101 WARREN MOTT PARKWAY * HATTIESBURG, MS 39401 * 601-583-9243 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.SHADYGROVE-CHURCH.ORG EXPECT SOMETHING GOOD TO HAPPEN! Inside this issue Page 2: Christmas Give Back Memories Page 3: Christmas Give Back Memories Page 4: Christmas Give Back Memories Page 5: Upcoming Events Page 6: How To Receive God’s Best Page 7: Member Spotlight Sunday School Invitation Page 8: Birthday / Anniversary (1/1-1/15) Page 9: Birthday / Anniversary (1/16-1/31) Page 10: Encouragement For January Welcome New Member Funny Bible Jokes Page 11: Word Search Puzzle Page 12: Mental Wellness Page 13: Word Search Puzzle Bible Trivia Page 14: Inherit God’s Best Bible Trivia Answers Funny Bible Jokes Page 15: Word Search Puzzle Page 16: Sick / Shut-in / Bereaved Weekly Schedule/Announcements Sometimes when you’ve had a series of disappointing things happen, you can get in the habit of expecting more of what you already have. I used to be like that. My motto was, “If you don’t expect anything good to happen, then you won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t.” But this isn’t how God wants us to live! Fear is the opposite of faith, and it takes faith to accept anything good in our lives. When I was expecting something bad to happen, my expectation was from Satan. If we are not careful, this expectation will open the door to Satan’s evil plans for our lives by waiting for bad things. But when we expect good things, we open the door to God’s plans (see Lamentations 3:25). GOD CAN’T WAIT TO BE GOOD TO YOU... God is good. Everything He does is good and wonderful. In fact, God wants to do something outrageously wonderful in your life every moment of every day...but you have to be ready and expect it to happen. God is looking and longing for someone who’s waiting for Him to be good to them. God wants to be good to you, but you have to be expecting Him to move in your life! Today is your day to start believing something good is going to happen to you! God is working in your life right now, and when you get your breakthrough, it will be the result of what God has been doing for a long time. I’ve gotten into a habit of saying something almost every day of my life, and I encourage you to do the same. Declare: “GOD IS GOOD, AND SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME TODAY!” Whether you see it or feel it or not, keep praying and expecting because God is longing to be gracious and good to you! Excerpted from: https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/expect-something-good-tohappen ARE YOU EXPECTING GOD’ S BEST? 2024 CHURCH THEME: “ARE YOU EXPECTING GOD’S BEST?” ROMAN 8:18 January 2024 Volume 5 Edition 1 SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH REV. DR. REGINALD WOULLARD, PASTOR
HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY GIVE BACK Remembering Events At ... 2
HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY GIVE BACK Remembering Events At ... 3
HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY GIVE BACK Remembering Events At ... 4
In-person (Dropbox, Cash, Check, Credit/Debit Cards) CASH APP ($sgbchburg) Online Giving (shadygrove-church.org/give) VENMO (@sgbchburg PAYPAL ([email protected]) 5 Upcoming Events At ... JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS 1 New Year’s Day 1—31 Dance Enrollment 2 21-Day Fast Begins 2 Senior Citizen Luncheon 7 Installation of Officers 15 MLK Jr. Holiday 16/17 In-Person Prayer 22 Last Day of Fasting 23/24 Fasting Celebration Dr. Rudolph McKissick, Jr. 28 Baptism/Baby Dedication 28 GSD Recognition We will have Holy Baptism Sunday, January 28th following 7:45 AM Service. If you would like to be baptized, please see Deborah Woullard or Sandra Thompson. Baby dedication will be held Sunday, January 28th during 10:45 AM Service. If you would like to dedicate your baby, please see Maxine Coleman. Grand Slam Disciples will be recognized during the 10:45 AM Service January 28th. See Monique Crowell or John Brown if you need to complete your new members classes.
6 HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S BEST – 4 SIMPLE KEYS FOR GOD’S BEST How to Receive God’s Best! God wants you to have His best but, to have God’s best you need to know how to receive God’s best. The choices you make ultimately decide whether or not you will experience God’s best. Your life is about the choices you make. The challenge most of us have is not in choosing what is right versus what is wrong, but choosing what is God’s best over what is good. We must never settle for less than God’s best. This means we must make choices that move us towards His best. 4 Keys to Receive God’s Best! So, how do we receive God’s best? How do we make choices that assure we receive God’s best and don’t settle for what is just good? Here are 4 keys that will help you to receive God’s best. 1. Believe God wants the best for you. God is a good, kind, and loving Father. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” God wants to give you His best. Believe it and expect it. Too, often we think God is mad at us or we’re not worthy of God’s best. God’s best is not about how good or worthy you are, but it is based on your faith in Jesus and what He did for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has great plans for your life – the best plans. Simply believe God wants the best for you. 2. Know what God’s best is. Unfortunately, most Christians get focused on their plans and end up missing what God has for them. We spend a lot of effort and time trying to make our plans come to pass. We pray and try to convince God to bless our plans. However, Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s plan that will stand.” The key to knowing God’s best is to discover His plan for your life. His plans are already blessed. His plan is His best. He will direct your steps and lead you toward His best when you trust Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” He’s not trying to hide it or keep His plan or best from you. Trust Him and He will direct you in His best. 3. Wait for God’s timing. Generally speaking most of us hate waiting. We want what we want, when we want it. However, impatience is seldom the recipe for God’s best. Instead, it tends to get us into trouble. It is through faith and PATIENCE that we obtain the promises of God. (Hebrews 6:12) Often because of our lack of patience we end up settling for less than God’s best. Even Abraham and Sarah became impatient with God. God had promised them a son, but when it didn’t happen as quickly as they wanted, they short circuited God’s plan and created Ishmael. Ishmael was good he just wasn’t God best and it created problem for Abraham and the whole world. Be at peace and accept God’s time table. He knows the beginning from the end. When things seem to be taking too long, wait for God. Don’t get discouraged, but hold fast to the promises of God.. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 4. Thank God for His best. This is huge! Keep a heart of thanksgiving even in the darkest times. God is always at work. Praise Him! When you praise Him it makes the enemy flee. Praise opens the gateway of God’s blessing and His best as we come into the Presence of our King. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4) When things are going good – praise Him! Praise helps take the focus off us and back on God. It is all about God not us. Praise helps keep us in a place of humility. As we praise Him we recognize our total dependence upon Him – it is all about Him – not us. I encourage you to begin receiving God’s best. God’s best is always better! He really wants you to have the best. Don’t settle for anything less! Believe God wants the best for you, discover His best for you, wait for His timing, and always praise Him giving thanks for His best. God’s wisdom knows what’s best for you and His love wants what’s best for you. God’s power ensures you receive what’s best for you. Remember it’s all about receiving what God has already done and not about getting God to do something. He has already done it. His best is waiting for you to receive it. By Bruce Edwards | https://www.breakthroughforyou.com/how-to-receive-gods-best/
HAVE YOU MET THESE NEW MEMBERS? 7 MEET ANITA & DJ DAVIS! • Anita and DJ have been married for 14 years. • Anita has been employed for 15 years at South MS Planning and Development District as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program Administrator. • DJ is a retired police captain, he served for 29 years. • Anita’s favorite Bible verses are Psalm 23. • DJ’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23:4. • Anita’s favorite motto is the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” • DJ’s favorite motto is “Think smart and do smart things.” • Anita states what encouraged her to join Shady Grove was Rev. Woullard’s messages. • DJ states his wife’s aunt, Maxine Coleman, inviting them to church helped him make the decision to join. WELCOME ANITA & DJ DAVIS! Pick up a Sunday school brochure in the foyer to find the class that’s right for you, or contact the church office for more information. • Camille has been a member at Shady Grove for 35 years. • She is a member of the Inspirational Choir, The Helping Hands Ministry and Sunday school class #8. • She is the Program Ministry leader. • Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. • She is employed at MS Dept. of Child Protection Service as a training coordinator. • Her motto is: Only what you do for Christ will last! • Camille enjoys serving and helping others. • Cyleah has been a member at Shady Grove for 11 years. • She is a member of the Youth Ministry, Women in the Making, Youth Choir and the Dance Ministry. • Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:15. • She is a senior at North Forrest High School. DO YOU KNOW THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DUO, CAMILLE HAYES & CYLEAH SANDERS?
8 Robert L. Adams Daylen Jackson Cassandra Banks Kaitlin Banks Craig Barney Deana Beans Ervin Bolton Mark Booth Linda M. Bourn Santana Brown Alexis McLeod Shawn Carter Tenika Carter Julionna Clark Yvonne Yvette Coney Dezay D'Mario Cooks Darien Haynes Lynn Daniels Cynthia Davis Robbie Davis Cantrell Deloach Michael Dent Kallion N. Dismuke Mary Duff Merttrue Ellis Alishia Smith Allen L. Fails Jr. Deirdre Fairley Chelsa Fairley-Richardson China Gaddis Monica Gilmore Ashley Griffin Tinesha Hartfield Jazmyne Polk Latasha Hayes Keelen Jordan Darius Gardner Maurice Hibbler Kenneth Hubbard JaKory Jackson Matthew B. Jackson Katora Culpepper Shalunda Briscoe Marcus Jenkins Asia Jones Conell Jones Nyesha Danyel Jones Quanita Jones Shalunda Jones Diana Jones Andrew Jordan Brandon Keys Tanya Keys Alexis B. Wilson Derrius Lewis Carolyn Locke Nataliya Magee Detrick Marshall Zamia Martin Lillian L. McConnell Keith McCullum Deon McKines Dennis McLaurin Madison Payne Robert Naylor Jr. Cornell Nelson Kendrick Lashun Parkman Dayja McCoy Eric T. Pendarvis Deborah A. Pinas Shannon Rogers Haley Nicole Smith Ivory Brooks Stallings Charles Starks Danesha Steele Michelle Wilson Stokes Logan Wilson Keiara Santiana Gillum Chastin Thorne Sakeitra Travis Lillie Turner LaWanda Watts Zabriana Watts Gregory Wilson JANUARY 1ST—JANUARY 15TH JANUARY 1ST—JANUARY 15TH Jimmie & Crystal Bunch Billy Sr. & Esther Hathorn Mark & Ruth Madison
9 JANUARY 16TH—JANUARY 31ST JANUARY 16TH—JANUARY 31ST First Lady Joyce Woullard Demetrius Adams Courtney Allen Ebbony Allen Shuna Knight Glinnis Baines DeAira Barber Kinnady Barlow John Barnes Janine Barnett Kelsey Paulene Blalock Erin Bolton Steven Brown Jacob Lott Willie Bunch Keith Clark Georgia Council Amiya Denise Crowell Kelli Davis J. D. Dillon Jr. Nanisha Doty Letezia Edwards Keren Ellis Reginald Ellis Angela Ford Belivia Foster Lyncola Foster Michelle Gardner Bertha Garner Georgia B. Garner Clarence Hall Brandon Jamal Sumrall Jr. Esther Hathorn Christine Hathorn Katina Haywood Lumie Black Rev. Willie Horton Marchello Hoskins Linda J. Jackson Alrissa Jenkins Cora Johnson Marcus Johnson Sr. Andrea Jordan Amber Jordan Jarrod Jordan Chanel Conerly Briana Keys Mary Loyce Lee Naquin DeShun Lewis Ernest Terrell Lewis John Lindsey Patrick Love Brandie Mackabee Georgia Bianca-Garner Florieda Mason Tynesia Bolton Shanice Richard Ira Lamar McGilberry Jr. Jacqueline McLemore Carmen Hathorn Rev. Shawna Mott Zoe Nelson Danielle Nicholson Chris O'Neal Sashia Fluker Regina Paige Carolyn W. Patterson Lasha Poole Vosch Price Josiah Hayes Michael A. Richardson Brandi Roberts Johnathan Robinson Jr. Brittany Russell Rilla Ryan Nicole Showers Kimberly Simmons William R. Spencer Courtney Stancle D'Shawn Timmons Imani Steven A'Keenan Strahan Elsa Jacqueline Sylvia Gladys Taylor Kimberly Thigpen Dionna Thompson Dea. Hardy Thorne Jr. Roderick Turner Dilon Donell Booth Tommie Ware Donmorreya Waters Nennia Weathersby Terrence Randall Williams Laura Williamson Andrew Wilson Elatsky Lenise Wilson Josh Woodson Vincent D. Shanks Kimberly Yarborough Marcus & Kourtney Jenkins Johnny II & Daisy McClure
ARE YOU EXPECTING GOD’S BEST? 10 Romans 8:18, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The question is “Are you expecting God’s best”? My answer is yes. What do you think about this question? Because we are human, we must live in expectation of what God will do or permit in our lives. The thing about that is we cannot always receive. We must give also. If we never give of ourselves, why should we expect anything from God! God gave His only son so that we will have everlasting life. The thing is, God will do for us whether we act accordingly or not but I am suggesting we think about how we treat Our Father God. God’s best: He created the world for us. And it is beautiful. God cannot be outdone in generosity when we open ourselves up to His Will. God is faithful. He is always there for us. God is a great listener. He will not tell our deepest secrets, and He can speak to us without saying audible words. He will speak directly to our hearts. God is gentle with us. Most of the time we are not worthy of his gentleness, but He does it anyway. God does not need us, yet he chooses us. He has a mission/ assignment for each of us that only the person assigned can handle. God is great in mercy. He helps us forgive ourselves and others. God suffered for us through His Son Jesus the Christ and made our suffering valuable because of His love for us. God gives us hope and eternal life in Him. God loves us intimately and specifically. Not only does He love us, but HE IS LOVE. (Excerpts from 10 cool things about God, by Kelly Guest.) Just a few examples of God’s best. We expect His best, but we also must give Him our best don’t you think? Let’s work on that. Let’s Pray: Father God, You are the best of the best. You are grand and majestic, You are loving and kind to us even when we do not deserve it. Thank you for loving us in spite of us. Thank You for teaching us how to act, how to love, how to forgive and how to live. Thank you for being our God and our Father. In Jesus’ Name! Amen! Humbly submitted by Rev. Cathy Ross Woulard Annie McLemore God’s Best in 2024 Encouragement for January
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12 YOU MIGHT BE DOING YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ALL WRONG! So many of us keep the tradition of making a New Year’s Resolution, and sadly there is no resolve. It never happens! Or it is short-lived. It is commendable to set goals and plan for the new year; yet defeating. WE make these resolutions with no intentions of failing. These good intentions turn sour when we fail at achieving our resolutions. Perhaps we are “doing our New Year’s Resolutions ALL WRONG?!” Announcement: What you think you know about breaking bad habits and starting new healthy ones might not be right. Here's how to turn things around. (Hint: Part of the answer is in your dopamine.) The start of a new year signals the opportunity to create a clean slate—a chance to reflect, take stock, and make changes that will help us become the best versions of ourselves. Sounds good, right? So why are resolutions so hard to keep? One recent survey showed that only about 10% of people who make resolutions still stick with them by the time mid February rolls around. Yikes! Willpower isn’t necessarily to blame. The real problem might be the resolutions you picked in the first place. We often set ourselves up for failure by setting goals that are vague, unrealistic, or heavily influenced by what we believe others expect of us. And, when we do ‘fail,’ we’re left feeling guilty, disappointed, and selfloathing—a far cry from the strong sense of confidence and empowerment we were after. Focus on making small positive changes that can help cultivate positivity and improve overall mental health. Revamp Your Resolutions With that in mind, we’ve put together a top five list of achievable, expert-vetted resolutions to give you a head start to better mental health in the decade ahead: 1. Practice gratitude. Short on time? Practicing gratitude is one of the quickest and most effective ways to increase happiness, manage depression, and cultivate resilience. All it takes is jotting down or mentally acknowledging a few things you’re grateful for every day. 2. Keep a journal. Whether it’s revisiting a positive experience you had during the day or doing a quick -fire brain dump of all the negative thoughts swimming around in your head, journaling is a great way to ease anxiety. The process can also help you to recognize triggers and learn how to manage them, make sense of how you’re feeling, and work through issues. 3. Move your body. Studies show that movement is an effective form of medicine in helping manage depression. You don’t have to sign up for a marathon or even join the gym but engaging in some form of exercise every day—a short walk, yoga, or a barre class—can go a long way in keeping your mental and physical health in tip-top shape. 4. Unplug. There is growing research showing a negative correlation between screen time and psychological well-being. Most of us know that Instagram, Facebook, and other social media apps are more like highlight reels than accurate portrayals of people’s real lives, but it’s hard not to start comparing yourself with others and start feeling anxious and inadequate because your own life seems radically less rosy. Try taking a step back from your social media accounts and see how it impacts your mood and stress levels. You might find that you’re much happier (and not missing out) not being constantly connected. 5. Nourish friendships. Fact: being around other people is critical for your health. Carve out time this year to connect and deepen relationships with the people in your life that inspire you and nurture your soul. Excerpted from www.Psycom.net/mental-health-resolutions Submitted by Dr. Stacey Blalock Henry Mental Wellness
13 1. Who was Jesus referring to when he said, “Good were it for that man if he had never been born?” 2. Who did Paul describe as, “mine own son after the common faith?” 3. Who said, “When I am weak, then am I strong?” 4. Who said that he came “to send fire on the earth?” 5. Which disciples said unto Jesus, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” 6. Certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed whom? 7. Who said to Jesus, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” 8. Who said, “see, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” 9. Who said, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God?” 10. Who said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God?” https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/biblestudy/bible-trivia-questions.html (Answers on p. 14)
14 INHERIT GOD’S BEST! Jesus wants us to walk in the same kind of faith that He walked in... the God kind of faith! Faith does not put up with things that are not in line with the Word... poverty, sickness, depression, fear, heaviness, sleepless nights, strife, and anything outside of God’s best for you needs to be totally removed from your life! Use your faith to remove these things and to replace them with the promises of God! Use your faith and speak to anything in your life or circumstances that do not reflect what the Lord has promised you as a New Covenant believer! Jesus told us to ‘speak to’... not ‘speak about’ the mountain... a mountain represents anything blocking or hindering God’s best for us! Do not just endure it, or put up with it, use your faith to remove it! The way that we remove the mountain is to SPEAK to it in faith! Speak to the spirit of darkness behind your challenge - there is a spirit of darkness behind every unscriptural circumstance or challenge. Speak to that spirit and command it to be cast into the sea - speak to the spirit of infirmity, the spirit of lack, the spirit of strife, the spirit of heaviness and any spirit of darkness that is interfering with God’s best for you, or hindering or harassing you. Many people continually talk about their problems. Talking about a problem is a sure way to assure that the problem will persist! Speak to the spirit behind the problem in faith and with authority and command it to GO, and the spirit will flee, and then the problem will be removed. Command and then believe that you will have what you have commanded. Speak and then believe that you will see what you have said - again. DO NOT put up with circumstances, situations and issues that are outside of what the Lord has given you in His New Covenant! Health is yours, provision is yours, peace, joy, favor and supernatural ability is yours. The promises of God are yours and you should expect to live in ALL of them! Do not compromise or settle for anything less than God’s BEST! www.amazinglovehawaii.com/ wordfortoday/2020/5/21/do-not-settle -for-less-than-gods-best 1. Judas Iscariot, Mark 14:10-21 2. Titus, Titus 1:4 3. Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:10 4. Jesus, Luke 12:39 5. John the Baptist, Matthew 11:2-3 6. Paul, Acts 23:12 7. Thomas, John 14:5 8. An Eunuch, Acts 8:34-36 9. Peter, Matthew 16:16 10. Stephen, Acts 7:56 Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, “Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,” and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 TPT
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SUNDAY Sunday School at 9:30 am Worship Service at 7:45 am and 10:45 am MONDAY Dance 6 pm Weekly TUESDAY Senior Citizen Luncheon 1st Week at 10 am Wise Encouragers 3rd Week at 6 pm WEDNESDAY Sisterhood at 6 pm Weekly Brotherhood & Adult Men’s Bible Study 2nd & 4th Week at 6 pm Adult and Youth Bible Study at 7 pm (Adult-Life Center; Youth-Sanctuary) SATURDAY Corporate Prayer at 8 am Join by dialing 720-740-9642 access code 4402008 Boyz2Men Ministry 2nd & 4th Week at 11 am Girl Scouts 2nd Week at 11 am Iron Sharpeners 2nd Week at 10 am Women In The Making 3rd Week at 11 am WOW 3rd Week at 10 am Witness 4th Week at 9 am (announced) Youth Ushers at 1 pm (quarterly) The 21-Day Fast will begin January 2nd and end January 22nd! You are asked to choose something you will Fast from for the next 21-days. The Youth Choir will rehearse Saturday, January 20th at 12 pm. All youths are welcome! For more information, see Jeremy Jernigan. WEEKLY SCHEDULE Terrell Carson Dea. Allen Ellis Dea. Chester Hopkins Magnolia Gholar Barbara Payton Tracey Thigpen Andrew Mott Bettye Mott Monique Crosby Terry Harris Leona Woullard Lue Dahmer Albert Barnett Josie Davis Darlene Dantzler Celia Grant Angela Thames Harold Dahmer Sr. Vernon Dahmer Jr. Betty Harris Mary Dean Lee Kathy Wallace Joe Lee Jessica Hibbler The SGBC Newsletter is a publication of the Shady Grove Baptist Church. It is published once a month on the 1st of each month. Contact us at [email protected]. Maxine Coleman, Editor ANNOUNCEMENT SICK HOME BOUND NURSING HOME BEREAVED Please remember our members who are in bereavement. Pray for: Mary Hibbler and her family; her sister, Gwendolyn Leverette passed. Jackie McLemore and her family; her sister, Ruby Brown passed. Amber Young and her family; her father, Perrymon Wright passed. 16