Deacons’ Newsletter | Q1-2025
Sharing with the Saints (Rom. 12:13)
Author: Midway Diaconate
Author: Midway Diaconate
Welcome to the first edition of "Sharing with the Saints" in 2025. As we look back on the first quarter of the year, it is our joy to share the meaningful ways our church has been served and has grown through faithful stewardship. May these updates uplift your spirit and remind you of God’s unwavering grace in our community.
Devotional
Text(s): Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:1–14, Mark 6:30–44, John 10:11–18, Revelation 7
During the first quarter of the new year, Pastor Cilas Menezes preached a sermon series featuring the theme of our God as a Shepherd. For the first devotional of the Deacon’s newsletter this year, we are going to feature a recap of Pastor Cilas’ sermon series and the great message received.
The Bible portrays God as the shepherd of His people in its opening and closing books (Genesis 48 & Revelation 7). Through Pastor Cilas’s series, we will see 5 key points and themes weaving together the narrative of God’s unwavering care and guidance throughout Scripture, His shepherding heart and the ultimate expression of a shepherd through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who leads His people home.
The first sermon was Psalm 23, “The Shepherd in the Beginning: God’s Care for Israel.” This psalm introduces the classic image of the Lord as a shepherd. David declares that the Lord is his shepherd, and thus, he lacks nothing. God makes him lie down in green pastures, leads him beside still waters, and restores his soul. The themes explored here, such as provision, rest, and peace, are foundational to understanding God’s shepherding nature.
This sermon establishes the theme of God's shepherding care as a continual presence in the lives of His people, beginning with Israel’s patriarchs. It emphasizes God’s provision, protection, and guidance and introduces the personal and intimate relationship God desires with His people.
Next, we explored Ezekiel 34:1-14. “Thus says the Lord God: Ah shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (vs 2b); Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (vs 11)
In this passage, God condemns the corrupt shepherds of Israel, who have failed to care for the sheep, and promises that He will seek out and save His scattered sheep. “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” This powerful prophecy shows God’s desire to care for His people directly and His judgment on those who neglect the flock. God’s shepherding is about provision, justice, healing, and restoring what is lost.
The third sermon in the series covered Mark 6:30-44, illustrating “The All-Sufficient Shepherd: Promise Fulfilled in Christ,” a theme of the Shepherd’s Compassion and Consistency. “When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things” (vs 34). In this passage, Jesus enacted the fulfillment of God’s promise to gather His scattered people and restore them. This episode highlights Jesus’ compassion (character) and competency (power) as the God-man to be the divine shepherd who alone can provide for all our needs. This passage further highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant, care for the weak, and desire to restore His people to a place of blessing and safety.
Fourthly, Pastor Cilas covered Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10: 11-18: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (vs 11). In this powerful passage, Jesus declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep. He contrasts Himself with the hired hand, who runs away when danger comes. Jesus emphasizes His intimate relationship with the Father and with His sheep. He knows them, and they know Him. His shepherding is sacrificial, personal, and eternal. This passage culminates in Jesus’ ultimate act of love and sacrifice on the cross. This sermon introduced the fulfillment of all promises made in the Old Testament regarding God as the Shepherd. Jesus embodies the shepherding role and fulfills it by laying down His life for the sheep.
The culmination of this series of God as our Great Shepherd circles back to Psalm 23 in verses 5 & 6, centering on The Eternal Shepherd and the Future Glory of His People. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (vs 6). In this passage, David describes the eternal joy and comfort of God’s people in heaven as dwelling in the Lord’s house forever. There is a clear-cut connection of this passage/idea with Revelation 7, where we read that “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” This vision of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s shepherding care envisions a place where His people will experience perfect peace, restoration, and comfort forever.
This final sermon ties together the themes of God’s shepherding role in our lives today and in the eternal future. It underscores the hope that, as believers, we are continually cared for by the Shepherd, both in this life and in the life to come. It also emphasizes the completeness of God’s shepherding care, leading us to eternal life and perfect fellowship with Him.
PS: If you’d like to revisit any part of this sermon series—or others—they are available on YouTube (search Midway Presbyterian Church) and on the Midway app.
The officers of your church warmly encourage you to join us for Sunday evening worship at 5:30 P.M., a meaningful time of fellowship and praise to our risen Lord. In addition to our 11:00 A.M. worship service, we are blessed with three other gifted pastors who regularly lead us in the evening service.
We hope you’ll consider making both Sunday School and Sunday Evening Worship a regular part of your Lord’s Day.
Devotional
Text(s): Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:1–14, Mark 6:30–44, John 10:11–18, Revelation 7
During the first quarter of the new year, Pastor Cilas Menezes preached a sermon series featuring the theme of our God as a Shepherd. For the first devotional of the Deacon’s newsletter this year, we are going to feature a recap of Pastor Cilas’ sermon series and the great message received.
The Bible portrays God as the shepherd of His people in its opening and closing books (Genesis 48 & Revelation 7). Through Pastor Cilas’s series, we will see 5 key points and themes weaving together the narrative of God’s unwavering care and guidance throughout Scripture, His shepherding heart and the ultimate expression of a shepherd through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who leads His people home.
The first sermon was Psalm 23, “The Shepherd in the Beginning: God’s Care for Israel.” This psalm introduces the classic image of the Lord as a shepherd. David declares that the Lord is his shepherd, and thus, he lacks nothing. God makes him lie down in green pastures, leads him beside still waters, and restores his soul. The themes explored here, such as provision, rest, and peace, are foundational to understanding God’s shepherding nature.
This sermon establishes the theme of God's shepherding care as a continual presence in the lives of His people, beginning with Israel’s patriarchs. It emphasizes God’s provision, protection, and guidance and introduces the personal and intimate relationship God desires with His people.
Next, we explored Ezekiel 34:1-14. “Thus says the Lord God: Ah shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (vs 2b); Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (vs 11)
In this passage, God condemns the corrupt shepherds of Israel, who have failed to care for the sheep, and promises that He will seek out and save His scattered sheep. “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” This powerful prophecy shows God’s desire to care for His people directly and His judgment on those who neglect the flock. God’s shepherding is about provision, justice, healing, and restoring what is lost.
The third sermon in the series covered Mark 6:30-44, illustrating “The All-Sufficient Shepherd: Promise Fulfilled in Christ,” a theme of the Shepherd’s Compassion and Consistency. “When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things” (vs 34). In this passage, Jesus enacted the fulfillment of God’s promise to gather His scattered people and restore them. This episode highlights Jesus’ compassion (character) and competency (power) as the God-man to be the divine shepherd who alone can provide for all our needs. This passage further highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant, care for the weak, and desire to restore His people to a place of blessing and safety.
Fourthly, Pastor Cilas covered Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10: 11-18: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (vs 11). In this powerful passage, Jesus declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep. He contrasts Himself with the hired hand, who runs away when danger comes. Jesus emphasizes His intimate relationship with the Father and with His sheep. He knows them, and they know Him. His shepherding is sacrificial, personal, and eternal. This passage culminates in Jesus’ ultimate act of love and sacrifice on the cross. This sermon introduced the fulfillment of all promises made in the Old Testament regarding God as the Shepherd. Jesus embodies the shepherding role and fulfills it by laying down His life for the sheep.
The culmination of this series of God as our Great Shepherd circles back to Psalm 23 in verses 5 & 6, centering on The Eternal Shepherd and the Future Glory of His People. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (vs 6). In this passage, David describes the eternal joy and comfort of God’s people in heaven as dwelling in the Lord’s house forever. There is a clear-cut connection of this passage/idea with Revelation 7, where we read that “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” This vision of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s shepherding care envisions a place where His people will experience perfect peace, restoration, and comfort forever.
This final sermon ties together the themes of God’s shepherding role in our lives today and in the eternal future. It underscores the hope that, as believers, we are continually cared for by the Shepherd, both in this life and in the life to come. It also emphasizes the completeness of God’s shepherding care, leading us to eternal life and perfect fellowship with Him.
PS: If you’d like to revisit any part of this sermon series—or others—they are available on YouTube (search Midway Presbyterian Church) and on the Midway app.
The officers of your church warmly encourage you to join us for Sunday evening worship at 5:30 P.M., a meaningful time of fellowship and praise to our risen Lord. In addition to our 11:00 A.M. worship service, we are blessed with three other gifted pastors who regularly lead us in the evening service.
We hope you’ll consider making both Sunday School and Sunday Evening Worship a regular part of your Lord’s Day.
Mercy Ministry Update (Sammy Mitchell)
In the first quarter of 2025, Mercy Ministries received a total of 20 assistance requests. Of these, we were able to support 9 cases (45%), while 11 requests (55%) were unassisted due to factors such as prior recent support, distance beyond our service area, or no-shows.
In the first quarter of 2025, Mercy Ministries received a total of 20 assistance requests. Of these, we were able to support 9 cases (45%), while 11 requests (55%) were unassisted due to factors such as prior recent support, distance beyond our service area, or no-shows.
- January saw 5 new requests. We assisted 3, while 2 went unserved—one due to distance and another due to a missed appointment.
- February brought 7 requests. We supported 3, and 4 were not assisted: three had previously received help, and one did not attend a scheduled visit.
- March had 8 total requests. We provided support in 3 cases. The remaining 5 were outside our service range or had been recently assisted.
How Can You Help?
The Mercy Projects are supported by helping hands from across our church family, not just the Diaconate. Whether you’re handy with tools, strong enough to move furniture, or simply willing to lend your time, we’d love to have you involved. To join our Mercy Projects team and be notified of upcoming opportunities, please email; mercyprojects@midwaypca.org. Additionally, you can ensure that even more needs are met in 2025 by donating to the Deacon Mercy Fund. Donations can be made via the Onrealm Giving app or by specifying "Deacon Mercy Fund" on your giving envelope. Your generosity directly impacts the lives of those in need within our church and community. Thank you for your continued support!
Through God’s grace and the faithful giving of His people, we can continue to minister to those in need, reflecting Christ’s love in both word and deed. Thank you for your prayers and support, and may God be glorified in all we do!
The Mercy Projects are supported by helping hands from across our church family, not just the Diaconate. Whether you’re handy with tools, strong enough to move furniture, or simply willing to lend your time, we’d love to have you involved. To join our Mercy Projects team and be notified of upcoming opportunities, please email; mercyprojects@midwaypca.org. Additionally, you can ensure that even more needs are met in 2025 by donating to the Deacon Mercy Fund. Donations can be made via the Onrealm Giving app or by specifying "Deacon Mercy Fund" on your giving envelope. Your generosity directly impacts the lives of those in need within our church and community. Thank you for your continued support!
Through God’s grace and the faithful giving of His people, we can continue to minister to those in need, reflecting Christ’s love in both word and deed. Thank you for your prayers and support, and may God be glorified in all we do!
Building and Grounds Committee Update (Joe Hash)
The Buildings & Grounds Committee continues to work diligently to maintain the safety, functionality, and beauty of our church facilities. From major repairs to thoughtful seasonal improvements, we’re grateful for the faithful stewardship of those who serve in this capacity. If you notice anything on campus needing attention, please don’t hesitate to let a deacon know. Here are just a few of the many updates and accomplishments from this quarter:
The Buildings & Grounds Committee continues to work diligently to maintain the safety, functionality, and beauty of our church facilities. From major repairs to thoughtful seasonal improvements, we’re grateful for the faithful stewardship of those who serve in this capacity. If you notice anything on campus needing attention, please don’t hesitate to let a deacon know. Here are just a few of the many updates and accomplishments from this quarter:
- We partnered with Kim and Angel to remove overgrown shrubs, weeds, and small trees around the property. Kim and Angel generously donated many of the new plants, and we also purchased a few additional ones to complement the landscape. We had great help with planting and relocating plants from Kim, Angel, Bob, Ken, and Carolyn, among others. Many thanks to each of them for their ideas, hard work, and cheerful support throughout the process.
- The heating and cooling unit by Wilson was replaced, and the new projector was installed in the Explorer’s Sunday School room.
- New storage solutions were implemented for both the Youth Room and the Maintenance Office.
- Repairs included a school detention desk, ping pong table, narthex cabinet trim, men’s restroom paper towel dispenser, and multiple school toilets.
- A total of eleven emergency exit signs were replaced, and we’re finalizing a comprehensive labeling system for improved safety.
- Emergency lighting was updated in stairwells, bulbs were replaced across the school, and we unclogged a sink and repaired a urinal.
- Significant work was done to the exterior wall in Mrs. Demars’ room to stop water penetration; temporary repairs and insulation replacement were completed.
- We repaired the exterior door at the nursery entrance and ensured safety measures were in place, including sidewalk repairs and fire ant treatment.
- We’re preparing to repaint sloped curbs for visibility, fence off a portion of the school playground, and inspect the backflow system.
- Layouts for the Reformation Worship Conference were developed for more efficient facility use.
- A deterrent treatment was applied in the organ chamber to reduce the risk of silverfish and rodents.
- We assisted with event setup for weekly services, school events, and special occasions like the Dad & Daughter Breakfast.
- Weatherstripping was added to exterior doors, and Kirkus has been hard at work pruning the crape myrtles.
- Trash service will transition to Trash Taxi starting June 1st.
- We also evaluated lighting across the property and are working with George on options for replacing the parking lot lighting.
- We cleared the church’s detention/retention pond, a necessary task to maintain proper drainage and prevent flooding during heavy rains. Please see the 1st image below
- Several members of our team also came together to help Kayleigh Morrison with her move from Buckhead to Cumberland. Please see the 2nd image below.
Conclusion
As your deacons, it is our delight and joy to serve you in Christ. If you need help or would like to volunteer in some way to serve our church family, then please do not hesitate to contact any of the current diaconate committee chairs listed below.
As your deacons, it is our delight and joy to serve you in Christ. If you need help or would like to volunteer in some way to serve our church family, then please do not hesitate to contact any of the current diaconate committee chairs listed below.
In Christ,
Deacons Charles Hagan & Dami Adeoye, Editors
Deacons Charles Hagan & Dami Adeoye, Editors
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