The Epistle Winter Edition 2022

HISTORIC ST. PAUL AME CHURCH - LEXINGTON THE EPISTLE (DECEMBER) CHRISTMAS/WINTER EDITION

Elder

Sister

Bishop Anne H. Byfield, Presiding Bishop, 13th Episcopal District Rev. Kenneth J. Golphin, Presiding Elder, Bluegrass District Rev. Dr. Robert A. Strode, Pastor MINISTERIAL STAFF

Rev, Barry Frazier, Retired Itinerant Itinerant Elder Rev. Kelly Roberts, Local

Sister Shelby G. Strode, Exhorter

Doris J. Coffey, Exhorter / Editor

Sister Shelby and I are most thankful to God for another blessed opportunity to share another season of Thanksgiving with you.

This has been a year of recovery and anticipation of future blessings.

The Holy Scripture teaches us to be thankful.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

We are thankful for the joy of the holiday season, especially anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let Earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing!

We pray that the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas will prepare our hearts for peace and tranquility.

I pray God’s richest blessings upon you and your family!

Pastor Robert A. Strode

Greetings, Historic St. Paul AME Church family:

Growing older is a blessing!

Well…Me, in my early 30’s and now!

Back then, my knees didn’t hurt!

I didn’t have sciatica!

My hair was black!

I could still wear 4inch stilettos!

Dress size was smaller!

Could still run, jump and get up off the floor without assistance!!

Could walk the malls for hours!

Cooked meals for an entire congregation and still attended church service!

Stayed up late, got up early with loads of energy….

BUT GUESS WHAT???

I wouldn’t trade my present age for the world!!!

WHY WOULDN’T I???

Aside from some aches and pains, I love that I am stronger, wiser and more peaceful!! I am more assured of who I am in Christ Jesus!!

I understand my purpose!!

I have a closer walk with God!

I totally embrace growing older!

I love my silver hair, it is a testament of lessons learned!!

Nope, the old girl ain’t what she used to be, but she is vintage like fine wine!!

She’s been tried in the fire!!

She’s come forth as pure gold!!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!

THIS GIRL IS ON FIYAAAAA!!

Remember, we are awesome at any age!! The older we get, the more we are aware of God’s goodness and mercy towards us, in the mighty

name of Jesus Christ!!!

Submitted by First Lady Shelby Gene Strode

This Christmas, let us thank the Lord for all the blessings we have been blessed with and say our prayers for better days. Wishing everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas. May the presence of Jesus in our heart stays true, and His blessings be always there to bring joy and celebration in our life.

May the divine presence of Jesus Christ brings light to you and brings thousands of blessings onto your life. Never forget to pledge your love and faithfulness to Jesus Christ and thank Him for blessing us with the most beautiful life.

Never forget the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate this joyous occasion while spreading joy, harmony, and the message of Christ. Always stay true to Christ and yourself the rest doesn’t matter. Enjoy your life seeking blessings from Christ, and everything will be fine.

Christmas is the perfect occasion to cherish God and the blessings he has bestowed upon us. So, keep him in your heart and enjoy the holidays! Wishing you a beautiful and Merry Christmas.

CHRISTMAS FACTS

We all love to sing along to Jingle Bells, but have you ever noticed that the song doesn’t have the word Christmas in it? Or Jesus or Santa Claus? That’s because it wasn’t originally a Christmas song! In fact, the jolly anthem was written in 1850, entitled One Horse Open Sleigh, for the American holiday, Thanksgiving!

Christmas was first celebrated 336 years after Christ died. According to the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to redeem us from sin. Given the context, His birth is less likely to be celebrated more than his death. After contemplations and debates, the Roman Catholic church decided to establish December 25 as the birthday of Jesus.

Although we all have different opinions about Christmas, we still unify to celebrate this joyous occasion. Despite the glitter and glimmer of this season, we must remember the main reason why we celebrate Christmas. It is the birth of our savior Lord Jesus Christ who gave his own life to save us from the pits of hell.

They say that whenever December comes, people prepare to be their best Christmas self. They try to think of ways to do good things, buy gifts for their loved ones, or do something special to celebrate. Although it might sound really appealing to give Christmas that impression, how about we try to make it like Christmas every day? Do good things whenever you can, be it small or big it always counts. Give your loved ones the gift of love, prayer, and time ’cause nobody really knows if they will still be around when Christmas comes. Christ saved us so that we can share His love each and every single day of our lives. To let people know that He exists through the things that we do according to His teachings.

The X in Xmas was not originally intended, as some people believe, to “take Christ out of Christmas.” The written symbol X was frequently used to represent the letter in the Greek alphabet called Chi (the first letter in the Greek word Christos). In many Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, X abbreviates Christos (Xristos). This practice entered the Old English language as early as AD 1000 and by the 15th century, “Xmas” was widely a used symbol for Christmas.

Martin Luther is widely credited as the first person to decorate Christmas trees with lights. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.

The Christmas wreath is symbolic of Jesus. The red berries symbolize his blood and the holly represents the crown of thorns.

The best selling Christmas song ever is White Christmas by Bing Crosby. It has sold more than 50 million copies around the world. Christmas is one of the most profitable times of year for many businesses

Why We Celebrate Christmas

As we read the Word of God we find that Jesus was announced as Emmanuel, or God with us. This is such good news for man that God is not only over this world, but He has chosen to be with us, to live in our hearts. Jesus introduces us to God as our Father, and the great news of the Christmas season is that God can be reached, touched with our feelings and needs. He doesn’t just sit on a throne a million miles away, but is active in our lives every day.

We celebrate Christmas because God became man and our relationship with Him is so exciting because not only is Jesus the Son of God, but he is the Son of man, he walked where we walked, he went through the trials of life, and won over everything. So as we approach Him with our problems, pressures and mountains that we face, He can help us to be victorious in every area of our lives.

The next message we receive from Christmas is that Jesus was born a Saviour. This is so exciting because sin had separated man from God and there was no bridge man could ever cross to receive forgiveness of sin. But where sin abounded grace abounded more in Jesus. By the grace of God we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives.

What man couldn’t do for himself, God provided the spotless lamb to take away the sin of the world. Today, we along with the angels that celebrated the first Christmas day, worship Jesus as the hope of salvation for all mankind. There is no other way, there is no other truth and there is no other life outside of Jesus Christ coming into our hearts and being born again.

What is also so exciting is that being right with God has been made so simple through Christmas. If you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, if you invite him into your heart and confess that He is the Son of God, you will be saved.

Many people try to complicate Christianity with deep theological issues, but it is a simple as this: Jesus came into the world to save sinners, to give his life for the lives of others. If you want Christmas to be the most special time of the year, invite the Savior born in a manger to come into your life today.

The final message of Christmas is that Jesus was born a king. He left the majesty of heaven to come to earth so that we would be able to rule and reign with him forever. He is now ascended back to the exalted position of king of kings and lord of lords. He rules and reigns over everything, and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord of all.

What a great word for us this Christmas season, that Jesus is King. No matter what we face he is over everything. No matter what problems we encounter he is greater than all our needs. He is high and lifted up, and everything has been placed under his feet, our biggest battles are so small that he has made them his footstool.

With just one Word he can defeat every enemy of man. Sin, sickness, addiction, depression and every other enemy that man faces have been defeated in Jesus Christ. We all face things that are

bigger than us, but since every good and perfect gift comes from above, we can ask anything in the name of Jesus and it will be done for us.

So this year let’s celebrate Christmas for what it really is. That in Jesus we have God with us, and God in us, and God for us. It is such great news that all of heaven and earth declare the glory of the Lord. We can celebrate that he is the Savior of the world. We celebrate that Jesus is king. Not just the king of the Jews, but he is king over everything, and of his kingdom there shall never be an end.

If you are a sinner, if you are lost, if you are empty, Jesus came into this world for you. No greater love has any man than this, than that he would lay down his life for others. If you want peace on earth, if you want a holy night, then give your heart to Jesus Christ and you will know God is in your life, that your sins have been washed away, and that you are a child of a king.

This Christmas, remember that the true value of a gift depends on how you measure it. Sure, a gift with a large price tag might seem more valuable, but only by the world’s standards. As usual, God looks at it differently:

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1 4)

If you’re feeling like you have nothing left to give right now, that verse is worth pondering. She gave more; she gave out of her poverty; she put in all she had to live on. Think about this a little bit it puts a whole new twist on Christmas when we consider this passage in light of who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us.

Mary carried Jesus for nine months in order to deliver Him to the world. We carry Jesus for the rest of our lives in order to deliver Him to the world. As living sacrifices, we take Him to mankind so that Christ might literally touch people through our hands, feet, and voices. When we allow Christ to live through us in this way, we are sharing our very life, everything we have, more than anything that can be bought.

Have you ever realized it? Have you ever thought about this? God basically asks us to do the same thing He asked Mary to do. He came to Mary, someone who had nothing to give, and He basically said, make your body a living sacrifice to me. Entrust yourself to me. Now He looks at us and says exactly the same thing.

THREE VERY SPECIAL GIFTS

LOVE The first gift is that of love God’s love. Christmas is the celebration of God making good on a promise He had made hundreds of years earlier that a child would be born who would be both God and man. God delivered on that promise when Jesus was born. God made a promise and kept it. LOVE keeps promises. It was God’s idea to come to earth and live as a man Jesus fully man yet fully God. Now, why would God do that? Was it for His sake? No. It was for ours. It was God’s gift of LOVE to us. God’s LOVE gift is expressed in nativity scenes, red bows, giving gifts, and serving one another.

LIFE The second gift is one of LIFE real life that God promises to those who love Him. This same Jesus who died to pay the penalty for our sins so we could be totally forgiven of them also rose again from the dead alive with a new body. And, he’s in a human body still in heaven. Do you think of Him that way? God offers this same LIFE to us who believe in Him. This new LIFE richly fills the longing in our hearts for a relationship with God our Creator. He adopts us as His children. This gift of LIFE that never ends is represented in evergreen trees, wreaths, lights, and candles. I love evergreen wreaths with red bows and white lights at Christmas LIFE!

JOY The third gift is JOY expressed in celebration. The angels announced the good news of Jesus’ birth with JOYFUL praise. The shepherds responded by going to investigate for themselves, seeing the truth of the message and telling others. JOY is a sense of well-being apart from circumstances. The world seeks happiness and is devastated when things go wrong. God’s gift of JOY transcends such “happenings.” JOY is the infallible sign of the presence of God. It comes to us through our relationship with Him. Traditions expressing JOY are music, angels, and bright colors.

May these 3 gifts of Christmas make your celebration more meaningful and give more purpose to your decorations. May God bless your Christmas celebration this year.

Rather than partridges in pear trees and endless drummers drumming, here are twelve sacred gifts, dear to the hearts of those who celebrate Christ year ’round.

On the 1st day of Christmas our true love gave us LOVE: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us.” 1 John 3:1

On the 2nd day of Christmas our true love gave us HOPE: “For you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5

On the 3rd day of Christmas our true love gave us WISDOM: “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21

On the 4th day of Christmas our true love gave us JOY: “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21

On the 5th day of Christmas our true love gave us PEACE: “He promises peace to his people, his faithful servants.” Psalm 85:8

On the 6th day of Christmas our true love gave us STRENGTH: “He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29

On the 7th day of Christmas our true love gave us GRACE: “His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:6

On the 8th day of Christmas our true love gave us DIRECTION: “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs.” Isaiah 58:11

On the 9th day of Christmas our true love gave us ASSURANCE: “We are his people, the sheep of his pasture,” Psalm 100:3

On the 10th day of Christmas our true love gave us FREEDOM: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1

On the 11th day of Christmas our true love gave us PROTECTION: “He will keep me safe in his dwelling.” Psalm 27:5

On the 12th day of Christmas our true love gave us ETERNITY: “He has also set eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

May the rest of the year ahead bring you closer to the One who loves you most!

GOOD NEWS

The good news is that the joy of Christmas is not dependent on how we feel. It is joy regardless, and joy is more lasting than happiness. God came to earth in the form of a child, and He lived among us.

As you take joy in the meaning of the season and try to distance yourself from negative feelings, expect your mood to improve gradually. Feeling better takes time.

Christmas time reminds us of what is most important in life, teaches us to believe in what we cannot see and sends a note of optimism, joy and kindness in our hearts.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But how and when did it come to be that way? Obviously, as the holiday stands today, we (the Christian world) celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, born the Son of God, who would go on to give His life for the sins of mankind.

It’s no real surprise. Christmas is a great holiday, built on traditions that are universal and transcend cultural differences. Good will, peace, and giving to those you love aren’t held by any one culture over another. It’s no wonder that so many people, both religious and secular alike, have chosen to celebrate Christmas.

Christians are given an account by the gospel that Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, laid in a manger, visited by shepherds and wise men from the East, and heralded by angels. However, nowhere in the gospel does it give a day, month, or even season for the birth of Jesus.

The very thing Christians celebrate at Christmas is the very thing everyone still needs. Jesus did not enter human existence at a nostalgic, warm and triumphant moment in human history. He entered at the worst of times for the worst of sinners. Yet, it was the perfect time for God, because He sent his son to be the only Savior. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4 5).

With a heart of faith and hope in Christ, this is a time to call out to him in prayer and ask for him to help you in any area where we need rescue. We need rescue from ourselves, sin, suffering, and worries. When you cry out humbly, he promises grace.

For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart. From December to New Year's Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas.

THE BIBLE AND BIBLE STUDY

What Is the Purpose of the Bible? When you attempt to answer a question like what is the purpose of the Bible, there are many different directions you can go in. The Bible can be seen as an historical book because it is filled with history. It can also be seen as an instructional book. Some have even coined an acronym about the Bible, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

The Bible is a book of revelation or a book that reveals. When you understand what the Bible reveals, you will understand what the purpose of the Bible is.

1. Who God Is: One of the main purposes of the Bible is to reveal who God is. It gives us insight into his character. It starts with the opening verse of scripture. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

The Bible begins right away establishing God’s eternal nature, that he was before all things and that he is the cause of all things created. In fact, God is the one who caused our beginning. That is, on a general level for all creation and on a personal level for you and me.

As you continue turning the pages of Scripture, more and more of God’s character is revealed. If you want to have a deeper understanding of who God is, you cannot do that apart from the Bible. It is simply not possible. This is what makes the Bible so important. It was never God’s plan to hide who he is. It was always his plan to reveal who he is, and he has used the pages of Scripture to make that known.

Every aspect that God wanted us to know about his character, he has placed it in his word for us to discover. That is why reading the Bible is so critical to your walk with God. It is also why it becomes exciting as God unfolds who he is to you right from the pages of Scripture. If your desire is to know who God is and what God is like, you can simply open the Bible and find out. You will be amazed how God’s character shines through, and sometimes you will find aspects of who he is in the places where you least expect.

2. Who We Are: Another important purpose of the Bible is not just to reveal who God is, but to reveal who we are. The scriptures make us aware of our sinful condition, especially when you view yourself through the lens of God’s word. One of the best examples of this is in 2 Kings 22 in the life of King Josiah. I encourage you to read the whole chapter, but here is the cliff notes version of this story. Josiah sent his secretary to the temple and there he found the word of the Lord. He came back and read it aloud to Josiah and here was his reaction.

In case you do not know, tearing your robes was done when there was great mourning or sorrow. When the word of God was read, it revealed to Josiah the sinfulness of his nation and he responded with great sorrow. Has this ever happened to you? If it has then the Bible has accomplished its purpose. That’s why the writer of Hebrews says this about the word of God.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

If you ever need a checkup on who you are, then line yourself up with the word of God. The Bible will reveal who you are. It will make you aware of your sinful condition and show you how short we have fallen when compared to God’s standards.

3. God’s Plan of Salvation for Humanity:If there is one thing I love about God, it is that he doesn’t just reveal a problem, he also provides a solution. One of the main purposes of the Bible is to reveal God’s solution for our sinful condition. It is within the pages of Scripture that we see God’s plan of salvation for humanity mapped out so beautifully.

Starting in Genesis, the seeds of a coming savior are planted and the moment Adam and Eve sinned, God’s plan of salvation for humanity was put into effect. It is within God’s word that we see this plan unfolding. From the beginning, the Bible points to a coming savior who would redeem and restore mankind back to the Father. The Old Testament points to Jesus and the New Testament reveals him.

The Bible is a beautiful depiction of how God meticulously watches over his plan to bring it to fruition. We know and understand the plan of salvation because God has placed it in his word and revealed it to us.

4. How We Should Live: The Bible is also a book of instruction teaching us how to live. Remember “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” The idea of the Bible being a book of instruction is seen in both the Old and New Testaments. I could give you many examples but here are two.

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8, NLT).

“All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16 17).

It could not be clearer that one of the main purposes of the Bible is to teach us how to live. If you think about the ten commandments, those are instructions. If you read through the sermon on the mount, those are instructions. If you read the epistles in the new testament, they are all filled with instructions. God has given us his word so that we would not only know who he is but that we would also know how he wants us to live. When you read the pages, the Bible clearly reveals this.

5. What Happens When This Life Is Over The Bible would not be complete if it only dealt with what happens in this life, and thankfully it goes beyond that. The Bible doesn’t just teach us about living life on earth now; it prepares us for what happens when this life is over and the eternal life we will live after we die. The Bible reveals our mortality and our immortality both at the same time. What I mean is that every person will have an eternal existence after we die. First it is clear that we will all die and then we will all face judgment.

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

However, after this judgment we will all exist forever. The question is where will you exist forever? Some will be with God forever in heaven, and some will be eternally separated from God in a place called hell or the lake of fire. I am not saying this to scare you, I am saying this because this is what the Bible reveals. We are all eternal beings, it is just a matter of where you will spend your eternity. As my former pastor used to say, “10,000 years from now where will you be?”

The Bible is clear about life after death, but that is also what makes God’s plan of salvation so beautiful and why the Bible is so important.

Why Should I Study the Bible? In the pages of Scripture, we are encouraged to study the Bible.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

This is a good reason why you should study, but I will make it even more practical. You should study because you want to know God more. You want to live in a way that pleases him. You want to understand more of his plan of salvation and how you fit into it. You want to truly walk with him. In other words, you study the Bible because that is the purpose of the Bible. If you want to become the person God wants you to become, then studying the Bible will be an essential part of your life. It cannot happen any other way. OPPORTUNITIES

Make a “fresh” start for the New Year: Attend Bible Study. Be encouraged to open your Bible and begin to read and study more. There is so much to learn about God and yourself and you can find it all written for you within the pages of Scripture. COME TO BIBLE STUDY AND DISCOVER WHAT GOD WANTS TO REVEAL TO YOU!

Prayer for the New Year 2023

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the year that has passed and the many blessings You have showered upon us. We beg your pardon in our many failings and trespasses. Make the new year a more fruitful and blessed one. We also thank You for every test of time that has brought us stronger in faith and trust in You. Bestow upon us the gift of the Holy Spirit. We call upon our Lord Jesus Christ for His intercessions, His guidance and His light to shine our path.

Lord Jesus Christ, we lift up ourselves in our present state. We pray that we become more responsible in our pursuits, our faith and our prayer life. We pray to keep our eyes, our ears and our hearts from clinging to the things of this world. May we keep our whole being fixed on You, O Lord.

Let us never lose sight of You and let our love for You grow more and more every day. Bless us with a pleasant, cordial speech and manners. We pray to be true to all in our words, thoughts and deeds. May we be humble and respectful towards others and honoring God all our lives.

Lord, we pray for all family members: father, mother, husband, wife, brothers and sisters. We pray for each one to be blessed with Your love and providence that they may be part of a family of unity, peace and well being. May there be love in the family which will overlook all shortcomings. Let there be compassion which will see one another in mercy. And may there be forgiveness and acceptance in the times of failure and disappointments.

For those who are without faith, we pray that You open a door of opportunity for one to reach them with Your Good News. Convert their unbelief to embrace You, Lord Jesus Christ, with their hearts.

Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for children of all ages who are either pursuing their studies or working. Guard them, O Lord we pray, from all dangers and evil exposures. Protect them from the worldly pleasures that leads to a unhealthy lifestyle. May their homes be filled with love. Let their hearts be strong and secure, not to fall into the way of darkness. May education be important to them and may moral values and discipline be an integral part of their lives.

Lord Jesus Christ, last but not the least, we earnestly pray for world peace and unity. We pray for the sick, the terminally ill, the abandoned, the homeless, the rejected, the lost and those affected by natural calamities. May our hearts extend with love, and our hands extend in sharing our blessings and providence, always for the glory of God, in Your blessed name Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Submitted by Sister Dinah Johnson

Practicing gratitude is a game changer. Gratitude is feeling thankful for what you receive in your life: people, experiences, feelings, and tangible objects. In our day to day lives, it’s easy to focus on what isn’t going well a clogged sink, a pile of dirty laundry, or a day packed with work meetings. When the focus is on these smaller things, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and brought down. Instead, focus on what is going right.

Find Something Every Day to be Grateful for - No matter how your day is going, there is always something to be grateful for. Take a moment at the beginning or end of the day to jot down 1 3 things you feel thankful for. Be specific about each day. Many people use a gratitude journal or notebook to reflect on what they are grateful for.

Express Gratitude Toward Others How many times do you mumble “thanks” when receiving your food or something from a friend? Change your ways. For example: Tell your friend how much you appreciate what they did for you. “I really appreciated the time you took to bring over a book for me to borrow.”

Write ‘thank you’ notes. Don’t forget the power of a handwritten note or texting someone for a gift or nice gesture.

Go the extra mile and tell someone how you feel. Others may never know how much they mean to you unless you express it.

Change Your Outlook - Life is not perfect. Things can always go wrong and they often do. It’s a normal part of life that you should expect. So many things are beyond your control, but you CAN change your reaction when something doesn’t go the way you planned.

When something unfortunate happens, recognize it and do your best to focus on something positive about the situation. You can always find something, even if it’s small! For example, if your car tire goes flat, that’s frustrating… but if you have the means to pay for it or a friend who can help you, be grateful for that!

Just like gratefulness can spread, so can negativity. Changing your attitude quickly can change the moment, the day and your outlook. Be grateful today, tomorrow, and all year round! Your life will be truly better for it.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but thanksgiving is every day! We should give thanks in all things, in all ways to God for His goodness.

The Power of a Thankful Heart

It gets our eyes off ourselves, and helps us to focus back on God.

It reminds us we're not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is. It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him.

It helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for, even all of the little things, which often we may forget to thank Him for...but they really are the biggest, most important things in this life. It takes our attention off of our problems and helps us instead to reflect on, to remember, the goodness of His many blessings.

It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We were never intended to be fully self sufficient in this life. A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand.

A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. For it is impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.

It makes the enemy flee. The forces of darkness can't stand to be around hearts that give thanks and honor to God. Our praise and thanksgiving will make them flee.

It opens up the door for continued blessings. It invites His presence. Our spirits are refreshed and renewed in Him. God loves to give good gifts to His children. He delights in our thankfulness and pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to Him.

Scripture is filled with Bible verses about gratitude and Psalms of thanksgiving that can inspire a heart and life filled with the power of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young.

Dress in layers. Several layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Invest in a good brand of thermal underwear and layer beneath a turtleneck, topped with a wool sweater, then a long coat or fleece lined parka. Try runners’ tights to wear underneath your pants, which will keep you even warmer than thermal underwear.

Wear the right gear. Our bodies prioritize keeping our organs warm, which means hands and feet are typically the first to feel the cold. Wear either wool lined winter gloves or heavy mittens, and sturdy, waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. A hat is essential, preferably one that covers your ears. Cover your face and mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissues. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

Do not leave pets outside during cold weather extremes. They need adequate shelter. In sub zero temperatures, their paws, noses and ears can succumb to frostbite bring them inside. If you can’t bring them in your home, house them in a garage or basement with plenty of warm bedding.

Know the warning signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If body temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care.

Be safe with heat sources. When using alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions to ensure they are ventilating properly. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure everyone in the household knows how to use it. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Seal off unused rooms by stuffing rolled up towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Consider installing inexpensive insulating window film, which you can purchase at any hardware store.

Save the food. If you lose power for an extended period of time, don’t let food go to waste! Use the outdoors as a makeshift freezer for food. Be sure to cover items to protect from wildlife.

To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of water to run from a faucet if your pipes have frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe should burst.

Be a good neighbor. Check in with elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors to ensure they are safe.

“Waste not, want not.” That’s what our grandmothers used to say. It’s the basic premise that if you use up what you have, you won’t find yourself in need. If you’ve heard the latest stats, you know that 40 percent of all food is wasted in the United States. And nearly half of that waste comes from households.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, roughly 70 billion pounds of food is lost in the United States each year and nearly one third of that food waste happens because we purchase, cook or serve more than we consume. At the same time, about one in six Americans faces hunger, according to Feeding America. Getting into the habit of using up our leftovers is one way to have an impact on this important issue.

Some of the reasons people waste food in their homes is by cooking too much and forgetting about or not eating up their leftovers. Whether you’re eating at home or out at a restaurant, don’t let leftover edible food go to waste in the trash or compost bin. No amount is too little to save when your hard earned money and resources are on the line.

At restaurants, get a to go box, or better yet, bring your own container. Just don’t forget it on the table when you leave. After a home cooked meal, pack up the leftovers and get them into the fridge after everyone has filled up. Label the leftovers and store them in a place in the fridge where you won’t forget about them.

Saving leftovers is a quick way to pack a low effort lunch. Just pop them into the right sized container, and you’re ready to go! If there is not enough food for a full meal, pack an extra snack or a side.

Get creative in the kitchen. Leftover vegetables are easily combined or baked into new dishes. Reinvent grains and meats into fried rice, hash, scrambles, and soups. The web is filled with ideas on “what to do with extra ”

If you like the food that’s left over but just don’t want to eat more of it now or even this week, freeze it in portion sizes or family dinner sizes to consume later. You’ll thank yourself when you have a busy schedule and no time to make a meal. Just be sure to label your container so you don’t have a frozen mystery jar that requires an act of bravery to defrost.

If you really hate leftovers, make an effort to avoid them in the first place by matching the amount of food you cook or buy with the amount of food you eat. Making sure we eat all of the food we prepare is an important way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and save money. Start showing your leftovers some love today.

“Squeeze every bit of sweetness out of your life and unselfishly share it with those you love. Waste not - Want not!

From the Editor’s Desk

May joy bells ring loud and clear for you and your family, with the spirit of Christmas and what it means to us? We can all give thanks to Almighty God for His unspeakable gift of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Thank you for taking time to read the Epistle. As your Editor I would greatly appreciate your input via articles, prayers, and news of your organization.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS: If you are not aware, Bible Study available for “Everyone” three times a week. Tuesdays at NOON: ID 832 4172 0154 PASSCODE: 381000 (Instructor: Exhorter Doris Coffey). Wednesdays 12 NOON and 6:00PM ID: 881 5939 5611 (Pastor’s Bible Study). If you are interested in attending and these times do not work with your schedules, please let us know. I am sure we can accommodate you.

The Women’s Ministry of St. Paul meet every fourth (4th) Monday of each month. Note: December meeting will be the third (3rd) Monday because of Holiday Break. We have something for everyone…we teach, we chat, we worship, we share, we pray and have guest speakers. Join us and see what you think. ID: 844 0501 0039 PASSCODE: 830795.

Sunday Services: 11:00AM (1) Virtual (2) Zoom (3) Face Book (4) You-Tube…leaves us without excuse for attending Worship Services on Sunday. Zoom ID: 156 987 651 PC: 966774

Sunday Church School 9:30AM (Supt. Sister Dinah Johnson) ID:852 9166 3405 PC: 054455.

As we rapidly approach the New Year, we praise and thank God for the expectation of seeing another new year. What shall we do with this New Year? What changes shall we make? How shall we live our lives? How shall we spend our time? How will we treat family, friends and strangers?

Dear God: Thank you for your goodness and blessings over us. Thank you that you bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care, your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given.. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. We love You, We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus’ Name…..Amen

Eternal Gifts of Christmas

Of all the gifts that we receive, the best ones come from above. Our heavenly Father has given and continues to give us the most wonderful gifts of all… now and throughout the year. And Christmas is the perfect time to reflect on these eternal gifts.

Salvation - First of all, there is no greater gift than the gift of salvation! This gift was given through Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection.

Peace That Passes All Understanding No matter how stressful the situation we are in, we can rely on a God-given peace that makes no sense to the world.

Provision Other people may worry about the ups and downs of the economy, but we don’t have to because God has promised to provide for us. “

Direct Line to God We have a direct line to our heavenly Father.

Joy Our joy doesn’t come from outside circumstances but from the Holy Spirit who resides within us.

Heaven on Earth What does this mean for us? It means that the Kingdom is available to us at all times because Jesus lives within us.

Family and Friends God places people in our lives to be a blessing to us, so we can also bless others. Your family, friends and church family are your greatest blessing and your biggest support system. Grace Grace is God’s unmerited favor, His special gift to us.

Healing .” Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have access to the healing power of God.

Abundant life Abundance is an excess of something. If we have a life of abundance, it is a life that is overflowing overflowing with love, peace, and grace.

As we celebrate the birth of our greatest gift of all, don’t lose sight of these eternal truths of Christmas and all He has blessed us with.

Christmas is the perfect time to try a different Menu

Roast potatoes - Classic, crispy roast potatoes Loved by all, this vegetarian side dish is the perfect side to your main Christmas dish.

Carrots - Carrots! Crunchy, colorful and fresh, your Christmas dinner wouldn't be complete without carrots!

Turkey - The most popular Christmas food is the one and only, the Turkey

Gravy – The reason your Christmas dinner isn't dry and plain - it's gravy! Smooth and flavorful, whether you like a drizzle or downpour your Christmas dinner is complete without this classic sauce.

Stuffing - Classic stuffing What would your dinner be without it? This sage and onion recipe proves that sometimes the simplest of dishes really is the best.

Pigs in blankets - At number 6 on the list of most popular Christmas foods it's the food you can never only have one of - pigs in blankets! The cripsy bacon really compliments the bite size sausage for a burst of flavor.

Parsnips - Roasted they're bursting with flavour and a delicate crunch. A staple vegetable for your Christmas dinner menu.

Brussels sprouts - Love them or hate them, you can't deny classic brussel sprouts are an essential part of any Christmas dinner.

Cranberry sauce - Deliciously tart and sweet, it's a staple for roasts and Christmas dinner spreads.

Broccoli - You could never forget broccoli for your Christmas dinner, Serve it simple or add parmesan and pistachios.

Cauliflower cheese - Looking for something a little bit different to accompany your Christmas turkey? Why not try cauliflower cheese.

Roast ham - Fancy something different to the classic Christmas turkey?

Smoked salmon - add variety to your Christmas dinner spread with bite sized salmon parcels

Roast beef - a great choice for those who prefer red meat over white

Roast chicken - We all know you can't beat a tender roast chicken

Roast sweet potatoes - roasted sweet potatoes are a great way to get some healthy Vitamin A and fiber into your diet.

Roast lamb - Roast lamb doesn't have to be just for Easter dinner, it’s a great alternative if you're bored with the classic turkey.

Spinach - Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean you should be skipping out on your all important green veggies!

Kale – A healthy super-food Kale! Packed with essential Vitamins and Nutrients.

Remember All the Lord Has Done

“Take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Deuteronomy 6:12). Christians are enjoined to never forget what their Lord has done for them.

A Christian who obtains his greatest joy from the Lord sees January 1 as a time to remember the goodness of God as it has unfolded across the past year. Sometimes the details of God’s intervention are only obvious when one surveys his goodness over time. We can never remember the Lord’s grace and mercy and love towards us too often. Remembering Christ is essential; the more one does this the better.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). This is the Psalmist’s exhortation for every day, not just New Year’s Day; not only on good days, when we anticipate the company of friends and a great meal, perhaps music and dancing. Every day is the Lord’s Day and every day we are his.

Christians do not need to avoid “fun” as though Christ was averse to it. God does not demand that we be serious all the time. “Jesus was not a recluse. He performed His first miracle at a wedding, when He changed water into wine. He was so full of life that His enemies called Him a wine bibber and a glutton. He was not, but there was in Him a genuine joy, and if you don’t have that joy, you’re not like Jesus, for He is literally leaping with joy.”

The New Year is a reminder to keep Jesus ever in the forefront of our minds. New Year’s Day is no different from any other day as far as Christ is concerned. For the believer, however, the very idea of throwing out an old calendar and starting with 12 clean pages is a poignant reminder that the pages, like our lives, quickly become messy.

New Year’s Day is a day of resetting hearts, which have wandered, and of restoring the habit of turning to Christ every day for a fresh start, not in a new relationship, but in a relationship with Jesus, which is always growing.

January 1, Christians wonder “will this be the year Jesus returns?” One thing is for sure: Jesus’ return is sooner today than it was yesterday. With that in mind, we prepare.

STRODE AND THE MINISTERIAL STAFF WISH ALL A

PASTOR

KNOW YOUR CHURCH

Presented by The Lay Organization

“LivingAGlobal WitnessMinistryThat Transforms,Transcends,and Liberates” ScriptureReference:Luke4: 18 19

Christmas 2022 is just a few weeks away and many of us are looking forward to the usual gathering of family and friends, enjoying a delicious Christmas dinner and buying gifts for family and friends. 1 Roughly nine-in-ten adults say these activities typically were part of their holiday celebrations when they were growing up.

Christmas is a fun holiday for many. However, the holiday season comes with its own set of stressors and expectations, both internally and externally. Being overwhelmed by these holiday related stressors, for some people, can lead to symptoms of depression.

Despite all the stress, anxiety and hubbub this season brings, let our hearts and our voices be uplifted as we remember “the reason for the season”. About two thousand years ago, between 6 and 4 BC, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah whose coming the prophets had announced for thousands of years, was born in Bethlehem not in majesty and power, as expected, but in poverty in a stable with a manger for his crib.

In spite of the challenges we now face in our fast paced changing world today, we Christians lift our voices to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy To The World” to describe the good news and celebrate the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate, let us resolve that we will try with all our might to make Jesus, the Messiah, the absolute center of our lives. Let’s give God the highest place in our life this Christmas, and in the days and years to come.

1

Pew Research Center

”

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” -- John 3:16 (NLV)

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707 1788 Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809 1847

1. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem!

[Chorus]

2. Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King!

Joy To The World! The Lord Is Come Advent and Christmas Carol

(As of the late 20th century, "Joy to the World" was the most published Christmas hymn in North America)

Text: Isaac Watts: 1719

Melody: "Antioch" by George Frideric Handel: 1685-1759 Psalm 98, 96:11 12 and Genesis 3:17 18

1. Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

2. Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The word joy is connected to Christmas and to the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.in a significant way. The angel brought “good tidings of great Joy” to the shepherds (Luke 2:10). The wise men, when they saw the star, “rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10)

Aleigha Sullivan was the Assistant Stage Manager for The School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) production of Disney Descendants The Musical production at The Lexington Opera House, November 10 – 12, 2022. Aleigha is a sophomore Drama major at SCAPA Lafayette. She served on the technical crew for Moana, Jr. and The Redemption of Gertie Green. She has also performed in the Lion King, Jr, Annie, Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Madagascar Jr, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jr. She also serves as a production manager on the SPAME technical team. When she is not busy with a production, Aleigha is competing as a track and field athlete. Aleigha competed in the 2022 AAU Junior Olympics for Discus. She also represented the Lexington Blazin Cats in Shot Putt at the Jr. Olympics in Track and Field in Humble, Texas in 2021. Aleigha is the daughter of Alisia Channell and Joseph Sullivan, the granddaughter of Lay Historiographer and Parliamentarian Priscilla Sullivan, and the great granddaughter of Bessie Jackson Director of Lay Activities (DOLA)...

Save the Date

A Musical Journey with Lutisha Coleman

Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Donation: $10

This is a fundraiser and will showcase the extraordinary musical talents of our very own SPAME member, Lutisha Coleman. who is widely respected for her “extensive career” of musical achievements.

Money raised will benefit the Lutisha Coleman Scholarship Fund as well as the spiritual and community leadership programs of our Historic St. Paul AME Church Lay Organization.

We invite you to join us,

"

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -- Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

SPAME Lay Organization member Sis. Lutisha Coleman represented Historic St. Paul at the Q&A panel discussion for the screening of “Stay Prayed Up” on October 6, 2002 at the The Living Arts and Science Center. The screening was part of a unique 2022 2023 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers and was hosted by The Living Arts and Science Center, a Screening Partner for the South Arts Tour. “Stay Prayed Up”, the second film on the tour, directly ties to the celebration of music.

Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts, a regional arts organization, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Living Arts and Science Center will host six independent filmmakers for screenings and conversations around important stories and the art of filmmaking.

SPAME Lay Organization member Sis Lutisha Coleman displayed her remarkable musical talent as guest pianist at the Great Friends Celebration Gala honoring Lexington luminaries Virginia Bell, Yvonne Giles and Isabel Yates. The program recognized Sis. Coleman as the 2022 Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent winner.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of The Lexington Senior Center, was held on October 13, 2022, at the Lexington Senior Citizens Center. The Friends of The Lexington Senior Center help keep things lively by catching the little things that tend to slip through the cracks in operating budgets.

A Christmas Alphabet Poem

Author Unknown

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.”

Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”

Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”

Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar. “Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?’”

Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. “And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream. “The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust. “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”

Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation.”

Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past. “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.”

Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word. “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in. “And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name. “She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart. “And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.”

SPAM Lay Organization Elects Officers

Join us in congratulating our officers elected to serve the Historic St. Paul AME Church Lay Organization for the 2022-2023 Conference Year.

“And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus and come with him into the presence of God the Father to give him your thanks.” Colossians 3:17 (TLB) .

Paula Campbell - Rudd

President

Lorna Laurie

1st. Vice President Myron Coleman

2nd Vice President

Chaplin Shelby Strode

3rd. Vice President Betty Morton - Young Secretary

Treasurer

Lutisha Coleman

Corresponding.

Secretary

Tammy Morton Terry Financial Secretary Priscilla A. Sullivan Historiographer Parliamentarian Bessie M. Jackson Director of Lay Activities (DOLA)

The objectives and purpose of the Lay Organization are outlined in its Constitution. The main objectives are stated in brief as follows:

1. To create a love and appreciation of the History and Principles of African Methodism.

2. Keep the memory of Richard Allen alive.

3. Respect Constituted Authority.

4. Stimulate and Educate the Laity in the Total Program of the Church.

5. Study the Discipline and learn the laws of the Church.

6. Encourage Financial Support of the Church’s Program.

7. Teach and Practice Stewardship and work with the Youth to teach them Methodism.

8. These objectives can best be met when one works to understand the program of the church and relate the church to the World around us. Become involved in Social Action such that the church is then our Community our Job Our School, and everywhere that many assembles he carries the church with him.