St. James A.M.E. Church "A Bible-based Ministry"
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St. James A.M.E. Church “A Bible-based Ministry”
Reverend Shirley Williams-Hayes, Pastor
January 2021
2021 VISION: This is our YEAR OF HARVEST: Supernatural Provision, Supernatural Increase, Supernatural Release! EXPECT IT!
“Pick Up the Pace”
Galatians 5:25 ESV “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
In full sprint, the runners ran toward the ribbon, the crowd cheering in excitement. Hank held the lead in the turn, but one by one the run-
ners pulled in front of him on their final kick. What is the kick? The kick is the person who gets to X point in the race when it’s time to kick
the person who use the least amount of energy will be in the best position to tap into his/her energy reserves in the last 100-400m or so of
the race... This is the kick. At the ribbon, Hank crossed 5th in a field of 8 and slipped to his knees, exhausted. From the sidelines, his track
coach watched with disapproval. In the locker room, Hank’s coach, Ivan yelled, “Hank, everyone knows you have the talent to make it to
the nationals, but you lack discipline. How many times must I tell you before you’ll get it into your head that you must keep your pace?
Instead, every time a runner challenges you for the lead, you speed up, and by the end of the race you have lost the energy you need for
the kick. Your attitude is all wrong! What good is it to be in the lead if you end up losing the race?” Hank asked, “Is it really necessary for
you to yell?” “Apparently it is! You don’t seem t be paying attention, so maybe if I yell a little louder, you’ll hear me!” Thy eyed each other
angrily for a moment, and Ivan threw up his hands in despair. “Okay, tomorrow we adjust your training program. If you hope to have a
chance of running the 10,000 meter in the NCAA championships by the end of the year, be at the track tomorrow at 7 o’clock.”
Hank showed up the next morning and was surprised to see 2 figures out on the track. The coach introduced Hank to Aaron Beck who
would be running along side him. The coach instructed Hank to allow Aaron to set the pace, and he would follow, matching Aaron’s stride
step for step. Hank began to complain, but the coach would hear it and said, “Just do it.” As they ran their laps, Aaron deliberately set a
slow pace. Lap after lap, they seemed to crawl around the track. Hank was “fit to be tied!” But he managed to restrain himself. On the final
2 laps, the coach gave a signal to Aaron, who opened up the pace. As they came towards the final bend, the coach yelled, “Now Kick!” They
sprinted, and Hank felt himself flying effortlessly pass Aaron. When he passed the finished line, he was not out of breath. He was even
more astonished when the coach announced his time. Over the next few weeks, it wasn’t too long before Hank passed his personal best.
Hank became more disciplined in training, pacing himself, and knowing when to tap into his energy reserves and “Kick”! As a result, he ran
in his first NCAA championship race!
On December 28, 2020, while in fellowship with our heavenly Father in prayer, I asked Him what was on His heart and mind for me and St.
James for 2021? He quickly replied, “Pick Up the Pace.” I inquired, Father, what do you mean? And again, without hesitation He said, I
mean, “Pick Up the Pace in: Prayer frequency...Increase your time with Me!, Increase your faith ...Increase your time in My Word!, Love
harder...Without discretion and discrimination!, Give more...Give of yourselves (time, talent & treasure without reservation), Serve with
greater passion…, Doing justice... God said that, “This is what pleases Him most!”, Serve with greater passion in providing mercy ministries
(feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, and the sick & shut-in), Increase Social Media outreach...Using every platform
at your disposal to reach a lost and dying world with My Gospel.
I. Why Did God Say to “Pick Up the Pace?”
• To keep from lagging behind the Holy Spirit...Remember Hank? He had a problem with running too fast, running out of energy, when it
was time to “Kick”! God is saying to us, we need to pick up the pace to keep from lagging behind!
• We are on God’s time clock and we are running in the “Race” He has place us in! Therefore, if we are going to complete our journey
and finish the “Race,” we got to “Pick Up the Pace”!
• God also said, “On your journey and in your “Race,” I have set up check points along the route. The check points are divine places set-
up to refresh you, encourage you, to give you hope and assure you that you are on course and that I am with you every step of the
“Race!” That’s why the Holy Spirit is running with you as your “Coach and PACER!”
II. Here’s what you must do to “Pick Up the Pace!”
• Keep your eyes on Me...Don’t fall for Satan’s distractions (good, bad, or otherwise)! Heb12:2 “Keep your eyes on Jesus!”
• Keep your ears open to My Word...”Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”
• Do what I told you to do... Obey my Word! John 14: 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” And I am telling you to “Pick Up the
Pace!”
• The last thing I am telling you is this...You got to keep your eyes on the “Finish Line!”
Every runner that has successfully ran in my “Race,” kept their eyes on Me, Kept their ears open to My Word, Did what I told them to do,
And they kept the “Finish Line” in sight, including OT Runners and NT Runners... Check-out My Son, didn’t He run well? He kept His eyes on
me, His ears were open to my words, He did what I told Him to do, and He kept His eyes on the finish line! St. James, let’s “Pick Up the
Pace!”
www.stjamesbartow.org 1
Have a Happy and Blessed New Year, Reverend Shirley Williams-Hayes, Pastor
St. James January 2021
PLAN to meet your obligation. Good stewardship is a
planned activity. Our Conference year began in October.
Obligations are given by the Conference Year, except
Stewardship Legacy which is ongoing until we meet our
goal: enough to pay for the projects without having to
ST. JAMES A.M.E. CHURCH borrow money. Use this outline as a GUIDE to help you manage your resources to
• Sunday, January 4—Drive-Thru meet your obligation this conference year: 2020—2021. You may continue to con-
Holy Communion—11:30a - tribute to events that we have already held if you have not met your obligation.
12:45p
• Sunday Worship Services will be Thank you!
live-streamed via Facebook at First Half of Family/Friends Unity Day Church 2nd Half of
10:00 a & DRIVE-IN Service
Budget— Day—$100.00 $200.00 Anniversary Budget—
• Tuesday, January 19, 2021— $50.00 $135.00 $50.00
Official Board Meeting &
Church Organization via February November 22, May August October
Zoom—6:30 p 2021 2020 2021 2021 2021
(Completed)
• Monday, January 11, 2021—
WMS Meeting—6:30 p—via
Conference Call
See Calendar for other regularly
scheduled meetings.
LAKELAND DISTRICT
PEACE
January 14, 2021—DART Prep for NOTE: Time change for
Action—9:30 a—3:30 p Wednesday, January 20,
2021—10:15 a—11:15 a
January 20, 2021—DART Care 4
Creation Sponsoring Committee
11:30 a—1:30 p ZOOM—
(Pastor Hayes) MLK Day is observed on the third Monday of January
each year (January 18, 2021) to pay honor to Dr. Mar-
COMMUNITY tin Luther King and to the principles for which he lived
and died. The holiday also celebrates the life and con-
No events scheduled. tributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the history
of the civil rights movement in the United States.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, normal celebrations
will not be held. However, this is a great time to re-
flect on the legacy of Dr. King and the changes he
helped create in America. We still have a long way
to go in order for his dream to become REALITY!
WORSHIP TIMES
Worship Service—Sunday—10:00 a.m.
Live Stream via Facebook
Church School—Sunday—8:45 a.m. January 2—Kai O’Neil
January 3—Berthenia Hanna
Digging for Gold Bible Study— January 3—Umeka Forsett
Wednesday—12:00 noon January 9—Edward Broome, Jr
Online Intercessory Prayer January 13—Harriet Hinson In Loving Memory
Wednesday—6:00 a.m. & Friday—7:00a January 15—DeRon Thornton January 3—Juanita Collins
January 15—Rushanna Rose January 28—Derry Sanders
Here’s How: January 16—Shametra Wilson
• Dial 1-717-275-8941 January 30—Aliyah Frazier
• Enter the PASSCODE: 4968855#
MUTE your phones while on line.
www.stjamesbartow.org 2
St. James January 2021
PRAYER FOR OVERCOMERS Jesus said: “There is more
Through the blood of Jesus, my sins are forgiven. The blood of happiness in giving than
Jesus has redeemed me out of Satan’s hand. I am justified and there is in receiving.”—
made righteous by the blood of Jesus. Thank you Lord for pro- Acts 20:35.
tecting me from the evil one with the blood of Jesus.
I belong to you, Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God . . .body, soul,
and spirit. Satan, you have no power over me and no place in
me because of the blood of Jesus.
Jesus said these signs shall follow believers. “In my name shall The Christian Education Department extends a sincere thanks
they cast out demons.” to all of the members who blessed many families during the
Christmas season by your generous donations to:
So, I take authority over all enemy powers...I bind you Satan The Bartow Church Service Center. The items were
and all your cohorts, and I command you to leave me right now. delivered on December 22. Your generosity is much
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
appreciated. Proverbs 19:17 ESV / Whoever is generous
(from Spiritual Warfare Ministries—Ken & Nancy Curtis)
to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his
deed.
The Intercessory Prayer Team—Doris Fletcher, Coordinator
The Women’s Missionary Society purchased snacks as stocking
fillers for the residents of the Rohr Home and the Bartow
Center. We were blessed by SISTER ELENA PORTER who
Live in the light donated many pairs of the lovely booties she knits. I am sure
the residents who received those gifts were thrilled. Thanks,
Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, Sister Porter, Sister Threatt, Pastor Hayes, Sister Daphne and
“How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or 10 all other members who contributed to this mission project.
years from now?” There are no answers to these ques-
tions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next The Christian Education Department and the YPD gave cash
step — what we have to do in the coming hour or the and a bag of goodies to our youth for Christmas. We hope
following day. everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Special thanks to Sister
Celestine Thornton for making sure all youth had a great after-
The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not Christmas snack.
complain about what remains in the dark. When we are
able to take the next step with the trust that we will have There were many other gestures of giving among our member-
enough light for the step that follows, we can walk ship. You are appreciated. Blessings!
through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go.
Let's rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the
great beam that would take all our shadows away. The Sons of Allen Men’s Ministry has been serving hot fish and
grits after worship service on the first Sunday of the Month.
—Henri Nouwen, On the first Sunday in January, they will assist Pastor Hayes
Bread for the Journey with serving a hot lunch/dinner to everyone who drives by to
pick up a meal. We are continuing to do what God has com-
manded us to do! THANK YOU, Pastor Hayes and the Sons of
Allen.
TRUTH + LOVE
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of
peace and brotherhood can never become reality. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
—Martin Luther King Jr
www.stjamesbartow.org 3
St. James January 2021
Health & Wellness:
A few natural remedies for you ailments
(Contributors: the little book of self-care: 200 Ways to Refresh, Restore, and Rejuvenate. (Adams Media); Healthline (Web)
TREAT HEADACHES WITH HERBAL REMEDIES DELICIOUS HERBS AND SPICES WITH POWERFUL HEALTH
Seven in ten Americans have at least one headache a year, BENEFITS
and 45 million people live with chronic headaches. Here are 1. Cinnamon Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a
some herbal options to treating headaches: Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect: Cinnamon has numerous
health benefits, and is particularly effective at lowering
BUTTERBUR: Extracts from this shrub have analgesic blood sugar levels.
anti-inflammatory, and anti-seizure actions. In several
recent studies there was evidence of a marked de
2. Sage Can Improve Brain Function and Memory: There is
promising evidence that sage extract can improve brain
crease in the severity and frequency of migraines.
and memory function, especially in individuals with
CAYENNE: Applied topically, cayenne preparations Alzheimer's disease.
have been shown to relieve and even prevent the devas- 3. Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds With Powerful
tating pain of cluster headaches. Medicinal Properties: Turmeric and especially its most
FEVERFEW: This is perhaps the best-known herbal active compound curcumin have many scientifically-
headache remedy. It has been shown in several studies proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent
to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks—and limit heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer.
their symptoms when they do occur. t’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may
also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.
LAVENDER: The essential oil of this flowering plant has
been used effectively to treat several types of headache It’s recommended to find a product with BioPerine (the
pain. The same is true of peppermint oil. trademarked name for piperine), which is the substance
that enhances curcumin absorption by 2,000%. Without
WILLOW: The salicin from the bark of this tree is a this substance, most of the curcumin just passes
potent analgesic. Its headache-fighting properties are through your digestive tract.
well proven in both laboratory and clinical studies.
February 2, 2021 The thyroid gland is a small, butter
PEACE Board Meeting fly-shaped gland located in the base
7:00 p—via ZOOM of the neck just below the Adam's
apple. Although relatively small, the
thyroid gland plays a huge role in our
February 4, 2021—2nd Quarterly Conference body, influencing the function of
via Conference Call many of the body’s most important
Phone #:712-770-8006; Code:269470# organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Ensur-
ing that the thyroid gland is healthy and functioning properly is
February 3—5, 2021 vitally important to the body's overall well-being. TALK TO
Clergy Conference YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A THYROID
9:45 a—3:00 p—ZOOM PROBLEM.
John Ammons III Juanita Sanders Jordan Corbett
Tylonda Sanders Carolyn Riley Margaret Larkins
Jeff Marshall Mary Richardson Ch’Kyria Owens
Gwendolyn Young Curtis McKelvin Mary Rogers
Ronald Young Alfred Sanders Harry Williams
Let’s continue to pray for our sick members and the bereaved families in our congregation
and in our community.
www.stjamesbartow.org 4
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