Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church |
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This Week's Latest News!
Greetings Pleasant Green Family,
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"Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning." Psalms 30: 4 -5 KJV
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Words of Hope for 2021
As we stand at the brink of a New Year, 2021, we must remember that God has brought us through an uncertain 2020 with a raging Pandemic, unstable Federal Government, high unemployment, etc. No matter what 2021 brings, it is a certainty that God is never surprised and that He is not within time but that time is within Him. If we continue to place our trust in Him, He will be with us no matter what we face!
Here are a few passages of scripture that will provide comfort as we enter 2021:
[Let your] conduct [be] without covetousness; [be] content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 NKJV
The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Psalms 37:23 NKJV
I have been young, and [now] am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. Psalms 37:25 NKJV
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Happy New Year! May God Bless and Keep You in 2021!
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1,509 New COVID-19 Cases & 21 Deaths Reported in Kentucky as Today, December 27, 2020
(101 New Cases in Fayette County)
Even with the availability of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccines, it is still important and necessary to continue to practice the CDC and Kentucky Governor's Guidance and Mandates. The distribution and administration of the vaccines to millions of people is a monumental task and will take time. Meanwhile we must stay steadfast, vigilant and disciplined in the adherence of safe practices as provided by the CDC and the Kentucky Governor's Health advice in light of the continued spread of the virus. Click CDC VACCINE INFORMATION for some information from the CDC on the COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get a flu vaccination as soon as possible but getting it any time in the flu season is beneficial. VaccineFinderexternal icon to find out where to get vaccinated near you.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick, maintain at least 6 feet from others who are not from your household,
- Wear face masks when in public (Mandatory in Kentucky and is being extended on a 30 day basis until the spread is under control),
- Wash your hands frequently,
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and leave home only when absolutely necessary.
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Congratulations
Pleasant Green Scholars
Young Achiever
Braylon Moss 5th-6th Grades
Straight A's
Kered Anderson 7th Grade
Aaron James Speed 4th Grade
Dean's List
Sabrynn Wright - Tennessee State University
Graduates
Tracy Givens (Nursing) - BCTC
Autumn Jones (Journalism) - UK
Takayah Jones (Art) - UK
Your Pleasant Green Church Family is so proud of your academic accomplishments and we pray for your continued safety and successes!
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WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
- Radio broadcasts Saturdays 9:00 am and 3:00 pm as well as Sundays at 7:30 am on WJMM FM 99.1
(This Sunday’s Lesson:
"Call to Prepare the Way," Matthew 3:1-12; Next Sunday's Lesson: "Called to Proclaim" Luke 4:14-22)
- Virtual Worship Service on Sundays at 10:00 am on the Church Facebook Page, YouTube, and Zoom. It can also be viewed on demand on the church website, http://www.hpgmbc.com/
- "Children's Sunday Worship" 12:00 noon. See Children's Ministry Facebook Page to Signup
- Thank you for giving Tithes and Offerings by mail or the Givelify App. Our address is:
Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church PO Box 11845 Lexington, KY 40578
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Today's Bible Study Lesson
"Called to Prepare the Way"
Aim: Recognize the reality of sin and the need for repentance, Identify with John the Baptist in the call to prepare the way for Christ, and Repent of our sins and bear witness of our repentance through our deeds.
Background: Matthew 3
Bible Lesson: Matthew 3:1-12
Memory Verse:
“For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' " Matthew 3:3 NKJV
Lesson Highlights:
- John was born miraculously to elderly parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25). He leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary came to visit. The fetus (John the Baptist) recognized the Savior of the World in Mary’s womb. (Luke 1:44)
- John came on the scene preaching the Gospel in th Judean wilderness. He appeared after a long silence of prophets from God. Malachi foretold John’s ministry (Malachi 3:1; 4:5)
- John’s message was “repent of your sins and turn to God for the Kingsdom of Heaven is near” (1. A warning to turn from old ways and to pursue God’s righteousness 2. The announcement of the nearness of the Kingsdom of Heaven)
- John’s ministry was prophesized by Isaiah. (“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Isaiah 40:3)
- John the Baptist shared similarities with Elijah. John’s clothing was not fancy but similar to that of Elijah, he wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt girded about his waist ( 2 Kings 1:8) and they both spent time in the wilderness ( 1 Kings 17:5-7; 19:4,15)
- John’s ministry drew crowds from Jerusalem, throughout Judea and the Jordan Valley. People came to the wilderness to hear him.
- Many confessed their sins and he baptized them in the Jordan River symbolizing that they had received and accepted his message
- The Pharisees (those who strictly enforced the adherence to the law delivered by Moses from God and even added a few more laws of their own) and the Saducees (a weathly, well connected political group) both came to see John. Not to repent but to size up their “competition” for they feared his teaching and his following would jeopardize their influence over the people.
- John recognized their hypocrisy and warned them that true repentance was needed and that God’s judgement was coming
- John insisted that they would need to repent just like everyone else or face God‘s judgement. Their actions had to reflect a change not just empty lip serve with words.
- John further explained that ancestry, that of being descendants of Abraham would not provide protection from judgement; for if God desired, He could raise up children for Abraham from the cobblestones lying around about them.
- Then an agricultural example of cutting down fruit trees that did not produce fruit was presented to them to emphasize God’s coming judgment and their need to be accountable for their deeds.
- John did not claim to be the Messiah, but clearly explained that he was only preparing the way. He said he did not consider himself worthy to be a servant to carry the sandals of the Messiah, who was to follow him. He stated further. that the Messiah’s baptism would be greater than the baptism that he was administering and would be with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Fire indicating purification by burning up impurities; providing the Holy Spirit to aid a believer in living righteously) Our baptism today represents an inward change and symbolizes our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Finally, John uses a harvesting example, a separation of chaff from the wheat by throwing it in the wind, so that the chaff could blown away and the grain could fall to the ground. The chaff is later burned up while the wheat is gather into the barn (God will separate true believers from non-believers in His own time!)
Take Aways:
- We as Christians are to prepare the way for Jesus to come into the lives of those who are unsaved with our walk and witness of what God has done in our lives.
- We are to recognize that it is all about Jesus and not about us. We are to let our light so shine so men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
- We must always be ready to repent of our sins and be confident that God is always willing to forgive.
Bible Verses to Keep in Mind:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 NKJV
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea." Mark 9:42 NKJV
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 NKJV
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Bible Lesson Study Questions
We thank Rev. Ron Jones for continuing to faithfully teach and record the Bible Study Lesson following our Virtual Prayer Services each Tuesday evening. The Bible Study Lesson is broadcast on WJMM 99.1 on Saturdays (9:00 AM and 3:00 PM) and Sundays (7:30 AM). If there are Bible Study Lesson questions, you can email them in advance to Rev. Jones at rwilljones@gmail.com for discussion following Bible Study.
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COVID-19 TESTING LOCATIONS
- The Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program provides public testing at no cost to the individual. Testing is available without an appointment, with both walk-up and drive-up options. As of December 9, the Lexington Fayette County Health Department reported a total of 19,464 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lexington, and 137 local deaths have been attributed to the virus.
- Free drive-thru testing also continues, through Bluewater, at Southland Christian Church, 2349 Richmond Road. Testing is available 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary.
- Bluewater, which also administers testing at Mayor’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing Program locations, is offering tests at no cost to the patient. Health insurance information may be requested, but is not required, to receive testing. Tests are available to anyone. Results are generally available in 48-72 hours.
- Additionally, through a partnership with the University of Kentucky, UK HealthCare and Wild Health, testing is available to the public at 1505 College Way and 1350 Bull Lea Road. These sites are not intended for UK student testing. Free drive-thru testing is available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting lexington.wildhealth.com.
- Drive-thru testing is also available seven days a week at the Walgreen’s testing location at 2296 Executive Drive (the corner of Winchester Road and Executive Drive). Tests will continue while test kits are available. Online registration is required at walgreens.com/coronavirus.
Finally, most private healthcare providers are offering testing options for their patients. Urgent Care Centers are also offering COVID-19 testing.
For information on more testing sites go to: lexingtonky.gov/COVID-19.
Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory has been recognized by the state of Kentucky for expanding the state’s COVID-19 testing capacity. Based in Mount Washington, KY, they are committed to be an industry leader in cutting-edge instrumentation and testing methodologies.
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP STATUS
The HPGMBC Joint Board met as scheduled on Saturday, October 24, to assess the safety of resuming In-Person Worship Services. With prayerful consideration of the current COVID-19 Virus infection rate and the composition of our membership, it was decided to not resume In-Person Worship Services for the remainder of this year. The Joint Board will reassess the situation in January, 2021.
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Prayer Requests
- Family of Sister Benita Peoples ( Rev. Samuel Peoples' wife); Service, Tuesday, December 29, 12:00 pm, Unity Worship Center, 1975 Haggard Ct.
- Family of Brother Glen Spencer who went home to be with Lord (St. Louis, MO) (Brother Anthony Wright's cousin)
- Family of Brother Chris Sykes who went home to be with the Lord (Junelle, Mary, Irene and Pam Sykes' brother)
- Brother Reginald Thedford (Hospital, St. Louis, MO) (Anthony Wright' cousin)
- Sister Gloria Tompkins (Homestead Rehabilitation Unit)
- Sister Eleanor Beatty (Home)
- Benjamin Brown, Jr. (Home) ( Sister Bonita Brown and Ben Brown's son)
- Sister Nannie Caise (Home) (Sister Norma Johnson's mother)
- Paul Coffey (Home)
- Sister Gwen Johnson (Home)
- Rev. Jonathan Morehead (Home)
- Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home
- Brother Sam Prather (Home) (Sister Tassa Wigginton's brother)
- Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
- Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
- Brother Larry Leath and family (Recovering from Surgery, FL)
- Sister Thelma Wright (Home) (Brother Carl Wright's wife)
- Residence of Homestead, Pine Meadow and other Nursing Homes
- Each person listed on our Sick List
- COVID-19 Victims around the world
- Healthcare workers, First respondents, etc.
- The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
- HPGMBC Pulpit Committee
- Our Nation and our Government Officials
Heaven Father, Thank You that whatever the new year brings that You will be with us. In Jesus Name. Amen
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YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
- If you have not completed the HPGMBC In-Person Re-Opening Survey, please click SURVEY and complete it. In preparation for in-person worship services, the Re-Opening Committee would like each member to complete the survey.
- In an attempt to expand the options for communicating information to HPGMBC Family Members, if you have a cell phone, please complete the Cell Phone Information Form for yourself and encourage others to do the same.
- Volunteers are needed to assist in the HPGMBC Online/Virtual Communications Ministry. Some of the needed knowledge and skills are Facebook and/or YouTube live streaming, video recording, video editing, general computer use, etc. If you are willing to assist, please click and complete this Contact Form. Thank you in advance for your willing spirit to help in Outreach and Kingdom Building.
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