"[Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."  

Romans 12:9 NKJV

Stacey Yvonne Abrams epitomizes the age old black American expression of “TCB-in” (Taking Care Of Business) that former generations of American Blacks adopted as the title of how we, as a race of black people, strive, day by day, to positively advance ourselves in our American diaspora (The dispersion or spread of a people from their original homeland.).

Our ancestors were kidnapped, brutalized, chained, raped, psychologically abused, separated from their families, their cultures, and our native land in Africa. We then were deposited on the shores, of this barren land once called the “New World by cruel and immoral slavers.”

“New World” in deed for those of ebony hue! The end result of this tragedy against humanity left us as shackled, wounded, captives. Our rich and glorious culture was disrupted and permanently altered. Black sociopolitical and socioeconomic development was thwarted.

Despite the horrendous circumstances of our black ancestors they were imbued by God with religious faith, tenacity, and resiliency. They no doubt kept their “Eyes on the Prize” they “Took Care of Their Business” and held on to God’s word recorded in Hebrews 13:14, which states, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” The writer Alexander Pope penned these words in a poem entitled, AN ESSAY ON MAN, “Hope Springs Eternal,” therein rest Black Americans resolve to continue in our sojourn forever hereafter.

Stacey Yvonne Abrams, a “Hope Springs Eternal” believer is an exemplar worthy of recognition during our celebration of Black American history and heritage. She is an American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author. She served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017. She was the minority leader from 2011 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Political Party, Abrams founded Fair Fight Action, an organization to address voter suppression, in 2018. Her efforts have been widely credited with boosting voter turnout in Georgia, in the 2020 Presidential election, when Joe Biden narrowly won the state, also in Georgia's 2020 regularly and special U.S. Senate elections, which gave Democrats control of the Senate.

Abrams led the effort to elect a Jewish and a Black American candidate to the

U. S. Senate in the Deep South in the same election.

Abrams was the Democratic nominee in the 2018 governors race, becoming the first black American female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the United States. She lost the election to Brian Kemp by a narrow margin of 1.4%. In February 2019, Abrams became the first Black-American woman to deliver a response to the State of the Union Address.

Abrams is an author of both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction books, Our Time Is Now and Lead from the Outside, both were New York Times best sellers. Abrams wrote eight fiction books under the pen name Selena Montgomery before 2021. Her book WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS was released on May 11, 2021, under her real name. Abrams also wrote a children's book, Stacey's Extraordinary Words, released in December 2021.

We salute The honorable Sis. Stacey L. Abrams for representing all proud Black Americans in this U.S. Body Politics well…To God be the Glory Amen. The National Democratic Party would do well to retain Sis. Abrams services to aid them in voter education efforts and managing victorious election campaigns. She has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she has an expertise in:

“TCB-IN!”

Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr.
Church Historian, Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church
February 23, 2025

Contemporary Gospel singer Fred Hammond penned the song, “No Greater Love.” The opening lyrics beautifully and simply affirm…“There is no greater love, no greater love Than the one You have for me, Lord. There is no greater love, no greater love Than the one You have for me.”As February’s month long look at healing through love comes to a close, let’s examine God’s ultimate love for us and the life changing power generated to all through His unfailing, unwavering, uncompromising, soul saving love.

Biblically, love is a commitment and an unbreakable covenant.

1 Corinthians 13 is perhaps one of the greatest passages ever written on love. In it, Paul tells us love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” It is unconditional, undeserved, and unrelenting.

Despite our sin, despite our failures, God does love us. Not because we earned it. Not because we are worthy of it. But because love is in the very nature of God.

I John 4:8 reminds us, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Honestly, We don’t deserve God’s love.

In Romans 5:8, the bible clearly teaches that God’s love is undeserved. It reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

And Ephesians 2:4-5 reminds us, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

We’re reminded in scripture that we were dead in our sins and had done, and can do, nothing to earn God’s love. God saved us because He loves us, He doesn’t love us because we are saved or sanctified. We can’t earn His love because we already have it. And we can’t lose His love because we don’t deserve it in the first place.

To God Be The Glory for these scriptures highlighting God’s love for us. And for Romans 8:38-39 which clearly reveals the magnitude of God’s love for us by stating…“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Sister Cathy Black

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

• Join our Virtual Prayer Service by phone on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm Bible Study.
  
  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: "Godly Leadership" Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  The prophet Micah, directed by God, spoke to both the secular and spiritual leaders to obey God's commands and laws regarding how they should treat others whether they are peers and less fortunate than themselves. The message was summarized with the words, what doth the Lord require, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God?
  
  Micah's message is as applicable today and it was when uttered by Micah.  Are we heeding this message today?
  
  
• Next Sunday's Lesson: "Justice Triumphs Over Injustice" Habakkuk 2:6-14

• 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 under the Services Tab.
  
  
• 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

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

DAY 183

Lamentations 4-5

Psalm 75:6-10

DAY 184

Ezekiel 1-4

Psalm 76:1-6

DAY 185

Ezekiel 5-8

Psalm 76:7-12

DAY 186

Ezekiel 9-12

Psalm 77:1-6

DAY 187

Ezekiel 13-15

Psalm 77:7-12

DAY 188

Ezekiel 16-17

Psalm 77:13-20

DAY 189

Ezekiel 18-20

Psalm 78:1-8

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service, Tuesday, February 25, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Virtual Bible Study, Saturday, 

March 1, 10 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Greetings to our Church family and friends!

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! On behalf of the Youth Ministry, we ask that you help and bless our Youth with a “unique” opportunity. With the help of the Lord, we will be traveling to Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK, and the Little Rock Nine historic site in Little Rock, AR, during this spring break in early April 2025. It is OUR duty to teach OUR Youth OUR history because there are those out there who want to erase it! So, that’s where you can help us by participating in our in-house fundraising project “Count Your Blessings.” It’s very simple. All you have to do is take inventory of your house, count your many blessings, by following a list of household items worth a certain amount, tally it up, add it up and that is the amount you can donate OR if you would like to donate a flat amount, then we appreciate that too. Whatever God places on your heart to do, we are thankful for it. Please place your donation in an envelope and turn it in to one of the Youth Directors. We will accept cash, check and donations via our Church’s CashApp and Givelify App. We just ask that you notate your donation to a particular Youth member or to the Youth Ministry. Please ask any Youth for a form or you can pick them up at church.

Also, if you have a Youth who would like to join us in our service and mission, please let us know as our discipleship is ongoing and they are welcome any time!

We thank you in advance for sharing in this wonderful opportunity for our Youth and we ask for your continued love and support because remember, IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD! Thank you and God bless!

Yours in Christ,

Bro. Charles Happy & Sis. Heather Happy, Youth Directors

Rev. Wendell Emerson, Spiritual Leader

Bro. Desmond Duncan, Assistant Youth Director

Sis. Kellye Emerson, Assistant Youth Director

February may get you thinking about hearts or love. Love for children, family, friends, someone special, or even yourself. What are some ways you show children you love yourself? 

Food for Thought: A positive body image is one piece of self-love. Body image is the way you think and feel about your body. When children have a positive body image, they have greater confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Body image is affected by social media, pop culture, friends, and family. Body image changes over time, and your child will need support as they grow and change. Children can have a negative body image at any age. But adolescence is the time of highest risk for developing a negative body image. You are an important resource to support your child. Regardless of the age of your child, these tips can help your child, and you, develop a more positive body image.

• Be a positive role model. The way you feel and talk about your body, or other people’s bodies, will affect how your child feels and talks about their body. Also consider the eating and physical activity habits you model. Eating nutritious foods and doing physical activity set a positive example for children about how to care for their body.
• Talk about health and habits instead of weight. Skip talking about diets or losing weight. Instead, focus on how eating nutritious foods provides energy to play, learn, and grow. Encourage your child to be active in ways they enjoy. Discuss how they feel after eating tasty, nutritious foods or after physical activity. Help them link the benefits of food and activity to what their body can do and how they feel, not its size.
• Honor bodies as they are. Bodies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Talk in a way that celebrates differences. Focus on what bodies are capable of rather than how they look. Rather than praising your child for how they look, provide praise about character traits like work ethic, courage, or humor. Teach your child a person’s value is not linked to their body size or appearance.
• Teach children to be critical consumers of media. Media often portray edited or unrealistic images that can lead to harmful comparisons. Discuss images and messages your child sees online. Manage settings and help your child unfollow accounts that say harmful things about body size or extreme diet or activity behaviors.
  
  Excerpt from website: https://ukfcs.net/SNACKClub

Welcome to the 40 Year Christians' Cooking Corner! 

Here we will feature recipes from the 40 Year Christian Group. This week's recipe was submitted by Sister Alyce Emerson.

Blessings to all.

Sister Linda Gates, President

CHEWY BUTTERSCOTCH BROWNIES

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup Butter (2 sticks)

1 ¾ cups packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 cups or 11 oz package of Butterscotch Morsels

1 cup toasted pecans

Directions

• Combine: flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl
• Beat: butter in large mixer bowl and add brown sugar until creamy
• Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla
• Gradually add in the flour mixture.
• Stir in pecans and morsels. Spread into 9 X 13 pan.    
• Bake for 30-40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool pan on wire rack.

Recent Requests

• Sister Dawn Gay Martin (Home) 

• Sister Ruth Gaylord (Home)
  
  
• Brother Joseph Grant (Hospital St. Louis, MO) (Father of Sister Jessica Grant)
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Beverly Horton (Home)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Brother Steven Prater (Richmond Hill, GA)
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (Home)
    
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Brother Pete Thompson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Mildred White - Upcoming surgery
  
  
• Sister Jamesetta Wilson (Eastern Kentucy - Floyd County) (Relative of the Owens Family)
  
  

Ongoing Requests:

• Brother Levi Fishback (Harrodsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center, Harrodsburg, KY)
  
  
• Sister Anna Jaber (Homestead Nursing Home)
  
  
• Sister Karisma Lockhart (Los Angeles, CA) and her family (Niece of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Brother Drery Shelton (St. Joseph Hospital) (Friend of Sister Bonnie Shelton)
  
  
• 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 Darlene Booker (Los Angeles, CA) (Sister of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  

• Brother Richard Briscoe (Home)
  
  
• Sister Bonita Brown (Home)
  
  
• Brother Byron Brown
  
  
• Sister Patricia Brown (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carrie Clay (Home) Upcoming surgery
  
  
• Sister Charmaine Collins (Home) (Daughter of Sister Debra Collins)
  
  
• Sister Debra Collins (Home)
  
  
• Brother Lonnie Cowan (Home)
  
  
• Crutcher, Jones, & Payne Family (especially Little Brother Vince Crutcher III and Sister Brittany Payne)
  
  
• Sister Laura Dunaway (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl Dabney Duncan (Houston, TX)
  
  
• Brother Marvin Emerson  (Home)
  
  
• Sister Wanda Frazier (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Sister Sheryl Haskins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Jeanette Higgins (Home)
  
  
• Brother Branson Irvin (Indianapolis, IN) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Julian Jackson (Home) (Father of Brother Jarold Jackson)
  
  
• Sister Mary E. Jackson (Paris, KY) (Sister of Brother William Jackson)
  
  
• Sister Kemona Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Vera Johnson (Home) (Sister of Sister Marion Hall)
  
  
• Brother Vincino Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Janet King (Classmate of Sister Norma Johnson)
  
  
• Brother Travis Jones (Home ) (Brother of Sisters Liz Brooks, Trina Morton, and Sobona Sweat)
  
  
• Rev. Tony Laine (Home)
  
  
• Brother Larry Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Lindsey Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Patricia Leavell (Home)
  
  
• Sister Jackie Lindsay (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Sister Danise Madison (Seattle, WA) (Sister of Sister Bonita Brown)
  
  
• Sister Thelma Masterson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Ronald Moberly (Home) (Uncle of Sister Marva Eubank)
  
  
• Brother Everett Martin (Home)
  
  
• Sister Elnora Miller (Home) (Mother of Sister Lisa Miller)
  
  
• Sister Lisa Miller (Home)
  
  
• Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home)
  
  
• Sister Ashanti Owens (Grand daughter of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Stevie Pepper (Columbus, OH) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)(Home)
  
  
• Brother James Prather (Home) (Brother of Sisters Tassa Wigginton and Eleanor Smothers)
  
  
• Brother George Ray (Home)
  
  
• Sister Annette Reid (Home)
  
  
• Brother Ashley Roach
  
  
• Sister Gayle Rush-Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tamika Sales (Home)
  
  
• Brother Donald Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Sharp (Maysville, KY) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Doug Smith (Brother of Rev. Michael Smith) (Home, Louisville, KY)
  
  
• Sister Pennie Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Eleanor Smothers (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tonia Stewart (Home)
  
  
• Brother Adrian Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl "Midge" 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 Leon Wilson (Home) (Brother-in-Law of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Each person listed on our Sick List
  
  
• HPGMBC Interim Pastor Search Committee Members, their families and their work
  
  
• Victims of the California Wild Fires
  
  
• 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 respondents, etc.
  
  
• The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
  
  
• Our our Local and National Government Officials

Heavenly Father, please help us reflect Your mercy and love in how we treat others. Thank You for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread, 

February 16, 2025}

In the coming weeks, our Youth Ministry members will be Spotlighted in this section.

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.

Life’s Essential 8

1. Eat better and aim for an overall healthy eating pattern that includes Whole Foods, lots of fruit and veggies, lean protein, nuts, seeds and cooking in non- tropical oils such as olive and canola. 

2. Be more active and get 2 1/2 hours of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week after checking with your physician. 

3. Quit tobacco in every form, need I say more. 

4. Get healthy sleep at least 7-9 hours each night. 

5. Manage achieve and maintain a healthy weight for your age and body mass index and consult a health care professional. 

6. Control Non/HDL or “ BAD” cholesterol levels under the supervision of your health care provider. 

7. Manage glucose level and remember most of the food that we eat is turned into sugar that our bodies uses as energy. Over time high levels of blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. 

8. Keep your blood pressure within acceptable ranges. High blood pressure is defined as130-139/ 80-89. Enjoy your life and treat yourself well.

http://www.heart.org


Summarized By Sarah Shelton Speed

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.