Su mmer 2018 VOLUME XXXII, ISSUE IV FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN:

New Members 2

2018 Graduates 3

Annual Youth Day 5

Quarterly Calendar 11

...and more

In-Home Bible Study 7

Inside this issue:

DuPa g e African Methodist Episco pal Church 4300 Yackley Avenue Lisle, IL 60532 630-969-9800 630-969-9807 fax

www.DuPageAMEC.org www.facebook.com/DuPageAMEC

info@dupageamec.org

Rev. Dr. James F. Miller Senior Pastor

Rev. Lana Parks Miller Executive Pastor

Rev. Albert D. Tyson, III Presiding Elder

Rt. Rev. John F. White, Sr. Presiding Prelate

Women’s Weekend 2018

Rev. Lana & Pastor Miller DIV INE , I NSP IRAT IONAL , V IRTUOUS, ANO INTED, S I STERS.

God’s D. i .v .a .s . Unite “What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle,

obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.” ~James 3:17

It’s time for God’s D.I.V.A.S. to put on a spiritual spectacle of faith! In “all white” attire, this celebration of faith will be Sunday, June 24th. The vision of the Women’s Day Chorus, dressed in white and pearls, will be a stunning sight to see. Money is being set aside to help single parent families at Bridge Communities transitional housing program. Our preacher,

the Rev. Joy Gallmon, Pastor of St. Mark AME Church in Milwaukee, is one of the few women in the AME Church with a major pastoral appointment. Most recently arriving from Florida to pastor this great pulpit, Pastor Gallmon has distinguished herself as a progressive leader and a dynamic minister in the faith. We are looking for wisdom and knowledge from Pastor Gallmon as she addresses the state of our communities and the particular position of women in the world today.

And that’s not all! On Saturday, June 23rd, a "must attend” women’s conference and luncheon will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Naperville. The conference will include presentations on Divine, Inspirational, Virtuous, Anointed, Sisters. This year’s speakers include: Rev. Dr. Geneace Williams, Min. Chanel Ware, Rev. TiShaunda McPherson, Rev. Denise Burton & Rev. Dr. Trina Armstrong. This is our first church event at the newly constructed Embassy Suites Hotel and the committee is excited to experience the venue.

Please support our chairperson, Nancy Covington-Beal and her committee in this most inspirational spiritual event. It will not only bless the lives of others, but will also be a great and needed blessing of refreshing revitalization for DuPage!

Pastor Miller

Rev. Joy Gallmon

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WEL COME TO OUR NEW MEMBER S We welcome the following New Members to our DuPage AME Church family! May each of you always

be open to the ministry of the Lord’s church. Remember: Active Christians create churches that are alive!

Brooke Lindsey Bolingbrook

Derrick, Jearemeah & Dream Humphrey

Addison

Rochelle Stewart Bloomingdale

Nisa Johnson Naperville

Dorothy Pleas & Katherine Sanders Darien

Evette Perkins Lisle

THE NEWSLETTER is a publication of DuPage AME Church, 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-969-9800 ,w w w . D u P a g e A M E C . o r g Editor—Rev. Lana Parks Miller. Staff— Rev. Morgan Dixon & Brooke Denham 630-969-9800, info@dupageamec.org. Ted McKee, photographer. Rights reserved to edit for content and space. Our aim is to communicate with you, provide an outreach to you, and truly reflect the spirit of the congregation and it’s leadership. THE NEWSLETTERis published quarterly.

Charles, Angela, Carrington & Chaz Patterson

Naperville

Andrew Stewart Schaumburg

Tia Reed Aurora

Willette Alson-Wilson Wooddale

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Praise The Lord! We, your church family, honor you for your academic accomplishments,

and for your contribution to the life of the church. We pray God’s continued blessings for your future!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATES

Jori Hardy Michael McPherson

Olivia Tyler

8TH GRADE GRADUATES

Amari Banks Roy Jones, III

Jonathan Durant Cannon Lambert II

Kendra Jackson Nathan Love

Linwood Johnson, Jr. Savannah Neal

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

James Durant, IV Michael Ransom

Alexis Fuller Sydney Rayburn

Caleb Harris Kendall Simpson

Jordan Kirksey Aaron Steele

Christopher Lee Jade Stevenson

Mattie Levy Destiny Stovall

Leah Mims Jasmine Williams

Chidubem Ogbuefi Jahari Winkfield

COLLEGE GRADUATES

Allen Bell III Portia Johnson

William Brown II Yannick Nanton *Fall 2017

Rashad Crosby Lauren Ransom

Sharad Crosby Raina Scott

Alex Haynie Zachary Strickland

Tyra Jackson Andrew Tyler

ADVANCED & OTHER DEGREE GRADUATES

Kamarrie Coleman, PhD Deirdre Green, PhD

Jarrod Franklin, MD Sis. Elexis Wilson, MS

Connie Wyatt

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Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

We Are Now Streaming Our Services LIVE Every Sunday Morning!!!

“Go ye into all the world and make disciples” ~Matthew 28:19

We have two platforms that our services are now being streamed live on. We are streaming LIVE from our Facebook page via Facebook Live and we are also streaming live via our website, WWW.DUPAGEAMEC.ORG. If you are traveling or if you are working, tune in. If you’re not physically able, and you want to connect with the church, now you can!

Please share the news with all of our members all over the world! Let the DuPage Nation connect. From the Southwest, to the Southeast and the Northeast to the

Northwest, and from the Deep South to the Frigid North, let the nation come together and praise the Lord!

God’s work is being done. God’s name is being praised. And the saints of God are coming together. And our choirs sing to the glory of God! Hallelujah! Remember, when you are back home to come worship! We will you in church!

DUPAGE LIVE!

Worship Services 8 am & 11 am

Sunday School

9:45 am- 10:45 am

The Fields Scholarship Caleb harris  The Andriess Walker Scholarship Mattie Levy

The Mary Lou Finley Scholarship Destiny Stovall  The James Ferguson Scholarship Sydney Rayburn

The Brotherhood Scholarship Jahari Winkfiel.d

The Sylvarose Scholarship Jade Stevenson  The Ron Allen Scholarship Michael Ransom

The James & Lana Miller Scholarship Sydney Rayburn

Missionary Scholarship Jasmine Williams

Missionary Scholarship Alexis Fuller  Missionary Scholarship Aaron Steele

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“Commit to the LORD whatever you do,  and God will establish your plans.”   

-Proverbs 16:3 The Bible teaches us that if we celebrate God’s blessings we will see more of them. On Sunday, June 10th, we will celebrate the greatest blessings we have! All of our youth in their each service will be recognized. This is a major blessing every year. PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!!! All college bound high school graduates, all college students, all graduating college students and all graduating graduate level students will be recognized, celebrated and prayed for. As they prepare for the new year, please encourage your church family by being sure to be present. Let the church see the fruit of its prayers and sacrifices. The victory of your life is the church’s best reward. We are so proud of you!

All Youth Choirs will sing, and we have some special guests. Our preachers will be Bro. Chinelo Tyler, the Connectional YPD President, and our own Sis. Elexis Wilson. We know that we will hear two great dynamic

messages from the Lord! Be still right now for a moment, and feels God’s power and voice calling you to be present and support our young people and our youth department.

Thank you all Youth Ministry leaders and volunteers for all you do. With all of life’s endeavors, your living is certainly not in vain. Come boldly before the throne of grace and lay your offerings of time and service to these young people at the Savior’s feet. A Holy Ghost explosion is on the way!

ANNUAL YOUTH DAY/PROMOTION SUNDAY

Inspirational Choir

Sunbeam Choir

Voices of Tomorrow

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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY ! … A FEW DUPAGE AMEC FATHERS

UPCOMING GOLF FOR CHRIST 2018 ACTIVITIES

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IN-HOME BIBLE STUDY

What is the Holy Bible? It is known as God’s Word, a history book, God’s guide for living, a source of comfort and strength, and much more. Good spiritual health depends on a daily diet of God’s word. Every member needs to have a phone app, an actual book, or some online resource to assist their challenge and growth in immersing themselves in the life giving waters of the bible every day. Please pray about this and in God's time, let the Lord lead you! 1-Get a Bible you can read. 2- Read and study it regularly. 3-Get ready for our In-Home Bible Study!

On Friday, July 13th, our Annual In-Home Bible Study will be hosted in small groups, at several member homes and one location will be at a member’s home near you! You are invited and encouraged to register for a location near you. Come and enjoy a meal and fellowship with other DuPagers. Then a one hour bible study will be taught at each location. Sign up as a teacher, a location support facilitator, or a host and let the Lord use you.

This intimate gathering of members, in small groups, outside of the sacred venue of our church building, to break bread and study God’s word has proven to be one of the best blessings we have shared as a church family. Let’s not keep it as a “best kept secret.” Spread the word that you are coming., Enter the spiritual realm of God’s sanctifying process. Let’s grow in grace, love and fellowship together. You will leave saying, “Wow, what a wonderful time we had!” See you there!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: WEDNESDAY. AUG 8TH—  FRIDAY. AUG 10TH

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” ~Hebrews 11:10 NIV

It’s time to get ready for VBS! Vacation bible school is a revival of the revelations, insights and everyday wisdom that only God’s word can give. It’s time to sit with the saints and converse about God’s word, and how it relates to the challenges of our lives, the world and society. It’s time to see the children play and have fun as they study the Bible together. Parents, please pray about the wholesome memories of spirit and heart that you are providing for your child. They need more than gear, sports, devices and resume building activities. They will greatly benefit from the foundation of faith that comes from the church and from God. Be sure to bring your children!

Our dynamic Church School Team is crafting an experience that will be a way for all participants, especially the adults, to participate. Please watch for the details of this intriguing invitation to your soul God bless you every body and remember, the greatest joys and blessing come sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Dinner will be served nightly. Come on servants of the most high, be blessed and become a greater blessing for Christ and His Kingdom! VBS is coming!

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THE DATE IS SET FOR ICHOIR CAMP

ANNUAL LAY DAY

All church members who are not preachers (clergy) are lay members. Each local church is asked to have a “formal lay organization.” The Lay Organization is generally composed of members who are interested the history, governing system and life of the AME church beyond the friendly confines of their local church. These members usually travel, attend conferences both locally, nationally and some internationally and generally participate on every level of the life of the AME Church.

The founders of the AME Church were geniuses. They knew what we needed as a church to keep us accountable and inclusive: The governing system of having equal representation of preachers and church members at the church conferences to make decisions has kept our church strong and healthy for over 200 years!

Sunday, August 12th, will be our Annual Lay Day. We have two of the most dynamic speakers and distinguished lay leaders in the church today. Valerie Gary Bell, the International President of the AME Church Lay Organization is certain to issue a fiery challenge to the church. Jerry Turner, the President of the 4th Episcopal District Lay Org. (that’s us and all the Midwest), is a young corporate executive, who is known to “Pull the covers off our excuses and tell the truth! I don’t know about you, but it’s time to be blessed by these servants who love the church and sit in the pews each Sunday on fire for Jesus. Valerie Gary Bell Jerry Turner Jr.

The Louis A. Garland Jr. Lay Organization

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The house next door to the church has been purchased and renovated and REACH Ministries, Inc, our 501(c)3 corporation, is now working for the Lord and the community out of the new location. First, thank you saints of God. Your sacrifices, contributions and prayers have resulted in a home for this ministry which is one of Jesus’ most important ministries. Matthew 25:35 says, “When I was hungry, you fed Me.” Since its organization REACH has distributed over one million pounds of food to needy families. That’s what we are celebrating. That’s what you have done DuPage AME Church. You have fed the poor, and needy. Each month on the second Saturday a group of faithful volunteers gathers and feeds over 200 families monthly with

approximately 10,000 pounds of food. Its a great service and fellowship for Saturday morning soldiers of the cross. Are you looking for a place to serve?

On Sunday, August 19th, a gala reception will be held with outdoor cooking and community dignitaries to mark the official opening of the new location and to give God thanks. We expect most local politicians, business leaders, other charity volunteers and sponsors to be present for this festive occasion. We will unveil also the donor wall that will list all the contributions that we have received towards this project, dating back to our initial purchase of the house! What a testimony of faith that will be.

Come see God’s work, support the workers of the ministry an represent DuPage Church to the larger community. Please call the church office if you would like more information. Thank you.

TIME FOR THE REACH OPEN HOUSE

Is parenting overwhelming you? Trying to balance school, sports, and church? Are you equipped to navigate social media with your child?

Need help advocating for your child(ren) at school?

Then you are not alone! DuPage, let’s be the village that comes together to discuss resources and best practices addressing these and many other issues we face today.

Family Matters is a pilot program designed to support families through interactive workshops, energetic roundtable discussions, and dynamic training sessions with expert panelists. Various issues in our homes bring concern, but we are stronger together and our families matter to God. So stay tuned as we strive to provide a Christ-centered framework for the enhancement of our families.

More information will be forthcoming in the bulletin and via email, including a survey to determine topics that matter the most to you. Remember-we’re all in this together! #DuPageVillage

FAMILY MATTERS 2018

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THE PRODIGAL STEWARD BY PATRICIA WILSON BAKER

Godliness With Contentment

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,

that they may lay hold on eternal life.” ~I Tim 6:17-19 KJV

The Apostle Paul wrote I & II Timothy to his protégé of the same name, Timothy. Paul wrote the book to encourage Timothy in his leadership at the church of Ephesus. Paul wrote to him about various leadership principles, such as being aware of false teachers and to be strong in his faith. He wrote about the importance of prayer and public worship and personal ethics. Paul warned Timothy to practice contentment in what God had provided for him.

Paul’s advice on contentment extends to us today. In verse 6:6 of I Timothy, Paul explains that godliness with contentment is great gain. Meaning, when we learn to rely on God and welcome God into our lives and our situations, we can rest in the truth. God knows us, God knows our needs, and God will never leave us. We equate contentment with enough; when we have enough we are full. But, having enough does not come easy for us. Fortunately, through Christ we are new creations and it is by the Spirit of God that we can overcome that desire of always wanting more.

Our contentment is not based on getting money or things; we are content because we know the Giver of all things. We know the love of money is the root of all evil; therefore, our desire is not for money but for the good we can and will do with the money. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future and we know for certain that God will never leave us or forsake us. Therefore, we can say like Paul in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

The teaching in I Timothy 6:17–19 gives us the foundation that we can build upon for being content. We can have riches in this world, but we must not lose our focus. We are to enjoy what has been given to us, being full not just with money but in good deeds. We must learn to give back through volunteering and hospitality. We must also be willing to give our tithes and offerings to God’s work which has eternal value and worth. By giving we are laying up treasures in heaven where our wealth is being accumulated and managed by our Creator, the greatest financial planner in the universe.

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THE CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

JUNE 10 Annual Youth Day 17 Father’s Day 23-24 Women’s Weekend

JULY 13 In-Home Bible Study 15 New Member Fellowship Day 16-19 4th District Christian Ed Congress 21 Golf For Christ Tournament

AUGUST 8-10 Vacation Bible School 12 Lay Day 17 Inspirational Choir Camp 18 The Brotherhood Cookout 19 REACH Open House 25 Crowns Tea

“When I was hungry you fed Me …” ~Matthew 25:35

We thank all the many volunteers who assisted with the Food Bank each month! Upcoming dates for serving:

Saturday June 9th

Saturday, July 14th

Saturday, August 11th

10 am — 12 No on ea ch mont h

Please make a contribution of your service!

Assistance is also needed prior to truck days.

Drivers are also needed to assist with delivery of food. Please pray about how you can be a blessing to someone in need. To volunteer please contact Loleta at 630-969-8274. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

R.E.A.C.H. FOOD BANK

UPCOMING EVENTS

“Blessed To Be A Blessing”

DuPage AME Church 4300 Yackley Avenue Lisle, IL 60532 w w w . D u P a g e A M E C . o r g www.facebook.com/dupageamec

WE MAKE THE ROAD BY WALKING

Beginning September 2018 and continuing through September 2019, we will be going on

“a year-long quest (52 weeks) for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation and Activation.”

Anchored through our weekly Bible Study, we will embark as a church family in this exercise of faith

and intentional growth.

Feel free to secure your copy of the book in advance or through the bookstore beginning in August.

Watch your bulletin and eblasts for additional information.

Let’s continue to grow together … in GOD!