Ecc Newsletter Oct. 2009_1

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of Eastern Community Church Reverend Damion M. Briggs, Pastor “Where there is no VISION, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18a) Volume 5, Issue 5

October 2009

ECC Community Wide Revival with Evangelist Manuel Scott, Jr.

“Be Equipped to Face the Tests, Trials & Temptations of Life.” From September 14, 2009 through September 16, 2009, Eastern Community Church (ECC) held a Community Wide Revival. The theme was titled “Be Equipped to Face the Tests, Trials & Temptations of Life.” Our revivalist was Evangelist Manuel Scott Jr. of Los Angeles California. Evangelist Scott is the first Seminary-trained, full-time Evangelist on a national scale coming out of the black Baptist Church.

He has conducted well over 900 revivals and crusades (averaging 45 revivals a year) wherein some 20,000 persons have confessed to wanting a new relationship with the Lord. The sermons scriptures, topics, and three major points were: • Monday - Scripture: Genesis 22:13-14; Judges 23:24; Exodus 15:26 “Good News for Your Future” (1) Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide) Continued on page 5

The Spoken Word

Inside this issue …

October 2009

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Spiritual Wilderness (Storms of Life)

Spiritual Wilderness--------------------------2

DEVIL INDUCED Wilderness

What Can Teenage Christians --------------3 Do To Have Fun??

This kind of wilderness comes about due to our own evil desires. “But each one is tempted when, when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.”( James 1: 14 and 15).

Health & Fitness------------------------------4 In The Spirit-----------------------------------6 Inspirational Poem/Reading-----------------8 Calendar of Events/Services---------------12 THE SPOKEN WORD is a bi-monthly publication of the Eastern Community Church, 8213 Manson Street, Landover, Maryland. Its mission is to serve as a communication tool for informing the congregation, friends, and the community about ongoing activities at Eastern Community Church and to spread the “good news” about the wondrous of God’s love. Editor-in-Chief/Publisher Sister Dorothy A. Watson Email: [email protected]

Characteristics of Devil Induced Wilderness: ▪ Spiritual bankruptcy ▪ Fear of being alone ▪ Health-Maladies (spiritual and physical) ▪ Total darkness and fear ▪ Moral decay ▪ Hopelessness and lost of directions ▪ Depression and thoughts of suicide ▪ Low self esteem and shamefulness ▪ Disobedient to the words of GOD and arrogance ▪ An increased appetite to lust, to the things of the Flesh.(e.g. Pride, Power, Sight, Taste etc.).Genesis3:6 ▪ Unnecessary companions (distractions from the voice of GOD). ▪ Death (physical and spiritual).

Editorial Assistant Tiffany Clark Finance Columnist Email: [email protected] Health Columnist Pastor Damion M. Briggs/Sister Pamela Bright Email: [email protected]

Continued on page 5 ─────────────────────────────

May God Bless and use “The Spoken Word” In serving Him!

Youth Columnist Sister Hilary Bright Church Telephone: (301) 322-9787 Pastor: (301) 808-9353 Fax: (301) 322-9240

Articles in this newsletter should not be duplicated or used without the written consent of the “The Spoken Word.” @2009 Eastern Community Church

ECC

The Spoken Word

October 2009

Youth Columnist

Sister Hilary Bright Dear Hil, What can teenage Christians do to have fun?

It’s not that hard for Christian teens to have fun. Just because we are Christian, doesn't mean we can't do anything other than going to church or reading the Bible. I mean, those two things are very important parts of our lives, but that don’t mean we can't enjoy other things.

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have fun, or don't have anything fun to do, it's just that we need to know what is appropriate and what is inappropriate according to our faith.

There are some things we shouldn't do like going to night clubs, and staying out at odd hours, especially when we're still going to school. These things just don't reflect what we say and what we believe in. If you can find a teen dance club that you and your parents deem appropriate, then there is no problem. Those usually don't stay very late, so your parents won't be mad at you for going, and you won't do anything that you will later regret in your life. Remember people, there is always an option or an alternative to everything. It's not that you don't have things to do; it's that you need to find new ways to do them. -Hil

What you can and can not do to have fun mostly depends on how strict your parents are, and what is morally right according to what the Bible has told us. It's not like we can't go to dances and other things like that, but we just have to be careful of what type of dancing we're doing, and who we are associating with. We can still go to movies, go shopping, or just hang out with friends. It's not like our parents or the fact that as Christians it automatically means that we have to hold ourselves up at home and just do nothing with our lives. On the contrary, we have to learn how to mingle with people. We need to know how to communicate with them so that we know ways to express our views to them, and maybe even get them to embrace our religion.

Like I have said in my articles before, there are always teen clubs and social groups that do something together in almost every community. It’s not that Christian teens can’t

Youths: Do you have a question for Hilary? Send you topics or questions to:

ecc@eastern community. org

Do you have a certain topic you would like to see in the youth column?

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Blood Type AB But if and whenever we genuinely repents; God is ever This is the fourth and the last of the main known blood types. Blood type AB is the also the newest of all the blood types. Individuals with blood type AB are blessed with inheriting the two dominant genes: A and B. This unique character makes them susceptible to both A and B diseases, making them prone to cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Research has also noticed a clear trend for women of this blood type to have many menstrual problems such as excessive bleeding, clotting, cramping, irregular menstrual cycles – either leading to hysterectomies or continued misery. Some of these women who experienced menstrual problems also experienced migraine and other headaches. There is a clear pattern of hormonal imbalance that plagues this blood group. ABs are slightly more muscular than A blood type, but less muscular than the B blood type. It is easier for an AB to build muscle than A, but in some cases, AB’s have a more difficult time building muscle as A’s. Eating properly for an AB requires guidelines Continued from page 1 similar to A’s, but with small amount of animal protein. AB’s should acquire their vitamins, minerals (2) Jehovah (the Lord ourand Peace) and essential aminoShalom acids through plants (3) Jehovah Rapha (the Lord our Healer) vegetables proteins. • Tuesday - Scripture: John 14:9; Revelation Strengths: 13:8; and Matthew 28:18 Two “Enough dominantistraits Enough” Friendliest immune God was sayingsystem enough is enough: Weaknesses: (1) In the Incarnation Pattern imbalance (2) of In hormonal the Crucifixion Tendency imbalance disorders (3) In to thechemical Resurrection Health risks: Cancer • Wednesday - Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14 Heart disease “Be Careful of the Traffic” Anemia Be Careful of the Traffic because: Autoimmune disease (1) You may miss your appointment The Spoken Word Women tendmay to have and (2) You missmenstrual your exit;problems and October 2009 migraine andmay other headaches (3) You miss getting home 5 Nutritional profile: Limited to small amounts of animal protein. Each night we left spiritually energized and with a zeal to go out and share the word with others. To God Be the Glory! Submitted by Deaconess Martha Randolph

ready to forgive us and deliver us from what ever storms/wilderness we may find our-selves in; Eat turkey; cod;6:1-40. mahi-mahi; navy,8:1-21.)and pinto soy beans; (Judges4:1-24. 7:1-25. then our oat andwill rice flours; collard dandelion and mustard LORD make the storms, wildernesses, enemies green; figs plums. chicken, duck, all as subject to usgrapes; and His peaceAvoid will be with us as long pork, kidney, lima beans, venison, clams, crab, we remain faithful to Him through his words and haddock,Judges3:30. lobster, shrimp, white and16,23and24. yellow corn, precepts. Judges4:6-7, peppers, guava, mangoes and oranges. (b) Sometimes we have been faithfully obeying God's by Sister commandments,Submitted but without visiblePamela and orBright immediate -----------------------------------------------------------result; faithfully paying tithes, Malachi:10; but still in wants of financial break- through. The question becomes, has Pizza God changed? Of-course Portobello (AB Blood Type) not, heavens forbid. (Malachi.3:6) “I the lord do not change-------. But what then is the problem? Let us read Jeremiah3:24 Ingredients: and 25, Hebrew 5:8, Acts 7:51-53, Zecharaiah1:4. So just •as God allowedmushroom, the Midianites, Amalakites and 1 portobello cleaned, stem other eastern people to invade the Israelites and ruined remove and chopped their • crops (Judges6:3-5), Godthat will allow the 1-2 Tablespoons pizzasosauce is BTD devourer compliant to spoil our tithes and labors/efforts. Read 1Samuel:15 and 23.feta “Does thecheese Lord delight in burnt • 1 teaspoon or goat offerings sacrificesmozzarella as much ascheese obeying the voice • 1and Tablespoon minced garlicof the Lord?toTo obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is taste better• than the fat of rams.23; rebellion is like sin of 2 cups mixed greens &For vegetables divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry-----”. • 1 Tablespoon oils (I mix 1 teaspoon each butter/ghee, olive oil & flaxseed oil) Characteristics of HolytoSpirit Induced Wildernesses. • Other toppings your liking: fruit, meat, rice • You can really get creative with toppings. ▪ Repentance ▪How Healing to make it: ▪ Spiritual endowment/ enrichment ▪ True 1. knowledge/Wisdom Sauté Portobello in 1/2 oil & 1/2 garlic. ▪ Peace 2. and Set Tranquility aside. ▪ Indescribably Joy/Satisfaction 3. Sauté veggies & chopped mushroom stem ▪ Restoration/ Renewal/ Enlargement in1/2 oil & garlic. ▪ Eternal life 4. Spread pizza sauce on top of Portobello ▪ Faith/Trust/Strength mushroom. ▪ Assurance/Purpose 5. Pile on chopped mushroom stem and veggies ▪ Reversal curses or of other toppings to your liking. ▪ Thirst the words of GOD cheese. 6. and Addobedient feta/goattocheese and mozzarella ▪ Character building 7. Place under broiler until cheese is bubbling & ▪ Anointing of once spiritual gift/gifts starting to brown. ▪ Birthing of ministry/ministries. 8. Enjoy thoroughly! Submitted by Sis. Pamela Bright (Will continue in next issue)

----------------------------------------------------------------HOLY SPIRIT INDUCED Wilderness Continued from page 2 Some of the reasons why GOD allows/induces storms in our lives. (a) Some of us have been prayed up by our relatives, friends, church families for our salvation, trials etc. and as such we became dependent on them for prayers each time we need one. We then forget, that as followers of Christ, that we have been admonished to always pray and watch.1Thessalonians5:17. Luke18:1.Luke11:513.Acts.1:14.Romans12:12.Ephesians6:18.Colossians 4:2.and Isaiah40:25-31.

When we forsake God, (Judges3:7) due to our ignorance, stubbornness or and laziness; He calls and gets our attention back to him through these storms of life. (Judges3:1-4. Deuteron-omy.8:2-5.)

The Spoken Word

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IN The Spirit The Cost of Honesty "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent" (1 Chronicles 29:17, NIV).

A brief lesson on everyday integrity.

When I was a child, I thought as a child. Sometimes I took things from another child's hand when I wanted it. Once or twice, I took candy from a store. That ended the first time my mother caught me and sent me back to confess and apologize.

It wasn't much, about a penny's worth of thievery. But is there such a thing as a "little dishonesty"? Recently, I left the post office with a handful of stamps. Once I had stamped all my manuscripts, I found that I'd been given eight more stamps than I paid for. When I returned to the employee who had sold me the stamps, it took a lot of explaining to make him understand why I was returning them. "Why did you bring them back? No one would've known." "It's the right thing to do," I explained, suddenly not even sure why I'd made the effort.

But my 12–year–old daughter nodded and

When it's all said and done, how much is my dignity and self–respect worth? The cost of an outdated coupon or rebate on an item I didn't purchase?

It's easy to be honest when we're afraid of getting caught or into trouble. But, if it seems like a "sure thing," it's easy to convince ourselves that we're not being dishonest, someone else just wasn't being careful enough. Is a lie always a lie? The best lesson I had on honesty came several years back while on vacation in Wimberley, a charming town in southern Texas. The small square was filled with antique and craft shops. After an hour of shopping, my husband and I stopped for lunch in a café; near the square. I was surprised when a woman entered the restaurant and walked over to our table. "I'm sorry, but I shorted you on your change," she explained. Then she held out a $1 bill.

I recognized her from a candle shop we'd visited earlier. "But how did you know I'd be here?" I was flabbergasted. She had actually searched the shops to return a dollar. Honesty was very important to her.

smiled at me.

Should we go out of our way to be honest? After all, with the post office situation, I didn't steal the stamps; it was the postal worker who made the mistake. But does my honesty depend on the actions of another?

On the other hand, a man I know returned a large television set to a department store and was given cash for his return. A month later, he noticed this amount had also been deleted from his credit card bill. He didn't bother contacting his credit card company. Continued on page 7

I can be dishonest. But I choose to be honest.

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Continued from page 6

Does God want me to be just a little honest? Or honest only in certain situations? Or only when someone is looking? How much dishonesty is too much? Sometimes I am the only person who knows whether I am being honest in a situation or not. Do I keep extra change I'm given, cheat on my taxes, ignore the double credit on a credit card statement? Do I tell my daughter that a white lie is still a lie, but a few minutes later tell the police officer that my accelerator got stuck?

2009 Everybody’s Birthday Celebration

When did honesty become an endangered value? Somewhere that man is proud of the $700 he cheated the department store out of and laughs about it with everyone he knows, even his daughter. Somewhere in Wimberley, Texas, there is a truly honest woman. I rejoice in sharing that story with my daughter. If given a choice, I hope I'm the latter. Month of November table

And that's the honest truth. Kathryn Lay is a writer in Arlington, Texas.

choose to be honest. When it's all said and done, how much is my dignity and self– respect worth?”

Month of March table

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Already Paid There’s so much temptation in the world today. But remember the cross, it’s already paid.

NEW MEMBERS!

No other name whereby we can be saved, Jesus the High Priest, He leadest us to the presence of God. My soul does magnify the Lord, open you heart, receive Him, the eternal King of Kings, my beginning, my last. God has reconciled Himself through the blood Christ shed, He’s knocking at the door of your heart Don’t turn away, his strength will receive you each and everyday build hope; more forward relying on no one else, He’ll lead and guide in a righteous way.

Food for your Soul Accept responsibility for your actions. The things you do, the things you say and the things you think. If things don’t go quite right ask yourself what you could have done differently to get a different outcome. It is not always someone else’s fault. You stand up and take responsibility.

The Spoken Word

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Finance Corner Whether you've grown up in the church, have recently started attending - or even if you have never set foot in one in your entire life - you have probably heard about the concept of the tithe. Basically, it is giving 10% of your income to God.

That sure sounds like a lot, especially in the economic times we are in. Tithing has one interesting aspect to it however - it is the one place in the Bible that God actually says we can test him on it. Test God? No way you may think - but it's true. Malachi 3:10 (NIV) says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". Wow those are pretty strong words on this subject. Notwithstanding God's words, I still feel odd 'testing' him on this. Instead, I give faithfully in hopes that God will continue his grace and blessings in my life. I have actually felt convicted by the Holy Spirit at times that I was not tithing. It's true: for a while I had stopped tithing for various reasons - more out of personal want rather than financial necessity - and I felt absolutely guilty about it. So I started again and that feeling completely disappeared. If you are in the leadership of a church, I want to share something that we do. A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that my Pastor had started a series on Recession Proofing your life. With regards to tithing, our church does an interesting thing - basically a 'tithe test'. If a person tithes for 3 months and does not feel God blessing them, then our church will refund their tithe back to them. Talk about a guarantee! This is not the first time we have done this, but over the years we have never had to refund any money back. Does that speak for the benefit of tithing?

– The Tithe As individuals, you must seek God's will in your life in this - just as you should with everything else you do. If you want to test God, do so - because He tells us that we can. And remember what our purpose on earth is for - not to build ourselves up, but rather for the glory of the Kingdom. Our treasures are stored in heaven, and our time here is just temporary. God will not let you go without - He is faithful to us if we are faithful to Him. Courtesy of Christian Finance

The Twelve Historical Books • • • • • • • • • • • •

Joshua 24:14-18 - A Choice To Give Judges 17:1-6 - Doing What Is Right In God's Sight Ruth 1:3-5, 15-16, 2:3, 11-12 - The Lord Recompense And Reward You 1 Samuel 15:2-3, 18-22 - Sacrifice Is Good But Obedience Is Better 2 Samuel 2:3-6 - Showing Kindness Has It's Rewards 1 Kings 2:1-4 - Prospering In All We Do Wherever We Go 2 Kings 4:1-7 - Preparing To Receive From God 1 Chronicles 22:1-6 - Preparing To Build The Lord's House 2 Chronicles 2:1-2 - Bearing The Burden Together Ezra 1:1-5 - Two Reasons For God's Material Blessings Nehemiah 10:34-39 - Supporting The Levites And The Priests Esther 2:17-18 - Love Gives According To It's Ability

your copy today! Order from the Media/Library Ministry or online at The SpokenGet Word October 2009 http://www.easterncommunity.org

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Has God Blessed You Lately?

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Write about it and have it published in The Spoken Word The Spoken Word welcomes articles from subscribers.

Sermons preached by our Pastor For a complete listing of sermons preached by Pastor Damion M. Briggs, or to order a CD, DVD or Cassette online, please visit our Web site at http://www.easterncommunity.org and click on the link “Multimedia Shop.”

Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Pastor Damion Briggs, Instructor Current Topic: Old Testament Survey Bible Study Sessions Now on CD 9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M.

We Are Now Recording Sermons On DVD Check availability on our Multimedia page

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Calendar of Events

Services

November 7

Healing and Deliverance Twelve Step Wrap Up Prayer Breakfast 9:00a.m. 25 Thanksgiving Praise & Worship 7:00 p.m. 9-13 Pastor’s 8th Anniversary Celebration 7:00 p.m. nightly

Sunday School . Sunday Morning Worship

December

Holy Communion

First Sunday

Monthly

5 12 13

Praise, Testimony, Prayer

Wednesday

7:00p.m.

Bible Study

Wednesday

7:30p.m.

Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

7:00p.m.

20 31

Fellowship with Seniors 10:00 a.m. Men’s Pancake Breakfast 10:00 a.m. 2nd Annual 100 Men and Women in Red and Black 3:00p.m. Annual Christmas Service 3:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve Service 10:00 p.m.

New Members Class

For an updated listing, visit our Web site at http://www.easterncommunity.org

Usher Meeting

9:00a.m. 10:00a.m.

3rd & 4th Wednesday 6:00p.m. 3rd Saturday 10:00a.m.

Youth Choir Rehearsal Last Friday of Month 7:00p.m.

EASTERN COMMUNITY CHURCH 8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 www.easterncommunity.org

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