SGBC Newsletter Volume 1, Edition 8

November 15, 2020 SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH Volume 1, Edition 8

REV. DR. REGINALD WOULLARD, PASTOR

THANKSGIVING

A CULTURE OF THANKFULNESS!

WHAT IS THANKSGIVING? Inside this issue

IT'S HISTORY, MEANING AND CELEBRATION EXPLAINED! Page 2: Bible Trivia
Thanksgiving
THANKSGIVING REMINDS US TO BE MORE THAN GRATEFUL
For many people, the Thanksgiving holiday is a time to be grateful. Interestingly, the word Page 3: Birthday / Anniversary
"grateful" is not in the King James Version of the Bible and listed only once in the New Member Spotlight
International Version (NIV) and the English Standard Version (ESV). Similarly,
"gratitude" is only listed a couple of times in the NIV and once in the ESV. Page 4: Giving Opportunity
Encouragement For Today
What's wrong with being grateful? Gratitude is an attitude. Giving thanks is an action. Word Search
Gratitude appreciates the blessings in one's life, but on its own, it is insufficient. Christians
are called to be doers of the word (James 1:22). We have to go beyond being grateful and Page 5: Mental Wellness
be intentional about giving thanks. The Bible commands us to give thanks. "Give Thanks" A Happy Thanksgiving Story
appears in the Bible over 128 times in 62 verses. In the majority of these verses, "Give
thanks" is imperative. As believers, we are to actively give thanks to God for who He is Page 6: Sick & Shut-in / Bereaved
and the great things He has done. Weekly Schedule / Announcement
Bible Trivia Answers
The command to give thanks is not based on our circumstances but on who God is. We
are to thank God in anticipation of what He can do. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, Special points of interest
and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer • We Honor God When We Give Thanks
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians • Giving Thanks is an Action
4:6. • Gratitude is an Attitude
• Tithe & Offering—Online Giving
CHRISTIAN MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE ON THANKSGIVING • Be Thankful for What You Have
As Christians, we can reclaim Thanksgiving — rather than just being a day where we eat • Celebrate Thanksgiving Without Putting
too much and strategize our Black Friday sales plan of attack — we can go back to our
historical and spiritual roots as we give thanks to God. We can follow Abraham Lincoln’s Yourself or Others at Risk
example by repenting and asking for God’s forgiveness for our personal sins and our na- • Remember our Sick & Bereaved
tion’s perverseness. We should seek to reconcile with others and apologize for the harm
we have caused. Our actions should reflect our grateful hearts. We should thank God for
the people that are in our lives. We can acknowledge God's blessings as we enjoy a meal
with friends and family. We can share the grace that God has given us by serving the
homeless or inviting people who have no place to go on Thanksgiving.

Just having an attitude of gratefulness is not enough. We need to say "thank you" to God
for the kind and wonderful things He has done for us. When we give thanks to God for
the good things in our lives, we are honoring His provision, protection, and steadfast love.
Saying "thank you" by praising Him, worshiping Him, and honoring Him for what He has
done for us is an appropriate response to God's kindness. "We give thanks to you, Lord
God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to
reign.” Revelation 11:17 (Submitted by Maxine Coleman—Read the full article at Christianity.com)

SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

101 WARREN MOTT PARK WAY * HATTIESBURG, MS 39401 * 601 -583-9243
WEBSITE: SHADYGROVE-CHURCH.ORG

EMAIL: [email protected]

BIBLE TRIVIA THANKSGIVING

1. How many words are in the By Juan M. Floyd-Thomas
shortest verse in the Bible?
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham During our Thanksgiving celebration,
2. Who is the oldest man men- Lincoln signed the proclamation desig- nothing is better than spending time with
tioned in the Bible? nating the final Thursday of November family and friends, relaxing, eating,
to be a national holiday of “Thanksgiving watching television—whether sports,
3. What book in the Bible and Praise.” That official creation of a parades, favorite TV shows and maybe
doesn’t mention God by “day of our annual Thanksgiving” meant even a couple of movies. Needless to say,
name? that a National and fixed Union Festival there are many variations on the Thanks-
occurred within the
4. Who are the five angels same year when Lincoln giving menus em-
mentioned by name in the signed another, even blematic of the rich
Bible? more historic proclama- legacy of African
tion, the Emancipation American food as
5. What so-called mythological Proclamation. The one well as folkways all
creature is mentioned in the that directly concerned depending on what
Bible? the fate of every Black each family is ac-
person in the United States at the time customed to eating
6. What is the last word in the and since then: which had freed the en- during the holiday. In the journey from
Bible? slaved in any territory in rebellion, name- Africa to America, it must be remem-
ly the Confederate States of America. bered that Black women, men, and chil-
7. How many wives did King The fact that these two proclamations dren in this nation—especially in the
Solomon have? took place a few months apart coincides Deep South—historically were the ones
providentially to set the perfect context doing the majority of agricultural and
8. What two men in the Bible for America’s national day of Thanksgiv- domestic labor for centuries. In this case,
never died? ing. The millions of Black women, men, Black labor and culinary expertise helped
and children who were about to witness define many of the delicious aspects that
9. Who shut the door of No- the emancipation from what seemed to cover the Thanksgiving tables of most
ah’s ark? be the interminable nightmare of chattel American families. This can be seen in
slavery had much in which to rejoice in the preparation of either the traditional
10. What street did Judas live the wake of Lincoln’s twin proclamations roasted oven turkey, fried turkey, Tur-
on? of 1863. In turn, the people who were ducken, or vegetarian tofu-turkey as well
once dehumanized by the peculiar institu- as the side dishes consisting of “soul
11. Which apostle was a tent- tion of slavery would obviously have food” staples such as candied yams, col-
maker? much for which they could be truly lard greens, macaroni and cheese, and
thankful during that first Thanksgiving. countless other culinary delights borne of
12. How long did Jesus hang on an African-derived cuisine largely by the
the cross? In the late 19th century, the Thanksgiving descendants of Black folks, who, recently
holiday was celebrated in churches freed from bondage, still could not imag-
13. What were the first spoken throughout the African American com- ine the decades of sharecropping, segre-
words in the Bible? munities with specific Thanksgiving ser- gation, and disenfranchisement that
mons. The Rev. Benjamin Arnett, a would ensue but the spirit of thankful-
14. Who was the only female prominent AME minister at St. Paul ness still prevailed. Today, many African-
judge of Israel in the Old AME Church in Urbana, Ohio delivered Americans still spend time traveling and
Testament? the Centennial Thanksgiving sermon on visiting family and friends during the hol-
November 30, 1876. Basing his sermon iday. But, many have moved away from
15. What book in the Bible men- on the biblical passage, “Righteousness spending Thanksgiving Day in church;
tions mowed grass? exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to that practice has long been forgotten by
any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Rev. many. Thanksgiving today is not recog-
16. In the Old Testament, what Arnett uses the occasion of this relatively nized for the same reasons as it was years
happened to the kids who new holiday during the 200th anniversary ago. Today it is a day that is spent with
mocked Elisha’s bald head? to reflect upon the triumphs and failures family and friends being thankful for
of American society towards its Black many blessings.
17. How tall was the giant, Goli- citizenry, yet proclaims the potential for a (Submitted by Lettie Burger—Read full article
ath? promising way forward for America’s at theafricanamericanlectionary.org)
future.
18. What two books of the Bible
are named after women?

19. How many days after birth
was Jesus officially nameless?

20. What person in the Bible
was a fast and furious driver?

(Submitted by Maxine Coleman—
Find more trivia at
quiz.lovetoknow.com)

(Answers on p. 6 )

2

NOVEMBER 16TH—NOVEMBER 30TH

Micah Hill John Lindsey Sr. Darmer Crosby The City of Hattiesburg recognized
Johnathan Gaines LeAnn R. Lundy Jammieca Godfrey our own, Vernon Dahmer Jr. as its
Decarlos Nicholson Burgundy McCann Angela Haynes Veteran of the Year for 2020.
Evelyn M. Ivory Anthony McGee Elleena Heidelberg Mr. Dahmer is a Senior Master Ser-
Jacobi Polk Trinity Coleman Edith Rose Stallings geant who served 20 years active duty
John Gibson Armani Otis Linda Standifer in the United States Air Force. He
Lakeisha Washington Laterri Bolton Alyssa Powell spent 11 of those years overseas.
Veronica Calloway Ghana Rankins Cornelius Booth Senior Master Sergeant Dahmer was
Dea. Richard Crowell Margaret Tart Debra Ellis Brown honored on November 4th and again
Natajha Davis Sean K. Wilson Nadia Hopkins on Veterans Day, November 11th.
Rachael Jones Brittnee Andrews Bridgett T. McClure
Jomil Sutton Jermaine Henry Brandy Patton
Tameka VanBuren Kristen Pugh Sandra Thompson
Anna Nicole Cook Carol Tatum Isaiah Woullard
Marsha Davis Kelsey Bourn Carrington Bullock
Joyce Ainsworth Tracy Bullock Hector Godfrey
Tony Hunt Ja'quwon Earl Caiden Brown
Oliver McNair Pamela Figures Larry Steward Jr.
Monica Barnes Taqunna Adams Ralfiel Wright
Joshua Bates Joshua Crawford Hope Baldwin
James Hargrove Laverne Haynes Ervin A. Eatman
Ethan Lindsey Carlos Hopkins Deandra Johnson
Tim McInnis Ruby Thompson Johnnie Kellen
LaTarrus Andrews Eddie Williams Denise Nix
Christopher Burns Sa'veyon Miller Candida Nwokeji
Tyrone Dixon Tyler Stribling Mildred Starks
Billy K. Hathorn Sr. Rashard Antione Crowell Gabrielle Wilson

NOVEMBER 16TH—NOVEMBER 30TH Congratulations to our Girl Scouts
and Team Captain Jazmyne Polk.
Calvin & Stephanie May Travis & Deborah Barnes Jazmyne was the team captain of Walk
Jimmy & Mary Griffith Hardy & Deniece Hinton with Troop 3884 for Alzheimer’s As-
William & Michelle Anderson Robert & Norma Carson sociation. They have raised
$1,145.00. Currently, our Troop is #1
in team recruitment and #2 in fund-
raising. Jazmyne is #4 in the Champi-
on Club with her personal donation of
$645.00. Jazmyne was featured on the
Mainstage page on Walk Day. You can
still make donations until December
and join her team at http://
act.alz.org/goto/gstroop3884.

3

ENCOURAGEMENT: SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

GIVING OPPORTUNITY This song came to mind: Give Thanks! Thankful that God allowed us to see an-
Give Thanks with a grateful Heart. Give other day and to do His will. Thankful
ACCESS ACS thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks that we are blessed beyond measure and
INSTRUCTIONS because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. are blessed to be a blessing. Thankful that
Go to shadygrove-church.org. And now let the weak say I am strong. God does not see us for who we are, but
Click “Online Giving.” Com- Let the poor say I am rich. Because of for who we can be if we trust Him. So,
plete the “Giving Details.” You what the Lord has done for us. Give we have a lot to thank God for. Let us
can sign in as a guest or create Thanks. make a conscious effort to remember the
an account. Only One the Holy One who allowed us
CASH APP & VENMO APP 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all to be here on this earth and to glorify
INSTRUCTIONS circumstances; for this is the will of God Him always.
Download and open the Cash in Christ Jesus for you
app or Venmo mobile app. Psalm 100:4: Enter His gates with thanks- Prayer: Father in all things we give
Enter the amount you want to giving, and into His courts with praise! thanks, for You are Our God, because
send. Tap “Pay.” Enter the Give thanks to Him and Bless His Name. You loved us. You allowed us to dwell on
email address. Enter what you this earth to learn of You and to teach
are sending the payment for. Psalm 10:1: Praise the Lord! Oh, give others about You. For that we are thank-
Tap “Pay.” thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for ful to You. Father our desire is to please
His steadfast love endures forever. You always in all we do and say. We are
“GIVE, AND IT WILL BE grateful and thankful because you al-
GIVEN TO YOU; GOOD In the words of this song and in the lowed us to live one more day and we
MEASURE, PRESSED Word of God being thankful is key to pray for many more days to come. Thank
life. We are thankful for the air that we You God Our Lord and Master. In Jesus
DOWN, SHAKEN breathe, for our eyes to see, for our ears Name, Amen. And it is so.
TOGETHER, AND RUN- to hear, for our body's being healthy, for To God be the Glory
being able to speak, to think, to sing, Yours in Christ,
NING OVER WILL BE PUT praise and worship God any time we de- Rev. Cathy Ross-Woulard
sire. God created us in His image, so it is
INTO YOUR BOSOM.” our daily duty to draw closer to HIM.

LUKE 6:38 NKJV

BECAUSE GOD LOVES A
CHEERFUL GIVER!

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
WHEN PAYING YOUR

TITHE, PLEASE CALL THE
CHURCH OFFICE AT (601)

583-9243, EXT. 9.

4

MENTAL WELLNESS FOR THANKSGIVING A HAPPY
With Dr. Stacey Blalock Henry THANKSGIVING STORY

By prioritizing relationships, holidays CELEBRATING IN SOME WAY IS GOOD A blind boy sat on the steps of a build-
ing with a hat by his feet. He held up a
typically strengthen one’s ability to ex- FOR YOUR WELL-BEING. sign which said: “I am blind, please
help.”
hibit compassion, empathy, forgiveness, Part of living during this time means There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few
and altruism. These times have reminded dealing with constant change, which is a coins from his pocket and dropped
them into the hat. He then took the
us that we all need one another, and can double-edged sword, says Batcho. “We sign, turned it around, and wrote some
words. He put the sign back so that
only survive it together, while trusting in love the excitement that prevents us everyone who walked by would see the
new words.
GOD. from becoming bored, and we appreciate Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot
more people were giving money to the
An article from www.Healthline.com is the benefits advances in science have blind boy. That afternoon the man
who had changed the sign came to see
shared below: given us in medicine, health, safety, en- how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and
Turkey, mashed potatoes, family, and tertainment, and convenience. But asked, “Were you the one who
changed my sign this morning? What
football all bring about the nostalgia of change is inherently stressful as we need did you write?”
The man said, “I only wrote the
Thanksgiving for many people. Howev- to adapt, learn new skills and ways of truth. I said what you said but in a dif-
ferent way.” I wrote: “Today is a beau-
er, with the pandemic underway and doing things, and give up some of our tiful day but I cannot see it.”
Both signs told people that the boy was
COVID-19 cases increas- old ways of living,” blind. But the first sign simply said the
boy was blind. The second sign told
ing in many areas, it’s dif- she said. people that they were so lucky that they
were not blind. Should we be surprised
ficult to imagine this year’s Because unexpected or that the second sign was more effec-
tive?
celebration like those of substantial change Moral of the Story: Be thankful for
what you have. Be creative. Be innova-
the past. threatens a sense of tive. Think differently and positive-
ly. When life gives you a 100 reasons to
In addition to traveling, being in control, anxi- cry, show life that you have 1000 rea-
sons to smile. Face your past without
the CDC also suggests ety that stems from regret. Handle your present with confi-
dence. Prepare for the future without
avoiding the following the uncertainty of the fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a
activities to help prevent future is heightened person smiling. And even more beauti-
ful, is knowing that you are the reason
the spread of the coronavirus: when you no longer feel that you can behind it!

• attending large indoor gatherings predict what might come next and AUTHOR UNKNOWN

with people from outside of your whether you’ll be able to cope with it. (Submitted by Lettie Burger. Read other ‘feel
good’ stories at www.mygoodtimesstories.com)
household This is where dependable markers in
5
• participating or being a spectator at a time, such as holidays, alleviate the sense

crowded race that things might be changing more rap-

• attending crowded parades idly than you can or want to keep up

• shopping in crowded stores around with, added Batcho.
“Because holidays are predictable, they
Thanksgiving
• using alcohol or drugs, which can offer the opportunity to hit ‘pause,’ and
give a bit of stress relief. Grounded in
cloud judgment
There’s good news, though. There are tradition, holidays connect us to the past
ways to celebrate Thanksgiving without and ensure the comforting feeling of
continuity across time and change,” she
putting yourself or others at risk.
said. As uncertainty continues to flourish
Health experts share a few ideas and
their level of risk, according to the CDC. during the pandemic, there is a greater
need to strengthen and renew relation-
1. Revise your dinner plans (low/
moderate risk): dine virtually (low risk), ships. “Holidays serve as society’s agreed
eat with your housemates (low risk), or upon opportunities to attend to our need
host a small outdoor dinner (moderate to stay socially connected. Get-togethers
risk). with family, friends, and co-workers re-
2. Visit your favorite fall farm (moderate mind us of our importance to others and
risk) preserve our sense of meaning and pur-
3. Get your TV fix (low/moderate risk) pose in our lives,” Batcho said.
Krystine Batcho, PhD, professor of psychology at

Le Moyne College in New York.

Article written by: Cathy Cassata, a freelance

writer/contributor of healthline.com

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SICK MEMBERS SUNDAY
Online Sunday Worship Service at 10:45am.*
Jessie Shelby Mary Lucille Lee Sunday School by conference call every Sunday at 9:30am.
Tamiko Cooley Mary Wells Join by dialing (701) 802-5043; access code 322418.
Dea. Chester Hopkins Annie Arrington Drive By Holy Communion is served every first Sunday at
Dea. Leonard Arrington Terrell Carson the R. W. Woullard Jr. Family Life Center from 9am to
Thomas Evans Roscoe McDonald 10:30am.
Tim McInnis Vickie Scott
Magnolia Gholar Steven Brown WEDNESDAY
Samuel Smith Reggie Ellis Zoom Youth Bible Study 6-6:30pm. Contact Rev. Mary
Beverly Jones Louise Dahmer Carter at (601) 297-5796, for more information.
Albert Barnett Tony Evans Adult Online Bible Study is Wednesday at 7pm.*
Stephanie Ellis Josie Davis
Kim Dagons-Williams Talisha Hathorn SATURDAY
Kishua Burks Donnicka Hayes Corporate Prayer at 8am. Join by dialing (720) 740-9642;
Rev. Eugene Hobson Jonathan Harris Jr. access code 4402008. Let’s P.U.S.H.
Raymond Brisco III Betty Dagons
Shaniyah Daniels Dan-yelle Woullard *Online services are available on the church’s website
Lillian McConnell shadygrove-church.org, Facebook or YouTube—Shady Grove
Baptist Church Hattiesburg.

NURSING HOME

Mary Dean Lee Kathy Wallace ANNOUNCEMENT
Leah Sampson Jessica Hibbler
Joe Lee If you are sick or know someone who is sick, please contact
BEREAVED the church office at (601) 583-9243, ext. 9. If you are in be-
reavement, please let us know so we can be in prayer for you.
Remember Jazmyne Polk and Jordyn Cole
in your prayers, their father passed.

Continue to pray for our members who are grieving!

BIBLE TRIVIA ANSWERS

1. Two. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) 12. Six hours - from the third hour to the ninth hour. (Mark
2. Methuselah. He lived 969 years. (Genesis 5:27) 15:25-37)
3. The book of Esther.
4. According to CARM.org, the five angels are Abbadon, 13. “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3)
14. Deborah. (Judges 4)
Gabriel, Michael, Beelzebub, and Satan. 15. Psalms. (Psalm 72:6)
5. Unicorns, in the King James translation. (Isaiah 34:7). 16. They were mauled by two female bears. (2 Kings 2:23-24)
6. Amen. (Revelation 22:21) 17. Nine feet nine inches. (1 Samuel 17:4)
7. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. (1 Kings 11:3) 18. Esther and Ruth.
8. Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) and Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24). 19. Seven. He was officially named on the eighth day. (Luke
9. God. (Genesis 7:16)
10. Straight street. (Acts 9:11) 2:21)
11. Paul. (Acts 18:1-3) 20. Jehu. (2 Kings 9:20)

SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

101 WARREN MOTT PARK WAY * HATTIESBURG, MS 39401 * 601 -583-9243
WEBSITE: SHADYGROVE-CHURCH.ORG

EMAIL: [email protected]