Church Notices
Sunday, June 29, 2008

Thank you for worshipping with us today.  Worship is a shared experience of acknowledgement of the presence of God in our midst.  Our prayer is that your spirit and mind will be comforted and inspired by your presence here today.  God has fixed these moments and this place for us; let us welcome the Spirit of God and each others’ presence with joy.

July is almost here!  Here is a date that you will want to save:

  •         Sunday, July 13, at 3:00 PM, the Flower Club will present Sister Tammie Davis and Friends in Concert
As we enter the Summer Vacation Season, clubs, auxiliaries and ministries are asked to advise the office of any changes in your normal meeting and/or rehearsal schedules.  

In September, we will be celebrating the 142nd Anniversary of our historic Church and the first year of service of our Pastor.  Our scriptural foundation for the Anniversary will rest on Galatians 5:13, 14; For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  As a theme, we will use the saying from African traditional community philosophy, “I Am Because We Are”.  In the days and weeks prior to the Anniversary Celebration, we will study and share thoughts on our communal responsibility to each other in the Kingdom of God and how these ideals have, and continue to be manifested in the history of our Church.

As a part of the celebration, we hope to laud the stories of love and family through a pictorial history of the unions that have come to define us.  The Anniversary Committee, chaired by Sister Inez Yallery-Arthur, is seeking to borrow photographs of members of our church, past and present, as they stand at the altar during their marriage ceremonies and/or formal family portraits.  (The photos will be scanned and returned to you almost immediately.)  These portraits will be included in collages that will be displayed around the church; telling our story of how God has used our love for each other to define who we are today.  The committee will have details; see them as soon as possible.

You are invited to join the Reverend John H. Brooks Memorial Club and travel to the Living Waters Theatre, Lancaster, PA, to a production of “Abraham and Sarah, A Journey of Love”, on Friday, August 8, 2008.  The total cost of the excursion is $75.00.  Flyers are available in the “take-one” boxes on the first floor or you can see Sister Elaine Artis, or any member of the Brooks Memorial Club for further details.
The Youth Missionaries will be going on their Annual Family Retreat to Cheshire, CT, on July 25-27, 2008.  On the 26th, they will spend a fun-filled day at Holiday Hill Sports Park.  The park includes mini-golf, paddle boats, swimming pools, rock climbing and an unlimited food buffet.  Please see Deaconess Theresa Cook or Sister Shirley Lea to reserve your seat after the 10:45 AM service.

During the months of July and August, our Youth Club, Youth Empowerment Ministry and Sunday School will combine to provide our church (and adults) several enrichment activities on Sundays after the morning worship.  A tour of DC and a field trip to the Smithsonian Institute are a part of the culturally focused agenda for the Sunday afternoons.  It is important that the children (ages 8 through 18) be registered as members of the Youth Club in order to participate.  Registration is free; the criterion for membership is simple.  The Youth Club Team will be floating around the church after service with registration forms and more information.  Make a point to register your children (o grandchildren) today!
As a part of the Women’s Day “18 Months of Giving” campaign, they are giving leadership to an “Adopt a Room” project.  The idea is that we will use the next 18 months to raise money that will go specifically to the redecoration, refurnishing and equipping of the rooms used by our Youth Missionaries and the Youth Department of the Sunday School.  Those benefactors who donate $75.00 or more over the coming months will have their names included on plaques that will be displayed for posterity in the rooms.  Deaconess Epahanna Williams is chairing the drive and can provide additional information.