From the Pastor:

God is doing a great work! I pray that we open our eyes and see what God is doing in us, to us, through us, and for us and do not allow the circumstances of life to blind us to His faithfulness and His might. Although His sovereign hand may not be seen in what is happening, let us not forget that God is supreme, and He is orchestrating all that is happening, causing it to work together for our good. Sweet Home, let us continue to be diligent and dutiful in our service to the cause of Christ!

Please know that if you have any ideas or submissions, you can send them to us at info@sweethomembcgary.org.

In Anticipation of Greater,

Rev. Marlon C. Mack, Sr., Senior Pastor

Sweet Home Community News - October 2023

Upcoming Events

*Minister's Meeting

Date: Sunday, October 1st, 2023

Time: 9:30am

*Sweet Home Corporate Prayer

Date: Sunday, October 1st, 2023

Time: 10:30am (in-person)

*Fellowship @ Greater Galilee IMBC (4375 N. Arlington Ave., Indianapolis)

Date: Sunday, October 8th, 2023

Time: 11am EST

*IBMBDA Fall Board Meeting @ St. Paul MBC, 2300 Grant St., Gary

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 11th & Thursday, Oct. 12th, 2023

Time: 6pm nightly

*BMCGV Fall Seminar @ New Mt. Moriah, 1917 Carolina St., Gary

Date: Monday, Oct. 16th - Thursday, Oct. 19th, 2023

Time: 6pm nightly

*Fellowship at Van Buren MBC, 2585 Van Buren St., Gary

Date: Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

Time: 11am

*VISION SUNDAY

Date: Sunday, October 29th, 2023

Time: 11am

*Four-Church Fellowship @ Sweet Home

Date: Sunday, October 29th, 2023

Time: 4pm

*Men's Ministry meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday @ 9:30am.

*S.A.S.S.Y. meets every 3rd Sunday @ 10am.

*Happy Birthday to all of our October birthday members!

Member Spotlight:

Sis. Cathy Belyeu

The Member Spotlight for the month of October is Sis. Cathy Belyeu! We look forward to seeing her smiling face on Sunday mornings, clothed in the prettiest dresses to match her beautiful personality. Sis. Cathy is so humble and soft-spoken, but we know she is a strong woman of God, having raised 5 children, with 12 grandchildren and some greatgrandchildren, too!

When asked about her favorite scripture, she took a pause. "I really don't have a favorite scripture. It depends on what I am going through at the time, or what may be going on around me. If I am in need of anything, I go to Philippians 4:19 and Psalm 23."

Sis. Cathy was born and raised in Riverside, Alabama. She moved to Gary as a teenager and lived with her aunt and helped out with her nieces, one being one of our members, Debra Fomby-Hunt. She graduated from Roosevelt HS in 1962 and worked at Glen Park Cleaners for 30 years. She has always been dedicated to her children and grandchildren and made herself available to volunteer at their schools when needed.

As far as her Christian stewardship, Sis. Cathy has been a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, and an usher. She is known for lemonade and homemade ice cream. According to her daughter, Sis. Mack, she is very creative, turning nothing into something useful. She has a knack for repurposing items like toilets and tv's.

"At my age now," Sis. Cathy begins to reflect, "I look back at times when I didn't know what to do or how I would make it. That's why I love that poem, Footprints. I keep it on the wall in my home to keep my faith in check."

As a point of encouragement, Sis. Cathy goes to James 1:2-3. Then she goes to her "old standby" gospel music tunes! We get it, Sis. Cathy! That music along with your strong faith will make it through anything! God Bless you for blessing us here at The Home!

Ministry Highlight

One of the things the month of October is set aside for is Clergy Appreciation Month. Therefore, we want to celebrate the clergy of the house, the ministerial staff of The Home. Rev. Beauty Ervin serves as our Minister of Christian Education; Min. Gwendolyn Cooper serves as our Minister of Congregational Care; Min. Stephanie Harden serves as our Minister of Outreach and Evangelism; Min. Terrell Martin serves as our Minister of Youth Ministries; Rev. Reginald Paige serves as our Minister of Discipleship; and Rev. Marlon C. Mack, Sr. is our Senior Pastor.

We would like to salute each of them for all the time, energy, and effort that goes into their ministry as the serve God by serving at The Home!

"Do Your Part"

We recognize God as all powerful and all knowing. God knows all, sees all, and can do ANYTHING. That is a fact. That does not mean we need to leave all of the work that needs to be done to Him. We have a responsibility to God. We expect him to uphold his promises to us without wanting the expectation of upholding his commands in return. All of us chose to accept and confess our follow-ship of Christ. While it’s impossible for us as humans to do EVERYTHING individually, it is possible for each of us to do our part. In order to do your part, you have to talk to God and hear what your “part” is from Him. All of us can stand to examine where we lack in our work as Christians and make the genuine effort to do better and be better for God. We do what we are told at work because that is what we signed on for, and we expect payment from that job in return. Signing up to be a Christian (which again, we did CHOOSE to do) should be no different. We expect God’s protection and His blessings, and in return he expects us to do His work for His purpose and to His glory. Colossians 3:23-24 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Life can get busy, some days can be hard, but no matter what, make sure you make room for God and His work.

Sis. Alicia Allen