Monday’s focus…  Jesus curses the fig tree and clears the Temple Matthew 21:12-22

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt…you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  Matthew 21:21-22

Passion Week Timeline 2023.  From the Triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the Last Supper to the Crucifixion to Resurrection Sunday, follow Jesus and his disciples this week on the News Blog.  Easter is this Sunday (April 9)

Allergy Alert: Tree pollen in the ‘very high range’. Grass pollen ‘moderate’ for Monday

www.forsyth.cc/EAP/pollen.aspx

Today is Free Cone Day (April 3)

Ben & Jerry’s at Friendly Center is serving up a FREE scoop of ice cream between noon and 8pm today While you are there, learn more about the United Way of Greater Greensboro’s efforts to end local poverty.

(Ben & Jerry’s is located on 3332 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro).

Continue to pray…  Classes resumed today for students and staff at Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem after last Thursday’s ‘ghost gun incident’ on campus.

LED only?  Starting in August, incandescent lightbulbs (like the ones we grew up with) will be phased out in the US. Halogen bulbs and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) will also be ‘phased out’ mainly because of their mercury content.

LED lightbulbs will be the new standard ‘go-to’ light replacement bulb. The Department of Energy states that LED lights provide more light using 75% less energy than incandescent lights. LEDs also last about 25 times longer. Note: Incandescent lightbulbs have been providing light in American homes since the 1800s, when Thomas Edison patented the bulbs. https://www.newsnationnow.com/business/tech/energy-department-light-bulb-ban/

A new name for SECCA?

The proposed bill is floating around the State House in Raleigh that would change the name – the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art to the N.C. Museum of Art-Winston-Salem. SECCA was founded in 1956, and is an affiliate of the N.C. Museum of Art. https://journalnow.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/a-new-name-for-secca-proposed-state-budget-would-change-museums-name-to-n-c/article

Men’s National Basketball Championship game

U-Conn vs San Diego State tonight 9:20pm.

Special thanks to State House Representative Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) stopping by the WBFJ Morning Show (8am) to help explain the Medicaid Expansion Bill that is now law in North Carolina. Learn more on our website (News Blog) key words “Medicaid Expansion”.  

Free tax prep. Trained, certified volunteers with the A-A-R-P Tax Aide Program are available in preparing and e-filing returns for FREE at select Forsyth county library locations. Everyone welcome regardless of age or income. www.wstaxaide.com/

Questions? Call 336-777-6189.  

Phones are staffed Monday/Tuesday/Thursday or leave a message anytime.

 *The deadline to prepare and file your tax returns is Tuesday, April 18.   

Donald Trump is set to walk into a Manhattan criminal court for arraignment on Tuesday afternoon. A grand jury indicted him last week, making him the first former president to face criminal charges. The New York case is one of several investigations Trump is facing.  www.npr.org/2023/04/02/1167645477/what-to-expect-from-former-president-donald-trumps-arraignment-this-week

Residents across 11 states (from Arkansas to Delaware) are slowly recovering from deadly storms Friday into Saturday igniting dozens of tornadoes – claiming the lives of at least 32 people.  https://www.newsnationnow.com/weather/us-midwest-south-reel-from-pack-of-tornadoes-that-killed-26/

“It’s just a building. We (the people) are the church”

Palm Sunday services were held outside New Commandment Church of God in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Pastor Eddie Miller boldly stated that no damage nor destruction, debris nor devastation could intervene with Sunday’s message, despite his sanctuary now in shambles after deadly storms that ripped through Arkansas last Friday.  Pastor Miller led a lively Palm Sunday service with a passionate sermon.

The focus: The church (specifically New Commandment Church of God) was chosen to send out a message of hope and healing, even in the middle of destruction.

“I didn’t want (my) congregation to feel incomplete or hopeless,”

 “Even though we was punched, we didn’t go out. We’re (still) here…”

-Pastor Miller

To add to the sorrow, the church just paid off their mortgage four weeks ago.

While it may take years, Pastor Miller says (they) will reconstruct the church on these same grounds – in the community that he has been called to serve.

“God planted us here. I dare not go anywhere. Yes, we gotta be real right here.”

New Commandment Church of God in Jacksonville, Arkansas experienced the worst of Friday’s EF-3 tornado that ripped through central Arkansas. Dozens of tornadoes were spotted across 11 states this past weekend. At least 32 people lost their lives in severe storms.  Source: NewsNation

https://www.newsnationnow.com/weather/arkansas-church-destroyed-by-tornado-holds-service/

Update: If you are interested in serving with Samaritan’s Purse in Arkansas, Tennessee, or Indiana, please check spvolunteer.org for details.

 “Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.”   –Romans 12:11-13 CEV

“It’s just a building. We (the people) are the church”

Palm Sunday services were held outside New Commandment Church of God in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Pastor Eddie Miller boldly stated that no damage nor destruction, debris nor devastation could intervene with Sunday’s message, despite his sanctuary now in shambles after deadly storms that ripped through Arkansas last Friday.  Pastor Miller led a lively Palm Sunday service with a passionate sermon.

The focus: The church (specifically New Commandment Church of God) was chosen to send out a message of hope and healing, even in the middle of destruction.

“I didn’t want (my) congregation to feel incomplete or hopeless,”

 “Even though we was punched, we didn’t go out. We’re (still) here…”

-Pastor Miller

To add to the sorrow, the church just paid off their mortgage four weeks ago.

While it may take years, Pastor Miller says (they) will reconstruct the church on these same grounds – in the community that he has been called to serve.

“God planted us here. I dare not go anywhere. Yes, we gotta be real right here.”

New Commandment Church of God in Jacksonville, Arkansas experienced the worst of Friday’s EF-3 tornado that ripped through central Arkansas. Dozens of tornadoes were spotted across 11 states this past weekend. At least 32 people lost their lives in severe storms.  Source: NewsNation

https://www.newsnationnow.com/weather/arkansas-church-destroyed-by-tornado-holds-service/

Update: Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a Disaster Relief Unit—one of their tractor trailers filled with supplies and equipment— in Little Rock early Sunday morning.

Two additional Disaster Relief Units have been deployed to twister-damaged Covington, Tennessee, and Sullivan County, Indiana. Volunteer teams are already on the ground working in several states.  If you are interested in serving with Samaritan’s Purse in Arkansas, Tennessee, or Indiana, please check spvolunteer.org for details.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible,

but not with God; all things are possible with God.'”

 Mark 10:27