2 Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Reverend John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor

Sunday, April 23, 2017 7:45AM & 11:00AM Worship Services

Annual lay day “The Fruit of Discipleship" Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 10:1-2

Worship Leaders:

7:45 a.m. Dr. Georgianne Thomas 11:00 a.m. .Dr. Stanley Pritchett

Prelude Phillip Skerrett, Jr.

Processional Program Participants, Stewards, Choir, Acolytes

* Doxology #647

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye

heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Call to Worship Dr. Georgianne Thomas/Dr. Stanley Pritchett

Leader: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been

standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

People: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper

in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Leader: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God: I will seek your good.

People: They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.

Leader: O Lord, I love the habitation of your house, and the place where your glory dwells.

People: But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

Leader: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

People: O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! I will sing of loyalty and of justice, to

You, O Lord, I will sing.

The Hymn of Praise Sis. Cynthia Crane/Sis. Judy Jackson

AMEC Hymn #582…………... Laymen’s Song

1. Laymen now have thus assembled, In Thy blessed name, O God. Guide us in our true endeavor,

Light the pathway that we trod; Give us strength to ever labor for Thy cause, Give us strength to

ever labor for Thy cause.

2. We are banded one in union, to fulfill Thy just command. May we be Thy true disciples, holding to

Thy mighty hand; Give us blessings from the fountain of Thy love, Give us blessings from the

fountain of thy love.

3. As we walk this Christian journey, let us keep our armor bright. Let our words be pure and holy,

that we stand within Thy sight. Laymen Soldiers, strong in unity and love, Laymen Soldiers,

strong in unity and love.

4. May we stand before Thine Altar, pledging, Lord, to work for Thee. In the Vineyard, in the

pastures, Let us, Lord, Thy Pilgrims be; Let us lift the Cross forever to the skies, Let us lift the

Cross forever to the skies. Amen.

Jesus Saves 3

The Invocation Sis. Marie Blake/Bro. Guy Howard

The Choral Response

The Worship Through Music Big Bethel Praise Team/Bearden-Scott Youth Choir

The Responsive Scripture Bro. Raushan Murray/Sis. Wanda Patterson

Matthew 28:16-20: Luke 10-1-2

Leader: 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. People: 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Leader: 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. People: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Leader: 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” People: 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every

town and place where he himself intended to go.

ALL: 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

*The Preface of the Decalogue (in the tune of #258)

“From all that dwell below the skies, let the Creator’s praise arise; let the

Redeemer’s name be sung, through every land by every tongue.”

*The Summary of the Decalogue Sis. Leigh Haynes/Sis. Teaner Corbett

And Jesus said to him. You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul and

with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your

neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.

The Gloria Patri #xvii-xviii

The Lay Litany Sis. Carolina Black/Sis Sylvia McRae

Leader: “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

People: Give Us Strength to Labor for Thy Cause.

Leader: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill

them. Matthew 5:17

People: Give Us Strength to Labor for Thy Cause.

Leader: “Judge not, that you be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you

use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your

own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1-5

ALL: Laymen Soldiers Strong in Unity and Strength.

4 Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

The Welcome to Big Bethel The Philippian Ministry

The Big Bethel Ministry Moment Women’s Emphasis Month

The Presentation of the Lay Person of the Year Dr. Shirley Waters-White, President, Edge-Cannon Lay Organization Sis. Edna Martin, President, Atlanta North District Lay Organization The Worship Through Creative Expression Kwanzaa-Sol Dance Ministry

Worship through Giving Sis. Martha Thomas /Bro. Bill Davis

The Choral Response AMEC Hymn #646

The Altar Call Bro. Sam Stephens

Introduction of the Speaker Dr. Shirley Waters White/Sis. Edna Martin

Worship Through Music Big Bethel Praise Team /Sis. Anitra Gassett

The Lay Day Message Sis. Andrea Lewis, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chair, Education Department, Spelman College Sis. Annette Stegall Curry President of the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Organization

Invitation to Christian Discipleship

The Remarks Pastor Foster

The Recessional

The Doxology

The Lay Benediction

Jesus Saves 5

- Hearing God’s Word during the Service – Since we forget 90% of what we hear, it has been suggested that note taking will

double the percentage of our take home response. Why not try it and see?

Points/Topics:

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PERSONS SERVING IN THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE 7:45 11:00

Acolytes Jaylaan Parker

Choir Big Bethel Praise Team Bearden Scott Youth Choir

Philippians Victoria White & Keith Burnett Anna Cornelious & Stacey-Ann Taylor

Stewardesses R.T.Bussey Stewardess Ministry R.T.Bussey Stewardess Ministry

Stewards Stanley Foster & Chris Parker Nancy Hill Cooke & Rosa Baxter

Trustee Linda Jolly & Amos McCrary Joseph Patterson & Nannette McGee

Ushers Usherette Ministry #3 Usherette Ministry #3

AV Ministry Marvin Fleming and SirRyan May Phyllis Smiley & SirRyan May

Finance Team Team 1-A Team 1-B

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING

First reading Psalm Second reading Gospel

Second Sunday of Easter

April 23, 2017

*Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Let us remember our sick and shut-in with our cards & calls.

Sis. Mildred Whalen,(770) 603-8266

6 Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

Andrea Lewis, Ph.D., is an educator who values and models academic excellence. After perfecting the

skill of teaching her dolls with an easel and confiscated worksheets from her mother’s classroom, Dr. Lewis graduated summa cum laude from Spelman College. She also earned a Master of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Georgia State University. She is currently completing requirements toward a Certificate in Theology and Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Dr. Lewis works in her professional career and personal endeavors to ensure that all children receive a strong educational foundation in their early years. Her professional experiences include elementary school teacher, public and private school administrator, and college faculty. Currently as an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Education Department at Spelman College, Dr. Lewis instills passion and purpose in her students who are future educators. She believes that educators must instruct from the heart with passion and purpose to help all

students reach their highest academic and personal potential.

As evidence of Dr. Lewis’ commitment to preparing teachers with global competence and cultural relevance, she organized Spelman’s first faculty-led trip to Havana, Cuba in December 2015 with 19 students to examine the historical, cultural, economic, and political understand-ings of schooling and education from a global perspective. Twenty-two students traveled to Cuba in December 2016. Additionally, Dr. Lewis has been instrumental in sustaining and developing diversity partnerships for teacher candidates at both Spelman and Morehouse Colleges at local and national P-12 and collegiate institutions.

Dr. Lewis has published two books Preservice Teachers, Social Class, and Race in Urban Schools: Experiences and Strategies for Teacher Preparation (Palgrave Macmillan) and Valerie’s New Friends (Rathsi Publishing), as well as book chapters and articles focused on teacher education. Dr. Lewis is Immediate Past President of the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and has held leadership positions in the National and Atlanta Chapter of the Alumnae Association of Spelman College; Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Pack 2020 Cub Scouts; and Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she has served as a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Dr. Lewis has received awards of distinction for exemplary community service and excellence in education from organizations including: Atlanta Public Schools; National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (national and local chapter); Southeast Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; United Negro College Fund; Turner Broadcasting; and Outstanding Atlanta.

Annette Stegall Curry was born in Newnan, Georgia where she attended elementary school and was a

member of Dent Chapel A. M. E. Church until gas prices soared in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. She moved her membership close to her home after visiting Saint Philip once. Annette retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 2004 after 31 plus years of service as an Equal Opportunity Employment Administrator (EEO). She held many titles, positions and honors while employed with the IRS and on the EEO staff. She traveled throughout the states due to her many positions to assist with the laws and rules for IRS. She also entertained and gave tours for many foreign dignitaries who came to discuss and see the IRS tax system and process. She was a member of many professional federal organizations due to her employment (e.g. Blacks in Government - BIG, Hispanic Internal Revenue Employees – HIRE, etc.). Annette

taught Income Tax Law and EEO Investigation to incoming, tax examiners and EEO investigators. She was always an advocate for assisting others with their taxes. She was a volunteer income tax assistant for over 25 years and was instrumental in establishing the ongoing tax assistance program at Saint Philip for approximately 20 years. For her tax assistance and teaching at IRS, many local malls and Saint Philip, she was inducted into the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) hall of fame. Upon retiring, Annette received many honors: Recipient of the Albert Gallatin Award (retirement honors for exemplary service), Director’s Award and Stakeholder Partnership, Education and Communication Award. Annette is active in many organizations and activities. She is very proud of everything that includes her Saint Philip family. She has served in various offices; currently, some include Saint Philip Church Local Lay Organization, Saint Philip Steward Board, Mattie Booker Usher Board, Class Group Leader, Class Leader, Communion Team, Theatre Group, Senior/Retiree Group, one of the founders of the SPC Credit Union and others. She was first elected president of the Atlanta North Georgia, Conference Lay Organization in April of 2008. Currently, Sister Curry is serving as the Interim President of the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Organization. She knows there is a ram in the bush and he/she will be coming out any day to serve in this position. Though she is very shy, Annette loves to meet people and travel. She has done a lot of traveling in the past but has put it on hold until her current obligations are complete. Annette completed her elementary education in Atlanta at English Avenue Elementary School and is a graduate of Booker T. Washington

High School with honors and Morris Brown College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish/English. Annette received her “Mrs.”

degree from Alonzo Curry after having taught first grade in Newnan, Georgia for one year. They have one son A. Chevez and two

granddaughters (Breyonna and Ariana).

Jesus Saves 7

THE OCCASION

A ‘Layperson” is any member of the local church who has not been ordained a minister. Although each church or station has an “organized” lay of members who join and pay dues, by definition every member of a local church except the ministers are part of the laity.

HISTORY

The organized lay movement has had three significant stages of growth and development. First, the early formative years under the Laymen’s Missionary League organized in 1912; second, the Connectional Lay College, organized in 1916; finally, in 1946 The Connectional Laymen’s Organization was organized by the delegates from the Lay College who were meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Lay Organization of the AME Church is one of the newest in our church relative to our total years of ex-istence. The organized Lay operates as a vital force for good because it is free, independent and unmotivat-ed by any desire, motive or purpose other than the general welfare of African Methodism. It is the duty and privilege of every lay member to participate fully in discussion, debate, and voting in every phase of church life.

OBJECTIVES To instill in the membership of the Church a love for and an appreciation of the history, tradition and princi-ples of African Methodism.

To keep forever alive the sacred memory of Richard Allen, the illustrious founder of the AMEC.

To advocate respect and loyalty at all times to constituted authority and leadership.

To encourage the laity to support the total program of the church in the local community and throughout the Connection.

To foster a systematic and regular study of the Doctrine And Discipline Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church and parliamentary procedure, to the end that greater knowledge and information may be disseminat-ed among the laity, and with the further purpose of encouraging lay members to participate more largely in the general functioning and supervision of the AME Church.

To foster, influence, and support all constructive and progressive legislation for the church that promotes the teachings of Jesus Christ.

To encourage development, recognition, and utilization of the most appropriate operational practices and modern technology in conducting the activities of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

To promote the spread of personal evangelism through activities designed to prepare lay members for ap-propriately conveying God’s Word,

To provide training in Christian stewardship, which causes lay members to recognize that the connotation of stewardship addresses more than giving money,

To increase the circulation of church periodicals,

To provide for the orderly and systematic training of lay persons, especially officers, in order that they might more effectively perform their service responsibilities. To promote activities that will result in harmo-nious fellowship for lay persons throughout the connection,

To help in the support of the AME educational institutions.

To give financial assistance to the connectional Lay Economic development Corporation (CLEDC) in sup-port of Connectional programs.

8 Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR All female church members are invited to participate in the Women's Day Choir! See the rehearsal schedule

below Tuesday, May 4 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, May 9 7:00-8:30pm

Tuesday, May 11 7-:00-8:30pm Thursday, Mary 18 7-:00-8:30pm

Saturday, May 20 10-:00-11:30am

All rehearsals will be held in the choir room. We look forward to having you join us!