Ministry Moment: Stewardship

Stewardship Moment             Sunday Feb 8, 2015

Hello,

I am Keith Howell and I am honored to serve on your Stewardship Committee. 

We all take for granted that we are able to worship Jesus in a comfortable sanctuary that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, unlike the majority of our brothers and sisters across the globe.  Also we tend to under appreciate that we have wonderful pastors in Revs Campbell, Hopper, and Woodworth that watch over our very souls, according to Hebrews 13.  ASV / NKJV

But we on stewardship wanted to chat a little about some of the ministries that we, you and I, support as part of the regular budget and tend to go unnoticed.  Ministries that clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless.

Third Street Ministries, for example, who provide warm clothes to individuals and families on the margins of society.  

Then there is The Rome Community Kitchen who feeds around 500 people every week. 

And don’t forget Rome Action Ministries’ Transitional Housing.  They recently placed a mother and her two children in a home and also provided classes on budgeting and parenting and what not. 

This congregation actively participates in clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the homeless as part of our regular budget.     

And this congregation is capable of doing so because of your faithfulness; that God’s blessings are NOT constrained within these walls, but flow beyond to have real impact on the lives in the surrounding community.

I am sure that most of us are familiar with Malachi chapter 3:10 – 

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 

It’s the “ . . . throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” part of that verse which we wanted to share about this morning. 

It is because of your financial faithfulness that the blessings flow from the floodgates of Heaven out into Rome and Floyd County. 

And please never confuse tithing to be an act of generosity or benevolence, because it isn’t.  

Tithing is an act of discipleship; that is to say that it is an act of worship and obedience. 

Thank you for your obedience to Christ’s Calling.  Because of you, there is hope in our community for the naked, the hungry, and the homeless.   Hope that changes lives for Jesus Christ. 

Obituary for My Wonderful Mother-in-Law, Peggy Jacobs

Obituary

Peggy Lee Williams Jacobs suddenly passed away on January 30, 2015.  She was 71.

Mrs. Jacobs was born on September 2, 1943 in Roanoke, Alabama to her parents, Earl Vinson and Roxie Dye Williams. She graduated from LaGrange High in LaGrange, GA in 1961.  She married Donald Jefferson Jacobs that same year.  The Jacobs moved to South Carolina where Donald began his career in the textile industry.  After a few years, the Jacobs moved back to Georgia with their two young daughters, ultimately settling in Trion, GA.  Peggy worked in the human resources department at Best Manufacturing, Menlo, GA, from where she retired after 30 plus years of service. 

The Jacobs were active members of Trion First Baptist Church for many, many years.  After Mr. Jacobs passing in 2002, Peggy continued her service to the church by serving on committees, cooking meals, visiting the elderly and tending to those in need.  She enjoyed her close circle of friends, dining out, going to movies, and spending time at the pool.  She also enjoyed working in her beautiful yard at home. 

Her primary past time over the last four years was spoiling her granddaughter, Bella.  Undoubtedly the Walt Disney Corporation will realize a significant drop in revenue from their line of princess merchandise as a result of Peggy’s departure from this world. 

However, Peggy’s faith in Christ was the constant beacon of her life.  She navigated tough times, and celebrated good times, through prayer and Bible study. Perhaps this is why she loved lighthouses so much. Likewise, images of cardinals also held a special significance for her, as they reminded her of her husband, Don.

To fully express how richly Peggy was loved in life, and continues to be cherished in our memories, is impossible. 

Peggy is survived by her father, Earl Vinson Williams; her daughters Donna Jacobs and April Jacobs Howell, son-in-law Thomas Keith Howell and her granddaughter Isabella Grace Howell; nephew Henry Howard Jacobs, III, his wife Melissa McDonald Jacobs, their children Hanna, Hunter and Hank; nephew Jeff Jacobs, his wife Kristy Shults Jacobs and their son Ethan; and special family friend Melody Becker.  She is preceded in death by her husband and mother.

Family and friends of Mrs. Jacobs will be received Monday, February 2^nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Rainwater Funeral Home in Summerville, GA.  A memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 3^rd at 1:00 pm at Trion First Baptist Church, Trion, GA.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Henry Howard Jacobs, III, Jeff Jacobs, Leo Lanier, Dennis Ivey, Todd Thomas, Bob Roper and Jeffery Richardson.

The family of Peggy Jacobs requests that donations be made to Trion First Baptist Church in lieu of flowers.