Hope in the Midst of Despair

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Andy Williams sings the beautiful song written by Eddie Pola & George Wyle entitled "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year." As we approach the holidays this year, we are confronted with an uncomfortable question, is there anything worth celebrating? Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and with no end in sight, the holiday approaches, and with it comes the shadows of uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and depression. During a typical year, the holidays are a cheerful, happy time for many. However, this time around it will be a most difficult one as we remember loved ones who may have died from a COVID-related illness, natural death, death from sickness, or tragedy. 

The natural aura of nostalgia that surrounds this time of the year will cause deep sadness as we continue to face the onslaught of the pandemic and the fear of contamination and illness. As a result, we can no longer come together and enjoy family togetherness due to the risk of infecting a loved one.

Friends I invite you to cheer up for all is not lost!! Despite our hurts and our brokenness from the loss of families or jobs, we have a reason to celebrate life! Christ came as a babe, died on the cross, and was resurrected so that we may have life eternal. During this season, we rejoice that we will see our loved ones once again, those who have died in Christ!

Let us continue to reflect on the many blessings God has given to us and our families. Focus on all of the positive things we have been blessed with as a result of this pandemic. Blessings cannot only be measured by the tangible things of life. As you reflect, you will agree that God has richly blessed our lives more abundantly in ways that we would have never imagined. As we pray, we give God all the honor, glory, and praise for His wonderful love, mercy, and grace towards His children during this past year.

We know that Jesus was not born at Christmastime, but we celebrate His birth, and the wonderful gift God has given to us of His Son. During this season, let us take the opportunity to remain cheerful and positive as we recommit our lives daily to having a deeper relationship with Christ.

Our renewed hope in Christ will help the painful memories to slip away. As we turn our eyes to Christ, just as the songwriter wrote, “the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”.

So even as we weep, we do so with a thrill of hope. Hope does not stop our tears; hope gives them meaning. Hope does not remove our longing; in Christ, hope redirects it. That which we long for, justice, wholeness, healing has a name. His name is Jesus, and he is near to the brokenhearted and provides the Cure.

Therefore, let us celebrate this Season like no other, remembering the words found in Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

--Pastor Kenny Deveaux, President, South Bahamas Conference


CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020
December 
19: Christmas Sabbath
19: Music Day (Local Churches, a.m.)
23: Office Closes for the Holiday
25: Festival of Carols (Joint, p.m.)
31: Year End Service

January 2021
1: ATCU Vesper Service – Prayer & Praise @6:00p.m. Available on youtube.com/cATCUnion facebook.com/atcunion


UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS JANUARY 2021
Winter Convention
Theme: “Empowered to Serve, I Will Go” January 8-11, 2021. Guest Speaker: Dr. Paula Olivier, Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church, Freeport NY.
January 8 – Worship Service @7:00p.m.
January 9 –Sabbath School @9:30a.m.
Divine Worship Service @11:00a.m.
Afternoon Service @4:00p.m.
                     Social @7:00p.m.
January 10 – Annual Meeting @9:00a.m.
January 11 – Let’s Move to Live Virtual Fun/Run/Walk


SAVE THE DATE
Join us in a time of worship, praise and fellowship online and via or various media platforms. Watch here for more details!


ADVENTIST BOOK AND NUTRITION CENTER / ABC
Storewide Sale
The ABC will be hosting a Storewide Christmas Sale from Monday, December 21 – Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Everything will be 20% off Storewide. Sabbath school supplies are available for pickup. Please ensure that all accounts are up to date.
Holiday Store Hours
Closed - December 24, 2020 - January 4, 2021
Reopen - January 5, 2021


CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Season's Greeting
Special thanks are extended to all of the CHAM leaders and their supporting teams for the excellent ministry performed for the children and teens of our Conference. Your invaluable service and the adjustments made to minister throughout the year is noted and greatly appreciated. May God continue to bless you and your families.

To our parents and children, as we move into the new year, we ask for God’s blessings upon you.

Season’s Greetings to you all and we look forward to your continued support into 2021 as we continue to empower our children to be ministers of Christ. #IWILLGO

–Mrs. Lavern A. Sturrup, Children & Adolescent Ministries Director


HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Upcoming Events - 2021
January 11 - Let’s Move to Live Fun/Run/ Walk
February 8 -  8 Weeks to Wellness

Health Ministries and AHPA Year End Social
We are inviting all Health Leaders and Assistants, the officers and members of the Adventist Health Professionals Association, persons with a passion for health and the wider membership of the conference to join us for a year end social and fellowship.  Date: Saturday, 19 December at 7:00pm.  Zoom ID: 915 4675 0086.  There will be lots of prizes and surprise.  Come and join in the fun!

Appreciation and Thanks
God is indeed faithful.  On behalf of the Health Ministries Department, I would like to express sincere gratitude and thanks to all of the persons who allowed God to use them during this most unusual year for His honour and glory. Thank you to the administration and other departments of SBC, the Health Leaders and Assistants in Nassau and the Family Islands and all persons who used their talents in this ministry. Thank you for your obedience in being the hands and feet for Jesus. Your faithfulness and commitment to God’s work is appreciated. As we end this year and embark upon a brand-new year of uncertainties, I am requesting your prayers that I will continue to lead as Jesus led. I encourage you to allow God to lead you, because He knows the way. Have a blessed and safe holiday and remember to keep connected to God through the study of His word and prayer.

–Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director

Free Vegetarian Cooking Class
Join Hillview Church for a free holiday cooking class. Dishes that will be prepared are: Mushroom Steak, Macaroni & Pumpkin Cheese, Apple Walnut and Cauliflower Rice. Zoom ID 974-8860-2335.  

–Sister Charlene Clarke, Health Leader, Hillview Church

Health Tips
Emotional Wellness & COVID – 19
One of the main concerns that has arisen out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increase in stress among children and adults. Strong emotions such as anxiety, worry, anger, sadness, and depression are common during these uncertain times.  Our emotional wellness is a vital part of our mental health as well as our physical health.

Here are some self-care tips to help you cope:
1. Eat healthy and include more water, greens and plant-based alternatives in your meals.
2. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
3. Get a good night’s sleep.
4. Stay active by going for a walk or jog a few times a week.
5. Focus on the present.
6. Know that you deserve to treat yourself and others with compassion, grace, and kindness.
7. Practice gratitude and thankfulness.
8. Connect with family and friends through technology.
9. Take breaks throughout the day.
10. A few psychologists like myself offer telehealth psychotherapy due to COVID -19. Don’t be afraid to seek and accept professional support.

We are all living in unfamiliar circumstances because of this pandemic. I encourage everyone to be aware of their emotional health, to prioritize self-care and begin the journey of wellness.  

--Dr. Helen N. Rolle, NCC


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Thanks, from Women’s Ministries
On behalf of the Women’s Ministries Department of the South Bahamas Conference, I wish to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you to the Administration, Women’s Ministries Leaders in New Providence and Family Islands, my Council Members, GEMS and their Mentors as well as the many faithful women who supported and provided encouragement during this year.

I am humbled to lead the women here in The South Bahamas Conference and while COVID-19 may have restrained some of our plans, by God’s grace, we press on and will finish strong.

Stay poised and ready, as we continued to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to Shine for Christ in 2021.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions or need additional information on any of our initiatives, kindly email us at SBCwomensministries@sbcadventist.org.bs

Upcoming Events
Christmas Food Box Delivery. December 19-24, 2020.

Women’s Devotional Submissions
Deadline June 2021.

Yuletide Greetings from Women’s Ministries 
As we approach another yuletide season, amid all the hustle and bustle, bells and whistles, the focus for the world is giving and receiving. However, as children of God, let us primarily focus on the Christ-child, the most important gift we could ever receive, as found in John 3:16.

There is a quote that says, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving”. This God-given love will prompt us to give of our time, abilities, resources and of ourselves. Giving is how we show our love, which is sometimes the greatest gift of all.

May the spirit of God’s peace and presence be ours as we celebrate His birth; the only gift that will last for eternity!

On behalf of the Women’s Ministries Department, I wish you all Happy Holidays and an even more spirit-filled New Year!

Pause and Pray Wednesday
Don’t forget our weekly Pause and Pray appointment on Wednesdays at noon.

Donation Request: Used, But In Good Condition Devotionals
Kindly donate to your local Women’s Ministries Leader for distribution during our community outreach projects this year. 

--Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


HILLVIEW CHURCH
The Hillview church invites you to join them as their choirs present a musical service, “Christ, Our Only Hope” on Sabbath, December 19, 2020 @ 11:00 a.m. Join the service in their Sanctuary or via Zoom ID 333819151.


Please Email Weekly Announcements
To: sbclogos@gmail.com
Or logos@sbcadventist.org.bs
By Tuesday at 3:00p.m.

CALL 341-4021
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH
December 26, 2020 - 5:28 p.m.

   Happy Sabbath!