April 20 26, 2014 Dr. Byron T. Brazier, Pastor 6320 South Dorchester Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 773.667.1500 acog-chicago.org
Order of Worship SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2014 Praise & Worship Processional Prayer...Dr. Byron T. Brazier Scripture Reading Congregational Song Choir Announcements Tithes & Offering Choir Sermon...Dr. Byron T. Brazier Invitation Benediction Today s Musical Guests Our Mission The chief purpose of the Apostolic Church of God is to glorify God, who has given us the highest revelation of Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. In glorifying God, we enter into public worship services, seeking to give fitting expression to our profound and dedicated commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. In our worship, we find meaningful awareness of His presence with us, and we respond to this awareness with adoration and praise. Our worship includes the preaching and teaching of the gospel concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so as to enlighten the conscience to the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, and to open the heart to the matchless grace of God. In our worship service to Christ, we are to call sinners to repentance, lift the fallen, visit the sick, uplift and maintain the highest standards of morality, and urge all believers to seek a Spirit-filled life. It is essential that we nourish and cultivate the Christian lives of our parishioners, that we concern ourselves with giving aid and comfort to the poor, to work for better living conditions in society in general, and in our community in particular. In order to effectuate this purpose, the ministries and auxiliaries of the Apostolic Church of God were founded. Opal Staples Merlon Devine WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sundays 8 a.m. (Bible Study) 9:10 a.m. 11:40 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m. WEB Site Features Bible Study Tools Video Broadcasts Live Streaming Social Media Links Online Giving Registration Ministry Pages Church Tour, Calendar CURRENT BROADCAST We Are Not Ashamed BOOK PICK The Spirit- Filled Journey: Weekly Devotions for Growing in God is here! It s the third installment of the Apostolic Church of God devotional series, and it has new features designed to further enrich your spiritual journey. It s in the bookstore and at remote sites throughout the church. Pick yours up today and give one as a gift! THE CROSS & CROWN April Issue PREVIEW: Good Friday Service Joy of Easter Concert Annual Bible Conference
ROMANS 5:6 10 KJV 6-8 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Minister And this is the Word of the Lord. Bible Class Recap April 9, 2014 The Epistle of Romans Scripture: Romans 2 When you understand God s grace, you re able to handle the things that afflict you the most Romans lays out judgment and grace, right and wrong The basic theme of Romans is the righteousness of God God makes provision for obtaining His righteousness The rejection of God s righteousness will lead to God s judgment We grow continually in the Lord as we live out His righteousness until He calls us home We were guilty, but we ve been made innocent because of His righteousness Chapter 1 describes the sinful nature of man Chapter 2 describes the judgment of God Those who are saved will make it to heaven, but our works will be judged (vs 6) You can watch the complete Bible class The Epistle of Romans online at acog-chicago.org Scripture Reading 9,10 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Congregation Glory be to God! Apply the Word Today we celebrate the victory of the cross: Christ rose from the dead, sealing His victory over death and the grave. His victory is our victory because His sentence to suffer and die was our sentence. Christ took our place. He took on every last sin of every single human being past, present, and future. Think about that for a moment. We don t deserve that kind of sacrifice, but Christ did it because God loves us so much. It s hard to comprehend; yet, it is that kind of love that should propel us to love others a little bit better, especially the ones God has placed in the intimate circles of our lives. Christ said, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one s life for his friends (John 15:13). He did that for us His friends and that s what we re called to do for our friends, to give of ourselves sacrificially. As we celebrate the most extraordinary expression of love we ll ever know, let s strive to fulfill our call as believers to love others unselfishly. Come to Bible Class Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., or stream it live online at acog-chicago.org. 3
Upcoming Events Following are announcements about the activities happening here at ACOG. We encourage you to get involved. SISTERHOOD CONNECTION Women of Faith. Please join the Women of Faith Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Our topic will be Real Self, Ideal Self, Dreaded Self, with Evangelist Nettie Ratcliffe. All women are welcome to join us for a wonderful discussion and fellowship. I Am What You See. 2014 Pearls Registration. Registration for the Pearls service honoring ACOG members 70 and older will continue each Sunday through April 27. The annual event will be held Sunday, May 18, at 3:45 p.m. in the Kenwood Sanctuary. If you are a member who is 70 or older and you have not previously been inducted as a Pearl, please register at the Dorchester kiosk between first and second services only. SINGLES MINISTRY Singles, Mark Your Calendars. Living the Single Life Ministry is still taking reservations for the trip to Orlando, Florida, to visit the Holy Land Experience theme park. This trip is open to anyone who would like to join us. So stop by Fellowship Hall after first service or the Dorchester kiosk after second service to pick up more information about the cost of the trip, the registration form, and airfare suggestions. A deposit of $55 is required to hold your spot. Please note that you must present a registration form before payment is accepted. The trip must be paid in full by June 8. You can also pay on the trip during the week at the Saving Grace bookstore. YOUNG ADULTS The Academy. Are you between the ages of 18 30, and waiting for an opportunity to plug into your church community? Wait no more; there is a place for you! The Academy is a place for young adults to build community, study Scripture, and discuss the challenges of following Christ in today s society. We convene every 2 nd and 4 th Thursday of every month. So please join us May 8 at 7 p.m. in room 305. If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa Whitsett at 773.256.4174 or vanessaw@acog-chicago.net. NEW MEMBERS New Member Wednesday Night Class. New Member Wednesday night classes will be April 30, May 7, and May 14. Classes begin promptly at 6:15 p.m. and will be in room 202. If you have any questions, please call 773.256.4204. PERSONAL SERVICES Widows Network. The Widow s Network of ACOG invites all widows to attend our second quarterly session Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The topic is The Glory of 4 And you shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new.
Upcoming Events Empowerment, presented by our very own Dr. Frankie Swoops- Bynum. Living Life with Lupus. Help us celebrate Lupus Awareness month Saturday, May 3, in Fellowship Hall, from 12 noon to 2pm. We will be having a silent auction. We hope to see you there, and bring someone with you. CDM Interviewing Workshop. The Career Development Ministry will host Interviewing and Negotiating the Offer Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in rooms 300 and 307. Attend this workshop and learn how to enhance or improve your interviewing skills, respond appropriately to behavioral-based questions, prepare and ask important questions to understand the organizational culture; and discuss and negotiate salary and benefits. Register in Fellowship Hall following first service or online at acogchicago.org. EDUCATION Daytimers Trip. Daytimers will be going to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, June 10 14. The cost is $373 per person. This all-inclusive trip includes accommodations for three nights, dinner and breakfast, a play, and a Holy Land tour. We will depart from ACOG Tuesday, June 10 at 9 p.m. and return Saturday, June 14, around 10 p.m. Pay during Tuesday s Daytimers. Final payment is due May 27. Orientation is Tuesday, June 3, at 9 a.m. GENERAL Strivettes Scholarships. Strivettes Scholarship applications are now available! These scholarships are for Apostolic Church of God young people (under 25 years old) who will be attending college in the fall of 2014. Applications will be distributed from April 6 to May 4. Strivettes members will be at the kiosk in the Dorchester lobby to hand out applications. Applications must be mailed and postmarked by May 15, 2014. Mother s Day Luncheon. You and your families are invited to attend the Annual Mother s Day Luncheon celebration on Saturday May 10, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Bishop William Hudson III. Vendors will be available to accommodate Mother s Day gift shopping, as well as a photographer for family portraits. Tickets are $30 per person; bus transportation is also available for an additional $5 per person. Purchase your tickets after first service Sundays in Fellowship Hall, online at acog-chicago.org, or in the bookstore during the week. Bible Conference 2014 (time correction for afternoon prayer). Empowered by a New Reality: Living in the Reality of God s Word is the theme of the 82 nd Annual Bible Conference. It s coming April 21 25. This year s conference will open with Israel & New Breed in concert Monday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Each day will These all attended on one accord in prayer and supplication. 5
Upcoming Events begin with a morning prayer service from 6:15 to 7 a.m. in Kenwood Sanctuary. Bible class will be held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., afternoon prayer at 2 p.m., and dinner at 4 p.m. Special conference activities will be held for children and teens. Teachers and preachers include: Dr. Jeanne Porter King, Elder Philip France, Pastor Yolanda Hunt, Pastor Smokie Norful, Pastor DeAndre Patterson, Elder David Hollis, Pastor James Meeks, Dr. W. James Campbell, Dr. Sandra Riley, Dr. Noah Nicholson, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Dr. Ricky Allmon, and Bishop J.W. Walker. Jermone Glenn will be the speaker for our teen conference, which will be held Tuesday Friday. Brown-Bag Devotional Discussion. Do you have your 2014 devotional? Join the Brown Bag discussion groups for lively and encouraging discussions in the Banquet Hall every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. before Bible class. You re welcome to bring your dinner snack and share how the Word is feeding you this week. Online Giving and Registration. Whether you re at home, at work, or out of town, you can pay your tithes or register for an event any time of the day, any day of the week at acog-chicago.org. Simply go to the church s Web site and click on Online Giving in the main navigation. If you have questions, contact Sister Janice Dortch at 773.256.4106 or janiced@acog-chicago.net. Wednesday Prayer Service. Please join our weekly afternoon prayer service to pray for our nation. We meet every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m., led by Elder Nathan Haymon, who started the prayer service in 1957. Come out, and you will be blessed. Pastor Q&A. Do you have a question for the pastor? E-mail your questions and comments to pastor@ acog-chicago.net. Mobile Giving & Registration App. You can pay your tithes, offering, and register for an event from your smartphone or tablet. Simply type the following URL in your browser: acog-chicago.givetoday.com. 6 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders
Happening This Week Sunday, April 20 Time q SMBS (Bible Study) 8:00 a.m. q First Service 9:10 a.m. q Children s Worship 9:10 a.m. q Donuts & Coffee 11:00 a.m. q T-Zone Café 11:00 a.m. q Second Service 11:40 a.m. q Children s Worship 11:40 a.m. q T-Zone Worship 12:00 p.m. Monday, April 21 Time q Morning Prayer Service 6:15 a.m. q Daytime Bible Class 11:00 a.m. q Afternoon Prayer 2:00 p.m. q Evening Bible Class 6:00 p.m. q Worship Concert 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Friday, April 22 25 Time q Morning Prayer Service 6:15 a.m. q Daytime Bible Class 11:00 a.m. Upcoming Events Tuesday Friday, April 22 25 Time q Afternoon Prayer 2:00 p.m. q Dinner 4:00 p.m. q Registration & Check-In for Youth 5:00 p.m. q Evening Bible Class 6:00 p.m. q Teen Bible Discussions 6:00 p.m. q Children s Activity Hour 6:00 p.m. q Teen Worship Experience 7:15 p.m. q Worship Service 7:30 p.m. q Children s Worship Experience 7:40 p.m. Saturday, April 26 Time q Young Brothers for Christ 9:00 a.m. q Young Sisters for Christ 9:00 a.m. q Youth Orchestra 9:00 a.m. q Voice Academy 10:00 a.m. q Adult Fitness 12:00 p.m. q Baseball Training 1:00 p.m. q Adult Volleyball 2:00 p.m. And you shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. 7
Saving Grace These titles and others are available in the Saving Grace Book Center. April Feature Get 20% off all artists, including Israel & New Breed Weekly Broadcast WORSHIP SERVICE WCIU TV 26 Sundays, 8 a.m. Bookstore Hours Monday Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (reopens after Bible Class from 9 to 9:30 p.m.) Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed during services) SPEAKER SERMON SCRIPTURE NOTES Today s Menu The Banquet Hall is closed today. Enjoy the afternoon with your family and friends.