Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has

blessed us, kept us and will never leave us. I trust that you are doing well and the

blessings of the Lord are manifest in every area of your life.

The month of October is a very special month for the

Emanuel church. It is our month of Consecration.

During this month we set aside our plates each day in

fasting and meet nightly Monday through Friday at the

church for a one hour powerful prayer service. We

write our petitions on special prayer request cards and

place them on the altar, and with great expectations,

we wait for God to work. Though it is truly a month

of sacrifice, it is a sacrifice that we look forward to

with great anticipation. The reason is that the benefits

are absolutely phenomenal. People are blessed, souls are saved, rejuvenated and

revived and there is a fresh anointing that permeates throughout the church. Con-

secration for us is more than a time of sacrifice; it is simply a time of great expec-

tations, renewal and jubilation!

The 63 Psalms expresses our sentiments during this time of consecration. Da-

vid writes in Psalms 63:8 “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand

upholdet me. In the Message Bible it reads “I

hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me

steady as a post.

Have you ever really gone hard after something

in your life? Was there ever something you want-

ed in life almost more than life itself? It could

have been a new job, a promotion, a spot on the

starting team, a car or home you always wanted,

a contract that could make or break your compa-

ny, or maybe to lose a little weight. What did

you do to get what you wanted? More than likely

you gave it your best effort.

HARD AFTER GOD: continued on page 2

“Hard After God”

October 2014 Edition

Emanuel ExpressNews

October’s Focus:

Inside this issue:

First Things First 3

State Women’s

Workshop

4

Youth

Excellence

6

Special Events 7

October

Calendar

8

3058 West Van Buren Ave ▪ Chicago, IL 60612 ▪ 773-722-8391 phone ▪ www.emanuelcogic.com

Pastor Michael & First Lady

Anastasia Richardson

“Hard After God” continued from page 1

Page 2 Emanuel ExpressNews

You focused all your energies on it. You thought about it night and day. You devised a plan or strate-

gy to get it. You talked about it to anyone who would listen. You stuck with it until you got it!

The truth is that we all have these kinds of pursuits in life. They are what we live for. They make life

worthwhile. They provide the drive and give us a sense of pur-

pose and accomplishment.

What would happen if we were to be like David and applied

that same kind of effort to going hard after God? What would

happen to us as individuals, as families, as a church if we made

this kind of all-out effort to pursue God until we really found

Him?

Can you imagine the impact it would have on our prayer life;

in our priorities; in our use of time; in our spending habits; in

our social life; in our church attendance, and our burden for the

lost? I can’t help but believe it would literally turn our lives, our homes our church, and our commu-

nities upside down.

David knew the benefits of following hard after God. In fact a quick perusal of the 63rd Psalms will

provide a list of the following benefits:

A Display of His Power Verse 2

To See thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

New freedom in praise and worship - Verses 3, 4

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless

thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Inner satisfaction of soul – Verse 5

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with

joyful lips:

Freedom from fear – Verse 8

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Space will not allow me to elaborate on each of these verses; however I encourage you to read them as

a devotional. I am confident that you will be blessed.

During this month of consecration, I challenge you to go hard after God, to hold on to Him for dear

life, to allow yourself to be consumed with his presence and power and with great expectations, watch

Him work!

Pastor Michael Richardson

Page 3 October 2014 Edition

The month of September was our Unity month. Each Sunday members came togeth-er adorned in various colors that were designated for each Sunday. We ended the

month with our Mothers Board taking charge of our 4th Sunday morning service. All of the Mothers Board along with other Mothers of the church played a part in the service from the opening prayer until the dismissal. We also had a special

treat, our Founder's wife; Mother Elvie Owens delivered the Morning Message. Mother Owens’ mes-sage was entitled "Holy Women Standing Firm Rather than Compromising" - James 4:7. The following are just a few excerpts from her message:

We must be totally committed to God - Commit our ways to God Give God our mind so that we will think on the right things Give God our eyes so that we will look on the right things, Give God our hands so that we will touch the right things

Give God our tongue so that we say the right things We must hold the tradition that we have been taught Don't carry things in our heart against one another

We must forgive one another There must be a difference between holy and unholy, clean and unclean.

You should look different from the world Live so God can use you.

Work together in the body of Christ because we are one. Everything that comes to your mind is not right to say.

We had a won-derful service. We ended the day with a Unity Din-ner; the Pastor treated all the members along with guestS who were in attend-ance to Cracker Barrel. We had great food, fun and fellowship.

You can find the message and pictures of this entire day on our website www.emanuelcogic.com).

Page 4 Emanuel ExpressNews

O n Saturday, September 27th the First Jurisdiction Illinois Church of God in Christ Women’s Department converged upon Inspirational Deliverance Center COGIC with their Annual

Workshop under the direction of our Jurisdictional Supervisor, Mother Shirley Hughes. What a wonderful day it was. The workshop opened with prayer at 9:30 a.m. by our New Generation Group, which ranged in ages from 19 to 45. We were blessed to have Sister Keeya Thomas and Sis-ter Latoya Gipson from Emanuel to participate in the opening prayer service. The atmosphere was set for the day and by 10:15 am the house was packed with women adorn in their white. The Mother Carrie Cantrell Chorale blessed us with musical selections; lifting up their voices and giving God praise. The workshop was coordinated by our Jurisdictional Assistant Supervisor Mother Myrna Herndon and the workshop committee. Many new ideas and changes were instituted this year. The overall theme for the work-shop was “Responding to the Call for Ministry”. There were three differ-ent classes to accommodate various age groups. They were as follows:

Respond to Divine Purpose (Teens) Know who you are and whose you are – Instructor – Sis. Chantelle Bittings

Seizing the Moment for Ministry (New Generation) Delighting in the Lord and taking advantage of every spiritual gift and tool to do the work of the Lord. - Instructor – Sis. Antoinette Brown

Accepting the Call to be a Difference Maker - Actively participating in good works and im-pacting your family, community, and church for Christ. – Instructor – First Lady Sherelene Harris.

After the workshop we had a special Yes Lord Anointing lead by District Missionary Caberia Show-

ers, which ushered us back into the pres-ence of the Lord and every participant was anointed. We heard echoes and remarks from our leaders, Jurisdictional Supervisor Mother Shirley Hughes and Jurisdiction Prelate, Bishop Ocie Booker. Mother Hughes gave out a special award, the “Mother Charlotte Eades Award”. The 2014 Recipient was District Missionary Maggie Gill who is the Chairperson of the

Workshop: continued on page 6

P hillip Cordell Brooks is a Junior at Chicago

Hope Academy located in the Tri-Taylor

area of Chicago. He is a Daniel Murphy Academ-

ic Scholar, a member of the Student Government

Association and the Hope Eagles Soccer Team.

He is entering his 3rd year as a member of the

Kappa League of Chicago where he is a member

of the Business strand.

This summer, Phillip spent his days building his personal clothing line, King Wear Royal Apparel

(KWRA). In the midst of building his website for KWRA which was featured on the television screens

of the Harold Washington Library, he was approached by Burberry Creates which works with youth teach-

ing Burberry design principles and combining those with doing good, making videos and art and applying

that to the environment and social justice issues. Phillip’s team’s social justice video was chosen to repre-

sent Intuit Design in the national Burberry Creates Campaign.

Phillip was also accepted into the Steam Studio Summer Design Workshop. STEAM STUDIO works

with organizations and professional clients to create real world challenges where youth use art and apply a

variety of design and production tools to create artifacts.

STEAM STUDIO participants earn fashion focused digital badges in design, photography and collaboration,

competition projects. Following this week-long intensive event youth will showcase their creations at a Trunk

Show at The Chicago Cultural Center for the People Choice Awards. This year’s challenge was to combine

Jazz & Fashion. Phillip’s Red Mic Collection was a fan favorite earning top honors and the People’s Choice.

Youth returned to the Cultural Center to present a full runway show of their collection which was featured with-

in the Chicago City of Learning Summer Showcase. The final runway competition was judged by industry pro-

fessionals from Chicago boutique Sir & Madame, SteamStudio Executives & Representatives from Burberry

Chicago. Phillip’s Red Mic collection was chosen as the Grand Prize Winner and can be viewed at steam-

studio.net. He was awarded a one-year paid artist residency with the Kennedy Center for the Performing

Arts in Washington, D.C. and items from his collection will be available for purchase at their gift shop and

website.

This exposure from Steam Studio has presented offers to collaborate with various Chicago boutiques and

organizations included MINT Chicago, the Donda Foundation, New Beginnings Church, First Jurisdiction of

Illinois Sunday School Department, and the Cycle of Peace Foundation.

This fall, he has been asked to restructure and promote FLOW, the Open Mic & Spoken word Competi-

tion for the YouMedia Center of the Harold Washington Library located in downtown Chicago.

Phillip will also be the weekly host of the competition which will showcase young and upcoming spoken

word, rap and vocal artists.

Phillip plans to major in Business while in college which he will attend in 2016. His favorite scripture is

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through

Christ Jesus. His favorite gospel artists are Tye Tribbett, The Walls Group and gospel rap artist, Uncle

Reece.

Submitted by Msny. Alayna Johnson

October 2014 Edition Page 5

YOUTH EXCELLENCE

Page 6 Newsletter Title

Workshop: continued on page 6

District Missionary Unit and District Missionary of the Bishop C. L. Mood District. Recognition was also given this year to the District Missionaries who registered the most delegates.

1st Place went to Dis-trict Missionary Feli-cia Sanders of the Charles M. Hughes Memorial District and 2nd place went to (me) District Mission-ary Anastasia Rich-ardson of the D. A. Reed Sr. District. We were elated and hap-

py to be among the top winners. The Lord truly poured out on us mightily. Not only did we receive spiritual food we ended by receiving natural food, lunch was served to all. Pictures of this great event can be found at www.fjicogic.org.

PRAYER LIST Mother Ophelia Turner The Gipson Family The Brown Family

The Calloway Family The Owens Family Sis. Chantelle Edwards

Sis. Rosemary Allen The Richardson Family

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Page 7 October 2014 Edition

Tuesday, October 21ST Wednesday,, October 22ND

Thursday, October 23RD

7:30 PM Nightly

Conducted by: Pastor Kenneth Lockhart

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH - 7:30 PM @ Zion Temple Church of God in Christ

1414 South Pulaski Road, - Chicago, IL

Guest Speaker: Pastor Anthony Wallace

St. John Church Of God In Christ

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH - 11:00 AM @ Emanuel Church of God in Christ

3058 West Van Buren - Chicago, IL

Guest Speaker: Evangelist Stephan Henderson

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH - 4:00 PM @ Zion Temple Church of God in Christ

1414 South Pulaski Road, - Chicago, IL

Guest Speaker: Pastor Osmond Jones

Rehoboth Church of God in Christ

Page 8 Emanuel ExpressNews

OCTOBER 1-31 EMANUEL’S 31-DAY CONSECRATION

Fasting Everyday until 3:00 6:30 P.M. Prayer: Monday – Friday (1 hour)

9:00 A.M. Prayer: Sunday

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH

- 9:00 A.M. 1ST SUNDAY CORPORATE PRAYER

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

TH - 4:00 P.M.

SUPT DAVID REED - PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY @ Reed’s Temple Church of God in Christ

1300 North Broad – Griffith, IN Supt. David A. Reed, Host Pastor

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

TH – 12:00 NOON

STATE MINISTERS WIVES ALLIANCE The Hancock House

12045 South Emerald - Chicago, IL “Celebration of Mother Jean Booker’s Birthday”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

TH – 9:00 A.M.

CONSECRATION PRAYER

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12TH

– 5:00 P.M. DISTRICT FELLOWSHIP MEETING

MIRACLE SUNDAY @ Reed’s Temple Church of God in Christ

1300 North Broad – Griffith, IN Supt. David A. Reed, Host Pastor

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13TH

– 7:30 P.M. STATE FELLOWSHIP MEETING

@ People’s Church of the Harvest 3570 W. Fifth Ave. – Chicago, IL

Admin. Asst. Supt. Michael Eaddy, Host

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

– 9:30 A.M. CONSECRATION PRAYER

Morning Worship –10:00 A.M

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

– 3:00 P.M. (EST) PASTOR JOHN SMITH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

St. James Church of God in Christ 302 East North Street - Kalamazoo, MI

OCTOBER 21ST

– OCTOBER 23RD

FALL REVIVAL

Conducted by Pastor Kenneth Lockhart

OCTOBER 24TH

& OCTOBER 26TH

11

TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH - 7:30 P.M. @ Zion Temple COGIC - 1414 S. Pulaski

Speaker: Pastor Anthony Wallace St. John COGIC

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH - 11:00 AM @ Emanuel COGIC

Speaker: Elder Stephan Henderson

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH - 7:30 P.M. @ Zion Temple COGIC - 1414 S. Pulaski

Speaker: Osmond Jones Rehoboth Church of God in Christ

Oct 4th - Mother Ophelia Turner

October 9 – Jahmiya Madison

October 12th – Sis. Patricia Burns

October 15th – Jessica Kelly

October 19th – Mother Able Fane

October 22nd Josiah Willis

October 7th - Mr. & Mrs. McClerkin