Announcements

May 16, 2021

 

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Service  via the Internet and Facebook Live and in person at Candler Park

10:30 AM 

TODAY’S MESSAGE: “A Prayer for You” – Pastor Paul John 17:6-19

VS.18 “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.”

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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Here are this weeks announcements:

  1. Church office is open.  Cannot just drop by. Must make an appointment.  Wearing a mask taking temperature and social distancing will be practiced.
  2. The Church office will be closed Monday May 17th for water pipe repair and maintenance. Pastor will be taking a mental health day and will not be available till Tuesday morning of the 18th.
  3. Worship in Candler Park has resumed at 10:30 AM.  The Church Without Walls has returned to worship in Candler Park. We are following the current CDC COVID-19 Protocols. Upon arrival, your temperature will be taken. Mask wearing is required. Social distancing is requested. Bring a chair or blanket to sit (not a lot of room at the picnic tables).The Church will provide masks and hand sanitizer. Holy Communion will be offered with individually sealed packets If you do not feel well or have a fever, please stay home
  4. Bible Study every Monday. 7:30pm Vicar Alyce will be leading the study We will meeting via zoom so watch for an e-mail invitation to join with us. Bible Study this Monday May 17, 2021 I Corinthians Chapter 15-16 has our attention, please mark your schedule, and join us.
  5. Pastor Paul’s office time Monday-Wednesday 10:00 AM till 3:00 PM The Pastor will be off on Thursday’s.  Friday’s will be a study day and Saturdays the Pastor will be available as needed or by appointment. For now, Dana’s office time or church time has changed to Tuesday through Thursday 10 AM till 3 PM. She is available via e-mail or text on Monday’s and Friday’s
  6. We thank you for going to the church website to take care of your tithe, gifts, donations and offering.  Just go to www.gentlespirit.org and click on the donate button and follow the instructions.  Or if you are more comfortable with the US mail then send your tithe, gifts, donations and offerings via a check or money order to GSCC 601 West Ponce de Leon Decatur, GA 30030
  7. Gentle Spirit Christian Church is in search of a keyboard player for Sunday morning services in the park.  If you are interested or know someone who is please contact the Church office at 404-604-8124

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Pastor Paul’s hours for appointments: 

Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Day off on Thursday, Friday is a study day and Saturday’s appointments and events as needed

Dana Owings
Dana Owings

Pastor’s Personal Assistant Dana Owings Tuesday through Thursday 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 Donate button. www.gentlespirit.org

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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Gentle Spirit Christian Church’s  Response to the Coronavirus/COVID-19

We are encouraging these common-sense precautions to help protect our Community  as we return to the park.

First and foremost, we encourage you to follow the CDC’s recommendations about preventing the spread of the virus

  • Continue practicing these preventative measures to help protect yourself and others:
    • Stay home when you are sick, except to receive medical care.
    • Wear a mask correctly (covering nose and mouth) when you are at work or out in public.
    • Maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and others.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
    • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Avoid close contact with others that are sick.

    Additional information can be found here:
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

Finally but not least Billy and I have found great comfort from this particular scripture: Philippians 4:4-9 (MSG)

 “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

The challenges are great, but our God is greater and we will come through this together stronger than ever.

God Bless,
Rev. Paul M. Turner-Sr. Pastor

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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**************************************************************************

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 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.

WE’RE HIRING A LEAD ORGANIZER!
(Approx. 20 hours per week; $20-25 per hour; start as soon as possible)

Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GFADP) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to the end the death penalty and to protect the rights and dignity of those on death row and their families. GFADP is seeking a motivated, experienced organizer to lead its direction and outreach activity, according to our four goals (as of fall 2020):

  • To provide public education to raise awareness about the death penalty
  • To maximize existing resources and relationships
  • To build and activate general membership statewide
  • To organize and fundraise in order to build internal capacity

The GFADP Board of Directors will provide initial training, task prioritizing, and general ongoing support for this position, which is at present part-time but has potential to become full-time. Hours per week may vary due to seasonal demands. We do not have a physical office but can provide a workspace in Atlanta if needed. Statewide travel may be necessary, but most work–especially during the COVID-19 pandemic–may be done virtually and from any desired location. As of early 2021, all of our meetings and events are virtual, primarily through Zoom.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Managing all state-wide outreach and fundraising efforts (i.e., grants, individual giving, and events);
  • Fostering public support and power by hosting 1-2 quarterly educational events and the MaryRuth Weir Annual Event;
  • Providing organizational assistance with vigil preparations and other special events;
  • Overseeing communications by being a liaison for the media and the public (i.e., manage social media, website, and email communications);
  • Orienting future board members and other key volunteers throughout the state;
  • Collaborating with similar social justice organizations such as Justice Reform Partnerships and others (i.e., attending meetings and working on joint projects);
  • Completing internal administrative tasks (i.e., preparation of an annual budget and fundraising strategy, identification and refinement of short and long-term goals, and reporting regular updates to the board).

A desirable applicant will:

  • Possess a well-developed personal framework of social justice (including racial and economic justice) and a strong commitment to GFADP’s mission;
  • Demonstrate the ability to develop relationships with people across all identities and backgrounds;
  • Have at least 1-2 years of strong community, grassroots, or labor-organizing experience–preferably with communities lacking adequate resources–with demonstrated capacity to carry out effectively the above responsibilities;
  • Be highly motivated, well-organized, independent, proactive, and creative in approach to challenges;
  • Communicate effectively, being able to listen respectfully, to articulate ideas clearly through speech and writing, and to incorporate computer literacy (i.e., Microsoft Office / data base applications, website development, etc.);
  • Be familiar with the criminal legal system (preferred but not required);
  • Have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel.

To apply:

Please submit a copy of your resume, references, and cover letter to the board of directors at gfadp@yahoo.com. Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, and formerly incarcerated individuals and their family are strongly encouraged to apply.

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THIS WEEKS HUMOR:

There was a man standing before a judge in California for shooting a Condor. This a protected bird and people who kill them must pay the consequences.

The man pleaded with the judge by saying, “I just arrived in this state and I have never seen a bird that large before. I was hungry and could not help myself to shoot and eat it.

The judge said, “I forgive you, just don’t let it happen again!” The man replied, ”Yes, sir!”

The judge curious about the bird asked the man how did it taste? The man replied, “Oh, I guess somewhere between a Whooping Crane and a spotted owl.”

An independent, affirming and progressive church serving metro Atlanta. We are open, positive and inclusive.