Fall 2017 VOLUME XXXII, ISSUE I

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN:

New Members 2

Gospel Choir Concert 3

Youth Ministry 4

Quarterly Calendar 7

...and more

Usher Day 5

Inside this issue:

DuPage African Methodist Episcopal 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

Pastor Miller & Rev. Lana

“I will make you majestic forever, a joy from age to age.” ~Isaiah 60:15b ESV

The Lord is still in the blessing business! This year’s anniversary finds DuPage AME still expanding God’s Kingdom with several projects are nearing dedication: the renovation of the 4324 Yackley Ave House, the complete renovation & redecoration of our kitchen, the installation of our long awaited playground, and the overall beautification of the church buildings and grounds . They are all being readied for completion.

We will have a “Generations on Parade” processional, which will highlight our newest ministry, which is our Infant and Toddler Ministry. All of the parents &the beautiful babies will be God's blessings on display. It will be a beautiful sight. As we celebrate 38 years of Christian ministry in DuPage County other surprises are in store for us. It’s really going to be a special day. Our 2017 Photo Directory will also be available for each household.

Our Trustee Board has informed us that after 21 years, replacing our roof is the next major project on the list. In appreciation of God’s blessings, and to be good stewards of our church building which we have now been in for 21 years, every family is asked to make a special offering if $121.00 over & above their regular tithes & offerings for this anniversary. This will help build up funds to replace our roof, keeping DuPage as a beacon of light in the community.

It’s exciting! What a victory of a day is in store. Please pray for Chairperson Bro. Dennis Gary & all who are working to make it a great day in the Lord.

Pastor Miller

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THE NEWSLETTER is a publication of DuPage AME Church, 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-969-9800 ,www.DuPageAMEC.org 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 NEWSLETTER is published quarterly.

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!

Paul Perkins, Jr. Darien

Annette Jones Burr Ridge

Laura J. Marshall Darien

James Robinson Bolingbrook

Gwendolyn M. Belt Romeoville

Ashley Patterson Oakbrook

Join us for dinner immediately following the 11:15 am Worship Service.

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135TH CHICAGO ANNUAL CONFERENCE

With God we Can Transform the World! With God All Things are Possible!

~Matthew 19:26

This year’s CHICAGO ANNUAL CONFERENCE is being hosted by Greater Institutional AME Church and will take place from Monday, September 25th—Saturday, September 30th at Grant Memorial AME Church located at 4017 S. Drexel Blvd in Chicago. Monday is Missionary Day followed by the formal opening and Roll Call on Tuesday morning. Conference

& Pastoral Reports will commence on Wednesday—Friday. Pastor Miller will read his report on Thursday morning. The Holy Communion and Ordination Service in which our own Rev. TiShaunda McPherson will be ordained an Itinerant Elder, will also be held Thursday morning. Members of DuPage are asked to volunteer Thursday, September 28th. Please contact the church office if you are available to serve.

GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT

WE’VE SEEN GOD WORK! “We know that all things work together

for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.”

~Romans 8:28 On Saturday, October 14th, at 6 pm, our own GOSPEL CHOIR will present a full concert. Get ready to feel God’s glory! The choir will

minister many old favorites from the “Golden Age” of gospel & move to modern day songs of praise.

Christ Church of Oakbrook will be here as a special guest of the choir this year. Christ Church is a non-denominational Bible-based church in Oakbrook, IL, rooted in Reformed tradition. Their Chancel Choir is 102 members strong ranging in age from 17-92 years old.

DuPage AME Church’s Gospel Choir began as the ‘Gospel Chorus’ in 1985 & presented its first concert “Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord” on October 11, 1987. The following year they changed their name to the ‘Gospel Choir.’ Over the years there have been several directors who have led the choir through recordings & various concerts. Today the Gospel Choir is led by musical director Anthony Warren, Jr. and consists of 45 members. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings and sing each 1st & 3rd Sunday. New members are always welcome to join us in singing to the glory of God!

Christ Church of Oakbrook

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DUPAGE YOUTH MINISTRIES ARE BACK!

Be Ready! “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from

you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” ~1 Peter 3:15

DuPage Youth Ministries are back for the Fall! Angel Church, DuPage Divine Dreamers (3D) and Teens Seeking Soul Salvation (TS3) are back from Summer hiatus. Immediately following the offering, during the 8:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services, all youth desiring a youth oriented worship with others, are invited to come: to the Angel Church area (ages 2-6), the Fellowship Hall (ages 7-12), or The Chapel (ages 13-18).

In Angel Church, adult volunteers support various Biblical lessons and crafts that reinforce Biblical teachings. In 3D the teachers for each week are: 1st Sunday–Sis. Elexis Wilson, 2nd Sunday–Rev. Morgan Dixon and on 3rd Sundays–Rev. Connie Dickerson. On 4th Sundays, as it is Youth Sunday, we all worship together, in the Sanctuary each service for the entire service. Licentiate Dr. Malcolm Franklin joins the 3D Team and will teach on 5th Sundays. Rev. TiShaunda McPherson will teach TS3 on 2nd & 3rd Sundays.

These are exciting and challenging times for our you. Let’s encourage them to grow their faith in worship.

‘THANK YOU LORD’ REVIVAL

“The Lord thundered with a mighty voice!” ~1 Samuel 7:10

THANK YOU LORD REVIVAL Wednesday, November 8th— Thursday, November 9th— Friday, November 10th

7:15pm nightly Can you imagine coming to church and everyone feeling so thankful that the praises shake the walls? Get ready for an earthquake of praise because God has been that good to us. God has really kept the DuPage AME family and God is worthy of all the praise. It’s important to thank God for the blessings. This Revival gives us the chance to get be restored spiritually as we thank God for the blessings.

Our guest preacher, is known as a “lightning and thunder” preacher. Rev. Conitras Houston, Pastor of Trinity AME Church in Atlanta is on fire for the Lord! She has been with us before and we are blessed to have her return. There is no doubt that there will be a powerful word from the Lord.

As the Holy Spirit leads, our music department will provide the music beginning with our Praise Team at 7:15pm nightly. Invite your friends and family to come out. Watch your church bulletin for additional details.

Rev. Conitras Houston

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ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE

2020 VISION

“Without a vision, the people perish.” ~Proverbs 29:18

After much prayer, personal soul searching and many one-on-one meetings with church leadership, we are preparing for the new year. On Sunday, November 19th, immediately following the 11:15am service, our Annual Church Conference will set the stage for the next three to five years of the life of DuPage AME Church. If you love DuPage church, then please make the special effort to be present. A light lunch will be provided following 11:15am service for those who are staying for the conference.

We will be looking through spiritual eyes as we examine leadership direction for the church. As we talk about our faith and where we need to grow, we will explore the ministries that we are willing to support. We will talk about providing for our children. The agenda will be posted before the meeting to give ample time to pray and reflect. Please mark your calendar and pray now. Speak to Pastor or Rev. Lana if the Lord gives you a thought, a comment or a suggestion. God bless you and let's pray now for God’s presence and God’s grace.

ANNUAL USHER DAY

Standing Firm In Our Faith “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” ~I Corinthians 16:13

On Sunday, November 12th, we will honor our faithful ushers who work all year to help our church be a wonderful place to worship. That Sunday will be a special blessing with usher representatives spread out among us as we thank God for the service of our Usher Board.

Our preacher for the day will be the former Senior Bishop of the AME Church, and our former presiding prelate now retired, the Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant. Bishop Bryant remains one of the most evangelistic and thought provoking preachers in the kingdom. Worshippers will

gather from near and far when word gets out that Bishop Bryant is coming. Let’s all be in the number on Usher Day 2017.

Be present to witness the Usher Board’s grand processional as the entire board presents itself before the Lord in prayer. What a might spectacle of faith that will be. God bless you Ushers and spread the word!

Bishop John R. Bryant

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“Unless the LORD builds the house the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” ~Psalm 127:1 NIV

With the knowledge and appreciation that our wonderful house of worship is a blessing to cherish, the Trustee Board has begun a journey to beautify our church. Through the Beautification Committee of the Trustee Board our goal is to create and maintain an environment that is as comfortable and inviting. We know that our work will not be in vain, because we've prayed and asked God to

guide our efforts. He has answered our prayers with the financial resources to begin this project. Thank you to all who gave and continue to give faithfully to help bring this goal of our Pastor and the church to fruition.

This summer DuPage was blessed with a paid facilities’ management intern positon. Our own Kendel Baker, who was home from school for the summer and helped us with several projects. Our first step was to do some deep cleaning, power washing and eliminating clutter from the first level. The floors were commercially cleaned, the floor mats were replaced and the bathrooms were spruced up on the Narthex level. Artwork was added to the walls on that level as well and there are more improvements to come.

Thankfully our Angel Church experiences a lot of wear and tear. This is an indication of a thriving children’s ministry. We’ve begun sprucing up that space so our youngest members will continue to have an esthetically pleasing environment. Across from the Angel Church, the Treasures of Faith Bookstore has also been updated to better serve our members.

In an effort to boost curb appeal, we are updating the church grounds, too. Flower beds have been edged. Mulch was added and the flowers are flourishing, thanks to the generous help of Carol Allen.

This is only the beginning. We request your prayers of support and encouragement as we strive to maintain our church home. Trusting that God is with us, we do not labor in vain. To God be the glory!

TAKING CARE OF THE LORD’S HOUSE BY JAMEENA IVORY

Kendel Baker & Rev. Morgan

The Gardens of DuPage “They shall be watered as a garden.” ~Isaiah 58:11

Thank you, Carol Allen, for sharing your green thumb. We thank God for you!

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DATES TO REMEMBER

SEPTEMBER 17 38th Church Anniversary 24 28th Pastoral Anniversary 25-30 Chicago Annual Conference

OCTOBER 14 Gospel Choir Concert 15 Visitor Celebration Day 29 Community Organizations Day

NOVEMBER 3-4 DuPage Theatre Group Production 8-10 ‘Thank You Lord’ Revival 12 Annual Usher Day 19 Annual Church Conference 22 Thanksgiving Eve Service

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

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

Friday, September 8th , 4-6pm

Friday, October 13th, 4-6pm

Friday, November 10th, 4-6pm

Please make a contribution of your service! Assistance is also needed prior to truck days. Pray about how you can be a blessing to someone in need. Please contact Loleta at 630-969-8274 to volunteer.

To support their upcoming Thanksgiving Drive ($16 feeds a family of 6) and Amazon Smile campaign, please visit: www.reachcommunityservices.com

Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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

Did you know that the AME Church has an official newspaper for our denomination?

The Christian Recorder is the oldest existing periodical published by African-Americans in the United States whose existence dated before the Civil War. It had its genesis in ‘The Christian Herald’, which was which established by the General Conference that was held in Philadelphia in 1848.

The Christian Recorder continues to serve the African Methodist Episcopal Church in local communities and around the world in 39 countries on five continents with a robust print and online presence. Under its new leadership, the paper is providing a new forum for emerging and fresh voices.

Stop by the Treasures of Faith Bookstore for your complimentary copy of

The Christian Recorder. You might see a familiar face or two!

To keep up with daily updates “like” them on Facebook or consider getting your own subscription at:

www.thechristianrecorder.com

“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