The event will feature Minister Cynthia Horton as a guest speaker, along with Pastor and Founder Phyllis Carter. Attendees will have the opportunity to gather for a morning of reflection, fellowship, and encouragement while enjoying a buffet breakfast.

Open to all, the breakfast aims to provide an uplifting experience for those seeking community and inspiration. The event’s theme is based on Philippians 4:6: “Be not anxious…God will answer.”

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through Messiah International Ministries or on Eventbrite.

For more information, contact 440-735-3473.

This event is open to anyone interested in attending.

The post THIS WEEKEND Messiah International Ministries to Host Prayer Breakfast in Bedford first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

The post Food For Thought, Vol. 6 — Is Prayer a Vital Ingredient in a Christian Life? first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

I was raised by a father who never verbally expressed his love with the words “I love you”; however, he consistently rose early each morning to go to work and provide for our family. I yearned for the day when he would say those three words to me. Despite his lack of verbal affirmation, his actions spoke volumes, demonstrating his love in practical ways.

In the absence of those expressions, I have taken it upon myself to tell my sons “I love you” and give them kisses on their cheeks. I have realized that what I yearned for in the past can be cultivated for the future. Through this experience, I have learned how to transform and embark on a new journey.

A father is someone who is willing to sacrifice for the well-being of his child. This sacrifice goes beyond physical protection—it involves sharing the joys and challenges of life, offering support and guidance, creating opportunities, and serving as a positive role model for his children to emulate.

Teaching discipline in a loving and nurturing manner is essential. A father demonstrates patience and emphasizes the importance of following instructions. He instills values such as maintaining a good credit rating and being attentive to the small details in life. A true father leads by example, commanding respect and admiration from the family.

He emphasizes hard work without resorting to violence and teaches the significance of sharing and respecting oneself and others. A loving father mirrors the qualities of God, who sacrificed His son out of love. Love is demonstrated through kindness, forgiveness, and generosity, reflecting God’s value of each individual. Positive qualities of a good father include compassion, honesty, responsibility, fairness, and love.

Colossians 3:14 – “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

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The post Food For Thought, Vol. 4 — How Do You Help Your Child Grow Spiritually? first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Times of happiness can follow a time of sadness. In order to achieve happiness after a time of sadness, one must use their time to learn what happiness looks like for them. What does it now mean to be happy, and how does it differ from before?

Happiness is a now time—a time of being free from pressures, a time of a life-changing moment. A time of humility and gratitude. It’s a different time of relationship.

Pharrell Williams wrote and performed the song Happy, which, in 2014, was one of the world’s most successful songs. It is safe to say that the majority of the population has heard this song. However, a lesser-known fact is that it took him ten tries to create the song. Williams was asked to write the song for the lead character, Gru, who was grumpy and unhappy. But when he fell in love, he became more cheerful and happy. The song became a hit because everyone can relate to the feeling of happiness or has the desire to be happy.

What makes you happy, and how did you get to that point? I have found that being happy is finding a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. This type of happiness is not dependent on life’s circumstances but instead is based on God’s love and grace.

Happiness is based in Scripture. We are not simply told to rejoice, but to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4). Luke 20:20 states, “Do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Is your name written in heaven’s book of life? If so, you can rejoice. But if not, then I would like to introduce the Lord Jesus Christ to you. True happiness begins with recognizing our spiritual need to connect with something or someone greater than ourselves. Your true happiness is tied to a relationship with God.

Trust in God, for we are His children, which means that He loves us and has a plan for us. Finally, focus on Jesus. When you are feeling sad or lost, turn to Jesus Christ.

I leave you with a line from the song Happy by Pharrell Williams: “Clap along if you know what happiness is to you. Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”

The choice is yours. Jesus Christ is waiting—come along.

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Hope United Methodist Church was built almost 100 years ago, but it was first established as Bedford United Methodist Church. It was 11 years ago that Bedford merged with two other United Methodist Churches – Hathaway and Maple Heights – to become the Hope that we know today.

Faith in Action: Meeting Community Needs Through Service

One of the staple ministries of Hope is our weekly “Soup’s On” hot meal every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30. We expanded this ministry by partnering with “Fr. Dan’s Helping Hands” to host their food pantry, which distributes food three times a month as well as serving one of the weekly hot meals. It takes a lot for a church to continue to be vital to the community after 100 years, and Hope’s continued emphasis on serving the community and meeting needs shows why we have that staying power.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Mission with Education and Support

We have expanded our mission to the community starting last year by offering “Esperanza” classes. These are ELL courses for adults for whom English is not their primary language, as well as homework help for students in the local schools. One of the reasons for this focus on service comes from the Wesleyan heritage of the Methodists. We do not do acts of service because we are striving to earn admission into heaven. We serve because we want others to experience the same love of God that we have found in our own lives.

It’s been 100 years since the church started here, and things have changed, but we continue to look ahead while living in the now.

The post Celebrating a Century of Service: Hope United Methodist Church’s Legacy first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

The Willard Park pavilion by Ellenwood Center was full of people with the same red shirts. As I approached, I could see that these folks came from all different walks of life. They were talking to each other and enjoying the morning together. I also saw face-painting and treats. Some attendees had ribbons around their necks and were sporting medals that said 5K.

It wasn’t long until I was directed to the organizer of the gathering, Kodi Pride. With an endearing smile and an infectious positive attitude, Kodi told me that the walk – the Total Healing F.A.I.T.H. Walk – was started in honor of her daughter Lorelle Faith Pride, and this was its eighth year.

Like many of the walks that occur this time of the year, it is a fundraiser. But what I thought gave it a little twist is that 100 percent of the money raised by the Lorelle F.A.I.T.H Foundation during the walk is used to give to other organizations. The mission of the foundation is to “Bless those who bless others.” This year’s recipient of the funds raised will be the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland.

Pride is well-acquainted with the McDonald House. She told me she stayed there for two months when Lorelle was born in 2009. Her daughter was diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 13 and the prognosis was that Lorelle would only have about a month to live.

After a few months, Lorelle exceeded expectations and came home, but was still in hospice care. She then exceeded expectations more by celebrating her first birthday. Soon after, Pride started the foundation in an effort to give back and help other families with hospitalized children.

The first of the fundraising walks was started in 2012. Kodi, her husband Omante Pride, and their children use to live in Bedford on Gould Avenue around that time, so that is where the Bedford connection comes in for the walks. The walks take place every year on the first Saturday in June.

Sadly, Lorelle passed away unexpectedly in 2015 at the age of 6 and a half, but not before she was able to touch many lives with her amazing story. The foundation’s website states, “Lorelle’s life has demonstrated God’s miraculous ability and His grace. Her life is the testimony behind the foundation, and our faith is the core.” On Saturday, Lorelle’s influence could still be felt after the walk, as I saw her beaming smile on posters throughout the pavilion.

I learned that the the acronym F.A.I.T.H. stands for Full Assurance in Total Healing. Pride said many people are in need of healing, physically as well as mentally and emotionally, and that everyone is welcome to get involved regardless of his or her beliefs. She said that many times we can’t change our circumstances, but we can share testimonies, and have hope.

Participation in the walks has increased over the years to more than 200 adults and children. More than $20,000 dollars has been raised and donated to organizations so far, and the goal for this walk was $8,000. Pride said there is no registration fee, just donations.

Last year, Matthew’s Lending Library, an organization that provides specialized equipment to adults and children with special needs, was the beneficiary of the monies raised from the walk.

I felt blessed to have “stumbled” onto this story, and to have learned about this organization’s beginnings, and how it is helping others. If you would like to learn more, go to their website at https://thelorellefaithfoundation.com

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Meyer, who learned the ancient art of memorization while studying for 1,000 days in the Holy Land, will quote dramatically, from heart, the entire New Testament book of James. He then comments on the book from his experiences of living in Jerusalem.

Meyer is a member of Wordsower Ministry, which has a twofold focus of proclaiming the Bible from memory nationally and meeting the physical and spiritual needs of Christian orphans and widows. Tom has also been serving as a professor at his alma mater, Shasta Bible College and Graduate School since 2010.

Meyer has spoken the Bible from memory in over 30 states and in front of celebrities and leaders of the world. The non-denominational event is free and open to the public. For more info. visit www.thescripturecannotbebroken.com or call (440) 232-1054.

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