Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

On the evening of Tuesday, May 16, 2023, our community was struck by a sudden storm that brought destruction and devastation to many. The power was off to most of the city of Cherryville, trees were down by the hundreds, homes were damaged, with some still unlivable today, and lives were changed. So many people were left without hope. Before the storm was over, I had received a call that one of our Deacons here at Shady Grove (Jason Day) was badly injured in the storm as he was attempting to help a mother and daughter that had become trapped in their car due to a tree falling on it. Jason was injured being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. We rejoice that Jason is doing very well and, less than a week after his injuries, he was back out in the community helping clear trees at homes with the Baptists on Missions

Use Your Superpower

(2nd Part of “Get a Grip” Series)

Our days can be invaded with circumstances and people that agitate us. It seems that our children sometimes lack good sense or judgment which is probably why scripture mentions foolishness being in the heart of the child, and science says the brain is not fully developed until age 25. Our spouses don’t always act the way we want them to or do what we think they should be doing, opposites do attract. Then, we get in our cars and get stuck in ridiculous traffic! Already we have been annoyed multiple times and it’s only 8 am in the morning! We can decide that the rest of the day is going to be terrible, or we can use our superpower - the ability to control our attitude. Philippians 2:5 (NASB) “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Positive or Negative Energy

The greek word for attitude is phronéō. It means to “properly regulate from within, as the inner-perspective shows itself in corresponding, outward behavior.” In other words, it’s a way of thinking or feeling about someone or something that affects a person internally whether good or bad, and it’s displayed externally. Proverbs 15:13 (AMP) says, “A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face, But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.” It also affects others, because one’s attitude exudes either a positive or negative energy that everyone around can see and experience. Leadership guru, John Maxwell stated, “People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”

The Honeycomb

One way to check our attitude is to fill our minds with uplifting words. Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV) says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Every day I strive to read at least one scripture and a positive quote to keep my mind on the right track. Also, when my attitude becomes negative, I get out my journal and write what I am thankful for. Gratitude will put a bad attitude in its place. In addition, I remind myself to not get bent out of shape about things that are temporary and unimportant. Lastly, I surround myself with people who strengthen me, instead of draining me. When I attend church or connect with good friends, it improves my attitude.

PRAY THIS PRAYER:

“Father, I love you. You are the essence of joy and peace. I praise you for your goodness in my life, especially since I don’t deserve it. Forgive me for a negative attitude which didn’t represent you well. I ask that you would help me to get a grip on my attitude and make it obey you. I pray that when other people encounter me they will feel your Presence, and they will see the light of Christ in my life. Lord, I surrender to you. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.” ministry group. The morning following the storm, I received a call asking if the power was on at Shady Grove Baptist since it was off for most of our city and there was a need for a shelter to be set up. We opened our doors to the community immediately with the assistance of the Gaston County EMS. Later in the day, we were joined by the Red Cross. On Thursday morning, Partners Health Management delivered two campers for temporary shower units for the community. Shady Grove was providing meals to any one in need and we were helped with donations of food from Corinth Lutheran, Dallas; First Baptist, Cherryville; and

Danyale Patterson would love to hear from you! Contact her at www.danyale.com to share a testimony, send a prayer request, or book her to speak.

Mt. Zion Baptist, Cherryville. Thankfully there were other groups helping in town as well but the need was still great. We reached out to the Baptists on Mission, a Ministry of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention. Within hours, supplies began to arrive and volunteers started setting up to help. A larger shower unit was delivered that also included laundry capabilities. Almost 200 Baptist volunteers came from near and far to assist our city. Most of the jobs they completed were the removal of trees not covered by insurance policies or trees that created a threat to the homeowner or those around. Many roofs were tarped and trees were removed from damaged houses. Also, many prayers went up for the victims of the storm. In all, we received 80 requests to assist homeowners. Many of these homeowners were devastated and did not know what they were going to do to recover from the storm.

For 15 days, the doors of Shady Grove Baptist were opened to the community and lots of volunteers. I was asked why we opened the church up to house, feed, and work alongside all of these volunteers. The answer was simple: as Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our hearts were warmed and we rejoiced as one group of volunteers told us how they were able to share the gospel with one gentleman who prayed to receive Christ as his personal Savior. This gentleman is 81 years old. He told the team that he had been waiting his whole life for this! There is always hope! We are called to show love to those that are hurting and to share the hope of Christ. This was done with physical and spiritual encouragement. We do not do good things for people to see us, rather, we simply want the world to see Jesus through us. Christian – keep allowing Jesus to shine through you because there are so many today that need a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Anthony Grove Baptist Church 100 Anthony Grove Road Crouse, NC 704-435-6001

Bess Chapel United Methodist Church 6073 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-7969

Bethlehem United Methodist Church 6753 NC 182 Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-1608

Blessed Hope Baptist Church 3357 Fallston-Waco Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-8530

Body of Christ Fellowship Center 405 S. Cherokee Street Cherryville, NC www.bodyofchrist7.com

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Cherryville, NC Pastor Clifton Morgan

Cherryville Church of God 810 East Main Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-2275

Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church 318 W. Ballard Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6934

Emmanuel Baptist Church 1155 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5764

Fairview Baptist Church 415 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-4299

First Baptist Church 301 East 1st Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3796

First Church of the Nazarene 301 North Elm Street Cherryville, NC 828-838-2428

First Presbyterian Church 107 West Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6064

First United Methodist Church 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 704-435-6732

First Wesleyan Church 800 North Pink Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6069

Free Saints Chapel Church 813 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-0949

Gospel Way Baptist Church 3904 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 866-356-3219

Legacy Church 805 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-457-9615

Living Word Ministries 306 East Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3213

Marys Grove United Methodist Church 1223 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5544

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 235 A.W. Black Street Waco, NC 704-435-8842

Mt. Zion Baptist Church 112 Mt. Zion Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9636

North Brook Baptist Church 7421 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4471

Oak Grove AME Zion Church 542 Flint Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3687

Oak Grove Baptist Church 219 Tot Dellinger Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3053

Revival Tabernacle 1104 Delview Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4073

Rudisill Chapel AME Zion Church 417 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-5621

Second Baptist Church 201 Houser Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9657

Shady Grove Baptist Church 3240 Tryon Courthouse Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9605

St. John’s Lutheran Church 310 West Church Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9264

If your church is in the Cherryville area and is not listed, please give Lorri a call at 704-484-1047 or email lorri@cfmedia.info

Storm

From Page 1

He continued, “Citizens can obviously choose to have the debris disposed of themselves to get it removed faster if they wish. The landfill or private property would be the citizens’ two choices for disposing of the debris.”

As for gauging a percent- up, but with that said, we are running into situations where we clean up an area and the next day there is more.”

Regarding the city getting outside help with the cleanup process, Dalton noted, “We received help from Bessemer City, Ranlo, and Dominion Energy with clean up origi-

Legal Notice

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF FRED COLEMAN DAY

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Fred Coleman Day, deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned at 106 North Cherry Street, Cherryville, North Carolina, on or before the 31st day of August, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 31st day of May, 2023.

Jason K. Day

Executor

Counsel for the Estate:

PALMER E. HUFFSTETLER, JR.

ATTORNEY AT LAW

106 North Cherry Street Cherryville, NC 28021

Telephone: 704-435-4907 CE (5/31, 6/07, 14 & 21/2023)

Legal Notice

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 16th of May, 2023 as Executrix of the Estate of BLANCHE B. BOIES; AKA, ETHEL BLANCHE

BEAM BOIES, ETHEL BLANCHE BOIES, deceased, late of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Yvonne Boies Hinkley, Executor on or before the 24th of August, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of May, 2023.

Yvonne Boies Hinkley, Executrix

Estate of Blanche B. Boies; aka, Ethel Blanche Beam Boies, Ethel Blanche Boies

2241 Fairways Drive Cherryville, NC 28021

CE (5/24, 31, 6/07 & 14/2023) tractors (Adams Tree Service and Mike Steel Grading) help a great deal with cleaning up.”

He continued, “At this point, it is mostly Cherryville crews, but Lincolnton has let us borrow an extra boom truck to assist with getting debris up. This is just some of the assistance we have received, and I know there are others that have also assisted.

Gastonia, Forest City, and ULCS, were instrumental in helping get power restored and we could not have accomplished it without them.”

In closing, Mr. Dalton said of the city staff and employees and their hard work during and after the huge storm, “I could not be prouder of all City employees for the level of service they have provided during this storm. When you take an event that produced this much destruction and you see how fast everyone responded to get the City back to some level of normalcy, you must be proud. I have a lot of pride in how the entire City responded to this incident, from employees, citizens, outside municipalities, contractors, etc. It was truly a group effort to help get Cherryville back going, and that effort is ongoing.”