THE NEWSLETTERFall 2018 VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE I FROM THE PASTOR S PEN: DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church 4300 Yackley Avenue Lisle, IL 60532 630-969-9800 630-969-9807 fax www.dupageamec.org www.facebook.com/dupageamec info@dupageamec.org Rev. Dr. James F. Miller Senior Pastor Rev. Lana Parks Miller Executive Pastor Rev. Albert D. Tyson, III Presiding Elder Rt. Rev. John F. White, Sr. Presiding Prelate Inside this issue: New Members 2 REACH Open House 6 Hallelujah Revival 8 Usher Day 9 Quarterly Calendar 11...and more Rev. Lana & Pastor Miller In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we re talking about is Christ s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of Christ s body. ~Romans 12:4-5 MSG Anniversaries are special times. They are times to lift out the good things about our lives and to give thanks for them, and celebrate them. We at DuPage can surely say that not only has God been good to us, but the Body of Christ which is our church family has also been a great blessing for our lives. Our church home has added to our life s purpose and meaning as we feed the hungry and train up the children in the way that they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Rev. Dr. John F. Green We are working out our soul salvation together, and it s a beautiful thing. This year, our guest preacher is the son of a Presiding Elder and one of five preaching brothers in the AME church. The Rev. Dr. John F. Green is the Dean and President of Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. He formerly pastored with high distinction in the 11 th Episcopal District, which is the State of Florida. Dr. Green is a great preacher who will bless us at both morning services. A sumptuous celebratory anniversary dinner will follow the 11 am worship. As the season shifts, it s always a good time to push the pause button, and look around to see how God is keeping us. We take this special moment of our Church Anniversary to say Thank you God, for all your many blessings. Let s join Fred and Kim Chavis, our chairpersons, who are giving great effort and leadership in making this a wonderful anniversary Sunday. God bless you and see you in church! Pastor Miller
PAGE 2 WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following New Members to our DuPage AME Church family! May each of you always be open to the ministry of the Lord s church. Remember: Active Christians create churches that are alive! Kennedi Nesbitt Plainfield Wendy E. Parks Lombard Mariam Lee South Holland Don, Dianne & Kristen Coleman Glen Ellyn Felton Cole Forrest Park Brandon Simmons & Patrice Cameron Aurora Timothy Page Berkeley Avery Alabi Aurora Fred & Tamara Betts Joliet Bobby Pettis Hickory Hills Val Montgomery Naperville Donna Gibson Naperville Carl Qualls Wheaton DuPage AME Church Inspirational Choir I-CHOIR CONCERT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 TH O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! ~Psalm 95:6 Join the Inspirational Choir Saturday, September 8 th at 6 pm. Special guests include our own Sunbeam Choir, Brown Chapel AMEC Youth Choir of Joliet and Jubilee Baptist Church JBCYM Mime Ministry of Bolingbrook. Come on, let s worship God! THE NEWSLETTER is a publication of DuPage AME Church, 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-969-9800,www.DuPageAMEC.org Editor Rev. Lana Parks Miller. Staff Rev. Morgan Dixon & Brooke Denham 630-969-9800, info@dupageamec.org. Ted McKee, photographer. Rights reserved to edit for content and space. Our aim is to communicate with you, provide an outreach to you, and truly reflect the spirit of the congregation and it s leadership. THE NEWSLETTER is published quarterly.
PAGE 3 PASTORAL APPRECIATION Consider It DONE! Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~ Mark 11:24 Twenty-nine years in one location is a long time for anybody. Pastor and Rev. Lana have been faithful servants for several generations here at DuPage. Once again, we gladly acknowledge and thank God s pastoral servants. When our souls are judged in God s scales, the question won t be asked about how many buildings were built or how much money was raised. God will surely ask, Did you grow in love? It s time for everybody to show some love. Let s keep growing in love! On Sunday, September 23 rd, we will celebrate Pastor Miller and Rev. Lana. It will also be our Kick Off Youth Sunday for the new school and church year. We invite everyone to come and enjoy our special youth service at 11 am. At 8 am Worship Service our Unity Choir will sing a special tribute to God and The Millers. Our guest preacher is Rev. Dr. Tar-U-Way R.A. Bright, Pastor of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. This young man, recently appointed to this great congregation is filling up its 3000 seat sanctuary. You must hear him!!! On behalf of the Steward Board, The Official Board and all of the members of DuPage, everyone is invited for this day of appreciation, which promises to be a most special and rewarding day for everyone. Thank you Pastor & Rev. Miller for another year of faithful service! To God be the glory! September begins our year-long journey thought the book We Make The Road By Walking. This is a 52-week quest through God s word. The first two months the Bible Study will correspond directly to the lessons in the book to get us going and on track. We will look at various elements of our faith as we seek to grow in our faith together! It s not too late to join us. As Pastor Miller preached on 1 st Sunday, the lessons are only 4-5 pages each week with additional scripture readings. You can do it. Try God through this weekly devotional exercise and watch you faith deepen in Christ. Watch your bulletins and weekly eblasts for periodic supplemental materials.
PAGE 4 YOUTH MINISTRIES KICK OFF WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, September 23 rd, the 11 am service will be our Annual Kick Service for our youth ministries. This year s celebration coincides with our Pastoral Appreciation Day, so it will be doubly special. All of the youth choirs will sing and the youth will lead the worship. The Rev. Dr. Tar-U-Way R.A. Bright, Pastor, Turner Chapel AME Church, Atlanta, GA is our guest preacher. We want to encourage all of our parents, volunteers and youth ministry leaders of all our ministries: Angel Church, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Rev. Dr. Tar-U-Way Bright Sis. Elexis Wilson Scouts, Golf for Christ, G.O.N.E., Inspirational Choir, Sandra Bland Diversity Institute, Sisters in Praise, Sunbeam Choir, Sunday School, Voices of Tomorrow, Young Adult Network and Y.P.D! Let s pray for them all as we live our faith in obedience to God s word to Suffer the little children and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God!!! Rev. Connie Dickerson Let s also encourage our Youth Ministry Ministers who support, participate and lead: Rev. Connie Dickerson, Angel Church, Sis. Elexis Wilson, Youth Sunday Coordinator, Rev. TiShaunda McPherson, Young Adult Ministry, Rev. Morgan Dixon, Youth Sunday Worship Leader and Bro. Dr. Malcolm Franklin, Sunday Adjunct Youth Instructor. God has blessed us with faithful servants. Now let s give them our support. See you on 4 th Sunday everybody!!! Let s all encourage our youth! Rev. Morgan Dixon Bro. Malcolm Franklin Rev. TiShaunda McPherson YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY!!! Once a quarter our young adults will lead the 11 am Worship Service. This quarter it is Sunday, September 30 th, at 11 am. With Rev. TiShaunda McPherson as coordinator of the adult members of the church. We lift up our young adults!
PAGE 5
PAGE 6 REACH OPEN HOUSE & DEDICATION PHOTOS Regularly Extending Assistance to Community & Humanity
PAGE 7 Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie CROWNS TEA 2018 PHOTOS
PAGE 8 HALLELUJAH REVIVAL O give thanks unto the Lord, for God is good, and God s mercies endure forever. ~I Chronicles 16:24 Wednesday, October 31 st through Friday, November 2 nd, is our annual church-wide revival. We thank God not only because of God s goodness, but because we need more of God s goodness. Faith teaches us that it s easier to receive blessings after we first give thanks for the blessings God has already given. Has God kept you this year? Do you have any challenges yet facing you? Now is the time for breakthrough victory. Let us give thanks from thankful hearts. Our preacher will be non other than The Rev. Conitras Houston, Pastor of Trinity AME Church, Atlanta, GA. Rev. Houston is the first woman and the youngest person to hold the office of District Treasurer for the Sixth Episcopal District (Georgia) of the AME Church. She is a highly sought after preacher and administrator. We are blessed to have her return to DuPage! The Choir Schedule is: Wednesday Gospel Choir & Voices of Tomorrow; Thursday Sanctuary Choir & Voice of Praise; Friday Sunbeam Choir, Inspirational Choir & Voices of Tomorrow. Each Church Auxiliary and Ministry is encouraged to pick a night and be present. We ve had a year of God s care and comfort. We ve experienced God s keeping and breakthrough power. Very few people will ever admit to having all that they want or need. But let the people of faith give thanks for they have and to praise God from whom all blessings flow!
PAGE 9 ANNUAL USHER DAY- NOVEMBER 11 TH We have a great temple of God because of our church family spirit. And our usher board is a perfect exemplification of it. On Sunday, November 11 th, at both services, every member and friend of DuPage will have a great opportunity. That is the day we will honor God s temple servants, our Usher Board. Please attenders and streamers all, look at the orderliness, the composure, the unity of our ushers. Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams Our Preacher for both services will be the Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, Pastor of Bethel AME Church Morristown, NJ, and author of the book Fishing Differently. Be present and witness the a grand, pilgrimage of a faith processional, as all our several Sunday morning usher teams join together and march together. We are a strong family because we witness such committed demonstrations of Christian faith. Commendations to our Usher Board President, George Morris, and all of the officers, Head Ushers and Usher Board Members who help make our worship services special and spiritual events. Don t they look wonderful!
PAGE 10 THE PRODIGAL STEWARD BY PATRICIA WILSON BAKER Do you love Me? Feed My Sheep! He said to him the third time Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time. Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things: You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. ~ John 21:17 Simon Peter had just undergone the worst week of his life. He had publicly rejected Jesus in the courtyard leading up to the crucifixion (John 13:38). His self-loathing was even more intense because just prior to that he had declared his allegiance, stating boldly, that he would lay down his life for Jesus. But, when the situation got real, he caved. He denied knowing Jesus three times in order to save himself. When I read this passage in John 21, it makes me ponder my own declaration of allegiance to Jesus and the Church. If I put myself in Peter s shoes and hear Jesus asking me three times, Do you Love Me? I m confident that I would respond as Peter did; not boastfully, but with assurance, You know that I love You. But, when Jesus goes further and gives the admonition, Feed my sheep, I wonder, am I there yet? What does Jesus mean when He says, Feed my sheep? Who are the sheep we re supposed to feed? Where are the sheep we need to feed? When should we feed His sheep? What should we feed His sheep? And finally, how should we feed His sheep? Just as Jesus made a way for Peter to redeem himself by demonstrating his love, He offers us a way to also demonstrate our love for Him through our own acts of service and Christian kindness. We have an example in I Chronicles 29 where David provided everything he could to the building of a house for the Lord. He explained his passion by stating, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God. Seeing David give abundantly to the building of the temple, others in the congregation gave of their abundance and there was plenty for the Lord s house. Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord. Feeding His sheep requires a willingness to freely give to the work of the Lord. It s ideal that although this is a personal call to action, it is not a command we have to fulfill on our own. We are to bring our tithes and offerings to the church where all the gifts will be gathered together and the leaders responsible will distribute the gifts according to the needs and the mission of the Church. What an honor for us to be given this opportunity to express our love for Jesus by the act of feeding His sheep. Do you love Him? Don t every stop feeding His sheep.
PAGE 11 R.E.A.C.H. FOOD BANK When I was hungry you fed Me ~Matthew 25:35 We thank all the many volunteers who assisted with the Food Bank each month! Upcoming dates for serving: Saturday September 8 th Saturday, October 13 th Saturday, November 10 th 10 am 12 Noon each month Please make a contribution of your service! Assistance is also needed prior to truck days. Drivers are also needed to assist with delivery of food. Please pray about how you can be a blessing to someone in need. To volunteer please contact Loleta at 630-969-8274. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Thank you! THE CALENDAR AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER 8 Inspirational Choir Concert 16 39 th Church Anniversary 23 29 th Pastoral Appreciation OCTOBER 4 LEM Senior Event 14 Visitor s Day 19-20 DuPage Theatre Group Production 28 Community Organizations Day 31-2 Hallelujah Revival NOVEMBER 11 Annual Usher Day 18 Annual Church Conference 21 Thanksgiving Eve Service WINTER EDITION: The next deadline for submissions to THE NEWSLETTER is October 31 st. We want to hear from you and your ministry in the church.
DuPage AME Church 4300 Yackley Avenue Lisle, IL 60532 www.dupageamec.org www.facebook.com/dupageamec Blessed To Be A Blessing