"I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications."  

Psalm 116:1 KJV

For 23 years, Elijah E. Cummings, the son of sharecroppers, represented Maryland’s 7^th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected in 1996, he served on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from his earliest days in Congress until his death in 2019, becoming its Ranking Minority Member in December 2010 and Committee Chair in his last year.

During his committee tenure, Rep. Cummings participated in a wide range of high-profile investigations, from inquiries into high-priced prescription drugs that put health care out of reach for average families, to the attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, to the separation of families at the U.S. border.

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of REPRESENTATIVES gave a fitting tribute to Rep. Cummings she said:

“In the House of Representatives Elijah was our “North Star.” He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose.”

In a speech during the summer of 2019 Rep. Cummings started a speech by declaring to the Congressional committee on oversight and reform that he chaired, “We’re (the country as a whole and our Democratic form of government is…)better than this!”

This sentiment ebbed from his indomitable spirit and faith in God and the American people. Representative Cummings said of himself, “Who am I? What drives me? Where do I get my resolve? What am I made of? These are questions we don’t ask ourselves. They’re hard to answer. We have to look inside.”

Cummings further stated, “I’m made of those who’s came before me —-my parents and grandparents—-of those who surrounded me—-my brothers ad sisters—-the places that shaped me—-the streets I grew up on and the lessons I lived and breathed without even knowing.”

Author James Dale wrote: that Rep. Cummings was “Known for his poise, intellect, and influence until his death in October 2019, Elijah Cummings was one of the most respected figures in contemporary politics, a politician who held fast to his beliefs but was not afraid to reach across the aisle in the name of friendship and progress. He proved his abilities as a politician who could operate at the highest levels of democracy, serving the people of Baltimore and illustrating the importance of working with, and for, the underdog. In Cummings final years he recognized that democracy was the underdog.”

Rep. Elijah Cummings never gave up on democracy. He embodied the inspirational words that Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated to encourage the citizens of Great Britain when they were under attack during World War II, “Never Give In…Never Give In…Never Give In”…a rallying cry to bolster courage and resilience urging people to keep trying and not give up when faced with challenges!

I was blessed to have lunch with Rep. Cummings at one of the Progressive National Baptist Conventions. Rep. Cummings shared with me many words of wisdom from his vast experiences. I found him to be an extremely optimistic and encouraging person. I will never forget the opportunity that the Lord gave me in allowing me to meet a truly great man as Rep. Elijah Cummings…a true Representative for all Citizens.

Revelation 14:13 bespeaks his legacy:

Thus saith the Lord, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”

Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr.
Church Historian, Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church
February 16, 2025

Gospel singer Richard Smallwood sings the song, Oh, How He Loves You And Me. The lyrics say in part “Oh how He loves you and me. He gave his life, what more could he give? Oh, how he loves you and me.” Throughout our year of healing, we look at the true spiritual love of God and its incredible healing power! 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides one of the most eloquent descriptions of love…

It reads… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

This passage doesn’t merely define love but brings it to life. It shows that love is active and 'rejoices with the truth' and embodies resilience through protection, trust, hope, and perseverance.

The Bible not only describes love but demonstrates it through the life and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, exemplified in the ultimate act of love mentioned in John 15:13… 'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'

In 1 John 4:8 the apostle John simply states, Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Peter highlights the redemptive power of love in 1 Peter 4:8, underscoring love's central role in Christian ethics and community. It reads, Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

To God Be The Glory, for the Bible which teaches of a God of love whose very nature defines and commands our own capacity for love. The Bible warns against half-hearted spiritual engagement, urging a fervent, active faith. These teachings remain as relevant and powerful today as they were thousands of years ago, offering guidance, comfort, and a call to action for all who seek to live a life of wholeness, love, and everlasting spiritual devotion.

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: "God's Mercy To Do The Right Thing" Jonah 3:1-10
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  After Jonah's "Big Fish" experience, God gives Jonah another chance to obey His command to warn the people Nineveh of pending destruction for their evil behavior. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the common man, humbled themselves and demonstrated remorse for their evil behavior. Their repentance averted destruction of the city.
  
  As God granted both Jonah and the people of Nineveh a second chance to be obedient to His will and way, we should be reminded that God gives and has given us second, third, etc. chances to repent of our disobedient ways. Will we in turn give others second, third, etc. chances to do what is right in the sight of God?
  
  
• Next Sunday's Lesson: "Godly Leadership" Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8

• 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 176

Jeremiah 35-37

Psalm 73:1-9

DAY 177

Jeremiah 38-41

Psalm 73:10-14

DAY 178

Jeremiah 42-45

Psalm 73:15-28

DAY 179

Jeremiah 46-48

Psalm 74:1-8

DAY 180

Jeremiah 49-50

Psalm 74:9-17

DAY 181

Jeremiah 51-52

Psalm 74:18-23

DAY 182

Lamentations 1-3

Psalm 75:1-5

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service, Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Virtual Bible Study, Saturday, 

February 22, 10 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Greetings!

On behalf of the Youth Ministry of Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, we would like to take the opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to those who attended our Black History Program on Saturday! What a truly blessed event it was! Our Youth were blessed with an educational experience on our rich Black American history in preparation for our upcoming spring break trip. The speakers, two of Pleasant Green’s own, Mr. John Moore, principal of Ashland Elementary School here in Lexington, KY, and Dr. Rev. Marland Fain, Pastor of Cedar Top Baptist Church in Wilmore, KY. Both shared very informative and engaging presentations of the historical importance of the two historical sites we will visit in April; the site of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where “The Little Rock Nine” (9 Black students) attempted to integrate in 1957, and Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a self-made, self-run Black-owned community, first founded at the end of the Civil War in 1865 and when slavery was abolished. These two historical sites are not only a part of African American history, but to our country’s history during the monumental periods of segregation and Jim Crow. In their own unique way, both Mr. Moore and Rev. Fain gave very powerful deliveries of how these two very important events helped shape American history as well as its impact relative to today, from education to housing for Black Americans. We are so thankful to have the love and support of our Church family as we continue to afford our Youth with every opportunity we can for their future and success. We hope you will consider joining us as we travel in April as we extend the invitation to our Church family. Please contact us for further details. We are dedicated to keep serving our Lord, our Church, our community and one another because we are all on this journey together. We ask that you continue to keep our Youth lifted in prayer and again, thank you for your continued love and support.

Yours in Christ,

The Youth Ministry

P.S. Please remember our in-house fundraising project “Count Your Blessings” will be going on through the end of March! Ask a Youth for more information!

Excerpt from https://fosterlove.com/blog/bl...

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

Strawberry Poke Cake

(An Original  Recipe by Alyce Emerson)

Ingredients:

1 box strawberry cake mix
1 jar of strawberry jam
1 small carton of extra creamy cool whip
1 container of fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries

Directions:

• Bake cake mix according to package directions and pour into a greased cake pan (long)
• Bake for 30 —35 minutes on 300-350 in oven
• While warm. Poke holes into cake with handle of long spoon
• Gently pour jar of jam over the cake w holes and try and spread gently.
• Allow to cool
• Top with cool whip and strawberries
• Allow time to set in the refrigerator
  
  A yummy and simple Valentine’s Day treat I made for hubby. Rev Wendell Emerson and he liked it

Recent Requests

• Family of Sister Rita Maxberry, who passed.  (Sister-in-Law of Sister Dorothy Haskins) Service was Friday, February 7.
  
  
• Family of Sister Millie Scarber, who passed. (Wife of Brother Donald Scarber) Service was February 13, 2025.
  
  
• 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 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
  
  

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)
  
  
• Brother Derrick Winn (Home)
  
  
• Sister Sabrynn Wright
  
  
• 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, You are the all-knowing one. When we do not understand what is happening, please help us to trust You. Thank You for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread, 

February 12, 2025}

Name: Donovan C. Offutt

Grade/School: 9th /Carter G. Woodson Academy

Career Goals: Scientist (Chemist or Technology)

Why Career Goals: I like science and technology. I find all those courses to be really interesting!

What do you want your church family to know about you? I run track. I run the 200m and 400m. I also do the high jump. I
have 10 medals in track. I have 1 gold and 1 silver in 200m. I have a silver in the 400m. I have one silver in the high jump. The rest of my medals are bronze. I have been doing track for about three years. I have a 3.75 GPA and like to travel to historic black sites. The MLK Museum and the Underground Railroad Museum are two of my favorites. I also love my family!

What do you want church family to know about GOD?
The Kingdom of Heaven is within you. Your faith can be as small as a mustard seed - or a sunflower seed - and God will work 

through you.

Parents: Sis. Dawn C. Offutt

Grandparents: Bro. and Sis. Don C. and Dorothy C. Offutt Sr.

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.

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.