"We love him, because he first loved us."  1John 4:19 KJV

Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. added to Westminster Abbey in 1998 England.

A tribute not only to commemorate Dr. King, for his laudatory contributions to humanity, but also a tribute to his family, and all of ebony hue imbued mankind that trod and tread this mortal’s vineyard here below. On God’s terrestrial shores.

This honor thus bestowed amplifies God’s declared word for His creation to always observe:
“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” Acts 17:26

THEREFORE, WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPER!

Dr. King, Mankind’s Drum Major for Peace and Justice, before God retrieved his soul and mankind Interred his mortal body lovingly warned us with these words:

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools!"

Would to God we that yet hath God’s precious breath within our lungs would heed Dr. King’s prayerful words to live as we should all should live endeavoring to always strive to do our best through God’s Grace, which He reminds us is “sufficient!”

Martin Luther King Jr
Priest/Minister (Dr. King’s Vita: Courtesy of the Westminster Abbey Committee that bestowed this honor on him.)

Martin Luther King Jr, was born on 15 January 1929. His father was the minister of the Ebenezer Baptist church in Atlanta, Georgia. It was this vibrant and confident tradition of African-American Christianity that fashioned King’s childhood, inspired his sense of identity and purpose, and sustained his great convictions. As a little boy, he saw for himself the violence of racial hatred, and the oppression of African Americans at every turn in their daily lives.

At the age of fifteen he entered Morehouse College in Atlanta. Then he travelled on to Crozier Theological College in the north of the country. Here he met students from all backgrounds, and matured in the company of his peers, cultivating his gifts for intellectual life and finding a new breadth of experience. He was ordained.
Civil rights movement

In the 1950s African-American communities were becoming increasingly vocal against racial segregation and persecution, drawing on what was already a rich tradition of protest against oppression, and now transforming it into a new, campaigning force for change. Martin Luther King’s first church was Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, in Alabama. As a leading light in the community he was soon drawn into a demonstration against segregation on the city’s bus Services. It was brilliantly successful. King soon formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and pressed ahead in his fight for justice. The cost that he and his own family paid for his new work was all too evident; there were death threats and bombs. Police harassment and imprisonment lay ahead.
King’s prophetic vision combined an explicitly Christian language of freedom and justice with an appeal to American democracy. Peaceful protests would affirm the dignity of African-Americans and embarrass their oppressors before the eyes of the world. His approach was essentially Gandhian. Violence bred violence only. Love must reply to hate.

Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr.
Church Historian, Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church
February 3, 2025

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Vanessa Bell Armstrong wrote the 80s gospel song, “For God So Loved The World.” She poignantly sings, “…but He knew the price of one lost soul was more than wealth could buy;and if redemption were ever bought, only LOVE would satisfy.” Love is in the air throughout the month of February. And as we continue our look at God’s healing power through love, let’s examine John 3:16.

John 3:16 reads… For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The verse starts with “For God,” pointing out that Salvation is a God thing. It is initiated by Him. It’s His plan. It’s His work. It’s all Him.

Ephesians 1:3-6 teaches…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
He called us, He saved us, He chose us, He predestined us. God is actively involved in every aspect of our salvation. Before He put the world into existence, God had us in mind.

John 3:16 goes on to say…So loved…

In Romans 5:8, we learn that God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Next that passage mentions, The World…God’s love extends to every single person who has ever lived, is living, or will ever live. 1 John 2:2 declares, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

It goes on to point out…That He Gave His Only Begotten Son…Ephesians 5:2 instructs, And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

And the passage continues with…That Whosoever Believeth In Him… In our belief in Jesus, we affirm Acts 4:12 which says, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Should not perish…Romans 6:23 is clear, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And finally it reads…But have everlasting life.1 Corinthians 2:9 states, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

To God Be The Glory for John 3:16. Because salvation is all about God, He gets all the glory. Let us forever be thankful for His love,—a love so great that He gave His one and only Son so that we could have eternal life.

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 Generosity Overcomes Selfishness" Amos 6:4-8,11-14
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  The prophet Amos pointed out to the wealthy of his day their lavish living while the less fortunate struggled with securing the necessities of life. He challenged them to exercise generosity to those in need. 
  
  God's message through Amos in his day is still relevent to us today. How does God view our generosity to the less fortunate and needy today?
  
  
• Next Sunday's Lesson: "God's Mercy To Do The Right Thing" Jonah 3:1-10

• 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 169

Jeremiah 10-13

Psalm 69:29-36

DAY 170

Jeremiah 14-17

Psalm 70

DAY 171

Jeremiah 18-22

Psalm 71:1-8

DAY 172

Jeremiah 23-25

Psalm 71:9-14

DAY 173

Jeremiah 26-29

Psalm 71:15-18

DAY 174

Jeremiah 30-31

Psalm 71:19-24

DAY 175

Jeremiah 32-34

Psalm 72

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service, Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Virtual Bible Study, Saturday, 

February 15, 10 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

40 Year Christians Group Zoom Meeting, 

Saturday, February 15, 12 PM

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

How to Make Difficult Conversations About Race Age-Appropriate

Use Simple Language: For example, instead of saying “systemic racism,” explain that “sometimes people are treated unfairly because of their skin color, and that’s not right.”

Focus on the Positive: Emphasize heroes and role models who fought for equality, like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., and explain how they made the world better for everyone.

Share Stories: Reading books or watching age-appropriate shows about diversity is a great way to help them understand race. Check out THIS LIST of books and THIS LIST of movies for great content that presents these important topics in a way that’s easy for kids to understand.

Ask Questions: Encourage your child to ask questions and be open to answering them honestly, but in a way they can understand. You don’t have to give them every detail—just enough to start a meaningful conversation.

Use Examples from Everyday Life: You can use real-life situations, like how everyone should be treated kindly, and compare that to how we wouldn’t want someone to be excluded or picked on because of their race.

Reassure Them: Remind kids that it’s okay to feel confused, sad, or upset when learning about difficult topics like racism, and that asking questions is a good way to understand more.

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

Recent Requests

• Family of Sister Millie Scarber, who passed. (Wife of Brother Donald Scarber) Arrangements: Thursday February 13, 2025. Visitation: 10:00am until 12: pm; Funeral service 12pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1825 Russell Cave Road. Burial: Camp Nelson
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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, thank You for the giving us life through Christ. Please help us to keep Him at the center of all we do. Thank You for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread, 

February 5, 2025}

Name: China Johnson

Grade/School: 8th / Lexington Traditional Magnet (LTMS)

Career Goals: 
Professional Basketball and Lawyer

Why Career Goals: 

Professional Basketball: I want to be good at the sport I play! I want to be the best. I want to take it somewhere. I am good at basketball and I want to excel at it. Also, I really want to do so because my dad played basketball. I want him to be proud of me. And, (I want to do it) because people said I couldn’t do it. I like to prove people wrong!

Lawyer: I love to be in that professional setting. I want to see what I can do in that environment. I thought of being a police officer but that’s dangerous. I want to be safe. That puts me in the courtroom. I will be that person if you are innocent, I would defend your case. I like to help people. I also know that if someone is lying who has done something wrong, then I think they need to
take accountability. So, I don’t know if I’d be the defender or the prosecutor but either way, I’d be helping people.

What do you want your church family to know about you?
I love to listen to poetry. I love to read and I love basketball, of course. I also love food. I really love food. 

I can be inconsistent. But, at the end of the day, I am going to work hard and complete things. I’ll be honest, I might not complete on the time table someone else has for me. But, I will get the job done. I am the type of person who wants the church family to know they can depend on me and that I won’t judge them. I hope they don’t judge me. I am still growing. Sometimes I am very excited – like emotional - and sometimes I am very calm.

What do you want church family to know about GOD? The first thing I would say about GOD is He is our Father and our
Protector. He is there to comfort us. He is never going to leave you. He is OMNIPRESENT! He loves you.

My experiences with Him have included me not being able to do things the way I wanted to or the way I needed to do them. But,
whenever I have showed GOD that I am dedicated and determined, He has made things possible for me. He has been
there with me. I remember my first basketball game. I was so nervous. But, I felt Him with me. I felt Him with me I really did! I know He will always be with me to show me every step of the way. I don’t doubt Him. He is always, always, always, always,
there. When your parents and siblings can’t be with you, GOD is there. GOD will never leave you.

Parents: Sis. Diana Mabson

Grandparent: My surrogate grandfather is Rev. Wendell Emerson. He is playing that role for me. He has loved me into this church.

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.