ORTHODOX EVANGELICAL COMMUNION
925 So. Shamrock Monrovia, CA 91016
Second Baptist Church, Inc. Version 8 — Issue 82
January 2016
Joel 2:
Joel 2:28
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82nd Issue * Version 8 January, 2016 Second Baptist Church, Inc. Evangelical Orthodox Communion Bishop Wm. La Rue Dillard, PhD 925 So. Shamrock
Nadine O. Harris, Founder/Chief Editor Tinisha McDonald, Administrative Mgr. Precious Flemings, Writing Editor Ferrari Y. Green, Production & Design Sherry Joiner, Operations & Distribution Contributing Consultants: Eric Johnson Jessie Anderson Mercedese Hervey Peggy LaBon Renee Willis Photographers: Robert Anderson Robert Hamilton Rasheedah Ruffin Gerald McLendon Adele Davis
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Mission Statement econd’s Gazette serves as a monthly newsletter to inform the congregants of valuable information happening on the campus of Second Baptist Church and in the community, as well as spotlight individuals and events that edify our parish church, but most importantly; glorifies the name of Jesus Christ.
Seeking the best I believe that appreciation is a holy thing — that when we look for what’s best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something sacred.
-Fred Rogers
CONTENTS 2 3
Cover Story Bishop’s Epistle
4, 5
Prayer / Blast from the Past / Footprints
6, 7
Are You In Love/ Birthday Party Announcement
8, 9
Spirit Buzz / Community News
10, 11
Caroling / Angel Tree
12, 13
Health Corner / Prayer Calendar
Second’s Gazette is published
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Christmas Basket Operations / Commercials
and distributed monthly, every First Sunday, to provide parishioners with information about our Church, the Community, and the World. Contact us at:
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Poet’s Lounge / New Member Outing
18,19
TIP News / Birthdays
20, 21
Moving Company/ Puzzles
22, 23
Kid’s Zone / Children’s Church Royalty
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Children’s Church Staff: Jaylyn A. Harris MyReeanna Wade
Secondsnewsletter@gmail.com A scallop shell, pointing downward with three drops of water falling from it is often used to symbolize baptism, and the washing away of sin. The three water droplets stand for the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Second’s Gazette
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Back Cover— Happy New Year!
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Bishop’s Epistle
January 3, 2016
Biblical Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding Comes From the Lord! (Proverbs 2:1-9)
Sons and Daughters, Grace to You! The Bible Speaks: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). From the above passage, I perceive there are three kinds of people. Therefore, it is very important to know the kind we are since we might want to change. First, there is the antiquarian. He believes that the past should be the norm for the present. You may hear him say, “Give me the good old days!” But in essence, the “good old days” were probably not that food even though he thinks so. The repetition of the past often limits what God wants to do now. Second is the maintenance person. For him, the present is the norm for the future. Have you heard people say, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it?” But he really means, “What we have is the best that can be. Don’t try to improve it!” The Third group is made up of visionaries. The visionary sees the future as a norm for what should be done in the present. “Now’s the time to begin with what the future holds,” he says. People like that are not disturbed by change. In fact, they become change agents. I think the Good Lord wants the Saints to be people who are thankful for the past, but are not stuck in it. He wants us to live in the fullest in each moment of the present. But He is constantly looking for Christians who will spend time in prayer to discover His guidance and goals for the future so that we can press on. So this Sunday, take some time to meditate about the future. Ask God what He wants you to be and to do. If we threw caution to the winds, what would you do” But there is a deeper question: “What does God desirewhat is His maximum plan, not just for what you’re to do, but for the quality of life God wants you to live?” For my future, in my personal life, my relationships, my service to Him and to others, how does He want me to live? Let that be the norm for today! What is keeping you from starting now? What you do for God gives Him pleasure!
Until He Comes, I Am Serving Christ Joyfully,
Bishop Wm. LaRue Dillard Parish Under-Shepherd
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Membership Assignment For Information and Visitation for the Diakonos Ministry of Second Baptist Church
The Diakonos Ministry of Second Baptist Church is available to parishioners to help Bishop Dillard with members concerns and needs. Feel free to contact your representative below. The Diakonos are assigned alphabetically by last name. We are available to “Pray with You”, “Consult with You”, and “Assist You” in any way we can to help you in your Christian walk. A—Robert and Jessie Anderson B—Dennis and JoAnne Craig Betty Brown, Arlethia Craig C—AG Harrison Shirley Robinson D—James and James Ella Harvey E-F—Ron and LaVonne Husband Adrienne Hurst G—Minnie Manning Valeria Burwell H— Thelma Jones Tamara Collins I-J—Ellis and Thelma Johnson K-L-N-O-T—Lonnie and Josephine Stokes, Terrence Williams M—Chuck and Martha Williams Melva Hill P-Q—Carrie Walker R-S—Larry and Renee Willis UVWXYZ—Robert Hamilton Ron Demps
THANK YOU, LORD, for the gift of Your love. May I be a shining example of that love to others. Amen. Second’s Gazette
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THOMAS ANDREW DORSEY “FATHER OF BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC”
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homas Andrew Dorsey, known as “the father of Black Gospel Music,” was born on July 1, 1899 in Villa Rica, Georgia. His father was a minister, and his mother, a piano teacher. As a teen, Dorsey became a master at playing the blues on the piano. Later, he moved to Chicago where he crafted his own style of playing the blues on piano and became an agent for Paramount Records. At 21, Dorsey had a nervous breakdown. His mother encouraged him to stop playing blues and to start “serving the Lord.” Thomas refused his mother’s advice and continued to play the blues and is credited for writing and recording more than 400 blues and jazz songs. Dorsey’s first wife, Nettie, died in childbirth in 1932. Two days later, the child died. In his grief, he wrote his first Gospel song, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” He also wrote “Peace in the Valley” in which Mahalia Jackson recorded in 1937. Due to the treatment Black singers received from publishing companies, Dorsey opened the first Black Gospel Music Publishing Company, “Dorsey House of Music.” He was the first Black American elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and to the Gospel Music Association’s Living Hall of Fame. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored his album Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey (1973), by adding his recordings to the United States National Recording Registry; and in 2007, he was inducted as a charter member to the Gennett Records Walk of Fame in Richmond, Indiana. While going through personal anguish and pain, God put a song in Mr. Dorsey’s mind and it seeped down to his heart which inspired him to write the beautiful lyrics of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Remember, God can do the same for anyone going through anguish and pain. He can and will put a new song in your heart, if you let Him because, “the heart cannot embrace what the mind rejects. Amen!
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here is so much I want to ask the Lord for in 2016, one being “Peace on Earth!” Hearing about all the bomb threats, the shootings, and the frustration in the hearts of so many people makes me ask the Lord, “What more needs to happen before you come and rescue your people from this awful world?” Then I hear the spirit saying, PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES!
1 John 5:14-15 (NIV) reads, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of Him.” There are many enemies in the world today, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever! He can still handle any enemy that chooses to do His people harm. We, His people need to remember to pray for our enemies because they can be saved too! So while the New Year is still new and we continue to pray for our family and friends, the sick and shut-ins, let’s pray for our enemies too; foreign or domestic; Black or White; clean or unclean. We should strive to be more like the Jesus Christ we serve.
I’m persuaded…
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WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 2016 WHO: All Current Members of Second Baptist Church Monrovia WHERE: Arcadia Community Center, Arcadia, CA Attire: Western Attire TIME: 5:00 – 9:00 P.M. RSVP DETAILS: RSVP DETAILS: Every member who wants to attend this celebration must RSVP on either Sundays; January 10, 17, or the 24, at the table outside the Fannie M. Goodwin Building after the 10:45 am service ONLY. The deadline to RSVP is Sunday, January 24. No phone calls, or email RSVP’s will be accepted. Only current SBC members are invited to our Bishop’s Birthday Celebration. Family members, friends, or children who are not current members of SBC will not be able to RSVP. Thank you for your cooperation and obedience in following our instructions. We look forward to you joining us in honor and celebration of Bishop Dillard’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Celebration. Your Brothers and Sisters In Christ, The Pointer and Tucker Family
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eonard Knight: A Man and His Mountain. If you had something to say to the world, how would you do it?
“A Man & His Mountain” is the story of
Lockett is a soulful inspirational Key ondra artist, with fervor for Kingdom build-
ing. She loves God, and is a willing vessel for His use through her gift of song writing. Keyondra’s writing skills can be heard on Kierra Sheards’ LED EP in which she co-wrote “Make Me Better”. She also wrote “State of Emergency” on Ziel’s latest album (pronounced Zy-El).
Leonard Knight. A man whose conviction and dedication led him on a thirty year journey to spread the message burned in his heart. Here is a look at the creator of Salvation Mountain.
As a servant of the Most High, Keyondra gives of her time and treasury (money) by participating with Non-Profits, Saving Our Daughters, and Rock, Paper, Scissors. She has participated with Christian Services Poor Mans Super (Fundraiser for the Homeless). Her new EP, “Bring Me To” can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and all other digital download outlets, starting December 18,2015.
Malachi, written about 400 BC, is the youngest book in the Old Testament.
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hristy Reed has endured much grief after losing her parents in a car accident, and her sister in a house fire. Just as her life is beginning to feel slightly normal again, she receives a letter addressed to her, in her sister’s handwriting, with a note that states she is still alive. While working with Lance, an FBI agent, to reopen the case, he wants to know who is the woman buried in the grave. If Ginny is alive, where is she? He even questions if Christy is responsible for faking the entire story. Is Christy's life in danger? Will they find her sister Ginny? Second’s Gazette
Happy New Year!
¡Feliz año nuevo!
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Hope I didn’t RUIN Your New Year’s Resolution with this one!
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Second’s Gazette Welcomes donations of any size. Please make checks payable to
Second Baptist Church SUPPORTERS
Second Baptist Church Nadine O. Harris Tinisha McDonald Eleanor Harrison Mother Berdie Pulliam Mother Deloris K. Bridges Ferrari Green Dr. Precious Flemings Lady Betty G. Dillard Mother Mae Lean Buckley Melva Hill Emelbra LeBlanc Redd Barbara Jean Grant Shirley Towler –Hayes Mother Hortense Anderson Elder Robert Craig Cameron & J.P. Dixon Dr. J.P. & Apryl Harris Geneva Ward-Douglas Larry & Debra Hayes Christine Mathis Marva E. Hogan Ophelia M. Harris Barbara M. Harris
There is room for you too, Donate! Today!
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rd year tradition of Lani Ridley and the Christmas Carolers
singing with Caleb Johnson, Dylan, 1st Lady Betty and Bishop Dillard. A good time was had by all!
We look forward to next year.
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SBC PRISON MINISTRY Mrs. Emelbra LeBlanc-Redd, President and SBC Volunteers Make Angel Tree Celebration Christmas Very Merry
SBC Praise Dancers grace the audience with beautiful movements and praise!
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t’s 2016 and we are blessed to see another day, much less another year! So let’s start the New Year with a series on African American Health, and improving your health! IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH!
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ou don't have to give up all your favorite foods, or start training for a big race to improve your health. Over time, small changes like eating, drinking, and physical activity can help control your weight, make you feel better, and improve ones overall health in general. This article will give you some ideas on how to make better food and beverage choices, and add physical activity to your life. By making these changes, you may become a health champion for your family, friends, and others in your community as well. BMI: What is BMI? BMI is a tool that measures ones weight in relation to ones height. It can help you find out if your weight is in a healthy range (normal weight). More than three in four African American adults are overweight or obese. The body mass index (BMI) is the tool used most often to find a person's weight status and the chances of developing certain health problems that will be described later in this series. Another way to find out if you are over-weight is to measure your waist. You may be more likely to have weight-related health problems if your waist is above a certain size. For women, the size is above 35 inches. For men, the size is above 40inches. Listed are the main BMI cutoff values for adults: 18.5 to 24.9: normal weight 25 to 29.9: overweight 30 or greater: obese Can weight lead to health problems? Excess weight, especially around the waist, has been linked to serious health problems. But not everyone who is overweight or obese has serious health problems. Excess weight may increase one’s chances of developing serious health problems such as: Certain cancers Heart disease and stroke High blood pressure Kidney disease Type 2 Diabetes Ask your doctor if you should be concerned about your weight. Your doctor can test for high blood sugar or high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood), and check family history of diseases. One can lower the chances for developing health problems by losing weight. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight may improve your health. If you weigh 200 pounds, strive to lose 10 to 20 pounds. Slow and steady weight loss of ½ to 2 pounds per week is the safest way to lose weight. To do so, reduce the intake of calories to 500 to 750 fewer calories per day. Cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and sports drinks is a great way to reduce calories and improve your overall health. Next month we will discuss how to get started!!! Second’s Gazette
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1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out
when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout. 2. So why is a car's windshield so large and the rear view mirror so small? Be cause our past is not as important as our future. So, look ahead and move on. 3. Friendship is like a book. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write. 4. All things in life are temporary. If it’s going well, enjoy it, that won't last long. If it’s going badly, don't worry, that won't last long either. 5. Old friends are gold! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond, don't forget the gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold! 6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweet-
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heart, it's just a bend, not the end!" 7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in your abilities. 8. A blind person asked St. Anthony, "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied, "Yes, losing your vision!" 9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. 10. Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace. Pastor Roderick Walker If you really enjoyed this, please pass to others. It may brighten someone's day.
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econd’s Gazette accepts a task that brings a little more Christmas joy and rejuvenation after a celebratory Christmas service. Each year, beautiful arrangements of fruit baskets, filled with perfectly picked fruit, chocolates and a Christmas card are presented at each doorway to greet parishioners as they leave service every Christmas.
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Hello: It is good to share these commercials with your students to plant the seed and ignite the possibility of attending a top notch university. Feel free to share these commercials I was featured in, I wrote the scripts and truly believe WE can qualify, afford and attend wherever we want with the right preparation and guidance. See you on 12/19th at the event. Watching these commercials should shed more light on the University. Here are the links: Profile for Stanford University, UC Berkeley and UCLA http://collegeapps.about.com/video/Profile-of-Stanford.htm http://collegeapps.about.com/video/Profile-of-UC-Berkeley.htm http://collegeapps.about.com/video/Profile-of-UCLA.htm
Questions call: Renee Willis 626-818-3631
Long Island high school senior Harold Ekeh, 17, has been accepted to 13 universities, including all eight Ivy League schools.
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I resolve to be a better person with the help from God above To get involved and share myself, and show all Christian love, Make every moment count and treasure what is priceless Stop putting off till whenever, like my thoughts are mindless, Take it upon myself to be about it, Not talk all day and night, Let my body, mind, spirit, and attitude literally take flight, Soar beyond the great frontier, Study the Word and pray, When the service is over, help the elders along the way, I resolve to love on me, then I can love on you, Trust in the Lord with all my heart, He will tell me what to do. Be like a tree planted by the living water, Rooted in His Word, Humbly share with the rest of the world The Gospel that I’ve heard. So knowing what I have to do I’m really without excuse, Now I will stop procrastinating,
I am resolute! By Eric M. Johnson Second’s Gazette
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January Birthdays 4th
2nd Lois Jenkins
JoAnne Craig
4th Felicia McFarland
7th Regina Wilson
11th Willie McDonald
12th Carlos Lee
13th
4th
9th Kian Russion 12th
15th Evelyn Coleman Jenkins
Michael Lee
13th Lucille Hernandez
13th Breanda Lee
Kelinda Lee
McKenzie Green
20th Rayven Seale
15th Lavonne Husband
30th Delphine Spicer
20th Melva Hill 31st Larry Spicer
Events for the Month of January 2016
Members of Second Baptist Sick and Shut Ins January 1st Happy New Year
Arcadia
Bernice Holefield
Arizona
Frankie Platt
Altadena
Louise Davis
January 17th Diaconates Catechism 3:00 PM SBC
Laurin Hayes
January 18th Martin Luther King’s Jr. Birthday
January
2nd Brotherhood Layman’s breakfast 8:00 am —10:00 am
January 3rd The Lord’s Supper Celebration 4:45 PM January 16th Bishop’s Cabinet Meeting 10:00 am
January 21st Board of Trustees monthly meeting 7:30 pm January 26th Joint Board meeting 7:00 pm Conference Room A
Claremont
Michael Seals
January 28th Annual Church convocation 7:00 pm
Duarte
Grace Jordan
Choir Rehearsal Dates:
Mother Berdie Pulliam
Voices of Unity:
Prayer Meeting every Wednesday 10:45 am & 6:30 PM
Fontana
John Harris
Monrovia
Mother Dorothy Ricks Geneva Spicer
Las Vegas, NV
Mother Maelean Buckley
Los Angeles
Gregory White
Rialto
Ursula Martin Matter Simpson
Every Thursday 7:30 PM
Anointed Voices: Every Tuesday Gideon’s Army:
7:30 PM
The Saturday 10:00AM before each 5th Sunday
Usher Board Rehearsal Dates:
January 6th & January 20th
BEYOND THE CAMPUS AND SANCTUARY WALLS Ministries unto the Lord God by His People [The Bishop needs your help and involvement] Join the team! You are needed: Contact Church Office: (626)367-2988
The Bishop’s Visitation Care Ministry]
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“Now is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, then whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” [I John 5:14-15]
1. Public Relation—News paper, Magazine 2. Social Concern Needs 3. Multimedia Sharing About Us
4. Political Action Information
5. Foreign Missions Outreach
6. Website, Livestream, Audio
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n incredible moving company in California helps victims of domestic violence by moving their belongings at no charge. After starting the company with his brother 18 years ago, owner Aaron Steed was at first surprised by the calls: "I'd periodically get calls from someone — usually a woman — fleeing an abusive relationship. There were a lot of intense moments and crying... I remember the conversations pretty vividly and feeling a tremendous amount of panic and sadness. Handling those phone calls made it very real very quick. As the jobs went on, we realized we were potentially saving lives." After recognizing the scale of the need and unwilling to take money from people in such distress, the brothers decided to make free moving services for people fleeing violent situations a company policy. The company, Meathead Movers, primarily employs student athletes and works with local domestic violence shelters to ensure that all movers are trained to handle the tense situations they may encounter during a move. One mover, AJ Clarey, described helping a woman move from the same San Luis Obispo County town where he grew up: "That hit home for me. The shelter she was working with contacted us and we discreetly set up the move. When we showed up, she had everything packed. We moved her items from one side of the county across to the other. When we finished, she was literally in tears. Without our help she wouldn't have been able to pay to get her stuff moved. We got her into a safe place with her children." Such experiences, Steed believes, are important for his young employees and their understanding of domestic violence. "As I get older, I can't help but really value and appreciate more and more the tone this sets for my employees who are involved in actually moving these victims," he reflects. "I can't help but think and hope that it changes their perception of themselves and their ability to have a major impact to do something that can really help someone in need." As for the survivors themselves, Meathead Movers' rapid and discreet service has been invaluable. "They're wonderful, sensitive, caring and enthusiastic," says Kathleen Buczko, executive director of Good Shepherd Shelter, a refuge for homeless women and children in Los Angeles. "They help turn something that had been associated with something that was so incredibly traumatic into a celebration of moving to their new homes and to a new life." For those who would like to help, the company asks supporters to donate to domestic violence shelters in their own communities -- you can find listings for US shelters (https://www.domesticshelters.org/) and for shelters around the world (http://www.hotpeachpages.net/). They also encourage other business owners to get involved in helping end domestic violence at http://www.meatheadmovers.com/pledge/
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God Is First At Second Baptist Church
Call 626-358-2136 or 359-7188 Fax 626-357-2477 –Email: secondsnewsletter@gmail.com / sbcmon@aol.com / Visit us at: www.Secondbaptistmonrovia.org Sundays LIVE at 10:45 AM
Second’s Gazette