The Foster Family 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 - ’s oldest African American church congregation - celebrates One Hundred Seventy-Two (172) 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 which still proudly proclaims that “Jesus Saves.” At this time of celebration – let us all give thanks and honor to the glory of God for Big Bethel AME Church.

We joyously welcome Bishop John Richard Bryant as our anniversary preacher. We welcome Bishop Bryant and his guests to Big Bethel AME Church.

Please allow me to give God praise for our Church Anniversary Chairpersons: Sis. Nannette McGee, Sis. Geri Dod- son, Sis. 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 - the Tailgate Kickoff Sunday, the Pilgrimage to Oak- land Cemetery, the Youth History Program, the Revival Week, the Trinity Table Weekend, the Kwanzaa-Sol and Mime Anniversary Concert and the Children Sabbath Weekend.

Sis. Mary Ann, Kristina (Dewey and Zoey), John Jr. and Jessica join me in wishing our ‘Big Bethel Family’ a blessed 172nd Anniversary!!!

“The Church that Christ Built” Sincerely,

Rev. John Foster, Ph.D. Senior Pastor

2 Big Bethel AME Church BISHOP JOHN RICHARD BRYANT—RETIRED

106TH ELECTED & CONSECRATED BISHOP OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Bishop John Richard Bryant is the son of the late Bishop Harrison James Bryant and Edith Holland Bryant. He was born and raised in , Maryland and is a graduate of Baltimore City College High School and is a graduate of in his hometown. After college, Bishop Bryant joined the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in West Africa from 1965 to 1967.

He has taken seriously the words "study to show thyself approved…" Bishop Bryant received his B.A. in 1965 from Morgan State University, Master of Theology in 1970 from the Boston University School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1975 from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He also received several Honorary Doctoral Degrees from , , Payne Theological Seminary, the Southern California School of Ministry, Virginia Seminary and his alma mater, Morgan State University. In addition, he was honored as an outstanding alumni of Boston University School of Theology and was inducted into the Baltimore City College High School Hall of Fame.

Bishop Bryant was a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow and while pursuing his doctoral studies at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, he completed special studies at the University of Lagos [Nigeria] and the University of Ghana at Legon and served as a Peace Corp volunteer.

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me…" is reflected in the witness of John Richard Bryant. He has pastored three churches, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Fall River, MA; St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cambridge, MA; and Bethel A.M.E. Church, Baltimore, MD. Under his pastoral ministry, 103 men and women have entered the Christian Ministry. With an emphasis on church growth, community development and political empowerment, he has preached and/or taught on more than 35 college campuses and across five continents. Bishop Bryant has served on several denominational, academic, community, ecumenical boards and was the recipient of many awards.

In 1988, John Richard Bryant was elected and consecrated the 106th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the General Conference in Fort Worth, . He was assigned to serve in the 14th Episcopal District (West Africa) where he presided over 101 churches and 25 schools. During his administration, he expanded the A.M.E. Church to include the first Francophone, the Ivory Coast. While in West Africa, he was given the additional assignment of the 10th Episcopal District (Texas) in January 1991.

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4 Big Bethel AME Church

Jesus Saves 5 Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church REVEREND JOHN FOSTER PH.D., SENIOR PASTOR

172nd Anniversary Worship Service Sunday, October 20, 2019 10:00 AM “ The Church That Christ Built” Matthew 16 :18 Worship Leader—Bro. Ernest Tate

The Prelude Bro. Kelvin Thompson

The Introit

The Processional Stewards, Acolytes, Mass Choir, Ministers & Worship 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

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 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. Clarissa Carmichael AME Hymn # 54 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

1. A mighty fortress is our God. A bulwark never failing. Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not His equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.

3. Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever. Amen

6 Big Bethel AME Church The Invocation Bro. Raushan Murray

The Choral Response

The Worship Through Music Big Bethel Mass Choir

The Scripture Lessons

Old Testament PSALM 91: 1-3 AND 16 Bro. Khamisi Walters

Epistle EPHESIANS2: 19-22 Sis. Racquel Battle

Gospel* MATTHEW 16:13-18 Sis. Geraldine Dodson

*The Congregation will stand for the reading of the Gospel

The Introit To The Decalogue (in the tune of #258) From All That Dwell Below The Skies, Let The Creator Praise Arise, Let The Redeemer’s Name Be Sung, Through Every Land, By Every Tongue.

The Decalogue (Abridged) Sis. Kristal Ammons

Leader: Let us express our commitment to keep God’s law

People: God of our salvation, only You are God. We will make no idols. We will not invoke with malice your name, O God. We will remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. We will honor our father and mother. We will not commit murder. We will not commit adultery. We will not steal. We will not be a false witness. We will not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor.

Leader: Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”

People: Jesus also challenged us with a second commandment which is like the first: We shall love our neighbor as ourselves! On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.

The Gloria Patri #xvii-xviii

The Apostles’ Creed Sis. J’kiya Shaw

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. Olivia Alston

The Worship Through Music Big Bethel Mass Choir

The Welcome to Big Bethel Sisters Linda Jolly and Ruth McKenzie

The Worship Through Creative Expression Signs Of Praise Mime Ministry

Jesus Saves 7 The Worship Through Giving Dr. Stanley Pritchett

The Exercise of Christian Stewardship — 2 Corinthians 9:7(NIV) 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

The Choral Response

The Congregational Prayer Dr. Andrea Lewis

The Introduction of the Preacher Pastor John Foster

The Worship Through Music Big Bethel Mass Choir

The Preached Word The Right Reverend John Richard Bryant—Retired 106th Elected & Consecrated Bishop African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Invitation to Christian Discipleship

The Pastor’s Words Pastor Foster

The Recessional

The Doxology

The Benediction Bishop Bryant

The Postlude Bro. Kelvin Thompson

SERVING IN TODAY’S WORSHIP EXPRERIENCE Acolytes Alexander & Christian Johnson Choir Big Bethel Mass Choir Philippians Linda Jolly & Ruth McKenzie Stewardesses R.T.Bussey Stewardess Ministry Stewards Ed Jones & William Coleman Trustees Jeffrey Robinson & Floyd Baxter Ushers Samuel H. Giles Usher Ministry AV Ministry Marvin Fleming & Diarra Davis, Phyllis Smiley Finance Team Team 2-A 8 Big Bethel AME Church

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

Sis. Patricia Coles (404) 254-4806 Rev. Betty Miley (770) 323-6841 Bro. Horace Ford (770)478-3013 Bro. Jack Shannon (404) 691-4590 Bro. Marion Hopkins (404) 691-3615 Sis. Joyce Spearman (404) 286-4891 Dr. Virgie Hopkins (404) 691-3615 Bro. Don Stewart (678) 289-2579 Sis. Ernestine Johnson (404) 629-0984

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Nineteenth Sunday after First* reading and Psalm Alternate* First reading Second reading Gospel Pentecost and Psalm

October 20, 2019 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Genesis 32:22-31 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Psalm 119:97-104 Psalm 121

Jesus Saves 9 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 * The last segregated graduation ceremony for Grady Hospital Methodist Episcopal Church during it’s 172 year history. Prior Nurses of Color was held on August 16, 1965 in Big Bethel’s to Emancipation, Slave Masters of the Methodist Episcopal Sanctuary. Church provided a facility for our ancestors to worship at Bethel * During the administration of Rev. Ruben T. Bussey, the Tabernacle Church on the corner of Courtland and Jenkins Streets church celebrated its One Hundredth Birthday. One of the ( now State University). However, our founders’ never highpoints of his administration was the erection of Bethel Towers lost sight of their vision to organize a church for self (a Resident Housing Facility,) erected in 1968. On August 11, expression, self-help, self government and worship. This dream 2013, the mortgage for this $ 3, 514,700 building was burned. became a reality when the members of Bethel Tabernacle united *Big Bethel’s “Great Moller Organ” was installed in 1924 with with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1866. This year’s 16 ranks, three manual and pedal organ. In 1987 the organ was theme, “The Church That Christ Built “ is taken from Mat- completely restored and expanded under the pastorate of Rev. thew16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and up- McKinley Young, when the instrument was raised to 32 ranks. on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall Additionally, during the Young years, a major renovation of the not prevail against it.”. Inevitably, as a people of faith who belief church was completed, including upgrading, upholstery of the in a powerful God, we continue to reach toward the mark looking church furniture and carpeting added throughout the sanctuary. to a Divine and Heavenly Father ,who will sustain us. * Rev. James L. Davis appointed as pastor of Big Bethel AME * A warm handclasp between Rev. James Lynch, sent to organize Church in 1992, established ambitious projects and programs. the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South, and Rev. Among his greatest projects was PROCEED ( Prayerfully, Joseph Wood, member of Bethel Tabernacle, in Atlanta resulted in Proclaiming Our Community, Emphasizing Economic the ‘Tabernacle’ becoming united with the African Methodist Development) , a catalyst for revitalizing “” and Episcopal connection in 1866. other communities. Some of it’s positive outgrowths include the * Rev. Jesse Peck became a member of the Prince Hall Free and Trinity-Bethel Partnership, Big Bethel Senior Village, acquiring Accepted Masons while living in Boston, he became convinced of the Parking Lot and Renaissance Walk. the organizations’ merits. Later, while pastoring at Big Bethel * During the administration of Rev Gregory V. Eason, Sr. in AME Church (Atlanta), established the first chapter of Free and addition to his mantra of “Radical Hospitality”, FOCUS Accepted Masons in Georgia, which became Saint James Lodge # (Faithfully Obeying Christ with Unwavering Stewardship) was 4, on March 5, 1871. launched; to raise funds for the church to retire the debt incurred * College was established in 1881, when Big in purchasing the Parking Facility from Beaudry Ford Company. Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) hosted the North Georgia Annual The parking lot is on John Wesley Dobbs & Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive. Conference. * In May 2013, Rev. John Foster, Ph. D, was appointed as pastor * The first National Convention of the National Association for of Big Bethel AME Church. In addition to continuing the excel- The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was held at Big lent programs and projects that are in progress, he launched a Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) in 1919. “New Video Ministry” , the ‘Big Screens’ are operational and the * A black Community Activist, Mr. Jesse O. Thomas, was able church services are streamed LIVE on the web weekly. The latest to convince the Atlanta City Council and the County Commission initiative that the church has embarked upon is “The Vision for to each give $ 5,000 for rebuilding Bethel church, after it was se- Big Bethel 2020”- to be the Preeminent Religious Presence of the verely damaged by fire in 1924. The reason for supporting this Auburn/Edgewood Corridor in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, during request was due to Bethel’s capacity to hold mass meetings of a Dr. Foster’s administration, the church has embarked upon a com- non-denominational nature in the 1920’s. plete renovation of Big Bethel Towers, which is scheduled to be * One of Atlanta’s Historic Landmarks is Big Bethel’s “Lighted completed during the Spring of 2019. The church and parking lot Cross” bearing the message ‘Jesus Saves”, the sign was installed properties celebrated a Mortgage Burning Ceremony in October in 1922. This blue neon – lighted sign on the church’s steeple is 2018. still shining as a symbol of “Hope for the World”. * In the 172 years of Big Bethel’s history, Thirty-Six Ministers * The National Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was have served as pastor -‘sainted spiritual leaders’ of this flock. held at Bethel AME Church (Atlanta) in 1929. Three of those ministers, the Reverends Harold I. Bearden (1964). * The Big Bethel AME Church’s “Heaven Bound Choir” was McKinley Young (1992), & James L. Davis (2004) were elected featured at the premier of the film “Gone With Wind”, gaining an from Big Bethel’s pulpit and consecrated as bishops in the African international reputation in 1930. The morality play “Heaven Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition, three other pastors, who Bound” was authored and produced at Big Bethel AME Church were Spiritual Leaders of Big Bethel were elected and consecrated and has been performed for 87 successive years since that time. as Bishop in the AME Church, they are the Reverends Wesley J. * In 1953, Rev. Harold I. Bearden made arrangements with the Gaines, Joseph S. Flipper and Isaac N. Ross. first Black Radio Station in Atlanta, WERD, to broadcast directly from the church, the Sunday morning ‘Worship Service” as an’ inspirational gospel feast’ for the “sick and shut in”. To God Be The Glory, Great Things He * In 1967 there was a legal change in the name of the church. hath Done! The name was changed from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Tabernacle to Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. * The October 25, 1943, issue of “The Christian Recorder” com- mended 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 Spiritual Leaders” Pastors of Big Bethel AME Church 1847 - 2019

Reverend Joseph Wood Reverend I. F. Hall Reverend Wesley John Gaines Reverend Joel L. Butler, Sr. Reverend Francis Jesse Peck Reverend C. G. Wylie Reverend Charles L. Bradwell Reverend B. G. Dawson Reverend William D. Johnson Reverend Charles S. Williams Reverend L. H. Robertson Reverend G. B. Scott Reverend R. A. Hall Reverend Dewitt T. Babcock Reverend Richard Graham Reverend Dwight V. Kyle Reverend Joseph Simeon Flipper Reverend Harold I. Bearden Reverend Lawrence Thomas Reverend Reuben T. Bussey Reverend Robert M. Cheeks Reverend Lee Jerome Jones

Reverend Wellington G. Alexander Dr. D. C. Grant

Reverend E. W. Lee Reverend McKinley Young Reverend C. W. Newton Dr. James L. Davis Reverend C. C. Cargile Dr. Mark W. Thompson Reverend Isaac Nelson Ross Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr. Reverend Carl M. Tanner Reverend John Foster, Ph.D.

Reverend F. R. Sims Reverend Richard H. Singleton

 Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate, 6th Episcopal District Mrs. Christy Davis Jackson ESQ., Episcopal Supervisor, 6th Episcopal District The Reverend Dr. 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 & Big Bethel Village The Reverend Willie L. Langley, Minister to the Sick & Shut-In/Nursing Care Minister Marissa Akery, Thrive College & Young Adult Ministry Rev. Chuck Lyons, Jr., Minister of Worship & Arts

- Hearing God’s Word in the Sermon – 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: ______

12 Big Bethel AME Church Big Bethel AME Church nd 172 Anniversary Committees Sisters Nannette McGee, Geraldine Dodson, Rosaland Thomas, Co-Chairs

Fall Revival Tailgate in the Park Church History William Petty Rosaland Thomas Ernest Tate Rev. Rosie Hunter Marcus Black Dr. Nellie Adams

Rev. Charles Lyons, Jr. N. Nannette McGee Anniversary Worship Service Marvin Fleming Donna M. Williams Edward Jones Seasoned Saints Tech Date Dr. Nellie W. Adams Dr. Stanley Pritchett Cornelius Pettway Dr. Stanley Pritchett Shawn Tidwell Decorations/Colors Everett Jolly Pilgrimage to Oakland Cemetery Linda Jolly Paschell C. Mix William Petty Hosts & Hostesses (Dinner)

Richard Marion Publicity Grace Terrell-McCoy Rev. Charles Lyons, Jr. Shelley Webster Ernest Tate M. Paulyne Morgan White Antar Donaldson Dr. Andrea Lewis Carol Ann Dove Ruth McKenzie Rev. Joyce Young Christopher Adams Martinique Mix June Nutter Nannette McGee Wanda Patterson Bernice Walters Rose Schofield Budget & Finance Shirley Simmons Charles W. Moore Dinner & Fellowship Carolyn Smith Geraldine Dodson Shelley Webster Cheryl Taylor Dr. Stanley Pritchett Grace Terrell-McCoy Rosaland Thomas Annette Petty Shawn Tidwell Timothy Crim Maria White Tillman

William Davis Tony Jones

Richard Marion

Charles Schofield

William Petty

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ADULTS —Come share an discuss issues of diversity as it impacts our children, our community and our church today.

14 Big Bethel AME Church

10/30

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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 16 love. All Big that weBethel do is undergirded AME Churchby prayer.