Thou shall love the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matt. 22:37-39) KJV.

Today as we go through this pandemic, our focus should continually be on Jesus, Our Lord, and Savior. This pandemic has altered the lives of many in our society and including the church. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. This is what Jesus was saying as he answered the Pharisees who were trying to tempt him asking, “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus replied by saying the first and greatest commandment is that we love thy God with all of their soul and with all of their mind. His second response is what we want to focus on that is we should love our neighbor as ourselves.

As Pastor of Joy of Faith, my focus is not just on my own family but the membership at Joy of Faith which the Lord has entrusted into my care. I constantly pray that God gives me the wisdom to make godly decisions guided by the Holy Spirit.

Our building has been closed for over a year and a half, however, we continue to be connected virtually. The board and I met together and decided that we will remain closed until the first of the new year.

We will celebrate our church's twenty-first anniversary, Sunday, November 7, 2021. Minister Tony Sirmons will be bringing the message.

My wife and I will continue to pray that God will continue to bless you and your family, and He will keep us all under the shadow of His wings, safe and with a sound mind.

I leave us all with these encouraging words, "We are blessed in the country, and blessed in the field; We are blessed coming in, and are blessed going out." (Deut. 28:3,6)

God bless you,

Pastor, Dr. Samuel N. Smith