We often hear the words “Hindsight is 20/20". We've been waiting to share those words for many months as the year 2020 held challenges we have never seen before. Individuals, families, churches, businesses, and governments worldwide have been impacted due to the global pandemic. It is essential to give a reminder that simply because the calendar will flip to a New Year doesn't mean all our troubles are behind us. We have little doubt that 2021 will still hold many situations that will require us to look to God for answers. In 2021 and beyond, it is important for us to remember that God is always the same and always in control.
Please be safe and join us tonight for Watch Night service at 10:15pm.
At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give us the wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord...we need you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen."
- Prayer by Debbie McDaniel
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Registration for Confirmation 2021 is now open! |
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Calling at students, grades 6th through 10th, that have not yet gone through Confirmation...join us! Classes will begin Sunday, January 31st, and will meet every 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sunday of the month. Participants must register by Sunday, January 24th. To register, please click the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Elizabeth Pollard at epollard@benhillumc.org. |
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It is with a heart full of love and emotions that we are not able to host our yearly Angel Tree event due to Covid-19, but we trust God to restore all that has been lost during this season of unprecedented times. However, we will still be able to make a great impact. Ben Hill UMC has selected to join Fellowship of Prison Ministries and offer a Virtual Angel Tree. (VAT). When Christmas comes, prisoners' children often wonder.... does my mommy or daddy still love me? Do they even remember me anymore? Your generosity today will give a prisoner child a Christmas to remember.
And this year with a matching grant, $22 will be DOUBLED to serve TWO children this Christmas!
Angel Tree donations are still being accepted. You may make donations until the end of January. You may mail in your donations to the church.
On your check, please designate ‘Angel Tree’ in the Memo field. After Christmas, Fellowship of Prison Ministries will provide a list of the children Ben Hill UMC helped to serve. We thank you in advance for your support of Angel Tree and making the lives of children merrier and joyous during this Christmas season. Continue to be hopeful and spread the love you have to someone else, especially during such a season as this. If you have any questions, please contact Eden Mabry at edenjkz@yahoo.com.
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Are you missing the faces of your Ben Hill family and friends? Do you know how to access Zoom but could use another round of training? Are you ready to dig deeper into what Zoom offers? No matter where you are with Zoom, we want to help!
Everyone is welcome to join and learn the basics of security, meeting setup, and other features of Zoom. We will offer several dates, time options for small group training on Zoom. All sessions will be offered virtually and will give you an opportunity to get your questions answered. Click the link below and register for the time and date that works best for you. Select the course level that best describes where you are. We look forward to seeing you.
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It's time again for ALL to participate in our Community Service Project for Martin Luther King Day here at Ben Hill. The pandemic has impacted our communities through job loss, and increased food insecurity. As a church community, we will work to stock the food pantry at Ben Hill. More information is forthcoming but we hope you will be a part of this effort. Food will be collected during normal Food Bank hours. If you have any questions, please call Eldridge Stephens at 404-542-1957. |
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The Prison Ministry would like to send cards, words of encouragement, to those who are currently incarcerated. Perhaps you have a loved one or know of someone who would appreciate receiving a card. The Prison Ministry offers a safe nonjudgmental space to seek prayers and support. Please contact Gloria Parker, gloriaparker3790@comcast.net or Cynthia Holland at cythinam@msn.com with the name and mailing information of your loved one.
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The BHUMC Food Bank will be CLOSED in observance of Christmas and the New Year through Wednesday, January 6th for distribution of food and donations. |
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The Prayer Ministry will host Corporate Prayer every Wednesday from 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm. Weekly Corporate Prayer will feature a prayer of thanksgiving, a reading from the Upper Room Daily Devotional, and intercessory prayer. We will be inviting Clergy and Laity to pray the intercessory prayer.
To attend Corporate Prayer, please call: (712) 770- 4936, Access Code: 627746. When calling in, please mute your cell phones. If you call in on a landline please turn the volume down on televisions, radios, etc. We look forward to everyone calling in and praying together. To submit Prayer Requests, please visit: benhillumc.org.
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During this season, we want to remind you of the benefits of Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry is a collection of specially trained lay people who are trained to listen and provide Christian care for people during the most challenging parts of their lives. It is confidential, one on one, and gender specific. Stephen Ministers are assigned to an individual for about an hour a week. This is especially meaningful for individuals who may be alone during the pandemic, who are grieving, who have a challenging health diagnosis, and who are finding it hard to deal with the challenges in their life.
If this sounds like you, please contact us via email: annex@benhillumc.org and we will be happy to walk along side you. You can also call the church office and ask to speak with Beverly Register or Rev. Tillman.
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Sympathy
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Vernita Burford (M) on the loss of her mother
Leotra Glass Souder (R)
Andre Johnson (M) on the loss of his wife
Georgia Johnson (M)
Jeff and Toya Greene (M) on the loss of his father and her father-in-law
Dr. Herbert H. Greene (R)
Katrinia Long (M) on the loss of her brother and Angela Mathews (M) on the loss of her cousin
Roy Long (R)
Minnie Miller (M) on the loss of her aunt
Annie B. Hardnett (R)
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Community Events and Resources |
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The January 5th runoff elections for both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats are fast approaching. If you would like to use a paper ballot to vote by mail or by putting it in an Elections Dropbox, request your absentee ballot now at https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov
Early In-Person Voting ends today, December 31, 2020, for Georgia's January 5th U.S. Senate Elections. These elections will decide the balance of the U.S. Senate
Friends or love-ones who reside in Georgia but who serve in the U.S. Military outside of Georgia (even if stateside), can still vote. It is important for our military men and women to vote in Georgia's January 5th U.S. Senate elections. For more information how those serving in the U.S. military can vote, visit www.fvap.gov
You must VERIFY your voter registration BEFORE the January 5th election. Thousands of Georgians have been purged from Georgia's voting rolls and don't discover it until it is too late. Verify your voter registration status at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
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Senior Food Assistance Program |
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched the City of Atlanta Senior Food Assistance Program to support seniors with food insecurity during COVID-19 by partnering with meal and grocery delivery organizations. Seniors who reside in the City of Atlanta and are struggling to receive access to food during this time may apply to be a part of this program by completing this survey found here. You may also contact ATL311 for information or help with filling out the survey by dialing 311 within the city limits or (404) 546-0311.
Specific program eligibility requirements are listed below:
- Reside in the City of Atlanta;
- Age 60 or older;
- Low income (household income at or below 80% of the AMI);
- Not participating in any other senior food assistance program and meet one of the following criteria:
- Unable to leave home;
- Unable to prepare meals for themselves; or
- Unable to procure or utilize commercial home delivery services.
* Completion of the survey does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
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Without a doubt, African Americans have been most impacted by COVID-19 in terms of the most positive cases, most mortalities, and the most economically devastated. Even still, our people continue to be essential workers in healthcare, grocery stores and other vital services that neighborhoods depend upon. We have persevered through 2020 continuing to reach out to others and to be undergirded by our faith in God. It is true. There is a history in this nation of disparities and unconscionable deception that supports our skepticism and mistrust. Yet, black and brown communities are urgently in need of relief.
Other partners include the National Institute of Health, the National Urban League, the Black Nurses Association, the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 and others. Please review this timely and relevant video that will address some of your questions. Also, “save the date” for an upcoming community forum: Wednesday, January 6th at 6:30 p.m. “Keeping it Real…Should I get this vaccine?” sponsored by the AMA “Ask a Black Doctor Series”, Frank K. Jones, MD, MPH, Moderator and President.
The webinar will focus on the following major issues:
1) Update on the Covid-19 pandemic…where are we today?
2) Historical perspective on research and vaccines in Black and Brown communities
3) The science and data behind the COVID-19 vaccine
4) Arguments for and against getting the vaccine
5) Community engagement and health equity issues during Covid-19 and beyond
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What to do if you cannot view the stream
Here are some helpful tips if you should encounter any issues with accessing Ben Hill's Live Stream:
- Try a different Web browser. Most browsers should work but if your web browser is not showing the stream, try a different one.
- Try going to the Ben Hill UMC Facebook Page and view the Live Stream there.
- Try the phone app. If you do not have the Ben Hill app, download it from your app store and view the steam from there.
- Access StreamingFaith.com as another option to view the live stream.
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On Sunday mornings, live chat is available on the Ben Hill website if you should encounter issues and need additional help.
New! Tune into the sermon by using Sermon by Phone.
The Sunday service will be made available at 9:15am on Sundays by dialing in at:
Links to Connect on Sunday Mornings:
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