Newspaper Page Text
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
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