Volume 10 Issue 4 April 2012

A monthly publication for Members of Macedonia Baptist Church

Good News

Rev. Charles D. Twymon Macedonia Baptist Church

14221 Southfield Road Detroit, Michigan 48223

313-837-5040 www.macedonia-bc.com

Inside This Issue…

Announcements/Tax Tips from IRS ............................................................................................ 2

Sermons/New Members................................................................................................................ 3

Easter: A Time for Reflection ...................................................................................................... 4

Bible and Book Corner/Sunday School Invitation ..................................................................... 5

What Do You Know About Mammograms? ............................................................................... 6

Spotlight on Pat Butler ................................................................................................................. 7

Sunday, April 8, 2012

He Is Risen! He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

I Peter 1:3 NRSV

April 2012 2

TAX TIPS FROM THE IRS Submitted by Wendell Smitherman

Cancelled debt is normally taxable to you, but there are

exceptions. One of those exceptions is available to homeown-

ers whose mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during

tax years 2007 through 2012.

The IRS would like you to know these 10 facts about mort-

gage forgiveness:

1. Normally, debt forgiveness results in taxable income.

However, under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief

Act of 2007, you may be able to exclude up to $2 mil-

lion of debt forgiven on your principal residence.

2. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a

separate return.

3. You may exclude debt reduced through mortgage re-

structuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in a

foreclosure.

4. To qualify, the debt must have been used to buy, build

or substantially improve your principal residence and

be secured by that residence.

5. Refinanced debt proceeds used for the purpose of sub-

stantially improving your principal residence also

qualify for the exclusion.

6. Proceeds of refinanced debt used for other purposes –

for example, to pay off credit card debt – do not qual-

ify for the exclusion.

7. If you qualify, claim the special exclusion by filling

out Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to

Discharge of Indebtedness, and attach it to your fed-

eral income tax return for the tax year in which the

qualified debt was forgiven.

8. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property, busi-

ness property, credit cards or car loans does not qual-

ify for the tax relief provision. In some cases, how-

ever, other tax relief provisions – such as insolvency –

may be applicable. IRS Form 982 provides more de-

tails about these provisions.

9. If your debt is reduced or eliminated you normally will

receive a year-end statement, Form 1099-C, Cancella-

tion of Debt, from your lender. By law, this form must

show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market

value of any property foreclosed.

10. Examine the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender

immediately if any of the information shown is incor-

rect. You should pay particular attention to the amount

of debt forgiven in Box 2 as well as the value listed for

your home in Box 7.

For more information about the Mortgage Forgiveness

Debt Relief Act of 2007, visit www.irs.gov. IRS Publication

4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Aban-

donments, is also an excellent resource.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 6—Good Friday Worship Service -

the Ministerial Staff of Macedonia will pre-

sent the “The Seven Last Words of Christ,”

beginning at 12:00 noon.

April 8—Resurrection Sunday Worship

Service—8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study, led by

Rev. Moncrief,

meets at 7:00 p.m.

every Wednesday in

Fellowship Hall. All

members and guests

are encouraged to

attend.

Good Friday Service Friday April 6, 2012

12:00 PM Last Seven Words

April 2012 3

SERMONS CDs and DVDs are available through the Audio Ministry.

Pastor Charles D. Twymon

March 4, 2012, 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

“Show Up to Grow Up”

Ephesians 4:11-16

Pastor Charles Twymon

March 11, 2012, 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

“Don’t Bend, Don’t Break, Don’t Bow”

Daniel 3:15-18

Pastor Charles Twymon

March 18, 2012, 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

“The Handwriting on the Wall”

Daniel 5:5

Pastor Charles Twymon

March 25, 2012, 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

“Delayed But Not Denied”

Daniel 10:10-14

Pastor Charles Twymon

NEW MEMBERS We welcome our new members who joined in March.

ERIN KING MALIK KING

SHEREE PEEPLES CHARLES SUBER

April 2012 4

EASTER : A TIME TO REFLECT Submitted by Gloria Crawford

Holy Week—The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week

Palm Sunday—This is the Sunday before Easter Day.

It is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds of people

came out of the city to greet him, throwing down palm branches on the road.

Typically, churches give out small crosses made from palm leaves, as a reminder of Jesus' entrance into Jeru-

salem and his death on the cross. Some Christians keep these in their homes all year as a symbol of their faith.

Maundy Thursday—This is the Thursday before Easter Day

Last Supper: On Maundy Thursday Christians remember when Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples,

breaking bread and drinking wine, which is now known as the Last Supper.

Many Christians remember this by sharing bread and wine together in a service called Holy Communion,

Eucharist or Mass. It is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life for mankind.

At this meal Jesus told his followers that they should love and serve one another. He demonstrated this by

washing the feet of the disciples - something a servant would normally do. You can read this story in the Bible in

John 13:1-15

The word Maundy comes from the command (mandate) given by Jesus at the Last Supper, that we should love

one another.

Good Friday—Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by

crucifixion.

Good Friday is a day of mourning in church. During special Good Friday services Christians remember Jesus'

suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.

The main service on Good Friday takes place between midday and 3pm. In many churches it takes the form of

a meditation based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers, and short sermons.

Easter Sunday—Easter Sunday marks Jesus' resurrection.

After Jesus was crucified on Friday (now known as Good Friday), his body was taken down from the cross,

and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the en-

trance, so that no-one could steal the body.

On Sunday, Mary Magdalene, followed later by some of Jesus' disciples visited the tomb and found that the

stone had been moved, and that Jesus' body had gone.

Jesus himself was seen that day by Mary and the disciples and for forty days afterwards by many people. His

followers realized that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Christians call this the Resurrection.

In just a few short days the chants of the followers of Christ were changed from shouts of praise and admira-

tion to shouts of angry and requests for his death. However, crucifixion and resurrection had to take place for the

great commission to be given, so that all men may know HE is the way.

April 2012 5

MACEDONIA

Bible and Book Corner

Every one of us will ex-

perience suffering.

Many of us are experi-

encing it now. As we

have seen in recent

years, evil is real in our

world, present and close

to each one of us. In

such difficult times, suf-

fering and evil beg ques-

tions about God, why

would an all-good and

all-powerful God create

a world full of evil and

suffering? And, how can there be a God if suffer-

ing and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern

ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins,

Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers

like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The

existence of suffering and evil proves there is no

God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling au-

thor Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief,

and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical

insight to the issues these important questions

raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations

with men and women whose lives have been torn

apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God

burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture

of who God is and what God is doing in the world,

now and forever. Alcorn equips you to share your

faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of

pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven,

Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject,

and through compelling stories, provocative ques-

tions and answers, and keen biblical understanding,

he brings assurance and hope to all.

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he

told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.

Luke 24:5-7 NIV

Sunday School Invitation Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Every Sunday

Space is available for you, your

family and friends in the

following classes:

Kindergarten – Classroom #4,

1st Floor

Beginners – Classroom #3, 1st Floor

Juniors – Classroom #1, 1st Floor

Teens—Meet in Children’s Room,

Downstairs

Adult Men & Women – Meet in Chapel,

1st Floor

Adult Women – Meet in Conference Room,

1st Floor

Adult Men – Meet in Teen Territory Room,

Downstairs

Join us,

you will be blessed!

April 2012 6

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MAMMOGRAMS? Women’s Health Series

Submitted by Debbie Gordon

Test your knowledge of what steps to take to catch breast cancer in the early stages.

This quiz is from Henry Ford Health System – Medicine Made for Me http://www.medicinemadeforme.com

1. To get a quality mammogram, make sure the facility has which of these?

A. FDA certification B. Mammogram machine that's calibrated annually C. Registered technologists D. All of these

2. Which of these should you bring with you if you go somewhere else for subsequent mammograms?

A. Your medical records B. Blood-test reports C. Previous mammograms D. Signed medical release

3. If you are at average risk for breast cancer, at what age should you have a baseline mammogram?

A. 30 B. 35 C. 60 D. Talk with your doctor

4. Which of these shouldn't you use on the day you go for a mammogram?

A. Underarm deodorant B. Perfume or lotion C. Mouthwash D. A and B

5. Mammograms most often detect breast cancer in which age group?

A. 20s B. 40s C. 30s D. 50s and older

6. What kind of diagnostic test is done if a screening mammogram shows an area that needs closer examination?

A. MRI B. Diagnostic mammogram C. Total body X-ray D. EEG

7. Digital mammography is computer-based. How does it compare to a standard X-ray mammogram?

A. More accurate B. Spots smaller tumors C. Performs about the same as X-ray D. Is less accurate

______________________________________________________________________________

1. To get a quality mammogram, make sure the facility has which of these? The correct answer is D. All of these: Verify if the facility follows FDA quality-assurance programs and if the radi-ologists who read the mammograms are board certified.

2. Which of these should you bring with you if you go somewhere else for subsequent mammograms? The correct answer is C. Previous mammograms: These X-rays are your property and will help the radiologist compare current films with past X-rays.

3. If you are at average risk for breast cancer, at what age should you have a baseline mammogram? The correct answer is D. Talk with your doctor: Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older.

4. Which of these shouldn't you use on the day you go for a mammogram? The correct answer is D. A and B: The chemicals in these products could distort the mammogram imaging.

5. Mammograms most often detect breast cancer in which age group? The correct answer is D. 50s and older: Breast cancer occurs more often in women age 50 and older.

6. What kind of diagnostic test is done if a screening mammogram shows an area that needs closer examination? The correct answer is B. Diagnostic mammogram: According to the National Cancer Institute, a screening mam-mogram is an X-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs of breast cancer. A diagnostic mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple thickening or discharge, or a change in breast size or shape.

7. Digital mammography is computer-based. How does it compare to a standard X-ray mammogram? The correct answer is C. Performs about the same as X-ray.

April 2012 7

Sister Pat Butler (admitted coffee addict) is the spirited host and Music Director of WEXL 1340-AM

afternoon show, “Ride & Rejoice.” You can hear her weekdays from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. She

is a native Mobilian (Webster defines this as those coming from Mobile, Alabama) and a 19-year radio

broadcasting veteran.

Her on-air experience includes several music formats from Contemporary Christian, Country, Oldies

and Urban Gospel. She has a compassionate heart for God’s people, and is committed to utilizing her God-

given talents to promote the kingdom of God and encourage others to discover their divine purpose. She

considers her position at WEXL-AM a “Divine Appointment from God.” One day she hopes to have a na-

tional radio show.

Her previous employment includes WGOK-AM, K104-FM, WLVV-AM Gospel, WKSJ-FM Country,

Oldies 106-FM (all in Mobile).

She has been a member of Macedonia since September 2011. She came to Macedonia because she got

lost in the city and was searching for a great Baptist church in Detroit. God led her to Macedonia along with

the kindness and effervescent smile of Sis. Cynthia Sammy. She has been a member of the Greeter’s Minis-

try since November 2011. What she loves most about Macedonia is the weekly warmth from Pastor Twy-

mon and members. She says, “I believe ‘LOVE’ is manufactured here!”

Her previous church affiliation was a lifelong member of Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Mo-

bile, Alabama—Rev. Buford G. Hall, Pastor.

Pat was born (September 16) and raised in Mobile, Alabama. Her parents are the late William & Mary

Butler. She has two beautiful sisters and one brother (deceased). She attended Williamson High and re-

ceived a BS degree in Telecommunications from Alabama A & M University in Huntsville, AL. She also

received an Associate Degree in Radio Broadcasting from Bauder College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sis. Butler is single and considers her job a ministry as well as a hobby. She is also a consultant with

Mary Kay cosmetics. She loves God, meeting interesting people, music and traveling and is addicted to mi-

crowave popcorn, as well as coffee. She describes herself as kind and is motivated by making a difference in

people’s lives. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 118:24. Pat’s favorite quote is “The way to the throne is the

Servant’s door.”

The advice she offers to young people today is: “No matter your past, your situation, no matter what

‘the haters’ have told you, trust God, stay focused…pursue your dreams and never, ever, give up!”

PAT BUTLER

Servant

Macedonia Baptist Church 14221 Southfield Road, Detroit, Michigan 48223

"Come over into Macedonia and help us.” ACTS 16:9