The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. AME LUNCHEON AT THE HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE:
The 2005 AME Luncheon at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 756 Settlers Landing Rd. • Hampton, VA, 23669, Telephone (757) 757-727-1271 on Thursday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. The Radisson is adjacent to the Campus and as you leave the campus, turn left on Settlers’ Landing and it is the tall building on the left after you cross the bridge.
The Executive Buffet will be served, which includes full salad bar of garden salad, marinated vegetables and pasta salad and potato salad, warms rolls and butter. The entrees will be southern fried chicken and sliced top round of beef with two side dishes of green beans almondine and oven roasted potatoes. The dessert will be what the hotel calls a “dessert theatre” (multiple desserts). Iced tea and coffee service will be provided at no additional cost.
The cost of the luncheon will be $20 which includes the luncheon plus gratuity and taxes (Actually the total came to $21.17 but Bishop Bryant agreed that we could round it off to $20). There will be a full compliment of waiters to provide service for our luncheon.
We look forward to seeing all of you.
2. THE COLLEGE CORNER:
A Sermon Submitted by Brother Craig Robinson a Sophomore at Morehouse College
“On the Highway to Heaven”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your was Acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5
During this summer I have been working on getting my drivers permit. This has proved to be a very difficult task for me. The first two times I took the written test I failed. I did all I could to prepare by I guess that was not good enough. I think the Lord might be trying to tell me something. What do you think? Anyway to prepare for the written test I first had to read and memorize a short book issued to all potential drivers by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Missouri Drivers Guide Discusses many different topics like: Which lane to drive in on the Highway. Why you shouldn’t drive when you’re sleepy, and to be careful of the traffic around you. All fifteen sections of this book talk about how to be a cautious, safe and defensive driver. The three topics mentioned were from chapter six, and in chapter six of the Missouri drivers guide that I would like to focus our attention in conjunction with our text for this evening.
Our time on Earth is spent cruising down the highway of life. There are may twists and turns, and bumps in the road. Our final destination is heaven where we will meet up with Jesus Christ. So as we drive down the highway to heaven, the Lord has revealed some tips from the driver’s guide that will help us prepare for a ride that is safe, smooth and get you to your final destination.
In the drivers book the first thing it tells us to do in preparation for driving on the highway is to stay in the right lane. This means doing what is right in God’s eyes. Many of us want to stay in the wrong lane. We reject the straight and narrow path which God has marked out for us. Instead we deviate from God’s road map and follow our own path. This path lead to the practice of life styles that are not Christ centered and that compromise our morals and values. We treat each other with disrespect by talking about people behind their backs or excluding them from our groups. We follow the bad crowd and make fun of the crowd that is doing right. Many of us spend our time ignoring the road signs and signals, which are our consciences, which tell us the way we should go. We believe we are the master of our own destiny. We are the ones who call the shots. We believe that the straight and narrow is straight boring and hard because it means giving up things that we enjoy but that are not necessarily good for us. We would much rather stay in the left lane, or the passing lane, and pass all the hardship and pain.
Beloved, God wants us to understand that in this life we shall have tribulations. But I encourage you to stay on the course which God has prepared for you. Yes that course will be hard but the Bible says weeping only endures for a night but joy comes in the morning. Your spirit may be broken right now but you will be mended tomorrow. You might be walking in darkness now, but you will be guided into God’s marvelous light tomorrow. Yes the right lane is not always easy but God will never put more on you that you can bear.
Along with staying in the right lane the Drives Guide says we must avoid driving when we’re sleepy. On the highway to heaven we must avoid letting our spirits get sleepy. The reason is because when we’re sleepy we tend to find it harder to make the best decisions or react properly when situations come. Unfortunately many of us are asleep at our spiritual wheel that’s why we allow the devil to throw mess into our lives. That’s why the morals of young men and women are sinking deeper and deeper in the ground. We are asleep in a time when we should be the most alert. The devil is at work. He is working in our homes tearing families apart, turning brother against sister and mother against father. He is working on our schools we are sleeping in a dangerous time. We need to wake up and prepare for battle. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. This means a mind that is alert, a mind that is in step with the current issues and problems that we have to face and a mind that is ready to wage spiritual warfare on Satan and do battle with his demons which are on the attack on every front.
We have been told to stay in the right lane and to avoid driving while sleepy. The final thing we must do in preparation for highway driving is to be aware of the traffic around you. Paul warns us in Philippians 3:2 to “Watch for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh”. In Corinthians 5:11 Paul again warns us not to associate with sexually immoral people, idolaters and swindlers, drunkards and slanderers, In both cases Paul is trying to tell the people of Corinth and Philippi as well as to you and I to be careful with whom we associate. There’s a saying “Be careful of who you hang around because their spirit might jump off on you,” “if you hang out with a gossiping crowd that gossiping tongue is going to jump on you.” If you hang out in a crowd that has negative attitudes about everything, negativity will jump off on you. If you hang out in a lying crowd that lying spirit will settle in you. Be careful for we can become the company we keep. That’s why it is good to try to stay in good company. We must surround ourselves with positive and wise company. When we have positive company we are inspired to do better. With positive company everyone has an opportunity to grow. Therefore on the highway to heaven our travel companions should help us grow in our faith and in our relationship with God. Paul tells us in Hebrew 12:2 “Therefore since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders.” In the context of watching who we hang around, I believe Paul is telling us to let go of those people who are stopping us from progress. Receive the positive witness of your fellow heaven bound travelers and be encouraged to continue in your pursuit of life eternally.
We are now ready for four road trip. We are on our way to meet Jesus at our final destination. Some of you might be asking “How do we get there?” Are there some directions to follow? Well I’m glad you asked. For the inquiring minds in the audience there are in fact some directions to get to Jesus house. King Solomon gave us perfect directions. In Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.
First get of at the trust God with all your heart exit. Brothers and sisters on the road of life we must trust God. We must trust him with our hearts. Figuratively the heart is synonymous with feeling, emotion, and our soul. SO we must trust God with every need, every thought, and every pressing problem. Trust God and Know that God has the power to make everything better. But along with trusting God we must obey him. Go in the direction He wants us to go. Move where he says move. Stop when he says stop. Say what he wants us to say. Do what He wants us to do, and then trust him enough to know that he can do anything but fail and that his word is true. Trust and obey there’s not other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.
As we go down the road make a left onto lean not to your own understanding lane. This is the point in the journey where we step aside and let God be in total control. Stop trying to fix problems that only God can fix. Stop trying to figure out the solution. When we are done trying to figure it out God has already worked it out. This point in the journey is the ultimate act of humility, because you are admitting that there is a higher power that higher power is God. All to Jesus I surrender all to him I freely give. I surrender my life, I surrender my thoughts, and I surrender my heart to God’s way.
At this point we are almost there. We have just one more turn to make. So make a right on to Acknowledge Him Drive. More commonly know as Praise Him Drive. It’s on this street that you begin to praise God for everything he has done for you. Thank you for not leaving me or forsaking me. Thank you for making a way where there was no way, Thank you for looking past my faults and meeting me at my needs. As you drive down the street, figuratively, you now have permission to take your hands off the steering wheel, because the Holy Ghost has control of the car, and lift your hands and thank God you have made it. “I have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word, He has never failed me yet, and I Can’t turn around because I have come this far by faith. Alleluia!!!
Yes, beloved we have made it to your final destination. Right onto Jesus front doorstep. Now get out of your car and receive the blessing and gifts that are waiting for us. What are those gifts? For starters, Salvation and Eternal Life, Joy Unspeakable, Joy, Peace that passes understanding and life Eternal. It has been a long journey. We had to change lanes so that our paths are pleasing in the eyes of God. That path was difficult but Jesus was right there every mile of the journey. We learned to stay awake and alert so we can make wise decisions when problems arise. Then we were warned to watch the traffic around us. We must be careful not to let the groups we are a part of and the people we associate with knock us off the road to Jesus. Yes, we have prepared for the road and have our driving directions. The road is not easy but Jesus made the journey bearable. Jesus formed a bridge over sin so that man could reach God. His blood gave us the strength to continue from day to day. The Power of Christ blood fueled our cars so that we can drive and not stop. The cross of Christ Became our road sign so that we might fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith and always know that wherever we are traveling we can always find our way to Jesus. Praise God for watching over us, sustaining us, and traveling with us on the Highway to Heaven.
Amen
3. THE PASTOR’S CORNER: “GOING FORWARD WITH GOD - CLINGING TO VICTORY”:
24So Jacob was alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go…” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled… and have overcome.”
Genesis 32: 24-28
Practically all of us are familiar with the story of Jacob wrestling with the stranger all night and how the stranger touched Jacob’s hip and it was moved out of its socket. What I've not been told before or heard is why Jacob was holding on so to the stranger? What blessing would cause Jacob to hold on to someone who obviously had the power to destroy him?
Jacob clung to the stranger because Jacob was desperate. Twenty years earlier, Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright (Genesis 25: 29-34), the privilege of a double inheritance from their father Isaac. Shortly after, Jacob masqueraded as Esau and received the blessing (Genesis 27: 1-46) as head of household that was to be conferred on Esau. Esau was furious and promised to kill Jacob for his deceptions. Now, Esau was coming to meet Jacob with an army of four hundred men. Jacob was facing a hopeless situation. He, his family, his servants, and his livestock all risked destruction at the hand of his powerful and potentially vengeful brother.
Some of us are facing hopeless situations. Some situations are hopeless because of our decisions or actions. Some situations are hopeless because of circumstances outside our control. Nevertheless, we perceive no way out of our condition. But, Jacob’s response to his hopeless situation serves as a pattern for us to use in our lives today.
1. Genesis 32: 3- 8 - Jacob did all in his power to address the situation. He sent messengers ahead to Esau and instructed his emissaries in what to say. He divided his people into two groups to increase their chances of survival in the case of an attack by Esau’s army and sent ahead a peace offering to appease Esau.
2. Genesis 32: 9-13 – Jacob took the matter to God in prayer. He acknowledged God’s identity. He restated God’s promise. He acknowledged his own unworthiness of God’s blessing. He petitioned God regarding his hopeless situation. He again restated God’s promise.
3. Genesis 32:22- 24 – Jacob was alone with God. God will separate us from others and our possessions to make us available to Himself.
4. Genesis 32: 25 – Jacob was broken by God. God will allow us to wrestle but He will simply touch us in the place we need to be broken to allow Him into our lives.
5. Genesis 32: 26 – Jacob was hungry for God. He recognized his desperate situation and wounded and helpless, he clung to God as “The Source” of his victory.
6. Genesis 32: 27 – Jacob was honest with God. By properly stating his name, Jacob admitted he was a “trickster and con man.” He stopped pretending in order to let God work in his life.
7. Genesis 32: 28 – Jacob was given a new name. His new name described him as one who has struggled and overcome. He received the victory by clinging to God Almighty.
Esau later received his brother Jacob in love and forgiveness. The power of God made ours through His Son, Jesus Christ allows us to overcome even hopeless situations in our lives. Just like Jacob, we can overcome as we “cling to victory” by clinging to God.
Pastor Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
4. SPRING CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2445 PARK SWAIN ROAD GRAND JUNCTION, TENNESSEE:
The Pastor, Officers and Members of Spring Chapel AME Church extend an invitation to you to help us celebrate our Men’s Celebration on Saturday June 18th, 2005. We all recognize the important role Men play in our society. Some have served as Fathers, Uncles, Mentors, Friends and etc.
Our theme is “Purpose Driven Men: Called to Make a Difference”- Romans 8:28.
The celebration starts at 10 am and we will serve lunch following the program. Come prepared to sit back and be appreciated. Dress casual – pants, sandals, skirts, etc. Women are welcome to come and join in with the Men as they make a difference in the lives of others.
Our Workshop Speakers will include: A Laymen’s Point of View by:
Brother Hughley Moore - White’s Chapel AME Church, - Memphis. TN
Nehemiah Nation – Men United to Build the Kingdom of God by: The Reverend Perry Herman - The Hour of Power Preacher will be: The Reverend Dr. Benjamin R. Booker, Presiding Elder Emeritus, West Tennessee Conference.
Directions from Memphis, Tennessee
Take I-240 to 385 E (Bill Morris Parkway) toward Collierville. This Hwy. will end at Hwy 72. Turn right and continue on Hwy 72 East (it will turn into a 4-lane divided Hwy about 4.5 miles). You will be in Mississippi, but this Hwy will take you to the road that you will turn off of, to get to the church. Have ‘no fear’ because I go this way every Sunday. It is easier and faster. (65 mph. when you get to the 4-lane).When you get into Benton County you will pass two concrete companies. The first one is Mid-South Concrete Company the next one is M & M Concrete Company (right side of the Hwy.) When you see M & M Concrete, get in the Left lane immediately, because you will make the very next left turn. On the Right side of the Hwy, the street is Murdock. When you make the left turn, the street is Pottery Road. You will cross back into Tennessee at St. James COGIC (left). The road changes to Park Swain Road. The church is down on the right about 3 miles.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. If you should need assistance getting to the church,
I can be reached at: 901 323-4297 (h), 901 412-0680 (c) or Saturday Morning at Church (731 764-2152).
In Christ Service,
Shelda D. Herring
Pastor/Spiritual Leader
5. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share new of the passing of Mr. Jerry Dyer, father of Mrs. Katherine Stegall, a ministers' spouse in the Atlanta North Georgia Conference, 6th Episcopal District; Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Presiding Bishop and Dr. Pam DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor.
Service arrangements for Mr. Jerry Dyer:
Monday, June 6, 2005
11:00 a.m.
Mt. Pleasant AME Church
217 Fayetteville Road
Palmetto, GA 30258
770-463-0133 (Phone)
Services entrusted to:
Gus Thornhill Funeral Home
1315 Gus Thornhill, Jr. Drive
East Point, GA 30344- 3510
404-768-2993 (Phone)
404-763-2154 (Fax)
Condolences can be sent to Mrs. Katherine Stegall at the above addresses and fax number.
Or to:
Mrs. Katherine Stegall
7415 Petersburg Road
Fairburn, GA 30213-2211
770-463-9476 (Phone)
6. ALL BEREAVEMENT AND FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE CLERGY FAMILY INFORMATION CENTER:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Clergy Family Information Center
CONN-M-SWAWO+PK'S
Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, TN Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
