Sunday Service, June 2, 2024

Holy Communion Exhortation One

Today is the first Sunday of the month, and we take communion on the first Sunday of each month to remember the Lord’s death. I will call on Bishop Kevin Clark to lead our communion service today. After Bishop Clark is done with the exhortation and prayer, I will ask Mr. Edward Barbee, Mrs. Darlene Barbee, and Mr. Victor Barbee to pass around the element very quickly.

Tithe and Offering

It is time for us to give to God our tithe and offering. Giving to God brings glory and helps the local church advance the kingdom of God. As we give today, let’s give to God as a testament to our faith and love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Ushers, please pass around the offering plates as we collect our tithe and offering. Please follow the instructions on the screen on how to give.

Welcome

We welcome everyone to our Sunday Worship Service. We are happy to have you with us today and welcome all who join us online. Please greet some folks around you and welcome them to our worship service. I want to quickly recognize my brother-in-law, Pastor Emmanuel Kai, and his wife, Caroline Kai, of Grace Sanctuary Church in Minnesota, who are visiting us today. Pastor Kai, please come up very quickly to greet the church.

I also want to recognize my friend, Retired Pastor Willis Farris, and my former boss, Lisa Scott. They are also visiting with us today.

Announcement

Every Wednesday Night is our Church’s weekly BIBLE STUDY CONNECT. BIBLE STUDY is the basis of our spiritual growth, and we meet here at the church at 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we connect with God and each other through STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD. Our weekly prayer time at the church is on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. To all the leaders of this church, our next church leadership meeting is Saturday, June 15th, at 12:00 p.m. here at the church. And to all the men, our next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, June 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at the church. I have some excellent news for the church – we will launch a new App through Subplash. Subplash created the first church App in 2009, and today, Subplash is building upon that same powerful platform to make an impact on the gospel. This App will help to boost our church’s online presence with one integrated platform that allows us to save resources, share the gospel, and make disciples for Jesus Christ. This week, our media department will start the on boarding process, and after that, we will train our church and ministry leaders on how to use the App. I think we have covered all the announcements for today.

Introduction of Council of Elders

If you are a church member, raise your hand if you have read our church Statement of Faith. In ARTICLE V, under Church Leadership, we have the Council of Elders in our church Statement of Faith. The Council of Elders advises the Pastor on all matters relating to the church's progress. It holds the Pastor accountable for fulfilling the church’s vision and the Great Commission, the marching orders given to the church by Jesus Christ. So, today, I invited all the Council of Elders leadership members to be with us this weekend so I can formally introduce them to the church. Two of the Council of Elders are members of this church, and three are not members of the church. These are godly people of God; some are retired pastors who have served the church faithfully for many years. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.”

Our Council of Elders gives the pastor and leaders of this church wise counsel, and I want to thank them. As I call your name, I will ask that you please come up and face the church. Mr. Edward Barbee and his wife, Darlene Barbee, Mr. Ivery Johnson, Mr. Stephen Roy, Bishop Timothy Johnson of Minnesota, and Bishop Kevin Clark of Florida. God bless you all, and thank you for your leadership.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Father God, I pray that the Holy Spirit teaches and guides us as we prepare to receive Your faithful word, that is full of power and truth. I pray for a church that faithfully obeys God’s Word and applies it to daily life. May Your word inspire and strengthen everyone here today. I also pray that You bless the tithe and the offering as we honor You with our giving, and may our giving be used to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth. We pray all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Declaration of Faith in God

Let us stand and say the Declaration of Faith in God together.

Introduction of Guest Preacher

Bishop Timothy Allen Johnson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Church Ministries Association (MCMA), is today's guest preacher. Bishop Johnson served on the pastoral staff at Central Free Church in Minneapolis, MN, from 1980-84, and he also served as a consultant to several churches and organizations, including our church. Bishop Johnson is the author of several books on church leadership and administration and a conference speaker. My wife and I met Bishop Johnson when we served as Youth Directors at Ebenezer Community Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. Bishop Johnson was kind enough to write me a Letter of Recommendation when I applied to the seminary, and he also encouraged me to pursue my Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching and Teaching. When I started my doctoral action research project, he was the first person I sent my doctoral thesis statement for review and comments. I believe the Holy Spirit will use Bishop Johnson today to bless us with the Word of God. Please join me as we welcome Bishop Timothy Johnson.

Altar Call

Two thousand years ago, on the cross, Jesus Christ shed His blood for your sins and my sins, and when Jesus sees the blood that was shed for our sins, that is the root of our salvation. Your salvation comes from the blood that was shed, but the blood was shed because of our sin. So, today, when we confess our sins to the Savior who shed the blood, we are told we will go to heaven because we are covered with the blood of Jesus. There is only one way to be a part of God's Kingdom, and that is by acknowledging that you are a sinner and you need a Savior. Is there anyone here today who would like to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Come to Jesus by faith and ask Him to forgive your sins, and you will receive the gift of eternal life. It is free, and it would cost you nothing. I want to pray for you. And for those who are already Christians, I urge you to reaffirm your commitment to Jesus Christ.

And so, Father, we pray for each one who comes today and those watching this live stream. As we pray with them, we pray that You will give them the experience of a lifetime, that yesterday is yesterday, and even if folks remember where they were, new stories of faith will come as they take the steps to receive Jesus into their heart. And we will give You the glory and honor in Jesus’ name.

Let us pray and close with a celebration today.

Benediction

Heavenly Father, my prayer for us today is that we will consistently abide in Your presence so we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit. This week, may we seek You, and may Your Holy Spirit fill every empty space in our hearts, minds, and souls. We thank You and glorify You for Your Word and Your worship. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Thank you so much for spending time with us. We will see you next week at 10:30 a.m. Until then, have a great week, and God bless you.