Announcements: Roosevelt State Park and Golden State Park reopened to the public on Monday, April 27 at 8 a.m. Bank fishing will be allowed with regards to safe distancing requirements being honored. A state fishing license is required to fish in any public body of water in Mississippi. Fishing piers will remain closed. License and boat registration renewal may be acquired online @ www.ms.gov/mdwfp/licensing/login.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Distress Hot Line at 1-800-985-5990 and you may text Talk With Us to 664746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The Crisis Text Line can connect someone with a crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741741. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available at 1-800-273-8225. The DMH Helpline will remain staffed at all times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 1-877-210-8513 for information about services or support near you. Additional resources for Mississippians are located at www.mentalhealthms.com and www.standupms.org.
Congratulations to: And deep appreciation to those who volunteer their time, labor and resources to help others in these trying times. Making masks in their homes, keeping essential business open and providing much needed food and supplies to those in need. God bless each of you!
Prayers and concern for: Gay Rayburn Stephenson (mother of Pastor, Sheila Cumbest of Morton UMC), Lula Risher, Ailene Donald, Sheena Comfort Miles, Alice Armstrong Staten, Neva Laseter, Pat Jolly and Matthew Jolly, Barry Sparks family of Seminary (cousin of Bob Webb ) on extensive damage to their home during the recent tornado and continued concern for Buddy Taylor, James and Sherry Palmer, Ricky and Connie Parker and Beverly Freeman.
Sympathy to the families of: Pettey Brown, David Earl Gilmore, Sam Fortenberry, Richard lewis, George Neal Tadlock, Ruth Speed, Patsy Stuart and Irven Sumrall “Sonny” Williams (graduate of Morton High School...cousin of Frisky Roland).
Sittin’ and thinkin’: As time continues to keep us confined to our homes with minds and hearts turned toward prayers for those who are directly impacted by corona virus, other health issues, loss of income and many overwhelming stress factors this gives the opportunity to reflect on the really important things in our earthly journey. This week the inspiration found in the collection of inserts once placed in the Sunday Bulletin at Morton UMC by Prayer Partners, compiled by Neva Lasseter is to be shared with readers of this news media. There are four important lessons in this message ased on Matthew 25:40 and the King will answer them. “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethern, you did to me.” There will be four lessons but only two will be shared this week. The others will be continued for next week.
1: First Important Lesson — Cleaning Lady. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one. “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark haired and in her 50’s but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people.” All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2: Second Important Lesson — Always remember those who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost mush less, a 10-year-old-boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked.
“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain glass of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was getting impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickles and five pennies. You see he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave a tip.
