"God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1 KJV

We conclude our look at spiritual music and lyrics and “the story behind the song,” with the classic well known Christian hymn, “How Great Thou Art!”

O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

In Psalm 19, stanza 1, David tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”

“How Great Thou Art” is one of the most popular spiritual songs of our time.

Although it has only become popular in the last seventy years, the origins of this hymn go back to the breathtaking hills and valleys of Sweden. Sometime around 1885, Reverend Carl Boberg, a well-known Lutheran minister, wrote the original, stirring words of the classic.

In writing the song, scholars say Boberg was inspired by the natural beauty of his homeland, especially after a summer thunderstorm. Arriving home, he penned three verses on the same theme and entitled this new song “O Great God.” Over the years, translations were made into German, Russian, and English, but the hymn never enjoyed the immense popularity which it does today.

In 1927, the Russian translation came into the hands of an English missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine, who were serving in the western Ukraine. Mr. Hine sang it in Russian for a number of years and then translated three verses into English. When the Second World War broke out, the Hines’ returned to England bringing “How Great Thou Art” with them.

A fourth verse was added to the hymn in 1948, and the next year the entire hymn appeared in a gospel magazine which Mr. Hine published. It was immediately popular and soon reprints were being requested by churches and missionaries all over the world!

To God Be The Glory for the gospel classic, “How Great Thou Art”. The magnificent lyrics celebrate the majesty and sovereignty of God, focusing on His creative power and love demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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:
    
  "How Can We Have Faith Despite Opposition?" Numbers 14:1-10
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  In today's lesson, the Israelites refuse to enter the Promised Land because of their lack of faith and they fondly reflect on their day's of slavery in Egypt. Caleb, one of those who spied out the land unsuccessfully urged the people to trust God and go claim the land that God had given them. The people's lack of faith resulted in a 40 year wilderness wandering experience.

      As Christians, how often do we reject God's             directions and rely upon our own limited                     "perception" of situations that we face?                  

• Next Sunday's Lesson: "Why Should We Be Humble In A Prideful World?" Deuteronomy 8:6-20

• 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, September 30, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Choir Practice

Thursday, October 2, 6:30 pm

 Bible Study,

In-Person & Virtual

Saturday, October 4, 10:00 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Click HERE to view the 

HPGMBC Pastor Search Surveys

or

 Surveys may be obtained by calling the Church 

During the month of September, the Youth Ministry will continue the study of Paul (aka Saul). The Youth have done an extensive study of this dynamic character in the Bible through film, role play and interactive play. This is the third character that we have studied from “Great Characters of the Bible” by Dr. Alan B. Stringfellow, and we encourage ALL Youth to join us as we continue to study and learn the Bible in a way that is fun, but most of all, spirit filled. The Youth Ministry meets in-person every 2^nd & 4^th Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Stay tuned next month for the next “great” character that we will study.

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

WE ARE ONE!

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 from Nutrition Education Program, UK Cooperative Extension Service.

Blessings to all.

Sister Linda Gates, President

Chicken Burgers

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound 98% fat-free, ground chicken breast
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 clove of garlic, minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, torn or shredded
• 1 large tomato, cut into 8 slices

Optional: 2 tablespoons cheese, such as blue cheese, feta, or shredded cheese

Directions

1. Wash hands with warm water and soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, barbecue sauce, green onion, celery, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Using wet hands (to prevent mixture from sticking), form chicken mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.
   Wash hands with warm water and soap after handling raw poultry.
4. Preheat a large skillet over low to medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Place burgers in the preheated skillet. Cook until burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F as measured on a meat thermometer, about 5 minutes per side.
6. To serve, place each burger on a bun. Top each with 1/2 cup shredded lettuce,
   2 tomato slices, and optional
   1/2 tablespoon of cheese.
7. Refrigerate leftovers
   within 2 hours.

Makes 4 servings

Serving size: 1 burger on bun with toppings

Recent Requests

• Family of Sister Kendall Browning (FL), who passed. (Great niece of Sister Regina Hair)
  
  
• Sister Christa Dunn (Home)
  
  
• Sister Erica Gill (Daughter of the late Rev. O. D. Gill) (Baptist Health Medical Center)
  
  
• Brother Darius Hall, Jr. (14 year old Grandson of Sister Marion Hall) (Cincinnati Children's Hospital)
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Genice Moody Mays (Los Angeles, CA) (Youngest sister of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Brother Joe Stewart, Sr. (Father of Sister Tonia Stewart)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carol Thomas (Home)
  

Ongoing Requests:

• Brother Levi Fishback (Harrodsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center, Harrodsburg, KY)
  
  
• Brother Joseph Grant (Hospital St. Louis, MO) (Father of Sister Jessica Grant)
  
  
• Sister Anna Jarber (Homestead Nursing Home)
  
  
• Sister Thelma Masterson (Homestead Nursing Home)
   
• 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 Ruby Branham (Prestonsburg, KY) (Mother of Sister Jackie Peoples)
  
  
• Sister Beverly Bowman (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)
  
  
• Brother Billy Edwards (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Alcorn Edwards (Portsmouth, VA)
  
  
• Sister Jessica Embry
  
  
• Brother Marvin Emerson  (Home)
  
  
• Sister McKinley Emerson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Greg Forrest (Kevil, KY) (Nephew of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Johnetta Frazier (Home)
  
  
• Sister Wanda Frazier (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Rev. Jerry Gumm (Home)
  (Friends of the late Dr. Charles Black's family)
  
  
• Sister Sheryl Haskins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Jeanette Higgins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Gwendolyn Holloman (Home) (Wife of Bishop J. B. Holloman)
  
  
• Sister Iris Horice (Paducah, KY) (Niece of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Brother Daron Houtman, Jr. (Wichita, KS) (Nephew of Sister Lisa Leath)
  
  
• Brother Branson Irvin (Indianapolis, IN) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Julian Jackson (Home) (Father of Brother Jarold Jackson)
  
  
• Sister Kemona Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Vera Johnson (Home) (Sister of Sister Marion Hall)
  
  
• Brother Vincino Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Travis Jones (Home ) (Brother of Sisters Liz Brooks, Trina Morton, and Sobona Sweat)
  
  
• Sister Janet King (Classmate of Sister Norma Johnson)
  
  
• Brother Larry Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Lindsey Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Patricia Leavell (Home)
  
  
• Sister Karisma Lockhart (Los Angeles, CA) and her family (Niece of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Jackie Lindsay (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Sister Danise Madison (Seattle, WA) (Sister of Sister Bonita Brown)
  
  
• Sister Dawn Gay Martin (Home)
  
  
• Brother Everett Martin (Home)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Sister Elnora Miller (Home) (Mother of Sister Lisa Miller)
  
  
• Sister Lisa Miller (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)
  
  
• Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home)
  
  
• Sister Ashanti Owens (Granddaughter of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Sister Brittany Payne (Home)
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• Brother Edward & Sister Ruth Rawlings (Friends of Sister Kim Bond)
  
  
• Veronica Ridgeway (Louisville, KY) (Cousin of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
  
• Sister Annette Reid (Home)
  
  
• Brother Ashley Roach
  
  
• Sister Gayle Rush-Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tamika Sales (Home)
  
  
• Brother Donald Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Sharp (Maysville, KY) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Brother Drery Shelton (St. Joseph Hospital) (Friend of Sister Bonnie Shelton)
  
  
• Brother Doug Smith (Brother of Rev. Michael Smith) (Home, Louisville, KY)
  
  
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Pennie Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Eleanor Smothers (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tonia Stewart (Home)
  
  
• Brother Adrian Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl "Midge" Taylor (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 Melvin Williams (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 Wildfires
  
  
• 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, when You lead us through a barren land and we fear the terrors of the night, please reassure us that You are with us. Thank you for Jesus. In His Name. Amen

 {Adapted from Our Daily Bread,  September 27, 2025}

NEWLYWEDS

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Sweat! Married September 26, 2025 in St Petersburg, Florida. The bride is Courtney, the daughter of Sister Valerie Marshall and Brother Mike Taylor.

Congratulations to Rev. David R. Peoples, 

Pastor Elect of Imani Baptist Church

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.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a moment that serves as a powerful reminder that there are steps we all must take in looking out for loved ones, the people in our community, and those who have been impacted by this leading cause of death. It's time to take one big step together.

Below is a resource article regarding suicide disparities provided by Sister Bilan White.