" But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah  40:31

STAYING CONNECTED

As many of us continue to "Shelter in Place" for health sake due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is very important to stay connected to each other. As the English poet, John Donne, famously uttered in the 17th Century and it is still true today, "no man [or woman] is an island".  The Bible speaks to companionship:  "Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?"  Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

Here are some  ways of staying connected:

• CALL a brother or sister  ("Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." Proverbs 12:25
  "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]! Proverbs 15:23)

• READ Church News in our Weekly Church Emails or under the News Tab church website, hpgmbc.com

• PARTICIPATE in Weekly Virtual Prayer Services ("... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16b)

• CALL the Church Hope Line (859-253-4848)

• PARTICIPATE in Auxiliary Video or Conference Calls 
• VIEW the Weekly Virtual Worship Services on Face Book or YouTube (as they premier on Sundays at 10:00 am or on demand under the Services Tab on the church website, hpgmbc.com
• CONTACT the church ( call 859.254.7387 or email administration@hpgmbc.com) if you are unable to access any of the above services.

Please stay connected. We need each other. ("Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 

HEALTH MATTERS

As flu season begins and the COVID-19 Infections and deaths continue to increase, it is so very important for us to continue to observe the CDC Guidelines :

• Get a flu vaccination in September or October but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can help protect you. Use the VaccineFinderexternal icon to find out where to get vaccinated near you.​
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick, maintain at least 6 feet from others who are not from your household,
• Wear face masks when in public (Mandatory in Kentucky and is being extended on a 30 day basis until the spread is under control),
• Wash your hands frequently,
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and leave home only when absolutely necessary.

IN-PERSON WORSHIP STATUS

The HPGMBC Joint Board met as scheduled on Saturday, September 19, to assess the safety of resuming In-Person Worship Services. With prayerful consideration of the current COVID-19 Virus infection rate and the composition of our membership, it was decided to not resume In-Person Worship Services at this time.  The Joint Board will meet  again on Saturday, October 24, to reassess the situation.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

• Please join our Virtual Prayer Service by phone on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Rev. Ron Jones teaches the week’s Sunday School Lesson at 7:30 pm. Call: 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592; Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

• Sunday School Lesson broadcasts Saturdays 9:00 am and 3:00 pm as well as Sundays at 7:30 am on WJMM FM 99.1
  (This Sunday’s Lesson: "Love and Devotion to Others" I Samuel 19:1-7;
  Next Sunday's Lesson: "Love Your Enemies" Luke 6:27-36.)

• Virtual Worship Service on Sundays at 10:00 am on the Church Facebook Page and on YouTube. It can also be viewed on demand on the church website, http://www.hpgmbc.com/

• Thank you for giving Tithes and Offerings by mail or the Givelify App. Our address is:

                Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church
                PO Box 11845
                Lexington, KY 40578

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Shyan Laine, whose grandfather, Mark Turner, passed in Florence, KY (Service was Saturday)
• The Yates Family, Sister Henrietta Yates ( Service was Friday)
• Sister Gwen Johnson (Central Baptist Hospital)
• Sandra Taylor (Home)
• Rev. Eric Johnson (Home)
• Sister Nina Jackson (Home)
• Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home)
• Sister Thelma Wright (Home; Brother Carl Wright's wife)
• Sister Tamika Sales (Home)
• Brother Thomas Roach (Mayfair Manor) (Sister Sandra Roach's husband)
• Sister Krystal Gill Jones (Home)
• Brother J. E. Adams (Home)
• Sister Bonnie Shelton (Home)
• Brother Larry Leath ( Home)
• Sister Paula Cunino (Called in Request ... a Nurse awaiting a kidney)
• Residence of Homestead, Pine Meadow and other Nursing Homes
• Sister Pamela Smith White (Sister Dorothy Offutt's cousin) a Mayoral Candidate in Owensboro, KY
• Each person listed on our Sick List
• COVID-19 Victims around the world
• Healthcare workers, First respondents, etc.
• The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
• Our Nation and our Government Officials

Heavenly Father, Please help us to hold on to our faith no matter what situations come our way from day to day.  In Jesus Name. Amen

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

• If you have not completed the HPGMBC In-Person Re-Opening Survey, please click SURVEY and complete it. In preparation for in-person worship services, the Re-Opening Committee would like each member to complete the survey.
• In an attempt to expand the options for communicating information to HPGMBC Family Members, if you have a cell phone, please complete the Cell Phone Information Form for yourself and encourage others to do the same.
• Volunteers are needed to assist in the HPGMBC Online/Virtual Communications Ministry. Some of the needed knowledge and skills are Facebook and/or YouTube live streaming, video recording, video editing, general computer use, etc. If you are willing to assist, please click and complete this Contact Form. Thank you in advance for your willing spirit to help in Outreach and Kingdom Building.

GENERAL VOTING INFORMATION

• The importance of VOTING in the upcoming General Election cannot be underestimated. Keep in mind that October 5, is the last day for Voter Registration. October 27, is the last day to apply for mail-in absentee ballots. Mail-in ballots must be post marked no later than November 3, to be counted. The future or OUR Nation is dependent on ALL of us who are eligible to exercise OUR right to VOTE on November 3rd. Each of us should become a Committee of one to reach out to at least 10 others and encourage them to REGISTER and to VOTE their conscience at the polls in November. Every VOTE counts! (Please Read Important information About Absentee Ballots Below)
• If you are not Registered to Vote, you can get information on how to register to Vote in the November General Election by Clicking Here. Please register and exercise your God Given Right to Vote your conviction.

For additional Information, call the County Clerk's office (859) 255-8683.

Important Fayette County Board of Elections Information

6 Vote-in-Person Locations, 

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Begins October 13, 2020: 

Beaumont Branch Library
3080 Fieldstone Way,
Lexington, KY 40513

Northside Branch Library
1733 Russell Cave Rd,
Lexington, KY 40505

Tates Creek Branch Library
3628 Walden Dr,
Lexington, KY 40517

Bluegrass Community and Technical College Conference Center
164 Opportunity Way 
Lexington, KY 40511-2623 (off Leestown Road)

Dunbar Community Center
545 N Upper St,
Lexington, KY 40508

Lexington Senior Center
195 Life Ln, Lexington, KY 40502

ANYBODY CAN VOTE AT ANY LOCATION WITH PICTURE IDENTIFICATION or SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AND A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT or ELECTION OFFICIAL CAN VERIFY WHO YOU ARE AND SIGNED AFFIDAVIT!

*In-person before Election Day, Oct. 13th - Nov. 2nd.

*By Executive Order, (E.O. 2020-668(3)), in-person voting begins October 13, 2020 and shall be available during regular business hours, and at least four hours on the three Saturdays before November 3, 2020. Voters who feel safe voting in person are encouraged to vote before November 3, 2020, to ensure appropriate social distancing can be maintained.

**By Executive Order, (E.O. 2020-668(1)), all Kentuckians who are concerned about contracting or spreading COVID-19 may vote via absentee ballot for the 2020 general election, consistent with the expanded definition of excused absentee provided in the August 14, 2020 recommendations of Secretary of State Adams. 6 Absentee Drop Boxes Located: Libraries: Beaumont Branch, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington, KY 40513, Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40505,   Tates Creek Branch, 3628 Walden Dr, Lexington, KY 40517,    Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Ln, Lexington, KY 40502,   Fayette County Clerk’s Office, 162 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507

One other location to be determined Drop boxes should be installed by October 1, 2020. They will remain open until 6:00 pm, Election Day. IF YOU INTEND TO VOTE IN PERSON, DO NOT REQUEST A MAIL-IN BALLOT: According to Section 23 of the emergency regulations for this election, “Once a voter has requested a mail-in absentee ballot, the voter cannot vote in person unless the voter does not receive their requested ballot by October 28, 2020.” NOTE: The ballots are currently being printed and will be mailed when ready. Mailing will begin in mid to late September. The deadline to apply online for an Absentee ballot is October 9, 2020 no later than 11:59 pm EST, through the portal. October 5, 2020 4:00 pm local time is the deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election.

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VERY IMPORTANT !

2020 Kentucky General  Election Plan

Absentee voting:

In Kentucky, any voter of any age or health condition who believes they are at risk of COVID-19 can vote absentee ballot. Eligibility to vote absentee also extends to voters who are in contact with such vulnerable voters.

For those who plan to use the absentee voting option, Kentucky will be launching an online portal late next week so voters can request a ballot by mail. Ballots can be requested on the portal through Oct. 9.

Mail ballots will need to be postmarked by Election Day on Nov. 3. They will need to be received by Nov. 6, officials said.

Elections officials also said drop boxes will be available for residents to return their ballots if they are concerned about postal delays. County clerks will determine those locations.

Early-voting:

The early-voting period across Kentucky will begin Oct. 13. It will also last for three weeks before the election and include Saturday voting for at least four hours.

According to state officials, every county clerk will provide a location for safe in-person voting. State election officials stress that early-voting is not absentee voting. Any Kentuckian can vote early for any reason.

Election Day:

It will be up to county election officials to decide election sites on Nov. 3. Those county officials will have to have their plans approved by the secretary of state and governor's offices.

Voters in each county will see, again, a reduction in polling places. But the state hopes to offset any concerns by requiring each county to set up at least one "voting super-center," much like the Expo Center was for Jefferson County during the June primary.

Anyone from the particular county can vote at the super-center, regardless of precinct.

Voter identification:

Kentuckians who have been unable to get a driver's license or photo ID because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and because their clerk's office was closed, can sign a document explaining these issues and cast their ballot.

(Source: WLKY, 1918 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206-1035)

Don't forget to complete your 2020 Census forms. The form can be completed online in less than three minutes  HERE. Census workers are scheduled to be canvasing our neighborhoods soon.