Saint John A.M.E. Church. Newsletter

Transcription

1 Saint John A.M.E. Church Newsletter Our mission comes out of God s great love, since God loved us we want to love others. April 2018 Word from Our Pastor! Greetings to my beloved brothers and sisters! This is the day that the Lord has made and we shall rejoice and be glad in it. In 1906, Jennie Wilson penned the words to the song Hold to God s Unchanging Hand, which still resonates in the hearts of believers today. As we witness the many changes that have taken place just in this year along, we can be encouraged to know that time is filled with swift transitions, and we must continue to mature in our faith, build our hopes on things that are eternal, and hold to God s unchanging hand. For no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but we can trust in Him, who has promised never to leave or forsake us. What a blessed assurance to know that the Lord is with us. As a body of believers, we are admonished to pray without ceasing, and when we don t know what to pray, we can trust the Holy Spirit to make intercessions on our behalf. We are called to pray for every aspect of life. For as we continue to witness a changing world, we can hold on to God s unchanging hand. It is my prayer that the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. In His Love and Service, Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Sterling, Pastor WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SUNDAY 8:15AM CHURCH SCHOOL 9:30AM MORNING WORSHIP WEDNESDAY 12 NOON BIBLE STUDY

2 Nichols-Thomas-Grady Clergy Institute The Nicholas-Thomas-Grady Clergy Institute offers workshops for clergy and ministers-in-training to facilitate effective Christ-Centered ministry to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of all people. Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Outlaw, Dean and Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Sterling, Associate Dean held their Annual Clergy Institute focusing on The Role of Clergy in Congregational Care. Opening night was spirit-filled, with our own Presiding Bishop, Rev. Harry L. Seawright delivering a powerful sermon taken from Luke 15:1-7, The Father of Lost Things. Following opening worship a Grand Birthday Celebration was held to wish Bishop Seawright a Happy Birthday, with a Cajun cuisine and birthday cake. On Day 2, various workshops were held including: Standing in the Gap: Associate Ministers and Congregational Care and We Have This Ministry presented by Rev. Dr. Natasha Jamison Gadson of Turner memorial AME Church in Hyattsville, MD. Also, Pastor Daryl K. Kearney of Turner Memorial also presented a workshop on Self-Care Leads to Congregational Care. Mother Emanuel Musical Production A few of Saint John members along with other AME Church family of the 9th District supported the awesome performance of musical play Mother Emanuel about the Emanuel 9. And our own 9th District assistant administrative assistant Rev. Alevlyn Sanders served as the moderator during the panel discussion. In attendance were the wife and brother Rev. Clementa Pinckney and the daughter of Rev. Daniel Simmons. Afterwards, a reception was held at Hopewell AME for the writers, cast, crew and family members Discipline available for purchase The 2016 edition of the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church has now been printed and is being distributed to the Episcopal Districts for purchase. The price is $30. Please contact church office to place your order.

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4 April Calendar SAINT JOHN AME CHURCH MORNING PRAYER LINE Monday 6:00am (641) Access Code: # 9TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WARRIORS ON THE WALL NIGHTLY PRAYER LINE Sunday 9:00pm 9:15pm CST (641) Access Code: # April 1 Sunrise Service (Metropolitan AME Zion Church) 6am Church School 8:15am Morning Worship Children s Church April 2 Quarterly Conference Reports Due to Church Office April 3 Meals on Wheels 11am Steward Board Meeting April 4 Bible Study 12noon Lay Organization 1pm Healthy Heart Exercise 1pm Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) April 5 BFT District Conference (Mt. Zion, Rhodesville, AL) Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal Sozo Children s Choir (Samford Univ.) 7pm April 7 Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am Girl Scouts Meeting 10:30am Senior Usher Board Meeting 11am Junior Usher Board Meeting 12noon Stewardess Annual Luncheon (Fellowship Hall) 12noon April 8 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship Children s Church Teen Church Sons of Allen Meeting 11:30am Children s Choir Rehearsal 11:30am April 9 2 nd Quarterly Conference April 10 Meals on Wheels 11am Trustee Board Meeting 5:30pm April 11 Bible Study 12noon Heart Healthy Exercise 1pm Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting 5pm Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) April 12 9 th District Mid-Year Convocation (Daniel Payne Community Plaza) Meals on Wheels 11am Men s Choir Rehearsal

5 April 13 April 14 9 th District Mid-Year Convocation (Daniel Payne Community Plaza) Connectional Day of Prayer 9 th District Mid-Year Convocation (Daniel Payne Community Plaza) Men s Choir Rehearsal 10:30am April 15 High School Scholarship Applications Due Church School Morning Worship Children s Church Teen Church Children s Choir Rehearsal Negro Baseball Museum (Church-wide Outing) 8:15am 11:30am 12:30pm April 17 Meals on Wheels 11am Official Board Meeting April 18 Bible Study 12noon Angels of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) April 19 Meals on Wheels 11am Greeter s Meeting 5:30pm Mass Choir Rehearsal April 21 Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am April 22 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship Children s Church Teen Church (YPD) Children s Choir Rehearsal 11:30am Deadline for Submission to May Newsletter April 24 Meals on Wheels 11am Scholarship Committee Meeting 2pm Family Meals Ministry Meeting 5pm Class Leaders Meeting 5:30pm April 25 Bible Study 12noon Children s Choir Rehearsal April 26 Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal April 28 New Members Class Workshop 9am Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am WMS Meeting 11am Spring Painting Class (Fellowship Hall) 12noon April 29 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship (WMS Sunday) April 30 College Scholarship Applications Due

6 9th Episcopal District Mid-Year Convocation Meeting Daniel Payne Community Plaza April 12-14, 2018 For more information go to: FREE TICKETS Hear the sights and sounds of Uganda with the Sozo Children's Choir as they share cultural singing and dancing with authentic African instruments. Samford University Wright Center Thursday, April 5, 7pm Limited tickets in the church office get your today. VBS! JUNE We invite those who love teaching the word of God to assist in planning our 2018 Vacation Bible School on Wednesday, April 5pm. Contact Deborah Thomas for more information.

7 Saint John Scripts & Strokes presents.. Showers of Blessings Saturday, April 28, noon 2pm Registration: $20 per person (includes supplies & refreshments) To register sign up outside fellowship hall or us at Contact Camilla Avery for more details.

8 ST. JOHN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Sterling, Pastor But my God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Raise the Roof Capital Campaign But my God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Several years ago, CeCe Winans recorded a song entitled We Can Make a Difference. All it takes is courage and some time If we strive together with one purpose and one mind Let s pray and lift our voices to the sky We can make a difference if we try. Since the Capital Campaign began in January for the express purpose of raising funds to replace the shingled and flat roofs, and the ceiling in the sanctuary, St. John you have given over $19,783. Thanks so much for your commitment and gifts of love. However, your gifts and pledges are still needed. Please continue to give weekly through offering envelopes and write Capital Campaign on the envelope. Track the progress weekly on the Raise the Roof thermometer outside the Fellowship Hall and pick up and wear one of the ribbons on the display table to show your support. When we pull together as a team, with one purpose and one mind with God and together, We Can Make a Difference! G o d s F a v o r U p o n S a i n t J o h n A M E C h u r c h Continue to join with the Board of Trustees on Wednesdays in praying and fasting for BREAK- FAST ONLY. During this season of "Capital Campaign," we will also pray for God's favor with this project. Those who have medical issues and are unable to fast, we understand. Our church building is a gift from God, and our forefathers and mothers, who worked diligently to build St. John AME Church. We must maintain this gift for future generations. We send the power of praise to God first, if we want to win our battles. Thank you and may God Bless you!!