The Right
Reverend T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Advent begins on Sunday December 1, 2013
World AIDS Day is December 1, 2013
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of
The Christian Recorder
-- (Example 1: The Rev. Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III)
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF
ADVENT: HOPE
INTROIT: “We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where
the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus the Light of the world.”
Reader: Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope.
Reader: Our hope is in God, and in his Son, Jesus Christ. He
is the One appointed by God to be judge of all things. He is the One through
whom God has promised to save and redeem His people.
Reader : ‘We light this candle today to remind us that He is
our hope and the hope of the world. We thank God for the promises He has made
to us and for the light, He has brought into the world.
Family Lights
the First Candle
Reader: Let us pray: O God of Hope, Emmanuel,
God with us — we pray that You send Your light into our hearts. Help us to be
ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s final appearing. Live in us and help
us to live in You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, transform us so that our
worship, our celebration, our time of preparation, may be pleasing unto You -
both now -and forevermore. Amen.
THE SECOND SUNDAY
OF ADVENT: PEACE
INTROIT:” We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come
where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by
night, Jesus the Light of the world.”
.
Reader: Today is the Second Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Peace.
Reader: Our peace is found in God and in His Son, Jesus
Christ. John the Baptizer and all the prophets reminded us, that to receive
peace we must be prepared for it.
Reader: We light this candle today to remind us that Christ
is the Prince of Peace, the one promised from the beginning of the world. We
thank God for the hope He gives us and for the peace He bestows.
Family Lights
the First and Second Candles
Reader: Let us pray. O God of Peace, Emmanuel,
we pray for You to send your light into our hearts. Help us to be ready for the
day and the hour of Christ’s appearing. Work in our hearts at this time and
help us prepare ourselves for the peace that Christ brings - the inner peace
that tells us that we are united with You and the consuming peace that will
come when Christ returns to judge the world. Bless our worship that it may be
pleasing unto You, and bless us that we may prove to be Your faithful servants.
Amen.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF
ADVENT: JOY
INTROIT: “We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where
the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus the Light of the world.”
Reader: Today is the third Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Joy.
Reader: Our joy is in God and in God’s Son Jesus Christ.
Like peace, joy is a gift from God. It overtakes us and fills us when we
remember what God has done and what God has promised to do.
Reader: We light this
candle today to remind us that Christ came, and is coming again, so that all
people might have a rich and abundant life. We thank God for the hope that
Christ gives us, for the peace, Christ bestows, and for the joy, Christ pours
into our hearts.
Family Lights
the First, Second, and Third Candles
Reader: Let us pray. -- O God of Joy,
Emmanuel, send Your light into our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for
the time of Christ’s appearing. Fix our hearts and our minds upon those things
You have done and those things that You have promised to do that we may have
the joy You have promised. As we worship You, strengthen us so that we may
always do Your will and so bless You and the world You have made. Amen.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT: LOVE
INTROIT: “Hark the herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of the
world: Glory to the newborn King, Jesus the Light of the world. (Refrain) We’ll walk in the light, beautiful
light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and
by night, Jesus the Light of the world.”
Reader: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love.
Reader: Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s
Perfect Love in human form. Those who believe in Christ and live in Christ,
live in love. Love transforms and perfects all things. It never ends.
Reader: We light this candle today to remind us that God is
love. We thank God for hope God gives us, for the peace God bestows, for the
joy God pours into our hearts, and for the love that redeems us and shows us
the way.
Family Lights
the First, Second, Third and Fourth Candles
Reader: Let us pray. - O God of Love, Emmanuel, send your light into
our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for the time of Christ’s
appearing. Grant that we may so dwell in Christ that his Perfect Love fills our
entire being. Make our worship a time to celebrate your Love and make us ready
to show that Love to the whole world - both today - and forevermore. Amen.
THE FIRST SUNDAY
AFTER CHRISTMAS
Hymn: “Hark the herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of the
world: Glory to the newborn King, Jesus the Light of the world. (Refrain) We’ll walk in the light, beautiful
light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day
and by night, Jesus the Light of the world.”
Reader: As we light these candles today, we thank God for
hope God gives us, for the peace God bestows, for the joy God pours into our
hearts, and for the love of Christ that redeems us and shows us the way
Reader: We thank God for God’s gift of Jesus, the Christ. We
thank God that through Christ; light has come into the world and made it
possible for us to see, and in seeing, to rejoice. His truth, His love, His
very self, transforms all who receive him.
Family Lights The
First, Second, Third, Fourth And the Christ Candles
Reader: Loving God,
Emmanuel, we thank You for being with us - for sending Your Son to walk with us
and to lead us. Grant that the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love of which
we have heard and spoken of throughout Advent may be fully realized in us as we
worship and serve You through Christ Jesus our Lord, this both now, in the New
Year, and forevermore. Amen.
Reprinted with the
permission of the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder,
The Official
Newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
All rights
reserved.
-- (Example 2: The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby)
WEEK ONE - THE CANDLE OF ADVENT PREPARATION
The
Season of Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. The word Advent means
"coming." The Advent season
celebrates the coming of Jesus the Christ as the presence of the Kingdom of God
among and within us. Violet paraments
are placed in the chancel area for Advent. The royal color calls to mind the coming of
the King of Glory as a child born to humble parentage.
The
lighting of violet candles during the Advent season reminds us that we are
called to follow the King, and, as Matthew 5:16 tells us, to "Let our
lights shine," so that others can see Jesus in us and come to the Christ
who is the Light of the World. The flame
symbolizes the Light of Jesus, and the candles or lampstands represent those
who make up the church, the Ekklesia, the "called out of
God."
On
this first Sunday in the Advent Season, we light the Advent Candle of
Preparation. The light reminds us that
we are to be ever prepared for the coming of Christ, and that our preparation
must be a matter not only of words of praise, but of Christian living that will
make us ready when Christ comes again to judge this world. Let us stand and join in prayer for Advent
Preparation.
Eternal
Savior, we thank You for coming into this world to redeem sinners like us. Bless our lives with Your Eternal Presence and
Guidance. Enable us to live in a way
that inspires others to walk with You.
Prepare us to truly celebrate the Advent of the Christ who embodies the
true meaning of Christmas, so that when You return walking on the clouds, we
will be prepared for you to take us to our homes in glory. AMEN.
WEEK TWO - THE CANDLE OF ADVENT EXPECTATION
The
Season of Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. The word Advent means
"coming." The Advent season
reminds us of the coming of Jesus the Christ, who embodies the presence of the
Kingdom of God among and within us. The
liturgical color for the Advent season is violet - a royal color that calls to
mind the human coming of the King of Glory as a child born to humble parentage.
The
lighting of candles during the Advent season reminds us that we are called to
follow the King, and, as Matthew 5:16 tells us, to "Let our lights
shine," so that others can see Jesus in us and commit to follow the Christ
who is the Light of the World. The flame
symbolizes the Light of Jesus, and the candles or lampstands represent those of
us who make up the church, the Ekklesia, the "called out of
God."
On
this second Sunday in the Advent Season, we relight the Advent Candle of Preparation
and now light the Candle of Advent Expectation.
The light of the new candle reminds us that the coming of the Christ
turned human expectations and perceptions upside down. Because of Christ, we can expect by faith
that no matter what questions life presents, Jesus is the answer. Let us stand
and join in prayer for Advent Expectation.
Eternal
Savior, we rejoice in the blessing of Your coming into this world to redeem
sinners like us. Bless our lives with
Your eternal presence and guidance. Remind
us daily, in a world of broken dreams, that we can expect new joy and eternal
life because of Your birth, death, and resurrection. Empower us to pass that expectation on to
those without hope, so that they too can find Jesus and expect to be blessed. AMEN.
WEEK THREE - THE CANDLE OF ADVENT PROCLAMATION
The
Season of Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. The word Advent means
"coming." The Advent season
reminds us of the coming of Jesus the Christ, who embodies the presence of the
Kingdom of God among and within us. The
liturgical color for the Advent season is violet - a royal color that calls to
mind the human coming of the King of Glory as a child born to humble parentage.
The
lighting of candles during the Advent season reminds us that we are called to
follow the King, and, as Matthew 5:16 tells us, to "Let our lights
shine," so that others can see Jesus in us and commit to follow the Christ
who is the Light of the World. The flame
symbolizes the Light of Jesus, and the candles or lampstands represent those of
us who make up the church, the Ekklesia, the "called out of
God."
On
this third Sunday in the Advent Season, we relight the Advent Candles of
Preparation and Expectation, and now light the Candle of Advent
Proclamation. The light of the new
candle reminds us that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and that we
who are saved by the Living Word must proclaim that Word by what we say to and
do for others every day. Let us stand
and join in prayer for Advent Proclamation.
Blessed
Jesus, we thank and praise You for your life among us. Fill us with Your Spirit, so that we can tell
the world of your goodness. Give us the
strength and courage to reach beyond our humanity and witness to your
power. Bless our service to you, so that
when you return, our work will be affirmed by your glorious presence. Amen.
WEEK FOUR – THE CANDLE OF ADVENT REVELATION
AND THE CHRIST CANDLE
The
Season of Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. The word Advent means
"coming." We are reminded
during the Advent season of the coming of Jesus the Christ, who embodies the
presence of the Kingdom of God among and within us. The liturgical color for the Advent season is
violet - a royal color that calls to mind the human coming of the King of Glory
as a child born to humble parentage.
The
lighting of candles during the Advent season reminds us that we are called to
follow the King, and, as Matthew 5:16 tells us, to "Let our lights
shine," so that others can see Jesus in us and commit to follow the Christ
who is the Light of the World. The flame
symbolizes the Light of Jesus, and the candles or lampstands represent those of
us who make up the church, the Ekklesia, the "called out of
God."
On
this fourth Sunday in the Advent Season, we relight the Advent Candles of
Preparation, Expectation, and Proclamation, and now light the Candle of Advent
Revelation and the Christ Candle. They
remind us that the Word made Flesh in Jesus Christ reveals to us God's will and
God's way, and that, as is true among the candles, Christ must at the center of
all that we do. Let us now stand and
join in prayer for Advent Revelation and in thanks for the gift of the Christ.
God
of all creation, we thank you for the priceless gift of salvation that is ours
because of the Christ. Reveal Your will
to us day by day. Enable us to walk in
the Spirit of Christ and to keep you central in our lives, so that when we
leave this world, we can claim the gift of eternal life. AMEN.
Reprinted with the permission of the
Reverend Joseph A. Darby,
Presiding Elder of the Beaufort District
of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. I ASK:
Retired Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
I Ask:
I have a question about the
recent announcement that Bishop While is now the Presiding Prelate of the 16th
as well as the 18th Episcopal Districts.
Here is my question:
The DD (2012 Edition) on Page
117 refers to a special or extra session of the General Conference in the event
of an Episcopal vacancy due to death.
However, on Page 124 the Council of Bishops is cited as the lead entity
to fill a vacancy as a result of death of a bishop.
My question is two-fold. How do you reconcile the two sections above
and what specific managerial advantages are achieved by having a bishop serve
two episcopal districts?
Thank you for your response.
Dr. William “Bill” Dickens
Bishop Guidry’s Response to the Question:
First, you missed an
important phrase on page 117: "if... there should be no one to exercise
the episcopal office..."
There is precedent for a
bishop to serve two districts in the interim of General Conference; e.g., in most
recent history, Bishop John Bryant
served the 14th District and 10th District from 1991 bringing
both Districts into the 1992 General Conference, thus saving the Church the
cost of a "special session” of the General Conference.
On Page 124, the Bishops'
Council is given authority to fill the vacancy without the call for a special
session of the General Conference "If there is someone to exercise the
episcopal office."
Bishop White's conferences in
the 18th District are held between August and December. The 16th
Episcopal District conferences are held February - May, which allows him to
serve both districts. He will also have
available to him, if requested, assistance from any other bishop, active or
retired.
3. ADVENT IS ADVENT – CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS:
*The Reverend Monica C.
Jones, PhD
As we prepare for
Christmastide, it is timely to reflect on an often forgotten holy occasion in
Christendom: Advent. Just as Lent is not
Easter (Resurrection Day), Advent is not Christmas, and it should be commemorated
intentionally as a separate event on the Christian calendar. Advent translates
from the Latin term Adventus Redemptoris,
or the coming of the Savior. It points
to the spirit of expectation or anticipation of Jesus The Christ. The celebration usually involves a weekly
(for the four Sundays before Christmas) activity where candles are lit
according to the church’s tradition.
Each Sunday, the people lift the concepts of hope, love, peace, and joy
(not necessarily in that order) as the people reflect on their meaning.
I spoke to a friend recently
who said her church did not celebrate Advent because it just wasn’t a priority,
and no one really understood the purpose.
I found the comment a little disappointing because it signaled the
possibility that either church leadership was not aware or not interested in
the Advent season. Yet, preparing for
the Christ Child’s arrival is just as important as celebrating the Christ
Child’s arrival, when one considers the educational and inspirational
opportunities that Advent offers.
The moment is educational as
children and adults alike consider how Christ’s birth is documented in
Scripture specifically around each concept.
Developing relevant Old and New Testament text for the weekly readings is
an excellent vehicle for teaching the Messianic Message. Specifically, the congregation can be exposed
to a more in depth study of the presence of the Son of God in both Hebrew and
Greek Scripture, an important concept for Christian believers.
Inspiration abounds as O
Come, O Come Emmanuel is sung softly and church members listen to sacred
readings. I have found that some of the
most peaceful and calming moments in a worshiping congregation is when we focus
collectively on Christ’s love and the true meaning of the Season. What better
way to take our minds off a commercial Santa and back on the coming Christ!
I hope we will all consider
celebrating Advent, even if it is just with a song and short prayer; a word in
our sermons or in Church School about Advent is a start. Also, there is literature available to help
teach Advent traditions and practices to our children. Christmas is so vital to our faith
experience, but it is so much richer when we remember that Advent is vital,
too.
*The Reverend Monica C.
Jones, PhD, serves is an author-educator and serves on staff at Big Bethel in
Atlanta
4. EBENEZER AME CHURCH IN RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY
CELEBRATES ITS 187TH ANNIVERSARY:
On Sunday, September 20,
2013, historic Ebenezer AME Church in Rahway, New Jersey, celebrated its 187th
year of God’s glory. Many of our former
members and guests attended the worship service to celebrate the special day.
The freed slaves worshipped
from house to house from 1826 until the year 1829 when they had saved enough money
to purchase this property on Central Avenue where the current building now
stands.
The sermon for this wonderful
day was delivered by Presiding Elder Winton Hill, a former pastor of Mt. Teman
AME Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey and currently serving as the Presiding
Elder of the Dover (Delaware) District of the First Episcopal District. He was a former mentor of our pastor when she
studied to enter the ministry.
Presiding Elder Hill
delivered a very meaningful sermon as he spoke from the subject, “Lest We
Forget.” He said the former slaves did
not have a mortgage; they made their decision by faith, and they knew that God
answered prayers. He told us that they
had the power of discernment and they knew that their God was a
“Way-maker.” The Rev. Hill said,
"Just as they were called to make a difference, we are called to make a
difference today." He said, "We must remember the God that we serve
today is the God of our ancestors." Presiding Elder Winton Hill delivered
a wonderful sermon; very fitting for our 187th anniversary celebration.
The day was chaired by Sister
Adrienne Simmons and Sister Carol Holmes.
They were commended for organizing such an appropriate service. The
children had important parts on the program; they are our "future and present"
church.
We give God the glory that
God has been with us on this same spot where the original building was erected
many years ago. We give God all the
praise!
Submitted by Sister Sylvia
Davenport, Public Relations Director of Ebenezer AME Church, 253 Central
Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey
5. SAINT PETER AME CHURCH CELEBRATES 130TH
ANNIVERSARY
Brother Alphonso Varner
Saint Peter A.M.E. Church,
Fort Valley, GA, celebrated its 130th Church Anniversary. For nearly 130 years Saint Peter A.M.E.
Church has provided service and commitment to its members and community. This historic event culminated on Sunday,
November 17, 2013 at the 10 a.m. morning worship hour. The theme for this momentous occasion was,
“One Church, Many Generations.”
The Reverend Michael G.
Ephraim Sr. and Lady Rosetta Ephraim are the spiritual leaders of Saint Peter
AME Church.
Over the years, St. Peter AME
has been affectionately called “The Peter Nation” and has served many
generations with spiritual and educational training and has been the catalyst
for its members who have lead successful lives.
The Saint Peter Praise Dance
Group set the tone of the worship service with an inspirational praise dance to
the tune of “Anthem of Praise.” The
congregants started to become spiritualized by the praise dance group.
The songs of praises were
rendered by the Saint Peter Combined Choirs, under the direction of Brother
Gerald Lee. Songs included, “I Don’t
Feel No Ways Tired,” and “I Call You Holy.” And also performing songs of praises
were the Sweet Melodies who sang, “I’m in the Lords Army.”
Ashley Ballard, General
Chairperson gave the occasion and welcome.
Brother Ballard, along with the Anniversary Core Steering Team did an
outstanding job of making this event a successful and memorable occasion.
One of the highlights of the
anniversary observance was the presentation of the M.E. Singleton Award and the
Community Award given annually in memory of Brother Singleton. He was the epitome of an unassuming, yet loyal
servant to Saint Peter and to the Peach County Community. The first award, presented by Sister Mary
Riley, recognized a servant of the Fort Valley community who displays qualities
of character. The recipient of this
award was Brother Lonnie Bartley, retired Head Women’s Basketball Coach of Fort
Valley State University. Coach Bartley retired as the winningest Coach in
Division II in Historic Black Colleges & Universities. The second award, presented by Sister Gwen
Young, recognized a servant who has made a great impact in a short period of
time. The recipient of this award was
The Reverend Michael G. Ephraim, Sr. pastor of Saint Peter AME Church. The
recipients were pleasantly surprised and showed much gratitude in their
acceptance speech.
The Anniversary speaker, introduced
by the Reverend Ephraim, Sr. was the Rev. Dr. John Green, President/Dean,
Turner Theological Seminary/ Interdenominational Theological Center. Dr. Green is a preacher and a teacher, a
church-builder and an administrator; a community activist and a theological
leader. Prior to taking the helm at
Turner Theological, he was the senior pastor at Bethel AME Church in
Tallahassee FL. His subtopic was “Stand
Your Ground.” His reference text was 2
Chronicles 20:17. He preached about the
struggles of African Americans. He
stated some examples of these struggles which included, the 1963 March on
Washington and the election of the first African American President, Barack
Obama. He cited three steps for strength to “Stand Our Ground” without being
afraid: Be resolute and determined, seek to find strength in faith and prayer,
and hold to God’s unchanging hand. And lastly, know that Jesus is the same
today, yesterday and forever more.
Remarks expressed the success
of the 130th Church Anniversary worship experience and the congregants joyfully
retreated to the Ulric George Fellowship Hall for a deliciously prepared
Anniversary repast.
6. NEWS FROM THE THIRD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING
MEETING, COLUMBUS, OHIO:
Bishop McKinley Young,
Presiding Bishop
The Rev. Louise Jackson
appointed as Coordinator of the Third District Women In Ministry (WIM)
The Rev. Dr. Otis Gordon, Jr.
appointed as Chairperson of the Third District Christian Education Board
The Rev. Dr. Karen Shaeffer
appointed as Director, Third District Christian Education
The Rev. Rhonda Alderman
appointed Coordinator Third District Prison Ministry
The Rev. Arnett Thornton
appointed Convener Third District Sons of Allen
The Rev. Dr. Alphonse Allen
appointed Chair of Third District Evangelism Ministry
The Rev. Deborah Watt
appointed Co-Chair Third District Evangelism Ministry
The Rev. Earl Harris
appointed Chair Third District Board of Examiners
The Rev. Beverly Cofield
appointed Director Third District Music Ministry
Mrs. Cheryl Boyce appointed
Chairperson Third District Heal Commission
Mrs. Joann Harris appointed
President Third District Women’s Missionary Society
Mrs. Quereda Covington
appointed Director Third District YPD
Ms. Mychal Royal appointed
President Third District YPD
Mr. Larry Rodgers appointed
Church School Superintendent Third District
The Rev. Dale Snyder
appointed Director of Third District Social Action
Ms. Ametta L. Reaves and Mrs.
Joann Harris appointed Co-Chairpersons of the Third District Heritage Project
The Rev. Angela Walker
Dudley, transferred from the North Ohio Conference to the Tenth Episcopal
District North Texas Conference
The Rev. Carl Terry was
assigned to Henderson Chapel, Wellsburg, West Virginia
The Rev. John McCants was
transferred from the South Ohio Conference to the Pittsburgh Conference and
stationed at St. Paul, McKeesport, PA
The Rev. Cordell Bennett
assigned to Bethel, Greensburg, PA
The Rev. Andrew Newberry
assigned to Brown Chapel, Pittsburgh, PA
The Rev. Yolanda Wright was
assigned to Trinity, Pittsburgh, PA.
The Rev. Emma Drummer Barnes
was assigned to St. Paul, Circleville, Ohio
The Rev. Sam Harris was
transferred from the Ohio Conference to the South Ohio Conference and stationed
at Bethel, Oxford, Ohio
The Rev. Doretha Martin was
assigned to Grace, Bellefontaine, Ohio
The Rev. Cheviene Jones
assigned to Jones Chapel, Elyria, OH
The Rev. Viola Dixon was
assigned to Turner Chapel, Crestline, Ohio
The Rev. Dr. Gerald Cooper was
transferred from the North Ohio Conference to the South Ohio Conference and
stationed at Wayman Chapel, Dayton, Ohio
The Rev. Dr. Eugene
Schoolfield was assigned to St. James, Cleveland, Ohio
Submitted by the Rev. Dr.
Taylor T. Thompson, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Columbus, Ohio
7. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1,
2013 - SURPRISED AND EXPECTANT - LUKE 1: 26-40:
Bill Dickens, Allen AME
Church, Tacoma, Washington
Church School Lesson Brief
On December 1, 1955, a
low-keyed worker and AME stewardess in Montgomery, Alabama loudly communicated
in a soft, unassuming tone that she would not relinquish her bus seat to
conform to the evil of segregation. Rosa
Parks’ refusal to comply with the city ordinance launched the Montgomery Bus
Boycott. Her act of heroism came as a
surprise to whites and blacks alike in Montgomery.
December 1, 2013 begins the
Winter Quarter for the Adult AME Church School Curriculum.
Unit 1 explores the global
theme of "God Sends Jesus."
Sunday’s lesson topic is Surprised and Expectant (Luke 1:26–40).
Mary is surprised to learn
that she has been chosen as the vessel to bring hope to humanity, Jesus. Nothing in Mary’s background could have
prepared her for this historic event.
She was not a member of the privileged Jewish social class; she was
young and, most importantly, had no prior conjugal relations with a man. However, what’s impossible with man is
possible with God! The season of Advent
is a time of expectation and realization of the Messiah’s coming. Why did God send Jesus? While I do not presume to know the mind of
God, a likely reason is found in the historical behavior of humankind. Humanity rejected the logic of the law,
prophetic appeals and empirical evidence of God’s Providence. God sending Jesus can be interpreted as a
final wake-up call to humanity (prophesied since Genesis 3:15).The anxious
arrival of the Messiah is entrenched in Hebrew history and theology. We see that the arrival of the Messiah is not
limited to geographic or ethnic constraints.
God sent Jesus in order for all of us to have access to his Divine mercy
and blessings. This is why we can sing
with conviction, “Go Tell It on the Mountain that Jesus the Christ is Born!”
*Brother Bill Dickens is
currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma,
Washington. He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Church
Educators for the AME Church.
8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of Elder Bobby Lee Wade, brother of the Reverend Dr. Robert
Christopher Wade, Presiding Elder of the Camden-Trenton District, New Jersey
Annual Conference, and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Prudence Hope Wade. Elder
Bobby Lee Wade was the former pastor of the Unity Apostolic Church of Promise,
Macon, Georgia.
The following information has
been provided regarding funeral arrangements:
Viewing: Friday, November 29,
2013 at 12:00 noon - 8 p.m.
The Alvie Coes Funeral Home
1398 Pine Street
Unadilla, Georgia 31091
Telephone: 478-627-9382
Fax: 478-627-3954
Viewing: Saturday, November
30, 2013 at 10 a.m. - 12 Noon
Service: 12:00 noon
Temple of God Apostolic
Church of Promise
3015 Churchill Street
Macon, Georgia 31204
Telephone: 478-742-2813
Bishop Rufus L. Sanders,
pastor and eulogist
Interment: Little Poplar
Springs Cemetery
Poplar Springs Road and
Jenkins Farm Road (CR19)
Byromville, Georgia 31007
Professional Care entrusted
to:
The Alvie Coes Funeral Home
1398 Pine Street
Unadilla, Georgia 31091
Telephone: 478-627-9382
Fax: 478-627-3954
Expressions of Sympathy may
be sent to the funeral home or to:
The Reverend Dr. and Mrs.
Robert C. Wade
3 Boyd Court
Florence, New Jersey
08518-2626
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Second Episcopal District
is saddened to share news of the passing of Mrs. Esther Browning, mother of the
Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort
Washington, Maryland and mother-in-law of the Reverend Dr. Jo Ann Browning,
co-pastor.
Homegoing Services for Mrs.
Esther Browning:
Homegoing Service #1: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013
First Baptist Church of
Hampton, VA
The Rev. Dr. Richard Wills,
pastor
229 North King Street
Hampton, VA 23669
Telephone: 757-723-0988
Wake: 9:30 a.m.
Eulogy/Services: 11 a.m. by
Pastor Grainger Browning
Homegoing Service #2: Friday, December 6, 2013
Union Baptist Church
874 Main St, Cambridge, MA
02139
Telephone: (617) 864-6885
Cambridge, MA
Wake: 10:00 a.m.
Eulogy/Services: 11:00 a.m.
by Pastor Grainger Browning
Interment in Cambridge, MA
Expressions of sympathy may
be sent to:
Ebenezer AME Church
Pastors Grainger & Jo Ann
Browning
7707 Allentown Rd.
Fort Washington MD, 20744
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with full hearts that
we solicit your prayers for Pastor Jonathan Weaver, Sister Pamela Weaver and
his family. Early Saturday morning, his
mother, Sister Helen Weaver, transitioned from earth to glory. For those persons who would like to express
their condolences, cards and expressions of comfort may be forwarded to the
following address:
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan L.
Weaver, pastor
Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E.
Church
1001 Old Mitchellville Road
Bowie, Maryland 20716
The arrangements are as
follows:
Date: Saturday, November 30,
2013
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Clinton AME Zion
Church
223 Elizabeth Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With great sadness, we inform
you of the passing of the Reverend Dr. Percel Hector, Presiding Elder of the
Phoenix/Albuquerque District ~ Desert Mountain Conference ~ Fifth Episcopal
District. Please continue to pray with
and for the Reverend Brenda Hector and family.
Service of Celebration - Denver, Colorado
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at
1:00 PM
The Reverend Dr. Timothy E.
Tyler, Pastor
The Right Reverend Theodore
Larry Kirkland, Eulogist
Shorter Community AME Church
3100 Richard Allen Court
Denver, CO 80205
Office: 303.320.1712
Fax: 303.320.0751
Visitation
Monday, December 2nd - 4 p.m.
- 9 p.m.
Caldwell Kirk Mortuary
Chapel, 2101 Marion Street in Denver
Tuesday, December 3rd - 11:00
AM - 1:00 PM
Shorter Community AME Church
Service of Celebration And Interment - Los Angeles,
California
Thursday, December 5, 2013 at
11:00 AM
The Right Reverend Theodore
Larry Kirkland, Eulogist
First AME Church
2270 South Harvard Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Telephone: 323.730.7750
The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd,
Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Reverend Brenda Hector
and Family
4783 Ceylon Street
Denver, CO 80249
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of Ms. Ceta Delarosa Carby Grant. Ms. Ceta Delarosa Carby Grant was
born on July 5, 1929 and died on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the age of
eighty-four years. Left to cherish her memories are children Dr. Karl, Vincent,
Lilian, Linford, Lorna, the Rev. Velma, Doslyn, and Carole. Also left to
cherish her in loving memory are: sister, Rose Carby (Keith) Nicholas,
Milwaukee, WI; and brother Conrad Carby, Portland, Jamaica. She leaves a legacy
of love to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, her friends
and her church family at First Saint Paul AME Church in Lithonia, Georgia.
The Homegoing Celebration for
Ms. Ceta Delarosa Carby Grant will be held Saturday, November 30, 2013, 1 p.m.
at First Saint Paul AME Church, 2687 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia 30058;
the Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Crawford, officiating and the Rev. Velma E. Grant,
eulogist.
The family will receive
visitors at the Viewing on Friday, November 29, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may
be sent to:
The Rev. Velma E. Grant
3660 Stanford Circle
Decatur, Georgia 30034
Email: vegrant1@yahoo.com
13. CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
14. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend T.
Larry Kirkland; 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.
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