GOD'S PRECIOUS WIDOWS
Proverbs 15:25 The Lord will destroy the house of the Proud:but HE will establish the border of the Widow.
What does your church have planned for the widows? Would you like ideas, or direction?
Below are some fun highlights from last years the 3rd annual Widows Banquet at Southland Baptist Temple.
SBT WIDOW'S BANQUET 2013
The Unleashed Ministry Team had the privilege once again this year to team up with the Ambassador Class and The Members of Southland Baptist Temple for a Wonderful Night of Dining and Entertainment at the 4th annual, "WIDOW'S BANQUET" held at Southland Baptist Temple in Paducah, Ky.
This group of God's Ladies (Widows) had a wonderful night of love and laughter as the cast and crew of the Comedy Team, Singers, Musicians, Actors, Military Personnel and Church Wide Volunteers spent the evening letting the ladies know just how special they are and how much they are loved and appreciated.
(Special Thank You to all Volunteers and Donors, you are truly a blessing to God's Ladies, God knows who you are!)
www.unleashedministry.com
"GOD'S LADIES", WIDOWS BANQUET 2012
at Southland Baptist Temple in Paducah, KY.
What an awesome time, with a record, 56 Widows present!
By God’s grace, there were 106 Volunteers including cast and crewmembers, which with the Lord’s help turned this year’s dream into a wonderful reality. It could not have happened without all God’s chosen volunteers.
This year our theme was "Bob's Hope for the Widows" following the line of the Bob Hope USO shows for the Troops.
The military theme extended throughout the entire banquet. From the museum walls decorated as tributes to men and women who serve this great country, to the wonderful ladies who stepped up to the plate during war times and filled the shoes of factory workers, garage mechanics, and countless others who were called to serve on foreign soil.
Everything flowed like a well-oiled machine; from the MP’s (actors) escorting the ladies from their vehicles to their seats, to the wonderful servers (dressed as soldiers) and the fabulous dinner prepared by cooks and kitchen volunteers.
Then, just as during coffee and dessert had been served, the light show began, the music played and the curtain opened for a night of fun and laughter.
First was the host, the pleasant and funny Bob Hope (played by Bobby Lindsey), with his zany one-liners. Then Bob introduced his special co-host Phyllis Diller (played by Eve Conner), her sense of humor and wonderful laugh encouraged the audience and brought uncontrollable laughter.
Bob and Phyllis prompted the scenes.
First, there was McHale’s Navy, where we laughed at the crazy plot of the Captain Binghamton as he tried yet again to rid the Navy of Commander McHale and his sidekick Officer Ensign Parker.
Followed by Phyllis getting escorted off the stage by a couple of MP's for going overboard with her jokes about Bob, (all she did was make us laugh). Her actions prompted the next scene before she was drug away!
The curtains opened to Hogan's Heroes, and laughs erupted again, with Hogan showing us how chocolate, wits and opportunity may have played a huge part in winning the war.
Next up Bob introduced the heartthrob of many ladies; out came the soldier, the guitar and the song “GI Blues”, we still aren’t sure who that up and coming star that was drafted back in the 50’s was, but boy, he sure made those ladies cheer.
With Bob and Phyllis made up and back on stage, their jokes reassured us all was forgiven and comedy would go forward.
The next act they prompted was that of a memorable sort for many. It was none other than that loveable pair of Herbie and Slick; and of course, Herbie was determined to show Slick he was right when it came to numbers. Just like Abbott and Costello of days gone by. Everyone was rolling with laughter!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Herbie and Slick introduce the Andrew Sisters and their Bugle Boy…. There was nothing but laughter, nothing but laughter, in the audience and on stage! The Andrew Sisters seem to have a slight hormone imbalance as Phyllis said, or wait was one of the Widows right, could it have been men!!!
There had to be a pause between scenes to help the cast regain their composure, to finish the show.
Then it was time, time for Phyllis’s favorite Marine; Gomer Pyle of Gomer Pyle USMC, and of course that meant Sergeant Carter. But, before their scene was done Gomer irritated the Sergeant so much he put a bucket over his head and had him sing.
When Phyllis came back to the stage she called for Gomer and gave him another chance at stardom; she ask him what song his mother liked to hear him sing. Gomers immediate response was “How Great Thou Art”, and with that, Gomer took his place center stage and the curtains open to all the cast and crew behind him, singing beautifully to the Lord for the Ladies, then Gomer prompted the ladies to join in. It was such a wonderful blessing.
Afterwards, the ladies were reminded how they are loved and important to the church family, and their wisdom is cherished by many, and their service to the generations to follow so necessary. They were encouraged to stay active in the Lord and in their families.
With that, there was prayer for the ladies, a special thank you to all who worked so hard to make the event such a great success.
And first and foremost, above all, Glory, Honor, Power, Majesty and Praise to God, for He only is worthy to be praised. Without Him, we could do nothing.
For He is the author of joy, laughter and happiness; without Him it would be empty.
Praying many churches and organizations will rise up and be a blessing to this wonderful group of Widows we like to call “God’s Ladies”.
Walk in the Blessings of the Lord and share your gifts of God’s Love to all
God's Ladies 2011 Widows Banquet
God's Ladies the Inspiration for the First Banquet
Margaret Mattingly, Mother of UM Director
God's Ladies hold such a special place in the heart of God and so many of us. They are such wonderful saints of God. This past Valentine's our Sunday School class had the blessing of hosting the first ever Widows banquet at our church.
Until then it had simply been a thought on a piece of paper, but God used a wonderful lady at our church to motivate both my husband and I to move it from paper to reality and I must say it was more a blessing to us then it was to them.
Mrs. Dot Buie is the lady God used to help us see the need for such a banquet. Dot is a widow, and if there was ever is a lady who shows the love and honor for her husband, it is Dot. I pray every church has a Dot, because Dot is true inspiration.
Every young woman should learn to love and cherish their husbands as she does. Her love for him is so evident you see it is her eyes when she speaks of him, it is so precious.
My husband and I had been talking about types of activities to plan for our Sunday School outings for the year; then when Valentine's Day came up, we were talking about a couple's dinner as the year before. However, in church that Sunday, God changed our plans; and He used our lovely Dot to do just that.
My husband, Bobby greets everyone he can each service, and that Sunday was no different, except when he got to Dot. He said she just seemed to need a big hug. So after the service I went back to talk with her and it was evident, she was missing her husband Bob more than usual. When she finished talking I had a whole new perspective of Valentine's and what love for your spouse is all about, and the importance of the hug that Bobby said she needed.
Bobby and I talked on the way home and agreed we needed to present something different to our class as a Valentine's outing, so we got busy putting a plan together to present to our class. (If you would like information on how to host a God's Ladies/Widow's Banquet please contact us).
When we shared the thought of the "God's Ladies Banquet" for our church; it was amazing how quickly our class gave their Valentine's date night to host the wonderful banquet honoring our widows.
Couples and singles a like came out and decorated, cooked, hosted, drove, cleaned, etc. all with love in their hearts for these precious ladies.
Then came the wonderful blessing or should I say the lesson from God.
The ladies responses; they said they had not felt that important since their spouse had gone on to be with the Lord; some said it was the most wonderful thing they had experienced. Others touched our hearts in ways we did not expect.
You see some of the ladies are not only widows, they have no family left; some of those told us it was the first time they had someone hug them since their spouse died; and many had been gone for years.
What an enlightening statement, what an enlightening event it. We were all blessed to know the truth that God had revealed to us, and then were presented with a challenge to reach out to those wonderful ladies and just be their friend.
When we open our hearts and open our arms God will always fill them.
Dot thank you, for loving your Bob so much, that God would use your love, to motivate us to put something so special together to bless widows all over the world. We love you and thank God for you.
God commands us to take care of our widows; but don't do it just because you are commanded; do it because you love them; allow God to use you to make a difference. It will change your life.
May the Lord bless and use you as you choose to minister to the Saints of the Lord.