Pastoral Transition

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of December 10, 2018

Greetings Family,

“God speaks to us in many ways, and we come to recognize His voice from all the others in the world by spending time with Him ..." “The Prayer Warrior’s Way”, (Page 74); Cindy Trimm

Prayer is the difference between seeing with our physical eyes and seeing with our spiritual eyes. Prayer gives us a God’s-eye view. “Draw the Circle”, (Page 67); Mark Batterson

For this week (December 10 through December 16, we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on these scriptures and on the words of the printed church song. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Philippians 4:6-8 (NRSV): 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Believe, God has the answers
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV): 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Believe, God has the answers
- I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV): 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Believe, God has the answers
- Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me Master today
Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bow

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me

Sunday School Lesson (12/16) – Love and Worship God
- Psalm 103:1-22 (KJV): ¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: ³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; ⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; ⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. ⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. ⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. ⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. ¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. ¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. ¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. ¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. ¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; ¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. ¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. ²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. ²¹ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. ²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

As we continue seeking the will of God and His discernment through the processes of prayer and meditation, we invite you to not only incorporate our Scripture & Meditation Focus into your daily life via the weekly newsletter insert, but also the entire archive on the Church website (Allen-Temple.org; click Pastoral Transition on the top blue bar of the home page), but to also join us at our Thursday Pastoral Transition Prayer Hours in the Sanctuary. The Prayer Hour will be followed by Thursday Evening Bible Study taught by Pastor Smith and Reverend Olu Bereola. Dates and times are:

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of December 3, 2018

Greetings Family,

“God speaks to us in many ways, and we come to recognize His voice from all the others in the world by spending time with Him ... {“The Prayer Warrior’s Way”, (Page 74); (Cindy Trimm)}

Prayer is the difference between seeing with our physical eyes and seeing with our spiritual eyes. Prayer gives us a God’s-eye view. {“Draw the Circle”, (Page 67); (Mark Batterson)}

For this week (December 3 through December 9), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on these scriptures and on the words of the printed church song. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scripture

Believe, God has the answers
- Philippians 4:6-8 (NRSV): 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Believe, God has the answers
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV): 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Believe, God has the answers
- I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV): 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Believe, God has the answers

Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me Master today
Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bow

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me

Sunday School Lesson (12/9) – Choose to Love and Serve God
- Joshua 24:1-3, 13-15, 21-24 (KJV): 1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. 3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. 13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. 23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. 24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of November 26, 2018

Greetings Family,

“Prayer is the difference between seeing with our physical eyes and seeing with our spiritual eyes. Prayer gives us a God’s-eye view.“ “Draw the Circle”, (Page 67) (Mark Batterson)

For this week (November 26 through December 2), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on these scriptures. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Philippians 4:6-9 (NRSV): 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Believe, God has the answers
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV): 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Believe, God has the answers
- Romans 8:26 (NRSV): 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
Believe, God has the answers
- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Sunday School Lesson (12/2) – Love and Devotion
- Deuteronomy 6 (NIV): 1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said. 20 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” 21 tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation for the Week of November 19, 2018

Greetings Family,

“Prayer is the difference between seeing with our physical eyes and seeing with our spiritual eyes. Prayer gives us a God’s-eye view. “Draw the Circle”, (Page 67); Mark Batterson

For this week (November 19 through November 25), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on these scriptures. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Psalm 127:1a (NASB): 1a Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Believe, God has the answers
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV): 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Believe, God has the answers
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV): 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight :)
Believe, God has the answers
- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Believe, God has the answers
- Proverbs 3:5 (KJV): 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Sunday School Lesson (11/25) – God Blesses Jacob and His Family
- Genesis 30:22-43 (KJV) 22 Then God remembered Rachel; he answered her prayer and made it possible for her to have children. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She said, “God has taken away my disgrace by giving me a son. 24 May the Lord give me another son”; so she named him Joseph. 25 After the birth of Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Let me go, so that I can return home. 26 Give me my wives and children that I have earned by working for you, and I will leave. You know how well I have served you.” 27 Laban said to him, “Let me say this: I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. 28 Name your wages, and I will pay them.” 29 Jacob answered, “You know how I have worked for you and how your flocks have prospered under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has grown enormously, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I went. Now it is time for me to look out for my own interests.” 31 “What shall I pay you?” Laban asked. Jacob answered, “I don't want any wages. I will continue to take care of your flocks if you agree to this suggestion: 32 Let me go through all your flocks today and take every black lamb and every spotted or speckled young goat. That is all the wages I want. 33 In the future you can easily find out if I have been honest. When you come to check up on my wages, if I have any goat that isn't speckled or spotted or any sheep that isn't black, you will know that it has been stolen.” 34 Laban answered, “Agreed. We will do as you suggest.” 35 But that day Laban removed the male goats that had stripes or spots and all the females that were speckled and spotted or which had white on them; he also removed all the black sheep. He put his sons in charge of them, 36 and then went away from Jacob with this flock as far as he could travel in three days. Jacob took care of the rest of Laban's flocks. 37 Jacob got green branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees and stripped off some of the bark so that the branches had white stripes on them. 38 He placed these branches in front of the flocks at their drinking troughs. He put them there, because the animals mated when they came to drink. 39 So when the goats bred in front of the branches, they produced young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob kept the sheep separate from the goats and made them face in the direction of the streaked and black animals of Laban's flock. In this way he built up his own flock and kept it apart from Laban's. 41 When the healthy animals were mating, Jacob put the branches in front of them at the drinking troughs, so that they would breed among the branches. 42 But he did not put the branches in front of the weak animals. Soon Laban had all the weak animals, and Jacob all the healthy ones. 43 In this way Jacob became very wealthy. He had many flocks, slaves, camels, and donkeys.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of November 12, 2018

Greetings Family,

Ponder these encouraging thoughts from Pastor E. that are penned is his book, “Falling in Love with God, Reflections on Prayer”

“Continue steadfastly in being faithful in your promises to God. Continue steadfastly in being firm in God’s purposes. Continue steadfastly in being fearless in God’s principles, and continue steadfastly in being fervent in your prayers.“ (Page 96); Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. (ATBC Pastor Emeritus)

For this week (November 12 through November 18), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on these scriptures. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Psalm 127:1a (NASB): Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it
- Ephesians 1:22-23 (GNT): 22 God put all things under Christ's feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. 23 The church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.
- Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV): 20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Believe, God has the answers
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV): For we walk by faith, not by sight
Believe, God has the answers
- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Believe, God has the answers
- Proverbs 3:5 (KJV): Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Believe, God has the answers
- Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT): 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Sunday School Lesson (11/18) – Jacob Forms a Relationship with God
- Genesis 28:10-22 (NIV): 10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, November 15 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of October 29, 2018

Greetings Family,

Ponder these encouraging thoughts from Pastor E. that are penned is his book, “Falling in Love with God, Reflections on Prayer”:

“Continue steadfastly in being faithful in your promises to God. Continue steadfastly in being firm in God’s purposes. Continue steadfastly in being fearless in God’s principles, and continue steadfastly in being fervent in your prayers.” (Page 96); Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. (ATBC Pastor Emeritus)

For this week (October 29 through November 4), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on the words from these songs that honor God and provide ‘centering’ for us. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV): 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight
Believe, God has the answers
- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Believe, God has the answers
- Proverbs 3:5 (KJV): 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Believe, God has the answers
- Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT): 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Believe, God has the answers – [Isaiah 6:3]
My hallelujah belongs to You
You deserve it
God we give You the glory, hallelujah
God we give You the praise, hallelujah
All the glory, all the glory,
And all the honor, all the honor,
And all the praise.
Sunday School Lesson (11/04) – Siblings’ Rivalry
- Genesis 25:19-34 (NIV): 19 This is the story of Abraham's son Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel (an Aramean from Mesopotamia) and sister of Laban. 21 Because Rebecca had no children, Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord answered his prayer, and Rebecca became pregnant. 22 She was going to have twins, and before they were born, they struggled against each other in her womb. She said, “Why should something like this happen to me?” So she went to ask the Lord for an answer. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are within you; You will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other; The older will serve the younger.” 24 The time came for her to give birth, and she had twin sons. 25 The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau. 26 The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born. 27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac preferred Esau, because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau killed, but Rebecca preferred Jacob. 29 One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry 30 and said to Jacob, “I'm starving; give me some of that red stuff.” (That is why he was named Edom.) 31 Jacob answered, “I will give it to you if you give me your rights as the first-born son.” 32 Esau said, “All right! I am about to die; what good will my rights do me?” 33 Jacob answered, “First make a vow that you will give me your rights.” Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, November 1 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 15 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of October 22, 2018

Greetings Family,

Ponder these encouraging thoughts from Pastor E. that are penned is his book, “Falling in Love with God, Reflections on Prayer”.

“Continue steadfastly in being faithful in your promises to God. Continue steadfastly in being firm in God’s purposes. Continue steadfastly in being fearless in God’s principles, and continue steadfastly in being fervent in your prayers.“ (Page 96); Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. (ATBC Pastor Emeritus)}

For this week (October 22 through October 28), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on the words from these songs that honor God and provide ‘centering’ for us. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers – [2 Corinthians 5:7]
We’ve Come This Far By Faith
We've come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord;
Trusting in His holy word,
He’s never failed me yet.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
can’t turn a-round,
We've come this far by faith.
Albert A. Goodson. 1965; printed as written in the African American Heritage Hymnal

Believe, God has the answers – [Proverbs 3:5-6]
I Will Trust In The Lord
I will trust in the Lord (x3)
Till I die
I will trust in the Lord (x3)
Till I die
I’m gon-na treat everybody right (x3)
Till I die
I’m gon-na treat everybody right (x3)
Till I die

I'm gon-na stay on the battle field (x3)
Till I die
I'm gon-na stay on the battle field (x3)
Till I die

I'm gon-na stay on bended knee (x3)
Till I die
I'm gon-na stay on bended knee (x3)
Till I die
Text: Negro Spiritual

Believe, God has the answers – [Isaiah 6:3]
You Deserve It
My hallelujah belongs to You (x4)
You deserve it (x4)
My hallelujah belongs to You (x4)
You deserve it (x4)

All of the glory belongs to You (x4)
You deserve it (x4)
You deserve it (x4)

Hallelujah, hallelujah (x4)
All the glory, all the glory,
And all the honor, all the honor,
And all the praise, all the praise
You deserve it (x4)
You deserve it (x4)

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
God we give You the glory, hallelujah
God we give You the praise, hallelujah
All the glory, all the glory,
And all the honor, all the honor,
And all, all the praise
You deserve it (x4)
You deserve it (x4)
My hallelujah belongs to You
My hallelujah belongs to You
My hallelujah belongs to You
JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise (2017)

Sunday School Lesson (10/28) – Isaac and Rebekah Continue the Legacy
- Genesis 24:12-21, 61-67 (NIV): 24:12 Then he prayed, LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ¹³ See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. ¹⁴ May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” ¹⁵ Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. ¹⁶ The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. ¹⁷ The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.” ¹⁸ “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. ¹⁹ After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” ²⁰ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. ²¹ Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful. ⁶¹ Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. ⁶² Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. ⁶³ He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. ⁶⁴ Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel ⁶⁵ and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. ⁶⁶ Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. ⁶⁷ Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of October 8, 2018

Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from the author of the book, “Farther In And Deeper Down”.

“In the same way that school shapes us, prayer shapes us more. It causes us to desire personal, spiritual, and moral excellence. It enhances the way we think and live. “ (Page 73); Dr. E. K. Bailey

For this week (October 8 through October 14), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on the prayer themes and the scripture verses.

If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Colossians 1:9-11 (KJV): ⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness
Believe, God has the answers
- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Believe, God has the answers
- Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT): ²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Sunday School Lesson (10/14th) – God Is Always Working
- Genesis 10:1, 11:10, 27, 31-32; 12;1-4 (KJV)
- 10:1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
- 11:10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: ²⁷ Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. ³¹ And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. ³² And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
- 12:1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ⁴ So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, October 18 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 1 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 15 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, December 13 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Abiding Faith – A Pastoral Transition Perspective

Jesus spoke a key concept when He spoke about abiding in Him. Notice how many times the following scripture mentions the word abide:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:4-11 NKJV)

Allen Temple Baptist Church is thankful for the grace of God which continues to abide in our church community as we enter yet another phase of transition. The prospective pastor application process has concluded. And the real work of the Pulpit Search Committee team will begin in earnest. We are also actively involved in planning the retirement celebration of our Senior Pastor, J. Alfred Smith, Jr, as he embraces the next phase in life that God has in store for he, his wife, Elaine, and their family.

As a church family, we are called to exercise our abiding faith, self-discipline, and allow His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections. In other words, God seeks to move in our congregational life. As we, Allen Temple Baptist Church, pray as a congregation, for God’s guidance in our pastoral transition process, He is also speaking to individuals who are prayerfully seeking to know and respond to God’s call for our congregation.

The Pulpit Search Committee is now actively working to be an instrument whereby God’s call to a particular servant-leader is paired with the needs of the Allen Temple congregation to create a new partnership in ministry. Let’s remain in prayer, abide in prayer, and pray without ceasing that His will be done for building up this body of Christ.

Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Ted Carter
Chairperson, Deacons Ministry

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of October 1, 2018

Greetings Family,

Once again, ponder these thoughts from the author of the book, “Draw the Circle”.

“The God who gives the vision is the same God who makes provision.“ (Page 80); Author: Mark Batterson}

For this week (October 1 through October 7), we beseech you to ‘pray’ and meditate on the prayer themes and the scripture verses. If possible, let's pray together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

Believe, God has the answers
- Colossians 1:9-11 (KJV) 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness
Believe, God has the answers
- Colossians 1:16-18 (NLT) 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.
Believe, God has the answers
- Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT) 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Sunday School Lesson (10/7) – Noah’s Steadfast Faith
- Genesis 6:8-22 (KJV) 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Please come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss this week’s Sunday school lesson

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, October 4 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, October 18 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 1 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 15 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, November 29 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of December 10, 2018

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of December 3, 2018

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of November 26, 2018

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation for the Week of November 19, 2018

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of November 12, 2018

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of October 29, 2018

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of October 22, 2018

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of October 8, 2018

Abiding Faith – A Pastoral Transition Perspective

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of October 1, 2018

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