Deep Creek Friends Meeting March, 2021

Removing Idols and Building Altars

When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded theprophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land

of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills ofEphraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the porticoof the Lord’s temple…Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.

II Chronicles 15:8,17b

Though Asa, King of Judah, lived over 800 years before Christ, his actions best represent the spirit of Lent andour preparation for the cross of Good Friday. Asa heard the Word of God through the prophet Azariah when he toldthe king: “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsakehim, he will forsake you.” Asa responded by reforming the broken nation and reestablishing the worship of Jehovah.He tore down the idols that his ancestors had erected, and even impeached his grandmother as the Queen Motherbecause of her affection for idolatry. He also repaired the altars of worship that had deteriorated by years of neglectfrom a lack of priests needed to bring sacrifices and teach God’s Word.What does this have to do with Lent, Good Friday, and 2021? Well it has a lot to do with it! Asa’s reform ofJudah is an illustration of what God wants to do in the heartland within us all. Lent is a time for the prayerfulexposure of our deepest soul to the light of God’s grace. From stopping old habits, to starting new ones, Lent existsto make room for more of Christ’s Lordship in our lives.

Just as Judah had succumbed to years and years of spiritual neglect and false worship, so too our hearts canbecome a wasteland of inferior affections that sap our God-focus. Idols exist now just as much as in Asa’s day, andthey are far more subtle. An idol can be a possession, but it can also be a relationship, a habit, or an expectation. Itcan be as abstract as the need to control everything and everyone around us, and as visual as an imagined identity.There are idols of comfort, intelligence, convenience, and health. An education or a title can be an idol. Tim Kellerin his book “Counterfeit Gods” gives the most concise explanation of an idol, along with the danger idols pose. Hesays, “If we look to some created thing to give us the meaning, hope, and happiness that only God himself can give, itwill eventually fail to deliver and break our hearts.”

Asa tore down the idols that had infested the people of God for ages. With these idols in plain sight, theyposed a distraction at best, and an abandonment of God at worst. So, what are the idols in your heart? What keepsyou from seeing the cross? Lent is a time to prepare for the cross. It is a time to get the rubbish out of the way sowe can see the offering of Jesus Christ in all his suffering, in all his sacrifice, and in all his surrendered love.

But Asa did not only tear down the bad, he built the good. He repaired the altars of worship to God. Thereare new things that God wants to form in our hearts. Altars of prayer, worship, listening, scripture, compassionateservice to others, and more. To establish the holy where the defiled once stood. This is a time to take the barren,chaotic wasteland of our “prone to wander” hearts, and erect a cross. Not just a symbol, but a Spirit-filled connection.A spiritual beachhead in the weathered sand of our wills that can keep us focused on the only One we can really trust.So that, to quote Keller again, “When you see him dying to make you his treasure, that will make him yours.”

Yes, that’s it! It’s time to remove the idols and build the altars. To see him as he is without the clatter andbanging of earthly noise, bleeding not just for the world…but for me…for you. To see him empty himself so we canbe full, and in seeing him to be smitten by his love. To realize that anything, or anyone, that clammers for suchallegiance will fade away into nothing.

Randy

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. L uke 18:27

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Take a moment for Meditation:Donna Terrell continues Piano Solos of Hymnarrangements each night on Facebook throughMarch 22, which makes her 365 days.Sundays at 10:30 AMDrive-In Worship - sit in your car and listen Tunein to: FM 88.9Or on Facebook LiveInside Worship with mask and social distancing.Temperature will be taken before entering thebuilding; hand sanatizer avaliable at entrance (Roomis sanatized).

Sunday Worship Special Music – March:7th- Ruby Brendle

14th- Sydney Matthews & Jacob Brendle21st- Donna Terrell28th- To Be Announced

Tuesday, March 9 – 7:00 PMMinistry and Counsel will meet – Fellowship Hall

Friday, March 12 @ 6:30 Youth & Young Adult Movie - See pg. 8

Reminder: FOR COLLEGE STUDENTSAND HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:

The NC USFW Eliza Armstrong Cox Scholarshipnew Applications or Renewal requests (mustinclude transcript from college) are due March 15.Do not delay to ensure your mail delivery. For moreinformation, contact Janet Robbins.

Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 PMQuaker Women will meet - the Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, March 23 – 7:00 PMMinistry and Counsel will meet – Fellowship Hall

March 27 – "The Easter Experience"See page 4

March 28: Palm Sunday

Friday, April 2 – Good Friday Service

Sunday, April 4 – EasterMore information to come on the Day’s Events

NOTICE OF CHANGE:Regular Monthly Meeting Time has nowchanged to the second Sunday of each monthinstead of the first Sunday. This is at the requestof the clerk and to give the treasurer ample time toprepare for reporting the previous month’s activity.

NOTE FROM THE CLERK:Sunday, March 14th is thebeginning of Daylight SavingsTime, so remember to Springyour clocks ahead 1 hour.Also, Monthly Meeting willbe Sunday, March 14th after the service. Wewould like for all committees to be represented, soplease appoint someone from your committee to bethe representative, and to possibly give a report.

A Thought:A lot of things we had planned to do at the churchhave been postponed because of Covid-19. As amusician, I have truly felt the loss of somethingthat was so much a part of my worship eachSunday; my “identity” within the church, my“job”, at this time not a vital part of our services.We all have experienced this, whether your giftwas singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school,helping with VBS, or just greeting you neighbor;our roles have been redefined by something onlyGod could control. My prayer for all of us is thatwe have been able to find God in all this, as Healways works in every situation. One thing that Ihave done, that I recommend to anyone, is delvinginto the scriptures. It has been there that I havefound strength and hope, and have been remindedthat my identity, as I mentioned earlier, is not inmy singing or my choir directing, but in the factthat I, as are all of you, am a child of our risenSavior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

“And the Scriptures give us hope andencouragement as we wait patiently for God’spromises to be fulfilled.” –Romans 15:4 NLT

With Christ’s Love for you all,Ginger Holt,Presiding Clerk

Please Continue to wear your mask to all events.

NOTE: Can You Help?We will be feeding the Forbush Football team on Friday, March 26th @ 3:45. We will need about 6crock pots of soups, boxes of crackers, desserts & bowls & spoons. If anyone is interested in helping pleasecall or text Tracy at 336-469-8056. Food needs to be at the church by 3:00 on that Friday. Tracy Shore

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From Randy . . .

Remember:

BIBLE STUDY

Each WednesdayAt 7:00 PMMeal included

One of theCore

Values ofDeepCreek

FriendsMeeting:

DISCIPLESHIP

Togetherwe becomeChrist-like

servants bycontinuingto develop

ourpersonal

relationshipwith JesusChrist as

Savior andLord, and

byknowledgeof scripture

GriefShareBeginning Sunday, March 14 @ 4:00pm - Fellowship Hall

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse,child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people whounderstand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated andhave many questions about things you’ve never faced before. “Going to GriefShare feelslike having warm arms wrapped around you when you’re shivering.”GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move towardrebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:Video seminar with experts. Each week the group will watch a video seminarfeaturing top experts on grief and recovery subjects. Videos are produced in aninteresting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life casestudies, dramatic reenactments on-location.Support group discussion with focus After viewing the video, you and the othergroup members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented inthat week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.Personal study and reflection During the week you will have the opportunity touse your workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sortout your emotions through journaling. Your group will spend time discussingquestions and comments from the workbook study.Interested in attending this 13 week ministry, or want to know more? Call or text Randy Quate at 336-580-2853.Also visit the GriefShare website at griefshare.org for general information. NOTE: GriefShare is being offered by theCoffeeHouse Group. Masking and distancing will be observed in a clean environment.

NOTE:

This session ofGriefShareis almost full.

If you might beinterested in alater session,

contact Randyat

336 580 2853

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Food for the HungryI tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.

Matthew 25:40Thank You to everyone who donated soup or money for The February 7th Souper Bowl event for YadkinChristian Ministries. Deep Creek collected 100 pounds of food and $250 to help with the many needs in ourcounty. In February, 810 family members were helped and 1,149 bags of food were given out by Yadkin ChristianMinistries.

As we mentioned in the February newsletter, The Empty Bowls event will be held; but it will be takeout onlyat the Yadkin Agricultural Building on Tuesday, May 4. Realizing that everyone cannot get away at noon, therewill be a lunch time and an evening time to pick up your meal. Tickets are $25 for the homemade soup, salad anddessert. A wrapped pottery bowl will also accompany your meal and your ticket will also include a drawing forShirley Murphy’s beautiful quilt that she makes each year. If you would like a ticket or if you would like to be asponsor, please see Janet Robbins. This is the biggest fund raiser for YCM and your support is very muchappreciated. You can reach Janet Robbins at 336-971-1212 or by email jrobbins1604@gmail.com.

Janet Robbins

Rules to Live By: The Queriesfrom the new Faith andPractice of Friends ChurchNorth CarolinaYOUTH AND THE CHURCHDo you seek the conversion toJesus Christ and spiritualdevelopment of your youngpeople? Do you instruct themin the principles and practicesof Friends? Do you strive tocreate a community life thatwill promote their mental andphysical well-being?

Can You Help?On March 27th we will behosting, "The EasterExperience", A fun eventwhere the children will be ableto follow the Easter story.There will also be free food!This is a floating event. If youcan have a trunk for theevent or can help in anyway please contact SydneyMatthews or AngieBrendle.

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Looking Ahead:In March, we will be preparing for Easter.March 7th- Children's Church during WorshipMarch 7th- Friends of Jesus @ 3pm

March 27th- The Easter Experience 11 am -1 pm

March 28th- Children’s Church during WorshipMarch 28th- Friends of Jesus @ 3pm

CHILDREN From Sydney

This past month during Children's Church we dove intosome of the Parables of Jesus. We learned about thelost coin and the lost sheep.

In Friends of Jesus, we havebeen continuing our studyof Important People of theBible with Noah andAbraham.

We also had 9 friendsjoin us for our Valentine'sDay party.

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Upcoming EventsMarch 7th:Dogs at 3:00Youth at 4:00 at Deep Creek

March 14th:Youth at 4:00 at Union Cross

March 21st:Dogs at 3:00Youth at 4:00 at Deep Creek

March 28th:Youth at 4:00 at Union Cross

April 2nd: Good Friday Servicewith Youth (at Deep Creek - 7:30)

April 3rd: Easter Service byYouth (at Union Cross - 7:00)

April 4th: No Dogs or YouthMeetings. Happy Easter!

May 1st:Annual Golf Tournamentat Silo Run at 2:00

July 3rd - 9th: Youth Missiontrip to Nashville, TN (Let

Jared know ASAP if you wantto go).

September 2nd - 6th:Youth, Young Adult andFamilies Beach Retreat(Let Jared know if you planto attend).

* Stay tuned for more summeractivities as Christian Educationevaluates our ability to safelyhold events.

NOTE: any of the abovementioned events may be subjectto change due to Covid-19.

YOUTH & JR.YOUTH From Jared

Sugar MountainSki Trip

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CongratulationsRhonda Moran Recognized

During the month of February, Yadkin County Schoolscelebrated Teachers of the Year. Each schoolrecognized and honored an individual who stood out asa public school teacher who was an outstandingeducator and staff member contributing to the successof the school during the last year.

Starmount High School announced that RhondaCranfill-Moran, TechnologyFacilitato, was chosen as theschool’s Teacher of the Year.She is part of the backbonethat keeps Starmount runningby working with students ontheir technological issues(which was vital to studentslearning this year), as well asalways being a positive presence tocampus!

Thank you for all you do for Starmount.Rhonda said, “To be recognized as Teacher of theYear during Covid is really a great honor.”

Think On These:

Siblings celebrateSamuel Ray is now16! He is celebratingwith his sisters Allieand Taylor Jones.Samuel, a student atStarmount HighSchool, will beplaying football withthe first game thisweek. Covid-19 hascaused the season tobe off schedule. Alliand Taylor are bothback in college withexcelling grades in

their studies after taking a break for a period of work.

More Students RecognizedMore of our students have been recognized foroutstanding work in school since last month’s list.Wake Forest University Dean’s List included JacobBrendle. There are others in schools that have notpublicly posted their Honor Rolls. We congratulate allour students.

If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!

Prayer:Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never asGreat as the Power behind us.

The Will of God never takes you to where theGrace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message,The message changes us.

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REMEMBER TO PRAY – Prayer changes things!The following information is included by request. Be specific when you pray and send notes.

This color indicates an addition or change from last month.Among those requesting prayer:

Pray for special needs of members, friends and relatives and celebrate God’s care.Contact the editor for information

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” John 12:13

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2324 Shore Rd.Yadkinville, NC 27055

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Thanks to all who have contributed to this issue.Next issue – April, 2021Deadline for news – March 28

Send Information and Materials to:e-mail: wshore@yadtel.netMailing address: 2324 Shore Rd, Yadkinville, NC 27055Phone: 336 679 8466

Shelby ShorePublished at Shore House, Ink

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Church Address: 1140 Deep Creek Church Rd. Yadkinville, NC 27055 Phone: 336 961 4404deepcreekfriends@gmail.com Pastor: Randy Quate Clerk: Ginger HoltDirector of Youth and Jr. Youth Ministries: Jared Warden Director of Children’s Ministries: Sydney Matthews

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDYADKINVILLE, NC 27055

PERMIT No. 4

I lift up my eyes to the hills.From where does my help come? Psalm 121:1