March 29, 2020
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Service today via the Internet
TODAY’S MESSAGE: “More Than Words” Pastor Paul Matthew 7:13-29
OWN YOUR FAITH, DON’T RENT IT!
Effective July 1, 2014 until further notice, no firearms of any kind are allowed at any Gentle Spirit Christian Church of Atlanta event. This is pursuant to the Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014, which allows Georgia residents with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into churches that give express permission to do so. Gentle Spirit Christian Church of Atlanta under no circumstances grants this permission.
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Pastor Paul’s office hours for appointments:
Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday by appointment only
Pastor’s Personal Assistant Dana Owings Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am-2:00 p.m.
Please call for appointments (404) 604-8124 or send an e-mail to:
office@gentlespirit.org
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Want to know about Pastor Paul? Check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-5mutxGLM&feature=youtu.be&list=PLTpetkN815QzXtvqYp-6pzKKRDbVMjd6e
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Consider donating to Gentle Spirit Christian Church. Your gift is fully tax deductible.
Checks and Money orders can be written to: Gentle Spirit Christian Church and sent to 601 West Ponce de Leon Decatur, Georgia 30030
Or you can go to the website and click on the PayPal button.
Your generosity and gifts will allow Gentle Spirit Christian Church to continue to do what it has done for the last 18 years…to be a life changing helpful hand to those in desperate need.
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Pastor Paul has a twitter account. If you would like to follow him go to:
https://twitter.com/PastorPaul55
Get to the previous week’s sermon by going to:
https://gentlespirit.org/announcements/latest-sermon/
Read the most recent blog of our pastor go here:
https://gentlespirit.org/if-only-this-were-fake-news-but-its-not-even-alternative-facts/
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Hello Friends,
I have some exciting news to share.
Registration is now open for the Paradise Conference, coming to Atlanta October 23rd and 24th 2020
We hope you will be able to join us at the Wyndham Galleria Hotel Atlanta for the fun, meet up with old friend, and make new ones.
Visit our web site at
http://theparadiseconference.org
Hotel rooms are $109.00 per night, the link is here
The direct registration link is
https://theparadiseconference.org/forms/Registration/Registration.php
Vendor spaces are free but vary limited, so vendors get your application in soon the direct link is
https://theparadiseconference.org/forms/Vendors/Vendors.php
Hope to see ya there,
Toni
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Under the Radar – Support SB 329 to Protect Georgians from Predatory Loans
You’ve heard a lot about the challenges and shortfalls of the State Budget but what about help for the budget woes of the average working family? Georgia Watch, the premier defender of consumer rights in Georgia, supports the passage of legislation that protects against predatory, high-interest loans. The bipartisan sponsored SB 329 calls “title pawns” what they are – loans that should be subject to Georgia’s usury laws. Known as the Motor Vehicle Title Loan Act, this bill would close legal loopholes that currently allow car titles to be “pawned” at interest rates as high as 300 percent. Call your Senator, this bill is expected to start moving this week. http://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/SenateMembersList.aspx
The Anti-Gang Bill (HB 994) has just been introduced. Watch for Alerts from ACLU, SPLC, SCHR, Ga Shift, Voices for Georgia’s Children and dozens of other groups you trust who are appalled by this harsh and discriminatory bill. It reverses many of the recent juvenile justice reforms by creating 33 new crimes that would automatically prosecute kids as adults!
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Housing Justice League’s Eviction Defense Manual is a great resource. Fulton County renters are facing a unconscionable eviction crisis with close to 800 evictions filed every week. Eviction has catastrophic effects on individuals and communities, trapping them in cycles of debt, dangerous living conditions, and further displacement. Meanwhile, eviction is used by corporate landlords as a way to further enrich themselves through fees and fines charged to very low-income Black and Brown communities. Housing Justice League will be mass printing the Manual to support Fulton County renters in fighting eviction as is accepting donations to cover costs. But you can see the Manual online and connect to HJL at https://www.housingjusticeleague.org/evictiondefense
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Transportation barriers for Georgians seeking health care. Georgians for a Healthy Future has announced a new partnership with the Arc Georgia aimed at addressing the transportation-related challenges faced by Georgians as they try to access health services. Adequate transportation is important to the health of Georgians because in most cases people need to go to a location outside of their homes to receive medical care. Without access to reliable, safe transportation, Georgians may be forced to skip health appointments, go without medication and ultimately, see their health decline. Georgians experiencing some of the biggest challenges getting to and from needed health care are those that rely on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). NEMT is a benefit provided to Medicaid-covered Georgians who do not have their own means of transportation to get to health appointments, the pharmacy, and other health facilities. The program is especially important for people living with disabilities, seniors, rural residents, and people of color. Want to connect with this project? Go to https://secure.everyaction.com/3pWgwvJhEEmSQZBBR5Zs5A2
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There are currently over 14,000 children in Georgia’s foster care system and the number climbs daily. These children are more than a number, they are an indication that families in Georgia need the community now. If your congregation or you personally feel called to help visit www.fostergeorgia.com and find out what you can do.
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Resources for you or friends who need Free Immigration Help all over the US, just click on the appropriate state https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/legaldirectory/index
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Georgia Watch Guide for Medical Bills and Debt. Recognizing the urgent need for consumer information about how to manage medical expenses, Georgia Watch today released the Georgia Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt to help consumers answer some of the most common and complex healthcare and health insurance questions. “At a time when uninsured and insured consumers alike are struggling with the high costs of healthcare, Georgia Watch believes consumers need practical information about how to minimize and manage medical debt,” said Beth Stephens, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. Read all about it at http://www.georgiawatch.org/georgia-watch-releases-georgia-consumer-guide-for-medical-bills-and-debt/
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Georgia Alliance to Prevent Homelessness Help Line is now operating. Feel free to call or refer clients in search of assistance in Georgia Toll Free: 1-877-540-4671; Main Office: 770-575-5785.
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Volunteer Services, Atlanta, VA Medical Center needs volunteers to help prevent missed appointments by our Veterans, this is a loss for the veteran and a dollar loss for the facility. The hours of operation for the call center are Monday-Thursday, 4:30 – 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The call center is located on the ground floor (RM GC 233A) across from the Peter Wheeler Auditorium. Can you help? Should you have any questions, contact Mr. Franchi Clark at (404) 728-7728 or by email VHAATGVoluntaryService@va.gov.
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Help Connect is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans and the disadvantaged by providing basic computer skills at shelters. Volunteers teach homeless vets and other disadvantaged people basic computer and internet skills which help them reconnect with family and friends and find employment on their way back onto their feet. They also help veterans with resumes and job search. If you are interested in helping, contact Tom Chernetsky at (404)791-8534 or tomchet2@mindspring.com. Tom is a member of the St Ann’s Catholic Church VFC Military Ministry team.
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Jewish Family & Career Services, operates the only full-time free dental clinic in Atlanta. The Ben Massell Dental Clinic has been in operation for 100 years and serves individuals and families that are at or below 12% of the poverty level. The clinic is in midtown. Please refer folks who need this service to the website to obtain instructions for securing an appointment, at http://www.benmasselldentalclinic.org/patients *************************************************************
Help Watch over Our Seniors. If you know seniors who spend all or part of their day alone, you might be interested in telling them and their families about a new service. The State of Georgia has partnered with ADT Home Health Division to provide a personal emergency response system, 24/7. Seniors 55+ are eligible thorough Medicaid for this service, free. Find out how this program operates by calling Audrey Railey, Georgia Governmental Program Coordinator at 404.629.3386 or 770.889.8887 *************************************************************
Emergency Utility Assistance Program! Here’s to Life, Inc has acquired funds to pay past due utility bills and will start accepting applications for eligible clients. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: Provide proof of positive HIV sero-status (Examples of acceptable documentation include HIV-positive Western blot test results, medical providers diagnosis and/or medical therapies prescribed by a medical provider) Reside within the twenty-county eligible metropolitan areas (Must match bill address or name must be on lease agreement) Have an income no greater than 300% of federal poverty level (Proof may include pay stubs, Department of Labor statement of income, SSI/SSD benefit letter, DFCS Summary, Unemployment initial statement) Be enrolled in primary medical care (examples of documentation include a letter from your physician or copy of prescriptions) This temporary assistance is provided on a first come, first serve. Funds provided through Ryan White Part A Funding. (Thanks Tracee McDaniel, Certified Peer and HIV/AIDS Assessment Counselor, Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, inc. for providing info on this resource.)
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Monthly Health Clinic: With these Services, available: Blood Pressure Screenings (No charge, Blood Glucose Screenings (No charge), Cholesterol Screenings ($5* – help offset cost), Bone Density Screenings ($20* – help offset maintenance cost), Acupunctures (No charge – based on needs/doctor’s workload) and *No Charge if you cannot afford the offset costs. Services provided by volunteer nurses from the Philippines Nurses Association of Georgia, medical students, and health professionals. Medical consultations/exams/prescriptions by volunteer physicians: Dr. Hansen Chang, MD – Internal Medicine/Acupuncture, Dr. Regina Wang, MD –Internal Medicine. Ongoing on the last Sunday of each month 2-5 pm at the Sheltering Arms in Chamblee, 3375 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd Chamblee. Questions? Want to help? Volunteer credits? Check out Facebook: Chinese American Lions Club of Atlanta. More info email ericvlu@gmail.com
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Most Recent Job Opportunity listings: For job descriptions, details and qualifications; follow the contact or application instructions included below.
On-going Job Fairs: State site http://www.dol.state.ga.us/Access/Service/ListCurrentJobFairs
Also: There is an excellent page on Cong. Hank Johnson’s website that has links to job openings, career planning, job fairs, recruiters, job search engines, etc. Check it out at https://hankjohnson.house.gov/resources/hanks-jobs-page
Patch resources:
Don’t underestimate this resource! The local Patch websites have both news and job opportunities included. Hundreds of jobs this week at https://patch.com/georgia/atlanta/m/jobs
For open positions go to https://patch.com/georgia/atlanta/classifieds/jobs You can check by zip code for more local openings. There are multiple listings for management and staff positions in retail, medical, office and other categories. Also: if you need help preparing to apply for any jobs, this site also has free resume templates, resume samples, formatting help and resume builder.
DeKalb County Mobile Career Center. The mobile unit brings job assistance to residents of DeKalb by conveniently traveling all over the county. More on the program and then link to the monthly calendar of unit locations at https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/worksource-dekalb/mobile-career-center-description
WorkSource DeKalb Program designed to connect DeKalb County residents to eligible training providers and employers in a centralized location. The program equips DeKalb County residents and employers with resources to assist individuals in overcoming barriers to employment, education and economic development. For more information about Workforce Wednesday, contact Chanell Davis at 404.371.4996 or cdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov For more information about WorkSource DeKalb, visit https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/workforce-center/welcome-workforce-development or call 404. 687.3400
Openings:
Various positions – Sugar Bowl Bakery
The bakery is set to move into an existing facility located at 3301 Montreal Industrial Way in the Northlake area. The new positions available will include bakery management, production, quality assurance, maintenance and sanitation. Anyone who is interested in working at the facility can download a job application online or send their resume to Tucker_Jobs@sugarbowlbakery.com (Online application download at https://sugarbowlbakery.com/#careers )
Outreach Manager – Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Position description, duties, qualifications and how to apply at https://gbpi.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/
2020 Election Field Coordinators – Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
Are you looking for a new career or job opportunity? Know someone who is looking for a job? GALEO is seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) persons to assist efforts during 2020 election cycles. Job Description is posted at https://galeo.org/hiring-galeo-county-field-coordinators/ These will be full-time positions. If interested in these, please email resume to jerry@galeo.org
Several Positions – The Atlanta Zoo
Fifteen positions currently listed, indoor and outdoor jobs. Seasonal and permanent. See online application and openings at http://zooatlanta.atsondemand.com/
Voter Registration Director- Georgia Conservation Voters
Learn more and apply at https://gcvoters.org/careers/
(2) Development Associate and Grants Manager & Headwaters Outreach Manager – Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
Get job descriptions, qualifications and how to apply at https://chattahoochee.org/about/jobs-and-internships/
Part-Time Canvassers – Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
GALEO is also seeking part-time canvassers for local elections and for 2020 Census work. Please email jerry@galeo.org for details.
Various Positions – Northside Hospital
For Non-clinical and medical professionals opportunities, visit this site and at the top click on Career Areas for (literally) hundreds of jobs https://jobs.northside.com/career-areas/nursing/?utm_source=sf-email&utm_source=newspaper&utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cmg-cn-atlnp&utm_campaign=8521084&ecmp=newspaper_email&:%20&iaccess=ZTAwYWJjNmMtMGM5Yi00MTg3LTljYjctNDVjYzRjNmQ3YzQ4fDYvNy8yMDE5IDg6Mzg6MTggQU18ZW1haWw%3D
Various Nursing & Support Positions – Emory (11 locations)
Newspaper Carrier – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. From 12am-5am during the week and 12am-7am on Sundays. Hours vary depending on the route size and location. Routes begin around midnight and are ideally completed by 5:30am M-F,6:30am Sat and 7am on Sunday. More info and link to apply at https://www.ajc.com/marketing/deliver-real-journalism/XterKVkC7o8F2MQyZuXLpL/
Various Positions – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Nurses, management, support services and more. Huge expansion of facilities offers new opportunities frequently. Go to www.careers.choa.org For consultation with the recruitment team, email careers@choa.org
Social Security Administration
Special opportunity and qualifications: The Social Security Offices in Covington and Griffin, Georgia are looking to hire applicants who are bilingual, and are either, recent graduates, veterans, or have a disability. Apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/526177100
Various Positions – ALDI
ALDI is expanding in GA and opening new stores around the state. Full & part-time, manager trainees, store staffing and more at https://careers.aldi.us/location/georgia-jobs/61/6252001-4197000/3
Field Staff, IT positions, Area Managers – U.S. Census Bureau
Various levels of jobs, Area Managers listed first (so keep scrolling down for more openings) at https://www.census.gov/about/regions/atlanta/jobs/all.html
Several Positions – Planned Parenthood Southeast
Call Center, Health Center, Clinical, Medical. Both Associate and Management level positions available in Georgia and the region. Find out details at https://plannedparenthoodext.hire.com/joblist.html
If you are in Cobb County, or can work there, check out www.cobbworks.org There are dozens of varied jobs from entry level on up, white collar and blue collar. Full job descriptions and requirements are listed as well as application information.
Multiple Positions – Georgia State University
Georgia State has a number of job opportunities, in several categories full and part-time. Go to https://jobs.gsu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1326752199805 and follow the guide to jobs and application.
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THIS WEEKS HUMOR: On their way to get married, a young Catholic couple is involved in a fatal car accident. The couple found themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven. While waiting, they began to wonder: Could they possibly get married in Heaven? When St. Peter showed up, they asked him. St. Peter said, “I don’t know. This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out,'” and he left. The couple sat and waited, and waited. Two months passed and the couple were still waiting. While waiting, they began to wonder what would happen if it didn’t work out; could you get a divorce in heaven? After yet another month, St. Peter finally returned, looking somewhat bedraggled. “Yes,” he informed the couple, “You can get married in Heaven.” “Great!” said the couple, “But we were just wondering, what if things don’t work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?” St. Peter, red-faced with anger, slammed his clipboard onto the ground. “What’s wrong?” asked the frightened couple. “OH, COME ON!,” St. Peter shouted, “It took me three months to find a priest up here! Do you have any idea how long it’ll take me to find a lawyer?”