About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2024)
Page 8 - Wednesday, December 25, 2024 The Jenkins County Times j enkinscountytimes. com By: Sam Eades Sam Eades / Publisher Healed in Christ. The story of Debra Fernandez. Her Faith & Courage. On this Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, let me tell you about a remarkable Woman of Faith who endured life’s trials with a heart full of praise. Though I never had the honor of meeting her, her story of unshakable faith and quiet strength has left an indelible mark on my soul. This is the story of Debra Lynn Fernandez Tucker —a woman whose faith, the size of a mustard seed, moved mountains in ways that words can scarcely capture. As Matthew 17:20 reminds us, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Debra’s faith was a living testimony to this promise. Debra entered this world with challenges that would have daunted the strongest among us. Bom with cerebral palsy and facing additional health stmggles throughout her life, she could have succumbed to despair. But Debra chose a different path—a path of unwavering joy and devotion to her Lord. Her sister, Diane, shared, “Cerebral palsy never stopped my sister from doing anything she set her mind to. Her faith in the Lord was the strongest I’ve ever seen. And let me tell you, Debra was sharp as a tack. The disease never touched her brilliant mind.” As a teenager, Debra faced painful knee issues. Her knees would lock and freeze, requiring surgery. Even after multiple procedures, the pain from atrophy and the inability to bend one knee persisted, forcing her to rely on a walker. Yet, through the pain and limitations, Debra remained steadfast in her faith. She praised the Lord in every storm. Later in life, Debra developed tracheal stenosis, a condition that required numerous surgeries to stretch her trachea in hopes of improving her ability to speak. Despite these efforts, her voice remained but a whisper. Still, she continued to sing praises in her heart, never faltering in her tmst in Christ. In 2022, Debra’s health took a devastating turn when she contracted COVID-19, which led to severe heart issues. Her blood pressure became unmanageable, and she was placed under a cardiologist’s care. By 2023, her deteriorating health confined her to a wheelchair. Yet, her spirit remained unbroken. Diane recalled, “My sister never complained. She always had a smile on her face. Her husband, Billy, was her rock. For 30 years, he lovingly cared for her. Their devotion to each other and to the Lord was extraordinary.” Debra found strength and encouragement through her friendship with evangelist David Ring, who also lives with cerebral palsy. The two shared letters and prayers, supporting each other through life’s challenges. David once told Debra’s mother, Betty, “Ms. Betty, you’ve been closer to Debra than anyone, and you want the very best for her. I will join you in prayer for God’s peace and assurance as Debra faces challenges most people cannot fathom.” Debra’s faith was tested time and again, but she never wavered. She once said, “As I continue to seek Christ’s direction. He has fully shown me His purpose for my life.” Her life was a testament to perseverance, grace, and an unshakable belief in God’s plan. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, at the age of 52, Debra took her final flight to meet her Savior. Her family’s prayers for healing were answered, though not in the way they had hoped. Debra was healed—fully and eternally—in Christ. Our hymn this week, “Healed in Christ,” beautifully captures this truth. Written by Sarah Hart in 2017, it reminds us of the Father’s courage, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s comfort. Hart’s inspiration came from the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, a visible sign of God’s grace. “Blessed be our God, healing us in Christ,” the song proclaims, celebrating the active, ongoing healing we receive as we draw closer to God. If you or someone you love is struggling with pain, may Debra’s story inspire you. Remember her unwavering faith, her joyful spirit, and her trust in the Lord’s plan. Let “Healed in Christ” be a balm for your soul as you sing or reflect on its message. Together, let us find strength and hope in the One who heals us—in body, spirit, and eternity. Merry Christmas to you all. Debra Fernandez Tucker McKinsey & Company to Pay $650 Million Settlement Over Role in Opioid Crisis -Joe Brady, Editor Consulting giant McKinsey & Company has agreed to pay $650 million to settle a federal investigation into its role in boosting sales of Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin, a prescription painkiller widely blamed for fueling the opioid epidemic. The crisis has led to nearly 500,000 deaths in the United States between 1999 and 2019. According to court documents, McKinsey advised Purdue Pharma and other dmg manufacturers on strategies to increase OxyContin sales, despite the fmn’s awareness of the dangers associated with opioid use. Tactics reportedly included targeting high-prescribing doctors and developing marketing approaches aimed at "turbocharging" sales. The firm, which cut ties with opioid manufacturers in 2019, issued a formal apology on Friday. “We recognize the harm caused and deeply regret our role,” a McKinsey spokesperson stated. This latest settlement brings the total amount McKinsey has paid in civil lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic to nearly $1 billion across all 50 states. As part of the settlement, McKinsey must implement a government-mandated compliance program, which will be overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. This measure is necessary for the prosecution against the firm to be deferred and ultimately dismissed. Additionally, a former senior McKinsey partner has agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice for destroying records relevant to the investigation. The settlement marks another significant development in holding corporations accountable for their contributions to the opioid crisis, which continues to impact communities nationwide. For further insights into McKinsey & Company and the world of consulting, readers are encouraged to explore next Thursday’s Business & Finance newsletter, which will provide a deep dive into the subject. WeCcome To The Ta6fe By: Pastor Brad Asbury Advent Week 4 This week, churches celebrate the fourth week of Advent. So far, in our Advent journey, the candles of hope, peace, and joy have all been lit. Lighting these candles reminds us that hope, peace, and joy are all fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of every longing of man's heart. He gives hope to the hopeless, peace during unrest, and joy in every situation. This week, the fourth candle of Advent is known as the Candle of Love. Jesus defines love, yet man searches far and wide for it. Christmas teaches us that true Love was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This baby in the manger was the promised Messiah. He was the One that the Old Testament prophets wrote about, and the Old Testament saints longed for. He was the desire of every man. He was sent from God as a gift of love. John 3:16 reminds us of the love that God has for us, ^ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 teaches us that God's love for us is great, abounding, and everlasting. It surpasses our understanding and is not dependent on our worthiness or merit. This love was demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we contemplate this love, we are invited to respond in worship and gratitude. We can also respond to God's love by repenting of our sins and following Jesus. Christmas is the season of love! Christmas is the season of love because love is on display for all to see! His love is greater than any love that has ever been shown. His love expands not to just one or two people but reaches the ends of the earth. In response to His great love for us, we are called to show the same kind of love towards others. 1 John 4:7-11 says, “7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been bom of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” As you move from celebration to celebration, dinner to dinner, and the many other activities of Christmas, take time to reflect upon Christ's love. Look at a manger and then at a cross; see God's love for you. In response, give Him your heart. In response, love one another deeply. Have a Merry Christmas! East Burke Baptist Church Sunday Services li a.m. Pastor: Jordan Clayton Hwy 24 Sardis, GA Please call 706-526-1733 for more information. Elam Baptist Church Sunday School meets 9:45 a.m. Sunday Services 11 a.m. Pastor: Jody Bryant 5199 Elam Road,Millen, GA 30442 Wednesday activities begin at 5:45 p.m. with a meal; Team Kid, Youth and Bible study begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please send emails to elambaptistchurch@gmail.com. Green Fork Baptist Church Pastor Jesse Sadler (Phone Number: 850-843-6102) Worship Opportunities: Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Children's Choir 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study/Prayer Mtg 7:00 p.m. Millen Baptist Church Come join us!! Morning Worship 11AM Sunday School 9:45 a.m. 219 N. Gray St, Millen, GA 478-982-5411 Pastor Brad Asbury pastorbradasbury@gmail.com Millen Methodist Church Morning Worship 11AM Sunday School 10 a.m. 413 N. Gray St, Millen, GA 478-982-2664 Pastor John Drake For questions about our services, please email us @ miHenmethodistchurch@gmail.com Miracle Temple 640 Millen Bypass Millen, GA. Worship Services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Joseph Radlift. For more information please contact the church office at 478-455-1844 Oak Hill Baptist Church Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Morning: 11 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Adult Bible Study - Young Adult Bible Study Youth Group - Team Kids S Oak Hill Church Rd., n, GA Pastor: Joshua Johnson 478-982-1616 www.oakhillmillen.com Rocky Ford Baptist Church RFBC, here for the Gospel 132 Main Street Rocky Ford, GA 30455 (9i2)-863-4288 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Morning Worship: 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Service: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Children and Youth Program 6-7:30pm Pastor: Wayne Bragg www.rockyfordbaptist.co_m Facebook/rockyfordbaptist Scarboro Baptist Church 4204 Scarboro Church Loop Millen, GA 30442 706-466-4494 Pastor: Perry Hearn Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. The Church of God 625 Hwy 25 N. Millen Pastor Joshua Farthing Worship Leader Karen Kent Farthing 6i5-559-8577/ 6l 5-559-8574 Email: jfarthing@ thechurchofgod.org Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m. Find us on Facebook Trinity Episcopal Church 4401 Country Club Rd, States boro, GA Sunday Eucharist 8:15 a.m. and 10:30a.m. Father Charles Todd, Rector Jonathan Murphy, Music Director. 012-489-4208 Facebook/ TrinityEpiscopalStatesboro ************************************** ' This section is a complimentary service for Jenkins County and surrounding area churches listed' in the Church Directory. We will run your church news for two weeks. Email announcements to news@jenkinscountytimes.com or drop them off at our office Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 425 Hwy 25 S., Millen, GA. Our deadline is noon on Fridays for the following week. ********************************************** Help visitors find you! List your church in the directory for six months $60 or one year $120 Call: (912) 451-NEWS or 478-401-5007 T-Th-F Do you need to add, remove, or change any information of your listing in the church directory? Give us a call or email me at: news@jenkinscountytimes.com
