RICHMOND — When God is with you, nothing can stand against you.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image  of his Son, that he might be   the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:28-31)

NAACP Meeting

The Richmond/Madison County Branch of the NAACP meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 302 Francis Street, Richmond.

Pastor anniversary Feb. 17

Sunday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m., Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its pastor’s eighth anniversary. The guests will be the Rev. William Hale and the congregation of St. Paul AME Church.

AME Founder’s Day

Saint Paul AME Church, 437 Francis St., Richmond, will celebrate its denomination founder, the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen, on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Dr. Orea Jones-Wells, chaplain, VA Medical Center in Lexington, will speak. Dinner will be served following the service.

T.R.T 8th Anniversary

The Tabernacle & Refuge and Transformation will be celebrating Pastor Brenda Douglas’ eighth anniversary at 4 p.m., Feb. 23 at 232 East Main St. The guest will be Pastor Floyd Ballew and the Mt. Nebo Church family. Everyone is invited.

A note of  thanks

The family of the late Emily F. Johnson would like to thank each of you for your acts of kindness shown during the death of their loved one. Words alone are not enough to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation.May God continue to bless each of you.

Forever grateful, Sinclair and Junann Johnson

Seasonal Tea Feb. 24

Saint Paul AME Church, 437 Francis St., Richmond, will host its seasonal tea, sponsored by “The Legendary” Ms. Edith Jean Pinkston on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. “This is her annual event and is not to be missed,” said the Rev. William Hale, pastor of St. Paul.

Pathway to Wholeness

Saint Paul AME Church, 437 Francis St., Richmond, is conducting a “Pathway to Wholeness.” God-centered recovery Bible study based on the Twelve-Step Principles.

“Please come and join us in learning about the healing power of Christ,” said the Rev. William Hale, St. Paul pastor.

The study meets 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and is being led by the Rev. Junann Johnson.

Convention planning session Feb. 9

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the host for this year’s New Liberty Sunday School Convention and Mt. Pleasant Association, will conduct an organizational meeting 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Ryan’s Restaurant to discuss menus and the help needed from other churches in the district.

“We are looking forward to seeing everyone planning to help us with this event,” said the Rev. Howard Miller, Mt. Pleasant pastor.

Community Appreciation Luncheon

“For those who serve in our community — elected officials, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, city and county workers, pastors, ministers and all of those who serve faithfully throughout our Richmond and Madison County community, and therefore all those who work to serve others. We extend a very special invitation to come on Thursday, March 14, anytime between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. to eat a free meal, fellowship and give the ministers, officers and members of Saint Paul Richmond an opportunity to show you how much we appreciate all that you do!

Free-lunch ministry

Every Thursday, from noon to 3 p.m., Saint Paul AME Church, 437 Francis St., Richmond, serves a free lunch to all who come.

“This is an ongoing, weekly ministry to serve the hungry, the homeless and feed anyone who walks in our doors,” says Pastor William R.T. Hale.

www.saintpaulrichmond.com

Upward Bound Ministries

“Teen Turning Point” is an intervention and prevention program for teens identified as “At Risk” for academic failure, substance abuse issues and potential judicial interaction.

• Is your teen experiencing trouble at school? (suspension, truancy, grades)

• Does your teen display defiant or rebellious behavior?

• Has your teen had problems with the law?

Register your child online at www.upwardboundministries.org

Teens with defiant and rebellious behaviors, substance abuse, or potential judicial interaction issues needs this program. Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of teens in Madison and the surrounding counties, specifically addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Other Ministry Components:

Turning Point: An intervention program for adults with addictions and compulsive behaviors issues.

Cope: Supports parents, spouses, grandparents or family members who are affected by the addictions and compulsive behaviors of family members or friends.

Lifeline: Is drug awareness and prevention that is telecast once a week to Time Warner Cable’s viewing audience in Richmond and Berea.

For more details about Teen Turning Point, call Darnell Hill, executive director/founder, at 986-1650 or TTP Coordinator Brad Reynolds, 200-1632. We are located at Church on the Rock 1049 Richmond Road in Berea.

Special note

To all churches and civic organizations: To place your church or civic activity in this column, please send all information at least one week in advance via the U.S Postal Service. The new address is: Church & Community Focus, 715 Bonanza Rd Richmond, KY 40475. E-mailed announcements should be sent to: anthonyphelps45@yahoo.com and all announcements must be received by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week you wish your announcement to appear in the newspaper.

Until next week

May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds, and in all thy heart. Until we meet again God bless you.