Stem/Creedmoor cemetery cost and availability? Answer: The Bereavement Committee is headed by Minister Geraldine B. Clay and or Rev. Ronald Day will be able to assist you will making arrangements to use the burial site.

Question 3: Why isnt there an established choir for the 7:50am morning service? In addition, what happened to the wonderful "Time of Praise" during the service? I usually attend the early service but I love the praise and worship at the 10:45 service (which never starts on time). Answer: Sister Alma Jones, our minister of music, continuously asks members of the choirs and church to make themselves available for the early service. We have been blessed to have Sister Lynne Williams and hubby, Rev. Dewey Williams to minister with regularity. In addition, others have come to help and on special occasions, more formal groups have served. The music ministry is working toward these ends and Sister Jones still asks for participation from more of the church family. The Time of Praise for morning service has not been "officially" addressed. I have submitted this question to Sisiter Alma so stay tuned. The choir is cognizant of the timeliness of service and the clocks have been one source of the problem. Service begins with the call to worship by the as-signed worship leader. Yes, everything in God's house should be done decently and in order. Thanks

Question 4: Is there a set term of office for the positions/committees in the church? It seems that some people never change. Answer: The matter rest with the nominating committee. The re-sponse that I received is that the committee contacts church members to serve in various positions only to find that it is difficult to get commitments. If you are interested in serving, complete the form included in the bulletin each year indicating the committee on which you are willing to serve. You are also able to make recommendations. It is the expressed desire of Pastor Turner that all members would take advantage of attending each church conference. This is the venue where your voice should be heard on matters that deal with the church and its function. In addition, Rev. Turner has an open door policy and welcomes you by appointment to discuss any concerns. In the meantime continue to "Ask The Church".

Mary Scott

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts

differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: ...in proportion to our faith; he who

teaches, in teaching ;… he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:5-8)

During a strategic planning session by the Vision & Planning Committee each organization in the Church

was asked to put in writing their plans and goals for their groups: What space they needed and how their

organization will enhance the standing of our Church.

The Missionaries are unique, in that they are a body of dedicated believers, who are working in an equip-

ping ministry of Jesus Christ in a moving laboratory of human experience. This means that we are experi-

encing on the job training as we move among human society. This brings to mind the words of Jesus as

recorded in the book of Matthew.

“I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves: so be as wise as serpents and as innocent as

doves.” (Matt. 10:16)

We are training to be servants of the Most High, yet humble as sheep in the midst of wolves. Why we

serve? As we look at the Missionaries we see women who dedicate their time and resources to the work of

kingdom building, the easement of burdens on the oppressed, and the concern for the plight of the hungry,

the homeless, the outcast, and the unsaved.

During our regular meeting, the president challenged us to think of all the activities and events we would

like to see sponsored and those we would be a part of in the future. Once we define our goals, then decide

how to accomplish these things within the framework of the Committee’s guidelines.

Finally, we look at the larger picture. Why we serve?

(1) Because the need is great. We overhear the words of Jesus “The harvest truly is plentiful, but

the laborers are few.” (Matt. 9:37) The work of Missionaries is ongoing: continuing ever-”For you have

the poor with you always…”(Matt. 26:11)

(2) Because our responsibility is worldwide. Not only are we trying to serve the needs at home but

the cry also comes from abroad: from Brazil, Haiti, Liberia, and various other places in Europe and Africa.

The call as found in Acts 16:9, “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and

pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us,” is a good example.

(3) Because we serve with compassion by sharing the love of Christ with others. In the Gospel of

John 13:34, “A new Commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye

also love one another.” Missionaries are able to serve by using the Savior’s life as an example. Jesus gave

his love without being asked. When He saw the needs of people around him. “ ...He was moved with com-

passion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

Many other forces motivate us to serve but the three above are paramount in our treatise here. If you want a

service performed for people in general our Missionaries are willing and able.

P A G E 3

Missionary Circle of Mount Level: Why we serve?

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

P A G E 4

O N T H E L E V E L

The year started as a busy travel month for some Mt. Level members .We have reports from the Inauguration in Washington, DC; a concert in New Haven, CT, and greetings from Rwanda, Africa.

100 Men in Black

> In

On January 18, 2013, the 100 Men in Black Male Chorus embarked on a trip to Yale University in New Ha-

ven, CT. The group performed as part of the university’s Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Members of

the choir included Ramon Holmes, Charles Hall, and James Edwards. Each man highlighted a different rea-

son they are proud to be associated with the group.

Being part of this group ...”is a recall of men to service...I have had a chance to minister to many people...

This group will keep you on the straight and narrow.” Charles Hall

It’s a group of “ dedicated… Christian men that care about the Lord. (When I joined, I) didn’t know where

we were going to go...It has opened up a whole new ministry for me.” James Edwards

“Keep us lifted up in prayer as we continue to do God’s work.” Ramon Holmes

100 Men in Black is an all male chorus. This group was formed under the direction of Marlon E. West in Durham, N.C. 100 Men in

Black is an independent, “community-based” male chorus with open membership to all within the Triangle community and surrounding ar-eas. The group is composed of males, representative of all age groups, ethnicities and walks of life who love to sing and share the “good news of the gospel” through music. Source: 100mib.org

On March 23, 2013, the 100 Men in Black Chorus will sing the national anthem at the Charlotte Bob-

cats home game.

On the road...

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

Inauguration 2013

Parthenia and Fred Burnette made the trip of a lifetime when they journeyed to Washington, DC for the sec-

ond inauguration of President Barack Obama. As I listened to them describe the trip, the word that kept re-

curring was “amazing”. The size of the crowd was the first amazing phenomenon. They were “shoulder to

shoulder with all kinds of people - black, white, little children, old people, people in wheel chairs.” They

were also impressed by the diversity of the assembly. There were “... black, whites, Asians. Everybody just

seemed to be on one accord. They were going to this event that was so important and they were just so happy

to be there.” It was reported that the crowd was 800,000 strong. However the Burnettes were convinced that

the number was much larger. They stood near the Washington Monument which is almost two miles from

the capitol, the site of the swearing in ceremony.

For Parthenia, a highlight of the trip was seeing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial for the first time. “It

was so big. It’s huge. It looked like he had real eyes. It was well done.”

On Being a Boy Scout

The Boy Scouts of Mt Level is fun. We are a little family. We socialize, communi-cate, and have meetings with the parents and the kids and some separated. The Boy Scouts do a lot of things outside instead of inside games. We do things like walking in the woods, shooting bb guns and slingshots, roughhouse, and play outside games. The place where we meet is at the Parker House. The Parker House is a small house behind the church. The only thing the boy scouts do inside the house is eat, pray, say the scout honor, practice our knot tying, and talk about the week. The Boy Scout meetings are on Saturdays at 10:00am to noon. The founder of the (Mt. Level) Boy Scouts is Rev. Donald White. We have annual events at camp Durant where we compete against other Boy Scout troops. An event that’s coming up is the soapbox derby. The soap box derby is where you make a small car out of a block of wood and race against other Boy Scout troops.

Sean Williams

Member of Troop 493

P A G E 6

O N T H E L E V E L

From the pastor’s desk (con’t)

The wisdom of this word teaches us that youth faint and grow weary; young men don’t merely fall; they utterly fall. It’s not just about age; it is also about spiritual maturity. What wearied a young man—a football player, with loads of money—to shoot the mother of his baby and then himself? What wearied another to take the life of his mother and some twenty helpless children? Christian, you can’t know what it means to be strong by renewing strength till you learn to wait on the Lord. There is some weariness you must simply endure: you must pass through to the point of renewal, that comes on the other side of weariness.

I am told that in the lifecycle of the eagle there comes a time when the strength must be renewed.

The eagle will fly to a peak and be alone. There on that peak he will take that strong beak and be-gin to pluck off the feathers that have grown and become too many. Nobody has to tell the eagle when this moment of renewal is necessary. There is a load from the feathers that makes him get weary in flight. When he gets to that state, he plucks off the excess. Whereas the flight was with weariness, it is now with renewed strength.

In the Spirit, rushing can make you weary, waiting can make you strong. Quit rushing God: some things are not coming in a hurry; but they will come in God’s time. There is power you will get only in God’s time. Even when I am not mounting wings like an eagle, I can run without being weary; or I can walk with out fainting. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

News from Rwanda

The Pastor and wife (2nd and 3rd from right) and other mem-

bers that came visit at my home.

Wonderful Spirit filled visit.

Love you

God's Sufficient Grace!

Mt Level Family, Grace, Mercy and Peace from our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord gives us time for our stories to be told; for our journeys to be made; for our purpose to un-fold. The Lord gives us time to grow stronger in His Grace; to become who we are born to be. To find our unique place in His creation. "Who is it among you that fearth The Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of The Lord, and stay upon his God." (Is. 50:10) Children of the church who received the toothbrushes and paste "Mwakoze Cyane" (thank you very much). I give thanks to God for you all; remembering you in my prayers. Linda Vanhook God's Grace is Sufficient

P A G E 8

O N T H E L E V E L

BOY SCOUT TROOP 493

Something new is developing at Mount Level – a new Boy Scout Troop headed up by Scoutmaster Rev.

Donald R. White. The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s most prominent values-based youth

development organizations. It provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in

responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

When asked why and how the troop got started, Rev. White indicated after with boys, whose ages range

from nine to eleven, during Wednesday night Bible Study for three years, he realized that he had a short

window of time to interact with the kids to try and help bring out their good qualities. He further stated “that

many of the kids simply needed order, discipline and structure.” In response to that challenge, and being a

former Scoutmaster, Rev. White conceived the idea of developing a Boy Scout Troop at the church.

After receiving favorable response from Dr. William C. Turner, parents, potential volunteers, and others,

Rev. White petitioned the Boy Scouts of America for a charter. Once approved, Rev. White became seed

for Mount Level’s newly formed Boy Scout Troop 493. Currently there are 15 boys in the program, along

with a waiting list. According to Rev. White, there could easily be 50-60 participants in the program, but

with the lack of trained adults, limited finances and basic infrastructure issues, a more deliberate, positive

and solid growth approach is being taken.

A major program goal is for the community to rally around this effort and want to become a part of the

church family. The ultimate goal is to bridge the community and church together. Rev. White indicates

that this objective is already being met, as five members (parents and kids) have already joined the Mt.

Level church family as a result of their affiliation with Boy Scout Troop 493.

The community garden program is a key project that Troop 493 is undertaking. Although the program is

spearheaded by Troop 493, it is open to members of the community to help cultivating, planting, maintain-

ing and harvesting the garden. The garden will be located behind Mt. Level’s sanctuary near the Parker

House. The harvest will be used to help stock Mt. Level’s food pantry. The garden will be tended every

other Saturday from 10:00am until 12:00pm beginning on April 6, 2013. Volunteers and chaperons (men

and women) are needed for this garden project and other events such as overnight camping trips. This

can be done through the “Adopt A Boy Mentoring Program.” Church members and others can also make

monetary contributions to assist with the purchase of uniforms, equipment and supplies.

Once basics are in place, the troop will begin camping out at the Parker House, and eventually in a rural

location in Apex, North Carolina. Later they will be involved in church activities every fourth Sunday. The

troop has received tremendous support from the Boy Scouts of America, and we look forward to continued

support from the Mt. Level church family as the Boy Scout Troop 493 establishes itself. Both the Layman’s

League and 100 Black Men have pledged their support for the program. So many church members have

helped to make the program a success. Dr. William C. Turner, Ronald Daye, Gary Newkirk, Johnny Be-

thea, Larry Bumgardner, Robert Jones, Margaret Morrison, Barbara Cameron, Lucille Patterson, Richard

Crandall, Joanne Jennings, Phyllis Evans, Bill Evans, Brenda Melvin, Orlando Hicks, Terrance and Monica

Williams, and many other Mt. Level church family members. Rev. White thanks God for sending them.

Frank Lewis, Jr.

P A G E 9 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

Kids Korner

316 Hebron Road Durham, North Carolina 27704

Friday March 22 9:30-12:30 Fix lunch at the Community Café.

6:30pm Youth Night –Praise and worship, dance ensemble and

step team. The word will be preached by Cheantell Lewis.

Saturday March 23 10:00am-11:00am Sermon at Eno Pointe Assisted Living Center. The

word will be preached by Rev. Patrick Clay.

12:00pm-2:00pm Mission work in Durham Rescue Mission Store on

Hwy 70.

Sunday March 24 7:55am Dr. William C. Turner, Jr. will be the speaker of the hour.

10:45am Rev. Margaret Fountain Coleman will be the speaker of

the hour.

Calendar of Events

Phone: 919-477-3893 Fax: 919-620-9229 E-mail: mtlevelmbc.org

MT.LEVEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

We’re on the Web!

mtlevelmbc.org

mtlevelmbc.org Have you checked out the church website lately? There’s a brand new look and

lots of up to date information. Click on the CALENDAR to find out when a

meeting or rehearsal is scheduled. Under the NEWS and EVENTS tab you’ll find

detailed information about upcoming programs and church anniversaries. If a

program requires registration, you can even signup online. So, if you’ve lost

your paper copy of the church calendar, or if you never received a copy, don’t

worry, you can find the same information online. Check it out today.... mtlev-

elmbc.org.

DERC Mt. Level recently became a member of the Durham Economic Resource Center.

“The Durham Economic Resource Center (DERC) is a newly initiated commu-

nity-based development organization which focuses on assisting adults in pov-

erty through technical job training, reduced price merchandise and community

outreach programs. DERC is an initiative of End Poverty Durham, a collabora-

tive of faith and community-based organizations, as well as government enti-

ties.”* The Center is open to the public and offers clothing, shoes, jewelry, and

handbags, and a variety of other items for sale at drastically discounted prices. A

lot of the merchandise is brand new and still in the display bags. For more infor-

mation, visit the website at durhameconomicresourcecenter.org. This is a pro-

gram worth supporting.

*Source: durhameconomiccenter.org

It’s your Business

Are you a member of Mt. Level who owns a business? Tell us about it! We’d like

to let the congregation know about services and products they can purchase

from fellow members. Send a digital business card to dorothyclark@clearwire.net

or place a copy of your business card in the NEWSLETTER mailbox. We’ll pub-