GOOD NEWS YOU CAN USE...

On Sunday, April 10, 2022, we celebrated our 87th Church Anniversary.

In 1935, a small group of people focused on the immaculate principles of scripture organized Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Nashville on Lafayette Street. They held close to the guidelines of Matthew 16:18-19vs; "Upon this rock, I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

They called many ministers to administer worship services in search of a leader (1938-1944), and in 1944, elected the late Reverend Irvin Mayfield as pastor.

In 1961, the late Deacon Gant Harney located land for sale on the corner of 25th Avenue North and Osage Street. In October 1964, a total of 51 members marched into the new church building, where our present congregation worships each Sunday.

In 1971, the beloved Pastor Mayfield transitioned to glory. Afterwhich was appointed, two pastors to oversee the flock, the late Reverend Paul Batey (1971-1974) and the late Reverend James R. Turner (1974-1977).

In February 1977, after the resignation of Pastor Turner, an appointed committee asked Reverend William B. Armstrong to officiate worship services until a new pastor was elected.

In 1979, the church elected Reverend W. B. Armstrong as Pastor of the Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where he resides. Under his leadership, many accomplishments have been achieved, including completing a new sanctuary and renovating the old structure.

Through many transitions and mountainous struggles, God has graciously blessed our church family in keeping the vision alive (Matthew 16:18-19vs) as ordained by our forefathers. We anxiously await the plans that God has in store for our church.

We pray that you would share in the blessings of God and worship with us, "A Family Striving to Meet the Approval of God." We welcome you one and all with open arms.

Ponquita Margarette Harney is a native of Nashville, TN, and a Pearl-Cohn Comprehensive High School graduate. She is a mother of two daughters, Alesha and Jasmine Harney, and grandmother to one grandson, Deon Mitchell.

She graduated from Meharry School of Dentistry Dental Assisting Program, receiving a Certificate for Dental Assisting. She currently serves as an Accounts Receivable Coordinator for Meharry Medical College with 32 years of service and has been a cashier at Kroger for six months.

In January 2022, she was promoted from Patient Service Representative to her current role and is enjoying her new responsibilities.

Ponquita often meditates on her favorite scripture, "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6).

She is a gourmet cook who demonstrates proficiency while providing service during fellowship dinners. One of her hobbies is reading, which she truly enjoys; however, she expresses her love for reading has become dampened since her mother's passing, who would share books.

Ponquita is passionate about helping those in need. In particular, she often volunteers by giving gifts to foster care children and clothes, blankets, and more to the homeless. In addition, her greatest passion is making people happy, cooking for them, and being hospitable.

Ponquita is a faithful member of the Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as the Pastor's Aide Committee Chairperson and is a member of the Adult Choir and Kitchen Committee ministry. She served as the adult choir secretary and a vacation bible school teacher in past years. She plays a significant role in the young disciple's ministry, glad to serve in any compacity to assist the children. Our ministry is blessed to have acquired such a willing vessel.

Displayed below are some highlights of our spotlight champion.

BEING A WITNESS

Here are some ways that I learned to tell people about Jesus.

1. I can tell people by singing Christian music or making my

songs about Jesus.

2. I can tell people through prayer. I can pray with people, and

people can see me talking to God when I say my grace.

3. I can share with people I know that they can pray to God for help

if they have troubles because Jesus is the answer.

I also want to do a street church one day so that people can hear the

gospel when they drive by.

I am still a little nervous about telling the world about Jesus, but I

know God can help me be brave.

I am learning a verse from Romans 1:16, "I m not ashamed of the

gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone

who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

Psalm 46:10

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD."

God often causes people to walk forward blindly, to step into uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous roles, and do the very thing they fear the most.

* * * * * * * * *

by Davina Dean

GOD IS TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING?

I am a mom. I have a teenage son and a borderline tween. This summer, we started studying Psalms and Proverbs. My children surprised me because they started asking me questions about our studies. God revealed things to me in His Word as I tried to answer their questions.

Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Also, Proverbs 2:10-11 tells us, "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding

shall keep thee:"

Where do I receive my counsel and guidance? Is it my friends, social media, television, or the culture? How do I filter out what is true and make sense of what is happening in the world and around me? Do I filter it through the news or podcast? Unfortunately, sometimes the answer for me is a yes.

The great thing about being born again is that God's Spirit always brings me back to His Word and gives me wisdom and understanding. This has been a crazy summer in our country and the whole world. We've seen mass shootings, inflation, the war in Ukraine, political and social discord, and many natural disasters. All this is on top of trying to overcome a pandemic and its effects on people's lives.

Jesus tells us that these things are the beginning of the end. Also, He tells us not to be deceived (Matthew 24). I shouldn't be surprised by the things that are going on in the world. Instead, I need to trust God, study His Word, and share the gospel with others.

* * * * * * * * *

By Minister T. Armstrong

SET FREE or IMPRISONED

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free," John 8:36.

John gives an account of Jesus' words of truth to those proclaimed to be the Children of Abraham. These were professors but not possessors of the works of Abraham. He explains that if their father were indeed Abraham, they would love Him and not seek to kill Him.

Take a self-examination. Do your daily-walk characteristics align with a professor or possessor of the truth? Have the words of truth set you free?

A sinner cannot break from his strength, which causes him to be a servant to sin. But the Son who is the truth can remove all chains from one enslaved to make them free. Sound truth spoken by Jesus leads to salvation, which truly makes one FREE; in other words, freedom from the bondage of sin.

Those that believe in Jesus Christ and remain faithful to His teachings are indeed His disciples. His disciples will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. So to be free, a disciple has to make room in their heart to receive the message presented by the Son.

Are you set free or in bondage?

* * * * * * * *

by Unknown Author

Always REMEMBER, you are braver than you believe,

STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think,

and LOVED more than you know.

* * * * * * * *

quote by Unknown Author

"Don't give up what you want most for what you want now."

Submitted by Jackie Carr

A TRIBUTE

(Gone, but Never Forgotten)

On Friday, May 6. 2022, our beloved Brother Ben Brown transitioned into his heavenly rest. Brother Ben was a faithful member, usher, and kitchen committee member. Not only was he a loveable soul, but his church family, fellowship guests, and friends raved over his smoked ribs/chicken and mouth-watering meatloaf. We miss him dearly, but his memories are for a lifetime.

(ADMIT)

An angel told Philip to go south to Gaza. Philip went, and he saw a man from Ethiopia. The eunuch had been to Jerusalem to worship. He was sitting in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip ran to him and heard him reading from the scrolls. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. He said, "How can I understand it if no one explains it to me?" So, Philip sat down with him and taught him about Jesus.

(BELIEVE)

They came down the road, and the Eunuch saw water. The Eunuch said to Philip, "Here is water; what is stopping me from being baptized?" He wanted to be baptized right away! Philip told him that if you believe in Jesus, then he could be baptized.

(CONFESS)

The Eunuch said he believed. They stopped the chariot, and both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. He made the decision because he wanted to obey Jesus. After the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, the Eunuch continued on his way very happy and rejoicing because he had been baptized.

(Acts 8:26-40)

AUXILIARY ANNIVERSARIES

August 14th ~ Brotherhood Ministry at 10:00 a.m.

August 21st ~ Missionary Society at 10:00 p.m.

August 28th ~ Sunday School/Youth Department at 10:00 a.m.

September 11th ~ Adult Choir at 10:00 a.m.

FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY

September 4th ~ Family and Friends are invited to come worship at 10:00 a.m.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT!

Information provided by Jacqueline Carr

For 2022, Tennessee is distributing a new license plate during renewal. You can

request a license plate that contains "In God We Trust." However, you will need to ask

at the time of renewal.

https://www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/renewals/coming-soon/new-license-plate-faqs.html

Email: stmattrealdealta@gmail.com
Website: www.stmatthewrealdeal.org
Location: 2412 Osage Street, Nashville, TN, USA
Phone: (615) 329-0173
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmatthewmbrealdeal