December 6, 2020

 

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Service  via the Internet and Facebook Live

10:30AM

Meditation: “While We Wait”   Pastor Paul  Mark 1:1-8

vs. 8    “His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.”

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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 ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING GSCC AND COVID-19

1. Church office has re-opened.  No just coming by. Must make an appointment.  Wearing a mask and social distancing will be practiced.
2. Hygiene Kit Sunday will happen as soon as we can come up with a process that will keep all our folks safe.
3. 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. We will be studying the readings from the Sunday’s in Advent. So this week we will be doing the reading for Advent-2
4. 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

 Thank you! Thank you!! To all of our volunteers that came out and supported FCCD, we are ever appreciative of your generosity and positivity.  We successfully completed a 964 tree unload in 2 hours yesterday thanks to you! There is still time to get involved with us.  Whether you want to learn a new skill with Wreath Making TODAY, TOMORROW, and WEDNESDAY 10am – 4pm ~Or~ Selling trees through helping us at cashier services, with customers in picking out a beautiful fir, making lunches, assisting the chainsaw tables, loading trees on top of cars, and so much more! Hospitality ALL times Nov 28-Dec 6 (this role is mainly showing customers tree sizes, the price related to size (non-negotiable), and making sure masks are worn and maintaining 6ft social distancing of volunteers and customers! Feel uncertain about a role? I’ll get you all trained up on how it works, simply come on out to our Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale and bring a little spirit.

I am available through email and at the number below.  If you would like to sign up, email me or use the volunteer link .    Or show up whenever you can, we would be glad to have you. Looking forward to seeing you.

Blessings, Stephanie Wright We would definitely be grateful to have you Christmas Tree Sales Recruiter and Trainer First Christian Church of Decatur 601 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 (404)590-4687

5. We will share Christmas Eve worship with First Christian Church of Decatur at 6pm December 24^th on Facebook Live.  Pastor Paul will also offer an midnight Christmas Eve meditation that will begin on Facebook Live at 11:45pm.

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

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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

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.

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.

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

• Stay home when you are sick.
  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  · Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  · Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. We will make sure there is plenty of these at each service.
  · 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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PIHC’s COVID-19 Response Update 4/17

Condoms By Mail

Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) now offers FREE CONDOMS by mail.

Stay protected during the COVID-19 pandemic! Our condoms by mail initiative will help the agency continue to provide urgent care for those with  living with HIV while limiting potential exposure of staff and patients to COVID-19. PIHC is committed to ending the HIV epidemic in Atlanta and continues to develop new strategies during this time of physical distancing. We are all in this together!

Ordering is easy. Just follow these 3 steps!

1. Choose one condom pack:

• Option 1: Magnum Pack (10 Magnum condoms)
• Option 2: Variety Pack (15 condoms)
• Option 3: Non-latex Male Pack (10 non-latex condoms)
• Option 4: Internal Condoms (5 previously known as “Female” condoms)

2. Call one of PIHC’s confidential condom line at (678) 990-6435 or (404) 977-5122.
3. Leave your name, mailing address, phone number (only needed for address confirmation) and preferred condom pack. ************************************************************

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

Good Evening and thank you for being supporters of the First Christian Church of Decatur!

My name is Stephanie and I am the new Christmas Tree Sales Recruiter and Trainer!!  This year the Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale will look a little different as we respect social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing as per health and safety guidance.  We will always welcome as many volunteers as possible but ask that you please sign up for the activities so we can better plan for your arrival.  All events will take place outside in the fresh air, so be sure to dress accordingly.

Below you will find a Sign Up Form to make signing up quick and easy! Simply record your contact info in the spaces provided and select as many shifts as you are capable of attending!

Sign Up Form: https://forms.gle/1WFRZ6vaNDksp6uZ7

Please forward this email and attached picture to your clubs, groups, organizations, and to social media! I thank you in advance for your support and energy to kick this festive season off with a happy and healthy Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale! I can not wait to meet all of you over the next few weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out!

 

All the best,

Stephanie Wright

Christmas Tree Sales Recruiter and Trainer

First Christian Church of Decatur

601 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

 

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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 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.

 

*****************************************************THIS WEEKS HUMOR: