Newsletter

Raise the Roof Capital Campaign Update

“”But my God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches

in Glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Let’s continue to pray and speak God’s words upon St. John and the capital campaign … believing that God is truly able to finish the work that He has begun. We give thanks to God for what He has al-ready done, is doing, and will continue to do in our lives and in the ministry of our church.

Thank you St. John for the commitment, sacrifice

and love shown through your gifts to the Capital Cam-paign. Your generosity has resulted in over

$22,000.00 to the Campaign. If you have not had an opportunity to give or plan to give ad-ditional funds … the time is now! You may give through PayPal or indicate “Capital Cam-paign” on giving envelopes. Track weekly progress on the thermometer outside the Fel-lowship Hall.

Status of the Campaign Recently, several Trustees met with representatives from A. G. Gaston Contractors and State Farm Insurance for a walk through of the church to assess further damages in the sanctuary. The results were that State Farm agreed to make adjustments to our claim that will cover replacement of the entire sanctuary ceiling and will also include the cost of scaf-folding and removal of pews. Additionally, another check in the amount of $58,656.11 was given to the church (indicated on thermometer) … “to God be the glory!” The total amount received from State Farm to date totals $134,224,95. Negotiations are still under-way between A. G. Gaston Contractors and State Farm, and we anticipate resolution in the next two - three weeks. However, we expect there to still be a difference of about $70,000 between the bid and adjuster’s allowances. We may not have the remembrance of things that happened before us, but the legacy left behind is what guides our future. What will our legacy be to future generations?

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Word from Our Pastor! Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! The Lord has done great things for us. We continue to celebrate His resurrection as we grow in our love for Him and love for one another. We are so humbled and blessed that the Lord has been faithful and gracious to us by making Holy visitations to our worship experiences. For where two or three or gathered together in His Name, there He is in the midst. I am reminded of the Scripture that we say in our Call to Worship every Sunday, “The LORD is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). He comes in so mightily, yet so quiet, peaceful, gentle. “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in our midst, and we know that it’s the presence of the LORD! You know it’s the Lord because you can see the sweet expressions on each face.” Wow! The song-writer, Doris Akers, knew precisely what she was penning when the Lord gave her the song Sweet, Sweet, Spirit. We can see the hand of the Lord upon us in an extraordinary way. We are witnesses to His favor in every situation, and people are being drawn to the church and His presence whereas we know that it’s the Lord. May we continue to lift up the name of Jesus! And as He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself. It is my prayer that the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be

gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

In His Love and Service, Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Sterling, Pastor

Our mission comes out of God’s great love, since God loved us we want to love others.

May 2018

Saint John AME Church

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY 8:15AM CHURCH SCHOOL 9:30AM MORNING WORSHIP

WEDNESDAY 12 NOON BIBLE STUDY

708 15th Street North | Birmingham, AL 35203 | 205.251.3764 www.stjohnbirmingham.com | Email: sjamec@bellsouth.net

March for Our Lives was a student led demonstration in support of tighter gun con-trol that took place on March 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C., with over simular events throughout the United States and around the world even here in Birmingham, AL. The event followed the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which was described by many media outlets as a possible tipping point for gun control legislation. Protesters urged for universal background checks on all gun sales, raising the federal age of gun ownership and possession to 21, closing of the gun show loophole, a restoration of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, and a ban on the sale of high-capacity maga-zines in the United States. Turnout was estimated to be between 1.2 to 2 million people around the country, making it one of the largest protests in American historyThe Jack-son family from St. John attended with their daughter, and Lisa Jackson had this to say, “I'm glad I attended March for Our Lives in Birmingham, AL. Our country is not perfect but we have people who want to make it better. That is the WIN I needed to experience and witness in these turbulent times. You can see the diverse group of students who organized the March. They also honored the young black teenager who was recently killed in Birmingham, Miss Courtlin Arrington. They had an original student who partic-ipated in the Children's Crusade in 1963. Living history...Ain't gone let no one turn us around.....”

Several of St. John’s youth had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Negro Southern League Museum (NSLM) for a celebration of Jackie Robinson Day. Throughout professional baseball, April 15 is desig-nated to acknowledge the day Robinson made his debut in Major League Baseball in 1947. Initiated for the first time on April 15, 2004, Jackie Robinson Day celebrates him being the first black player of the modern era.

On this day, all players, coaches, managers and umpires wear 42 on their uniforms. Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers – now the Los Angeles Dodgers – ended some 80 years of baseball segrega-tion. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, remem-bered for his accomplishments wearing the 42 jersey.

March for Our Lives

Youth remember legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson

When Sunday Comes On April 1, Easter Sunday morning, about 100 members from St. John AME Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church and Metropolitan AME Zion Church gathered together for their annual Sunrise Worship Service, where in Rev. Joshua Johnson and the Metropolitan AME Zion Church were our host. We had a glorious and spirit filled worship wherein St. John AME Church Mass Choir set the church on fire through praise and worship and our pastor Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Sterling took us to the throne of God with a dynamic Resurrection Sunday message.

Coming to worship on Easter Sunday at an hour and place different than we normally do, offers a sense that something unexpected has happened. Where there appeared to be no hope, there is now hope. Where there was death, there is now resurrection!

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Saint John AME Church

Doba, Lisa & Elisabeth Jackson

Youth standing with former Negro League Baseball players

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Saint John AME Church

Married Couples Breakout Fun Day

All married couples are invited to join the

Saturday, June 16 , 2018

Contact Floyd & Coretta Collins for more information

Annual Scholarship Banquet

Saturday, June 23, 2018 @ 12noon

Speaker: Attorney Eric Guster

$20.00 Donation (Tickets available in Church Office)

We will award various Scholarships to members and community

And Honor the Founder of the Scholarship Committee Sis. Emma Bailey

Get in the Spirit…. Vacation Bible School 2018

Gear up for Life’s Big Game…. Youth and Adults grab your megaphones, lace up your cleats and tune up your instruments, as we realize how God has given us the ultimate playbook. God wants us to join His team, train hard, celebrate salvation and encourage one another. Contact Deborah Thomas for more information. Volunteers are needed.

Vacation Bible School June 11—15

5:15pm—8:30pm (Dinner Served)

SIGN-UP TO ATTEND!!!

9th Episcopal District Christian Education Congress July 16—19, 2018 Troy University

ALL AGES WELCOME

Enjoy 3 days of NON-STOP fun!!!

For more information contact Tanya Morris

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Saint John AME Church

Salute to Moms!!!

Mother’s Day Breakfast Sunday, May 13, 2018 @ 8:00 am

St. John Fellowship Hall

Everyone is invited to attend!!! Sponsored by: Sons of Allen

Calling ALL Youth & Adults Make plans to attend the

Birmingham-Florence-Tuscaloosa District Church School Convention June 7, 2018

St. Mark AME Church (Tuscaloosa, AL)

Transportation will be provided. Contact church office or Sis. Shirley Bailey for more information

Register today for the International Stewardship & Economic Development Summit

Beeson Divinity School May 30—June 1, 2018

Register Online: https://bit.ly/2H4JicY Early Bird Registration – February 1-March 31, 2018 - $150.00 Regular Registration – April 1-30, 2018 - $175.00 Late Registration – May 1-May 15, 2018 - $200.00 Workshops include: Evangelism, Mission and Outreach, Finance and Administration, Women in Ministry, Stewardship, Economic Development, Non-Profit Organization, Finance and Administration.

(All Stewards, Trustees and Ministry Leaders are encouraged to attend)

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE RAYAC EXPERIENCE!!!

If you between the ages of 25 –41 join us for an information meeting

on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 @ 6pm Presenter: Bro. Matthew Seawright

The Richard Allen Young Adult Council is committed to engaging young adults in total ministry of the church to benefit the total person. We are look-ing forward to starting a choir, planning of Classic Revival, and many other activities on the local, District and Connectional levels. GET INVOLVED TODAY in the life of the church today.

On any given Sunday you will find Yolonda Carter aka “Yogi” singing in the choir, but did you know that Yogi finds sanctuary in painting, making jewelry and writing poetry nearly every day. Yo-gi was featured in an article on al.com last month. Yogi’s art has taken on many reincarnations while growing up in Ithaca and Rochester, NY. Shortly after her high school graduation in 1989, Carter's family migrated to Alabama where she continued her edu-cation in fine arts. About 85 percent of Yogi Dada's profit comes from custom-made pieces that cost between $400-$700 depend-ing on the size, Carter said, “That number has grown over the years because of word-of-mouth and social media exposure.” After receiving so much joy from a talent God gave to her, she wanted to give back. She knew that doing custom pieces for non-profits would be in her future. Every year, breast cancer survivors would ask her to make pink earrings for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

“Yogi” Gives back to the Community

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Members of Saint John Girl Scout Troop 576 (Regan Sims, Olivia Mede and Marinda Mede) recently stopped by City Hall to catch a council meeting, pay Mayor Randall Woodfin a visit and ask the mayor questions about his job. As soon as Reagan Sims, a first grad-er from EPIC Elementary walked into the lobby, she exclaimed, “This is awesome! There’s some pretty stuff in here.” Troop Leader Tammy Davis wanted the students to experience local government in action.

Girl Scout Troop 576

Birmingham Youth Symphony

We are proud to announce that two of our young people (Jada Harris and Albert Moore,V) recently performed with the UAB Youth Wind Sympho-ny.

The Birmingham Youth Wind Symphony was created for students who wish to perform in an ensemble beyond the normal school day. The Bir-mingham Youth Wind Symphony membership, chosen through a process involving director recommendations and an audition, is composed of wind and percussion performers from the public, private, parochial and home schools in the metropolitan Birmingham area. All members must be ac-tively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teacher. Keep up the good work Jada and Albert.

SAINT JOHN AME CHURCH MORNING PRAYER LINE Monday – Saturday @ 6:00am

(641) 715-3680 Access Code: 382023#

9TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WARRIORS ON THE WALL NIGHTLY PRAYER LINE Sunday – Saturday @ 9:00pm – 9:15pm CST

(641) 715-3580 Access Code: 975086#

May 1 Meals on Wheels 11am May 2 Bible Study 12noon Lay Organization 1pm Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) 6pm

May 3 Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal 6pm

May 5 Girl Scout Meeting 10:30am Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am

May 6 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship 9:30am Children’s Church 9:30am

May 8 Meals on Wheels 11am Steward Board Meeting 6pm

May 9 Bible Study 12noon Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) 6pm

May 10 Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal 6pm May 112 Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am

May 13 Mother’s Day Breakfast/Church School 8am Morning Worship 9:30am Children’s Church 9:30am Teen Church 9:30am Sons of Allen Meeting 11:30am

May 15 Meals on Wheels 11am Trustee Board Meeting 5:30pm

May Calendar

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Saint John AME Church

May 16 Bible Study 12noon VBS Volunteer Meeting 5pm Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) 6pm RAYAC Meeting 6pm May 17 Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal 6pm May 19 Northwest WMS Conference Institute 8am Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am May 20 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship 9:30am Children’s Church 9:30am Teen Church 9:30am High School Graduation Party 11:30am

Deadline for June Newsletter Information May 22 Meals on Wheels 11am Official Board Meeting 6pm

May 23 Bible Study 12noon Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) 6pm May 24 Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal 6pm May 26 Mass Choir Rehearsal 10:30am May 27 Church School 8:15am Morning Worship 9:30am Children’s Church 9:30am May 29 Meals on Wheels 11am

May 30 Connectional Economic Development Summit (Beeson Divinity) Bible Study 12noon Angeles of Jeremiah Dance Rehearsal (Youth) 6pm

May 31 Connectional Economic Development Summit (Beeson Divinity) Meals on Wheels 11am Mass Choir Rehearsal 6pm

May Calendar