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WHITE OAK GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCHCory A. Graves, Pastor

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE

Favor of GodWhat does having the favor of God mean?

To favor means to give special regard to; to treat with goodwill; to show exceptional kindness to someone. Sometimes, it means to show extra kindness in comparison to the treatment of others; that is, preferential treatment. Deuteronomy 28:50 warns of judgment by a “nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young.” Though it is natural for us to favor the young in times of affliction or judgment, this nation will not give such favor. Esther received royal favor above all the other virgins (Esther 2:17). It is from this use of favor that we get the word favorite. The greatest favors are shown to the favorite.

However, favor is not always used in a comparative way toward others. It sometimes simply means that the one favored is shown kindness and is treated with generosity and goodwill far beyond what would normally be expected. This generally is the favor that we receive from the Lord. We are treated much better than expected. Of course, every believer is favored to one degree. Therefore, we must understand God’s favor in degrees. The more we please God the more we will be favored by Him .Also, it is more important not to think of this favor in material or worldly items. God’s favor will most likely be given in spiritual blessings more than material blessings.

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God’s Favor

I did nothing to gain God’s Favor, while living out a life of sin,But to me He sent The Savior, changing my heart deep within.God changed my life’s behavior, and now my life I give to Him,And though my heart may waiver, His Holy Spirit remains within.

For my sins, as dark as night, God had sent me for a sacrifice,God made my sins snowy white, by the blood of Jesus Christ.Moving me from wrong to right, when for me He paid the price,Which led me into His Light from my darkness, into New Life.

It wasn’t me who sought the face, of The God in Heaven above, Instead, it was all of Grace, when He poured on me all His Love.It was me, who God embraced; as God I wasn’t even thinking of,Yet my sins God would erase, through Jesus in Calvary’s love.

It was God, who loved me first, for God moved upon my heart,God had saved me at my worst, allowing me a brand new start.While living in a world accursed, He helps me from sin to depart,My course in life God reversed, with His Spirit, now in my heart.

I’ll never know, just how and why, I was favored by God on High,But with His Favor I want to be, God’s witness so that all can see,The Love God showed in His Son, who died for me and everyone,

2600 Assembly Road January/February 2013

Let us keep Pastor Graves in our hearts with special

prayers for God’s Favor as he travels to Israel. He will be away from February 4-

So they can come to the place, where they too accept His Grace.

Author: Bob Gotti

Continued from page 1 - Favor of GodHere are some of the ways by which we obtain the favor of the Lord:

By praying unto the Lord (Job 33:26). By keeping the commandments of the Lord

(Proverbs 3:1-4) By seeking and finding Gods wisdom (Proverbs

8:35) By diligently seeking good (Proverbs 11:27 ;12:2) By living righteously (Proverbs 14:9)

There are many benefits of being in favor of the Lord. Here are some of them:

Petitions are more likely to be granted (Esther 7:3).

God will compass us with a shield. (Psalm 5:12). We will receive life. (Psalm 30:5). Our enemy’s will not triumph over us (Psalm

41:11). God will show mercy (Psalm 119:58).

We can grow in favor both with God and with man- as did the child Samuel (1st Samuel 2:26) and the child Jesus (Luke 2:52). The phrase, to find favor in the eyes of, or, in the sight of, came from the Old Testament. Every saint of God should desire and seek to have favor in the eyes of the Lord. We grow in that favor as we faithfully live for the Lord.

Author David Reagan

WOG Youth Council

FIYYA would like to announce and congratulate the members of the newly formed FIYYA Youth/Young Adult Council:

Quarteyus Evans9th Grade Glenn High School

Dionte Bishop11th Grade Southern Guilford High School

Kaila Handford10th grade Ragsdale High School

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTSJade Burks, daughter of Tamora Bell, is an A/B Honor Roll student. She is in the 3rd grade at Reedy Fork Elementary. This 8

year old has read over 1000 books! Great job!!

Edward D’Angelo Whitaker, son of Edward and Christina Whitaker, made the AB Honor Roll for this quarter. He is in the 6th grade at Reidsville Middle School. His parents are very proud of him!

Malachi Da’Shaun Whitaker, son of Edward and Christina Whitaker, received all B’s and S’s on his report card this quarter. He is in the second grade at Williamsburg Elementary in Reidsville, NC. His family is very proud!

Miles Williams, son of Tina and Terrell Williams, made the A/B Honor Roll. Miles is a 6th grader at Aycock Middle School in the Spanish Immersion Program.

Jordan Williams, daughter of Keary and Yolanda Williams, made the A Honor Roll for the second quarter. Jordan is an Honors/pre-IB student in the 9 th

grade at Page High School.

Kendall Williams, daughter of Keary and Yolanda Williams, made the A Honor Roll for the second quarter. Kendall is in the 6th grade at Brown Summit Center for Advanced Academics.

Pictures from: FIYYA Outing – Vashawn Mitchell @ Wake Forest - January 20th

ANNOUNCEMENTSWomen’s MinistryFebruary is All About LOVESo Let’s Talk About It. (Phileo, Storge, Eros & Agape)Saturday, February 16, 2013 10:00 a.m.White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church2600 Assembly Road, Greensboro, NC 27405Loving God & Others is Valuable & Essential.1 Corinthians 13

Transportation Ministry- is in need of three additional van drivers. You must possess a valid driver’s license and have a willingness to serve in this ministry. Please see Deacon Clarence Morehead or contact via phone @ 336-707-8429.

Are you a male member of White Oak Grove? Are you active with the male ministry programs? If not, WE NEED YOU! For information about the WOG Men's Ministry and how to get involved, text the word "WOGMEN" to 55469.

M.A.D.E FITNESS- Anyone interested in finding out more information about the "Keep the Weight off Fitness Challenge"-please contact Bro. Johnathan Spruill by email at madefit@gmail.com or call him at 336-669-4795. An entry fee is required.

Please make sure you pick up your 2013 Tithing Envelopes in the foyer. When completing envelopes: - Make sure you fill out your envelopes completely – name and amount. - Do not use change (cents), e.g. $.50, because our program does not recognize cents.

2012 Contribution Statements are available by request only. Please sign up in the foyer.

GENERAL WOG INFORMATIONFrom The Capital Campaign Committee: In addition to giving a little more than your normal tithes and offerings, there are other ways you can contribute to our building fund. Please visit our fundraising website at http://www.5linx.net/whiteoakgrove. For more information or to get assistance in signing up, contact Brother David Jarmon @ 336-215-0050 or bigtiz1906@aol.com.Wednesday Noon-Day Bible Study 12:00–1:00 p.m.Please contact Monique Chavis at 336-986-5339 to schedule meetings and counseling sessions with Pastor Graves. Days available are: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.White Oak Grove’s new mailing address is P.O. Box 1078, Greensboro, NC 27402. Our new email address is

wog2600@whiteoakgrove.net orsharonyancey@whiteoakgrove.net.

WOG website: www.whiteoakgrove.net. All student achievements can be emailed to Gail Garland at Egarland02@cs.com for publication in the monthly newsletter.

Book ClubFor more information or to join WOG Inner Circle Book Ministry contact Johnette Lopez at 601-0284 or Dorie Lang at 215-8072.

WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP APPLICANTS- If you are 18yrs old or will be 18yrs old before spring of 2013, enrolled in college, or have served two years in the military and are interested in applying for an Internship @ the White House please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/internships.You must meet the above criteria to be considered for the internship and only serious applicants need apply.

Job OpportunitiesTransamerica Agency Network

(Insurance Sales Industry)Contact Renee Lewis at 336-709-3063

Up to 40K+ per year

NAACPThe National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, works to bring equality and to brush out discrimination in every aspect of life. There is a branch of the NAACP in almost every state. The NAACP holds beneficial programs such as career fairs, the Financial Empowerment Initiative, Armed Services and Veteran’s Affairs, Health, Labor, Religious Affairs, and Voter Empowerment, which contribute in aiding minority groups.

Our MissionThe mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

ObjectivesThe following statement of objectives is found on the first page of the NACP Constitution – the principal objectives of the Association shall be:

To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens.

To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the U.S.

To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic process.

To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights.

To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination.

To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.

For more information on joining the NAACP, contactNAACP Greensboro Branch1200 E. Market StreetGreensboro, NC 27401Phone: 336-273-1222

CUTE STORIESTwo boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, “What do you think about all this Satan stuff?” The other boy replied, “Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It’s probably just your Dad.”

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?” The mother replied, “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.” The child thought about this for a moment and then said, “So why is the groom wearing black?”

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, “They wouldn’t take me out while I was alive; I don’t want them to take me out when I’m dead.”

A police recruit was asked during the exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He answered, “Call for backup.”Little Johnny was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. “Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used is walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcement. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and save the Israelites.” “Is that really what your teacher taught you?” “Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it.”

A young boy came to Sunday school late. His teacher knew that he was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied no, that he was going fishing but his dad told him that he needed to go to church. The teacher was very impressed and asked if his dad explained to him why it was more important to go to church than to go fishing. The boy replied, “Yes, he did. Dad said he didn’t have enough bait for both of us.”

BUSINESS ADSCOMPUTER REPAIR JAMES BELTON

541-4676

HAIR STYLIST DOROTHY SANDS772-3003

INSURANCE SPECIALIST RENEE LEWIS(AUTO, LIFE, MEDICARE ADV., FIRE) 336-709-3063

TOWING AND TRANSPORTING DORIE & SCOTT LANG669-7084

MARY KAY CONSULTANT LINDA WADDELL638-8447

A&S VENDING MINISTRY SANDRA LITTLE317-0725

REMAX OF GREENSBORO LAURA A. EMERSON327-7527(C)

GLOZ HEAVENLY SCENT GLORIA MCNEILL349-6838/686-8518

BILL BLACK CHEVROLET & CADILLAC EDDIE SIMPSON215-6530/275-9641

ONE STOP HOME DESIGN RANDY MORRISON624-9169

FLOW HONDA JACK LONGWinston Salem, NC 27126 785-3380

VENUS MOON HAIR STUDIO VENUS MOON336-457-3428

CRE8TIVE CAKES MEREDITH SUMMERS336-478-7832

STANDING IN THE GAP DESIGN DEBORAH C. PHILLIPSSERVICES 336-833-3549

HAIR STYLIST TONI JAMESSports Clips1608 Highwoods Blvd

TICKLED PINK PETS MOBILE SALON JANDA FULLER336-509-2704

*10% of proceeds will be donated to the WOG Building Fund

MAXWELL HAT COMPANY TRAVIS LINDSEY834-W Lee Street 336-965-2875

HOME FOR RENT BLANCHE CHEELEY336-580-9110bcheeley@triad.rr.com

PETE’S TOTAL LAWN CARE DELTON PETTRESS336-656-3761

SINCERE AUTO CENTER CLARENCE MOREHEAD2333 Randleman Road 336-275-0964

STATE FARM INSURANCE RYAN DONAHUE700 National Highway 336-472-5454Thomasville, NC 27360 336-324-8987 (cell)Ryan.donahue.ti88@statefarm.com

HEALTH TIPS January is Glaucoma Awareness MonthGlaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. There is no cure for glaucoma – yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. Currently 2.7 million people in the US over age 40 have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58% increase. Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.Over 2.7 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of

them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. Help Raise Awareness

Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.

Refer a friend to our website: www.glaucoma.org.

GUESS WHO?

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The White Oak Grove Family Welcomes New Members

Toi Jackson Willie Thomas Leila Crowder Janell Fobor Charity Finch Shannon Hairston LaTonya Turner Danielle Stowenes TaDrianna Walker Tawanda Covington

Pictures from FIYYA Outing – MLK Parade Day

Let us tell you of some peoples Favorite Hymns:

The Dentist’s Hymn……………Crown Him With Many CrownsThe Weatherman’s Hymn……... There Shall Be Showers of BlessingsThe Contractor’s Hymn……….. The Church’s One FoundationThe Tailor’s Hymn…………….. Holy, Holy, HolyThe Golfer’s Hymn…………….. There Is a Green Hill Far AwayThe Politician’s Hymn…………. Standing on the PromisesThe Optometrist’s Hymn………. Open My Eyes That I Might SeeThe IRS Agent’s Hymn………… I Surrender AllThe Gossip’s Hymn…………….. Pass It OnThe Electrician’s Hymn………… Send the LightThe Shopper’s Hymn…………… Sweet By and By

Now for those who speed on the highway – a few hymns for you:45 mph…………………………… God Will Take Care of You55 mph…………………………… Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah65 mph…………………………… Nearer My God to Thee75 mph…………………………… Nearer Still Nearer85 mph…………………………… The World Is Not My Home95 mph…………………………… Lord, I’m Coming Homeand over 100 mph……………….. Precious Memories

Information for the monthly newsletter is due by the 2nd Sunday of each month and should be submitted to one of the following:Sis. Gail Garland

Egarland02@cs.comSis. Tina Williams

ttnbwilliams@aol.comSis. Yolanda Williams

ywilliams@triad.rr.com