Bulletin 092621

September 26,2021

Adult Sunday School @ 9:30 AM Sunday Livestream Worship Service @ 10:45 AM “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

Matthew 5:14

The Church on the Hill, Near the Cross, In the Word, and On the Move for Christ

Church Information The Reverend Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr. Pastor

Office Staff

Administrative Assistant to Pastor Croft: Minister Carol J. Hicks Administrative Manager: Minister Robin Hinton Bookkeeper: Carlene Mahan Sexton: Stanley Edwards

Sunday

Monday

Youth Church on Zoom @ 9:30 AM (except first Sunday)

Pastor’s Prayer Call @ 7:00 AM M – F: KAIROS Call @ 1:00 PM

Adult Sunday School on Zoom @ 9:30 AM Sunday Service on Livestream @ 10:45 AM

Wednesday Bible Study on Zoom @ 6:00 PM

Church Office Hours Monday through Friday

9AM - 4 PM One Hagerty Blvd.

West Chester, PA 19382

610.692.2446 www.stpaulsbaptist.org

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Table of Contents

Page

Order of Worship ........................................................................................................ 4 Scripture...................................................................................................................... 5 Guest Preacher Biography - The Reverend Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. .................. 6 News & Announcements ............................................................................................ 7 Pastor’s 9th Anniversary .......................................................................................... 8-9 Women’s Fellowship October Activities ................................................................. 10 Bible Study ............................................................................................................... 11 Project Hope ............................................................................................................. 11 Welcome Robin Hinton – Church Administrative Manager. .................................. 12 Ministry Volunteers – AV Ministry, Safety & Security, Ushers ............................. 13 Health & Wellness Ministry. .................................................................................... 14 SEBA Survey ............................................................................................................ 15 Mail Addressed to the Church .................................................................................. 15 St. Paul’s Hiring – Sexton ........................................................................................ 16 Sickle Cell Awareness Month .................................................................................. 17 2021 National African-American Insurance Association Career Fair ..................... 18 Instruments of Praise ................................................................................................ 19 Affirmation of St. Paul’s Building Closure.............................................................. 20 St. Paul’s Baptist Church Relaunch Update ............................................................. 21 COVID-19 Funeral Assistance................................................................................. 22 Pastor Croft’s Monday Prayer Call .......................................................................... 23 Ways to Give ............................................................................................................ 24 Prayer Line Monday – Friday .................................................................................. 25 Subscribe to the St. Paul’s YouTube Channel ......................................................... 26 Social Security Information...................................................................................... 27 Church School Corner .............................................................................................. 28 Sick & Shut In .......................................................................................................... 29 How to Join ............................................................................................................... 30

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Order of Worship 10:45 AM Praise & Worship The Call to Worship HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Invocation ........................................................... Minister Langston Swygert-Huzzy Hymn ................................................................ All Creatures of Our God and King Welcome ........................................................................................ Dr. Teresa Tooles Offertory Prayer ............................................................... Trustee Willa Hightower Intercessory Prayer .............................................................. Deacon Sterling Moore Sermonic Scripture ............................................ Minister Langston Swygert-Huzzy Introduction of Guest Speaker ........................... Reverend Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr. Sermonic Selection ................................................................................... Psalm 117 Inspirational Choir Sermon .................................................... The Reverend Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. Pastor Emeritus First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens Somerset, New Jersey Playing With Fire Jeremiah 20: 9-12 NIV

Invitation to Discipleship Closing & Benediction 4

Jeremiah 20: 9-12 NIV

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. 10 I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.” 11 But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. 12 Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

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The Reverend Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. is the President of Corporate Community Connections, Inc., former Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey, former New Jersey Secretary of State, and the author of the books “Say Yes to No Debt: 12 Steps to Financial Freedom”, “Meditations for Financial Freedom - Volumes 1&2” and “Say Yes When Life Says No.” He is the creator of dfree® – a financial freedom movement in use by thousands of churches and organizations across the country. dfree® has been featured by CNN in a 90-minute Black in America documentary entitled, “Almighty Debt.” His work has also been featured in several publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Black Enterprise. Dr. Soaries is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Ocwen Financial Corp. (NYSE: OCN), Independence Realty Trust (NYSE: IRT) and Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. He serves as the Compensation Chair on all three boards.

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News & Announcements

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ST. PAUL’s BAPTIST CHURCH HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTRY SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SICLKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH

The theme for this year is Advancing Sickle Cell Disease Research, aims to bring greater visibility to blood safety, as well as to the diagnosis, treatment and management, of blood disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • • •

Sickle cell disease occurs among 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births.

Sickle cell disease occurs among 1 out of every 16,400 Hispanic American births.

About 1 in 13 Black or African American babies is born with sickle cell trait.

What Is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that affects the body’s red blood cells, it occurs when a child receives to sickle cell genes one from each parent. In someone living with the disease, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”. The pain experienced by people living with sickle cell disease can vary in intensity and last for a few hours to a few hours to a few weeks.

Who is affected by sickle cell disease?

While the disease is most common among African Americans, other racial and ethnic groups are affected, including Latinos and other people of Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian and Mediterranean backgrounds.

How is sickle cell disease diagnosed and treated? Is there a cure?

Sickle cell disease is most often discovered at birth during routine newborn screenings test at the hospital. There is no single best treatment for all people with sickle cell disease treatment options are different for each person, Currently, the only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

However, these treatment options come with serious risks, require a close donor match (like a sibling) and are used I severe cases.

Clinical trials related to a sickle cell disease cure will work for all patients are being conducted as part of the Nation Institutes of Health Cure Sickle Cell Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to advance the development of new gene and cell-based therapies for sickle cell disease.

The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) provides more information on sickle cell disease

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Registration is Open for the 2021 NAAIA National Fall Career Fair

https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/naaia/e/vrvpe 18

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

WWW.GERALDCHAVISMUSIC.COM

OR CALL 302-319-3977

AVAILABLE ON CD & USB

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Affirmation of St. Paul’s Baptist Church Building Closure As an outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic, and an abundance of caution in supporting the safety of St. Paul’s members and visitors, our leadership appropriately determined it was critical to cease services and activities at St. Paul’s.

Thankful for the blessing of technology and St. Paul’s Technology Team, we have been able to effectively stay connected as one body in Christ via zoom and most recently live streaming.

The Relaunch Taskforce’s mission is to protect the safety and welfare of St. Paul’s Church family and community against the spread of Covid-19. In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control, State of Pennsylvania and county guidelines the church building has remained closed. As guidelines have continued to be updated, requests have been made for events to take place at St. Paul’s. To ensure your safety, the building and property will remain closed to all activity and events with the exception of work required for live streaming. This can be safely managed by following a strict schedule of tracking and monitoring of a limited number of individuals in the church. This monitoring includes temperature checks, screening for symptoms of Covid-19, social distancing, use of personal protective equipment and disinfecting protocols.

Although our church facility remains closed, the Relaunch Team is working diligently in planning for the day when it will be safe for us to physically join together and fellowship at St. Paul’s.

St. Paul’s Baptist Church Relaunch Taskforce Dr. Lisa Croft - Chair

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ST. PAUL’S BAPTIST CHURCH RELAUNCH TEAM MISSION: Protect the safety and welfare of the St. Paul’s family and members of the community against the resurgence of Covid 19.

Dear St. Paulians, While we planned with joyful anticipation and looked forward to joining together to praise God face to face for Sunday service in the sanctuary, we also must be mindful of the ongoing changes related to COVID. The Relaunch Task Force has been diligent in keeping a prayerful focus on current data both nationally and in our immediate area. Unfortunately, the trends are very troubling and continuing to rise with increasing infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. It is with that in mind the Task Force has recommended we pause our return for the planned reopening date of September 12th.

It is with a sense of disappointment and thoughtful prayer that I share with you my concurrence and support of their recommendation. It is important that we maintain our focus of doing all we can in planning the safe return for all worshipers. This pause, while not what any of us want, is a necessary part of focusing on the safety of all that enter St. Paul’s doors.

We will remain in Phase I and continue to support the small meetings taking place in the Fellowship Hall.

The protocols aligned to the meetings have been working well and will remain in place.

• A meeting request form for a ministry meeting must be completed and signed by the Servant Leader to schedule a meeting on the church calendar.

• One to two meetings per day consisting of no more than 50 people will be permitted to allow for sanitizing.

• Masks are to be always worn.

• Members are to adhere to the posted COVID screening guidelines.

• The rear door located in the back of the Fellowship Hall will be the only entry and exit points to the building.

• The only restrooms for public use are located next to the elevator lobby.

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No food or beverages are allowed.

Join me in praying that the current trends decline quickly and those that are able become vaccinated. The Relaunch Task Force will continue its attentive work and look forward to making a recommendation regarding a future return date to St. Paul’s. Please continue to join church service via the blessing of technology. Please also continue to give. If ever your church needs you, it is now. So, I ask that you remain faithful in your worship and giving.

Finally, continue to connect as you have been doing, with your church members, family, and friends. We need one another as we navigate through these unprecedented times.

With Limitless Possibilities, Pastor Croft 21

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

We are working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways we can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April.

Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation.

FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through the dedicated call center.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions: The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

How to Apply

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number Applications begin on April 12, 2021 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include: An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.

Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.

How Funds are Received

If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.

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Church School Corner DAILY BIBLE READINGS Believers Praise God ACTS 2:32-33, 37-47 Devotional Reading PSALM 134

Daily Bible Readings MONDAY A Priestly Kingdom, a Holy Nation (Exodus 19:1–8) TUESDAY Worship God Alone (Exodus 20:1–6) WEDNESDAY When Kindred Live in Unity (Psalms 133) THURSDAY Praise in the Heavenly Community (Revelation 4) FRIDAY The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–12) SATURDAY Jesus Is Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:22–36) SUNDAY A Community of Praise (Acts 2:37–47)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 28

Members

In Nursing Homes and Hospitals Pembrooke Sister Deedra Matthews ~ Room 226 1130 West Chester Pike ~

West Chester, PA 19382 (610-692-3636)

Convalescing at Home Sister Carol Anderson Sister Janet Anderson Sister Theresa Battaglia Brother Guy Calloway Sister Janet Christie Deacon Jesse Craig Sister Lurerlene Crook Sister Bridget Dudley Sister Renee Golden Brother Lynell Laws Sister Arden Olsen Brother Frederick Price Sister Betty Ringgold Deaconess Beverly Smith Craig Sister Judith Thomas

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ST. PAUL’S BAPTIST CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PLAZA

ONE HAGERTY BOULEVARD * WEST CHESTER, PA 19382 PHONE: (610) 692-2446 * FAX: (610) 692-7582 EMAIL: CHURCHOFFICE@STPAULSBAPTIST.ORG WWW.STPAULSBAPTIST.ORG