Greater Saint John Cathedral 11425 Old Marlboro Pike Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301.574.5100
www.saintjohn.net
Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr., Senior Pastor
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Magazine Ministry
Executive Editor
Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr.
Editor
Sylvia Tyson
Editorial Board
Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr.
Sylvia Tyson
Janice Shields
Pastor Christina Williams
Brother Tony P. D. Williams
Photographs
Photography Ministry
Design/Layout/WEB Designers
Deaconess Wynnice Pointer-Napper
Minister Melissa Monroe
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Articles for inclusion in the Fall Edition 2026 issue are due by September 20, 2026 . If you have an article to contribute; business advertisement; testimony or have reached a milestone in your life; i.e., retirement; birth of a child; graduations or other accomplishments, please forward this information to: thejabez_report@saintjohn.net
A Message from our Bishop
Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr.
The P en T ecosT e x Perience
After serving in the same ministry for 37 years, one might expect the work to become routine or even predictable. Yet, the opposite is true. With each passing year, I continue to discover new treasures in God’s Word. One truth that continues to unfold before me is what I call The Pentecost Experience .
Pentecost is much more than the day the Church was born. Every Christian should understand it because it reveals how God empowers, unites, and commissions His people. Here are three foundational reasons:
1 Pentecost Marks the Birth of the Church
Before Pentecost, the disciples believed in Christ, but waited for the promised power. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to boldly preach the gospel, and about 3,000 people were saved in one day.
2. Pentecost Demonstrates the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit transformed fearful disciples into courageous witnesses.
Before Pentecost:
• Peter denied Jesus three times .
After Pentecost:
• Peter boldly preached before thousands.
• Miracles occurred
• The Holy Spirit transformed lives
3. Pentecost Reveals God’s Mission for All People
At Pentecost, people from many nations heard the gospel in their own languages. This reversed the division seen at the Tower of Babel and demonstrated that the gospel is for every nation, race, and language.
Let us think of Pentecost the following way:
• Power God empowers believers through the Holy Spirit.
• Presence God’s Spirit dwells within His people.
• Purpose — The Church proclaimed the gospel to the world .
Pentecost is not merely an event to remember—it is an experience to embrace. The same Holy Spirit who empowered the early Church still empowers believers today. He gives us His power to serve, His presence to sustain us, and His purpose to reach the world with the Gospel.
May we never view Pentecost as simply a date on the Church calendar, but as a daily reminder that God still fills, equips, and sends His people. Let us seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and live every day in The Pentecost Experience
When L ife fee L s L ike a sTorm:
TrusT ing g od in uncerTain Times
By Sister Sylvia B. Tyson
Have you ever watched trees during a storm?
When the winter season comes, they stand tall through the cold and rain, quietly growing by the steady pouring rain. When the storm deepens, their resilience becomes visible, they do not resist the forces of wind; the branches bend, yielding to nature’s force as its leaves are torn away. The trunk, however, remains steady and deeply rooted, making the tree stay grounded and unmoved, holding firm through it all.
We are living in a season where the storm seems relentless . The news carries unsettling headlines one after another and the future which once felt exciting and full of hope now seems to be full of uncertainties. If we are honest, the weight of daily life can bend us, tearing away the sense of peace we have cultivated as God’s children.
The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians not from a place of comfort but from a prison cell and yet, he wrote words that have outlasted every empire, generations and times that have come since. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Paul did not promise that everything will work out. He did not assure everyone of a smooth circumstance but he simply urges us to present all our requests, to bring all the fears, tears, the uncertainties, the helplessness, the thoughts that keeps you awake mornings and nights. Bring all these to God. Paul also did not say the storm will immediately cease, but because there is peace available to us, the ones that Paul testify to “transcend all understanding”
This could simply mean a peace that does not require us to have the answers first, a peace that guards our hearts even while the storms are roaring and our branches are bending helplessly. The Lord, He is the unshakeable root that holds the tree, unseen yet fully present holding us when we feel like we are failing.
Greater Nation, when life feels out of control, it is not truly beyond His care. We belong to the One who spoke the world into being, the One who can calm even the fiercest storm. He is our steady ground, our unchanging certainty. We are not meant to carry the weight of being the trunk or the roots. We are simply called to remain connected to Him.
So let us gently release all things that steals our peace and rest in the One who holds all things with care.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You Are Still Worth Choosing: Wake Up Appreciation
By 1st Lady Denise Gresham
Revelation 2:4–5 (NIV) “You have forsaken the love you had at first… Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
While asking God what I should share with you, He gently reminded me of something.
He said, “Many of the couples on this call are seasoned.” I said, ‘That is wonderful!’ Then He laid something else on my heart. Sometimes, when we have been married a long time, we can quietly begin to believe that we are fine, we are good, and that we do not really need to make any changes. God wants to give us a gentle reminder in love.
YOU ARE STILL WORTH CHOOSING
This scripture acts as a warning to marriages against letting initial enthusiastic devotion fade into routine functionality. It calls for remembering early enthusiastic affection, repenting of apathy, and restoring intentional, loving actions to rekindle the relationship
This is no small thing—God sees every year as a testimony. If you have been married a long time, you deserve honor. You have stayed when it was not easy. We have worked through things nobody else saw. We kept showing up—even on days we did not feel like it.
However, longevity is powerful…but it is different from intentionality
Just because you have been married a long time…does not mean you should stop choosing each other. Remember, what we do not nurture, we slowly lose. Not all at once, but little by little:
• Less conversation
• Less appreciation
• Less effort
It is not usually the large issues that weaken a marriage over time, it is the little things:
• The “thank you” that goes unspoken.
• The affection that gets postponed.
• The listening that turns into assuming
• The presence that turns into routine .
When you have been married a long time, it is easy to say: “I already know them. They already know I appreciate them. They already know how I feel.”
• However, the truth is— love unexpressed can feel like love unknown
One day you are together but not really connected. It is not because you do not love each other.
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Let us be honest—after years of marriage:
• “Good morning” turns into just… morning.
• Conversations turn into instructions .
• We stop saying “I appreciate you.”
• We no longer plan dates We started delegating
• We communicate more with our phones than with each other. (AMEN)
• We can finish each other’s sentences… and sometimes each other’s arguments.
• We know their habits, routines, and even their tones.
• We can tell what kind of mood they are in before they say a word.
• “I love you” turns into “Did you pay the bill?”
• We must not let responsibility replace our romance.
Routine should never replace relationships. The same love that carried us then can carry us now—if we feed it. We do not need a new marriage…we need renewed intention .
Here is how we stop taking each other for granted:
• Say What You Still See about your spouse —If you think of something good, say it. Do not assume they know.
• Do Something Small, On Purpose for your spouse—Love lives in small, consistent actions—not big moments.
• Stay Engaged with your spouse.
• Do not stop learning your spouse.
• Keep asking, listening, caring.
Exercise:
When we have time together, do this:
1 Remember - What made me fall in love with you?
2 . Reaffirm - One thing I appreciate about you today is…
3 Choose Again - Today, I choose you because… (be specific)
4 . Hold hands and pray together.
5 Say: Verbalize one specific gratitude - “Thank you for [making coffee/praying with me yesterday.”]
6 . Touch: Non-sexual affection—hand on back, kiss on forehead, 20-second hug.
7 . Plan: One tiny date weekly (coffee walk, sunset drive)—no kids/work talk.
The person we have been with all these years is still a gift, worth honoring, pursuing, and choosing. Do not let familiarity make you forget what you once prayed for. Long-lasting marriages do not just happen.
Do not just stay married, stay intentional. Strong marriages do not just last…they must be nurtured. No matter how long you have been married, there is always room to grow, refresh, and to love each other on purpose again.
Couple Declaration
I choose you—again! I will not take you for granted. I choose love and patience - I choose us! With God at the center, we will not drift but build and not break. Our marriage is a blessing— and we will treat it that way!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
One Battle After Another
By Sister Janice Shields
Have you ever walked through days, weeks, months, or even entire seasons that felt like one battle after another? I have.
I have faced one health battle after another. At times, every test, procedure, and scan uncovered a completely unrelated medical issue that was never part of the original concern. My first human and immature spirit thought is OMG!! What is going on?
In time, it spiritually clicked for me, Thank you, Jesus! There is so much to unpack with God revealing things that might otherwise have remained hidden and undiagnosed. For that, I say, thank you, Jesus, for shedding light on the unknown. It finally became clear to me that I was not meant to fight this health battle alone. Sometimes, we become so caught up in the struggle that it takes a moment to return to our foundation—our faith—and realize this is bigger than us. I had to be honest with God and with myself: I cannot carry this by myself. Lord, I need You.
Surrendering to God is helping to quiet and calm my spirit while God heals my body. Remembering the times God healed me before and reflecting on the testimony of His faithfulness in my life, is my peace! We have history. If God did it before, HE can do it again!
In my conversations with God, I continue to declare with all my heart that HE did not bring me this far to leave me now. He still has more for me to become, see, do, and receive. The absolute best is still ahead, and I thank God for knowing what His daughter’s body can bear. God knows my name!
To the Girl in the Mirror
~ This battle is not mine; it belongs to the Lord.
~Pray without ceasing (even in the middle of the night) - Nobody up but me and GOD!
~Thank God while in my health season that with every medical discovery, there is and was an answer.
~Thank God while in my health season that my medical issues are/were never as bad as they could have been.
~Trust the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6 )
~These health battles are only for a season/temporary. My healing and full recovery are on the way.
~Through these health battles and after my health dust settles, God is shaping me, strengthening me BUT not destroying me!
~No weapon formed against me shall prosper .
When you face one battle after another, understand that the battles are bigger than you and were never meant for you to fight! God is waiting for you to surrender them all to HIM!!! Even during the battle, God will allow weeping to endure for a night and show you glimpses of joy in the morning!
Standing Firm in the Shifting Sands
By Brother Tony P. D. Williams
Psalm 46:1-2— God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
As we navigate 2026, it often feels as though the “earth is giving way” just as the Psalmist described. We look at the headlines and see a world in labor pains .
*Religious Persecution: Recent reports indicate that almost four hundred million Christians worldwide face elevated levels of discrimination or violence . From subtle marginalization in the West to life-threatening persecution in the East, the cost of following Christ remains high.
*Political & Social Unrest: We are living in a time of deep political division, with the foundations of our governance questioned. Leaders on both sides of the aisle seem reluctant to rein in a tyrant who is intent on becoming a dictator.
*Economic Strain: While there are people who enjoy prosperity, other families still feel the pinch of high housing and food costs. The gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” continues to challenge our sense of community.
*Wars and Rumors of War: Entrenched conflicts continue to displace millions, reminding us that true peace cannot exist by human diplomacy alone. In the middle of this, it is easy to become paralyzed by “doomscrolling” or fear.
However, the Word of God reminds us that He is not just a help, but a very present help. He is not watching 2026 from a distance; He is walking through it with us. When racism tries to divide, we remember that we are one body. When the economy feels shaky, we remember our Provider. When politics breed hostility, we lean into the Kingdom that has no end. Your faith is not a bubble that keeps you away from the world’s problems, it is the anchor that keeps you steady while you help solve them.
By Pastor Christina Williams
Genesis 2:25 - And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 3:9-11 - Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So, he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Iwantyou to imagine something simple for a moment. Imagine a toddler running through the house naked, laughing, free, and completely unashamed. No hesitation, no self-consciousness, and no awareness of anything that would make them shrink back. They are not thinking about how they look, wondering if they measure up or analyzing themselves in comparison to anyone else. They are just free!
This is not just an image of childhood innocence; it is a picture of God’s original design for His children.
In Genesis 2:25, the Bible says Adam and Eve were both naked, and they felt no shame That was not just about clothing. That was about a life without fear, hiding, or insecurity. It was life fully exposed before God, and completely safe in God. There were no masks, fig leaves, or walls - just trust, presence, and freedom.
One wrong decision and everything changed. With one bite from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, suddenly, the Bible says their eyes opened. They realized that they were naked. Now that is interesting because they were already naked. After the bite, something shifted in how they saw themselves. One bite changed their whole perception about themselves. For the first time, they became aware of themselves in a new way. That awareness produced something they had never known before. Their awareness produced fear.
Our first response to fear is always the same. When we are afraid, we hide. So, Adam and Eve hid. They sewed fig leaves together, covered themselves, and hid from the very God who used to be their comfort. When God calls out to Adam and asks where he is, Adam answers, “I was afraid, so I hid.”
Then God asks a question that still speaks to us today: “Who told you that you were naked?” God was not looking for information. He was exposing influence. He was revealing that something had entered their thinking that did not come from Him. God never spoke shame. God never introduced fear and He never called them to hide.
So, this question is not just for Adam, it is a personal question for you and I. Somewhere along the way, if we are honest, we started hearing voices too. Voices that said:
• Protect yourself so you will not be hurt.
• You are not enough; and
• You must prove yourself.
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Without realizing it, we started doing what Adam and Eve did. We started sewing fig leaves to cover and hide ourselves. We hide behind perfectionism, so no one sees our flaws. We use distance and sarcasm to keep people from getting too close . We chase success to prove we belong . We build emotional walls and call it wisdom .
Slowly, we have shifted from living in God’s presence, to living in self-protection. That shift in our thinking awakened what psychologists call negativity bias. It is our natural tendency to focus more on what is wrong than what is right. It is a protective system that allows our brains to scan for what could harm us.
Here is the problem, what was supposed to keep us safe and alive is now keeping us from truly living. Now we assume the worst. We expect rejection. We view everything through the lens of self-protection.
Without realizing it, we have traded the peace of being God’s child for the exhaustion of acting like our own private security guard; always watching, and always on edge. God never intended for us to carry that weight!
Even after Adam and Eve disobeyed, God still came close. He did not ask them to cover themselves. God loved them and He covered them. Their fig leaves were temporary and insufficient, but God’s covering was intentional and complete. The love of God covers a multitude of sin. When God covers sin, He does not just hide our sins, He removes them . As Micah 7:19 declares, He casts our sins into the depths of the sea, never to be held against us again.
God’s love for us has never changed. He is still calling us out of hiding, out of fear, and back into trust because He loves us .
So, today, I ask you, “who told you that? Who told that you were unworthy, unlovable, unsafe, and alone? It certainly was not God. Stop letting outside voices influence who you know you are in God. Lay down your fig leaves. Stop living guarded and step out of self protection mode. God did not intend for us to live in a constant state of self-preservation. He did not call us to live in fear. God called us to live in freedom!
Remember the toddler running through the house naked, laughing, free, and unashamed - no fear, hiding, or shrinking back. Just freedom! This is how God intends for us to live – free! The real question I should ask today is not “who told you that,” but “who told you that you were naked,” when God has already covered you?
God Bless You!
From Fear to Hope
“When
You Can’t, HE Can”
By Minister Melissa Monroe
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Life has a way of presenting us with situations that make us feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and afraid. Sometimes the fear comes from a doctor’s report. Sometimes it comes from financial pressure, family struggles, job uncertainty, ministry challenges, or simply not knowing what tomorrow holds.
Fear whispers, “You cannot manage this.” However, God’s Word declares, “When you can’t, HE can.” Isaiah 41:10 was spoken to God’s people during a time when they faced uncertainty and opposition. Yet, God did not begin His promise by telling them what they needed to do. He began by reminding them of who He is.
Notice the progression:
• “Fear not, for I am with you.”
• “Be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
• “I will strengthen you.”
• “I will help you.”
• “I will uphold you.”
God gives these five promises before He asks for any response from us.
FEAR LOSES IT’S POWER WHEN WE REMEMBER GOD’S PRESENCE
The first promise is, “I am with you.” Fear thrives when we feel alone . When Moses stood before the Red Sea with an angry Pharaoh behind him, he could have been consumed by fear. However, God’s presence made the difference. God opened a path where there was none .
The reality is that we are facing our own Red Seas today. We have exhausted our ideas, resources, and strength. However, God’s presence changes everything. You may not know the solution, but God does. You may not see the way forward, but God does. You may not have the strength, but God does.
When fear starts talking, answer it with the presence of God. Instead of saying, “I am facing this alone,” say, “God is with me.” Instead of saying, “I don’t know what to do,” say, “God already knows.”
HOPE BEGINS WHERE HUMAN STRENGTH ENDS
God continues by saying, “I will strengthen you.” One of the greatest misconceptions believers have is thinking we must always be strong. The Apostle Paul learned something powerful. After pleading with God concerning his struggle, found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
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God did not say His strength is perfect by our strength, but He said it is perfect in our weakness. At times, He brings us to the end of ourselves so we can experience the beginning of His power. When you cannot carry the burden, He can. When you cannot find the answer, He can. When you cannot hold everything together, He can.
Stop measuring your future with your current strength. Measure your future by God’s strength. Your weakness is not a limitation to God. It is often the very place where He demonstrates His power.
GOD’S HELP IS ALWAYS ON TIME
Isaiah 41:10 also says, “I will help you.” “Not I might, or Not I will think about it.” God says, “I will help you.” The psalmist declared in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” It does not say God was a help or will be a help someday. He IS a present help. Sometimes we want God to remove the problem immediately. Instead, God often walks with us through the problem while revealing His faithfulness.
Think about Daniel in the lions’ den. God did not stop Daniel from entering the den. God preserved him while he was in it. Think about the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace. God did not prevent the fire. He joined them in it.
Stop looking only for God’s hand. Look for His presence. Sometimes His greatest miracle is not removing the challenge but sustaining you through it.
GOD WILL HOLD YOU UP
The final promise is powerful: “I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” To uphold means to support, sustain, and keep from falling.
Have you ever felt like you were hanging on by a thread; your faith is weak and your patience and confidence are gone?
Here is the good news: You are not holding yourself up. God is holding you. Jesus said in John 10:29, “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” What comfort there is in knowing that even when our grip weakens, God’s grip never does
Trust God’s hand more than your own ability. Your security is not in you but in Him. Your security is in His strength to hold on to you.
Today, somebody may be standing between fear and hope. Fear says, “You’re not going to make it.” Hope says, “God is with you. Fear says, “You are too weak.” Hope says, “God will strengthen you.”
Fear says, “Nobody can help you.” Hope says, “God will help you.” Fear says, “You are going to fall.” Hope says, “God will uphold you.”
The same God who carried Noah through the flood, Moses through the sea, David through the battle, Daniel through the lions’ den, and Paul through the storm is carrying you right now. You may not have all the answers. You may not have all the resources. You may not have all the strength. However, you have the One who does. He is with you; your fear does not get the final word. He is your God; your struggle does not get the final word. He will strengthen, help, and uphold you. Our future is defined by what God can do.
So today, transition from fear to hope.
• Walk in confidence.
• Stand in faith .
• Trust His promises
Remember: When you cannot, HE can.
THE TESTIMONY OF A CAREGIVER Be The Church Sunday
By Elder Joseph Benson Cassell
Submitted By Minister Karla Austin
Participating in Be the Church Sunday alongside my sister, Minister Karla Austin, was a deeply meaningful experience for me and my family. Seeing her lead the caregiving effort for individuals and families impacted by cancer was both inspiring and personal .
Cancer is not just a cause we support. It is part of our family’s story. We lost our mother, Sharon Cassell, to cancer, and that journey taught us firsthand how overwhelming, exhausting, and emotional the experience can be for both patients and caregivers. Thus, assembling care packages was much more than a service project. It was an opportunity to extend compassion and encouragement to people walking a road we know all too well .
Cancer affects every part of life. For the patient, there are physical challenges, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of navigating treatments and tough decisions. For caregivers, there are long days, sleepless nights, countless appointments, financial pressures, and the constant responsibility of caring for someone they love while often neglecting their own needs. Having experienced this journey with our mother, we understand how important it is for families to know they are not carrying that burden alone.
What impacted me most was the reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference. A care package may seem simple, but it communicates something powerful: “You are seen, you are loved, and you are not alone.” During the hardest moments of Mom’s battle, those expressions of care meant more than words could ever describe .
I am grateful to Greater Saint John Cathedral for creating opportunities like Be the Church Sunday which allows us to put our faith into action. I am especially proud of Karla for her leadership, heart for serving others, and commitment to ministering to families facing cancer. Through this effort, God’s love was demonstrated in a tangible way, and I know our mother would have been proud to see us helping others through an experience that touched our family so deeply.
Reflecting on that day reminds me of how meaningful ministry often begins when we place our pain in God’s hands and allow Him to use it to comfort others. This effort beautifully reflected faith, compassion, and the love of Christ in action .
Let Us Pray!
A
Prayer for Mental Health
By Minister Melissa Monroe
Dear Gracious and Loving God:
We come before You today, Lord God, acknowledging that You are the God who sees us fully and knows us completely. You are acquainted with every thought, burden, silent struggle, and hidden tear. Today, Lord God, we gather in Your presence, seeking Your healing touch over our minds and inner lives
Lord God, we pause to acknowledge the silent battles fought within the mind—struggles unseen by others and difficult to put into words. You will not be intimidated by our thoughts, nor are You distant from our pain. Your Word tells us in Psalm 139 that You search us and know us. Before we think, You are aware of our thoughts.
As we anoint and pray, we lift before You, Lord God, those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, fear, grief, trauma, confusion, and exhaustion. God, we have learned how to smile while hurting inside. Many of us have learned how to worship while weary. Today, Lord God, we ask that You meet them right where they are.
Lord God, Your Word declares in Isaiah 26:3 that You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds stay on You. Today, Lord God, we ask for that peace—not a temporary calm, but Your sustaining, supernatural peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus .
In Jesus’ name, we reject every lie that says we are alone, weak, or beyond help. Lord God, we declare Your truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, deeply loved, and never forsaken. Your Word reminds us in Psalm 34:18 that You are near to the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit
Holy Spirit, breathe fresh life into weary minds, restore clarity where there is confusion, and bring rest where there have been racing thoughts .
Lord God, we ask You to heal wounds that therapy may not have touched yet, and to bless the tools You have given, counselors, doctors, and the medication. Help us to understand that seeking help is not a lack of faith, but an act of wisdom and courage .
Lord God, for anyone wrestling with thoughts of hopelessness or worthlessness, we declare life, purpose, and divine identity. We rebuke the spirit of despair and declare that Your joy is still our strength. Where there has been numbness, restore feeling. Where there has been mental overload, restore balance.
Lord God, for those carrying trauma from the past, we ask that You gently untangle the memories that still cause pain. For those overwhelmed by present pressures, remind them that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. For those fearful of the future, anchor them in the promise that You go before them, and You are already there .
Lord God, we pray against shame and the stigma surrounding mental health. Let this be a safe space, a healing space, and a grace-filled space. Teach us to love one another deeply, to listen without judgment, and to walk with one another patiently.
Lord God, renew our minds as You promise in Romans 12:2 . Replace negative thought patterns with truth . Replace self-condemnation with compassion Replace heaviness with the garment of praise .
Lord God, as we leave this moment, we declare that healing has begun, peace is present, and hope is alive. Even when the journey continues, we trust that You are walking with us every step of the way. Lord God, remind us that healing is not always instant, but it is always intentional. Even in progress, You are present. Even in process, You are faithful. Even when we do not feel better yet, You are still working.
Lord God, we seal this prayer in faith, believing that You can do exceedingly and abundantly all we could ask or imagine .
In the mighty, healing, and compassionate name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray and say Amen.
Let's Eat
SALMON STUFFED WITH LUMP CRAB
Ingredients
1- whole salmon
1 -Pound Lump Crab Meat
8oz- Soft Cream Cheese
3 cups- Washed and Chopped -Spinach
1- cup of Washed Parsley, save half for garnish
6-oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Extra Olive Oil
Hand full of capers for garnish
4- Large lemons for garnish
Seasoning:
2 tbsp -Complete season
1 tbsp.-Goya (Red top)
2 -Paprika
3 tbsp-Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions
1 . Clean Salmon with cold water and check for bones .
2. Make a slit down the middle of the fish, be careful not to cut all the way through the fish, leaving 1” on each end of the fish
3. Rub the oil all over the fish then rub in paprika all over the fish.
4 Put the fresh spinach in a bowl in the microwave for a few minutes (1to 2 minutes), let cool then ring out all the liquid and chop
5. Take out and set aside the largest pieces of crab meat to lay over the top of the salmon
6. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the crab meat, cream cheese, spinach, parsley, and mozzarella cheese. Then using your hands form a log with the ingredients and place neatly in the center of the salmon
7. Preheat your oven/grill to (350 degrees).
8. Place the large, reserved pieces of crab meat across the top of the log and slightly press. Cook in the oven or on the grill for 20 minutes covered at (350 degree). After 20 minutes remove the cover and place it under the broiler for another 1 to 2 minutes just brown. (Do not walk away during this process). Garnish with lemon and capers and parsley.
THEN ENJOY
Recipe by: Sister Cassandra Best-Thomas
MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD
What’s not to love about summer? For starters, the produce is off the charts (hello, sweet ripe tomatoes, fresh berries, and juicy watermelon). Plus, the days are gloriously long. One thing I always look forward to during the summer is pasta salad. I know, I know: You can eat pasta salad year-round. But there’s something about hot, sunny days that simply demands it. This Mediterranean pasta salad is so scrumptious and different. My favorite part is the crunchy chickpea topping. Here’s a tip: Instead of stirring the chickpeas into the salad, scatter them on top to keep them crispy. You’ll get a delightful salty crunch in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
24 oz. grape tomatoes, assorted colors
6 oz. pitted Castelvetrano olives, drained
3 Tbsp. capers, drained
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 large, fresh rosemary sprig
3/4 cup olive oil, divided
Ground black pepper, to taste
6 oz. roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds
For the Crispy Chickpeas:
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained
2 Tbsp . olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
For the Pasta Salad:
Kosher salt, for pasta water
1 lb lumache or gemelli pasta
2 cups jarred giardiniera, drained and roughly chopped, plus more for serving
6 oz. smoked mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, plus more for serving
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for serving
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 400°F
2. For the dressing: Place the tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and rosemary sprig on a sheet pan. Drizzle with ½ cup of olive oil, and toss to evenly coat. Season with black pepper . Place in the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes (the tomatoes should have released their juices but still hold their shape). Discard the rosemary sprig and set aside to cool for 10 minutes
3. Set a large fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Strain the tomatoes, olives, and capers, reserving the liquid for the dressing and the tomatoes, olives, and capers to stir into the salad. Remove the garlic from the tomato mixture and add it to the accumulated liquid. To a blender, carefully add the liquid mixture, remaining ¼ cup of olive oil, roasted red peppers, almonds, and more black pepper. Blend until smooth, and set aside. Keep the large bowl to mix the pasta salad; no need to dirty another bowl.
4. For the crispy chickpeas: Spread the chickpeas out on a large kitchen towel and thoroughly rub dry, discarding any loose skins. Transfer the chickpeas to a sheet pan. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper . Toss the chickpeas to evenly coat and roast until they turn a deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the chickpeas from the oven, sprinkle with the crushed red pepper, and carefully toss with a spatula to combine Set aside to cool
5. For the pasta salad: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking Transfer to the large bowl that held the accumulated tomato juices and olive oil, and set aside (it’s okay if a little water collects in the bowl; it will mix with the dressing). Add the reserved tomato mixture, giardiniera, smoked mozzarella, basil, and the dressing to the bowl with the pasta, tossing gently to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with extra giardiniera, smoked mozzarella, and basil. Sprinkle on the crispy chickpeas, and serve immediately.
Recipe by: Ree Drummond
JULY
11th Hershey Park
18th Seniors R Us Movie Matinee
19th Men’s Day
25th Greater Youth Ministry Planning Conference
25th Young Adult Ministry Cookout/Field Day
26th Celebrating 1st Lady’s Birthday
AUGUST
3rd Pastor’s Appreciation 16th Prayer for Youth
SEPTEMBER
8th, 15th , & 22nd Fall Revival
13th Super Sunday
26th-27th Pastor-Elect Kevin V. Gresham II Installation Service
Think on This:
We are reminded that, in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.— President Barack Obama
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.—Tony Robins
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.— John Wooden
The joy of life consists in the exercise of one’s energies, continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every new experience. To stop means simply to die. The eternal mistake of mankind is to set up an attainable ideal.— Aleister Crowley
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The call-in number is 712-432-0190 access code 274522# .
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The Share Team is in need of many “Angels” to help our church’s disciples and community. The Share basic packages are $25 each month. Also, we gladly accept can or dry goods for the baskets as a welcome addition to the nutritious food that will go on the table for many families in our community! All orders are on a first come first served basis until we run out. You may purchase as many packages as you want! Place your order by email at: share@saintjohn.net. We thank you in advance!
Greater Saint John Cathedral Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr., Senior Pastor
Greater Saint John Cathedral Bishop Kevin V. Gresham Sr., Senior Pastor
SUMMER WORDSEARCH
Greater Saint John Cathedral
Mission stateMent
Our mission is to proclaim the Good News of the gospel and teach godly principles for a Greater Life.
Vision stateMent
Our vision is to have an abundantly blessed ministry that is both Supernatural and Spirit Filled.
