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Volume 24, Issue 6
Making Zoom Fun 23
Offers On Page 19
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The Voice Page 20
A Free Publication from Osprey Observer Inc.
June 2020
Holy Smokes Bring Messages Of Hope To The Sky For 20 years now, Florida residents have been seeing messages of hope way up in the skies, and it’s all thanks to a nonprofit that was started by local resident Gerald Stevens after Jesus told him to use his skills as a pilot and paved the way for him to start his Holy Smokes Ministry. Today, Stevens is still flying, and the plane, the funds for the jet fuel, the training for skywriting and Jerry Stevens is the pilot who does the skywriting over the the messages themselves are a area. credit to Jesus, said Stevens, who often be seen over flies every clear day he can. Disney World, Universal, The Villages, Flying out of the Winter Haven airSarasota, Riverview, Valrico and Tampa port in his Grumman Ag-Cat crop duster, Bay. Stevens said it is oil injected into the “I started flying when I was 16 years exhaust that makes the skywriting visiold and got bored with it, and then, comble. Each day before he flies, he checks ing out of church one day, Jesus says, the weather and the wind. He typically ‘You have a talent and should put it to flies at 10,000 feet to start his words, good use,’ so we’ve been doing it for 20 which can be up to 7 miles high and 3/4 years,” described Stevens. of a mile wide and can be seen from 50 “It’s really not about me or the airmiles around. plane but about how God loves us so Stevens was an entrepreneur in the much. It’s like a post-it note and it’s what furniture industry before he moved to God’s doing in the sky he created and Florida from Ohio and settled in Boca he wants people to be happy and he’s Raton. With a supportive wife, four kids sending me messages for them.” and eight grandchildren, it was while One of the very first messages that walking out of his church one morning Stevens was led to write was: 20 years ago, that he got the message “U + GOD = Smiley face.” from Jesus to skywrite. Eventually, he Some other messages that can be moved to Auburndale where he and his seen include “Jesus 4Gives Ask Now,” wife currently live and his writing can “Jesus Loves U,” and “Trust Jesus.”
By Marie Gilmore
“Before every flight, I say a prayer and I ask Jesus to fly the plane and to guide my senses and the letters come out perfect,” said Stevens. “The thing with this is that he strategically places the message for the person he wants to reach. So if you saw that message on that given day, it was not a coincidence, he placed it there for you,” he added. For funding, Stevens said, “Jesus sends us funds and they might last for a long time, but Jesus has been supporting this ministry for twenty years.” Each flight has an estimated cost of about $500 for fuel and oil. Stevens volunteers his time and doesn’t get paid. Stevens said he draws out the message he is going to write on paper and then writes it upside down from what we see on the ground as he flies about 120 miles per hour. He added, “If I wasn’t doing the skywriting, I wouldn’t fly anymore at all. I enjoy putting up the message to the people that need to be reached so they can see the message that ‘Jesus Loves U.’ Holy Smokes is a ministry and a 501(c)(3). It doesn’t have social media or a website. To reach Stevens, email him at geraldastevens@hotmail.com.
New Guidelines For The Church After Coronavirus Pandemic
New Pastor Jomo
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Columns: Grace Notes:
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Hooked On Books:
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Your Monthly Catch: Page 14 Faith & Footprints:
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several states have closed down and set up a stay-at-home request to avoid spreading the coronavirus. More than one million coronavirus cases and thousands of deaths have occurred in the U.S. Presently, states are preparing to reopen, and now is the perfect time to implement guidelines that will ensure people can worship God in a safe environment. These precautions are intended to prevent coronavirus outbreaks in churches and protect the well-being and health of congregations and places of worship. Every church has a friendly open door policy. In the 21st century, churches have had to put precautions in place to protect congregates. The following suggestions are intended to prevent the spread of coronavirus within churches and to help ministers deal with the problems posed by COVID-19. • Local Regulations: In order to protect the health and safety of congregations, ministers are advised to follow the guidelines of the health and medical authorities. • Hand Hygiene: At the beginning and end of church service, all leaders, members and visitors are encouraged to use hand sanitizer. • Physical Distance: Ushers and greeters can sit relatives together who attend church together. Visitors and members must be placed at a safe dis-
By Dr. Reba Haley
tance to safeguard them from contracting COVID-19. • Church Interaction: It is recommended that congregates reduce touching and maintain a healthy distance when they enter and exit. Immediately after the end of services, attendees are encouraged to limit contact, i.e., embracing, shaking of hands and greeting one another. • Offering: It is recommended that deacons or those in charge of finances wear gloves when handling cash and that congregates place the offerings and the tithes in the collection plate without touching the plate or basket. • Stay-at-Home: It is suggested that older adults and those with severe underlying medical conditions, such as chest pains, coughs or a fever, not attend church but continue to watch the service online. • Community Groups: Dr. Reba
Haley advocates providing monthly support and care groups to help individuals cope with mental illness, divorce, trauma, addiction, death, dying and domestic violence. Support and care groups offer support, encouragement and hope in Christ that can help people cope with the social and economic impact of the coronavirus. The recommendations given will help ministers adapt and cope with the ‘new normal’ brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Haley graduated from St. Thomas Christian University and Theological Seminary with a PhD in Christian counseling and a master’s degree in psychology. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a master’s degree in addiction counseling and the University of North Carolina Charlotte with a undergraduate degree in psychology. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist, mastercertified addiction professional and addiction specialist. Dr. Haley is a public speaker, former educator, corporate trainer and pastor of Hope Alive Christian Center in Riverview. She is also an independent writer and author of training manuals and books, including The Covenant Connection: Your Best Marriage Now and Dress for Success: Put on the Whole Armour of God. For more information, visit www.drrebahaley.com or email at drrebahaley@outlook.com.