"Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity!"  Psalm 133:1 NKJV

This year our church theme for 2025 focuses on “A Year of Healing”. In 1950, Ira Stanphill wrote the song, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” The chorus acknowledges, “Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.” As we continue to examine bible stories of healing, let’s take a look at Jesus and the paralytic…

Matthew 9:2-8 reads…And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” –he then said to the paralytic– “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home.

When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

To God Be The Glory…Several times in the Bible Jesus talks about forgiveness of sins in the midst of healing. Jesus knew his purpose on this earth was to offer hope and healing, not just for physical needs but for our souls as well. He wants to heal our bodies but even more so, he wants to heal our hearts when they are hurt or broken. Jesus is always ready and willing to comfort us into his healing arms.

Sister Cathy Black

DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT:

Preface: The transcribers of the King James Version of the Holy Bible recorded in the Gospel of John 10:19 the following syntax, … “Did not Israel know?…” (Did Israel fail to understand?) In the African American parlance of older black preachers they said this phrase this way, “Did you not know?” Did you not understand?

DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing sports!

Dr. King’s close friends and family remember him for his great sense of humor.

“We often wish that … [the] masses of his followers could know him as we knew him. He had to be very serious in public, and people get the impression that ‘you’re always serious and meditating.’ But Martin was just so human,” Coretta Scott King said in a 1978 interview posted in the archives of Chicago’s PBS station.

When Dr. King was outside of the pulpit, “He could be as playful as a six-year-old child,” she said. He loved people, and he kept people laughing.

In a March 2017 Xernona Clayton described her good friend, Martin, as “the funniest man alive” and a person who always wanted others to feel comfortable.

Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and Dr. King were both in their 20s when they met. Mr. Young described his friend as easygoing and humble.

“He was a good basketball player, because he was very quick, and he could shoot with either hand. But he grew up in the Y.” “The YMCA in those days had pool tables and ping pong tables, so he could shoot pool and he could play table tennis. He was just an all-around good guy, and he got along with everybody.”

Coretta Scott King said (Dr. King)“He had that serious moral bent, and he could only go so far in the direction of doing wrong because he was constrained to a point. And I think that there’s no question that Martin was God’s gift, again, to America and it’s too bad that America has not yet appreciated that.”

Dr. King was determined. His son, Martin Luther King III, said his father taught him how to navigate through conflict without being destructive.

“He taught us how to engage, how to disagree without being disagreeable, and we’ve got to reintroduce that in our society.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. loved people and dedicated his life to the work of leading the United States of America in striving to “Press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Not just in Christianity but in American Society as well.

Dr. King warned us before his tragic death, he said: “We must learn to live together as brothers (and sisters) or perish as fools.” In 2025, on this years remembrance of Dr. King’s sacrificial service as America’s “Drum Major for Justice and Peace, we need to heed Dr. King’s warning and “Press toward that “higher calling” that the Framers wrote in the Preamble of the U.S Constitution for ALL of the “WE”…the people of these United States of America:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr.

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: "Daniel's Prayer Of Confession On Behalf Of The People" Daniel 9:1-7, 17-19
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  While in Babylonian captivity, Daniel offered an intercessory prayer for Israel. His prayer included:
  
  
  • Confession of willful disobedience of God’s Law
    
  • Recognition of God’s righteousness
    
  • Admission of God’s warning of punishment for disobedience
    
  • Plea for God’s direct focus on Israel
    
  • Plea for God’s mercy on Israel
    
    
  We as Christians need to follow Daniel’s example and offer intercessory prayers for our families, friends, foes, church, and country for we like Israel have been and are willfully disobedient to God’s Law.
  
  
• Next Sunday's Lesson: "God's Commitment To An Faithful Bride"  Hosea 1:1-11

• 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 your giving Tithes and Offerings given In-Person, by mail or with the Givelify App. 
  
  
• Give with CashApp: $1790pgchurch
  
  Our address is:

Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church

PO Box 11845
Lexington, KY 40578

Daily Bible Readings

DAY 148

Job 38-39

Psalm 62:1-8

DAY 149

Job 40-42

Psalm 62:9-12

DAY 150

Songs of Solomon 1-8

Psalm 63:1-5

DAY 151

Isaiah 1-4

Psalm 63:6-11

DAY 152

Isaiah 5-8

Psalm 64:1-6

DAY 153

Isaiah 9-12

Psalm 64:7-10

DAY 154

Isaiah 13-17

Psalm 65:1-8

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service, Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Virtual Bible Study, Saturday, 

January 25, 10 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

40 Year Christian Group Zoom Meeting, Saturday,

January 25, 12 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

As previously reported, the Interim Pastor Search Committee re-opened the position following the Church's direction. The deadline for application submissions is midnight, January 20, 2025.

The Committee will provide a comprehensive report after reviewing the applications and present its recommendations at a future official Church Meeting. Please continue to pray for us as we seek to align with God’s will throughout this process.

Getting Back into the School Routine

It’s that time again. We know it's not an easy transition, but you've got this. These tips on “getting back into the school routine” after holiday break will help.

Click on the links below

6 Ways to Make Going Back to School After Winter Break Easy This Year

7 Tips for Transitioning Back to School After Winter Break (parents.com)

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 comes from Sister Alyce Emerson from thelittleshine.com.

Blessings to all.

Sister Linda Gates, President

Recent Requests

• Family of Brother Mike Laine, who passed. (Brother of Rev. Tony Laine) Service was Saturday, January 18.
  
  
• Family of Brother Melvin Sykes, who passed. (Brother of Sister Paula Brown and Brothers Kevin and Kermit Sykes) Service was Saturday, January 18.
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Sister Millie Scarber (UK Medical Center)
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (Home)
    
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Brother Pete Thompson (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)
  
  
• Sister Rita Maxberry (Pine Meadow Nursing Home) (Sister-in-Law of Sister Dorothy Haskins)
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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 forgive us when we have chosen not to walk with You but pursued our own agendas. Help us keep in step with You. Thank You for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread, 

January 14, 2025}

Name: McKinley Emerson

Grade/School:10th/Lafayette High School

Career Goals: Orthodontist or Dental Hygienist

Why Career Goals: I always liked my dentist, even when I was
little. (And) I always like watching the orthodontists put other
people’s braces on when I’m there getting my braces adjusted.

What do you want your church family to know about you?
I play basketball (Post position). I like hanging out with my friends and family. I just got my driver’s permit!!!!

What do you want your church family to know about GOD?
GOD is always with us during the rough times. HE doesn’t leave
our side. We can always talk to HIM. HE is always there to listen,
even when no one else is. HE is there for you. He will always
support you He blesses us in many ways. HE love us!

Parents: Sis Kellye Emerson

Grandparents: Rev. & Dr. Wendell and Alyce Emerson

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.