Articles by: admin

morning

morning

It Happened Again This Morning

Every day, every week, every month, every year, year after year, it is stil happening. People are waking up, getting up, and going about their regular routine without even giving it a second thought.  How awesome is that?

Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful our bodies are and thanked the Lord for allowing you to awaken each morning, for each breath he gives you, for the energy he gives you, and for keeping you safely through another day?

We so very often take for granted the many blessings we receive from our Heavenly Father and sometimes we do not realize how many blessings we receive until one of them is gone.

Psalms 139:14 ” I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.”

Let’s remember to take a few minutes each morning to praise and thank our Creator for our body he so “fearfully and wonderfully” made.

 

Your thoughts?

 
Health Seminar Weekend

Health Seminar Weekend

Health Seminar Weekend - September 8-9, 2023

Seminar presented by David Emerson, MD, an international speaker renowned for cultivating a holistic lifestyle approach to various illnesses.  With  a wealth of experience, he brings a unique perspective that blends cutting-edge research with the wisdom of proven results of a healthy lifestyle.   He has also given talks on 3ABN, a satellite broadcasting network with worldwide coverage.  Schedule is as follows:

Friday, September 8th, 6:30 p.m. – The Endurance Advantage

Sabbath, September 9th:

10-11 a.m. – Beat Heart  Disease

11 a.m. – Power From On High

  2 p.m. – Diabetes: Real Cause, Simple Solutio

  3:15 p.m. – Lower High Blood Pressure

  4:30 p.m. – Get Thin

Questions and Answers Session

The Word Is – Issue 4, 2023

The Word Is – Issue 4, 2023

The Word Is

Vol. 1, Issue 4, 2023

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From Becky's Pen

To Be … Or Not to Be

How seriously do you consider questions?  When asked “Will you… “, do you immediately answer “yes, I will”?  About 25 years ago there was a children’s show called “You Can Choose”. It was an amazing show that taught children to consider the options and choose. What a concept!

God created us uniquely different, with different talents and skills. How we use them and live – is up to us individually to choose.  Jesus invites us, yet he never forces anyone.

What are some important decisions in life? Marriage, children, job. I had never heard of it until my son went through it, He and his fiancé went through marriage counseling before getting married to make sure that they were making the right decision. Talk about considering options and making a choice rather than just following their emotions or what people expected of them.

Most people assume that young married couples will have children. Should we ever assume? It’s a major decision to bring a child into the world, to alter your home dynamics and to forever be someone’s parent. People should conscientiously decide whether to have children, not just leave it to fate.

What about a career or job? Most agree this takes planning. Somewhere along the way, a choice is made. There are responsibilities that go along with such decisions. When you marry someone, you have vowed to stay committed to only that person.  It’s a lifelong commitment. When you have children, you provide their necessities and train them in such a manner as deemed appropriate. You love them and worry about them always. They are a lifelong commitment. When you accept a job, you are committing to your employer to do what is expected of you in accordance with the job description that was given. It’s generally thought that you will work eight hours a day, for a number of years until you retire.

Does the same apply to jobs accepted in the church? Do they come with job descriptions? Most people think that they know what the job descriptions of such positions are, but is that true?  How much time is expected for such positions as a deaconess, a deacon, or an elder? Are these jobs limited to only three to four hours during sabbath? Be sure to consider the options and to choose when being asked to consider such jobs. Most are more time-consuming than people realize. Ask for a job description. Search your Bible for the duties that Jesus described for some of these positions.

Remember, you can choose. Who do you choose to be? 

— Submitted by Becky Hayes

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What's Happening at the Food Pantry?

We have previously discussed the location, times, etc., of the food pantry and where the food pantry gets the food it serves, and the Senior Day Program.  Today I will discuss what happens on Mondays.

Well, as stated previously, the Feed More truck delivers food on Mondays. After the driver unloads the pallets of food (sometimes it can be as many as ten) the work really begins. Each pallet usually contains many boxes of food. Emmett and the volunteers who have arrived to help that day have to check each box of food. Generally, the men do this because it is a lot of heavy lifting. The boxes with canned goods have to be moved into another part of the gym or into another room to be placed on shelves. Frozen food has to be placed into the freezers. Produce has to be checked for freshness and placed into the refrigerators, if needed. Some boxes of produce are placed into another room so the ladies can sort and discard bad items. Quite often there is a huge box of miscellaneous items that have been thrown together and they have to be sorted and put in appropriate places. Wow, that gets everything off of the pallets.

In another room, volunteers (usually ladies) are busy bagging items.  There are about four to five bagging stations. At each station about five items are placed into each plastic bag and the bags are stacked high in boxes to be ready for distribution to customers on Tuesday mornings (they try to prepare about 75 bags at each station each week).  There is usually a bagging station for miscellaneous items, two stations for canned goods, one for items like bagged rice, beans, pasta, etc. and then bread/desserts.

In addition, there is a table that will be filled with fruits and vegetables.  Of course, this varies each week depending on what we receive that day or have left over from the previous week.

 

Wait, they are not finished yet, there is cleanup.  All of the boxes that have been emptied have to be broken down and placed into the dumpster.

If you have a few hours to spare on a Monday or Tuesday morning, your help would be greatly appreciated.  A lot can be accomplished, even if just a few hours.

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Vegetarian Delight

Chicken Spectacular

2       cans Worthington FriChik (chopped into small pieces), with juice (or 3-4  cups cooked chicken)

1       box Uncle Ben’s Long Grain Wild Rice Original Recipe

2       cans French style green beans (drained)

1       medium onion chopped

1       small can water chestnuts (drained & chopped fine)

1       can Cream of Celery Soup

1       cup mayonnaise

         salt & pepper to taste

         little McKays Chicken Seasoning

Cook rice according to directions. 

Combine all ingredients in large bowl, mix well and pour into 9 x 13 baking dish.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Serves 10 – 12 (that’s my best guess)

—Submitted by Mary Conner

                                                           ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meet Our Member

Vivian Williams moved to the great state of Virginia from North Carolina five years ago.  When she arrived, she discovered

Our Memberthere were two Adventist churches in the area so thought she would check both of them out to see which one she liked.   The Petersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church was the first one she visited.  She states this was the first one she came to and she felt at home and liked it so that is where she worships now.  She is one of the greeters so she now welcomes others to the church she loves.

Vivian was born in Sanford, Florida.  Her parents, Florence and Jack Weathers, now deceased, were Adventists.  She had three brothers, also deceased and has one sister who lives in New York.  She is a widow.  One of her two girls lives in Petersburg and the other one lives in New York.  One of her daughters served her country in the military.  Her son passed in 2005 when he was 30 years old.  She has five grandchildren. 

Vivian kept herself busy working as a nursing aid at Hamilton Adventist Hospital in upstate New York and a CNA in a nursing home in North Carolina for about 20 years from which she retired.  She loves to travel and has been to South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Germany.  She loves experimenting and trying different foods and learning about the different cultures.   

Vivian enjoys reading, watching tv, going shopping. She  played volley ball and soccer when she was younger.  Her favorite hymn is “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”,  Philippians 4:13, is her favorite Bible verse.

She states that some of the biggest changes she has seen in her lifetime are the way people have changed and electronics.

Even though Vivian was raised an Adventist when she was on her own, she drifted away from the church.  When she returned, she was very happy and loves this church and the church family.

                                                          ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Based On A True Story

1 Peter 5:7 says casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

Have you ever had a time when you knew that the Lord was watching over you? I’d like to tell you a time when I knew the Lord protected me and my children. On a Sabbath morning in April 1966, my children and I were on our way to church when we came upon an unmarked intersection and were T-boned by a school bus. The impact caused the bus to do a 180 and landed on the door. My car went to the left into the woods. Scott, my 2-yr old, was thrown against the front seat and had a cut on his lip. Dale the 1-yr old, was standing on the back seat and came sailing over the front seat, landed face down on the seat and had scratches on his forehead. I was thrown across the seat and I hit my back on the arm rest, I was four months pregnant at the time.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at Scott’s lip and said he wasn’t going to do anything at that time because it had scabbed over. They had to undress me, because they knew I was bleeding internally. When they closed the curtain between me and the boys, Dale started to cry and glass washed out of both eyes. The doctors thought I had a ruptured spleen and did a laparotomy to be sure; but, it turned out that I had a bruised kidney. I was hospitalized for two weeks.

When I got home, Scott came to me and said “hurt Mama” and pointed to his lip. I could see glass working its way out. It took about two hours for it to come out far enough for me to be able to get it out and it healed normally. Dale has small scars on his forehead, but had no problems with his eyesight, The baby I was carrying will be 57 in September. You will never be able to make me doubt that God took care of us on that day.

GOD IS SO GOOD.
—Submitted by Sandra Jacobs

                                                           _______________________________________________________________________________

I NEED articles  on the below topics. 

Based on a True Story

        Vegetarian Delights

        Article from an Elder

Please place them in a sealed envelope and put them in the Deacon’s Room in the mail tray labelled “NEWSLETTER ARTICLES” or give them to me. This is your newsletter, let’s keep it going. 

Thanks in advance for your help

Mary Conner

VBS – Mark Your Calendar!

VBS – Mark Your Calendar!

VBS - Mark Your Calendar

 

Vacation Bible School

 

You do not want to miss this VBS so mark your calendar!  Crafts are so cool, awesome outside games for all age groups, songs that you will sing over and over, meet with your old friends and make new ones, you will learn about prayer through creative activities, and understanding God’s faithfulness to his people.  Just think you are one of the people that God has made promises to, and He will keep them!  VBS is a fun way to spend part of your summer.  In addition to all of that, you get to enjoy a yummy meal each evening. 

Ages 3 yrs – 12 yrs

Closing program will be July 22 at 10:45 am with lunch provided.

So remember VBS – mark your calendar now!  and see you then.

The Word Is – Issue 3, 2023

The Word Is – Issue 3, 2023

The Word Is

Vol. 1, Issue 3

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From Mike's Pen

“He who seeks finds”

He who seeks, finds, is a common phrase from scripture. You can find the scripture in Matthew 7:8 and Luke 11:10. The scripture reads: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. It sounds so simple doesn’t it? Well let’s take a closer look at this scripture. To begin with, this is red letter (Jesus speaking) so we typically pay a little more attention to these words. The context of both are written and framed with the idea of keep asking, seeking, and knocking. I do appreciate the simplicity of the command. I  believe we all know how to ask. It is very clear we should not ask, seek, or knock without a definite expectation! Also we are told to be persistent in our searching.

          In Proverbs Chapter 2 we are told to seek wisdom and understanding as if we were seeking silver, and search as for hidden treasure. This is the very essence of searching. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord. It follows with; and you will find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. And in Chapter 3 (Proverbs) in Verse 19 says: The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. This is powerful counsel given to us by Solomon the son of David. We are also told to seek counsel from wise men. With that being said, I know we are in the right place for our searching. There are so many gems in the first five chapters of Proverbs, and we were told we would find them there! Chapter 3:15 says Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Also the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace!

          This is but the tip of the iceberg for finding what Jesus said we should be seeking for. A clearer understanding of our Creator and a closer relationship of Him as well. We are also told in Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes and Fear the Lord and depart from evil. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. We need to step away from our little plans and designs. Jesus says let your heart keep my commands and peace they will add to you.

          Oh my brothers and sisters our hidden treasure and path to the everlasting kingdom is right in front of us. The way to asking, knocking, and seeking is through prayer (talking to Jesus) and diligently searching the scriptures (where all the hidden treasure lies). May the God of heaven and the Creator of all things Bless you and keep you! Happy hunting!

Mike Farmer                                       ________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Senior Food Program.

The Petersburg SDA (PSDA) food pantry has been assisting both Feed More and the City of Petersburg with a special project since March of 2020.

In the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 virus pandemic was wreaking havoc, specifically in our local community, many city offices closed and several of the programs functioning within 

Senior Food Program Boxes

the city’s system came to a halt, including the Senior Day Program (a program that provided much needed food to a select number of senior citizens each week}.  That is when, on March 16, 2020, our Feed More Regional Manager at the Central Virginia Food Bank, Sarah Dovel, reached out to request assistance.

We learned that there was a total of 65-70 senior citizens registered in the Petersburg program, each receiving one (1) fully- cooked meal each week. We immediately responded to Feed More, explaining that we did not have the resources to provide prepared meals. They were requesting assistance with food that the seniors could use to prepare for themselves; so then, the big question was, could our humble food pantry take on such a large task? . . .and in the middle of our own pandemic crisis, at that ?? After much prayer and a huge muster of faith, it was decided that we would assist the program in as much as we were able to afford.

Within the week we were communicating with the Director of the Senior Day program for the City of Petersburg and the Manager of the food bank.  The Director of the Senior Day program would be arranging for Officers of the Petersburg Sheriff’s Department for the City of Petersburg to pick up the prepared food boxes from us weekly and deliver them directly to the registered seniors. We would prepare the boxes on Mondays and the Sheriff’s Department would pick them up on Tuesdays and deliver the boxes to the seniors.

Right away, we began to set aside specially selected food items that we believed would be nutritious, beneficial, and easy for the seniors to prepare for themselves – especially, since the majority of them had serious health issues or physical impairments that made it difficult to manage their own households.   As busy as we already were, managing our own food pantry amidst the numerous issues presented to us by the overwhelming pandemic, we were both anxious AND excited to find the best way to help with this project, without taking away from our current responsibilities and tasks.  And. as ALWAYS, God answered our prayers.

Sister Thelma Blackwell, former founder and director of the PSDA Food Pantry, was currently volunteering each Tuesday with the Food pantry. It was mentioned to Sister Blackwell that we were taking on this very special project and by the grace of God, I (Sister Blackwell) volunteered to head the task. I took this position very seriously. Healthy, good nutrition, generosity and simplicity were my top priorities when selecting the food items that would go into each senior ‘s food box each week. Each box provided more than a week’s worth of food!  Sister Nancy Cannon, Director Sister DeShayla Thomas, and Sister Joyce Joyner have also helped in preparing the boxes each week.

We were informed to assist with thirty boxes each week. Due to the COVID-19 virus, other medical issues, and a few more relocating to live with relatives out of state, our new number became eighteen.  We were at eighteen until the 1st of this year. The Sheriff’s Department asked if we could add three more boxes for needy seniors bringing our total to twenty-one. This wonderful outreach has continued to be a tremendous blessing and help to many, MANY grateful and humble individuals, both through the Senior Day Program and the outstanding PSDA Food Pantry.

 We need volunteers to help at our food pantry to keep GOD’S WORK STRONG.               . . .Submitted by Thelma Blackwell.

                                            ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nursing Home Ministry

Saturday. April 8th, some of the church members went to the Battlefield Park Nursing Home on Flank Road to minister to the patients.  There was recently an outbreak of covid so when we went in we were told we had to put on masks and also a shield.  The nursing home provided these items.  I had seen shields worn before but this was a totally different look — we never would have  made the cover of a fashion magazine.  

Some of the residents had gathered in the dining room.  John Livesay, one of our church members opened with prayer.  Song books were passed out and songs were sung with enthusiasm.  We had a special guest from Jamica, Ian, and he played the guitar which added to the song service.  Our head elder had scripture reading, Luke 20:25-26.

Hilario Fowler was the speaker and his sermonette was about the mission of Christ. The song he chose was Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. The residents were given the opportunity to give a testimony and one of the patients was so very thankful she would be returning home soon.  John Livesay stated that he just recently became a great grandfather.   Prayer and a closing song ended the service. 

I believe the residents enjoyed the time of fellowship.

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Meet Our Members

Fifty-six years this coming October, two children and eight grandchildren later,  Emmett and Rose Couch are still living in Virginia and enjoying life in Chesterfield County.

Emmett was raised in New Kent County of Virginia and is the sixth child in a family of eight children, (three brothers and four sisters).  The oldest five have passed away. 

Rose was raised in Richmond, Virginia, and has one sister and two brothers. 

Emmett had studied and talked with people about religion, but first heard about Adventist from two friends while he was in the Army.  When they invited him to an evangelistic meeting, he only attended one and was convinced.  Rose learned about Adventism from a pastor who had been talking to her father.  She was able to attend Shenandoah Valley Academy during her senior year because two kind-hearted and generous ladies of the church paid her way.

In 1959 Emmett went into the Army.  When it was time to get out his time was extended by President Kennedy because of the Berlin Blockade.   He served his country for 2 years and 4 months. 

Emmett and Rose met at the Southside Adventist Church in Richmond, VA.   Both of them were invited to Carl Tanksley’s home for dinner after church one Sabbath. Then Carl asked Emmett if he would take Rose to work that evening at MCV.  (That sounds like a little match-making to me.)  That is how it began; and, as they say, “the rest is history.”  They were married in 1967. 

Emmett was a carpenter most of his life and had his own business which consisted of four framing crews and one siding crew.   He also worked at Phillip Morris for a short period of time.  He is still “sharp as a tack” when it comes to building.

Rose worked at Madison College in Tennessee for about five years, Tacoma Hospital in Tennessee where she got her LPN, and MCV in Richmond, VA in the Burn Unit,

Emmett has held many positions in church to include teacher in the junior and adult departments, deacon, head elder and Rose also served as head deaconess. 

Rose likes to sing.  She plays the piano, flute and violin!

Emmett likes to garden and one of his greatest enjoyments is studying the scriptures.  He says the biggest change he has seen is the changes he has seen in himself since joining the church. 

They are both retired and love to travel but very seldom do.

What are Emmett and Rose doing now that they are retired? Rose enjoys the fact that she is able to be at home now and help with everything that entails.  I don’t know if Emmett will ever actually “retire”.  He does like to stay busy and he is not much for sitting still, he says   He has helped build handicap ramps on houses for people in need and shows up at church work bees ready to do his part.   He spends two to three days a week working at the food pantry.  The food on the pallets that come from Feed More each week need sorting, storing and bagging in order to make sure it will be ready to be given to the residents of the city that come to our food pantry for assistance.  He is thankful for those individuals who do come to lighten the load. Even a half hour of someone’s time helps tremendously.  He is grateful that the Lord gives him the strength to help those in need.

                                            ________________________________________________________________________________________________

July Birthdays and Anniversaries

3          Thelma Blackwell 

6          John Livesay 

 7          Shakira Pegram

 8          Silas Vaughan 

 9         Robert Joyner 

            Earl Brooks   

12       River Salgado 

13       Leila Nascimento

           Cynthia Brown – (Seitu’s wife)

15        Virginia Young 

18        Crystal Livesay 

            Kennedy Hicks 

19        Lacoste Saturne 

            Peyton Farmer 

20        Nathanial Hicks 

22        Sandra Young 

            Bonnie Belcher 

23        George (Seitu) Brown 

24        Ella Davis 

28        Andrew Meyer

29        Joe Joyner 

31        Michelle Snow 

July Anniversaries

23       Tanya & Billy Taylor

24       Shereca & Sheldon Harrison

25        George & Cynthia Brown

27        Judith & Ivo Steele

31        Reed & Jade Richardi

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

1          Gorden Dove

2          Michael Christian 

4          Ken Twigg 

10        Liam Davis

            Milanah Smith

13        Joanna Rice

14        Ermin Lucas  (Ian’s mother)

15        Annemarie Meyer 

21        Inge Fowler

23        Tom Chappell 

24        C. J. Vaughan 

25        Celeste Dove 

26        Warren Sturrup 

27        John Rice 

29        Melissa Hernandez 

August Anniversaries

13        Scott & Dawn Stephenson

23        Bill & Penny Conner

                                            ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vegetarian Delight

                                                    One-Pan Pasta

12 ounces linguine

12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large

1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 sprigs basil, plus torn leaves for garnish

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

Course salt

Freshly ground black pepper

4 ½ cups water

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

  1. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet  (the linguine should lay flat).
  2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs or a fork, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes.
  3. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide among 4 bowls. And garnish with basil. Serve with Olive oil and Parmesan. Serves 4  —Submitted by Selena Rice ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please continue to submit articles.  They are appreciated and enjoyed.  It is nice to have articles on hand for the next newsletter.   Submit articles on the below topics. 

           Would like an Article From  Each Elder

            Based on a True Story

            Vegetarian Delight

Please place them in a sealed envelope and put them in the Deacon’s Room in the mail tray labelled “NEWSLETTER ARTICLES” or give them to me.  

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mary Conner 

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The Word Is – Issue 2, 2023

The Word Is – Issue 2, 2023

The Word Is

Vol. 1, Issue 2

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From A Former Pastor's Pen

I was reading a verse on a bookmark in my Bible and it caused me to do some serious thinking about my Christian  experience and the way I manage my life.  The verse goes like this . . .

                                                                  As children bring their broken toys

                                                                        With tears for us to mend,

                                                                  I brought my broken dreams to God

                                                                        Because He was my Friend.

                                                            But then instead of leaving Him

                                                                        In peace to work alone,

                                                               I hung around and tried to help

                                                                        With ways that were my own.

                                                            At last I snatched them back and cried,

                                                                       “How can you be so slow . . .”

                                                           “My child,” He said, “What can I do?

                                                                        You never did let go.”

                                                                                        Author unknown

It seems that we spend a lot of time “reacting”  to the circumstances of life.  We fight. . . we struggle. . . we get discouraged. . .  we then decide to entrust them to  the  Lord.   But we do so with a sense of our own defeat and with a kind of last resort mentality.  Why must we always do this with a spirit that is close to resignation rather than with a deliberateness that is born of confidence and trust?  Can we not, I asked myself,  just let them go patiently, deliberately  trusting God can work things out?

Trusting our lives to the Lord is not an exercise in desperation and apathy, but a choice. . . a deliberate decision to make God a confidant and partner.  Truly an act of faith.  David once said “Commit your ways to the Lord;  trust in Him and He will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”  Psalms 37:5-6.

I  have learned that “to succeed, you must let go.”  And to have peace you must “trust the one who carries your toys.”  Why not give them all to Jesus.                                                                                               —  Reprint  from former pastor Wayne Spangenberg

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Where Does The Food Come From?

On Monday morning the truck, driven by Mac Reid,  arrives from Feed More in Richmond, VA, to deliver food.  We receive USDA food free the first monday of every month.  Everything else we receive from them we have to pay for except PUSH  products –  items  like produce and certain dairy items they need to get rid of so those items we get free.  We never know what produce, etc, we will receive from them or how much – sometimes it can be nothing and other times it can be two or three pallets stacked high with food.   
     
It’s Tuesday morning, so time to get up and get rolling. DeShayla has a lot to do. She makes her rounds to pick up donated food from local businesses: Sheetz in Prince George, Walmart in Petersburg, and    
Food Lion in Colonial Heights.  Thursday morning rolls around and she has to return to Walmart in Petersburg and Food Lion in Colonial Heights for more food.  The time varies throughout the day and so does the amount of food that is donated.  Whatever the amount, it is appreciated by us and the people who come to our food pantry.  Once the food is picked up, she has to return to our center and weigh the food and type the amount into an app to report what is donated from the stores.  Some of the items received are loaf bread, rolls, buns, and desserts of all kinds — pies, cakes, cookies, donuts, and whatever the store feels they don’t need. 
There is a lot that goes on when this food comes in and that will be discussed at another time.               
          —Submitted by Mary Conner

 

April Birthdays and Anniversaries

1Steve Schutt 
 Florence Cadet
3Ben McDaniel 
5Nancy Cannon 
8David Tapp 
9Delores Hines
13Brantley Stephenson 
 Praise Agi 
16Dylan Hicks 
18Ivo Steele 
20Lillie Wilson 
 Leon Clay 
23Enez Nunez 
24Ann Williams 
26Barbara Brooks 
 Kirsten Anderson Lyons
27Cindy Carroll 
 Rachel Stover 
29Nancy Nabity Martin 
30Bridger Snow 
   
   
   
ANNIVERSARIES 
   
15Gorden & Celeste Dove
27 Dylan & Dionna Young Hicks 

Vegetarian Delight

Grandma’s Chicken Casserole

 3     cups chopped cooked chicken (vegetarian)

 2     cans  cream of mushroom soup

 2     cups shredded cheddar cheese

 3     cups finely crushed Ritz Crackers

 Mix all ingredients together and pour into 9 x 13 inch baking  dish.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes

 If you wish you  can add additional seasonings to suit your taste

  —Submitted by Joyce Joyner

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Meet Our Member

Milton Blunt was born in Petersburg, one of six children, five boys and one girl. His father passed away when he was seven, leaving his mother with six children to raise.

He moved to New York as a young man to look for work. He then moved to Baltimore, where he worked in Sterile Processing for St. Joseph’s Hospital. He loves learning, so while employed there, he took a Medical Terminology course to enable him to understand the terms the doctors used when ordering supplies.

He liked his work at the hospital, but after nine years, he wanted to work in a more social environment.  He joined the Staff Auxiliary, hospitality arm of the University of Baltimore Business School.  Milton enjoyed the social aspect of the job and continued there until retirement.  It was there that he was introduced to Adventism.

The University of Baltimore has a diversity of students from many countries.  One day while waiting for the elevator, a student, he had never met asked him to attend a Revelation Seminar at her home. It was held twice weekly in the basement of the student’s home and was conducted by a church elder. After attending the seminar and completing the Bible studies, Milton chose to be baptized in 2004. He was privileged to attend the 2010 General Conference in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

He returned to Petersburg five years ago and has been attending our church for approximately three of those years. He has one son who travels often.                                                                 —Submitted by Sandra Jacobs

                                                          

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Based on a True Story

During the years of 1963 and 1965 I had the privilege of having two beautiful children, both girls.  It was a joy to watch them grow.  Both had completely different ideas of what they wanted to do and how to do them even in marriage; but, in Deborah’s case her life was cut short   At that time she had two young children that she simply adored and when she found out that she had cancer, she worried more about them than herself.  The doctor told her that she had malignant peripheral nerve tumors.  They are a rare type of cancer that arise from the soft tissue that surrounds nerves.  They are a type of Sarcoma.  Tommy and I went to Ohio to be with her during this time to try to comfort her and her family.  We prayed for healing but the Lord knew what was the best thing for her and he let her go to sleep to wait for him until the resurrection day.  

It is so hard to lose a child and the grieving process is long and continuous, and we know the devil is working hard.  One night I could not sleep, so I got up and went into the kitchen to get some water to drink, and on the way back down the hall I heard the devil say “turn around and you will see Deborah”.   He knows our weak spots and knew how much I missed her.   Chills went through my body because I knew I was on dangerous ground and I knew the voice was not coming from God.  My mother taught us children that the Bible states that when you die you know not anything and our church teaches that spiritualism will arise in the later days, so I just kept on walking and went back to bed with a prayer on my lips.

Spirit of Prophecy states “Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies.  These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain their pretentions.  We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.  GC 560.1

The Lord has scripture in the Bible telling us how the devil will tempt us and we need to be ready at all times to refute him. 

1 Peter 5:8  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,  as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”   and Matt 26:41  “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit  indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”                                            —Submitted by Caroline Heartwell

                                                        ___________________________________________________________________________________________

 I have only one recipe for the next newsletter.     Please submit articles on the below topics. 

          Would like an Article From  Each Elder

           Based on a True Story

            Vegetarian Delight

Please place them in a sealed envelope and put them in the Deacon’s Room in the mail tray labelled “NEWSLETTER ARTICLES” or give them to me. This is your newsletter, let’s keep it going. 

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mary Conner 

The Word Is – Issue 1, 2023

The Word Is – Issue 1, 2023

The Word Is

Vol. 1, Issue 1

From The Pastor's Pen

I PRAY FOR YOUR GOOD HEALTH

“We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do and for your good health – that your everyday  affairs  prosper, as well as your soul!” 3 John 1:2 MSGV

Mental health is defined as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and it affects how we think, feel, and act. In the US, an estimated one in five adults experiences a mental health challenge in a year.

Even though it affects a large percentage of the population, mental health care is sometimes overlooked or underfunded. Many people who cannot afford private health care cannot access the mental health care they need.

In addition, mental health care is usually not covered by private insurance plans. This means that those who can afford personal health care often still have to pay out of pocket for any mental health services they receive. This can be a significant burden and prevent people from seeking help.

One of the most influential figures in mental health is Ellen Gould White (1827-1915), Seventh-day Adventist prophet and author, born on November 26, 1827, near Gorham, Maine, US.

She suffered from poor health and was eventually diagnosed with tuberculosis. Despite her debilitating illness, White was determined to make a difference in the lives of others. In 1863, she named eight natural remedies (ENR): nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, pure air, rest, and trust in God.

Health practices related to ENR have been considered healthy principles of life that can help to promote health, prevent disease, and maintain quality of life. Her writings and inspiration were far ahead of her time and have had a lasting influence on the mental health field.

Her message is still relevant today, and her work reminds us of the importance of caring for ourselves and our mental health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, the first step is recognizing that you need help. If you’re feeling suicidal, you must reach out for help immediately, and you can call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Not everyone with a mental health issue has been suicidal or depressed, and two people with the same clinical diagnosis can present very different outcomes. So, to be respectful of people’s experiences, it is essential to use language acknowledging that mental illnesses are not all the same.

We have partnered with our neighbor Poplar Springs Hospital to offer mental health care awareness, and they provide a whole gamut of mental health services. If you need more information, call us at (804) 732-9538 or contact Poplar Springs Hospital’s 24-hour line at (866) 546-2229.

Visit our church. We help people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus Christ.

Thanks for checking out our site!
Jesse Nascimento, Senior Pastor

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What's Happening at the Food Pantry?

Our food pantry is located in Petersburg, VA and has been an outreach ministry of our church for over 10 years.  We operate every Tuesday from

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  With the support from our church famiy, our community, and FeedMore, we continue to follow the example that Jesus gave us.  We serve with a loving heart and a helping hand, regardless of where you live.  We now operate by drive-thru service so you have the ease of waiting in the comfort of your car.  To apply no personal documents or proof is needed.  All information is collected by word of mouth with the option of marking certain questions as undisclosed.

In addition to the food pantry, we also have a clothes closet that we run with donations from people of our church and the community.  We have options for women, men, and children, as well as certain accessories and toys.

With the Lord guiding us we will continue to serve our community with His love and we will pray that we can continue to be a blessing to all who come to our ministry             — Submitted By DeShalya Thomas

Nursing Home Update

The nursing home ministry is a mini church service that is rendered to the nursing home in our community.  We are the Petersburg Seventh Day Adventist Church that is involved in making a difference in our community by spreading the  good news of Christ’s soon return. Our services begin at 2 p.m. at the Battlefield Park Nursing Home located on Flank Road on the second Sabbath of the month.  If you would like to participate, please call me. We would appreciate any help or support we can get.
—Submitted by Annie Gordonne

                       __________________

Vegetarian Delight

Green Chili Rice Casserole

1         cup rice (uncooked, cooked first separately – I  use  2 teaspoons of  salt  cook 15 minutes)

1/4     cup melted butter

1         pint sour cream

1/8     cup milk

8         ounces Pepper Jack cheese (I use a block of  Cabot  Pepper  Jack)

8         ounces. green chilies (diced – I use the larger  can –  don’t  know  how many ounces it is)

Mix well and put into a 8″x 11″  buttered baking dish

Bake 350 degrees – 35-40 minutes until bubbly

— Submitted By Gayle Edwards

                                                           _______________________________________________________________________________

Meet Our Member

If visiting the Petersburg SDA Church, odds are you will meet Gayle Edwards.  Folks here know if you need a phone number, address, or just a quick rundown of the latest business meeting, Gayle is the one to ask.
 
While living in California during the late 60’s, Gayle was introduced to the Adventist faith. She speaks highly of former mother-in-law, Ruth Edwards, and credits her for the deep impact made leading her to join the SDA church.
 
Nearly a decade later, in 1976 to be exact, finds her living in Virginia and officially becoming a member of the Petersburg fellowship. She has been a faithful servant ever since and has held the positions of school board chair, treasurer, day care chair,  and today serves as our church clerk. 
 
Gayle is a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. If you want to know what brings her joy,  just ask about any one of her kiddos and watch her face light up! 
 
 
 When inquiring what she most appreciates about her church, there was no hesitancy, “it’s friendly!” Her wish for our congregation in 2023, is a renewed commitment to attendance. Whether sabbath school, church service or other such related gatherings, she knows we are stronger the more we press together.
 
While anticipating the great hope of our heavenly home and seeing Jesus, she is also looking forward to being re-united with her mother and father and while waiting … hopes to be remembered as a good friend!             — Submitted By Joanne Farmer

                                                          ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Based on a True Story

In 1986 we arrived in Purvis, Mississippi and we were blessed to find a place to rent about a mile from Bass Memorial Academy. We were especially thankful for this; but as in the past, wherever we moved the Lord seemed to have just the right house and right location for us and our growing boys.

When I received the call to be a District Leader in the Gulf States Conference, Mary and I wanted to make sure we would be near our church school and academy, since Scott would be in the academy and Mark would be in the elementary school.

My territory included the state of Mississippi, over to Dothan and Mobile. Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida over to Tallahassee, Florida. My duties were to recruit, train and encourage new literature evangelists, and encourage and work with the literature evangelists that were presently working in this area. My duties also included collecting delinquent accounts of LE’s that were no longer working and helping the working ones with their delinquents.

Private education is expensive and even though I was on salary and Mary worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, things got a little tight once in a while; like so many others we were living from paycheck-to-paycheck. We knew it would be time to pay the tuition soon and we knew we did not have enough money to pay the bill. Guess what? The Lord had it all under control.

Home Health Education Service (the organization that paid commissions to the literature evangelist, financed the books, and shipped books to the customers) usually had what they called “Big Week” twice a year.  The literature evangelists looked forward to this opportunity to increase their income. During this time, in addition to their regular commission on sales, bonuses were given for different levels of sales and sometimes the Leaders were allowed to make sales for themselves. This was one of those times. Why do we ever doubt? I worked extra hard that week and I was truly blessed. I made enough in sales and bonuses to pay what was owed at the school, plus. The Lord is always good and we just need to remember the times he has provided for us before and his promises to us. One of those promises Philippians 4:19 states “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — and we can take that to the bank! —Submitted by Billy Conner

 

                                                        ___________________________________________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter and received some encouragement from it. I really would love for you to share some of your delicious recipes because I have tasted some of them and know they are fantastic. I also know you have had many experiences that if shared, could give encouragement to others. I would love to have articles on the below topics. 

Based on a True Story
Vegetarian Delights

Please place them in a sealed envelope and put them in the Deacon’s Room in the mail tray labelled “NEWSLETTER ARTICLES” or give them to me. This is your newsletter, let’s keep it going. 

In the future the newsletter will be on the church website:  www.petersburgsda.org

Thanks in advance for your help

Mary Conner