Volume 5 Issue 20 29 May 2008
Restoring the Song of the Lord by Apostle Randy Morgan
In the 80s I remember the first time I went to a church that was labeled "Charismatic". I had all kinds of concepts in my mind about what would happen. Toward the end of the song service, the whole church began to sing spontaneously and it was like what the Bible said sounded like the voices of many waters, and it sounded like heaven on Earth. Revelation 19:6, "Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns." People were singing in tongues and in their own understanding (I Corinthians 14:15, "…I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."). It forever changed me and I connected myself to this stream of people. The sound of the song of the Lord has been something that I've craved because with it comes the presence of God. Through the years, I've noticed there's been a waning from the song of the Lord in many churches (for whatever reason). In recent months, the Lord has begun to deal with me in my private devotional time about singing a new song - more than ever. For years I've always done it but the pressure to do it in my spirit has become stronger. New Covenant is learning to touch on this more and more. God spoke to me today and said that He desires to hear the song of His bride rising -- the restoration of the song of the Lord. Religious tradition has watered the song of the Lord down. Several traditions have turned it into little more than a few "Oh Oh Oh's" and straining sounds. God wants to hear the precious sound of His beautiful bride singing to Him, not tradition-driven worship, but heart intimacy. The strategy that God has given me for helping us as a church to have the song of the Lord restored is intimacy-first and foremost -- songs that have to be birthed out of beholding the King face to face. It's cheesy, but what I'm about to say is true. When two people love each other and one member of the couple begins to sing to the other, there is a melting of the heart that takes place (even if the singing is bad). An intimate song between two people in love produces amazing results (i.e., breaking down barriers, soothing the heart, a drawing to each other and a sense of more familiarity). There's nothing more intimate than singing a love song. The second strategy for restoring the song of the Lord is simplicity. Right now where you are, sing a song to the Lord. Don't sing right now one of the songs that you know, just sing "I love you" sing "holy," sing "you are amazing." As you begin to sing, try singing in tongues. Take that note that you're on and begin to sing in tongues. Lift up your voice in a new song. In closing, when we come together corporately--whether it be two or two hundred--as we begin to sing our songs in unison (our new songs) we will begin to sound like the very throne room; we will begin to sound like a great multitude and like the sound of many waters. And Psalms 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. The very presence of God will begin to flood our services more and more as we sing a new song!
A New Way to Use Your Computer: Part 4-- The Pause/Page Break Key By Deacon Tonna Eidson
Probably the most used item in the home or office these days is the computer. This series of articles is to help us think of a scripture when we look at the keys on our computer. Is it working for you? I was sound asleep one night and the Lord woke me up with this idea and when I looked at my keyboard I could definitely see what He was trying to tell me. Today I wanted to look at the Pause or Page Break key. Sometimes we just have to, as the Psalmist said, "Selah" (pause and think calmly of that). The whole chapter in Hebrews 11 talks about entering into His rest...who woulda thought? The Word teaches us to rest in the Lord. Also, sometimes we have to break or separate some things. There are some things that are not to be separate. Here are some of the scriptures I found: Hebrews 4:9, "Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God's people. " Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself...." Ecclesiastes 4:6, "One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind." Psalm 131:2, "Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me." Job 37:14, "Open your ears to this...stop and consider God's miracles." James 5:8, "Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong...." Romans 8:35, "Who shall separate us from the Messiah's love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a violent death do this?" II Corinthians 6:17, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."
I just could not figure out why He would make me gay, not "fix" me: I felt like God's punching bag once, but not anymore! (My Testimony) By Sandy Partridge
I grew up in the Atlanta area and have been going to church since high school. My family was not a church going group, but my high school friends were, and since I was basically a good kid, I gravitated to other like-minded people. It was in my junior year in high school I that I started going regularly with some of these friends. Our church was pretty small, I think high attendance was something like 82. About this time I started having an idea that maybe something was out of the norm with me. I was not interested in dating, at least, not in the way my friends were pairing up. I remember my older brother talking (and talking and talking) about girls and thinking to myself, "What's the fascination?" Three years later at a Youth Evangelism Conference, on December 28th, is when I got saved. Up to that point, I had thought that I was saved - why, I don't know - but the speaker that afternoon made sense of everything I had heard for three or more years. I realized then that God did not grade on a curve, I was indeed a sinner, He wanted me just the way I was and I did not have to get cleaned up for Him, that Jesus' death took on the penalty for the poor choices I had made, and that Jesus' resurrection guaranteed me eternal life; all I had to do was believe I needed Him. However, all of my Sunday school teachers, college organizations, and preachers taught me that God hates gay people; He does not just disapprove of them, He hates them. How could I face the idea I was someone God hated? Even worse, I just could not figure out why He would make me gay, not "fix" me, and then say I would burn in hell for it; I felt like God's punching bag. Needless to say, I felt like I could tell no one about my dirty little secret. Despite this, my faith was still important to me. Inside, I hoped that He'd overlook this one area. I knew He made me, but why? Why this way?? I had prayed, wept, fasted, and even went through an "ex-gay" Bible study (it didn't stick, but I did get some good study habits from it), everything I could think of to do to become what I thought God wanted me to be. Still nothing but silence from Him and no change in me. After a few years of this struggle, I grew weary of it. So I stopped going to church. I knew I was saved and I continued to live like a believer, but I decided that right now, here on earth, I was just going to live a decent life, stay out of God's way, and hope He'd stay out of mine. But one day I was arguing/pleading with God again and said, "Why aren't you doing something? Either you aren't real, can't do it, or don't care! How many more hoops do I have to jump through?!" To which He replied, "You know I am real, you've seen it. And yes, I could do it if I wanted to. Remember the things I have already done for you and also that I am the One that spoke everything you see into existence. And you're right, I don't care; you are how I made you and I do not care to change what I have created. I love and care for you the way I made you." Oh, okay. But what about a church? It was getting harder and harder to worship at my conservative Baptist church. They had some solid teachings and were doing some really great things, but I could not stomach the "their gay because they choose to be" stance any longer. I was desperate for a congregation where I would fit in and not get spiritually bashed for my sexual orientation. One evening in May 2005 I picked up a David magazine. When I saw this "Saved and Gay" ad for some church, I thought, "What?! Is it really possible?!" I had to look into this, because I was still searching for a spiritual home, a safe place. That night I went through every link on that church's website, reading about the church, the leadership, the purpose, and how I could be gay and a Christian, that they did not contradict each other. The following Sunday night, Mother's Day 2005, I visited New Covenant for the first time. This was a big step for me. I do not like to go unfamiliar places by myself, but I was desperately hungry for a congregation that would welcome and accept me. I had no idea what to expect that night (Oh my gosh, they're Pentecostal!), but I had to see this place for myself. So I went and sat on the back row in case I decided I wanted out. I do not remember much about the service, but I do remember leaving that night knowing that I had finally found the church where I would not feel like God's punching bag again. I have been worshiping with New Covenant since then and have been a part of two moves. Soon after we moved from Virginian Avenue Baptist Church to Knights of Columbus to have morning services, a need came up for some folks to come in and help set up chairs and put them away every Sunday morning. I figured I was already up and just killing time at home, so sure, I can help do chairs. Then it was helping set up the speakers, then the sound board, and of course, putting it all away when the service was over. God had bigger plans for me than I did, because now I am one of the folks running the sound system every Sunday. We are there to assist the worship team lead the congregation in worship and make sure everyone can hear the message God has for us. Since that evening I have learned that being gay and being Christian are not mutually exclusive, it's as normal as breathing. I have also learned that just because the Bible reads a certain way, that does not mean it was written that way. Despite how the Bible reads, God simply does not care if I am gay or straight. He loves me as He made me and has absolutely no anger or disgust towards me. He made me, chose me, and adopted me. A couple of years ago, this scene played out in my mind. I was standing in the middle of a large, dark arena, like what you might see in an ancient coliseum. There was a spotlight shining down on me, actually shining through me, and it illuminated everything about me for everyone to see. I could not tell how large the room was, because all I could see in the darkness was the dimly lit faces of the pastors of all the churches here in Atlanta. They were seated in rings around me, several layers high into the darkness, surrounding me, but no one said anything. They all had disdainful, disapproving glares as they looked down at me. I was thinking, "Who would want me in their church if they knew I was gay?" Then, Pastor Randy stood up, stepped towards the front where everyone could see him, looked at me, pointed to me and said, "Dibs. My church has dibs on him; we want him."
Pastor’s Corner by Pastor’s Angela and Joan
Confession of Faith | Pastor Joan Castle	Word Up | Pastor Angela Brown
I am part of the Body of Christ. My body is the house of God. God lives in me and I belong to Him. I carry His glory. I’ve been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus, so I glorify God in my body and in my spirit. Satan has no power over me. I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. I choose the fear of the Lord, which it to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the disobedient mouth. I consider Jesus and His presence in me. I present my body as a living sacrifice to God—holy, devoted, and consecrated to please Him, which is a part of my spiritual worship to Him. I am not conformed to this world’s way of thinking, but I am continually being transformed by the renewing of my mind to His Word so that I can prove what is the good, the acceptable, and the perfect will of God in my life. I have the mind of Christ.	How many of you remember that song by Cameo? “Word up, the code word. No matter where you say it, You’ll know that you’ll be heard.” is one snippet of the lyrics of that song. The “code word” for each and every one of us is the name above all names, Jesus. “Word up” is the Holy Bible. I don’t know where Cameo got the lyrics, but I do know that the Holy Spirit has impressed upon me that “Word Up” is a battle cry for the saints today. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, call upon the name of Jesus and be saved. It doesn’t matter what you are going through, get in the word and speak it, the enemy has to flee. Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Lighthouse Ministries | Pastor Brian Grizzle
We will be meeting this coming Sunday night at the Allstar Bar. Currently we are studying how to hear and recognize the voice of God in our Thursday night Bible studies. Revelation 3:22, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." 1. God's voice in our heart often flows from spontaneous thoughts. 2. We must learn to be still in our own thoughts and emotions so we can hear the voice of God. 3. We must commit ourselves to prayer and fixing our eyes upon Jesus and then God will begin to deal with us in dreams and vision. 4. Journaling is one way that we write out our prayers and the answers to them as God provides. It helps us learn to hear God's voice. Habakkuk 2:2, "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
Fire Institute Weekly Reading:
May 25-31 Read 2 Chronicles 25 - Psalm 45 June 1-7 Read Psalm 46-Ecclesiastes 2 Come ready to discuss these amazing passages!
Announcements Be sure to check out the 5-15 minute daily broadcast Growing in Revelation Knowledge from New Covenant Church of Atlanta Marietta Home Group is Moving Effective June 3rd, the Marietta home group will be meeting at Pastor Joan and Rose's home, 1575 Longwood Drive, Marietta, GA 30008 This Sunday's Traffic (June 1) - GA DOT has announced that weather permitting they will have multiple lanes closes in both directions on the downtown connector this weekend-all weekend. Home Group Meeting: We will have a host and leadership and those who are interested in hosting or being a leader of a home group to all come together this Wednesday night on June 4, 2008 at 7:30PM at the church. Food will be provided. Pride 2008 - If you are interested in volunteering to work in planning and/or at the event this year, please contact Apostle Randy at pastor@newcovenantatlanta.com for call the New Covenant office at (404) 929-1400. We will be doing a float this year!!!!! Reunited June 10th we will have a REUNITED at the church. Please announce this Tuesday night & Thursday night at Home Groups. Marietta, InTown and Southside will be in charge of Meats & Vegetables Gwinnett, Tucker and Decatur will be in charge of Salads, Breads and Desserts, Clayton and Youth will be in charge of Drinks and Chips. Athens Corporate Worship - June 29th 6 pm. A caravan of people from NCCA will be traveling to Athens to hold a corporate worship service with the Athens group. Mark your calendar and watch here for more details! Holy Spirit Hour: Beginning Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 6 PM (until 7 PM), we will begin “Holy Spirit Hour.” This is subject to change throughout the summer based upon the “birthing of other ministries that are on the docket.” In this time, we are going to begin “activating by faith” the miraculous power of God. We will have a time of worship, the Prophetic, “dream and vision interpretation” (more on that below), dance, laying on of hands, anointing the sick, agreement prayers for miracles that are needed, etc. We will begin “cataloguing” requests and miraculous answers to prayers. Though we have seen many prayers answered, we are under one of the most OPEN heavens we’ve ever been under before, and now it is time to make our requests known, and testify to the results we see. We believe that God has been speaking to many of us about releasing the “Season of the Miraculous,” and especially the releasing of the sound of His Voice. Over the past several weeks, God has been speaking in His awesome “dream voice” to many in our congregation. At first, many were thinking, “I had too much pizza for supper and it affected my dreams.” Now, we’re beginning to see that God is “breaking through” to us in night visions and speaking to us in our sleep, showing us plans and strategies and clarifying steps for us to take. It’s time to begin “Dreaming with God.” I encourage you, start a dream journal, keep it beside your bed, and ask God to begin to speak to you, and bring those journals to church on Sunday nights beginning June 1st, and we will as a congregation begin sharing and journaling what God is showing us in dreams and open visions. If you need a miracle, these services will be geared toward faith being applied for your situations. Women's Basketball -- Don't forget that's next Friday -- see the events page for more details. Ministry of Helps We need your help on a one-time or regular basis in the area of cleaning the church. Let us know if you are willing to participate at least once see Deacon Chuck Markins or Sara & Shelley. The Don't-Have-a-Yard-Sale Sale New Covenant Church of Atlanta now has an open account with Treasure Mart, 3641 Pierce Drive (off Peachtree Industrial near Chamblee-Tucker), Atlanta, GA 30341 (770) 458-1200. Their hours for accepting consignments are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you have to do is call and make an appointment to drop off your items for the church. They will price them and sell them for you (and they do get much more than you could get in a yard sale for the items). Be sure and tell them it's for New Covenant Church of Atlanta. It's a HUGE warehouse and you might get caught up for hours shopping there and finding the bargains. The items are priced, then if unsold, the price reduces 10% per month until sold. Items valued at $5.00 or less will only be held for 30 days and then reduced 50% (space is limited). Each month they will cut a check for the church and mail it. It's as simple as that, get rid of your junk, free up your time and enrich the Kingdom of God at the same time. If you can't get it there yourself, bring it to church with you on Sunday and Deacon Tonna will take care of it for you if it's not heavy furniture. Here's what they don't take: clothing, exercise equipment, electronics, rugs, mattresses/box springs, drapes, bedding, records, sofas, light fixtures. It's easy if you think decorative! Make sure your items are clean and in good condition.
Upcoming Events June 6- Women's Basketball Game @ Phillips Arena For more information contact Pastor Angela June 14 - Youth Gathering June - Family Reunion (Picnic in the park) - All Day Event June - New Covenant Cinema Night July - Pride Festival is July 4th-6th on the Atlanta Civic Center Property. July- New Covenant Cinema Night August - Pool Party September - Putt-Putt at Malibu Grand Prix in Gwinnett September - Gentlemen's Brunch Fellowship With a Key Note Speaker and Praise and Worship. -If you identify as male you will not want to miss this special event. October - Halloween Party on Nov. 1st. October - New Covenant Cinema Night November - Thanksgiving Potluck - Dinner and a Movie December - New Years Eve. Party - Back by Request Singles Quarterly Events Posting Soon - check back often - Looking for Married Couples to volunteer for chaperoning Singles Events. If you are interested please contact us.