"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."   Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

Today we look at some of God’s reassuring promises…

Isaiah 12:2 reads…”Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

This scripture reminds us that we belong to a God who faithfully keeps His promises. He rescues us and fights for us. When we belong to God, we have nothing to fear. We need only to cling to God and wait on Him to act.

The Bible is filled with promises of God…Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

To God Be The Glory for these promises and for Romans 8:38-39 which promises, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And what a blessing for Philippians 1:6 which says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Sister Cathy Black

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

• Join our Virtual Prayer Service by phone on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Bible Study from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
  
  Call: 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592;
  Additional Phone Numbers:
  564-217-2000; 646-558-8656;
  646-931-3860
  Meeting ID: 685 433 0718
• Radio broadcasts Saturdays 9:00 am and 3:00 pm as well as Sundays at 7:30 am on WJMM FM 99.1
• International Sunday School Lesson
  This Sunday's Lesson:
  
  "The Day Of The Lord: How Can We Respond To The Lord's Judgement?" Zephaniah 1:1-6, 14-16, 2:1-3
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  In today's lesson, the prophet Zephaniah describes the Day of the Lord as a day of devastating destruction of Israel for their ungodly behavior. However, salvation from this destruction is available, if they will repent from their wicked ways and return to the obedience of God's law.
  
  Do we as Christians realize that there are dire consequences when we  disobey  God's Word and  there is forgiveness and salvation if we repent?
  
  

• Next Sunday's Lesson: "Hope For A New Day: How Do We Hold Onto Hope In Difficult Circumstances?" Haggai 2:23; Zechariah  4:1-14

• In - Person Worship Service on Sundays at 10:30 am and Streaming on the Church Facebook Page and YouTube. It can also be viewed on demand on the church
  historicpg.org website by selecting "Watch Us Live."
  
• Thank you for giving your Tithes and Offerings In-Person, by mail or with the Givelify App.
  
• Give with CashApp: $1790pgchurch
  
  Our mailing address is:

Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church

PO Box 11845
Lexington, KY 40578

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service 

Tuesday, March 3, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, March 4, 7:00 pm

 Bible Study,

In-Person & Virtual

Saturday, March 7, 10:00 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Pleasant Green Historic Highlight

“The land upon which Pleasant Green Baptist Church stands was conveyed in 1822 by Dr. Frederick Ridgely, a white surgeon in Lexington, to trustees Harry Quills, Benjamin Admon, and Solomon Walker, all slaves, for purpose of erecting an African church. From date of deed, black congregation has continued to worship at this site.”

Erected 1987 by Kentucky Historical Department, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1806.)

Some incredible historic accomplishments under the administration of our late Pastor, Reverend Dr T.H. Peoples, Jr…

For the first time in the history of Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, the pastor and trustees, on behalf of the church, by court of law obtained a clear title and deed to the church land, which Brother Captain and his people purchased, (then African Baptist Church).

On July 25, 1987, an official State Historical marker was unveiled on the church property.

In December of 2001, the church was awarded a Bluegrass Trust Historical Preservation marker.

Due her rich history, Pleasant Green is now on the historical trail for tourists, listed by the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pleasant Green was selected as one of the architectural worship sanctuaries in Kentucky.

To God Be the Glory, Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest Black Church west of the Alleghenies.

Respectfully submitted by: Sister Cathy A. Black

Article Source: THE HISTORICAL

MARKER DATABASE and Essence Of A Saga

For the month of March, the Youth Ministry will begin our study of the genealogy of Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation and of "many nations."We will dive deep into his patriarchy and how this led to the 12 tribes of Israel and its importance in today's world."  

We invite ALL middle and high schoolers to join us at the church at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of this month.  We encourage you to bring a friend and join us as we find engaging ways to study God's Word.  All reminders and events will be posted in our GroupMe messaging app.  

Contact Sis. Heather Happy (859.509.2927) for further details.

Yours in Christ,
Youth Directors 

WE ARE ONE!

Pleasant Green Youth, Shelby Boyd, China Johnson and McKinley Emerson supported Aaron Speed at his Kentucky Colonel Basketball team game.  Oh yes, his team won. Aaron, you the man!

Welcome to the 40 Year Christians' Cooking Corner! 

Here we will feature recipes from the 40 Year Christian Group. This week's recipe comes from Sister Alyce Emerson by way of the UK Cooperative Extension Service.

Blessings to all.

Sister Linda Gates, President

Lasagna Soup

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 box (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken, vegetable, or beef broth
• 12 ounces water (fill half of the marinara jar
• 6 sheets lasagna noodles, broken into bite-size pieces (NOT oven-ready noodles)
• 1 container (10 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach
  
  Optional toppings: a scoop of ricotta or cottage cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan or mozzarella cheese
  
  
• Wash hands with soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef to pot and break into fine crumbles. Season with salt and pepper. Cook beef until it's no longer pink and it reaches 160 degrees Fusing a food thermometer. Drain any fat.
• Add marinara sauce, broth, and water to the pot with beef. Increase heat to high, place lid on the pot and bring to a boil, about 6 minutes. Once boiling, add lasagna noodles and lower heat to medium-high. Stir occasionally so noodles do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Cook uncovered for about 6 minutes, or until noodles are close to being done.
• Add frozen spinach. Cook until noodles have a bit of firmness left and until spinach is heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls and add desired toppings.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Note: Any short-shaped pasta will work for this soup.

Makes 7 servings

Serving Size: 11/2 cups

Name: Dion Copeland

Current Focus: I am focused on my PhD study. I am getting a doctorate in Leadership. I will also get my Superintendent certification. I am focused on continuing to grow as a professional. My aspirations are to become a School Principal while keeping my eyes on the prize of becoming a Superintendent later in my career. I am hungry. I am ambitious. I am a workaholic. I am also a work in progress! GOD is still working on me.

Career: I am a very ambitious teacher who is currently employed as an Assistant High School Principal in Jefferson County.

Why this Career?: I had a very negative K12 experience. I was in a highly structured elementary school classroom and I attended an alternative middle school. I was in the school to prison pipeline for sure! In spite of that, I graduated from Bryan Station and got a scholarship to U of L. I was President of Future Business Leaders of America. My teacher gave me access to his portal. I did lesson plans etc. I realized that I really liked it. I also realized that there were financial incentives for African American males to pursue careers in education.

The need for black male teachers is great. Black students are often misunderstood. I had felt misunderstood and judged. When I gained access to my student files, I realized just how misunderstood I had been. That knowledge motivates me to help young people change their trajectory.

What do you want your church family to know about you?: As a child I had an IEP. That’s code for Special Education. I have gone from IEP to PhD! I changed the narrative and have written my own story.

I don’t want to toot my horn. I want to toot yours! Today I am the recipient of awards and accolades including the KY Education Association (KEA) 2025 Teacher of the Year, KY Board of Education 2024 Educator Excellence Award, and 2024 KET All-Star Educator. These awards acknowledge that I am an effective teacher. The guidance I received from my church family equipped me to see “a possibility” instead of “a problem” when I work with students, especially the misunderstood and marginalized.

I remember one day I was showing out in school because showing out is what I did! Mrs. Sykes was at my school that day. I was so embarrassed that I had represented Pleasant Green so poorly with Mrs. Sykes there. Oh, she was small in stature but powerful in presence! Mrs. Sykes could just look at me and I would not want to disappoint. I miss her.

I also showed out at church! I was good for showing out in Sunday School. When I did, I was just sent to someone else who could handle me that day. You didn’t give up on me.

Church was my extended family - my aunties and uncles. Sisters Vanessa, Krystal, Frazier, Hayden, Haskins and oh, Ms. Nancy! She always slid me a $5 or a $10 on when she saw me on Sunday and held me accountable when she saw me in the community! I always wanted Ms. Nancy to know that I really was hugging her because I wanted her hug. (And yes, I sure did appreciate the $5 and $10 😊).

My aunties helped my family groom me. So did church uncles like Bro. Speed and Reverends Owens and Dunn. I’m going to leave somebody out so I need to stop naming names! Just know that I am using what you gave me. Pleasant Green, you exposed me (see pic with Teresa Isaacs) and taught me to carry myself like the person I am, a child of GOD.

I am building my career in Louisville and I am seldom in Lexington to worship. When my body is not in the building, know that my heart is. Pleasant Green is home. You know one thing I miss when I’m not there? I miss our songs. I have my own PG soundtrack in my head. Some songs I only want to hear at Pleasant Green. We sing them differently. 😊 We have our very own inflections. 😊.

Is there anything special your church can do for you? Keep me in your prayers and be to other children what you were to me. Stay the place where children can get their traditional, old style community upbringing. As a Bud of Promise, I didn’t want to listen to the service. I wanted to play my game boy. I wasn’t listening but I heard you! You gave me life lessons, manners – a solid foundation. When you are a child, you don’t have to agree with elders when they are talking to you. But children do have to have elders who talk to them. When I’m talking to PG family, I say Pleasant Green. To others, I say THE Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, 540 West Maxwell Street. Our children still need THE Historic Pleasant Green of my childhood to pour into them as you lovingly poured into me.

What do you want your church family to know about GOD?: GOD’s plans for you are greater than the plans you have for yourself. You can never imagine what GOD has for you. HE has set us out on the path HE has for us. We have to trust the process.

Great grandmother: Mary Sanford

Grandmother: Markeata Rawlings

Parents: Devin Sanford and Krystal Copeland

Recent Requests

• Family of Brother Bill McCann (Austin, TX), who passed. (Brother-In-Law of Brother Wayne Frazier) Arrangements: Saturday, March 14, Funeral Service 1 pm (will be live streamed), Cook-Walden Funeral Home, Pflugerville, TX; Also, Memorial Service, Saturday, April 18, at Shiloh Baptist Church, Lexington, KY 
  
  
• Sister Alyssa Burns (Home) (Daughter of Rev. Ron & Sis. René Burns)
  
  
• Sister Charlie Peoples Brown (Home)
  
  
• Sister Debra Collins (Home)
  
  
• Brother Sherman Greene (Bluegrass Rehabilitation Center) (Father of Sister Janice Owens)
  
  
• Brother Austin Harris (Kalamazo, MI) (Son of Sister Addie Celeste Harris)
  
  
• Sister Kemona Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Dawn Gay Martin (Home)
  
  
• Sister Penny McCann (Austin, TX)
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (UK Samaritan Hospital)
  
  
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Brother Rodney Taylor ( Ephraim McDowell Regional Hospital, Danville, Ky) (Nephew of Sister Juanita Black and Cousin of Sister Cathy Black)
  
  
• Brother Pete Thompson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Dawn Williams (Home) (Daughter of Sister Thelma White)
  
  
• Brother William "Bill" Young (Home)
  
  

Ongoing Requests:

• Brother Willis K. Bright, Jr. (Indianapolis, In)
  
  
• Brother Bruce from Tates Creek Golf Course Clubhouse
  
  
• Brother Levi Fishback (Harrodsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center, Harrodsburg, KY)
  
  
• Sister Anna Jarber (Homestead Nursing Home)
  
  
• Sister Thelma Masterson (Homestead Nursing Home)
   
• Brother Glenn Allen (Home) (Relative of the Brooks Family)
  
  
• Sister Mary Ann Banksden (Florence, AL) (Sister of Brother Sammie Brooks)
  
  
• Sister Lillian Bell (Ruston, LA)
  
  
• Sister Ruby Branham (Prestonsburg, KY) (Mother of Sister Jackie Peoples)
  
  
• Sister Beverly Bowman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Bonita Brown (Home)
  
  
• Brother Byron Brown
  
  
• Sister Patricia Brown (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carrie Clay (Home)
  
  
• Sister Charmaine Collins (Home) (Daughter of Sister Debra Collins)
  
  
• Sister Gloria Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Brother Lonnie Cowan (Home)
  
  
• Crutcher, Jones, & Payne Family (especially Little Brother Vince Crutcher III and Sister Brittany Payne)
  
  
• Sister Laura Dunaway (Home)
  
  
• Brother Billy Edwards (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Alcorn Edwards (Portsmouth, VA)
  
  
• Sister Jessica Embry
  
  
• Sister McKinley Emerson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Greg Forrest (Kevil, KY) (Nephew of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Johnetta Frazier (Home)
  
  
• Rev. Jerry Gumm (Home)
  (Friends of the late Dr. Charles Black's family)
  
  
• Brother Darius Hall, Jr. (14 year old Grandson of Sister Marion Hall) (Home)
  
  
• Sister Sheryl Haskins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Jeanette Higgins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Gwendolyn Holloman (Home) (Wife of Bishop J. B. Holloman)
  
  
• Sister Iris Horice (Paducah, KY) (Niece of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Brother Daron Houtman, Jr. (Wichita, KS) (Nephew of Sister Lisa Leath)
  
  
• Brother Julian Jackson (Home) (Father of Brother Jarold Jackson)
  
  
• Sister Vera Johnson (Home) (Sister of Sister Marion Hall)
  
  
• Brother Vincino Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Travis Jones (Home ) (Brother of Sisters Liz Brooks, Trina Morton, and Sobona Sweat)
  
  
• The Kierra Joseph Family
  
  
• Sister Janet King (Classmate of Sister Norma Johnson)
  
  
• Brother Larry Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Lindsey Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Patricia Leavell (Home)
  
  
• Sister Wanda Frazier (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Sister Karisma Lockhart (Los Angeles, CA) and her family (Niece of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Danise Madison (Seattle, WA) (Sister of Sister Bonita Brown)
  
  
• Sister Charlet McLellan & Family
  
  
• Sister Genice Moody Mays (Los Angeles, CA) (Youngest sister of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Sister Elnora Miller (Home) (Mother of Sister Lisa Miller)
  
  
• Sister Lisa Miller (Home)
  
  
• Brother Daryl Moberly (Uncle of Sister Marva Eubank)
  
  
• Sister Tyailan Moberly (Home) (Cousin of Sister Marva Eubank)
  
  
• Brother Charles Moore, Sr. (Denton, TX) (Brother of Sister Shelia Williams)
  
  
• Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home)
  
  
• Sister Ashanti Owens (Granddaughter of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Sister Brittany Payne (Home)
  
  
• Brother Stevie Pepper (Columbus, OH) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)(Home)
  
  
• Brother Steven Prater (Richmond Hill, GA)
  
  
• Sister Ruth Rawlings (Friend of Sister Kim Bond)
  
  
• Veronica Ridgeway (Louisville, KY) (Cousin of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Annette Reid (Home)
  
  
• Brother Ashley Roach
  
  
• Sister Gayle Rush-Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tamika Sales (Home)
  
  
• Sister Candace Hayes (Home) (Daughter of Sister Sharon Scarber)
  
  
• Brother Donald Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Brother Doug Smith (Brother of Rev. Michael Smith) (Home, Louisville, KY)
  
  
• Sister Pennie Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Eleanor Smothers (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tonia Stewart (Home)
  
  
• Brother Adrian Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl "Midge" Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carol Thomas (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Ison-Walker (Home)
  
  
• Brother Kevin Walker (San Francisco, CA) (First Cousin of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Martha Warner (Home) (Mother of Sister Catherine Frye)
  
  

• Sister Tassa Wigginton (Home)
  
  
• Brother Melvin Williams (Home)
  
  

• Brother Leon Wilson (Home) (Brother-in-Law of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
  
• Each person listed on our Sick List
  
  
• HPGMBC Full Time Pastor Search Committee Members, their families and their work
  
  
• Victims of the Wildfires
  
  
• Families of the Children affected in war torn countries around the world
  
  
• Children orphaned due to war and worldwide crises
  
  
• Families affected by gun violence in our community and abroad
  
  
• COVID-19 Victims around the world
  
  
• The People of Ukraine
  
  
• Healthcare workers, First responders, etc.
  
  
• The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
  
  
• Our Local and National Government Officials

Heavenly Father, You know our scars and wounds, our anger and grief. Please wrap us in Your goodness and mercy; give us healing from hurts long past but not forgotten. Thank you for Jesus. In His Name. Amen 

{Adapted from Our Daily Bread,  February 21, 2026}

Keep Your Contact Information Updated

Please keep your contact information up to date. In case of emergencies, changes of service times, etc., every attempt will be made to contact church members as expeditiously as possible using text messages to cell phones, phone calls, and emails. You can update your contact information by calling the church at (859) 254-7387.

If you would like to volunteer in assisting with contacting members on the rare occasions when information needs to be communicated to the church membership quickly, please call the church and give your name and phone number.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

FLU

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Flu shots are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding a flu vaccination.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms. In older adults and adults with certain underlying conditions, RSV can cause severe infections.

RSV shots are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding a RSV vaccination.

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.

The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell.

Both COVID vaccines and Booster COVID vaccines are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding COVID vaccinations.

General Health Information

General Health information can be obtained from the Health Department. Contact information is below:

LEXINGTON-FAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
650 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40508
(859) 252-2371.

Common Sense Revisited

TO BE CONTINUED ...