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

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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

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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

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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

 

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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