KEEPING THE FAITH | Here are some biblical emergency numbers to call in challenging times
Too often, you can get lost in a sea of responsibilities and obligations, where it can feel like you have no time to focus on yourself. God is trying to get your attention, and you need to find moments where you can regain your center through prayer and fasting. If you feed your faith, then doubt will starve to death.
I am offering biblical emergency numbers as a handy reference of Scriptures that you can call regarding emergencies or difficulties you are experiencing. There is nothing new under the sun, and God’s Holy Word provides a response for every situation. If you’re seeking a daily dose of encouragement, direction or guidance, this guide will help you find Scriptures that may speak to you in the midst of life’s challenges.
When in sorrow, call John 14.
When people fail you, call Psalm 27.
When you want to be fruitful, call John 15.
When you have sinned, call Psalm 51.
When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34.
When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.
When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.
When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.
When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.
When you grow bitter and critical, call I Corinthians 13.
When seeking the secret to happiness, call Colossians 3:12-17.
When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31.
When you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11:25-30.
When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90.
When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121.
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67.
When you seek a great opportunity, call Isaiah 55.
When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.
When you think of investments and returns, call Mark 10.
If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.
If your funds are low, call Psalm 37.
If you are losing confidence in people, call I Corinthians 13.
If people seem unkind, call John 15.
If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.
If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19.
If dealing with fear, call Psalm 34:7.
If seeking security, call Psalm 121:3.
If in need of assurance, call Mark 8:35.
If you need reassurance, call Psalm 145:18.
These emergency numbers may be dialed direct by YOU, and no operator assistance is necessary. All lines to Heaven are open 24/7! Don’t let a noun — a person, place or thing — discourage or distract you from your calling or purpose. Stay the course and, of course, keep the faith!
Well Done, Faithful Servant
The faith community lost a giant in Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, who served as the senior pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem, New York. He was an ardent defender of social justice. For more than a generation, the venerable Rev. Butts served beyond the pulpit of Abyssinian and was totally involved in the community’s social, political and economic welfare. The announcement that Dr. Butts had obtained the ultimate healing resonated with sorrow across social media and news networks. He provided a template for ministries that gave a healthy balance to those called to serve God’s people beyond tradition. He was a voice of courage, faith and freedom, no matter how difficult times were. And by his example, he taught many how to fight and pray.
Dr. Butts is credited with growing the core ministries of evangelism, education, pastoral care and social service delivery at Abyssinian, but he also helped found the Abyssinian Development Corporation, a community-based nonprofit organization responsible for developing over $1 billion in housing and commercial development in Harlem. He helped establish the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change, described as a state-of-the-art intermediate and high school in Harlem, and was a visionary of the Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School.
At the time of his passing, he still held the post of president of the State University of New York at Old Westbury, a position he held since 1999. Under his leadership, that institution grew, described as “one of the most diverse public college campuses in America.”
Youngstown Connected
The cinema box office showing of “Till” recounts the strength and resolve of Mrs. Mamie Till Mobley in the pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son, Emmitt, who was mercilessly lynched. I had the privilege of sharing an intense conversation with my soon-to-be teen grandson about the impact of this historic marker. The tragic incident involving Emmitt Till was shared initially in the press by the late Simone Booker, a local native who wrote for Ebony and Jet magazines. Now in 2022, there is another local connection sharing this message for yet another generation. Carlton Lee Copeland served as the art director for the cinema account of Till. Carlton is the set designer at AMC Studios in Georgia, which is the in-house studio, production and distribution operation for AMC Networks.
Doing Unto Others
Congratulations to the Third Source Committee of Holy Family Parish for being honored as our Valley’s 2022 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning/Shenango Chapter. The Third Source Committee is a ministry within Holy Family Catholic in Poland. It was founded in 1992 to be a third source of income for the parish behind the weekly offertory collection and Holy Family Elementary School tuition. The group’s mission is to raise funds for various parish events and projects and to financially contribute to parish requests and petitions for assistance, under the direction of the pastor of Holy Family Parish.
It also promotes good fellowship among parishioners and the community of Poland. Since its founding, the group of volunteer fundraisers has raised and donated nearly $700,000 to parish and community projects. Third Source has generously supported the greater Mahoning Valley community and beyond through volunteering and fundraising for Habitat for Humanity, Poland Rotary Club, Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen and food pantry, Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Most recently, it sent funds to aid Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.
The award will be presented Friday at a luncheon ceremony at the Eastwood Event Centre, 5577 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles.
Pastoral Celebration
The Generations Life Center, 1155 Churchill-Hubbard Road, Liberty, will celebrate the fifth pastoral anniversary of Pastors Herman and Jessica Rosario at 11 a.m. today, with special guests Apostle Justin and Lauren Burnette from Stand in the Gap Ministries.
Informing Voters
The Core Team Ministry of Union Baptist Church is hosting a virtual political forum on Facebook Live at 6 p.m. Monday, and you are invited to log on to hear candidates’ political positions, platforms and objectives for the offices they are seeking to either win or retain.
Turnout Sunday
Prayer and calm will be essential for our community on Election Day. We need ministers, rabbis, pastors, imams and deacons to volunteer for a three-hour shift in the city. Our community has been working with Lawyers and Collars on the Faiths United to Save Democracy.
Area clergy and faith leaders are asked to help insure voter protection by signing up for the poll chaplain program. Associate ministers, deacons, youth pastors, pastor spouses and those in any other ministerial position are welcome.
Pastor Kenneth Simon serves as the founding chairman of the Community Mobilization Coalition, which does not endorse any candidate or promote a political affiliation. The CMC is a collaborative effort of African American and Hispanic community-based organizations and their allies and is established to develop and initiate a plan of action to increase voter participation through voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization.
In Youngstown, we will be covering St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center, East Library and Byzantine Center at the Grove on Election Day. Each clergy member will be asked to volunteer for a single three-hour shift. Chaplains are especially needed when voting is brisk, which is before work, lunchtime and after work hours.
Everyone who has signed up to volunteer must also complete the one-hour training seminar online. To ensure that everyone signed up as poll chaplains have the training necessary to serve, we have scheduled a Special Poll Chaplain Training from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Only those who have attended at least one training session will be assigned to a polling location.
Click here for more information regarding Turn Our Sunday.
Saints’ and Souls’ Day
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1420 Oak Hill Avenue, Youngstown, is providing several opportunities to celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to commemorate the communion of saints and to remember family members and friends who have passed. Contact the rectory at 330-743-1109 if you would like your loved one’s name recognized during the All Souls’ Mass.
For those of the Catholic faith, All Saints’ Day is considered a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning celebration of Mass is required.
All Saints’ Day Mass at St. Patrick’s will be held at 6 p.m. Monday. St. Angela Merici, 397 S. Jackson St. Youngstown, will host Mass at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
All Souls’ Day Mass will be provided at 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick’s and at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Angela Merici.
Peer-to-Peer Support
The local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter is hosting a special training to empower mental wellness. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, eight-week educational program designed for adults living with serious mental illness who are looking to establish and maintain their wellness and recovery. The class is led by a team of two trained individuals who have personal experience living well with mental illness.
Participants in the Peer-to-Peer class attend eight two-hour courses and explore the ways mental illness can impact their lives, jobs, relationships and health. The class includes mindfulness exercises, relapse prevention plans, communication skills and much more.
Sessions will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays from Nov. 1-Dec. 20 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Register here. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. For more information, call 330-727-9268 or email info@namimahoningvalley.org.
Employment Opportunities
The Youngstown Post Office, 99 S. Walnut St., has several open positions for the busy holiday season and will host a job application workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Available positions include holiday clerk assistants, city carrier assistants, mail handler assistants, postal support employees, rural carrier associates and tractor-trailer operators. The starting salary for the positions is between $17.32 and $29.97 per hour.
Mothers’ Wisdom
Pastor Kevin and First Lady Jada Carson and the Mothers’ Board of New Beginnings Outreach Ministries, 2007 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, will present a Testimonial Fellowship from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Elder Cynthia Neal of Columbus will preach on the theme “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus.” For reservations or information, contact Mother Josephine Jett at 330-545-6241.
Scholarly Pursuit Opportunities
The amazing women of the Youngstown Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. are having a Scholarship Bowl from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 at Camelot Lanes in Boardman. High school students and their parents/guardians are invited for a great opportunity. There will be scholarships available, as well as resources for students and assistance completing financial aid applications. The event is free. For more information, email 1stvp@dstyac.com.
Celebration of Life
A musical celebration in tribute to Rev. Aaron N. Griffin Jr., who recently passed, will be held Nov. 20 at the Jaylex Event Center, 2120 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown. Rev. Griffin was an area keyboardist who blessed many churches and families with his music ministry. The actual time has yet to be determined.
Known to many as “as the guy that sings at funerals,” he was recognized throughout the city as one who made himself available to families in mourning. He was a staff musician for various funeral homes throughout his career, including F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home, L.E. Black Phillips and Holden Funeral Home and J.E. Washington Funeral Services.
Rev. Aaron was not only known for his musical skills but also his fashion sense. From his brimmed fedoras, his fancy footwear and his tailored suits, his dramatic flair gave him the uncanny ability to pull off any style with a sense of confidence and ease.
