Coping Through the Financial Strain of COVID19

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As we  navigate this unpredictable time in our world, we must be reminded of the promises of our Heavenly Father.  He has promised to never leave us and to stick closer than a brother.

 Many of us have been placed in financial situations that we have never seen before. This requires that we be prepared to do some things that we have never done before. The first thing to keep in mind is to remember that God is still in control and we are to continue to put Him first in all things (Prov. 3:9).  He still requires us to be faithful.

Consequently, one of the most important things to give immediate attention to, is a revised budget.  These are not normal times; therefore, our normal budgets are not going to bring us through. So, we would need to distinguish between our needs and our wants. To do this, we must have the right attitude toward our spending.  Most of all, we need to continue or start to save.

May I propose that, this is the time to use whatever we have in our garden or yard to survive.  Backyard farming will also eliminate the need to spend money on gym memberships and reduce the expense of driving around as the benefits of this activity can be physically rewarding.

Let’s be practical and return to our earlier practices. Instead of Ovaltine or Milo, why not try fever grass, pear, lime or guava leaf teas.  Last week I visited a friend who allowed me to enter his backyard and I was able to cut my own tomatoes, bok choy, mint and plantain.  For too long we have been just talking about feeding ourselves. Instead of buying bread, buy flour and bake your own bread. The time has come for action.

For those who may still have some earning capacity, we need to consider teaming up with other family members, work colleagues or friends to purchase wholesale items as a way of cutting costs.  We should endeavor to switch from credit to debit cards.  This will assist in us eliminating the high interest charges. Only purchase what is absolutely necessary and avoid those items that will depreciate in value in the short term. This time at home affords many of us the opportunity to learn a new skill or take an online class.  Someone once said to me that the largest school in the world is the ‘University of YouTube’. You will be surprised what people are prepared to pay for!

 Remember that the word of God will stand forever.  We are told in Psalm 37:35, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”. These are not the words of a novice. David was an experienced man. He had seen the fullness of life. He tasted the bitter and the sweet and can therefore offer expert testimony on God’s faithfulness.  We cannot share what we do not have! By the same token, we cannot spend what we don’t have.

These are trying times and many of us will be stretched financially and otherwise. Let us hold on to the faithful hand of God, He has promised to provide for all of our NEEDS. He is true to His word. He is a deliverer of His people.  We only need to trust Him.
--Mr. Anthony Burrows, Stewardship Director, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists


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ADVENTIST BOOK AND NUTRITION CENTER
The Adventist Book & Nutrition Center continues to serve you during our adjusted store hours: Mondays - Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sundays - Closed. The social distancing rule will be applied during your visit. 
-- ABNC Manager

 

BIBLE CLASS
Bible class for the South Bahamas Conference will be available via Zoom on Sunday @ 6:30p.m. Contact your church Pastor for the Meeting number. Topic: “Demons, Ghosts and Spirits. To Heaven or Hell. Where do we go?” The study will also be livestreamed via YouTube: Look for Englerston Adventist.
-- Pastor Lynden Williams, Bible Studies & Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator


COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
ATV Special Broadcasts

Children’s Programming
Sabbath Mornings 9:30a.m. – 10:00a.m.

Regular Broadcasts
Fridays 7:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
Including Children’s & Adult Programming:
News Update / News Page
Inspirational Thoughts
Bible Trivia
Children’s Shows
Lessons from the Word
Adventist Spotlight (Local Sermon)
Saturday Afternoons 3:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
(A replay of Friday evenings broadcast).
--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Communication Director

 

HEALTH MINISTRIES
Maintaining Physical and Emotional Wellbeing Amidst COVID19 Lecture Series
May 3 @ 4:00p.m. – 5:30p.m.
“Boost Immune w/Natural Remedies” – Hydrotherapy – Mrs. Valarie Schreiber, N.D.

May 10 @ 4:00p.m – 5:30p.m.
“Coping with Changes”
Dr. Stephanie Hutcheson, Clinical Psychologist/ Assistant Professor - University of Bahamas.
Ms. Phyllis Woodside, M.A., School Counsellor, Life Coach - C. I. Gibson High School.

LIVE on Facebook / YouTube.
--Mrs. Nathelyn Lacroix, Health Ministries Director


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Please note that due to the COVID19 pandemic, our regular submission format has changed. This week and every week thereafter, we will stay connected thorough our “Sisters for Sisters” words of empowerment, coming from women across our Conference. The first inspiration comes from Mrs. Patrice Williams Gordon, Deliberate Living.

The Rest of the Story
Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble. Prov. 19:2 (TEV) 
It was a romantic evening for my husband and me. A sumptuous meal, good conversation and a long drive along the eastern end of our island home, made it a close-to-perfect date. The sun was very close to slipping away for the day, creating a picturesque backdrop of the ocean as it lapped the shoreline, sending an occasional spray our way. The seagulls passed overhead making beautiful formations; you couldn’t help but wonder if they were choreographed.

We shared our dreams for a family, travel, and even retirement. The tranquil atmosphere was disturbed by the sound of a plane making its way to landing. As it descended, I imagined excited passengers anxious to disembark so they could be reunited with relatives and friends. Through my overactive imagination, I saw children waiting to see parents, suitcases bearing goodies for expectant friends, and someone who may not have been home in years overwhelmed to tears at the sight of their island home. My focused mind’s eye was tugged back to reality when the plane failed to land and started rising again. “Maybe”, I thought, “the traffic on the runway made landing impossible so the plane would be a few minutes delayed.”

But this was not to be. As the plane attempted landing yet again the same thing happened, once, twice thrice. My mind-chatter now became an audible plea of panic. I was now sure the plane was in distress as I tried to prepare myself for the impending doom of a crash landing. With tears in my eyes I looked to my husband for a possible suggestion of what we could do. I offered a nervous prayer while we stood in helpless silence.

Then the most unexpected sound was heard coming from my husband, a whooping bout of laughter. What could possibly be so funny at a time like this? Finally, he was able to talk. “Honey,” he said, “I think I know what’s wrong, it’s a student pilot in a practice session.” It was not only a logical conclusion but turned out to be accurate. The laugh was on me; almost losing my mind with one part of the story.

Many times in life our hasty assumptions don’t end with a laugh. Countless misunderstandings and feuds have had their beginnings with someone having just one part of the story. King Solomon said, Sensible people always think before they act, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. Prov. 13:16 (TEV)

Here are a few tips that will preserve your sanity and reduce contention.

Save yourself and others the stress that results from just a part of the story, by asking more questions and assuming less.

If you must assume, think positively.

Don’t waste your time and energy laying plans when you don’t have all the facts.

Never forget that there is One who always knows the whole story and offers to lead you into all truth.

In the face of this Covid-19 pandemic, we can lose our peace by predicting our immediate future based on the images on the newscasts and social media outlets. However, let us instead look to God who sees the end from the beginning, who knows the rest of your story and guarantees a happy ending with smiles, laughter, and contentment.

Gems Event
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 6:00p.m. - 6:45p.m. All GEMS are cordially invited to join BEREA CHURCH GEMS “MASK-ARADE.” DYI Mask Tools: socks, hair elastics, needle, thread, scissors and pins.

Zoom Meeting ID: 291-503-2855 
(Parents kindly note that adult supervision will be required during the meeting)

Pause and Pray Wednesday.
Don’t forget our weekly Pause and Pray appointment on Wednesdays at noon.
-- Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


WORSHIP WITH ONE OF OUR CHURCHES 

Friday May 1st – Saturday May 2nd, 2020. Wednesday May 6, 2020.
Churches Worshipping Via ZOOM. Please Contact Pastors for Links to Meetings.

 BETHANY (VIA ZOOM & YOUTUBE) – Pastor Jamal Franklin – Email: jfranklin@sbcadventist.org.bs
Adventist Youth Service on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Sabbath Prayer & Praise Service on Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Sabbath School Services
Adult Unit - Classes 1-3 on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Children’s Class on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Youth Class on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Divine Worship
Via YouTube and Facebook @bethany242 on Sabbath at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer & Praise Service on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

GOOD NEWS & EXUMA DISTRICT (Via Zoom) - Pastor T. Basil Sturrup - Email: sturrup1@gmail.com
Facebook & YouTube pages: Good News SDA Church Bahamas

Adult Sabbath School. Time: 9:30a.m – 10:50a.m. Topic: By Scripture Alone – Sola Scriptura
C.H.A.M Connect. Children ages 5-14years. Time: 10:00a.m – 10:50a.m.
Divine Worship Service (Hosted by Exuma District) ZOOM ID: 998 4782 7550. Time: 11:00a.m – 12:00p.m. Speaker: Pastor T. Basil Sturrup. Topic: “Faith as a Mustard Seed”.
Youth Bible Class/ Vesper – Sabbath Afternoon Time: 5:30p.m.

Wednesday Prayer & Praise Service / Bible Study – The Book of Proverbs. Time: Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

 

GRANT'S TOWN - (Via Zoom) - Pastor Leonardo Rahming - Email: lrahming@sbcadventist.org.bs 

HILLVIEW - (Via Zoom/Youtube) - Pastor Michael Toote

JOHNSON PARK, CROOKED ISLAND, ACKLINS - (Via Zoom) - Pastor Danhugh Gordon

BEREA AND BREATH OF LIFE - (Via Zoom) - Pastor Edward St. Fleur

MESSAGE OF HOPE - (Via Zoom) - Pastor Melvin Lewis

NEW PROVIDENCE, REAL HARVEST, ELEUTHERA, NORTH AND SOUTH ANDROS DISTRICTS -  (Via Zoom) - Pastors: Alvarico Moss, Manasseh Simms, Lee Burrows, Kareem Black
Email: amoss@sbcadventist.org.bs
Friday Vesper - 7:00p.m
Sabbath School – 9:30a.m.
Divine Worship – 11:00a.m.
Wednesdays - 7:00p.m.

NEW ENGLERSTON – Pastor Lynden Williams - Email: lwilliams@sbcadventist.org.bs 
VIA ZOOM & New Englerston Seventh-day adventist church YOUTUBE channel 
Sabbaths: 9:15a.m.
AY: 6:00p.m.

LONG ISLAND - (Via Zoom) - Pastor Jon Dorsett - Email: jondorsett7@gmail.com
Sabbath School – 9:00a.m.
Divine Worship – 11:00a.m.
Sabbath Afternoon Bible Class – 5:00p.m.

ADELAIDE / BETHEL - (VIA ZOOM/ Whatsapp) - Pastor Larry Green - Email: pastorlg@yahoo.com
Sabbath School – 10:00a.m.
Divine Service – 11:00a.m.

LIVING FAITH - (VIA ZOOM) – Pastor Raydell Duffis - Email: rduffis@sbcadventist.org.bs
Prayer Meeting Wednesday - 7:00p.m.
Night of Encouragement Thursday - 8:00p.m.
Youth Bible Study Friday - 5:30p.m -6:30p.m.
Sabbath Reception Friday Evening - 7:00p.m
Sabbath School - 9:15a.m
Divine Service - 11:00a.m.

LA SENDA DE LA VIDA - (VIA ZOOM) - Pastor Ludwing Garcia - Email: lgarcia@sbcadventist.org.bs
Sabbath School - 10:00a.m.
Divine Service - 11:00a.m.
Wednesday Prayer & Praise Service - 7:30p.m.

GAMBIER - Pastor Craig Williams - VIA ZOOM Saturday @ 10:00a.m.

FACEBOOK
AGAPE, REDEMPTION AND PHILADELPHIA - (VIA ZOOM) - Pastors: Carl Johnson, Peter Joseph
Wednesdays @ 7:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Sabbath Services
Sabbath School - 10:00a.m.
Divine Service: @ 11:30a.m.
Adventist Hour Via Zoom 6:00p.m. – 7:15p.m. **Visit David Williams’ / Philadelphia Church FB Page.

CENTREVILLE AND NEW HAVEN - (Centreville Church’s FB Page) - Pastor Paul Scavella
Sabbath School at 10:30a.m.
Divine Worship and Sermon at 11:00a.m.
Bible Study/Mid-Week Prayer Service -Wednesdays at 7:00p.m.

WHATSAPP VIDEOS / MESSAGES
PEARDALE & EPHESUS - (VIA ZOOM) - Pastor Nikita Thompson
Email: nthompson@sbcadventist.org.bs 

EBENEZER AND FRANCOPHONE - (Facebook) - Pastor Wilson Isnord  

MARANATHA - Pastor Valentino Campbell

SAN SALVADOR – Pastor Ludwing Garcia / Elder Michelle Williams

 

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
May 9, 2020 at 7:44p.m.

Happy Sabbath!