Pastoral Transition

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of April 23, 2018

Greetings Family,

Ponder these thoughts from Pastor Smith, Emeritus, written in his book “Falling in Love with God”.

“Prayer is the safe time when we stand face to face in the holy presence of God. We are always safe in God’s holy presence.“

{‘Falling in Love with God- Reflections on Prayer’ (Page 46); Author: Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.}

For this week (April 23 through April 29), we beseech you to engage in prayer and meditation on the prayer themes and scripture references that speak to seeking God’s will --- [“Listening to Him”]. 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
• Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV): 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. . 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
• Believe, God has the answers
• Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV): 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
• Believe, God has the answers
• John 10:27 (NIV): 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
• Believe, God has the answers
• Psalm 119:1-8 (NIV): 1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
• Believe, God has the answers
• Romans 8:24-28 (NIV): 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• Believe, God has the answers
• Hebrews 13;20-21 (NKJV): 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
• Sunday School Lesson (4/29) – Blessing, Glory, Honor Forever
• Revelation 5:1-14 (NIV): 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
  
  [Come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss the Sunday school lesson; how ‘bout making a commitment to visit a class or two]

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, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 31 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 14 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, July 12 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, July 26 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Pastoral Transition Prayer & Meditation Focus for the Week of April 16, 2018

Greetings Family,

“Prayer is the conduit that not only reveals the will of God for our individual lives, but also helps make us the people we need to be to do the impossible on the earth. It’s time to plug into that power like we never have before. “Quoted from “the Prayer Warrior’s Way”; Author - Cindy Trimm; page 44.

Let’s plug in. Let’s plug in. Let’s plug in.

For this week (April 16 through April 22), we beseech you to engage in prayer and meditation on the prayer themes and scripture references that were shared via a ‘handout’ from our Prayer Warriors Ministry, at a prior year’s Health Fair. 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

PRAYER IS POWERFUL
(I Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:10-19)

PRAYER HEALS
(Isaiah 57:18; James 5:15)

PRAYER IS UNITY
(Acts 1:14)

PRAYER IS TALKING WITH GOD
(Isaiah 57:15)

GOD DELIGHTS IN OUR PRAYERS
(Revelation 5:8)

PRAYER IS EARTH’S LINK TO HEAVEN
(Isaiah 55:3, 6)

PRAYER IS LISTENING FOR GOD’S REPLY
(Isaiah 58:2)

PRAYER IS BEING LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE
(John 13:35; II Corinthians 13:11)

PRAYER IS CONTINUOUS & ALL ENCOMPASSING
(Acts 6:4; Ephesians 6:18)

PRAYER MOVES THE HAND AND HEART OF GOD
(Isaiah 55:11)

Prayer is walking and talking with God in all of the places and circumstances of your life!!!

• Sunday School Lesson (4/22nd) – The Lord God the Almighty

Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11 (KJV): 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

[Come join us, as we wrestle with and discuss the Sunday school lesson; how ‘bout making a commitment to visit a class or two?]

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, April 19 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 31 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 14 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, July 12 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of April 8, 2018

“Prayer is the conduit that not only reveals the will of God for our individual lives, but also helps make us the people we need to be to do the impossible on the earth. It’s time to plug into that power like we never have before.“ Quoted from “the Prayer Warrior’s Way”; Author - Cindy Trimm; page 44.

Pastoral Transition Update - April 1, 2018

The Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., has announced his plans to retire on January 31, 2019. If the church completes the process earlier, his retirement date could be as early as September 30, 2018. During this transition process, the Senior Pastor, J. Alfred Smith, Jr., and the Assistant Pastor, Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, will continue in their respective roles, as Allen Temple Baptist Church functions normally, in accordance with God’s will and the stated mission of the church.

The Vetting Committee has completed the Pulpit Search Committee interviews and the next phase in the transition process is to confirm the Pulpit Search Committee by church election. The Pulpit Search Committee will be responsible for the process of managing the Pastoral search process and bringing potential candidates forward for consideration by the church.

The Advisory Board will receive the recommendation for the 15 member Pulpit Search Committee, and 2 alternates, on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30pm. After the Advisory Board confirmation, the church will ratify the Pulpit Search Committee, at the church business meeting on Saturday, April 28 at 10:00am.

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, April 5 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 19 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Let us continue to be active in our faith, pray continuously, love each other, and hold onto what is good, as we celebrate God’s continued love, mercy, and grace for the Allen Temple Baptist Church Community.

Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Ted Carter, Chairperson, Deacons Ministry

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of April 2, 2018

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of March 25 2018

• Believe, God has the answers

• Sunday School Lesson (4/1st) – HE HAS RISEN
• [Come and join us, as we wrestle with and discuss the biblical text]
• Luke 24:1-12, 30-35 (KJV) 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were  done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

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, April 5 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 19 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 31 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 14 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

God Bless!!!

Pastoral Transition Scripture & Meditation Focus for the week of March 19, 2018

• Discipleship: Believe, God has the answers
  • Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV): 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• Family Christian Teaching/Learning: Believe, God has the answers
  • Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT): 4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
• The Cost of Discipleship: Believe, God has the answers
  • Luke 14:27-33 (KJV): 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
• Spiritual Power: Believe, God has the answers
  • Matthew 17:14-21 (NIV): 14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
  • Ezra 8:21-23 (NIV): 21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV): 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• Sunday School Lesson (3/25th) – Keep My Statutes and Ordinances [Come and join us, as we wrestle with and discuss the biblical text]
  • 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 (KJV): 12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.  17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. 21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house? 22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

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, March 22 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 5 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 19 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

PASTORAL TRANSITION SCRIPTURE & MEDITATION FOCUS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 12, 2018

"And when we pray to God regularly, irregular things happen on a regular basis."

• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 34:1-3 (KJV): 1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Exodus 20:1-6 (KJV): 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 149:1-5 (KJV): 1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • John 3:23-24 (KJV): 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Malachi 3:8-10 (NKJV): 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
• Believe, God has the answers
  • Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV): 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• Sunday School Lesson (3/18th) - The People Gave Thanks to God [Come and join us, as we wrestle with and discuss the biblical text]
  • 2 Chronicles 7:1-9 (KJV): 1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. 8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days

PASTORAL TRANSITION SCRIPTURES & MEDITATION FOCUS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 5, 2018

“Prayer is like the morning bath that refreshes us after an evening of sleep. Prayer is like the evening bath that cleanses us of the sweat and dirt of working for survival in a compassionless and competitive word.” … “You and I pray not because we can; we pray because we must! “ {‘Falling in Love with God- Reflections on Prayer’ (Page 27); Author: Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.

• Experience the Lord’s Presence - Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 46:10-11 (KJV): 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
• Examining one’s self- Believe, God has the answers
  • 1 John 1:8-9 (KJV): 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV): 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 
• Prayer for a Clean Heart - Believe, God has the answers
  • Psalm 51:10 (KJV): 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
  • 1 Timothy 1:15 (NRSV): 5 But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
• Prayer for Forgiveness - Believe, God has the answers
  • Colossians 3:13 (CEB): Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.
• Help my un-belief - Believe, God has the answers
  • Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV): 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Obedience - Believe, God has the answers
  • 2 John 1:6 (GNT): This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.
• Sunday School Lesson (3/11th) – There is No God Like You [Come and join us, as we wrestle with the word of God]
  • 2 Chronicles 6:12-21 (NRSV): 12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in
    the court; and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant in steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart— 15 you who have kept for your servant, my father David, what you promised to him. Indeed, you promised with your mouth and this day have fulfilled with your hand. 16 Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant, my father David, that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children keep to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’ 17 Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant David. 18 “But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! 19 Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you. 20 May your eyes be open day and night toward this house, the place where you promised to set your name, and may you heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. 21 And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; may you hear from heaven your dwelling place; hear and forgive.

PASTORAL TRANSITION SCRIPTURES & MEDITATION FOCUS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Dear Allen Temple Family,

Ponder these thoughts from Pastor Emeritus Smith, written in his book “Falling in Love with
God”.

“Prayer is like the morning bath that refreshes us after an evening of sleep. Prayer is like the evening bath that cleanses us of the sweat and dirt of working for survival in a compassionless and competitive word.” … “You and I pray not because we can; we pray because we must!“ {‘Falling in Love with God- Reflections on Prayer’ (Page 27); Author: Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.}

For this week (February 26 through March 4), we beseech you to engage in prayer and
meditation on the prayer themes and scripture references listed below. If possible, let's pray
together during the 7am morning hour, 7pm evening hour or 12:00 noon time-frame.

Prayer Themes and Scriptures

• Experience the Lord’s Presence
  • Psalm 46:10-11 (KJV): Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the
    heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is
    our refuge. Selah.
• Examining one’s self
  • 1 John 1:8-9 (KJV): If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and tocleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV): Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test
    yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the
    test?
• Prayer for a Clean Heart
  • Psalm 51:10 (KJV): Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
  • 1 Timothy 1:15 (NRSV): But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure
    heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
• Prayer for Forgiveness
  • Colossians 3:13 (CEB): Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.
• Help my unbelief
  • Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV): Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Obedience
  • 2 John 1:6 (GNT): This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.
• Sunday School Lesson (3/4) – The Lord Will Provide (Come and join us, as we wrestle with the word of God)
  • Genesis 22:1-14 (KJV): And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

Pastoral Transition Prayer Hour Schedule
Thursday, March 8 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, March 22 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 5 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, April 19 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 3 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm