 THE POWER OF UNITY
Our ministry theme for the month of September is Unity. Without question, unity is much needed in our families, communities and especially in the church. Much can be said about unity. It generates a good and pleasant atmosphere. The psalmist penned in Psalms 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Jesus knew that unity would be necessary for the success and sustenance of the church so he prayed in St. John 17:21, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (KJV)
Jesus is saying that it is through our unity; not our division and neither through our mere coming together, that the world will believe that He was sent from the Father and is the Savior of the world!
In this passage of scripture, Jesus was praying for more than the church to just come together. He was praying for more than just church meetings, district meetings, fellowship meetings, conferences, conventions and convocations. He was praying that the church would be unified for the same purpose, cause and goal.
To illustrate the difference between coming together and unity you can look at the difference between the operations of a spotlight and a laser beam. Both produce light and both require the same electrical power to operate. However, a medium powered laser can burn through steel in a matter of seconds, while the most powerful spotlight can only make it warm. The difference between the operations of the two lights is unity.
When we understand the operation of a laser it will shed light on how we can foster unity and generate the power that Jesus prayed for. First of all a laser can be simply described as a medium of excited molecules with mirrors at each  end. Some of these excited molecules naturally decay into a less excited state.
In the decay process they release a photon, which is a particle of light. It is here that the unique process of the laser begins. The photon moves along and stimulates another molecule, inviting another photon to join him on his journey. Then these two photons stimulate two ...click to read more. |
 First Things First Submitted by First Lady Richardson Our Annual Women's Day service took place on Sunday, August 19th at 4:00 pm. The service was opened with praise and worship. Yours truly gave a special tribute to Emanuel's matriarch "Mother Elvie Owens, who recently turned 90 years young. The tribute consisted of a collection of her "Words of Wisdom" that she had spoken into the lives of the women of Emanuel over the years. Our men's department, overflowing with enthusiasm from the morning  service blessed us with a soul stirring selection entitled "God is My Everything". Our guest speaker this year was District Missionary Caberia Showers from King of Glory Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. We were blessed to hear a powerful word from John 15:3-5 letting us know that, "Your Connection is Key!" Here are just a few excerpts of the message: Whatever you are dreaming or planning on doing in life, your connection is the key. God had a close relationship with Adam every day until he disobeyed Him and he caused not only himself but all of humanity to become disconnected from God. Adam no longer had that close walk with God as he once did, because he lost his connection. He desired to be closer to Him, but God's voice was not as clear as it once was. It can be frustrating when your cell phone doesn't have a good connection. You can't hear the person clearly or sometimes ...click to read more. Click on picture below to view pictures and hear message. |
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Annual Men's Day
Submitted by Pastor Richardson
Emanuel's 2012 Annual Men's Day was simply spectacular. The men of Emanuel came together with one agenda and that was to glorify God. Men came in early to make their presence known in the Sunday School and then  gathered enthusiastically in their black suits, white shirts and purple bow ties for morning worship. The men participated in every aspect of the service, which included prayer, scripture reading, praise and worship, announcements, greetings, master of ceremony and receiving the offering. They were out front, on top and in charge!
The highlights of the service included a soul stirring testimony by Brother David Alexander who thanked God for taking him off the streets a year ago and turning his life around through salvation and the love of his new church family. Brother Will Brookins wrote, directed and performed along with others, a brief skit entitled "The Battle Between Trusting God and the devil's schemes" that depicted the life of a young man whose world was devastated through a series of unforeseen events that God used to test his faith. Though perplexed, he persevered through prayer and trusting God and the Lord gave him back what he lost and more. This skit also included an awesome mime presentation from Bro. Phillip Brooks, "Run Til I Finish".
The Emanuel Male Chorus was phenomenal. Under the tutelage of Minister Cornelius Dole from the New Original Church of God in Christ, the Male Chorus marched to their ... click to read more.
Click on picture below to hear the message and view pictures.  |
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First Jurisdiction Holy Convocation
As stated in Bishop Ocie Booker's letter to delegates, friends and guests regarding the First Jurisdiction IL 56th Annual Holy Convocation "We EXPECT God's presence to fill the temple every day and night. Souls would be saved, set free, and delivered through inspiring messages. Bodies would be healed through prayer and the laying on of hands. Families would unite and rekindle their love for each other. Every level of worship would be raised to a new dimension because we EXPECT GOD". These expectations were fulfilled!
The convocation convened Monday August 13th through Friday August 17th at the Abounding Life COGIC, where Pastor James Adams was the gracious host. Our theme this year was "The Nature of the Church". Truly God came in and met us every night.
Each night our praise team and jurisdictional mass choir under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth Lockhart and Sister Cathy Bogan, raised the roof with uplifting songs and melodies that prepared our hearts and minds for a powerful worship experience.
On Monday Night or special guest and keynote speaker was Bishop Brandon B. Porter. Bishop Porter is the Jurisdictional Prelate of Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Tennessee and the celebrated pastor of the Greater Community Church of God in Christ in Memphis Tennessee. He directed our attention to 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" His subject was in the form of a question ...click to read more.
Click on pictures below to hear excerpts and view pictures of the Convocation.
    
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 90th Birthday Celebration
On August 11, 2012, Emanuelites along with family, well wishers and friends gathered in a big way at the Zion Temple Church of God in Christ to celebrate the 90th birthday of our sainted matriarch, Mother Elvie J. Owens. The event was on the order of the old television series, "This is Your Life". Mother Owens sat in a special chair that was facing the audience, while various speakers stood behind her (and out of her sight) to provide clues of who they were by sharing stories of how Mother Owens influenced or impacted their lives. After these individuals would finish, they would ask Mother Owens "Do you know who I am"? Mother Owens smiled or laughed every time the question was asked and answered each time correctly.
A special plaque was presented to Mother Owens by Mother Ophelia Turner representing the Mother's Board of our church. Afterwards, many ...click to read more. |
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SEPTEMBER
EVENTS
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Sunday
September 2nd
9:00 AM
1st Sunday Pastoral Prayer
Sunday
September 2nd
4:30 PM
Emanuel will be worshipping with
Northside COGIC for:
Pastor & First Lady Taylor Anniversary
5414 West Rice St.
Chicago, IL
Monday
September 3rd
Labor Day
Saturday
September 8th
12:00 Noon
State Ministers Wives Alliance Meeting @ Northside COGIC
5414 W. Rice St.
Chicago, IL
Sunday
September 9th
5:00 PM
D. A. Reed Sr. District Fellowship Meeting
@ Restoration Ministries COGIC
6043 Hohman Ave.
Hammond, IN
Pastor Tyrone Gaston, Host
Monday
September 10th
6:30 PM
State Fellowship Meeting
@ Outreach Church
200 West 147th St.
Harvey, IL
Supt. James Sims, Host
Thursday
September 13th
7:30 PM
Emanuel will be worshipping with
People's Church of the Harvest for:
Pastor & First Lady Eaddy Anniversary
3570 West Fifth Ave.
Chicago IL
Sept. 17th - 20th
National Bishop's Conference
Detroit, MI
Friday
September 21st
7:30 PM
Emanuel will be worshiping with
Greater Love COGIC for:
Pastor & First Lady Peel Anniversary
Services will be held at People's Church of the Harvest
3570 W. Fifth Ave.
Chicago, IL
Saturday
September 22nd
10:00 AM
24th State
Women's Workshop @ Reed's Temple COGIC
1300 North Broad St.
Griffith, IN
Supt. David A. Reed, Host
Sunday
September 23rd
4:00 PM
Annual Mother's Board Day
Guest Speaker:
Msny. Martha Hogue
Greater Holy Temple COGIC
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