1. St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services
 Brief Description of Services:
The St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services provides temporary assistance to eligible individuals and families to help them with their basic needs until they can become self-sufficient. Toward that end, we have employment programs and other supportive services such as day care so that people can find and maintain employment. We also administer programs which can assist people with their medical expenses and nutritional needs.
In addition, Children's Services helps families deal with problems so they can stay together and, when necessary, provides foster care. Child Protective Services investigates allegations of abuse and neglect. Child Support assists in collecting financial support from legally responsible relatives.

2. Social Services Used To Be …
Handled by Churches
Such As, First Baptist Church In Canton
What Happened?

3. Old Testament … New Testament …
Widows In The Bible
Old Testament …
New Testament …

4. 1 Timothy 5:3-16
Widows In The Church

5. Observations 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened that it may relieve those who are really widows.

6. I. The Church’s Ministry To ‘Real’ Widows 3, 5, 9-10, 16b
‘Real’ widows – husbands have died
‘Real’ widows – should be honored 3
‘Real’ widows – are women who … 5
‘Real’ widows – are 60 years old …9-10
‘Real’ widows – can only turn to the church 16b

7. II. The Christian Family’s Ministry To Widows 4, 6-8, 11-16a
‘Any’ widow – husband has died
‘Any’ widow - should be cared for by family 4
‘Any’ widow - should be provided for by family 6-8
‘Any’ widow - may remarry 11-16a

8. Applications
Five widows in First Baptist Church right now. You should pray for them.
Families have primary responsibility for the care of widows. If you have a widow in …
Any women who is or becomes a widow should not seek to become a ‘real’ widow but they should live like a ‘real’ widow.
Men should take vs 8 seriously. This means planning for the care of your family in the event you might die.
Our modern culture gives many more opportunities for widows/women to get jobs then the first century Roman world provided. Thus many widows can provide for themselves.
Modern application of the principles of the passage include: single unmarried, divorced and abused women.
About nursing homes…
The church has a moral and biblical responsibility to take care of ‘real’ widows.
The Deacon Benevolent Fund is the modern way our church seeks to meet social needs. If you become aware of a need for the church, let one of the deacons know.