The Word Is

Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2024

writing, hand, pad, pen

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From Collis’ Pen

 Dear friends, 
 
“A Word From Your Fellow Servant”
 
I am happy to write to you and to encourage you in the service of God. In the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I admonish you to “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”
 
Psalm 1:1-3 has become more meaningful as we live in these trying moments of earth’s history. Here is what it says: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
 
You see friends, we cannot deny the fact mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” When we hear of wars and rumors of wars, pestilence, natural disasters, sicknesses, violence and crime, we are troubled. However, the fact remains also that, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” Romans 8:37. 
 
There is joy in serving God. There is assurance in living our lives to honor God. However, we must never get too comfortable thinking that by serving God we are automatically exempt from trials. The reality is, as we near the close of earth’s history, Satan’s 
attacks will be ever increasing especially against those who make a conscious decision to have Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Remember, Revelation 12:17 tells us, “And the dragon (Satan) was enraged with the woman (the Church) and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
 
God is looking for men and women who have no interWest in living outside of His guidelines, but as the Psalmist says, “His delight is in the law of the Lord…” Psalm 1:2. Can He count on you? Are you prepared to lift high His Blood-Stained banner in your eating, drinking, dressing, conversation, and lifestyle? Can God recommend you for honesty, kindness, gentleness, or even like Job, for trials?
 
My fellow pilgrims on this journey to heaven, the signs are all telling us that it won’t be long before the trumpet is sounded, the mossy old graves where the pilgrims sleep are about to burst open, time is about to give way to eternity, mortals are about to put on immortality at the grandest event ever, the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, only those who have served Him faithfully will be saved. My question is, do you want to be saved? If your answer is YES, then my friend, give your life to Jesus Christ.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Pastor Collis Campbell
 

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Vacation Bible School

Jump on board and enjoy the flight. Please set aside some of your time to help in Vacation Bible School.

July 15-19, 2024
6-8 p.m.

 

 

Meet Our Members:  Joyce & Joseph Joyner

 
Joseph Joyner was born in Nash County, North Carolina and was one of seven children (brother, Aaron Joyner, and sisters, Agnes Wolosuk and Catherine Murphy are deceased). Florence Nugent, Mary Conner, and Caroline Heartwell are still living and are members of this church.
 
While at an early age Joe’s mom and dad moved to Virginia and purchased a farm in Prince George County.  Joe’s mother was an Adventist, his dad was not; but he never interfered with his wife raising the children in the Adventist faith.  Mr. Tucker, a member of the church, would pick the family up and take them to church.
 
Joyce Webster was born in Chesterfield County, VA , and was one of seven children also.  Joyce grew up in the Baptist Church.  Joyce’s mother and father heard about the Adventist message when they attended an evangelistic series that was held in a tent on the grounds of the old Petersburg High School on Washington street in Petersburg.
 
During this time period there were quite a few young people attending church and  that is where Joe and Joyce met, dated and married in 1955.  Joyce was 19 and Joe was 22.   They have three children, (Randy and Paul Joyner and Wanda Vaughan) four grandchildren, and five great grand-children.
 
Joe continued to farm and also worked for Joe Brown hanging and finishing drywall.  He could walk around on those stilts as if he were born with them attached to his legs.
 
Joe was drafted into the army and served his country for two years.   He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas and also Fort George G. Meade in Maryland so they lived in Glen Burnie and Bowie.  When Joe had to go for training he wanted Joyce to return to Virginia until he came back, so he would sometimes hitch hike back home.  He knows the Lord looked after him during this time.
 
Later Joe worked at Brown & Williamson. When B&W moved their factory to Macon, GA,  Joe and Joyce moved with them.  They lived in Macon about 22 years. When Joe retired from B&W they returned to their home in Prince George County.
 
Joyce has worked in the school cafeteria at South Elementary, Carson, and the Junior High School.  When they moved to Georgia, she worked at the Wimbish Adventist School as a Teacher’s Aid and later taught four classes.
 
Joe has served as a deacon at the church in Petersburg as well as in Macon and Joyce has served as a Deaconess, Sabbath School Teacher and VBS craft leader for many years.
 
They love to travel, and their adventures have taken them to several captivating places along the East Coast. They’ve enjoyed the sun on the sandy shores of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and of course, they’ve ventured down to the Sunshine State—Florida
 
But there’s more to their story. On one memorable journey, Joe and Joyce embarked on a cross-country road trip nearly reaching California’s golden shores. However, something tugged at Joe’s heartstrings—a sense of responsibility. He decided to turn back and head home. Why? He felt he needed to hang drywall for his daughter, a simple yet meaningful task that connected him to family and home.
 
Joyce has a passion for painting and crafting. While she doesn’t necessarily consider it her favorite pastime, she spends a lot of time canning food during the summer, using produce from their garden. Additionally, she excels in the kitchen as an excellent cook.  Joyce’s diverse interests and culinary skills make her an interesting individual!
 
The act of sending people to the moon has been one of the most significant transformations witnessed in their lifetime.”  Neil Armstrong’s historic words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” resonate even today.
 
Joe’s favorite hymn is The Old Rugged Cross and his favorite Bible text is John 3:16  “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.”
 
Joe will be 92 the 29th of this month.   He says he has retired from using his tractor, but he does spend time on the lawn mower; and if you were to drive by his house, you might see him cutting the grass – sometimes a couple of times a week.
 

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Vegetarian Delight - Sweet Potato Casserole

     4       big sweet potatoes

     2       eggs

     3/4    stick butter or margarine

     1       small can evaporated milk

     1       cup sugar

     1       tsp vanilla   

 

Peel and cut sweet potatoes into chunks,   then cook until soft.  Drain, then beat potatoes until smooth and add the rest of the above ingredients.  

 

Pour into 9 x 13 inch baking dish, and bake at 350 degrees until firm (approximately 30 minutes)  

 

Then mix topping ingredients well, spread the topping mix over the casserole and cook for additional 5 minutes

 

              Topping

 

     1      cup Rice Krispies

     1/2   cup nuts, chopped fine

     1/2   cup brown sugar

     1/2   stick margarine, melted

 

 Submitted By:  Mary Conner

 

 

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Heads Up!!

AY Club will be having a bake sale – No date set yet. Bakers are needed to help the youth. Talk to Sister Sharon, Brother Seitu or Sister Tonya. They are having classes on Mondays, so please contact one if you are willing to volunteer your time and talent.

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Based on a True Story

 
It is vital to share testimony about how God has kept us safe because it encourages and strengthens the faith of others. Sharing our personal stories of God’s protection and provision serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and love. Additionally, sharing testimonies can inspire hope in those who may be going through difficult times, showing them that they are not alone and that God is actively working in the lives of His people. By sharing our testimonies, we also give glory to God and demonstrate the power of faith and trust in Him.
 
With that being said, I am going to share one of my testimonies. And yes, I have many! I am on hemodialysis, and during this time in my life, I was going to a dialysis center to receive my treatments. After my treatment, I had to wait for my daughter to pick me up. She pulls into the parking lot, driving my husband’s van. I noticed the van was smoking and said to her, “Hummm, Does Darryl know his van is smoking!” She replied, “Yes, ma’am, he knows. He is going to work on it late today.” I got in the van, and we drove off, heading home.
 
We live in Hopewell, and due to the van smoking, my daughter is driving the back roads through Prince George County to go home. The road’s name is State Road 156, which is extremely busy. The time is around 5:30, so traffic is heavy on State Road 156 and 460, an intersection. There is a bridge or overpass that goes over railroad tracks. We went up the bridge without any issues. It was the coming down where the problem showed up. She is driving at the speed limit of 45. She looks at me and says, “Mama, the van is not stopping!” I looked at her and spoke as calmly as she told me, “What do you mean the van is not stopping? She looks at me, grabbing the steering wheel and pushing the brake with all her might, saying, “It’s not stopping, and it has turned off!” So, we are heading downhill, going around 50 with no brakes, and the van is not even on! I grab the steering wheel with her, and we both pray and try to steer the van as we are heading into oncoming traffic at State Road 156 and 460. The Lord bless the cars that miss us as we roll through the red light. The people in the cars were blowing their horns, and all we could do at that time was yell, “SORRY! THE VAN IS NOT ON! while we are rolling through the light. GOD IS SO GOOD! 
We know He answered our prayers to bless us, make it through the intersection, and steer the van on the side street; the van still was not on, so how did the Lord stop us from allowing the van to hit the curb. And this is what stopped us from moving, and we were praising God for keeping us and everyone else from being in a horrible accident.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
Submitted By: Mrs. Bridgett C. Lawrence
 
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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.  
 
Mary Conner 

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