dear big bethel family and friends church... · dear big bethel family and friends: ... deborah s....

2 Big Bethel A.M.E. Church

Dear Big Bethel Family and Friends:

I greet you in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Today, Big Bethel AME Church - Atlanta’s oldest African American congregation - celebrates 169 years of worship, fellowship and ministry. Big Bethel has withstood the test of time and yet, God still signifies Big Bethel as a Beacon of Light for downtown Atlanta which still proudly proclaims that “Jesus Saves.” At this time of celebration – let us all give thanks and honor to the glo-ry of God for Big Bethel AME Church. We joyously welcome Bishop Reginald T. Jackson as our anniversary preacher. This is Bishop Jackson’s first opportunity to visit us as Bishop of the Sixth District and we are so pleased to welcome Bishop Jackson, Supervisor Christy and the Jackson Family to the Big Bethel Family and the community. Please allow me to give God praise for our Church Anniversary Chairpersons - Sisters Nannette McGee and Roz Thomas. Let me also thank the entire Church Anniversary committee for a job well done! We thank God again for all of the wonderful Anniversary Month activities including: the Tailgate Kickoff Sunday, the Pilgrimage to Oakland Cemetery, the Week of Revival, the Cuba Lunch and Learn, Trinity Table, the Youth History Bowl, and the Children Sabbath Weekend. Let us extend a special congratulations to our honorees! Sis. Mary Ann, Kristina (Dewey), John Jr. and Jessica join me in wishing our ‘Big Bethel Family’ a happy 169th Anniversary!!!

“Take me Back to the Ole Landmark” ”

Sincerely,

John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor

The First Family

Jesus Saves 3

Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson is the presiding prelate of the Sixth Episco-pal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church which en-compasses over 500 churches in the state of Georgia. He was elected and consecrated the 132nd bishop of the A.M.E. Church in 2012 at the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference held in Nashville, TN and was appointed to the Twentieth Episcopal District (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanza-nia and Uganda) and as the Ecumenical and Urban Affairs Officer. He has served as the chairman of the Social Action Commission of the A.M.E. Church and is the current chairman of the Commission on Colleges, Universities and Seminaries.

A native of Dover, Delaware, he was born on April 26, 1954. After graduating from the Dover Public Schools, he en-rolled and in 1976 graduated from Delaware State University in Dover, with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. In 1972 Bishop Jackson was licensed to preach at MT. Zion AME Church, Dover under the pastorate of The Rev. Ru-dolph W. Coleman. Ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1975 by Bishop Earnest Lawrence Hickman, he was as-signed as the supply pastor of Graham AME Church, Greenwood, Delaware where he served for one year, before leaving to go to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Turner Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, Georgia. He was ordained an Itinerant Elder by Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand in 1977. In 1978 while still in seminary, he was assigned to serve as supply pastor, at St. John AME Church, Coleman St., Atlanta. Upon graduating in 1979, he was appointed by Bishop Hildebrand to St. John AME Church, Jersey City, NJ where he served for two years. He was then appointed in 1981 by Bishop Hildebrand to St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ. This was the beginning of a pastorate that would last 31 years. During his ministry at St. Matthew the congrega-tion grew from about 75 to more than 2800 Disciples of Christ, engaged in ministry, mission and outreach. Included in this number were more than 300 children and youth, to whom he placed special emphasis and time. St. Matthew accepted the motto as “the servant church of the Oranges” and instituted more than 30 ministries to meet the spiritual, emotional, educational, physical and financial needs of both church and community. The Neigh-borhood and Individual Development Association (NIDA), the church’s community development corporation was also founded. In addition a new church edifice was built in 1985 and because of continuous growth a second edi-fice was built in 2002. The doors of St. Matthew are open seven days a week and the church is a hub of activity for church and community. The church’s budget increased from $50,000 a year in 1981 to $2,000,000.00 annually. Shortly after arriving in Orange, Pastor Jackson became involved in the life of the city, county and state, speaking out on issues and informing and organizing ministers and community to act in promoting God’s kingdom on earth and in their best interest. In addition to pastoring St. Matthew Church, Pastor Jackson served as the Executive Di-rector of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey (BMC), representing more than 600 Black churches in New Jer-sey from 1994-2012. He has been outspoken on every major issue in New Jersey, pressuring the state Supreme Court to order New Jersey to increase spending on poor school districts in the state, adequate funding for charity care, legislation to end predatory lending, ending the death penalty in New Jersey, needle exchange and most nota-bly, legislation to end and make racial profiling a crime, the only state in the nation to pass such a law. Pastor Jackson received four pens from three governors used to sign legislation he helped to pass through the Gen-eral Assembly. He served for sixteen years on the Orange Public School System Board of Education (12 as presi-dent), and is currently in his 13th year as a member of the Board of Trustees of Essex County College (10 years as president) as well as the Board of Directors of the Barnabas Health Care System, the largest healthcare system in the State of New Jersey. Pastor Jackson was named the Man of the Year in 2000 by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, recipient of the William Ashby Award by the United Way, Martin Luther king Award by the Newark North Ward Center as well as hundreds of other awards. A member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and a Life Member of the NAACP, he has repeatedly been named among the “Twenty Five Most Influential People in New Jersey.” He has received honorary doctorates from Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary. He is married to Christy Davis Jackson, Esquire and the father of Regina Victoria Jackson, graduate of Florida A & M University and Seth Joshua Jackson.

Sixth Episcopal District Presiding Prelate

Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson 132nd Consecrated Bishop of the

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Jesus Saves 5

Fall Revival Anniversary Honorees

Deborah S. Lattimore Geri Dodson

Vernon Kimbro Nannette McGee

Theme Rev. Rosie Hunter

Rev. Joyce Young Annette Petty

Sylvia McRae Dr. Nellie W. Adams

Anniversary Worship Service Rose Jones

Donna Williams Kristal Ammons

Vernon Kimbro Budget Rev. Joyce Young Charles Moore

Nannette McGee Annette Petty

Youth Historic Bowl Price Michael

Chanta Miller Dr.Stanley Pritchett

Paige A. Thomas Decorations/Colors Sylvia McRae Linda Jolly

Rosaland Thomas Gloria Pritchett

Church History Public Relations Dr. Nellie W. Adams Audraine Jackson

Ernest Tate M. Paulyne Morgan White

Anniversary Reception/Dinner Dr. Stanley Pritchett

Geri Dodson Anniversary Editor Nannette McGee Dr. McDonald Williams

Annette Petty Big Bethel’s Mimes’ Concert Paschell Mix Jory Young Ed Jones Kawanza Smith

Marvin Fleming Homecoming Tailgate Communications Vernon Kimbro

Joann Brazil Grace Terrell-McCoy

Essie Tunstall Rev. Joyce Young

Rose Jones Rosaland Thomas Donna Williams Marvin Fleming Annette Petty Martinique Mix

Grace T. McCoy Stephanie Moore

Pilgrimage to Oakland Cemetery Paige Thomas

Richard Marion Chanta Miller

William Petty Dr. Stanley Pritchett Gloria Pritchett

Big Bethel AME Church 169th Anniversary Committees

Sis. Nannette McGee & Rosaland Thomas- Co-Chairpersons


BIG BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Celebrating 169 Years of Service to God and the Community Sunday, October 16, 2016, 10:00 AM

“Take Me Back To The Ole Landmark” Lamentations 3: 18-25

Worship Leader—Bro. Donnell Thompson The Prelude Bro. Philip V. Skerrett, Jr. The Introit The Processional Stewards, Acolytes, Mass Choir, Ministers & Program Participants

The Doxology Hymn #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 Bro. Donnell Thompson Leader: I was glad when they said unto to me, “Let us go into 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 to 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 courts of our God. Leader O Lord, I love the habitation of your house, and the place where your glory dwells. People For the Lord is in 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. Thomasena Clark AME Hymn # 84 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” 1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou for ever wilt be. Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided: Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. 2. Summer and winter, and spring time and harvest, Sun, moon and stars, in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. 3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Jesus Saves 7

The Invocation Bro. Jory Young

The Choral Response

The Worship Through Music Big Bethel Mass Choir

The Scripture Lessons

Old Testament Lamentations 3:18-25 Sis. Sylvia McRae

Epistle Hebrews 3: 12-14 Sis. Kristal Ammons

Gospel Luke 14:1-11 Bro. Joshua Browning

*The Congregation will stand for the reading of the Gospel

The Preface To 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 CONTEMPORARY DECALOGUE Bro. Broderick Mayo

Leader: Hear the commandments of God to His people: I am the Lord your

God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me.

People Amen, Lord have mercy

Leader: You shall not make for yourself any idol.


Leader You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God.


Leader: Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.


Leader: Honor your father and your mother.


Leader: You shall commit murder


Leader: You shall not commit adultery


Leader: You shall not steal


Leader: You shall not be a false witness

People Amen Lord have mercy

Leader: You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.


Leader: And, Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God, with all heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first, and great 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.

Gloria Patri #xvii-xviii


The Apostles’ Creed Sis. Clarissa Carmichael I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, dead and buried. The third day he arose from the dead, he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Church Universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, Amen.

The Historical Moment Sis. Delores Turner


The Welcome to Big Bethel Sis. Tisha Dease

The Special Presentation Bro. Charles Moore

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

The Worship Through Creative Expression Signs Of Praise mime Ministry

The Worship Through Giving Dr. Stanley Pritchett

The Choral Response

The Congregational Prayer Bro. Christopher Parker

The Presentation of the Bishop Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams


The Preached Word Bishop Reginald T. Jackson

132nd Elected and Consecrated Bishop in the AME Church

Presiding Prelate—Sixth Episcopal District

The Invitation to Christian Discipleship

The Remarks Sis. Roz Thomas, Co-Chairperson

Rev. John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate - Sixth District

The Recessional

Jesus Saves 9

The Doxology

The Benediction Bishop Jackson

The Postlude Bro. Phillip V. Skerritt, Jr.

SERVING IN TODAY’S WORSHIP EXPERIENCE Acolytes Kayla Jenkins & Bianca Thomas

Choir Big Bethel Mass Choir Philippians Tisha Dease

Stewardesses Eva Watson Stewardess Ministry

Stewards Guy Howard & Susan Wright

Trustee Annette Petty & Kerry Westbrooks/Dennis Brazil

Ushers Samuel H. Giles Usher Ministry

AV Ministry Marvin Fleming & SirRyan May

Finance Team Team 2-A

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

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Season after Pentecost Year C First* reading and Psalm Alternate* First reading and Psalm Second reading Gospel

Proper 24 (29) Twenty-Second Sunday after Pente-cost October 16, 2016

Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104

Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 121

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=284








Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate, 6th Episcopal District

Mrs. Christy Davis Jackson ESQ., Episcopal Supervisor, Sixth District

The Reverend Larry W. Hudson Sr., Presiding Elder, North Atlanta District

The Reverend John Foster Ph.D., Senior Pastor

The Reverend Charmain Purvis, Special Assistant to the Senior Pastor

The Reverend Monica Jones Ph.D., Director of Christian Education

The Reverend Willie L. Langley, Minister to the Sick & Shut-In/Nursing Care

The Reverend Rosie Hunter, Big Bethel Village

Bro. Vernon Kimbro, Minister of Worship & Arts

Jesus Saves 11


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Jesus Saves 13


Big Bethel AME Church A Brief History

Significant milestones have been etched into the fabric of Atlan-ta’s growth and development by members of Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church during it’s 168 year history. Prior to Emancipation, Slave Masters of the Methodist Episcopal Church provided a facility for our ancestors to worship at Bethel Tabernacle Church on the corner of Courtland and Jenkins Streets ( now Georgia State University). However, our founders’ never lost sight of their vision to organize a church for self expression, self-help, self govern-ment and worship. This dream became a reality when the mem-bers of Bethel Tabernacle united with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1866. This year’s theme,” Anchored for 168 Years By God: Pressing Forward to Greater Works” is taken from Philippians 3: 14. At last, we are coming to grips with the importance of each generation sharing these special events with one another. * A warm handclasp between Rev. James Lynch, sent to organ-ize the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South, and Rev. Joseph Wood, member of Bethel Tabernacle, in Atlanta resulted in the ‘Tabernacle’ becoming united with the African Methodist Episcopal connection in 1866. * Rev. Jesse Peck became a member of the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons while living in Boston, he became con-vinced of the organizations’ merits. Later, while pastoring at Big Bethel AME Church (Atlanta), established the first chapter of Free and Accepted Masons in Georgia, which became Saint James Lodge # 4, on March 5, 1871. * Morris Brown College was established in 1881, when Big Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) hosted the North Georgia Annual Conference. * The first National Convention of the National Association for The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was held at Big Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) in 1919. * A black Community Activist, Mr. Jesse O. Thomas, was able to convince the Atlanta City Council and the County Commis-sion to each give $ 5,000 for rebuilding Bethel church, after it was severely damaged by fire in 1921. The reason for support-ing this request was due to Bethel’s capacity to hold mass meet-ings of a non-denominational nature in the 1920’s. * One of Atlanta’s Historic Landmarks is Big Bethel’s “Lighted Cross” bearing the message ‘Jesus Saves”, the sign was installed in 1922. This blue neon – lighted sign on the church’s steeple is still shining as a symbol of “Hope for the World”. * The National Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was held at Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) in 1929. * The Big Bethel AME Church’s “Heaven Bound Choir” was featured at the premier of the film “Gone With Wind”, gaining an international reputation in 1930. The morality play “Heaven Bound” was authored and produced at Big Bethel AME Church and has been performed for 84 successive years since that time. * In 1953, Rev. Harold I. Bearden made arrangements with the first Black Radio Station in Atlanta, WERD, to broadcast direct-ly from the church, the Sunday morning ‘Worship Service” as an’ inspirational gospel feast’ for the “sick and shut in”. * In 1967 there was a legal change in the name of the church. The name was changed from Bethel African Methodist Episco-pal Tabernacle to Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. * The October 25, 1943, issue of “The Christian Recorder” commended Big Bethel Church for raising $65,000 to clear the church indebtedness made in 1924. This article recognized the

leadership of Rev. D. T. Babcock. Rev. Babcock’s tenure of 14 years at the helm of Big Bethel Church has not been exceeded to this date. * The last segregated graduation ceremony for Grady Hospital Nurses of Color was held on August 16, 1965 in Big Bethel’s Sanctuary. * During the administration of Rev. Ruben T. Bussey, the church celebrated its One Hundredth Birthday. One of the highpoints of his administration was the erection of Bethel Tow-ers (a Resident Housing Facility,) erected in 1968. On August 11, 2013, the mortgage for this $ 3, 514,700 building was burned. *Big Bethel’s “Great Moller Organ” was installed in 1924 with 16 ranks, three manual and pedal organ. In 1987 the organ was completely restored and expanded under the pastorate of Rev. McKinley Young, when the instrument was raised to 32 ranks. Additionally, during the Young years, a major renovation of the church was completed, including upgrading, upholstery of the church furniture and carpeting added throughout the sanctuary. * Rev. James L. Davis appointed as pastor of Big Bethel AME Church in 1992, established ambitious projects and programs. Among his greatest projects was PROCEED ( Prayerful-ly, Pro-claiming Our Community, Emphasizing Economic Develop-ment) , a catalyst for revitalizing “Sweet Auburn” and other communities. Some of it’s positive outgrowths include the Trin-ity-Bethel Partnership, Big Bethel Senior Village, acquiring the Parking Lot and Renaissance Walk. * During the administration of Rev Gregory V. Eason, Sr. in addition to his mantra of “Radical Hospitality”, FOCUS (Faithfully Obeying Christ with Unwavering Stewardship) was launched; to raise funds for the church to retire the debt incurred in purchasing the Parking Facility from Beaudry Ford Company. The parking lot is on John Wesley Dobbs & Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive. * In May 2013, Rev. John Foster, Ph. D, was appointed as pas-tor of Big Bethel AME Church. In addition to continuing the excellent programs and projects that are in progress, he launched a “New Video Ministry” , the ‘Big Screens’ are operational and the church services are streamed LIVE on the web weekly. The latest initiative that the church has embarked upon is “The Vi-sion for Big Bethel 2020”- to be the Preeminent Religious Pres-ence of the Auburn/Edgewood Corridor in Atlanta, GA. * In the 168 years of Big Bethel’s history, Thirty – Six Minis-ters have served as pastors -‘sainted spiritual leaders’ of this flock. Three of those ministers, the Reverends Harold I. Bearden (1964). McKinley Young (1992), & James L, Davis (2004) were elected from Big Bethel’s pulpit and consecrated as bishops in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition, three other pastors, who were Spiritual Leaders of Big Bethel were elected and consecrated as Bishop in the AME Church, are the Reverends Wesley J. Gaines, Joseph S. Flipper and Isaac N. Ross.

To God Be The Glory, Great Things He hath Done!

Jesus Saves 15

“The Spiritual Leaders”

Pastors of Big Bethel AME Church 1847 - 2015

Reverend Joseph Wood

Reverend Wesley John Gaines

Reverend Francis Jesse Peck

Reverend Charles L. Bradwell

Reverend William D. Johnson

Reverend L. H. Robertson

Reverend R. A. Hall

Reverend Richard Graham

Reverend Joseph Simeon Flipper

Reverend Lawrence Thomas

Reverend Robert M. Cheeks

Reverend Wellington G. Alexander

Reverend E. W. Lee

Reverend C. W. Newton

Reverend C. C. Cargile

Reverend Isaac Nelson Ross

Reverend Carl M. Tanner

Reverend F. R. Sims

Reverend Richard H. Singleton

Reverend I. F. Hall

Reverend Joel L. Butler, Sr.

Reverend C. G. Wylie

Reverend B. G. Dawson

Reverend Charles S. Williams

Reverend G. B. Scott

Reverend Dewitt T. Babcock

Reverend Dwight V. Kyle

Reverend Harold I. Bearden

Reverend Reuben T. Bussey

Reverend Lee Jerome Jones

Dr. D. C. Grant

Reverend McKinley Young

Dr. James L. Davis

Dr. Mark W. Thompson

Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr.

Reverend John Foster, Ph.D.


Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Vision Statement

A spirit-filled fellowship engaging in fervent worship, Bible-based teaching and preaching, and

compassionate missions driven to be the miracle in downtown Atlanta.

Mission StatemenT

The mission of Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ; and to

communicate to the world through preaching, teaching, evangelizing, worshipping, and stewardship, that “Jesus

Saves!”

Values Statement:

We are a God centered, people-oriented Christian community operating in an environment of excellence and

love. All that we do is undergirded by prayer.

dear big bethel family and friends church... · dear big bethel family and friends: ... deborah s....

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