In the wee hours of the morning thunder,lightning, and snow ushered Sunday morning into place as most of us slumbered and slept.

The day's eleventh hour at Pleasant Hill found cold temperatures, crisp air, and clear skies outside, while the gathering inside was ferverant and warm. Rev. Grant Howard, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Lecrone, PA and Rev. Derrick Myers, Minister living in South Carolina and Johnstown native, visited Pleasant Hill.

Pleasant Hill Associate Ministers Sam Scales, Sam Hart, Jessie Hellams, and Arlene Williams were in attendance as Rev. Tilly officiated assigning Scripture reading and prayer to the associate ministers, and assigned the task of preaching to Rev. Howard.


Rev. Jessie Hellams delivering the Scripture



Rev. Sam Scales was the Black History speaker of the day. He reported on the history of Black History Month. He reported and reflected on the lifetime achievements of Carter Goodwin Woodson, the Father of Black History.


Rev. Sam Scales delivering the Black History Month report on Carter G. Woodson

Rev. Tilly installed the church officers for 2008. The officers accepted and the congregation confirmed the charge and covenant. Clad in black the Tilly Choir was in place and sang to the glory of God.

Rev. Howard's sermon, "Have You Found Favor With God?", was based on the Scriptures of Genesis 6: 5 - 8:
"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe mankind whom I have created, from the face of the earth, men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground and birds of the air, for I am grieved that I have made them.' But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."



Rev. Howard preaching "Have You Found Favor With God?"

Announcements for the week:

Tuesday--Baptist Youth Fellowship is postponed for the week.
Wednesday-- Lenten Service, 12 Noon
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study, 7 P.M.
Thursday--Valentines Day Dinner, 7 P.M. in the fellowship hall
The church women will host this the festive event.
Saturday-Girl Scout Meeting, 1 P.M.

Contact Rev. Tilly, Deacon Jeff Wilson, or Cindy Scales, Church Clerk to register for the Spring Roundup Christian Education workshops sponsored by the Allegheny Union Baptist Association (AUBA) of Pittsburgh, PA. The Round Up is March 22, 2008 in Pittsburgh, and starts promptly at 8 A.M. The church transportation will leave Pleasant Hill approximately 6 A.M.

Sunday, February 24, 2008, the Youth Department will travel to Washington & Jefferson University in Washington, PA to participate in the Black History programs at W&J. Contact Deacon Jeff for additional information.

Pleasant Hill also received the following noteworthy announcements:

The St. James Missionary Baptist Church is sponsoring a bus trip to Pittsburgh, PA to see Gospel Explosion III hosted by Gospel celebrity, Bobby Jones. The roundtrip fare and admission to the program is $39. Contact St. James for additional information, or Dee Dee Seals or Betty Lewis.

The Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church announced its celebration of Black History Month:
Sun, 2/10/08--the Afro American History opening and Remembering Sis. Hazel Britt
2/15/08--Afro American Poetry and prose
2/22/08--Afro American Music
2/24/08--Soul Food


Digital Video Disks (DVDs) of Rev. Tilly's 2007 pastoral anniversary are still available. The cost is $15. Deacon Jeff Wilson is still taking orders.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40: 28 - 31

Communion Sunday

The sun filled sanctuary created a cordial setting to worship this first Sunday of February at Pleasant Hill. The Bread and Wine were set and waiting for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion.

While attendance was low, the spirit of the Lord was high. Scriptures for the week
are taken from Genesis and John:

"So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3: 23 - 24.

Written by John in the 12th chapter Jesus predicted his death and also the demise of "The prince of this world." Jesus said, "'Now is the time for judgment on this world, now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.' He said this to show the kind of death he was gong to die." John 12: 31 - 33.

Today also marked the opening celebration of Black History Month. Today's speakers were Ursala Hellams and Toni Carter. There will be two Black History speakers each Sunday through February.





Announcements:

Baptist Youth Fellowhip,BYF, is cancelled this week.

Tuesday, February 5, 7 P.M.--Trustees Meeting

Wednesday, February 6,
Noon--One Hour Lenten Service throughout the Lenten Season
6 P.M.--Deacons Meeting
7 P.M.--Annual Business Meeting

Thursday, February 7--Tilly Choir Meeting followed by rehearsal.

Saturday--No Girl Scout Meeting

Sunday, February 10, Installation of all officers.

Thursday, February 14, Valentines Day Dinner. More info to follow.



"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Chrst our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen