Forgiving
We are looking forward to Black History Month during the month of February. Patty Odom will be in charge of the Black History Program. A traditional Soul Food meal will be served on the 4th Sunday in February. All foods will be soul foods and home cooked. I am looking forward to seeing the many edible dishes for one’s enjoyment.
Little Rock M. B. Church lost a long time devoted member on last Sunday night. Deacon Vernard Murrell. He has been a member of Little Rock Church all of his life. He served as chairman of the Deacon Board for many years. He starting working in road construction. He worked all over the state and neighboring states. He was one of the first black men to build a chicken house back in the 60’s. He later built a second chicken house. He and his wife Laura were entrepreneurs. Laura was a licensed beautician who owned her own beauty shop and Little Rock Church musician for over 50 years. She gave the keys to the church piano to her daughter the former Tax Accessor Collector Myra Murrell Davis. They were and are astonishing players.
Vernard was on the board of many organizations during his lifetime. He was such an honorable man. The late Percy Shepard often talked about how honorable he was even as a very young man. Varnard you have lived a life worthy of God’s grace. You have made a transition to a better place. You will truly be missed.
Lone Pilgrim District will have our upcoming Annual Mid-Winter Board Session this Saturday, January 28, 2023. The session will be held at Providence M. B. Church at 9:00 a.m., 12011 Road 101, Philadelphia, MS. Dr. Johnny Barnes is the Moderator and Pastor. Sis. Betty Davis Morgan is the Dean. Her home church is Truelight M. B. Church in Walnut Grove, MS. Dr. Locord Wilson is the Assistant Dean. Her home church is Midway M. B. Church. Sis. Delie Shepard is the Corresponding Secretary.
Rev. Tevin Nickols will meet with the young men on Saturday, January 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Midway M. B. Church. It is a leadership training session.
Sunday School classes will be back in session for the youth starting the First Sunday in March, 2023. The Covid season has slowed down a lot of activities. With the help of our Lord and Savior we will begin anew. Youth Bible studies will begin anew on the First Wednesday in February.
Forgiving brings healing to your wounds and restores your joy. This is a list of five steps according to the bible we must do to help you forgive. (1). Remember that you have been unconditionally forgiven. The grace God has extended to you leaves you no grounds whatsoever to refuse the same grace to the one who hurt you. (2) Release the offender from the debt they owe you. Forgiveness is not just for their benefit, but for yours: “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). (3) Accept people as they are and don’t try to change them. Changing people isn’t your job its God’s job. (4) See your offender as God’s tool for your growth. It’s easier to forgive someone when you stop seeing them as Satan’s agent sent to destroy you and begin seeing them as God’s instrument to develop you. (5) Try reconciling with your offender. Reconciliation is God’s nature. “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). Yes, it will take selflessness and humility on your part, but the return is worth the investment! The formula for healing is simple: forgive, let go, and let God! When you get to be my age you have long realized that the previous statements are so true.
Thank you, Mrs. Irene Martin, my neighbor for the phone call and encouraging words. They meant a lot to me. Again, Thank You.
Sympathy to the White family in the passing of Betty White. She was 90 years old. Her service was last Saturday at Pilgrim Rest M. B. Church in Morton, MS. Interment was in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home. This Betty White is related to Evangelist Earnestine White Reed and is the late Percy Shepard’s cousin. Remember the family in your prayers.
Sympathy to the Gammage, Franklin, Taylor Evans families in the passing of Mrs. Mittie Gamage, Franklin, Taylor Evans families in the passing of Mrs. Mittie Jean Gammage Franklin Taylor Evans. She was 84 years old. Her service was last Saturday at Lone Pilgrim M. B. Church. Her interment was at Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Lake, MS. Arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home.
Mittie leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters, Brenda Franklin of Forest, MS, Glenda (Keith) Franklin-Hodge of Chicago, IL, Mary Clark, Betty Laster both of Forest, MS and Jeanette Evans of Brandon, MS; five sons, Ricky Franklin of Racine, WI, John W. Evans, Billy (Peggy) Evans, Terrance (Jodie) Evans, of Forest, MS and Marcus (Tanya) Evans of Madison, MS; one brother, Ollie H. Gammage of Forest, MS; three sisters-in-law, Annie Lee, Oreadus Wash, and Jessie Gammage all of Forest, MS.
Sympathy to the Hayes Family in the passing of Estella Hayes. She was 79 years old. Her service was last Sunday at Antioch M. B. Church in Lake, MS. Her interment was Lake Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home.
Care Facilities: Jerome Banks – Laurel; Billy Frank Williams – Newton. Shirley McClendon - Gulf Coast.
Remember with your prayers all our sick and shut-ins: Hope Bobbitt Townsend, Glenda Strong, Bill Bradford, Sarah Janitha White Johnson, Maude White Williams, Wayne Williams Jr., Trudy Denson, Willie Letha Stowers Peavy, Cynthia Lewis Johnson, Curtis Lewis Jr., Marshall Beamon, George Beamon, Lonnie Johnson, Verneda “Ollie” McClendon, Cora Odom Peavy, Linda Parrott, Versherica Ficklin, Mattie Holifield, Addie Zell Harris, Sarah Harper, Billy Strong, Travis Ward, Wesley Lewis, and David Parrott.
