"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5 KJV

This morning we continue our look at biblical freedom. Scripture teaches us, that the only truly free people in the world are those who have made Christ their Lord and Savior!
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Through Christ, we have inherited many freedoms including…

1. Freedom from bondage to sin. Romans 6:14 states, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace”.
   
   
2. Freedom from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13 encourages, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us”.
   
   
3. Freedom from legalism. Galatians 5:1 commands, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”.
   
   
4. Freedom from Satan’s dominion. Colossians 1:13 promises “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love”.
   
   

To God Be The Glory for biblical freedom through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe! May we forever be mindful of the price He paid for our sins so that we can be free!


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:  
  "Live And Teach The Truth"  Titus 2:1-15
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  Titus 2:1-15 is a portion of Paul's letter of encouragement to Titus a co-laborer in the Gospel Ministry. Paul encourages Titus to stand fast in reminding believers how Christians are to behave as they interact with each other as well as with those who are outside of the faith. This Christian behavior should be such that those outside of the faith cannot truthfully accuse the believers of misconduct. Instead others might be drawn to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

      Are we as Christians demonstrating Christ like          behavior that will  draw unbelievers to the                  acceptance Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

• Next Sunday's Lesson: "The Gift Of Discipline For Discipleship" Hebrews 12:1-13

• 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, July 15, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Choir Practice

Thursday, July 17, 6:30 pm

Virtual Bible Study, 

Saturday, July 19, 10 AM

In-Person & via Zoom

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

40 Year Christians Group Meeting,

Saturday, July 19, 12 Noon

In- Person and via Zoom

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

As we continue our study of Timothy from "Great Characters of the Bible," the Youth are learning, like Timothy, the importance of building a strong faith in Christ and learning and understanding scripture at a young age. With his commitment to spreading the gospel, Timothy was able to bring so many to Christ. With 11 Youth in attendance this past Wednesday, including one of our newest members, Bro. Roman White, and a "friend" of one of our Youth, we will continue to follow Timothy's example of talking about the goodness of God's Word and encourage other Youth to join us! As we complete our study of Timothy within the next couple of weeks, we will move on to our next character, Paul, Timothy's mentor.

The Youth Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday In-Person and every 4th Wednesday via Zoom (Meeting ID: 867 3355 4109) at 7:00 pm. Also please check your GroupMe for our weekly updates and reminders!

Contact Sis. Heather Happy (859.509.2927) for additional information.

WE ARE ONE!

As the “summer season” continues, here are some more “fun events” to do with your child in Lexington and the surrounding counties!!

Click the link below:

https://lexfun4kids.com/summer-bucket-list-for-kids/

Submitted by

Education Ministry

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

APPLE SAUCE JAM CAKE

Ingredients

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

4 beaten eggs

2 cups apple sauce

2 cups jam *I use seedless.

2 tsp soda

4 cups flour

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

1 cup chopped nuts (I mix black walnuts and pecans— dust with flour.

Directions

Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten eggs and ix well. Add jam and applesauce.

Sift dry ingredients and alternate with the creamed mixture. Mix well.

Pour into well-greased tube/bundt pan. I lined it with a little wax paper. Bake for 1 hour and half 350 degrees-this may depend on your oven too!

Right after baking-allow to cool if frosting with caramel icing or an option might be to drizzle a little light clear Karo syrup over the cake and decorate with candied cherries and pecans-then run back in oven for a few minutes. Allow it to cool and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is not too late to leave household good donations in the collection area (See photo above) in the Sunday School Assembly Area for the First Corinthian Baptist Church family members.

On Saturday July 19th, we will take the donated items to Pastor Leslie Whitlock and the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Frankfort KY. We will meet at the church at our usual meeting time of noon, load up the items and head to Frankfort. Please be in prayer for Pastor Whitlock and all who are in the process of starting all over again. 

Thank you,

Sis. Linda

Recent Requests

• Family of Sister Shanna Callaway (Lewisville, TX), who passed. (Niece of Sister Darrylyn Combs, Brother Tony & Sister Patricia Callaway,  Sister Jaquata & Brother Kevin Sykes) Service was July 5, 2025 in Lewisville, TX.
  
  
• Sister Beverly Bowman (Home)
  
  
• Brother Billy Edwards (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Alcorn Edwards (Portsmouth, VA)
  
  
• Jessica Embry (Frankfort)
  
  
• Brother Greg Forrest (Kevil, KY) (Nephew of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Mary Givens (Home)
  
  
• Brother Daron Houtman, Jr. (Wichitaw, KS) (Nephew of Sister Lisa Leath)
  
  
• Sister Iris Horice (Paducah, KY) (Niece of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Karen Johnson (Baptist Health ICU) (Cousin of Sister Bonita Brown; Sister-In-Law of Sister Norma Johnson)
  
  
  
• Sister Juanita Marie Lewis, Jr. (Home)
  
  

• Sister Dawn Gay Martin (Home) 

• Brother Joseph Grant (Hospital St. Louis, MO) (Father of Sister Jessica Grant)
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Thelma Masterson (UK Medical Center ICU)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Brother Daryl Moberly (Uncle of Sister Marva Eubanks)
  
  
• Sister Tyailan Moberly (Home) (Cousin of Sister Marva Eubanks)
  
  
• Brother Charles Moore, Sr. (Denton, TX) (Brother of Sister Shelia Williams)
  
  
• Brother Edward & Sister Ruth Rawlings (Friends of Sister Kim Bond)
  
  
• Veronica Ridgeway (Louisville, KY) (Cousin of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (Home)
    
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tonia Stewart (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Brother Melvin Williams (Home)
  
  

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 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)
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• 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 (Granddaughter of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Stevie Pepper (Columbus, OH) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)(Home)
  
  
• Sister Darlene Pope (Home)
  
  
• Brother James Prather (Home) (Brother of Sisters Tassa Wigginton and Eleanor Smothers)
  
  
• Brother Steven Prater (Richmond Hill, GA)
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• Brother Adrian Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl "Midge" Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carol Thomas (Home)
  
  
• Brother Pete Thompson (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 Full Time 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 responders, etc.
  
  
• The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
  
  
• Our our Local and National Government Officials

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Scriptures that instructs us. Please give us mentors who know You well and can share Your wisdom. Thank you for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread,  July 13, 2025}

Name: Barbara Ridgeway

Current Focus: I am welcoming opportunities to connect with family and friends. One way I do this is as a contracted retiree with the Bureau of Prisons. I support inmates who are patients in hospitals or at
their doctors’ appointments. The assignment is for security while meeting the health needs of the
inmate. While there, I am also investing in my own mental health. Retirees need to stay engaged.
Engagement – that is what this is for me! It’s one of my social outings. Let me explain. This gets me out
of the house and lets me catch up with former colleagues. They understand my journey and experiences in a way that others cannot. Within the correctional services, we were each other’s community. It was a community that I helped build. In their presence I find a space where I can connect, be me and I can “breathe.”

Career: I retired after working over 30 years in the field of correctional services in state and federal
prisons as an employee for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Why this Career?: I don’t think I chose this career. I think this career chose me. Initially, I was working at
the federal prison without a career plan for staying. That changed one afternoon as I was going to my
post. I saw several guys standing on the steps in white shirts. They were all the Lieutenants. They were my “aha moment!” I saw them and suddenly knew that was what I was going to do! I was going to be a Lieutenant. A black woman was going to join the rank of men with those white shirts and that woman was going to be me! True to the vision, I became a GS 9 Lieutenant. It took five years, but I made it. Two years after that, I became a GA 11 Lieutenant and was running things!

I accomplished my career goal through hard work. I stayed focused and did what I needed to do. It was
the best career that was chosen for me. The LORD knows I would never have worked long-term in the
prisons by choice. Not my choice but GOD’s plan! Because of God‘s grace and plenty of GOD’s mercy, I retired as one of the highest ranked Lieutenants in a Breau of Prison as a GS 11 step 10 with 20 plus
years of service!

What do you want your church family to know about you?: You take a vow of secrecy when you work with the Federal Bureau. There were experiences that I had to keep to myself. I could not share what I was going through until I retired. When I couldn’t talk to anyone, GOD talked to me.

One morning I awakened with the message “Write the vision.” I knew the message was GOD given but
had no idea of its meaning. So, I did what we are all doing when we need to find information -- I Googled!
That’s when I discovered Habakkuk 2:2. I had never seen that verse before! I knew GOD had shared that verse with me and if GOD wanted me to see it then I was confident GOD wanted me to do
it! My tablets were my journals, and I wrote and wrote and wrote! I journaled the ups and downs, the
prejudices in the prison system I experienced by being both black and female. I wrote it all down,
including my personal struggle to keep my professional name of Lt. Higgins once my family structure changed. Those journals became the basis for my first published book, Diary of an African American Female Correction Officer.

When my family read the book, they said they could not have taken knowing what I was experiencing. I
understood the love in their statements. Most importantly, I understood that GOD took every pain with and for me and that GOD used it to empower me for good. GOD gave me a story that can now motivate others to keep their vision for career success in predominantly white male environments that may be structured with obstacles intended to hinder their success. When I reflect on the difficult beginning, I realize that there are blessings in all circumstances.

One blessing was finding golf when my career took me to Tallahassee. I was really good, until I wasn’t. I
laugh out loud when I think of my golf game. I laugh out loud and now, I also live out loud. My book
moved me from the can’t tell secrecy to I’ve got a story to tell celebration.

I celebrate life by traveling. My favorite places are near the water. Cancun, the Bahamas – if it’s in the
Caribbean, I will pack my bags and go! I also like to go places or go nowhere with my grandchildren. Just being with them ranks at the top of my list of Favorite Things. My 16 year-old grandson Chris calls me every day during his lunch. For a 30 minutes, we just talk. That’s my favorite half an hour of the day.

Another favorite is my daily walk with my sister, Janice Jackson. These things make me happy.
It’s a blessing to share my happiness as an usher. I came to the role of ushering when I lived in
Tallahassee. I joined the church and wanted to serve but I didn’t know where. The Pastor spoke with me about it and suggested that I usher because I liked to serve people. How right he was! Serving our HPGMBC church family as an usher, is also on my list of Favorite Things! I love my church family and my official time to show it is on my Sunday usher. If it’s my Sunday, you can depend on me being there.

But, you can also depend on me showing that same love 365 days of the year. My heart is kind and my
commitment is real.

Is there anything special your church can do for you? I would ask that the Church to pray for my family
and me. Pray I stay focused in doing what I need to do at church and in my personal life. I need to focus
again on sharing my testimony again as an employee of the federal government. Before COVID 19, I was very focused. Now, I am distracted at a time when people really need encouragement. I remember what working for the federal government could be like. They let you in but they are not expecting you to succeed. But, when you have someone like me who has goals and GOD backing them, then you SOAR.

Trust me when I tell you! You can’t stop a child of the true GOD! Play with them if you want to but
watch and see what happens! I need to help our brothers and sisters in Christ get to get there, “see what
happens!”

What do you want your church family to know about GOD?: God has truly carried my family and me through tough times. Sometimes I thought I was going to lose my mind, but had it not been for God on my side I could not have made it. I have two grandchildren and 1 great grandson. When I lost my
grandson Camerson, it was the hardest loss I have ever experienced in my life. Loving his son Lennox
helped but no person could heal the pain. Only GOD could. GOD never gave up on me as I cried out.
GOD calmed my spirit and said, “Camerson was yours to borrow, but he was mine to keep.” All I can say is, “Thank you, LORD.” When you’re hurting Church, trust GOD to keep you until you can once again say, “Thank you, LORD.”

Adult Child: Angela Martin (Paris, KY)

Grandchildren: Late-Camerson and Chris

Great Grandchld: Lennox

Congratulations to Our Own 

Sister Cathy Black (UK Trustee) Recognized by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees 

For Distinguished Service

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.

Hope For Mental Health

Mental illness brings shame and we think Jesus is ashamed of us too, He is NOT!

Our minds love to remind us of the past. We find ourselves looking back and focusing on our mistakes. As christians , we are challenged to look to what Christ has already done. When we see our scars, we need not be cast down because Christ has taken upon Himself the hurt, shame, pain, guilt, and sin. The power of the enemy holds no power over us because of the Precious Blood of the Lamb. We are redeemed by His overcoming power. Choose to see His scars that brings us life.

Author Katie Derango

Revised and Adapted by
Sarah Shelton Speed

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek professional guidance.

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.