'Connect With God'

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As we continue in  this our "new normal," I was  contemplating the   positives in all of this negative. I am convinced evil has been turned around for good. 

In the past we hustled and bustled for much of the day and night, we even coined the phrase 24/7 and was so busy that very often we forgot to spend time with our GOD. 

So God, in His mercy and grace, used this pandemic to slow us down so that we could again smell the roses, talk with our family members and friends, and connect with HIM.

I was directed in my alone time with GOD to the often-quoted text that we all know, perhaps even from memory, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our land and the world needs healing from our wickedness as well as this menacing pandemic, COVID-19. Isn't it amazing that even amid this scourge, sin still abounds? In this time of lockdowns, curfews, social distancing, washing our hands, and wearing our masks, the hearts of humankind is still desperately wicked.

I humbly submit, that God's people everywhere, must connect or reconnect with the Almighty, the King of Creation.

Connecting with God is quickly and easily done through a simple and profound acronym called PSRL. Pray, Surrender, Reading my Bible, and Leaning on Jesus.

The Psalmist David, in the one hundred and forty-fifth division of the Psalm, makes this very clear. King David declares, and so should we, "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name forever and ever."

As you read Psalms 145 in its entirety, you will recognize seven key points to hold on to:
Recognize His Position – He is the Lord of my life.
Recognize His Power – He is my ever-present help in times of trouble.
Recognize His Personality – He is good, and that will never change.
Recognize His Pre-eminence – Our security is in Him; He is in control.
Recognize His Provision – I have no lack, need not worry.
Recognize His Presence – I trust Him to be there for me.
Recognize His Preservation – Till the end of my journey.

 Like a real child of God, Psalm 145 is a Psalm you can hang on to and claim as your own; it's a great Psalm to pull out on those hopeless days when everything seems to be going wrong. Our life here on earth is only a speck in the eternity we will spend with the Lord!

Therefore, Connect with God through PSRL!
--Pastor Kenny A. V. Deveaux, President of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
Special Joint Divine Service May 16, 2020
Everyone is invited to a very special Divine Service to be held by the Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (for the Unions/Conferences within their territory) from 11:00a.m to noon. Your church Pastor will direct you on how to log on to this service. 
--Administration


JOIN THE 100 DAYS OF PRAYER
Sign up at: REVIVALANDREFORMATION.ORG/100DAYS



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. This Sunday we will discuss the topic of the Sanctuary. What is it, what is its purpose and what is Jesus doing there? We will also discuss questions relating to the Holy and Most Holy place. Also, about the passage that says that ‘Jesus went to heaven and sat down on the right hand of God’. Doesn’t this contradict the doctrine of the Sanctuary? Join our Bible class via Zoom or 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


CONGRATULATIONS!
We say congratulations to Ms. Shante Danielle LaCroix, daughter of Mr. Osmond & Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, for successfully graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness from Burman University, Alberta, Canada. We wish you God’s riches blessings in your future endeavors.
–Editor

 

HEALTH MINISTRIES
Maintaining Physical and Emotional Wellbeing Amidst COVID19 Lecture Series

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 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 through our “Sisters for Sisters” words of empowerment, coming from women across our Conference. The submission this week is from Mrs. Darlene Deveaux, Ministerial Spouses Coordinator for the South Bahamas Conference.

I Am With Thee
Isaiah 41:10 - KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

The first part of this promise says that God does not want us to be afraid. If we were to search scripture, we will find that the words “fear not” is quoted 365 times, which is the same amount of days that we have in a year. Just as with the 7th commandment to “remember” the Sabbath day, God wants to daily remind us that we need not fear, whatever the circumstances, because he will be with us. When we are fearful, we lose focus, take our eyes off God, and miss the answered prayers and blessings that He has promised us. The goal of Satan and his angels are to circumvent our blessings because his plans for us are evil (John 10:10). God’s plans for our lives are good plans (Jeremiah 9:11), so during those difficult times, let us by faith keep our heart’s door open to God’s plan and to hold fast to His promise to “fear not”.

The next part of the text says, "I am with you." Now that is the most assuring part of the text for me knowing that Jesus will be with me even until the end of time. Sometimes in our dire situations, when we need to feel God’s presence very near to us, it appears that we are all alone. It is at this time we need to put feelings aside, by faith, and once again claim God’s promise that he will be with us. Once we put our trust in Him, our rewards and victories will be sure.

Be not dismayed, for I am your God." As God’s children, when we recognize Him for who He is and allow Him to have full authority over our lives daily, our responsibilities become His responsibilities. His presence will remain with us every moment of the day, guiding, protecting, and providing. Once we place our burdens at His feet, He will fight our daily battles. As His children, we will witness Him moving heaven and earth to bless us with His best.

"I will strengthen and will help you." Sometimes in life, we may become weary as a result of our crisis and feel as though we do not have the strength to go on, but we must remember that nothing takes God by surprise. He knew from the beginning what our situation would have been today, and before we even asked, he had prepared the solution. Therefore, no matter what the test may be, we will endure and overcome, because God has promised that He will strengthen and help us.

"I will hold you with the right hand of my righteousness. We can rely on God to be just and true in the affairs of our lives. The Bible says that He is a God of justice. As mentioned, He will fight our battles without our help. Once we maintain the use of godly principles in our lives, even though it may appear that we are losing ground, our victory, which may be delayed, will never be denied.

Let us hold fast and claim the promises of this verse, and by faith allow our loving Father to reveal Himself to us like never before in bountiful measure!!

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 8th - Saturday May 9th, 2020. Wednesday May 13th, 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.
C.H.A.M Connect. Children ages 5-14years. Time: 10:00a.m – 10:50a.m.
Divine Worship Service. Time: 11:00a.m – 12:00p.m. Speaker: Pastor T. Basil Sturrup.
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.
**Redemption Seventh-day Adventist 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 16, 2020 at 7:48p.m.


 Happy Sabbath and Happy Mother's Day!