From the Pastor’s Desk Intercessory Prayer Ministry Seasoned Saints Ministry Moments with the Historian Sunday School Ministry Hospitality Ministry Ushers Ministry Young Adult Missionary Ministry Trustee Ministry Tupper Youth in Action Tupper Men “Go Back to the Mountain” Tupper 2018 Graduates Comic Relief What’s Happening

What’s INSIDE

Summer/Fall Newsletter

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK: “What’s the Matter Now?”

Today’s churches seem to be losing the war against the flesh. Works of the flesh such as: gossip, backbiting, jealousy, bitterness, contention, strife and fornication seem to have become commonplace among the saints. Pastors and church leaders, in despair over the loss of saints, and the stagnant growth of the church are crying out, “Oh Zion, what’s the matter now?” Instead of progressing, the church seems to be regressing. Even God’s elect are making plans which exclude God and the church—not to mention attending church services. Why is this happening in the Lord’s church? One reason may be that we are becoming less and less fearful of God. Saints seem to have forgotten how to submit themselves to each other “in the fear of the Lord.” Look at the course being taken by the world in which we live; the average person is forced to work two jobs just to have the ability to afford the basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and transportation. Corporations are not concerned about whether their employees are paid enough to etch out a living. Employers are primarily concerned about their profit margins. Something is drastically wrong with a society when it fights against such basic rights as mandatory health care and adequate housing. God forbid if a homeless person erects his cardboard shanty, or parks his shopping cart, in a middle class neighborhood. Wouldn’t it be nice if the “ghost of Christmas past” would pay a visit to the insensitive politicians and greed-stricken business owners as he did Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ story, “A Christmas Carol?” However frightening is the scenario, we must remember the biblical admonition: “Fret not yourselves because of evil doers.” The prophet Malachi sends out a strong message regarding this lack of sensitivity, “And I will come near to you to judgement; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Dr. H.C. Miller

July 1, 2018

All to His Glory,

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“Why Do We Pray?”

The Bible makes it clear that God already knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8). Also it tells us that God only answers prayers that are in accordance with His Will (I John 5:14-15). So are our prayers even appropriate to what is being done or considered? Let’s not think that we pray to get things from God. This makes our prayers not to be relevant or really matter much. However, if you see prayer as a means of communicating with God, then prayer is crucial. Matthew 6:7 tells us we should not use vain repetitions like the heathen do. It’s sort of like strategies you use to get God to answer you. But there is no strategy that will make God answer you. And getting our needs met is not the primary purpose of prayer. Here are seven reasons to pray:

1. Builds our relationship with Jesus 2. Helps overcome temptation 3. Helps us determine God’s will 4. Prayer accomplishes God’s work 5. A weapon of Spiritual warfare 6. A prerequisite to Spiritual awakening 7. Prayer is valuable to God

Blessings, First Lady Margaret Miller Intercessory Prayer Ministry Leader

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

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“Be Slow to Judge Others”

Scripture Reference from the Good News Bible

How many of us fit in the category of impaired judgement – quick to judge others? Let’s take a closer look at self.

What do you see? I, for one, guilty. Matthew 7:1-2 says “Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will

judge you in the same way you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules you apply to others.” It goes on to say in

Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out

of your brother’s eye.”

I thank God for the Word, Saint. The question is: Are we being obedient to God’s Word? Just something to ponder.

Submitted by: Mother Rosa Johnson Seasoned Saints Ministry Leader

The Beginning of History starts with the Bible --

To begin to know the history of the Bible, we must study

God’s Words. Here are some reasons for studying the Bible

and in doing so, we will gain the history: cultural literacy, to

learn what it says first hand, personal edification, to help

other, Jesus, because it is God’s Word to us, to know God

better and to avoid error.

The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that

proves that there is a God that created all things and it has

shown us that it cannot be ignored. The Bible is considered

very important to the three major world religions – Judaism,

Christianity and Islam.

In this era, there is a lot of criticism toward the Bible, God

and Jesus; therefore, you need to have knowledge of what

the Bible says about the world then and now.

“For thousands of years the Bible has been read not only for

the history and God’s Word, but also for personal

edification.” By studying His Word, it has shown us how to

face moral choices, life challenges and life situations that we

have used in the past, what we are doing in the present and

how we will conduct our life in the future. As Paul wrote,

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,

rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that

the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good

work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

By studying God’s Word, we come to know God’s plan in

history, His sovereignty, His providence and His love and

much more.

As Pastor Miller tells us in his sermons, bible study, and

evening manna, the Bible is a good book to read, to learn

and to live it.

Submitted by: Sister Ann Chavis Church Historian

Seasoned Saints

Moments with the Historian…

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We were run-down shacks

With the windows to our souls dirty and broken,

And we had no foundations.

Justice wanted to issue a demolition order,

But He saw the mansions that we could be.

So He took on the form of a Master Carpenter,

Rebuilding us not with a hammer,

But by way of the Cross.

He gave us the solid foundation on His Word,

Surrounded and filled us with His Spirit,

And supplied us with fresh coats of Grace and Mercy.

So let us always praise the Great Carpenter and Architect

Who preserved us because He loved houses.

Submitted by: Brother James Montague

Sunday School Ministry Leader

Sunday School Ministry

“Because He Loved Houses”

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“Contagious Hospitality”

Greetings and Happy Summer on behalf of the Hospitality Ministry! You all know the saying, “misery loves company”. It’s funny how miserable people tend to attract other miserable people. Most assuredly, where there is someone excessively complaining and disheartened about life, other pessimistic folks will find them and join their pity party. But the Bible reminds us of at least 2 things, first in Philippians 2:14-15: Do all things without murmurings and disputing, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons/daughters of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. And the other verse of reference, I Thessalonians 5:18 states, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We could stop right there… But consider this – contagious hospitality. Just like negativity has its magnetic force, so too does a person with contagious hospitality. Smiles are contagious. Laughter is contagious. A welcoming countenance draws people in and a friendly personality keeps them coming back. Why are these things so? Simply put, people like to be around pleasant people. Even a person who is down or complaining can have their spirits uplifted with just one kind word or gesture.

So the question is…do we have contagious hospitality? Contagious, according to Webster is an influence that spreads rapidly and is communicable by contact. And the definition of influence is, an ethereal (heavenly) fluid thought to flow down from the stars and effect the actions of man. In other words, we have the God-given ability to be contagiously influential about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We should be the happiest people on the planet because we are God’s people, He saved us, and He loves us dearly. I’m smiling right now just thinking about it. If, in fact, we are giving thanks in everything we do, there is no room or time for murmurings or disputing. Negative Nancy, Pessimistic Pete, Debbie Downer and Grumpy George will have to change or leave the presence of the person with contagious hospitality. I believe Tupper can be that church that has contagious hospitality. Next time you see someone visiting Tupper for the first time or anywhere in your daily travels for that matter, smile and let them know God loves them. Don’t stop at just being polite or pleasant with a half-hearted grin – make your hospitality contagious! If you would like to join the Hospitality Ministry as a

Greeter and have the opportunity to be contagious

with your hospitality we’d love to have you on our

team!

Submitted by:

Sister Deanna Manley Hospitality Ministry Leader hospitality@tuppermbc.org

Hospitality Ministry

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“Why Be an Usher”

Information from the Ushers Manual

Psalms 84:10

Question, “Why Be an Usher?” Why take the abuse, the smart remarks, the uncooperative behavior of some of our people?

Just what makes a person want the job of an usher? In order to answer these questions, we must take a look at what an usher does.

What is the definition of an usher? According to the New Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, “an usher is someone who escorts people to their seats.” Brothers and sisters, I want to tell you that is such a simple definition for someone who’s job is so much more complex. I wonder, as you look at an usher, do you see a seat finder?

An usher in Tupper Memorial Baptist Church is so much more than a seat finder. We are the meeters and greeters to our service. We are a personal representative of Jesus Christ who meet people on a person-to-person basis when they first arrive at church. We are the ones whose smile and warm welcome help to set the tone for our worship.

As a farmer prepares the soil for planting, so does an usher help prepare the proper environment that is conducive to a genuine worship experience. The first to greet an individual, the usher makes the initial impression for the church. A discourteous scowl of a disinterested nod from an usher can spoil the entire service for members who attend on a regular basis and for visitors.

Ushers are the ones who help keep things running and in order. Paul said in I Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” It is the ushers job to make sure and see to the service being orderly and without disturbance. If someone needs seating, the usher finds one in a timely manner. If someone needs assistance, the usher provides it. If someone is disturbing the service, it is the usher’s job to correct the problem.

It is the usher’s job to know when to allow someone to enter the sanctuary and when they should not. The usher does this job even when some are not receptive to their efforts. The usher is the only person whose functions cannot be replaced or omitted. There are services where teaching has been omitted. There have been services where no choirs have sung. There have been services without preaching.

But there is no substitute for the work of ushers in any church service regardless of its character. In, funerals, revivals, and various other programs, ushers are present. They are there to meet, greet, guide and provide assistance to those who enter into the sanctuary. Brothers and sisters, with so many different roles to handle so many different tasks to take on.

The ministry of ushering is like salt which makes everything more tasteful and which serves as a general preservative against deterioration. A good usher adds a tang of joy to a churchgoer’s Sunday morning experience instead of a dry dullness. Just as salt is silent, inconspicuous and something completely unnoticed so are ushers, but they are there in a most powerful way.

A good usher is like a lamp on a stand which brings warmth and welcome to all who enter the room. The ministry of an usher is not to bring glory to himself, but God.

Why be an usher, when all around you there seem to be an usher, when everyone is disrespectful? Why be an usher, when you lead someone to this seat and they go to that one? Why be an usher when you ask someone to be quiet and they tell you to shut up? Yes, why be an usher? Because He has given everyone a ministry and ushering is the one He has given you.

Submitted by: Sister Carolyn Muldrow Ushers’ Ministry Leader

Ushers Ministry

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Young Adult Missionary Ministry

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Who Will Be Next

Praise God for a wonderful turnout for Gospel Fest 2018! To God be the glory for the awesome time that we had

together worshiping the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A special thanks to ALL of the ministries that came together

to make things flow so smoothly.

Gospel Fest 2018 was birthed in a Trustee Ministry meeting in which we all came together to think of ways to not

only raise money for our great church but also increase the morale within the church. From the moment that the idea

of having a good ole fashioned singing was introduced, all of the participants were burning with anticipation and

enthusiasm. Each Trustee pledged to give a sacrificial offering with a goal of $1000 in mind for the event. Soon the

vision was shared with other ministries such as the Male Chorus, the Men of Standard, and the Culinary Ministry

who all made monetary contributions as well. Thanks be to God for allowing us to come together and exceed that

goal by raising approximately $1500!

The Trustee Ministry wanted to hold Gospel Fest as soon as possible after the initial idea in order to inspire other

ministries to follow suit. We look forward to the upcoming services and events that are soon to come. There is no

place like Tupper anywhere near Tupper. Although we have experienced some tough times, things are beginning to

get better.

As our pastor often says, we must give God an effort to bless. We all know that we are much more that the circumstances that we find ourselves in. God allows problems to come our way to reassure us that He is a problem solver and our tests are instrumental in formulating our testimonies. We have prayed for rain now let us sit out our buckets and uncover our crops while we wait. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” We often think of the word “wait”

in that scripture to indicate standing by or staying where one is but I like to look at it also to mean to serve as in a

waiter or waitress. So while we hold on in anticipation, let us also serve.

Will your ministry be next?

Submitted by Brother Lance Scales Trustee Ministry

Trustee Ministry

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On Saturday, June 23, 2018, the TMBC Missionary Ministry attended First Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Raleigh,

NC for the Raleigh City Missionary Union Annual Prayer Day and Have a Heart (Children’s Talent Program) event.

Two of Tupper’s own young ladies (Tai Sanders and Madison Belin) performed for the “Have a Heart Campaign”.

Both young ladies recited poems and both won for an outstanding performance. Madison Belin received first place

for reciting an original piece entitled “Melanin Beauty” and Tai Sanders received second place for the delivery of her

mother’s work entitled “What Does Jesus Say About Me?” Both of these young ladies displayed great poise and

presence, while proudly representing their church family.

The Tupper Missionary Circle was well represented with a total of 13 in attendance for both events.

Sister Renata Nealy-Sanders served as the Young Adult Reader. Sister Dinita Ford served as Prayer Leader 3 and

Sister Carolyn Muldrow as RCMC Treasurer.

Submitted by: Sis. Renata Nealy-Sanders Sis. Dinita Ford

Tupper Youth in Action

Congratulations Madison and Tai for a Job Well Done!!

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TMBC Men and invited guests prepare to load the bus to take part in the annual Men of Standard retreat 2018.

The TMBC Men of Standard traveled back to the mountain this year to host their third annual ‘Men of God, Raising the Standard Retreat’. The two-day retreat event occurred on 25-26 May and took place at the Blowing Rock Conference Center located in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains.

The highly anticipated retreat and venue

provided a special time and place for Men of

God to gather for Worship, Fellowship, Spiritual

Growth, rest and reflection. Approximately

thirty men responded to the call, to include

invited guests from different churches.

Reverend Oscar Holland, Pastor of Smith

Temple Baptist Church, delivered a powerful,

Friday evening worship service message

entitled, “A Black Man’s Wisdom: The Best Kept

Secret in the World”. Two Saturday morning

workshops were facilitated by Deacon Anson

Belin of TMBC, and by Bishop Blanzie Williams,

Pastor, Brighter Hope Christian Fellowship,

Clayton NC.

The workshops provided opportunity for group

discussion on relevant issues regarding Godly

men’s roles in our churches, families,

communities, and the world. Our time on the

mountain was well-spent, and proved to be

Personal, Powerful, and Practical! “As iron

sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of

his friend”.

Submitted by: Deacon Anson Belin

TMBC Men Go “Back to the Mountain”

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Tupper 2018 Graduates

Congratulations Tupper Scholars!!

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Contact Us:

501 South Blount Street Raleigh, NC 27601

www.tuppermbc.org

General Info Phone: (919)834-7249 Church Secretary: (919)834-7980

Tupper Messenger Staff

Jeanine Smallwood

Editor in Chief

SUNDAY

8:30am Intercessory Prayer 9am Sunday School 10am Worship Service 1ST MONDAY 7pm M.O.S. Ministry Meeting 8pm Male Chorus Rehearsal MONDAY CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED 7pm Male Chorus Rehearsal TUESDAY 12pm Midday Bible Study 6:45pm Prayer Service 7:15pm Evening Bible Study 1st & 3rd TUESDAYS 10am Seasoned Saints Ministry Meeting WEDNESDAY before 1st SUNDAY

7:15pm Women’s Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY 12pm Weekly Announcements Due

WEDNESDAY before 2nd & 4th SUNDAYS

7:30pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY before 2nd Sunday

6:15pm Praise Team Rehearsal FRIDAY 7pm WOVEN Ministry Meeting – 2nd Friday 7:30pm Power & Deliverance Service – 1st Friday 2ND SATURDAY

9:30am Minister’s Class 11am Leadership Class 12:15pm Missionary Ministry Meeting 3RD SUNDAY

12pm Singles Ministry Meeting

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