Dr. E. J. Ward, Pastor Missionary Baptist Church 5800 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 510-652-6464 Newsletter Date Newsletter, Volume 85 November 2018 Pastor s Page.... 2 Birthday Wishes..... 3 Know Your Neighbors.....3 Be Grateful....3 In Memory of Sis. Geraldine Winston... 4 Veteran s Day...4 Celebrations...5 Congrats to Eboni Bailey.5 Spotlight on Health...6 From the Editor....7 Thanksgiving Puzzle.. 7 Worship Schedule.8 This month, most of us will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. We shall thank God, as we rightly should, for all our material blessings but let us not forget our greatest blessing. That God, in His mercy, loves us and offers us life eternal through Jesus Christ. Each day we live becomes an occasion to praise Him for His love, grace and mercy. Star Bethel is more than a fellowship of believers coming together to celebrate Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We also study the Word, practice what we learn, and grow together in the process. Our prayer is that you will be blessed through our ministries, strengthened by the power of Jesus Christ; and that you will live a life of abundance in fellowship, joy, liberty, and thanksgiving. If you are looking for a church with a strong desire to love God and serve others, If you have info for the newsletter, please submit to Dr. Earl J. Ward or veronicacorprew@gmail.com LOOK NO MORE! Join the fellowship at Star Bethel! Sunday School classes are held for all ages at 9:00 AM, followed by Worship Services at 11:00 AM, each Sunday.
I greet you with open arms in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, I would like to discuss... 2 Can you really believe that it s almost Thanksgiving? Before you can blink an eye it will be Christmas and the New year will be upon us. It is a fact that time waits for no man. However, as we look back at 2018, we can say truly say that the Lord has kept us! In this season of THANKSGIVING we have so many things to be grateful for. The bible says in I Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks. Although, during this past year we have had our shares of sorrows and trials, we realize that we are stronger and wiser now. Often it is through life challenges that we grow, we learn, and we mature. Since Summer has come and gone; and the Winter season is approaching, I would like to reflect on the Fall. It is a season of transition marked by the beautiful and brilliant colors of tree leaves and season foliage. It is, without a doubt, the season of harvest and thanksgiving. Every day is a day of thanksgiving in the lives of the people of God. Thanksgiving for the blessings of our salvation and the love, grace and mercy from God. in this world where we are forced to wrestle with the rulers, powers, and principalities which causes hatred, greed, oppression, and injustice. Our world is reeling and rocking with violence, bloodshed, breakdown of morality, resistance to authority, lawless confusion and disorder. Among these things are school shootings, terrorism, mass murders, racism, pipe bombs and character assassinations on democratic leaders, Black Lives Matter, refugee caravans, and many other challenges. However, as Christians, we can be thankful in the midst of it all because through God we have an anchor. We may be tossed by trials and troubles, but our anchor is steadfast. We can truly thank God for Jesus Christ. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. Psalm 109:30 When we give thanks, we have a much better attitude towards life in general. Tomorrow is not promised to us. Knowing we may only have today, we need to take advantage of the opportunities that God gives us and praise Him for all the blessings we have. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to think about what God is doing for us. Too often we focus on thanking Him for bringing us through or delivering us from horrible things the evil, the hurricanes, the floods and devastation. We should be thankful for His patience and forgiveness, His guidance, His everlasting love for us and that we are never alone. We should always keep our eyes on God no matter what our circumstances are at the time. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:18 Enjoy the Word of the Lord.
3 Be Grateful Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way; Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day; Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do, For round about you there are souls less fortunate than you. Edgar A. Guest Thanksgiving Day Service 10:00 A.M. Is God calling you to ministry? The Sanctuary Choir is looking for new voices to add to our music ministry. We need people who love to sing to help us raise our voices in praise to God. Will you answer the call? The Sanctuary Choir meets every Thursday, at 6:30 PM (except the Thursday preceding the 2nd Sunday). For more information, please see Deacon Douglas Boyd or Dr. Eric Moore. You may also WE RE BACK!!! www.starbethelmbc.com There are several Facebook sites with the name of Star Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Our official site has a picture of our church and pastor on the front page. Like us on our official page! (Neighbors of Star Bethel MBC) (Our neighbors) Serendipity Hair, Spa & Massage 510-228-2970 & Serendipity Hair Salon 5653 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland Angel Beauty Supply 5844 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland Gazzali s Express Market 5908 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland Unique Hair Styling 5696 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland (Those listed above have graciously allowed the Star Bethel Main Line to be displayed in their place of business.)
4 4 Life is but a Stopping Place Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay... Our destination is a place, Far greater than we know. For some the journey's quicker, For some the journey's slow. And when the journey finally ends, We'll claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord! Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed this day in November 1919. Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting and Armistice Day recognizes the end of World War 1 when hostilities ceased on November 11th at 11 A.M, 1918 On May 13th, 1938 Armistice Day was declared a legal holiday each year; a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. Originally, Armistice Day only honored veterans of World War. On November 11th, 1947 Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized a National Veterans Day parade in Birmingham, Alabama to recognize veterans of all wars. This celebration led to Congress changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize Veterans of all U.S. wars.
5 We closed out the month of October with a blast! Our Annual Homecoming and Harvest Day Celebration was held on October 28 and it was a worship experience to remember. Once again, a dynamic message was preached by Dr. Gregory Payton of the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Oakland. Star Bethel church members contributed freely to the Harvest Day bounty. Homecoming, combined with and the Harvest serves as a wonderful time of celebration in the life of any church. The arrival is planned months in advance. Letters mailed, calls made, and food cooked, as our tradition proudly upholds, Homecoming and Harvest with all the great attributes. Heartfelt thanks to Deacon Ratliff and Sis. Douglas, the Committee Chairs and all of the committee members for their hard work and faithful service. Homecoming and Harvest is a time when we can all gather together, to worship as a body of believers sharing in a common heritage, honoring our connections. When all God s children get together - Oh What a Time!!! On the 3rd Sunday, in the month of October, Star Bethel s Ushers and Nurses held their Annual Day Program. The guest church for this occasion was the Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. A joyous time was had by all in attendance.
6 Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits, but they're especially renowned for the role they play in heart health. Find out why you should add more omega-3s to your diet. (Medically Reviewed by Philip Green, MD) Most people associate the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids with cardiovascular health, says Jessica Fishman Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian and the founder of the nutrition consulting business Nutritioulicious. Omega-3s have been shown to lower triglycerides and total cholesterol. But they're also important for brain function, mood, memory, and joint mobility, and they've been found to help reduce inflammation from arthritis, improve eye health, and contribute to healthy hair, skin, and nails and a normally functioning immune system. Types of Omega-3s There are three types of omega-3s: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). While these fatty acids are critical for overall health, our bodies can't produce them on their own, so we must get them from other sources, such as food or supplements. The best sources of EPA and DHA are cold-water fish like salmon, rainbow trout, and sardines. Albacore tuna is also a good source, says Levinson, but because it's high in mercury, people should be cautious about how much they consume. Other good sources include mackerel, herring, halibut, and shellfish. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming two servings per week of fish that are rich in omega-3s. One serving is approximately 3.5 to 4 ounces of canned or cooked fish, or about 5 to 6 ounces of raw fish, says Levinson. But be sure to avoid fried fish, as deep-frying is not a heart-healthy cooking method. The third type of omega-3, ALA, comes from plant sources like canola oil, flaxseed, walnuts, leafy greens, seaweed, and soy products. One thing to keep in mind with regard to plant-based sources of omega-3s is that our bodies need to convert ALA to EPA and DHA to get the health benefits of the fats. This means that you need to eat a lot more of the vegetarian omega-3 sources than the fish sources, says Levinson. And when you eat more of these fats, you take in more calories, especially when you re talking about nuts and flaxseed, says Levinson. If you re vegetarian you may want to discuss your omega-3 intake with your doctor or a nutrition expert and get guidance on food servings and supplement options. Food vs. Supplement Sources Consuming omega-3s from foods rather than supplements offers the advantage of the additional nutrients, including vitamins and minerals and, depending on the source, protein or fiber. As with all nutrients, I recommend getting omega-3s from food first, says Levinson. But if you don't eat fish or enough of the vegetarian sources, it may help to take a supplement. Additionally, the AHA suggests that because people with certain health conditions, like coronary artery disease or high triglycerides, may have difficulty getting enough omega-3s in their diet alone, they should talk to their doctors about supplement options. If you are taking supplements, look for those that contain a combination of DHA and EPA, advises Levinson. The AHA reports that it's safe to take up to 3 grams of fish oil per day. Experts recommend that most people should take from 900 to 2,000 mg/day if they are eating a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. There are many options on the market for omega-3 supplements, including: Fish oil, Krill oil, Algae, Hemp, Flaxseed oil. Levinson suggests taking fish oil in capsules rather than in liquid form because the capsules don't have a fishy taste. She adds that vegetarians and vegans may prefer algae or flaxseed oil supplements: Both are good options the best one is the one you will take on a regular basis! Because different supplements contain different amounts of omega-3s, your best bet is to talk to your doctor or a nutrition expert who can evaluate your diet and any health conditions and offer a professional recommendation for an omega-3 supplement that s right for you. Everyday Health Online Magazine Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass, MD, MPH
7 Shortly after a business executive retired, someone asked him what had been the secret of his success. He chuckled softly, and then said that it could be summarized in three words: and then some. He explained that he had learned early in his career that the top people in any group were those who did what was expected of them and then some. Such people worked diligently, efficiently, faithfully and then some. They were thoughtful and kind to others and then some. They were reliable friends who could be counted on and then some. If an emergency came, they tried to do their share to deal with it and then some. In short, they were more than ordinary people, they tried to be extraordinary. That is precisely what Jesus expected and still expects of his followers. When he was teaching his friends about loving and serving others (see Matthew 5:43-48), he included these words, What more are you doing than others? (v. 47, NRSV). Christians do what is required and then some.
SUNDAY 9:00 a.m. Church School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship CD s & DVD s of Sunday Worship Services available. WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Daytime Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. Prayer & Bible Study THURSDAY 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal (Saturday before the 1st and 2nd Sunday) 10:00 a.m. Ushers & Youth Meetings/Bible Class (Saturday before the 4th Sunday) 10:00 a.m. General Mission Meeting (3rd Saturday) 11:00 a.m. Men s Ministry Star Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 5800 San Pablo Avenue Oakland, CA 94608 FOR OUR NEIGHBORS NEAR AND FAR