Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Series

 

 

SELF CONTROL

Dear Lord, We thank you for being a kind and loving father. We praise your most Holy and Righteous Name. On this day, at this moment in time we come before you asking that you endow us with a measure of self control. When faced with choices please enable us to reach down in our wells of spiritualty and Word based teachings to make wise decisions that model examples Jesus set before us. Help us to not return anger when we feel we have been wronged.  Instruct us in ways to say no to temptations that would make us stray from paths of righteousness.  Remind us over and over again that everything that looks good or sounds good is not necessarily good for us. Give us self control that Satan will be rebuked. Give us self control in our eating habits, self control in our language, self control in our Facebook postings, self control in the amount of television we watch. God, when we would gossip, give us a huge portion of self control. And when we would behave in ungodly was please dip u down in the seas of salvation and glory so that we bring honor to your name. AMEN!

Founder's Day 2015-Portsmouth VA

The Virginia Conference hosted this year's 2nd District Founder's Day. Coordinator Reverend Vanessa Copeland did an excellent job. The opening session Thursday night featured none other than Retired Bishop Frank C. Cummings, who preached on the topic, "Let The Church Be The Church." The service also included the recognition of the 2015 Living Legacy Award winners, representing each conference and the 2nd District Living Legacy Award winner-Senator Carolyn Pugh.


CONGRATULATIONS LIVING LEGEND AWARD RECIPIENTS!!

 

 

Friday featured plenary sessions on politics as it affects the AME Church, also "What's Going On In the Second" with panelists- Rev. Ann Lightner-Fuller (2015 Clergy Retreat); Rev. Glenda Hodges (80 Mile Cancer Run at the AME Bicentennial); Rev. Jonathan Weaver (follow up on financial literacy); Rev. William H. Lamar, IV (Duke Univ. Initiative); Rev. Joan Wharton (Deliverance 2015).  Friday night featured No Justice, No Peace + Hands Up + I Can't Breathe= Young Prophets Speak. The dynamic speakers were: Rev. Michael Bell Jr.; Evangelist Tiffany Morriar and Rev. Akil Dickens.

The closing service was highlighted by the powerful preaching of Rev. Andre' Jefferson- Bethel AME, Hampton, VA. What a BLESSED celebration we had. Thanks to all who attended!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. PAM!!!

This is the Day the Lord has Made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

~Psalm 118:24

 

May God's Goodness and Kindness Follow You all the days of your life!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Series

KINDNESS

Kindness is defined as friendly, considerate, caring and generous. Kindness is contagious.  The phenomenon of random acts of kindness originated when a stranger decided to be generous to another stranger just for the sake of doing a good deed.  That one act spurned a whole movement that spread across the nation and now February 17th is designated Random Acts of Kindness Day. That is well and good but I would propose that every day for a follower of Christ should be an intentional day of kindness.  There are so many way to be kind.

 Here are a few:

A smile and thank you to the grocery clerk

A positive text message to a friend

A phone call to someone on the sick and shut in list

A compliment to a parent about their child

Letting someone with a few items go in front of you in the store

Giving  your pastor a word of encouragement

We pray God that on this day we your children exhibit the spirit of kindness to everyone whose paths we cross. A kindness that flows from our heart and generates feelings of warmth and well being to all we meet. AMEN

Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Series

 

PEACE

Peace persists in the middle of chaos, peace plants seeds of forgiveness in poisonous hearts, peace provides proactive passionate pleadings for reconciliation. Peace prompts the hard hearted to seek love, peace places our bustling and hustling lifestyles on pause, peace puts pandemonium to flight.  Peace parts the seas of despair, peace pardons our pandemic perversions, peace paints prophetic portraits, peace permits past hurts to be healed.  Peace pours out Jesus' miraculous mercies, peace patiently persists in spite of pitfalls, peace partners with prayer and praise to achieve prosperity.  Peace presses on toward heavenly heights, peace plots precise paths of possibilities, peace preempts perdition, peace proclaims the presence of Christ and remember, "Peace passes all understanding."



Ash Wednesday

Dear Lord, As we enter this Solemn and Holy Season, we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit upon us that we might prepare ourselves for these coming 40 days of Lent. Even though we may no longer wear sackcloth and ashes, we do seek to humble ourselves so that we can understand the magnificence of Your love for us as You humbled Yourself  and gave Your life on the Cross that we might receive the gift of Eternal Glory with You. AMEN 



Community of Hope AME

Bishop DeVeaux was the guest preacher on Sunday February 15, 2015 at Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, MD where Rev. Tony Lee is the Senior Pastor.  Bishop's message was taken from Psalms 40 entitled, "Can We Sing A New Song". God has never made a promise He did not keep.  Even if you have fallen and you can't get up; and even down looks like up, just wait! God will put a new song in your heart!!

Bishop DeVeaux and Dr. Pam with Rev. Tony Lee and Rev. Nancy Lee



Black History Month

 

 Interesting Black History Month Facts:

 

• Black History Month is celebrated in February in Canada and the United States. It is celebrated in October in the United Kingdom.
• The first Negro History Week took place beginning February 7, 1926. Carter G. Woodson was its creator.
• Throughout history, many important events in Black History have occurred in February. It was chosen as the month to celebrate Black History Month because the Black abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass was born this month, and so was Abraham Lincoln, who played an important role in shaping Black history.
• In 1619 the first enslaved Africans were brought to the U.S. on a Dutch ship.
• The demand for slaves in the U.S. increased in 1793 when Eli Whitney's cotton gin was introduced.
• In 1808 Congress banned the importation of slaves.
• In 1849 Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery.  She later helped 300 other slaves gain their freedom by escaping through the Underground Railroad.
• The 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution was adopted by the 38th Congress on February 1st.  This amendment abolished slavery. It was approved in 1865.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed February 10, 1964. It made it illegal for state or local governments of public facilities to deny access to anyone because of ethnic origin or race. It also made segregation in schools illegal and subject to law suits. 
• On February 13, 1923, the first Black pro-basketball team was organized- "The Renaissance".
• On February 19, 2002 Vonetta Flowers won the first Black gold medal in Winter Olympic Games' history. Vonetta and her partner won the (women's) inaugural two-person bobsled.
• Robert Abbott became the first back millionaire after he founded the weekly newspaper, the Chicago Defender in 1905.  BET founder Robert L. Johnson became the first black billionaire in 2000.
• Recent counts put the black population of the U.S. at 45 million. New York has the highest number of black residents, with 3.7 million, while Washington, DC has the highest proportion of  African-Americans with 51 percent.



Noon Day Service

Rev. Lamar, Senior Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church- Washington, DC, was the guest preacher at the monthly noon day service at the 2nd Episcopal District's Joseph C. McKinney Chapel.  His message was taken from Mark 1:40-44 on the topic: "The Messianic Secret." When Jesus performed miracles, he didn't want to be known as a miracle worker, he commanded silence.  Faith is not based on the miracle but on the one who performed it. We want the Sunday morning but not the Good Friday experience.  Do we want the kind of Messiah that was sent or the kind of Messiah we want?

A blessed Word from the Lord!



Funny Friday



Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Series

JOY

Thank you Father for the sheer joy of being able to call you Father.

A joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.

We thank you Lord for the joy that we experience as we delight in the majesty of your handwork.  It was you and you alone who crafted the sun, moon and stars into a celestial masterpiece.  Thank you for the joy that we take in a baby's smile, a bird's chirping and the completion of a difficult task.  Forgive us Master for the times we have neglected to say thank you for the joy that Jesus brings into our lives, lives that would be mundane but because of Him each day brings new mercies that herald miraculous expectations.

On this day let us strive to share the joy of knowing and loving Jesus with all we meet.  Once we have been with Jesus there should be a joy that emanates from our spirits that sets us apart from the unsaved.  God make us joy givers. When we enter the presence of your children equip us to sow and cultivate a harvest of joyous bounty.  Help us to lighten and brighten the days of our brothers and sisters who are going through trials and tribulations.  We thank you God for who you are and we continue to marvel at your unending favor on our lives. We pray that through the storms you send your joy. In the stresses of a chaotic world you send joy. Help us to remember the world didn't give it and the world can't take away our joy.  You are and always will be the center of our JOY!! ~ AMEN



Founders Day

Sunday February 9, 2015 we had  a wonderful celebration of Founder's Day at Ebenezer AME Church, Ft. Washington.
POWERFUL PRAISE AND WORSHIP!!!

Bishop DeVeaux with a message from the Lord! Hallelujah!!

 

Howard University students pictured with Bishop and Supervisor DeVeaux along with
The Reverends Grainger and JoAnn Browning



Seventh District WMS retreat

Members of the Second Episcopal District WMS traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC to support Supervisor DeVeaux as she spoke at the opening Worship Service for the Seventh Episcopal District WMS retreat.  Bishop and Mother Mary Norris are the  leaders of the Seventh District.

Thank you to ALL who attended!!!



Welcome Reception

Dr. Pam hosted a welcome tea on behalf of the 2nd District to honor the hiring and arrival of Rev. Shively Smith, Associate Professor of New Testament Theology- Wesley Theological Seminary/American University.  Rev. Smith is on track to receive her Ph.D. from Emory University, in Atlanta this Spring. She is an ordained itinerant AME Elder. Welcome Rev. Shively Smith!!

A warm WELCOME from the 2nd District!!

 





Take Care Tuesday

• Healthy Heart Tip: Get regular physical activity! It helps lower blood pressure and helps your body control stress and weight  Start by doing what you can, even 10 minutes can make an impact on your heart.
• Healthy Heart Tip: Don't add extra salt to your meal.  Be cautious of pre-packaged food as they contain excessive amounts of salt for flavor and preservatives.
• Healthy Heart Tip: Eat more fish. Studies have shown that including fish high omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. salmon, herring, sardines and tuna) into your diet can reduce risk of heart disease by a third or more.
• Healthy Heart Tip: Know your numbers! Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides in check are important for good heart health.
• Healthy Heart Tip: Eat chocolate! Rich, dark chocolate not only tastes delicious, the flavonoids it contains can stave off heart disease according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Healthy Heart Tip: Go nuts! Almonds, walnuts, pecans and other tree nut deliver a powerful punch for lowering your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease.

 

Source: www.healthline.com



Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Series

LOVE  PRAYER

Thank you God for the love that you send us each and every day. A love that woke us up this morning.  A love that put food on our tables and clothes on our backs.  Lord, we are so grateful that you loved us so much that you sent your only begotten son to earth so that we would have life and have it more abundantly. We thank you for Jesus' extravagant love that he showers upon our daily walk with thee.

 To God be the glory for your Agape love. Thank you for a love that goes beyond measure. A love that has kept us in the darkest hours. Forgive us for the times that we have not shown to others the love that Jesus has modeled for us. Father, we come before you asking you to endow our hearts, souls, and minds with a love that will not quit.  Bestow on us a love that flows like a mighty river washing away guilt, shame, and hurts from the past, a stream of love that enters our spirits and releases tributaries of peace, joy, faith and hope. We pray that gossip, mean spiritedness and jealously be overwhelmed by the power of love. That Satan be relegated to a place of dishonor and insignificance as love exerts its absolute power.  In our world may demons of destruction be replaced by acts of construction that come from loving and following Jesus.  Now God, as we enter the political season of the Quadrennial and the General Conference, station your love angels in our midst so that all we say and do will be done in a spirit of love.  We stand committed to obey your commandment to first love you and then to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Love conquers all when we are in despair, in the midst of pain, heartache, grief or shame. And when we do not know where to go or what to do....Lord send us LOVE and we will continue to give you all Praise, Glory and Honor. ~AMEN