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E d i f i c at i o n • I n s p i r at i o n • B o o k s • C o m m u n i t y & O u t r e a c h • He a lt h & W e l l n e s s • M i n i s t r y • Y o u t h
a
p u b l i c a t i o n
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t h e
A p o s t o l i c
C h u r c h
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g o d
MAY 2012
AlsoInside
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Walking in our inheritance | Preparing to go home | Saving more for retirement
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8
aroundACOG
Easter Weekend at ACOG
E
aster Weekend at Apostolic Church of God culminated Resurrection Sunday, April 8, with an awesome
worship service in song (see more on pages 8-9). However, it began with a solemn yet uplifting Good
Friday service, where the saints of God served one another in a spirit of love via foot-washing and Holy
Communion. Photos by Leonard McGee and Marlon Medious
Pastor
Dr. Byron T. Brazier
Founding Editor
Therese McGee
Managing Editor
Jennifer LuVert
Editors
Darlene Dennard, Reginald Griffin
Samira Robinson, Sharon Prince
Church Office Assistant
Doris Williams
Photography
Donnie Hampton
Tyrone Mason
Leonard E. McGee
Editorial Assistant
Sharon Prince
Distribution
Eric Owens
Mary Robinson
May Contributors
Reginald Griffin
Rapheal Mathis
Jacquelin McCord-Harris
Laura Penson
Sharon Prince
Design/Layout
comingUP
LaShaunn Tappler
LT ComDesign, LLC
Brotherhood Enlightenment Series. Brothers, the
Word of God provides us with many answers to life’s
challenges. Throughout our Christian walk, the Word
of God strengthens us and lights our path as we take
each step. Join us for our thought-provoking threepart “Enlightenment Series” as Dr. David Daniels
speaks to the brothers on how the Word builds us and
allows us to spiritually mature. We will discuss the
topic May 24, at 7 p.m.
2 | The Cross&Crown
Marriage Stuff Series. In the bank of love, how do
you score? Join Covenant Partners Friday, May 18 at
7 p.m. for Marriage: Banking on Success. It is the
second in a four-part series. This session is entitled
“Reviewing Your FICO Score (Finance, Intimacy,
Communications and Obligations).” You will learn
to assess, examine, and fine tune your marital
relationship based on God’s Word and have fun
while doing it. Please join married couples that are
looking to invest in a more godly relationship, renew
their sense of commitment and intimacy, and
eliminate liabilities and distractions of the enemy.
Childcare is available. Please contact Yolanda
Williams at 773.256.4184 to register.
The Cross & Crown is published
monthly by the Apostolic Church of
God, 6320 South Dorchester Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois 60637 © 2012.
All submissions are welcome and
will be reviewed for publication.
The deadline for advertisements is
the first Sunday of each month prior
to the month in which the ad will
appear. Submissions should be left
in the newsletter folder in the
administrative office.
ISSN: 1543-9712 Volume 10 Issue 5
The Great Inheritors
ministryNEWS
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:11–12)
O
T
here’s one thing I know: everyone has a
past and everyone wants a future. Those
who want a future are always looking for
a better way. They are looking for that place of
self-determination, that place where their faith
interconnects with their legacy of Jesus Christ
and the inheritance we have with Him. A child of
God (his or her life) intersects with the promises
of Jesus Christ, who is our legacy, and the inheritance He has left with each of us.
Joshua is a primary example of this legacy
participation:
After the death of Moses the servant of the
LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke
to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,
saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now
therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and
all this people, to the land which I am giving
to them—the children of Israel. Every place
that the sole of your foot will tread upon I
have given you, as I said to Moses. From the
wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the
great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of
the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the
going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
No man shall be able to stand before you all
the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I
will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to
this people you shall divide as an inheritance
the land which I swore to their fathers to give
them. Only be strong and very courageous,
that you may observe to do according to all
the law which Moses My servant commanded
you; do not turn from it to the right hand or
to the left, that you may prosper wherever
you go. This Book
of the Law shall
not depart from
your mouth, but
you shall meditate in it day and
night, that you
may observe to do
according to all
that is written
in it. For then
you will make
your way prosperous, and
then you will
have good
success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you
wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1–9, NKJV)
Because Joshua was steadfast in his belief that
he and his people would receive exactly what God
promised them, and that they were more than
able to overcome the imposing enemy nations
blocking their way, he was one of the few who
were able to enter the Promised Land after spending decades in the wilderness. But even then, it
wasn’t going to be easy. That’s why God repeatedly told Joshua to be strong and of good courage.
We inherit so many good things when we
say yes to Jesus Christ. We inherit eternal life,
which begins the moment we give our lives to
the Lord. At that moment, we are filled with the
Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance
(Ephesians 1:14). We inherit the kingdom of God,
which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy
Spirit (Romans 14:17). Yet, as joint-heirs with
Christ, we will face obstacles while we walk out
our faith on earth. There will be times when we
wonder where did the peace and joy go. Despite
our inheritance, we will face the opposition of
people who are hostile toward Christianity and
“hate” us because of Christ. Sometimes we may
face opposition from within our Christian community. What are we to do in those situations?
Be strong and of good courage.
When things aren’t working out the way we
think they should or are not happening quickly
enough, we may be tempted to find our own
solution and not wait on the Lord. What are we to
do? Only be strong and very courageous, that you
may observe to do according to [the Word]. There
will be days when we are weary with life’s disappointments and feel nothing like children of the
King with a great inheritance. What must we do
when we feel like giving up? Be strong and of good
courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for
the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Whatever obstacles we face in life, from without
or within, we will prosper wherever we go when
we follow as the Lord leads.
Today begins another day of our legacy and
our inheritance in Jesus Christ, and every day we
arise is another day to praise God for all He has
done (and is going to do) in our lives—no matter
what we’re up against.
Neighborhood Prayer Vigil
n Thursday, April 5, Dr. Byron T. Brazier
and a group of men and women from
ACOG joined the Network of Woodlawn,
which held a prayer vigil in the 6300 block of
S. Evans. The vigil was held to “express
solidarity and support” to residents and the
family members of three men murdered inside
an apartment on that block in late March, as
well as to celebrate an arrest in the case. The
vigil was followed by a march to 63rd and St.
Lawrence Ave. for a third district Chicago
Police Department roll call.
80th Annual Bible Conference
Photo: Donnie Hampton
by Dr. Byron T. Brazier
Photo by Victor Powell
aroundACOG
T
he 80th Annual Bible Conference, held the
last week in April, did not fail to make an
impact on thousands who attended. This year’s
conference, which marked the 80th
anniversary of the Apostolic Church of God,
was streamed live via the church’s Web site.
One attendee posted on Facebook, “The Bible
Conference was fantastic, uplifting and full of
power. We learned something new about grace
each night. Nobody but the Lord could have
filled and empowered those speakers with such
incredible messages.” She was speaking to this
year’s theme, “Amazed by Grace,” and the
cadre of men and women that included repeat
guest speaker Bishop Noel Jones and
newcomers Dr. Cynthia James and Bishop
Rudolph McKissick. One of the highlights of
the conference was a video, a portion of which
played each evening, highlighting pivotal
moments in the church’s eighty-year history.
To see the video, visit our Web site at acogchicago.org. In-depth coverage of the 80th
Annual Bible Conference will be featured in
the June issue of The Cross & Crown.
This month’s column is based on the sermon
“Love Without Limits” preached in March 2012.
pastor’sCOLUMN
May 2012 | 3
aroundACOG
Someone You Should Know: Doris Williams by Laura Penson
W
hen you call the Apostolic Church
of God, whose is that friendly,
professional pleasant voice that you
hear? It belongs to Doris Williams. The Apostolic
Church of God’s receptionist and switchboard
operator for twenty-two years, she is responsible
for greeting guests and answering telephone calls
for the staff.
Doris loves her job. She loves greeting and
meeting individuals who visit the church.
Sometimes, she receives 650 calls per day. Doris
newMEMBERS
confesses that it can be cumbersome at times
when greeting individuals who may not be so
receptive. However, it’s important to maintain a
professional, pleasant demeanor at all times even
when you may be facing personal challenges.
Doris has been a member of the Apostolic
Church of God for fifty-five years. Before the
late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier became the pastor
(then Elder Brazier), Elder Clemmons was the
pastor of Apostolic Church of God. When he
passed, Elder Ahart Medders was appointed
pastor and then Rev. Arthur M. Brazier in 1960.
She was very active at the church. She served
on an auxiliary called the Busy Bees with Sister
Isabelle Brazier from 1989 to 1990. For fifteen
years, she volunteered with the Just Checking
Committee with Sister Lucille Brumfield, a
ministry that coordinated Christmas parties and
organized outings for the senior citizens of the
church.
Before Doris became a member of ACOG, she
was a member of the Church of God in Christ
for nine years, under the leadership of Bishop
Louis Henry Ford (the same Bishop Ford for
which the Calumet Expressway is named).
Before working for the church, she worked
for Santa Fe Railroad for seventeen years as a
switchboard operator and for Michael Reese
Hospital paging doctors for nine years.
A native of Chicago Heights, Illinois, she
moved to Chicago when she was nine years
old. She attended Forestville and John Ferrin
elementary schools and night school at Hyde
Park high school, where she received her
diploma. Doris graduated at the top of her class.
When she is not working, she loves to read,
listen to jazz, classical music, and old school
music. Her favorite singers are Andrea Bocelli
and Luciano Pavarotti. She also volunteers for
the deaf (she has a daughter who is deaf). She
enjoys getting up every morning and coming to
work. She said working keeps her active. “Just
because you are a retiree, doesn’t mean that you
have to stop working,” she declares, meaning no
one should have the desire to sit at home and do
nothing. “You should want to have the desire to
help others.”
Doris has been married to her husband, John,
for fifty six-years. They have six kids, eleven
grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.
All of her children are members of the Apostolic
Church of God.
Doris has no plans to retire any time soon.
“As long as I am able to perform my tasks, I will
continue to work.”
The following people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or transferred their church membership
in March:
Ray Adkins
Herman Griffin
Crachey Peten
Medina Alan
Gabrielle Griggs
Kevin Powell
Marlon Bernard
William Hall
Carl Pruitt
Kim Bradley-Martin
Wendy Harris
Alfreda Pryor
Anya Parham Brooks
Michael Hayes
Heather Ratlay
DeAndre Brooks
Alexander Heidlberg
Demetrice Stallworth
Lakeisha Byrd
Barbara Jackson
Jermaine Stanton
Andre Calahan
Phyllis Johnson
Arnita Sutton
Nap Chhim
Edric Jones
Angel Shegog
Rosa Colon
Maurice Jones
Karon Smith
Jineshia Dickerson
Crystal Nelms
Barbara Thomas
Eric Donaldson
Andre Mahomes
Christina Wade
Micaela Eubanks
Eddie Martin
Sheri Wade
Alicia Fisher
Nancy Mitchell
Pamela Ward
Raymond Funchess
Cedrick Nichols
Terrance Weatherspoon
Bernard Gilmore
Ollie Owens
Edwina Walters
John Goings
Lisa Parish
Shawnda Wilkinson
4 | The Cross&Crown
New Member Highlights
Right Hand of Fellowship
The next Right Hand of Fellowship is
Sunday, June 3, and will be during our
9:10 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. service. Please
arrive early and register at the kiosk
before services begin.
Wednesday Night Classes
The next Wednesday night classes are
June 6, 13, 20, and 27 and begin at
6:15 p.m. and will be held in the
Banquet Hall. If you have questions,
please call 773.256.4204
lifeAPPLICATION
forSINGLES
Learning How to Love For Real: Recap of
the Singles Ministry “Love Again” Seminar by Reginald Griffin
inTHEWord
The Body of Christ
Photo: disabilitycampaign.org
by Jacquelin McCord-Harris
J
Joni Eareckson Tada in her studio
L
ast April, Living the Single’s Life Ministry held a seminar entitled “Love Again.” The seminar
was led by Patrick Shaffer, pastor of City of Faith Christian Church and based on his book of
the same title. Pastor Shaffer pealed back, layer by layer, life’s love experiences from loosing
ones loved, while emphasizing that loving after loss is not limited to a romantic relationship between a
man and a woman.
Each seminar—four altogether—began with refreshments, which were in such abundance that they
nearly made a meal. The lessons always began in prayer, which had an interesting element afterward.
Pastor Shaffer asked the assembly of congregants, which included single men and women from ACOG
and other local churches, to relate an experience that was most meaningful in their lives. Each week,
Shaffer covered topics from the assigned chapters of his book. Before the seminar each participant was
asked to purchase Pastor Shaffer’s book. Each session was filled with lively audience participation, and
the lessons were filled with bullet points such as how to love again:
• after a divorce
• after the death of a loved one, and
• after a difficult breakup with a significant other.
The core of Pastor Shaffer’s teaching was learning how to heal
after suffering such losses.
Now at first, I thought all I had to do was read the book
and forgo attending the sessions. I’m glad my thinking was
quickly changed because the teaching, along with congregational participation, left participants feeling not only edified
but also satisfied in a Spirit-filled experience.
oni Eareckson Tada was a championship swimmer who became a quadriplegic as a result of a horrific accident.
After a long period of mental and physical
recovery, Joni became a wife, an artist (by
holding the paint brush between her toes),
a singer, an author of more than forty
books, an internationally acclaimed evangelist, and a radio host. She is an inspiration
for the disabled and the abled-bodied.
As Christians, we are the members of the
body of Christ—His church. We are knit
together by His love, grace, and mercy to
work in harmony with each other and in
support of one another. Each of us has been
blessed by God with special gifts to carry
out the ministries of the church. Some will
be ministers, teachers, singers, cooks, etc.—
all are important in God’s work. Ephesians
4:15, 16 reads, “...Christ is the Head; from
whom the whole body, joined and knit
together by what every joint supplies,
according to the effective working by which
every part does its share, causes growth of
the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Sharing our gifts through the love of God is
essential to the body of Christ.
Source: www.joniandfriends.org
May 2012 | 5
by Dr. Byron T. Brazier
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime
in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
(1 Peter 4:1–3, NKJV)
T
he apostle Peter was writing to believers scattered throughout
Asia Minor. They were aliens in the land in which they were
living. They were sojourners passing through as they suffered
rejection because of their obedience to Jesus Christ.
As children of God, we often find ourselves in situations in which we
are aliens. There are places where we should feel out of place. For
instance, we should not be able to walk into a nightclub and feel comfortable, as though we belong there. We are in the world but not of it;
therefore, we are sojourners in the wilderness simply passing through.
We once knew it. However, having brought our lives before Jesus Christ,
the life we used to know we no longer know. We’ve cut it off to declare
that our lives belong to the Lord. Choosing Christ and choosing to live a
different way, however, does not mean we will never find ourselves in
situations that remind us of the way we used to live.
As we walk out our faith, we will occasionally find ourselves face-toface with our past lives, sometimes tempted to turn back, even if only for
6 | The Cross&Crown
a visit. However, when we live according to the will of God, and not
according to the will of man, we’ll always find ourselves in “the right
place at the right time,” empowered to make the right choice.
We are always on the offense, watching and looking and preparing for
the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And while we’re looking
and preparing for the Lord’s coming, we’re also watchful for our enemies.
Some will come boldly and directly, while others will creep in subtly.
However they come, we stand firm in the Lord, contending for the faith,
determined to do His will.
Being aliens in the world does not mean we’re homeless, that there’s
no place for us. First, we have an identity in the kingdom of God. “You
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV). Second,
heaven is our home. That’s the perspective we must keep during our time
on earth. When we stay focused on our true identity (we are God’s
featureSTORY
children) and what’s really important (we will
spend an eternity with Him), we are less prone to
become sidetracked by the rejection and disappointment we are sure to experience in a place we
don’t belong.
As children of God, we should never suffer an
identity crisis because we know who Jesus is and
we know who we are in Him. Because of Him we
are saved and kept. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the
difference between our past and our future.
God requires nothing from us to become part
of His Kingdom; however, when we receive Him,
we can expect to suffer (John 15:18–21; John 17:
14–18). Some people will hate us solely because of
our faith. You may wonder Why do I have to go
through anything? We go through because there’s always friction
between right and wrong, between sin and righteousness.
So when you line up on God’s side, you’re going to create friction
with the world. You can’t help it. And guess what? If you don’t choose
Christ, you will still have friction. It doesn’t matter whose or what side
you’re on. If you’re on the Lord’s side, your friction is with sin. If you’re
on sin’s side, your friction is with the Lord. So which would you rather
have? It’s your choice. It’s just as Joshua told the children of Israel, “And
if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in
whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the
LORD” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV).
We have the same choice Israel and Adam had. God told Adam not
to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “for in the day that
you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17, KJV). The Lord said to
us, “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest” (Matthew 28:11, KJV). Like Israel, we can choose to serve the
Lord over man. And while Adam made a choice to die, we can choose
to eat of the fruit of Christ and live.
Let’s Live what He died for
Jesus died for our sins and brought us to a place of sanctification and
holiness in Him. The Lord died for us to set us apart from the world to
not only show a different way but the only way to true life, or eternal life.
For us, the major issue about salvation, or being saved, is living a
surrendered life. How do I give up what I think I know? Some people
hesitate or resist saying yes to Christ because they
don’t want to change. Often they don’t want to suffer
being rejected by others. Yet they are torn between
the darkness of their sin, which is familiar, and the
light of Jesus beckoning them to come. They try to
figure out ways to take advantage of the light while
living in the darkness. We cannot serve both, and
there’s only one right choice.
It took something for Jesus to die for our sins, and
it’s going to take something for us to overcome the
things in our flesh, primarily those yearnings that
are human nature yet connote our weaknesses.
Suffering in the flesh also deals with loss. When we
surrendered our lives to Christ, many of us had to
leave behind certain friends, or end relationships.
We had to leave what we called the good times (e.g., blue light parties
for some of us, raves for others, depending on our age). We loved going
out and partying. And perhaps for some of us that hasn’t changed yet.
But we come to a point when our “good times” (times marred by
compromise, hangovers, and/or bad company) are not as important as
our walk with Christ.
When we keep life in perspective—the Lord sacrificed His life for us
while all we’re doing is cutting off some things—it becomes easier to let
go and not revisit the “grave” of our past. Even if you visit (find yourself
in a compromising situation), you come to realize “this really is not for
me. That’s not even my spirit anymore.” You realize what you thought
was a loss really is not that substantial because you have a different
expectation. Your hope is no longer in having a “good time.” It’s no
longer in partying, getting high, or even in your relationships. Your
hope is in Jesus Christ. And what you thought you lost, you’ll find an
increase in other things—particularly in your faith and in the spiritual
fruit you produce (see Galatians 5:22–23). The Lord magnified Himself
in your life, and suddenly the things you could not do before, the Lord
empowered you to do them. He opened doors that were once closed to
you. When you thought you had no way, He made a way nobody else
could make.
When you know who Jesus is, when know who the Lord is in your
life, there’s no reason to turn back—and you can endure being a
sojourner in a strange land. After all, it’s only for a little while.
But we come to a point
when our ‘good times’
(times marred by
compromise, hangovers,
and/or bad company)
are not as important as
our walk with Christ.
This month’s feature story is based on the sermon “Love Without
Limits,” preached March 4.
Instant Message
Abiding in Faith
T
o maintain our physical health, we need good
nutrition, physical activity, and rest. To maintain
our spirituality, all we need is faith. After their
miraculous exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel
stood at the gateway of the Promised Land and
abandoned their faith. Because of their unfaithfulness,
the children of Israel wandered in the desert for forty
years. Forty years later, their descendants, in faith,
conquered the land of Canaan. As Christians we abide in
our faith and as the body of Christ we worship in faith, we
fellowship in faith, and we serve in faith. — Sharon Prince
May 2012 | 7
photoGALLERY
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The Joy of Easter. Nearly 12,000 people commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Apostolic Church of God Sunday, April 8. And those are just the
families and guests who walked through the doors. Many more joined us online via live streaming for the first service. This year’s Easter worship service featured the
music ministry of Tye Tribbett, Anita Wilson, as well as our own Dwayne Lee, Elizabeth Norman-Sojourner, and Kiel Williams. Typically held Palm Sunday in the form
of a concert, the Joy of Easter became a part of the Sunday morning worship services this year. People not only experienced great worship music, but they also left
with an inspired word from the Lord. Photos: Leonard McGee and Donald Hampton
1) During second service, Kiel Williams sang “Darkest Night,” a song he cowrote with Stanleigh Jones. 2) Anita Wilson is an emerging gospel singer and
songwriter who not only adds a new voice but a fresh sound to the genre. 3)
Sanctuary Choir director Raymond Nuckolls likes what he hears as Jimmy
Hudson leads “Jesus is Alive.” 4) ACOG quickly learned that Tye Tribbett is
just as energetic and exciting in person as he is on video. 5) Led the choir on
congregational favorite “Jesus is Alive.” 6) Every seat was filled on Easter
8 | The Cross&Crown
morning. 7) Travis Newsome and the Sanctuary Choir sing “I won’t Turn
Back” by William McDowell. 8) Tye Tribbett meets First Lady Mary Brazier.
9) Two soul-singing artists who love God equal one amazing worship service.
10) Byron Brazier Jr., Alleece Baker, Zerick Baker, Amanda Hunt, Darnetta
Jones, Jasmine Jones, and Laveda Lark sing Craig Aven’s “Faithful” during the
offering. 11) Tye Tribbett and his backup singers pause for a picture.
12) Tye Tribbett signs CDs following the worship service.
photoGALLERY
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13–19) At ACOG, families celebrate Easter together. 20–22) The service
was so awesome that even the people who ended up in the overflow,
whether in Kenwood or Fellowship Hall, were fully engaged.
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23) Dr. Brazier and music director Willetta Greene-Johnson (second from
right) greet our musical guests. 24) Drummer Kelsey Tarver connects with
Tye Tribbett.
May 2012 | 9
parentingPAGE
Don't Miss It!
May Youth Calendar
Destiny1212 Youth Ministry:
Tweens
Editor’s note: Last month, the Apostolic Church of God College Tour took a group of high school
sophomores, juniors, and seniors to various schools in the south. Following is a letter one of the
students wrote detailing his experience.
PIVOT — 2nd, 3rd, 4th Tuesdays and
Thursdays, 6 p.m.
Teen Guys
Lions of Judah — 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th Fridays, 7 p.m.
Teen Girls
G.R.A.C.E. — 1st Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. — 1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays, 6:45 p.m.
Also..
Young Brothers for Christ —
2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Young Sisters for Christ — 2nd, 4th Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Homework Lab (all ages) —
Monday – Friday, 3 p.m.
Tutoring, Monday – Thursday, 6 p.m.
For a complete listing of Destiny1212 Youth
Ministry activities, visit www.acog-chicago.org
G.R.AC.E. Annual Culminating Event
Celebrate with G.R.A.C.E. its 18th annual
culminating event Friday, June 15, in the Banquet
Hall. Purchase tickets in Fellowship Hall after first
service or online at acog-chicago.org
Resources
College Without Compromise
The challenges of our
economy are making
some American dreams,
like homeownership,
more difficult to realize.
That also includes getting
a college education
without inheriting the
enormous debt that
often comes with it. At
some private universities, tuition and room
and board exceed the $50,000 mark—and
costs will continue to rise. This book will help
parents and their college-bound students
develop a plan that works best for them and
makes college feasible. They will learn how
to go about the traditional path, as well as
the “independent (year standing)” plans
that progress yearly with the independent
accumulation of college credits. Chapters
provide a general overview of terminology,
admissions procedures, GenEd requirements,
financial aid, CLEP, DSST, AP, online college,
dual enrollment, and more. $14.99
10 | The Cross&Crown
College Tour: Recap by Rapheal Mathis
M
y name is Rapheal Mathis. I am
a junior at Plainfield East High
School in Plainfield, Illinois. I am
very active in my school and I participate in
many extracurricular activities. I attend Christ
Temple Apostolic Faith Church where my
pastor is Bishop D. Rayford Bell. I am also an
active member there.
Going on a college tour can be scary.
You’re visiting different schools; you’re away
from home and around a group of people
you don’t know. This college tour, however,
was different. I was able to meet a lot of new
people and start some great friendships. The
chaperones were outstanding and were always
there to help. They helped on the campus by
giving us questions to ask and made the trip
a learning experience. I benefitted from this
because I was able to make decisions on which
colleges would be good for me. They not
only supervised us but instilled into us values
necessary to help us in life. The relationship
between the students and chaperones was also
good. There was a sense of trust and a level of
understanding that really impressed me. I also
liked the maturity level of the students. We all
got along, we all respected each other, and we
all looked out for each other.
Even though I am not a member of
Apostolic Church of God, I know that the
church has a reputation of doing things with
a spirit of excellence. And I can honestly
say that they lived up to that reputation
and exceeded what was required of them. I
hope to attend next year and also spread the
word so other people can be exposed to this
opportunity.
lifeAPPLICATION
RealEstateNotes
Ask the Expert
Healthy and Wise
O
ver the past few months, we have talked
about embracing the philosophy to
“Live Your Best Life.” At April’s 360
degree health session on Muscles, Bones, and
Joints, Dr. James Hill emphasized the importance
of communication, in particular with your health
provider. We have to ask the right questions and
seek the right answers. .
The Health and Wellness Ministry would like to
thank all for coming out for the kickoff of the 360
degree Health Session in April. The great turnout
indicates we are striving to live our best lives. On
Thursday, May 10, Dr. Eloise Chapman-Davis
joined us to speak on the issues of Gynecological cancers.
Several things can affect our health and quality of life. Learning what we can do about them is a
key to good health. May has been designated as:
• National Asthma and Allergy Month. Asthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airways
become blocked or narrowed causing breathing difficulty. A large number of African
Americans are diagnosed with asthma. Visit aafa.org to learn more about causes, diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention.
• National Mental Health Month. Mental Health America is raising awareness of trauma, the
devastating impact it has on physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and how therapeutic
techniques based in neuroscience can mitigate these effects and create dramatic changes in
people’s lives. To learn more about how trauma-informed care has emerged to ensure that
trauma is recognized and treated and that survivors are not re-victimized when they seek care,
visit nmha.org.
• National Stroke Month. Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of longterm disability. African Americans are at a greater risk of stroke. Choosing a healthy lifestyle
can decrease the risk. Learn about the warning signs at americanstrokeassociation.org.
• Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part
of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Women of color are 2–3 times more
likely to develop lupus, although people of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus. To
learn more about lupus, visit lupus.org.
Recalculating Your
Retirement Plan
T
o maintain your current lifestyle in
retirement, economists say you’ll need
about 80 percent of your current income. Social
Security will provide about 30 percent. The
rest may come from pension benefits, a job or
personal savings and investments.
You can get a personalized estimate of how much to expect from Social Security at www.ssa.gov/
estimator. If you discover a shortfall, you can save more, plan to work longer, look for higher returns
on savings or plan to reduce your retirement lifestyle.
continued on page 15
Q
We have found a home we want to
buy, but the property taxes seem to
be way higher than they should be.
Is there anything we can do about it?
A
Maybe. You can appeal the valuation
that taxes are based on by showing an
appraisal from a respected company, but that
may not work.
Still, if you buy the home, you will be paying
far less mortgage interest than you would have
paid at any time in more than 50 years. So that
smaller monthly payment would allow you to
save money for the property tax bills.
Though it may not be much of a consolation
for you, property taxes nationwide decreased
by .9 percent last year when adjusted for
inflation. On average, however, cities and
counties are collecting more property taxes
than they did when home values were much
higher than they are now.
The rates are slowly starting to decline, but
taxes in many places are based on valuations
that might be up to seven years old. The
assessment office for a county near Chicago
says the goal of these formulas is to make
property tax income stable during an economic
turmoil, unlike income and sales taxes.
continued on page 15
May 2012 | 11
Books & Music
mediaMATTERS
Strength for Every Moment by T.D. Jakes
In this small handbook, Bishop T.D. Jakes will empower you with wisdom
to turn your challenges into triumphs and your breakdowns into
breakthroughs. Through inspirational Scripture and personal insights,
each devotional reading will embolden your spirit and invigorate your
faith. (From Christianbook.com)
The Busy Mom’s Devotional by Lisa T. Bergren
Perhaps better than anyone, moms know how to juggle multiple
responsibilities and manage packed schedules. However, even moms can
become overwhelmed with all they have to do and find difficulty carving
out time for themselves and God. These ten-minute devotions can make a
difference in your walk with Christ. $14.99
I Am Woman Series by Dr. Cindy Trimm
Cindy Trimm delivers an empowering message to women. She inspires
women to reclaim their identity in every arena of their lives: personal,
professional, and spiritual. If you’re a woman seeking to be liberated from
negative feelings like guilt and shame, pick up a copy of this DVD.
Momisms
This little book is filled with inspirational thoughts, quotations, and
Scriptures that are a tribute to the most important woman in our lives:
Mom. It makes a nice Mother’s Day gift. $4.99
Having a Real Relationship with God by Kay Arthur
Set your own pace—forty minutes a week or forty minutes a day—when
you delve into this transformative, inductive study on developing a
meaningful relationship with God. Gain a deeper understanding of God’s
love for you. $7.99
Go Get It by Mary Mary
Sisters Eric and Tina Campbell have a new show (a reality show Mary
Mary on WeTV) and a new CD (out May 8). It features a compilation of
the duo’s most loved songs, including “Shackles,” “God in Me,” and “Can’t
Give Up Now,” as well as the new single “Go Get It.” $11.99
All titles are available in Saving Grace Book Center, 773.256.4113. Prices are subject to change.
ReadTHIS
Woman Thou Art Loosed by T.D. Jakes
Woman Thou Art Loosed, the book, is one year shy of its tenth
anniversary, but its message remains relevant for women who have been
wounded by their pasts. “The balm in this book will soothe all manner of
traumas, tragedies, and disappointments.” It started out as a class and
eventually became a conference that’s still held today (the WTAL
Conference will be held in Atlanta this October). There’s even a movie
based on the concept. For many women, a life that’s defined by traumatic
experiences of the past is more than a book, a conference, or a movie: it’s
a reality; yet, it does not have to be the thing that shapes the course of
their lives. This classic book helps women to see themselves not as victims
but as victors, to overcome the pain of their pasts and be free to be all
God has called them to be
12 | The Cross&Crown
aroundACOG
Alternatives (CommunityCalendar)
Lincoln Park Zoo • Chicago
May 26 & 27, 3 p.m.
to participate. For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo
and other exhibits, visit lpzoo.org. For membership information, call
312.742.2322, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or e-mail members@
lpzoo.org.
Prison Praise
June 2, 2012
Apostolic Faith Church • 3823 S. Indiana Ave. • Chicago
SUNDAY
May 13
Mother’s Day
FRIDAY
May 18
Marriage Stuff
7 p.m.
SUNDAY
May 20
Pearls Service
4 p.m.
comingUP
Pearls Service. “Celebrating Pearls: The Apple of God’s Eye” is the theme
of the 2012 Pearls Service, honoring ACOG members 70 and older. The
service is Sunday, May 20, at 3:45 p.m. in the Kenwood Sanctuary. The
speaker will be Dr. Rosa Sailes.
Breakfast Seminar. Living the Single Life Ministry will present three
breakfast seminars for teens, parents of teens, young adults, and singles
you do not want to miss. Part I focuses on the pitfalls of dating and the
Internet. Parents, do you know what your teen is seeing on the Internet
and who they are sending text messages to? Singles, are you using the
Internet in hopes of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right? Evangelist Stacy DorityEdwards will be on hand to alert you to the hidden dangers of modern
technology and dating, including cyber sex and sexting. Everyone—single
or married, young or old—can benefit from this seminar. So join us
Saturday, June 16, in the Banquet Hall, from 9 to 12:30 p.m. Breakfast
will be served at 9 a.m. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased in the
Fellowship Hall after first service, in the bookstore during the weekdays,
and online.
SUNDAY
May 20
CDM Meet & Greet
After both services
FRIDAY
May 25
Simply Q’s
Couponing, 7 p.m.
MONDAY
May 28
Memorial Day
MAY ‘12
CALENDAR
Make a family trip to the zoo a part of your Memorial Day weekend
activities. On May 26 – 27, the zoo will provide free guided safari tours
(one for adults only at 10 a.m. and a family-friendly one at 3 p.m.).
The tour is free, but safari and zoologist-level membership is required
Dr. Willetta Greene-Johnson & StrategicMusic will present “Prison Praise:
Overwhelm, Overcome at the Apostolic Faith Church. For more
information, call 773.684.6650 or e-mail [email protected].
Men of Power: R.U.E.3 Series . R.U.E3? In this reflective series, we
biblically define and critically analyze each aspect of this year’s theme.
The second part of the series is “Empowered.” The key Scripture is
Acts 1:8. The speakers are Elder Marlon Medious and Elder Tony
Briscoe. Brothers, gain a better understanding of what it means to
be “Empowered,” as well as how we, as young Christian men, should
respond after being “Empowered.” The series is Saturday, June 9, in FC100. A continental breakfast will be served. Registration begins May 13.
The cost of the event is $5.
Simply Q’s. Does watching Extreme Couponing on TLC have you
discouraged or motivated? Want to learn how to save over 50% on your
store purchases? Join us Friday, May 25, at 7 p.m. in Room FC-100,
as we demystify “The Art of Couponing” and teach you how to save
hundreds and thousands of dollars on your purchases simple and fast!
Tons are doing it and loving it; now it’s time to let our church family
in on the secrets. What do you need to bring? A notebook, pen, and
Sunday’s paper. Register in Fellowship Hall between first and second
services or online at acog-chicago.org. The class is free and open to all.
May 2012 | 13
extendedPHOTOgallery
ACROSS
1 appointed the ___ of the priests and the Levites (Neh 13:30) KJV
6. mystery that has been kept hidden for ____ and generations (Col 1:26)
10. God made them ____ and female (Mark 10:6)
14. and like ___ ___ out of dry ground (1,4) (Isa 53:2)
15. if the ____ has faded and has not spread in the skin (Lev 13:6)
16. Israel, who pursued ___ ___ of righteousness (1,3) (Rom 9:31)
17. when Nabal was ___, his wife told him all (1 Sam 25:37)
18. Adams first home (Gen 2:8)
19. the increase of thy ___, and the flocks (Deut 7:13) (KJV)
20. I denied myself nothing my eyes ___ (Eccl 2:10)
22. Fools mock at making ___ for sin (Prov 14:9)
25. upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and ____ (Gen 19:24)
26. and their round ___ like the moon (Isa 3:18) KJV
27. the tendon attached to the ___ of the hip (Gen 32:31-32)
31. Light is ___ upon the righteous and joy on the upright (Ps 97:11)
34. Jesus found a young donkey and sat ___ it (John 12:14)
35. Above all ___ , guard your heart (Prov 4:23)
37. men ___ into the city that day as men steal in (2 Sam 19:3)
41. The price for his ___ is to be based on the (Lev 25:50)
43. began shouting: “Great is ___ of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:28)
45. ____ not into the path of the wicked (Prov 4:14)
46. Who shall change our ____ body, that it may be (Phil 3:21)
48. more than over ninety and ____ just persons (Luke 15:7)
49. what is a man profited, if he shall ____ the whole (Matt 6:26)
51. as if he were a ___ treading the clay (Isa 41:25)
53. Then these men went as a ___ and found Daniel (Dan 6:11)
56. eyes of the LORD, which ___ to and fro (Zech 4:10) NKJV
58. but he ends up with a mouth full of ___ (Prov 20:17)
59. where moth and rust destroy, and where ___ break (Matt 6:19)
63. let us not ___ in word, neither in tongue; but in (1 John 3:18)
64. had feet like those of ___ ___ and a mouth like (1,4) (Rev 13:2)
66. ____ are creatures of little strength (Prov 30:25)
68. not the least stroke of ___ ___ will by any means (1,3) (Matt 5:18)
69. stop, end (Ps 46:9)
70. ___ at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (John 4:35)
71. Then the beasts go into ____, and remain (Job 37:8)
72. The ____ shall serve the younger (Romans 9:12)
73. sent me from Kadesh-barnea to ___ out the land (Josh 14:7) KJV
DOWN
33. A voice of one calling in the ___ (Matt 3:3)
36. Reuben, Simeon, ____, and Judah, (Exodus 1:2)
38. temporary dwelling (Ex 33:7)
39. leave out
40. thou shalt bind this ____ of scarlet thread in the (Joshua 2:18)
42. The Danites answered, Don’t ___ with us` (Judg 18:25)
44. ___ of Broken Walls, restorer of Streets (Isa 58:12)
47. and made her Queen ___ of Vashti. (Esth 2:17)
50. I go to prepare ___ ___ for you (1,5) (John 14:2)
52. “No ___ sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old (Matt 9:16)
53. At midday you will ___ about like a blind man (Deut 28:29)
54. he sent forth a ____, which went forth to and fro (Gen 8:7)
55. into your ___ and kneading troughs. (Ex 8:3)
57. and a hundred of you will ___ ten thousand (Lev 26:8)
58. preaching and shewing the ____ tidings of the kingdom (Luke 8:1)
60. So he sent him out of the ___ of Hebron (Gen 37:14) KJV
61. son of Seth (Gen 4:26) KJV
62. and put it into my side. ___ doubting and believe (John 20:27)
65. Babylon is taken, ____ is confounded (Jer 50:2)
67. foul weather today: for the ____ is red and lowring. (Matt 16:3)
Puzzle Solution
1 spoken by the Lord, and ____ confirmed unto us by (Heb 2:3)
2. I see ___ ___ of an almond tree (1,3) (Jer 1:11)
3. David was clothed with a ____ of fine linen (1 Chr 15:27)
4. Man ___ not live on bread alone (Matt 4:4)
5. and out goes ___; quarrels and insults (Prov 22:10)
6. the prophet of today used to be called ___ ___ (1,4) (1 Sam 9:9)
7. the temple of the great ___ Diana should be despised (Acts 19:27) (KJV)
8. LORD, how long will it be ___ thou be quiet? (Jer 47:6) KJV
9. and all the ____ of the children of Israel (Acts 5:21)
10. He is the ___ of the Bear and Orion (Job 9:9)
11. The carpenter measures with ___ ___ (1,4) (Isa 44:13)
12. We have mortgaged our ____, vineyards, and houses (Neh 5:3)
13. female sheep (Gen 33:13)
21. according to all the ____ of it, and according to all (Num 9:3)
23. as the colour of amber, out of the ___ of the fire (Ezek 1:4) (KJV)
24. thou shalt not be to him as an ____ (Exod 22:25) (KJV)
28. and his ears are ____ unto their prayers (1 Pet 3:12)
29. brought the ass, and the ___, and put on them (Matt 21:7) (KJV)
30. every ____ will bow before me; every tongue will (Rom 14:11)
32. a time to kill and a time to ___ (Eccl 3:3)
14 | The Cross&Crown
Ads
inTHEknow
The classified advertising in The Cross & Crown is a free service. The deadline for ads is the first Sunday of each month. All ads will be placed in the
first available issue (typically the month following the Sunday you submit your ad). At the church’s discretion, The Cross & Crown reserves the right
to not print any ad for any reason. Classified advertising in The Cross & Crown does not necessarily imply the endorsement of the church.
For Rent
General
■ Dolton—4-bdrm brick home w/4 levels of
living space. 1½ baths, stove/refrig, hdwd flrs,
finished basement, C/A, side drive to 2½ car
garage. $1250/mo., plus 1 mo. sec. Contact
Joseph McGee III 708.921.2365.
■ Debbie Maintenance & Cleaning Services—
servicing condos, offices, schools church, apts.,
etc. Great customer service, excellent references,
trustworthy and reliable staff. Please contact
Debbie at 872.223.0228.
■ Riverdale—spacious, 3-bdrm, 1-bath apt. w/
living room, dining room, partial finished
basement, 1-car garage, large fenced yard.
$1200/mo. + sec. Call 708.439.9703.
■ Join Chicago author and ACOG member
Licia Johnson for a book talk: “Strength to
Speak: One Woman’s Struggle to Make Peace
with Her Past.” Saturday, May 5, at the Chicago
Bee Branch Library 3647 S. State St., noon –
2pm.
■ Serving at Risk Families (Preserving Families)
1745 E. 71st St. Lea Kirby, Executive Director
773-667-7258 [email protected]
Retirement, continued from page 11
•
Play catch-up. Ideally, you should plan to contribute 15 percent of gross
earnings to retirement savings, including employer contributions. Make the
most of the company’s 401(k) plan. Or contribute up to $5,000 to your own
IRA or Roth IRA. If you are over 50, you can contribute $6,000.
• Work longer at your present job or decide to get part-time work after you
retire.
• Create lifetime retirement income. The Government Accountability Office
recommends using up to half of your savings to buy an income annuity to
avoid the risk of outliving your savings. But you can invest as little as $10,000
now and set the date when you will begin taking payouts.
• Delay taking Social Security. Many workers claim benefits before their normal
retirement age, passing up an additional 25 percent or more in monthly
inflation-adjusted benefits for the rest of their lives.
Normal retirement age is 66 for those born from 1943 to 1954 and gradually rising
to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
Real estate, continued from page 11
School districts, which are supported by property taxes, are already suffering from
reduced state funding. Nationwide, public schools have cut 270,000 employees.
Factors delaying tax reductions:
• Laws that cap property tax hikes also limit decreases.
• Delayed assessments are supposed to protect homeowners from fast-rising taxes
when home values soar, but they also delay tax cuts when values fall.
Though the idea of funding public schools may not appeal to you, you probably realize
that educating American children is one of the bases for having a better nationwide
economic future. If you can pay the property taxes, go ahead and buy the house. You’ll
be happier, and you’ll be helping to create a more successful America for all, including
yourself.
■ Free Safelink Wireless Cell Phone—Get 250
free minutes per month. Must receive some type
of government assistance (e.g., Sect. 8 or
subsidized housing, food stamps, Medicaid, SSI,
national free lunch program). Call Cynthia,
773.798.9130.
■ Dora La Couture—Prom season is here. Call
today and make an appointment.
■ Seeking Job—Certificate in janitorial and in
maintenance. Qualified for mopping, waxing,
and buffing floors. Some plumbing, electrical,
carpentry, and HVAC. Available to work seven
days a week, 8am–11pm. Call Ronald,
312.566.6102 or 630.486.0909.
writer’sCORNER
Just Wait
by Monique Steward
When life appears unfair
and my spirit wretched
When I feel overwhelmed
my struggle too heavy to carry
When my purpose diluted
My living seems in vain
I wait on the Lord to renew my strength
I wait on the Lord
For it is He that directs my ways
When I can’t find the words to pray
I speak His name
In His time He restores my joy
His generous Spirit provides resilience
I wait on the Lord
because my soul loves Jesus
I wait on the Lord
In Him I commit my trust
May 2012 | 15
Apostolic Church of God
6320 South Dorchester Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60637
www.acog-chicago.org
Connect with Us!
Web
www.acog-chicago.org
Facebook
/ACOGChicago
Twitter
@ACOGChicago
Next Issue’s Theme: Believe and Lead
ACOG SERVICE TIMES
Sundays
9:10 a.m., First Service
11:40 a.m., Second Service
4 p.m., Afternoon Service
Tuesdays
10 a.m., Daytimers Bible Class
Wednesdays
1 p.m., Prayer
7:30 p.m., Bible Class
Fridays
7:30 p.m., Intercessory Prayer
Television Broadcasts
Sundays, 8 a.m.
WCIU/TV, Channel 26
■ Cable stations may vary