Gratitude to God - a Thanksgiving devotional

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I believe it's beneficial to reflect on what we're grateful for in life. In looking to our heavenly Father, we have many Scripture verses to help us: "Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 107: 1). Obviously, we are all grateful for the Father, His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus, and His Holy Spirit.

But this year, with the unrest from the elections, coupled with selfishness and arrogant attitudes of many people, I'm grateful for my family members and friends who walk close to Jesus. I enjoy being with those who are humble, compassionate, caring and kind. If you're given a choice, would you not want to spend time with someone who exemplifies the Lord, as opposed to a prideful person, who is only out for his or her own interests? From my thinking, I believe the character quality that may be least appreciated in an individual is meekness. And the people I most respect are meek, because they most resemble Christ. We don't often use the word "meek," but in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5: 5). 

Meekness is being merciful, gentle and patient, while enduring wrongs. It is having power under control. I've heard people say that being meek is being weak, but I read this great analogy: "The difference between a meek person and a weak person is this: a weak person can't do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to." I'm thankful for people like this, for they make the world a better place to live in; it makes it easier to be grateful and to appreciate the grand gifts God provides.

I love what A.W. Tozer wrote: "Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer for having made it." I pray you have a joyous and peace-filled Thanksgiving. 

Brother Bill Shields

Generous Giving

When we learned that the Second Harvest Food Bank facility in Asheville had been destroyed through the wrath of Hurricane Helene, we had a group of church members who banded together to collect food items, household goods, and monetary contributions. In less than 24 hours, people responded by giving in generous measures to our brothers and sisters in Western North Carolina. It was amazing to see how much we were able to donate to our Winston-Salem Second Harvest Food Bank facility that was having a citywide drive yesterday. It was like seeing Jesus in action through the efforts of hundreds of people! I thought of the insightful Bible verse: "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6: 38). Over the years, I've discovered that people who give in unselfish ways, invariably are the most joyous. Our peace comes most abundantly when we give, as God's grace empowers us to do kind acts of love for Jesus.

"When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything I do be called sacrifice? You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving." (Amy Carmichael, the Christian missionary to India for 55 years)

Bill Shields
FMPM Steering Committee Member

Contentment

There are times when you have fellowship with other Christians that you have a joy in your heart. That's contentment. But, there are discouraging days when you need quiet time alone in prayer...Years ago, I read that contentment is accepting from God's hand what He sends to us, because He is a good and gracious, and He desires to do what's best for His children, even if it means going through pain. When we draw near to our loving Lord, and we feel His presence in communing with Him, there's a peace we may receive as we leave the burden with Him. I consider that contentment in Christ.

One of my favorite Christian authors, is Joni Eareckson Tada, a sister-in-Christ I greatly admire. At 17, Joni had a diving accident that left her a quadriplegic. She's experienced pain beyond what I could imagine. In being faithful, God has blessed Joni with a thriving ministry, with more than 50 years in helping others from her wheelchair. She wrote:

"Contentment is a sedate spirit that finds its strength in Jesus. Contentment comes from many great and small acceptances in life. As the saying goes, when life isn't the way you like it, like it the way it is...one day at a time with Christ...Father, I don't want to plot ways to escape my circumstances. Help me to be content, knowing that Your Son is with me. He--and He alone--will give me strength." 

"I have learned to be content through Christ...regardless of my circumstances" (Philippians 4:11, AMP). 

Personally, I am still a work in progress. Trying to maintain contentment in all things is tough; but in having a caring, loving Shepherd walking with us, sure brings strength. 

Bill Shields
FMPM Steering Committee Member

Have No Fear

Growing up in the 60's, "clean" cartoons were great entertainment. One of my favorites was Underdog, who would say, "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here." Then, he would come to the rescue. As we mature, we realize that super heroes are not real. But, as Christians, we learn to be bold in Christ. In walking close to Him, even when we're scared, He is our Shepherd. We may confidently take leaps of faith, assured that His Spirit will empower us. If we don't lean on Him, fear can paralyze us doing the things the Lord is leading us to do. 

May 19th was Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and other followers of Jesus. Appropriately, on that day, I read an insightful devotional from Corrie ten Boom's "New Each Day" book: 

"When I was a teenager, my father asked me to visit the women in the prison of our town. I would not do it, because I was so afraid of prisons. Now, since I've been in prison myself, I have no fear. I even like to speak with prisoners because I know how it feels to be behind a door that can only be opened on the outside. But I also know that with Jesus, the worst can happen, the best remains, and His light is stronger than the deepest darkness...Lord, thank You that you do not give us a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and a sound mind. 

I also had a fear of prison and in speaking to inmates. My good friend, Chaplain Jeff, who was led to move from church ministry to take a job as a chaplain within our Forsyth County Jail and Prison, has provided me with courage, to where I'm now comfortable being around inmates. We're all children of God, and Jesus loves all people, unconditionally....look unto our Lord, and give Him your worries, fears and anxieties. He will, in turn, give you peace, comfort and strength, to help you move forward in serving others as unto Him. 

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You" (Psalm 56: 3, Amplified Bible).

Bill Shields
FMPM Steering Committee Member

Baptism of 26 Inmates

On Sunday, August 6, the Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministries held a worship service that concluded with the baptism of 26 men at the Cherry Street prison. Moravian Chaplain Jeff Carter began the service by sharing about the witness and transforming power of baptism from Romans 6:1.11, and then the men were baptized one by one in a mobile baptismal pool. The service was a testimony to the grace and power of God touching the lives of men incarcerated in the Cherry Street prison.

Unlocking the Gospel Virtual Fundraiser

Unlocking the Gospel Virtual Fundraiser

Sunday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for the 2021 Unlocking the Gospel event presented by Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry and Hopewell Moravian Church.

Our 20-minute video will be viewable at the link below today at 6:30. The video features special music, a conversation between Chaplain Jeff Carter and an ex-offender, and a message from Reverend Ginny Tobiassen, Home Moravian Church pastor, prison ministry volunteer, and FMPM Friend.

Ways to view:

> gather in small groups for hors d’oeurves or a small meal

> invite others to view with you virtually

> watch from the comfort of your own home

We hope you will join us!

https://youtu.be/P2N6YjuzW0M

A World of Competition

A brief meditation on Luke 6:

We live in a world of competition. There is the competition of the athletic field. There is the competition of the business arena. There is the competition of political supremacy. You fill in the blank. Oftentimes throughout human history, rivalry leads to the desire to annihilate or destroy one’s competition. I believe it is safe to say when the discourse of relationships grows to that level, the other person, family, team, business, people or nation, are no longer competitors but enemies. Enemies are meant to hate. To hate one’s enemy is to seek their demise or destruction. The world seems to feed off of hate and that monster just keeps getting more and more hungry every day. The Lord Jesus lived in an age when to hate one’s enemy was the entrée of the day. As the Lord of Glory, He turns the current world values upside down and introduces His kingdom values to a world that’s gone mad. Jesus commands that we love our enemies; those who seek our demise or destruction, we are to love. Love seeks the highest good of someone else without consequence or expecting anything in return. The Savior tells us it is no big deal to love those who will love us back. The real test is whether we choose to love those who despise us and seek to hurt us. This is not a natural disposition for people and can only be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit by those who are willing to lay down their lives and yield to the Savior on a daily basis. Isn’t that what the church needs? To be filled with the love and power of the Holy Spirit to break the cycle of hate in the world?

Jeff Carter
Moravian Chaplain

Holy Spirit Works Holiday Hours

On December 20th, 2020, the Holy Spirit was apparently putting in some holiday hours, and it was a beautiful thing to witness! Sherry Edwards, former Chair of the Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry, received a call that day from her daughter-in-law who knew of some folks who had purchased a truck-load full of food and wanted to give it away where it could do the most good. Sherry sent out a text to all of her contacts and heard back from Rodney Stilwell, Senior Chaplain of the Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministries, who suggested that the food be delivered to a transitional house. He put her in touch with Bert, an ex-offender and transitional house volunteer, who happily accepted the large load of fresh fruit and vegetables that included grapefruit, tomatoes, grapes, potatoes, green peppers and mandarin oranges. In fact, the donation was too much for one home, so Bert shared the remaining food with another home! The Holy Spirit was truly working through Sherry, Chaplain Stilwell, and Bert that day to provide a Christmas blessing to these men and make them feel precious and loved.

Transitional housing is just one of the myriad aspects of ministry supported by the Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministry. The ministry helps offenders who are interested get set up with housing and obtain employment. Offenders have to complete an application and be interviewed to be accepted into a house. Each home houses four to six men, and most have strict rules that must be followed in order to stay. While there, they are required to attend some sort of worship, as well as a recovery meeting such as AA or Narcotics Anonymous. They also are typically required to do housework, such as cleaning, laundry, and yard work. Most men have the goal of working and saving money so they can move into their own place within a year.

Your financial support of Chaplain Jeff Carter and the Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry ensure that ex-offenders continue to receive spiritual guidance and practical help even after being released, which can often be the time when they need it the most. We are grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about this Christmas blessing!

FMPM Participate in FJPM Christmas Event

On Saturday, December 7th, the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministry held their annual Christmas event (adjusted for Covid-19) for the families of inmates. The 14 families and 23 children who participated arrived at College Park Baptist Church in scheduled 30-minute increments to pick up gifts and goodies from their fathers purchased by the FJPM. Furthermore, through the incredible generosity of Fleet Feet’s Mission: Feet First (fleetfeet.com/s/winston-salem/missionfeetfirst), each child and parent was fitted and gifted with a brand-new pair of athletic shoes! In all, 37 pairs of shoes and 23 Christmas gifts were given out that day.

Margie Lamb and Lisa Kirkman of the Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry were also on hand to distribute blankets to the children that were donated via the local chapter of Project Linus (projectlinus.org). 40 blankets lovingly made by hand found a new home with the children.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this wonderful day a reality! With the Christmas season upon us - and despite all the uncertainty in the world - let us welcome again the babe in the manger with faith, love, and hope.

Moravian Music Foundation Gift

I want to give a shout out to Dr. Nola Knouse and the Moravian Music Foundation for their generous gift to the Cherry Street Ensemble to help provide musical equipment, repairs, and sheet music for the men who participate in this vital ministry. Worship and music are two of the most vital ministries here at the prison and we endeavor to bless this work as it blesses not only the men who participate in the choir, but all who benefit from the music and worship ministry of the Cherry Street Ensemble.

Music has always been a part of our Moravian heritage, and I am very joyful to see that heritage passed on to the men of Cherry Street Prison and its ministry.

May God bless everyone of the Moravian Music Ministry.

Chaplain Jeff Carter

Hopewell Moravian Attends Prison Worship Service

Pam Lambeth and a group from Hopewell Moravian Church recently assisted with a worship service at the prison. Following is her account of the experience.

"NO PICTURES ALLOWED; but, tonight a group from our church worshipped with men at the Cherry Street Prison. It is a shared service. The men sang, and our group shared two life stories (testimonies). One member of our group told the men about the power of prayer and brought it home using her own experience when God answered many prayers for her and our family. Another member gave the men great hope and some really good advice. Several men made their way to him after the service to thank him. We also shared Communion with these men. It truly touched your heart. During Prayer and Praise time, one of the inmates stood and said that he had been to our church and that we had a heart to love and support the men at Cherry Street. I was caught off guard, but it really meant a lot to hear him speak of our church in that way. God works in ways we may not expect!!!! I am most grateful to each person who went with us to Cherry Street!!!!! ❤ "

Gift of Appreciation

As friendly faces filled the sanctuary on October 5, 2019, at Friedberg Moravian Church, they were greeted by a display of beautiful communion cups made especially for them by the inmates of Forsyth county. The cups were a gift to the congregation for their continuing support of the prison and jail ministry in Forsyth County. These handmade cups adored the communion table making World Communion Day more personal and transforming. The congregation, that usually receives communion in their pews served by the ministers, actively walked to the front of the church to the communion table. This walk was a powerful reminder of our responsibility to actively come to the table of the Lord. The day was demonstrative of our true communion as people with Christ not only in our church but everywhere there are Christian followers. The congregation was also able to be in close communion with the inmates that lovingly made the cups and follow the same merciful God. On a day when all Christians around the world came to the Lord’s table together, Friedberg was able to stand together with our incarcerated brothers and sisters. May we always remember them in prayer.

For the Lord Hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.  Psalm 69:33

Boldly and Beautifully Made Gala

The Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry held its third annual Boldly and Beautifully Made Gala on September 6th. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, as well as the highlight of the evening: the visually exciting raku-firing of pottery pieces made with the help of inmates. Once the pieces cooled, VIP ticket holders got to vie for which piece to take home. All funds raised support the FMPM mission.

Unlocking the Gospel Fundraiser

Clemmons Moravian Church hosted the Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry’s annual Unlocking the Gospel fundraising dinner on Saturday, May 18. Guests enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship, and a performance by the Cherry Street Prison Choir.

Are you considering a fundraiser at your own church? Please contact us at fmprisonministry@gmail.com or jone@forsythjpm.org.

Chaplain Jeff Carter's First Prison Message

This past Sunday evening, March 17, I was scheduled to give my first full message at the prison. Instead the Master showed up and took over the service. The chapel was packed to standing room where we had to get folding chairs for men to sit in. The Cherry Street Choir was anointed by God and brought us in His presence in a wonderful way. I believe God is moving on men at Forsyth Correctional Center in a genuine and dynamic way. We had church!

You just don't know what small things mean to people, especially to these guys who are incarcerated. After the service, volunteers, staff and the men gathered down stairs for some fellowship with drinks and snacks. While walking around and speaking to inmates, one man shared with me that his first day at the prison was December 21 when I was scheduled to preach. Unfortunately, I had a car accident on the way there, and my car was totaled. I felt fine (which was a miracle in itself) and went on to the prison to join the inmates for the Christmas celebration. This particular inmate said he was blessed by the fact that I had showed up after being involved in an accident. He and another inmate proceeded to tell how oftentimes at other facilities they would wait for the chaplain or preacher, but he never would show up. Therefore it would be just the handful of inmates sitting around waiting for a chaplain who never showed. This particular inmate shared when I arrived to the Christmas worship after my accident, he knew God had him here for a reason. Amazing how my presence after that accident showed these guys that God cares!

Second Annual Boldly and Beautifully Made Fundraiser

The Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry will be holding their second annual Boldly and Beautifully Made Fundraiser on Friday, October 26, at Hampton House Art & Framing.

$25 General Admission / $50 VIP

All ticket holders enjoy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and a silent auction.
VIP ticket holders will receive a piece of pottery made with the help of inmates and raku-fired onsite.

TICKETS
336-416-5801 or fmprisonministry@gmail.com

"Some of God's greatest treasures are locked up." Mike Long, Mizpah Moravian

It has been close to 18 years since I attended by first service at the Cherry Street Chapel. I accompanied two members from my church that were Gideons. From that point on, my life would never be the same. While there, I heard these words, “You will never know who Jesus Christ is till Jesus Christ is all you have.” In spiritual terms, two different men may say almost identical words, but the power lies not merely in what they say but in who they are. I knew within my spirit those words were true and my brother had something that was real. I have continued being a part of the Prison Ministries since I heard those words. For the last 10 years, I have had the privilege to serve on Saturday morning at the Danbury Jail in Stokes County through the Gideons. We go to each cell and hand out Bibles, and I encourage inmates with those words, “You will never know who Jesus Christ is till Jesus Christ is all you have.” Some of God’s greatest treasures are locked up. In our prisons and jails are brothers and sisters who have almost been destroyed by the enemy but now have the potential to be used to bring forth glory to God. “And we know all things work together for good those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I have never been in prison and God has blessed me with many possessions. I have spent many years wondering how I can understand Christ in the same way when I’m on the other side of the prison bars. The truth is all of us are in the prison of sin. Our Lord doesn’t need our possessions. He asks for our lives good or bad. The key that unlocks all cells is death of self. A faith that proves itself by what we lose for Him, namely ourselves. “Then Jesus said to them all: If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Glory and the Glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26). As I reflect on being a part of the prison ministry and how I have been blessed, I have always wondered who needs the other the most — those on the outside or inside? The truth is we need each other. The Lord has given us more than 58 “one another” verses in the Bible. When we serve others, we will find our Lord there and the next move of His Spirit. 

Mike Long
Mizpah Moravian Church

Fundraising Dinner at New Philadelphia Moravian Church—RESERVATIONS CLOSED

Featuring the New Philadelphia Beracah Choir and the Cherry Street Ensemble Inmate Choir.

Friday, April 13 at 6:30 PM
4440 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Benefitting the work of Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry

An inmate at the Cherry Street Prison:

"God loved me enough through my mess to get me to a better place. And now I want to go give this away — what God has done for me."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

Inmates at the Forsyth Correctional Center, under the direction of Sgt. Tom Kennedy, tended a garden this summer and sent fresh produce to Sunnyside Ministry of the Moravian Church. Stan, an inmate, volunteered at the garden in the evenings. "I never knew how to grow a garden before I came to prison," Stan says. "I like to learn how to do things, and I feel good that the food we are growing will go to somebody who needs it. It's a way that I can give back."

Sgt. Kennedy believes they delivered about 3,000 lbs. of garden-fresh produce from the garden to Sunnyside this summer. The garden included tomatoes, squash, zucchini, corn, red onions, cucumbers, and okra.