THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (11/7/05)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. REQUEST FOR COMMUNION MATERIALS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN:
I am searching for communion materials for young children. I realize that this may not be within your responsibility scope. I am researching all the AME sites to see if anyone has heard of what I need. I am looking for easy to read booklets or coloring pages that explain the ritual to children.
Blessings,
Yvonne Aziza Preston
azizapreston@aol.com
2. PRONUNCIATION OF BIBLICAL WORDS:
Not sure how to pronounce that word in the Bible? Click on the link below:
http://netministries.org/Bbasics/BBwordsA.htm
3. QUICK-READ BIBLES ARE ON THE MARKET:
- The Light Speed Bible
“The Light Speed Bible'' is a new copy of the Bible released by Holman Bible Publishers, launched last month. It includes instruction on how to make it from cover to cover in less than 24 hours. ISBN: 07385854
Publisher: Broadman & HolmanPublication Date: October 2005Price: $19.97
- THE Bible in 90 Days
List Price: $19.99 (CDN: $27.99)ISBN: 0-310-93351-X
- The 100-MINUTE BIBLE PB - HINTON MICHAEL
Code: 0955132401
Michael Hinton's 100 Minute Bible is "a new way of looking at the Bible. All the main stories from the Bible are included, but the entire book could be read in 100 minutes.
4. SAINT JOHN AME CHURCH, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - PHOENIX RISING:
Sister Erskine Lytle
The conference year 2004-2005 for St. John has been one of rebirth and growth. Our pastor is the Reverend Antoni Sinkfield. We have done some exciting things. We have had 20 accessions. These persons have united with the church after meeting the requirements for membership. Rev. Sinkfield’s new members' class has facilitated this area of growth. Interestingly enough, many of the members of this group have been members of St. John, but just wanted to learn more about the A.M.E. church.
There have also been 28 conversions, 73 Recommits and 5 transfers. I throw these numbers out to illustrate that the church is growing. It is growing in membership but equally important is the fact that it is growing in terms of the fervor of those who are here.
St. John is busy church. On any given day, it is possible to come by the church, and find some type of activity taking place. The activity is not just busy for the sake of being busy; it is activity with a purpose. That purpose follows the theme for the year “Growing the Church through the Power of Christian Love.”
Everything that is happening at St. John is done in “love.” Love of God, love of the church, and most of all love for each other. No longer is St. John one of those churches open only for worship services on Sunday mornings. Ours is a church full of activity and Love.
New ministries abound. Brown bag Bible study, children/youth Bible studies, movie ministry leadership breakfast, “Fishes and Loaves,” new members’ orientation, and children’s church are a few of the opportunities which are available at the church.
Our Pastor is busy. His efforts outside of the church, as well as those of the “First Lady” of St. John, have produced an additional 43 converts and more than 60 recommitments to Christ. Ministry has been provided to he Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Christian Businessmen’s Association, Radio broadcasts, Tennessee State University football team and coaches, local high schools, local churches along with others across the state and many, many others.
The Pastor has been involved in local services as well. He was pivotal in the resurrection of the Greater Nashville A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance. He was one of the organizers for the Tennessee Pentecost Revivals. He has authored devotional articles and has been asked to present is “Knowing Your Spiritual Gifts and Using Them within the Church” workshop at the local district and conference levels.
St. John is a Tithing church. The budget produced a 32% increase over previous years. There is a vision and a greater purpose is developing. The vision casting efforts are crystallizing not just, where we are and where we are going, but how we will get there. We will not be a “wandering generality”. We will be walking with purpose, pride, and love to our God-ordained destiny.
This is the same St. John, which, not too long ago was on “life support.” St. John was a church, which was once, somewhat uncomfortable, even for some of the long-term members. If that was the case, you know how outsiders felt. That is no longer the case. St. John, like the mythical bird, the Phoenix, is raising from the ashes of certain disaster to claim it rightful spot as a “beacon on a hill” in the city of Nashville.
5. HOWARD UNIVERSITY CHAPEL CHOIR DIRECTOR, 57, DIES SUDDENLY OF HEART ATTACK:
By Ayesha Rascoe
Though the gospel was preached and the choirs sang praises to the Lord as usual during chapel service on Sunday, one familiar face was missing. Arphelius Paul Gatling III, director of the Howard University Chapel Choir for 13 years, died from a heart attack Friday afternoon. The 57-year-old Gatling was a Howard alumnus. In addition to directing the Chapel Choir, Gatling directed the Howard University Gospel Choir for over two decades, longer than any other director. A renowned musician who traveled the world, Gatling also co-directed the annual Martin Luther
The Hilltop
The Student Voice of Howard University since 1924
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/main.cfm
6. AME MEMBERS CAN ASSIST THOSE OVERSEAS IN THE MILITARY:
Sister Karen Caffee
The Website, http://www.siteforsavings.com/content_mas/hlphand.htm will explain how we can assist military families stationed overseas. Military and their families can use grocery coupons up to six months after their expiration date to purchase groceries at base commissaries. Can you imagine how many coupons AME's can collect and share! What an awesome service project that doesn't require anything more than gathering coupons from family, friends and neighbors that might otherwise go to waste, and boxing them up and mailing them off.
Instructions for shipping and addresses are included on the Website.
7. FROM AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
- Local Minister to Sign Copies of Book
Congratulations to the Rev. L. O. Saunders who has published his autobiography, "Making It on Broken Pieces," published by PSG, Greensboro. Reverend Saunders is a retired presiding Elder of the Northeastern District of the North Carolina Annual Conference. He had a signing of his book yesterday.
The 156-page, 10-chapter book features an introduction by the Right reverend Vinton R. Anderson, retired bishop of the Second Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church.
For more information or to purchase a book, $18 each, call Reverend Saunders at (336) 577-4050 or write him at 1709 Carriage Cove Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27127.
- Gracious Church Youths Learn Good Manners Matter
That is not allowed in an etiquette workshop like the one held at Quinn Chapel AME church, Flint Michigan as a workshop on Saturday to teach the youth of the church good manners and the proper dining customs.
The workshop also included a nutrition lesson on the effects of unhealthy eating, such as diabetes, heart disease and eating disorders.
Congratulations to Quinn Chapel
- Saint Paul AME Church, Versailles, Kentucky Women’s Fellowship Ministry, Annual Women’s Conference - November 11-13, 2005:
Friday, November 11, 2005
7:00 p.m., Kickoff Praise and Worship Service
Featuring: Sister Roslyzn Akins
First Baptist Church-Bracktown, Lexington, KY
Saturday, November 12, 2005 (Held at Versailles Baptist Educational Annex)
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Devotions led by Sisters Joann Brown and Sarah Gray
9:30 a.m.-10:40 a.m.
Delanor Manson, Executive Director
Quality Management
Cabinet of Health & Family Services, “
Health and Wellness for Today’s Woman”
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Dr. Joanne Bankston, KSU State Specialist
Family Economics and Resource Management,
“Get Your House in Order: Financial Planning for the Family”
Noon - 12:45 p.m. – Lunch
Afternoon Workshop facilitators include Sis. Charliese Brown-Lewis, Sis. Dianna Golphin, Sis. Shelby Strode
1:00 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. Track One
2:00 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Track Two
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing Session
Registration is $15.00 per person
Sunday, November 13, 2005
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Sister Rochelle Owsley-Williams, Guest Speaker
8. WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASKS FOR HALT TO MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE PEOPLE IN ETHIOPIA:
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Samuel Kobia has called on the Ethiopian government "to exercise utmost restraint and bring to an immediate halt the military action against the people and release the political prisoners as soon as possible."In a letter sent last Friday to Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi, Kobia expresses "great sadness" for the "death of many Ethiopians following demonstrations and riots in Addis Ababa", and warns that "further military action against the people is an escalation of violence and will further damage the political climate and make dialogue even less possible".Kobia met Zenawi last September when visiting the WCC member churches in the country, and expressed his conviction that "honest dialogue with the opposition" was needed. After his visit, he wrote to the leadership of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces with the same appeal "to resolve the political impasse through dialogue".The full text of the letter is available at:http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/
international/ethiopia-letter05.htmlS
ee also our Press Release of 3 October 2005http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pu-05-27.html
10. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - COME AND CELEBRATE, LIFE-GIVING LIVING VII:
1aObserve the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God… 10aThen celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God…13aCelebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days…16aThree times a year [you] must appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Deuteronomy 16: 1a, 10a, 13a, 16a, & Hebrews 10: 25)
God has been calling His people to “Come and Celebrate His Presence.” God established in His Word, three pilgrimage festivals for His Hebrew people - Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles. Examination of these three Hebrew pilgrimage festivals reveals to us the reasons why every Sunday morning is our opportunity to “Come and Celebrate God’s Presence.”
Passover
Deuteronomy 23: 3 tells us that God directed the Hebrew people to “for seven days eat unleavened bread…so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.” A lamb was sacrificed and its blood on the doorpost of each house was a symbol of faith in God. The Hebrew people were set free from enslavement to Egypt and saved from God’s judgment. Centuries later we find Jesus the night before His crucifixion, celebrating the Passover with His disciples, placing before them and us a lasting ordinance to “do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22: 19b) The absence of yeast in the bread of the Hebrews typifies the removal of sin from our lives by the blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is our through the sacrificial death of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Every Sunday morning we have the privilege of celebrating the fact that sin no longer has authority (legitimate right to control) in our lives. We now belong to Jesus Christ. “Come and Celebrate!”
Tabernacles
Leviticus 23: 42-43 describes how God told His people to “live in booths so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” God wanted the Israelites to remember His presence as He delivered them out of their “Wilderness” experience. Centuries later we find Jesus celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem (John 7: 37-38). For us today, we recognize that after salvation, we must be set apart for God’s purposes for our lives. God sanctifies us by the finished work of Christ. Just as the Israelites spent forty years in the Wilderness, our lives are a process of being set apart from sin’s power (capacity to act) and from self. God can now use us to fulfill His perfect and pleasing will in this world. Now that is something to “Come and celebrate!”
Pentecost (Weeks)
Leviticus 23: 17 says, “bring two loaves baked with yeast…I am the Lord your God.” The offerings made were fellowship offerings recognizing God’s provision and empowerment of His people. Later in Act 1:4-8 and Acts 2: 1-4 we find God empowering His people by filling them with the Holy Spirit. The power and provision of God now overflow from them like rivers of living water. The loaves baked with yeast typify the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, which was formed on the Day of Pentecost and is composed of sinners (yeast typifies sin) saved by the grace of God. We “come and celebrate” because, as the Church, we have the power to operate according to God’s plan for His creation.
God compels us to continue to gather (Hebrews 10: 19-25) in celebration of His presence. We “come and celebrate” with:
1. Confidence – in His sacrificial love for us. (v. 19-21)
2. Assurance – in the cleansing power of His blood. (v. 22)
3. Hope – in His faithful promises. (v. 23)
4. Encouragement – as by His Spirit we spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (v. 24-25)
Today, we are to invite others to join us as we “Come and Celebrate God’s Presence” each Sunday. “Come and Celebrate!”
Pastor Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
11. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share news of the following:
This communication comes to share the news of the passing of Presiding Elder (Retired) James J. Brown. Reverend Brown served as Pastor and Presiding Elder in the 12th Episcopal District, AME Church for 50 plus years and retired as the Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District. He and his spouse, Sister Elmira N. Brown reside in Hot Springs, AR.At this time funeral arrangements are incomplete.Please remember Mrs. Brown in your prayers, as well as the relatives and friends of Presiding Elder Brown.Mrs. Brown's homes address is 120 Quaker Lane, Royal, Arkansas 71968.Telephone: (501) 767-2374
From: Anita Brannon
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr,
Presiding Bishop
11. BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Clergy Family Information Center
Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, Tennessee Contact) Phone: (615) 837-9736 Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, Tennessee Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
Please remember these families in your prayers.
12. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
